Silver Spring Toastmasters--you, too, may find the science-based information and practical suggestions of this blog entry, "What listening to a story does to our brains," interesting and helpful. And check out some of the other works recommended by those who comment.
Speaking of storytelling: Thank you, Eldon, Merlyn, and Clarence--storytellers par excellence--for calling up and sharing insights from your personal public-speaking journeys with us in "The Power of the Spoken Word" Q&A. And thank you, Pauline, for all the thought you put into making this an evocative and valuable experience for all. We need to do it again!