Transformational Storytelling

The Narrow Bridge
2024-03-20 19:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
PATCHWORK CELEBRATES WORLD STORYTELLING DAY: BUILDING BRIDGES

Patchwork: A Storytelling Guild supports and celebrates World Storytelling Day: Building Bridges on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 @ 7 PM EST. This live event is open to the public and will be broadcast virtually.
Storytellers, listed in alphabetical order, include: Walt Belcher; Robert “Alan” Black; Ingrid Bohn; Jim Brulé; Anabelle Castaño; Jennifer Frandsen; Saundra Gilliard; Dagmar Iris Holl; Lorelynne “Lori” Jones; Jim Kissane; Tara McGowan; Denise McCormack; Lisbet Pawlowski; Gabriele Preston; Robin Reichert; Nancy Taylor; and, Moira Walker.
Moreover, we are pleased to honor our late stalwart members and friends — Susannah Brody (d. September 23, 2023) and Barbara Cohen-Kligerman (d. January 9, 2024) —whose stories, preserved from past performances, will also be shared.

More details to follow; register here!

Needed Monsters: The Heart of Transformation
2024-03-27 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
When, in a story, monsters are not overcome but transformed, the doors to healing are opened. How can we build the flexibility of perception and strength of spirit to invite the monsters we need into our stories and our lives?
Join Laura Simms and Jim Brulé as they invite us to explore the gifts that our monsters bring.
OARS in the Water is a facilitated Zoom gathering on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month offered by Healing Story Alliance to create a listening space to share the experiences and stories that have emerged through turbulent times. This is not a therapeutic circle but we do hope it will be healing, supportive and inspiring.
Admission is free, although donations are deeply appreciated and help support our programming. Your tax-deductible donation can be made here: https://square.link/u/d9xbGN2I
We’ll gather via Zoom. Here is the link.

Journey into Dying and Living - Facing Our Own Death
2024-04-10 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Spiritual Renewal Center, 1342 Lancaster Ave, Syracuse, NY, 13210, United States
“Journey into Dying and Living” is a four-part series of “lunch and learns” led by Jim Brulé, a death doula and spiritual storyteller who volunteers at Francis House. During the lunch and learn, Mr. Brulé will tell a story and then lead us through a discussion of the deeper questions and understandings that the story evokes in us. Stories will be drawn from his book, “Stories of the Heart,” which is not required to be purchased but will be available.
Registration is free; you may attend online or in-person.
Each month we will explore a different topic through storytelling and discussion. We will gather on the second Wednesday of the month from 12-1 pm EST. The topics are:

March 13: Grief and Loss
April 10: Facing Our Own Death
May 8: Historic Grief
June 12: (Im)mortality

Storytelling and the Journey into Dying and Living
2024-04-15 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Explore the ways in which storytelling can be used when facing the end of life, or as a caregiver for those facing another’s mortality.
This event is sold out.

The Neuroscience of Effective Presentations
2024-05-05 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Storytelling in Organizations Presents:
The Neuroscience of Effective Presentations:
Using Storytelling to Enhance Learning

SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT
Free to: SIO Members and Non-members

Jim Brulé invites us to explore :

The neuroscience of how we perceive, learn, and retain new experiences
The ideal narrative structures for conveying complex topics
The ideal interplay of visual and oral content in learning and retention
How to avoid “Death by Powerpoint”

About the Presenter:
Jim Brulé is a sought-after speaker and a specialist in narrative communication, who has considerable knowledge and experience in psychology for successful business practice and organizational development.

To Register:

https://storynet.org/events/event/sio-the-neuroscience-of-effective-presentations/

Journey into Dying and Living - Historic Grief
2024-05-08 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Spiritual Renewal Center, 1342 Lancaster Ave, Syracuse, NY, 13210, United States

Encountering Cultural Variety in Jewish Storytelling
2024-05-09 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Join us for an exploration of some of the many cultures of Jewish storytelling, as we consider the underlying imperatives that drive many Jewish stories. Drawing from Jewish traditions found in the Balkans, Afghanistan, Morocco, and Ukraine, participants will discover the rich differences and similarities that emerge from a people who have traveled around the world, carrying and adapting their culture in their travels. Ample opportunities for discussion and dialogue will be provided.
Register for free by emailing mail@storybox-world.com

Stories of Living and Dying
2024-05-15 17:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Springfield Central Library, 220 State St, Springfield, MA, 01103, United States
Join us at the Central Library for a chance to discuss our mortality openly and without judgment. Maggid Jim Brulé will be reading from his book Stories from the Heart: Journey into Dying and Living and discussing his work as an end-of-life doula. Registration for this event is encouraged, but optional.
Register after 15 April here.

How to Tell Your Story
2024-05-20 13:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Part of Health Systems Science 5: Law and Advocacy course for first year medical students. This session will explore the neurology of storytelling and how humans learn from/process stories as a way of creating an internal understanding of the world differently than responding to facts/figures. This session will also inform how we use storytelling as we identify healthcare topics that the students care about and where they want to effectuate change in healthcare policy. Using the skills gained in this workshop, students will apply storytelling techniques/ theory to the rest of the week’s intensive on Law and Advocacy.
This is a private class.

Nagi: We are a swarm of stories
2024-05-22 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Nagi: We are a swarm of stories
The Lakota concept of self is embodied in their word Nagi, which means a dynamic “swarm of stories.” As we share stories with each other – and ourselves – we reshape who we are and the world around us. Join us as we playfully explore our nagi and those of others, and consider how we can heartfully invigorate our worlds with the unexpected.
Hosted by Lani Peterson & Jim Brulé, OARS in the Water is a facilitated Zoom gathering on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month offered by Healing Story Alliance to create a listening space to share the experiences and stories that have emerged through turbulent times. We’ll gather via Zoom. Here is the link.
Admission is free, although donations are deeply appreciated and help support our programming. Your tax-deductible donation can be made here:

https://square.link/u/d9xbGN2I

Enhancing Presentations with Narrative
2024-06-09 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
This interactive working session builds on the knowledge shared in the workshop “The Neuroscience
of Effective Presentations.”
Participants will bring ideas for specific presentations they wish to create which integrate narrative
structures and style. Each participant will work collaboratively with the workshop leader and other
participants towards this goal. The workshop will include guided exercises, live demonstrations of AI
tools in action, and interactive discussions.
By the end of the workshop, participants will have a draft presentation and plan to create a final,
workable presentation.
Preparation:
Participants will receive a pre-recorded video tutorial for using ChatGPT to generate
narrative outlines and content. Sample prompts will be provided. Participants are encouraged to use
this tool to “prime the pump” of their creativity.
Register for free here:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0sd-Chqj4jGtZAxC10wA9oNrUGSvNUGpix#/registration

Journey into Dying and Living - (Im)mortality
2024-06-12 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Spiritual Renewal Center, 1342 Lancaster Ave, Syracuse, NY, 13210, United States

By any other name...
2024-06-25 18:45 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Roses are a time-honored icon of love, so it should be no surprise that the stories about them are as tender and thorny as love itself.
Join Jim Brulé as he shares stories – and a little history – that transport us to the world of the rose, and the challenges of love. The cultural sources for this evening are:

Romani
Armenia
Poland

Free, but an $8 donation to Story Space is appreciated.

Journeying through Grief
2024-07-08 20:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
We will explore the healing power of storytelling in the context of grief and loss. Participants will engage with narratives and exercises that illuminate grief not as an obstacle to be surmounted but as a companion that, although born of pain, can also bring unexpected insights and growth.

Experiences of Grief and Loss
2024-07-29 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Oasis, 6333 Route 298, E Syracuse, NY, 13057, United States
Experiences of Grief and Loss: a Multicultural Literary Exploration
In this class, participants will learn about their own and other cultures’ thoughts and practices via stories and literature around grief, death, and loss. There is no life without death, but we are often sidelined by devastation when we encounter it. How do folks in our own and in other cultures survive and thrive in the face of loss? We will review some Jewish, Christian, and other Faith Community customs as well as some European and African ideas and stories. Note: Class fee includes a copy of “Stories of the Heart: Journey into Dying & Living” by Jim Brulé and Rebecca Claire Lemaire.
This class is in person at the Oasis CNY Center. The fee is $40.
For more information and to register, visit https://bit.ly/OASIS-Grief

Laura Simms: When Storytellers Write about Healing
2024-07-31 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
When Storytellers Write about Healing
An Interview with Laura Simms hosted by Jim Brulé
Join us for the first event in a new Healing Story Alliance series where authors are interviewed about their writing processes and the healing power of storytelling. Storytelling, unique among all narrative arts, engages listeners in a profound way, deepening our understanding of what healing means and how it functions.
In this initial session, Jim Brulé will interview noted storyteller and author Laura Simms about her book, “Our Secret Territory: The Essence of Storytelling.” You can register for this event here: https://www.simpletix.com/e/when-storytellers-write-about-healing-an-i-tickets-176367
Laura will share the inspirations and experiences that shaped her book, offering valuable insights into storytelling as a transformative and healing art. The conversation will explore the depths of creativity, the connection between storyteller and audience, and the therapeutic impact of sharing stories.
Audience participation is encouraged, with opportunities to ask questions and share observations inspired by Laura’s work and the interview.
This event benefits The Healing Storytelling Alliance, dedicated to promoting healing through the art of storytelling, and sets the stage for HSA’s second interview event on August 21st, where Laura Simms will interview Jim Brulé about his book, “Stories of the Heart: Journey into Dying and Living,” continuing the exploration of storytelling’s profound impact.
While it will not be necessary to read Laura’s book in advance, copies may be obtained on Amazon. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with a talented storyteller and discover the healing potential of stories. To learn more about Laura Simms, visit LauraSimms.com.

Jim Brulé: When Storytellers Write about Healing
2024-08-21 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
When Storytellers Write about Healing
An Interview with Jim Brulé hosted by Laura Simms
Join us for the second event in a new Healing Story Alliance series where authors are interviewed about their writing processes and the healing power of storytelling. Storytelling, unique among all narrative arts, engages listeners in a profound way, deepening our understanding of what healing means and how it functions.
You can register for this event here: https://www.simpletix.com/e/when-storytellers-write-about-healing-an-i-tickets-176375
In this session, noted storyteller/author Laura Simms will interview Jim Brulé about his new book with Rebecca Lemaire, “Stories of the Heart: Journey into Dying and Living.” She will inquire into his writing processes and the healing power of storytelling.
Jim will share the journey of encouraging his book to blossom, enriched by the challenges of telling stories about death from oral traditions worldwide in a way that weaves oral and literary styles – all with a co-author in a foreign country. Our discussion will encompass how we bring the healing power of stories into the reader’s experience through creative exercises and prompts.
Audience participation is encouraged, with opportunities to ask questions and share observations inspired by Jim’s work and the interview. This event benefits The Healing Storytelling Alliance, dedicated to promoting healing through the art of storytelling.
While it will not be necessary to read Jim’s book in advance, copies may be obtained at StoriesOfTheHeartBook.com.
To learn more about Jim Brulé, visit TransformationalStorytelling.org.

Death Cafe and Legacy Storytelling
2024-11-02 12:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Unity Church, 300 W Seneca Tpk, Syracuse, NY, 13207, United States
Explore the profound impact of storytelling as a tool for coping with grief and end-of-life issues for yourself, your families, and those you care for.
Highlights:

Introduction to the Power of Storytelling
Creating Legacy Stories
Sharing in a Safe Environment

Main speaker: Jim Brulé
Fee: $25

Legacy Storytelling
2024-11-13 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Stories are the way we carry the legacy of our family throughout time. Telling and retelling those stories with an ear and heart for the future enables everyone to actively celebrate each other’s lives – past, present, and future. Join us as we discover new ways of uncovering – and sharing – the stories of our lives that matter to us.
OARS in the Water is a facilitated Zoom gathering that meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 pm Eastern Time. The Healing Story Alliance’s OARS in the Water offers a community listening space in which to share the experiences and stories that have emerged in turbulent times.
Admission is free, although donations are deeply appreciated and help support our programming. Your tax-deductible donation can be made here: https://square.link/u/d9xbGN2I
We’ll gather via Zoom. Here is the NEW link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84757183292?pwd=[REDACTED]
About our Hosts for Nov. 13th
Jim Brulé is a transformational storyteller, death doula, and teacher with diverse cultural, spiritual, and academic backgrounds. Jim’s workshops address healing, multicultural wisdom, and end-of-life themes. Known for his collaboration, he has developed and offered dozens of workshops with storytellers from around the world, including Hears Crow, with whom he collaborates closely. Co-authored with Rebecca Lemaire, his book “Stories of the Heart” presents 18 global tales for navigating dying and living.
Hears Crow (Nootauau Kaukôntuah) lives in the tradition of the Narragansett. As an educator, workshop leader, published poet, and facilitator of indigenous circles, she weaves teachings from the Longhouse, Indigenous ways, and Transformational Stories. She says, “Living in two worlds has offered me the opportunity to speak and listen with an open heart.”

Stories of the Heart
2025-02-21 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Join storytellers and death doulas Jim Brulé and Rebecca Lemaire for Stories of the Heart: A Transformational Journey into Dying and Living, an interactive workshop at the Chennai Storytelling Festival 2025. Through powerful stories, guided discussions, and creative activities, you’ll explore new ways to approach death and grief with understanding, reflection, and peace. Whether you’re navigating personal loss, supporting others through grief, or seeking to deepen your storytelling practice, this session offers a safe and enriching space to transform fear into meaningful connection.

Register for free by sending an email request to info@storytellinginstitute.org

The Forest for Opening Hearts
2025-03-12 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
OARS in the Water
March 12th
7:00pm-8:30pm EDT
Hosted by Jim Brulé & Dee Palanisamy
On Zoom
Discover the wisdom of the woods in “The Forest for Opening Hearts.” Explore themes of generosity and learn from nature’s quiet strength, fostering a deeper connection with ourselves and the world around us. Join us for an inspiring experience of storytelling, meditation, and community.
OARS in the Water is a facilitated Zoom gathering that meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 pm Eastern Time. The Healing Story Alliance’s OARS in the Water offers a community listening space in which to share the experiences and stories that have emerged in turbulent times.
OARS co-hosts facilitate the evening and provide participants with a warm welcome and a meaningful theme, which we hope will be healing, supportive, and inspiring.
Format: A typical 90-minute meeting consists of a 20-minute, theme-based opening, followed by 20 minutes in breakout rooms, and then we reassemble for a whole group conversation.
Admission is free, although donations are deeply appreciated and help support our programming. Your tax-deductible donation can be made here.
About our Hosts
Jim Brulé is a transformational storyteller, end-of-life doula, mentor, and educator. Drawing on a blend of cultural, spiritual, and academic experiences, his stories and workshops explore themes of healing, multicultural wisdom, and end-of-life support. For over a decade, his NSN-accredited Transformational Storytelling school has trained spiritual storytellers from a variety of traditions. Known for his collaborative spirit, Jim has co-developed and led dozens of workshops with storytellers worldwide. Co-authored with Rebecca Lemaire, his book “Stories of the Heart” presents 18 global tales for navigating dying and living.
Dee Palanisamy (Durgah Devi) is a multicultural storyteller based in Melbourne, Australia. She weaves her Singaporean-Tamil background in telling Asian folktales and stories to audiences around the world. Dee loves all things stories and founded Deelightfultales, where she uses stories for performances, training, education and personal development. She also works closely with the Federation of Asian Storytellers, Generation Women Australia (personal storytelling) and is the current secretary of the Australian Storytelling Guild, NSW. Dee is grateful to connect with people and different communities through storytelling.
Jim and Dee met in Marrakech at the Marrakech International Storytelling Festival earlier this year and discovered they were kindred spirits.

Legacy Storytelling (Asia-Pacific)
2025-04-09 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-04-16 10:00 - 11:30 (Asia/Singapore) | Zoom
Legacy Storytelling:
Discovering and Sharing What Matters Most
This two-part online workshop will guide you on a journey of self-discovery and inspiration. It meets on two Wednesdays: April 9 and April 16. (Times are designed for India, Singapore, and Australia; see below).
Join Jim Brulé in this engaging and interactive program, where you will:

Identify Your Core Values: Through creative exercises, uncover the principles that guide your life and decisions.
Recall Meaningful Experiences: Connect with personal anecdotes that exemplify your values, bringing them to life.
Retell Inspiring Stories: Collaboratively develop and refine your anecdotes into compelling narratives that resonate.

Whether you’re seeking personal growth, interested in stories that will carry your legacy, or looking to inspire others, this workshop offers the tools and insights to transform your values into powerful stories. Come experience the deep satisfaction and joy of discovering and sharing what really matters to you!
Register at https://tinyurl.com/LegacyStories
Pay what you can at https://paypal.me/jimbrule/ or contact jimbrule@gmail.com for alternatives.
Times:

7:30 IST (India)
10:00 SGT (Singapore)
12:00 AEST (Canberra)

—
Jim Brulé, MS, MA, is a storyteller, teacher, coach, and end-of-life doula whose experience spans several decades. As a transformational storyteller, he creates opportunities for spiritual growth and transformation through encounters with stories, whether in performances, classes, or individual guidance. He has also served as an interfaith chaplain in hospitals, jails, and psychiatric facilities.
Jim serves on the board of the Healing Story Alliance and has delivered programs to storytelling organizations around the world. A trained family therapist, he has also completed advanced training as an end-of-life doula and received certifications from the National End-of-Life Doula Association (NEDA) and The Dying Year.
His latest book with co-author Rebecca Lemaire is “Stories of the Heart,” 18 lovingly curated stories for the journey into dying and living, available at https://StoriesOfTheHeartBook.com

The Golem of Prague
2025-04-22 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-22 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Diving Deeply into the Golem of Prague
Explore the legend of the Golem of Prague in this engaging three-session workshop led by Maggid Jim Brulé. Delve into the story’s spiritual roots, ethical dilemmas, and contemporary relevance through storytelling, discussion, and reflection. Uncover lessons on creation, power, and responsibility, gaining insights that resonate with modern life.
This workshop will be held on three consecutive Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30 pm Eastern:

April 22
April 29
May 6

Tuition is $54 for the complete series. Register and get more information at:

https://bit.ly/GolemPrague

This event is part of Aleph’s Tikshoret program.

Legacy Storytelling (US)
2025-04-28 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-28 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Legacy Storytelling:
Discovering and Sharing What Matters Most
This two-part online workshop will guide you on a journey of self-discovery and inspiration. It meets on two Mondays: April 28 and May 5. (Times are designed for the US).
Join Jim Brulé in this engaging and interactive program, where you will:

Identify Your Core Values: Through creative exercises, uncover the principles that guide your life and decisions.
Recall Meaningful Experiences: Connect with personal anecdotes that exemplify your values, bringing them to life.
Retell Inspiring Stories: Collaboratively develop and refine your anecdotes into compelling narratives that resonate.

Whether you’re seeking personal growth, interested in stories that will carry your legacy, or looking to inspire others, this workshop offers the tools and insights to transform your values into powerful stories. Come experience the deep satisfaction and joy of discovering and sharing what really matters to you!
Register at https://bit.ly/LegacyStories-US
Pay what you can at https://paypal.me/jimbrule/ or contact jimbrule@gmail.com for alternatives.
Times:

7:00-8:30 pm (Eastern)
4:00-5:30 pm (Pacific)

—
Jim Brulé, MS, MA, is a storyteller, teacher, coach, and end-of-life doula whose experience spans several decades. As a transformational storyteller, he creates opportunities for spiritual growth and transformation through encounters with stories, whether in performances, classes, or individual guidance. He has also served as an interfaith chaplain in hospitals, jails, and psychiatric facilities.
Jim serves on the board of the Healing Story Alliance and has delivered programs to storytelling organizations around the world. A trained family therapist, he has also completed advanced training as an end-of-life doula and received certifications from the National End-of-Life Doula Association (NEDA) and The Dying Year.
His latest book with co-author Rebecca Lemaire is “Stories of the Heart,” 18 lovingly curated stories for the journey into dying and living, available at https://StoriesOfTheHeartBook.com

American Stories
2025-05-08 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Everson Museum, 401 Harrison St, Syracuse, NY, 13202, United States
American Stories: A Community Storytelling Showcase
Thursday, May 8: 6:00-8:00pm
Exploring the American Experience Through Storytelling!
What does the American experience mean to you? How has the idea of the American Dream shaped your life, your family, or your community?
Join us at the Everson Museum for American Stories: A Community Storytelling Showcase, where I will be a featured storyteller. This will be a powerful evening of storytelling that amplifies diverse voices and perspectives, featuring ten selected storytellers—both youth and adults—sharing personal narratives, poetry, and reflections that explore themes of identity, ambition, resilience, and belonging.
Each story offers a unique glimpse into what it means to be American today, bringing together voices from across our community in an inspiring and thought-provoking evening.
This event is pay-what-you-wish. We invite you to experience the power of storytelling and the many ways our collective histories shape who we are.

Legacy Storytelling - Europe
2025-05-26 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Join Jim Brulé in this engaging and interactive program, where you will:

Identify Your Core Values: Through creative exercises, uncover the principles that guide your life and decisions.
Recall Meaningful Experiences: Connect with personal anecdotes that exemplify your values, bringing them to life.
Retell Inspiring Stories: Collaboratively develop and refine your anecdotes into compelling narratives that resonate.

This online workshop will guide you on a journey of self-discovery and inspiration. It meets from 1:00 to 2:30 pm EDT on Monday, May 26.

18:00 IST (Ireland and UK)
19:00 CEST (Europe)
20:00 EEST (Eastern Europe)

Register at https://bit.ly/LegacyEurope – pay what you can!
Come and learn how to discover the values we actually hold dear, and how to pass them along in stories.
Whether you’re seeking personal growth, interested in stories that will carry your legacy, or looking to inspire others, this workshop offers the tools and insights to transform your values into powerful stories. Come experience the deep satisfaction and joy of discovering and sharing what really matters to you!

Legacy Storytelling
2025-06-24 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Join Jim Brulé in this engaging and interactive program, where you will:

Identify Your Core Values: Through creative exercises, uncover the principles that guide your life and decisions.
Recall Meaningful Experiences: Connect with personal anecdotes that exemplify your values, bringing them to life.
Retell Inspiring Stories: Collaboratively develop and refine your anecdotes into compelling narratives that resonate.

This online workshop will guide you on a journey of self-discovery and inspiration. It meets from 7:00 to 8:30 pm EDT on Tuesday, June 24.
Register here – pay what you can!
Come and learn how to discover the values we actually hold dear, and how to pass them along in stories.
Whether you’re seeking personal growth, interested in stories that will carry your legacy, or looking to inspire others, this workshop offers the tools and insights to transform your values into powerful stories. Come experience the deep satisfaction and joy of discovering and sharing what really matters to you!
