Changing Stories

Story at Work shifting people to collaboration and action — learn how to tell stories that educate, influence and change the narrative.

About this Event

When all we hear are stories of crisis, there can only be despair and inaction. But stories can also be told to promote hope, clarity of vision, and collaboration.

Why hope?

If you’re founder of a social enterprise or impact business, working in a not for profit,an innovative researcher or change-making professional, or an individual engaged in making a difference for others or the environment, you’ll have powerful, educative and influential stories you can tell that should be heard above the noise of despair and crisis.

‘It’s super painful to be a human being right now at this point in history. Nonetheless, we need to translate our concern—our despair, our anger, our feelings—into action.’  Renee Lertzman, social scientist, psychology scholar, and author of Environmental Melancholia.

Research shows that feeling hopeless is cognitively associated with inaction. 

We humans cannot manufacture creativity, productivity, and motivation out of a place of hopelessness. 

By contrast, medical and scientific studies have shown how hope serves to motivate effort, goal achievement, and adaptive responses in the face of adversity.

How could your stories help shift your people to hope and positive action?

Why story? 

Author Philip Pullman once said, ‘After nourishment, shelter, and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.’

Because when we’re told emotional, character-driven stories they release neuro-chemicals in our brains, focusing attention and creating empathy. 

This works to build trust and foster a willingness to collaborate while boosting recall of the story’s message. 

In numerous experiments, story has been shown to shift an entrenched narrative from a negative attitude to clarity and collaboration, inspiring people to positive action. 

These are compelling reasons to learn the art and craft of storytelling, if we are to harness hope and motivate action.

Understanding our purpose for telling stories, to whom, for what intention and the value we can share is critical to becoming a storyteller.

It is in telling contextualised, purpose led stories that you can change a perspective, transform thinking, and contribute to a narrative of hope and action.

Introducing Changing Stories program

The Changing Stories program in two parts: part one is training, part two embeds the practise.

PART 1 — The training

You receive a series of short videos and a pre-work workbook to assist you ito gain maximum time during the workshop to concentrate on storytelling.

During the training day, you’ll learn how to tell contextualised story, on purpose (why), for whom (who is your community), intention (what do you want them to think, feel or do), and your value (your unique knowledge and insights).

You explore a unique method to uncover and curate the hundreds of stories housed in your value that will help you shift a narrative to positive action. 

We introduce you to the framework that enables you to structure and craft written and spoken story for any forum in which your stories might effect change.

PART 2 —Embedding the practise

You’ll be invited to attend a second event aimed at embedding your storytelling skills, sharing your experiences, and telling a crafted story presentation to an assembled group.

We will invite you to become part of a community of storytellers all working to shift the dial just a little, creating the acton that will help humanity navigate the difficult times we are living through.

What do you gain?

Changing Stories is an unforgettable learning experience that many have seen as life changing.

They realise the power of story to better communicate. They see how they can use the architecture and frameworks across all their communication, to connect and engage, build business, change the narrative, and transform lives.

Join us

If you are a social enterprise founder, an innovative researcher or a changemaking professional, or individual, who wants to tell powerful stories, that can enlist support and build momentum to change the narrative from negative energy to positive action for your purpose, we’d love you to be part of out next intimate group of compelling storytellers.

Once you’ve attended PART ONE, you’ll receive an invitation to attend PART TWO. We look forward to meeting you at Changing Stories and being part of your storytelling journey as you work to change the narrative to positive energy and action.

What others say about Sandy McDonald, your facilitator and her storytelling training

Sandy is a skilled teacher and of course - story teller- who effortlessly blends stories into a well structured workshop. I left the day with an architecture and as importantly, the confidence to take the next step. Highly recommended workshop. Maria Simonelli, Telco

My eyes have been opened to the under-recognised power of story to influence and excite. It has changed the way I communicate whether this be in patient interactions, teaching, presentations, social media or grant applications. Story-power is a tool that can deeply enrich understanding and empower change; quite possibly my secret key to success! Dr Ada Cheung, The University of Melbourne

Sandy is a natural born story teller and shares her wisdom and professional practice with us, born out of her own rich life experiences.  In this way she demonstrates how to unlock the power of our own stories.  Joshua Nester SEEK

Sandy provides a wealth of information and transmits it in such a caring, articulate way. Her methods are easily understood and able to be adopted easily into your story telling tales.  Jo Kingwill, Marcomms Manager, Lardner Park

Sandy creates a wonderful environment that lets the stories flow out of you, even ones that you didn’t know were there. She shows you how to harness these stories and apply them to a purpose. A really great day that makes you more aware of your own capabilities. Kimberley Henman, Victorian Farmers’ Federation 

Sandy captured the hearts and minds of 1,500 people, shared a deeply profound message, and ended with a standing ovation any speaker would be proud of. Jon Yeo, TEDx Melbourne convenor