Sticky: Stories That Stick

Ep. 17 | The Real Authority Is Vulnerability: Aaron Calafato on Authentic Storytelling

What makes someone truly trustworthy as a communicator? According to storytelling expert Aaron Calafato, it's not credentials, authority, or a polished script — it's vulnerability. Aaron is the creator and host of 7 Minute Stories, the leading short-form autobiographical storytelling podcast in the world with over 30 million listeners. He's also a narrative strategist who helps brands like Indeed, Glassdoor, and CyberArk build story channels that create community and fuel growth. In this conversation with Amelia Forczak, Aaron breaks down how he discovered his natural seven-minute storytelling rhythm, why humans are neurologically wired for narrative, and how the simple act of catching stories can transform the way you communicate — whether you're writing a book, giving a keynote, or pitching in a boardroom. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why vulnerability — not authority — is what actually earns trust in storytelling • How to become a story catcher before you try to become a storyteller • The neuroscience behind why humans are already wired for narrative • How big brands can tell authentic stories while still being brand safe • Why public storytelling means careful curation, not oversharing This episode is brought to you by Pithy Wordsmithery, a boutique ghostwriting firm founded by Amelia Forczak. Amelia is a New York Times bestselling ghostwriter who helps executives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders write and publish their books. Learn more at pithywordsmithery.com [https://pithywordsmithery.com/]. Connect with Aaron Calafato: 7 Minute Stories Podcast: 7minutestoriespod.com [https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/] Website: aaroncalafato.com [https://www.aaroncalafato.com/] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aaroncalafato [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaroncalafato/] Connect with Amelia Forczak + Pithy Wordsmithery: Website: pithywordsmithery.com [https://pithywordsmithery.com] Subscribe to Sticky: Stories That Stick wherever you listen to podcasts, and leave a review if you love the show!

From Overthinking to Action Building a Business That Sells While You Sleep With Krissy Chin

Krissy Chin is the Owner and Co-founder of K+C Creative, a full-service branding, website design, and copywriting agency that helps coaches and service providers grow and scale their businesses online. She specializes in business strategy, conversion-focused messaging, and building sales funnels that drive revenue and automate growth. As the strategic half of the sister-led company, she combines marketing expertise with practical systems to help clients sell more efficiently. Krissy is also a podcast host and business coach known for helping entrepreneurs create scalable digital offers and sustainable online businesses. In this episode: What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn't strategy, resources, or timing — but your own tendency to overthink? Many entrepreneurs stay stuck waiting for clarity, perfection, or the "right" moment to act. But what if the real path to growth comes from doing before you feel ready? Krissy Chin, a multi-business owner, podcast host, and author, believes that progress comes from action, not perfection. She explains that clarity is a result of taking steps forward, not waiting for all the answers upfront. She highlights how many entrepreneurs fall into analysis paralysis, preventing them from testing ideas, refining their offers, and gaining real-world feedback. By embracing a "done is better than perfect" mindset, business owners can build momentum faster and make smarter, experience-driven decisions. She also emphasizes aligning business models with lifestyle goals and implementing systems that support sustainable growth. In this episode of Sticky: Stories That Stick, Amelia Forczak is joined by Krissy Chin, Owner and Co-founder of K+C Creative, to talk about overcoming overthinking and building a business that sells while you sleep. They discuss taking imperfect action, creating strategic funnels, and simplifying marketing efforts. Krissy also shares advice on delegating effectively and writing a book efficiently.

The Wisdom of Not Knowing: Alan Gregerman on Turning Ignorance Into Innovation

Alan Gregerman is President and Chief Innovation Officer at VENTURE WORKS, a consulting, training, and learning firm that helps organizations drive innovation and develop new products, services, and strategies. He is an internationally recognized expert, bestselling author, and keynote speaker focused on helping companies unlock the genius within their people. With decades of experience advising organizations globally, he is known for his work on curiosity, collaboration, and breakthrough thinking that leads to measurable business results. In this episode: What if the very thing you've been taught to avoid — ignorance — is actually the key to innovation? In a world that rewards expertise and certainty, admitting what you don't know can feel like a weakness. But what if embracing ignorance is exactly what leads to breakthrough ideas? Alan Gregerman, an innovation expert and bestselling author, argues that ignorance can be a strategic advantage because it removes the blind spots created by expertise. He explains that when people rely too heavily on what they know, they limit their ability to see new possibilities. By intentionally stepping into the unknown, asking better questions, and observing the world with fresh eyes, individuals can turn ignorance into a catalyst for innovation. This mindset shift encourages more experimentation, adaptability, and creative problem solving. He also highlights the importance of seeking new experiences to continuously challenge assumptions and expand thinking. In this episode of Sticky: Stories That Stick, Amelia Forczak sits down with Alan Gregerman, President and Chief Innovation Officer at VENTURE WORKS, to talk about how to turn ignorance into innovation. They explore why expertise can limit creativity, how embracing not knowing leads to better ideas, and practical ways to stay curious in a fast changing world. Alan also shares advice on using observation and new experiences to spark breakthrough thinking.

Rewriting Your Inner Story Through Psychedelics: Dr. Sabrina Hadeed on Going From Stuck to Softened

Dr. Sabrina Hadeed is a licensed psychotherapist, educator, and founder of Love and Psychedelics, a platform dedicated to exploring how altered states can transform relationships and personal narratives. With nearly 20 years of experience in marriage and family therapy, Dr. Hadeed is recognized for her pioneering work integrating psychotherapy, feminist theory, and psychedelic-assisted healing, helping countless individuals and couples move from conditioned patterns to conscious choice. She is one of the first licensed psilocybin facilitators in Oregon, a state at the forefront of legal psychedelic therapy, and her innovative approaches have been featured in various mental health forums. Dr. Hadeed's unique perspective draws from her own journey through conscious uncoupling and her expertise in trauma and liberation, making her a sought-after voice on how psychedelics can expedite growth, healing, and self-discovery. In this episode: We all have stories we tell ourselves — about who we are, what we deserve, and why we feel stuck. But what if those stories aren't fixed, and with the right tools, they could shift in ways that unlock healing and connection? What if transformation begins not by forcing change, but by softening what's already there? Dr. Sabrina Hadeed, a licensed psychotherapist with over two decades of experience, explains that transformation happens when our internal defenses begin to soften, allowing us to access deeper truths about ourselves. She highlights how psychedelics can gently disrupt rigid thought patterns, making space to re-examine limiting beliefs and inherited narratives. The result is often a profound reconnection to one's authentic self and greater emotional clarity. By creating conditions for insight rather than control, this work helps individuals move from reactivity to conscious choice. It also supports healthier relationships by reshaping how people interpret conflict, identity, and connection. In this episode of the Sticky: Stories That Stick, Amelia Forczak sits down with Dr. Sabrina Hadeed, founder of Love and Psychedelics, to talk about how psychedelics help rewrite inner narratives. They explore breaking stuck patterns, softening emotional defenses, and transforming relationships through new perspectives. Dr. Hadeed also shares insights on microdosing and its role in everyday healing.

Cannabis for Healing and Education: Breaking Stigmas With Angie Roullier

Angie Roullier is a cannabis educator, advocate, and author of Pot for the People and The Budtender's Blueprint. With more than 15 years in the cannabis industry, she has worked in roles ranging from budtender to shop manager, gaining firsthand insight into patient needs and cannabis retail practices. Her work focuses on promoting science-based cannabis education, including cannabinoid dosing, terpene profiles, and prescription interactions. Angie discovered cannabis as a treatment for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which inspired her mission to educate consumers, professionals, and policymakers about responsible and compassionate cannabis use. In this episode: Many people still see cannabis through the lens of stigma, outdated laws, and decades of misinformation. Yet across the country, patients, advocates, and educators are rethinking what this plant can actually do. Could better education about cannabis change how we view medicine, healing, and personal responsibility? Angie Roullier, a longtime cannabis educator and author, believes the key is replacing stigma with science and compassion. She explains that many misconceptions come from a lack of education about how cannabis interacts with the body and other medications. By encouraging consumers to understand the plant, ask better questions, and work with informed professionals, people can make safer and more effective choices. Angie emphasizes that cannabis can be a powerful tool when used responsibly, but only when people approach it with knowledge and awareness. She also stresses the importance of training budtenders and empowering patients so they leave cannabis shops more informed than when they arrived. In this episode of the Sticky: Stories That Stick, Amelia Forczak sits down with Angie Roullier to talk about the role of education in changing how people view cannabis. They discuss overcoming stigma, using science to guide cannabis use, and why compassionate training for budtenders matters. Angie also shares advice for consumers navigating cannabis products and using them responsibly.