The Story Craft Podcast

54: THALER PEKAR: Stories We Build Together: Listening, Trust, and Connection

What does it take to truly connect with your audience? How do you move beyond broadcasting your message to co-creating stories that inspire, engage, and build trust? In this episode of The Story Craft Podcast, Dr. Meg Adams sits down with Thaler Pekar, an award-winning expert in institutional storytelling and founder of Thaler Pekar & Partners [https://thalerpekar.com/]. For over 18 years, Thaler has guided visionary leaders in crafting narratives that engage audiences worldwide, teaching them to listen, connect, and co-create stories that resonate. Together, we explore: * How trust and listening are essential to effective storytelling * The art of co-creating stories with audiences rather than just presenting them * Ethical considerations in participatory storytelling * How leaders and organizations can foster connection through narrative * Practical tips for bringing audience-centered storytelling into your own work This conversation is a deep dive into how storytelling becomes truly meaningful when it’s collaborative, and how connection and trust are inseparable from the stories we tell. Whole Story Living emphasizes that every story is lived, shared, and received. In this episode, we see this in action: * Listening is as important as telling. * Storytelling is a shared experience, not a solo performance. * The stories that matter are the ones that engage, invite, and transform both teller and listener. This episode is perfect for anyone looking to deepen the connection between their story and the people they serve! If this episode resonates: * Follow The Story Craft Podcast for more conversations on storytelling, leadership, and connection * Share this episode with colleagues, leaders, or creatives who want to improve how they listen and communicate * Leave a review to help others discover the show And if you want guidance on how to craft stories that build trust, foster engagement, and invite participation, this is the work I do through Whole Story Living—helping individuals and teams live and communicate their stories authentically.

53: DAWN ROBINETTE: Becoming Who You Are: Personal Branding & Storytelling in a Polarized World

How do you communicate who you are… in a world that feels louder, faster, and more divided than ever? In this episode of The Story Craft Podcast, Dr. Meg Adams sits down with Dawn Robinette, an award-winning communications expert and founder of Tale to Tell Communications [https://www.facebook.com/taletotellcomms/], to explore the intersection of personal branding, storytelling, and identity in today’s complex communication landscape. With decades of experience in public relations, branding, and campaign strategy, including work with major organizations and cultural initiatives, Dawn brings both expertise and clarity to what it means to build a brand that is not only strategic, but authentic. Together, we discuss: * How to communicate who you are with clarity and confidence * The role of storytelling in shaping your brand and message * How to navigate communication in a polarized and noisy world This conversation is both practical and deeply reflective...inviting you to think not just about how you show up, but why. If this episode resonates: * Follow The Story Craft Podcast for more conversations on storytelling, leadership, and communication * Share this episode with a leader, marketer, or creative navigating how to show up authentically * Leave a review to help others discover the show And if you’re looking to bring this kind of clarity and human-centered communication into your team or organization, this is the work I do through Whole Story Living—helping leaders and teams communicate with confidence, build trust, and show up authentically!

52: KYLE ADAMS: How to Tap Into Your Purpose (Without Overthinking It)

What if purpose isn’t something you find… but something you choose to live into? In this episode of The Story Craft Podcast, Kyle Adams talks about what it really looks like to tap into your purpose, especially in seasons of uncertainty and transition. He explores the tension between waiting for clarity and taking action, and how purpose often reveals itself not in big, defining moments, but in small, intentional choices over time. In this conversation, we talk about: * The difference between waiting for clarity and creating momentum * How purpose is often revealed through action, not overthinking * What it looks like to navigate transition, risk, and uncertainty This episode is a reminder that purpose is something you practice. Whole Story Living reframes purpose as something you live, not something you unlock. It’s found in: * The choices you make * The risks you take * The work you’re willing to show up for You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin. You just have to take the next step! If this episode resonates: * Follow The Story Craft Podcast for more conversations on storytelling, leadership, and meaningful work * Share this episode with someone who’s feeling stuck or searching for direction * Leave a review to help others discover the show

51: Whole Story Living: The Story You Live is a Choice

What if the life you’re living isn’t just something that’s happening to you… but something you’re actively choosing? In this episode of The Story Craft Podcast, I explore one of the core ideas behind Whole Story Living: the story you live is a choice—and that choice is shaped by your values. We’re living in a world that is constantly telling us what to believe, what to prioritize, and who to be. And if we’re not careful, we can end up living out values we never consciously chose. In this episode, I unpack: * Why understanding your values is essential to living an aligned, meaningful life * The urgency of defining your values in a culture full of competing narratives * How knowing your values gives you the confidence to speak up and stand firm * Why value conflict isn’t a problem, but a sign you’re actually living authentically * What my Whole Story Living experiment is teaching me about courage, clarity, and conviction. Here’s what I’m learning: When you are truly living into your values, it will create tension. Not everyone will agree with you. Not everyone will understand you. And that might be your sign that you’re finally doing it right. Whole Story Living is about living in alignment. If you’ve been feeling pulled in different directions, unsure of what’s really yours, or hesitant to fully stand in what you believe, this episode reminds you to choose your story, on purpose. If this episode resonated with you, here’s where to start: Reflect: What values are actually shaping your decisions right now? Notice: Where are you staying quiet or small to avoid tension? Choose: What would it look like to live your values more fully this week? And if you’re leading a team, organization, or community…This is the work I do. I help leaders and teams clarify their values, communicate with confidence, and build cultures rooted in trust, connection, and human-centered communication through Whole Story Living. If you’re looking for a speaker or workshop facilitator to help your team: * Speak up with clarity and confidence * Navigate tension and value differences * Build stronger, more connected communication Let’s connect! I’d love to bring this work to your organization. Email me at megan@homeplacecreativeco.com to learn more about how we can work together!

50: KYLE ADAMS: Wins, Losses, and the Stories We Tell About Success

In a world that celebrates big wins and visible milestones, what if the most meaningful growth is happening quietly? In this episode of The Story Craft Podcast, Kyle explores a different way of understanding success. He unpacks how we’ve been conditioned to measure our lives through wins and losses and why that framework often misses the deeper, more transformative story unfolding within us. Kyle shares insights from his own coaching journey, reflecting on the slow, often invisible process of growth that doesn’t always translate into immediate results. This conversation invites us to reconsider the metrics we use to define progress and to notice the quieter forms of becoming that shape who we are. Through a Whole Story Living lens, this episode challenges the dominant narrative that success must be loud, fast, and externally validated. Instead, it offers a more grounded, human-centered perspective: growth is often subtle, nonlinear, and deeply personal. If you’ve ever felt like you’re “behind,” stuck, or not seeing the results you expected, this conversation will help you reframe your story and recognize the growth that’s already happening. What You’ll Learn in This Episode * Why measuring life by wins and losses can limit your perspective * The difference between external validation and internal transformation * How to recognize progress when nothing “big” seems to be happening * A Whole Story Living approach to redefining success Learn more about Kyle's creative work as co-founder of Homeplace Creative [https://www.homeplacecreativeco.com/], here.