Speak Up Storytelling cover art

Speak Up Storytelling

By: Matthew and Elysha Dicks
  • Summary

  • 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.
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Episodes
  • James Bengiovanni: “Game Show Host”
    Aug 2 2021

    On 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:

    1. Authenticity of voice
    2. Capturing secondary characters in meaningful ways
    3. Raising the stakes
    4. The art of “the pause”
    5. Powers of location
    6. Alternatives to the impulse to play jokes loudly
    7. 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

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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • "Remembering Your Story" with special guest Thomas Krafft
    Apr 16 2021

    On 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:

    1. Memorizing versus remembering
    2. Strategies for practicing aloud
    3. Strategies for recording
    4. Active listening
    5. 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

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 28 mins
  • Questions Answered!
    Apr 8 2021

    On 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

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    1 hr and 12 mins

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