Tedx Talks — It's All in the Story

Frank Sesno '77, whose resume includes but is not limited to “Director of School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University,” “CNN White House correspondent” and “Middlebury graduate,” introduced a theme that would come to pervade many of the presentations to follow: the power of the story.

“I think the four most important words in the English language are ‘once upon a time,’” he said. With 30 years of experience in journalism behind him, Sesno has learned about the potential impact of the story on both a widespread and personal level.

However, the media’s potential often goes unfulfilled. Sesno pointed out that while YouTube sensations such as “Charlie Bit My Finger” often attract more attention than coverage of natural disasters does.

Sesno challenged audience members to do better. “I’ve had the unbelievable pleasure to see stories, to listen to stories, to write stories and here’s what I’ve realized: I’m in a story,” he said. He encouraged people to use their own stories — those lived and retold —  to reshape the world. “Through that story, others will follow you and be inspired by you, and you truly can change things.”