Monthly Archives: September 2017

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Paul “When you over-prescribe, you under-surprise.” When I think about the core of storywise work, I try to remember not to use the formulaic goal-path formula.  You know the script: What is your goal? What is real? … Continue reading →

At a recent meeting of master storytellers in LA, we got a chance to share where we thought the frontiers of our work were. As folks would note from previous posts, I think the recent studies on memory are a … Continue reading →

When I first met my friend and pioneer of Narrative Therapy Michael White 25 years ago in Adelaide, I asked him about the origins of his approach. He said that first of all, he was taken with maps. Mike and … Continue reading →

(Letter to the participants of NSL 2014) WHAT IT MEAN- YOU GET TO DECIDE The famous poet John Keats used the term “Negative Capability” to describe human beings capacity to step outside their boundaries and embrace new contexts for their … Continue reading →

WHY DON’T THEY FIX THE PROBLEM? WHY DON’T THEY REFORM THE GOVERNMENT? WHY DON’T THEY STOP THE SCHOOL SHOOTINGS? WHY DON’T YOU STOP ASKING WHY DON’T THEY QUESTIONS? Before one dives into an answer, sometimes it helps to explore the … Continue reading →

Where are we when we ask WHY? What direction in time are we drawn to? Not the future normally. “Why” is not found up ahead, though it might well be that we did what we did because of what we … Continue reading →

My colleague, Madelyn Blair, is the expert in the Stories inside Words, and here is one I fund fascinating. “Interest” comes from inter and esse, the Latin means- between and being. What is interesting is of interest because it is … Continue reading →

I had a fascinating chat with a bright student from Wesley Theological Seminary this morning, working on his thesis on the topic of the theology of peace-making. ( my description, not his) Matthew made the claim that many in the … Continue reading →

“Explorers did not seek for the cause of the Nile but its source. So while Science wants to find the cause, Soul wants to find the source. “   MAPPING THE SOUL -CAUSE OR SOURCE? I have just come from … Continue reading →

LEARNING TO BE STORY-COMPETENT Everyone can learn to tell a good story.  A lot of great courses and great teachers will train you how, and no wonder they are popular.  But not all of them offer the same thing. Storytelling … Continue reading →