Tag: writing

In Action

Workshop Recap: Staying Cool, Calm, and Collected—In the Saddle and in Communication

At a recent Pony Club rally preparation workshop, riders and parents gathered for a one-hour communications session led by Stephanie Threinen, founder of Cool, Comms, Collected. Designed for participants ages 8 to 18 and their families, the workshop focused on helping riders communicate with professionalism, courtesy, and confidence—skills that are essential when interacting with judges during both riding classes and Horse Management inspections. In Pony … Continue reading Workshop Recap: Staying Cool, Calm, and Collected—In the Saddle and in Communication

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Musings

Author John W. Howell and the Journey of Storytelling

A highlight of local author John W. Howell, who shared his creative journey as a featured guest a 3Cs storytelling workshop. After a long business career, John reinvented himself as a writer, publishing eight novels. During the workshop, he discussed how storytelling follows the Hero’s Journey—a model that mirrors our own lives and personal growth. His message reminded everyone that storytelling isn’t just about fiction—it’s about finding meaning, connection, and self-understanding in everyday life. Continue reading Author John W. Howell and the Journey of Storytelling

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In Action

Workshop Recap: Communication Takes Center Stage

As theater students at a private high school in downtown Austin, Texas prepared for their upcoming competition season in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) One Act Play Division, they recently took time to strengthen a skill that is just as important as memorizing lines or hitting stage marks: communication. Stephanie Threinen, founder of Cool, Comms, Collected, led an interactive workshop with … Continue reading Workshop Recap: Communication Takes Center Stage

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In Action

Immersive Storytelling with Mythologie Candles

When I set the lights low and place a flickering Mythologie Candle on the table during our Cool, Comms, Collected (3Cs) storytelling workshop, something quietly shifts in the room. The scent we’re burning is called Garden Party—but the real magic isn’t in the fragrance alone. It’s in the story the candle invites you to step into. I ask everyone to close their eyes while I … Continue reading Immersive Storytelling with Mythologie Candles

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In Action

Discovering Curiosity with OuiSi: Finding the Familiar in the Unfamiliar

Curiosity starts with seeing things differently. In our first Cool, Comms, Collected workshop, we used the visual connection game OuiSi to spark new ways of thinking, laughing, and learning together. What started as a simple matching game became a powerful reminder that curiosity isn’t about having answers — it’s about being open to what we don’t know. Continue reading Discovering Curiosity with OuiSi: Finding the Familiar in the Unfamiliar

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In Action

Finding Connection Through Storytelling with Synapsis

This post explores how the storytelling game Synapsis by Storymatic is used in Cool, Comms, Collected workshops to help participants strengthen their communication and creativity skills. Through a fun, collaborative process of building sentences and stories from random prompts, players learn to listen, adapt, and express themselves — key elements of effective communication. The post explains that storytelling is more than entertainment; it’s an ancient human tool for connection and understanding. By embracing the “Yes, and…” mindset from improv, participants discover how to build on one another’s ideas with curiosity instead of judgment. The game serves as a bridge across generations, reminding us that everyone has a story worth telling — sometimes all it takes is one spark to start the conversation. Continue reading Finding Connection Through Storytelling with Synapsis

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