379. Learning to be an Ethical Storyteller - Christy Kern

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Overview

Meet Christy. She believes words matter. As a communications consultant and ethical storytelling purist, she guides nonprofits through the process of creating storytelling that is both ethical and effective. She’s talking through how to bring humanity front and center as we collect and share stories. Her love of ethical storytelling is contagious - tune in for inspiration and practical tips.

💡 Learn

Four Keys of Communication
Ethical Storytelling: What is it and why it matters
The role of relationships in ethical storytelling

Today’s Guest

Christy Kern, StoryBrand Facilitator, Ethical Storytelling Researcher

“Most of the time we just hold on the microphone so tightly we don’t give people the chance to use their own voice.”

— Christy Kern, StoryBrand Facilitator, Ethical Storytelling Researcher

Episode Transcript

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Episode Highlights

Christy’s story and journey to where she is today (1:50)
Tone setting - the keys of communication and how it relates to nonprofits (5:30)
Christy’s 4 Guiding Principles to Communication:
1. To be clear is to be kind.
2. Upholding dignity is paramount.
3. Always anchor in value.
4. Know what you are for.
Ethical storytelling and how you work with clients to tell their stories in a dignified way (18:00)
Story stewardship (21:00)
Relationship over commodity (23:00)
Christy’s research around ethical storytelling (27:00)
Do this / not that with ethical storytelling (31:00)
A powerful story of philanthropy in Christy’s life (34:00)
Christy’s One Good Thing: Find or create a space where you can be vulnerable and make mistakes. (38:00)
How to connect with Christy (42:00)

POWERFUL QUOTES

“Storybrand is a framework I can give people that allows them to craft a story within boundaries and create something that comes out on the other side really powerfully and compelling.” -Christy

“When we complicate things and try to be clever instead of clear, we are actually making it harder for them to engage with our organization.” -Christy

“Especially in today’s politicized climate we are eager to jump into what we are against. It’s not just about being against something, it’s about understanding the principles or belief systems that I want to stand behind.” -Christy

“The consistency of using those words over and over is something that your followers, believers and donors start to see.” -Becky

“You’re casting a vision of what could be.” -Christy

“The word ethical was tripping me up.” -Christy

“I do really well with black and white. I appreciate clarity and what expectations there are of me.” -Christy

“When I came into this work I wanted to clearly know if I was doing ethical storytelling right or wrong.” -Christy

“When we collect these stories, sometimes we treat them a little bit like a commodity and a checklist comes into place. I’ve wanted the checklist and I’ve missed the relational connection.” -Christy

“How do I treat everybody with that sense of is this right or wrong? Does it feel like I’m honoring them in my gut?”- Christy

“How you come into it at the very beginning and how you set the tone is very important.” -Becky

“It's important to peel back the curtain and let people see the messy behind the scenes of these stories coming to life.” -Christy

“We don’t have to have it all figured out. We can learn and grow as we move forward.” -Christy

“We are creating a magnet of like-minded people.” -Jon

“Most of the time we just hold on the microphone so tightly we don’t give people the chance to use their own voice.” -Christy