6 steps to stronger, truer, more compelling storytelling.
Because there's never been a more important time to know THE story, listen to another's story, and tell your own story well.
"Amazing course. Denise was a fantastic professor who taught us ways to practice and implement public speaking while also encouraging everyone in the room to open up, be vulnerable, and embrace the humanity of their classmates in a way we rarely do in any other Batten classes. Truly one of the best courses I've taken at UVa and an important course for future students."
--Graduate Student, UVA's Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy
"I was recently invited back to my high school to give a speech to prospective students and their parents during the school's open house. Before taking your class, I would have been very nervous and hesitant to do it because I spoke to a crowd of 1,200 people. Thanks to your class though, I was able to successfully deliver the speech without my voice quivering and with only a touch of nervousness. In fact, once I began the speech, I felt oddly excited and rather comfortable in the setting. During my drafting stages, I went back into my class folder and referred to the many handouts. It was SO useful. I cannot thank you enough for the many lessons you taught me. I truly believe your class will be one of the few at UVA which will stick with me forever."
--Mike Attala, UVA Graduate and JD Candidate at Harvard Law
You are hearing, telling, remembering, and forgetting stories every day.
Think about it:
interviews, conference presentations, press conferences, sales meetings, cold calls, zoom calls, introductions, wedding toasts, break-ups, make-ups, round-ups, layoffs, serious family talks, and unserious, laidback, let-me-tell-you-something priceless tales.
Storytelling is ancient.
Powerful storytelling can change minds and win votes.
Good storytelling shouldn't be rare.
Have you ever sat down and listed all the people whose presence or actions changed the course of your life? Have you ever constructed the timeline of your life? Have you ever thought that you'd like to take your stories and DO something with them? Are you feeling a powerful call or having an incredible idea but don't know how to take idea into form?
Oral storytelling is one of the finest forms of expression.
Isn't it amazing how a good story sticks with you? Don't you smile when you get seated beside Aunt Madge at Thanksgiving because she tells the best stories? What's she got that other people don't have?
A story well told can make the difference in getting that very important yes, in honoring a deserving person so completely, in winning over a skeptical crowd, maybe making a case so compelling they couldn't help but get behind your vision.
In great storytelling, we reveal ourselves. As audience hearing your story, you might show us there's not that much different between you and me.
In telling our stories, we get a chance to speak our truth.
This course helps you see and more clearly develop and deliver the stories that make up your life.
Storytelling for Public Speaking takes you through 6 important steps:
Creating
Crafting
Practicing
Delivering
Listening
Studying
In each unit you'll work to take your storytelling skills to the next level.
For professionals in all fields, for those at the beginning or end of a chapter in their life, for entrepreneurs who enjoy all the parts EXCEPT the public speaking parts, for writers looking for new ways of pulling up old stories, for activists who know that the time is limited and the stakes are high, for those in high profile positions who are responsible for so much and so many -- understand this: what you say and how you say it matters.
- Self-paced instruction
- 14 videos, 10+ Exercises
- 30 page workbook
- 4 downloadable infographics
- Storytelling, Public Speaking, and Public Presence instruction
- Concrete steps for continued independent study
- Detailed 1-month guide for prepping for a big event
Denise Stewart
I'm a playwright and actor who writes, directs, and performs professionally. When I'm not doing that, I'm often presenting at conferences and to companies and organizations about the power of the well-crafted story, and the practices of developing as stronger leaders, listeners, and public speakers. I've also been teaching courses in public speaking, acting, improv, and dramatic literature at the University of Virginia for 7 years. While these areas of focus might look like arrows going in many directions, it never feels that way to me. ALL my work traces back to two major foundations: my training in theatre and my love of story. In this course, I've pulled important guiding steps that echo a traditional rehearsal schedule, exercises that have been so successful with professionals, college students, and Tedx speakers. I combine this with my special brand of coaching (straightforward work ethic + technique + knowing your why/intention + more deep digging + comedic timing = growth, transformation, and effectiveness).
Everyone Has a Story
Prompts and instruction on how to both pull your own stories up and out, but also how to become a much stronger listener...a storypuller.
The Practice of Practice
Learn how to build a strong personal and corporate culture that encourages practice and feedback.
Ace the Big Event
Performance and audience connection techniques that are game-changing.