I recall reading a study once where the brain waves of people listening to a story literally synchronized with the brain waves of the person telling the story. Quite literally the storyteller was controlling the minds of the listeners.

Apparently we are hard-wired to become entranced by stories, but there is a skill to telling them in a way that doesn't break the trance--or, as Teller talks about, leading people to a place where you can smash the trance in a dramatic way for maximum impact.

Storytelling has fascinated me ever since I read that study. I must go find it again.