BLOG ARTICLES
Stories, Ideas, and Tools to Take with you.
Essays on storytelling, strategy, and the art of leading with purpose. New thinking, every other week.
Small Adjustments
Last week I presented to a group of Solo PR professionals on the power of personal storytelling.
Don’t Be Afraid to Tell Your Story
Last week, I met with a client to talk about her gala speech. This was a big night for her because she was stepping into a new role as executive director.
Leveraging Stories
"Leverage is a term used most often metaphorically. Its origin is in physics, where a lever literally 'amplifies an input force to provide a greater output force.'
The Middle of the Story
I received the BEST ever speaking invitation a few weeks ago: To speak at my nephew’s sixth-grade class about my experience on Mt. Rainier.
The BS Radar: A How-to Guide
If you get hung up on what to say/write, you think you don’t know how to tell a good story, I see you, and today is for you.
What is Emotional Connection, Anyway?
A friend put her home on the market in Eastern Washington and received an offer that was $100,000 below the asking price.
Banana Bread: A recipe for creativity and innovation
New neighbors moved in down the road from us and the first thing they did in their new home was to nail a bright orange No Trespassing sign on a tree out front
It's Not The Stories
I give a lot of credit to storytelling. I credit storytelling with changing the world. But. It's not the stories. It's the actions and the work you are doing.
Mouse in a Maze
Question: if you were able to follow two, not one life path(s), what would your second/alternative life be like? I would be a fashion designer living in New York City or Paris.
The Battle with Time
“Time is a non-renewable resource.” Tim Ferris said this in his interview with Guy Raz, How I built this.
Captivating on the First Impression
On a zoom call the other day, everyone quickly introduced themselves, but one person, in particular, caught everyone's attention.
Storytelling as a Courtship
I recently had a conversation with a client who is in the midst of a rebrand. She was reviewing her fourth round of logo ideas and wanted my advice. She felt like the logo didn't communicate a particular aspect of the brand and wanted to work out how best to do that.
The Difference in Knowing or Not Knowing
On a work trip to Australia earlier this year before the world shut down, I had a day to myself, one I’ll remember for a long time. I decided to rent a car and head to the Mornington Peninsula. I booked a hotel on the shore and pulled out my AllTrails app to find a great running trail to see kangaroos in the wild before leaving. Some of the reviews for the running route I selected in Greens Bush mentioned sightings, so I felt optimistic.
Simplify the Complex: How clarity of message will give you better cut-through
Over Thanksgiving, we had a small group of friends over from our “safe tribe.” That’s so 2020, isn’t it? “Safe tribe?” Anyway, we played a game to liven things up because it just didn’t feel like our normal holiday with the hustle and bustle, family coming in from all over, and a big feast.
What’s at Stake: Be Hard to Shake from the Mind
In her Essays of Undoing*, Terry Tempest Williams painted a picture of our national parks in 2055. The essay entitled The Park of the Future takes visitors to Canyonlands National Park.
The (Dangerous) Power of Stories
I was talking to a friend the other day - his sister left her husband after decades of marriage. They had different political views and had lived together peacefully for years, but recently, he had become so angry over the state of the world, he had become unbearable to be with.
Putting Your Stuff Out in the World
I recorded a video the other day to share a thought I had on listening for great stories. I watched it afterward and sat on it for days. Why can’t I be natural on video? IT drives me crazy.
Storylistening
Good storytelling starts with good storylistening. The better the material (the research, the interviews), the better your story will be.