E045: From Sponsored Flyers to Living the Van Life: How Storytelling Funds Bigger Dreams

How to Become the Person People Think to Hire First

What if the opportunity you're hoping for today is actually being built through the relationships you started nurturing decades ago? In this episode of Tell and Sell Your Story, Lisa Bradshaw shares the remarkable story behind a Zoom meeting more than 30 years in the making. What began with babysitting a five-week-old baby evolved into a lifelong friendship built on trust, showing up, and walking through life's big and small moments together. Today, that same relationship has come full circle as her longtime friend reaches out for help writing her book. Through this personal story, Lisa explores why trust compounds just like money and why the small deposits we make through consistency, integrity, and genuine relationships often become the foundation for our greatest opportunities years later. If you've ever wondered how to become the person people think of first when they need your type of expertise, this episode is a powerful reminder that your reputation is being built every single day. In this episode, you discover: * Why trust compounds over time just like financial investments * How everyday interactions shape your personal and professional reputation * The question every entrepreneur should ask about their business relationships * Why the opportunities that matter most often grow from years of consistency, not one great marketing campaign Because long before people hear your story, they're experiencing it. And every interaction is another page in the story you're already telling.

E054: What a Country Music Festival Taught Me About Seasons in Business (and In Life)

In this episode of Tell and Sell Your Story, Lisa Bradshaw shares an unexpected realization she had while attending a country music festival she'd been looking forward to for months. What began as a fun weekend with friends turned into a reflection on something many entrepreneurs experience but rarely stop to examine. Lisa explores how paying attention to those quiet moments of clarity can help us make more intentional decisions about where we invest our time, energy, and creativity, and why those subtle realizations often become the beginning of our next chapter.

E053: The Lost Dog Pillow: Finding Kindness In Unexpected Places

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-68be34bb-cdc4-8329-b4c7-9732139231ad-0" data-turn-id-container= "request-68be34bb-cdc4-8329-b4c7-9732139231ad-0" data-testid= "conversation-turn-607" data-turn="assistant"> In this episode of Tell and Sell Your Story, Lisa Bradshaw shares a simple story from the road that started with a small purchase and turned into an unexpected reminder about kindness, connection, and the little moments that become part of the stories we carry with us. While traveling in her van and embracing this new chapter of life, Lisa reflects on why some everyday experiences stay with us. This lighter, heartfelt episode is a reminder that stories are happening around us all the time when we slow down enough to notice them.

E052: Own Your Name: The First Step to Protecting Your Story and Brand

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-68be34bb-cdc4-8329-b4c7-9732139231ad-0" data-turn-id-container= "request-68be34bb-cdc4-8329-b4c7-9732139231ad-0" data-testid= "conversation-turn-601" data-turn="assistant"> What if one of the smartest business decisions you make costs less than a lunch out with friends? In this episode of Tell and Sell Your Story, Lisa Bradshaw shares a recent conversation with a friend after several of her social media posts unexpectedly went viral. The conversation sparked a bigger lesson about protecting your story, your intellectual property, and the opportunities that may be waiting long before you know where your journey will lead. Drawing from her own experience (unexpectedly) building a personal brand, Lisa explores why owning our domain name, protecting our work, and thinking ahead aren't about having all the answers now but do help us leave the door open for future possibilities. In this episode, you'll learn: * Why buying your domain name is one of the simplest investments you can make * How personal brands often develop before we recognize them * Why protecting your intellectual property matters at every stage of your journey * The connection between storytelling, opportunity, and long-term credibility * How one small decision today can support opportunities years from now Whether you're building a business, growing a creative career, writing a book, launching a podcast, or simply following your passion, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to know exactly where you're headed to prepare for what's possible. Sometimes protecting your future brand begins with one simple step today.

E051: How Knowing Your Story Gives You the Freedom to Go Off Script : Lessons from My Son's Wedding Toast

What happens when you've prepared every word… and then decide to go off script? In this week's episode, Lisa reflects on her son's wedding weekend, the heartfelt toasts, the stories shared by family and lifelong friends, and the surprising lesson that emerged from it all: preparation creates freedom. After spending weeks writing and refining her wedding toast, Lisa found herself adding to parts of the scripted toast she'd planned to give. The experience reminded her of one of the most important storytelling principles she teaches inside her group mastermind, The Story Collective: when you truly know your story, you don't have to cling to the script. In this episode, Lisa shares: • How preparation creates confidence rather than restriction • The power of the Umbrella Story framework and knowing the "prongs" of your story • Why great storytellers don't need every detail. They know which details matter most • How storytelling can show up everywhere, not just when planned • What it means to live your story before you ever tell it Whether you're preparing for a keynote, a podcast interview, a media appearance, a sales conversation, or simply sharing your story with people you love, this episode reminds you that the goal isn't memorization. The goal is knowing your story so well that you can trust yourself tell it off script when the moment and opportunity arrives.