Why We Remember Stories More than Advice

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“Just because they are a story doesn’t mean they’re not real.” – H.M. Bouwman

My dad used to tell the story of the bully who used to make him give him a piggy back home from school in 6th grade. One day my dad had enough. As he was carrying him, he leaned his head down and flipped him over his back. The bully never asked for a ride again.

I can’t think of any specific words or phrases my gentle dad taught me about standing up for myself or setting boundaries – but I do remember that story. And research shows that when we become immersed in a story, it shapes attention, persuasion and emotion. Which is why it sticks.

So, what makes a story truly relatable?

In this episode of The Life of Try, I explore how the smallest moments in life can become the most powerful stories — from a beloved Seattle raccoon named Jimothy to a little boy celebrating soccer goals with his grandmother.

Through humor, heart, and the idea of narrative transportation, this episode looks at why specific, human stories help us feel seen, connected, and inspired to keep trying.

Key takeaways:

  • Relatable stories often begin with small, specific moments rather than big life lessons.
  • Details help listeners see, feel, and remember a story.
  • Everyday stories can reveal courage, connection, confidence, and support.
  • The most powerful stories do not need to be perfect — they need to be honest and human.
  • Living The Life of Try means celebrating small wins, showing up for each other, and trying again from wherever we are.

If you’ve ever wondered how to tell better stories about everyday life, how to make your experiences more meaningful, or why small moments can carry big emotional truth, this episode is for you.

Here are some other ways you can listen and watch this episode:

Links for this episode:

How To Tell Relatable Stories transcript

Storytelling and Narrative Persuasion from Green and Brock

 Other episodes you might enjoy

➡️ How to Overcome Burnout & Build an Upward Spiral of Growth, Fun & Resilience Video Link: https://youtu.be/xw1IpgL4uhg

➡️ Near-Death Experience with Jesus | Liza Anderson on Faith, Healing and Recovery Video Link: https://youtu.be/tR-EP6D0Q1E

➡️ How to Embrace What Makes You Different | Finding Your Purpose with Kym Gordon Moore Video Link: https://youtu.be/XzUMCHy3zuU

(featured photo from Pexels)

If my work has encouraged, inspired, or helped you try something new, consider supporting it with a small “cup of coffee” donation. Your support helps me keep creating conversations, stories, and resources that cheer people on as they do brave, meaningful work.

You can find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynneleon/ and Instagram wynneleon

43 thoughts on “Why We Remember Stories More than Advice”

  2. Big emotional truth in the small, specific moments. That’s so powerful, and so true! There’s something so human about being able recognize yourself in another’s experience.. or recognize that it could have been you.

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    1. Yes, he’s from Seattle. The neighborhood that is just west of us. But you’ll grrr over this detail. He and his siblings were living in a Cedar tree when he was a baby. Then the property owner cut it down and displaced them (this was a year ago before Jimothy became famous). I like to think that property owner is gnashing their teeth knowing they could have be the ones to capitalize on fame if they didn’t cut down trees. 🙂

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      1. Wow – so you guys are really close by! You’re right – I am growling about the guy cutting the tree down. Unless there was a good reason for it, he deserves all the fame and fortune he is not getting!

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  8. Indeed, sometimes it can be the shortest of stories that still become “light bulb” moments for us, Wynne. “Hey, I know that feeling because of…” And, now another story will be recited, and a connection made. It often isn’t that hard to find common ground, you just have to start talking.

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  10. I’m going to gravitate to art for just one second. My artist grandfather told me once that the important thing about any picture is how it affects you…you feel it – a lot of it is personal. And I have always carried that with me…into stories too. I must feel it, connect to it, for me to appreciate and remember it. A good painting or story is 100% an experience! Honestly, that is probably one of my favorite kind of stories to read (or write). It gets inside and moves you somehow. I love that. Thanks, Wynne.

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    1. Oh, what a brilliant comment, Melanie! Right – just like art. Somehow the most touching things are both personal and universal. I couldn’t agree more that those are wonderful stories to read and write!! Thanks, my friend!

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  11. A number of my patients would affirm your belief in the value of story telling and how best to deliver stories. Like you, Wynne, I have my dad to thank.

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  13. i absolutely love the quote at the beginning and have added it to my book of much-loved quotes. this is one of my favorite episodes ever, the example of eric’s story and jimothy, great examples. i have always loved listening to and telling stories. when i have to do public speaking, i turn to storytelling rather than bullet points of facts, and i am much more comfortable speaking to a group. thanks for this, wynne !

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  14. Lots to say today because this was one of my favorite episodes. I am the biggest fan of human, relatable stories because I want to be moved and immersed in the author’s head. One of the reasons I like children’s stories so much (I’m talking more MG than picture books, but those are not to be dismissed either), is because they often remind us of the feelings we never forget (e.g. the feeling of being left out, ridiculed, bullied, not being invited to the party, etc.) Those are all negative stories though, and many include lifelong positive lesssons we’ll never forget. (e.g. standing up for someone who’s being picked on, watching someone overcome a lifelong fear, overcoming obstacles in one’s life, thinking about others instead of ourselves, etc.)

    I just finished one of those types of MG novels that I read to my seniors at assisted living that moved me to my core called Fish in a Tree. https://www.amazon.com/Fish-Tree-Lynda-Mullaly-Hunt/dp/0142426423/ It’s the story of a dyslexic girl (Ally) who struggles with reading and writing and is ridiculed by some of the mean kids, who wield a lot of power, in her class. Mostly, we feel her self-esteem being chipped away little by little as no one diagnoses her disability. She learns to avoid the situation by purposefully getting into trouble, so that she’s sent to the office. When her teacher goes out on maternity, a special substitute teacher takes over, who realizes how intelligent Ally is, and slowly works to improve the girl’s self-image. He realizes that needs to come first before he can truly help her academically. She makes friends with a couple of other students in the class who are also dismissed by the popular kids as being worthless. The trio finds strength in each other as they lift each other up. It’s one of the best children’s books I’ve ever read.

    It made me think of my own relatable students. One of my sixth-grade students was dyslexic and struggled with many aspects of school. He also had his share of social challenges because he frequently acted out and many of the kids had a difficult time getting along with him. Yet, there was no mnistaking his intelligence. He was much happier taking something apart and putting it back together rather than doing anything academic. One day, the secretary called me after school and asked me to look in his desk, as his mom had sent in a check for his overdue school lunches. I went to his desk and opened it, expecting to see the usual hurricane. Instead, when I lifted his desktop, he had wired his desk, such that an alarm went off. It startled me so much I could have set a high jump record. 🤣 I knew if this kid could survive school, he would go on to do amazing things.

    Finally, I’m the travel director for our biennial children’s author festival that brings in 25 nationally-known children’s authors and illustrators into our local schools. The authors are coming in October and will speak to over 70 schools in the county. One of them is H.M. Bouwman, who you quoted at the beginning of your post.

    Sorry for the novel, Wynne, but that’s what you get for writing such a fabulous, relatable post.😁

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    1. I love your response, Pete!! So many great points. But I’ve got to fan girl out and say what?? H.M. Bouwman is coming to your author festival?? That is so cool!!

      I love the stories you tell — you embody the power of telling human and impactful stories and I’m so blessed to have gotten to hear some of them. I know your students are still remembering the ones you told them!

      So good, Pete!! We’ll have to read A Fish in a Tree. Thanks, my friend!

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  16. Doesn’t seem like your dad’s bully was the brightest bulb in the socket. I saw the end of that (remarkably engaging) story coming a mile away.

    I can’t get enough Jimothy! You’re lucky he’s practically in your backyard.

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  18. Stories leave an impact than a dry conversation. I remember Aesop’s Fables and many local tales with a morale and I think I remember them because of the picture the story painted.

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  20. I heard it yesterday, and it was wonderful! The part about Jimothy looking like the Tasmanian Devil from Looney Tunes made me laugh because I looked up pictures of the raccoon, and you are absolutely right. 😆

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  21. I loved learning the new term “narrative transportation.” You’ve captured so succinctly what makes certain stories pop, and it is those relatable moments that get past our defenses. Those flawed characters like Jimothy getting through life and giving it their best try. The moments of authenticity and vulnerability that make us both laugh and cry. It also reinforces to me why stories matter and why good storytelling is a powerful skill.

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  22. This is simply beautiful, Wynne! I love the way you break it down. I read the transcript rather than watching the video because I don’t have earbuds and I’m in a quiet place, but it’s still very effective. Love your message. We need stories. 😘

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