Better Stories Build Stronger Relationships

Business and nonprofits thrive on strong relationships and the fastest way to build a strong relationship is a shared story. Whether you need help building stronger skills for your team or clarifying your personal or organizational story, we’re here for you.

Got just a few minutes to boost your story skills?

  • “Working with Josh was truly a joyful experience.  Storytelling was the perfect vehicle for our Board and Staff to reconnect with our nonprofit's mission and with each other.  At the end of our time together we all felt invigorated and ready to take on the work of making the world a better place.  I would definitely recommend Josh to any nonprofit looking to explore and expand its collective vision -he's easy to work with, meets you where you are, and guides you forward from there.”

    -Josephine Faass, Ph.D., Executive Director, Robert Schalkenbach Foundation

  • "I now feel empowered to communicate with clarity and purpose which is a direct result of working with Josh. He taught me techniques to organize my thoughts, use storytelling effectively, and manage my nerves—all of which have been game-changers for me. Josh doesn’t just teach you how to speak—he helps you find a voice that is rooted in what's important to you."

    Chris Santarpio, Vice President, Advance Scale

  • •“I really liked how the craft of storytelling was broken down as we worked on those individual parts in our story.” •“Josh did an amazing job! His energy and excitement made it easy to be engaged.” •“It made me reflect on how our company’s values relate to my life and how I can use them to impact our clients.”

    Workshop Participants, RSM

  • •“Informative, unique, captivating. Must take.” •“Thoughtful, Introspective” •“Inspiring. A good way to clarify your company's story” •“Engaging, organized, informative. Recommend!” •“Very useful for my pitch” •“Creative, informative and fun.”

    Workshop Participants, Princeton University

  • “A wonderful storytelling workshop. Captivating and engaging.”

    Don Seitz, Princeton Entrepreneurship Council

Josh Tobiessen

Josh Tobiessen

It can be hard to talk about what you do in a way that makes people care.  When I was living in Galway, Ireland I used to write and perform plays in spaces so small I could literally reach out and touch the audience.  This should have been terrifying for an introvert like me, but what saved me then, and still drives my work today is the connection you build with people when they’re captivated by a good story.  After years of writing plays (two of which were a NYTimes “Critics Pick”) and teaching playwriting at theaters and universities, I started Shared Story Consulting to share that ability to connect in the business world. Since then I’ve taught narrative skills to groups that include startup founders, large organizations connecting new hires with mentors and board members hoping to increase engagement with their organization. Good stories not only engage our audience, they build trust, increase understanding and ignite the relationships that help us thrive.  That’s good for business and, I believe, good for humanity too.