P6: Add Stories to the Menu

Welcome to the first Thanksgiving issue. If someone shared it with you, you can subscribe here.

Whether celebrating the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends around a table filled with meats, carbs, and sweet fixings or gearing up to host a holiday meal, I hope this special issue brings more joy to your time together.

Add Stories to the Menu

I don’t know about you, but meals with family and friends sometimes bring out awkward moments and conversations.

I've heard from friends who have even considered canceling their holiday meals to avoid tensions between loved ones with opposing views on social issues, politics, or faith.

Sometimes, a family meal is anything but that, with everyone having side conversations, kids doing their own thing, and one or two feeling awkwardly out of the loop.

Today, I want to share two story-driven approaches that I learned from two amazing storytellers:

1. Story Menu Placemats

2. Round Robin Table Topics

Story Menu Placemats

Nancy Duarte, bestselling author of Resonate and other books on storytelling and presentations, prints an 11×17 placemat with a menu of stories on the left side.

I saw Nancy share this fantastic idea last year, just in time for Thanksgiving, and I jumped on it immediately. I created the mat on Canva and have since updated the story prompts.

It was such a hit that I’m doing it again this year and sharing the print-ready mat with all my friends. You can download a copy below, with or without a color background, to customize it.

Round Robin Table Topics

Joyce Tepfer, my mentor of 20 years, masterfully creates an immersive meal experience by inviting storytelling that everyone can enjoy.

First, she sets the stage. After saying Grace (a gratitude prayer for everyone and everything we’re about to enjoy), she brings the conversation to the middle of the table so everyone can share and enjoy the fantastic stories within us all.

Everyone has a different story topic under their plate, but everyone gets to respond to the prompt, round-robin style.

Gratitude Story Ideas

Here are some topics that should help keep the conversation positive and engaging while still being in the spirit of gratitude.

1. Favorite Holiday Traditions: Share your favorite holiday traditions and why they mean so much to you.

2. Acts of Kindness: Talk about a recent act of kindness you witnessed or experienced.

3. Gratitude for Nature: Discuss your favorite places in nature and why you feel grateful for them.

4. Childhood Memories: Share a cherished childhood memory that brings a smile to your face.

5. Thankful for Technology: Reflect on a technology or an app that has made your life easier or more enjoyable.

6. Grateful for Learning: Talk about something new you learned this year for which you're thankful.

7. Favorite Books or Movies: Share a book or movie that has positively impacted you and why.

8. Gratitude for Friends: Discuss a friend who has been particularly supportive or inspiring to you.

9. Hobbies and Passions: Share a hobby or passion that brings you joy and why you're grateful for it.

10. Unexpected Joys: Talk about an unexpected joy or surprise that happened to you recently.

A Bite of Storytelling Science: A Healthy Addition to the Menu

Did you know that sharing stories around the dinner table isn't just fun and good for you?

According to science, storytelling can boost our well-being in fascinating ways. One key player here is oxytocin, often dubbed the "love hormone” by Dr. Paul Zak, a pioneer in this research who I proudly call one of my doctoral dissertation advisors. 

When we share stories, our brains release oxytocin, which helps us feel more connected and empathetic towards each other. It's like a warm hug for our brains! This hormone strengthens our bonds, reduces stress, and promotes feelings of happiness and trust.

So, as you gather around the table this Thanksgiving, remember that every story shared is not just a tale told but a little boost of joy and connection for everyone involved. Cheers to the power of storytelling and the magic of oxytocin!

If you find this interesting, read Paul Zak’s article “Why Our Brain Loves Good Storytelling.”

Your Turn: Pivot Thanksgiving conversations with good storytelling that enriches everyone’s lives.