Practice Storytelling

Influential storytelling is a skill that applies in all kinds of situations. Here’s a list of just a few instances where stories will help you be more compelling:

• Job interview
• Presentation
• Talk
• Sales pitch
• Investor pitch
• Marketing and branding
• Lecture
• Podcasts
• Community development
• Leading people/causes

Story Hour is a casual environment in which to practice influential storytelling. It's free, informal, and virtual.

Story Hours are for anyone looking to improve their influential storytelling skills.

Story Hours are usually held once a month on Fridays at 1pm EST / 10am PST. Check the schedule for summer and holiday exceptions.

Story Hour is a virtual Zoom meetup designed to be informal, low-key, and fun. Not only do you get to listen to stories and practice telling your own, you also get the benefit of belonging to a community that shares a value for professional development and for inspirational leadership.

1. People sign up to be one of 3 - 4 storytellers in advance. Preference is always given to new speakers.
2. All registrants are invited to the call via a calendar invitation that includes the Zoom link.
3. One by one, the volunteer storytellers share a 5-minute story while a Wolf & Heron facilitator provides visual signals to mark the time.
4. We listen to the story. Then we share 5-10 minutes of feedback on what was compelling, and what to experiment with to make the story even more influential.

You can view past Story Hours on YouTube for reference.

Yes! You're welcome back any time. We find that storytellers who come often see the greatest benefit.

Not at all! Anyone at any storytelling skill level is welcome.

That said, we encourage our members to provide feedback using the language of our frameworks simply because it gives us all a shared articulation. If you don't, though, no one will bat an eye.

The frameworks are always shared at the beginning of each Story Hour, or you can reference them by creating a free account in our Influence Library.

No. While we encourage you to consider pushing your comfort zone to share, we welcome your participation however feels authentic and safe for you. Listen, offer feedback, share a story… we know you’ll find value regardless of how you contribute.

Contact us for more information.

As a company dedicated to influential communication within a business context, we pick themes that can have "professional" applications. That said, stories that happen in our personal lives can be absolutely relevant in a professional context, so the "kind of story" that ends up being shared at Story Hour can sometimes feel more personal than professional. We don't make it an explicit requirement that the stories at Story Hour should connect back to a professional point, necessarily.

Yes, choosing a story can feel overwhelming.

Participants develop influential stories on every topic and from all different types of experiences. The trick is to not overthink it. 

Every Story Hour has a theme to help inspire you, but don’t feel limited by the theme if it doesn’t speak to you. 

Remember, you don’t have to choose the “perfect” story. You just have to choose a story. Have the mindset that any story you practice will help you with the broader skill of influential storytelling, and you can work on one story for now, and work on another later.

Story Hour is intended to be casual and informal, so don't stress about preparing. That said, you'll get more out of your time if you consider the following:

1. Identify what the point of your story might be. Your story does not have to be practiced or memorized, but knowing what you're driving toward will make your story more compelling.
2. The only real limitation is to keep the story 5 minutes or less so we have time for the other storytellers.
3. If you like, you can view past Story Hours on youtube for reference.

Storytellers of all skill levels participate in Story Hour. No matter your skill level, you’ll gain something from participating.

We aim to provide a space for you to build the confidence to tell your first story, collect a story library over time, and  eventually lean into advanced skills.