Today’s episode is a solo one. Let’s talk about Apathy.

ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/54

Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask

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Joshua Dixon is the founder of Admire Wear, a platform that explores issues around mental health and helps its community rediscover their self-worth. After surviving a life-threatening pit bull attack as a little boy, Joshua is on a mission to help others overcome deep struggles and find purpose in pain. In this conversation, you will hear how, as a grown man, Joshua has conceptualized what happened to him and used his story to impact the lives of tens of thousands of people.

Please support his work here: https://www.admirewear.com/

ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/53

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Looking within to find validation
• How to use your story to connect with others and make an impact
• Making sense of faith after traumatic experiences

Connect with Joshua Dixon: https://www.joshuadixonarts.com/

Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask

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Michael Jamin is a veteran TV writer and showrunner with over 20 years in the industry, known for his work on shows like Just Shoot Me, King of the Hill, and Beavis and Butt-Head. Michael is also the author of the bestselling collection of personal essays, A Paper Orchestra, which he tours as a one-man show.

In our conversation, we explored how to draw inspiration from small, relatable moments and the significance of writing through the lens of character. Michael shared valuable insights on the future of writers and performers, tips for avoiding oversharing in storytelling, and whether it's best to conclude a story with a joke or a serious note.

ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/52

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Michael’s writing process and the questions he asks himself when outlining a story
• Showing the “dark” side of yourself to connect with your audience
• Why he has chosen to build an audience on social media (while still working in television)

Connect with Michael Jamin: https://michaeljamin.com/

Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask

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Today, I connected with Cindy Zaweski, an award-winning journalist, storyteller, and content strategist. With over 15 years of experience in journalism, she left her job as an executive editor and content director for a luxury magazine in New York to open her own boutique content marketing agency.

Since then, she has built a loyal online community of over 80,000 people. She helps founders connect their expertise and passions through authentic storytelling—get this—all while rejecting conventional niche marketing. In today's conversation, you're going to hear the one thing that will kill a story, why the hero's journey is *%$# on social media, and why you and your audience all share a common enemy.

ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/51

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Identifying the key elements of the story & what’s important to share
• The #1 killer of stories & Why the hero's journey is sh*t on social
• Connect with your audience with the “common enemy”

Listen to Matthew Dicks’ episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lohwMR56bvA

Connect with Cyndi Zaweski: https://www.cyndizaweski.com/

Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/

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Dr. David Hindin is a trauma and critical care surgeon at Stanford University who is... obsessed with storytelling.

You heard me right—a surgeon who tells stories. In addition to serving as the Associate Chair of Innovation and Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery, and the Assistant Director of Stanford’s Biodesign Faculty Fellowship, he also developed a storytelling course at Stanford to help physicians and engineers enhance their communication skills, blending his passion for medicine with creativity. What?

I found him on Instagram, where I was intrigued by his storytelling skills, methods of communication, and advocacy for the arts in scientific fields. I had to have him on the show today, and I was lucky that he agreed (I think this is the first surgeon I’ve ever interviewed). I never would have imagined it would be about this…

In this conversation, you will hear:

• How he creates emotional connections in his storytelling
• The principles behind being “entertaining,” especially when you dont feel like you are
• How he finds the extraordinary in the “ordinary”
• How to deal with the fear of being “seen” as a creator in you profession

ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/50

Connect with David Hindin: https://www.instagram.com/thesurgeonlife/

Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask

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If you look up the name “Neal Foard” on social media, you will see a man standing in front of a black background telling stories. No flashy edits, no animations or jump cuts. It’s just him, the camera, and while staring straight into the screen, delivering powerful, personal stories.

Guess what? It’s working.

As an award-winning advertising and marketing creative professional with over three decades of experience, Neal has crafted successful campaigns for global brands such as Budweiser, Lexus, and Sony. Recently, he has brought that skill online.

A few weeks ago, I asked previous guest Rain Bennett who one of the best storytellers he knows is. He said, hands down, it was Neal Foard. When I visited Neal’s pa lge, I was shocked to find him breaking so many social media rules and still knocking it out of the park. I had to have him on the show to pick his brain about storytelling.

In this conversation, you will hear:

• How he develops his storytelling style and becomes comfortable with his delivery
• How he uses intentional vocabulary and scripts his content
• How he connects with his audience by shifting his energy and intention

ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/49

Other Episodes Mentioned:

• Increase Your Content’s Engagement Through Sequencing | ‪Rain Bennett‬ | Episode 43
• How to Captivate an Audience & Be More Confident | ‪Rene Rodriguez‬ | Episode 10
• William Paul Young | Finding God Outside of Religion

Connect with Neal Foard: https://www.nealfoard.com/ or https://www.storyfire.net/

Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask

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Alejo Porras is a graphic artist and storyteller specializing in sketchnotes. I met him at a conference where I was speaking a few months ago. Afterward, he walked up to me and handed me this—a summary of everything I had said, designed in this insanely cool graphic. WOW.

Apparently, this is a thing—artists who create pieces of art summarizing lectures, talks, etc., to help people remember what was shared. Cool idea, but how do you market something like this? What Alejo told me he does…is kind of surprising.

In this conversation, you will hear:

• How he uses “voluntary generosity” to grow his business
• Using active listening techniques to become a better creator
• A step-by-step walk-through of how he markets his sketchnotes

ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/48

Connect with Alejo Porras: https://www.alejoporrasart.com/

Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask

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WATCH Episodes on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

Elisabeth Wykert is a stand-up comedian and actress, famously known for her leotard dance videos. Yes, you heard that right.

I’ve been following her since the pandemic when she decided one day, you know what, it's time to put on a leotard, dance in public, and put it on the internet. Definitely the type of person I want to know. What happened afterward is pretty mind-blowing.

Growing an engaged audience of over a million people over the past couple of years, I’ve been so curious about her creative process, how she’s merging her online content with her professional goals, and where in the world she learned all these dance moves.

In this conversation, you will hear:

• How she improves the quality of her content while maintaining relatability
• How she manages her energy and shows up full force on screen
• And she shares something she's very passionate about but doesn't talk about much (it has to do with confidence and some societal issues that need to be addressed)

ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/47

Connect with Elisabeth Wykert: https://www.instagram.com/elisabethwykert/

Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask

Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/

WATCH Episodes on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady