The Storytelling with Heart Podcast

Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a baby, Ben Mudge was told he could be dead before his twenties and faced a short and sedentary life. 
Thankfully, Ben’s life today is very different from the one medical professionals told him he could have.
Refusing to let his illness define him, Ben reinvented himself through fitness, and devoted himself to exploring – and appreciating – what he can do. That approach has taken him through some incredible experiences ranging from competitive bodybuilding and fitness modelling, to getting recognition as a fitness influencer, to daredevil highlining in Scotland, to working as a health and fitness coach, which he does with compassion and care.
Now — with me as his writing partner — Ben has authored a new book, called Fitness Without Limits: Training to break through obstacles, live without fear, and find a better you. 
In this podcast episode, Ben shares his story, and offers some practical wisdom for anyone looking to break through limitations and get more out of life.
Topics we cover:
- What it was like growing up with CF and being told he wouldn’t make it to twenty years old
- Why getting and staying fit is actually WAY less complicated (and less sexy) than you probably think it is
- What Ben learned from bodybuilding and getting super lean — and how he stopped judging and shaming his body
- How Ben overcame feeling like he needed to hide who he was in order to be a successful fitness coach, and why he lets his nerd flag fly 
- Ben’s most terrifying moment and the pact he made with himself that changed his life
- Why you don’t need to be perfect (far from it) to get good results
- Why Ben chose to work with a ghostwriter (i.e. me) to write his first book, and what the process was like
- How to get unstuck and get past the limitations that stand in your way 
Check out Ben’s new book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fitness-Without-Limits-Training-obstacles/dp/1408733617
Find Ben on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benmudge_

“Your work is not your job or your career. Your work is what you create. And what you create is what sets you apart and is the unique contribution that is your legacy.” – Joy Spencer
Joy Spencer is a coach, speaker, and organizational development consultant who works with professionals and leaders at all levels within organizations. She hosts the podcast Reframe to Create, and is the founder of Joy Spencer coaching, where she helps leaders sharpen the most important instrument they have for fostering change and developing teams—their own personal development and transformational growth through the art of storytelling.  
Joy’s passion for storytelling is to ultimately help people see themselves differently so that they can reframe their understanding of success away from a focus on being productive to a new commitment to being creators who continuously use their gifts to create beautiful things and experiences they can offer in service.  
Topics we cover:
- Why your job does not define you! And why your potential to build a meaningful body of work isn’t dependent on your job.
- Why having to “pay the bills” shouldn’t stop you from doing the work that really matters to you.
- The benefit of serving fewer people, and why having a small audience shouldn’t stop you.
- The problems with productivity culture, and how to opt-out of it.
- Why the process of making something is just as valuable as the product, and how to “fall back in love” with the process of making things.
- Why you should embrace being a rebel, or being seen as “weird” or different as you eschew productivity norms.
- The art of the reframe, and a new way to think about parameters and limitations.
- How to reorient your life around the things that light you up.
- Plus, quick tips to help you make time for your creative practice and meaningful work — even if you have a busy schedule and minimal time or energy 
For more, find Joy at reframetocreate.com

This episode is a bit of a departure from our usual programming. In this episode, Cam shares some reflections on the passing of their uncle, and what they learned from him. 
If you’re in the mood for some introspection, or you’re seeking a bit of perspective on what matters most in your life, have a listen. 

If you’re trying to market a product or service, chances are at some point you’ve wondered:
- How do I get people to buy from me?
- Which words will sell? 
- How can I write in a way that gets people to take action? 
- How can I write sales copy that works, but isn’t sleazy or slimy? 
Or even
- How can I write effective sales copy without losing my authenticity (and feeling like a slime bag?)
In this episode, copywriter Zak Columber takes the mystery out of copywriting.
Zak Columber helps online business owners earn more revenue through systematic customer research, well-crafted direct response copywriting, and authentic storytelling. His work as a marketing strategist and copywriter has driven over $6.8 million dollars in revenue to date.
In this episode, Zak reveals some of his best copywriting secrets — minus the mystery, pretentiousness, and scammy vibes that you might get from other marketers.
We cover:
- How to inspire your audience to take action and buy from you, without resorting to sleazy tactics or making people feel worse about themselves
- How to build trust with your audience 
- Why customer research is so important, and how to do it. (Hint: Zak offers a bunch of specific questions you can ask when talking to customers — take notes!)
- Zak’s #1 way to improve your marketing overall
- Why copywriters can help — or massively mess up your business, and what you should know before hiring someone
- The importance of active listening, and how it can set you apart from 95% of other marketers
- A simple template for writing subject lines that will get people to open your emails.
- Why marketing does not equal social media, and what you should do if your business relies heavily on social
- How to connect with your audience AND make room for your own unique personality and style. (Yes, authenticity matters, even in marketing!)
And when you’re done listening, don’t forget to grab the customer research bonus resources Zak mentions. 
Get them here: https://zakcolumber.com/blog/research-into-revenue-1
And here: https://zakcolumber.com/blog/research-into-revenue-2

If you’re a coach, soloist, or small business owner, communicating your ideas is essential. 
But how do you make storytelling a part of your regular life and business? 
How do you tell stories that are meaningful and interesting to both you, and the people you serve?
And, what do you do when you make a mistake or your work is misinterpreted in some way? 
In this episode, I explore all of this and more with my guest, Jason Leenaarts. 
Jason is the owner of Revolution Fitness & Therapy, a semi-private personal training studio in Northeast Ohio. He's an MNU certified nutritionist, author of two books available on Amazon and former host of the Revolutionary You podcast.
Jason is an avid — and consistent — communicator, having maintained his blog for years, releasing weekly podcast episodes for six years before retiring his podcast, posting social content daily, and publishing two books. Through it all, he is honest and open about his own struggles including his past experiences with drug addiction, as well as the messiness and challenges of everyday life.  
If you want to bring more authenticity and personal storytelling into your brand and business communications, be more consistent with your writing, and navigate mistakes and pushback from others, check out this episode.
We cover:
- Why Jason chooses to speak openly about his experiences with drug addiction and his “colorful” past, and how that has impacted his business and his ability to help people 
- How to balance the personal vs the professional when it comes to storytelling. (And why your “what the hell, I’m just gonna write about the thing I care about” moments can be the most fruitful.) 
- How to write about stuff that interests you while also serving the needs and interests of your audience. 
- How Jason put out a podcast every week for 6 years — what he learned from it, and why he decided it was time to quit.
- What happens when your content bombs and people misinterpret or just plain hate what you’ve said — and how to recover. 
- Jason’s method for responding to criticism and how to use it to make your work better.
- How to balance the need to ship your work with the value of putting out rigorous and intentional work.
- What a regular writing practice can look like, and how to make time for it.
- Why NOW is the time to put your ideas, your wisdom, your story out into the world — and exactly why it matters so much. 
For more, check out Jason at jasonleenaarts.com, on Instagram at @jasonleenaarts, or on Facebook at @jason.leenaarts

Want to get back into the groove with your writing? 
Struggling to get unstuck and establish a consistent writing routine?
Been meaning to start writing and publishing but having trouble getting started? 
Keep “falling off the wagon” with your writing or creative work?
In this “Coaching with Cam” episode, Cam walks you through 6 tips to establish a writing routine that works for you. 
Along the way, Cam provides some extra hints and insights into a successful writing process, including:
Why it’s so important to “put yourself on the hook”
How to keep your writing routine realistic and sustainable
Why typical ideas about “getting inspired” could be holding you back, and a useful alternative to help you keep writing even when you don’t feel motivated
Why writing and idea generation are two separate activities, and what that means for your writing process.
How you can plan ahead of time AND take advantage of random good ideas.
One of the most underrated storytelling skills — and how you can start developing it today.
How to customize your writing routine for your own preferences.

At a young age, we’re asked “what do you want to be when you grow up?” 
But what if your answer to that question doesn’t fit one of the usual “boxes” we’re offered? 
What if you want to leave your mark on the world in your own, unique way?
What if you want to design your own career and life path for yourself? And what if the crafting and designing… never really ends?
If you’ve ever wondered about how to design your own career (and life) for yourself, and leave your mark on your industry or field, Scott Livingston has some insight to share. 
Scott Livingston is an athletic therapist, master performance coach, and reconditioning professional. With 35+ years of practice in the human performance industry working in every conceivable performance environment, Scott has trained and reconditioned college, Olympic and professional athletes from just about every imaginable sport. 
(For the hockey fans: Scott’s career experience included eleven seasons in the NHL as an athletic therapist and strength and conditioning coach with the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and New York Islanders.)
These days, Scott is co-founder of Reconditioning HQ, and host of the Leave Your Mark podcast, where he explores people’s life journeys.
Notably, Scott crafted his own career from the ground-up. He didn’t take a “regular” job, nor did he work his way up the ladder. At each career step, he thought about how he could craft a role that would allow him to contribute in his own unique way. 
In this conversation we explore how Scott (aka Scotty) got to where he is today, some of the ups and downs of his journey, and some of the things he’s learned through his travels.
Topics and ideas we explore:
- It is your picture to paint: The pros and cons of creating a new role or career path for yourself that doesn’t exist yet. 
- Getting comfortable with “slow painting”: Why making big industry changes can be possible, but it might take more time than you think. 
- How to do more of what brings you joy: How to identify the things you really love and start to do more of them (even when your current life is built around obligation and responsibility to others.)
- The power of inner storytelling: The ways our inner narratives can help or hinder us, and how to start to examine and expand them. 
- The value of self-reflection and introspection: Why it’s necessary to look inwards if you want to make an impact. 
- How to use neuroscience to your advantage in personal growth — and why you need an accountability practice to change.
- Why it’s worth asking people about their lives (not just their expertise): How Scotty fulfilled a lifelong dream of broadcasting through his podcast, and his approach to exploring real life stories on his podcast.
- The truth about career growth and arriving at your “destination”: Scotty’s biggest life revelation from looking back on his career.
When you’re done listening, learn more about Scott by visiting www.ReconditioningHQ.com

Imagine finding out that someone you loved lived a double life…keeping a secret the entire family knew nothing about until after they died.
Secrets, especially those born out of shame, can make us feel small and hidden. They can have dangerous consequences, not just personally, but also socially and culturally. 
On the other hand, bringing those secrets to light can be profoundly enlightening, powerful, and maybe even spark social change. 
On today’s episode of the Storytelling with Heart podcast, we explore both the impact of secret-keeping and the potential of storytelling, with journalist and debut novelist, Sasha Vasilyuk.
Sasha Vasilyuk is a journalist and author of the new novel, Your Presence is Mandatory, which spans between World War II and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Sasha has an MA in journalism from New York University and her nonfiction has been published in the New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar, CNN, Time magazine and more. 
Sasha grew up between Ukraine and Russia before immigrating to the U.S. at the age of 13. In 2007, after her grandfather’s death, Sasha’s grandmother discovered in his papers a confession letter addressed to the KGB, revealing a history previously buried. Loosely inspired by her grandfather’s story, the novel explores the multi-generational impact of not only war and trauma, but also secrets and stigma. 
In this episode of the Storytelling with Heart podcast, we explore Sasha’s fascinating family story, as well as broader themes such as:
– The value of fiction writing and how it can be used to explore nuanced and difficult subjects.
– The personal and social risk of internalized shame – how storytelling, or the lack thereof, can shape cultural narratives as well as causing personal harm.
– How to navigate the muddy waters of sharing complicated stories with our children and young people.
– The challenge of sharing sensitive or vulnerable stories, and how to decide when it’s worth it to share the truth (or not).
– Why it’s worth exploring family histories, regardless of whether you want to publish them.
– Plus, tips for memoir and creative nonfiction writing!
When you’re done listening, check out Your Presence is Mandatory here: www.sashavasilyuk.com/your-presence-is-mandatory.

Sometimes, the darkest and most discomfiting moments of our lives can result in our best art, our finest work, or our most powerful stories. 
Carla Patullo is living proof; and the Grammy she won this year backs it up.
Carla Patullo is a renowned film composer and multi-instrumentalist, who secured her first GRAMMY® win at the 66th Annual GRAMMY® Awards this year for "SO SHE HOWLS," in the category of Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album. 
“SO SHE HOWLS,” was conceived during Carla’s battle with breast cancer, and it blends howling vocals, orchestral swells, and electronic pulses to create a mesmerizing journey from grief and fear to inspiration and healing.
In addition to composing and performing, Carla is a prolific songwriter and has written over 100 songs with placements on film and TV shows, and she has written scores for over 30 films. 
In this episode of Storytelling with Heart, Carla explores her process for telling stories through music and sound, and she shares how she turned her most heart wrenching moments into a Grammy-winning — yet very raw and real — record. 
Themes we explore:
– How creating art can be a powerful outlet when dealing with difficult things, and why sharing your personal stories can be deeply healing
– The importance of just “letting it out” and not judging the work/art too much in the early stages of the process
– The value of keeping things raw, real, and human – and why it might even be a good idea to leave in some mistakes and imperfections
– How to think like a documentarian when going through a difficult time in your life, and why it might be worth capturing your thoughts and feelings along the way
– How to maintain your own artistic voice even when working for or with other people, clients, etc.
– The value of making time for your own creative practice (even if creative work is part of your job.)
– Why you should go ahead and make the thing you want to make rather than waiting for the perfect time. But also: the danger of false urgency and why it’s also a good idea to let things take the time they need to unfold.
Check out SO SHE HOWLS at https://www.carlapatullo.com/howls-preview

Do you want to inspire and motivate people? Want to build a community, or rally people around your cause? Need to get buy-in (and potentially funding) for your idea, mission, or organization? 
If so, this episode is a must-listen, featuring Sandy Dang.
Sandy Dang is a social entrepreneur, leadership trainer, community organizer, and management consultant. She is the Co-founder and Principal of Co-lnnovate Consulting, a company that provides leadership training, capacity building, and strategic planning to companies, foundations, and nonprofits.
Born in Hanoi, Sandy left Vietnam when she was ten years old. After living in rural China and Hong Kong refugee camps, Sandy resettled in the United States at the age of thirteen. 
Sandy went from a childhood without books and very limited education, to being the only kid who didn’t speak English in her school, to becoming an internationally recognized speaker, leader, educator, and master storyteller. Most of all, Sandy has used her experiences and stories to empower others.
For more than a decade, she served as Founder and Executive Director of Asian American Leadership, Empowerment, and Development (AALED) an organization that supports refugee families through a broad array of educational and social services. Sandy was also appointed by President Obama to serve as Executive Director of the Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF).
These days, Sandy teaches leaders — especially community organizers, and founders of mission-driven organizations — how to use storytelling to enhance their leadership capacity, and inspire and motivate others. She serves people all over the world, and works in both the US and Asia, including Vietnam and Thailand. 
In this episode, you’ll hear Sandy’s inspiring story, and gain all kinds of useful intel about powerful, purposeful storytelling. Themes we explore:
– Storytelling as a survival tool: Sandy details how she used storytelling to get support, gather resources, build community, and navigate life in the US (even when she was just learning to speak English)
– Using your story to help others: Sandy shares how she used her story to build her non-profit, going from $15,000 to over $1.7 million dollars in its annual budget
– The truth: Why the heart of storytelling is truth-telling, and how honesty and authenticity are essential to build connection, community, and support
– The healing power of storytelling: Why telling your story might be one of the most healing and important things you can do for yourself, and for others
– The power of public narrative: How to translate your lived experience into a story that demonstrates your values and makes people feel inspired and motivated to join your cause
– Taking control of your own story: Why leaders need to share stories about themselves; how to use your story to build trust; and the problem with letting other people decide your story for you
– The three stories all leaders must have in their arsenal — plus, Sandy’s process for putting the stories together into a cohesive narrative.
– “This will only work in the US, not here”: How to adapt the concepts of personal storytelling for a more community-oriented mindset, and how to work around concerns about humility and bragging
– Tips for trainers, coaches, facilitators, and leaders: Sandy distills her advice into her #1 takeaway.
Practical advice, heartfelt insight, and an inspiring and uplifting story…this episode has it all.