Lead with Storytelling

In this episode of Lead with Storytelling, Sochi Azuh sits down with Gigi Pandian, USA Today bestselling mystery author and locked-room mystery enthusiast, for a wide-ranging conversation about travel, puzzles, food, research, and the craft of creating mysteries that keep readers guessing. Gigi shares how being the child of anthropologists from New Mexico and southern India—and travelling with her...

What is narrative strategy—and how can organisations use stories to create change, build connection, and understand their culture? In this episode of Lead with Storytelling, host Sochi Azuh sits down with Megan Davis, Managing Director of Future Skills Academy Australia and founder of Spendlove and Lamb, a narrative strategy consultancy that works with governments, teams, and organisations around...

What happens when a journalist who spent years covering tragedy, crime, and community life finally sits down to write her own story? In this episode of Lead with Storytelling, host Sochi Azuh talks with journalist, storyteller, and author Penelope Alonso about her journey from newspaper and magazine reporting to publishing her own fiction — including her deeply personal novel, A Walk with Everyone...

What guides our creativity? In this episode of Lead with Storytelling, Sochi Azuh sits down with artist, award-winning graphic designer, consultant, creative director, and author Nathan L. Nicholson to discuss his book, In the Beginning We Create. The conversation explores creativity as more than a skill or profession. Nathan shares how creativity, faith, leadership, collaboration, and rest have s...

In this episode of Lead with Storytelling, host Sochi Azuh sits down with leadership coach, author, and University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership Fellow Zoë Arden to discuss her book, Story-centred Leadership. Together, they explore why leadership begins with listening, how stories create trust and shared purpose, and why authentic leadership is about living the stories we te...

How do stories help us make sense of ourselves, our experiences, and the world around us? In this episode of Lead with Storytelling, host Sochi Azuh sits down with writer and educator Simone Dalton for a thoughtful conversation about writing, identity, migration, memory, and the role of storytelling in helping us understand our lives. Together, they explore how voice is shaped by experience, cultu...

What happens when a writer follows intuition, asks difficult questions, and builds worlds where horror and science fiction become vehicles for exploring human nature? In this episode of Lead with Storytelling, I sit down with author Mandie Dufour to discuss her debut novel, Devour, a sci-fi horror story that blends worldbuilding, Norse-inspired spirituality, psychological tension, and unforgettabl...

🎙️ What happens when people gather to listen deeply across histories, cultures, and lived experience? In this special conversation on Lead with Storytelling, we sit down with Shirley N. Hager, Willow Anderson, and Barb Martin to reflect on The Gatherings — a powerful exploration of relationship-building, truth-telling, healing, and Indigenous-settler dialogue. Together, they discuss: 🌿 The import...

In this episode of Lead with Storytelling, I sit down with Karina Fabian—a multi-genre writer whose work spans science fiction, fantasy, devotional writing, and comedic storytelling. From dragons and nuns in space to the discipline of writing through doubt, Karina shares how stories become a form of connection, meaning, and even joy. We explore how humor sharpens storytelling, how speculative fict...

In this episode of Lead with Storytelling, I sit down with Rufina Ajalie to talk about her beautiful and expansive book, Open Roads, Open Hearts. This conversation explores what it means to travel not just across geography, but across identity, memory, and belonging. Rufina shares the deeper story behind the book — the moments of uncertainty, discovery, and human connection that shaped its pages....

What do our myths remember that history forgets? In this powerful and expansive conversation, I’m joined by Helen Nde—researcher, writer, cultural historian, and the brilliant mind behind Mythological Africans, one of the most respected platforms devoted to African folklore, mythology, and cultural memory. Born in Cameroon and now based in Atlanta, Helen brings both personal experience and deep sc...

What if the secret to better leadership — and better storytelling — lies not in having all the answers, but in asking the right questions? In this episode of Lead with Storytelling, I’m joined by J.R. Briggs, founder of Kairos Partnerships, coach, consultant, and author of The Art of Asking Better Questions. Together, we explore how curiosity shapes our conversations, our leadership, and even the...

What happens when sacred stories are retold through the rhythm, language, and worldview of Indigenous peoples? In this deeply moving conversation, Terry M. Wildman—lead translator, general editor, and project manager of the First Nations Version and the newly released First Nations Psalms and Proverbs—joins Lead with Storytelling to explore how translation and storytelling can become acts of heali...

In this episode of Lead with Storytelling, I’m joined by Sr. Allison Regina Gliot, FSP—editor at Pauline Books & Media and author of The Curse He Chose, the first installment of the In Aeternum trilogy. A lifelong lover of stories, Sr. Allison has combined her passion for fantasy with her faith, weaving a gripping narrative of vampires, spiritual battles, and the transformative power of grace....

In this episode of Lead with Storytelling, I’m joined by Iniobong Oluwatobi Alade (Tobi Alade) — Business Analyst, Fraud-Risk Strategist, Event Matchmaker, and host of the IINFUSE podcast. Tobi’s unique storytelling approach is rooted in self-awareness and authenticity, offering listeners raw, unfiltered conversations about the things we often keep hidden. Together, we explore: ✨ How storytelling...

What if your story—shaped by faith, food, and cross-cultural movement—was also the path God uses to heal others and reveal Himself to you? In this episode of Lead with Storytelling , I’m joined by Jenn Suen Chen —spiritual director, speaker, and author of Dum Sum and Faith . Jenn shares how dumplings, displacement, and divine grace have all played a role in shaping her identity in Christ. Together...

🎙️ New Episode: Kathleen Norris on what it means to live a life marked by faith, fragility, and fierce love In this tender and profound episode of Lead with Storytelling, award-winning poet and spiritual writer Kathleen Norris joins us to reflect on her latest book, Rebecca Sue: A Sister’s Reflections on Disability, Faith, and Love. Best known for beloved works like The Cloister Walk and Dakota: A...

🎙️ Writing Grief, Grace & God's Presence Guest: Sharon Garlough Brown 📚 Author of the Sensible Shoes & Shades of Light series What does it look like to meet God in the valley of suffering? In this episode of Lead with Storytelling, we sit with spiritual director and bestselling author Sharon Garlough Brown for an honest and deeply moving conversation about grief, compassion, mental he...

🎙️ What does it mean to tell stories that dive beneath the surface—into faith, doubt, image, and grace? In this powerful episode of Lead with Storytelling, we sit down with author, professor, and spiritual director Cynthia Beach to explore her debut novel, The Surface of Water by Intervarsity Press . Through her characters and rich metaphors, Cynthia wrestles with spiritual leadership, identity, a...

What does it take to reclaim and retell African stories with depth, dignity, and imagination? In this episode of Lead with Storytelling, we sit down with Nigerian documentary filmmaker Dr. Oghenefego Ofili, whose work brings Africa’s history, legends, and cultural identity to life on screen. From early sketches and stories as a 10-year-old to award-winning documentaries, Fego has made it her life’...

What role does local journalism play in building resilient communities? In this episode, we sit down with Erica Butler, Local Journalism Initiative reporter for CHMA-FM in Sackville, New Brunswick, to explore the power and purpose of community-based reporting. With over two decades of experience as a freelance journalist covering city politics, the environment, and transportation, Erica brings a d...

What happens when data meets empathy? In this episode, we sit down with Tamara Ojeaga, Client Director at Kantar and seasoned market research expert, to explore how storytelling can turn consumer insights into powerful business strategies. With over 15 years of experience in market research and strategic consulting, Tamara helps brands grow sustainably by translating complex data into clear, cultu...

In this episode of Lead with Storytelling, we sit down with Emeka Obia, a dynamic leader and strategist, to explore how storytelling shapes business, culture, and the future of brand strategy. Emeka shares insights on the role of narratives in influencing decision-making, positioning challenger brands, and crafting stories that resonate in today’s competitive landscape. From understanding cultural...

In this episode of Lead with Storytelling, we sit down with Advita Patel, President of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and co-founder of A Leader Like Me, to explore how storytelling shapes inclusive workplace cultures. Advita shares insights on how leaders can leverage authentic communication to foster belonging, drive employee engagement, and navigate complex conversations around Div...

In this episode of Lead with Storytelling, we sit down with Marcus Collins — marketing expert, professor, and author of the bestselling book For the Culture — to explore how culture shapes the way we connect, engage, and tell stories that resonate. Marcus shares valuable insights on how brands can authentically embed themselves into culture, why storytelling is a powerful tool for driving action,...