“We are all storytellers. We all live in a network of stories. There isn’t a stronger connection between people than storytelling.”
– Jimmy Neil Smith, Director of the International Storytelling Center
Storytelling is more than just a way to share information. It’s a powerful tool to build relationships, sell ideas, and inspire others. While your audience might forget the specifics of your presentation, they’ll always remember how you made them feel.
So, how do you harness the power of storytelling to evoke those unforgettable emotions? It all comes down to brain chemistry. Let me introduce you to your brain’s old friends: dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin. These chemicals have been with you through your happiest moments and toughest times, yet you might not even know them. By strategically crafting your stories, you can trigger these chemicals in your audience, creating an emotional experience they won’t forget.
Angel’s Cocktail
1. Dopamine
Imagine if I could reach through your screen and check on you right now. There’s a good chance your dopamine levels would be higher. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that acts as a chemical messenger between neurons. One way to trigger it is by building suspense in your story. It’s also released when your brain expects a reward. Ever feel a rush when you tick off a task on your checklist? That’s dopamine. When you associate an activity with pleasure, just anticipating it can boost your dopamine levels. Whether it’s food, shopping, or anything you enjoy, dopamine plays a key role.
2. Endorphins
Endorphins are your body’s natural painkillers, produced to help you cope with pain or stress. They are often called “feel-good” chemicals because they boost happiness. Humor is a great way to trigger endorphins. Ever laughed so hard that you momentarily forgot about pain? That’s endorphins at work, numbing the pain and lifting your mood.
3. Oxytocin
Known as the empathy drug, the love drug, or the caring drug, oxytocin is behind the warm, fuzzy feelings you get from close social bonds. When you hear a touching story, it’s oxytocin that makes you feel connected and empathetic. Crafting a story that triggers oxytocin can make your audience feel a deep, unexplainable connection to you.
Combining these three chemicals—dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin—creates what David JP Phillips calls the “Angel’s Cocktail.” It makes your audience feel good, energetic, and positive.
Devil’s Cocktail
1. Cortisol
Cortisol is the stress hormone that prepares us for fight or flight. It raises our heartbeat and sharpens our focus. You can induce cortisol in your audience by posing emotional or philosophical questions.
Example:
“I remember when my best friend was lying there, with his parents beside him, trying to wake him up. But he didn’t wake up. He was in a coffin, not a bed. We all wanted him to wake up one last time, to go home with us. But we knew it would never happen. Have you ever felt that way? Wanting a loved one to wake up, knowing they never will?”
2. Adrenaline
Adrenaline is triggered by sudden shock or a scary situation. It’s a bit trickier to induce but can be very effective.
Combining cortisol and adrenaline gives you the “Devil’s Cocktail.” This mix creates a sense of urgency and heightened awareness.
By strategically crafting your story to include either the Angel’s Cocktail or the Devil’s Cocktail, you can become an unforgettable speaker. Stories have captivated audiences for centuries, and with these techniques, you can capture attention like never before.
Listen carefully to the stories of others, but remember to live your own life and create your own story. One day, it might be your story that inspires others. Life is precious—live it in a way that becomes legendary.
