Storylinking is a podcast for community leaders, storytellers, and creative professionals who want to use the power of storytelling to build stronger, more connected communities. Hosted by Tom Lietz—video producer, documentary filmmaker, and creative director with over 20 years of experience—this show explores how narrative and co-creative processes can drive culture, collaboration, and lasting impact.
In each episode, Tom talks with experts and changemakers about real-world strategies for using storytelling to solve tough problems, engage communities, and create systems for sustainable impact. Tune in for insightful conversations, actionable tips, and fresh perspectives on the art and science of community-centered storytelling.
Replay: Why people don't show up (and what we can do about it) with Matt Penniman, Cecilia Sepp, Stacy Averill, and Michelle Thompson-McCune
Building authentic community engagement, with insights from across the Storylinking community
With this episode of Storylinking, we're trying something a little different. Instead of a one-on-one interview, I've pulled together responses from four generous members of the Storylinking community: Matt Penniman, a writer and community advocate; Cecilia Sepp, a longtime association and nonprofit leader; Stacy Averill, a leadership coach and facilitator; and Michelle Thompson-McCune, a co-creative designer who builds with communities. Each of them shares their take on why it's hard to get people to engage, and what's actually worked for them. We talk about trust, fear, making things together, and the small shifts that can help us to create more space for engagement.
What I love about the advice shared in this episode is how practical and honest it is. You'll hear reflections on building trust through small commitments, creating room for quieter voices, and how to structure our invitations for participation. Stay tuned to the end, and you'll hear me wrap up the episode with a bit of behind-the-scenes context on how this special format came together, with help from our engaged Storylinking community!
Connect with Matt Penniman:
http://mattpenniman.com (his website)
Bonus book recommendations from Matt:
https://www.getitright.earth
https://bookshop.org/p/books/pilgrim-at-tinker-creek-annie-dillard/8922929
https://bookshop.org/p/books/piranesi-susanna-clarke/15861178
Connect with Cecilia Sepp:
http://roguetulips.com (her consulting/education/podcast/blog website)
Check out her book "Association Chapter Systems: From Frustrating to Fruitful" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1944616454
On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceciliasepp/
Connect with Stacy Averill:
http://StacyAverill.com (her website)
On Linkedi:n http://LinkedIn.com/in/StacyAverill/
Connect with Michelle Thompson-McCune
On LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/michelle-mccune-97b5647
You can also follow Workomics at their company website: http://www.workomics.com
Workomics is also on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workomics/
Check out more from Storylinking:
Go behind the scenes of this episode: https://storylinking.com/blog/ep13
https://storylinking.com (the full show site)
Key moments from this episode:
00:29 Intro
01:53 Insights from Matt Penniman on Climate and Communication
07:00 Cecilia Sepp on Nonprofit Leadership and Engagement
11:22 Stacy Averill on Leadership and Vulnerability
20:31 Michelle Thompson-McCune on Co-Creative Design
31:39 Conclusion and Behind The Scenes
13 May 2026
Six Tools for Community Storytelling (Community Question)
Stories are the pulse of community: how we find each other, share experiences, and build meaning together. In this episode, I'm responding to a question that came in from friend of the show Katherine Lacefield, a nonprofit consultant with deep experience in fundraising and community engagement. Katherine asked how organizations can go about collecting stories from their community as a way to build credibility and authenticity. I love this question, as it's super relevant not just to nonprofits but also the work of any human-centered organization trying to build community.
In this episode I share six of my favorite tools (some practical, platforms, some process-oriented, all actionable) for making storytelling a regular practice and a living part of how your community connects.
Listen back to Katherine Lacefield's original interview:
Katherine's episode on Storylinking: https://www.tellstori.es/storylinking/ep03
Check out more from Storylinking:
https://storylinking.com (the full show site)
Key moments from this episode:
00:00 Why stories matter
00:41 A community question from Katherine Lacefield
02:08 Broadcast thinking vs. community building
03:03 Tip 1: Be present in moments that already exist
04:33 Tip 2: Start a conversation
05:56 Tip 3: Interview people where they are
09:29 Tip 4: Keep talking
10:51 Tip 5: Be collaborative
12:26 Tip 6: Make it a sustainable cycle
14:14 Final thoughts
29 Apr 2026
Replay: Leading with Curiosity and Bridging Divides, with Mónica Guzmán
I had the privilege of sitting down with Mónica Guzmán back in January of 20260 for this episode of Storylinking. Mónica is the Senior Fellow for Public Practice at Braver Angels, the author of "I Never Thought of It That Way," and the host of the podcast "A Braver Way." She's someone I deeply admire for her ability to lean into curiosity and use it as a tool for building trust and understanding across political and cultural divides.
In our conversation, we explored how curiosity can help us navigate tough conversations, whether we're engaging with colleagues, family members, or entire communities. Mónica shares powerful insights from her personal journey and professional work, showing us how curiosity isn't just about asking questions, it's about seeing others in their full complexity and finding ways to connect (even and especially when it feels difficult!) If you've been thinking about how to bridge divides in your own community or create a stronger sense of connection in your work, this episode is full of great context and practical advice.
Connect with Mónica Guzmán and Braver Angels:
Her website, https://www.moniguzman.com/
On instagram, @MoniGuzman
Braver Angels, https://braverangels.org/
Her podcast "A Braver Way," wherever you listen or at https://braverangels.org/abraverway/
Her book, "I Never Thought of it That Way," https://www.moniguzman.com/book'
Check out more from Storylinking:
https://storylinking.com/blog/ep10 (go behind the scenes of this episode)
https://storylinking.com (the full show site)
Key moments from this episode
01:50 Personal experiences and family debates
03:41 The power of curiosity in journalism
06:51 Human nature and the SOS of sorting, othering, and siloing
09:19 The cost of misplaced beliefs and polarization
13:30 Creating space for curiosity in challenging conversations
13:48 Braver Angels and their mission of depolarization
17:16 Five characteristics of effective conversations
20:56 The structure of bridging conversations
25:00 Withholding judgment and embracing empathy
27:52 The tension between safety and visibility in identity and engagement
28:50 Engaging across divides with intentional dialogue
29:39 Techniques for better conversations and curiosity-driven questions
31:44 The benefits of bridging work in relationships and communities
33:59 Practical advice for leaders: fostering bridging conversations
34:23 Rupture and repair cycles in dialogue
34:56 Using containment to manage difficult conversations
37:13 Bridging for collective impact: engaging new communities
48:19 The importance of honest friction in communities
Inside a recent episode
Finding Consistency and Clarity, with Jonathan Stark
Published 18 Feb 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] The only way to get the right answer is to put the idea out there, publish it, get feedback, like did this land or did I use a vague word or a vague sentence or did I say something, did I use a metaphor or something that doesn't translate to people who, you know, I have an international audience. […]
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