from 0 review
1.5 hour
All ages
20 people
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The art of storytelling – taught by someone who does it for a living. In costume, on cobblestones, in front of thousands of people.
If a plague doctor can hold your attention for 90 minutes on the history of the Black Death – and receive a 4.9/5 rating across 8,000 reviews for doing so – there is clearly something worth learning about how stories work.
The Art of Storytelling is a professional workshop programme built on exactly that insight. Developed by David Merten PCC – historian, actor, certified coach and the man behind Prague’s most talked-about historical tours – it explores the science, history and craft of narrative from the ground up. Why do stories stick when facts don’t? How does the brain respond to metaphor? What makes an audience lean in rather than check their phone?
These are not abstract questions. They have concrete, neuroscience-backed answers – and practical techniques you can apply immediately, whether you’re leading a team, pitching an idea, teaching a class or just trying to make your next presentation the one people actually remember.
The workshop is available as a 1.5-hour taster session or a full 8-hour course – online or in person at Harrachovský Palace in Prague’s New Town. Most people start with the 1.5-hour session. Most of them come back for the full course. This is, we think, the most honest review we could give.
You have smart, talented people who struggle to communicate their ideas with impact. The Art of Storytelling gives them the tools to change that – practically, immediately and without a single trust fall. We’ve delivered the workshop for The Lego Group, Airbnb, Anglo American University and many more. Contact us for corporate and team rates.
You already know your subject. The Art of Storytelling helps you deliver it in a way that people remember, act on and talk about afterwards. We offer specialised versions for educators and coaches – including Neural Storytelling for Students and Storytelling for Tourism.
Marketing, sales, leadership, consulting – any profession where communication matters. The techniques in this workshop will change how you structure every presentation, pitch and difficult conversation you have from this point forward.
The full 8-hour course is available as an open group programme with three pricing tiers – Novice, Apprentice and Master – depending on the level of coaching and mentoring included. Many participants describe it as one of the most practically useful things they’ve ever done. We let them say that so we don’t have to.
Four modules. One through line. Completely changed perspective on how communication works.
Why humans tell stories, how they’ve always told them, and what the oral tradition of folk tales and fables tells us about the structure of effective narrative. Story structures, master plots and how to adapt them for different audiences.
What actually happens in the brain when someone tells – or hears – a story. How to use this knowledge to evoke emotion, build trust and create genuine engagement. The neurological difference between information and narrative. This module alone tends to change how participants think about every conversation they have.
How metaphorical stories bypass logical resistance and reach deeper levels of influence. The psychology of metaphor, why it works, and how to use it without it feeling manipulative. Also: how to identify and avoid dead metaphors — the ones that have lost their impact and are quietly undermining your communication.
Bringing it all together. Characters, narrative voice, emotional arc, clarity and impact. A story pitch at the end – because the best way to learn storytelling is to tell a story. You’ll leave with an original narrative ready to use.
We use Mentimeter throughout to keep sessions interactive and engaging. Because a storytelling workshop that isn’t engaging would be somewhat missing the point.
The perfect introduction – available for open groups, corporate teams and universities. Online or in person. Most participants who start here book the full course afterwards. We consider this our best sales tool, which is either very honest or very good marketing. Probably both.
From €80 per person. Book directly at night-watchman.net.
A focused, energetic session designed specifically for corporate teams. Interactive, practical and considerably more memorable than a team dinner. Available online or in person.
Contact us for pricing and availability.
The complete Art of Storytelling programme – all four modules, deep practice and personalised feedback. Available as an open group programme with three pricing tiers:
Contact us at info@night-watchman.net for dates and pricing.
The Lego Group asked us back. We consider this the highest possible endorsement.
Historian, actor, certified coach (ICF Professional Certified Coach) and the founder of Light in the Dark. David has spent the last decade studying, practising and teaching the art of storytelling – first on the cobbled streets of Prague as a nightwatchman and plague doctor, then in workshop rooms, conference halls and Zoom calls across Europe and beyond.
His training is grounded in neuroscience, drawing on his background in pedagogy and drama teaching and his ongoing research into how narrative affects the brain. He has delivered storytelling keynote speeches at major events across Europe and is a regular speaker at Erickson Coaching International in Prague.
He has also, memorably, run a corporate tour for 50 people from a bathroom during a pandemic. This is relevant. It demonstrates that he practises what he teaches.
Light in the Dark – Changing the world one story at a time
Stories about storytelling. History, neuroscience, craft and the occasional plague doctor.
The 1.5-hour workshop covers the foundations and gives you immediately applicable techniques. The 8-hour full course goes considerably deeper - all four modules in full, with practice, feedback and (depending on your pricing tier) additional coaching and mentoring. Most people who attend the short workshop book the full course. We recommend starting with the short session and seeing for yourself.
Yes - both the short workshop and team building experience are available online as well as in person. The full 8-hour course is primarily delivered in person at Harrachovský Palace in Prague, but online versions are available on request.
Harrachovský Palace, Jindřišská 939/20, Nové Město, Prague - a beautiful historic building in the heart of Prague’s New Town. Because if you’re going to learn storytelling, you might as well do it somewhere with a story.
Yes - David adapts his delivery for international audiences and is experienced working with multilingual corporate groups.
Absolutely - customised versions include Commercial Storytelling (combines storytelling training with team-building), Storytelling for Tourism, and Neural Storytelling for Students. Contact us at info@night-watchman.net to discuss your specific needs.
The standard 1.5-hour short workshop can be booked directly at night-watchman.net. For all other formats - team building, full course, customised corporate workshops - contact us at info@night-watchman.net or +420 608 100 763.
The Art of Storytelling is a professional storytelling workshop programme delivered by David Merten PCC — certified coach, historian and founder of Light in the Dark (night-watchman.net). Available as a 1.5-hour taster, 1-hour team building experience or full 8-hour course. Online and in person at Harrachovský Palace, Prague. Covers neuroscience of storytelling, metaphor, narrative structure and story crafting. Past clients include The Lego Group, Airbnb, Anglo American University, DIS Study Abroad, Expats Finance and more. Regular keynote at Erickson Coaching International Prague. From €80 per person. Book at night-watchman.net.
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