Talking Stories
Talking Stories
Capturing life’s stories before they are forgotten
Behavioural Problem Framing, Behavioural Analysis, Behaviour Change Design
Turning story capture into a common activity for everyone.
Bringing people together through storytelling
About Talking Stories
Talking Stories know that every story has the power to connect and enrich lives. The mission is bold: to ensure no important life story is forgotten. To make storytelling not just an activity but a daily habit that spans generations, creating a tapestry of personal histories that brings families closer together and preserve legacies.
Crafting connections
Project Overview
Talking Stories was changing. The pivoted from using their journalism skills to interview and package client stories to something more scalable. But the business faced with the challenge of engaging users more consistently with questions around how to build a storytelling and capture digital platform. Talking Stories collaborated with us for a deep dive into the heart of storytelling. Our goal was to uncover the emotional and cognitive barriers preventing users from engaging with the platform and to devise strategies that would integrate storytelling into the rhythm of daily life.
"People and communities are preserved through their stories."
Sam Regi, Founder of Talking Stories
Storytelling takes on a different role as we age
Context and Background
Talking Stories offers a unique platform for capturing and sharing personal legacies but noticed a gap in regular user engagement. Storytelling, while valued, often felt too overwhelming to begin or maintain. Our challenge was to transform storytelling from a daunting task into an enjoyable and habitual practice, appealing to both younger users who don’t think about capturing their stories in more depth and older generations who treasure legacy.
The art of beginning earlier
The journey of a thousand stories begins with a single step. For many users, the first step onto the Talking Stories platform was the hardest. Emotional vulnerability and the perceived effort required to tell a story were significant barriers. Our mission was to simplify this beginning, making it as inviting and effortless as possible. So that with each life event, Talking Stories is there.
Storytelling as a habit
Challenge
Talking Stories had a few key obstacles that were holding users back from fully engaging. First, there were emotional barriers. Users were hesitant to share their personal stories because they worried about reliving intense memories or how their stories might be received by others. This emotional weight made it hard for people to start.
Procrastination was another challenge. Many users felt that storytelling required too much time and effort, so they kept putting it off, sometimes indefinitely. Younger users, in particular, didn’t think about capturing their thoughts and feelings during significant moments, like before starting university. For them, storytelling wasn’t a natural habit beyond the quick capture of Instagram and TikTok.
The platform also lacked immediate rewards. Without quick feedback or a sense of accomplishment after sharing a story, users didn’t feel motivated to keep going. The absence of this immediate gratification made it harder for them to see the long-term value.
Finally, there was the challenge of bridging the generational gap. Talking Stories needed to appeal to both younger users, who might not yet see the value in documenting their lives, and older users, who were eager to preserve their legacies but could be intimidated by the technology. Creating a platform that worked for both groups required careful attention to their different needs.
Obstacles to storytelling
Implementation
Unpicking the challenge
We started by diving into the lives of Talking Stories users. Using our Behavioural Problem Framing Canvas, we quickly uncovered the core issue: the emotional weight of storytelling, paired with the perceived effort, was keeping users from engaging. Sharing personal stories felt more like a burden than a rewarding activity.
Researching what drives—and blocks—storytelling
Through detailed research using The Drive Grid and Behavioural Research Planner, we identified the key drivers and barriers. Users needed a judgment-free space to feel safe enough to share. Many delayed storytelling, seeing it as a daunting task. However, seeing others share their stories encouraged more participation, showing the power of community. For older users, the desire to leave a legacy was strong, but they often didn’t know where to begin.
These insights shaped our approach, guiding us toward solutions that made storytelling easier, more inviting, and part of everyday life.
Getting more personal and direct
Solution
We focused on creating a more personal, approachable experience that removed the behavioural barriers to storytelling.
Personalised Onboarding
We designed an onboarding process that immediately made users feel welcomed. By asking a few simple questions about their interests and experiences, we tailored their first interactions with the platform, making it feel more personal and less intimidating.
Social Proof and Community
To build trust and reduce vulnerability, we showcased stories from other users. This feature highlighted the diversity and richness of experiences on the platform, helping users feel part of a larger community and encouraging them to share their own stories.
Monthly Reflection Prompts
We introduced gentle, monthly reminders that encouraged users to reflect on their recent experiences. Integrated with their calendars, these prompts aimed to make storytelling a natural, routine habit, rather than an occasional task.
Multimedia Storytelling
To make the process more dynamic and accessible, we added features that allowed users to upload photos, videos, and voice notes. This made storytelling easier and more engaging by tapping into familiar behaviours from platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Timely Prompts to Reduce Procrastination
We implemented thoughtful reminders designed to meet users where they were—acknowledging busy schedules and encouraging small, manageable steps in their storytelling journey.
Buddy System for Accountability
To add a layer of social accountability, we introduced a feature that allowed users to invite friends or family to join them. This created shared storytelling experiences, offering both motivation and support throughout the journey.
Storytelling Reimagined
Our collaboration with Talking Stories exemplifies how thoughtful behavioural design can position a startup strong. By removing barriers and making storytelling a natural part of daily life, we’ve created a space where users feel connected to their own stories and the broader human experience.
What’s Next
Building on this success, Talking Stories is excited to expand these features and explore new ways to enrich storytelling with it’s new upcoming platform.
“This work has been incredibly valuable to us. We're at a pivotal moment where we have the reins to truly shape and develop something meaningful. The strategies provided are not only insightful but will serve as a crucial foundation for developing our product and platform. Having these strategies in place gives us the clarity and direction we need to move forward with confidence."
Sam Regi, Founder of Talking Stories
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Lauren Alys Kelly
Jessica McKenna
Vicky Onsea
Naomi Rajir
Jessica Sjölander
Usman Sahid
Ching-Feng See
