In this episode, we explore the powerful role of personal and cultural narratives in shaping how we see ourselves, others, and the world.  These stories, often mistaken for facts, are deeply rooted in upbringing, trauma, media, and inherited social memes.  When left unexamined. they quietly dictate our relationships, reactions, and sense of identity.  Kelly introduces the concept of memetic scripting, showing how these inherited beliefs pass down through generations like outdated software.  Geoff brings in real-life examples of how old stories hijack present-day communication, especially in conflict or misunderstanding.  Together, they unpack how judgements, assumptions, and past experiences edit our conversations before they even begin.Using Nonviolent Communication tools like OFNR and the practice of “re-storying”, this episode helps listeners become aware of their internal narratives and offers concrete tools for choosing which story to live within.  Reclaiming the pen, they suggest, is essential to building connection, making conscious choices, and belonging to ourselves and each other.