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STORYTELLING FOUNDATIONS

Speak, Write, and Lead
With the Power of Story

 Build the storytelling skills that help you connect faster, communicate more clearly, and move people when your words matter most.

Start Learning →

Short lessons • Real examples • Workbooks • Story planners • Lifetime access

You Have Something to Say. But It’s Not Coming Out Right.

 Stop Searching for
the Right Words

 

I’ve spent the last 20 years teaching leaders, educators, and professionals at places like Microsoft, Google, and Yale how to use storytelling to speak with clarity, confidence, and lasting impact.

 Learn Alongside Award-Winning, Master Storyteller, Matthew Dicks
  • 62X Moth StorySLAM winner
  • 10X Moth GrandSLAM champion
  • Internationally Bestselling author of Storyworthy & Stories Sell 
  • Fortune 100 storytelling consultant
  • Creator of Homework for Life

The storytelling strategies I teach are used worldwide — in boardrooms, classrooms, and organizations of every size — because they work anywhere people need to connect.

They’re simple, practical, and rooted in real-life moments rather than performance or theatrics.

Whether you’re leading, selling, teaching, or building trust, storytelling shifts how people hear you — and how they respond.

Storytelling Foundations gives you the core strategies you need to start using them yourself.

 Win Trust. Hold Attention. 
  Make Your Message Stick.  

 Win Trust.
 Hold Attention. 
 Make Your 
Message Stick. 

When They Need to Trust You

Story builds trust by showing the moment behind your message. People trust you when they can see what changed you — the moment you stopped believing one thing and started believing another.

 

 

When They Need to Believe You

Story lets people watch you meet the moment. They don’t just hear that you can do something. They see what happened when the stakes were real.

 

 

When They Need to Know You Care

Story makes care visible. A story lets people see the person, the problem, and the small human moment when attention, kindness, or effort changed the outcome.

 

 

When They Need to See Why It Matters

Story helps people feel the point. Instead of explaining why something matters, you show the moment when it became true.

 

When They Need to Stay With You

Story creates attention by giving people something to wonder about. Stakes, suspense, and surprise keep people listening because they are waiting for the turn — the moment when everything changes.

 

When They Need to 
Remember the Message

Story gives information a place to live.

People forget explanations, but they remember the moment when the meaning became clear.

 

Your stories are the answers that make them care.

Your Stories Are Already Happening — Now Learn How to Use Them

Inside our Storytelling Foundations courses, I take the ideas from Storyworthy and turns them into a guided learning experience — with lessons, prompts, exercises, strategies, examples, and tools you can use to find, shape, and strengthen your own stories.

Become the Person People Want to Listen To

 Step Into the Power of Story 

  • Turn Everyday Moments Into Unforgettable Stories

    You’ll be the person everyone remembers.

  • Make Your Message Stick— Every Time, With Every Audience

    Whether you’re teaching, pitching, leading, or dating — stories make people care.

  • Build Deep, Instant Connections

    Storytelling skips the small talk and gets to the heart.

  • Command Attention Without Shouting

    In a noisy world, stories are the signal.

  • Understand Yourself Like Never Before

    Through story, your patterns, past, and purpose come into focus. 

Storytelling Isn't Magic...

It's a Skill You Can Build

 

 I've received a tonne of advice from investors, founders, and other mentors...I always tell Matt he provides the most value per minute of anyone I spend time with.

Alyhan Rehmatullah
CEO & Cofounder - ALTRU

“Matthew's storytelling strategies have transformed my presentations. 
I never thought I could keep an audience on the edge of their seat!"

– Alex J., Professional Speaker

" Nobody understands story more and knows how to deliver it better than Matthew Dicks. He’s a storyteller and teacher who improves everyone at the craft. ”


- Valerie Gordon, Commander-in-she

 

 " I've received a tonne of advice from investors, founders, and other mentors...I always tell Matt he provides the most value per minute of anyone I spend time with. "

Alyhan Rehmatullah, CEO & Cofounder - ALTRU

The Building Blocks
of Powerful Storytelling

Find & Capture Moments
Worth Telling 
EXPLORE INSIDE
A Step-By-Step
Guide to
Craft Stories
EXPLORE INSIDE
Make People
Laugh, Lean In, & Stay With You
EXPLORE INSIDE
Hold Attention.
Spark Emotion.
Be Unforgettable.
EXPLORE INSIDE

The Tools You’ll Use
Again and Again

 A Story Bank You
Can Use Anywhere 

Build a personal library of moments, memories, and ideas you can use in talks, writing, teaching, sales, leadership, content, and everyday life.

 A Repeatable Method for Shaping Stories that Land 

Learn how to begin, end, cut, shape, and strengthen stories so they actually move people.

 A Stronger Sense of 
 What Makes People Listen 

Understand how stakes, suspense, surprise, humor, and emotional change create attention.

 More Confidence
 When Your Words Matter 

Know how to reach for a story in the moments when you need people to trust you, believe you, understand you, and remember you.

 A Story Bank You
Can Use Anywhere 

Build a personal library of moments, memories, and ideas you can use in talks, writing, teaching, sales, leadership, content, and everyday life.

 A Repeatable Method for Shaping Stories that Land 

Learn how to begin, end, cut, shape, and strengthen stories so they actually move people.

 A Stronger Sense of 
 What Makes People Listen 

Understand how stakes, suspense, surprise, humor, and emotional change create attention.

 More Confidence
 When Your Words Matter 

Know how to reach for a story in the moments when you need people to trust you, believe you, understand you, and remember you.

Everything You Need to Put Storytelling Into Practice

Short, Focused Lessons

Learn one storytelling skill at a time, then apply it immediately.

Workbooks & Story Planners

Use guided tools to capture, organize, and shape your stories.

Practical Exercises

Use prompts, games, and frameworks to find stories faster.

Real Examples & Breakdowns

See how storytelling decisions are made in real time.

Community Access

Share your progress, get support, and keep your momentum going.

Lifetime Access

Return to the training whenever a new story, speech, pitch, post, or conversation matters.

Learn to See, Shape, and Share Stories Like a Storyteller

✦ Find & Capture the
 Moments Worth Telling 

Build a personal library of authentic, relatable stories to use wherever you go.

Storyworthy Moments

  1. Introduction

    2 lessons
    1. Intro
    2. Course Downloads & Workbook

  2. Storyworthy Moments

    9 lessons
    1. 1.1 Homework for Life
    2. 1.2 Homework for Life - Unexpected Benefits
    3. 1.3 Homework for Life - Nuts Bolts
    4. 2.1 First Last Best Worst
    5. 3.1 Three Two One
    6. 3.2 Three Two One - Nuts Bolts
    7. 4.1 Where Oh Where
    8. 5.1 Lost & Found
    9. 6 Outro

  3. Turn Moments Into Stories

    3 lessons
    1. Story Time Episode 001
    2. Story Time Episode 002
    3. Story Time Episode 003

You Don’t Need a More Interesting Life.

You Already Have Stories.


Most people do not need better lives.

They need a better way to notice the life they are already living.

Storyworthy Moments teaches you how to find story material hiding in plain sight — in your day, your memories, your conversations, your work, your childhood, your mistakes, your tiny moments of change.

You’ll learn Matthew’s life-changing Homework for Life method and build a personal library of authentic, relatable stories you can use anywhere.

Best if you’ve ever thought:

“I don’t have any good stories.”

You’ll learn how to:

  • discover the stories you’ve been walking past
  • capture stories before they disappear
  • use simple memory games and prompts to uncover forgotten stories
  • build a story bank you can draw from for speeches, interviews, writing, business, teaching, and conversations
  • see your life with more attention, meaning, and possibility
     
Start Learning Now →

A Step-By-StepGuide
to Crafting Stories 

 My Complete Proven 7-Step Story Framework, Workbook and Story Planner Included 

The Essentials of Storytelling

  1. Introduction

    4 lessons
    1. Introduction to The Essentials of Storytelling
    2. Understanding Your Storytelling Toolkit
    3. EXAMPLE STORY #1: Charity Thief
    4. EXAMPLE STORY #2: Spoon of Power

  2. STEP #1: Clarify Your Purpose

    5 lessons
    1. What is a Story
    2. Examples of Transformation
    3. The 5-Second Moment
    4. Not a Story
    5. A Story Can Only Be About One Thing

  3. STEP #2: Build the Framework

    4 lessons
    1. Why a Frame?
    2. Finding the End
    3. Finding the Beginning
    4. Thesis Statement

  4. STEP #3: Craft a Compelling Opening

    10 lessons
    1. Why Beginnings Are So Important
    2. Rules for Beginnings
    3. Location & Action
    4. Start as close to the end as possible
    5. The Moth: Car Story (Optional)
    6. Create Wonder
    7. Avoid Exposition
    8. Avoid Setting Expectations
    9. Avoid Weirdness
    10. Avoid Rhetorical Questions

  5. STEP #4: Building Your Scenes

    3 lessons
    1. Scenes
    2. Introduction to Chronology
    3. ABC Structure

  6. STEP #5: Refine the Ending

    6 lessons
    1. Rules for Ending
    2. End in the Heart and Mind
    3. End with What We See, Think, and Feel
    4. Stop When It's Done
    5. Don't End on a Joke
    6. Leave the Audience Wanting More

  7. STEP #6: Engage and Entertain

    1 lesson
    1. Hooking Your Audience With the 3 S's

  8. STEP #7: The Cutting Room Floor

    1 lesson
    1. Omission

  9. Watch Episodes of Story Time

    12 lessons
    1. Story Time Episode 01
    2. Story Time Episode 02
    3. Story Time Episode 03
    4. Story Time Episode 04
    5. Story Time Episode 05
    6. Story Time Episode 06
    7. Story Time Episode 07
    8. Story Time Episode 08
    9. Story Time Episode 09
    10. Story Time Episode 10
    11. Story Time Episode 11
    12. Story Time Episode 12

Build structured, memorable stories from start to finish.


The Essentials of Storytelling teaches Matthew’s complete 7-step framework for turning a raw moment into a clear, structured, memorable story.

You’ll learn how to find the ending, choose the right beginning, build scenes, create stakes, cut what does not belong, and leave people with something they can feel.

For anyone whose stories ramble, drift, or lose the point.

Best if you’ve ever thought:

“I have stories, but I don’t know how to tell them well.”

You’ll learn how to:

  • turn moments into structured stories
  • clarify the purpose of your story
  • find the emotional change that makes people care
  • craft stronger beginnings and endings
  • build momentum through scenes
  • use stakes, suspense, surprise, vulnerability, and humor
  • make your story shorter, sharper, and more powerful
Start Learning Now →

Make People Laugh,
Lean In, and Stay With You

 Use 5 simple strategies to make any story more entertaining 

Storytelling with Humor

  1. Introduction

    2 lessons
    1. When & Why to Be Funny
    2. Course Downloads & Workbook

  2. Understanding Humor

    3 lessons
    1. Where Humor Hides
    2. 3 Ways to Be Funny
    3. Delivery

  3. 5 Humor Strategies

    5 lessons
    1. Humor 1 - Nostalgia
    2. Humor 2 - Exaggeration
    3. Humor 3 - One of These Things
    4. Humor 4 - Metaphor
    5. Humor 5 - Definitions

  4. Strategies In Action

    15 lessons
    1. Shoe Thief
    2. Stargazing Betrayal
    3. Raisins
    4. Raise Your Hands
    5. Halloween Surprise
    6. Jack the Personal Assistant
    7. Mickey and Minnie
    8. Penny Drive
    9. Strip Club of my Own Making
    10. Canned Cranberry Sauce
    11. MIT Restroom
    12. Mr. Morin is a Moron
    13. Shakespeare Origin Story
    14. Genetic Flaws
    15. Sex with Corn

You Don’t Need a More Interesting Life.

You Already Have Stories.


There is no such thing as “naturally funny.”

There are people who understand how humor works.

Storytelling With Humor teaches you the science-backed strategies simple, and practical strategies for adding humor to stories, talks, lessons, presentations, and everyday communication — even if you do not think of yourself as funny.

Because humor is not just entertainment.

It builds instant rapport.

It lowers defenses.

It makes people want to keep listening.

For anyone who wants to be more entertaining, relaxed, and memorable.

Best if you’ve ever thought:

“I want people to enjoy listening to me more.”

You’ll learn how to:

  • add humor naturally, even in professional settings
  • use five simple humor strategies
  • know where humor belongs and where it does not
  • make ordinary moments more entertaining
  • create vivid, funny images through comparison, surprise, exaggeration, and metaphor
  • make people laugh without turning your story into a comedy routine
Start Learning Now →

Hold Attention Anywhere
Your Words Matter.

Master the psychology behind why people pay attention—and why they don’t.

Captivate & Engage

  1. Introduction

    8 lessons
    1. Introduction to Audience Engagement
    2. Course Resources & Downloads
    3. Reason 1
    4. Reason 2
    5. Reason 3
    6. There Are Many Ways to Entertain Your Audience
    7. STORY OF REFERENCE #1: Charity Thief
    8. STORY OF REFERENCE #2: Genetic Flaws

  2. METHOD #1 - Stakes

    6 lessons
    1. RMCC Story
    2. The Elephant
    3. Backpacks
    4. Breadcrumbs
    5. Hourglasses
    6. Crystal Ball

  3. METHOD #2 - Suspense

    3 lessons
    1. Introduction to Suspense in Storytelling
    2. The Concept of Wondering
    3. Withholding Information

  4. METHOD #3 - Surprise

    6 lessons
    1. The Power of Surprise in Storytelling
    2. Identifying Opportunities for Surprise
    3. Avoiding Common Pitfalls That Ruin Surprises
    4. EXAMPLE: Rabbit Video
    5. EXAMPLE: Example Matty the Dog
    6. EXAMPLE: Example Johnnie Walker Commercial

  5. METHOD #4 - Humor

    12 lessons
    1. Why Humor?
    2. What Makes Something Funny
    3. Where and When to Be Funny
    4. Where Humor Hides
    5. Seven Strategies For Being Funny in Business
    6. Strategy #1: Nostalgia
    7. Strategy #2: Exaggeration
    8. Strategy #3: One of These Things is Not Like the Other
    9. Strategy #4: Metaphors & Similes
    10. Strategy #5: Definitions
    11. Strategy #6: Specificity
    12. Strategy #7: The Callback

  6. Delivery

    5 lessons
    1. Who is Doing the Speaking?
    2. The Four Vocal Variants
    3. Choosing Your Tech
    4. Using Your Body Effectively
    5. Staging

  7. Putting it all together

    2 lessons
    1. Watch Megan Washington Video
    2. Putting it all together

  8. Strategies in Action

    13 lessons
    1. Battle Outside Big Sky
    2. Jeremy Hit By Car
    3. Matty and the Dog
    4. Clara Wants a Sister
    5. Blackstone Valley Sniper
    6. Clara s Ambulance Ride
    7. Leaving Clara at 7-11
    8. Thunder Hail and Stupid Rainbow
    9. High Speed Chase virtual
    10. Kelly in the Toilet
    11. Trader Joes Fight
    12. Bride in Need
    13. Big Man in a Big Truck

Attention is not automatic.

You have to earn it. And hold it.


Captivate & Engage teaches the psychology and strategy behind why people pay attention — and why they don’t.

You’ll learn how to use stakes, suspense, surprise, and humor to keep people listening in presentations, talks, meetings, classrooms, videos, sales conversations, and moments when your words matter.

For speakers, teachers, leaders, coaches, creators, presenters, and business owners.

Best if you’ve ever thought:

“People lose interest before I get to the important part.”

You’ll learn how to:

  • understand why audiences listen, laugh, lean in, and remember
  • use stakes to make people care
  • use suspense to keep people wanting more
  • use surprise to create memorable moments
  • use humor to create connection and energy
  • structure communication so people hang on every word
  • deliver stories with more confidence, clarity, and impact 

Start Learning Now →

Go Behind the Scenes
of Great Stories

 Watch Matt Break Down Strategies in Real Time 

Start Learning Now →

Take Part in The Storyworthy Storytelling Community

 

  • Take part in Regular Story Building Challenges: 

    Assignments to improve your skills and build your story library

  • Get feedback and support: 

     Connect with fellow storytellers

  • Share your stories and experiences:

    with a supportive & understanding audience

Meet Us Inside →

Keep Your Momentum Going

Your Next Story Could Change the Room

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Matthew Dicks’ insights on storytelling are not just valuable—they’re transformative for anyone looking to connect with their audience more deeply..."

 - Shane Parrish
Author and Host of The Knowledge Project Podcast

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Nobody understands story more and knows how to deliver it better than Matthew Dicks. He’s a storyteller and teacher who improves everyone at the craft.”

- Valerie Gordon, Commander-in-she

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Matthew Dicks tells his stories, gives people the courage and tools to tell their own, and connects us through listening and sharing.”

- Will K Wilkins,  Executive Director,
Real Art Ways

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Storyworthy' is a game-changer. It's like having a personal coach guiding you through the intricacies of storytelling." 

- Kevin S
Better Learning Podcast

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Matthew's storytelling strategies have transformed my presentations.
I never thought I could keep an audience on the edge of their seat!"

– Alex J., Professional Speaker

Ready to Start
Telling Better Stories?

 

The Foundations of Storytelling 

Get the essential building blocks for finding, shaping, strengthening, and telling stories that make people listen, laugh, lean in, and remember. 

Includes:

  Best Value   

The Foundations
of Storytelling

SAVE $300

$499USD

Full Access → Build My Own Path

 Build My Own Path

Start Small. Build Over Time.


You don’t have to learn everything at once.
 Each module is part of the same larger Storytelling Foundations system.


Find and capture the moments worth telling.


Best for anyone who thinks, “I don’t have any good stories.”

$99 USD

☑ Add This Module

Shape moments into stories using Matt’s 7-step framework.


Best for anyone who needs structure, clarity, and a stronger ending.

$249 USD

☑ Add This Module

Add humor naturally and strategically.


Best for anyone who wants to be more entertaining. 

$149

$99 USD

☑ Add This Module

Master the psychology behind why people pay attention—and why they don’t.


Best for anyone who speaks, teaches, sells, leads, presents, or creates content.

$299 USD

☑ Add This Module

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us!

Start Learning Now →

Is This For Me?

Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned speaker, this foundational course will transform yu’re speaking at work, presenting on stage, writing, teaching, selling an idea, or connecting in everyday life — this program will transform the way you communicate.

Watch Sample Lessons

Inside the FREE Storytelling Academy

 

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Explore the Academy →