Our Approach: Connective Storytelling

Listening always comes first – followed by curiosity, wonder, reflection, and connection.

Then we create strategies, stories, and gatherings from the head + heart.

Everything we do, from strategy development to designing gatherings to content production, begins with listening. We ask questions, reflect, and ponder the bigger questions on behalf of our clients, with a focus on their purpose and their people. Stories will always be stronger when they reflect an organization’s purpose and people. Gatherings will be transformative when they are based on a vision of connection and community building. Data and research tell more powerful stories when they are framed with heart and lived experiences. Our team has expertise in all angles of organizational storytelling, and our authentic approach results in our clients feeling heard, respected, and well-served.

“Authentic connections can spark social transformation.”

Ethical Storytelling

Connecting Our Stories is grounded in the belief that authentic storytelling begins with listening to the individuals most impacted by an organization’s work. Our approach to listening to and learning with the individuals we feature (what we refer to as Connective Storytelling) is inspired by the concept of Appreciative Inquiry (Cooperrider, 1990). We approach our projects and interviews with the perspective that everyone is worthy of sharing their story, has wisdom to share, and has a role in making positive change. We do not deny the serious challenges faced by those we work with, but we choose to build on strengths to co-create a better future.

  • Strategy is essential to great communications — even more so in policy advocacy. When tackling a project for us, Connecting Our Stories doesn’t lift a pencil before asking who and why, which helps them hit the mark each time.

    Stinson Liles, Alliance for Early Success

  • Working with Lauren’s team at Connecting Our Stories was seamless. At every phase of the project, we were pleasantly surprised by their professionalism, warmth, and creativity.

    Tom Greer, TASBO

  • The team at Connecting Our Stories took a genuine interest in our organization and its mission, digging deep with thoughtful questions and creative ideas.

    Susanna Sharp, Austin Jazz Workshop

  • Lauren’s ability to dive deep into complex topics while never losing sight of the individual people those policies impact make her communications some of the best I've ever seen–and I've worked with a LOT of communications experts, from major enterprise clients to tiny nonprofits.

    Jenny Magic

  • Lauren is great to work with, incredibly detail-oriented without losing sight of the big picture.

    Virginia Snodgrass Rangel

  • I worked with Lauren during her time at the Texas Senate. She is one of the most insightful people I know, able to think on multiple levels, delivering results and inspiration in a high pressure environment.

    Vincent Cho