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, adjunct professor and Narrative Medicine specialist. Shari received a MS in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University and a MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles.
In the late '90s, Foos co-founded The Bridge, a free humanities program for low-income adults. Through The Bridge, Shari saw firsthand the need for humanistic communities in an increasingly technological world. She responded by founding The Narrative Method in 2013, creating programs and facilitator trainings. The success of these programs led to Foos being invited to teach The Narrative Method at Antioch University.
Since its inception, TNM has grown to include programs for universities, businesses, K-12 teachers, and In 2018, TNM: DIY Human. Self-facilitated, DIY Human makes TNM's award-winning process accessible to anyone, anywhere, based on the idea that you don't need a license to use your humanity.
Shari was formerly a television and radio writer, improv artist and creator of cutting-edge salons and events. In late 2020, Foos joined sparks & honey, Omnicom’s technology-based cultural consultancy, as a Senior Cultural Briefing Apprentice. A vocal advocate for the causes close to her heart, she is the recipient of the New Directions for Veterans Community Hero Award (2015) and The Antioch University Los Angeles Lifetime Achievement Award (2016). Shari serves on the boards of Coalition for Engaged Education and City Kids Foundation and is a co-founder of IKAR LA.
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.
"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
