Catapult Media » Storytelling

Catapult Media launches storyworks.ca

Pattie LaCroix — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:06:58 +0000

So much of how we see the world is constructed by the frames in which we position our values and our ideas, in turn these frames ultimately shape our world view. Frames clearly articulated by George LaKoff, are created through language. Catapult Media has launched www.storyworks.ca to begin to work in partnership with social innovators to craft a new narrative, to create new frames with the intent of moving towards a more just and equitable world.

"No problem can be solved from the same consciousness that created it. We must learn to see the world anew" Albert Einstein

Creating new narratives that shift our world view to move to the tipping point of progressive change is what storyworks.ca is all about.

Ubuntu and Changing the World

Pattie LaCroix — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:29:55 +0000

Ubuntu is a sub-Saharan African philosophy and way of life. Ubuntu defines what it means to be truly human. The principles of include dignity, respect, honesty, empathy, caring sharing and compassion. Social innovation when it takes root does so because it is based in our humanity. It takes root when we can frame the narrative of change as possible in each of our lives… and in our collective humanity.

Change when rooted in Ubuntu gives birth not just to possibilities but to probabilities. This year I am engaged with social innovators around the world. What they hold in common is an unwaivering belief that humanity has the answers it needs to address some of our most pressing issues. The question is not the "know how" but the "how to". New models to affect change are underway… they are nimble, experimental, lively, open-ended, strategic, resourceful and as a result resilient. I will be featuring many of these models in the weeks ahead.

Until then, the Ubuntu way will continue to invite us to work for social equality on the common ground of our shared humanity.

Stories can feel like a life preserver

Pattie LaCroix — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:05:28 +0000

“A story is a re-imagined experience narrated with enough detail and feeling to cause your listeners’ imagination to experience it as real,” says storytelling guru and author Annette Simmons.

One of the things that I have learned working in the NGO community for two decades is that we have a hard time telling our story well. In many cases we think we are telling stories but in fact we are not. We are experts in our content areas, we tend to be good at reporting to funders and we can masters at speaking jargon. But we really struggle to make sense of our work, its importance, impact or sometimes is relevance to many others.

Simmons in her new book says, “In this ocean of choice, a meaningful story can feel like a life preserver that tethers us to something safe, important or at the very least more solid than the disembodied voices begging for our attention.”

When millions of people stand up to make poverty history around the world or attend or tune into the Live Aid or Live Earth concerts, wear white bands, open their wallets for Katrina victims or drop off food to their local food bank in record numbers… we know that their is a great hunger to be “tethered” together to something important. Millions are looking for that “life preserver” civil society needs to throw these people a line… by being far more strategic and proficient storytellers.