The Storytelling with Heart Podcast

How do you know if you’re becoming a better writer? 
What kinds of things should you focus on to improve your writing skills? 
And for that matter, should you even bother trying to improve? Why not just take shortcuts?
If you’re a thought leader (or you want to be), or just someone who wants to express their thoughts and ideas more effectively, you’ve come to the right place. 
Communicating effectively is a MUST to get your ideas across and make an impact. But it’s so much more than that. Strengthening your writing skills can be immensely satisfying—especially when you can observe (and many even celebrate) your progress.
In this “Coaching with Cam” episode of the Storytelling with Heart podcast, Camille explores: 
- The value of improving in the first place…why sucking at a thing and being a beginner is awesome, and why it’s worth putting in the work to improve your skills
- Why the skill of writing *still matters*, and why it’s worth fighting for, even if you use other services or experts (like me!) to help you do it better
- How to avoid the danger of “de-skilling” yourself — and keep building your skills (rather than eroding them)
- Why you shouldn’t rely entirely on audience feedback to know whether your writing is improving
- Top 10 signs your writing is improving…some signs and signals that indicate your work is getting better (regardless of audience response!)
Along the way, you’ll get some great hints and tips about how to improve your writing too!

Communications — particularly professional, technical, and educational materials — can easily become boring, unrelatable, or stiff.
How do you write, speak, and educate in ways that other people will actually enjoy?
And, how do you make the process more meaningful, engaging, and interesting for yourself? 
These are the kinds of questions I explore with Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon.
Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon is an expert coach, communicator, and thought leader in the fitness and health industry. She has more than 20 years in fitness and health coaching under her belt, and 10 years of university teaching and course direction.
Krista is currently the Product Director at Simple, a nutrition app with global reach. Previously she served as Director of Curriculum at Precision Nutrition, leading the development of the PN Academy and PN Certifications. 
She is the author of several books and co-author of textbooks, many of which we worked on together,  plus she has an extensive portfolio of academic publications, book chapters, articles, and reports, not to mention own self-published book Why Me Want Eat.
Before working with Precision Nutrition, Krista was a researcher and faculty member at York University in Toronto. In the mid-1990s, her website Stumptuous.com was one of the first to promote women's weight training, and since then she's focused on helping people make meaningful change. She has lectured and taught internationally across North America as well as in the UK, Ireland, China, Australia, and Southeast Asia. 
Krista is undoubtedly a professional communicator, but she has also built her career around making her communications relatable, playful, interesting, and fun (even funny) — even when they cover technical, educational, and/or “serious” material.
In our conversation, I dig into Krista’s process, sifting through her childhood experiences, her personal beliefs and habits, and some of the methods she uses in her own life and work as both a coach and communicator.
Through our conversation, we explore how we can all communicate better by employing humor, empathy, curiosity, experimentation, collaboration, play, and getting out of our own boxes.
We cover:
→ The value of letting your freak flag fly.
→ Why empathy is non-negotiable for all communicators, and how to cultivate it. 
→ Why interest, curiosity, and skill are such a powerful combination, and how to nurture them. 
→ The danger of waiting for someone else to give you permission to create your thing. 
→ Where good ideas ACTUALLY come from, and the problem with “The Great Man” theory.
→ The role of practice, rigor, feedback, experimentation, and collaboration in developing and refining your ideas and knowledge… and why you should never try to develop good ideas in isolation.
→ How to get out of your own box or comfort zone, and why you should seek out unfamiliar and deeply uncomfortable experiences.
→ The role of play in communications and creative work, and some unusual ways to make your work more playful.
→ The difference between Creator Brain vs Editor Brain, and why (and how) you need to put the Creator Brain in the driver’s seat.
→ Plus, a fun assignment to challenge writer’s block. 
Follow Krista on Instagram (@stumptuous) on Facebook (www.facebook.com/coach.krista.scottdixon) or  Linkedin.

Life can throw some pretty big stuff at us. If we’re lucky, we live to tell the tale. Then the question becomes: how do we tell that tale? 
How do we turn our most challenging experiences into meaningful stories that will help other people?
For some inspiration on this subject, look no further than Jennifer Broxterman, RD.
Jennifer Broxterman is a Registered Dietitian and founder of both NutritionRx (her private practice) and PROSPER Nutrition Coaching, a world-class nutrition certification for gym owners and coaches. 
She is also a stage 3 ovarian cancer survivor who was given less than an 8% chance of living to 5 years. 
Five years later, Jen is healthy, thriving, and actively sharing her story. Her journey—spanning years of undiagnosed symptoms, a terrifying prognosis, a difficult surgery, and a remarkable recovery—is emotional, challenging, and ultimately inspiring.
This episode is a bit of a departure from my usual format; as you’ll hear, most of this episode is Jen telling her own story. 
There’s lots to learn, simply by listening to Jen and hearing how she walks us through the chain of events that turned her life upside down. Her story is not only inspiring and powerful to listen to, it’s also a useful example of how to tell a personal story.
That said, we do dig into some details about the storytelling process including:
→ The importance of personally processing traumatic events before sharing your story publicly, and why this will make the whole storytelling process easier and less emotionally exhausting.
→ The mindset tools Jen used to not only make it through her most difficult moments but also to help her process and share them with others.
→ Why it’s worth considering the big idea you want to leave behind in the world.
→ The value of building your communications around the needs and interests of your audience. (Plus, a simple principle to ensure you’re communicating clearly and effectively for your audience.)
→ How to share the “messy guts” of your story while it’s still happening. (Here, Jen provides her thoughts on social media, why she chose to share the details of her journey publicly, and what happened as a result.)
→ And finally, how to use your story to help other people… and why podcasts might be a great place to start.
To access the free tools and materials Jen referenced on this call, check out https://www.prospernutritioncoaching.com/freebies, or find Jen on Instagram at @prosper_nc and @nutrition_rx

Chandra Crawford is a high-energy seasoned speaker, an Olympic Gold Medalist and 3 x Olympian in Cross Country Skiing born and raised in Canmore, Alberta, Canada. 
After retiring from ski racing in 2014, Chandra completed her MBA at the University of Calgary, got married, continued to lead the national charity she founded in 2005 ("Fast and Female") and had 4 kids.
Chandra’s purpose is to share her high-vibe energy and growth mindset to help people turn their challenges into opportunities. Her speaking topics include Beating Burnout, Excellence, Resiliency, Positive Rivalries and Mental Health as well as custom topics. 
With great vulnerability and humility, Chandra shares not only stories of her Olympic win in 2006 but also the lows of her life such as the loss of her younger brother to addictions and her own struggles with eating disorders – all in service of connecting with her audience.
In this episode, we explore what it really takes to overcome your inner critic, embrace vulnerability, and show the real you. (And why it’s absolutely worth doing.) 
Topics we cover:
→ How to handle your inner critic – Chandra shares the challenges she’s faced with her inner critic throughout her life, walks us through the mental performance strategies she used to outwit her inner critic while training for the Olympics, AND explains how she deals with her inner critic throughout the course of her daily life. 
→ How self-compassion changed Chandra’s life, why it’s ideal for high-achievers, and why she really wants you to give it a try. (Plus, a super simple way to practice it.)
→ How Chandra learned to “take it easy on the gold medal stories” and lean into the relatable details of her life that make a bigger impact with audiences. 
→ How challenging it can feel to “put yourself out there” and give keynotes, create courses, or share your story – but why it’s totally worth it. (Plus: how Chandra once “chickened out” but ultimately overcame her fear of telling her most difficult stories.)
Towards the end of the interview (46:57) Chandra turns the tables on Camille and seeks her advice on storytelling and speechwriting. We cover:
- How to make the audience the hero of your story
- The narrative arc and why your audience is going on a journey with you
- Why you shouldn’t get too worried about doing things “right” and should embrace the process instead.
 

Storytelling and effective leadership go hand-in-hand. If you’re still on the fence about that — or you’re wondering how to tell the perfect story — listen to this episode. 
Karen Eber is an author, international leadership consultant, professional storyteller, and keynote speaker. Her talk on TED.com: "How your brain responds to stories – and why they’re crucial for leaders", has almost 2 million views. As the CEO and Chief Storyteller of Eber Leadership Group, Karen helps Fortune 500 companies build leaders, teams, and culture one story at a time.
Karen is also the author of the book THE PERFECT STORY: How to Tell Stories that Inform, Influence, and Inspire.
In this episode we discuss why leaders and professionals should take the time to tell stories and improve their storytelling skills. Plus, we dive into common questions and challenges that many leaders and communicators face, and explore how anyone can level-up their storytelling skills to make a bigger, better impact. 
Topics we cover include:
→ What you should know if you think you’re not a good storyteller: Karen offers inside knowledge, hope, and practical tips if you aren’t good at storytelling (yet).
→ How to navigate the personal, the professional, and the private when it comes to storytelling. And how to bring enough vulnerability into your storytelling without revealing “too much”.
→ The difference between David Bowie and Sting, and an easy way to connect better with your audience. (Hint: share more than just the songs.)
→ How to get started when you don’t know who your audience is. 
→ Tips on public speaking for introverts – how to manage your energy and wellbeing when you’re in the spotlight.
→ Communicating data – why you need storytelling when sharing data, and why storytelling is more than just data visualization.
→ When you shouldn’t tell a story; when being straight up and to the point is more effective.
→ How to handle your fear of disappointing others or not being good enough, and a simple way to move forward if you’re afraid of falling short.

The term “thought leadership” isn’t new, but it feels more like a buzzword than ever. 
What does thought leadership actually involve? How do you become recognized and respected as a true thought leader in your space? 
And how do you ensure your efforts actually make a difference, so you’re not just wasting your time?
In this “Coaching with Cam” episode, Camille breaks down the two essential elements of thought leadership: both the thoughts, and the leadership. 
Then, she walks you through a series of thoughtful questions that will help you build an effective strategy for your thought leadership communications. 
By exploring these foundational considerations you’ll ultimately save time and, more importantly, achieve better, more meaningful results from your communications. 
Grab a pen because this episode is more like a mini-workshop than a podcast. Make notes as you listen and you’ll be well on your way to developing your own thought leadership strategy — or upgrading your current approach. 

It’s easy to get stuck in the same-old, same-old. 
If you’re like many people these days, you might feel like you have to put your own creative, playful leanings aside for the sake of business or all the responsibilities of adult life. 
Maybe somewhere along the way, you put your passion projects on the shelf. Or you started playing within your comfort zone, just doing things you’re good at, rather than branching out and trying something new. 
If any of this rings true for you — or if you simply want a dose of creative inspiration — check out today’s podcast episode. 
Fair warning, this episode is a bit unusual: rather than a traditional interview, it brings together a group of old friends who explore the lessons they learned from the ‘90s hardcore punk scene. 
What can a niche subculture (and a group of aging punks) teach us? Turns out, quite a bit. 
While also covering a bit of ‘90s nostalgia (big pants! Mix tapes!), Camille and her friends explore topics like:
The power of community and collaboration, and why it’s often better to build something together rather than entirely solo.
Why the “if you build it, they will come” approach is often true; you might be surprised who shows up to support you if you put yourself out there.
Inclusivity, and how to make a community feel more inviting. (Including prompts to help newbies feel included.)
A great mantra and approach for starting anything new. (And how one person used it to turn their attic crawl space into an actual B&B with virtually no resources… well before Airbnb was a thing.)
Why centering your life and work around your values can give you motivation and purposefulness (and how to avoid “teenage aimlessness” at any age.)
Why DIY and amateur culture are so powerful; why you should embrace the things you suck and why you shouldn’t feel pressure to monetize something you love if you don’t want to.
The magic that can happen when you find “your people” and choose to spend your time with people you genuinely love.
(Plus, the proper length for any mixtape!)
In this episode, you’ll hear from host Camille DePutter, along with Colleen Burgess, Megan DePutter, Paul Hammond, Lukas Neville, Matt Nish-Lapidus, and Kim Walters. 

Do you ever wish you could wave a magic wand and get other people to change? 
Dr. Rachel Miller did. 
She initially got into medicine to help people, but wound up feeling frustrated by the lack of leadership training and skill development within the healthcare industry. 
One day, from within her bathroom with the shower running, Rachel had a realization: maybe she could be the change she was looking for. 
Today, Dr. Rachel Miller, a distinguished board-certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist, expertly combines her medical expertise with her passion for leadership development. 
As a Certified Executive Coach and author of “How to Succeed as a Healthcare Leader,” Dr. Miller is dedicated to empowering healthcare leaders to drive meaningful change within their organizations and their private practices. She offers transformative guidance to physician executives and front-line leaders through her company, Pocket Bridges. And, she has an award-nominated podcast, Life, Love, and Leadership for Physicians, where she shares her expertise and interviews experts, including myself. 
In this podcast, Rachel and I explore how you can positively channel your frustration into impact. We explore how you can positively influence and impact the people around you, including this nugget of wisdom: start with yourself.
In our discussion, Rachel comments on the American healthcare system, but there’s wide applicability here for anyone who wants to be a better leader or effect change around them.
We explore:
Why “start with yourself” is always good advice when you want to create change – and why understanding *yourself* makes understanding *other people* easier
Why personal development will also help you with professional development (and vice versa)
The problem with “all or nothing” thinking and other common blindspots, plus how to shift your brain to explore more creative possibilities
Why human connection and trust is at the heart of impactful leadership
Tips for building stronger connections and trust in a virtual or hybrid work environment
How thought leadership can help you channel your frustration into something positive and make a difference. (Hint: If you’re frustrated and want to foster change in your business or industry, this is a great place to start.)
^ This part of the interview is my favourite bit of the show, by the way! If you’re frustrated AF right now, tune in around 39:00 and you’ll get right to the part where we talk about how expressing yourself (through things like writing or podcasting) can help you turn your frustration into something productive and meaningful. 
When you’re done listening, check Rachel out at  wwwpocketbridges.com. You can also find her  on LinkedIn – Linkedin.com/in/rachelmillermd – and Instagram as @drrachelmillermd

Do you want to become a more impactful leader, while staying true to your values, your vision, and yourself?
Be sure to check out this interview with Jayson Krause.
Jayson Krause is a leadership strategist, executive coach, award-winning author, speaker, and the founder of Level 52. He works with leaders running billion-dollar businesses from Singapore to Silicon Valley, helping them to develop strong cultures of innovation and meaningful leadership. 
Before his career in leadership and coaching, Jayson won four national championships as a Canadian bobsleigh athlete. Much of what Jayson learned about growth and development as a high-performance athlete shapes the work and methodology of Level 52 today through an award-winning framework he developed called The Science Behind Success™.
In this episode, we unpack ALLLLLL the business and leadership buzzwords, examining topics like: 
 Employee engagement (and why employees are becoming more disengaged even while companies are spending more money than ever on employee engagement.)
Leadership coaching (and why we should use it as preventative medicine rather than a tool reserved for crises and disasters.)
Authenticity (and why leaders need to earn the right to be authentic)
Culture (and why it does matter how brilliant you and your people are if your culture sucks)
Relationships (and why leaders need to actively engineer integrous relationships)
Goal setting (including how to approach it in a way that is more inspiring and engaging
Collaboration (and how to ask questions so you foster collaboration and input, rather than getting shut down)
Empathy (and how to ‘get in the heads’ of your audience so they actually care about what you have to say)
Feedback (and the value of 360 reviews, plus why negative feedback is probably the best, most useful feedback you’ll ever get.)
Plus, the everlasting question…
If a tree falls in the forest does it make a sound? ← Yes, Jayson actually provides an answer to this… 😂 And it’s a really valuable message for leaders!
When you’re done listening, be sure to learn more about Jayson and Level52 at www.level52.ca

Have ever thought that if you just put your head down and do great work, eventually you’ll be recognized for your talents?
Have you ever felt squeamish about marketing, self-promotion, or talking about yourself?
Do you want to get more recognition, more opportunities, and more influence – but you don’t want to spend more time on social media or just “add to the noise”?
Enter Lisa Bragg. 
Lisa Bragg is an author, speaker and advisor who helps leaders navigate savvy self-promotion that is authentic and gets results. 
She helps high-achievers of all sorts be seen, heard, and share their value with the world. Lisa then takes it a step further to show leaders how to help less visible people on their teams to do the same.
Lisa’s book, Bragging Rights: How to Talk about Your Work Using Purposeful Self-Promotion, launched as a best seller in May 2023. Bragging Rights is based on insights from Lisa’s career as an award-winning journalist, entrepreneur and consultant, as well as an extensive international research study on bragging and self-promotion.
In this episode, we explore how leaders can embrace purposeful self-promotion to make a bigger impact while staying true to themselves. 
Topics we cover:
Why we all need to feel seen and heard, no matter who we are or what we do.
Common myths (like, “if you’re good enough, people will eventually recognize / reward you”) and why these are false.
The difference between purposeful self-promotion and narcissistic megaphone-ing.
Why self promotion does not require social media!
Easy, everyday, non-gross tips for getting more attention and promoting yourself.
The importance of developing your own point of view, and what you want to be known for.
Why you don’t need to keep re-inventing stories or making new content… and why you should re-tell your signature stories again and again
The value of a professional brand – why you should have one, regardless of your role, and how to get started.
Why you DO deserve credit for your work, even in a team situation, and a key phrase you can use to help other people see your value.
How leaders can (and should!) help others advocate for themselves.
Don’t miss this energizing and inspiring episode!
And, when you’re done, check out this FREE tool Lisa offers exclusively for podcast listeners: https://www.lisabragg.com/listener-love 
Be sure to find Lisa at www.lisabragg.com, and follow her on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.