Testimonials
For Mary Adkins
“Mary is not only a brilliant storyteller herself, but I believe she has mastered how to teach her skill in such a way that it can literally change outcomes in the criminal justice system.”
“Mary has a singular eye for narrative and storytelling. While lawyers frequently find themselves lost down the rabbit hole of distinguishing cases and balancing five factor tests, Mary ensures we keep our focus on what truly matters: the humans at the heart of every legal case. I have frequently relied on Mary’s talents, particularly when trying to package complex ideas for non-lawyers, and have benefited from her help enormously.”
“She sets the bar for what an instructor should be.”
For Julie Polk
“Julie’s notes are incredible. Having a rubric of how to analyze dramatic story structure made every comment actionable. And they had that just-right tone of feedback that isn’t negative but is critical. Thanks. Thanks. Thanks.”
“Julie’s great at recognizing what needs to be amplified, what’s missing, and what should be jettisoned entirely. If you’re lucky enough to get the chance to collaborate with or study under her, don’t hesitate. I only wish I had her performance chops!”
“Julie’s a brilliant teacher. It’s amazing what a difference knowing and using her work makes. If you speak in front of groups, tell stories, or want to tell stories, work with her.”
“Julie engages in creative teaching solutions in order to develop trust and empathy with students from various backgrounds. Her ability to connect with such a diverse student body has made her one of the most popular instructors in the department.”
“In one day I learned more from her than any professor has ever taught me in a whole semester.”
Who We Are
Mary Adkins, Lawyer and storyteller
Mary Adkins is a graduate of Yale Law School with a background in writing and storytelling. She teaches storytelling workshops for The Moth and launched the live storytelling series Live Law as part of the public radio project Life of the Law, supported by the National Science Foundation. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Slate and other publications, and her play The 49 Project received the Outstanding Playwriting Award in the 2009 NYC Fringe Festival. She is also a novelist represented by Claire Anderson-Wheeler at Regal Hoffman & Associates.
Julie Polk, performance coach and storyteller
Julie Polk is a writer, teacher and performer with extensive experience in the corporate, non-profit and academic arenas. As a senior writer at global brand firm Siegel+Gale, she designed messaging platforms and taught writing workshops in the US and Europe for clients including American Express, HP, Aetna, Motorola, Verizon, Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, and the Wharton School of Business. She teaches storytelling for The Moth, is an adjunct professor of acting and playwriting at Manhattan College, and is a regular teaching artist at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism. She trained as a classical actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the New School.
Julie Polk is a writer, teacher and performer with extensive experience in the corporate, non-profit and academic arenas. As a senior writer at global brand firm Siegel+Gale, she designed messaging platforms and taught writing workshops in the US and Europe for clients including American Express, HP, Aetna, Motorola, Verizon, Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, and the Wharton School of Business. She teaches storytelling for The Moth, is an adjunct professor of acting and playwriting at Manhattan College, and is a regular teaching artist at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism. She trained as a classical actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the New School.