Storytelling secrets: Angels cocktail and Devils Cocktail

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We are all storytellers. We all live in a network of stories. There isn’t a stronger connection between people than storytelling
-Jimmy Neil Smith, Director of the International Storytelling Center

It’s no secret that storytelling is a powerful tool, technique or an art to communicate information, build relationships, sell products, ideas, and inspire others.

While delivering a speech, your audience may forget what you told them but they will never forget how you made them feel.

There are many secrets in storytelling. Storytelling has the unique power to change brain chemistry.

Wouldn’t it be amazing to possess that power?

So, allow me to introduce you to your old friends who were there with you from your happiest moments to difficult times. Unfortunately, no one introduced them to you.

As you follow me through this blog, do not skip the video links. I have strategically used these videos so that you will get the right experience.

Angel’s Cocktail

Dopamine

Now if I come there through your screen and check you, there is a high chance of you having a higher-level dopamine

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter produced in the brain. Basically, it acts as a chemical messenger between neurons. One of the ways to trigger it is by building up suspense in your story.

Dopamine is also released when your brain is expecting a reward.

Do you remember the feeling you get every time when you tick your checklist. Well!, your friend Dopamine is responsible for it.

When you come to associate a certain activity with pleasure or mere anticipation is enough to raise dopamine levels. It could be a certain food, sex, shopping, or just about anything else that you enjoy.

Endorphine

Now endorphins are formed in your body.

Endorphins are chemicals produced naturally by the nervous system to cope with pain or stress. They are often called “feel-good” chemicals because they can act as a pain reliever and happiness booster.

Endorphins can be triggered through humour. You might have observed, sometimes when you laugh a lot, you won’t feel the pain in your stomach for a while, but after a while, you start feeling the pain. The reason why you were not able to feel the pain initially is because of endorphins. That’s why endorphins are also known as pain relievers.

Oxytocin

Oxytocin is an Empathy drug, the love drug, the caring drug. The emotions you are going through after listening to the above story. Oxytocin is the reason for that emotion.

When you craft a story to trigger a combination of these three drugs your audience will feel good, happy and an emotion which they can’t explain (In other words you have tapped into their reptilian brain). Your audience will love you as a speaker but they won’t know the exact reason behind it.

The combination of all these 3 drugs or hormones in your story

Dopamine
Endorphines
Oxytocin

David JP Philips calls it the “Angels cocktail. “ It makes your audience feel good, energetic and positive.

So what’s the opposite of Angels cocktail? Well, I think you got it right, the “Devils cocktail.”

Devil’s cocktail

Cortisol

Cortisol is a stress drug, gets us ready for flight or fight, it raises our heartbeat, focuses our attention.
Cortisols can be induced by asking questions like an emotional question, Philosophical question etc.

Example:

I remember when my best friend was sleeping. His parents were next to him, trying to wake him up. But he didn’t. He was not sleeping on a bed. He was sleeping peacefully in a coffin. I wanted him to wake up for one last time. We all wanted him to wake up and all we wished was to go back home happily with him by our side. We knew it will never happen.

Have you experienced the same? All you wanted is for your loved one to wake up? Wake up for one last time

Adrenaline

Now the next drug is difficult to induce. So make sure you watch this next video with absolute attention. Or else you will miss the fun.

This is your other friend adrenaline, which is induced by sudden shock or a scary situation.

Combination of these two hormones

Cortisol
Adrenalin

is known as “Devils cocktail.”

By strategically crafting your story to induce the angels cocktail or devils cocktail, you can be an unforgettable speaker.

Stories have been effective for centuries and this is how you can capture someone’s attention.

So listen carefully to the stories of others but make sure to live your own life and create your own story because someday it will be your story that will be shared, life is precious and live a life that is legendary.

Step by Step guide to public speaking

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