Tenth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

The field(s) of interdisciplinary health sciences—are rich in opportunities for storytelling, written and oral, for both academic audiences and the general public. Increasingly, the importance of live storytelling in particular has been made clear by the success of podcasts, storytelling series such as The Moth, and more. In this 45-minute workshop, medical students Pablo Romano and Candice Kim, Student Directors of Storytelling and Research at Stanford University School of Medicine and Laurel Braitman, New York Times bestselling author, TED Fellow, and Director of Writing and Storytelling at Stanford Medicine’s Medicine and the Muse Program, will offer participants a guided storytelling session that teaches core principles in the art of excellent live communication. Based on their popular programming for medical students, physicians and the public, this workshop will share tips, tricks, and techniques participants can use to become better storytellers – whether they are presenting scholarly research, aiming to inspire students and colleagues outside of their fields, or merely become better, more confident public speakers. Topics covered will include: what makes for an engaging live story idea; storytelling techniques such as creating a story arc, scene setting, and pacing; slide and image design for impact and engagement; and voice and presence tips to help participants feel grounded, confident and strong in front of the microphone.