Episode #14
Episode 14: Why Do Stories Have So Much Power?
Storytelling can shape our understanding of ourselves and the people around us. In this episode of Research Matters, we’re exploring how sharing personal narratives can inform self-awareness and create meaningful connections with others with Dr. Charles Parrott, a KSU researcher from the Geer College of the Arts. Joining Charlie is Josh Cuthbertson, the creator of Atlanta Storytellers, where people are given the space to share their personal experiences in front of a live audience. In his show, The Songs That Shape Us, storytellers use music as a framework to revisit important moments from their past, while inviting the audience to reflect on the songs and stories that have shaped their own lives. Through his work with students, Charlie studies how sharing personal stories can create self-knowledge for both the storyteller and the audience. Josh puts that same idea into practice, creating spaces where people can find meaning in their own experiences through the stories of others. Together, their work shows how storytelling can transform an individual experience into something that helps us better understand ourselves and connect with those around us.
