Training

Strategic Storytelling for Public Health

Course Objective

  • Describe the value and power of using stories to engage audiences in a strategic manner
  • Identify six different types of stories to use when engaging audiences
  • Explain techniques for creating powerful stories, including both the process of telling stories and the content

Date: October 6th 2020

Presenter:
Mark Dessauer, MA
Vice President of Learning
Spitfire Strategies


In this month’s Log-in2Learn, Mark Dessauer, MA, discusses the power of storytelling and how to optimize it. He emphasizes the importance of using stories as a public health tool to engage diverse audiences. He talks about the impact stories can have on changing existing narratives and addressing cultural norms. During this time of uncertainty, Mark stresses the need to use stories to connect people by sharing emotions and experiences that reflect their communities. He reiterates the use of this strategy to shed light on untold stories and to encourage equitable visibility. He also makes use of a variety of examples to demonstrate the effective use of this strategy to influence changes in attitudes and behaviors. Lastly, Mark walks us through the “storyteller’s toolbox”, providing insights on the types of stories to share, what angles to take and how to best showcase them.

Participants will learn how to the following:

  1. Describe the value and power of using stories to engage audiences in a strategic manner
  2. Identify six different types of stories to use when engaging audiences
  3. Explain techniques for creating powerful stories, including both the process of telling stories and the content
Region 2 Public Health Training Center