Braver New Worlds

How to Tell Your Story as a Leader: Finding Your Why, Building Trust, and Creating Change

EPISODE SUMMARY In this solo episode of Braver New Worlds, we explore how leaders can define and tell their personal story in a way that builds trust, clarity, and momentum.  Building on previous episodes about the importance of storytelling and persuasion, I share how  storytelling is a core leadership skill because it helps others understand your motivations, your vision, and the change you’re trying to create in the world. I also break down why your story matters—not just for your audience, but for yourself. Many people struggle with telling their story, but it’s not because of storytelling mechanics. It’s more often because they struggle to feel comfortable and give themselves permission to want something meaningful and share it openly. I also walk through an exercise of identifying key life stories, extracting recurring themes, and translating those into a clear “why” (purpose) and “how” (values in action) statements. You’ll see how this not only strengthens your storytelling, but also helps guide decisions, align your actions, and create a more cohesive sense of identity as a leader.  Ultimately, this episode is both a philosophical reflection and a practical guide for anyone looking to lead with greater intention, authenticity, and narrative clarity. ---------------------------------------- ABOUT NATHAN YOUNG Nathan Young is the founder of StoryCulture Consulting, where he helps leaders, entrepreneurs, and mission-driven teams clarify their message and communicate it in a way that builds trust, mobilizes support, and drives meaningful impact.  His work sits at the intersection of storytelling, leadership, and personal development, with a focus on what he calls “Narrative Leadership”—the ability to understand and shape the stories that influence identity, decision-making, and culture. Through coaching, workshops, and consulting, Nathan supports individuals and organizations in uncovering their purpose, articulating their vision, and sharing stories that resonate with the people they serve.  He has worked with nonprofits, universities, and leaders across sectors to strengthen communication, improve fundraising and outreach, and develop more authentic and effective leadership.

Trust as the Currency of Change: Storytelling, Persuasion & Narrative Leadership

EPISODE SUMMARY In this solo episode of Braver New Worlds, Nathan Young explores the connection between storytelling, persuasion, and leadership — and why the future may depend on thoughtful people learning how to communicate their ideas more effectively. Drawing from themes of psychology, rhetoric, and social change, Nathan breaks down Aristotle’s rhetorical framework of persuasion (“ethos, pathos, and logos”) and argues that trust is often the hidden force underneath persuasion itself. Through stories, examples, and reflections from his own work with nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives, he explores why credibility and emotional connection matter more than simply having good ideas. Nathan also discusses how storytelling helps people communicate not just what they do, but what they believe, why they believe it, and the kind of future they want to help create. Along the way, he reflects on entrepreneurship, creative work, community, social fragmentation, AI, inequality, and the need for more people to confidently speak about the world they want to build. This episode is ultimately an invitation: to clarify your values, think more deeply about persuasion, and become more intentional about sharing your story with others. ---------------------------------------- ABOUT NATHAN YOUNG Nathan Young is the founder of StoryCulture Consulting [https://storycultureconsulting.com/], where he helps mission-driven leaders, teams, and entrepreneurs develop clarity, confidence, and influence through storytelling and narrative strategy.  With over a decade of experience in coaching, training, and facilitation, his work focuses on what he calls “Narrative Leadership”—the ability to communicate vision, build trust, and mobilize people through story. Through live events like Big Idea Night, his podcast Braver New Worlds, and his consulting work, Nathan explores how storytelling shapes identity, leadership, and culture—and how individuals can use their story to create meaningful change in their lives and communities. ---------------------------------------- LINKS Big Idea Night: bigideanight.com [http://bigideanight.com] Nathan Young / StoryCulture Consulting: StoryCulture Consulting [https://storycultureconsulting.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Instagram: Big Idea Night Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bigideanight/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Podcast: Braver New Worlds [https://www.youtube.com/@BraverNewWorldsPodcast?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

Storytelling As Instinct And The New Story Leaders Need to Tell (solo episode)

📝 EPISODE SUMMARY This week we’re doing a solo episode of Braver New Worlds, where I share some of the foundational aspects of my work with leaders and communicators.  I argue that while animals rely on instinct to survive, humans rely on stories. These stories shape how we understand reality, define identity, and determine how we behave within our communities. Basically, storytelling isn’t just a communication tool—it’s how humans make sense of the world, build trust, and navigate uncertainty.  Storytelling is also embodied. Experiences like anxiety around difficult conversations, people-pleasing, and fear of speaking up–and the way our bodies respond to these situations–show how these reactions are tied to stories we’ve internalized about acceptance, and ultimately survival. What often feels like personal weakness is actually a biological response to stepping outside of those learned narratives. This is all especially important as we enter a time when shared societal narratives are breaking down. This makes powerful storytelling all the more important for leadership—specifically, the ability to create trust and offer a sense of predictability about the future.  Rather than simply sharing past accomplishments, leaders must articulate a compelling vision of what’s possible and invite others into that story. The question is: What is the story you can telling about the future? And are you brave enough to share it? ---------------------------------------- 👤 ABOUT NATHAN YOUNG Nathan Young is the founder of StoryCulture Consulting, where he helps mission-driven leaders, teams, and entrepreneurs develop clarity, confidence, and influence through storytelling and narrative strategy.  With over a decade of experience in coaching, training, and facilitation, his work focuses on what he calls “Narrative Leadership”—the ability to communicate vision, build trust, and mobilize people through story. Through his podcast Braver New Worlds, live events like Big Idea Night, and his consulting work, Nathan explores how storytelling shapes identity, leadership, and culture—and how individuals can use their story to create meaningful change in their lives and communities. ---------------------------------------- 🔗 LINKS * Big Idea Night [https://bigideanight.com/] (live event series mentioned in episode) Big Idea Night on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bigideanight]

Who Gets to Tell the Story? Television, Power, and Rewriting Latino Identity with Dr. Alex Vazquez

In this episode, Nathan sits down with Dr. Alex Vazquez, historian and media scholar, to explore how television has shaped—and often distorted—the way Latino identity is understood in the United States. Drawing from her doctoral research, Dr. Vazquez breaks down the evolution of Latino representation on TV, from early shows like Chico and the Man to more modern series like George Lopez and Ugly Betty. Along the way, they unpack how these portrayals weren’t just entertainment—they actively influenced how audiences saw Latino communities and how Latino audiences saw themselves. The conversation goes beyond representation to examine power: who gets to tell the story, how audiences respond, and what changes when communities move from being depicted to becoming creators.  Alex highlights how Latino audiences were never passive—organizing, pushing back, and eventually entering writers’ rooms to reshape narratives from the inside. The discussion also touches on the rise of Spanish-language media, the business forces behind representation, and the role of data (like Nielsen ratings) in finally forcing networks to pay attention. At its core, this episode is about media literacy and responsibility. Alex challenges listeners to rethink television–and by extension, all media–as more than entertainment. It’s an active force that shapes culture, identity, and belief.  In a world where content is more accessible than ever, she shares a call to question what you watch, seek out diverse perspectives, and recognize the power of storytelling in shaping the world around you. ---------------------------------------- 👤 ABOUT DR. ALEX VAZQUEZ Dr. Alex Vazquez is a historian who recently earned her PhD from Syracuse University. Her research focuses on television, media, and the historical construction of Latino identity in the United States. By examining how Latino communities have been represented—and how they have responded—her work highlights the role of media as both a cultural force and a site of resistance. Alex is passionate about making history accessible and engaging, using television as a lens to help audiences better understand the relationship between storytelling, identity, and power. She is currently sharing insights from her research through social media and will be publishing her dissertation soon. ---------------------------------------- 🔗 LINKS Connect with Dr. Alex Vazquez: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-vazquez-4250748a/?skipRedirect=truehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-vazquez-4250748a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-vazquez-4250748a/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralexvazquezhistorian/ [https://www.instagram.com/dralexvazquezhistorian/] Mentioned / Referenced in Episode: * Chico and the Man * A.K.A. Pablo * George Lopez * Ugly Betty * Spanish-language networks including Univision and Telemundo * Alex’s dissertation (link coming soon)

What It Takes to Start a Religion: Identity, Community, and the Search for Meaning | Colin Campbell

EPISODE SUMMARY What does it actually mean to start a religion—and why would someone do it in the modern world? In this episode we sit down with Colin Campbell, founder of Aretéanism, a nontheistic religion designed to build stronger individuals and communities from the ground up. Colin shares his journey from being a deeply committed Mormon missionary to leaving the church, navigating identity loss, and eventually rethinking the role religion plays in human life. What emerges is a provocative reframe: religion isn’t just about belief in God—it’s about the systems, rituals, and shared meaning that bind people together.  From the psychological power of community and “third places” to the limitations of modern individualism, this conversation explores what many people feel but struggle to articulate. The discussion also dives into bigger systemic questions: why culture—not politics—is the real driver of societal change, how identity shapes behavior, and why declining trust and connection may require new frameworks for belonging.  Whether you’re skeptical of religion or searching for something deeper, this episode offers a fresh lens on how we organize meaning, purpose, and collective life in a rapidly changing world. ---------------------------------------- ABOUT COLIN CAMPBELL Colin Campbell has had an eclectic career that has bounced him between such things as: being a Mormon missionary, a Marine Corps veteran of the conflict in Afghanistan, an intelligence analyst and operations planner, a refugee advocate and charity worker, a political activist for progressive causes, a game designer, a videographer, and much much more. His most important work however has been the 2016 founding of Aretéanism, a nontheistic religion which aims to transform society at a grassroots level. ---------------------------------------- LINKS 🌐 Website / FAQ www.areteanism.org/faq [http://www.areteanism.org/faq] 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/areteanism/ [https://www.instagram.com/areteanism/] 🎵 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@areteanism [https://www.tiktok.com/@areteanism] 📺 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@areteanism [https://www.youtube.com/@areteanism] 🦋 BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/areteanism.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/areteanism.bsky.social] 💬 Join the community (Discord) https://discord.gg/Nku5ajBDt8 [https://discord.gg/Nku5ajBDt8] ---------------------------------------- Key Themes: * Rethinking what “religion” actually means * Identity, belonging, and community in modern life * The psychological power of ritual and shared meaning * Culture vs. politics in shaping society * Building better individuals as a path to systemic change