Through personal anecdotes, ancient tales, and insightful conversation, Usha and Jim invite listeners to discover how the art of storytelling can become a gift—one that bridges cultures, generations, and hearts. Whether you're a seasoned storyteller or simply curious about the magic of myth and memory, this episode offers a tapestry of inspiration, practical wisdom, and heartfelt moments.

Tune in to experience the storyteller's journey, and find out what Hanuman's gift can mean for your own path. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:27 Usha Venkatraman's Background 04:23 The Story of Valmiki and Hanuman 20:37 Discussion on Storytelling and Compassion 28:26 Reflections on Storytelling and Ambition 35:39 Closing Remarks and Future Discussions

This episode, our guest is Hears Crow, a storyteller from the Narragansett people who has a story for us about a sparrow, some trees, some life-or-death challenges, and a lesson for us all.

What you are hearing today originally aired in December of 2020, and yet I think you will find it very relevant today.

Hears Crow tells us:

"This story has been told by many different nations. I've heard it from native tribes, from Abenaki. I have seen it from up north. The most frequent time that I got to hear this story was Willow Greene, who is a well known Abenaki storyteller. And she I believe, told it about a sparrow and another tree. This, the little bird in the Cedar, is very much along the lines of the Narragansett tradition."

What you are hearing today originally aired in November of 2020, and yet I think you will be moved by its currency.

In addition to writing and telling stories, Laura Deal studied the deeper meanings of dreams for 18 years with dream expert Rev. Dr. Jeremy Taylor. She's a certified Dream Work Facilitator from the Marin Institute for Projective Dream Work, and the founder of the First Church of Metaphor.

Our guest this episode is Leah Lamb, a writer, producer, and transformational storyteller. She's worked in and produced plays off-Broadway and around the country, been a wilderness leader, an author, but centrally, is a storyteller. We'll hear from her about her experiences, thoughts, and a pearl or two of wisdom for storytellers. And, of course, a story!

We'll also hear a story about a band of truly incompetent thieves. We'll explore how that story continues to change and grow in its telling, and how we change along with it. And we'll cap the whole episode off with a special offer.

Full show notes at http://storytellingmatterspodcast.com/s1e10

Our guest this episode is Bob Kanegis, a New Mexico storyteller and coach who helps people uncover, craft and tell their most important stories; he's been in the business for decades. He's traveled to and lived in places many of us haven't, including many years in the Yukon.

Bob will share how he came into storytelling, the exciting programs he's involved with now, and how, remarkably, a story actually saved his life! He'll also share some pearls of wisdom for new storytellers.

You'll also hear a traditional story from me, and some thoughts about Truth, facts, and the power of belief.

http://storytellingmatterspodcast.com/s1e9

Our guest this week is Doctor Leonia Kurgan, a Psychoanalyst and a Psychodramatist from Poland and South Africa – late of Los Angeles – who uses stories professionally, as well as a storyteller. Importantly, she has found deep resonances with them in her own life, which then further informs her understanding and use of them.

Full show notes can be found at http://storytellingmatterspodcast.com/s1e7

Storytelling has a lot to do with things that are hidden, that can be hidden in many different ways.

The most obvious form of hiding is in plot elements that are deliberately hidden, such as in a murder mystery. Then there are the things that are hidden that are far less concrete, but still part of the intent of the story.

But most interesting are things that lie beneath the surface, which are often not explicitly known to the teller. These are the personal meanings that the audience – and the teller! – can discover in the story without specific intent.

In this episode, we'll hear some stories and thoughts about things that are hidden and revealed. Our guest is TZiPi Radonsky, a maggidah, Rabbi, and PhD educator. She'll share personal stories, reflections, and pearls of wisdom. You'll also hear a traditional story about things hidden and revealed, and some thoughts and experiences about when those moments of unexpected revelations occur.

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.

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.

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 care when sharing some other culture's story: do we have a sufficient understanding to tell it authentically? Will the audience understand those values?

In this episode we hear stories from three cultures: Japanese, West African, Afghan, and Kalahari. Each is told by a different storyteller, including our emerging storyteller from Nigeria, a guest to be featured in a future episode from Poland, South Africa and Los Angeles, and a traditional folk teller from North America with an unusual background (a PhD in Botany) and an incredible international reach: Fran Stallings.

We also hear from Fran and her journey through storytelling, and her pearls of wisdom for storytellers.

• Introduction, and a taste of things to come.
• Fran Stallings' recollections of her journey through storytelling.
• The Melting Grass, Fran Stallings' Japanese story…
• The Magic Drum, a traditional West African story told by Titi Ogunnaike.
• The Farmer and the Star Woman, a Kalahari story, told by a surprise guest, Leonia Kurgan.
• Cultural Appropriation, a reflection on the particular challenges of story sharing from different cultures.
• Pearls of Wisdom, our recurring segment of advice from this week's guest.
• Upcoming next week: another taste of what is to come!

Fran Stallings is an American storyteller who has performed at national and international storytelling festivals, in schools and libraries, and on the radio. She performs primarily folktales from around the world. She has produced several audio recordings and books of stories. She conducts workshops, residencies, and festival performances throughout the United States and overseas. Please visit her website.

Photo: http://storytellingmatterspodcast.com/podcast-guests/stallings-photo/

Titi Ogunnaike is an emerging storyteller from Lagos, Nigeria. Her plans include a North American tour where she will regale audiences with traditional folktales from Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya, dressed in the style of each country.

Photo: http://storytellingmatterspodcast.com/podcast-guests/titi/

Leonia Kallir Kurgin is a maggidah, retired psychoanalyst, and author. You can find her memoir, "A Crowd of One," on Amazon here.

Photo: http://storytellingmatterspodcast.com/leoniakallirkurgan/

Thanks to musician, producer, and mensch Joe Eglash for composing, performing, and recording our theme music.

Transformational Storytelling, the home for short courses, onsite programs, and master training in transformational storytelling.

Folktales may have an embedded value – just part of the subtext – or the value may be the whole point of the story. And of course, there's a lot of stories in the middle ground!

Today we hear three stories of each type, from three cultures: West African, Afghan, and American. Each will be told by a different storyteller, including an emerging storyteller from Nigeria and a traditional folk teller from North America with over 6,000 audiences to his credit: Papa Joe.

We also hear from Papa Joe and his journey through storytelling, and his pearls of wisdom for storytellers.

• Introduction, and a taste of things to come.
• Papa Joe's recollections of his journey through storytelling.
• Hovia, Hovia! Papa Joe's spooky story…
• The Tortoise and the Dog, a traditional West African story told by Titi Ogunnaike.
• The Wooden Sword, a story from Afghanistan, told by yours truly.
• Pearls of Wisdom, our recurring segment of advice from this week's guest.
• Upcoming next week: another taste of what is to come!

Papa Joe Gaudet's living folktales have engaged over 6,000 audiences. He has captured family audiences from Cow Head, Newfoundland to Austin, Texas, from the beaches in Florida to the mountains of Washington State. Please visit his website.

Titi Ogunnaike is an emerging storyteller from Lagos, Nigeria. Her plans include a North American tour where she will regale audiences with traditional folktales from Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya, dressed in the style of each country.

Thanks to musician, producer, and mensch Joe Eglash for composing, performing, and recording our theme music.

Transformational Storytelling, the home for short courses, onsite programs, and master training in transformational storytelling.

You'll hear three different kinds of stories: a personal story, a folktale, and a crafted story that presents a different view of traditional events that will likely surprise you. You'll also hear Rinah Rachel discussing her journey into transformational storytelling, as well as benefit from some of the lessons she's learned over the years.

• Introduction, and a taste of what is in the episode.
• Lapu Lapu, a personal story of worlds in collision, by Jim Brulé. How do we know who our heroes are? What happens when your view of the world is not just contradicted, but turned inside out?
• The Hummingbird, told by Rinah Rachel Galper. A traditional story from the southern hemisphere that gives a fresh – and yet, oddly familiar – perspective on the value of persistence.
• Reflections on becoming a storyteller, by Rinah Rachel. One storyteller's journey from simply appreciating stories, to being challenged by them, to finding a new path altogether.
• Miriam Under the Mountain, told by Rinah Rachel. A story crafted by Rabbi Jill Hammer about what else was going on when Moses received the commandments on Sinai – and what the divine gift to women really is.
• Pearls of Wisdom, our recurring segment of advice from this week's guest.
• Upcoming next week: another taste of what is to come!

[caption id="attachment_21" align="alignleft" width="180"] Rinah Rachel Galper[/caption]

Kohenet Rinah Rachel Galper. Visit her site, Our Sacred Circles, to learn more about the many services, events, and support that she provides. Of particular interest is the Women's Wisdom Project, where she is collecting and sharing women's wisdom around surviving and thriving.

Thanks to musician, producer, and mensch Joe Eglash for composing, performing, and recording our theme music.

Transformational Storytelling, the home for short courses, onsite programs, and master training in transformational storytelling.