In this episode, I’m with my co-host, blogger and author, Vicki Atkinson.
We are changing our format starting with this episode. Vicki and I are big believers in the power of story – to connect us, to create intergenerational healing, to make meaning out of the events of our lives. To set the stage, we will be starting with someone telling a story in each episode.
In this case, I tell a story about what happened when my kids and I recently rescued a bunny. We got to see and learn a little bit about the nature of life, death, and our part in the circle of life.
Please forgive me for talking too fast as I tell the story. It’s part of my learning process to transition between interviewer to being in the spotlight. My nerves pushed me to rush so I need to practice slowing down. Here’s the story in a YouTube clip:
In this episode that is about 15 minutes long, after I tell the story, we talk a little bit about the elements of a good story. Drawing from the research of Will Storr and his Ted Talk, we highlight some of the features that come to play in most of our stories, whether they be personal narrative, fiction, or something in between.
Vicki brilliantly likens our new route starting with this episode, Route 66. Please join us for the scenic and beautiful places we go when we share the power of story.
Search (and subscribe!) for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or Pocket Casts OR Listen to on Anchor Episode 66: The Power of Story with Wynne and Vicki
Transcript for Episode 66 of the podcast
Links for this Episode:
Episode 66: The Power of Story with Wynne and Vicki on Anchor
Vicki’s personal blog: Victoria Ponders
Wynne’s personal blog: Surprised by Joy
Vicki’s recently released book: Surviving Sue
Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith
The Heart of the Matter 
What a great topic, the power of story!
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Thanks, Sheila!
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Great idea, ladies. The power of a good story resonates, no matter what age. I’ve thought about this quite a bit as I read to seniors. I think any parent can empathize with those big moments that happen in life and how we want to be honest with our kids while not being morbid. As I was listening to Wynne’s story, as so often happens, it made me think of a similar experience I had that I blogged about back in 2019, before I had met wither of you. There’s more to the story than I could tell on my blog, including lots more humor, but here is the gist: https://petespringerauthor.wordpress.com/2019/07/11/class-pets/
I would be happy to tell this story as part of your series if you’re interested, but certainly no pressure to say yes. If not, no worries. It takes a lot more than that for me to get offended. 😊
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I loved that this sparked an idea for an experience you had – exactly what stories should do, right? We’d LOVE to have you on to tell that story!
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Despite it being a little sad, what a great story.
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Thank you, Susan! I appreciate you tuning in!
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Oh, it’s a wonderful episode. Absolutely love your bunny story. You worried about telling it too fast, but I think that’s what makes it great, the passion. Poor bunny, but it’s a great story. Ha, ha.
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Ah, I like how you spin things, Brian!! Thank you, my friend!
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Your bunny drama was captivating. The length of your podcast story was just right. You spoke a little fast, but I wanted to hear the ending, so the speed suited me just fine! My son rescued a a one-year-old classroom bunny in his senior year at high school when his science teacher was fired: https://5secondsmiles.com/2023/04/07/the-bunny-in-the-basement/ Your children might like the story, Wynne. He lived to be 13! 🙂
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Thanks, Nancy! I really appreciate the feedback. And the link to your story. Hopping over there now.
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Of course, this is so good – “We got to see and learn a little bit about the nature of life, death, and our part in the circle of life.” I hear rabbits make great pets!
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Oh, thank you, Mary! And if we ever get a rabbit as a pet, you know I’ll write about it! 🙂
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Stories can both entertaining and powerful. Congrats to you both on the new format. I heard the snippet early today on Vicki’s post and you were great, Wynne! I did not sense you were rushed at all. But I agree that putting on an interviewee hat is different and often nerve wracking compared to being the interviewer.
I feel bad for that bunny but you did your best!
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Thanks, Ab! Poor bunny! Really appreciate you tuning in!
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