Stories From the Heart

By Tia Porter

Participants of the Story Exchange gathered in the Multicultural Center (Photo by Tia Porter)

To kick off another year at Purchase, students and faculty alike gathered in the Multicultural Center to share stories and experiences. This Story Exchange inspired participants to take a closer look at the components of a story and connect with others in the Purchase community.  

"You don't always have the chance to sit back and hear about the unique experiences of somebody new," said Giovanna Albanese, a junior majoring in psychology. "I enjoyed listening to others' stories and having a chance to share my own."  

Dr. Ellen Brooks led this story exchange on Sept. 3 in association with Narrative 4, a nonprofit that prioritizes youth and storytelling.  Brooks teaches College Writing and has been part of the Purchase writing faculty since 2014. Before joining Purchase, Brooks worked part-time at Hunter College, where she first learned about Narrative 4.  

"I had the opportunity to sit in on an exchange debrief," Brooks said. "In other words, the exchange had just taken place, and I was able to join and listen to students talk about it. I was very, very fascinated and captivated by what students were saying; the really positive response about how they were listening to each other, how it was deepening connections, and just so many positive experiences. And so, that's how I found out about it and decided I wanted to be a trained facilitator."   

Narrative 4 launched in 2013, with its co-founders Lisa Consiglio and Colum McCann believing the project would promote a culture of connection through the power of storytelling. While their headquarters are in NYC, Narrative 4 is affiliated with over 500 schools across 35 countries, including Purchase College.  

"I would recommend this experience to other students because it's a moment of connection, which everybody needs," Albanese said. "Everybody is unique, and moments of sharing stories can bring people together, even when they have very different personalities."  

Brooks played a large role in Albanese's positive experience. Since undergoing training with Narrative 4 virtually during the summer of 2020, she has consistently hosted exchanges in her classes. This has given her the chance to grow alongside her students and learn more about what makes the Purchase community one of a kind.  

"I hope that they feel that they were able to listen actively, and that they were listened to, Brooks said. "That they enjoyed the exchange, they were engaged in it, and that they were able to step into their partner's shoes and feel some sense of connection, some sense of understanding, and also perhaps some empathy. The goal is really empathy. 

"My role is also to share my own experience very briefly with the story exchange," Brooks added, "both in terms of how it's always a little bit nerve-racking to tell someone else's story in this way, and you hope you'll remember it, and do the story justice. And to share the impact that it's had on me and the students that I've worked with."  

Initially, the eight participants sat in a circle and introduced themselves one by one. As time went on, everyone took turns answering questions and opening up about their own lives. Once they were all more familiar with each other, the group broke up into pairs for the story exchange.   

Prompts were provided, serving as a starting point for the group. Everyone had the option to discuss memories from their childhood, times when they felt misunderstood, or moments when they felt like their most authentic selves. These vulnerable accounts, which shaped their lives, were kept private between the person sharing and the person listening.  

Nat Burton (left) and Professor Donna Cornachio (right) (Photo by Dr. Ellen Brooks)

One pair decided to go outside to share their anecdotes while enjoying the warm weather.   

"I had a wonderful time at the story exchange," said Nat Burton, a junior double majoring in history and literature. Burton's partner was Professor Cornachio, who teaches journalism to students.  

Like many others, Burton attended the event to hear stories she would not have heard otherwise. Towards the end, everyone regrouped and shared what they had learned, retelling bits of their partner's stories as their own to truly live in the shoes of the other person for just a few minutes. As Brooks hoped, Burton and her fellow participants walked away knowing a little more about each other's stories.  

"I think the event creates a connection among people that is not necessarily conventional, Burton added, "in that none of us are coming out with lifelong friendships, but we can recognize each other and understand each other."  

Dr. Ellen Brooks (Photo by Tia Porter)