Russ Hedge has spent most of his life connecting people.

He has worked in sales and marketing for decades, built communities, hosted shows, written books, and encouraged people to show up as themselves. But a melanoma diagnosis changed the way he thought about time, purpose, and the choices we make when life takes a hard left turn.

In this conversation, Russ and I talk about the idea behind his book, *Life Happens… and Then You Choose.*

Not because we get to control everything that comes our way. We do not.

But because we still get a say in what happens next.

We talk about connection before selling, authenticity before performance, the quiet fear that keeps people playing smaller than they are, and why a little gratitude before your feet hit the floor can change the way you walk through the day.

Russ also shares what his cancer journey taught him about living more intentionally, building real community, and choosing the story you live after life hands you a chapter you never planned to write.

Connect with Russ Hedge:

Website: https://www.russhedge.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russhedge/

Book: https://www.russhedge.com/buy-book-now

Connect with Doug Thompson:

Website: https://thedougthompsontx.com

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/thedougthompson

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedougthompson

Instagram & Threads: @thedougthompson

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0xHMEppHHHV54MAJU5AYoY

My guest today is Dr. Stephanie Byerly. She's an anesthesiologist, which she'll tell you herself is a mouthful. She's also a coach and speaker who works with high achieving women who look great on paper and feel almost nothing underneath.

Stephanie spent years achieving her way to the top of academic medicine, all while carrying trauma she didn't know was steering the car. It took a facilitator in a psychodrama session to hand her the line that cracked everything open: you've been numb your whole life, and every day, you make people numb for a living.

We talk about how trauma lives in the body long before you have words for it, how girls learn the cage they're supposed to fit into by age nine or ten, and why scrolling social media can leave you carrying trauma that never actually happened to you. We also get into what it costs to set boundaries after years of being the reliable one, and why the discomfort of change is the actual price of the life you say you want.

If you've built a life that looks right from the outside and feels flat on the inside, this conversation is for you.

Stephanie is the founder of The UNNUMB Method and The UNNUMB Collective. Find her at stephaniebyerly.com, or on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook at Stephanie Byerly MD.

If this episode landed for you, follow Storytelling for Real Life wherever you listen, leave a rating or review, and send this one to somebody who's been running on empty and calling it fine.

Website: stephaniebyerly.com

Socials: LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook — all @StephanieByerlyMD

On September 11, 2001, Rick DellaRatta watched the world change in real time. He did not set out to write a poem that day. The words simply started coming, one line after another, because he needed somewhere to put what he was seeing and feeling.

That poem became part of the story behind Jazz for Peace.

In this conversation, Rick and I talk about the way music can bring people together when language, religion, politics, or fear get in the way. We talk about creativity, the strange human habit of recognizing artists too late, what happens when envy gets louder than appreciation, and why we may need more than technology to move forward well.

Rick also sits down at the piano and gives the conversation a reminder that some things are better experienced than explained.

This is a conversation about art, connection, deep listening, and what happens when one person decides to keep creating after the world hands him a day he never planned to live through.

Learn more about Rick and Jazz for Peace:

https://jazzforpeace.org

https://www.rickdellaratta.com

YouTube search: JFP25

More from Doug Thompson:

https://thedougthompson.com

NOTE: This episode was not recorded on the normal platform due to an outage at the time of recording so there are difference from the normal format.

Leilani Garrett has spent years inside corporate environments where strategy decks, metrics, and serious meetings often take up most of the room.

Her work now asks a quieter question: what happens to the humans inside all of that?

In this conversation, Doug and Leilani talk about storytelling as a bridge between people, not just a tool for marketing or presentation. Leilani explains why innovation depends on trust, why AI still needs human judgment, and why leaders should pay attention to the quiet contributors who may be doing excellent work without asking to be seen.

One of the most useful moments is her idea of small story-based exercises, like asking people when they were genuinely proud at work. Not as a gimmick. As a way to help people feel known.

For planners, Leilani brings warmth, corporate credibility, and practical judgment. She understands the room and still keeps the people in focus.

Sara Davenport had the kind of career that can look like the finish line from the outside.

She was an Emmy-winning TV anchor in a major market, working in front of millions of people. But one night, during a hurricane, seven months pregnant and sitting under her desk at the station with a bag of Doritos, she found herself asking a much bigger question:

“Is this it?”

That moment became the beginning of a different story.

In this conversation, Sara and I talk about life inside TV news, the hidden cost of the dream job, the pull between identity and reinvention, and why listening may be one of the most underrated storytelling skills we have.

We also get into what AI can and cannot do, why generic content disappears from memory, and how specific stories help people feel something before they try to remember anything.

Because sometimes the story changes before we are ready to admit it.

And sometimes it starts under a desk.

Connect with Sara Davenport:
Website: www.SaraDavenport.net
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sara-davenport-journalist/

Connect with Doug Thompson:
Website: https://thedougthompsontx.com
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/thedougthompson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedougthompson
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0xHMEppHHHV54MAJU5AYoY

This is a very personal episode for me.

Just before my wife went into the hospital for the last time, my friend Tara LaFon Gooch introduced me to Mark Victor Hansen by text.

In the months that followed, Mark checked in with me through texts. I was not ready to record, and he never made that a problem. His messages were kind, steady, and supportive while I was trying to find my way through a lot of loss. He met me where I was.

Mark has written 328 books, including the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and his books have sold millions of copies. But during this season of losing both my wife and my mom, I found myself borrowing courage not only from the stories in those books, but from the kindness Mark showed me personally.

This conversation is about the stories that stay with us, the people who give us room when life is hard, and the ways hope can show up before we are fully ready to reach for it.

Connect with Mark Victor Hansen:

Website: https://markvictorhansen.com/

Library: https://www.markvictorhansenlibrary.com/

After losing both his wife and his mother within a week, Doug Thompson found himself wondering whether he should keep doing the podcast at all.

This solo episode opens Season 10 from a personal and reflective place. Doug talks about grief, memory, and the slow process of deciding what still fits after life changes in a way you did not ask for.

Out of that season came the new name: Storytelling for Real Life with Doug Thompson. It was not a rebrand as much as a recognition. The show had always been about stories that help people make meaning, build connection, and move through hard conversations.

This episode is a quiet reset for the season ahead. It is about loss, reflection, and why stories are not just for stages, books, or podcasts. Sometimes they are how we find our way through real life.

Connect with Doug:

Website: https://thedougthompsontx.com

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/thedougthompson

Instagram: @thedougthompson

Threads: @thedougthompson

Email: [email protected]

Ever wonder how women break through the glass ceiling in tech or leadership? Spoiler alert: it’s all about storytelling, mindset shifts, and a sprinkle of audacity. Buckle up for a journey from India’s software boom to New York Times Square billboards—minus the confetti, but with plenty of wisdom.

In this episode:

• Neeraja’s journey from a shy girl in India to global leadership icon
• How women can find their voice by telling their stories
• Cultural hurdles and how urban metros are changing mindsets
• Practical tips for public speaking, handling hecklers, and visualizing success
• The importance of mindset challenges, from LinkedIn content to TED Talks
• The secret sauce: storytelling as a unique leadership tool

Timestamps:00:00 - Introducing Neeraja: Women’s empowerment in leadership00:34 - Neeraja’s 25 years in IT and her pivotal career shift01:22 - The role of storytelling in empowering women to lead02:17 - Overcoming cultural barriers in India’s corporate world03:47 - The drop-off of women in leadership tiers & closing the gap04:46 - Asking for what you want: From shy girl to boss lady05:45 - Mentoring as a catalyst for change & sharing personal stories06:13 - Why stories build confidence and break barriers07:09 - Cultural shifts in India’s urban centers08:45 - Challenging mindsets & the importance of self-belief09:24 - How fear inflates risks & the power of visualization10:41 - The storytelling approach in keynotes and talks11:23 - The mindset of visibility & LinkedIn content challenges12:22 - How to tackle fears of judgment & content creation13:30 - Inner voice and mindset blocks that hold women back14:44 - Power poses, breathing techniques, & visualizing success15:42 - Handling surprises & technical issues in public speaking16:35 - The power of practice & helping just one person at a time17:06 - Why nobody needs to be perfect—just authentic18:36 - Embracing haters & managing digital negativity19:21 - Managing differing opinions in real life & online20:04 - Turning hecklers into improv exercises & staying agile21:11 - Planning for disruptions & visualizing worst-case scenarios22:00 - How preparation, cues, & environment cushion fears23:20 - Asking for what you need: Stage, facilities, & audience info24:46 - Shifting mindsets around women re-entering the workforce25:16 - The importance of know your audience & the value of visualization25:59 - Brain hacks athletes use & how to rehearse mentally26:24 - Connect with Neeraja: LinkedIn & upcoming programs27:01 - Final thoughts: Your story is your superpower

Resources & Links:

• Thinkers360 Top 100 Thought Leaders
• Neeraja Ganesh LinkedIn
• LinkedIn Writing Mindset Challenge
• Storytelling as a Leadership Tool

Connect with Neeraja:

• LinkedIn

Keep shining, telling your stories, and smashing those glass ceilings—because your voice matters!

Join Doug Thompson as he sits down with Daniel Wood, CEO and co-founder of the Swedish Wealth Institute, to explore the transformative power of mentorship and the journey from financial setbacks to global success. Discover how Daniel's experiences with world-class mentors like Robert and Kim Kiyosaki have shaped his mission to democratize success and empower individuals worldwide. Tune in for insights on building wealth, overcoming challenges, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people.

Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Ahmet Bozer, former President of Coca-Cola International, who shares his insights on leadership, authenticity, and the pursuit of one's potential. Discover how Ahmet transitioned from a global executive to a purpose-driven storyteller, and learn about his new book, "Soldiery," which challenges us to rethink success and lead with heart. Tune in for a conversation that explores the common currency of humanity and the power of self-reflection.