Workshop Testimonials

See why people took the workshop and what they learned

Listen to Narativ story workshop and seminar alumni's stories as heard on WBAI radio:

WBAI Radio with Narativ storytellers

"It's amazing how one day can transform your whole outlook. Having the opportunity to spend the day with this group and experiencing the storytelling process changed me and how I want to live life. Can't wait to share the techniques of "story" with all my friends, clients and family."

- Alana Pudalov, social worker

"Wow! A better question is... what aren't I taking away!!??! EVERYTHING was extremely relevant to me, particularly:
- A desire to learn and tell my story more effectively (i.e. 'loving stories as a child, sharing stories as an adolescent/young adult, making stories as a PR Pro/Entrepreneur)"

- Trina M. , Public Relations Entrepreneur

"In a sensitive, safe and caring way the workshop gives concrete tools for unlocking your own stories in deeply surprising and wonderful ways."

- Martin M., performer

"A creative outlet that facilitates self-expression. I now have many thoughts about how I can weave creative storytelling in to my work with children - either to represent them or to work with them on telling their stories. Also, a better understanding of my own story and the potential to justapose my narrative with theirs. Finally - the gift of listenign and being listened to."

- Katharine, social worker

"I began to learn the art of storytelling. I've already noticed the effect that's having on my writing and on the stories I tell myself, which have historically included a lot of drama."

- Erin O

"I want to express my deepest appreciation to everyone at Narativ for creating an incredibly supportive, safe and sacred environment for the telling of my stories. Murray's technique helped me experience my true voice in a way that was liberating, empowering and healing. I feel more confident and comfortable as I own my stories and see the value in them as they relate to my life's journey. Thank you!"

- Joe Monkman, Life coach

"Very valuable, inspiring and quite profound. KUDOS! What important work. And what a cohesive strong "net" all of you are "together" that holds the "WE" (storytelling) space beautifully. Wow."

- Ivy Ray, corporate and life coach

"Thank you very much for this dynamic, transformative workshop day. I feel like so many secrets -- from my own past, and other stories too -- have opened up to a place where they can be calmly shared with others."

- Carol Barash, PhD

Director of Development, Alumni Relations and Communications
William E. Macaulay Honors College at The City University of New York

"I left with a pitch for my film. I learnt the structure of story-pitching with a beginning, middle and an end and the difference in telling a story through telling only what happened as opposed to telling how I felt."

- Natalie Picoe, filmmaker

"WOW" I was amazed by the level of comfort and intimacy that the group was
able to establish in such a short period of time. If you are looking to improve your presentation skills, or simply want to improve your communication style, this is the place to go!
- George Fesser, social worker

"Since the Narativ workshop, I have a sense of greater aliveness and possibility, of sharing experiences that although were lived in the past, come alive in the telling--and become a new experience shared with the other by telling them. I also have increased my presentation skills, to become more effective in communication and increasing the likelihood that my listener will engage in dialogue with me.

This is an extraordinary method of getting to know others and creating intimate, profound, honest, real and truthful exchange in the shortest time I have ever seen. I have participated in many intensive workshops and this beats all of them in it's simplicity, clarity and ability to get to the core. In a few hours, you cut through fear, BS, neurotic, false self, etc. and have people speaking from their souls and bringing forth the highest that is within them. Thank you for the privilege.

- Mary Marino, psychologist

“It was like opening a cage and letting myself fly! Incredibly empowering.”
“I was on a high the rest of they day”
- Benaifer Bhadha, social worker

"The story telling session was even more than I expected. It was brilliant. I was very moved by some of the stories. I was even surprised that I was encouraged to participate and was made able to do so.

- Vivian Cherry, photographer

"I'm still absorbing that remarkably rich and complex storytelling day. This is a great discipline--and it produced some remarkable, unforgettable pieces in such a short time. Such a compelling way to open people up. It hasn't left me at all. I was especially amazed by the responses, facilitators, Paul Browde and Murray Nossel offered to people. Each of us was given such substantial and insightful attention. Many comments were astonishingly artful--and perfectly keyed to the participant.

-Maura Spiegel, Columbia University Professor

“Demonstrates the great power of storytelling”
“I have a new powerful writing tool”
- Caitlin Mitchell, writer

“Powerful tool to being engaged and expressed in the world”
- Hana Marritz, artist

“Inspiring”
- Nancy Russell, community adviser

"I would recommend your workshop to anyone wishing to deepen their communication skills in whatever form they choose. Thank you for opening another door for me to walk through."

- Anne Johnson, Alexander Technique teacher

"A lovely experience...an opening to a new way to think about/communicate about my experiences. A great tool to enhance my work as an actor/performer. An awareness of my obstacles to listening. I already have recommended it!

-Janice Marie, actor

"The Narativ workshop has given me simple, direct and effective tools to investigate my own life and be present through my speech when I want to communicate who I am and what I do best. In bringing clarity to my point of view of the body of stories I am, by knowing their function and taking the driver's seat of my storytelling, I can communicate more effectively in the world.

- Archimedes Bibiano, IT Specialist, yoga and meditation instructor

“As delightfully philosophical as it is experiential”
- Melea Seward, Business Development Director

“Helps to feel connected to yourself, your work, your desires and others”
- Monika Son, counselor

“Powerful experience”
- Nick Shore, Principal, The Way Group

“An incredible workshop! I am still thinking about it, and working on my story in whole new ways.”

“Enlightening, calming experience, which will help to look inward and appreciate your own stories. Thank you so much for the day!”
- Rutha Rosen, Poet

“Learn to tell your own story while also learning to listen to others. It’s a two way conversation. The world needs to hear your story!”
- Rudolph Bacharaty, Real Estate Broker and blogger

"I recommend this workshop to anyone who wants to learn about storytelling, listening, speaking to a group or sharing themselves and their story. People in the workshop seemed to touch places in themselves that surprised them, were able to speak from their depths, and were able to do so with relatively little prepation. The workshop increased my own self-confidence about sharing my story to an audience.

-Karen Blum, entrepreneur and performer

"I took away two points: The listener will fill in the gaps, judgements, interpretations, etc. of the story you're telling. Removing yourself from the story is powerful. Consider the listener(s) and see what happens when you're not held back by yourself."

- Ricky Wong, Designer

“Great way to self-reflect on where you are and assess where you want to be.”
- Cindy Carey, Director, Getty Images

“This process simplifies the first major steps of telling the story and moving forward. BIG HELP!”
- Christian de Rezendes, filmmaker and screenwriter

“This work is essential. It is empowering and freeing.”
- Nadiya Nottingham, yoga instructor

“Very highly recommended. It is an event that will change your outlook on communicating with others…but more importantly, with yourself. The value of this workshop proved itself tenfold in just the first 2 hours.”
- Charlie Garland, Business author

“I feel very lucky to have participated in Narativ's seminars and workshops which contributed significantly to my leadership and communication skills. Guidance that is not only expert but sensitive, attention to detail that is incisive and poignant, and creativity that is rich but simple to understand are qualities which are all to be found in their seminars. These seminars offer busy executives the tools necessary to translate complicated ideas or situations into compelling, memorable verbal messages.”

“Your questions, suggestions and comments have helped me connect with aspects of my story that I hadn't considered before. If God (and the devil) are in the details, then your seminars offer a very powerful magnifying glass. Your workshop and seminars are unique.”
- David Bros, Chief Operating Officer, Arias Development Group

“The storytelling workshops (and the subsequent seminars) have provided me with a safe space in which I have been able to test and develop my voice. These workshops have been instrumental not only in my growth as an artist, but also in my maturation as a human being. I have learned to trust myself, and my stories, and trust others to understand and fully engage with me.”
- Hannah Oberman-Breindel, Yale graduate and performer