What is an invocation? In its simplest form, it’s a request or a “calling in” of a desired outcome. How do you “call in” what you want in 2025? We all have a longing for something – for change, for love, for connection, for transformation, for success, for better health – but finding ways to …Read More
Category: Storytelling
FGCU Sidewalk Talk – A Story Listening Event produced by Dr. Joel Ying
“Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation has been an underappreciated public health crisis that has harmed individual and societal health. Our relationships are a source of healing and well-being hiding in plain sight – one that can help us live healthier, more fulfilled, and more productive lives,” said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. “Given the significant health …Read More
Story: The Intensive Care Unit ~ Dr. Joel Ying
In this story, I explore the memories of a doctor-in-training as a resident in the hospital. My memories of the intensive care unit (ICU) are filled with the intense emotion that colors the space between life and death. With these critically ill patients, we sit with them on the brink of death and the edge …Read More
Oral Storytelling Performance: Creative Writing, Public Speaking, and Theater
Storytelling in the oral tradition begins with a story idea that we craft into a story. Today, with the focus on the written word, we call this crafting process “writing.” Whether it begins on paper or not, the story crafting process begins with the “creative writing” process. This “writing” process might begin simply with imagination, …Read More
Story: More Than a Box ~ Dr. Joel Ying
In the Fall of 2020, walking onto campus again after isolation during a pandemic, I had a smile on my face. The day was beautiful, sunny but cool, which is rare in South Florida in August. I was happy to be back teaching storytelling in person and back in the classroom. I walked by a …Read More
Strong Like Bamboo ~ Eth-Noh-Tec
Bamboo is strong, but flexible. Bamboo will bend and not break. Bamboo is resilient. In response to recent violence against Asian Americans, Nancy Wang and Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo decided to create an interactive community program to address discrimination and racism. This husband and wife team perform together as Eth-Noh-Tec, tandem storytellers that weave words and choreography …Read More
FGCU Storytelling Summer Conference: A Huge Success
How do you measure success? I had to spend $4000 before July 1st and only two months to do it. As a non-profit, the Florida Storytelling Association had received a state grant, and some of the funds were earmarked to support University Programming. Two months to go! What do I do? An idea materialized into …Read More
Story: The First Doctor ~ Joel Ying
This story began with an exercise to uncover a memory that would make a good story. As my attention narrowed to a particular moment, I had the feeling that there is a story in here somewhere that I want to tell. This moment with my dad held significance for me. I began to unpack the …Read More
Creating Safe Space for Story
The students had just divided into groups to share about a story idea that was triggered by the prompt. They each had a few minutes to share while the partner listened. The partner then shared one thing that liked about the story. Afterwards, I asked, “How was the experience?” One of the students raises his …Read More
The Milk Paradox
If I drink a full glass of cow’s milk, about 30 – 60 minutes later the bloating, gas, and diarrhea begin. I am lactose intolerant. About 65% of the world’s population is lactose intolerant, so why is it that dairy is such a big part of our culture. This is the milk paradox! Around the …Read More