The Science of Storytelling

Episode 105: “The Science of Storytelling” features Nat Kendall-Taylor, CEO of the FrameWorks Institute, which works to change the conversation on social issues. We discussed how to get people to engage in conversations about an uncomfortable topic—child sexual abuse. What should we change about our own messaging to give people hope that they can do something about it? We also discussed a new research project into communication strategies on this issue, and when we might learn the results.

Topics in this episode:

·         The most surprising result of research into child sexual abuse. (1:47)

·         How we talk about the issue can be a problem. What should we stop doing? (5:11)

·         Pivoting—our biggest communication challenge. (13:28)

·         When people think monsters are the root cause, what’s the solution? (18:42)

·         Balanced messaging. (21:17)

·         Talk about progress without losing urgency. (26:25)

·         When death won’t do it in driving a sense of urgency, what will? (29:38)

·         The “snapping” myth. (33:05)

·         Current research on communication strategies—and when we’ll get results. (37:43)

·         Summing it all up. (41:36)

·         Our next episode topic. (43:42)

Links:

FrameWorks Institute

Crimes Against Children Research Center

Dr. Elizabeth Letourneau at the Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse, at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Letourneau was our very first guest on One in Ten, in the episode on “Child Abuse as a Public Health Issue.”