Park Howell, the host of the podcast, “The Business of Story," joins Randy, Matthew, and Charles Delahunt of GH Labs to present his new A.I.-driven StoryCycle Genie. It’s a powerful resource that will analyze your website and tell you how the public perceives your brand. It’s still in beta testing, but he applies it to our website abtnarrative.com and gives us the rundown on how we’re coming off. Park Howell https://x.com/ParkHowell https://businessofstory.com Randy Olson https://x.com/ABTagenda...
Apr 14, 2025•51 min•Season 1Ep. 62
Did you know there was an entire first version of the novel, “Jurassic Park,” written and thrown away? Michael Backes is a long-time buddy who collaborated with Michael Crichton on a number of projects, including writing the screenplays for two of his novels. In this episode he is quizzed by ABT Team members Mike Strauss and his daughter Liz Strauss who recently re-read the book and had lots of questions. Randy Olson https://bsky.app/profile/abtagenda.bsky.social https://x.com/ABTagenda Randy's ...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 61
We got lots of nice people who send us nice emails about how they have been using the ABT Framework in communication. Laura Shields from Brussels, with her Red Thread project is a great example. In her case, she sent such a cool email we begged her to join us on the podcast for a little chat which led into strange and elusive concepts like "concising." Randy Olson https://x.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn more about the ABT Framework Course: http://www.abtframework...
Jan 15, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 60
You would think after 15 years of developing the ABT and 10 years of conducting Narrative Training with the last 5 years filled with the intensive ABT course we would be worn down, BUT to the contrary, it’s more fun and interesting than ever, THEREFORE join Randy Olson and Matthew David in reviewing a great year of ABT activities culminating with the Top 5 ABT Events of 2024. HAPPY HOLIDAYS Everyone! Randy Olson https://x.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn more about ...
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 59
PART 3 OF THE 3 PART SERIES: Randy Olson, PhD, author of 11 books on communication hosts the discussion of the two case studies joined by Australians Rod Lamberts, PhD, Deputy Director of the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS), Jayde Lovell, Director of ReAgency Science Marketing and Discovery Channel Host, plus Park Howell, host of the podcast, “The Business of Story." Randy Olson https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn ...
May 22, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 58
PART 1 OF THE 3 PART SERIES: In 2014 the state of North Dakota voted on MEASURE 5, a ballot initiative asking to channel 5% of the state’s oil and gas revenues into wildlife conservation activities. Proponents of the initiative spent $4 million which was more than double their opponents. It lost, 20:80. In this episode we talk with North Dakota aquatic ecologist Rick Nelson, PhD, who was present for the campaign and vote. Randy Olson https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://sciencenee...
May 22, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 56
PART 2 OF THE 3 PART SERIES: In 2023 the country of Australia voted on THE INDIGENOUS VOICE REFERENDUM, a ballot initiative asking to approve an alteration to the Australian Constitution that would recognise Indigenous Australians in the document through prescribing a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Proponents of the initiative spent $67 million (AUS), more than double their opponents. It lost in all 5 states and one of the two territories. In this episode we talk wi...
May 22, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 57
By last year the time had come for a shift in our ABT training program. We ran Story Circles for 5 years until the pandemic forced us to shift from in-person to online training. Then last year we began getting the signals that people were growing tired of sitting in front of computer screens. THEREFORE … we came up with a new form of training, The DAY BT Program. In this episode, our first of the year (been a very busy year) we update you on all things ABT, give a detailed description of the DAY...
Apr 09, 2024•45 min
John Roome is a World Bank director who took part in ousr ABT training program last year both at the retreat in Nepal in September then the full ABT Framework course in the fall. As he tells about in this interview, he heard the details on the ABT, asked some tough questions to “kick the tires,” then immediately set to work using it to craft 90 videos that summarize the World Bank work in various Asian countries which you can view here: http://abtframework.com/the-john-roome-world-bank-abts/ Ran...
Nov 28, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 54
A tremendous discussion with defense lawyer and ABT Narrative Gym book coauthor Doug Passon plus his trial lawyering collaborator Patrick Barone, Esq. about their use of “Psychodrama” in preparation for defending their clients. It’s a great discussion of how they are both using the ABT and Dobzhansky, as well as Doug’s ABT analysis of the iconic Miranda Rights pointing out the (quite possibly intentional) lack of narrative strength in the statement. Randy Olson https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Ran...
Nov 21, 2023•54 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Join Navid Ghaffari, M.D. (recent graduate of Harvard Medical School) and me as we tell about our great collaboration on the 7th chapter of the new book, along with the raves of long time ABT team member Julie Claussen. Turns out Navid already knew the ABT structure long ago, he just didn’t know that he knew — like lots of medical professionals. Who knew! Navid GhaffariLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/navidrghaffari/ Julie Claussen Twitter: https://twitter.com/julielovesfish Instagram: http...
Nov 01, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 52
We’ve added a new position to the Working Circles element of the ABT Framework course. They’re called Structuralists. Their role is to sit on the periphery of each Working Circle, muted most of the time, listening to make sure the group follows the basic structure for how to run the half hour session. When things jump the track, they jump in. Our first two Structuralists are bulldozer driver (literally) Ayla Fox and carpenter (literally) Devo Brown. In this episode we let you hear a slice of our...
May 18, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 51
In 1987 Patty Limerick changed “the narrative” of the American West with her landmark book, “Legacy of Conquest,” which painted a different portrait of the frontier from the traditional romantic notions of cowboys riding the range. My brother Eric was so deeply moved by the book that I suggested he conduct this interview, structured around 5 questions that he supplements with quotes from the book. It’s a great discussion that explores such ABT-related topics as revisionism, stereotypes, and the ...
Apr 27, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Christy Brigham of the National Park Service was a guest on one of our first episodes (our special about wildfire in the US West and Australia) and Alison Mims is a veteran of both Story Circles and the ABT Framework Course (which Christy also took). We talk about the upcoming wild fire season and the challenges of Incident Communications. Can the ABT help? Christy Brigham https://www.csun.edu/science-mathematics/biology/christy-brigham Alison Mims https://wfmrda.nwcg.gov/about-us/meet-wfm-rda-s...
Apr 05, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Once upon a time Randy Olson and Mark Patterson were officemates at Harvard and spent countless hours trying to make sense of how scientists communicate. It’s a lotta years later. One became a superstar ocean engineer, biomechanics expert, and coral reef ecologist, the other ran off to Hollywood. In this discussion they reminisce about the past, relish in the present, and wonder about the future. Mark Patterson https://cos.northeastern.edu/people/mark-patterson/ https://twitter.com/Aquanaut1957 ...
Mar 27, 2023•59 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Advertising executive and podcaster Park Howell has been part of our ABT group for a decade. He is currently one of the four guest lecturers in the ABT Framework course for over two years. For the 400th episode of his “Business of Story” podcast he went back through every episode where he discussed the ABT and pulled together an excellent synthesis of where we are . It’s really well edited and brings in about 15 different voices along the way. Huge thanks to Park for doing this. Park Howell http...
Mar 20, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Dr. Tony Martin began tweeting enthusiastically in 2018 about his use of the ABT with undergraduates. He had read the “Houston” book and set to work having students apply the ABT Framework throughout the semester. His work with them becomes another ABT Hotspot for us to study how it works at the undergraduate level. Tony Martin https://twitter.com/ichnologist https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anthony-J.-Martin/author/B00JVW0KMG https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_J._Martin Randy Olson https://twit...
Mar 01, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 46
My assistant-turned-colleague Matthew David and I discuss the break neck speed that 2023 has started out with for the ABT and us. From the World Bank in Asia to Pfizer globally we are now engaged in ABT training round the clock and all over the place. Which means this hour discussion between just Matt and me is perhaps our best episode ever. Happy 2023 everyone! Two podcasts where Randy Olson uses the Matt Template for his overall presentation: 1) CLIMATE COMMUNICATION https://podcasts.apple.com...
Jan 17, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Drs. Marlis Douglas, Keisha Bahr, and Randy Olson (the co-authors of our new book) discuss the origins of the new term BUT BOMB, the Matt Template (Heaven, Hell, Action), bored moms, and of course how the ABT Framework can save your life. PS - "Arsch-Bombe” is the German term for a “cannonball” where you jump in the water ass-first. Which is the perfect bit of imagery for having a powerful statement of contradiction at the heart of your narrative. The Narrative Gym for Science Graduate Students ...
Oct 27, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Juli Berwald is the author of, “Spineless,” a wonderful, captivating exploration of the gelatinous world of jellyfish presented with the backdrop of her journey from biological oceanographer to educational content creator to author. Juli Berwald https://www.juliberwald.com/ https://twitter.com/juliberwald "Spineless": https://www.amazon.com/Spineless-Science-Jellyfish-Growing-Backbone/dp/0735211280/ Randy Olson https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn more ...
Aug 30, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 43
On Tuesday, August 2 at 11:00 PDT we will start the first of a series of 90 minute “Narrative Gym” sessions. The National Park Service is one of the four partner groups for this first round, so we’ve invited our ABT Framework team member from NPS, Cari Kreshak, to talk about our decade of collaboration with NPS. Randy Olson https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn more about the ABT Framework Course: http://www.abtframework.com/...
Aug 01, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 42
This is our second installment as we are now “crowd-sourcing” the teaching of the ABT at universities. This group brings in professors of English, Geography, and Biology with a range of amazing practical applications of the ABT Framework with undergraduates and graduate students. Below are links to Alan’s book on Effective Scientific Presentations: The Winning Formula (https://www.amazon.com/Effective-Scientific-Presentations-Winning-Formula/dp/B09V34S4NQ/), which has the ABT as a central elemen...
Jul 04, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Laura Pavlakovich didn’t even need to hear the end of the Dobzhansky template before she blurted, “Oh, I know my one word — it’s COMMUNITY.” Buried in the middle of this excellent episode is a wonderful (and pure ABT structured!) story Laura tells about meeting the mother of a Type One child. This interview shows how much good the ABT Framework can do in the non-profit sector. Laura Pavlakovich https://www.yourejustmytype.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourejustmytype1/ Facebook: http...
Jun 19, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 40
DESCRIPTION: Dr. Zen Faulkes, longtime ABT fan and professor at McMaster University in Canada talks about his new book, “Better Posters: Plan, Design and Present an Academic Poster.” Long ago I used the abstract of a paper he co-authored on parasitology as the “type specimen” for the DHY (Despite, However, Yet) overly-narrative structure of a text, but just like his posters, he got better. We dive deep into the definitions of “narrative” versus “story." Zen Faulkes "Better Posters": https://www....
Jun 06, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Two years ago last month we pulled together the first 50 participants for the ABT Framework course. 25 rounds later, it was time to pull together 8 of them to discuss what they got out of the course and how they’ve used it. It’s a great discussion and huge validation of the course. Yay! Randy Olson https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn more about the ABT Framework Course: http://www.abtframework.com/...
May 04, 2022•55 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Dr. Karel Liem (1935-2009) was the best of the best as ichthyologist, teacher, prankster and all-around good guy. Thankfully I managed to include him in “Flock of Dodos” where he told about having had 8 bypasses on his heart. Fisheries biologist Julie Claussen (and ABT course advisor) and Liem student Dr. Dana Ono join me to discuss whether there are any other scientists who have more fun than fish biologists. Also with us is co-host Dr. Jen Martin who returns, post-COVID, to join us from Melbou...
Apr 13, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 37
A year ago, Harvard senior and great guy Lincoln Sorscher interviewed me for his undergraduate thesis titled, "Humor’s Efficacy in Communicating Climate Change Messaging.” I gave him such a jaundiced perspective he described my attitude as “self-admitted embitterment." Joining us in this discussion are Australian science communication professor and co-host of “The Wholesome Show” podcast, Dr. Rod Lamberts, as well as our own Matt David bringing his in-depth knowledge of screenwriting. Randy Olso...
Apr 05, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Time to learn about THE PAUL BEGALA CHALLENGE: To change the thinking of Democrats from And, And, And thinking (“Programmatic Lists”) to And, But, Therefore thinking (ABT Narrative Intuition). Randy Olson matches notes with the three co-authors of the “Narrative Gym” series of books for BUSINESS (Park Howell), LAW (Doug Passon) and POLITICS (Dave Gold). Randy Olson https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn more about the ABT Framework Course: http://www.abtf...
Mar 29, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 35
In 1998 Randy Olson interviewed Dr. Tom Hollihan of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism for his 20 minute video, “Talking Science: The Elusive Art of the Science Talk.” He is the author of books on argumentation, media and politics, media diplomacy, political campaign communication, contemporary rhetorical criticism, and the impact of globalization on public deliberation. Talking Science: The elusive art of the science talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmAUad9U8-8 Dr. T...
Mar 18, 2022•50 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Hallelujah, brothers and sisters, it’s time for social hour in the Church of the ABT as we welcome fellow ABT worshippers David and Sarah Jane to the shrine of the holy IF/THEN for the sharing of a few parables of agreement, contradiction and consequence. The Story Spotters https://thestoryspotters.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-story-spotters/ https://twitter.com/thestoryspotter Randy Olson https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn more about the...
Feb 21, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 33
