In a world crowded with data and noise, personal stories cut through—because they’re human. They ground us in emotion, spark recognition, and open new ways of seeing. That’s the power Stories as Seeds tapped into: not storytelling as performance, but storytelling as a tool for connection and collective change. What we’ve lived can guide what we build.
Because what if our personal stories aren’t just reflections of who we are but blueprints for the future we want to build? This wasn’t an event about polished scripts. It was about asking: What have I lived that someone else needs to understand? And how can that truth help move us all forward?
What We Learned: How to Tell Stories That Actually Land
🌱 Yes, You Have a Story. No, You Don’t Need Permission to Tell It.
Narrative strategist and writer Rowena Alegría reminded us that storytelling isn’t reserved for artists or activists. “What empowers us is to understand that we all have a story to tell,” she said. Her session asked us to move from abstraction to experience: What have you done that made a difference? Start there. It’s where your impact already lives. Rowena also challenged us to listen with intention: “As a storyteller, my most important mission is to listen and learn about other people’s stories.” That’s how change happens—when we stop performing and start connecting.
🎤 Want to Be Heard? Be Human. Be Brief. Be Real.
Stand-up comic and writer Joey Brawner brought the room to laughter—and clarity. His tools? Humor, honesty, and ruthless editing. “Cut the fat and make the message interesting and digestible,” he said. In a world of five-second attention spans, Joey reminded us that you don’t need a TED Talk to shift someone’s perspective. “Right now is a good time to communicate a message. Humor makes it relatable. It builds trust.” He also noted that opinions are more malleable than we think—it’s about getting the ball rolling. And to do that, you have to leave people feeling something.
🎨 Art Is More Than Expression—It’s Strategy.
Visual artist and participatory facilitator Melanie Schambach asked us to see more than what’s on the page—or the news or the timeline. “What else is there that’s not obvious to me?” she asked. In her session, art became more than paint or visuals; it became a portal for collective clarity. Melanie challenged the idea that art is for “professionals.” Instead, she reframed it as a human right—a tool for exploring possibility, recalibrating fear, and planting courageous hope. “With art,” she shared, “we are exercising our imagination—the capacity to dream, to reinvent, to think of different possibilities.” In movements for change, that imagination isn’t fluff. It’s infrastructure.
Because at its core, storytelling isn’t just about communication—it’s about connection. It’s how we make sense of the world, how we build trust, and how we create the clarity needed to turn emotion into action. When we tell our stories—and truly listen to others—we plant the seeds for the future we want to grow.
So What? Why Storytelling and Why Now?
We live in a time when public trust is fractured and policy can feel inaccessible. Reports and data matter, but stories move people. That’s why Stories as Seeds was designed not as a lecture, but a learning journey. One where participants not only listened, but began crafting their own narratives, with new tools, new inspiration, and a shared sense of purpose.
This gathering was a continuation of the work begun at Where Do We Go From Here?, our March event focused on mapping values, fears, and visions for the future. That event surfaced a collective need for more creative, relational approaches to civic engagement. Stories as Seeds answered that call.
And it did so in a critical window. With the Colorado legislature in its interim session, and with sweeping threats to public lands emerging at the federal level (including proposals to sell off millions of acres and revoke Roadless Rule protections) now is the time to elevate our stories. Not just in community spaces, but in front of decision-makers.
From Connection to Collective Action
At the Alliance for Collective Action, every gathering is more than a conversation, it’s a catalyst. Whether we’re mapping values, elevating creative voices, or sharing meals and stories, we design each event to offer tangible ways to engage and real next steps for collective action.
At Stories as Seeds, we explored how personal storytelling can shape systems, shift narratives, and build momentum for change. Together, we uncovered what makes a story impactful and how to use that power in service of the issues we care about most.
That evening, one powerful example was the proposal to sell off millions of acres of public land—a policy that’s been blocked before because people spoke out. It was a clear reminder: when enough voices rise up, policy can change. And the deeper takeaway? Your story has that kind of power.
At AFCA, we believe every gathering should leave you feeling not only inspired, but equipped with new ideas, connections, and clear pathways to act. Because stories don’t just describe the world. They help us remake it, together.
Keep Planting Seeds
At Stories as Seeds, we explored how stories are more than memories—they’re tools for resistance, connection, and transformation. Together, we practiced listening deeply, sharing courageously, and uncovering the power that lives in lived experience.
Whether you’re already using your story for change or just starting to find your voice, the invitation remains the same: keep planting seeds. Because when we tell the truth, we build trust. When we imagine together, we shape what’s possible. And when we root our actions, in story, we grow change that lasts.
Let’s keep building a future grounded in creativity, care, and community.
