ABT Narrative – In a media-driven society… Narrative is leadership.

In a media-driven society…

Narrative is Leadership.

The powerful, analytical new approach to messaging/narrative structure using the ABT (And, But, Therefore) tool.

Theory, practice, application.

The ABT Framework

Our goal is to help people communicate more clearly using the ABT Framework—a simple, powerful storytelling tool built around three key words: And, But, and Therefore. It starts by setting up a situation or theme (And), introduces a problem or challenge (But), and then offers a resolution or outcome (Therefore).

This structure mirrors the natural way humans process stories, making it especially effective in science communication, business pitches, and public speaking.

The ABT Framework helps distill complex ideas into a clear, engaging narrative arc that holds attention and drives home a central message.

Randy presenting on the ABT at TEDMED.

“The only thing wrong with the ABT training is it needs to be taught to every medical student in this country.”
Student Evaluation
_{Emory University Medical School}

“Pre-ABT training we had 10 people and less than $1 million annual budget. Post-ABT training we now have over 30 people, over $5 million in grants. Yes, the ABT did this for us.”
Craig Dahlgren
_{Director, Perry Institute for Marine Science}

“The ABT is a paradigm shifting framework. For our year-long Climate Ambassadors Program (training mid-career scientists for climate communication), we wisely started the year with the ABT Narrative Training. It definitely changed the game, creating a framework not just for communication but organization and strategizing throughout the year and beyond.”
Julie Claussen
_{American Fisheries Society}

The Narrative Gym Concept

Just like physical fitness, we like to talk about narrative fitness. The concept of ABT training is to think of the narrative part of the brain as a muscle that needs to be conditioned over time. You can no more develop narrative strength in a single session than you can go to the gym for one afternoon and expect to walk home buff. The development of narrative strength requires a long and sustained effort, which is why we draw on the fitness analogy.

Clients

For organizations…

The Narrative Training Program

Our Narrative Training Program is designed to get you started on the road to narrative fitness. It consists of 3 phases: Theory, Practice, Application

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For individuals…

ABT Mini-Course

A 1-week intensive workshop in which you’ll learn ABT fundamentals and how to apply them to communicate your vision more effectively.

Learn More

About Us

The ABT Framework, developed by Randy Olson, is the cornerstone in his efforts to enhance scientific communication and beyond. It focuses on using the tripartite core of narrative structure—And, But, Therefore—to clarify and amplify messages, making complex information more accessible and engaging. Working with co-instructor Matthew David, the framework has been widely adopted across numerous scientific and governmental institutions.

Dr. Randy Olson
Head Dodo

Matthew David
Co-Instructor

Liz Strauss
Structuralist

Dr. Anahita Vieira
Structuralist

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Narrative Training?

Narrative structure is the central element for effective communication as well as strategic thinking. Our Narrative Training Program works to build an intuitive feel for how to create solid narrative structure, which means the basic problem-solution dynamic. The ultimate goal is the development of “narrative intuition” where you not only know how to create narrative structure, you can feel it at work. This is achieved through simplicity and repetition using the ABT (And, But, Therefore) narrative template.

What can the ABT/narrative structure be used for?

In short: Everything! We’ve had our participants apply the ABT to their PhD thesis, a keynote talk at a Gordon Research Conference, scientific research papers, grant proposals, press releases, blogs, articles, you name it. Most importantly, the ABT is used to communicate with people who don’t have the same depth of understanding about your content that you do. It’s the bridge between your expert level knowledge and an audience’s novice to intermediate level understanding.

How can I take part in your training?

Organizations: The Narrative Training Program is currently only available to be booked by organizations. If you’d like to book the course for your organization, please email us for details (randyolsonproductions@gmail.com).

Individuals: The ABT Mini-Course is occasionally offered to the public. Click here for details.

Where can I start reading about the ABT and narrative structure on my own?

If you’re interested in the academic theory behind the ABT, start with “Houston, We Have a Narrative,” from 2015.

If you’re interested in how narrative structure is all around you, start with “Narrative Is Everything.”

If you want to dig right into the tools, read the short and practical series of Narrative Gym books that have emerged from the Narrative Training Program. Original. Business. Law. Politics. Science. Medicine.

Where can I keep up with the latest ABT developments?

Subscribe to our Substack for our latest news and thoughts on narrative theory.

Our ABT Time Podcast (on YouTube, Apple, and Spotify) has guest discussions with the latest narrative insights.

We send big updates a few times a year on the latest developments and class availability to our newsletter. Sign up here.

Is the ABT just meant to be used for communicating with the general public?

Narrative structure is everywhere. The ABT is the tool that helps you identify it, analyze it, and apply it to your own communications.

Many of our clients complain about the “silo” problem between different organizational groups. The ABT is the tool for “silo busting.” Programs and departments differ in their content, causing silos, but they all use the same form of communication, which ideally is the ABT structure. This becomes the potential bridge between them.