The Starfish Storytellers

What happens when the definition of success you've spent a lifetime pursuing nearly costs you everything? In this powerful episode, we sit down with executive leader, keynote speaker, and bestselling author Roderick Jefferson to explore the extraordinary story behind his book Stroke of Success . After decades leading global organizations, traveling the world, and reaching the highest levels of cor...

Storytelling doesn't always happen in sentences, speeches, or traditional narratives. Sometimes it happens in images, emotions, metaphors, and poems. In this special Pride Month episode of The Starfish Storytellers , host Liana Henry sits down with poet, artist, educator, and arts advocate Pilar Quintana to explore storytelling through the lens of poetry, identity, and self-expression. The convers...

In this episode of The Starfish Storytellers , we sit down with physical therapist, educator, and author Ron Clinton for a powerful conversation about pain, healing, and the stories we tell ourselves about our bodies. With more than 35 years of experience and extensive training in the McKenzie Method, Ron has helped thousands of patients overcome chronic back, neck, knee, and mobility issues throu...

In a world where attention spans are measured in seconds, clarity isn’t just important—it’s everything. In this episode of The Starfish Storytellers , we sit down with brand strategist, author, and speaker Orly Zeewy to explore what it really takes to stand out in what she calls a “five-second world.” Orly shares her journey from fine artist to brand strategist, and how a pivotal realization—that...

In telemarketing and lead development, storytelling happens live, unscripted, and often in the first 10–30 seconds of a phone call. While many people think of storytelling as something that happens in books, speeches, or marketing campaigns, a world of call centers proves otherwise. In this episode of The Starfish Storytellers , we sit down with Ceri Ruenheck , President of IT’S YOUR CALL , a B2B...

What makes video storytelling actually work for business? In this episode of The Starfish Storytellers, we sit down with Tim Bradley, founder of Pennant Video, to explore how intentional, authentic video storytelling helps brands clarify their message, build trust, and drive real results. With nearly 20 years of experience in video production and agency leadership, Tim shares how storytelling goes...

Life has a way of delivering unexpected curveballs — moments that force us to stop, reassess, and decide how we’ll move forward. In this powerful episode of The Starfish Storytellers , we welcome Heidi Siefkas, Speaker, Storyteller, Four-Time Author, and Creator of the 'Look Up' Mantra. Heidi shares her extraordinary personal journey - from surviving a life-altering accident to rebuilding her worl...

This episode isn’t just about a man in a red suit. It’s about the art of bringing wonder, joy, and connection to life through storytelling. Santa isn’t merely a holiday figure—he’s a master storyteller, a keeper of tradition, and a living example of generosity in action. From the sparkle in a child’s eyes to the lessons we carry into adulthood, the story of Santa reminds us of kindness, courage, a...

In a world driven by deadlines, deliverables, and data points, it’s easy to forget that at the heart of every campaign, pitch, or press release… is a story. Storytelling is the thread that connects boardrooms and bedtime routines, brand launches and lullabies. But somewhere along the way - especially for those of us in the business of shaping messages - we can lose touch with the purest form of st...

In our interconnected world, telling a great brand story isn’t just about finding the right words. It’s about making sure those words, images, and ideas resonate across cultures. Great storytelling isn’t just about what you say, it’s about how it lands with the people you’re talking to. In this episode, we welcomed multilingual storyteller and brand strategist Christabel Alio . A community manager...

Storytelling is becoming an essential leadership skill for today’s project managers. Far beyond Gantt charts and spreadsheets, effective project management hinges on the ability to communicate vision, inspire teams, and navigate change with empathy and clarity. In this episode, host Liana Henry sits down with her husband and business partner, Phillip Henry , COO of The Black Dog Group and a certif...

Great storytelling isn’t just about words - it’s about how they’re spoken. Voiceover brings stories to life, adding depth, emotion, and personality to every message. Whether it’s the excitement of a product launch, the clarity of an explainer video, or the authority of an instructional course, the right voice makes all the difference. A compelling voiceover doesn’t just inform. It connects, engage...

In this episode, we're diving into the world of inclusive storytelling—what it means, why it matters, and how writers can do it better. When authors and creators shape more authentic characters and avoid unconscious bias, they tell stories that reflect the richness of real-world experiences. Our guest, Stacey Parshall Jensen, a Sensitivity Reader, Diversity Editor, and Cultural Consultant, shares...

Storytelling is an art and a science. It shapes cultures, drives initiatives, and transforms the way we connect with the world. But storytelling isn’t just about entertainment. It’s also a powerful leadership tool. Storytelling influences, inspires, and creates a lasting impact. To all those leaders out there - whether you are in the boardroom, in nonprofits, or in a technical field - remember: ho...

Storytelling is at the heart of every great brand, and one of the most potent storytelling frameworks is the Hero’s Journey. From ancient myths to blockbuster films, this timeless structure captivates audiences and takes them on an emotional journey. When applied to branding, the Hero’s Journey turns customers into protagonists, brands into trusted guides, and products into transformative solution...

History isn’t just a record of the past - it’s a lens through which we understand power, deception, and the patterns that continue to shape our world today. Nowhere is this more evident than in the stories of organized crime and financial fraud, where the shadows of history reveal the schemes, betrayals, and high-stakes games that still play out in modern finance. In this episode, we welcomed Stef...

Broadcast journalism is more than just reporting the news. It’s storytelling in motion, bringing the news to life in an immediate and immersive way. Through powerful narratives, journalists connect audiences to real stories, real people, and real moments, delivering truth with impact, clarity, and urgency. In this episode, we welcomed Nerissa Lamison, an evening news anchor for ABC7 News in Tampa,...

For attorneys, storytelling is more than just a skill—it’s a critical tool for representing their clients effectively. Whether it’s painting a vivid picture in an opening statement, weaving evidence into a compelling narrative, or delivering a memorable closing argument, the art of storytelling has the power to humanize clients and bring justice to life. In this episode, we welcome Ariel Clemmer,...

We’re back, and it’s 2025 - can you believe it? In our first episode of the year (and of the new season!), our core group of Liana Henry, Phillip Henry, Jacob Measmer, and Alicia Fiore looked back over our second-year business stories of what we learned and what our predictions for the new year would be. We shared some of our growing pains, talked about hot trends in content development, project m...

Why are young entrepreneur stories so inspiring and what do we love about them? Besides being nothing short of amazing, they remind us that age is but a number when it comes to innovation and success. Our guest, Nico Hessel - founder of Upwork Outbound - shared his remarkable journey of how he turned his vision into a successful venture at age 21. During this episode, Nico shares his passion for e...

Videos bring storytelling into your marketing and connect with your customers in a powerful way. Videos immerse the audience in your content and make them feel like a part of the journey. In this episode, we welcomed Mike Connell, President and Owner of KC Visuals Unlimited, a video production and video marketing company that’s been telling stories through video since 1988. Mike is also the author...

In this episode, we welcomed Julie Lewis, Senior Pantry Manager at People Helping People, Inc. in Burlington, Massachusetts. Julie shares the realities of local hunger and food insecurity, how to change the assumptions that food pantries are only utilized by the poor, how usage has changed over the last four years, and how the stories about the real people who benefit from and volunteer for the pa...

Meghan Iris Armstrong is a filmmaker, writer, and artist who breathes life into people's stories through the documentaries she directs and produces. She creates unforgettable experiences with these educational, inspirational, and entertaining film projects for her clients. In this episode, Meghan shares with us how she got into filmmaking, the types of stories she’s told through the films that she...

Elaine Brammer, a seasoned business, marketing, and brand perception storyteller, has crafted inspirational stories for companies such as Microsoft and Schneider Electric (among others). She has also authored the book, “Unforgettable: New Rules for Business Storytelling” where she does a fantastic job of sharing her unique storytelling approach that helped her create award-winning content for Fort...

Deb Goeschel, a communications expert and brand storyteller, has helped many small to medium-sized businesses find their voice through the concise, clear, messaging she’s created for them. In this episode of The Starfish Storytellers, Deb shares what has been a main challenge for her clients when it comes to conveying their brand story and how she helps them flesh out their BIG WHY. She also walks...