The Art of Storytelling with Brother Wolf

Eric James Wolf

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In their own words

A national conversation from all perspectives on the profession of storytelling with children. Serving all members of the storytelling with children portion of the storytelling movement. Including presenters, listeners, festival organizers, administrators, educators, parents, and storytellers.

Why you'd press play

Two wooden spoons play sweethearts, and Eric Wolf may have you eyeing your kitchen drawer.

Press play if you want

  • to hear why passing down family tales can get complicated when relatives remember hard times
  • to borrow a king puppet rehearsal trick when every character you voice sounds alike
Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Talks about

Best episodes of The Art of Storytelling with Brother Wolf

Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.

Interview #104 Limor Shiponi - Striding towards Storytelling Mastery

A thoughtful conversation about practice, structure, and storytelling's claim to be treated as a serious art.

Storytelling is framed here as a disciplined artistic path, not just an instinct or affection for tales. The guest's strongest comparison is with musicians: people who practice daily and can follow a clearer route toward becoming good.

Interview #093 Gail Herman - Building a Student Storytelling Festival.

A student storytelling festival uses small groups and chance selection to help children build confidence through public storytelling.

Gail Herman frames a student storytelling festival as a practical lesson in participation, moving children from small classroom groups toward the main-stage microphone.

Interview #108 Ruth Stotter – Working with Props in Storytelling Performances.

Ruth Stoddart makes a grounded case for props that deepen a story without taking it over.

Props feel less like accessories than scene partners in this conversation with Ruth Stoddart, who speaks about how objects can enter a storytelling performance with purpose.

Interview #113 Octavia Sexton - The Jack Story a Traditional Tale for Everyone.

A lively Appalachian Jack tale framed by Octavia Sexton's memories of what family stories preserve.

Octavia Sexton brings Appalachian storytelling into a thoughtful conversation about memory, poverty, and the family traditions that grow harder to hold as people move away from an older way of life.

Podcasts like The Art of Storytelling with Brother Wolf

Episodes

  1. 1

    Interview #048 Esylltn Harker – Stories out of Welsh History and land of Wales.

    This episode features an interview with Welsh storyteller Esylltn Harker, exploring the importance of storytelling in preserving Welsh history, culture, and ancestral wisdom.

    ·49m
  2. 2

    Interview #075 Loren Niemi - Honoring Elders and Apprentices.

    This episode features an interview with Loren Niemi discussing how storytelling honors elders and apprentices, its role in education, and organizational development in the storytelling movement.

    ·53m
  3. 3

    Interview #007 Jim Flanagan - Writing and storytelling with children.

    This episode features an interview with storyteller Jim Flanagan about teaching writing to children through storytelling and working with state educational benchmarks.

    ·56m
  4. 4

    Interview #120 Diane Wolkstein – Connecting with Audiences, Other Cultures and Ourselves

    This episode features an interview with storyteller Diane Wolkstein, exploring how storytelling connects audiences, cultures, and personal identity through folktales and ancestral wisdom.

    ·54m
  5. 5

    Interview #117 Tim Errenta - Bringing Storytelling to the Fringe.

    This episode features an interview with award-winning storyteller Tim Araneta about bringing storytelling to schools and the Fringe Festival circuit.

    ·1h
  6. 6

    Interview #114 Angela Llyod - The Gentle Power of Patience.

    This episode features an interview with storyteller Angela Lloyd, discussing her unique approach to storytelling, its educational value, and her presence at the National Storytelling Conference.

    ·1h 3m
  7. 7

    Interview #118 Diane Edgecomb – Place Based Nature Storytelling.

    This episode features an interview with Diane Edgecomb about place-based nature storytelling, exploring how folktales and ancestral stories can teach and inspire, particularly in educational settings.

    ·1h 1m
  8. 8

    Interview #122 Odds Bodkin – Storytelling in the Bardic Tradition.

    This episode features an interview with master storyteller Odds Bodkin, exploring how he seamlessly blends storytelling and music in the bardic tradition to convey ancestral messages and inspire audiences.

    ·59m
  9. 9

    Interview #107 Laird Schaub - The Application of Story to Group Facilitation and Community Living.

    This episode features an interview with Laird Schaub exploring how storytelling applies to group facilitation and community living, emphasizing its role in personal and collective narratives.

    ·56m
  10. 10

    Interview #110 Rafe Martin - Zen and the Art of Spiritual Storytelling

    This episode features an interview with Rafe Martin exploring how storytelling, particularly through Zen traditions and folktales, fosters spiritual awareness and connects us to ancestral wisdom.

    ·1h 9m
  11. 11

    Interview #111 Kathy Collins – Comedian as Storyteller - Storytelling as Comedy.

    This episode features an interview with comedian and storyteller Kathy Collins, exploring how she blends comedy and storytelling through characters like Tita to connect with audiences.

    ·54m
  12. 12

    Interview #090 Doug Elliot - Using Storytelling to support a nature based education..

    This episode features an interview with Doug Elliott about using storytelling to enhance nature-based education, exploring its role in connecting people, especially urbanites, to wild landscapes.

    ·1h
  13. 13

    Interview #098 Ben Nind – Storytelling is Essential to Community Health.

    This episode features an interview with Ben Nind, Executive and Artistic Director of the Northern Arts Cultural Center, discussing how storytelling is essential to community health and education, recorded at the Talk Story Conference in Hawaii.

    ·1h 7m
  14. 14

    Interview #103 David Ambrose - The International Storytelling Festival of Wales

    This episode features an interview with David Ambrose, founder of the International Storytelling Festival of Wales, discussing the importance of storytelling for children and cultural heritage.

    ·56m
  15. 15

    Interview #105 Tejumola Ologboni - Walking the Talk with Street Storytelling.

    This episode features an interview with Tejumola Ologboni, a street storyteller who learned his craft in urban settings and now shares ancestral folktales in schools, prisons, and communities.

    ·1h 1m
  16. 16

    Interview #106 Michael Reno Harrell on American Folk Music and the Storytelling Community.

    This episode features an interview with Michael Reno Harrell exploring the intersection of American folk music and storytelling, discussing their cultural impact and harmonious relationship.

    ·57m
  17. 17

    Interview #087 Kevin Strauss - Applying Storytelling to Environmental Science.

    This episode explores how storytelling can be applied to environmental science to engage children and communicate scientific concepts effectively.

    ·58m
  18. 18

    Interview #085 Baba Jamal Koram - Storytelling as Responsibility.

    This episode features an interview with Baba Jamal Koram about the importance of storytelling as a responsibility to teach children through folktales and ancestral messages.

    ·52m
  19. 19

    Interview #099 Emil Wolfgang - Carrying the Pacific Island Storytelling Culture Forward.

    This episode features an interview with Emil Wolfgang about preserving and passing forward Pacific Island storytelling culture through education and ancestral traditions.

    ·1h 7m
  20. 20

    Interview #020 Steve Otto - Bringing Storytelling to New Communities.

    This episode features an interview with Steve Otto, a master storyteller and co-founder of the Chicken Festival, discussing how storytelling can engage children and communities through folktales and educational programs.

    ·59m
  21. 21

    Interview #005 Doug Lipman - Marketing outside of the storytelling community.

    This episode features an interview with Doug Lipman, a storytelling coach who discusses marketing strategies for storytellers to reach audiences beyond their traditional community.

    ·57m
  22. 22

    Interview #006 Judith Black - Child Based Storytelling.

    This episode features an interview with storyteller Judith Black, focusing on her expertise in child-based storytelling, her professional achievements, and the educational value of folktales.

    ·56m
  23. 23

    Interview #010 Kevin Cordi Children Telling Stories and giving Children a voice.

    This episode features an interview with Kevin Cordi, a master storyteller and educator who specializes in teaching children storytelling to give them a voice and enhance their learning.

    ·1h 3m
  24. 24

    Interview #004 Lyn Ford - Breaking into Storytelling.

    This episode features an interview with Lynn Ford discussing how to break into storytelling as a profession, focusing on her experiences and advice for educators, parents, and aspiring storytellers.

    ·50m
  25. 25

    Interview #008 Stephen Hollen - Improvisational storytelling with children.

    This episode features an interview with storyteller Stephen Hollen about using improvisational storytelling techniques to engage and educate children.

    ·55m
  26. 26

    Interview #009 Storytelling in camp settings - with three camp directors.

    This episode features an interview with three camp directors discussing how they use storytelling with children in camp settings to teach and inspire.

    ·55m
  27. 27

    Interview #018 Rev Victoria Burdick - Storytelling in Ceremony.

    This episode explores how storytelling can be effectively integrated into ceremonies, particularly weddings, through an interview with Reverend Victoria Burdick.

    ·55m
  28. 28

    Interview #028 Brother Blue - Street Storytelling and storytelling from the heart.

    This episode features an interview with Brother Blue, focusing on street storytelling and storytelling from the heart.

    ·1h 7m
  29. 29

    Interview #031 Mark Wagler - Reshaping classrooms with narrative pedagogy.

    This episode features an interview with Mark Wagler about using storytelling and narrative pedagogy to transform classroom teaching and connect children with ancestral wisdom.

    ·1h 3m
  30. 30

    Interview #039 Steve Denning, The knowledge-based organization: Using stories to embody and transfer knowledge

    This episode features an interview with Steve Denning about using storytelling to embody and transfer knowledge in business and corporate settings.

    ·1h 2m
  31. 31

    Interview #041 Alex Feldman, Connecting Quickly (and Managing Behavior) through Physicality.

    This episode features an interview with Alex Feldman (Alex the Jester), exploring how he uses physical comedy and storytelling to connect with children and manage behavior effectively.

    ·53m
  32. 32

    Interview #060 Jack Zipes - Fairy Tales are still relevant to the children of today.

    This episode features an interview with Jack Zipes, exploring how fairy tales remain relevant to children today through storytelling and education.

    ·1h 3m
  33. 33

    Interview #061 National Storytelling Network Panel.

    A panel discussion recorded live at the 2008 National Storytelling Network Conference exploring the future of storytelling online, with a focus on its educational and ancestral value for children.

    ·1h 24m
  34. 34

    Interview #080 Jay O’Callahan - Discovering Storytelling With My Children.

    This episode features an interview with storyteller J.L.

    ·53m
  35. 35

    Interview #081 Tim Tingle - A Historical Perspective of Native American Storytelling.

    This episode features an interview with Tim Tingle, a Choctaw storyteller, exploring the historical significance and cultural importance of Native American storytelling traditions.

    ·52m
  36. 36

    Interview #083 Ben Sota and the Zany Umbrella Circus A Conversation on Showmanship.

    This episode features an interview with Ben Sota of the Zany Umbrella Circus, exploring how circus performance and showmanship can inspire storytelling and make everyday moments spectacular.

    ·58m
  37. 37

    Interview #089 Anne Glover - Finding your Authentic Storytelling Voice and Performance.

    This episode features an interview with Anne Glover, a Canadian storyteller and strings specialist, discussing how to develop an authentic storytelling voice and performance, particularly in engaging children with folktales and ancestral messages.

    ·1h 10m
  38. 38

    Interview #074 David Novak - Storyteller’s Compass - Narrative as Guide.

    This episode features an interview with award-winning storyteller David Novak about using narrative as a guiding compass in life and education.

    ·1h 1m
  39. 39

    Interview #057 Michael Cotter - Farming the Heartland of American Storytelling.

    This episode features an interview with Michael Cotter, exploring how storytelling connects to farming, heritage, and environmental themes in the American heartland.

    ·55m
  40. 40

    Interview #116 Antonio Rocha Using the Language of the Body in Storytelling.

    This episode features an interview with storyteller Antonio Rocha about how to use body language and physical expression to enhance storytelling.

    ·1h 8m
  41. 41

    Interview #097 Lloyd Arneach – A Perspective on Native American Storytelling.

    Hidden gem

    The Art of Storytelling with Brother Wolf interviews Cherokee storyteller Lloyd Arneach about oral traditions learned from his uncles and shared across generations.

    ·1h 7m·4 clips
  42. 42

    Interview #078 Elaine Wynne, clinical psychologist - Healing Children with Stories.

    This episode features an interview with clinical psychologist Elaine Nguyen about using storytelling as a therapeutic tool to heal children who have experienced emotional or physical trauma.

    ·55m
  43. 43

    Interview #108 Ruth Stotter – Working with Props in Storytelling Performances.

    Hidden gem

    Brother Wolf interviews Ruth Stoddard about using puppets, masks, felt boards, origami, music, and magic tricks in storytelling performances.

    ·58m·4 clips
  44. 44

    Interview #104 Limor Shiponi - Striding towards Storytelling Mastery

    Hidden gem

    The Art of Storytelling with Brother Wolf features Limor Shiponi discussing how storytellers develop mastery through practice, apprenticeship, and service to listeners.

    ·1h 6m·4 clips
  45. 45

    Interview #113 Octavia Sexton - The Jack Story a Traditional Tale for Everyone.

    Hidden gem

    Brother Wolf interviews Kentucky storyteller Octavia Sexton about Jack tales rooted in Appalachian oral tradition and shaped by English, Irish, and Cherokee ancestry.

    ·1h 4m·4 clips
  46. 46

    Interview #054 Joshua Safford - Telling to the street – magic for eye.

    This episode features an interview with street storyteller Joshua Safford, exploring how to engage unexpected audiences through storytelling, particularly focusing on its educational and ancestral aspects.

    ·56m
  47. 47

    Interview #093 Gail Herman - Building a Student Storytelling Festival.

    Hidden gem

    Dr.

    ·58m·4 clips
  48. 48

    Interview #003 Medicine Story - Power of Myth and Children with Storyteller.

    This episode features an interview with Medicine Story, a seasoned storyteller and elder, discussing the power of mythology and folktales with children.

    Apr 25, 2007·56m·5 clips
  49. 49

    Interview #002 Jonatha Wright - Cross Cultural Storytelling.

    This episode features an interview with Jonathan Wright, a specialist in cross-cultural storytelling, discussing how folktales convey ancestral messages and the collaborative work with Harold Wright on Ohio Japanese and Appalachian stories.

    Apr 18, 2007·51m·5 clips
  50. 50

    Interview #001 Mary Hamilton - Working on Our Work Weekends.

    This episode features an interview with Mary Hamilton, a nationally recognized storyteller known for her WOW!

    Apr 11, 2007·58m·5 clips