Tag Archives: opinion column

The power and influence of storytelling – by Deborah Levine

(originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Once upon a time, there was a storytelling festival held in Chattanooga’s Coolidge Park called TaleSpin. I remember this 2008 event because I was recruited by Vincent Phipps to be one of the storytellers. I hesitated, but he reassured, coached, and encouraged me until I changed my mind and attitude. TaleSpin no longer takes place here, but I was set on a storytelling path that expanded exponentially. Vincent evolved into the top 1% of the World’s Best Communication Experts. This matters because in these “interesting times”, storytelling is key to being heard and seen.

Just days after the presidential election, Vincent showcased the “plethora of auditory excellence” of the 2024 PSK graduates (Pro Speakers Kit). They embedded stories in their keynote presentations and demonstrated what researchers tell us: only 5-10% of statistics are remembered, but 65-70% of stories stick in our brains. The graduates’ keynotes were full of stories that moved, inspired and encouraged all of us. Each of them were experts in their professions, but they all had pursued  very different career paths. Despite the different themes, folks in the audience said that they resonated to every one of the stories. It wasn’t just the narratives that engaged us. The tone of voice, body language, and the passion were riveting, which I suspect reflected Vincent’s coaching which I remember from my own PSK days.

First to speak was Donley Ferguson from Georgia. Unassuming at first, he hypnotized the audience with his stories about “All I wanted was a Yes”. His strategies for transforming the“No” have increased employee engagement and produced award winning teams for more than 30 years. Also from Georgia was Lt. Col (Ret.) Kevin McIntyre whose stories of military urgency response teams underscored his message: have a plan, adapt, overcome, and be unstoppable. Yes, sir!

They were great reminders that Southerners and storytelling go and-in-hand, as were the Chattanooga keynoters, Becky Tolbert and Ikeko Bass. Becky’s “Beautiful Violence” was an unforgettable series of stories about empowering women in self-defense. Given Chattanooga’s increasing number of active shooters, everyone in the audience will no doubt be on alert, practice situational awareness and carry bug spray just in case. And if you’re anxious and depressed, who isn’t these days, Suicide Survivor Ikeko’s stories are for you. You may not remember that 59.3 million Americans have mental health issues, but I guarantee that you’ll remember Ikeko’s stories and practice more self care. Thank you!

One of the keynoters from Philadelphia underscored our need for self care. Telling us his stories of dealing with MS, Ben Parvey showed us “A Light in the Mirror…” and then gave us “…a practical guide for living the life of your dreams”.  I took his advice, looked in the mirror, said “I love you”, and smiled at this old face. Then, inspired by Philadelphia’s Rachel Hooks, I looked at my bank account. Her “Financial Principles at Any Age” reminded us that self love should include a passion for spending less than you earn. I’m on it!

I immediately connected with the New York keynoter, Janelle Villiers, trading stories of growing up on Long Island, NY. Stories can boost conversation by 30%. So when Janelle spoke about “Letting go of Perfection: Embracing Excellence”, I connected even more and am trying to let go. 

But I’m not ready to let go of what storytelling might mean for us. Post-election, we were greatly disoriented and the audience entered with worried faces. The smiles, laughs, and claps changed the atmosphere. Our brains had room to ponder the future, to influence it. How? We must tell our stories and shape how folks think going forward. 

Need a break? Take in history on the riverfront – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

We’ve been glued to the news on TV and internet day and night. Definitely time to take a break from holding my breath. What to do? We decided to go to the riverfront, become one with the river’s flow and check out the replicas of Christopher Columbus’ Nina and Pinta. This history buff was fascinated by the ancient boats that sailed the seas. And they brought back fond ocean memories of my island girl youth.

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Ukrainian moment in Chattanooga – by Deborah Levine

(originally published in the Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Always a fan of international projects, I eagerly attended the recent reception marking Chattanooga’s new collaboration with Ukraine’s city of Trostyanets. What a pleasure to meet its mayor, Yuriy Bova! Mayor Tim Kelly had formalized a cooperative agreement with the war-torn Ukrainian city that’s only 20 miles from the Russian border.

Speaking with Mayor Bova  and his interpreter was a real pleasure. I was delighted when he mentioned his desire to be online. I told him about my podcast and asked if he’d like to do an interview. Never imagining that he would say yes, I held my breath as his staff made the arrangements to connect my office in East Ridge with his in Ukraine. Would this actually happen?

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Celebrating our city’s literary artists – by Deborah Levine

Originally published in the Chattanooga Times Free Press

Chattanooga is a hub for artists and aways has been. On September 25, ArtsBuild will celebrate 55 years of building our city through the Arts. There will also be a celebration of 10 years of the Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Awards with this year’s awardees: Cam Busch, Rita Lorraine Hubbard, Alan and Norma Mills, and Anna Baker Vancura. Several Holmberg relatives recently visited Chattanooga’s Mizpah synagogue which Ruth and her Ochs family helped create, as they’d done with The Chattanooga Times. Meeting them was a reminder that the past and present are interwoven through our city’s creative souls and their supporters. Whether it’s architecture, visual arts, dance, or music, we have a rich legacy of artists shaping our community. That legacy includes generations of writers, as demonstrated by the local Authors Fair hosted by the downtown public library this past weekend.    

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Welcoming Moments of Nature – by Deborah Levine

Originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

Watching the news this weekend was another exercise in political upheaval. I was grateful for a brief intermission on CBS with its “Sunday Moment in Nature”. Seeing the beautiful mountain scenes and watching the birds up close was heart warming, and much needed. But I needed more so we hopped in the car and drove over to Fort Oglethorpe. I wanted to revisit one of my favorite places, the old log cabin that belonged to the Native American Chief John Ross. The surrounding ponds with their fountains were truly a gift and I hoped that they would have still have birds flocking to them.
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Can’t We All Stop the Political Violence – by Deborah Levine

Originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

I originally planned to write about the massive number of politics-oriented texts that I’ve been getting on my phone. They were unsolicited and annoying, regardless of which candidate they’re promoting. I know that many of you were inundated with these texts and shared my concern. When I searched online for directions on how to stop all this, I discovered that the Federal Trade commission doesn’t block political campaign texts and calls. Political campaigns are run by legitimate organizations that know how to go around the rules meant to stop robocalls and robotexts. I was going to share the advice of a blog, “How To Survive the Election Year and Political Text Spam That Comes With It”. But so much changed with the weekend assassination attempt.

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Justices, Come Experience our Climate – by Deborah Levine

Originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

It’s always a pleasure to go to Miller Plaza, listen to the music and watch folks set up stalls for a festival. The activity this past weekend began at 5pm so I got there a bit early to watch them get ready. Everyone setting up looked happy even in the intense sunlight and a few kids even hopped, skipped and jumped around. I admire these younger folks doing their best with a temperature over 90 degrees. Us older folks are especially vulnerable to these heat waves and even standing in the shade made me sweat like mad. I’m thinking that climate change deniers and Supreme Court justices should stand with me. Maybe a little heat exhaustion would have them promote laws and projects to protect us.  

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“Path to the Presidency” at the library – by Deborah Levine

(originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

Our middle-aged kids came to visit us and we wanted to do something special with them. But with the temperature in the mid-nineties, none of us could tolerate being outside for long. Fortunately, Chattanooga has wonderful opportunities to have fun indoors with full-speed air conditioning. Given our long-time fascination with political artifacts, we were eager to check out the exhibit, Path to the Presidency, hosted by the public library’s Local History and Genealogy Department and presented by the Robert L. Golden Institute of Art and History.

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‘The Keeper’ A Keeper for Memorial Day – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

On Memorial Day, we not only remember, but also honor those who gave their lives in service to our country. We grieve with their families whose loss will never be forgotten. I’m fortunate that my father survived his military service in World War II. But last week, I spoke to an Army veteran via Zoom whose new movie, The Keeper, taught me that suicide means Memorial Day includes more veterans than you think.

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Chattanooga’s festivals bring family, friends together for good works – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

It’s always a pleasure to attend community festivals that combine great fun with service to those in need. Over the weekend, I attended several of these events and I’ll be smiling over them for weeks. The first of these events was Derby Day on Saturday at the East Ridge Local Coffee. Derby Day was a fun way to support the East Ridge Needy Child Fund. This amazing organization does the important work of making sure that East Ridge children have shoes, clothes, toys and a food basket for the family.

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