Better Stories Build Stronger Relationships

Business and nonprofits thrive on strong relationships and the fastest way to build a strong relationship is a shared story. Whether you need help building stronger skills for your team or clarifying your personal or organizational story, we’re here for you.

Got just a few minutes to boost your story skills?

  • "I easily recommend Josh to any group struggling to find their story, mission, or goals or anyone looking to elevate their ability to connect with others."

    Manda Ryan, Keller Center, Princeton University

  • "I now feel empowered to communicate with clarity and purpose which is a direct result of working with Josh. He doesn’t just teach you how to speak—he helps you find a voice that is rooted in what's important to you."

    Chris Santarpio, Vice President, Advance Scale

  • “Working with Josh was truly a joyful experience.  Storytelling was the perfect vehicle for our Board and Staff to reconnect with our nonprofit's mission and with each other.  I would definitely recommend Josh to any nonprofit looking to explore and expand its collective vision -he's easy to work with, meets you where you are, and guides you forward from there.”

    -Josephine Faass, Ph.D., Executive Director, Progress & Poverty Institute

  • "Josh came in to work with our board at a pivotal moment of change for us. His workshop helped us to dig deep and better articulate not only our organization's mission but our own passion for the work. He helped us connect better as a group and we are confident our work will continue to benefit from his impact."

    -Sam Collins, Chief Executive Officer, EWAAB

  • “A wonderful storytelling workshop. Captivating and engaging.”

    Don Seitz, Princeton Entrepreneurship Council

  • •“I really liked how the craft of storytelling was broken down as we worked on those individual parts in our story.” •“Josh did an amazing job! His energy and excitement made it easy to be engaged.” •“It made me reflect on how our company’s values relate to my life and how I can use them to impact our clients.”

    Workshop Participants, RSM

  • •“Informative, unique, captivating. Must take.” •“Thoughtful, Introspective” •“Inspiring. A good way to clarify your company's story” •“Engaging, organized, informative. Recommend!” •“Very useful for my pitch” •“Creative, informative and fun.”

    Workshop Participants, Princeton University

Josh Tobiessen

Josh Tobiessen

For all the ways it’s easier to stay in contact these days, it’s often harder to actually connect with people on a meaningful level.   When I started my theater career in Galway, Ireland, I used to write and perform plays in spaces so small I could literally reach out and touch the audience.  This should have been terrifying for an introvert like me, but what saved me then, and still drives my work today is the connection you build with people when they’re captivated by a good story.  After years of writing plays (two of which were a NYTimes “Critics Pick”) and teaching playwriting at theaters and universities, I started Shared Story Consulting to help individuals and organizations build the relationships they need to grow. Since then I’ve worked with startup founders and nonprofit boards, I’ve coached leaders and helped organizations build stronger internal connections and I’ve worked with undergraduate students at Princeton University’s Keller Center and NJIT. Good stories not only engage our audience, they build trust, increase understanding and ignite the relationships that help us thrive.