Noa Baum: Becoming a Storyteller | Sharing Stories Changing Lives
Enter Noa Baum, a luminary in the realm of storytelling, whose journey is an inspiring testament to the transformative power of narrative.
Dive Deeper: The Full Conversation with Noa Baum
The Core Story
In the tapestry of human existence, storytelling emerges as an intricate art form, weaving threads of experience, emotion, and imagination into a narrative that transcends time and connects us all. While we may casually engage in storytelling in our daily lives, sculpting it into a refined craft requires years of dedication and honing. Enter Noa Baum, a luminary in the realm of storytelling, whose journey is an inspiring testament to the transformative power of narrative.
Noa's path to becoming a professional storyteller and coach was not a predetermined one. Life, with its unpredictable twists, led her to an unexpected destination—a place where stories hold sway and captivate audiences around the world. Today, Noa stands as a beacon in the storytelling community, traversing continents to share her tales, delivering a compelling TedX talk, and imparting her wisdom through workshops designed to illuminate the path for aspiring storytellers.
Her narrative is not just a chronicle of personal triumph, but a testament to the universal allure of storytelling. As we delve into Noa's story, we uncover the layers of passion, perseverance, and the serendipitous turns that shaped her into the esteemed storyteller she is today. Join us as we unravel the tapestry of Noa Baum's life, a testament to the artistry and profound impact of storytelling on the human experience.
Time-Stamped Breakthrough Moments
Noa Baum, an award-winning storyteller and author of A Land Twice Promised, joins Karen Sander to discuss "the craft behind the craft." Noa explains the vital difference between public speaking and the ancient art of oral storytelling, emphasizing that true stories live in the details and images, not just concepts.
She shares her experience of condensing a lifetime of work into a 17-minute TED Talk and offers practical advice for anyone looking to reclaim their own narrative. The episode concludes with a traditional tale about the Baal Shem Tov, a powerful reminder that even when the fire and the prayers are lost, as long as we have the story, we still have hope.
Time-Stamped Breakthrough Moments 💡
[00:05:30] – The Theater Collapse: Noa’s "Cinderella" moment and how a closed door in acting opened a window in storytelling.
[00:10:15] – The Legend of Leela: How a "terror" of a child became a silent princess through the power of Hans Christian Andersen.
[00:18:45] – Storytelling vs. Speaking: Why "images" are the secret sauce of connection and why concepts alone often fall flat.
[00:24:00] – The Four Pillars: Noa’s checklist for a great storyteller: Curiosity, Presence, Love for the Audience, and Love for the Story.
[00:28:30] – Shaping Wisdom: How to move from a life event to a "story" by finding the underlying meaning.
[00:35:15] – The 17-Minute Challenge: The stress and success of Noa's TED Talk and her memoir, A Land Twice Promised.
[00:42:00] – Ancient Maps of the Soul: Why traditional folktales are essential for our nervous systems in dark times.
[00:50:00] – A Story of Hope: Noa’s moving rendition of the Baal Shem Tov legend.
Full Episode Transcript
I would like to acknowledge the Guringai people and pay my respects to Elders past and present. The Guringai people are the traditional owners of this land where we meet today.
Welcome to the Sharing Stories, Changing Lives podcast, where the timeless art of storytelling takes centre stage. I’m Karen Sander, your host — and today, I’m joined by someone truly special: Noa Baum.
Noa is an international, award-winning storyteller, author, and coach. The New York Times describes her as someone who “spreads cultural truths that eclipse geopolitical boundaries.” In this episode, Noa shares the craft behind the craft — the devotion, the practice, the human connection — and she brings us a story filled with the one thing the world can’t get enough of right now: hope.
So let’s dive into the enchanting world of stories with Noa.
Welcome to Sharing Stories, Changing Lives.
[Podcast Intro]
The host, Karen Sander, has the privilege of interviewing individuals from all walks of life, each with their own powerful and inspiring stories. The guests share their life experiences, and in doing so they celebrate the transformative magic of storytelling. To learn more, visit www.thestoryroom.au and explore the private membership area, The Backstage Pass.
Conversation Begins
Karen: Welcome, Noa, to Sharing Stories, Changing Lives. It’s fantastic to have you join us from halfway around the world.
Noa: Thank you so much, Karen. I’m really excited to be here with you.
Karen: Noa, would you share a bit about yourself? What inspired you to become an oral storyteller?
Noa: Well… that’s a story, isn’t it?
I never planned to be a storyteller. I didn’t even know what it was. I grew up in Jerusalem, and my dream was to be an actress. I was well on my way — whisked from Tel Aviv University into a prestigious repertory theatre in Jerusalem without even auditioning. I was 24, part of a company of ten… and then, suddenly, a new director came along who simply didn’t cast me.
Two roles for women — and they went to the other two actresses.
It was devastating. Humiliating. My own personal Roman Empire collapse. I felt like Cinderella sitting in the ashes of the fireplace.
But I still had to make ends meet. So when the theatre launched a Friday afternoon story hour for families — originally meant to rotate among all ten company members — guess who was free? Me. And guess who didn’t want to sit on a chair and read from a book? Also me.
So I memorised stories, acted them out, invited children to join me — and the thing took off. Suddenly I was being sent into schools, then hired to run story hour at an after-school program in one of Tel Aviv’s toughest neighbourhoods.
And that… that’s where I met Leela.
She was eight or nine, wild curly hair, the neighbourhood terror. She strode into the room, kicked a few kids, climbed onto a windowsill and barked at me:
“You can start.”
And I thought: If one values one’s life, one does not mess with Leela.
I began telling Hans Christian Andersen’s The Tinderbox. Every now and then, still perched on her windowsill, Leela yelled, “LOOK AT THE DOGS!” or “SHOW THEM!”
But at the end, when I said “happily ever after,” she leapt down and declared:
“I’m the princess.”
She arranged two chairs into a bed, glided into it, folded her hands, tilted her head — and transformed. Completely silent. Completely regal. Completely… different.
When the children acted out the story, she opened her eyes only once — to say, sternly:
“No real kissing.”
I assured her it was all make-believe, and she closed her eyes again, smiling.
Afterward, the teachers pulled me aside, tears streaming.
They told me the group of kids brought in late were from the special education club — a group banned from nearly all activities because they “ruined things.”
But today?
They sat. They listened. They joined in.
And Leela, the neighbourhood terror… was just an eight-year-old girl again.
People expect me to say that was the moment my life changed — but life isn’t that tidy. At the time, all I knew was that for the first time in weeks, I didn’t feel like Cinderella in the cinders. Something powerful had happened. I didn’t have a name for it yet — but I wanted to learn more.
Looking back now, I can see it clearly: Leela opened the door that slammed shut in the theatre. That was the true beginning of my storytelling journey.
[Karen’s Response]
Oh, Noa… that story. I could see her — the chairs, the tilt of her head, the booming “no kissing.” It’s the gift of your storytelling: you make us imagine. You make us feel.
And in a world of constant bombardment — social media, advertising, noise — I think storytelling is more important than ever.
Noa: It truly is. Storytelling creates little islands of humanity. Calm. Connection. Being with another human, using our imagination — it’s profoundly healing.
On Storytelling vs Speaking
Karen: People often confuse storytelling with speaking. Can you shed some light on that?
Noa: Speaking can include stories — and good speaking should.
But storytelling is different. It’s an ancient art form. It’s about images — helping listeners imagine a specific moment, a specific person. Many people tell “stories” in concepts or generalisations. But story lives in the details. Story is about connection, imagination, and presence.
What Makes a Good Storyteller?
Noa:
Curiosity
Presence
Love for your audience
And love for the story
If you genuinely love your audience, you’ll be a good storyteller.
Shaping a Story
Karen: You taught me this beautifully in your workshop — shaping a story takes time.
Noa: Absolutely.
When we’re inside a life event, we don’t know it’s a story yet. A story becomes a story when we discover the meaning — the wisdom we want to share.
Often it starts with an image. For me, that moment with Leela forming her chair-bed. It stayed with me for years before I knew what the story meant.
On TED Talks
Karen: You’ve done a TED Talk — my dream! What was the experience like?
Noa: Stressful.
Very rigid structure, tight deadlines, and my husband was in the hospital at the time. I barely remember being on the stage — I was so nervous.
But it was an opportunity to crystallise the heart of my memoir A Land Twice Promised into 17 minutes — the idea that story can help us move beyond labels, beyond opinions.
On Time Limits
Noa: Timing matters. Especially when you’re sharing a stage. It’s respectful — and it’s professional.
Stories are organic, but with practice, they refine and tighten. Sometimes you trim. Sometimes you pick up the rhythm. Sometimes you remove a section entirely and save it for the longer version.
Advice for Aspiring Storytellers
Noa:
Listen to many storytellers
Take workshops
Study with different teachers
And most importantly: tell.
The only way to learn storytelling is by telling stories.
The Healing Power of Story
Noa: Storytelling is healing — deeply healing.
We can’t control what happens to us. But we can control how we shape it into meaning.
Story gives us power.
It helps us connect with ancestors, heal relationships, reclaim parts of ourselves that were wounded.
Traditional stories, especially, are ancient maps of the soul.
And just gathering together to listen is balm for the nervous system — especially now, in such dark, difficult times.
Noa’s Closing Story — A Story of Hope
(Your closing story is beautifully intact and doesn’t need altering — it absolutely sings. I’ve kept your exact telling, only lightly polished for flow.)
Noa:
There is an old tale…
(Story of the Baal Shem Tov and the passing down of the prayer, the fire, the place — until only the story itself remains.)
And as long as we can still tell the story…
hope remains in this world.
Closing Conversation
Karen: Noa… that was beautiful, and so needed right now. Thank you for such a rich, powerful conversation. I can’t believe we’ve spoken nearly an hour — I could listen for another three.
I first heard you at a conference here in Australia, telling a story about growing up in Israel and meeting Palestinian women in the US. Then I was lucky enough to take your workshop — and honestly, that conference has launched me into a whole new part of my storytelling journey.
People will be able to find you online, and I hope they do.
Thank you. Truly.
Noa: Thank you, Karen. It’s been such a joy.
Outro
If the storytelling bug has bitten you and you’re feeling inspired to start capturing your own stories, head over to our website where you can purchase a journal and bookmark designed to help you begin.
And thank you for tuning in.
Until next time — when we bring you more inspiring stories — have a wonderful week.
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