The Storyteller Within

A 5-Week Journey into Confident, Captivating Storytelling

With Joe Kao

Sundays • Sept 28 – Oct 26 • 1:30-4:30 PM (UK Time)

Stories are fundamental to what it is to be human. The human brain literally thinks in stories - it's how we make sense of ourselves and the world around us.  

Storytelling is a remarkable, almost magical way of connecting with others, and sharing ideas in a way that people deeply resonate with.

From a casual, conversational anecdote, to a retelling of the most dramatic event in your life, stories are how we transmit experiences from one person to another.

And whether you know it or not, you are a natural storyteller.

This new training, The Storyteller Within, is about learning to really trust in your instincts, and to tap into your brain's natural storytelling abilities.

So many people block themselves when it comes to communicating through stories.

They get fixated on what they should say, they doubt the value of their material, or they feel like they have to "perform".

Why Join The Storyteller Within?

In every conversation, presentation, therapy session, or dinner with friends…storytelling is happening.
And whether you realise it or not - you're already a storyteller. This workshop is for you if you want to tell better stories, more confidently, with more impact.

Why this workshop?

• It's practical and playful. You’ll tell stories, not just talk about them. Expect lots of
• doing, not just listening.
• It’s about real confidence. We’ll help you find your authentic voice—not some polished stage version of you.
• No jargon or guru-ism. This isn’t about mastering obscure storytelling “hacks”. It’s about natural, honest expression.
• It’s useful in any role. Whether you're a therapist, coach, team leader, teacher, creative, or human being—you'll use these skills immediately.

What You’ll Learn

What you'll learn on this course is to let go of hesitation, perfectionism or performance anxiety, and to really relax into yourself as a storyteller.

Specifically, you'll learn how to:

• Shape your life experiences into powerful, memorable stories that captivate people
• Go with your instincts, and trust in what stories come to mind
• Free your body and your voice, to bring more life and expressiveness to your stories
• Tell stories that convey a message, whether it's a simple, obvious one, or something more artful and subtle

By the end of this course, you'll:

• Feel more confident and expressive when speaking to others
• Know how to find and shape stories from your real life
• Understand what makes a story work
• Be able to tell stories with presence, clarity and flair
• Have a 5-minute story you're proud of (and ready to tell!)

Themes Covered Include:

• Session 1: Owning Your Inner Storyteller. Presence, confidence & starting where you are.
• Session 2: Finding Stories That Matter. Story selection, purpose & personal material
• Session 3: Structure Without Stiffness. Shaping stories with rhythm and clarity
• Session 4: Embodying Characters & Emotions. Performance, play, and storytelling as theatre
• Session 5: Telling to Transform. Storytelling for connection, change, and influence

What It’s Not

• It's not a convoluted, overly-complex model with fancy-sounding techniques that you'll never use in reality
• It's not an endless series of lectures on the theory of stories
• It's not about trying to make your stories so honed and over-rehearsed they could be on a TED talk. This is about natural human connection, not choreographed striding around and pointing.

Who Will Benefit — and How?

No matter who you are or what you do, storytelling is already part of your life. This workshop will help you do it better—with more confidence, clarity, and connection.

This workshop is ideal for anyone who wants to:

• Engage an audience (or client, or classroom, or grandchild)
• Share ideas and experiences in a way that deeply resonates with others
• Help another person to get a new perspective on their problem
• Rekindle the joy of storytelling - personally or professionally

This workshop can be valuable for people from all walks of life including therapists & counsellors, coaches. public speakers, leaders & managers, trainers & educators and essentially any one who wants to engage, connect, share and enjoy the wonder of storytelling.

Still Curious?

If you're open, playful, and willing to show up and speak up, even just a little, you’re going to love it. Not perfect? Not polished? Great. That’s where the real storytelling begins.

Sign Up Now

Get the best rate available now. Book by 13th August and pay in full or a £70 deposit to secure your place at that price (full payment required by 18th September).

Returners welcome! If you've done previous storytelling workshops, this is a fresh take with new content, more time, and deeper practice. (Returners also get 50% off – because we love you -email us if this is you.)

About Joe Kao

Joe Kao DHypPsych(UK) is a hypnotherapist and psychotherapist in Cambridge, UK. He is the head writer for hypnosisdownloads.com, one of the world's largest and most highly-regarded websites for hypnosis recordings, and he has taught numerous workshops on therapeutic metaphors, storytelling and Ericksonian hypnosis to people around the world.

Joe has been named the first official trainer of Provocative Change Works, and he has trained extensively in improv theatre, voice work and performance skills.   

What People Are Saying About Joe's Workshops

"What a memorable and fascinating course! It opened up a whole world of story material for me – where to find them, the different effects they can have and how they can support therapy and coaching. Joe is a hugely knowledgeable and engaging presenter. So, when this course runs again, it will be a great opportunity to enjoy both the content and the experience of learning to tell transformational stories."

Michael Shoolbred, retired teacher.

Joe Kao’s course in transformational storytelling really delivered, and in a way I was not expecting. I thought I was in for a theory deep course on story structure and linguistic tricks but instead it was a very practical with immediate application. As I reflect I realise that this is much better as I could have easily drowned in too much theory and it wouldn’t have been useful. I would love to build on these skills with Joe and I look forward to another course. Thank you Pete and Joe. This is by far the best learning platform for change work that I have come across."

Thomas Wood

"I have had the pleasure of taking Therapeutic Improvisations with Joe Kao. It was easily the most fun I have had at a workshop and one of the most personally beneficial. I not only had a great time practicing in the breakout rooms provided; but I also brought the exercises into my personal life and have had a great time practicing with my loved ones. I think people who are looking to add something to their work will benefit greatly from this workshop. Joe’s generous teaching style alone will make it worth your time."

Ron Gonsalves