Stanford Storytelling Project

07/10/2026

There is in all visible things…a hidden wholeness.
—Thomas Merton See less

We're happy to share that Stanford Storytelling Project director Jonah Willihnganz will be co-leading a *4-day online writing retreat* open to writers of all experience levels August 31 - Sept 3. Ideal for those wanting to practice discrete story craft skills in a nurturing environment. Based on courses and retreats offered at Stanford over the last decade. Space is limited. Details at the link:

Powerful writing lives not through explanation but through the accretion of concrete and fitting detail. The strongest writing, to paraphrase essayist E.B. White, has often been described as “nouns verbing.” The noun “knife,” in this sense, is stronger than the adjective “sharp.” On the ...

04/06/2026

We are thrilled to announce that tickets are available for TEXxStanford, coming up this Sunday, April 12th, 2026, 2pm, in CEMEX Auditorium. Learn more at https://tedxstanford.com/

TEDxStanford 2026 celebrates the surprising, often overlooked moments when something new begins to take shape. From the emergency room, to the Royal Ballet, and to the Miss USA stage—our 8 speakers will bring to life the stories of what can emerge from insight to impact. The event will also feature performances from two beloved student groups - Talisman A Ca****la and Stanford Bhangra.

Presented by Ideas Out Loud in partnership with the Stanford Storytelling Project.

Founded in 2008, we explore all forms of stories, from myth to memoir, in all kinds of media, from print to performance. We sponsor courses, workshops, grants, fellowships, and a live event series that give students an opportunity to appreciate the way stories work, work on us, and can work for ...

04/06/2026

We're happy to share that director Jonah Willihnganz will be co-leading a retreat August 4-9 at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center with Ryushin Paul Haller. *The Path to Wholeness* gives participants a chance to explore storytelling and contemplative practices to tap the deepest, creative resources for meeting life's inevitable challenges. Details at the link.

How might we relate to the demands and opportunities of life as teachings on how to live wholeheartedly? How do we heal our spirit and nourish our enthusiasm?These powerful questions can help us discover the compassion and courage needed to address our challenges. Zen practice fosters a resilient an...

02/27/2026

Join us for the second annual BLACK VOICES show, featuring fantastic student storytellers sharing true, personal stories onstage in celebration of Black History Month. Free dinner and amazing stories.

We’d love to see you there!

02/03/2026

Congratulations to our 2025 Braden Storytelling Grantees, whose audio documentaries are now LIVE at the link in our bio. We are thrilled to share their well-crafted and powerful stories.

Current students - interested in learning how to make an audio documentary of your own? Applications for the 2026 Braden Grant are now open. Due Sunday, Feb. 22nd, 2026.

01/28/2026

Thrilled to announce our upcoming event - Healing Spells: An Evening Exploring Language’s Power to Create Wholeness with the author and mythographer Martin Shaw and the poet Jane Hirshfield. This will be a very special night on Wednesday, February 11th. Tickets are free and space is limited - reserve yours now at the link in our bio.

Join us for a special evening with author Martin Shaw and poet Jane Hirshfield as we explore language's power to create wholeness.

01/23/2026

Want to spend your summer storytelling? Apply for the Braden Storytelling Grant! Get funding, mentorship, and training to create an audio documentary. Learn more at our info session TODAY at 1:45pm in the Hume Lounge.

11/03/2025

This Wednesday. 9pm. On-Call Café. Don’t miss the Eclipse.

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