Sharing Stories with Kindness, Courage, and Care.
Hello! I wanted to take a moment to share a bit about how we support our storytellers at Touch Network. Storytelling is at the heart of what we do—and everything is guided by our core values: safety, respect, kindness, and courage. These values aren’t just words for us—they shape every step of the journey, from the first conversation to the moment a story is shared with an audience.
A Gentle Invitation
The process always begins with an invitation—never a pressure. Storytellers are free to explore whether sharing feels right for them, and they’re free to change their minds at any point. The same goes for our audience. Our events are open to everyone, but we make space for guests to decide for themselves what feels safe to listen to. There’s no expectation to stay in the room for a story that may feel uncomfortable or triggering. It’s about choice, not obligation.
Purpose from the Pain
Once a storyteller told me they were searching for purpose from the pain. That’s stayed with me. We can’t always track the ripple effect of a story, but I truly believe that when someone hears about how another person navigated through hard times, it can strengthen their own toolkit. Sometimes, a story settles quietly in someone’s memory—only to resurface later, just when they need it most.
Building Trust
Supporting someone to share their story starts gently. We take time to build trust, get to know one another, talk about events. Often, we’ll explore together how to reframe a story through a lens of strength—not to ignore the pain, but to celebrate the resilience, courage, and determination that helped someone move through it. Sometimes stories come to us fully formed; other times, we work together to find a structure that feels natural and will connect with an audience. Every journey is different.
Speaking in the First Person
One of the most meaningful shifts I see is when someone begins to own their story—speaking in the first person rather than generalising or distancing themselves with “you” or “they.” It’s a subtle shift, but a powerful one. I often hear people on podcasts or in interviews share deeply personal experiences in a way that feels almost universal, as if trying to make the story easier to tell. Maybe it’s a way of self-protection. But when someone dares to speak from I, it offers the audience something more intimate, more real. It allows people to connect in their own way, without being told what to feel or think.
Creative Expression
There’s no single way to share a story. Most people write a script or use bullet points to guide their thoughts. Some prefer to be interviewed. Others read poems—or even sing. Whatever feels authentic is welcome. While I don’t consider myself particularly creative (though I do find a lot of peace in macramé and paint-by-numbers!), I’d love to explore more creative storytelling with our community in the future.Every storyteller brings something unique. And every story is a gift—a courageous act of vulnerability and generosity. It’s a privilege to walk alongside people as they shape and share these moments from their lives. If you’re ever thinking about sharing your story, know this: we’ll walk at your pace, with kindness, respect, and courage at the heart of it all.
If you’re interested to hear more, please email [email protected]
