Telling the Public Health Story How to Affect Policy, Engage Elected Officials, and Inspire Citizens

This is my story. (in 3 minutes)

Me Dick & Jane (not their real names)

Fun, creative work environment “Dinosaurs”

Swirling, sucking vortex of despair “The Nanny”

Environmental Media Association EMA Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!

Typical Client (ARTIST’S RENDERING)

Y’know, we’re real good at what we do. We’re just not so good at talking about it.

Oh, well, we work with at-risk youth from under served communities with multiple risk factors and blah, blah, blah…

A story? Oh, you should talk to Sue who runs our communications. She’s got plenty of stories…I think. Executive Director Board Chair Program Head

They couldn’t tell me a good story.

OMG

Why is narrative so powerful? What kinds of stories should you tell? What makes a good story?

Storytelling is an integral part of our history, identities, how we remember, and why we give. Why is narrative so powerful?

Peter Pan “I don’t know any stories.”

The “How We Met” Story The “Why I Never Eat Sushi” Story The “Why I Prefer Dogs over Cats” Story The “My Annoying Teenager” Story The “I Should Be on American Idol” Story The “Why I Do What I Do” Story IDENTITY Why is narrative so powerful?

“…the collection of stories we have compiled is, to some extent, who we are.” from Tell Me a Story (Roger Schank) Why is narrative so powerful?

The “How We Met” Story The “Why I Never Eat Sushi” Story The “Why I Prefer Dogs over Cats” Story The “My Annoying Teenager” Story The “I Should Be on American Idol” Story The “Why I Do What I Do” Story STORIES YOU WANT TO TELL - STORIES NOBODY WANTS TO HEAR STORIES YOU TELL (YOU) Why is narrative so powerful?

MEMORY Memory Study (1976) 5 year olds

+ soap and shoe 1 out of 21 Why is narrative so powerful?

soap and shoe in a sentence 8 out of 21 “...” Why is narrative so powerful?

soap and shoe in a question 16 out of 21 “ ? ”“ ? ”“ ? ”“ ? ” Why is narrative so powerful?

+ 1 out of out of 21 “ ? ”“ ? ”“ ? ”“ ? ” 8 out of 21 “...” Why is narrative so powerful?

“The Impact of Learning About the Identifiable Victim Effect on Sympathy” University of Pennsylvania/Carnegie Mellon, 2004 Deborah Small, Paul Slovic, et al. $1.14$2.38 Why is narrative so powerful? GENEROSITY

“It’s going to be okay, Jennifer.” What makes a good story?

GOAL RESOLUTION What makes a good story? INCITING INCIDENT PROTAGONIST BARRIERBARRIER BARRIERBARRIER BARRIERBARRIER ACT I ACT II ACT III

JOURNALISTIC STORYTELLING NARRATIVE STORYTELLING Story Structure: Journalistic vs. Narrative

Child psychologist shot by former patient. Starts working with child who sees dead people. Psychologist turns out to be dead all along. Story Highlights Story Structure: Journalistic vs. Narrative THE SIXTH SENSE WITH BRUCE WILLIS

While an occasional disinclination to exercise is exhibited by all age cohorts, the likelihood of positive health outcomes makes even mildly strenuous physical activity all the more imperative. What if a public health official had written Nike’s slogan?

What kinds of stories should you tell? Identify your organization’s “core stories” and make sure every staff and board member knows them by heart.

The “How We Met” Story The “Why I Never Eat Sushi” Story The “Why I Prefer Dogs over Cats” Story The “My Annoying Teenager” Story The “I Should Be on American Idol” Story The “Why I Do What I Do” Story IDENTITY What kinds of stories should you tell?

The “Nature of our Challenge” Story ORG ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTITY AND CULTURE What kinds of stories should you tell?

The “Nature of our Challenge” Story The “How We Started” Story ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTITY AND CULTURE ORG What kinds of stories should you tell?

The “Nature of our Challenge” Story The “How We Started” Story The “Emblematic Success” Stories ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTITY AND CULTURE ORG What kinds of stories should you tell?

The “Nature of our Challenge” Story The “How We Started” Story The “Emblematic Success” Stories The “Performance” Stories ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTITY AND CULTURE ORG What kinds of stories should you tell?

The “Nature of our Challenge” Story The “How We Started” Story The “Emblematic Success” Stories The “Performance” Stories ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTITY AND CULTURE The “Where We Are Going” Story The “Striving-to- Improve” Story ORG What kinds of stories should you tell?

BGSU & NALBOH

Dr. David Olds

Baltimore (1970)

“Suddenly I was talking from my heart, and not just from the mind.”

The End Definitely Not

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