Podcast Summary
The Power of Storytelling in Shaping Our Lives and Understanding Ourselves: Dr. Angus Fletcher's new book 'Wonder Works' explores 25 literary inventions that change who we are, help us understand ourselves, and teach us how to think. Reading and being changed by literature is important for personal growth and education.
Learning from this episode of "Unlocking Us" is the power of storytelling in shaping our lives and understanding ourselves. Dr. Angus Fletcher, a professor of storytelling and Shakespeare expert, discussed his new book "Wonder Works" which explores the 25 most influential literary inventions in history. Fletcher, who has a background in neurobiology, emphasizes that literature has the ability to change who we are, help us understand ourselves, and teach us how to think. The conversation touched on the importance of reading and being changed by what we read, the state of education around reading, and how storytelling works with our minds. Angus also consults for major media companies like Sony, Disney, and Amazon. The book, which has been endorsed by psychologists, neuroscientists, and literature scholars, aims to unlock the hidden powers of our favorite poems, memoirs, novels, TV shows, and more, to boost positive emotions and alleviate negative ones. Both Brene Brown and her colleague were deeply moved by the book and expressed a desire to savor its contents slowly.
The healing power of stories: Stories have the ability to heal, inspire, and connect us, shaping our lives and perspectives
Stories have the power to heal, uplift, and inspire us. Angus, an immigrant and neuroscientist, shares his quirky upbringing and how it fueled his fascination with stories. Despite his practical family background, Angus's love for stories began as a child when he discovered the joy of opening a book and using his imagination. He pursued a career in neuroscience, but the magic of stories stayed with him. Angus believes that stories have therapeutic effects and can give us joy, optimism, and a sense of connection. His own story, filled with curiosity and determination, is a testament to the power of stories to shape our lives and perspectives.
The Power of Stories in Shaping Behavior and Experiences: Neuroscientist turned storytelling expert emphasizes the importance of emotions and imagination in shaping behavior and experiences. She explores the illogical nature of the human brain, the power of emotions and imagination through stories, and the significance of asking basic questions to understand their impact.
Our emotions and imagination, driven by stories, play a significant role in shaping our behavior and experiences. The speaker, who started as a neuroscientist, realized the importance of understanding storytelling after recognizing the illogical nature of the human brain and the powerful influence of emotions and imagination. She pursued this interest by getting a PhD in Shakespeare at Yale, working with Pixar, and eventually founding Project Narrative. Her early experiences with her father reading to her ignited her love for stories and fueled her curiosity. Through her journey, she emphasizes the importance of asking basic questions and seeking answers to truly understand the mechanisms behind storytelling and its impact on our lives.
The transformative power of literature: Literature allows us to explore diverse worlds, learn valuable lessons, and practice risk-taking without danger, inspiring us to create and discover new things.
Reading and literature have the power to transport us to new worlds, broaden our perspectives, and inspire us to take risks. For the speaker, this discovery was particularly meaningful during her childhood, when she found solace and possibility in the pages of books. Literature allowed her to explore diverse worlds, learn valuable lessons, and practice risk-taking without actual danger. This sense of possibility and empowerment stayed with her and continues to inspire her to this day. The books on her shelf serve as a reminder that we, as humans, are capable of creating and discovering new things, and that art, in all its forms, can uplift and inspire us. The speaker's experience highlights the transformative power of literature and the importance of embracing the possibilities it offers.
Literature: A Powerful Tool for Self-Discovery and Growth: Literature is a form of art that offers inventions like courage, love, empathy, and therapies for mental health. It fosters connection and community, allowing us to join in the work of making it come alive.
Literature, a form of art, serves as a powerful tool for self-discovery, connection, and growth. It provides a space for artists to confess their truths while considering their audience, inviting participation, and fostering community. Literature is a technology, a gift from our ancestors, designed to help us navigate the complexities of being human. It offers inventions, such as courage, love, empathy, and therapies for various forms of PTSD, all aimed at improving our mental health and maximizing our potential. By engaging with literature, we not only experience the creativity and genius of others but also join in the work of making it come alive, forming a deep connection that transcends the page.
The emotional power of inventions in literature: In literature, inventions like apologies have deeper emotional impact due to their ability to release anger and stimulate empathy, enhancing the reading experience
The power of inventions lies not just in their tangible form, but in the emotional impact they have on us. The example given is the invention of an apology, which goes beyond being a mere collection of words. Its true power lies in its ability to release anger and stimulate empathy. This invention, which didn't exist in nature but was created by humans, becomes even more potent in literature. Through literature, we can enter into the minds of characters and know with certainty their sincerity and regret, leading to a deeper sense of empathy and forgiveness. This concept, as discussed in "Wonder Works," offers a new way of reading that focuses on the actions and emotions beneath the words, making the reading experience more intuitive and impactful.
Literature's power to transform minds and bring about a more connected society: Literature's inventions like apologies, plots twists, and metaphors can trigger self-transcendent experiences, leading to spiritual growth and increased generosity. Through story and narrative, literature creates a connection between reader and storyteller, offering glimpses into new perspectives and reminding us of the power of human connection.
Literature, through various inventions like apologies, plots twists, and metaphors, has the power to transform our minds and bring about a more empathetic, inclusive, and connected society. These inventions, often rooted in story and narrative, create a connection between the reader and the storyteller, allowing us to lose ourselves in the experience and discover something bigger than ourselves. This sense of wonder and awe can lead to spiritual growth and increased generosity. A simple example of this is a plot twist, which can trigger a self-transcendent experience and leave us feeling connected to the story in a profound way. Ultimately, literature serves as a source of awe and wonder, offering us glimpses into new perspectives and reminding us of the power of human connection.
The power of unexpected twists in parables and life: Unexpected plot twists in parables and life can trigger personal growth and self-reflection, revealing our potential and limitations.
Meaningful parables, whether in literature or life, can trigger a sense of wonder and curiosity that challenges our beliefs and values. These unexpected plot twists can lead to personal growth and self-reflection, even if initially met with resistance or discomfort. The power of wonder, as speaker's research suggests, lies in its ability to expose our potential while also revealing our limitations. The speaker's own life took an unexpected turn when he was invited to a study on the therapeutic effects of Greek tragedy on military veterans, leading him to new discoveries and insights. This experience underscores the importance of embracing the unknown and being open to the transformative power of wonder.
Ancient Greek tragedies help audiences connect and empathize with characters: Greek tragedies telegraph disasters, making audiences feel empowered and connected, boosting self-efficacy. They can also reactivate emotional regulation in those with Type 2 PTSD.
Ancient Greek tragedy holds a unique power to help audiences connect with and empathize with the characters on stage, even those experiencing tragedy. This effect, identified by modern researchers, is due to the way Greek tragedies telegraph impending disasters to the audience, making them feel like survivors before the characters on stage. This sense of empowerment and connection builds self-efficacy. Furthermore, Greek tragedy can also help reactivate the emotional regulation system in those suffering from Type 2 PTSD, a condition caused by chronic abuse where the emotion regulation system becomes too strong and causes numbness and dissociation. By understanding this power of Greek tragedy, we can appreciate its enduring impact on audiences and its potential therapeutic benefits.
Literature as a tool for healing and feeling less bad: Reading deeply resonating literature can help reactivate positive emotions, access areas of self for healing, and provide lasting improvements
Literature, particularly books that resonate deeply with us, can serve as a powerful tool for healing and feeling less bad. Alison Bechdel's "Fun Home" is an example of such a book, as it helps readers reactivate positive feelings in their brains and reintroduce emotions that have been suppressed due to traumatic experiences. Aristotle recognized this ancient Greek tragedy's ability to make people feel less bad, not just good. This deeper, more restorative change requires engaging with the difficult parts of ourselves, such as anxieties, fears, and traumas. The intimate connection we form with literature makes it an effective means of accessing these areas and doing the hard work of healing. Unlike temporary feel-good moments, this process is about making lasting improvements. Literature's infinite capacity to give its gifts ensures that it will always be there for us whenever we need it, whether we're seeking joy, optimism, courage, or healing.
Literature and arts as healing and empowering tools: Literature and arts offer a safe space for acknowledging and processing emotions and experiences, leading to personal growth and community healing. They provide unique insights and perspectives in education.
Literature and the arts have the power to heal and empower individuals and communities. From ancient Greek democracy making theater free for its citizens, to modern-day psychologists and psychiatrists exploring the human mind, literature and the arts provide a safe space for acknowledging and processing difficult emotions and experiences. For individuals, this can lead to personal growth and agency. For communities, it fosters empathy, understanding, and collective healing. In education, literature and the arts can provide unique insights and perspectives that textbooks cannot. By engaging with these works, we can explore complex emotions and ideas in a safe and distanced way, allowing us to better understand ourselves and others.
Connecting with experiences of others through memoirs: Memoirs offer therapeutic benefits, promote self-reflection, and provide practical tools for healing and building relationships.
Reading and writing memoirs can serve as powerful therapeutic tools for personal growth and healing. They allow us to connect with the experiences of others, offering compassion, love, and strength, while also providing opportunities for self-reflection and learning. Maya Angelou's memoir, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," is an inspiring example, as it encourages readers to acknowledge past experiences, learn from them, and affirm their worth. Additionally, the inventions in Brene Brown's research, such as the Valentine armor, offer practical ways to bounce back from heartbreak and build friendships with diverse individuals. Overall, memoirs serve as a bridge to understanding ourselves and others, fostering empathy, resilience, and connection.
Understanding and empathizing with unique characters: Jane Austen's novels teach us to appreciate characters for who they are, not just for how they reflect ourselves. Heartbreak comes from unmet expectations and insecurities, and focusing on what we receive from relationships can lead to healthier, more loving connections.
That Jane Austen's novels introduced a new way of connecting with characters - allowing readers to both understand and empathize with them, while also recognizing their differences. This unique perspective empowers readers to love characters for who they are, not just for how they reflect ourselves. Austen's works, like "Emma," teach us that heartbreak often stems from unmet expectations and insecurities. By focusing on what we receive from relationships rather than what we want to give or receive, we can learn to appreciate the distinctiveness of others and cultivate healthier, more loving connections.
The power of self-discovery through personal reading: Reading literature voluntarily leads to personal growth, happiness, confidence, and the ability to support others.
The power and impact of literature can be significantly greater when we choose to read it for ourselves rather than having it assigned to us. This is because the experience of literature is deeply personal and emotional, and the process of self-discovery and affirmation that can occur through reading is more effective when we are engaged voluntarily. Maya Angelou's "Why the Caged Bird Sings" is an example of a work that can transform readers by encouraging them to explore and affirm their own values, leading to greater happiness, confidence, and flexibility. By empowering ourselves through literature, we not only benefit ourselves but also become better equipped to provide support and care to others, reducing the burden on those around us.
The Power of Literature to Heal and Inspire: Literature, an invention, heals, inspires hope, and brings peace and love. Audience plays a crucial role in shaping it positively.
Literature, as an invention, has the power to heal, inspire hope, and bring peace and love. However, it's important to remember that not all literary inventions are positive. Some can create false hope, magical thinking, or even fear. But overall, the positive effects of literature outweigh the negative. The audience plays a crucial role in shaping literature over time, making it more positive and empowering. As Renee Brown says, "It is the invention that unbreaks the heart and brings us into hope, and peace, and love." It's essential to be aware of both the positive and negative effects of literature and use it to our advantage, such as learning to practice gratitude in the face of foreboding joy.
Empowering students to share feelings towards literature: Encouraging students to share primary responses and feelings towards literature fosters deeper understanding and enjoyable learning experiences.
Fostering meaningful connections with students when it comes to literature involves more than just assigning and analyzing homework. Instead, teachers should empower students to share their primary responses and feelings towards the text. This approach not only makes learning more enjoyable but also encourages deeper understanding. As Brene Brown suggests, asking students about their feelings and experiences with a text can lead to valuable discussions and connections. Moreover, allowing students to write about their thoughts and feelings in their own way can help them develop a stronger bond with the text and the author. Reading with loved ones, whether it's a book, a film, or a song, can also create profound learning experiences that go beyond the classroom. Ultimately, literature is a powerful tool for learning, and teachers should strive to create an environment where students feel safe and encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings.
Exploring the Joy of Art and Connection with Angus Fletcher: Angus Fletcher cherishes various forms of art and experiences that bring him joy and connection, from movies and music to simple pleasures and inventions. He emphasizes the importance of engaging with art and having conversations about it.
Angus Fletcher, a professor of story science, cherishes various forms of art and experiences that bring him joy and connection. From his favorite movie, "The Thin Red Line," to a Bruce Springsteen concert with his wife, and even a simple pleasure like eating chocolate cake, Angus finds meaning and happiness in the ordinary. His diverse musical tastes, reflected in the five songs he couldn't live without, demonstrate the importance of having a range of influences and friends. Angus's upcoming book, "Wonder Works," explores the impact of 25 inventions in literature, further showcasing his appreciation for the power of storytelling. The conversation highlights the importance of engaging with art and having conversations about it, as well as the significance of black performance in American culture. Upcoming podcast guests include Hanif Abdurraqib and Samin Nosrat, who will discuss the history and power of black performance and food, respectively.
Two important Dare to Lead episodes during spring break: During spring break, Unlocking Us will share selected Dare to Lead episodes, focusing on leadership and courage amidst pandemic and racial reckoning. Brene Brown expresses gratitude for the supportive community and favorite moments in their learning journey.
That during this spring break, the Unlocking Us podcast will be sharing two important episodes from the Dare to Lead podcast, focusing on leadership and courage during the ongoing pandemic and racial reckoning. The host, Brene Brown, expressed her gratitude for the community they have built together and for the listeners who have joined them on their journey of learning and growth. As they approach the one-year anniversary of Unlocking Us, Brene shared that her favorite moment was the creation of this inclusive and supportive space for everyone to learn and grow together. The podcast will return with new episodes on March 31st. The episodes will be available on all major podcast platforms, and Unlocking Us is produced by the Brene Brown Education and Research Group.
