The ORACLE Presentation

This past July, I was honored to receive an ORACLE Award for Distinguished National Service from the National Storytelling Network (NSN), at the NSN Conference in Texas. It is a huge honor and I have been in shock ever since Rishi Nixon wrote to tell me I would be receiving the honor. The Award presentation and concert after, my fellow ORACLE recipients, the NSN Conference, and all of the wonderful articles and conversations that have occurred since – I am still reeling. But I finally took a moment to write about the experience in my own words.

Rishi Nixon, 28th President & Chair of the Board of Directors (2025-2026), National Storytelling Network, nominated me for, and so was the one to present me with, the ORACLE. His nomination letter and speech were both incredibly touching, although he did start both out with “I grew up watching Jessica.” Rishi went on to say, “I grew up listening to Jessica Piscitelli Robinson tell stories, and I have watched her develop into a master storyteller. Her voice is unique and powerful, and all the more celebrated for her use of it to relentlessly lift other tellers up.”

Rishi also sent me the letters of support provided by Heather Forest, Ed Stivender, and Lyn Ford. More waterworks.

Ed’s letter spoke about my work as a storyteller and as a producer, “she was one of the Pioneers of the Zoom Storytelling Movement under the aegis of her company, “Better Said Than Done”, which has been presenting excellent livestream (and live) events several times a month for the past several years. This series proved to be a God-sent lifeline during the Covid era and beyond. Her choice of performers and themes has shown her to be a real genius of production in this new Storytelling Mode. Meanwhile, her own work has expanded from Personal Stories to include Folklore Tales and, most excitingly, original pieces that make brilliant use of classical folk motifs, with personal styles blended seamlessly so the listener can’t tell whether they are in Faerie-Land or the suburbs of Northern Virginia. Her centeredness allows the audience to go along with her wherever she might lead. Her fearlessness is contagious. Speaking of fearlessness, she has invented and developed The Women’s Storytelling Festival, now heading into its seventh iteration this coming March. Her selflessness and sharp eye in presenting up-and-coming talent is remarkable.” Lyn Ford also commented on our highlighting of new talent, “Jessica also supports the work of other storytellers, and encourages listeners to open their minds and hearts to the cultural diversity and uncommon beauty of unique voices and ways of sharing, through her work as Founder and Executive Director of Better Said Than Done.” And Heather Forest concluded by talking about changes she’s seen over the years. “She has evolved into a unique teller whose repertoire includes personal narratives told in the first person but which are based upon fictional characters. She authentically embodies her fictional characters and brings their stories to life reflecting the current events or history around them. As a storytelling artist she is pushing edges and exploring. Jessica is not done growing her repertoire or skillset. In the most wonderful creative way she is finding new techniques with which to tell stories and is a role model for others.”

After Rishi presented me the Award, I had two minutes to give my acceptance speech. I had just heard the wonderful Jeff Gere give an acceptance speech for the ages, and then all the wonderful things Rishi said about me, so I had to read a little of my speech to try to get it out. You can watch my ORACLE presentation here, but the main point of my speech, as written, was, “Over the years, kindness has led us to create a safe space for everyone to feel welcome to share their stories. Kindness led to inclusion, because you can’t create a safe space if it is not safe for all. Through Better Said Than Done shows, and the Women’s Storytelling Festival, I have been blessed to hear stories from so many people who are not exactly like me. It’s fabulous. Not only has my experience of the greater world and my empathy for everyone increased, but our shows are so much better because we get to hear diverse stories. Thank you to everyone who has felt safe to share their stories on our platform, and to all who have come to listen. I appreciate your support of and participation in our community.”

You can join Better Said Than Done in celebrating our 15 Year Anniversary twice next month. On September 3rd, join us at Jammin’ Java in Vienna, VA, for Huzzah! Details here. And on September 24th, join us online for Hooray! Details and registration here.

I was honored to be on that stage with the presenters and the other ORACLE recipients – the most amazing group of storytellers and people. Read about the 2026 ORACLE recipients here. After the Award Ceremony, the ORACLE Recipients got to perform in a showcase. Oh, how I cried. So many beautifully constructed and told stories. So much kindness and transformation and inspiration. It was a night to remember.

The ORACLE Award was presented to me for my work with Better Said Than Done, the Women’s Storytelling Festival, and my involvement in the NSN. That being said, the work I do is only part of the work that gets done. The Women’s Storytelling Festival Committee and the Better Said Than Done Board of Directors do a lot of work to run our programs and keep it all running; the storytellers who share their stories and bring their friends literally make our shows possible; the audience who buy tickets and take workshops and donate keep us alive; and the National Storytelling Network connects storytellers and listeners across the country to continue to grow storytellers and storytelling. In other words, I accepted the award and was honored to do so, but the title of Distinguished National Service belongs to all of us who have built this community. Thank you.