StoryCenter - Berkeley, California

Melissa Lewis

Within three days, our group had created complete stories in video format — our group that included people who felt like they weren't storytellers, people who felt like they weren't great with technology, people with a tiny seed of an idea and people with big, sprawling ideas. Rob and Allison guided us through the process, coaxing stories out of the most reticent and providing thoughtful guidance for the more experienced. They made video editing approachable, both by demonstrating the technology in a clear manner, providing assistance, and also by setting achievable goals for the finished projects. Our team enjoyed the workshop and we're excited to use the videos to tell our organizations stories.

Maria Liu Wong

I have attended multiple workshops with StoryCenter - digital storytelling, digital story mapping, podcast storytelling, and even organized a custom workshop for my organization. The quality of the facilitators, process, and support continues to be excellent. I recommend their workshops for anyone who is exploring creative and thoughtful ways of sharing their own story or those of others whose need to be heard.

huda Al

I had an amazing experience during the digital workshop. Holly and Allison were supportive, kind, and understanding throughout the course. If you plan on telling a digital story, I highly recommend you check out StoryCenter with Allison and Holly. Truly inspirational. Thank you so much for helping craft my story in such a beautiful way!

Taha Frifer

Allison and Trauman were Amazing. They gave us a really informative, entertaining, and exceptional workshop that lasted for 2 months. That started with virtual session to the very last part of the workshop that was held in Morocco. Really loved the progress seen throughout the workshop for myself and fellow trainees. Keep it up Story center

Hilary Chavez

Participating in a story telling workshop with StoryCenter was a great experience! The facilitators were so professional and organized as well as kind. The were so supportive and patient in walking us through the story telling process and the finished product was so much more than I could have hoped for.

Shimanchū Yassa

StoryCenter is so very supportive & encouraging. I had been looking for a hands-on experience for a long time. It really was the perfect match & timing! With the gentle guidance provided within the confines of a safe environment to not only challenge myself, but experiment, I ended up doing something I thought was an insurmountable feat! I produced, edited, and created a segment. I am very grateful to both MaryAnn & Trauman for allowing me to venture! I am in awe of their talents & teaching style, of which gave me the license to create~. Thank you so much.

Anna Belew

I've taken workshops with StoryCenter twice, and both times have been an absolute joy! A colleague and I took their podcasting workshop in 2022 to learn how to develop a podcast for our small nonprofit organization working with Indigenous and endangered languages. We loved it so much that we worked with StoryCenter to host a podcasting workshop for Indigenous language activists, to share stories about their communities, languages, and language revitalization work. It was A HIT.

I cannot say enough good things about Trauman and Mary Ann as teachers. Their patience, warmth, humor, enormous skill at facilitating discussions and sharing of experiences, and deep expertise in digital storytelling shine through in every session. Everyone learned so much - but also, they bonded as a group, and told us they felt really comfortable and safe in the workshop.

For lack of a better way to put it, the VIBES in StoryCenter workshops are off-the-charts good. These folks really know how to create a space where people feel safe, listened to, empowered to tell their own stories, and never rushed or stressed, even when learning complicated technical tools.

The podcast segments that my colleagues produced in this workshop are just incredible - I am stunned at their quality and beauty, even from folks who'd never done any podcasting before. The skills and tools you'll get from a StoryCenter workshop are amazing, and you can carry them with you in whatever work you do afterwards.

I can't recommend these folks enough - if you are lucky enough to have a chance to learn from them, do it! You'll thank yourself later.

Emma James

We contracted StoryCenter to implement a hybrid virtual/in-person Podcasting Workshop for 20 international youth. We worked with two outstanding facilitators; both went above and beyond in delivering the workshop content and providing individual feedback and coaching to our participants. Every session was thoughtful and engaging – we couldn't have asked for better facilitators. If you are looking for expert podcasters, engaging facilitators, and overall outstanding professionals, then StoryCenter is who you want to work with! We will be working with them again!