About Murray
I first discovered the healing aspects of storytelling in my own therapy. Relating my experiences to a qualified specialist, I saw my life in a new light. I learned to identify the habitual negative stories I told myself and replace them with alternative stories that were positive and productive. The process unleashed my creativity, boosted my self confidence and helped me accept myself.
As a clinical psychologist, I drew on the power of story to enter the mysterious minds of severely mentally ill adult patients and also children whom I treated with play therapy.
After emigrating from South Africa to New York in 1990, I began the journey to becoming a professional storyteller and storytelling teacher.
Before I was born
1961
Third generation South African, born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Great/grandparents from Russia and Lithuania. Father a pharmaceutical executive, mother a concert pianist. From infancy onwards cared for by nanny of Koi/Tswana origins.
1965
1967- 1976
Mediocre student, lived in a fantasy world.
1977
Got into trouble for inviting black musician to play at high school.
1980-1985
Obtained Masters degree in Research Psychology from Wits University. Conducted laboratory experiments investigating the correlation between the unconscious mind and creativity improvement.
1986-1990
Entered clinical psychology training. Developed treatments for severely mentally ill patients by harnessing creative impulses. Trained in Play therapy. Delivered paper to South African Psychological Association – “Is adult creativity child’s play?”
1996
Became a student of Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche: a teacher, a scholar, a lama, and a Dzogchen master in the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism.
2000
Co-author and performer of Two Men Talking with Paul Browde MD at Narrative Therapy Conference, Adelaide, Australia and co-founder of Narativ, Inc., a communcations company specializing in listening and storytelling.
2013
Following passing of teacher Khen Rinpoche (2010), becomes student of Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, author and the founder of Mangala Shri Bhuti, an organization in the Longchen Nyingtik lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.
2007-2020
Director of Narativ, Inc., conducting keynotes, workshops and trainings for corporations and non-profit organizations. Author of Powered by Storytelling: Excavate, Craft and Present Stories to Transform Business Communication.
In 2020, Powered by Storytelling was published in China.
2019
Collaborated with Nesime Salioska on The Power of Storytelling: Our work on changing narratives about Roma targets journalists, writers and producers from the world at an international conference.