Storytelling Matters Jim Brule

Introduction This episode, we hear from yet another distinctive voice in storytelling: Eric Wolf, known in the storytelling world as Brother Wolf. He’s a prolific storyteller, and amongst his many achievements, he produced a series of interviews with over 120 storytellers about a decade ago. We’ll hear from him about some of the twists and … Continue reading "Narrative Power"

In this podcast, we visit the topic of turning and returning: how one turns away from darker points in our lives.



The Hebrew word for “repentance” is t’shuvah­, which literally means to turn (around). It implies an act of will, and also the notion of not simply turning, but REturning to a better state.



In this episode, we hear stories that open some of those darker spaces, and the ways that people might respond to that darkness. Philip Rose, our guest, will share a personal story that he uses in his transformational work; Titi Ogunnaike will share a cautionary children’s tale from the Yoruba that might remind some of us of the Brothers Grimm; and I will share a story of a very dark place from the canon of the Baal Shem Tov.



We’ll also enjoy a surprise personal snippet from Phil about being audacious.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of “Storytelling Matters.” In this episode, you’ll hear a story from me, Maggid Jim Brulé, and two stories from Kohenet Rinah Rachel Galper. In these stories – and my interviews with Rinah Rachel – we’ll explore what a transformational story is, as well as how who we are presents us … Continue reading "Introducing “Storytelling Matters”"

In this podcast we visit Folktales – stories passed on in a tradition in an oral fashion: they shift a little from teller to teller and audience to audience, but without significant changes. However, the shifts are critical – they’re what help keep the story alive. Folktales may have an embedded value – just part … Continue reading "Folktales"

 In this podcast, we visit an enticing but controversial topic – telling stories from cultures other than our own. Stories have cultural values buried deep within them. Sometimes those values are explicit, but more often than not, they can be simply assumed and never specifically taught. We are under a special obligation to take … Continue reading "Stories from Other Cultures"

In this podcast, we visit the world of humorous stories – and how they can be transformational.



Many times, when we imagine a transformational story, we think of something deep, with layers of meaning that are soul-stirring, full of emotional moments and archetypic characters, plot, and setting. However, light-hearted stories can be full of healing in unexpected ways; and healing, after all, is an important kind of transformation.



In this episode, we hear stories that lift our souls with joy and a little mischief. One, a story from the canon of Hershel of Ostropol, is told by our guest, Hanita Blair, who also shares her more serious thoughts on how a storyteller must connect with their audience. I share a short collection of the tales of the city of Chelm, a place more fictional than real (although it is found in modern Poland).



We also discuss the ways in which humor can actually be an important source of transformation.