Storytelling is my peace work.

As a storytelling performer, I tell stories to entertain with the substance of truth. From folk tales to personal stories, you will find a truth that touches me in all the stories that I tell. Some are lighthearted and fun; others are deep and profound.

In the oral tradition, I tell stories person to person, interacting with the audience, and creating a common experience as my words paint images on the imagination. From my practice of medicine to teaching at university and online, stories infuse everything that I do. I perform regularly, produce events, and love listening to other storytellers.

When we pause to listen to each other, we heal communities and our world.

Dr. Joel Ying, MD
Email: joel.ying@gmail.com
Phone: (239) 200-6796

My Story

When I started my office practice bridging alternative and holistic medicine, I decided to give talks to get myself known in the community. There was just one problem: I was soft spoken and nervous. With the suggestion of a friend, I joined Toastmasters in 2005 to improve my public speaking. This organization helped me to grow as a confident speaker, but I was still working on becoming an engaging speaker. Yes, my talks were often boring!

I still remember the Toastmasters meeting where instead of a speech, someone told a story. I was captivated and entranced by the magic of storytelling. I knew right away … “I want to do that!” I still remember telling my first folk tale. Voices and characters came out of me. I felt as if the story had come through me. I felt alive! I had uncovered a hidden talent and a new passion.

In 2015, I began the journey as a storytelling performer. I discovered a new way to connect and touch an audience. In this age of information, it is not the facts and figures that inspire, but rather it is the power of story to create emotion and move us into action. I began to work on the craft of storytelling: workshops, writing stories, and watching other tellers. Promoting storytelling has also become one of my passions. With Storytellers of the Round Table, I have produced showcase events, sponsored National Tellers to perform locally, started a local guild, and of course perform!

I now perform regularly with an eclectic collection of world folk tales and touching personal stories. I have performed at the Florida Storytelling Festival, Stone Soup Festival New Voice in South Carolina, Timpanogos Timp Tell Contest in Utah, and to just about anyone that will listen. I teach “Storytelling as Healing” at Florida Gulf Coast University and online workshops. Story is gift that gives back when it is shared.

I am a Physician-Educator-Storyteller.