I like to share news of initiatives from my story-practitioner colleagues, and announcements of these new endeavors often come in spurts. Within hours of each other yesterday, I got word of new ventures from two practitioners who’ve participated in my Q&A series.

Gabrielle Dolan, with her partner, Yamini Naidu, of Australia’s onethousandandone consultancy, announced a global online coaching program, Success Through Stories.

As part of the launch, they’re offering a three-part series of free online training videos designed to show users how to “achieve business success by using stories to connect with your customers, increase sales and grow your business.”

I’ve seen the videos Gabrielle and Yamini have produced about using stories in presentations, and they are very well done, so I’m looking forward to the training videos, which also come with worksheets.

To access these free videos, go to Success Through Stories and enter your name and preferred email address and the first video will be instantly sent to you. You then get the subsequent videos at intervals of a few days.

Meanwhile, Karen Gilliam has released a new book, Finding Your Voice. Here’s a description:

Inner light, soul’s code, spark of the divine, true self. Whatever words may strike a chord and speak to your heart, the journey on finding, trusting, and using your voice is inside-out work of a lifetime. Finding your voice is not the destination; it is a manner of traveling as told through the story lens of my journey.

In the book, Karen talks about Sankofa, which she also discussed in her Q&A. In connection with the new book, Karen says about Sankofa:

Use the thought-provoking questions to revisit and re-claim your past; to reflect and reminisce on the present. Explore what it means to be faithful to your true nature. Find and use your voice in a world that needs it; for no one else can dance your dance, sing your song or write your story.

Update: Lisa Rosetti added this about Sankofa:

I found the Sankofa Bird amongst the Akan symbology in West Africa; a whole symbolism — a language full of values and wisdom. The meaning of the Sankofa Bird to me is: Return, Discovery, Wisdom and Resourcefulness. So, not being afraid to abort a personal journey or direction that is leading nowhere (Course Correct, Flexibility), and about understanding what you need for your journey (Resourcefulness). It is also about passing on deeper knowledge and values to the younger generation, helping them on their journey (Guide). That’s my take on Sankofa!