Storytelling Matters

This is the podcast for people who want to hear stories from - and become - transformational storytellers. You will hear stories told by -- and interviews with -- storytellers from a wide spectrum of traditions, both spiritual and secular, who live around the globe. You'll hear tips and tricks, and the deep learnings that come from becoming and being a transformational storyteller.

Hanuman's Gift: The Storyteller's Journey with Usha and Jim 09/20/2025

Hanuman's Gift: The Storyteller's Journey with Usha and Jim Embark on a transformative journey in this episode of our podcast, "Hanuman's Gift: The Storyteller's Journey with Usha and Jim." Join host Jim Brulé and special guest as they explore the timeless wisdom of Hanuman, the legendary figure from the Ramayana, and uncover the power of storytelling to inspire, heal, and connect. 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 /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/38292225

The Silver Hands 04/12/2022

The Silver Hands This episode, our guest is Baya Salmon-Hawk, a storyteller, psychotherapist, and a specialist in the treatment of trauma who brings us her version of a traditional story which is sometimes called "The Silver Hands." /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/22764725

The Greatest Gift 04/05/2022

The Greatest Gift This episode, our guest is Kristin Pedemonti, a professional storyteller, speaker, facilitator, and coach from Washington DC who brings us her version of a traditional Yoruba story called "The Greatest Gift." /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/22682171

The Magic Pomegranate 03/29/2022

The Magic Pomegranate This episode, our guest is Cindy Rivka Marshall, a professional storyteller, workshop facilitator and consultant from Massachusetts who brings us her version of a traditional story which might best be called "The Magic Pomegranate." /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/22603049

Three Stories for Healing 03/22/2022

Three Stories for Healing This episode, our guest is Noa Baum, a storyteller originally from Jerusalem who now lives in Maryland. She brings us three powerful stories about healing: one about drought, a story about Nabek and a horse, and a story about a fire. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/22502021

The Sparrow 03/15/2022

The Sparrow Welcome to this week's episode of the second season of Storytelling Matters. 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." /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/22449401

East and West 03/06/2022

East and West This episode, our guest is Martin Manasse, a storyteller from England who has a story for us about two kings, and two kingdoms, and ... well, you will be certainly be engaged by both the story and the way Martin tells it. What you are hearing today originally aired in November of 2020, and yet I think you will be moved by its currency. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/22356314

Fatima - a Story for Healing 03/06/2022

Fatima - a Story for Healing David Heathfield, a storyteller and educator from England, tells a classic story about Fatima, with lessons for today. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/22113605

Not with Keys 03/01/2022

Not with Keys Yours truly, Jim Brule, tells a traditional Hasidic story about how to open the gates of heaven. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/22292516

Arthurian Miracles 02/22/2022

Arthurian Miracles Our guest this week is Laura Packer, who shares two classic Arthurian tales that she has woven together into a single story - with deep meaning for her, and important insights into healing and the power of story. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/22191815

The Witch of Kamalalaya 02/08/2022

The Witch of Kamalalaya Storyteller Laura Deal tells "The Witch of Kamalalaya" - a story of healing. 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. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/22057829

The Truth 02/01/2022

The Truth Valentina Ortiz weaves together two stories that have a lot to teach us about wounds and healing. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/21760844

Mahabharata 01/25/2022

Mahabharata Sangitaa Sehgall retells a portion of the Mahabharata epic set two days before the beginning of the battle of Kurukshetra. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/21706988

Tears 01/18/2022

Tears In this episode, Rebecca Lemaire shares a traditional story from Northern Africa about the moon, grief, healing, and tears. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/21686774

An Encounter 01/11/2022

An Encounter In this episode, Maja Bumberák, who weaves a traditional story with a very powerful encounter, and teaches us all about the power of story and healing. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/21697826

A Place in the Forest 01/02/2022

A Place in the Forest Stories for Healing - the second season of Storytelling Matters - begins with a story from and discussion with Andrea Kamens. She weaves together both personal and traditional stories to create a compelling narrative about the power of story in our modern world. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/21650387

S1E12: Narrative Power 09/05/2018

S1E12: Narrative Power 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 turns of his career, a story from another world, and of course some pearls of wisdom for storytellers. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/7004854

S1E11: A PAUSE 08/22/2018

S1E11: A PAUSE Some of the more observant among you may have noticed that this episode, number 11, has been delayed. There is a story, of course, and it is a challenging one. Without getting too deep into the details, earlier this month my father died. While his passing wasn’t a real surprise to us in one sense – he was 91 years old, and his health had been declining for most of 2018 – it was then, and remains, a powerful transformation of my life. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/6951693

S1E10: Keeping Stories Alive 07/25/2018

S1E10: Keeping Stories Alive What are our obligations to a story when we tell it? What happens to a story when we write it down? How can stories change our world? /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/6837995

S1E9: The Power of Belief (7/11) 07/11/2018

S1E9: The Power of Belief (7/11) This episode, we explore the boundaries of belief: what happens when we discover we can believe something that we never expected, when things we believe turn out not to be true, and when we decide to believe something unbelievable. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/6754471

The Power of Stories 06/27/2018

The Power of Stories In this episode, we hear about the power of stories to affect our lives, especially when we learn to tell the story that’s been pursuing us. For many, that story is our own story, seen through a different lens. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/6708602

S1E7: Myth and Magic 06/13/2018

S1E7: Myth and Magic In this episode, we learn about myth and magic, which carry some of the deeper themes within stories – and how they affect our modern lives. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/6661038

Revealing the Hidden 05/30/2018

Revealing the Hidden 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. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/6618364

(RE)turning 05/16/2018

(RE)turning In this podcast, we visit the topic of turning and returning: how one turns away from darker points in our lives. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/6493420

Transformational Humor 05/02/2018

Transformational Humor 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). /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/6493382

Stories from Other Cultures 04/18/2018

Stories from Other Cultures In this podcast we visit an enticing but controversial topic – telling stories from cultures other than our own. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/6386602

Folktales 04/04/2018

Folktales 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. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/6386582

Introducing “Storytelling Matters” 03/20/2018

Introducing “Storytelling Matters” 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 with challenges and opportunities to craft and tell such stories. /episode/index/show/storytellingmatters/id/6386512

Storytelling Matters

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