What makes a story resonate with an audience? That’s the question at the heart of this year’s FGCU Storytelling Conference, “Storytelling as Healing: Curiosity and Compassion,” taking place June 5-7 at Florida Gulf Coast University. <\/p>\n
Hosted by physician and FGCU professor Dr. Joel Ying, the three-day event will bring together community members to explore how stories can foster empathy. <\/p>\n
Ying said one of the most important elements of storytelling is understanding the listener.<\/p>\n
“Think about your audience,” Ying said. “That’s probably the one thing about story that changes how you tell a story, and that you don’t have to tell the story the same every time.”<\/p>\n
The conference will feature workshops, panel discussions with storyteller Kim Weitkamp and social justice advocate Susan O’Halloran. Among the conference highlights is a panel discussion examining the relationship between compassion and artificial intelligence. Attendees will also have opportunities to participate in story coaching sessions and share their own stories during a community storytelling circle on the conference’s final day. For Ying, the event is ultimately about camaraderie.<\/p>\n
“If there’s one thing I would want people to take away, it’s just how stories connect us,” Ying said. “Stories are how we form communities.”<\/p>\n
The event is free and open to the public, though registration is required and seating is limited. Additional information and registration details are available on the conference website<\/a>.<\/p>\n