Meet Matthew Taylor | Actor, Author, Master Storyteller, Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matthew Taylor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matthew, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think there is a big difference between Risk and Calculated Risk. Risk scares me and I don’t like to be scared. Calculated Risk excites me and I love to be excited.

I’m a big believer that you learn by doing, by taking action. Of course human nature makes us want to plan every detail, make everything perfect before we do it, so we often, very rationally, talk ourselves out of taking the risk, which I believe is a huge mistake.

Albert Einstein once said, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”

I think of Calculated Risk as opportunity.

I came to America in 1985 to teach sailing for the summer at Frenchwood’s Camp in up state NY. After the camp closed I had one month to travel before having to return to England. I had a wonderful month of travel, meeting new friends and celebrating life. When the day came for me to fly back, I didn’t! I had no job, little money, but lot’s of opportunity.

My company, Persuasion through Narrative, was born when Eric Farrone, owner of The Bovine Metropolis Improv Theatre asked me if I wanted to teach a storytelling workshop at his theatre since I was always talking about story and narrative. I had never taught anything about story or narrative before but the idea excited me so I said yes. I created the four-week workshop, taught it, and ended up working privately with 4 of the 7 participants. Persuasion through Narrative was born.

What should our readers know about your business?
Persuasion through Narrative helps individuals and companies connect to their inner stories so they can develop authentic relationships effortlessly and achieve their desired goals.

So what does this really mean?

I’ve always believed that an emotional connection has to be established with your audience before you can successfully communicate. It doesn’t matter if you are selling, dating, teaching or speaking. Establishing a relationship is the core of human interaction, and is essential to advance your desired outcomes. The simplest way to do this is through the use of story.

Back in 2010 I realized a lot of folks were out there telling people to utilize the power of story but very few were actually showing people how to do it. So I started to teach storytelling workshops to help people understand not only how and why stories work but also how to incorporate story into your everyday communication.

I will always remember Kristy, an attorney in Boulder, bounding into the third class of the workshop and exclaiming to everyone, “I get it, I get it!” A hung jury had meant her case had a retrial. This time by simply listing the individual items contained in the Uhaul attached to her clients truck was enough to allow the jury to decide, for themselves, that it contained his entire life. The emotional connection swayed the jury to rule in her favor, even against the point of law!

We are wired for story, it’s in our DNA, and what’s wonderful, is that we can all do it. I’ve never met anyone who can’t tell a story.

Something that makes me a little different is the fact that I don’t just teach storytelling. I love to tell stories, anywhere and everywhere. Along the way I’ve had the privilege of being a Moth Denver Grand Slam champion. I also love to write stories, with Goat Lips: Tales of a Lapsed Englishman winning the Independent Publishers gold medal for humor. I feel that all these experiences have contributed to my unique storytelling perspective and help when guiding clients to harness the power of story to improve their results.

With perseverance, being mindful to not let the highs get too high and the lows get too low, plus referrals from kind clients my business has grown over the years and I feel lucky everyday to be able to do what I do.

I believe that the vast majority of people in the world want to help others, so in a small way, I get to help each and every day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First we would head to The Hogshead Brewery to plan our week while enjoying the best cask ale in the city. I’m particularly partial to the AK.

Places to visit would be a trip up Lookout Mountain to get a feel for the foothill, a view of the plains and a glimpse of the real mountains. While up there check out Buffalo Bill’s grave. Other spots would be visit to Red Rock and take in a show if possible. A short walk around the lake in Crown Hill Park and while there, pop into the the National Urban Wildlife Refuse. Check out the Denver Botanic Gardens. Catch a Rockies game and a beer at Coors Field.

Art wise check out an improv show at Rise Comedy or Chaos Bloom. For storytelling look for the Moth Theatre, The Narrators, Boulder Story Slam. For theatre head to Buntport Theatre or Miners Alley Theatre.

To keep you full, breakfast at Universal, The Mercantile, Sassafras, or for Sunday brunch play Drag Queen Bingo at the Milk Market. Other fun food stops, Steuben’s Uptown, gravy fries are a must. Parisi for causal Italian, Domo for Japanese county food, The Providence for pub food and Fruition for a fancy night out.
All are delicious, you can’t go wrong.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Coming from an Improv and Theatre background I’ve always believed that the ensemble is alway greater than any individual, and that the group intelligence is far higher than any one person.

I have been guided, supported and nourished by many along the way.

The genius of my long time A.C.E. Entertainment business partners, Linda Klein and Barbara Gehring has constantly made me think and laugh for the last 23 years.

My book, Goat Lips: Tales of a Lapsed Englishman, would never have happened with out the support and wisdom of my editor Bobby Haas, and publisher/editor Donna Mazzitelli.

Then there’s the many folks, too numerous to mention by name, who have helped during my Persuasion through Narrative journey, by mentoring me, hiring me, or recommending me.

A last, my wife Susan and children, Maitland and Alastair. Their unconditional love, which at times can be cleverly concealed, has always sustained me, and if I listen, they are wise beyond words.

Website: Matthew@MatthewTaylor.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matthew.taylor.7739814

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/matthewtaylorstories/videos