storyOS

Countless myths, books, movies, and even leadership principles have been built using the hero's journey model. But what if today's complex problems demand a new approach? Listen in as John Bucher introduces the concept of the collective hero's journey, offering a fresh perspective on leadership and storytelling for our interconnected world.

You'll learn:

• Why the traditional individual hero's journey model may be limiting in today's world
• How to shift your mindset from solo heroism to collective leadership
• Ways to identify your unique role within a larger team or movement
• Strategies for navigating group dynamics and avoiding blame in collective efforts
• How to balance personal growth with collective achievement

John Bucher is a renowned mythologist and story expert who has been featured on the BBC, the History Channel, the LA Times, and on numerous other international outlets. He serves as Executive Director for the Joseph Campbell Foundation and is a writer, podcaster, storyteller, and speaker. Holding a PhD in Mythology & Depth Psychology, he integrates scholarly insights with practical storytelling techniques, exploring the profound connections between myth, culture, and personal identity.
 
Whether you're a leader, creative professional, or someone passionate about making a difference, this episode will equip you with a fresh perspective on leadership and storytelling. By embracing the collective hero's journey, you'll be better prepared to tackle the complex challenges of our time and inspire others to join you in creating meaningful change.

Resources and links:

• Telling a Better Story Website
• Story Salons

Increasing your narrative intelligence gives you the power to reshape your personal story, improve your relationships, and become a more effective leader and communicator. In this final episode of our four-part series with Michael McRay, we're digging into practical ways you can apply narrative intelligence in your daily life.

Throughout the conversation, we'll explore practical exercises to enhance your narrative intelligence, how you can use story structures as tools for self-awareness, and the connection between vulnerability, authenticity, and effective storytelling. We'll also share how to identify and reframe limiting personal narratives, along with resources and tools to continue developing your narrative intelligence.

By applying these insights, you'll be better equipped to navigate challenges, inspire others, and create meaningful change in your life and work. Whether you're a leader looking to motivate your team, a creative professional aiming to produce more impactful work, or someone seeking personal growth, this episode offers concrete strategies to help you harness the transformative power of story in all aspects of your life.

Links and Resources:

1. Becoming Restoried
2. Leadership Story Deck
3. The Storytelling Leader Online
4. John Bucher Books
5. Wisdom of Wow
6. Story Salons

Join Harris III and Michael McRay as they delve deeper into the power of narrative intelligence and its connection to wonder, curiosity, and imagination. You'll discover how these elements work together to shape our perception of reality and influence our ability to rewrite the stories that guide our lives.

Throughout the conversation, you'll learn:

• How wonder and curiosity act as catalysts for expanding our narrative intelligence
• The role of imagination in problem-solving and personal growth
• Practical strategies for cultivating a more open and flexible mindset
• How to leverage narrative intelligence in leadership, parenting, and conflict resolution
• The impact of awe-inducing experiences on our ability to embrace new narratives

Whether you're a leader looking to inspire change, a parent seeking to nurture your child's imagination, or simply someone interested in personal growth, this episode offers valuable insights on how to harness the power of story to transform your life and the world around you.

Links:

1. STORY Website
2. The Storytelling Leader Online

Explore how a greater understanding of narrative intelligence can help you approach challenges in your personal life, your relationships, and even on a global scale.

In this second part of our discussion with Michael McRay, we dive deeper into the idea that every problem is fundamentally a story problem. Discover the power of acknowledging the existing narratives that shape our beliefs and drive our behavior, and how this awareness is crucial for effective communication, leadership, and problem-solving. 

Learn how to identify the story problems in your own life and work, and how to begin the process of rewriting your limiting narratives while honoring the impact of past experiences. You'll also be introduced to a simple framework for understanding the narrative structure of problems.

Whether you're a leader looking to inspire change, a creative seeking to tell more impactful stories, or simply someone who wants to develop a greater understanding of the role narrative plays in shaping our world, this episode will provide you with valuable insights and practical strategies for leveraging narrative intelligence to create positive transformation.

Are you aware of the narratives that shape your everyday life? Special guest Michael McRay joins Harris III to dive deep into the concept of narrative intelligence and the fundamental role that storytelling plays in the human experience. 

Explore why story is best understood as the operating system (OS) of the human brain, and how the stories we tell ourselves shape our beliefs, drive our behavior, and ultimately influence every aspect of our lives. Learn about the difference between narrative and story, and discover how storytelling has been leveraged in marketing, politics, and religion to influence and connect with people on a profound level.

Learn to increase your narrative intelligence, and you'll gain more agency over your stories, rewrite your limiting beliefs, and become a better leader and communicator in your personal and professional life.

Whether you're a creative looking to tell more impactful stories, a leader seeking to inspire and influence others, or simply someone who wants to better understand the power of narrative in your own life, this episode is a must-listen. Get ready to awaken to the power of story and embark on a journey towards greater narrative intelligence.

In a time when information is abundant yet comprehension is scarce, it's more important than ever to understand how our brains work and why. That's why we're so excited to introduce you to the next evolution of the STORY podcast: storyOS.

This season, we'll be diving deeper than ever into narrative intelligence and the framework our brains use to understand stories. You'll learn how to leverage the power of story to craft compelling narratives, build community, and create lasting change.

As we close out this season of the STORY Podcast, we are also closing out this chapter of STORY Conference. Over the last seven years, this conference has touched thousands of lives and changed the landscape of storytelling. On this episode, we sit down with members of the STORY team to discuss favorite memories from STORY Conferences past. Listen in and come trip down memory lane with us!

If you have a favorite STORY memory, we’d love to hear it! Send us a note at [email protected]

With our thriving community of writers of all types, we wanted to highlight this breakout from STORY 2022 with our friends, David Goetz and Melissa Parks from Journey Sixty6. Journey Sixty6 helps coach and guide their community through things such as manuscript review, writing coaching, and what to do with your manuscript as you edit and get it prepped for publishing or review. Writing can be an isolating experience, and Journey Sixty6 has positioned themselves to be the community for those in that gap between wanting to write and publishing. 

Even if you’re thinking, “I’m not writing a book, or even a writer at all”, still listen in because you never know what the future holds as you continue on your creative journey! To learn more about David and Melissa and what they’re doing through Journey Sixty6, check them out at JourneySixty6.com 

On this episode, we feature two incredible conversations — the first from the STORY stage with Chris Wall and Andrew Peterson of the Wingfeather Saga series, and the second is a post-STORY sit-down with Angel Studios. These two have created not just an incredible series for families, but they went about it in a unique way that can be an inspiration to get you to start thinking about and implementing the way you approach the work you do in brand new ways. Listen in!

Learn more about The Wingfeather Saga’s upcoming release at WingfeatherSaga.com. If you’re curious to learn more about the innovative stuff that Angel Studios is up to, check them out at and Angel.com.

On this episode, we hear from the incredible folks from The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Many of you heard about the heart and soul behind why and how they do what they do from the mainstage at STORY, but in this episode, we also share ways YOU can be part of impacting the world around you by helping to make kindness the norm. Listen in!

To apply for the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation Creative Grant mentioned in this episode, click here! Deadline for submission is November 18, 2022.

In this episode, we take one more trip to Neverland via a virtual STORY Town Hall to debrief the STORY 2022 conference and allow our STORY community to ask all their post-STORY 2022 questions. Think of this as an expanded version of the Behind-the-Scenes Breakout Experience at the event. We put a massive amount of focus and energy on creating an intentional experience every year at STORY from the ground up, and in this episode, we talk about how STORY is not just a theme slapped on posters and websites. We share about our process and how we think long and hard about how we want everything to flow, feel, and communicate, taking you on a journey that hopefully leaves you feeling inspired and able to ask bigger questions about what’s possible. And if that means putting a mermaid in the fountain in downtown Nashville, that means we get that mermaid. Listen in!

In case you missed the news, we’ve been listening to the heartbeat of culture all around us, having deep conversations with leaders within our community, and staying curious about the future. For all these reasons, we’ve decided as a team to move away from large events filled with hundreds or thousands of people, for at least a season, to enable us to focus on other new and exciting ways of serving storytellers and the work you do. Listen to this announcement to learn more about the future of STORY.

We continue to explore the Revolutionary Storytelling Type. Revolutionaries are a powerful group of individuals that are on the cusp of almost all change and are constantly rewriting and shifting narratives through their work. The work that Revolutionaries do is the reason that many of us tell stories. We desire change. Disruption. Something better. 

In this episode, we pick up for part 2 of our Round Table discussion with John Bucher and Jason Jaggard. One thing John said on this Round Table that is worth highlighting is, “I refuse to live in a world where this does NOT exist, and I will move heaven and earth until it exists.” It is that passion that makes the Revolutionary so powerful. Listen in to hear more about what he can’t live in a world without. 

John Bucher and Jason Jaggard are incredible Revolutionaries, a type of storyteller who is drawn to leverage the power of story to positively change the future. They press into the world around them to be everything they were meant to be, whether that’s through publishing, deep critical thinking, guiding others to their max potential through coaching, and so much more. Listen in on part one of a conversation about how revolutionaries begin with the stories they tell themselves, and how you can do the same.

As we dive into part 2 of our Round Table conversation with Kevin Carroll and Louis Richardson around the connector, if you haven’t listened to part 1 yet, go back and listen to episode 13 so that you have context around the continuation of this incredibly deep and rich conversation around what it means to be a Connector. On this episode, Kevin and Louis both share great insights into their purpose and focus as Connectors and the power of seeking connection not titles. It is these simple vantage points that can really help give you a picture of what it means at the heart of Connection.

On this episode we continue to dive into the Connector Storytelling Type with two of our favorite Connectors, Lewis Richardson and Kevin Carroll. This interview, pulled from one of our STORY Round Table events, dives into how to leverage our stories as a tool for connection. Those we come into contact with are more receptive to our presence and we can learn so much from everyone if we’re more curious. When we engage with people where they’re at, asking what we can do for them or how we can better serve them, connection is organic. Listen in to learn more about how story and connection go hand in hand. 

As we continue to unpack the Connector Storytelling Type, we would be remiss to not include one of our favorite Connectors…Mr. Brad Montague. If you’ve been around the STORY community for a while, you are very familiar with his genus. Brad is an incredible creator and storyteller who approaches all of his work with a vision for making the world a better place. Whether it’s through his book, Being Better Grown-ups, his wildly successful Kid President video series, or his critically acclaimed children’s book, The Circles All Around Us, Brad’s passion for guiding people together is deep and compelling. We dug back into the archives, and found this talk from STORY 2018 because as timely as this talk about the future was back in 2018, it's still applicable - possibly even more so - in 2022. There are so many unknowns, uncertainties, disconnections, and fears swirling around these days, but  despite the crushing weight of all these uncertainties, there is still hope because we choose to remember it exists. Listen in.

Over the past couple of months, you’ve heard us talking about the 5 Storyteller Types: Amplifier, Artisan, Investigator, Connector and Revolutionary.  If you’re not familiar with these types, or yours for that matter, head over to storygathering.com and take our quick assessment. These “types” help you identify the core motivations behind how and why you tell stories and create the way you do. 

On today’s episode, we are kicking off a new focus to the Connector type. It’s likely that when you hear the word Connector, a specific type of person comes to mind because Connectors are experts at just that: Connecting. Skilled at speaking to others, Connectors are compelling and live compassionate and leadership-driven lives. With a clear balance between their head and their heart, they are magnets for people who want to feel seen and known. To start off this new focus, we’re listening to one of the best, most enthusiastic Connectors we know, Mr. Kevin Carroll. Formerly from Nike, Kevin has an incredible ability to cultivate and curate a positive awe state so that you, and those around you, can get back to wonder in order to create tangible impact. Incredible things take place when this happens. So how do you do it? Listen as Kevin shares inside this episode. 

Last week, we were listening in on the Round Table conversation that I had with David Paull and Kristina Henkai about the Investigator. David talked about behavioral storytelling, breaking it down into the practical RESPCT framework. On this episode, we pick back up with the second half of the conversation and dive into the necessary practice of continually asking yourself  “but why” within your business. 

In my own business practices, this question is something we’re constantly asking and digging deeper on so that as we push out content, write copy, create events, or help clients, we’re operating from a deep understanding of what’s needed and why it matters. 

Listen in on how you can implement this right away to see results and gain clarity and traction in your own business.

As we continue to unpack the Investigator Storytelling Type, we pull from our latest STORY Round Table conversation with David Paull and Kristina Henkai. In this episode, we hear David share the way he approaches his work utilizing a framework he dubs Behavioral Storytelling. What he shares on this episode is so practical and applicable to every storytelling type and has been an important litmus test for everything we do at STORY. This episode is for more than just the Investigators, and for this reason we always encourage you to listen in on each of the types because it’s a great way to figure out where the holes or gaps exist in what you’re doing.

In this episode, we officially kick off our next type, the Investigator. Investigators are an integral part of the storytelling process because they provide the data, research, and facts that help give stories the depth and roots necessary for momentum to be achieved. Though they are anchored in analytics and statistics, which is how they find the truths to their work, they are also logical, innovative, adaptable, calculated, and always in pursuit of truth. One such Investigator that I have learned so much from over the years is David Paull. Combining storytelling and behavioral science, David is the co-founder and CEO of Lillian Labs, a messaging and research consultancy that helps craft, test, and refine stories and content. A few years back, I sat down with David to break down just what his job entails, and why it matters in the context of storytelling, and let me just say, it was such a brilliant and thoughtful way of understanding not just stories as we know them, but why they have the impact they have on a waiting world.

In this episode, we pulled a clip from our recent Artisan STORY Round Table conversation with none other than our friend, Morgan Harper Nichols. Morgan is a well known artist, poet, and musician and you’ve probably seen her work pinned somewhere on Pinterest, re-posted all over Instagram, or maybe in Target, Anthropologie, Crate and Barrel. This episode is powerful because Morgan shares how she world through her art and reminds us how “trends will comakes sense of her me and go, but people will always be human.” We can chase the latest and greatest fads in our industries, but the stories that we tell are meant to hit deeper than that, because the aptly called, “human condition” doesn’t change. This episode just might be the gut-check you need for yourself.

As we continue our conversation around the Storytelling type, the Artisan, this episode features our friend, wildly talented Nashville fine artist, Ed Nash, alongside our mutual friend, acclaimed photographer, Allen Clark. You’ll hear Ed as he discusses not only HIS connection to the world around him, but to what he’s creating and the story he hopes it tells, but how it’s interpreted by those that experience it. If you haven’t already taken our Storyteller Type Assessment, please do it, it’s quick, and it will help you follow along on these conversations regardless of which type you are, because learning about different types will help you leverage and understand the skills that they bring to the table like you never expected. 

We are moving on to the next Storyteller Type in our 5 part series, and this one is the Artisan. Many in the STORY community will identify as Artisans because they are deeply passionate about their art and the story it tells those who view or interact with it. From paint on canvas, to carefully crafted lines in poetry, to movement of bodies through dance, to notes that seem to float off of sheet music, Artisans use a variety of mediums to intertwine their heart and message. 

This is exactly why we wanted to kick off the Artisan series with Academy Award Winning costume designer, Ruth Carter. She has dreamt up the way her costumes and designs guide and deepen the stories of those that wear them. Her work has been featured in movies such as Selma, Malcolm X, and Black Panther to name a few, and she is not only brilliant, but deeply connected to the way that costumes tell stories of their own. Don’t miss this conversation, and all the wisdom shared that you can apply to the stories you tell, regardless of the way you create.

Story's greatest power is not in its ability to simply convert, but its ability to connect. If you want to play the long game you must lead with connection first. But for a change-maker who wants to make a bigger difference faster, that can be a little bit complicated. It can be difficult to be patient with the long-term value journey when the cause that you are trying to amplify needs attention now. In this episode, we dip into the archives of a recent Round Table conversation with Ben Stewart, co-founder of Louder Agency, Brand Messaging Strategist and Copywriter, Janelle Traister, as well as Artist and Activist and longtime friend of the STORY Community, Benjamin Von Wong. Listen in as they discuss the tension that often comes from honoring your values in the process of amplifying stories worth telling.

You may have heard the story about how the Chinese word for “crisis” can be represented as “opportunity.” As it turns out, that’s not quite accurate. The word is more like “a crucial point” — the moment right before a big change.

There’s still a lesson there for us, but it’s a pretty nuanced one, and that’s something John Bucher understands well. John is the Creative Director for the Joseph Campbell Foundation in Hollywood, who understand the ideas of story and myth about as well as anyone.

Take a listen to John’s talk from the STORY 2020 stage as he explores the concept of embracing these crucial points in the midst of dark moments.

One cause of writer’s block isn’t that we run out of ideas, it’s a fear that the ideas we do have are bad ones. We don’t want to keep writing, keep painting, keep creating — whatever it is — because we’ve got a feeling that the next steps just aren’t very good and we’d rather not create at all than create something that sucks. 

Seth Worley knows that fear. He’s a writer and director who’s done videos for Bad Robot Sandwich Video and Red Giant, where he’s the senior content creator. He’s also helped create some really great tools for writers like the Storyclock Workbook. He says that the key to getting around making bad art is just to go ahead and make bad art and explains why the secret to making good art is making bad art. Take a listen.

We don’t like to talk about disappointment in the creative field is. Creativity is a risk and risks, by their very nature, have a pretty high rate of failure. Those stories don’t get told very much, for obvious reasons. But by not telling those stories, we reinforce this idea that unless you’re hitting success after success, you’re a total failure and should give up.

Take a listen to Cress Williams from the 2020 STORY Stage. Cress is an actor, known for his roles on Black Lightning, Hart of Dixie, and Prison Break.

Something you hear our last year described as a lot is a “dark time” or a “dark season.” Getting to the end of all that was described as a “new day” or a “new morning” for us. And there’s a lot of truth to that, since so many of us lost so much in 2020. But it’s worth asking if our immediate impulses to avoid, ignore or rush through those dark times and get right to the morning is the healthiest way to deal with pain and hardship.

Last year at STORY, we asked that question, and one of our most talked about speakers, Brooke Shaden, had some really great thoughts to share. Brooke is a wonderful artist who uses her work to explore things like darkness, pain, death and decay. She wants to find beauty in those things, and hopefully help us have a better understanding of the dark and hard times in our own life. It’s an experience she’s walked through, and now she wants to help others do it too.

I think all of us can feel tempted towards cynicism these days. However we need to remember that change is possible, and we need to help inspire others to believe it too. That’s how Dr. Chené Swart sees it. She’s a narrative coach and consultant who helps people, organizations and communities with a technique called “narrative therapy,” teaching them to understand their own stories better.

Finding your purpose is a huge deal — for everyone, obviously, but younger generations are especially pursuing purpose-driven work. A Society for Human Resource Management study found that 94 percent of Millennials want to use their skills to benefit a cause. Another survey found that 63 percent of millennials believe the primary purpose of companies should be to make a difference instead of make a profit.

But artist and author Shabazz Larkin has a surprising take on the subject, suggesting that what we’re really looking for isn’t exactly purpose, but something else. Listen in...he might just change your mind on what we talk about when we talk about purpose.

I think most of us are aware of the idea of story as a passion, a skill, and maybe a career. But what about story as survival? What about story as a way of finding your way when all else seems to be lost? There are times when story is sort of like the trail of breadcrumbs we leave in the forest. No matter how dark things get or how far we wander, we’ve got something to lead us back home to hope and safety. 

That’s the theory of Marc Pimsler, an Experiential Therapist, leading voice in Emotional and Mental Health, and a leader at Onsite Workshops, a Personal Growth and Wellness Retreat Center in Nashville. Last year at STORY 2020, Marc gave a talk about story as a way to see in the dark, and it’s one of the most powerful, convicting ways of thinking about story we’ve heard yet. Listen in.

There’s still this idea that we’re living in an extra dark time, that things are bad, worst year ever...that sort of thing. That’s because stories — even macro-level stories — don’t just change on their own. We need storytellers to help us learn how to tell better stories. We need people who care about story to help us set a new, better narrative. That’s something Erin Collasaco is passionate about.

She’s the creative director at OnBeing, a media and public life initiative that’s all about helping people change on a personal level in a way that makes societal transformation better. They’re all about helping us live out better stories, and that’s something Erin wants to help us all do. But, according to her, finding the right story isn’t always as intuitive as you might think. Listen in on some of what she shared with us in her amazing talk last September at STORY.

It’s one thing to know that stories have power. It’s another to learn how to invite the power of story into your spaces. And sometimes, the most important thing you do is nothing at all besides invite others to the table. That’s a lesson David Hutchens knows well.

He’s worked with companies like Coca-Cola, Wal-Mart, GE, and so many others, helping them learn about things like strategy and leadership, as well as ethics and corporate responsibility. But what does that have to do with the work you’re doing, regardless of the spaces you’re doing it in? It turns out, everything, because all of David’s work is rooted in his deep understanding of narrative. In this episode, David generously passes some of that understanding along to us.

Zimbabwe has about 13 million people in it, and twelve psychiatrists. Yes, twelve. That’s a problem for Dixon Chibanda, who cares deeply about mental health. He can’t really expect each psychiatrist in his native country to take on a little over a million patients, so he started thinking about what they did have: grandmas. What does this have to do with your work as a storyteller? Everything. Don't miss this incredible episode of the STORY Podcast.

One of those tropes you hear a lot about out there is how much children have to teach us, but if you think about it, we don’t really live that way. We call people who are acting inappropriate “childish.” But there’s a big difference between what is child-ish and child-like. What would it look like to live a life that is child-like, while growing up in ways that leave what is child-ish behind? Maybe kids really do have something to teach us? That’s the life Brad Montague is living.

He’s the guy behind the Kid President web series who also writes for Joanna Gaines’ The Magnolia Journal and all sorts of other amazing projects. He’s written multiple books, including his new book, The Circles All Around Us, which is hitting shelves later this month! Brad has spent his life trying to figure out what kids get right and it’s made a huge difference. He thinks what he’s learned can make a difference in your own life too. If you won’t listen to the kids, maybe you’ll listen to the guy who listens to kids. Listen in on some of Brad’s talk from STORY 2020 here on this episode of the STORY podcast.

What if we could keep creating and never give up? That kind of hope feels a little bit harder to hold on during times like these, doesn't it? Morgan Harper Nichols is a poet, a music artist and a visual artist, and in this talk delivered live at STORY, she shared about how she’s found joy in the everyday, despite the heaviness so often felt in the world around her, and how that joy permits her to keep creating. Want to learn to do the same? Listen in on this first episode of Season 5 of the STORY Podcast.

STORY 2020 is here! It’s our flagship gathering, where each year, over 1,000 storytellers from around the world gathering together for 2+ days of inspiration and instruction to do their best, most creative work. In this special, extended episode, you’ll hear the audio from a mini-masterclass with Jason Jaggard, an entrepreneur, leadership coach, a founding partner of Novus Global and so much more. Together, they discuss leadership as an often overlooked storytelling essential, and how to approach STORY or any other event with a “leader” mindset instead of a “consumer” one. You’ll learn how about how maximum value comes out of full participation, and a new concept Jason discusses that he likes to call “Listenings.” It’s a content-rich episode, and a great way to pre-game any conference experience, whether in-person or virtual. Don’t miss it!

In this special episode, we look ahead to STORY 2020 with our director and curator, Harris III as he unpacks the intentional design of this year’s virtual experience. Whether you’re attending STORY 2020 or not, this episode is rich with insights into the planning and creative process behind producing the event, making it relevant to anyone who wants to creates great experiences for others.

If you already have a ticket, listen to this short episode to learn more about what to expect between now and STORY, and how to fully prepare for our time together as a community.

We’re so used to living in stories that sometimes we don’t even recognize them. It’s like how fish don’t know they’re wet. It takes a really keen mind to not just know a good story when it sees one, but put it together in a way others can understand and find themselves in. Documentary filmmakers are especially great at this, where others might just use rolls and rolls of b-roll, they see a narrative that just needs a little bit of structure.

This week on the STORY Podcast, we learn from a storyteller who is excellent at this very subject, Yogi Roth. Yogi seeks to uncover the humanity in sports around the globe. He’s a Pac-12 Networks college football analyst, filmmaker, scholar, New York Times bestselling author, coach, speaker and world traveler. He’s the kind of guy who can watch a football game and see not just a series of plays, but a real plot. And his take on the intersection of artistry and athletics is so insightful. Don’t miss this illuminating conversation between Yogi and Harris.

Does the word “marketing” strike you as kind of a dirty word? Many of us are part of a generation that really doesn’t like to feel like we’re being sold to. Brands know that, and the smart ones are getting ahead of it by swapping out marketing copy for real stories and real connection.

At STORY, we’ve been saying for years now that a story’s greatest power is not in its ability to convert, but in its ability to connect, and when it comes to achieving conversion in the long term by leading with connection first, few marketers do that better than AJ Hassan. AJ is an Emmy-winning executive creative director who works with creative teams to help businesses and brands infuse their message with life and relevancy. She led the Equality Can’t Wait gender equity work for R/GA in partnership with Melinda Gates’ company: Pivotal Ventures. The “Like a Girl” campaign she led was a huge viral hit. She’s won tons of awards and lots of acclaim for her work and she understands, better than most, how to make advertising just a little more human.

This week on the STORY Podcast, we dip into the archives to hear a portion of AJ’s talk from her time at STORY. It’s one that can help us all, because we’re all marketers now. As we share and promote our own work, or the work of others, how can we focus on connection? Listen to AJ Hassan tell us how.

Let’s be honest...getting a new perspective is harder than it sounds. It’s not just shaking your head and trying harder. It’s not just a gut check. It’s a real mental move — a shift in your whole way of being. It’s about being aware of your awareness, and taking control of it, and that’s a huge part of navigating the kind of spaces we’re finding ourselves these days in a healthy way.

In this episode of the STORY Podcast, Apollo Robbins speaks to these very ideas. He’s an American sleight-of-hand artist, security consultant, self-described gentleman thief, and deception specialist.

Forbes has called him “an artful manipulator of awareness.” Obviously there are lots of ways a guy like Apollo can use his talents — and he does. But he can also teach us how to do what he does — take control of our own awareness. Don’t miss this insightful episode.

How is your work impacting others? Here’s the simple answer: you don’t really know for sure. We might have metrics — profit margins, Google analytics, retweets — but that’s reach, not impact. How is what you do really connecting to other people, changing them and affecting them on a heart level? Part of the reality of living in the liminal space of creativity means learning that while we’re all connected, most of those connections are invisible.

That’s something Benjamin Von Wong understands really well. Von Wong’s work lies at the intersection of fantasy and photography and combines everyday objects with shocking statistics. It has attracted the attention of corporations like Starbucks, Dell, and Nike and has generated over 100 million views for causes like ocean plastics, electronic waste, and fashion pollution. Most recently, he was named one of Adweek’s 11 content branded masterminds.

Don’t miss this episode of the STORY podcast where we sat down to talk to Benjamin about connection, isolation, and the thin lines between the two, and so much more.

We’re moving into month five of this pandemic. It’s hard to even remember March now, when lockdown felt like kind of a weird novelty. Many of us have gotten used to spending huge chunks of the day stuck with ourselves — and that’s a tough place to be. Or it can be, unless you learn how to utilize it well.

That’s something this week’s guest, Thaniya Keereepart, can help you learn to do. Thaniya is a seasoned product executive with over 17 years experience in the media technology space. She’s built three teams from the ground up and helped grow recognizable media brands from start-up mode to structured, scalable companies. Her work has been recognized by numerous awards, including Emmy, Peabody, Adobe MAX, Debby, and the prestigious National Design Award.

Thaniya’s connection to storytelling is through an understanding of human-computer interaction, design, and behavioral economics. Her transformative work has shaped the future through tenures at Major League Baseball, TED, and as Head of Product and Creator Experience at Patreon. If you’re wondering what to do with some newfound alone time, she’s got some really great advice. Don’t miss this episode.

The tension. The mystery. The unknown. It’s something that comes up often, especially in this trying season of a global pandemic. Thankfully, that mystery and tension is one Meera Lee Patel’s specialities, and she’s our guest on this week’s episode.

Meera is a self-taught writer, artist and best-selling author of books like My Friend Fear: Finding Magic in the Unknown; Made Out of Stars: A Journal for Self-Realization, and Start Where You Are: A Journal for Self-Exploration.

She has worked with companies like Anthropologie, Amnesty International, Spirituality & Health Magazine, Target, Vogue India, Wix and more to help tell stories through campaigns that help us better understand who we are.

Listen in as she helps us understand the space we find ourselves in better than most — and how to find your way.

Do you ever question your own abilities as an artist, creator, communicator or storyteller? Especially when you’re exposed to the brilliance of one of your creative peers?

Jinahie is a gifted spoken word poet and activist who has performed for TEDx, Sundance, the US Department of Education, United Nations, the Smithsonian Institute, the Kennedy Center, and even performed in front of Michelle Obama. She’s also shared the stage with everyone from Lupe Fiasco to Smokey Robinson to the Roots, Angela Davis, the list could go on.

While being exposed to Jinahie’s talent and genius may leave you with that feeling of questioning your own abilities, she actually does the opposite.

In this episode of the STORY podcast, she will inspire you to be more confident in your own creative uniqueness. Listen now, and allow her words to encourage you.

What is “genius?” Is it something you’re just born with, like freckles or perfect pitch? Or is it something that can be cultivated, like growing a garden or redoing your kitchen?

That’s a question that Gillian Ferrabee is interested in. You might have seen Gillian performing on stage, TV or the movies. At the very least, you’re probably familiar with her work as a 12 year veteran at Cirque du Soleil. Now, as the founder of the consulting organization, Kite Parade, Gillian helps people activate and achieve their highest potential for genius.

Find out how in this insightful episode of the STORY Podcast.

Welcome to Season 4 of the STORY Podcast

John Bucher on Liminal Space

Ken Black on Storytelling and Building Brands

Michael Margolis on Technology and Storytelling

Kevin Carroll on Building a Community

Brad Montague on Looking Into the Future

Vera Leung on Restoring Wonder in Storytelling

Kevin Carroll on Creative Confidence

Jason Jaggard on Redeeming Cliché in Storytelling

CJ Casciotta on Embracing Your Unique "You"

David Paull on Storytelling and Behavorial Science

JJ Heller on Using Melody to Enhance a Good Narrative

Shawn Askinosie on Doing Meaningful Work

Abigail Fuller talks to us about how she uses food to tell a story.

Ruth Carter talks to us about how she uses clothes to tell a story.

To kick off 2019, we gathered some of the most successful and creative people we know to discuss how they set their year up for success. 

You can hear some of the insightful conversation during this first episode of Season 03 of the STORY Podcast. 

CJ Casciotta is an author, speaker, and brand consultant who has worked with companies like Whole Foods and Lululemon to help them find their unique identity. During this conversation we talk about the importance for finding and embracing your weird, especially in the digital age. 

To learn more about CJ and order his new book, visit cjcas.com/.

To learn more about STORY, visit STORY2018.com

When we set out to "face our fears", sometimes we jump to the biggest, boldest step that we can take. But what if faced our fears on our own terms? Listen to this short, 5 minute episode to learn how.

For more creative resources, visit STORYCraft.co

To learn more about STORY, visit STORY2018.com

Sometimes inspiration comes in seemingly un-inspirational forms. But the most ordinary things can become the most extraordinary stories. Listen to this week's STORY Craft episode to learn how. 

Access more resources >> STORYCraft.co

Learn more about STORY 2018 >> STORY

This week's tip might be the simplest that we have ever given on this podcast. Listen in to how this one thing can get you closer to the best idea yet.

Access more resources >> STORY Craft.

Learn more about >> STORY.

Linda Woolverton is a screenwriter and is the first woman to have written an animated feature for Disney, Beauty and the Beast, which was also the first animated film ever to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. She also helped write the screenplay for The Lion King, Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, and Maleficent. 

It's needless to say, she has a lot to say about storytelling and awakening wonder.

To learn more about STORY, visit www.STORYgatherings.com. 

We've all been there. Unhappy with where our project sits, unsure of where the story should go next. Try this fun exercise the next time that you don't know how the story should develop.

To gain access to more resources and creative tips, visit www.STORYCraft.co. To learn more about STORY, visit www.STORYGatherings.com.    

Where do you start when it comes to creating something? Do you start with a need? Is it your job? Or do you create something simply because it’s something that you want to see in the world? We tackle those questions and so much more, this week on the STORY Podcast with filmmaker and storyteller, Jason Russell.

To learn more about Jason, head over to alittleradical.com/. To learn more about STORY, visit www.STORYGatherings.com. 

During an interview with writer and spoken word poet, Micah Bournes, we talked about the creative process and being vulnerable with your work. But he also had something very important to say about the dreaded writer's block. Listen to this week's episode to learn how to overcome it.

For more resources and to listen to the full interview with Micah, visit www.STORYCraft.co. To learn more about STORY, visit www.STORYgatherings.com.    

We often talk about what you should do while creating and telling a story, but this week we talk about what NOT to do. 

For more creative tips and resources visit www.STORYCraft.co. To learn more about STORY, visit www.STORYgatherings.com.

Maggie Gaudaen in a Senior Creative Director at the award-winning digital agency, ISL. We had a chance to have a conversation with her about the difference between art and creativity and telling stories in the commercial space, all in front of a live audience in DC.

For more creative resources, visit www.STORYCraft.co. To learn more about STORY, visit www.STORY2018.com.  

Need an easy framework while writing your next story? Listen to this week's episode as we talk about the 5 key elements that are needed to tell a great story. 

For more resources and creative tips, visit www.STORYCraft.co. For more information about STORY, visit www.STORYGatherings.com. 

Dr. Seuss may be the most successful and creative children's author of all time, so there's a lot that we can learn from him. This particular story is applicable to any project that you may be working on, big or small.

For more creative tips and resources, visit www.STORYCraft.co. To learn more about STORY, visit www.STORYGatherings.com.   

David Hutchens is a writer and storytelling consultant who works with leaders and companies to help them tell their story. He claims that if you're the leader, you are the narrator and he's on a mission to help companies transform their systems by helping them write their stories. 

To learn more about David, visit http://www.davidhutchens.com/. To gain access to more resources and to learn more about STORY, visit www.storygatherings.com.

Practicing this simple exercise can help combat your inner critic before they even speak. Listen to this short episode to learn how.

To gain access to more creative tips and resources, visit STORYCraft.co. To learn more about STORY, visit www.STORYgatherings.com.  

Sometimes the smallest actions can really boost your work ethic and level of creativity. This week's tip is an easy action that few of us actually participate in, but could change the trajectory of our work. 

To gain access to more creative tips and resources, visit www.STORYCraft.co. To learn more about STORY, visit www.STORYGatherings.com.  

During part 2 of this conversation with Seth Worley, we talk about some of the exercises and tools that Seth uses to grow as a storyteller. 

To learn more about Seth and his work, visit https://plotdevices.co/. To learn more about STORY, visit www.storygatherings.com.

Having this one thing could change the trajectory of your career and life. Listen to this short, 5 minute episode to find out what it is. 

To gain access to more creative tips and resources visit www.STORYCraft.co. To learn more about STORY, visit www.storygatherings.com.

Writer and Director, Seth Worley, got his start filming video effect tutorials. Now, you can find him working on projects for JJ Abrams and starting his own company called Plot Devices. But how did he get there? We talk about that and so much more, this week on the STORY Podcast.

To learn more about STORY, visit www.STORYgatherings.com 

These simple steps could help you get unstuck when working on a new idea. Listen to this quick 5 minute conversation to learn how to break through your next creative block.

To gain access to more resources and creative tips, visit www.STORYCraft.co. To learn more about STORY, visit www.STORY2018.com

Try this the next time that you feel like you're hitting a creative block. It might help you get unstuck.

For more creative tips and resources, visit STORYCraft.co. To learn more about STORY, visit www.STORY2018.com.

Danae is a Managing Principle at one of our favorite companies, Visioneering Studios. They work with clients to help their offices and stores tell their stories. Danae believes that design principals, from all disciplines, should create solutions that address our most pressing cultural and social issues. We talk about management, the creative process and so much more during this incredible conversation.

We loved learning from her during this episode and we can't wait to learn from her on the #STORY2018 stage! Learn more at www.STORY2018.com.

Do you sometimes wonder if you have a story? Or maybe you know that you have one, but you're not sure how to tell it in a compelling way. This framework could help shape you tell your story in a way that will help with your leadership, your community and inspire those around you.

To gain access to more resources visit STORYCraft.co. To learn more about STORY, visit STORYGatherings.com.

As artists and storytellers, it seems like we give fear a lot of power in our narrative. But what if we could shift the way that we view fear and the effect that it has on us and our creative work? 

Jason Michaels is a speaker and illusionist who has had to face a lot of fears in his career. During this week's episode we talk about how he overcame them and how you can too. 

To gain access to more resources, visit STORYCraft.co. To learn more about STORY, visit STORY2018.com.

How you fill your calendar says a lot about you and your work. How can you use it to value yourself and your creativity. Listen to this week's STORY Craft episode to find out.

To gain access to more resources, visit STORYCraft.co. To purchase tickets to STORY 2018, visit STORY2018.com.

When's the last time that you hit pause on Netflix and drove to the movie theater? During this week's STORY Craft episode we talk about how going to the theater can boost your creativity. 

To gain access to more creative tips and other resources visit www.storycraft.co. To learn more about STORY visit www.STORY2018.com.

What is the Creative Revolution? It's the time that we are living in right now. If you've ever struggled with identifying as a "creative" this conversation is for you. If you're proud of of being a "creative", this conversation is for you. 

Todd is the author of 4 books all about living the creative life. He’s a speaker, a consultant, and he also hosts the podcasts “The Accidental Creative” and “Herding Tigers” where he delivers weekly tips and ideas for staying prolific, brilliant and healthy.

Todd can also add STORY 2018 speaker to his resume. We're so excited to learn from him this Fall. If you don't have you ticket yet, head on over to www.STORY2018.com to snag your seat now! 

If you're looking for a small way to shake up your work week and get your creative juices flowing - this week's tip is for you.

To gain more access to additional resources and premium content, visit STORYCraft.co. To learn more about STORY, visit STORY2018.com.

Curious of what STORY 2018 will be like this year? Tune in to get a special preview from the STORY Team about the theme, the speakers and the format of this year's event. 

Learn more and secure your ticket for this year's event at story2018.com

Wonder is pertinent to your creative work. If you aren't wired for curiosity and imagination, creating something new will always be difficult. This is why this week's tip is so important, but it's also very simple. Listen in to see how this one act could reawaken wonder in you.

To gain access to more resources visit STORYCraft.co. To learn more about STORY and our 2018 conference, visit STORY2018.com.

What does one of the most successful storytellers do every single day? Find out on this week's STORY Craft Episode and learn a simple way to stimulate your creativity on a daily basis.

To gain access to more resources and connect to the STORY Community, visit STORYCraft.co. Learn more about our workshops and gatherings, click here.

Do you feel like you don't have a story? Or that your story isn't worthy of telling? This week's episode we talk about the one thing that will make or break a story. And you'll be surprised at how liberating it will be to hear what it is. This will help you tell your story, no matter how big or small it may seem to you.

To gain access to more resources like this one, go to STORYcraft.co. To learn more about STORY, visit STORYGatherings.com.

Amena Brown is an author, speaker and spoken word poet who strings words into beautiful phrases while speaking truth. During this conversation she talks about embracing vulnerability in her work, dealing with criticism and how storytellers can shift cultures through creativity.

She gave a powerful talk at STORY 2017 that was a blend of spoken word and soul-filled creative genius. It was one of our top rated presentations and you can view it now on STORYCraft.co if you become a premium member.

Have you ever held on to an idea so tightly that you didn't leave room for improvements or perhaps an even better idea? This week we talk about why you must be willing to fall out of love with an idea in order to come up with something better.

To gain access to more creative resources, visit STORYcraft.co.

Do you ever find yourself waiting for inspiration to strike? Or waiting for the big idea to just come to you? This week we talk about how you have to meet your creative work in the middle and how to do just that.

To access more creative resources and learn more about STORY, visit storycraft.co

Jim Krueger is an award-winning filmmaker, New York Times best-selling author, copy-writer, video game developer and comic book writer and graphic novel legend. He is quite literally one of the best storytellers we’ve ever met. 

We always learn something from him and this podcast was no different. Listen in as we learn about the one thing that every good story needs.

If you want to learn more from Jim, we are hosting a one-day workshop with him on March 24th in Chicago! Click here to learn more.

What's the difference between your limbic and executive brain? And why is it important to stay in your limbic state while creating? Learn why it's best to create without rules and before looking at your phone in the morning during this week's STORY Craft episode. This could be key for your next project.

To listen to Ally Fallon's conversation and gain access to other resources, go to www.storycraft.co

As storytellers, we like to use the excuse "My work speaks for itself". But our audience is longing for more beyond the creative work. Humans want to dig deeper and learn the backstory of the project. Learn what you need to share in order to make a larger impact with your work in this week's #STORYCraft Episode.

To gain access to more resources, visit STORYCraft.co. To learn more about STORY, visit STORYGatherings.com.

Laura Youngkin is a theatrical producer, creative consultant, and proud Millennial, but she’s also so much more….

During this conversation we talk about the tension of living in a culture inundated with social media and praises the amount that we work. We'll also talk about the stereotypes that have been given to millennials and how we can navigate through them in the workplace.

You can learn more about her organization The Brave Millennial here. Learn more about STORY and gain access to other resources visit www.storygatherings.com.

If you warm up your body before a workout, why not warm up your mind before a meeting or getting started on your next project? This week's creative tip will help you get your creative juices flowing when you need it the most.

For more resources from STORY, check out www.storycraft.co

This week's #STORYCraft tip might help your team come up with the best idea you've ever had. 

Listen to this week's creative tip and learn how this one thing can change how you brainstorm.

MacKenzie Huynh is a Creative Lead at Pinterest where she found a space where her storytelling abilities and creativity collided. She's been working on a campaign this year about stepping into a "What if" moment, to push people to embrace that thing that they want to do. 

MacKenzie's "What if" moment happened on the STORY 2017 stage where she shared the fact that giving a talk was her one thing that she was scared to do. She ended up being one of our highest rated speakers. During this conversation you'll learn how to step into these moments and how shifting your perspective can change everything about your work and your life.

To learn more about STORY visit www.storygatherings.com.

During this week's #STORYCraft episode, we'll talk about the one act that you have to make time for in your creative process. No matter what canvas you are creating with, this step will help make you're project better.

Learn more about the producers of STORY at www.storygatherings.com. To gain access to more resources and creative content, visit www.STORYcraft.co 

Each week, the STORY team is going to bring you a creative tip that will impact your work and life in five minutes or less. No matter what vein of work you are in or what kind of medium you use to tell your story, these five minutes will help you to create your best, most creative work.

This week will talk about how to ask the right questions and why this is the first step to discovering the right answers.

For more creative tips and resources, visit www.storycraft.co.

Matthew Luhn is a 20 year Pixar veteran, who worked on some of their biggest films including Up, Finding Nemo, Toy Story, Monster’s Inc, Cars and so many others. He began as an animator, but most of his career at Pixar was in the key role of Story Supervisor. He now spends his time as a branding consultant, a creative writing instructor and a workshop leader.

During this conversation you'll learn about Matthew's journey to Pixar, how to bounce back from failure and how to create space for your best creative work.

Learn more about STORY at www.storygatherings.com. Learn more about our members-only platform STORY Craft at STORYCraft.co.

To kick off 2018, we gathered some of the most successful and creative people that we know to talk about how they set their year up for success. It was two hours jam packed with incredibly useful information. 

You can hear some of the insightful conversation during this first episode of Season 02 of the STORY Podcast. If you want to watch full replay of the interactive live stream with Jason Jaggard, Gillian Ferrabee, Jon Acuff, Brad Montague, Nikkolas Smith and Jim Krueger CLICK HERE.

You will need to sign up for a free membership on our brand new site, STORY Craft. When you create an account, you will gain access to other talks from our annual conference. We hope that you'll join us!

He calls himself a "Hope Slinger" and we couldn't agree more.

Carlos Whittaker is a People’s Choice Award winner, a former recording artist signed to a major label, a social media maven, and currently spends the majority of his time writing books and speaking on stages around the world.

On this episode we talk about what it means to "hope sling", how he became a storyteller on every medium, and how "Killing the Spider" can lead you to a fuller, more hopeful life.

If you've ever struggled between the tension of commerce and art, this episode is for you.

Ed Nash is a book salesman turned Art Dealer, Appraiser and Artist. His work can be found in collections across the US and UK and is represented in galleries in New York, Atlanta, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Nashville TN.

But this journey didn't happen overnight. Learn how a kid from the UK made his way to Nashville to become the successful artist that he is today.

Find out more about STORY at www.storygatherings.com.

Bethany Haley Williams has a Ph.D. in counseling psychology and masters and license in clinical social work, and she is a leader in the field of war-affected child rehabilitation.

In addition to her work through Exile International, the organization she founded, she also works with organizations like the United Nations. She is an activist, committed to amplifying the voices and stories of war-affected youth through art therapy.

We love that she had a moment where she knew that she couldn't not do it. And so she did something. Learn how she started an organization where her passions and skills met an unmet need and how you might be able to discover where you can use your art to do the same.

Learn more about STORY at www.storygatherings.com.

Steven Chaparro is the Vice President of Strategic Design at Visioneering Studios where they envision and design spaces that matter and tell stories.

During this talk at STORY 2016, he discusses the importance of creatives to find our identity outside of our work and our job as storytellers.

This talk was given on stage at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN. If you would like to watch the talk, visit www.storygatherings.com.

Author and entrepreneur, Hannah Brencher talks about the different stages of writing and the creative process.

During this talk you will learn about fighting with fear, insecurity, and comparison during the journey of starting something new. Hannah also shares why and how you should set boundaries around your creative process and how to stay authentic in your writing.

This presentation was given at #STORY2016 at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN.

Communicator and entrepreneur, Hank Fortener gave this talk about how moments in our life define us to close out #STORY2016.

In this presentation, he dissects different emotions that may effect how we view life and how we treat others. This insightful and creative talk will help you shift perspective and open your eyes to how moments have defined you and motivate your actions.

If you'd like to watch this talk, visit www.storygatherings.com.

This talk was given at STORY 2016 at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN.

Executive coach and author, Jason Jaggard talks about how our imagination can sometimes rob of us of the life we were meant to live.

During this talk, you will learn how to see the boundaries that you create for yourself and discover how to break them in order to define new possibilities for your work and your life.

This captivating talk will challenge you to dream bigger, and give you the tools to reach those dreams. This talk was giving at STORY 2016.

Learn more about STORY at www.storygatherings.com.

Welcome to a special episode of our show, where we sit down with Ian Morgan Cron to walk through each of the 9 numbers of the Enneagram. Along the way, you’ll gain some insight into your potential number, how it might help you understand yourself better, and what it all means for how you interact with others both at work and at home. Learn more about STORY at www.storygatherings.com.

We all have a contribution to make as artists…we just have to keep it within a reasonable idea of who we are. But who are we? Isn’t that a questions we as artists and storytellers so often struggle with?

We talk about that and so much more with best-selling author, artist, psychotherapist and priest, Ian Morgan Cron. It's pretty easy to say that he has a unique perspective on life and he wants nothing more than to invite you to live it to your fullest.

Learn more about STORY at www.storygatherings.com.

This week we take a journey into the past to learn about the future with critically acclaimed filmmaker turned over-the-top successful YouTuber, Casey Neistat.

We learn how his personal story shaped stories that he tells, then gain insight into his creative process, work ethic, and daily routine. 

This talk was given at STORY 2016 in Nashville, TN. To learn more about STORY, visit www.storygatherings.com.

Are you guilty of doing everything in your power to avoid pain and conflict? It’s something we all do. But as storytellers, we know that deep down that it’s actually conflict that makes a character’s journey interesting. So why don’t we embrace the same idea in the story that we’re each living out?

In this week’s conversation we talk about that idea, and a whole lot more... John Bucher is a mythologist, award-winning writer, and futurist.

His books include The Inside Out Story, Master of the Cinematic Universe, Story by the Numbers, and Storytelling for Virtual Reality. That explains why he is consistently tapped by companies like HBO to develop spiritually-themed content for their digital presence, and has served as a writer and consultant for numerous film, television, and VR projects. He's also a film instructor and it's clear from this conversation that he loves to talk about storytelling.

Learn more about STORY at www.storygatherings.com

Jeremy Casper is a writer, director, producer as well as a film instructor and guest lecturer. He currently teaches Narrative Storytelling at his alma mater, the Los Angeles Film Studies Center and has led screenwriting and directing seminars all over the world in partnership with The Global Short Film Network and The Visual Story Network.

He strongly believes in the power of story, and has a unique perspective as we dive into transcendent storytelling, what it means and what should be defined as story. 

To learn more about STORY, visit www.storygatherings.com

Steve Daugherty is a pastor, a powerful communicator, and a #STORY2016 featured storyteller. He's been seen on stages around the country where he simply tells a story and leaves the audience to draw the "moral of the story" for themselves. And it's incredibly compelling.

During this conversation we talk about why an honest story holds power, how it can change lives, and impact culture.

Scott McDaniel currently serves as Vice President of Creative for the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation, overseeing the creative team facilitating visual art for the city of Nashville.

It’s a new role for him that he is totally crushing. And that’s no surprise, because his new role is on the heels of 20 years experience in creating visual art within the entertainment industry. He has a ton of experience when it comes to storytelling and collaborating with others to make sure that the best possible story is told.

Learn more at storygatherings.com.

Fear. It’s something that everyone faces, but it seems that fear has a huge stronghold on the creative community.

This week we sat down with Dave Barnes to talk about fear, spirituality within the creative process, and separating our identity from our art. While he has made a career as an artist in his own right, he’s also written songs for artists like Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett and more, so he has a lot to talk about when it comes to creativity.

Learn more about STORY at www.storygatherings.com

Is there something that is holding you back from creating what you were meant to create? Do you find yourself making excuses to not press the post button or to not even embark on a project at all? It’s so easy to push back on opportunities out of fear or some other force that might be ruling your life, like pain. But what if we were able to persevere and create anyway?

This week, we sat down with speaker and stylist, Ruthie Lindsey to talk about just that. worked with brands like Free People, Urban Outfitters and West Elm. But that success didn’t happen overnight.

Listen in as we talk about the hurdles that she had to overcome to be able to produce the work that she was meant to create.

Learn more at www.storygatherings.com

Do we have a problem with self-esteem in creative industries? And what is the right balance of encouraging each other by building each other up to inspire growth and further creativity, while being honest with ourselves and each other about our strengths and weaknesses?

Steve Feldman is a multiple Emmy award-winning director. His credits are fascinating. His IMDB page is an impressive list of projects, ranging from children’s programing to TV documentaries. He event spent 8 years directing Sesame Street.

Steve is a veteran storyteller, who has an incredible amount of experience, and has a unique perspective on living a creative life. And his advice for all of us working towards his status? It may sound a lot different than you thought that it would. All of that and more on this week's episode.

To learn more about STORY, visit www.storygatherings.com.

How often do we get caught up in the end result or have a certain motive behind a project? We set some type of expectation upon it that can leave us disappointed. Whether it’s a book deal, a future speaking gig, or even just a certain amount of likes on Instagram. As artists and storytellers we can struggle to stay present in the journey of our art, but isn’t that where the magic happens?

A self-made singer-songwriter, Matt has spent years creating soulful, feel-good pop music on his own terms. He has toured the country with songwriters like Jason Mraz, Maroon 5, Parachute and Gavin DeGraw.

More than a decade into a career filled with commercial success and touring milestones, Matt remains proud to be an independent singer-songwriter. And there's a lot that we can learn from him when it comes to being vulnerable with our art, how to approach the editing process, and finding our identity beyond our project.

Learn more about STORY at www.storygatherings.com.

Branden Harvey is a storyteller and photographer who helps brands and non-profits tell their stories. He's worked with companies like Starbucks, Comcast, World Vision, and Southwest Airlines. Now, he's working a project of his own to will promote the "Good News" in the world. Listen in to learn how to tell stories in our digital world, and how to change the narrative, for the better, on various platforms. To learn more about STORY, visit www.storygatherings.com.

Amber is an artist and writer who has worked with the likes of Seth Godin, Apple, and Google. She has set out on a mission to choose "Wonder over Worry" and to teach other's to do the same. Not only does she have some incredible things to say that will impact your work and life during this episode, but we also start spilling some secrets about #STORY2017. Learn more at http://storygatherings.com/ and http://choosewonder.com/.

Allen Clark is a celebrity photographer who's portfolio includes photos of George W. Bush, Dave Matthews, Ethan Hawke, Ludacris, and so many more. During this conversation he talks about battling self-doubt, what it means to 'make it', and the importance of telling a story. Learn more about Allen at http://www.allenclarkphotography.com/.

Danielle Bennett is a poet, communicator, and educator who works as a freelance artist as well as in strategic planning for an organization in the public schools of Los Angeles, CA. As a spoken word artist, she has been seen on stages across the country for various events, including #STORY2016. Listen to this powerful conversation as we talk about vulnerability and the tangibility of your art. If you're living between the tension of being a full-time artist or working an office job, this episode is for you.

Over the past month, we have been asking the STORY community this question: "Where did you fall in love?". We received some beautiful stories, and we are excited to share them with you on this special Valentine's Day episode. We hope that you enjoy these real, raw, and beautiful stories! Learn more about STORY at www.storygatherings.com

Allison Fallon is a writer, speaker, and expert coach who is passionate about helping you uncover your unique beauty, power and passion in the world. She’s written ten books and dedicated the last ten years of her life to helping people overcome fears, find healing and uncover their hidden gifts. Listen to this live podcast recording from our Winter STORY Gathering in Nashville, TN as she talks the creative process, setting goals, and discovering what you were meant to do. Learn more at www.storygatherings.com.

It's safe to say that the President of the Producers Guild of America knows a thing or two about great storytelling. She is the executive producer of the hit CBS series "Madame Secretary", one of the executive producers of the National Geographic Emmy-nominated hit series "The Story of God,” the network’s most-watched series of all time, AND the CEO of Revelations Entertainment which she co-founded with Morgan Freeman. She has some experience under her belt, and she was so gracious to talk shop with us while she was on set for "Madame Secretary". Listen in to learn how she got to where she is today, and how to decide which story to tell. Learn more about STORY at www.storygatherings.com.

Jon Acuff is the New York Times Bestselling author of five books. For 19 years he’s helped some of the biggest brands in the world tell their story, including The Home Depot, Bose, Staples, and the Dave Ramsey Team. His blogs have been read by 4 million people, so he knows a thing or two about captivating an audience. During this conversation we talk about setting goals, finishing your current project, how to deal with haters, and so much more! This episode is full of practical advice for anyone as an artist, storyteller, or creator. Learn more about STORY at www.storygatherings.com.

Nikkolas Smith is an artist, author, activist, and Disney Imagineer who loves telling powerful stories through his art. His work has been featured on CNN and in Lionsgate films. He has used his gift as an artist and a Master of Architecture to assist in the construction of our favorite Disney parks in Florida, California, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. During this conversation you will learn how to spark important conversations with art and the importance of discipline while creating. Learn more about STORY at www.storygatherings.com

Sarah Dubbeldam, Editor-in-chief and Creative Director of Darling Magazine, has successfully launched a brand that has disrupted the conversation. Darling Magazine is a beautifully crafted publication that has turned into a lifestyle brand that is empowering women through carefully curated content every day. Sarah has a lot to say about the struggles of balancing her creativity with becoming an entrepreneur and leader of a company. She also has some incredible insight into what it takes to be a writer, create a lifestyle brand that aligns with a mission, and why the voice of Darling needs to be heard. Learn more about Darling at www.darlingmagazine.org and STORY at www.storygatherings.com.

As we walk into 2017, we couldn't think of a better guest to kick off this year on our podcast than the always inspirational, Brad Montague. During this conversation, we talked a lot about where our inspiration comes from, our creative process, and why we can't not create. Brad is the creative genius behind the viral sensation, Kid President, as featured on Rainn Wilson's SoulPancake. Brad is a writer, director, and father who believes that if kids and grown-ups work together, we can change the world. Learn more about STORY at www.storygatherings.com

“When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness.” ― Bob Hope We wanted to help you recall some special moments during this Holiday season, in hopes to awaken a child-like wonder for this season. Listen in as we share some of our favorite memories, and some of your stories from Christmas past. We hope that you and your family create more beautiful moments during the next week or so and that you keep re-discovering that child-like wonder throughout the year. Merry Christmas from all of us at STORY!

Vice President of Production at National Geographic, Matt Renner, knows a thing or two about finding a story. After spending time on the Bering Sea to film "The Deadliest Catch" and piecing an Emmy-winning storyline together, he is taking on his next project that will take viewers to space. While creatively pushing the limits, the new series "Mars", is part present-day documentary, part fictional futuristic storytelling. And it's inspiring imaginations everywhere. During this insightful conversation with Matt, you'll learn how to find a compelling story, how to push the boundaries, and what it means to hustle.

Chief Creative of the Global Franchise Group at DreamWorks Animation, Rick Rekedal has quite a bit to say about storytelling. During this informative conversation you'll learn about the creative process that DreamWorks goes through during a film release, the strategy behind the way that stories are told, and where storytelling is going in the future as technology continues to change. This #STORY2016 presenter will have your wheels spinning as you think about how to put your next creative work out into the world.

Author and entrepreneur, Jason Jaggard was voted one of #STORY2016's favorite presenters. He captivated and challenged the audience to tap into a life beyond their imagination. And this podcast is no different. Listen as we discuss the role of spirituality in creativity, setting goals and reaching your maximum potential in all aspects of your life.

Steven Chaparro is the Head of Business Development at Visioneering Studios where they work with organizations to tell their story through architecture and design. During this conversation, you'll learn about spacial storytelling and how to showcase your company's DNA through architecture. We also talked about how to combat the struggle of comparison, dealing with criticism as an artist, and what it means to discover your "dream job". And if you're a coffee connoisseur, you'll love the conversation we have about the rise of the coffee culture. Learn more about the work that Steven does at https://stevenachaparro.com/

Micah is an extremely talented writer, poet, and communicator. If you were at #STORY2016, you witnessed him silence a room with his incredible work. We loved sitting down with him to talk about his creative process, the rules of writing, and the role that storytellers can play in our society's story as it relates to racism and justice. He even shared a couple of his incredible poems with us that are sure to inspire and challenge you.

We got to sit down with Hank Fortener backstage at STORY 2016 to talk about his life as a communicator, entrepreneur, and podcaster. We loved hearing his insight to what pushes him to start something new. In this episode, you'll learn about the role envy plays in his life as a storyteller and what pushes him to constantly create new things. Be sure to check out World Adoption Day and how you can get involved on November 15th here: http://worldadoptionday.org/

Hannah Brencher is an author, TED speaker, and entrepreneur. We got to sit down with her backstage at STORY 2016, and it was a lot of fun. She has a way with words and we were exited to talk to her about her creative process, especially since she is in the middle of writing her second book. In this episode, you will learn how to create boundaries and what role social media should play in your creative process. Hannah also gives some great advice for anyone who is a writer.

Dan Goods is the "Visual Strategist" for NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab where he develops creative ways to communicate complex concepts by transforming them into meaningful stories that can be universally understood. His work can be seen in museums, airports, and outer space. In this episode, you'll learn what it takes to make stories meaningful and unforgettable and the best question to ask while creating a new project. Learn more about Dan at directedplay.com

Hollywood veteran producer, Gary Foster is known for his projects such as Tin Cup and Sleepless in Seattle. But we were really excited to have a conversation about how his latest project, Denial came to fruition. The movie recounts Deborah E. Lipstadt's legal battle for historical truth against David Irving, who accused her of libel when she declared him a Holocaust denier. It's a story that needs to be told, and we loved hearing how and why Gary fought for the movie to be made. He has so much great advice for producers who have a story to be told.

Join us for an enlightening conversation with President of The Giving Keys, Brit Gilmore, as we discuss the storytelling nature of The Giving Keys, and what she has learned by leading an impact-driven brand with over 70 employees, many of whom have transitioned out of homelessness. We love The Giving Keys story...don’t miss this opportunity to learn first-hand from Brit’s experience as the leader of a company changing the world.

We got to have an incredible conversation with author, speaker, an entrepreneur, Annie F. Downs. We learned so much from her as she talked about how she became a writer, what it's like to lead a team, and why you shouldn't quit. If you want to hear more from Annie, check out her podcast called That Sounds Fun over on www.anniefdowns.com/

We loved sitting down with CJ Casciotta to talk about what it means to embrace our weirdness. CJ is a creative director who has worked with brands like Whole Foods and charity:water to help them tell their stories. He now has his own podcast called "Sounds Like a Movement" where he has talked with people like Seth Godin, Krista Tippet, and Tony Hale. Listen to this episode and learn how to embrace your weirdness, because "in a sea of same, weird wins."

We sat down with Cole NeSmith to talk about cultivating art, creating a community, and how Orlando used art to heal after the Pulse tragedy. Cole is an artist, actor, writer, producer, and the executive director of the Creative City Project, an annual arts event in Downtown Orlando featuring collaborations with Cirque du Soleil, Orlando Ballet, The CFCArts Orchestra, and over 1000 artists, performers, and musicians.

We got to have a lively conversation with poet, activist, and educator, Nikki Giovanni to talk about storytelling, how to stay hopeful, and the importance of finding your own voice. Nikki is currently a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech where she continues to write and contribute to important cultural conversations.

We sat down with Jeremy Cowart to talk about how he deals with criticism, his daily schedule and rhythm, his fears for the future, and what it's like to attempt to raise $2 million on Kickstarter for a hotel that could change the world.

Welcome to the STORY Podcast, a series of unique conversations to fuel the creative class and leave you inspired to do your best, most meaningful work.