Center for Narrative Studies

Why are we suckers for a good story?

"We bought their story that we need to go to war. We bought their story that fraudulent companies like Enron were re-inventing the energy business. (They were-it was pure invention). We bought their story about our innocence and our exceptionalism, that told us that we don’t torture and our military don’t lie. !"

How can we become Storywise?

CNS is made up of a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to applying narrative theory to the practical renewal of leadership in culture and communities.

Working with groups and organizations, we train people to become leaders by teaching them to

understand the power of stories,
to weigh the real effects stories have in shaping our identity and destiny,
to apply these narrative approaches to engage creatively with conflict and change.

Sign up now for our regular newsletter

Like fish that live in a sea of water, we live in a sea of stories. Like fish who are unaware of the water, we sometimes don’t see the stories around us. Yet unlike fish, we sometimes are in danger of drowning. There is too much to take in. Our newsletter attempts to help you see the stories that flood our airwaves and newspapers and our lives.

We will also include upcoming events, notice of new papers and other publications of relevance.

IREAD OUR NEW FEATURE

In the Republic of Stories

"In the Republic of Stories” is a 6 month experiment to apply a narrative critical mind to the Presidential election process as it is covered by the mainstream media.

What makes it distinct from the other political blogs out there is that we are playing the role of the NARRATIVE ANALYST, not the pundit or someone who has any particular party preference."

Special Two Day Workshop:

Becoming Storywise-An Narrative Ethic to Renew Public Culture I
June 23-24th 2008 Writers Center Bethesda MD

This new workshop is for those who have some experience with narrative or are interested in its practical application to our media dominated culture.

Special One Day Session: Stories Written in Marble-A Walking Seminar on Washington DC.

June 25th, 2008 Writers Center, Bethesda MD

Meet the stories behind the monuments and how they reflect and distort our national story. And get a new way to experience July 4th!

Coming up:

Narrative Paths to Peace: Northern Ireland as a Case Study: Lessons learned.

July 21-22 2008
Writers Center, Bethesda MD

After 10 years of developing WIP, an innovative Narratively designed leadership program, CNS offers two days to share some of the learnings.

Washington's Monumental Ironies-The Untold Stories of Washington's Monuments.

July 23 2008
Writers Center, Bethesda MD

Explore the drama and the dangers of history when it becomes myth molded in marble.

The Center announces a program designed to help those serious about using story in their work to become certified in the use of narrative practice tools and techniques.