Hello, I’m Dr. Joel Ying … Physician-Educator-Storyteller.
As a storytelling performer, I tell stories that interact with the audience and create a common experience. My words paint images on the imagination, and my stories 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. 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 a good story.
My Story: How does a Physician become a Storyteller?
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 be able 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. My ego had stepped aside to let spirit come through. I felt alive! … and I thought to myself, “I want more of that.” 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 become one of my passions. I have produced showcase events, sponsored National Tellers to perform locally, attended numerous workshops and festivals, and of course perform!
I perform regularly with an eclectic collection of world folk tales and 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.
Storytelling is my peace work.
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