On episode #60 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling with special guest Eric Feeney.  In our follow-up segment, we hear from a listener who has found a surprising benefit to Homework for Life and another with storytelling advice for Matt. We also inquire about the possible existence of listeners in the Louisville area. STORYTELLING SHOWS 2019 August 10: Great Hartford Story Slam at Hartford Flavor Company August 17: Solo storytelling show at Taproot Theater, Seattle, WA September 7: “Tests” at Real Art Ways November 2: Great Hartford Story Slam, location TBD November 23: Twenty-one Truths About Love book release, CT Historical Society, Hartford, CT December 14: “Crafty” at CT Historical Society, Hartford, CT STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS 2019 October 4-6: Storytelling workshop, Art of Living Retreat, Boone, NC October 25-27: Storytelling workshop (beginners), Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health November 9: Storytelling workshop (Beginner), CT Historical Society November 16: Storytelling workshop (Advanced), CT Historical Society December 6-8: Storytelling workshop (advanced), Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health January 25: Storytelling workshop (Beginner), CT Historical Society February 22: Storytelling workshop (Advanced), CT Historical Society In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about the importance of collecting moments that don't always seem storyworthy because we never know when we're in the midst of a story. Also, Homework for Life has enormous value beyond storytelling.  Next we listen to a story by Eric Feeney.   Amongst the many things we discuss include: Word choices, in terms of stakes and the preservation of humor Describing elements of a story that everyone isn't entirely familiar with. Humor  Pushing into scenes to clear the clutter The importance of a clean ending.  We then answer a listener question about getting reluctant students to speak and tell stories.   Finally, we each offer a recommendation.   LINKS Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling Purchase Twenty-one Truths About Love  Homework for Life: https://bit.ly/2f9ZPne Matthew Dicks's website: http://www.matthewdicks.com Matthew Dicks's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/matthewjohndicks  Matthew Dicks's blog: http://www.matthewdicks.com/matthewdicksblog Subscribe to Matthew Dicks's weekly newsletter:  http://www.matthewdicks.com/matthewdicks-subscribe Subscribe to the Speak Up newsletter:  http://www.matthewdicks.com/subscribe-speak-up Subscribe to Matthew Dicks's blog: http://www.matthewdicks.com/subscribe-grin-and-bare-it Friends of Feeney on Facebook RECOMMEDATIONS Elysha:  Chompers (podcast)  Matt: http://photorequestsfromsolitary.org Feeney: Qball Seesaw Whisper phone The Notebook Something to Wrestle Rules for a Knight by Ethan Hawke