Speaking Human-First

What makes a story powerful enough to inspire action or influence policy?

Piper Hendricks, Founder of Stories Change Power, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to transforming advocacy through storytelling, dives into how personal narratives can become catalysts for activism and policy reform.

She unpacks the importance of listening beyond words to the emotions and lived experiences they convey, and why words, when wielded with intention, are some of our most powerful tools for justice and systemic change.

Piper also reveals how storytelling can illuminate the hidden forces of policy—making the invisible not just visible, but relatable.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How stories influence legislation and public opinion
• The role of storytelling in translating abstract policies into clear, resonant experiences
• The psychological power of language in shaping perceptions and inspiring action
• Why truly impactful advocacy starts with listening to the emotions behind the words
• Practical tips for crafting authentic, persuasive stories that inspire change

Learn more about Piper Hendricks

• Stories Change Power website
• "The Nine Rights" of effective advocacy
• Advocacy training & courses
• Follow on LinkedIn

Learn more about Mary Knox Miller

• Thought Leader Media
• "Human Dispatches" Newsletter
• Follow on LinkedIn

What does it take to create content that truly stands out? Jay Acunzo, celebrated writer, speaker, and host of the "How Stories Happen" podcast, joins us to unpack the art of meaningful storytelling—in all its messy, frustrating, and euphoric parts.

Jay shares why asking better questions can lead to more impactful content and explains how challenging assumptions opens the door to creative breakthroughs. He also introduces his concept of the IP Pyramid, a framework for developing and refining your intellectual property to create truly unique and resonant stories that serve your audience and yourself.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How to reach deeper truths that lead to more meaningful content
• Why developing your IP is less about following templates and more about creative risk taking
• The pitfalls of following best practices too closely—and how to trust your intuition instead
• How to identify the gaps in your storytelling by identifying what truly matters to your audience
• Why embracing constraints can spark creativity and lead to breakthroughs

Learn more about Jay Acunzo

• Website
• "How Stories Happen" Podcast
• "Playing Favorites" Newsletter
• Creator Kitchen (Coaching & Education)
• Follow on LinkedIn
  
  

Learn more about Mary Knox Miller:

• Thought Leader Media
• "Human Dispatches" Newsletter
• Follow on LinkedIn
  
  

How do movements gain enough traction to get people to take concrete action? How does a movement even come to be?

Understanding the nuances of what truly motivates human behavior – not just thoughts and opinions –  is crucial for driving meaningful change in our society.

Derrick Feldman, an internationally recognized researcher and advisor on social issues, movements, and consumer public action, brings his expertise to our discussion. We delve into how to ask questions to uncover what people truly believe about social issues, the significance of interpreting intentions versus actions, and the importance of humanizing data when communicating our findings.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How Derrick’s early-career experience in state government galvanized him to dig deeper into what moves people to take action for social change
• The challenges of designing research that accounts for biases from participants, researchers, and even funders. 
• Why it’s vital to bring diverse voices and experiences into the room when designing and implementing research
• The power of asking, “Why did you contact me?” when deciding what new projects to take on as a business owner
• The importance of context and storytelling for making sense of data in ways that stick with your audiences or stakeholders

Learn more about Derrick Feldman:

• Website
• Connect on LinkedIn

Learn more about Mary Knox Miller:

• Thought Leader Media
• Connect on LinkedIn

When leaders wholeheartedly embrace our shared humanity and foster empathy, we unleash a transformative power that can reshape the workplace and beyond.

Daisy Auger-Domínguez, a distinguished HR and DEI C-Suite leader, renowned speaker, and author, brings her unique perspectives to the table. She delves into the importance of a human-first approach to leadership, the need to challenge the status quo, and the significance of dismantling barriers and power dynamics to foster more inclusive workplaces. 

Our conversation also explores practical strategies. We delve into the power of self-awareness and vulnerability to foster connection. We also discuss the importance of intentionally designing time and space for rest and recharge, crucial for navigating and shaping a future where inclusion is not just a goal but a fundamental reality.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How Daisy’s is driven by a vision of workplaces as sites of dignity, respect, value, and joy 
• The impact of Daisy’s upbringing and education in both the Dominican Republic and the U.S. on how she views and experiences the tension, biases, and limitations around identity in U.S. culture
• Why it’s necessary to interrogate our personal intersections of identity and authority when we seek to change the status quo of power dynamics in our worlds
• How Daisy has used sharing her mistakes and experiences to build connection and an audience
• Daisy’s long road to taking a “radical sabbatical” and giving herself the space and boundaries to actually rest, recover, and reclaim the joy in her work

Learn more about Daisy Auger-Domínguez:

• Website
• Inclusion Revolution: The Essential Guide to Dismantling Racial Inequity in the Workplace
• Burnt Out to Lit Up: How to Reignite the Joy of Leading People
• Inclusion Revolution TEDxPearlStreet
• The Visibility Clinic Lab Pass 

Learn more about Mary Knox Miller:

• Thought Leader Media
• Connect on LinkedIn

In a world inundated with information and brands vying for our attention, how do you not only get seen and heard but also inspire others to take action?

Brand scientist and director of NobiWorks, N. Chloé Nwangwu believes brands and visibility strategies must be built with power dynamics and biases in mind to break through cognitive biases, especially for underrecognized  people.

Chloé’s Visibility Engineering process, a transformative approach that draws on her experience as an international conflict mediator and social and behavioral science, empowers social impact leaders to navigate past their stakeholders’ brain filters and ensure their ideas  are retained and spread long term, thereby shaping social change. 

Today, Chloé underscores the urgency and importance of mastering the science of being noticed. This skill is not just a tool for personal branding, but a crucial element in shaping social change.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How Chloé’s experience in international mediation led her to create brands that help underrecognized  players get a seat at the table
• The critical difference between being seen and being noticed amid the never-ending bids for our attention
• Why it’s essential to shape messaging advocating for social change in a way that facilitates behavior change
• How Chloé developed her Visibility Engineering process to get past the cognitive hurdles of getting ideas seen, remembered, and proliferated
• And why it’s essential to have an understanding of the stakeholders and gatekeepers in your sphere

Learn more about N. Chloé Nwangwu:

• NobiWorks
• Instagram: @nobiworks
• Connect on LinkedIn
• The Visibility Clinic

Learn more about Mary Knox Miller:

• Thought Leader Media
• Connect on LinkedIn

How do we make change that scales and replicates beyond our immediate sphere?

For Denise Brosseau, founder and CEO of Thought Leadership Lab, thought leadership is a transformative path, a way to not just expand our influence and impact for good but to reshape the very fabric of our industries and ecosystems.

It’s not about personal branding or superficial success. It's about being the 'pebble in the pond', the one who, with unwavering determination, uses their knowledge, experiences, and networks to push industries or ecosystems forward, even in the face of adversity.

During our conversation, Denise shares practical tips on how to become a thought leader, including the importance of finding your niche and building a network of support ready to jump in when the waters get rough.  These insights can be invaluable on your journey to thought leadership.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• What it actually means to be a thought leader
• Denise’s two key inflection points in her career and the different choices she made each time
• Why thought leaders need to cultivate allies along with their ideas and convictions
• Essential questions to ask yourself when finding your thought leadership niche
• The importance of making your experience and processes tangible

Learn more about Denise Brosseau:

• Thought Leadership Lab
• Connect on LinkedIn
• Ready to Be a Thought Leader?

Learn more about Mary Knox Miller:

• Thought Leader Media
• Connect on LinkedIn

Resources:

Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement, Tarana Burke

Our world is increasingly data-driven, especially when understanding our audiences, but what if the metrics we’re using are incomplete?

David Allison, a renowned marketing strategist and the innovative mind behind Valuegraphics, argues that, at best, demographics only provide a partial picture of a person and, at worst, reinforce biases and stereotypes. This is where values fill the gaps and offer a more comprehensive understanding. 

David and his team have not just identified 56 universally shared values, but they've also made them actionable. By adopting a values-based approach to communication, we can challenge our unconscious assumptions and gain predictive insights into what truly engages, motivates, and inspires our audience. 

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How our values drive everyday choices, large and small–
• How demographic data perpetuates stereotypes and hinders social change
• How acknowledging our common values helps build consensus and move us forward
• How the core 56 values break down into nuanced and actionable definitions and interpretations
• Three key questions to begin uncovering people’s values

Learn more about David Allison:

• Website
• Valuegraphics
• Connect on LinkedIn
• The Death of Demographics: Valuegraphic Marketing for a Values-Driven World

Learn more about Mary Knox Miller:

• Thought Leader Media
• Connect on LinkedIn

Can you be a leader of an organization and publically share your personal views? Ami Dar, Executive Director of Idealist.org, is currently threading that needle after going viral for his commentary on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  

Driven by a long-held desire to create positive change and inspired by the possibilities of the nascent web, Ami Dar launched Idealist.org in 1995 to bring together nonprofits and social impact professionals to maximize their potential to do good.

Over the last thirty years, Idealist.org has grown from a directory of links to become an essential resource for social impact professionals and 150,000 nonprofit organizations worldwide.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How Ami’s multinational childhood and experiences in the Israeli army drove his desire to create change
• How his post-military travel and the dawn of the internet inspired the eventual creation of Idealist.org
• Why Ami says it’s vital for leaders to recognize mistakes, learn from them, and course-correct 
• How going viral surprised him and why he says that commenting on the Israel-Palestine war wasn’t a choice
• How Ami sees Idealist Days as bridging the gap between connecting online and connecting with your community to make a real-life difference 
• Why saying yes and getting started, even imperfectly, is how we make change

Learn more about Ami Dar:

• Idealist.org
• X: @amidar
• Watch Ami’s appearance on TED, "An Israeli and a Palestinian Talk Peace, Dignity and Safety"

Learn more about Mary Knox Miller:

• thoughtleadermedia.co
• Connect with Mary Knox Miller on LinkedIn
• Follow Thought Leader Media on LinkedIn

Personal narratives have a unique power to help us connect to ideas and issues despite disparate backgrounds.

Courtney Martin has been channeling her “uncomfortable gift” for recognizing hypocrisy and seeking the truth into stories since high school. She’s an author, journalist, podcast host, speaker, and cofounder of organizations who uses words to grapple with contentious topics like race, education, activism, and motherhood.

Today, she shares why she returns again and again to personal narrative in pursuit of change, how writing helps her make sense of the world, and how she holds her values close while making a living as a writer.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How seeing her white, progressive friends avoid their local public school sent Courtney down the rabbit hole of what would become her memoir, Learning in Public.
• How Courtney uses her social and material capital to shape systemic change through collaboration with organizations
• What taking a sabbatical taught Courtney about the throughlines in her body of work and reclaiming space to be alone
• Why she avoids getting overly precious about her writing
• Why change advocates need to be willing to show up for the long haul

Learn more about Courtney Martin:

• The article she wrote after our conversation
• Website
• The Examined Family
• Instagram: @courtwrites

Learn more about Mary Knox Miller:

• Thought Leader Media
• Connect on LinkedIn

Resources:

• Solutions Journalism Network
• FRESH Speakers
• The Holding Co.
• Learning in Public: Lessons for a Racially Divided America from My Daughter's School
• The Wise Unknown Podcast

I started Speaking Human-First to answer a simple question: If you want to change the world with your ideas, how do you speak so people will listen?

This season we heard from seven leaders and while on the surface their strategies differ, they're all grounded in common themes. 

Today, I’m exploring these themes through the filter of three core principles: What you say, how you say it, and who you are matters. These guiding principles are the start of speaking human-first.

I also want to return to the question, “Why can’t we see each other as equals?”

Because to build trust with your audience, you have to tap into something far greater than your knowledge and expertise. You have to connect as human beings. Which means we have to show up as we really are.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• Key principles of communication that transcend trends and drive impact
• How speaking to your specific expertise and experience and acknowledging your audience’s varied starting points builds trust
• The impact of emotion, tone, and medium on conveying your message
• Why leaders need to be both uncompromising in their ideals and open to other possibilities
• How recognizing and understanding the social realities that impact others builds empathy

Learn more about Mary Knox Miller:

• Thought Leader Media
• Connect on LinkedIn

Resources:

• Speaking Human First: All Episodes