Dear Friend, 

In this month's newsletter, we feature a recent in-depth conversation between two of the world's most acclaimed contemporary authors. We invite you to watch an extended 10-minute highlight from our recent conversation with Colum McCann and Salman Rushdie here.

Kentucky, USA and Seoul, South Korea are thousands of miles apart with vastly different cultures. In a special intercultural program, we explore if a story can meaningfully bridge divides across geography, language and culture.

Keep reading to learn more about what our global community has been working on this month including updates from our teams in Ireland, Mexico and upcoming virtual opportunities!

From South Korea to Kentucky: A Global Exchange

📍 Kentucky, United States

Bryan Station High School in Lexington, Kentucky, recently hosted students from Kwangshin High School (광신방송예술고등학교), South Korea, for a powerful cultural exchange. Although Kentucky and Seoul are 6,800 miles apart and the students do not speak the same language, the project proved that stories can bridge any distance.

The exchange was led by Dr. Ron Chi, Chief Innovation Officer and former principal at Fayette County Public Schools. He saw the trip as an opportunity to foster genuine connections across borders, cultures and languages. Watch the video above to hear what students took from their Narrative 4 experience.

On the Airwaves, Around the World

📍 Cork, Ireland | Tampico, Mexico

This month, educators and facilitators in Tampico, Mexico and Cork, Ireland spoke to tens of thousands of listeners about how they use the Story Exchange to help young people connect with one another.

Teacher Paula Coakley, of Millstreet Community School in Cork, shared her experiences with Cork’s 96fm radio station about using storytelling to bring students in her classroom closer together. Meanwhile, Karla Monroy Flores, an Associate at N4 Mexico, talked to the Refundando Tampico team about how vital it is for humans to feel listened to and understood. Listen to excerpts from both interviews below!

8 Events, 8 States, 8 Days

📍 United States

It has been an inspiring coast-to-coast journey this week! As we wrap up workshops, Story Exchanges and training sessions from California to South Carolina, we are energized by the way storytelling is building bridges and sparking a movement of compassion in schools, universities and communities. 

Our programs and trainings give your community practical, human-centered ways to build stronger relationships and inspire meaningful action. Each experience is designed to meet participants where they are and move communities forward–together.

📍 Virtual

If you or someone you know would like to experience the power of the Narrative 4 Story Exchange, join us for a free virtual workshop this May. It's open to anyone who is curious about how storytelling can foster compassion, build connection and create real-world impact. 

Sign up for one of our upcoming workshops:

• 📅 May 4th, 7-9pm EDT / 4-6pm PDT

• 📅 May 18th, 2-4pm EDT / 7-9pm BST (UK/Ireland)

Help Us Reach More Youth:

Consider making a gift to Narrative 4 in support of our mission!