Story Dish

A story circle game

Share stories food, and gathering
to feed connection, play, and collective world-building.

Download the Story Dish Card Deck

Stories are portals.

They help us navigate.

  • They are reflections of who we are & where we have been. Sharing story is an ancient human practice for passing on generational knowledge and cultural ways.

  • Social justice movements have used story circles to build shared understanding of structural injustice.

    John O’Neal, Civil Rights activist, co-founder of the Free Southern Theater and Junebug Productions, used story circles as an alternative theater experience, that invites the audience into the show.

    Junebug Productions calls this, “creating a tapestry of community.”

  • Sharing stories of what matters most to us is an opportunity to make sense of the world and transform our collective future.

    Your story matters. What is your story?

    How are you participating in it? In the collective story?

    We are all keepers of stories, and co-creators of experiences we make of them.

Let’s dive into a portal of story and food

Gather your loved ones around in a circle…neighbors, family & friends, children, elders, baristas, pets… 

Drop into a cozy space…beach, garden, dining room table, restaurant, living room, park…

And off we go!

Explore the Story Dish card deck

Tips for Hosting a Story Dish Circle

    • Root in a purpose. Why are you here?

    • Ground in the moment so people can be fully present in each person’s story.

      • Ideas: Breathe. Pause. Move in synch with breath. Toast. Quote. Poem, Song. or Prayer.

    • Start with introductions if people are new to each other! (optional).

      • Example: Let’s go around in a circle and share our name, pronouns, and what intention you’d like to bring into the space today.

    • Set the container (More tips on this within the deck). Affirm confidentiality.

    • Select your prompt(s): Choose one that speaks to you, for the full circle to use; or, you could mix it up and let each person choose the one that sparks story for them.

    • Closing the circle. Spend a moment with the circle to appreciate each person in the circle, something about what they shared and the moment that was just created together. Consider how this moment might ripple out into the following days, weeks, etc.

    • The ideal size for a story circle is 5 - 6 people. You could go smaller. If you plan to invite more than 5 guests, keep in mind that more stories shared will take more time to complete. If you have 8 or more people, consider breaking into smaller groups of 4-6 per group.

    • Consider what experience you would like for your guests, and how that might interact with virtual platform functions i.e. Will organic connection arise over chat? Express via reactions?

    • Get to know your platform and its functions you choose ahead of time, and be prepared to facilitate how to utilize the functions (mute/unmute, video, chat, closed captioning, spotlight, etc.)

    • Consider accessibility considerations and how you might accommodate. I.e. turn on closed-captioning, offer live transcript, etc.

    • Make a note of appropriate lighting and internet connection.

    • Optimize sound quality by having all but the speaker on mute.

    • Invite attendees to turn on their camera, if they are comfortable, to increase intimacy.

    • Share instructions on how to join (apps or platforms to download, links to navigate to, etc.)

  • 2-4 WEEKS OUT

    • Root in your purpose and intention. What motivates you to gather in this way & why?

    • Questions* to ask to get to clarity of purpose. Get as specific as possible.

      • Why are you hosting a story circle? Keep asking why until you hit a belief or value.

      • What could a story circle do for your community

      • What do you want to be different after the story circle?

      • What motivates you to bring these specific people together, to share stories?

    • Send out your invitation. Invite 3-5 people in your community. This could be friends, family (blood or chosen), your neighbors, baby sitters, whoever is relevant to your purpose.

      • Share a purpose and intention for gathering from the start.

      • OPTIONAL: Share prompts; do make note that no formal preparation is needed; stories are not performances.

      • Share any logistical pieces (what to bring, what to wear), or any other details for your guests to join in comfortably.

    1 WEEK, & 2 DAYS BEFORE:

    • Send out reminders!

    • Prepare your space, and any food or props you’ll use.



    *Inspired by Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering

  • Why: Our stories connect us & help us to perceive hidden meaning.

    What & How: We’ll enjoy a meal together, then share stories of home and belonging, supported by questions from Food Culture Collective.

    • Sample Story Prompt: Tell us about a time when food (growing, making, sharing it) sparked a sense of belonging. Where were you? With whom? What was the context? Bring us into the experience: What did belonging feel like, taste like, smell like?

    Flow:

    6:00pm—Arrival, greetings!

    6:30pm—Let’s eat, yum!

    7:30pm—Story circle begins (no preparation needed!)

    9:00pm—Close

    When & Where:

    Friday, December 2nd, @ 734 Berry Tree Lane, Berryville, CA, 6-9pm

    COVID Considerations:
    Masks required in indoor spaces.

    Other: Potluck style—bring a dish to share! We’ll be outside; bring layers, as it gets chilly.

    RSVP by November 29

    This gathering is supported by friends at Food Culture Collective. To learn more, and support their work with a gift, visit foodculture.org/postcards-from-2050

We all have a role to play in envisioning a future of belonging, shaped by care for the lands, waters and peoples who nourish us. At Food Culture Collective, we dare to dream of that future, and invite you to join us in reclaiming our shared food culture by making a gift today.

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