In this end-of-year special episode of Leadership Story Talks, hosts Jerome Deroy and Julienne Ryan pause to reflect on the year behind them—and the deeper themes that have emerged through hundreds of conversations, stories, and moments of listening.

Rather than focusing on achievements or milestones, the conversation centers on something more enduring: connection, community, and curiosity. As the calendar turns toward 2026, Jerome and Julienne offer a thoughtful reminder that storytelling isn’t just about being heard—it’s about taking the time to truly listen.

You’ll Hear:

• How Much We Have in Common — Julienne reflects on how every podcast conversation reveals shared experiences and lessons, often hidden until someone takes the time to listen for context.
• Community as an Antidote to Isolation — Jerome speaks to the growing sense of loneliness and division many people are experiencing, and why reaching out—to friends, family, or people you haven’t spoken to in a while—matters more than ever.
• Listening as a Leadership Practice — Both hosts emphasize the simple but powerful act of listening without rushing to respond, and how dialogue—not monologue—is where connection lives.
• The Ripple Effect of Words — Julienne shares a reminder that the impact of listening and kindness often isn’t visible in the moment, but can quietly become the most meaningful part of someone’s day.
• Being Seen, Heard, and Respected — A reflection on why these basic human needs are among the greatest gifts we can offer one another, especially during moments of transition and uncertainty.
• Curiosity as a Way of Life — Jerome looks back on the wide range of guests featured this year—from sports to law and beyond—and how curiosity and openness have led to unexpected discoveries.
• What’s Ahead in 2026 — A glimpse into the future of Leadership Story Talks, including upcoming community-focused storytelling events and new ways for listeners to engage with one another.

This episode is both a holiday message and an invitation: to slow down, to listen more deeply, and to stay curious about the people around you. As Jerome and Julienne remind us, you don’t need a podcast to build connection—just a willingness to reach out and be present.

Narativ’s online course in partnership with New Mexico State University Global Campus:
Lead With Your Story (self-paced, on-demand course)
Podcast listeners get 25% off - Use code NARATIV → Register Here

Learn more about how to leverage Narativ’s storytelling method for your pitch and sales team: Download our free e-book, or you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call with Jerome.

Please join our mailing list to stay updated on all our latest episodes and events.

EMAIL Jerome@narativ.com
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/narativ-inc
TWITTER @narativ

Buy Julienne’s book here

In this debrief episode of Leadership Story Talks, Jerome and Julienne reflect on a striking insight from Gabrielle Dolan, author of Story Intelligence: when people compared AI-generated stories with human ones, they consistently found the AI stories technically strong—but noticeably lacking something essential. What was missing wasn’t structure or clarity, but the feeling that the story was real.

That observation becomes the foundation for a deeper conversation about authenticity, instinct, and why human presence still matters—even as AI becomes more capable and more accessible.

Jerome and Julienne explore how audiences intuitively sense when a story is disconnected from lived experience, and why that subtle gap often determines whether a message lands or falls flat.

You’ll Hear:

• Why We Instinctively Sense What’s Missing — Julienne reflects on our deeply human ability to detect when something lacks real emotional presence, and how that instinct shapes trust and connection.
• The Risk of Letting Tools Speak for You — Jerome explains why outsourcing your story—whether to AI, slides, or templates—can result in something accurate but incomplete, where your true voice never fully shows up.
• From Death by PowerPoint to Déjà Vu by AI — A timely comparison between early excitement around presentation tools and today’s enthusiasm for AI, and how over-reliance can quietly erase the human thread.
• AI as Support, Not Substitute — Building on Gabrielle Dolan’s perspective, the hosts emphasize using AI as a collaborator or sounding board—not the storyteller itself.
• Where Authenticity Lives in the Body — Julienne shares a vivid leadership observation: how people physically change when they speak from something that truly matters to them—and why that energy can’t be manufactured.
• Why Even Polished Messages Can Fall Flat — Jerome reflects on why rehearsal and preparation aren’t enough if personal experience is missing, and how small moments of lived truth make ideas memorable.

This debrief is a reminder that while storytelling tools evolve, the core of storytelling does not. Audiences don’t connect to perfection—they connect to presence. And no matter how advanced the technology, the story still needs a human at the center.

Narativ’s online course in partnership with New Mexico State University Global Campus:
Lead With Your Story (self-paced, on-demand course)
Podcast listeners get 25% off - Use code NARATIV → Register Here

Learn more about how to leverage Narativ’s storytelling method for your pitch and sales team: Download our free e-book, or you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call with Jerome.

Please join our mailing list to stay updated on all our latest episodes and events.

EMAIL Jerome@narativ.com
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/narativ-inc
TWITTER @narativ

Buy Julienne’s book here

In this special edition of Leadership Story Talks, Jerome and Julienne look back on their experience presenting at the international Storytelling Symposium organized by Dr. Anja Timmermann—a gathering of scientists, researchers, and practitioners exploring the role of narrative in making complex work more human and accessible.

What begins as a simple recap unfolds into a rich reflection on risk-taking, preparation, authenticity, and the challenge of storytelling in virtual spaces—especially when you cannot see the audience at all. Julienne shares the vulnerability of telling a deeply personal childhood story to a global, largely unseen crowd, and the surprising lessons that emerged from stepping into the “void” of Zoom with nothing but her voice, intentions, and commitment to authenticity.

Jerome and Julienne explore how simple, relatable stories can bridge cultural and disciplinary divides, how to prepare for moments you can’t fully control, and why trusting your instincts matters more than perfecting a script.

You’ll Hear:

• Bravery in the Blind Spot — What it takes to tell a personal story without audience cues, facial reactions, or feedback—and why doing it anyway builds confidence and connection.
• Simplicity as a Bridge — How everyday stories—neighbors, childhood moments, familiar characters—create common ground across cultures, professions, and languages.
• Practice Without Performing — The value of rehearsing for flow, not perfection, and testing your story with a trusted listener before going live.
• Expect the Unexpected — A surprise microphone failure during the recording becomes a real-time lesson in adaptability, honesty, and embracing imperfection.
• Why Stories Make Moments Memorable — Jerome reflects on why personal narrative transforms panels from forgettable to meaningful—and why leaders should always take the leap when a story fits the moment.

This episode is both a behind-the-scenes look at a global storytelling event and a reminder of what authentic communication requires: courage, presence, simplicity, and a willingness to connect—even when you can’t see who’s listening.

Resources: ~

Storytelling Symposium Website & Video Library:

Narativ’s online course in partnership with New Mexico State University Global Campus:
Lead With Your Story (self-paced, on-demand course)
Podcast listeners get 25% off - Use code NARATIV → Register Here

Learn more about how to leverage Narativ’s storytelling method for your pitch and sales team: Download our free e-book, or you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call with Jerome.

Please join our mailing list to stay updated on all our latest episodes and events.

EMAIL Jerome@narativ.com
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/narativ-inc
TWITTER @narativ

Buy Julienne’s book here

In this episode of Leadership Story Talks, hosts Jerome Deroy and Julienne Ryan speak with Greg Smith—General Manager of FranklinCovey’s Executive Coaching practice and a leader with more than 25 years of experience developing executives across global organizations. Greg has supported leaders at Walmart, Deloitte, Starbucks, FedEx, Disney, and today his practice delivers an extraordinary 97% coaching success rate.

Greg shares a moment early in his career: a CEO’s deceptively simple piece of advice—“If you want to fly like the eagles, hang out with the eagles.” What made it powerful wasn’t the phrase itself, but who said it and the way it awakened Greg’s belief in aligning himself with excellence. That shift in mindset still shapes how he approaches leadership development today.

Greg breaks down why executive coaching is no longer a perk but a strategic imperative— defined by rapid change, restructuring, and rising complexity. He walks through FranklinCovey’s four-phase coaching methodology, shares an example of a leader whose newfound courage saved the company $20 million in one meeting, and why human connection, empathy, and trust remain irreplaceable even as AI becomes more deeply integrated into leadership work.

You’ll Hear:

“Fly With the Eagles” – One comment from a founder shifted Greg’s trajectory by redefining what—and who—he aligned himself with.
Coaching as a Strategic Lever – Why organizations facing disruption increasingly rely on coaching to accelerate capability and navigate complexity.
The 4-Phase Methodology – Alignment, data-driven insight, focused coaching, and sustainable transition.
Courage in Practice – How a single leadership intervention, rooted in new skills, averted a multimillion-dollar loss.
Human Leadership in an AI Era – Why the future belongs to leaders who cultivate empathy, curiosity, trust, and adaptability.
Preparing for What’s Next – How CEOs, COOs, CHROs, and talent teams can rethink development to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

Greg’s insights offer a clear, actionable roadmap for strengthening leadership in times of uncertainty—and for keeping humanity at the center of growth.

Resources

Coaching | FranklinCovey

LinkedIn — Greg Smith

Forbes Coaches Council — Greg Smith

Narativ’s online course in partnership with New Mexico State University Global Campus:
Lead With Your Story (self-paced, on-demand course)
Podcast listeners get 25% off - Use code NARATIV → Register Here

Learn more about how to leverage Narativ’s storytelling method for your pitch and sales team: Download our free e-book, or you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call with Jerome.

Please join our mailing list to stay updated on all our latest episodes and events.

EMAIL Jerome@narativ.com
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/narativ-inc
TWITTER @narativ

Buy Julienne’s book here

In this debrief, Jerome and Julienne reflect on their conversation with Dr. Anja Timmerman—an exchange that reminded them how a single, small human moment can reshape how we see a place, a culture, or a community. Anja’s story about arriving in New York for the first time becomes a doorway into her passion for community-building and the global storytelling symposium she now leads.

What starts as a reflection on kindness from strangers becomes an exploration of how personal stories disrupt stereotypes, soften assumptions, and open the door to deeper understanding between people who might never otherwise connect.

Jerome and Julienne also tie this conversation back to the foundation of Narativ’s method: the more specific and precise the story, the more power it has to challenge generalizations and bring people closer together.

You’ll Hear:
– Small Moments, Big Impact – How one brief, unexpected act of kindness can transform someone’s sense of belonging in a new place.

– Stories Break Stereotypes – Why sharing concrete, local stories helps dismantle limiting narratives about cities, cultures, and the people who live in them.

– Specificity Over Generalization – How naming this person, this gesture, and this moment invites empathy and keeps assumptions at bay.

– Experience as Offering – A gentler way to share perspectives: “This is how I experienced this person,” rather than “People from here are like this.”

– Your Story as Connection – An invitation to listeners to learn how to tell their own stories with precision, clarity, and intention—especially when advocating for what matters.

Let this debrief inspire you to notice the local moments, tell the small stories, and use them to build bridges where stereotypes once stood.

LISTEN to Anja's full Leadership Story Talks episode HERE

Narativ’s online course in partnership with New Mexico State University Global Campus:
Lead With Your Story (self-paced, on-demand course)
Podcast listeners get 25% off - Use code NARATIV → Register Here

Learn more about how to leverage Narativ’s storytelling method for your pitch and sales team: Download our free e-book, or you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call with Jerome.

Please join our mailing list to stay updated on all our latest episodes and events.

EMAIL Jerome@narativ.com
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/narativ-inc
TWITTER @narativ

Buy Julienne’s book here

In this episode of Leadership Story Talks, hosts Jerome Deroy and Julienne Ryan speak with Lata Hamilton—change leadership expert, confidence mentor, and author of Pioneer Your Career Change. After tripling her salary in just three years and helping organizations lead transformations affecting more than 100,000 people, Lata has made it her mission to empower women to carve their own career paths with courage, clarity, and authenticity.

Lata shares the surprising corridor conversation that launched her into change management—a moment that felt small to someone else but reshaped her entire career. She also revisits an early piece of feedback that she was “too authentic,” and the years-long journey of shrinking, questioning, and ultimately redefining what authenticity means in leadership.

You’ll Hear:

• When One Comment Changes Everything – How a casual suggestion opened the door to Lata’s ideal career
• lata-julienne-jerome (1)
• “Too Authentic”? – How early career feedback dimmed her confidence—and what it took to reclaim it
• lata-julienne-jerome (1)
• Leading Change with Humanity – Why resistance is rarely the real issue, and how to uncover the beliefs and fears underneath it
• Bridging the Change Gap – How involving people early in designing new roles, capabilities, and ways of working reduces burnout and builds trust
• Your Career as a Launch Pad – Why rethinking loyalty and embracing possibility can unlock an entirely new future

This conversation offers a refreshingly human, practical roadmap for stepping into your power—without shrinking, apologizing, or compromising who you are.

• Download: Underpaid & Overlooked Coaching Action Guide
• Download: Creative Launch Ideas Guide
• Book: Pioneer Your Career Change
• Website & Programs
• Socials
  LinkedIn
  Instagram — @latahamilton
  Insight Timer
• Facebook
• YouTube

Narativ’s online course in partnership with New Mexico State University Global Campus:
Lead With Your Story (self-paced, on-demand course)
Podcast listeners get 25% off - Use code NARATIV → Register Here

Learn more about how to leverage Narativ’s storytelling method for your pitch and sales team: Download our free e-book, or you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call with Jerome.

Please join our mailing list to stay updated on all our latest episodes and events.

EMAIL Jerome@narativ.com
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/narativ-inc
TWITTER @narativ

Buy Julienne’s book here

In this debrief, Jerome and Julienne reflect on their conversation with Dr. LaNysha Adams and her powerful reminder that identity isn’t fixed—it’s chosen. Drawing on her insights, they explore why “bringing your whole self to work” isn’t about dragging every version of yourself into every room, but about being intentional, adaptable, and honest about who you need to be right now.

What begins as a discussion about roles—parent, leader, teammate, creator—quickly becomes a broader reflection on navigating uncertainty, evolving past outdated labels, and telling the story that actually serves you in this moment of change.

Jerome and Julienne connect these ideas to the heart of Narativ’s work: asking “What’s the story that needs to be told now?” and supporting people as they uncover it, reshape it, or bravely speak it out loud for the first time.

You’ll Hear:

– Identity Is Dynamic – Why the labels you’ve carried—professionally or personally—don’t define who you are today or who you can become.
– Choosing Who You Are Now – How to adapt your sense of self in moments of transition without losing sight of your strengths, talents, or core values.
– The Story You Tell Today – A reminder to re-evaluate whether the story you’ve been telling still fits, or if a new one is ready to emerge.
– From Overwhelm to Agency – How storytelling becomes a grounding practice during turbulent times, helping you reclaim clarity, confidence, and direction.
– Self-Appreciation as Wellness – Why reflecting on your own experiences—like stepping back in an art gallery—can restore perspective and resilience during change.

Let this debrief be a nudge to pause and ask yourself: Who am I now, and what story do I need to tell next?

Narativ’s online course in partnership with New Mexico State University Global Campus:
Lead With Your Story (self-paced, on-demand course)
Podcast listeners get 25% off - Use code NARATIV → Register Here

Learn more about how to leverage Narativ’s storytelling method for your pitch and sales team: Download our free e-book, or you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call with Jerome.

Please join our mailing list to stay updated on all our latest episodes and events.

EMAIL Jerome@narativ.com
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/narativ-inc
TWITTER @narativ

Buy Julienne’s book here

In this episode of Leadership Story Talks, hosts Jerome Deroy and Julienne Ryan speak with Gabrielle Dolan—one of the world’s leading authorities on business storytelling, keynote speaker, and author of nine books including her newest release, Story Intelligence: The Craft of Authentic Storytelling Made Smarter with AI.

Gabrielle shares the pivotal “sliding door” moment that transformed her career—from a 17-year tenure at National Australia Bank to launching her own storytelling practice long before it became a buzzword. Through humor and insight, she reflects on two decades of helping leaders move from folded arms to open minds when it comes to storytelling—and how AI is reshaping that conversation today.

In Story Intelligence, Gabrielle explores how we can harness AI as a creative collaborator without losing the human heart of storytelling. She shares an experiment comparing AI-generated stories to human ones, revealing that while AI delivers clarity, it lacks authenticity—the emotional resonance that connects people.

You’ll Hear:

The Power of Rejection – How a missed promotion became the spark that launched a global storytelling career

From Trend to Transformation – What’s changed in 20 years of helping leaders tell stories that stick

When AI “Almost” Gets It Right – What Gabrielle learned from testing human vs. AI-generated stories

Authenticity as the X-Factor – Why audiences can sense when a story isn’t truly lived or felt

Story Intelligence Defined – A new framework for using authentic stories to connect, engage, and inspire

Whether you’re a leader curious about how to balance technology with truth, or a communicator looking to tell more human stories in a digital age, this conversation reminds us that the future of storytelling isn’t artificial—it’s deeply, powerfully human.

Resources

Website: gabrielledolan.com

Free Storytelling Starter Kit: gabrielledolan.com/starterkit

Books: gabrielledolan.com/books

LinkedIn: Gabrielle Dolan

Instagram: @gabrielledolan.1

YouTube: Gabrielle Dolan Consulting

Podcast: Keeping It Real with Jac and Ral

Narativ’s online course in partnership with New Mexico State University Global Campus:
Lead With Your Story (self-paced, on-demand course)
Podcast listeners get 25% off - Use code NARATIV → Register Here

Learn more about how to leverage Narativ’s storytelling method for your pitch and sales team: Download our free e-book, or you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call with Jerome.

Please join our mailing list to stay updated on all our latest episodes and events.

EMAIL Jerome@narativ.com
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/narativ-inc
TWITTER @narativ

Buy Julienne’s book here