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PODCAST · education

ABT Time

by Randy Olson

All things ABT, start to finish. Host Dr. Randy Olson a decade ago formulated the ABT Narrative Template built around the three words And, But, Therefore. It is now the centerpiece of his books, "Houston, We Have A Narrative," "Narrative is Everything," and "The Narrative Gym." In this weekly hour long post he will discuss observations, applications and implications of this powerful tool that is at the core of his narrative training program and effective communication of all forms.

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Episodes

  1. 15 Years of ABT Narrative Training: A conversation between Randy Olson and Matthew David - ABT Time Ep 65

    I formulated the ABT Narrative Template in 2011. Since then we've worked with over 100 organizations and several thousand scientists, physicians, NGO folks and others in developing our model of NARATIVE TRAINING. The journey has taken us from the world of pure research science to public health to...

  2. Behind the Curtain with Our ABT Coaches - ABT Time Podcast Episode 64

    In this episode, ABT Coaches Matthew David, Liz Strauss, and Dr. Anahita Viera demonstrate what a typical "ABT dissection" looks like by taking apart one of Liz's ABTs from 2020 (when she was still new to the ABT). Read more about why we're doing this in the blog post here. If you'd like to…

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  3. ABT Time Episode 63 - Perception vs Reality: Prepping for our discussion with science journalist David H Freedman

    Matthew David and Randy Olson have a preliminary discussion of David H Freedman's 2010 Atlantic article, "Lies, Damned Lies, and Medical Science." We work on our 3 questions each that we'll be asking David to start the discussion. Please join us on Wednesday, Feb 11th, 10:00 am PST, RSVP here:...

  4. ABT Time Episode 62 - ABT Teammate Park Howell discusses his new A.I. StoryCycle Genie

    Park Howell, the host of the podcast, "The Business of Story," joins Randy, Matthew, and Charles Delahunt of GH Labs to present his new A.I.-driven StoryCycle Genie. It's a powerful resource that will analyze your website and tell you how the public perceives your brand. It's still in beta…

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  5. ABT Time Episode 60 - AN ABT KINDRED SPIRIT: "Concising" with Laura Shields and her Red Thread Project from Brussels

    We got lots of nice people who send us nice emails about how they have been using the ABT Framework in communication. Laura Shields from Brussels, with her Red Thread project is a great example. In her case, she sent such a cool email we begged her to join us on the podcast for a little chat…

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  6. ABT Time Episode 59 - Our Top 5 ABT Events of 2024

    You would think after 15 years of developing the ABT and 10 years of conducting Narrative Training with the last 5 years filled with the intensive ABT course we would be worn down, BUT to the contrary, it's more fun and interesting than ever, THEREFORE join Randy Olson and Matthew David in...

  7. ABT Time Episode 58 - The Panel Discussion

    PART 3 OF THE 3 PART SERIES: Randy Olson, PhD, author of 11 books on communication hosts the discussion of the two case studies joined by Australians Rod Lamberts, PhD, Deputy Director of the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS), Jayde Lovell, Director of ReAgency...

  8. ABT Time Episode 57 - The Australia Story

    PART 2 OF THE 3 PART SERIES: In 2023 the country of Australia voted on THE INDIGENOUS VOICE REFERENDUM, a ballot initiative asking to approve an alteration to the Australian Constitution that would recognise Indigenous Australians in the document through prescribing a body called the Aboriginal…

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  9. ABT Time Episode 56 - The North Dakota Story

    PART 1 OF THE 3 PART SERIES: In 2014 the state of North Dakota voted on MEASURE 5, a ballot initiative asking to channel 5% of the state's oil and gas revenues into wildlife conservation activities. Proponents of the initiative spent $4 million which was more than double their opponents. It lost,...

  10. ABT Time Episode 55 - Our New DAY BT Training Program with our new ABT Quantifier, Hailey Woodworth

    By last year the time had come for a shift in our ABT training program. We ran Story Circles for 5 years until the pandemic forced us to shift from in-person to online training. Then last year we began getting the signals that people were growing tired of sitting in front of computer screens....

  11. ABT Time Episode 54 - It's about ACTION: Interview with John Roome, World Bank, about his ABT site visit videos

    John Roome is a World Bank director who took part in ousr ABT training program last year both at the retreat in Nepal in September then the full ABT Framework course in the fall. As he tells about in this interview, he heard the details on the ABT, asked some tough questions to "kick the tires,"...

  12. ABT Time Episode 53 - Time for a little ABT Psychodrama! (bring in the lawyers)

    A tremendous discussion with defense lawyer and ABT Narrative Gym book coauthor Doug Passon plus his trial lawyering collaborator Patrick Barone, Esq. about their use of "Psychodrama" in preparation for defending their clients. It's a great discussion of how they are both using the ABT and...

  13. ABT Time Episode 52 - Who Knew: Introducing the 6th Version of the Narrative Gym Book: MEDICINE

    Join Navid Ghaffari, M.D. (recent graduate of Harvard Medical School) and me as we tell about our great collaboration on the 7th chapter of the new book, along with the raves of long time ABT team member Julie Claussen. Turns out Navid already knew the ABT structure long ago, he just didn't know...

  14. ABT Time Episode 51 - Meet the New Structuralists: Ayla Fox and Devo Brown

    We've added a new position to the Working Circles element of the ABT Framework course. They're called Structuralists. Their role is to sit on the periphery of each Working Circle, muted most of the time, listening to make sure the group follows the basic structure for how to run the half hour...

  15. ABT Time Episode 50 - Legacy of Conquest: 5 Questions for Historian Patty Limerick as her Landmark Book turns 45, asked by my brother, Eric Olson.

    In 1987 Patty Limerick changed "the narrative" of the American West with her landmark book, "Legacy of Conquest," which painted a different portrait of the frontier from the traditional romantic notions of cowboys riding the range. My brother Eric was so deeply moved by the book that I suggested…

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  16. ABT Time Episode 49 - Can the ABT help with the upcoming Wild Fire Season? A discussion with Christy Brigham, National Park Service, and Alison Mims, U.S. Forest Service

    Christy Brigham of the National Park Service was a guest on one of our first episodes (our special about wildfire in the US West and Australia) and Alison Mims is a veteran of both Story Circles and the ABT Framework Course (which Christy also took). We talk about the upcoming wild fire season…

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  17. ABT Time Episode 48 - Marine biologist/ocean engineer Dr. Mark Patterson of Northeastern University (and Randy Olson's officemate 40 years ago) shares ABT insights and crazy stories of ocean exploration

    Once upon a time Randy Olson and Mark Patterson were officemates at Harvard and spent countless hours trying to make sense of how scientists communicate. It's a lotta years later. One became a superstar ocean engineer, biomechanics expert, and coral reef ecologist, the other ran off to Hollywood....

  18. ABT Time Episode 47 - AN ABT SYNTHESIS: Park Howell uses his 400th episode of his "Business of Story" podcast to summarize the ABT Framework to date

    Advertising executive and podcaster Park Howell has been part of our ABT group for a decade. He is currently one of the four guest lecturers in the ABT Framework course for over two years. For the 400th episode of his "Business of Story" podcast he went back through every episode where he…

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  19. ABT Time Episode 46 - An ABT Early Adopter for Undergrads: Emory University Geologist Dr. Tony Martin tells about his use of the ABT in his environmental science course for the past few years.

    Dr. Tony Martin began tweeting enthusiastically in 2018 about his use of the ABT with undergraduates. He had read the "Houston" book and set to work having students apply the ABT Framework throughout the semester. His work with them becomes another ABT Hotspot for us to study how it works at the...

  20. ABT Time Episode 45 - Brave New ABT World for 2023! Matthew and I discuss.

    My assistant-turned-colleague Matthew David and I discuss the break neck speed that 2023 has started out with for the ABT and us. From the World Bank in Asia to Pfizer globally we are now engaged in ABT training round the clock and all over the place. Which means this hour discussion between just...

  21. ABT Time Episode 44 - The Ultimate Arsch-Bombe: Our 5th and Newest version of The Narrative Gym (this time for science grad students and postdocs)

    Drs. Marlis Douglas, Keisha Bahr, and Randy Olson (the co-authors of our new book) discuss the origins of the new term BUT BOMB, the Matt Template (Heaven, Hell, Action), bored moms, and of course how the ABT Framework can save your life. PS - "Arsch-Bombe" is the German term for a "cannonball"...

  22. ABT Time Episode 43 - Dr. Juli Berwald: A Brave Scientist Talks About Her Love of Spinelessness

    Juli Berwald is the author of, "Spineless," a wonderful, captivating exploration of the gelatinous world of jellyfish presented with the backdrop of her journey from biological oceanographer to educational content creator to author. Juli Berwald https://www.juliberwald.com/...

  23. ABT Time Episode 42 - A DECADE OF NPS/ABT COLLABORATION: Guest Cari Kreshak, ABT Framework team member & Cultural and Natural Resources Learning Experience Coordinator for National Park Service talks ABT

    On Tuesday, August 2 at 11:00 PDT we will start the first of a series of 90 minute "Narrative Gym" sessions. The National Park Service is one of the four partner groups for this first round, so we've invited our ABT Framework team member from NPS, Cari Kreshak, to talk about our decade of...

  24. ABT Time Episode 41 - TEACHING THE ABT, PART TWO: Professors Alan Crivellaro (Cambridge U.), Robert Wilson (Syracuse U.), Andrew Petto (U. Wisconsin), and Tracy Ford (SUNY Genesee)

    This is our second installment as we are now "crowd-sourcing" the teaching of the ABT at universities. This group brings in professors of English, Geography, and Biology with a range of amazing practical applications of the ABT Framework with undergraduates and graduate students. Below are links…

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  25. ABT Time Episode 40 - The Story of Type One Diabetes: Activist Laura Pavlakovich Tells Us her Dobzhansky

    Laura Pavlakovich didn't even need to hear the end of the Dobzhansky template before she blurted, "Oh, I know my one word — it's COMMUNITY." Buried in the middle of this excellent episode is a wonderful (and pure ABT structured!) story Laura tells about meeting the mother of a Type One child.…

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  26. ABT Time Episode 39 - (former) King of the DHY, Zen Faulkes, talks about his new book, "Better Posters"

    DESCRIPTION: Dr. Zen Faulkes, longtime ABT fan and professor at McMaster University in Canada talks about his new book, "Better Posters: Plan, Design and Present an Academic Poster." Long ago I used the abstract of a paper he co-authored on parasitology as the "type specimen" for the DHY…

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  27. ABT Time Episode 38 - ABT REUNION TIME: 8 participants from the first round (of 25) of the ABT Framework Course

    Two years ago last month we pulled together the first 50 participants for the ABT Framework course. 25 rounds later, it was time to pull together 8 of them to discuss what they got out of the course and how they've used it. It's a great discussion and huge validation of the course. Yay! Randy…

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  28. ABT Time Episode 37 - Eccentric, Passionate, Dedicated: A tribute to fish biologists and legendarily funny ichthyologist Karel Liem, with Julie Claussen and Dr. Dana Ono

    Dr. Karel Liem (1935-2009) was the best of the best as ichthyologist, teacher, prankster and all-around good guy. Thankfully I managed to include him in "Flock of Dodos" where he told about having had 8 bypasses on his heart. Fisheries biologist Julie Claussen (and ABT course advisor) and Liem...

  29. ABT Time Episode 36 - Environmental Laugh Riot: Recent Harvard grad Lincoln Sorscher shares the thesis of his senior thesis on the existence (or not) of "environmental comedy" (w/special guest Rod Lamberts)

    A year ago, Harvard senior and great guy Lincoln Sorscher interviewed me for his undergraduate thesis titled, "Humor's Efficacy in Communicating Climate Change Messaging." I gave him such a jaundiced perspective he described my attitude as "self-admitted embitterment." Joining us in this…

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  30. ABT Time Episode 35 - The Four Horsemen of the ABT Apocalypse: SCIENCE (Randy Olson), BUSINESS(Park Howell), LAW (Doug Passon) and POLITICS (Dave Gold)

    Time to learn about THE PAUL BEGALA CHALLENGE: To change the thinking of Democrats from And, And, And thinking ("Programmatic Lists") to And, But, Therefore thinking (ABT Narrative Intuition). Randy Olson matches notes with the three co-authors of the "Narrative Gym" series of books for BUSINESS...

  31. ABT Time Episode 34 - "Arouse and Fulfill": Dr. Tom Hollihan, USC Annenberg School of Communication, 24 years after his iconic sound bite

    In 1998 Randy Olson interviewed Dr. Tom Hollihan of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism for his 20 minute video, "Talking Science: The Elusive Art of the Science Talk." He is the author of books on argumentation, media and politics, media diplomacy, political campaign...

  32. ABT Time Episode 33 - Spotting Stories with our UK buddies, Sarah Jane and David Pullan of Story Spotters

    Hallelujah, brothers and sisters, it's time for social hour in the Church of the ABT as we welcome fellow ABT worshippers David and Sarah Jane to the shrine of the holy IF/THEN for the sharing of a few parables of agreement, contradiction and consequence. The Story Spotters...

  33. ABT Time Episode 32 - Optimism Matters: Dr. Nancy Knowlton, originator of #OceanOptimism, #EarthOptimism and veteran ABT instructor talks relentless optimism with us

    Nearly 20 years ago senior coral reef ecologist Dr. Nancy Knowlton struck a note for optimism with her "Beyond the Obituaries" symposium for ocean conservation. She talks with us about the bigger Earth Optimism Summit in 2017 it led to with the Smithsonian and how her message of hope burns…

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  34. ABT Time Episode 31 - Adventures in Wrongness: David H. Freedman, Science Journalist (The Atlantic, Newsweek) and author of "Wrong," Discusses our False Positive Society

    David H. Freedman wrote the article, "Lies, Damned Lies and Medical Science" for The Atlantic in 2010 which is still used in epidemiology courses across the nation. He is our #1 favorite science journalist here at this podcast. He talks at length about false positives, pandemic mass…

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  35. ABT Time Episode 30 - Our New Book: "The Narrative Gym for Law," discussion with coauthor and defense lawyer, Doug Passon

    We are producing a series of books applying "The Narrative Gym" to different disciplines. BUSINESS was released in September with coauthor Park Howell. POLITICS will be released in January with coauthor Dave Gold. In this episode we discuss the current release of LAW with coauthor Doug Passon.…

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  36. ABT Time Episode 29 - South African Conservation Writer Adam Welz Tells how Wildlife Conservation and Climate Action are on a Collision Course

    Adam Welz is South African and a prolific nature writer, photographer and filmmaker whose work has appeared frequently in The Guardian and Yale 360. He speaks passionately in this discussion about the worldwide decline of freshwater fish diversity — the most threatened group of vertebrates. He…

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  37. ABT Time Episode 28 - UNCLENCHABLES 3: We Out-Smart Artificial Intelligence (kind of)

    Team Unclenchable (Randy Olson with Aussies Jen Martin, Jayde Lovell, and Rod Lamberts) holds its third assembly to discuss the future of humanity and our fate as eventual slaves to A.I., along with special guest surf photographer and part-time nuclear physicist-wannabe Brian Bielmann. Rod…

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  38. ABT Time Episode 27 - 180 Miles Out of Stonington: Maine Lobster Fisherman/Storyteller Brian Robbins

    30 years ago Randy Olson and "Cultural Liaison" Ed Leydecker filmed, "Salt of the Earth: A Journey to the Heart of Maine Lobster Fishermen," with Brian, Stevie, and Steve Robbins, Sr. Last year Stevie passed away at age 76. This is a conversation with Brian, Ed and Randy talking about lobster...

  39. ABT Time Episode 26 - Dr. Shirley Malcom, Legendary Voice for Equity, Inclusion, Diversity in Science

    Learn how Dr. Shirley Malcom and Dr. Randy Olson are "Parking Lot Soul Mates," as well as fellow Good Troublemakers. Randy Olson https://twitter.com/ABTagenda​ Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com​ Learn more about the ABT Framework Course: http://storycirclestraining.com/ Jen Martin...

  40. ABT Time Episode 25 - Veridicality: Cognitive psychologist Maryanne Garry tells the truth about false memories

    Dr. Maryanne Garry, Professor of Cognitive Psychology at University of Waikato in New Zealand talks to Randy and Jen about the teaching of psychology, neuro-skepticism, and and the results of the two Story Circles (narrative training) that they ran in 2019. Maryanne Garry...

  41. ABT Time Episode 24 - Pulitzer Prize-nominated Investigative/Environmental Writer Mark Dowie talks about "Losing Ground" and "The Haida Gwai Lesson"

    Randy Olson has a tremendous discussion with one of his all-time journalist heroes, Mark Dowie as they dive deep into the history of the American environmental movement (Mark's 1995 book "Losing Ground") then explore indigenous sovereignty with Mark's 2017 book, "The Haida Gwai Lesson: A…

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  42. ABT Time Episode 23 - Dos Actores Latinos: Veteran Actors (and ABT fans) Julie Carmen & Jose Angel Santana

    Actors Julie Carmen and Jose Angel Santana discuss everything from the intensity of Meisner acting training to working with Madonna to Julie's landmark performances in "Milagro Beanfield War," and "Gloria." Randy Olson https://twitter.com/ABTagenda​ Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com​…

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  43. ABT Time Episode 22 - World Climate Role Play: Dr. John Sterman & his Climate Interactive Event (plus The Fool)

    Dr. John Sterman of the M.I.T. Sloan Management School shares his CLIMATE INTERACTIVE World Climate Simulation group exercise that he's run with everyone from the UN to members of Congress to the COP Climate Conferences, but this time he's faced with a challenge — making it understandable to The...

  44. ABT Time Episode 21 - UNCLENCHABLES 2: KYSS - Keep Yer Slogan Simple, plus Machinist John Small

    Randy tries to draw lines of debate about slogans and terminology with Jen and Rod, but they step over his lines and say "we agree." Jayde never did disagree. Guest John Small tells about his years of work with Australian ocean scientists, manufacturing equipment for their research, and staging...

  45. ABT Time Episode 20 - CONFRONTING "DANGEROUS STUPIDITIES": Historian (Dr. Patty Limerick) meets Historical Ecologist (Dr. Jeremy Jackson) for an Epic Discussion

    Legendary coral reef ecologist Dr. Jeremy Jackson ended his landmark 1996 paper, "Reefs Since Columbus" by hoping he had "put to rest two dangerous stupidities." Legendary historian of the American West, Dr. Patty Limerick, begins this grand, synthetic discussion wishing she had coined that term...

  46. ABT Time Episode 19 - RAISING LIONS: Child Behaviorist and Story Circles Graduate Joe Newman

    Joe Newman, author of, "Raising Lions: The Art of Compassionate Discipline," long time surf buddy of Randy Olson, and a 2019 graduate of the Story Circles Narrative Training program talks about training PARENTS (not children). His hugely popular "protocol" is widely used and studied. Connections...

  47. ABT Time Episode 18 - The Makers of "WHITE RHINO" Surf Documentary: Brent Storm, director, and producers Julie Romaniuk, Brian Bielmann and Randy Olson

    The filmmakers, Brent Storm, director, and producers Julie Romaniuk, Brian Bielmann and Randy Olson, cover everything from story development with the ABT Narrative Template to bluebird conditions, French women, and making a film that kicks ass. Be sure to stay to the end so you can hear Brian get...

  48. ABT Time Episode 17 - Adventures in Visual Expression: Legendary film professor Bruce Block of USC School of Cinema Arts joined by Hollywood Directors Jason Ensler and Greg Tillman

    To talk "Bruce Block" in filmmaking means to discuss the 7 Elements of Visual Expression (space, line, shape, tone, color, movement, rhythm) in the creation of movies. Bruce is a living legend in Hollywood and has been teaching his iconic Visual Expression course at U.S.C. for 44 years. My film...

  49. ABT Time Episode 16 - Getting Down to Business: Park Howell, host of "The Business of Story" podcast, and I discuss our new book, "The Narrative Gym for Business."

    Eight years ago Park Howell discovered the ABT and thought it might be useful. It's now the centerpiece of all his communications training in the business world and he's become one of the core members of our team for the ABT Framework Course. All of which makes for a great discussion as we launch...

  50. ABT Time Episode 15 - Silo Busting with "The Janis Joplin of History" (Dr. Patty Limerick)

    We have the tool for bridging the cultural divide between different programs and departments of institutions and organizations (Silo Busting). In this episode we dive deep into this challenge with one of the all-time great Silo Explorers, historian, MacArthur Fellow and co-founder of the Center…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

All things ABT, start to finish. Host Dr. Randy Olson a decade ago formulated the ABT Narrative Template built around the three words And, But, Therefore. It is now the centerpiece of his books, "Houston, We Have A Narrative," "Narrative is Everything," and "The Narrative Gym." In this weekly hour long post he will discuss observations, applications and implications of this powerful tool that is at the core of his narrative training program and effective communication of all forms.

HOSTED BY

Randy Olson

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does ABT Time have?

ABT Time currently has 64 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is ABT Time about?

All things ABT, start to finish. Host Dr. Randy Olson a decade ago formulated the ABT Narrative Template built around the three words And, But, Therefore. It is now the centerpiece of his books, "Houston, We Have A Narrative," "Narrative is Everything," and "The Narrative Gym." In this weekly hour...

How often does ABT Time release new episodes?

ABT Time has 64 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to ABT Time?

You can listen to ABT Time on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts ABT Time?

ABT Time is created and hosted by Randy Olson.
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