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

"Be ready to be ready." — Jen Mueller

In this debrief, Jerome and Julienne unpack lessons from Jen Mueller’s world of sports broadcasting—where seconds matter and every word counts. They explore how Jen’s approach to preparation, precision, and presence applies far beyond the sidelines, offering leaders a model for communicating clearly and engaging others under pressure.

What begins as a story about post-game interviews becomes a reflection on what great meetings, coaching moments, and conversations have in common: thoughtful preparation, shared airtime, and genuine listening.

You’ll Hear:
– Preparation Creates Freedom – How doing your homework allows you to be more spontaneous and responsive in the moment.
– Make Time Your Friend – Why embracing time constraints can foster safety, inclusion, and sharper dialogue.
– Curate, Don’t Cram – The value of saying only what matters—and leaving space for others to contribute.
– Engaging Every Voice – How intentional facilitation helps quieter participants feel seen and heard.

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

Jerome Deroy and Julienne Ryan sit down with Dr. Anja Timmermann—historian, communication scientist, journalist, and founder of the Storytelling Symposium in Germany. With a background spanning academia, media, and neuroscience, Dr. Timmermann brings a rich, evidence-based perspective to how humans share knowledge, build connection, and lead through story.

She begins with a vivid moment of culture shock—standing in a Manhattan bus line, a stranger in a city of millions—only to be folded into community by a handful of New Yorkers offering quarters for her fare. That small act of generosity became a lifelong metaphor: storytelling as the bridge between isolation and belonging.

You’ll Hear:

• Belonging Through Story – How a simple New York bus encounter revealed storytelling’s power to create instant community.
• From Facts to Connection – Why storytelling doesn’t distort data—it contextualizes it, allowing truth to be felt as well as known.
• Building the Storytelling Symposium – A global gathering where researchers, educators, and practitioners bring narrative competence into serious professional practice.
• The START Framework – Anja’s adaptation of the STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, Result + Transfer) to help experts translate complexity into clarity.
• Working with Scientists – How she helps data-driven minds see that story is not a compromise of accuracy, but an expansion of understanding.
• Listen Before You Tell – Why the most powerful storytellers are also great listeners—because connection starts with curiosity.

Resources

• Dr. Anja Timmermann on LinkedIn
• Storytelling Symposium: Find out more and register for the 2025 edition!
• The storytelling-symposium.de
• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Youtube
• Symposium on LinkedIn
• Symposium on 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

"When AI is mimicking as opposed to truly reflecting a culture, things become dull… it’s been flattened out." — James Francis

In this debrief, Jerome and Julienne unpack James Francis’s reflection on artificial intelligence and culture—and draw striking parallels to storytelling itself.

When we rely on a single story, or a single perspective, we flatten complexity. But when we listen for nuance, explore multiple angles, and share stories across differences, we begin to reflect the true richness of human experience.

You’ll Hear:
– Beyond the One Story – Why telling more than one story about yourself or your organization builds trust and dimension.
– Curiosity as a Cultural Practice – How visiting new environments and listening to unfamiliar voices keeps our communication muscles strong.
– Technology vs. Humanity – Why AI can’t replace the simple power of conversation and genuine connection.
– Reflection Over Replication – How both leaders and technologists can aim to mirror culture, not mimic it.

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 Dr. LaNysha Adams—TEDx speaker, ten-time award-winning author of Me Power, and Director of Student Wellness at Santa Fe Community College.

Dr. Adams shares a profoundly personal story of surviving sudden cardiac arrest during the COVID-19 pandemic—an experience that reshaped her relationship to time, gratitude, and purpose. From that moment emerged a new mission: to help others reclaim their agency and rediscover who they are beyond the labels that define them.

Through her Me Power framework and the concept of radical self-interrogation, LaNysha invites us to question the roles, titles, and identities we cling to—and to remember that the constant in every life transition is us.

You’ll Hear:

• Survival & Clarity – How a near-death experience revealed the urgency of living with intention
• Beyond Labels – Why over-identifying with roles can leave us lost when life changes
• Radical Self-Interrogation – How asking “why do I believe what I believe?” can uncover authenticity and healing
• The Me Power Framework – Five pillars that help individuals identify strengths, remove barriers, and take action even when unsure
• From Confusion to Clarity – How one client used the Me Power process to leave a grind of multiple jobs and build a fulfilling new career

Whether you’re navigating change, seeking purpose, or supporting others through transition, this conversation is a moving reminder that power doesn’t come from titles—it comes from the choices we make about who we are and how we show up.

Resources

• Social links:
  https://bio.link/edling
  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanysha/
  
  Free audiobook for audience: https://bit.ly/mepower4me
• TEDx: How to radically question your labels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi0ggI6BU0I

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

"There was a beginning and an end… and all the contributing factors that made it actionable."

In this debrief, Jerome and Julienne reflect on Andy Goram’s story of receiving tough but transformative feedback. What could have been a demoralizing moment instead became a catalyst for growth—showing how honesty, kindness, and specificity can turn feedback into fuel.

They connect Andy’s lesson to the heart of storytelling itself: when you focus on what happened—not just feelings or conclusions—you create clarity, accountability, and the chance for true dialogue.

You’ll Hear:
– Feedback as Storytelling – Why recounting events as they happened creates empathy and opens space for understanding.
– Kindness vs. Comfort – How being specific and honest is more supportive than softening the truth.
– Beyond One-and-Done – Why feedback is a process, not a single conversation.
– A Two-Way Street – How receiving feedback with openness is just as vital as giving it.

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