Topic Guide

What Is Storytelling?

Storytelling is a subject covered in depth across 8 podcast episodes in our database. Below you'll find key concepts, expert insights, and the top episodes to listen to — all distilled from hours of conversation by leading experts.

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Key Concepts in Storytelling

Conanified

A humorous term coined by David Oyelowo to describe the "expensive process" of becoming Conan O'Brien's friend [00:03]. It sets a lighthearted tone for the episode, implying a high-value, perhaps arduous, but ultimately rewarding, association.

Learning lines to forget them

A sophisticated acting technique described by David Oyelowo, learned from Dame Judi Dench [36:40]. Actors learn their lines thoroughly but then consciously try to 'forget' them to ensure complete spontaneity, freshness, and presence in a scene, allowing for a more authentic give-and-take with other performers.

The 'truth' in acting

David Oyelowo's belief that a profound, almost mystical connection forms between an actor and an audience when the performance taps into genuine human "truth" [34:36]. This "vibration" signifies an instantaneous recognition of authenticity, cultivated through rigorous stage training and sustained performance.

The allure of history over fiction

This concept highlights Ken Burns's deeply held belief that factual historical events and biographies offer drama, insight, and narrative complexity that often surpass the scope and believability of fictional works. The episode presents this as a core driver for his creative pursuits and reading habits, arguing that 'what happened' is inherently more compelling than 'what's just made up'.

People fix

Jim Carrey's term for his deep-seated need for mass audience interaction and performance. He explains it's not enough to encounter a few people; he requires a large group staring and transfixed to satisfy this need and fuel his energy as a performer (01:45).

Comic disease

A humorous but insightful observation by Jim Carrey about the performer's psychological vulnerability. It describes the tendency for comedians to obsess over a single unengaged or 'stone-faced' person in a large audience, perceiving them as 'knowing the truth' and seeing through the performer's 'mask of mirth' (02:30).

What Experts Say About Storytelling

1.Vince Vaughn does not feel responsible for any negative real-world experiences people might associate with the film "Swingers."
2.Storytelling and comedy are primarily viewed as 'campfire stories' for entertainment, not as 'how-to books' or instructions for life.
3.Movies like "Swingers" and "Risky Business" are intended for escapism and fun, rather than providing literal guidance for audience actions.
4.The core theme of "Swingers" is a group of friends supporting one another through the emotional challenges of a breakup.
5.Effective storytelling often features imperfect characters who possess both positive and negative qualities, as this creates a more relatable and engaging journey for the audience to learn from.
6.David Oyelowo’s acting career began accidentally when a subway strike prevented other lead actors from attending a youth theater rehearsal, leading him to be cast in a play at the Royal National Theatre [27:28].