Storytelling School

I couldn’t contain my curiosity. One day, while at my CrossFit gym, I hear word going around that someone’s providing complimentary photos of the athletes. Even though I don’t really need a photo, I check out the photographer’s work.

When I come across the first photo, this haunted feeling washes over me as I see an image of a man with piercing eyes, unsmiling, not posed, just standing there against a black backdrop. It’s like he’s exposed his soul for all to see.

And I know there are years of complex stories... in this one single image.

Six-ish years later, I still remember that photograph. 

Not only did I have my photo taken that day, I’ve been working with the extraordinary photographer, David Kafer, ever since.

Now, I’ve invited David to join me on the Storytelling School Podcast as my special guest this week. In our engrossing episode, we talk about perspectives on how to bring stories to life without words. We discuss how photos can tell a story in a single image, the missing stories in photographs posted on social media, and how non-photographers can approach personal storytelling through imagery.

What you will learn in this episode:

• What behind-the-scenes factor often leads to great photos
• How to add layers and depth of meaning to your photographs
• Why you want to attach a story and a purpose to your brand

Who is David?

Born in rural Gloversville, NY, David Kafer moved to the city of Buffalo before he was in high school. He attended the same high school as his mother and continued his education at Canisius College, earning a Bachelor’s degree. Here, he also developed a love of storytelling and narrating life through digital mediums of art, particularly photography.

David moved to Santa Barbara in 2010 for his Master’s in Fine Art from the Brooks Institute. While there, he found a deep appreciation for and understanding of visual work with depth beyond the technical details. But he’s always wanted to help draw attention to those voices we usually don’t hear. So with his professional growth and unforgettable personal experiences in Buffalo, he started turning his eyes toward using his skills for positive change in communities across the country.

That’s when Portrait Project was born. Through it, David photographed anyone in Buffalo who wanted to share a story. The accelerating social divide in American communities eventually led him to evolve this concept into the non-profit Storied Portraits. Currently, the organization works to reshape community perspectives in order to help address the country’s prejudices. 

Links and Resources:

• David Kafer
• Storied Portraits
• @storiedportraitsorg on Instagram
• Storytelling School Website
• @storytellingschool on Instagram
• @storytellingSchool on Facebook

It’s my first improv performance. I’m so nervous, I don’t invite anyone to my show - no family members, no colleagues, no friends. Make that… no friends except... for my dear friend Steve from Baltimore. I know he’ll have my back and love this performance.

I peer from behind the curtain, just as the emcee is announcing our names. I see Steve from Baltimore in the front row, three seats from center. Phew.

The show begins and after doing the first bit with my scene partner, I notice Steve isn’t smiling. After my second time on stage, he isn’t even laughing. As the show goes on, he's given me no reaction whatsoever - not even a head nod. 

I realize I must be so bad at this that I start apologizing to my fellow cast members backstage right then and there and tell them my improv career is over. 

After the show I tell Steve that I’m so sorry to have wasted his time and that I was so terrible. “What?” he asks. “You were terrific and so funny. You should definitely do this more.”

At that moment, I realized what happened - Steve from Baltimore has a background as a criminal defense attorney in Maryland. He was simply watching the show with his “courtroom stern expression” on. Thanks Steve.

Lesson learned? As storytellers and speakers, we can't control our audience’s face. 

This week, I’ve invited the infamous Steve from Baltimore onto the podcast as my special guest. We explore storytelling from the lens of influence and intention, in the courtroom and beyond. You’ll hear his (extra politically incorrect) story of the pineapple head trial and so much more. We’ll cover how he used storytelling in criminal courtroom cases and why story matters when you want to encourage a particular outcome.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why the “guilty” or “not guilty” verdicts are actually misnomers
• Why it’s harder to create stories in criminal trials
• What essential element makes for a great story with a jury (or any audience)

Who is Steve from Baltimore?

Stephen L. Miles was born in 1943 and educated in Baltimore’s public schools. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and got his law degree from the same institution in 1969. For his first job, he spent three years prosecuting the highest level criminal cases in the felony unit. His first trial involved a murder case within just the first two days of him being on the job. From there, he was off and running.

Stephen’s next case came when the biggest criminal lawyer in Maryland hired him. He’d go on to spend several years working there. But eventually, he decided that the stress of working on criminal cases was too much and decided to pursue a new career within his career. In 1975, when it became legal to do so in Maryland, he was the first lawyer to advertise on state TV.

By the time 1999 rolled around, Stephen had had enough and decided to sell his practice. At that point, he’d acquired over 60 employees in 8 locations. He stayed at home to raise his two adopted Vietnamese daughters until he decided to try working in legal again in 2010. However, with the onset of the COVID pandemic, he retired from it a second time. 

Links and Resources:

• [email protected]
• Storytelling School Website
• @storytellingschool on Instagram
• @storytellingSchool on Facebook

As an athlete, from the time I was a little girl until now, I’ve had to work on my mindset. Regardless of your age or profession, your mindset matters. But as a speaker or storyteller, you need to have control over it too.

In this special solo episode, I talk about one of my favorite topics of all time and unpack different looks at mindset. You’ll hear about how to deal with both your content and performance regarding commitment, focus, managing your fear, creating rituals and using the concept of grit in your ritualization, taking risks, and displaying confidence no matter how you feel.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to deal with fear
• Why there are gifts in your grit
• How to focus on one core idea
  (not 3 or 30)

A little about me:

Hi there. I’m Kymberlee.

As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives.

Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teaching my clients to do the same.

If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value.

Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and affect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place.

Links and Resources:

• Storytelling School Website
• @storytellingschool on Instagram
• @storytellingSchool on Facebook

It’s the big day and I’m meeting with my web strategist to present my “works of art”, content-wise. We’re about to relaunch my website and I’ve worked my butt off on the deliverables for him. I know he’s going to have all kinds of praise for me and I can’t wait to hear what he says. He begins our meeting by telling me that my content needs a complete overhaul. Wait. what?!? I’ve worked countless hours on this!! He explains that my content is all about me... when instead it needs to be about my audience. Woah.

That re-frame has forever changed the point of view of the story my website shares.

Today, I’ve invited my web strategist Chris Foley onto the show to share his wisdom. What does it really mean to have a presence online? What does a sales process look like, and what misconceptions do people have about introducing (or re-introducing) their brands? In this episode, we dive into the story of our online presence and discuss why so many people have such sucky websites, the purpose of your website and establishing an effective web presence, why you might be failing at accurately describing what you do on your site, and so much more.

What you will learn in this episode:

• What immediate concerns you must address on your site right away
• What story your sales process on your website needs to tell
• How to avoid the two biggest blind spots when launching your site

Who is Christopher?

At 25 years old, Christopher Foley decided to pack everything and move to southern California. Seeking fame and fortune, he found a ton of life experience instead. Life took him from the entertainment industries and financial ups and downs to marriage, making France his home for a while, and traveling (enjoying strange foods and foreign language exploration in the meantime) before he grew homesick and returned to Santa Barbara.

Christopher considers himself a compulsive creative at heart. Born in the Boston area, his storytelling craft started early, developed over five decades, and has shined through several disciplines. He’s done musical theater, film photography, and even a bit of tap dancing before earning his degree in video production and radio telecommunications. He’s even had stints as a touring guitar player and music producer.

When the digital revolution came calling, Christopher answered and spent the next 15 years building over 300 websites and helping people tell their stories online. In his view, he serves several roles for his clients: psychologist, ruthless cheerleader, trusted confidant, and oppressive editor among them. So despite the title of web strategist, his work transcends beyond established labels.

Links and Resources:

• PXLPOD
• Storytelling School Website
• @storytellingschool on Instagram
• @storytellingSchool on Facebook

You know when you’re watching the opening of a movie and you’re in a world being introduced to the characters, then all of a sudden something happens? This event changes everything from that moment on. In storytelling, that moment is called the inciting incident and it sets the story in motion. 

My incredible guest today on the Storytelling School Podcast, José Rolón, experienced an inciting incident of colossal proportion... in real life.

And it was that same life-changing incident that taught him one of the most important lessons José has ever learned in his life. In our gripping interview, we talk about what can happen on the other side of tragedy and how story plays a vital role every step of the way. José and I explore how he learned to tell his story in small bites, how to balance devastation with lightheartedness, and how to connect and be relatable to all audiences. 

The inciting incident drastically changes the trajectory of the character’s journey. For José, this happened like the flip of a switch. Listen in on our episode to find out how a major event can not only change your life, but the lives of your audience through telling your story. 

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to be relatable to your audience
• Why telling a vulnerable story has power
• How to balance tragedy with lightheartedness

Who is José?

José Rolón is the owner/founder of José Rolón Events, planning and designing upscale weddings throughout New York City. José Rolón Events has been featured in many major publications: New York Weddings, BRIDES, New York Times, The Knot, and Essence to name a few.

If that wasn’t enough, in addition to being an entrepreneur, José continues to be a voice and advocate for gay dads through various media outlets. As a single gay father of three, José has received attention by NBC News, TODAY Show, Ellen's Game of Games, PEOPLE, Gays with Kids, and recently graced the cover of Parents Latina magazine being their first gay dad to do so.  

Finally, José has spent this past summer speaking across the country to show folks how to turn Tragedy Into Your Superpower.  

• José Rolón @nycgaydad on Tik Tok
• NYC Gay Dad Website
• José Rolón @nycgaydad on Instagram
• José Rolón Events Website

I’m flipping the TV channels when I see something that makes me have a flashback to my childhood. I remember standing next to my best friend Jeff Babko in the backyard near a kiddie pool. We loved putting on skits and performing at his house as kids. Then, we got older and lost touch as I got into softball and moved to Hawaii for college while he studied music in Miami. So imagine my surprise when I stopped on Jimmy Kimmel’s show one day and saw a very familiar face. It was Jeff!

I had to invite him on the show for a walk down memory lane. And he’s got plenty of stories to share about his musical career and travels, working with other musicians, and especially collaborating with comedians like Steve Martin and Martin Short. We talk all about it, as well as performance (whether it’s music, improv, or storytelling) and key elements necessary for making a connection with your audience.

What you will learn in this episode:

• What role music plays in comedy and storytelling
• Why your audience matters in every performance 
• How you can best experience your own storytelling

Who is Jeff?

Born and raised in southern California, Jeff Babko has lived on the West Coast for his entire career of television, film, and live performances. After graduating from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, he began touring internationally with Julio Iglesias, then joined the group, Toto, to tour Europe. He’s also recorded and toured with musical stars like Smokey Robinson, Yo-Yo Ma, Frank Ocean, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, Willie Nelson, James Taylor, and John Mayer, among many others.

On the TV side of things, Jeff’s most significant work has to be the past 18 years as the musical arranger, co-composer, and house band member of Jimmy Kimmel Live. But he’s always kept his toes dipped in comedy too. His TV work actually began on Martin Short’s syndicated talk show at the turn of the century. In fact, he still regularly performs with Short and Steve Martin. Jeff has also been on the Emmy award-winning Wayne Brady daytime show and even worked as an Emmy show composer, arranger, and orchestra member for three years.

People have enjoyed his performances at the 2012 Democratic National Convention and the White House for the Obamas and the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel. His work is even featured on the musical scores of several movies like Toy Story 4, Frozen 2, and Pixar’s Luca. But today, Jeff and his wife, violinist Songa Lee, produce music from their studio in the San Fernando Valley and regularly perform as a duo in Paso Robles, CA

Links and Resources:

• Jeff Babko
• Storytelling School Website
• @storytellingschool on Instagram
• @storytellingSchool on Facebook

I’m backstage at a TEDx event one day, and everyone’s nervously preparing themselves. I’m getting ready to announce a 16-year-old speaking for the first time when I see her do something that makes my jaw drop. She’s taking off her shoes, about to go on stage barefoot.

Now anyone, much less a teenager, would be nervous in a situation like that, but Chloe Howard was no ordinary teenager. Her going on stage barefoot was such a big deal because she was born with a foot deformity and got bullied as a result. She nor I needed to worry about her speech, though. She ended up delivering the talk of a lifetime, and I’m so honored to have her as my guest today!

In this episode, Chloe talks about living with her deformity and using her story to promote healing within herself and others. Listen as she describes why she made the choice to walk on that stage barefoot, what internal stories need changing, and the impact of taking on empowering labels like resilience.

What you will learn in this episode:

• Why stories have the power to heal yourself and others
• Why storytelling is inherent to all people
• How the labels you choose to give yourself shape your story

Who is Chloe?

Chloe Howard is an author and speaker. Born with a severe foot deformity, she has endured bullying, several operations, and other daunting challenges but has met them all with grace and determination. The turning point in her life came when she met and spoke with Bono (yes, of U2 fame) who offered her powerful words about fighting against injustice.

Since then, Chloe has lifted herself and others from past shame and guilt with her TEDx talks and books where she reveals the truth we all need to hear: only you determine your labels, not society. After she suffered a hate crime, she ditched the “victim” label ascribed to her and replaced it with resilience. Now she challenges people worldwide to “stand beautiful” and embrace that we all were made for more.

Links and Resources:

• Stand Beautiful
• Stand Beautiful books by Chloe Howard
• @itschloehoward on Instagram
• Storytelling School Website
• @storytellingschool on Instagram
• @storytellingSchool on Facebook

In life, sometimes you meet truly captivating people who you feel can and will have a profound impact on the world. This happened the first time I met Dr. Harry Grammer. In fact, I think he’s already started making his mark on the world through his advocacy for incarcerated youth and community through the form of storytelling.

In our riveting discussion, we explore: why Dr. Grammer decided to live homeless on the beach for a while, what finally sparked an emotional connection to his father for the first time in his life and why he felt compelled to start New Earth. Find out and listen in as Dr. Grammer discusses how he encourages incarcerated kids to share their stories with each other and the world, instigating a changing of our perspectives of them and their lives in the process.

What you will learn in this episode:

• What you don’t understand about youth incarceration
• How incarceration is about business, not just crime
• What structure you can fit into almost every story

Who is Dr. Grammer?

Dr. Harry Grammer is the founder and president of New Earth, an organization formed in 2004 to reform the juvenile justice system in Los Angeles County, CA. He has a Ph.D. in Community, Liberation, and Eco-Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. He also holds the position of Board Chair of its Alumni Association.

His multi-faceted company brings higher levels of support to incarcerated young people, youth experiencing housing insecurity, and kids aging out of the foster care system. Programs run the gamut from poetry, music, advocacy, wilderness retreats, and more to employment readiness and job placement. Since its inception, New Earth has served over 25,000 youth in the last 17 years in detention centers, group homes, probation camps, its own facility, and even a joint charter high school on-site.

In 2017, Dr. Grammer had the distinction of being honored as a CNN Hero. The following year, he followed that up as one of the first inaugural Obama Foundation Fellows chosen among more than 20,000 applicants in over 191 countries. Through his experience, leadership, and teaching and advocacy background, he continues to work as an educator and activist nationwide.

Links and Resources:

• New Earth
• @HarryGrammer on Twitter
• @grammerharry on Instagram
• @OfficialHarryGrammer on Facebook
• Storytelling School Website
• @storytellingschool on Instagram
• @storytellingSchool on Facebook

Do you have favorite TV jingles heard during your childhood still stuck in your head decades later? For me the unshakable melody originated as my BFF Jeff and I proudly performed the Sparkletts Water “song” in front of a riveted crowd… aka our parents. If you’ve ever wondered about the type of person who could come up with those quick, catchy tunes, I’ve got you covered. Wendy Miller knows a thing or two about TV and jingles and even parodies because she’s written hundreds of them. An Emmy-winning producer of over 200 television episodes, she hosts Sex Ed The Musical, was the former programming head for Playboy TV, and is my very special guest on the Storytelling School Podcast today.

In our action packed conversation, we explore why companies use jingles in their marketing and we dig into Wendy’s personal process for creating jingles and episodes. During our interview, Wendy shares her writing process, we discuss using comedy in storytelling, and she brings us behind the curtain in her working with Wayne Brady (one of my all time favorite performers). Wendy also talks about her producing career (including a very short-lived stint on Oprah’s show) just before we segue into a little risqué territory about her time at Playboy TV and an encounter of the (almost) close kind with adult film star Nina Hartley.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to deal with the inner jerk in your headspace
• How to incorporate comedy into your stories
• What ingredient you need to make an outstanding story

Who is Wendy?

Wendy Miller is an author, speaker, podcast host, television producer, relationship expert, and ACS Certified Sexologist. She’s been a panelist, moderator, and speaker at Sexual Health Expo and as the ex-Head of Programming at Playboy TV, she created and produced seven seasons of sex-positive, premium programming for adults. Her work has been featured in major publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, Variety, Ebony, and more.

Wendy has comedic chops as well. She’s won the Lite Beer National Comedy Search and has written, produced, and directed The Wayne Brady Show in addition to content for Paramount, Fox, NBC, The Tonight Show, Oxygen, Lifetime, The Oprah Show, and others. Currently, she lives in Los Angeles with her husband and teenage daughter.

Links and Resources:

• Wendy Miller
• Sex Ed The Musical
• 3 Secrets To The Happy & Healthy Relationship You’ve Always F*cking Wanted by Wendy Miller
• @sexedmusicalpodcast on Instagram
• @wendymillerpodcast on Facebook
• Storytelling School Website
• @storytellingschool on Instagram
• @storytellingSchool on Facebook

Can productivity really be the key to tipping the odds in your favor for living an even greater life than you imagine? My guest Mike Williams lives and breathes in stories of productivity. He has years and years of experience and plenty of stories to share about how we can gain clarity and be more productive for the best life possible.

In this episode, Mike shares how a date night spawned a heartbreaking realization that initiated his productivity journey. He also reveals two questions to ask yourself that can help increase your productivity and receive all the inherent benefits, and so much more. Listen to how he went from pressing the publish button on his first blog to being a company CEO, and you’ll discover the power of “pressing publish” to begin your own journey, telling personal stories on multiple levels, and winning small to win big.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to tell micro-stories at different levels of your life
• What causes people to get productivity wrong
• How to turn chaos into clarity

Who is Mike?

Mike Williams is a speaker, author, executive, and coach who helps leaders obtain small wins with a big impact on their lives and businesses. His dad was a football coach and teacher, so coaching and teaching have always been in his DNA. He gives people the actionable tools to succeed on their terms with less effort and be at the top of their game in all areas of life.

Through his leadership roles with General Electric, The David Allen Company, and Zappos, Mike kept noticing that people were desperate for a better path to productivity to help them fight digital distractions, mind clutter, and wasteful uses of their time. But the only resources available involved complex approaches, reading thick self-help books, or participating in boring seminars. He knew a better way existed--one rooted in simplicity and realism. So in his pursuit, he spent two decades working with thousands of people across different industries--from rocket scientists to students to nonprofit organizations.

Today, Mike assists clients using an effective coaching methodology that’s far from complicated. He also used what works to create Doing to Done, a visually engaging book about quick wins with significant impacts, coming in September 2021. Bringing a bit of Southern California energy to his work, he firmly believes that managing stress through better productivity shouldn’t be so stressful.

Links and Resources:

• Mike Williams
• Doing to Done
• Email: [email protected]
• @askmikewilliams on Instagram
• @askmikewilliams on Twitter
• @askmikewilliams on LinkedIn
• Mike Williams on Facebook
• Storytelling School Website
• @storytellingschool on Instagram
• @storytellingSchool on Facebook