From Cave Walls to TikTok: The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Storytelling

From the bestselling author of "The Hidden Agenda" and the mind behind Mastercard’s iconic ‘Priceless’ campaign comes an engaging perspective on the role of emotional intelligence in storytelling. In the next (free!) Bite Sized Learning session hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and Grinnell College's Wilson Center for Innovation and Leadership, Dr. Kevin Allen will present "From Cave Walls to TikTok: The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Storytelling." Allen will take us on a journey from humanity’s first stories painted on cave walls to the split-second narratives that dominate social media today.

Drawing on decades of experience in branding, psychology, and narrative design, this talk reveals how empathy, authenticity, and emotional resonance are the timeless forces that drive influence — in classrooms, communities, and culture at large. Whether you’re a professor, a student, or a community member, you’ll walk away with fresh insight into how to craft stories that don’t just inform, but truly connect. This session will begin at noon; lunch will be provided by Grinnell College's Wilson Center for Innovation and Leadership. The event will be hosted at the Katherine Howell Weingart '61 Civic Innovation Pavilion in Renfrow Hall at 1033 Broad Street.

You may also like the following events from Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce:

• This Thursday, 25th September, 04:00 pm, New Resident Welcome — September 2025 in Grinnell
• Next month, 9th October, 05:30 pm, 🐅 Homecoming Parade 2025 in Grinnell
• This November, 6th November, 08:30 am, Bite Sized Learning: Storytelling and Messaging for Businesses in Grinnell

Also check out other Arts events in Grinnell, Fine Arts events in Grinnell, Literary Art events in Grinnell.