Kevin Allison is the creator and host of the hit podcast, RISK!, which has been where people tell true stories they never thought they’d dare to share for 16 years. Kevin is also the founder and lead instructor of The Story Studio, a storytelling school which offers classes and corporate workshops around the world and online.

He is the editor of the book adaptation of RISK!, published by Hachette Books in 2018. As an actor, writer and comedian, Kevin began his career as a founding member of the legendary sketch comedy group, The State, whose cult classic show aired on MTV from 1993-96. More recently, Kevin has appeared in shows such as Flight of the Conchords, High Maintenance, Cobra Kai, and the films Alma and the Wolf and I'll Take the Hamm.

On Twitter and Instagram, I'm at TheKevinAllison and RISK! is at RISKshow.

Denise Manning Keyes Page began storytelling when a dear friend in her last months of living with ALS urged her to do so. Denise excavated a story she had written about her mother’s family, edited it and shared it at a community story event. She did so to honor two people she loved. Her mother deceased at the time and her friend. Her friend delighted in the feedback and encouraged Denise to keep telling. Ms. Page is convinced this entry into the art of storytelling ignited a passion within her because it began in so much love. That was 2019. She tells stories to heal, challenge, inspire, inform and connect.

She is also founder of Ubuntu Storytellers and “Women Tell by the Decades” with Jen Munro. She is currently working on a trilogy “Legacy of A Wealthy Slave” … a headline from the New York Times that references her great – great- grandfather. He patented an invention in 1866, and with its resultant revenue sent two sons to Yale University.

www.ubuntustorytellers.com

www.denisekeyestells.com

Lewis Mehl-Madrona, MD, graduated from Stanford University School of Medicine and trained in family medicine, psychiatry, and clinical psychology. He completed his residencies at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. He has been on the faculties of several medical schools, most recently as associate clinical professor of family medicine at the University of New England. He has worked with Indigenous communities to explore how to bring their culture and healing traditions into health care. He is interested in what Indigenous cultures and practices can bring to contemporary medicine and psychology. Barbara Mainguy holds multiple degrees, including a Master’s in Creative Arts Psychotherapy and an M.S.W. from the University of Maine. She is a psychotherapist at Cornerstone Behavioral Health in Bangor, Maine. With a strong background as an artist and a psychotherapist, she specializes in working with individuals diagnosed with psychosis, chronic pain, and exploring the connection between art and healing. Barbara is certified in hypnosis and has taught for several organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association. She has authored numerous papers and co-wrote the book Remapping Your Mind. Currently, she is finishing her M.F.A. in documentary filmmaking. Discover more at https://www.coyote-institute.org/ COME to the Woodstock Story Festival 2025 October 24, 25, 26 @‌woodstockstoryfestival and #woodstockstoryfestival

Shelley Stockwell-Nicholas, PhD., is a renowned hypnotherapist, author of over 25 books, and President of the International Hypnosis Federation. A member of the International Hypnosis Hall of Fame, she has dedicated her life to helping individuals master their own mindset for greater health, happiness, and success. As a trainer and dynamic media personality, Dr. Stockwell-Nicholas brings decades of experience and wisdom to every conversation. www.hypnosisfederation.com

WOODSTOCK STORY FESTIVAL #woodstockstoryfestival

Full Festival (3 days): $195 general / $125 seniors & students

Single day tickets: Friday $45 | Saturday $105 | Sunday $75

Get tickets here: https://woodstockstoryfestival.com/tickets/

Mountain View Studio
20 Mountainview Ave, Woodstock, NY 12498

Source:: https://woodstockstoryfestival.com/

In this week’s episode of the *Essential Coaching Skills Podcast*, Doug O’Brien sits down with transformational storyteller **Jim Brulé**, whose life’s work weaves stories from around the world into paths for healing, spiritual growth, and transformation.

@woodstockstoryfestival and #woodstockstoryfestival

From Ericksonian hypnosis to AI, healthcare, and his role as a **death doula**, Jim has lived many stories of his own—and now teaches others how to tell stories that awaken, heal, and connect.

Together, Doug and Jim explore: * Why transformational storytelling is about **questions, not answers**. * The difference between *telling a story* and *writing one down*. * How Jim’s work as a **death doula** uses story to help people and families navigate grief. * Ancient tales like **Madam Whitesnake**, Jewish folktales, and myths of healing monsters. * The importance of lineage, source, and permission in storytelling.

* What to expect at the upcoming **Woodstock Storytelling Festival** (October 2025).

Plus, Jim shares a powerful Jewish folktale about a thief-turned-fake-rabbi who discovers the transformative power of authentic prayer. This is a conversation about the heart of storytelling—not just performance, but presence, healing, and compassion. 00:00 – Welcome & intro to Jim Brulé, transformational storyteller 02:06 – Woodstock Storytelling Festival & global storytelling traditions 04:57 – From therapist & AI pioneer to spiritual storyteller 07:16 – Ordained as a Jewish storyteller & teaching worldwide 08:15 – Why transformational storytelling opens questions, not answers 11:01 – Death doula work & using stories at end of life 16:19 – Strong women & “healing monsters” as storytelling themes 22:05 – Ghost story: a gift from a dead sister 23:29 – The story of Yitzhak, the incompetent thief turned rabbi 42:02 – How to connect with Jim + Woodstock Storytelling Festival details **Resources & Links:** *

Jim Brulé: [TransformationalStorytelling.org](https://transformationalstorytelling.org) | [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) *

His book *Stories of the Heart* (with colleague in Spain) * Woodstock Storytelling Festival: [woodstockstoryfestival.com](https://woodstockstoryfestival.com) * Essential Coaching Skills Podcast: [essentialcoachingskills.com](http://essentialcoachingskills.com) Jim Brulé is a transformational storyteller, death doula, teacher, and mentor, drawing on a unique background that encompasses advanced degrees in both clinical psychology and artificial intelligence. For the past seven years, he has directed Transformational Storytelling, an online school accredited by the National Storytelling Network. This global community trains spiritual storytellers from diverse traditions to craft narratives that inspire healing and foster spiritual growth. Co-authored with Rebecca Lemaire, his book 'Stories of the Heart' presents 18 global tales for navigating life and death. https://StoriesOfTheHeartBook.com/ He is the founder of Transformational Storytelling Community, a 501(c)(3) devoted to using storytelling with communities to heal wounds and build new resilience - and resistance. You can learn more about his current project at https://transformationalstorycommunity.org/a-new-story-for-syracuse/ Jim is the recipient of the 2025 Oracle Regional Service & Leadership Award (Northeast Region), and participated in setting the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous oral storytelling at the 2025 Marrakech International Storytelling Festival. Jim's classes, workshops, and communities embody his dedication to multicultural wisdom, grounded in the belief that true abundance arises from interconnected generosity and gratitude. You can learn more here: https://TransformationalStorytelling.org/

LAURA SIMMS is an internationally acclaimed storyteller, writer, and educator, advocating engaged storytelling as compassionate action for personal and community transformation. In these unprecedented times of Covid, climate change and increased aggression, she offers in-depth classes coaching, and powerful performances of stories that address the most pressing issues of our times with dignity, and joy. https://www.laurasimms.com/

This week on the Essential Coaching Skills Podcast, I sit down with Jamie Smart, the Sunday Times bestselling author of Clarity and Results. Jamie has an extraordinary gift for cutting through the noise and helping people access the peace of mind, resilience, and insight that are already within them. In our conversation, we explore: Why clarity isn’t something you achieve — it’s already built into you The difference between clarity, mindfulness, and mindset training How “inside-out” understanding changes the way you coach (and live) Why most problems dissolve once you see how your perception really works What the psychological immune system is — and how it helps us heal The difference between toxic goals and authentic desires If you’ve ever found yourself saying “I’ll be happy when…,” this conversation will shift the way you see yourself and your clients. Jamie doesn’t just talk about concepts—he brings them alive with stories, metaphors, and insights you can apply right away. 📘 Learn more about Jamie’s work at jamiesmart.com Timestamps / Episode Highlights 0:02 – Welcome & introduction to Jamie Smart 2:10 – From NLP trainer to discovering clarity 4:03 – Realizing everything you’re seeking is already within 6:23 – Flow states and innate clarity 9:26 – Why mindfulness and mindset aren’t the same as clarity 13:41 – How experience is created (controlled hallucination) 16:38 – Feelings as signals about perception, not reality 20:25 – Public speaking anxiety & the teddy bear factor 23:45 – The psychological immune system explained 27:52 – Trauma, resilience, and the power of thought 29:46 – Self-image vs. who we really are 30:40 – “One spiritual being, eight billion human experiences” 36:25 – Jamie’s three-step process for clarity 38:19 – Germ theory as a metaphor for psychology 41:42 – Why clarity matters now more than ever 42:09 – Where to find Jamie’s books, podcasts, and resources 43:38 – One step you can take today to access more clarity Jamie Smart is a Sunday Times bestselling author, educator, speaker and coach who presents regularly at major conferences worldwide. He shows individuals and organisations the unexpected keys to clarity, the ultimate leverage point for creating profound transformation and meaningful results. Jamie’s primary focus is in showing business leaders, entrepreneurs, coaches, therapists and other transformation professionals how to bring subtractive psychology and the principles behind clarity into their work with clients, into their own businesses and into every aspect of their lives. In addition, he works with a handful of 1:1 coaching clients and leads selected corporate programmes. Jamie has keynoted conferences for organisations ranging from the NATO Defense College to the mental health charity, Rethink Mental Illness and the Council of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. His corporate clients range from household names like Hewlett Packard and Dun & Bradstreet to The Specialist Works, an SME ranked as one of the Sunday Times’s 100 Best Small Companies to Work For. He has appeared on Sky TV and on the BBC, as well as in numerous publications including The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Huffington Post and Psychologies Magazine. As well as CLARITY he is also the author of the books RESULTS: Think Less, Achieve More, The Little Book of Clarity and The Little Book of Results. Jamie lives in the UK. When he’s not working, he loves spending time with his family, travelling, walking, drinking coffee and exploring. You can connect with Jamie on the following social media sites: Instagram: @‌JamieSmartCom Twitter: @‌JamieSmartCom Facebook: Jamie Smart YouTube: Jamie Smart LinkedIn: / jamiesmartclarity You can read Jamie’s blog, get full contact details and find his podcasts at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts. Jamie Smart | CLARITY