Main content

Why do stories matter?

How stories help us connect, teach us empathy, and set the rules of society.

Telling stories is one of the ways we connect to one and other. Stories teach us empathy and allow us to feel what it鈥檚 like to walk in someone else鈥檚 shoes. They evolve to show us what our society considers acceptable - and what will not be forgiven. Sandra Kanthal explores why stories matter.

Guests:
David JP Philips 鈥� Communications Expert
John Yorke - Author: Into The Woods
Mirta Galesic - Professor in Human Social Dynamics, Santa Fe Institute
Jamie Tehrani, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Durham University
Elizabeth Kperrun - Founder; Zenafri Limited
Samantha Armstrong - Senior Publisher, Oxford University Press
Sandra Newman 鈥� Author: The Heavens and How Not To Write a Novel

Music Track: Make America Great Again 鈥� performed by Dave Fenley

(Photo: Woman holding an open book bursting with light. Credit: Getty Images)

Available now

23 minutes

Last on

Mon 27 Jul 2020 19:32GMT
大象传媒 World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

More episodes

Previous

Mothers and daughters

Next

Cinderella

See all episodes from The Why Factor

Clips

See all clips from Why do stories matter? (2)

Broadcasts

  • Mon 1 Apr 2019 08:06GMT
    大象传媒 World Service East and Southern Africa & East Asia only
  • Mon 1 Apr 2019 12:32GMT
    大象传媒 World Service except News Internet
  • Mon 1 Apr 2019 17:06GMT
    大象传媒 World Service Australasia
  • Tue 2 Apr 2019 01:32GMT
    大象传媒 World Service
  • Mon 8 Apr 2019 08:06GMT
    大象传媒 World Service East and Southern Africa & East Asia only
  • Sat 25 Jul 2020 22:32GMT
    大象传媒 World Service except Americas and the Caribbean
  • Mon 27 Jul 2020 01:32GMT
    大象传媒 World Service
  • Mon 27 Jul 2020 08:06GMT
    大象传媒 World Service
  • Mon 27 Jul 2020 12:32GMT
    大象传媒 World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Mon 27 Jul 2020 14:06GMT
    大象传媒 World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
  • Mon 27 Jul 2020 19:06GMT
    大象传媒 World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
  • Mon 27 Jul 2020 19:32GMT
    大象传媒 World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

Get the podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes for free

Why do we look the way we do?

Tattoos, trainers, jeans, hair, ties ... why?

Podcast

  • The Why Factor

    The extraordinary and hidden histories behind everyday objects and actions