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I’m working with a new client, Leonard, who is completely new to first-person true storytelling. He has lived through several unbelievable situations, and I know others need to hear his stories.
So I challenge him to tell a story to open his next podcast. He responds: “I can’t do that. My listenership will drop if I do.” When I ask him why, he says, “No one’s going to care about my story.”
Yet, what if only one person needs to hear your story to change their life? After I pose that question to Leonard, he reluctantly agrees and shares one of his craziest stories on his next episode.
The response? Several listeners emailed him saying things like:
“Your story was exactly what I needed to hear today.”
“Your story reminded me of a similar situation I went through.”
“Your story has given me the courage to tell my story.”
We tell our stories in service to others, and it takes bravery to be vulnerable with your story. Leonard did it, as did my guest today, Krishnni Khanna. She has told her real raw story on both the TEDx stage and in her newly released book, simply because she wants to help others.
In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn about the importance of sharing difficult stories as a way to process experiences and help others feel less alone. Krishnni will share her story of ostracization as a young girl who migrated to the U.S., as well as answer questions such as:
What can happen as a result of sharing your vulnerable story? Why are the words you use in your Talk or story so important? And what’s a really powerful way to end a speech or story?
What you will learn in this episode:
Why personal stories serve as powerful hooks for your speech How to use words and visual descriptions to enhance your stories How to instill inspiration and motivation in others through your raw storiesWho is Krishnni?
Krishnni Khanna was born in India in 2007 and moved to the United States with her parents in 2017. She’s a high schooler, author, and TEDx speaker who advocates for the inner well-being of youth. In 2022, she created Detoximind (www.detoximind.com), a student-led movement through which Krishnni and her team bring peer-based support to teens and youth grappling with stress, shame, exclusion and isolation. She currently resides in Austin, Texas with her parents and their puppy Yuki.
Krishnni’s first novel I AM NOT WHO YOU SEE launched in June 2024. Many of the protagonist’s experiences in the book are inspired by Krishnni’s highs and lows as a 10-year-old immigrant in America, and how she rebuilt her sense of self and regained her identity in her new surroundings.
Links and Resources
Krishnni Khanna I AM NOT WHO YOU SEE by Krishnni Khanna “How Does a Lie Become True?” | Krishnni Khanna | TEDxYoungstown @krishnni-khanna on LinkedIn @krishnnikhanna on Instagram Detoximind Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook -
It's 2017, and I'm meeting with our TEDxSantaBarbara team, preparing to plan our next year's TEDx event. As we start discussing the hundreds of speaker applications we've received, it feels incredibly hard to narrow down our selections with so many wonderful candidates. That's when it hits me.
What if we focus on the idea first and the person second? In other words, what if we identify the most important and urgent ideas we want to cover and then consider all the applications, recommendations, and research to find the strongest person with subject matter expertise in that area?
Our team loves this approach, and we immediately engage in healthy dialogue, even debate, about which ideas our world and our community need the most right now. One of the ideas that rises to the top of the list unanimously is human trafficking.
Fast forward many months later, the speaker we choose delivers an incredible Talk, not only highlighting the issue of human trafficking but also discussing actionable solutions. And now her TEDxSantaBarbara Talk has earned over 400,000 views and counting. This means more than just a number; it signifies that by sharing her Idea Worth Spreading, she has initiated change on a global scale. This means change in awareness, change in mindset, and change in action.
My special guest today is that very same speaker. Megan Rheinschild is Director of the Victim Assistance Program at the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office and directs the Countywide Sexual Assault Response Team, which provides medical-legal forensic exams and advocacy to survivors of human trafficking, child abuse, and sexual assault. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, we’ll explore the issue of human trafficking and the power of storytelling in raising awareness and creating change and get answers to questions such as:
What are some common misconceptions of human trafficking? How can storytelling foster empathy and understanding? And what can the average person do to make a difference?
What you will learn in this episode:
How human trafficking can occur in any community or city Why it’s difficult to break free from exploitation when trafficking victims form a bond with their traffickers How storytelling is a powerful tool in raising awareness and creating empathy How we can make a difference by providing love, acceptance, and support to vulnerable individualsWho is Megan?
Megan Rheinschild serves as the Director of the Victim Assistance Program at the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office. In this role, she oversees a countywide initiative that delivers comprehensive services, support, and advocacy for victims of violent crime and their families.
Ms. Rheinschild has been instrumental in forming the Human Trafficking Victim Advocacy Program and establishing the multi-agency Countywide Human Trafficking Task Force in 2013. This task force aims to identify and investigate human trafficking cases and address the complex needs of survivors through collaborative efforts with local, regional, and state partners.
Additionally, she directs the Countywide Sexual Assault Response Team, a partnership involving Law Enforcement, Public Health, Rape Crisis Centers, and Child Welfare Services. This team provides medical-legal forensic exams and advocacy to survivors of human trafficking, child abuse, and sexual assault.
Links and Resources
Megan Rheinschild: Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) The Face of Human Trafficking | Megan Rheinschild TEDx Santa Barbara Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook -
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I’m on stage performing at Santa Barbara Improv. My scene partner and I are playing a game of He Said, She Said which goes like this: After every line of dialogue from one person, their scene partner will then narrate something physical for them to do.
For instance, let’s say that I say to my scene partner, “I’m so angry at you right now.” My partner then narrates something like, “She said while jumping up and down on one foot.” And I actually have to do the thing.
So we’re in the middle of a mob scene digging a hole, and my partner says, “She says while taking a cigar out of her back pocket and lighting it.”
Being a dedicated athlete my whole life, I never learned how to light a cigar. So when I pretend to do it, I fumble around with it which causes the audience to lose it so much that my scene partner keeps on narrating me lighting cigars.
Pretty soon, I’m losing it too, almost crying because I’m trying to hold in my laughter so much. It turned into a delightful disaster on stage, yet one that ends up being one of my funniest bits.
My special guest today can certainly relate. Polo Reo Tate is a comedian herself as well as an author, actress, keynote speaker, philanthropist, podcaster, and so much more. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll hear how she champions authenticity and resiliency through storytelling and beyond and get answers to questions such as:
Why do you have an innate Improv storytelling ability? How do the rules of Improv storytelling mirror the rules of life? How does reconciling within yourself the low points of your life impact your power as a speaker and storyteller? And what role does your physicality play in enhancing your stories?
What you will learn in this episode:
Why you have to get your story on paper, even if you never share it How you can get unusual story inspiration from mundane situations How craft and intuition interconnect when preparing and giving a presentationWho is Polo?
As an author by soul, actor by trade, artist at heart, and uplifter to the core of her being, Polo Reo Tate redefines what it means to be a Renaissance Woman. From a myriad of life experiences, she intimately understands the transformational value in mindfully getting to know ourselves wholly and love ourselves unconditionally in order to live fully in the freedom of our own authenticity. Her supreme love for people, and the clarity with which she sees and celebrates the superpowers of those around her, allows her to help elevate the energy of any relationship or situation brought forth by a client.
Whether she is in front of a camera, a crowd, or the company of one, Polo revels in the kinetic web of creativity that is born from every interaction, every co-creation. She lives each moment to the fullest, lets no one take her joy, and avidly operates from the belief that we can do anything upon which we set our minds, hearts, and spirits. She welcomes and invites you to embrace your own infinite possibility, embody the loving being that you are, and feel the power and the pleasure of being fully present in your own life.
Links and Resources
Polo Reo Tate Books by Polo Tate “How to find Comedy, Joy, and Fulfillment in Life” | Polo Reo Tate | TEDxYoungstown @ThePoloREOTateChannel on Youtube Soulgasm podcast @PoloReoTate on Facebook @polot8 on X/Twitter @poloreotate on Instagram @poloreotate on LinkedIn Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook -
“Kymberlee, how are you always able to take questions and turn them into storytelling opportunities?”
That’s the question my client Claire asks me as we’re getting her ready for a big keynote presentation. As I’m quickly thinking about how to answer her, I realize that I mostly do it unconsciously. Yet I know that’s not really a helpful answer, so I replay in my mind the times I’ve recently turned a question into a story.
Then it hits me: I’ve been building bridges from questions asked to times in my life that are in some way related to the questions… during handshake moments.
So I explain my thought process to Claire who, during our next coaching sessions, reports that she’s been binging on my technique to great fun and success. She feels like every time she turns a question into a storytelling opportunity, her connection with that other person goes deeper faster.
In this installment of the “Storytelling 7 Series” on the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn about how you can turn questions into storytelling opportunities, too. I’ll also answer questions like:
How can you understand the concept of a handshake as it relates to questions and storytelling? What practical tips can help you improve your storytelling skills with the Handshake Technique? And how do you make your story responses more engaging and relatable using this technique?
What you will learn in this episode:
How to connect questions to stories using the Handshake Technique How to hone your storytelling skills by classifying and building story arsenals How to make storytelling through this technique more natural and effectiveA little about me:
Hi there. I’m Kymberlee.
As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives.
Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teach my clients to do the same.
If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value.
Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place.
Links and Resources:
Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook -
It feels like I’m flying all the time while running my software company. Every month, I’m going somewhere to meet clients.
It’s standard practice until, out of nowhere, I have my first anxiety attack.
These attacks become serious and start happening randomly on different days at different times of the day. Weeks and months go by, and every single time I step on the plane, an attack triggers.
While I’ve been flying on planes my entire life, I find myself having to take medication just to step on to an aircraft.
As I’m searching everywhere looking for answers to get to the bottom of what’s going on, I meet with a therapist, Dr. Keith.
He asks me a simple question:
“Kymberlee, do you think pilots have a fear of flying?”
Sounds like a preposterous question, right? So I respond: “Of course not!”
Then he advises me to ask the pilot on my next flight what their favorite thing is about flying. I do exactly that.
With my heart racing, I board my next flight and ask if I can say a quick hello to the pilot. As I’m having a conversation in the cockpit with this pilot, I quickly learn that his favorite part is the landings.
Suddenly, I go from having heart palpitations to laughing and smiling and learning so much about the craft of flying. In the months (and flights) that follow my perspective on flying changes so much that eventually I don’t even need to take the medication anymore.
His story changes my story.
Speaking of aviation and stories, my special guest, Reyné O'Shaughnessy, is a retired commercial airline pilot and captain with intimate knowledge of mental health. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll hear about the importance of changing the story within the aviation world (and beyond) as it relates to mental health, as well as get answers to questions like:
How does the story within the aviation industry regarding changes in mental wellness policy need shifting? And why is it so important to share your stories publicly in the world?
What you will learn in this episode:
Why the collective mental health story in aviation needs to change How we can adopt a better story through shared responsibility How to prevent your mental health from turning into a story of mental illnessWho is Reyné?
Captain (ret.) Reyné O'Shaughnessy stands as a prominent figure within the aviation industry for her unwavering dedication to both pilots and the aviation industry. With a remarkable 35-year career as a commercial airline pilot, she has accumulated a vast reservoir of experience, expertise, and proficiency with flight time exceeding 10,000 hours on heavy jet aircraft.
Beyond the cockpit, Captain O'Shaughnessy has devoted over a decade to honing her skills as an aviation strategist, with a specific focus on health and mental wellness. Her dedication led her to become a certified practitioner in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) from Brown University. She founded Piloting 2 Wellbeing and co-founded The Aviation Health and Wellbeing Institute, and her holistic approach to aviation has solidified her position as a trailblazer and influencer within the industry.
In addition, Captain O'Shaughnessy is the author of the best-selling book, This Is Your Captain Speaking: What You Should Know About Your Pilot's Mental Health. Her insights have been featured on reputable platforms such as Fox News, NBC News, CBS/KDKA, and AOPA, and she is a sought-after speaker at conferences worldwide.
Links and Resources
Captain Reyné O Piloting 2 Wellbeing The Aviation Health and Wellbeing Institute This Is Your Captain Speaking: What You Should Know About Your Pilot’s Mental Health by Reyné O'Shaughnessy @captain_reyneo on Instagram @piloting2wellbeing on Twitter/X @piloting2wellbeing on Facebook @piloting2wellbeing on LinkedIn Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook -
“What’s the difference between the brands everyone talks about and the ones we can’t remember?” That’s the question that me and my colleague Glenn are pondering over coffee this week.
He expresses surprise at the over $1 billion valuation of the brand Liquid Death. “They sell water in a can. It’s just water,” he tells me.
Yet their success doesn’t surprise me because they sell it in a cool can (with a cool slogan) and have a unique, edgy, unforgettable story their fans love to tell and show off. It’s not just about what you sell; it’s also about the stories you tell regarding your products, services, and brand.
In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn how some of the world’s most iconic and successful brands use storytelling to captivate, engage, and build connections with their audience. In the process, you’ll discover why you need to tell stories to build your brand, too, and get answers to questions like:
What are the keys to using stories for captivating, engaging, and building relationships with your brand’s customers or clients? What are some practical strategies you can use for brand building with storytelling? How can you measure the impact of your storytelling on your audience?
What you will learn in this episode:
How stories create a powerful emotional connection and lasting memory for your brand
How to use story to humanize your brand, share its values and mission, and build an engaging community around it
How to leverage different platforms for and measure the impact of effective brand storytelling
A little about me:
Hi there. I’m Kymberlee.
As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives.
Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness, or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teach my clients to do the same.
If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value.
Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place.
Links and Resources:
Storytelling School Website
@storytellingschool on Instagram
@storytellingSchool on Facebook
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I’m in prep mode, getting ready to host a standup comedy night. I ask myself:
“What’s it going to take to move this event from good to unforgettable?
Sure people are coming to see comedians who they love and may have been following for years… What can we do to make this experience last and earn a permanent memory in every audience member’s mind? What can we do to make this experience last and earn a permanent memory in every single audience member’s mind?”
The answer? It’s all in the details. From eye contact and smiles, to the welcoming and fun atmosphere being directed at each guest from every angle–box office volunteers and snack bar workers, old-time comedy posters and fresh flowers… even the cleanliness of the theater plays a subtle and important role.
In other words, it’s in making this entire evening feel like every single detail matters and producing an unforgettable experience in the process.
My special guests today, Mo Barrett & Katy Stevens, have made creating unforgettable experiences into an entire business. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, they’ll share how the monotonous and mundane can be disrupted and generate stories that entertain and empower, as well as answer questions such as:
How can seeing and appreciating the stories of others deepen your understanding and connection? What effect does allowing your mind to rest have on your story creation and productivity? And how can taking an unconventional approach with your story or Talk produce an experience for your audience that only you can deliver?
What you will learn in this episode:
Why you need to trust the story your body is trying to write for you How the mundane can make for better stories than grandiose events How you can generate creative story ideas and reconnect with forgotten storiesWho are Mo & Katy?
Mo Barrett & Katy Stevens are unlikely best friends from two separate worlds who collided at a barbershop brigade singing event. Mo is a retired Air Force Colonel turned public speaker, and Katy is a music and performance instructor turned Mo-wrangler. Together they take stages as corporate entertainers and educators.
Despite all the ways they’re different, they choose to lean into the strength of the things they have in common, recognizing, acknowledging, appreciating and leveraging their respective quirks. Together Mo & Katy disrupt monotony and are building a world filled with unforgettable experiences that entertain and empower by using humor in unexpected ways.
Links and Resources
Unforgettable Experiences Email: [email protected] Google Maps: Unforgettable Experiences with Mo & Katy “How to be Unforgettable” TEDx Talk Unforgettable Experiences with Mo and Katy podcast @YourUnforgettableExperiences on Facebook @yourunforgettableexperiences on Instagram
#tmks #disruptmonotony #hardatquirk #unforgettableexperiences Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook -
Whenever we do a new TEDx event, our first order of business is finding the theme to get everything flowing. It influences everything we do, from the set design to invited speakers and so much more.
So as we come up with theme ideas for our Santa Barbara TEDx event in 2019, nothing is really clicking.
We try phrases, single words, even full sentences and they all fall short. The theme candidates feel very generic and unexciting.
Then, it hits me: What if we take a deeper look at the role of stories through three different lenses: stories we tell, stories told to us, and stories we tell ourselves?
The team loves it! We finally have our theme, and it sets in motion our lense through which to look through for all our decision-making. And… our TEDx event ends up to be a huge success that year!
No speaking of stories, my incredible guest today, Brandy Gillmore, uses all three of those storytelling lenses in her life’s work. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn about her healing journey from an accident in 2003 and what she discovered about the crucial role of stories in mind-body healing. You’ll also get answers to questions like:
What are misconceptions in stories about mind-body healing? What is the story connection between our subconscious mind, emotions, and physical health? How can transforming stories you tell yourself lead to life-changing results?
What you will learn in this episode:
How stories you tell yourself can affect your physical health How understanding the stories you tell yourself can propel you forward or hold you back How stories can help you gain clarity and motivationWho is Brandy?
Brandy Gillmore is a researcher, author, and mind-body expert. Spurred on by a debilitating injury from an accident in 2003 that left her disabled, in excruciating pain, and without hope for recovery, she began researching for a cure and discovered obscure research that changed the course of her life and resulted in a complete recovery. Now, she shares this research in her book Master Your Mind and Energy to Heal Your Body, which showcases our power to radically heal our bodies using only our minds.
Thanks to her groundbreaking discovery, Brandy has been featured in prestigious medical journals, on notable platforms (such as the Shift Network), and in several documentaries and docuseries including Women’s Health Secrets, Thrive Global, Harper’s Bazaar Brazil, Pain Revealed, and more! She’s also been praised by medical professionals, health and wellness luminaries, global leaders, Hollywood celebrities, corporate tycoons, and people from all walks of life who’ve been captivated by her remarkable insights and results from her work.
Links and Resources
Brandy Gillmore Brandy’s TEDx Talk: “Could This Be the Missing Link to Your Health?” Master Your Mind and Energy to Heal Your Body by Brandy Gillmore Heal Yourself. Change Your Life podcast See Live Healing on Brandy’s website @brandy.gillmore on Facebook @brandygillmore on Instagram @BrandyGillmore on Twitter/X Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook -
As a kid growing up, I get to spend time with two families. On one side is my mom and stepdad, and on the other is my dad and stepmom. Being the only child in both families, I spend holidays at one house and then the other. Trick or treating on Halloween with one family earlier in the evening and the other later in the evening. I even have two different celebrations on my birthday.
Everything is separate...until 2010 when I decide to run a TEDx event for the first time and realize quickly that I need help. So Mom, an English major, offers to help with speakers. My stepmom helps with overseeing and running registration and volunteers. My stepdad has experience with stage managing and works with me behind the stage with the tech team and speakers. And Dad helps with all onsite needs including fine-tuning the sets and becomes our X-factor.
While my two families have very different values, beliefs, and even rules, they do have one thing in common: they have tremendous love to give and they come together civilly for a collective cause that is bigger than any one of us individually. They volunteer at our TEDx event to help change the world through spreading ideas.
Now my special guest today, Joe Weston, teaches people how to not only be civil to each other but fiercely so in order to influence what happens next in their stories.
In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn about why we get caught in a repetitive story of arguing and fighting with others. You’ll also discover keys to creating stories of mutual empowerment between people and get answers to questions like:
How are power dynamics at the core of stories that fuel fights? What has helped create a universal mindset that helps facilitate arguments? What’s an example of how a challenging life story can positively impact others? And how can the process of working on your first TEDx Talk change the story you tell yourself about public speaking?
What you will learn in this episode:
What influences the argumentative stories we tell ourselves and each other What kind of exercise can help you transition from story to training in your Talk or presentation Why simply writing the ideal Talk isn’t enough for a good presentationWho is Joe?
Joe Weston is an international thought leader, lecturer, author, consultant, coach, trainer, and advocate for lasting peace. Born in Queens, NY and raised in a volatile, argumentative environment, he was determined to understand the roots of conflict and find another way to safely address problems. So he went on a worldwide quest and studied diverse traditions such as various martial art forms, meditation, contemplative practices, neuroscience, communication models, and more.
Eventually, Joe ended up living in the Netherlands for 18 years where he expanded his vision of human solidarity that transcended nationality, race, religion, political ideology, and economic status and led to creating programs in the U.S., Europe, and some of the most conflict-ridden regions in the world. His career as a conflict prevention specialist spans over 30 years, and he’s a highly sought-after facilitator for individuals, corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits worldwide.
Links and Resources
Joe Weston Joe’s TEDx Talk: “Say Goodbye to Chronic Niceness” Fierce Civility and Mastering Respectful Confrontation books by Joe Weston @joewestonauthor on Facebook @fiercecivility on Instagram Joe Weston on LinkedIn Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook -
I’m ready to dazzle! I have on my heels, my dress, and my glitter as I enter the doors of Blaisdell Arena and make my way to my seat near the front row. I can feel my heart racing with anticipation.
Then, the lights go out. The fog on stage gets thicker. The familiar beat begins, and it’s as if my heart starts to beat with it in unison.
Suddenly, the backup singers take their places on the stage. And through the haze, I finally see him. As he comes into focus, there’s cheering, and screaming, and some nearby me are even crying. We’re all so excited to see what we’ve been looking forward to for months: Prince performing live on stage, in person, in living color!
At that moment, we’re all in the middle of this story happening around us. Years later, I can recall where I sat, what I thought, and who I was with that evening. That’s what a powerful experience that earns a permanent place in the memory can do.
Starting from his days as a civil engineering student, my special guest Adam Metwally is all about creating experiences for others using a combination of his various interests, knowledge, and experience. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll hear how he emphasizes the power of creating memorable experiences, his tips on building genuine confidence and its role in storytelling, and so much more! You’ll also get answers to questions like:
How do you build trust and connection as an interviewer of those who want to share stories? How can better understanding your influence affect the story of others and, in turn, impact your own? And why is genuine authenticity essential for effective storytelling?
What you will learn in this episode:
How to bring out and develop the story within an event What the keys are to getting good stories out of other people How to build genuine confidence and why it is key to authenticityWho is Adam?
Adam Metwally loves to connect and riff with intelligent and interesting people to expand his insight, perspective, and knowledge. He reads voraciously and has an unending curiosity about the world around him. Politely persistent but extremely extroverted, his interests include business psychology, mindset, finance, music, spirituality, and sports like yoga, snowboarding, running, and basketball.
With deep curiosity and an environment that fosters growth through impactful projects, Adam aims to take the wide variety of intersecting and specific knowledge he’s developed over the last decade to learn quickly and contribute world-class ideas to organizations. He then uses his organizational skills, persistence, and focus to push those ideas into outcomes.
Links and Resources
Adam Metwally The One Time Podcast: Apple | Spotify @meetwally on Instagram @adammetwally on LinkedIn @adam.metwally on Facebook @metwally on TikTok @ManTalks on Instagram Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook -
I’m on a Zoom call rehearsing with a group of speakers who are getting ready for an upcoming TEDx event. Yet something’s off.
After finishing her run, one speaker admits, “I don’t really feel like I’m connected.”
And that’s when I realize something. She’s scanning the room and not really seeing anyone. It’s like she’s talking into the void.
So I say, “Try focusing on one person at a time, like you’re talking directly to that particular person. Then focus on the next person, and then the next.”
I have everybody take a turn at this. They’re hesitant at first. Yet over the next few weeks, they start making genuine connections with their audience even though it’s through the screen.
It’s incredible to see and just another powerful reminder of the magic of eye contact. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, we continue our Storytelling Seven series where you’ll learn why mastering eye contact is such a crucial element in storytelling and public speaking. In the process, you’ll also find out:
Why can eye contact make or break your presentation? What specific considerations should you keep in mind for eye contact in virtual presentations? And how can you practice making eye contact in your speech or story?
What you will learn in this episode:
How eye contact helps you as the speaker or storyteller How eye contact serves as a bridge between you and your audience How to overcome the challenges of mastering eye contactA little about me:
Hi there. I’m Kymberlee.
As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives.
Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness, or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teach my clients to do the same.
If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value.
Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place.
Links and Resources:
Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook -
I’m standing backstage with my dad in a room full of speakers who are getting ready to make their TEDx debuts. We’ve been working for over eight months for this moment, yet the nervous energy in the room is palpable.
So Greg, the event organizer, takes the microphone and gives a short, inspirational talk. Then he stops, walks over to my dad and hands him the microphone.
Dad clears his throat and says, “What did the fish say when it ran into the wall?” And that joke breaks open a dam of levity that helps take the energy from trepidation to confidence and readiness for the stage.
Humor can be a game-changer. And in this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn about how humor affects stories, the different types of humor you can deploy, how you can play with humor to find what works for you and your audience, and the pitfalls you need to avoid when using it as a device. In the process, you’ll get answers to questions such as:
Why is humor so effective in storytelling and speaking? How do you choose a style of humor and start experimenting with it? And what can go wrong when using humor in your stories and speeches?
What you will learn in this episode:
What types of humor you can deploy in speaking and storytelling How to integrate and experiment with humor to find what fits best What not to do with humor in your speeches and storiesA little about me:
Hi there. I’m Kymberlee.
As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives.
Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness, or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teach my clients to do the same.
If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value.
Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place.
Links and Resources:
Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook -
I’m at the Annoyance Theater in Chicago taking a week-long intensive Improv class. In the middle of a scene with my scene partner, I have this brilliant idea. So I start forcing the scene in the direction I have in mind.
My partner follows along…and the whole scene ends up being pretty flat and predictable. After we’re done, the instructor says, “Kymberlee, I have a note for you. Allow yourself to be surprised on stage rather than in control.”
What if we apply the same principle to our presentations? How would that change us and the audience? In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn why it’s important to allow yourself to be surprised on stage as a speaker or storyteller and how that leads to more dynamic, memorable presentations, Talks, and stories.. I’ll share examples of embracing unexpected moments and answers questions like:
Why are spontaneity and authenticity crucial for effective speaking and storytelling? What impact can unexpected moments have on the audience? And what techniques can you use to create an authentic connection with your audience?
What you will learn in this episode:
How the element of surprise affects your audience psychologically How you can embrace the unexpected as a speaker or storyteller on stage How an open, flexible approach can transform your audience’s experienceA little about me:
Hi there. I’m Kymberlee.
As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives.
Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness, or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teach my clients to do the same.
If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value.
Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place.
Links and Resources:
Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook -
I’m in the final planning stages for Story to Standing Ovation, our annual live event, when my dad randomly stops by to drop something off. He comes toward my office, stops in the doorway, and says, “What the heck is that?”
As he points at my sliding glass doors, I tell him, “This is my brain on sticky notes.” What he’s looking at is three days of our event broken down, sticky style.
These aren’t just randomly placed sticky notes, either. I have these organized in full outline form and broken down into topics and categories. Some of the sticky notes are in bold, others are in different colors, and still others are highlighted.
Whenever I plan an event, a Talk, or even a story, I need to visually see the pieces. And even though I’ve tried other ways, this adhesive square playground is the planning method that works best for me.
In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn how a simple tool like sticky notes can revolutionize the way you plan your stories, speeches, workshops, and other events and get answers to questions like:
What are the advantages of using sticky notes for story and other event planning? What do you need to consider when choosing your workspace for sticky notes? And what two things must you do to eliminate the confusion of working with your sticky note outline later on?
What you will learn in this episode:
How to brainstorm and categorize ideas on sticky notes How to structure your sticky notes in the outlining process How to use sticky notes to help you transition between sectionsA little about me:
Hi there. I’m Kymberlee.
As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives.
Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness, or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teach my clients to do the same.
If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value.
Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place.
Links and Resources:
Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook -
One sentence from a stranger is all it took to ignite the biggest epiphany of my life.
I’ll explain.
I’m sitting in the audience at my first TED conference, enraptured by all the speakers when a guy comes on stage who I’ve never heard of before. He starts showing some of the most beautiful and haunting images I’ve ever seen. Then he says something offhand that gives me chills…
Speaking of the impact of words, welcome to the next episode in our “Storytelling Seven” series! Today on the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn about how to capture your audience’s attention from the very beginning by starting your story off with a bang. I unpack the power of using hook statements by answering questions like:
What is a hook, and how does using one in your story engage your audience? How do you craft an effective hook statement? How does FDR’s first inaugural address illustrate the power of a great story hook?
What you will learn in this episode:
What a well-crafted hook does for your story and presentation What different forms hook statements can take in your story How a memorable story hook impacts your listenersA little about me:
Hi there. I’m Kymberlee.
As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives.
Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness, or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teach my clients to do the same.
If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value.
Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place.
Links and Resources:
Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook -
I’m catching up with my Aunt Marie about everything that’s happening in life. She asks me, “Do you have any performances or events coming up?”
I do. Our annual three-day immersive speaker bootcamp is coming up at the end of February. For those three days, I get to be on stage helping people take their speaking to the next level.
“I don’t know how you do it,” my aunt replies. “Growing up, you were always so good in front of a crowd. You had no fear. I could never do that.”
And the more we talk about all the times I was in the spotlight growing up, the more I think, “Is confidence really cultivated? Is it a natural ability we’re born with, or can it be learned?”
In my most recent Masterclass, too, quite a few attendees expressed a desire to be more confident. So in this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, we’ll explore confidence in relation to communication, storytelling, and public speaking and get answers to questions such as:
What two elements does confidence as a speaker or storyteller really come down to? What does having confidence as a speaker or storyteller really mean? What three areas will help you cultivate your confidence when speaking or telling stories?
What you will learn in this episode:
How to visualize your success as a confident speaker or storyteller Why telling true stories helps raise your confidence level How embracing your speaking or storytelling mistakes builds confidenceA little about me:
Hi there. I’m Kymberlee.
As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives.
Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness, or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teach my clients to do the same.
If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value.
Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place.
Links and Resources:
Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook -
It’s 2016 and I’m putting on a high-stakes speaking and storytelling workshop. One of the attendees “Shawn” is the CEO of a tech company, and he’s not buying the idea of using storytelling to raise money and land deals.
I say to him, “Give me two days. But you’ve got to play all in. Are you in?”
Despite his skepticism that anything will drastically change for him, he reluctantly agrees.
When the workshop concludes, he feels this storytelling knowledge has given him a new competitive edge.
Fast forward in time a few years later when we run into “Shawn”. He reveals that he’s practiced that workshop training ever since it ended and landed a life-changing deal with one of the largest software companies in his industry! He completely attributes his success to his ability to apply what he learned at my workshop:
How to tell a great short story.
So if you want to know:
How can you use storytelling as your superpower and get others to choose you in a highly competitive playing field over your competition? And what powerful insider techniques do great storytellers use to get such great results?
Then I’ve got you covered! Today’s episode switches things up a bit. It’s very short and all about the Masterclass I’m offering that teaches you how to skyrocket your success with story.
What you will learn in the Masterclass:
Why stories matter (with proven results) How stories work (with a behind-the-scenes unpacking) What change you can make to any story for dramatic effect What crucial element every story needs What essential question you must ask when using stories for businessA little about me:
Hi there. I’m Kymberlee.
As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives.
Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness, or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teach my clients to do the same.
If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value.
Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place.
Links and Resources:
Free Masterclass: Skyrocket Your Success With Storytelling Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook -
It’s 2015, and I’ve just started training in Improvisational comedy. Every Wednesday night, I attend Alan Irwin’s Improv classes at Santa Barbara Improv.
Weeks turn into months, and my fondness for Improv grows into an addiction. I want to learn more, absorb more, and grow faster!
So I start keeping a notebook of all the games we play and capturing all the critical class lessons and sound bites. I even stay after to ask for notes on my performance.
Yet, I still crave more and want to accelerate my learning beyond the pacing of one class a week. I ask Alan for private coaching and, while he doesn’t do it very often, he agrees.
Those one-on-one sessions are a game changer for me. They help deepen my understanding of the craft of Improv and allow me to significantly expand my knowledge. Thanks to his feedback from just a few of these private lessons, I end up at a completely different level.
So many of us want to accelerate our growth, amplify our learning, and expand our skills fast. How do we do that as speakers and storytellers?
In this continuation of our “So You Think You Want to Become a Storyteller” series on the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn where to start, how to accelerate your learning and grow with your audience, and how to keep track of your progression as you amplify the expansion of your speaking craft. I’ll answer questions like:
How do you personalize your development plan to become a master storyteller or speaker? How can you accelerate your success and make stories more engaging and memorable? How can you leverage digital platforms, networking, and collaborations to become more visible and expand your reach? How can you get more opportunities to practice storytelling and teach your expertise? And how do you integrate continuous learning into a busy schedule?
What you will learn in this episode:
How to come up with a development plan for mastering storytelling How you can use your audience to help you accelerate your growth What to look for to assess your storytelling and speaking progress over timeA little about me:
Hi there. I’m Kymberlee.
As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives.
Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness, or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teach my clients to do the same.
If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value.
Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place.
Links and Resources:
Santa Barbara Improv Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook -
I’m at the main TEDx event, sitting in the theater next to a lady who’s captured my attention. Her name is Carrie, and she’s impeccably dressed. I can’t help but fixate on her outfit!
So as I’m chatting with her, I compliment her on her dress. She thanks me and says she’s a designer who makes custom dresses for her clients based on their unique measurements.
In addition to wanting to get a tape measure and order a custom-made dress of my own from her right then and there, I have to ask her out of curiosity, “How did you get started in the fashion business?”
“I believe the fashion industry has it wrong,” she responds. “It should be about role models, not runway models.”
She feels fashion needs to highlight the humans wearing the clothes, instead of the clothes themselves. Not only does she go on to debut at New York Fashion Week with this campaign, she’s also one of the first designers to feature a model in a wheelchair on the runway. She’s challenging societal norms and giving voice to a segment that doesn’t always have a voice and doing so in an industry that is set in its ways in certain aspects.
As someone who identifies as a non-binary gay cowboy, my special guest today also highlights marginalized voices in his work. Shawn-Caulin Young is an acclaimed LGBTQ+ actor, writer, director, and film and TV producer. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, he’s here to talk about the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in his storytelling journey and the impact these qualities have in storytelling to bring to life the experiences of marginalized communities. He also answers questions such as:
What story imprisons too many actors, writers, and other artists? How can you get to your breakthrough moment of authenticity as a storyteller? What’s one thing that instantly disarms any resistance others might have to sharing their stories? And how can you use the breath to help you handle fear and enhance your presence and creativity with storytelling?
What you will learn in this episode:
Why stories have the power to keep you safe (or cause self-inflicted harm) What impact embracing authenticity, vulnerability, and dis-likability have in storytelling How you can create a safe space for others to share their storyWho is Shawn-Caulin?
Shawn-Caulin Young is an acclaimed LGBTQ actor, writer, director, and film and TV producer whose storyteller roots extend deep into the arid expanses of Farmington, New Mexico amidst the vibrant tapestry of the Navajo Nation. He’s the youngest of four whose distinct, artistic voice has been shaped by his unique upbringing amidst the professional horse racing world where he identifies as a non-binary gay cowboy.
As a beacon for LGBTQIA+ narratives, Shawn-Caulin has garnered acclaim across the spectrum of his various roles. His artistic voyage began in the corridors of high school drama, eventually propelling him to the prestigious Hartt School (UHA) in Connecticut, culminating in a BFA in Acting. His journey, enriched by classical training in England, led him to the vibrant streets of New York City, marking the beginning of an illustrious career in film and television.
Known for his transformative and heartfelt performances in Godless, Santa Clarita Diet, True Detective, and notably in the film The Hammer, Shawn-Caulin has etched a place in the hearts of audiences worldwide. He also received the esteemed Screencraft Fellowship in 2022 for his work delving deep into the fabric of the Southwest (and beyond) and championing the untold stories of underrepresented communities with a keen eye on identity and perseverance. His scripts are not just tales but lifelines to the unsung experiences echoing from the underdog's world.
Beyond the camera, Shawn-Caulin is a seasoned horseman and a devoted mentor, guiding young artists in the art of storytelling and filmmaking. His artistic journey, dotted with significant accolades and an undying passion for storytelling, continues to push the boundaries of creative expression. His commitment to diversity and authenticity makes his body of work not just entertaining but profoundly impactful and inspiring for storytellers and audiences alike.
Links and Resources
Shawn-Caulin Young @shawncaulinyoung on Instagram Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook -
I’m teaching an Improv class where everyone is doing an exercise called “Headlines”. We’re standing in a circle on stage, and one by one, we each share an outlandish headline we’ve made up on the spot.
But there’s a twist: each person has to start their headline with the last word from the previous person’s headline. So, for example, if the prior person says, “Life found on planet Pluto” as their headline, the next person has to start their headline with the word “Pluto”. It’s a hilarious exercise that has us holding our tummies from laughing so hard.
One week later, I’m meeting with a client who says to me:
“I’m thinking about the year ahead, and there are so many things I want to do and create. I don’t know where to start.”
In that moment, my mind goes back to the Headline game. So I ask her:
“What if we fast-forward a year? In your favorite publication, there’s a headline about you, your business, your life. What does that headline say?”
She loves the idea of doing this exercise! And I invite you to do the same in the first episode of a new podcast series I’m calling the Storytelling Seven, where you get bite-sized tools and tactics you can put in practice right now to take yourself to the next level.
Today on the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn about how you can use the Headline exercise to set goals and create a vision for the story of your future. You’ll get answers to questions like:
How can headlines be used as teasers for stories? How do you create a headline and reverse-engineer the actions needed to achieve it? And why is celebrating your success so important?
What you will learn in this episode:
How to influence your own story by creating a headline What steps to take to create your headline when setting goals Why celebrating success is a necessityA little about me:
Hi there. I’m Kymberlee.
As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives.
Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness, or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teach my clients to do the same.
If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value.
Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place.
Links and Resources:
Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook - Vis mere
