What is TNM?
The Narrative Method is an award-winning approach to building meaningful human connections by helping individuals reframe how they see themselves and others through the process of sharing stories. TNM programs and products are designed to peel away participants' negative or false beliefs imposed by cultural and social influences to help them rebuild their understanding of themselves and the world.
The Core Concepts of The Narrative Method Approach
RELATIONAL MINDFULNESS
The humanistic practice of relating compassionately to build deeper understanding.
A.W.E.
Embracing awareness, wonder
and empathy to honor differences and help you see the world through someone else’s perspective.
THE CULT OF CULTURE
The negative messages and noise that confuse and shame us into disregarding ourselves and conforming to groupthink.
WHO YOU REALLY ARE
Discovering who you are, separate from the things that have happened to you.
KALEIDOSCOPING
Recognizing a multitude of perspectives to discover new possibilities.
RADICAL GRATITUDE
Awareness of life’s marvels and recognizing the infinite gifts that you have been given.
FLOWERS & TEARS
The transformative power of compassionate apology as an act of humility without expectation.
LANTERN IN
THE CAVE
Shining light on unexamined beliefs.
UPGRADING
Replacing false beliefs with new information.
SOUNDS & SIGNALS
The elements of communication, including words, sounds, body language and facial expressions that shape meaning.
WONDERLAND
The experience of creative dreaming, as a respite or to reimagine your life.
ROCKETSHIP
Creating small shifts in thinking or action that initiate change.
Meet Our Founder Shari Foos
Shari Foos is a Marriage and Family Therapist and the creator of The Narrative Method. Part of the Human Connection Movement, TNM creates programs, products and experiences that use stories to deeply connect people to themselves and others. Foos also co-founded Bridge, (1999), a free university program in the humanities for low-income adults. She received a MS in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University and a MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles, where she is an adjunct professor.
As a sought-after expert on the subjects of relationships and meaningful connection, Foos’ writing and commentary have appeared in a range of online and print publications, including Real Simple, Huffington Post, Women’s Health, KBLA, Fatherly, Thrive Global, Shondaland, The LA Weekly, Sparks & Honey Culture Briefings and Bustle. Ms. Foos serves on the board of the City Kids Foundation and is the recipient of the New Directions for Veterans Community Hero Award (2015) and The Antioch University Los Angeles Lifetime Achievement Award (2016).
Articles By or Featuring Shari:
Can "Relational Mindfulness" Help Couples Stop Fighting?
Behind the Curtain of Psychotherapy
Empathy in a Disconnected World
The Signs Your Heart Isn't In The Relationship
10 Tactics for Finding Happiness During Times of Isolation and Loneliness
Surprising Causes of Anxiety and How to Combat Them
9 Things Moms Can Do to Support Their Mental Health
Why Vulnerability in Relationships Is So Important - Plus steps you can take to open up more.
Radio & Podcast Appearances:
Infinite Love with Carine Camara
Let Pleasure be the Measure with Pasha Marlowe
"The Narrative Method inspired our staff and opened us up to new ways of seeing ourselves and each other. It was riveting."
~ Tony LoRe, Founder/CEO
Youth Mentoring Connection
"The Narrative Method is highly innovative and remarkably applicable across multiple sectors. It brings an entirely new methodology in fostering significantly improved communications, teamwork, and morale. The results are both immediate and striking."
– Adlai Wertman, Founding Director,
Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab, USC Marshall School of Business
"I really didn't expect to enjoy this so much, but it was really nice to just talk to other people about things other than class or work."
~ TNM Student Participant,
Antioch University
“It’s rare to have conversations about something other than TV or movies or pop culture, I think I sort of forgot how to talk about myself as a person. Realizing that one thing alone made TNM worthwhile for me.”
- TNM Research Subject
