Podcast
Speak Up Storytelling
Hosted by Matthew and Elysha Dicks · EN
Learn to tell better stories from the producers of Speak Up, a Hartford-based storytelling organization. Bestselling author, 53-time Moth StorySLAM champion, and 7-time GrandSLAM champion Matthew Dicks partners with his wife, Elysha Dicks, to share stories recorded from years of Speak Up shows. More importantly, they offer tips, feedback, strategies, and advice on these stories, all in an effort to help you tell your best stories.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
James Bengiovanni: "Game Show Host"
Aug 2, 202101:10:18Tap to summarizeOn episode #116 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks are back, talking storytelling! In our follow up segment, we discuss our return to posting new episodes and our upcoming shows and workshops. August 18: Speak Up at Hill-Stead Museum (6:00 PM EST) August 20-21: Storytelling Workshop (Phoenicia Playhouse, Woodstock, NY) August 21: Speak Up at the Phoenicia Playhouse, Woodstock, NY (7:00 PM EST) October 23: Speak Up at The Wadsworth Atheneum (7:00 PM EST) Tickets available soon! December 4: Speak Up at The Connecticut Historical Society (7:00 PM EST) In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about finding stories through contrast. Next we listen to a story by James Bengiovanni. Amongst the many things we discuss include: Authenticity of voice Capturing secondary characters in meaningful ways Raising the stakes The art of "the pause" Powers of location Alternatives to the impulse to play jokes loudly The importance of ending in the heart of the storyteller Next we answer questions about using stories in cover letters and job interviews. Lastly, we each offer a recommendation. RECOMMEDATIONS Elysha: Crip Camp Documentary (Netflix) Matt: How Walking Can Build Up the Brain by. Gretchen Reynolds (NYTimes) _________________________________________________________ Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling Speak Up merch at Cotton Bureau: https://bit.ly/3gc1h35 Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3 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: https://matthewdicks.com/blog
Transcribe →"Remembering Your Story" with special guest Thomas Krafft
Apr 16, 202101:27:52Tap to summarizeOn episode #115 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and special guest Thomas Krafft talk storytelling! In our follow up segment, we discuss new content on our Patreon page and upcoming shows and workshops. April 21: Humor in Storytelling (8:00 PM EST) (4 weeks) April 24: "School Days" (7:00 PM EST) May 15: Storytelling workshop (beginners) (9:30 AM EST) In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about the way that a simple statement, when given enough thought and consideration, can produce a story. Next Matt and Thomas discuss strategies for remembering content for the stage, incluidng: Memorizing versus remembering Strategies for practicing aloud Strategies for recording Active listening The reverse memory palace Lastly, we each offer a recommendation. RECOMMEDATIONS Thomas: Geocaching Matt: Photo rotation _______________________________________________ Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling Speak Up merch at Cotton Bureau: https://bit.ly/3gc1h35 Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3 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: https://matthewdicks.com/blog
Transcribe →Questions Answered!
Apr 8, 202101:11:44Tap to summarizeOn episode #114 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks are back, talking storytelling! And answering your questions! In our follow up segment, we discuss new content on our Patreon page and upcoming shows and workshops. April 21: Humor in Storytelling (8:00 PM EST) (4 weeks) April 24: "School Days" (7:00 PM EST) May 15: Storytelling workshop (beginners) (9:30 AM EST) In our Homework for Life segment, Elysha explains to Matt how one of his Homework for Life entries can make a great story. Next we answer lots of listener questions! Lastly, we each offer a recommendation. RECOMMEDATIONS Elysha: Wandavision on Netflix Moby Dicks in Pictures by Matt Kish _______________________________________________ Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling Speak Up merch at Cotton Bureau: https://bit.ly/3gc1h35 Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3 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: https://matthewdicks.com/blog Two Little Jewish Dicks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIrItw1hsSI Shoe Thief: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl_gQhsPqXA
Transcribe →Donna Shubrooks: "Driveway Interview"
Mar 16, 202100:54:18Tap to summarizeOn episode #113 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks are back, talking storytelling! In our follow up segment, we discuss new content on our Patreon page and upcoming shows and workshops. March 20: "Weddings Behind the Scenes" (7:00 PM EST) April 21: Humor in Storytelling (8:00 PM EST) (4 weeks) April 24: "School Days" (7:00 PM EST) May 15: Storytelling workshop (beginners) (9:30 AM EST) In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about the way that Homework for Life can help illuminate a story that took years to complete. Next we listen to a story by Donna Shubrooks. Amongst the many things we discuss include: Humor strategies in storytelling Dispensing information without leaving the confines of the story Spooling Openings Avoiding describing scenes after the fact Next we answer questions about subtle stories and storytelling introductions. Lastly, we each offer a recommendation. RECOMMEDATIONS Elysha: https://www.cookingwithshereen.com Matt: Speck of Dust by Sarah Silverman (Netflix) _______________________________________________ Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling Speak Up merch at Cotton Bureau: https://bit.ly/3gc1h35 Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3 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: https://matthewdicks.com/blog
Transcribe →SPECIAL EPISODE #5: Real Life People in a Book - "Twenty-one Truths About Love"
Feb 22, 202100:45:25Tap to summarizeIn this special episode of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew Shepard and Steve Brouse talk about what it's like to become characters in a book of fiction and other oddities in the creation of Matt's novel, "Twenty-one Truths About Love," a book written entirely in list form. In this series of 5 episodes, Matt, along with Elysha, several friends, his editor, and the illustrator of the cover, will pull back the curtains on publishing. They'll talk about the writing process, creativity, collaboration, stumbling blocks, and more. "Twenty-one Truths About Love" is now available in paperback and can be purchased wherever you get books.
Transcribe →SPECIAL EPISODE #4: Stumbling Blocks - "Twenty-one Truths About Love"
Feb 22, 202100:27:05Tap to summarizeIn this special episode of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matt and storyteller Jeni Bonaldo talk about the stumbling blocks that occurred in the writing of Matt's novel, "Twenty-one Truths About Love," a book written entirely in list form. In this series of 5 episodes, Matt, along with Elysha, several friends, his editor, and the illustrator of the cover, will pull back the curtains on publishing. They'll talk about the writing process, creativity, collaboration, stumbling blocks, and more. "Twenty-one Truths About Love" is now available in paperback and can be purchased wherever you get books.
Transcribe →SPECIAL EPISODE #3: My Cover Designer and Me - "Twenty-one Truths About Love""
Feb 21, 202100:20:18Tap to summarizeIn this special episode of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matt and designer Kerri Resnick talk about the creation of Matt's novel, "Twenty-one Truths About Love," a book written entirely in list form. In this series of 5 episodes, Matt, along with Elysha, several friends, his editor, and the illustrator of the cover, will pull back the curtains on publishing. They'll talk about the writing process, creativity, collaboration, stumbling blocks, and more. "Twenty-one Truths About Love" is now available in paperback and can be purchased wherever you get books.
Transcribe →SPECIAL EPISODE #2: My Editor and Me - "Twenty-one Truths About Love"
Feb 21, 202100:27:29Tap to summarizeIn this special episode of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matt and editor Hannah Braaten talk about the creation of Matt's novel, "Twenty-one Truths About Love," a book written entirely in list form. In this series of 5 episodes, Matt, along with Elysha, several friends, his editor, and the illustrator of the cover, will pull back the curtains on publishing. They'll talk about the writing process, creativity, collaboration, stumbling blocks, and more. "Twenty-one Truths About Love" is now available in paperback and can be purchased wherever you get books.
Transcribe →SPECIAL EPISODE #1: The Birth of a Book - "Twenty-one Truths About Love"
Feb 21, 202100:23:37Tap to summarizeIn this special episode of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matt and Elysha talk about the creation of Matt's novel, "Twenty-one Truths About Love," a book written entirely in list form. In this series of 5 episodes, Matt, along with Elysha, several friends, his editor, and the illustrator of the cover, will pull back the curtains on publishing. They'll talk about the writing process, creativity, collaboration, stumbling blocks, and more. "Twenty-one Truths About Love" is now available in paperback and can be purchased wherever you get books.
Transcribe →Sue Huggans: "Handling Money"
Feb 10, 202101:03:20Tap to summarizeOn episode #112 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks are back, talking storytelling! In our follow up segment, we discuss Elysha's recovery from COVID-19, a public service announcement on birds, upcoming shows and workshops, and more. In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about finding stories through contrast. Next we listen to a story by Sue Huggans. Amongst the many things we discuss include: The chronology of storytelling Controlling your audience's wonder Description without adjectives The powerful combination of surprise and vulnerability Avoiding describing scenes after the fact Next we answer questions about our podcasting equipment, Charlie's finger, and creating a family legacy. Lastly, we each offer a recommendation. RECOMMEDATIONS Elysha: Thekitchn.com Matt: Springsteen on Broadway _______________________________________________ Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling Speak Up merch at Cotton Bureau: https://bit.ly/3gc1h35 Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3 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: https://matthewdicks.com/blog
Transcribe →