About this episode
Well met, fellow wanderer, I welcome your company, here at this riverside resting spot, with willows budding, moisture and pollen swirling in the air, and the sun arcing overhead. I must say, those are some fine tools you’re carrying in your pack. I’m curious how you learned to use them, and to hear of work that you’ve done. I’d like to know which paths brought you here, so I can get a sense of who you are. I wish to hear of your journey. Ahem. I was just speaking in story, but I’ll say an equivilent in non-fiction speech. You see, I’m curious about the work you do in your business. Please tell me, what brought you to this work, and why is it valuable to you? That way, I can get a sense of who your services are for. Back to speaking in story: What’s that? You want to bring others across this river to join you? Ah, but it is flowing fast and wide, ‘tis true. A traveler seeking your services might attempt a crossing at any number of places, but there’s no bridge, and they would struggle to ford those waters without help. Which we might say, in a non-fiction way, thusly: I hear that you want to convey to others the value of your work, and why you do it. Yet ultimately, so many events led you to this work. When you’re trying to explain why you do what you do, you struggle with what to include and what to leave out. You end up tongue-tied, or talking all around what you’re trying to say without solidly landing on it. Let’s go on with in story-form… Aye, it’s true! This river you’ve crossed is formidable, wide, and full of contrary currents. Small wonder that you were able to cross, let alone others after you! Yet just see, there beneath the surface… stepping stones! Those could let folks to come across and meet you. You say there are too many stones, no single clear way across. Perhaps, but what say we try a few ways? If you agree, we’ll walk them together, then decide which ones you’ll share with others. I say let’s try out variety of routes. What’s more, I’ll wager we can have some fun while we’re at it. Which is to say, in a non-fiction way: Let’s look at some key events in your life that led you to your work. We’re looking for events that were transformative, noteworthy. By telling this sequence of events—this story—you’ll convey the why of what you do. And that why might just be the why of your listeners too. Choosing and telling key events that led you to your vocation can not only help your people find you, it can help you yourself depeen into the why of what you do. Let’s have some fun discovering events in your life that were transformative, rich, and challenging, and which made you who you are. Now let’s merge fiction and non-fiction. Ah, you’re asking about how I knew to notice those stones? How did I come to be here by this river, helping folks like you? How kind of you to ask. Hi, I’m Theo. I’m a story worker by trade, which is to say I tell stories and help people tell theirs. Or you might say, I cross rivers and help others to cross theirs. How did moi come to this work? I fell in love with stories as a child, and gradually learned from the spells that stories cast upon me. Now I cast some upon others, and even share the spells themselves. I may be able to help you tell the tale of what brought you to this side of the river, carrying those fine tools and skills. My wish in this is for you to find kindred folks who love your work. And it so happens that I’m holding a free workshop for purpose-driven business runners (like your good self?). Inside, I’ll give you teachings about storytelling, and there will be lots of practice time to tell the tale of how and why you came to the work you do. If all that didn’t convince you, here’s the signup-style blurb: If your business has roots in a unique, personal journey… If you want to discover and communicate that story… If you want to expand, contract and adapt that story to fit websites, promotions, bios and more… Then join me for this 60-minute Speak the Work You Love workshop. In this Workshop, You Will: -Hear my own story of how I came to this work, and why I tell it as I do. -Learn to spot key moments in the origin story of your business, then string them together into a compelling and relevant tale. -Practice telling your story in real-time, then try it in different ways, for different purposes.-Receive feedback to help you hone your telling.You’ll walk away from this workshop with a deeper understanding of your business’ origin story and how to adapt it to different purposes. Testimonials from the second time I ran this: “I found a new voice.”— Peter Gillies, Writer “This space of story feels both magical and real.” —Katie Colormaiden, Website Designer I hope to see you there, Theo This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storypaths.substack.com/subscribe