In a nutshell

A group storytelling practice where participants share personal stories around a theme.

There’s no analysis, no commentary, and no moral given for each story — just sharing personal experiences and seeing what emerges in the connections and spaces in between.

Set up

You’ll need 45 minutes to an hour and a group sitting (or on-screen) in a way that allows for easy eye contact and presence. 

One person holds the space and introduces the process and then invites everyone else to share.

Flow

• Introduce the theme. This might be a single word like resonance, trust, belonging, or turning points. Poems and videos or even a colour can work well. Give a few gentle examples of how people might interpret the theme to give it a broad base.

• Invite people to share personal stories connected in some way to the theme. Big, small, funny, scary, recent, old – just as long as it’s  a personal story (people tend to ramble or share opinions so it’s good to emphasise: a personal story is something that happened to you!)

• What makes this process different is that people are encouraged not to explain the meaning, the learning, or the impact. When you let the story speak for itself it has a very different effect.

• Share one story at a time. When someone finishes, they give a small signal: “That’s my story” or a nod is enough.

• After each story it’s OK to leave a little space, or jump in with a story of your own.

• There’s no need for introductions. No linking comments. No “that reminds me of…” or “the thing about…” Just the stories. It’s worth insisting on this – it changes the tone hugely.

• When the time’s up, return to a regular conversation for a bit — or just close gently, as you like.

Source: Kat Koppett (via Johnnie Moore)