Storytelling School
Kymberlee Weil
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Top 10 Storytelling School Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Storytelling School episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Storytelling School for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Storytelling School episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
How Sharing Stories Can Build Rapport in Unpredictable Situations
Storytelling School
It’s the end of 2002 and I am fully immersed in the world of technology, running a bicoastal tech event. Over lunch with a new connection, we start unraveling a really wild idea - what if we were to build a software application using technology that has never been combined before? Just for fun, we scribble our ideas onto a napkin.
A few days later, something truly incredible happens. We get invited to build this software for the TED Conference. I think to myself, This is way out of my league. We have no team. No roadmap. Just a napkin. And only eight weeks to somehow make this happen.
However, the chance to create something that the world has never seen before is way too thrilling to ignore, so within a weekend, we pull together a team from all over the U.S. and Canada. Eight weeks go by, and we barely sleep. There are moments where I wonder, Is this a huge mistake? Day after day, though, fueled by adrenaline and sheer audacity, we keep pushing forward.
When TED arrives, we hold our breath as we unveil our creation. Guess what? Not only does it work, but people engage with the software in ways we never even imagined. In that moment – watching as people interact and seeing our vision come to life – it truly hits me that we did it. And that moment changes everything.
As it turns out, a little innovation and audacity can rewrite the rules in a life-altering way. Someone who knows all about that is today's guest, Gina Osborn. After nearly three decades in law enforcement chasing Cold War spies, foiling terrorist plots, and tracking down cybercriminals, this is just another day on the job for her. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn about the best way to build rapport, whether the glass ceiling is just a state of mind, and the consequences of choosing a hill to die on. You’ll also get answers to questions like:
How do real-life experiences shape the way we tell and also interpret stories? How can unexpected challenges or turning points redefine the course of a story - or of a life? And how do you get wary people to trust you?
What you will learn in this episode:
- How being innovative and audacious can lead to unexpected success
- How role models can help shape our beliefs about what’s possible
- How careers can be redefined by both adversity and opportunities
- The importance of collaboration and persistence when taking on a challenge
- Why preparation and resilience are important in any career - especially a dangerous one
Who is Gina? Gina Osborn spent 28 years in law enforcement where she took on espionage, terrorism, and cybercrime. Initially beginning her career in 1986 as a Counterintelligence Special Agent in the U.S. Army handling high-profile Cold War espionage cases in Europe, she transitioned in 1996 by joining the FBI, where she investigated Asian Organized Crime, supervised counterterrorism operations in Southeast Asia, and led major cybercrime cases.
After her retirement in 2018, Gina became a sought-after keynote speaker, using her real-life experiences to educate and inspire audiences. She is also the host of the upcoming podcast Making Maverick Moves which will feature trailblazers who challenge norms and redefine success!
Links and Resources
It’s the end of 2002 and I am fully immersed in the world of technology, running a bicoastal tech event. Over lunch with a new connection, we start unraveling a really wild idea - what if we were to build a software application using technology that has never been combined before? Just for fun, we scribble our ideas onto a napkin.
A few days later, something truly incredible happens. We get invited to build this software for the TED Conference. I think to myself, This is way out of my league. We have no team. No roadmap. Just a napkin. And only eight weeks to somehow make this happen.
However, the chance to create something that the world has never seen before is way too thrilling to ignore, so within a weekend, we pull together a team from all over the U.S. and Canada. Eight weeks go by, and we barely sleep. There are moments where I wonder, Is this a huge mistake? Day after day, though, fueled by adrenaline and sheer audacity, we keep pushing forward.
When TED arrives, we hold our breath as we unveil our creation. Guess what? Not only does it work, but people engage with the software in ways we never even imagined. In that moment – watching as people interact and seeing our vision come to life – it truly hits me that we did it. And that moment changes everything.
As it turns out, a little innovation and audacity can rewrite the rules in a life-altering way. Someone who knows all about that is today's guest, Gina Osborn. After nearly three decades in law enforcement chasing Cold War spies, foiling terrorist plots, and tracking down cybercriminals, this is just another day on the job for her. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn about the best way to build rapport, whether the glass ceiling is just a state of mind, and the consequences of choosing a hill to die on. You’ll also get answers to questions like:
How do real-life experiences shape the way we tell and also interpret stories? How can unexpected challenges or turning points redefine the course of a story - or of a life? And how do you get wary people to trust you?
What you will learn in this episode:
- How being innovative and audacious can lead to unexpected success
- How role models can help shape our beliefs about what’s possible
- How careers can be redefined by both adversity and opportunities
- The importance of collaboration and persistence when taking on a challenge
- Why preparation and resilience are important in any career - especially a dangerous one
Who is Gina? Gina Osborn spent 28 years in law enforcement where she took on espionage, terrorism, and cybercrime. Initially beginning her career in 1986 as a Counterintelligence Special Agent in the U.S. Army handling high-profile Cold War espionage cases in Europe, she transitioned in 1996 by joining the FBI, where she investigated Asian Organized Crime, supervised counterterrorism operations in Southeast Asia, and led major cybercrime cases.
After her retirement in 2018, Gina became a sought-after keynote speaker, using her real-life experiences to educate and inspire audiences. She is also the host of the upcoming podcast Making Maverick Moves which will feature trailblazers who challenge norms and redefine success!
Links and Resources
02/19/25 • 27 min
How Thinking Like a Magician Can Create Captivating Stories
Storytelling School
It’s the early 2000s, and I’m between sessions at the TEDx conference. As I go to grab a coffee, I notice this crowd forming nearby. Naturally curious, I wander over there to see what the fuss is about.
In the middle of this crowd is a guy with a deck of cards doing a magic trick. But it’s not just the trick itself that’s amazing; it’s the effect it’s having on everyone around him. None of us can take our eyes off of him. It’s like we’re collectively holding our breath being caught in the moment as he performs trick after trick after trick.
Like everyone else around me, I’m completely captivated, marveling at what’s happening. “How does he do this?” I think to myself. I don’t know how one person with just a deck of cards can make an entire group of strangers feel so connected, so in awe together.
I realize at this point that it’s not all about the magic. It’s like this magician has created a shared experience of wonder for all of us and telling a story without even saying a single word.
He wraps up the show, the crowd disperses, and I go stand in line to get my coffee still buzzing from the experience. I turn to my husband Mark and ask, “Who is that guy?” Mark smiles and says, “That’s David Blaine.”
Wow, I was completely unaware that I’d been watching one of the most famous magicians in the world! Yet what sticks with me, even all these years later, isn’t just who he is; it’s that unforgettable feeling of awe he created for everyone in that moment.
So many magicians have that same capacity to captivate their audience. Rick Gerber is a professional magician who has been spending his entire life performing in multiple countries and every state in the U.S. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll hear about how thinking like a magician can help you discover creative solutions that’ll create astonishing stories that linger in people’s minds. You’ll also get answers to questions such as:
In what ways can you creatively engage with your audience to enhance the storytelling experience? How can you get into the flow state as you perform your Talk or story? And how can embracing the unexpected lead to surprising discoveries that create unforgettable stories for your audience?
What you will learn in this episode:
- How closely observing your audience for clues benefits your storytelling
- How you can captivate your audience with a shared experience at the very beginning
- Why you need to know your audience to set the right tone from the start
Who is Rick?
For over 40 years, Rick Gerber has been traveling the world creating laughter and gasps of astonishment at high-profile special events, trade shows, and as the headliner aboard some of the world’s most prestigious cruise ships. He has performed his incredible magic in all fifty states and over forty-five countries. Presidents, kings, and megastars in movies, TV, and music have witnessed firsthand his ability to distort reality before their watchful eyes.
Rick became the youngest performer at the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood at 10 years old. At age 21, he was put under contract with Budweiser and performed for them full-time at trade shows and special VIP events around the globe for decades. Most recently, he was elected by his magician peers to the Board of Directors of the prestigious Academy of Magical Arts--home at the World-Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA.
Today, Rick’s Fortune 500 clients read like a Who’s Who of the corporate world--Monster Energy, T-Mobile, GE, Acura, DIRECTV, Coca-Cola, Dell Technologies, Nestlé, and hundreds of smaller businesses as well. Whether it's attracting crowds and gathering leads at trade shows, performing at special events, mingling in VIP hospitality suites, producing magic-themed events, or performing his stage show at corporate sales meetings for hundreds or thousands of attendees, companies can always count on him to deliver.
Links and Resources
It’s the early 2000s, and I’m between sessions at the TEDx conference. As I go to grab a coffee, I notice this crowd forming nearby. Naturally curious, I wander over there to see what the fuss is about.
In the middle of this crowd is a guy with a deck of cards doing a magic trick. But it’s not just the trick itself that’s amazing; it’s the effect it’s having on everyone around him. None of us can take our eyes off of him. It’s like we’re collectively holding our breath being caught in the moment as he performs trick after trick after trick.
Like everyone else around me, I’m completely captivated, marveling at what’s happening. “How does he do this?” I think to myself. I don’t know how one person with just a deck of cards can make an entire group of strangers feel so connected, so in awe together.
I realize at this point that it’s not all about the magic. It’s like this magician has created a shared experience of wonder for all of us and telling a story without even saying a single word.
He wraps up the show, the crowd disperses, and I go stand in line to get my coffee still buzzing from the experience. I turn to my husband Mark and ask, “Who is that guy?” Mark smiles and says, “That’s David Blaine.”
Wow, I was completely unaware that I’d been watching one of the most famous magicians in the world! Yet what sticks with me, even all these years later, isn’t just who he is; it’s that unforgettable feeling of awe he created for everyone in that moment.
So many magicians have that same capacity to captivate their audience. Rick Gerber is a professional magician who has been spending his entire life performing in multiple countries and every state in the U.S. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll hear about how thinking like a magician can help you discover creative solutions that’ll create astonishing stories that linger in people’s minds. You’ll also get answers to questions such as:
In what ways can you creatively engage with your audience to enhance the storytelling experience? How can you get into the flow state as you perform your Talk or story? And how can embracing the unexpected lead to surprising discoveries that create unforgettable stories for your audience?
What you will learn in this episode:
- How closely observing your audience for clues benefits your storytelling
- How you can captivate your audience with a shared experience at the very beginning
- Why you need to know your audience to set the right tone from the start
Who is Rick?
For over 40 years, Rick Gerber has been traveling the world creating laughter and gasps of astonishment at high-profile special events, trade shows, and as the headliner aboard some of the world’s most prestigious cruise ships. He has performed his incredible magic in all fifty states and over forty-five countries. Presidents, kings, and megastars in movies, TV, and music have witnessed firsthand his ability to distort reality before their watchful eyes.
Rick became the youngest performer at the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood at 10 years old. At age 21, he was put under contract with Budweiser and performed for them full-time at trade shows and special VIP events around the globe for decades. Most recently, he was elected by his magician peers to the Board of Directors of the prestigious Academy of Magical Arts--home at the World-Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA.
Today, Rick’s Fortune 500 clients read like a Who’s Who of the corporate world--Monster Energy, T-Mobile, GE, Acura, DIRECTV, Coca-Cola, Dell Technologies, Nestlé, and hundreds of smaller businesses as well. Whether it's attracting crowds and gathering leads at trade shows, performing at special events, mingling in VIP hospitality suites, producing magic-themed events, or performing his stage show at corporate sales meetings for hundreds or thousands of attendees, companies can always count on him to deliver.
Links and Resources
11/13/24 • 27 min
How Story Can Help You Cultivate Courage and Bridge Divisions
Storytelling School
It’s the third night of a very intense survival training course with a Green Beret guy. I haven’t slept or showered. I’m muddy and exhausted and just want to go home to Santa Barbara. I tell myself I just need to make it through one more night and this will all be behind me.
When it’s time to call it a night, I am given a choice: I can either sleep in my tent or in this lean-to I’ve built. The lean-to is essentially a hole in the dirt with some twigs on it. At this moment, I’d love nothing more than to be at a resort, yet I remind myself I came to this insane training for a challenge.
So I say, “Fine. I’ll sleep in this lean-to.” I trek down the road around the bend and shimmy myself into this little hole in the dirt. I can’t even see the base camp anymore.
I can hear every sound around me as I lay there, and I realize that I’ve never been alone like this before. But hey, it’s fine!
“I’m fine; in just hours, I can go home,” I think to myself.
Then, after slightly dozing off, I wake up to this crunching sound just off in the distance. It’s coming towards me, and I keep telling myself everything’s fine. Then the crunch gets louder and faster until, in the moonlight, I see it: the tusk of a wild boar!?!
I lie there, frozen and deciding whether or not to scream, when I remember something: animals sense fear. So I need to be strong, be still, be silent, and stick this out.
While it’s rooting around my head, something suddenly distracts it, and it runs off into the forest. And when morning arrives, I get out of the lean-to, go back to camp, and announce I survived.
The Green Beret guy says, “Yeah. Good job Kymberlee.”
Here’s the deal: I am committed to affecting change in our world. With change comes challenges. With challenges comes fear. That means that different levels of fear are always coming up for me. What this unforgettable experience has taught me is that we must cultivate your courage. And when I think of courage, I can’t help but think of that Green Beret guy who has become a dear friend. His name is Retired Lieutenant Colonel Scott Mann. Scott is with us today in this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast to discuss the transformative power of thematic stories of survival and courage and answer questions like:
What is the significance of storytelling leadership roles? What do personal stories that resonate with others have in common? And why is your delivery of a story as important as its content?
What you will learn in this episode:
- How storytelling can help you cultivate courage and de-escalate fear
- What kind of questions lead to powerful stories that can bridge divisions
- What three storytelling myths cause you to avoid telling your stories
Who is Scott?
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Scott Mann is a former U.S. Army Green Beret with tours all over the world including Colombia, Peru, and multiple tours in Afghanistan. He is a warrior storyteller and the founder of Rooftop Leadership, where he shares the rapport-building and storytelling skills he learned in Special Forces to help today's leaders make better human connections in high-stakes, low-trust engagements.
Scott is the author of the instant New York Times Best-Seller, Operation Pineapple Express, a third-person narrative detailing the harrowing stories of the veterans, volunteers, and Afghan allies who navigated the U.S. abandonment of Afghanistan in August of 2021. The Gary Sinise Foundation partnered up with Scott to bring his play, Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret, to stages across the country to provide healing for our veterans and families of the fallen, as well as provide insight for our citizens on the personal cost of the longest war in our nation’s history.
Links and Resources
It’s the third night of a very intense survival training course with a Green Beret guy. I haven’t slept or showered. I’m muddy and exhausted and just want to go home to Santa Barbara. I tell myself I just need to make it through one more night and this will all be behind me.
When it’s time to call it a night, I am given a choice: I can either sleep in my tent or in this lean-to I’ve built. The lean-to is essentially a hole in the dirt with some twigs on it. At this moment, I’d love nothing more than to be at a resort, yet I remind myself I came to this insane training for a challenge.
So I say, “Fine. I’ll sleep in this lean-to.” I trek down the road around the bend and shimmy myself into this little hole in the dirt. I can’t even see the base camp anymore.
I can hear every sound around me as I lay there, and I realize that I’ve never been alone like this before. But hey, it’s fine!
“I’m fine; in just hours, I can go home,” I think to myself.
Then, after slightly dozing off, I wake up to this crunching sound just off in the distance. It’s coming towards me, and I keep telling myself everything’s fine. Then the crunch gets louder and faster until, in the moonlight, I see it: the tusk of a wild boar!?!
I lie there, frozen and deciding whether or not to scream, when I remember something: animals sense fear. So I need to be strong, be still, be silent, and stick this out.
While it’s rooting around my head, something suddenly distracts it, and it runs off into the forest. And when morning arrives, I get out of the lean-to, go back to camp, and announce I survived.
The Green Beret guy says, “Yeah. Good job Kymberlee.”
Here’s the deal: I am committed to affecting change in our world. With change comes challenges. With challenges comes fear. That means that different levels of fear are always coming up for me. What this unforgettable experience has taught me is that we must cultivate your courage. And when I think of courage, I can’t help but think of that Green Beret guy who has become a dear friend. His name is Retired Lieutenant Colonel Scott Mann. Scott is with us today in this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast to discuss the transformative power of thematic stories of survival and courage and answer questions like:
What is the significance of storytelling leadership roles? What do personal stories that resonate with others have in common? And why is your delivery of a story as important as its content?
What you will learn in this episode:
- How storytelling can help you cultivate courage and de-escalate fear
- What kind of questions lead to powerful stories that can bridge divisions
- What three storytelling myths cause you to avoid telling your stories
Who is Scott?
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Scott Mann is a former U.S. Army Green Beret with tours all over the world including Colombia, Peru, and multiple tours in Afghanistan. He is a warrior storyteller and the founder of Rooftop Leadership, where he shares the rapport-building and storytelling skills he learned in Special Forces to help today's leaders make better human connections in high-stakes, low-trust engagements.
Scott is the author of the instant New York Times Best-Seller, Operation Pineapple Express, a third-person narrative detailing the harrowing stories of the veterans, volunteers, and Afghan allies who navigated the U.S. abandonment of Afghanistan in August of 2021. The Gary Sinise Foundation partnered up with Scott to bring his play, Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret, to stages across the country to provide healing for our veterans and families of the fallen, as well as provide insight for our citizens on the personal cost of the longest war in our nation’s history.
Links and Resources
10/01/24 • 29 min
How the Power of Play Can Change a Challenging Story
Storytelling School
My husband and I are driving to the airport for a family reunion when we both get pings on our phones. There’s a global outage. We check our tickets and plane reservations–they’re all fine. We head to the airport, and everything seems okay. The airline confirms our flight is on time, so we’re good to go.
An hour later, we get a delay, yet they assure us everything will be fine. Another hour passes and there’s another delay. They tell us again that we’ll make our connecting flight, and everything will be okay. Finally, we board the plane. It takes off and lands at LAX, where we discover we’ve missed our connecting flight. They promise us they’ll put us on another one.
My dad is texting, worried about the global outage. I reassure him that we’re fine and on the next flight...except that flight gets canceled, too, as does the next one. Around us, people are angry, yelling into their phones, and sleeping on the floor. Others are shouting at the airline staff who can’t do much about the situation.
At this point, I turn to my husband and ask, “What if this were fun?”
From that moment, we strive to make it fun. We start trekking through five terminals until we find the AmEx Lounge. We get playful and interact with people in character, indulge in some childhood comfort food of grilled cheese, and end up laughing and having a great time.
Fifteen hours later, with the global outage continuing, we return home having never reached our destination. However, we chose to make the experience fun when everyone else seemed to be falling apart.
My special guest, Sebastian Conelli, is an incredible actor, comedian, improviser who knows a thing or two about having fun. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn about the power of choosing to have fun and be playful, even in challenging situations. You’ll also discover how to create connections with your audience, the value of being vulnerable and sharing one's inner thoughts and feelings in storytelling, and get answers to questions like:
How can awareness and being present in the moment enhance the impact of a story or performance? What are some specific ways in which Improv can enhance public speaking and personal confidence? And what techniques can you use to ensure that an audience connects with unusual or unexpected behaviors in a story?
What you will learn in this episode:
- How your approach to a situation can transform the story of your experience
- How Improv helps you stay grounded and make stories more impactful and authentic
- How personal challenges and experiences can be transformed into compelling narratives
Who is Sebastian?
Sebastian Conelli is an actor, comedian and improviser from New York. Sebastian has been performing and teaching improv for over 13 years. Sebastian is a part of the legendary improv team The Stepfathers (UCB), the best improv show in NY Raaaatscraps, and is a cast member of the longest-running improv show in NY, Asssssscat (UCB). Sebastian is the host of the successful podcast LOUD ABOUT NOTHING. You also might have seen Sebastian doing small parts on Max, Apple TV, Netflix, and in the 2024 Palme D'or winner Anora.
Links and Resources
My husband and I are driving to the airport for a family reunion when we both get pings on our phones. There’s a global outage. We check our tickets and plane reservations–they’re all fine. We head to the airport, and everything seems okay. The airline confirms our flight is on time, so we’re good to go.
An hour later, we get a delay, yet they assure us everything will be fine. Another hour passes and there’s another delay. They tell us again that we’ll make our connecting flight, and everything will be okay. Finally, we board the plane. It takes off and lands at LAX, where we discover we’ve missed our connecting flight. They promise us they’ll put us on another one.
My dad is texting, worried about the global outage. I reassure him that we’re fine and on the next flight...except that flight gets canceled, too, as does the next one. Around us, people are angry, yelling into their phones, and sleeping on the floor. Others are shouting at the airline staff who can’t do much about the situation.
At this point, I turn to my husband and ask, “What if this were fun?”
From that moment, we strive to make it fun. We start trekking through five terminals until we find the AmEx Lounge. We get playful and interact with people in character, indulge in some childhood comfort food of grilled cheese, and end up laughing and having a great time.
Fifteen hours later, with the global outage continuing, we return home having never reached our destination. However, we chose to make the experience fun when everyone else seemed to be falling apart.
My special guest, Sebastian Conelli, is an incredible actor, comedian, improviser who knows a thing or two about having fun. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn about the power of choosing to have fun and be playful, even in challenging situations. You’ll also discover how to create connections with your audience, the value of being vulnerable and sharing one's inner thoughts and feelings in storytelling, and get answers to questions like:
How can awareness and being present in the moment enhance the impact of a story or performance? What are some specific ways in which Improv can enhance public speaking and personal confidence? And what techniques can you use to ensure that an audience connects with unusual or unexpected behaviors in a story?
What you will learn in this episode:
- How your approach to a situation can transform the story of your experience
- How Improv helps you stay grounded and make stories more impactful and authentic
- How personal challenges and experiences can be transformed into compelling narratives
Who is Sebastian?
Sebastian Conelli is an actor, comedian and improviser from New York. Sebastian has been performing and teaching improv for over 13 years. Sebastian is a part of the legendary improv team The Stepfathers (UCB), the best improv show in NY Raaaatscraps, and is a cast member of the longest-running improv show in NY, Asssssscat (UCB). Sebastian is the host of the successful podcast LOUD ABOUT NOTHING. You also might have seen Sebastian doing small parts on Max, Apple TV, Netflix, and in the 2024 Palme D'or winner Anora.
Links and Resources
08/21/24 • 28 min
How Crafting an Optimal Health Story Can Empower Everyday Success
Storytelling School
I’m in a high-stakes game throwing pitch after pitch after pitch for the University of Hawaii. I feel the ball roll off of my fingers in a perfect spin towards the catcher’s mitt. Then, I notice a sharp, burning pain in my finger, glance down, and see that I’ve worn a hole all the way down to the bone!
The coaches grab me and take me over to the athletic trainer. Wasting no time, they inject my finger with shots of corticosteroid. It numbs everything to the point where I can’t even feel my fingers.
So I go back on the field and keep pitching like nothing’s wrong. At the time, I’m thinking that this is just what it takes to be tough. Yet, looking back on it years later, was that really the best solution: to mask the pain and toss me back out there?
There was probably a better way to do things, which is not just true in sports but in business as well. How often do entrepreneurs and CEOs mask burnout, overwhelm, and inefficiency instead of getting to the root of what’s really going on?
My special guest Dr. Jeremy Bettle has seen this phenomenon in sports and spent years developing systems to help high-performance athletes achieve world-class results and experience true vitality. Now, he's expanding these principles to everyone!
In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll discover the link between an optimal health story full of vitality and lifestyle choices. Dr. Bettle will challenge the narrative of what we think health is and answer questions like:
How can you use your imagination to help you obtain a more optimal health story? What are the real health factors that indicate a long life story? And what’s an example of a success story that illustrates the transformative power of targeted training and mindset shifts?
What you will learn in this episode:
- How the story of athletic training parallels the non-athletic world
- Why the biohacking trend is a distraction from the real health story
- How sleep impacts your brain (and, by extension, your entire body’s narrative)
Who is Jeremy?
Dr. Jeremy Bettle holds a PhD in Human Performance and is an internationally recognized expert in the field with nearly 20 years at the forefront of high-performance sports. Renowned as an innovator and disruptor, Jeremy developed world-class systems for athlete care and optimization that set new industry standards. Jeremy and his wife Michelle founded Vitality Collective in January 2024, where he now brings these cutting-edge principles to the broader field of longevity, helping individuals leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of optimal health and vitality.
Links and Resources
I’m in a high-stakes game throwing pitch after pitch after pitch for the University of Hawaii. I feel the ball roll off of my fingers in a perfect spin towards the catcher’s mitt. Then, I notice a sharp, burning pain in my finger, glance down, and see that I’ve worn a hole all the way down to the bone!
The coaches grab me and take me over to the athletic trainer. Wasting no time, they inject my finger with shots of corticosteroid. It numbs everything to the point where I can’t even feel my fingers.
So I go back on the field and keep pitching like nothing’s wrong. At the time, I’m thinking that this is just what it takes to be tough. Yet, looking back on it years later, was that really the best solution: to mask the pain and toss me back out there?
There was probably a better way to do things, which is not just true in sports but in business as well. How often do entrepreneurs and CEOs mask burnout, overwhelm, and inefficiency instead of getting to the root of what’s really going on?
My special guest Dr. Jeremy Bettle has seen this phenomenon in sports and spent years developing systems to help high-performance athletes achieve world-class results and experience true vitality. Now, he's expanding these principles to everyone!
In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll discover the link between an optimal health story full of vitality and lifestyle choices. Dr. Bettle will challenge the narrative of what we think health is and answer questions like:
How can you use your imagination to help you obtain a more optimal health story? What are the real health factors that indicate a long life story? And what’s an example of a success story that illustrates the transformative power of targeted training and mindset shifts?
What you will learn in this episode:
- How the story of athletic training parallels the non-athletic world
- Why the biohacking trend is a distraction from the real health story
- How sleep impacts your brain (and, by extension, your entire body’s narrative)
Who is Jeremy?
Dr. Jeremy Bettle holds a PhD in Human Performance and is an internationally recognized expert in the field with nearly 20 years at the forefront of high-performance sports. Renowned as an innovator and disruptor, Jeremy developed world-class systems for athlete care and optimization that set new industry standards. Jeremy and his wife Michelle founded Vitality Collective in January 2024, where he now brings these cutting-edge principles to the broader field of longevity, helping individuals leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of optimal health and vitality.
Links and Resources
12/18/24 • 28 min
How Stand-Up Can Help Your Stories Stand Out
Storytelling School
I’m on the East Coast about to speak at a corporate event filled with tech leaders of a very large company. As I’m backstage, the CEO comes up to me and says, “Remember Kymberlee, these are incredible people who are amazing at what they do, yet they aren’t really bought into the idea of storytelling in the business environment.”
With that, I’m introduced and take the stage. After the applause dies down, I can tell the mood in the room is quite serious. So I have everyone stand up and start an icebreaker exercise.
That’s when I hear the first person laugh. And then the next, and the next, and pretty soon the whole room is laughing, connecting, and having fun. The energy in the room has shifted.
At the end of the session, I ask them what some of their most memorable moments from the day are. Without skipping a beat, they pointed out the laughter during the icebreaker changed their internal story.
We know that laughter does a body and a brain good. Jason Love spreads that joy everywhere he goes. He’s a nationally touring standup comedian who has appeared on TV in a few places you may have heard of, like Comedy Central and HBO. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll hear his insights on connecting with diverse audiences in storytelling through devices like humor and lessons we can learn from comedic storytellers, as well as get answers to questions like:
How can you begin testing new material for a story, Talk, or performance? Why are people drawn to comedic storytellers like Dave Chappelle and Martin Lawrence? And what’s it like to navigate in the world currently as a comedic storyteller or performer?
What you will learn in this episode:
- What attitude you can take with you anytime you perform or tell a story
- How you can adapt your story or Talk to diverse audiences
- How you can be completely present before a story or Talk
Who is Jason?
Jason Love is a nationally touring headliner who has appeared on HBO, Comedy Central, America’s Got Talent, and Dry Bar Comedy. His clips are played daily on Sirius XM, and he is a crowd favorite on cruise ships. L.A. Weekly named him “one of the top ten comics to watch.” His non-profit, Love & Laughter, brings free shows to the cancer support community, and he’s represented by Levity Entertainment and 800 Pound Gorilla.
Links and Resources
I’m on the East Coast about to speak at a corporate event filled with tech leaders of a very large company. As I’m backstage, the CEO comes up to me and says, “Remember Kymberlee, these are incredible people who are amazing at what they do, yet they aren’t really bought into the idea of storytelling in the business environment.”
With that, I’m introduced and take the stage. After the applause dies down, I can tell the mood in the room is quite serious. So I have everyone stand up and start an icebreaker exercise.
That’s when I hear the first person laugh. And then the next, and the next, and pretty soon the whole room is laughing, connecting, and having fun. The energy in the room has shifted.
At the end of the session, I ask them what some of their most memorable moments from the day are. Without skipping a beat, they pointed out the laughter during the icebreaker changed their internal story.
We know that laughter does a body and a brain good. Jason Love spreads that joy everywhere he goes. He’s a nationally touring standup comedian who has appeared on TV in a few places you may have heard of, like Comedy Central and HBO. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll hear his insights on connecting with diverse audiences in storytelling through devices like humor and lessons we can learn from comedic storytellers, as well as get answers to questions like:
How can you begin testing new material for a story, Talk, or performance? Why are people drawn to comedic storytellers like Dave Chappelle and Martin Lawrence? And what’s it like to navigate in the world currently as a comedic storyteller or performer?
What you will learn in this episode:
- What attitude you can take with you anytime you perform or tell a story
- How you can adapt your story or Talk to diverse audiences
- How you can be completely present before a story or Talk
Who is Jason?
Jason Love is a nationally touring headliner who has appeared on HBO, Comedy Central, America’s Got Talent, and Dry Bar Comedy. His clips are played daily on Sirius XM, and he is a crowd favorite on cruise ships. L.A. Weekly named him “one of the top ten comics to watch.” His non-profit, Love & Laughter, brings free shows to the cancer support community, and he’s represented by Levity Entertainment and 800 Pound Gorilla.
Links and Resources
11/20/24 • 27 min
Why Storytelling Belongs in the Classroom and Boardroom
Storytelling School
I’m running a high-energy speaker training event, and everyone is buzzing with excitement as we stand in a circle, introducing ourselves. Each attendee shares their role and a fun fact. Among them is a CEO of a tech company who loves bagels, a marketing director obsessed with villas in Rome, and an entrepreneur who just secured his first round of funding.
The introductions continue, one after another, until it’s time for my team to introduce themselves. Our first team member steps forward and says, “Hi, I’m Sandy Zabarsky. I’ve spent the last 27 years in prison and just got out.”
The room falls silent. I can feel the weight of all eyes on me, then shifting to each other, and back to me.
Sandy continues, “I served as an educator and administrator in juvenile halls and juvenile camps. Today, I’m here to help turn your challenges into stories your audience will never forget.”
A collective breath is released from the room. You see, Sandy happens to be my mom. She was an English major and dedicated her career to helping the underdog–particularly disadvantaged youth entangled in the criminal justice system. She assisted these kids in earning their GED, offering them a glimmer of hope and a chance at a different story.
Throughout her career, my mom impacted the lives of thousands of kids. Her unwavering commitment to changing their narrative and giving them a new possibility transformed their futures, making them very different from the ones they had while inside the system.
There are so many like my mom out there, including my special guest Alfonso Paz. He brings to life a different possibility for the people he works with whether they’re students, educators, or business owners. And through his company Vibix Learning, he is transforming education by helping to create healthier, more inclusive school environments.
In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn about the power of storytelling in education, business, and personal growth. Alfonso will share his experience of using storytelling to pitch to investors and the impact its made, discuss the effectiveness of short-form storytelling, and so much more. He’ll also answer questions such as:
How does storytelling help bridge emotional gaps and foster compassion? Why is short-form storytelling particularly effective in high-stakes environments? And why is the struggle such an essential part of the storytelling process?
What you will learn in this episode:
- How storytelling creates deeper connections and fosters compassion that spurs action
- Why concise stories effectively convey messages to engage audiences
- How storytelling can be used to help enhance emotional intelligence
Who is Alfonso?
For close to 30 years, Alfonso Paz has been helping underrepresented students and families in Los Angeles’s East Hollywood area have greater opportunities and access to college and other post-secondary options. He is the co-founder and CEO of Vibix Learning, which transforms education by enhancing emotional well-being through its innovative Collective Care Continuum (C3) model, integrating emotional intelligence and mental wellness support to create healthier, more inclusive school environments.
Alfonso’s experiences have solidified his belief that it does take an entire village to raise a child to be a successful contributing member of society. He believes that while traditional schools can provide a foundation for positive change, the strong partnerships between families, schools, and communities will provide a greater influence on a student's life and prepare them to contribute to a united, stronger, and healthier society.
Through Vibix Learning, he recognized that the greatest effect he could have would be to "re-teach" educators how to listen to the students and staff, recognize everyone’s needs, and define the best way forward for each student and staff member. Once schools and administrators saw his methods' incredible effect on the student's lives–both in and out of the school environment–he became a sought-after coach and advisor.
Links and Resources:
I’m running a high-energy speaker training event, and everyone is buzzing with excitement as we stand in a circle, introducing ourselves. Each attendee shares their role and a fun fact. Among them is a CEO of a tech company who loves bagels, a marketing director obsessed with villas in Rome, and an entrepreneur who just secured his first round of funding.
The introductions continue, one after another, until it’s time for my team to introduce themselves. Our first team member steps forward and says, “Hi, I’m Sandy Zabarsky. I’ve spent the last 27 years in prison and just got out.”
The room falls silent. I can feel the weight of all eyes on me, then shifting to each other, and back to me.
Sandy continues, “I served as an educator and administrator in juvenile halls and juvenile camps. Today, I’m here to help turn your challenges into stories your audience will never forget.”
A collective breath is released from the room. You see, Sandy happens to be my mom. She was an English major and dedicated her career to helping the underdog–particularly disadvantaged youth entangled in the criminal justice system. She assisted these kids in earning their GED, offering them a glimmer of hope and a chance at a different story.
Throughout her career, my mom impacted the lives of thousands of kids. Her unwavering commitment to changing their narrative and giving them a new possibility transformed their futures, making them very different from the ones they had while inside the system.
There are so many like my mom out there, including my special guest Alfonso Paz. He brings to life a different possibility for the people he works with whether they’re students, educators, or business owners. And through his company Vibix Learning, he is transforming education by helping to create healthier, more inclusive school environments.
In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn about the power of storytelling in education, business, and personal growth. Alfonso will share his experience of using storytelling to pitch to investors and the impact its made, discuss the effectiveness of short-form storytelling, and so much more. He’ll also answer questions such as:
How does storytelling help bridge emotional gaps and foster compassion? Why is short-form storytelling particularly effective in high-stakes environments? And why is the struggle such an essential part of the storytelling process?
What you will learn in this episode:
- How storytelling creates deeper connections and fosters compassion that spurs action
- Why concise stories effectively convey messages to engage audiences
- How storytelling can be used to help enhance emotional intelligence
Who is Alfonso?
For close to 30 years, Alfonso Paz has been helping underrepresented students and families in Los Angeles’s East Hollywood area have greater opportunities and access to college and other post-secondary options. He is the co-founder and CEO of Vibix Learning, which transforms education by enhancing emotional well-being through its innovative Collective Care Continuum (C3) model, integrating emotional intelligence and mental wellness support to create healthier, more inclusive school environments.
Alfonso’s experiences have solidified his belief that it does take an entire village to raise a child to be a successful contributing member of society. He believes that while traditional schools can provide a foundation for positive change, the strong partnerships between families, schools, and communities will provide a greater influence on a student's life and prepare them to contribute to a united, stronger, and healthier society.
Through Vibix Learning, he recognized that the greatest effect he could have would be to "re-teach" educators how to listen to the students and staff, recognize everyone’s needs, and define the best way forward for each student and staff member. Once schools and administrators saw his methods' incredible effect on the student's lives–both in and out of the school environment–he became a sought-after coach and advisor.
Links and Resources:
08/28/24 • 30 min
How Surrender, Resiliency and Reconciliation Create Impactful Storytelling
Storytelling School
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 presentation
Who 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
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 presentation
Who 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
06/12/24 • 30 min
“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 effective
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:
“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 effective
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:
06/07/24 • 11 min
How Changing Your Internal Food Stories Can Change You
Storytelling School
I’m in my martial arts class where we’re deep into advanced weapons training. On this day, our Grandmaster tells us that we’re going to have a special guest instructor join us. I’m thinking, “I’ve got the basics down with my knife. I’ve practiced them and know the foundation, so is this really going to be that different?”
Then Grandmaster Yarrow walks in and starts his workshop. Within minutes, he’s showing us knife techniques that I’ve never considered and didn’t even know were possible! Suddenly, everything I thought I knew about knife work feels limited.
A tension arises as I watch him demonstrate these unfamiliar techniques. Part of me wants to dismiss what I’m seeing, yet another part of me is intrigued and, to be honest, a little uncomfortable. Doubtful thoughts start to creep in. “Have I been doing this wrong all along? What if there’s much more I don’t know?”
This tug of war is happening inside me when something clicks. I start to realize that Grandmaster Yarrow is showing me a whole new world of possibilities. The real value isn’t just in the techniques he’s teaching us; it’s also in the reminder to keep an open mind and not limit your possibilities.
Sometimes, the greatest breakthroughs come in those moments when you’re willing to explore something new, maybe even something risky you’ve never tried before, and step outside of your usual way of doing things to discover hidden gifts and insights.
Similarly to those like Grandmaster Yarrow, my special guest today Lisa Franz has built a career helping people see new possibilities, insights, and stories from an external and internal perspective. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll hear about finding freedom and personal transformation by embracing discomfort, breaking through limiting beliefs, and making mindful choices with food to increase self-awareness of your internal stories about eating and fitness. Lisa will also touch on the significance personal stories in connecting with others, as well as answer questions like:
How are transitions in certain areas like an unfolding of your life story? How can you break through internal stories about food and fitness that no longer serve you? And why do personal stories make relationships between coaches and clients more effective?
What you will learn in this episode:
- How finding freedom in food choices can help you shape your lifestyle story
- How your transformation can inspire others to change their story, too
- How slowing down can help take your internal food story to the next level
Who is Lisa?
Lisa Franz has a Master of Science degree in Exercise Science, Health Promotion, and Nutrition. She is the owner and head coach at Nutrition Coaching and Life and host of the Nutrition and Life Podcast. After struggling through various diets herself, she learned about evidence-based ways to change weight and body composition and has been fascinated with nutrition and building muscle ever since.
As a digital nomad (originally from Germany, currently residing in Colombia) and someone who loves to travel and explore (51 countries and counting), Lisa feels like the right knowledge when it comes to nutrition and training has provided her with strategies that allow her to live a life she enjoys in a body she loves. She aims to show and teach others that the same is possible for them, guiding them away from frustration about food and their bodies towards experiencing joy and contentment.
Links and Resources:
I’m in my martial arts class where we’re deep into advanced weapons training. On this day, our Grandmaster tells us that we’re going to have a special guest instructor join us. I’m thinking, “I’ve got the basics down with my knife. I’ve practiced them and know the foundation, so is this really going to be that different?”
Then Grandmaster Yarrow walks in and starts his workshop. Within minutes, he’s showing us knife techniques that I’ve never considered and didn’t even know were possible! Suddenly, everything I thought I knew about knife work feels limited.
A tension arises as I watch him demonstrate these unfamiliar techniques. Part of me wants to dismiss what I’m seeing, yet another part of me is intrigued and, to be honest, a little uncomfortable. Doubtful thoughts start to creep in. “Have I been doing this wrong all along? What if there’s much more I don’t know?”
This tug of war is happening inside me when something clicks. I start to realize that Grandmaster Yarrow is showing me a whole new world of possibilities. The real value isn’t just in the techniques he’s teaching us; it’s also in the reminder to keep an open mind and not limit your possibilities.
Sometimes, the greatest breakthroughs come in those moments when you’re willing to explore something new, maybe even something risky you’ve never tried before, and step outside of your usual way of doing things to discover hidden gifts and insights.
Similarly to those like Grandmaster Yarrow, my special guest today Lisa Franz has built a career helping people see new possibilities, insights, and stories from an external and internal perspective. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll hear about finding freedom and personal transformation by embracing discomfort, breaking through limiting beliefs, and making mindful choices with food to increase self-awareness of your internal stories about eating and fitness. Lisa will also touch on the significance personal stories in connecting with others, as well as answer questions like:
How are transitions in certain areas like an unfolding of your life story? How can you break through internal stories about food and fitness that no longer serve you? And why do personal stories make relationships between coaches and clients more effective?
What you will learn in this episode:
- How finding freedom in food choices can help you shape your lifestyle story
- How your transformation can inspire others to change their story, too
- How slowing down can help take your internal food story to the next level
Who is Lisa?
Lisa Franz has a Master of Science degree in Exercise Science, Health Promotion, and Nutrition. She is the owner and head coach at Nutrition Coaching and Life and host of the Nutrition and Life Podcast. After struggling through various diets herself, she learned about evidence-based ways to change weight and body composition and has been fascinated with nutrition and building muscle ever since.
As a digital nomad (originally from Germany, currently residing in Colombia) and someone who loves to travel and explore (51 countries and counting), Lisa feels like the right knowledge when it comes to nutrition and training has provided her with strategies that allow her to live a life she enjoys in a body she loves. She aims to show and teach others that the same is possible for them, guiding them away from frustration about food and their bodies towards experiencing joy and contentment.
Links and Resources:
12/04/24 • 30 min
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FAQ
How many episodes does Storytelling School have?
Storytelling School currently has 114 episodes available.
What topics does Storytelling School cover?
The podcast is about Entrepreneurship, How To, Podcasts, Education and Business.
What is the most popular episode on Storytelling School?
The episode title 'How Storytelling Can Transform Awareness' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Storytelling School?
The average episode length on Storytelling School is 27 minutes.
How often are episodes of Storytelling School released?
Episodes of Storytelling School are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Storytelling School?
The first episode of Storytelling School was released on Jun 22, 2022.
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