Campfire

If you are looking for a space to hone your speaking skills and a team that can hold your story with compassion and respect, Campfire is the place. I was a fellow in 2018 and had endless support and encouragement during the process, which helped me face the stage with both excitement and confidence. This program teaches you adaptable speaking skills that fit your personality and will have you telling stories you've never shared publicly. It'll be a meaningful, empowering, insightful, and even humorous experience that you deserve to have. I'd do it all again and give them 10 stars if I could!

I was lucky enough to be a Campfire Fellow in 2017. I was so excited and nervous. Being guided through the process by Steven and his team was a combination of therapy and theater. If you've ever had an inclination to share a story or learn how to be a better storyteller, then Campfire is something you should check out. I got a standing room only theater to pretend to be on a rollercoaster...how often does that happen?!? Take the leap. It'll be worth it.

Nokie was a fantastic facilitator - they're able to command a room with vulnerability and openness while still getting us all on task (and we were a chatty bunch!). My favorite part of the class was the connections I formed with the other participants. I really loved the structure of the class - learning and then putting skills into practice - and the chance to invest two hours a week into reflection and sharing with others.

I learned so much more than I could have imagined from this experience - about myself and building community - as well as the practical application of skills. Storytelling creates an intimacy that you can’t ignore. I loved how organic it was; definitely the opposite of being extractive. I can confidently now use storytelling as a framework for communicating in my professional, advocate, and scholarly public health roles. It will help me be a better professor, activist, and participatory action researcher. HIGHLY recommend! I participated in summer 2022.

I was really impressed with how quickly the group built trust and was able to be vulnerable. That's a testament to the people in the class but also to Nokie's skill as a facilitator. I came into the class worried that I wouldn't really have any stories to tell but the classes were structured so well that the ideas came easily. Nokie was so kind and welcoming right off the bat, which really set the tone and helped us all feel comfortable. They expressed all the ideas and principles clearly and really created a space where we could learn and support each other.

Working with Steven was a great experience. He provided the building blocks and motivation for me to feel more confident speaking in front of large groups. He also helped me refine how I talk about my business. The whole storytelling process is very fun and I will be coming back for more. Highly recommended!

I enjoyed every aspect of the class. The class leaders were great, and the connections with my classmates were wonderful. I received tools to construct a story and am more confident in presenting a story. Tools that will be helpful in my professional life as a Human Resource Director and Ministry leader in my church.

I went through campfires six week storytelling class a couple years ago, since then I've had friends go through their fellows program and have attended several of their public events. They do a phenomenal job of drawing out people's vulnerability and supporting people and telling their own stories using their own words in a way that builds community and has the power to transform society. Highly recommend joining with them and supporting them!