Living Proof is the first comprehensive guide to telling your personal story as an advocate for a cause or organization. New material for this 3rd edition includes more advocate stories, additional help organizing talks and presentations, and new chapters on the art and science of why stories work to engage and move listeners, and motivate action. 

This easy-to-use handbook has everything you need to decide what to tell, deliver your story effectively and authentically, and give powerful presentations or great media interviews. Living Proof is for anyone who hopes one person's story can move audiences from apathy to empathy to action.

Living Proof contains examples, tools, principles, exercises and worksheets to help prepare speakers at all levels. It’s organized so you can work through the book in a weekend, a week, with a course of study or flip to sections most immediately useful. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your communication skills to the next level, Living Proof provides the grounding, the confidence and guidance needed to advocate with the power of a well-told personal story.

John Capecci and Timothy Cage are the co-founders of Living Proof Advocacy, which grew out of their work helping purpose-driven individuals and organizations unleash the power of personal stories to advocate for positive change.

John Capecci, Ph.D., is a coach, consultant, and writer who helps nonprofits and corporations do award-winning work that touches hearts and turns heads. He’s the owner of Capecci Communications (www.capeccicom.com), which he founded after pivoting from his career as a communication studies professor. John offers presentation and media training, story development and coaching, as well as marketing communications.

Timothy Cage is a communication trainer who has coached and consulted with award-winning celebrities and sports stars, business thought leaders, clinical investigators, and everyday advocates who strive to make a difference by sharing their extraordinary personal stories. Before launching Timothy Cage Communication Training (www.timothycage.com), Tim was vice president of a worldwide PR/public affairs agency and senior associate at an international communication skills training company.

“As authentic as an advocate's story may be ... it can always be improved in style and delivery; that's the mission of this exceptional instructional guide. ... Smart, well-delivered and timely advice to help advocates and spokespersons tell the most effective stories.” — Kirkus Reviews

“If we’re going to make change, we’re going to have to tell our stories and tell them effectively. This book shows us how.” — Paul Loeb, author of Soul of a Citizen

“Living Proof had a fantastic impact on my students. Rarely have I seen students so enthusiastically engaged with a required course text. They learned about the impact of transforming personal experience into public action. The exercises in the text offered excellent insight and created a platform for one of the best semesters I have ever had with this course.” — Dr. Michael Tew, Professor of Communication, Director of the Center for the Study of Equality and Human Rights, Eastern Michigan University

“Everyone’s talking about the power of stories these days but we need more resources to help advocates, activists and nonprofit communicators find their own voices, get heard and win real change. Living Proof is a sourcebook for trainers and advocates alike that fills that need. It’s full of hands-on exercises, good ideas and useful suggestions.” — Gordon Mayer, National People’s Action

“The principles of rhetoric are translated here into contemporary language to make them accessible to anyone who wants to persuade through storytelling. This book provides instructions, examples, and exercises to make your stories come alive. A superb guide.” — Dr. Sonja K. Foss, University of Colorado Denver, author of Contemporary Perspectives on Rhetoric and Inviting Transformation: Presentational Speaking for a Changing World

“This is an extraordinarily effective guide for advocates seeking all kinds of social and institutional change. But don't mistake it for another ‘how to.’ Above all, this book helps us to see how to take our lives seriously enough to tell them. The practices recommended in this book are a gift. A great read for anyone interested in what their stories can do for others.” — Dr. Della Pollock, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, author of Telling Bodies Performing Birth and editor of Remembering: Oral History Performance