Narrative Storytelling Research Articles

Mitigating the Stigma of Mental Illness: The Impact of Story-Telling in the Black Community.

Racial/ethnic minorities, including the Black community, experience stigma as a significant barrier to mental health care, with fears of being devalued or discriminated against deterring individuals from seeking help. Racial stigma further exacerbates mental health issues and negatively influences perceptions of service utilization. To address this, our research team partnered with a national non-profit storytelling organization to develop and evaluate a virtual narrative storytelling intervention series that amplifies the voices and experiences of Black Americans living with mental illness and addiction. We randomly assigned 193 participants to either the intervention (n = 102) or an active control condition (n = 91) and used a pre-post survey design to assess the changes in the outcome variables. Contrary to our hypothesis, there were no race-based interactions; instead, the results show significant reductions in public stigma and perceived discrimination and increased positive attitudes toward seeking treatment universally among all the intervention participants. This study provided preliminary evidence that a virtual storytelling intervention is instrumental across varied demographic cohorts, transcending potential cultural barriers in the discourse and understanding of mental health to effectively mitigate stigma and improve attitudes toward mental health treatment.

Ethical mediarhetoric in videogame cybertexts: procedural explication of moral topics in an educational context

Introduction. Education in the field of ethics and practical philosophy is important both within the framework of educational and disciplinary discourse and in terms of personal and social formation of a person, his/her value-behavioral system of coordinates. Video game cybertexts containing moral themes in their narrative and procedural structure can increase interest in the study of theoretical issues of ethics and create a special virtual-simulative space of moral experimentation. Materials and Methods. The theoretical part of the paper is based on the conceptual framework of understanding video games as a procedural cybertext formulated by E. Aarseth and I. Bogost. The operation of the multimodal-semiotic structure of video games is based on the ideas of J. Havreljak and W. Toch. The experimental cluster of work is realized on the principles of Digital Game-Based Learning developed by M. Prensky and a set of pedagogical practices on the use of ICT-based learning. Results. Based on the interpretation of the features of multimodal semiotics of ethically engaged video games, two modes of their distinction are revealed – narrative and gameplay. Narrative represents moral themes through narrative storytelling, and gameplay through gameplay. It has two forms of manifestation and certainty - external-iconic (based on visual reading and ethically binary interpretation of videogame cybertext) and procedural, where at the level of program architectonics the possibilities of choice and realization of simulations of ethical activities are created. The experiment allowed a radical change for the better (from 20% to 73%) in most students' expectations about the educational possibilities of video games in this disciplinary area. The DGBL methodology helped the learners (80%) to experience (80%) the practical dimension of important ethical issues and to conduct a series of moral experiments within the virtual simulations. Most of the students (75%) were able to correctly relate theoretical knowledge from philosophy and ethics to specific video game situations and successfully interpreted them. Conclusion. Given the time-consuming nature of these cybertexts, it is recommended that they be used only as supplementary media to the main course texts. It seems most appropriate to study them as part of an elective to a basic course in ethics or philosophy. This material could also be the basis for the creation of an educational laboratory on practical ethics in a social and humanitarian quantorium.

Inferential language use in the oral narratives of adolescents with and without developmental language disorder

ABSTRACT Inferential language is an essential aspect of narrative storytelling. It offers not only details about events such as cause and effect and character cognition (e.g. intentions, actions, and reactions) but other evaluative and descriptive language. Previous studies have shown that children with developmental language disorder (DLD, previously also termed as Specific Language Impairment, SLI) exhibit weakness in narrative development, and such weakness is suggested to be unlikely to be resolved over time. However, studies that have focused on the inferential language use in narratives of adolescents with DLD are almost non-existent, and it is unclear whether inferential language use by adolescents with DLD would remain problematic or achieve close-to-normal performance. To address this issue, we compared the use of inferential language in the oral narratives 19 adolescents with DLD (Mean age = 14.3; SD = 0.64) and 19 adolescents with typical language development (TLD; Mean age = 14.0; SD = 0.50). Each transcribed narrative was coded for inferences across character actions/attempts, internal states, causality, character dialogue and other inferences. Results indicated that the two groups performed similarly in all measures except for assigning possessive expressions. Our results suggest that adolescents with DLD may approximate their typical language development (TLD) peers in terms of the inferential language use in oral narratives.

Harmonious Heritage through the Qualitative Analysis of Northeast Folk Songs in the Evolution of Northeast Drum

This study explores the artistic and cultural significance of the Northeast Drum (Jianban), a traditional Chinese folk art characterized by its unique blend of narrative storytelling, rhythmic musical accompaniment, and audience interaction. The research focuses on the contributions of Liu Guiying, a renowned provincial representative inheritor of the Northeast Drum, and her innovative techniques that have revitalized this art form. Through qualitative methods, including interviews and participant observations, the study examines the structure and themes of Northeast Drum performances, the role of improvisation, and the integration of Northeast folk songs. The findings highlight the dynamic nature of these performances and their cultural resonance within the community. The study also discusses the challenges and opportunities in preserving this intangible cultural heritage, emphasizing the importance of educational programs, digital archiving, and cultural policies. Recommendations for future research include comparative studies, the impact of modern technology, audience dynamics, and longitudinal studies on preservation efforts. This research contributes to the understanding and sustainable development of the Northeast Drum, ensuring its relevance for future generations.

Digital Media to Support Healing from Trauma: A Conceptual Framework Based on Mindfulness.

Digital media which involve narrative storytelling are increasingly used in nursing and health research, including clinical applications such as cinematherapy. A pilot study was conducted on how digital media self-accessed by marginalized individuals may be beneficial toward mindfulness and healing from trauma. Qualitative interviews were conducted with individuals (n = 8) who self-reported marginalizations via: race; gender; rural geography; socioeconomic status; indigenous or colonial experience; survivor of abuse; experiences of homelessness; or disability. Results indicated that trauma-narratives often organically emerge through discussions on digital media, with notable intersections with mindfulness-based practices and interventions. First, digital media can create a mindfulness of trauma as valid to discuss and disseminate. Mindfulness of authentic resolution also emerged as critical, as trauma may be employed in media narratives for attention or sympathy with no intent to support healing. Participant responses illustrate value in being mindful of individuals with severe trauma, who may be less likely to benefit from digital media. Digital media can foster sense-of-belonging and community-building amidst isolation; additionally, parasocial relationships may help foster supportive identities and ideologies on vulnerability. Findings are outlined in a preliminary conceptual framework, toward supporting future digital media with intent to create mindfulness or heal trauma.

Systematic Literature Review of Disseminating Health Information to BIPOC Communities

Purpose This study aims to systematically review the literature to examine best practices for disseminating health information and strategies useful for advancing equitable health outcomes in communities of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Methods Databases such as Science.gov, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), Social Science Research Network, and CHAT AI were searched using terms like “health promotion,” “information dissemination/methods,” “minority communities,” “urban health,” “health education/methods,” and “health promotion/methods.” The search focused on qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies conducted between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2023. An academic expert evaluated the manuscripts for quality. Dissemination methods were categorized based on cultural, linguistic, and sociodemographic characteristics. Results/Expected results Out of 4,726 articles identified, 23 were included in the full review. The study found that the most effective methods for disseminating health information involved direct community interaction using versatile communication strategies. Real-time engagement and accessibility to public health experts increased community trust and participation. Narrative storytelling, focus groups, workshops, and the use of technology for visual representation were particularly effective. Major obstacles included the lack of stakeholder interaction, language barriers, cultural, educational, and generational differences, and limited funding for human resources. The unavailability of information from previous research also caused frustration among decision-makers. Conclusion Effective engagement with BIPOC communities requires diverse communication methods. Involving community members in selecting settings, language, cultural activities, and other specific aspects helps non-community stakeholders understand evidence-based best practices for health information dissemination, thereby improving healthcare outcomes. Implications This comprehensive literature review enhances understanding of evidence-based best practices for disseminating health information to BIPOC communities. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, community organizations, and researchers to develop targeted and effective health communication strategies.

Exploring annotation taxonomy in grouped bar charts: A qualitative classroom study

Annotations are an essential part of data analysis and communication in visualizations, which focus a readers attention on critical visual elements (e.g. an arrow that emphasizes a downward trend in a bar chart). Annotations enhance comprehension, mental organization, memorability, user engagement, and interaction and are crucial for data externalization and exploration, collaborative data analysis, and narrative storytelling in visualizations. However, we have identified a general lack of understanding of how people annotate visualizations to support effective communication. In this study, we evaluate how visualization students annotate grouped bar charts when answering high-level questions about the data. The resulting annotations were qualitatively coded to generate a taxonomy of how they leverage different visual elements to communicate critical information. We found that the annotations used significantly varied by the task they were supporting and that whereas several annotation types supported many tasks, others were usable only in special cases. We also found that some tasks were so challenging that ensembles of annotations were necessary to support the tasks sufficiently. The resulting taxonomy of approaches provides a foundation for understanding the usage of annotations in broader contexts to help visualizations achieve their desired message.

Body Language and Emotional Transmission in Dance Movies

In dance films, body language and emotional transmission are important artistic means. Body language includes dance movements, facial expressions, and body language, which work together to shape character images, express emotions, and drive plot development. Emotional transmission is achieved through music, sound effects, camera language, and narrative storytelling, enhancing the audience’s emotional experience, resonating, and conveying the theme and values of the film. This article will focus on exploring the application of these elements in dance films and their impact on audience emotions, in order to promote the development of dance film creation.

Violence and Abuse Towards Grandparent Kinship Carers in Informal Kinship Care Context

Violence and abuse by grandchildren towards their grandparent kinship carers is an important but under-researched issue. Research evidence on the perceived legitimacy of aged-related myths, beliefs, and witchcraft accusations against older people, especially grandparents, in Ghana and Africa suggest that violence and abuse against grandparent kinship carers could be common. This study explored the types of violence or abuse experienced by grandparent kinship carers, and the meanings grandparents associate with the abuse. Thirty-one grandparents were recruited from four communities in Ghana following a horizontal network sampling approach and interviewed using a qualitative in-depth narrative storytelling strategy. Analysis of the narratives revealed three common types of abuse experienced by the grandparent kinship carers which were perpetrated by children living under their care: (1) insults and verbal abuse, (2) stealing and financial exploitation, and (3) physical threats. However, the grandparents rationalised and justified the abusive behaviours by attributing them to factors within the children’s eco-system, such as friends and household members. The findings highlighted three crucial interrelated factors that underlie these incidents of violence including cultural beliefs around witchcraft, family structural dynamics, and grandparents’ attitudes towards violence. Practical recommendations, including the development of a community normative change program, have been proposed to address violence by grandchildren towards grandparent kinship carers in Ghana.

“Flat Surface” as Material Metaphor: “Bad” Cover Design, “Good” Storytelling, and Post-Fordist Sensibility in Chinese Web Novels

The article deploys the material metaphor of “flat surface” to read the unexpected cross-modal affinities between amateurish cover design and professional storytelling in Chinese web novels. Canvassing the ways visual and verbal artifacts put into play metaphoric associations with “flat surface,” this essay interprets the popular fascination with flatness as a symptom of China's alignment with ubiquitous computing in its transition to a post-Fordist cultural economy when the world is increasingly conceived as a flat horizon. The author first exhibits a selection of spoof covers and argues that their willful indulgence in two-dimensionality is an antidote to the uncanny similarity of illusionist covers born out of what Mario Carpo calls “mass customization” in the digital era. Then the author turns to examine the web novel Zhuixu 赘婿 (Matrilocal Son-in-Law) by Fennu de Xiangjiao 愤怒的香蕉 (Angry Banana), a highly acclaimed alternate history fiction with a curiously lousy cover, focusing on how Angry Banana's cover designs and narrative storytelling convey the flattening effect. The author attributes the fascination with flatness to the rise of post-Fordism in China's cultural economy by demonstrating how the protagonist in Zhuixu succeeds in flattening “all under heaven” (tianxia 天下) by way of nonhumanizing his existence and weaponizing an internet of things (IoT) while embracing a post-Fordist network of work, life, and governance. Finally, the author furnishes a few more examples to suggest the broader trends toward flatness in Chinese web novels and concludes by discussing the critical edge of the metaphor of flatness in its applicability to post-Fordist cultural analysis.

Revisiting the Heider and Simmel experiment for social meaning attribution in virtual reality

In their seminal experiment in 1944, Heider and Simmel revealed that humans have a pronounced tendency to impose narrative meaning even in the presence of simple animations of geometric shapes. Despite the shapes having no discernible features or emotions, participants attributed strong social context, meaningful interactions, and even emotions to them. This experiment, run on traditional 2D displays has since had a significant impact on fields ranging from psychology to narrative storytelling. Virtual Reality (VR), on the other hand, offers a significantly new viewing paradigm, a fundamentally different type of experience with the potential to enhance presence, engagement and immersion. In this work, we explore and analyze to what extent the findings of the original experiment by Heider and Simmel carry over into a VR setting. We replicate such experiment in both traditional 2D displays and with a head mounted display (HMD) in VR, and use both subjective (questionnaire-based) and objective (eye-tracking) metrics to record the observers’ visual behavior. We perform a thorough analysis of this data, and propose novel metrics for assessing the observers’ visual behavior. Our questionnaire-based results suggest that participants who viewed the animation through a VR headset developed stronger emotional connections with the geometric shapes than those who viewed it on a traditional 2D screen. Additionally, the analysis of our eye-tracking data indicates that participants who watched the animation in VR exhibited fewer shifts in gaze, suggesting greater engagement with the action. However, we did not find evidence of differences in how subjects perceived the roles of the shapes, with both groups interpreting the animation’s plot at the same level of accuracy. Our findings may have important implications for future psychological research using VR, especially regarding our understanding of social cognition and emotions.

Supporting clients via narrative storytelling and artificial intelligence: a practitioner guide for career development professionals

PurposeIn this practitioner-focused essay, we combine traditional narrative storytelling approaches with Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) innovative abilities to enable career development professionals to support individuals across their lifespan.Design/methodology/approachWe propose a three-phase career exploration approach, developed and tested in a real-world setting for career development professionals to support their clients to consider various career-related options as well as identify strengths and opportunities for personal development.FindingsIn phase one, the client recounts 7–10 positive narrative stories about engaging in activities they enjoyed. In phase two, the career development professional uses AI with tailored prompts to generate a personalised client report based on these narrative stories. In phase three, the report serves as the basis for further discussion and exploration with the client.Practical implicationsThe approach provides a practical guide for career development professionals to increase their capability to support their clients in response to technological advancement and the contemporary world of work. A training document incorporating a worked example of the approach is provided in “Supplementary Material Appendix 1”.Originality/valueOur approach acknowledges AI as a new actor and career development professionals as undervalued actors in supporting individuals to foster a sustainable career ecosystem.

Impact of product vs brand storytelling on online customer experience

PurposeIn this study, the effects are investigated of brand and product storytelling on customer assessments of perceived attitude, quality, experience, recommendation and purchase intention based on narrative transportation theory within the domain of winery e-commerce.Design/methodology/approachIn the research, two distinct constructs are introduced for brand and product storytelling, and multivariate analysis of variance is applied to analyze data collected from 391 respondents from the UK.FindingsIt is indicated in the study that embedding storytelling into elements, such as age verification screens on e-commerce sites, notably improves evaluations for both brands and products. Product storytelling broadly boosts customer appraisals in every evaluated aspect, while brand storytelling shows effectiveness in more limited cases. This suggests that narratives focused on products may have a wider appeal in enhancing the online customer experience.Originality/valueThis research underscores the strategic significance of balancing the focus between brand and product in crafting storytelling narratives for e-commerce contexts. It offers new insights into tailoring storytelling to meet individual consumer needs online, enriching the existing body of literature on storytelling’s application in digital commerce. Importantly, the study provides actionable guidance for wineries and other businesses aiming to enhance their online customer engagement through targeted narrative strategies.

Defying the odds? Multiple disadvantage as a source of entrepreneurial action

Purpose The link between entrepreneurial intention and positive attitudes towards entrepreneurship for established and nascent entrepreneurs has been well documented in the extant literature, with the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) viewing entrepreneurial intention as a pre-requisite for entrepreneurial pursuit. Whilst scholars generally agree on these insights, little empirical evidence exists on how marginalised social groups can convert their intentions into action. This study aims to understand to what extent the elements of TPB, the attitudes towards entrepreneurship, self-efficacy and subjective norms, help explain the emergence of entrepreneurial activity amongst marginalised demographic groups.Design/methodology/approach This research focuses on unemployed women residing in social housing located in a deprived urban area of the United Kingdom to empirically examine how multiple layers of disadvantage faced by this group shape their motivations and intentions for entrepreneurial pursuit. A multi-source qualitative methodology was adopted, drawing upon inductive storytelling narratives and extensive fieldwork on a sample of unemployed ethnic minority women residing in social housing in a deprived urban area of the United Kingdom. Community organisation representatives and housing association employees within the social housing system were included to assess the interpretive capacity of TPB.Findings The findings display that TPB illuminates why and how marginalised groups engage in entrepreneurship. Critically, women’s entrepreneurial intentions emerge as a result of their experiences of multiple layers of disadvantage, their positionality and the specificity of few resources they can activate from their disadvantageous position for entrepreneurial activity.Originality/value By illuminating the linkages between marginalised women’s positionality and their associated access to the limited pool of resources using the TPB lens, this study contributes to emerging works on disadvantaged populations and entrepreneurial intention-action debate. This work posits that despite facing significant additional challenges through their positionality and reduced ability to mobilise resources, women in social housing can defy the odds and develop ways to overcome limited capacity and structural disadvantage.

Analyzing the meta dimensions in TRPGs: Meta-action, metacognition, and metagaming

Roleplay has critically influenced academic dialogue on education, psychology, and narrative. However, little research has been conducted around "gaming sessions," specifically the "point of contact" amongst participants, due to its ephemeral qualities and the subjective nature of the co-creative process. Acknowledging the complexity of the subject, the authors established a clear set of definitions. They conducted a literature review to examine the existing understanding of critical components related to gameplay in Tabletop Roleplay Games (TRPGs). They are exploring TRPGs through the lens of narrative storytelling to understand better and categorize the 'collaborative' and 'co-designed interactions during the gameplay experience. The paper discusses the three interconnected ideas of meta-action, metacognition, and metagaming concerning the effective co-creation process and its impact on how participants collectively create and explore fantasy worlds in an imaginary cosmos by using a vast system of concepts, rules, and mechanisms that function as the background or canvas for action and interaction amongst them. As Language, Communication, and Education occupy a central role in the gaming experience, miscommunication and assumptions will lead to a break in immersion. Metagaming is commonly labeled as the "worst" that can happen in a gaming session. The problem is that it is also commonly confused with meta-action and metacognition, which are essential to the game. This article aims to provide the tools to all players that will allow them to enjoy a more engaging in-game experience, based on the idea that the more players manage metagaming properly, the better the game experience will be for all participants involved. The main focus is defining essential discourse clearly and clarifying the line between in-game and extra-game narration, description, and action. The authors will start conceptualizing the situation by defining general terms. A systematic review of the literature (SRL) integrated into the three phases, planning, management, and reporting the results, will be presented in the following sections. An analysis of the concepts of' Gaming and extra gaming' followed by brief 'Examples at the point of contact' and conversations around 'Action and Meta-actions' will serve as a reference to discuss the metacognition and metagaming concepts. Finally, the authors will present their conclusions and a glossary of terms.

THE ART OF GAMIFICATION FOR SOCIETAL MIND SHIFTS: REFINING HUMAN BEHAVIOUR THROUGH STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT

Gamification has emerged as a transformative approach, infusing elements of game design into non-game contexts to engage and inspire individuals. This paper explores the artistry behind gamification, focusing on rewarding systems, badge systems, narrative storytelling, teamwork integration, and its application in various domains like education, behavioral change, awareness, and community building. The mastery of gamification's rewarding system design is crucial for fostering engagement and inspiring users to adopt desirable behaviors. Understanding audience preferences and motivations, setting clear objectives, and providing timely feedback are fundamental principles in crafting effective rewarding systems. Similarly, badge systems play a pivotal role in recognizing achievements and motivating users. Symbolic design, clear standards, customization, feedback mechanisms, iteration, and releasing new badges contribute to a vibrant badge ecosystem. Narrative storytelling is identified as a key component of gamification, enhancing engagement, motivation, and learning. By developing compelling narratives, creating likable characters, defining clear goals, establishing milestones, incorporating decision points, evoking emotions, and ensuring originality, gamified experiences can become memorable and motivating journeys. Furthermore, the integration of teamwork into gamification promotes cooperation, competitiveness, and community among players. Defined team objectives, balanced team structures, assigned responsibilities, progress monitoring, and team-oriented challenges foster collaboration and camaraderie. The paper also discusses the role of gamification in various contexts, including education, behavioral change, awareness, and community building. Through interactive art installations, gamified experiences, and collaborative projects, gamification serves as a catalyst for societal mind shifts, spreading awareness, promoting behavioral change, and fostering community cohesion. In conclusion, the gamification of art enhances interactivity, raises awareness, influences behavioral change, and strengthens communities. By embracing gamification strategies, individuals and organizations can harness the power of play to inspire positive outcomes and societal transformations across diverse domains.

Hotel innovation and novelty: a case study of Disney’s Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser

ABSTRACT This study examines the impact of novelty and hedonic value on perceived value and intentions to revisit, using Disney's Galactic Starcruiser as a case study. Surveying past customers, participants provided responses measuring novelty, hedonism, perceived value, and revisit intentions. Obtaining permission from three Starcruiser-specific Facebook groups, 290 responses were collected in March 2023 before its closure. Using SPSS 27, incomplete surveys (n = 34) were excluded, and outliers and normality were addressed. Due to non-normality, hedonism data was excluded from regression analysis. Novelty-seeking significantly correlated with perceived value (p < .001, F = 18.002, R square = .067). Participants exhibited high education levels, above-average income, and strong Star Wars and Disney affinity. Despite discontinuation, the findings reveal a dedicated consumer base with potential for future innovations. Additionally, this study focuses on narrative storytelling tourism, prioritising immersive storytelling techniques and role playing to engage visitors in compelling narratives, transporting them into different worlds through vivid storytelling and thematic environments.

Unveiling The Hidden Depths: A Deep Dive into Conversational Implicature In 'Lone Survivor' Directed by Peter Berg

This research delves into the nuanced world of conversational implicature, exploring the implied meanings and flouts of Grice’s cooperative principle in the film "Lone Survivor" directed by Peter Berg. Utilizing a descriptive qualitative method, this study focuses on specific dialogues to identify instances of maxim flouts and to unravel their underlying implications. Grice’s theory provides the analytical framework for this investigation. Moreover, content analysis technique was used to analyze the data. The findings reveal multiple flouts of the maxims of quality, quantity, relevance, and manner, each leading to various implied meanings. These flouts not only shed light on the intricacies of human communication but also offer a unique perspective on character dynamics and narrative development within the film. Ultimately, this study enriches our understanding of conversational implicature in cinematic discourse, highlighting the complexities of communication in narrative storytelling and underscoring the importance of context in interpreting meaning

The Logic and Mechanism of VR Marketing: Market Shaping in the Perspective of Virtual Reality

With the rapid development of technology, VR technology has become an emerging trend in the field of marketing. This paper explores the application of VR technology in marketing and analyzes its impact on consumer behavior and marketing Ddelves into two successful cases of VR in marketing: the Volvo XC90 VR test drive and Audi's virtual showroom, revealing the practical application of VR in improving user engagement and creating a unique shopping experience. VR technology provides an immersive experience that enhances the user's interaction with the product and brand and improves the user's behavior and marketing strategy. VR technology provides an immersive experience that enhances user interaction with products and brands, increasing user retention and advertising effectiveness. VR marketing is more effective than traditional marketing in increasing user engagement, emotional connection, memory, and satisfaction, thus increasing user conversion and loyalty. The article gives the advantages and disadvantages of VR marketing. The advantages of VR marketing are more realistic product demonstrations or trial experiences, the ability to create in-depth, emotional brand storytelling narratives, and expanding global markets and audiences. Its disadvantages are high technology costs, user access thresholds, technical limitations consumer adaptation issues, and limitations of the experience. In addition, this paper discusses the challenges faced by VR technology in marketing: including user acceptance, quality of experience, clarity of user needs, protection of user rights and interests, and future development potential: improving user education and guidance, optimizing user experience, conducting in-depth research on user needs, and protecting user rights and privacy.

The State of The Topiaj During 14th Century

Purpose: The paper provides historical context on the Topias family's role in Naples' political and religious landscape, detailing their break from Byzantium, alliances with Anjouans, and power dynamics. Methods: The paper discusses the Topias family's historical context, indicating that historical scholars used a combination of archival research, primary source analysis, comparative analysis, contextualization, and narrative storytelling to understand their interactions, relationships, and historical context. These methods were likely used to gather and analyze information about the family's history. Results and Conclusion: The paper provides a narrative account of the Topias family's historical significance, their break from Byzantium, and their role as vassals to the king of Naples. It highlights their resilience and adaptability in medieval European politics, highlighting the complex dynamics of political and religious spheres. Research implications: The paper provides a rich historical account of the Topias family, highlighting their political strategies, interfaith relations, vassalage, Anjouan influence in the Balkans, and the influence of clergy in politics. It also highlights the importance of examining the historical narrative and its potential to contribute to ongoing scholarly discussions on medieval European history, politics, and culture. Originality/value: The paper provides valuable insights into medieval Balkan politics, interfaith relations, and vassalage dynamics in medieval Europe. It focuses on lesser-known actors like the Topias family, their religious conversion, Angevin influence in the Balkans, and the complexities of feudal relationships. The narrative also highlights the intersection of clerical and political power, enhancing our understanding of medieval governance and interfaith relations.