The Story Craft Podcast

This episode of the podcast features Megan Finnerty. Megan is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and storytelling consultant who creates transformation for nonprofits, brands and communities. As founder and former director of the Storytellers Project, a nationwide series of live storytelling events from Gannett/The USA TODAY Network, she has also driven subscriptions, revenue and brand affinity for a Fortune 500 media company and collaborating with everyone from NASA to the NAACP.
As founder of the Storytellers Brand Studio, and the Editor-in-Chief and Creative Director of Vox Media's Epic Stories, Megan's created branded content and experiential marketing for clients including Verizon, Humana, Sequoia Capital, Victoria's Secret, Spark Therapeutics and Southwest Airlines.
As a narrative consultant and storytelling coach, she has worked with national boards, Silicon Valley startups, Fortune 100 organizations, and more. Prior to all this, Megan was a reporter at The Arizona Republic for 14 years, taking notes while perched atop a rodeo bull; GoPro-ing a hike through the Grand Canyon; and texting in stories from gun-control rallies and the Super Bowl. She also appeared on KPNX TV for three years, once hosting a segment while ice skating.

To say Megan is an expert in storytelling is an understatement. In our interview, we spoke with Megan about her best advice for storytellers today, how to build community with stories, and the future of storytelling.

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We talked with Olivia Wile, an anchor/reporter at WCJL News 22 in Savannah, Georgia. Olivia started her career in broadcast news in Columbus, Ohio where she focused heavily on politics, covering the Ohio Statehouse. She also covered the Trump/Pence campaign during the 2020 election cycle, the Black Lives Matter movement, the Ohio State Football Team as well as the major and minor league sports teams in the area.

We talked to Olivia about what it was like covering all those stories and how her work has taught her to hold opposing viewpoints. She also offers practical advice about how to think like a journalist in everyday life.

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In this episode, we spoke with Morgan Lasher, Chief Community Officer of Unify America. Unify America creates interactive experiences to help people bust out of their bubbles, build civic muscles, and work together to tackle our country’s biggest challenges. We talked to Morgan about how we can use our stories to unify and build stronger communities.

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In this episode, you'll learn from co-host, Kyle Adams, a broadcast meteorologist, speaker, and video storyteller. Kyle shares his three favorite tips to help anyone speak more authentically and with confidence!

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As a proud domestic violence survivor Jess began her career by sharing her story of survival to help not only give the voiceless a voice, but to raise awareness around a cause that isn’t discussed enough. She has since created a beautiful career centered around teaching others that life’s lowest moments don’t have to break us, instead they can build us into the leaders and survivors we were destined to be!

In this episode with Jess, we talked about how to find the confidence to share vulnerable stories and create boundaries around what you feel comfortable sharing. We also talked about sharing stories on social media, building connections online, and more!

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From navigating a career with a ruthless chronic illness to working with doctors and experts to better educate and spread awareness, Dashe’s efforts have made an impact.

We talked with Summer about her career in storytelling and how she uses transparency in storytelling to communicate effectively among diverse audiences to gain buy-in and make an impact.

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Jason Mikell is a meteorologist with WBZ News in Boston.

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Join Meg Adams, founder of Homeplace Creative in this episode as she discusses the fluid nature of authenticity and why you shouldn't get hung up on being your "authentic" self when telling your story. She also shares tips for telling genuine, honest stories in this episode.

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Shaina is an actress based out of New York City. She is originally from the rust belt region of Ohio and grew up visiting steel mills, acting in local theaters, playing softball, and eating Brier Hill pizza. Her favorite theatrical roles include Fantine in Les Misérables, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Sara in Murder Ballad, Rosina in A Bronx Tale, Mother in Hair, and Lilli/Kate in Kiss Me Kate.

Shaina has also traveled the world performing for Disney Cruise Line, Hong Kong Disneyland, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Holland America Line.

She is a member of the New York City Master Chorale, as well as the Manhattan Holiday Carolers, and can be heard singing studio-recorded background vocals for cruise ships and theme parks around the world.

Shaina lives on the west coast of the Hudson River with her husband Marc, cat Puck, and dog Loki.

Shaina brings a unique perspective to The Story Craft podcast as someone who performs story for a living. Her advice on how to step out of yourself and into your story is one we're hanging on to as we share our stories with audiences.

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