About The Narrative Method
Founded by therapist Shari Foos, The Narrative Method is a California-based 501c3 nonprofit organization addressing the epidemic of loneliness using creative expression to build human connection. Approaching our 10-year anniversary, The Narrative Method's mission is more relevant than ever. Thousands of individuals, from across the country and from all walks of life, join The Narrative Method to create freely and connect deeply - with themselves and each other.
About The Narrative Method
OUR VISION
OUR MISSION
The Narrative Method uses creative programs, products and partnerships to build personal agency and community understanding for a more united world.
To inspire radical human expression and connection for all.
OUR PROGRAMS
THE 12 CORE CONCEPTS
OUR JOURNEY
OUR FOUNDER
Shari Foos is the founder of The Narrative Method, an award-winning 501C3 that addresses the crisis of loneliness by connecting people through their stories and creative expression. Now in its 12th year, TNM offers numerous online groups open to all as well as programs for underserved communities including veterans, youth in crises and mature adults.
Ms. Foos is a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in California and New York. She earned an MS in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University (2012) and her MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles (1997), where she founded BRIDGE in 1999, a free humanities program for low-income adults, and where she is also an adjunct professor. She is the recipient of the New Directions for Veterans Community Hero Award (2015) and The Antioch University Los Angeles Lifetime Achievement Award (2016). Ms. Foos serves on the board of the City Kids Foundation and has served as a judge for Gold Humanism in Medicine since 2014. Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, Shari was a television writer, punk-rock singer and the creator of cutting-edge salons and events.
As a sought-after expert on the subjects of relationships, loneliness and meaningful connection, Foos’ writing and commentary have appeared in a range of online and print publications and podcasts, including Real Simple, Huffington Post, Women’s Health, KBLA, Fatherly, Thrive Global, Shondaland, The LA Weekly, Sparks & Honey Culture Briefings, Body Green, Sondership and Bustle.
OUR TEAM
Micah Greenberg
The Narrative Method’s Executive Director & Creative Officer, Micah Greenberg (he/him), worked for more than a decade in creative and marketing leadership roles at The Atlantic, NPR and National Public Media before launching his consulting career. Deeply involved in LA’s nonprofit and arts communities, Micah’s a volunteer consultant with Executive Service Corps and co-owner of Kensington Presents. He holds a BA from Brown University in Media Studies and Creative Writing.
Dana Reynolds
Dana Reynolds (she/her) is The Narrative Method’s Program & Development Manager who believes in the power of groups. Her diverse background as a school counselor, theater director and performer, and events coordinator express her love of building community through the arts. Dana holds an M.ED. in School Counseling from Lewis & Clark College, and BA in Arts and Humanities from Michigan State University.
Nunyala Sogbo
Based in NYC, Nunyala (she/they) is one of The Narrative Method’s Assistant Facilitators whose art practice is rooted in subaltern art and cultural history preservation. Actively involved in grassroots and youth-centered programs, they work across various social justice organizations as a teaching artist, moderator, and curator. Nunyala holds a BA from New York University in Creative Art Therapy with a concentration in decoloniality. You can read more of their work on their weekly newsletter, ‘truths & tales’, where they offer artful reflections on the worlds that make us, break us, and recreate us.
OUR BOARD
Richard Foos
Richard Foos has been in the entertainment business for over forty-five years starting with a small record store named Rhino Records, and eventually growing it into the well-known audio label with well over $100 million dollars in annual revenue. Rhino was sold in 1998 to Time Warner after which Foos and his partners started Shout! Factory, with Richard as its Chief Executive Officer. Founded in 2001, Shout! is a preeminent independent home video company, producing and distributing classic and new television and films.
Bob Johnson
Bob (“BJ”) is a Los Angeles-based entertainment attorney, producer, and civic activist. In addition to practicing law, he is a Peabody Award-winning film producer with Spike Lee, and a former senior music executive for Atlantic Records. Bob is co-founder and chair of the board of directors of LA Works - Los Angeles’ largest volunteer agency. His law practice includes representation of prominent athletes and artists in film, music, and art. He is a graduate of Occidental College, UCLA Anderson School of Management and UCLA School of Law, respectively.
Lisa Ann Markuson
Lisa Ann Markuson is the founder and Chief Poetic Officer of Ars Poetica. With 12+ years of experience in cultural diplomacy, a freelancer, indie event producer, journalist, curator, social media executive, yoga teacher, certified tour guide, and CEO, her inclusive and sustainable business now celebrates the multitalented nature of her artists through her creative entertainment agency, Ars Poetica. Through her work, Lisa Ann has produced, performed, and curated events for The Smithsonian, The Chilean Embassy, Macy’s, Google, Twitter, Facebook, Bowery Poetry Club, Bloomberg, Women’s Wear Daily, The New School, The City of Sacramento, USC’s Pacific-Asia Museum, and countless more. She focuses her skills on growing feminist, egalitarian, cooperative, and futurist ventures that capitalize on her unique ability to “make something from nothing” and use language arts to create a more bountiful, equitable, and empathetic world.
Laurie Meadoff
Laurie Meadoff is CEO of Laurie Inc. and Team, a company designed to innovate, connect, and activate brands and media from around the world. With extensive experience in executive production, resourceful collaboration and strategic planning, Laurie masterfully uses her vast network to build bridges and devise projects with significant and resounding societal influence.
Elizabeth Philipose, Ph. D
Elizabeth Philipose, Ph.D., has been an educator in universities in two countries for over twenty years. She teaches courses about globalization, coloniality, social justice, ecological consciousness, and decolonial feminism. She has published articles on international human rights, the laws of war, the politics of pain, transnational friendships, and sacred pedagogies. She is trained as a movement chaplain and spiritual therapist, and works with people to support their social justice advocacy. Her abiding passion is always with the people and projects that transform, heal, and inspire us to recognize our inseparability from the whole and be positive stewards of this precious life.
Robert Sherman
Robert F Sherman Ph.D. works as a consultant to foundations and nonprofits in areas of education reform, youth development and leadership, and civic engagement. His particular interest is in bringing isolated yet related perspectives and favored strategies into productive alignment for greater impact.
Steven Tate
Steven Tate is a Los Angeles-based fractional CMO, growth marketing executive, writer, technologist, and startup advisor. Leading marketing efforts for multiple venture-backed consumer tech startups and e-commerce brands, he's achieved significant revenue growth over almost two decades. As founder and chief creative officer of Rank & File, he crafts authentic brand stories and identifies true competitive advantages for brands. A mentor in building top-notch marketing organizations, he prioritizes empathy and tackling the most difficult challenges in today's AI-disrupted landscape. As a board member of The Narrative Method, he hopes to help build a global online community combating loneliness through therapeutic creative writing.
Zamba
Award-winning Ugandan-American performing artist, cultural innovator, Poet, and educator who uses indigenous Afro beats and hip-hop elements for cross-cultural connection. He is the founder of the Storytellers Academy Uganda, a Co-founder of Nsimbi a crosscultural Music Duo, and the Swahili Nation Network LA. He is currently CEO of Baboon Forest Entertainment a media company and independent music label.
TNM & SHARI IN THE PRESS
Desert Living Now NBC Palm Springs | The Street | Huffington Post | Psych Talk | Canyon News | Diverse Minds | Bustle |