Ep 65 – Storytelling In Teaching & Learning MI
Talking To Change - A Motivational Interviewing PodcastShow Notes
Storytelling In Teaching & Learning MI
Glenn and Sebastian warmly welcomed Steven Malcolm Berg-Smith to the podcast for a discussion on the use of Storytelling In Teaching & Learning MI. For over 30 years, Steve has worked as a behavior change counselor, health educator, drug & alcohol prevention specialist, and researcher. He currently has a private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area as a certified motivational interviewing (MI) trainer, consultant, coach & mentor.
A member of the International Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) since 1994, Steve has conducted over 1200 MI workshops and presentations throughout the US and internationally. He has served as a “trainer of trainers” for MINT and collaborated in the design of MI-inspired behavior change intervention protocols for numerous national clinical research trials. He has authored a manual on the “The Art of Teaching Motivational Interviewing,” along with several frequently cited articles on how to use motivation-enhancing tools and strategies to support adolescents and adults in making positive lifestyle changes.
Episode index:
Storytelling in Motivational Interviewing training
Steven Malcolm Berg-Smith explores storytelling in the teaching and learning of Motivational Interviewing. Drawing on decades of MI training, he discusses how stories, metaphors and cliffhangers can make learning memorable while helping practitioners connect MI principles with real conversations.
The episode also explores moving from interrogating to evoking, working with people who may not yet see a reason for change and understanding ambivalence without relying on labels. These themes connect with Open Questions, Empowerment and Developing and Implementing MI.
In this episode
00:00 – Opening and episode preview
04:18 – Steve’s early MI story: From interrogating to evoking
14:55 – Steve meets Bill Miller in a role play
27:00 – Steve’s wife encourages him to tell stories
35:30 – The use of cliffhangers in training
46:00 – How to work with someone who is in “pre-contemplation”
54:20 – Can ambivalence be resolved: “The chick that chews”
67:45 – Looking towards retirement
70:32 – End of episode
Contact information:
Website: www.berg-smithtraining.com
Listen to Episode 65
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