Stories as Medicine

I first met Dr. Paul Browde as part of a multi-month intensive men's work program we were both part of. We were just about to break out into a few parallel sessions about various elements of running men's groups when Paul raised his hand and said something to the effect of "would it be useful to have a breakout session about our personal narratives and how we use them to lead?"

I watched as the heads of 40+ men swiveled to focus on this one unassuming gentleman and witnessed nearly half of the group switch over from whatever session they were planning on going to and instead, go to sit around Paul to listen to him tell his story and share his wisdom about how to share our own stories. That's the power of story!

Paul is a doctor of psychiatry and a TedX speaker. He has shared the stage with luminaries like Esther Perel, has taught Narrative Medicine at Columbia University, and co-founded a storytelling company called Narativ.

Paul has some profound wisdom to share about how to become aware of a different type of story - the stories that tell us, as well as the power of sharing our own stories, and examining the stories we tell about ourselves to ourselves and to others. 

As Paul writes on his site:

We are born in connection, we are wired for connection, and it is through connection that we heal and experience our true aliveness.

I have always felt that stories can be the most powerful elements of communication - indeed, they are the thread that holds together each and every conversation. 

Stories are how we connect, heal and come alive.

Listen onward to learn about Paul's mental models of how to become a space for others to share their stories - to shape your listening as a vessel, a bowl, to receive stories generously.

Narrative is powerful medicine that we can give to ourselves and to the people around us.

Enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

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Links

Paul Browde: Healing through connection

The Power of Two: How Listening Shapes Storytelling

Two Twosomes, Not a Script in Sight

The Masculinity Paradox: Warmup with Paul Browde - Sessions Live by Ester Perel