In this episode, host Dr. Meg Adams, a digital storytelling expert and community-building advocate, dives into the art of listening without judgment, especially in the wake of divisive events like elections. With a Ph.D. in Rhetoric & Writing and a background in journalism, Dr. Adams brings a unique perspective to how thought leaders and professional storytellers can bridge divides and connect with those who hold different viewpoints.

Dr. Adams discusses why it's essential to "listen for the story behind the story," urging us to go beyond surface-level opinions to uncover the deeper narratives that shape people's choices. She explains that when we approach others with empathy and curiosity, we’re better equipped to foster true community, even in polarized times. This approach, she argues, is a vital skill for anyone aiming to build an inclusive, story-driven brand that resonates across diverse audiences.

Listeners will gain practical tips on:

• Cultivating empathy and withholding judgment in conversations,
• Listening actively to understand the deeper motivations behind differing perspectives,
• Using storytelling as a tool to unite and inspire, not divide, especially as thought leaders navigating complex social climates.

Dr. Adams’ insights are a must-listen for thought leaders, brand storytellers, and anyone committed to building connections that endure. By embodying empathy and storytelling, we can transform how we engage with others—and ultimately create communities that thrive through understanding, not division.

SHOW NOTES:

- Connect with Dr. Meg Adams here: https://www.drmegadams.com/

Welcome to The Story Craft Podcast—I’m your host, Dr. Meg Adams, co-founder of Homeplace Creative.

Today, we’re diving into one of the most powerful tools in communication: story exchange. When we share our stories with others and listen to theirs, we open the door to deeper understanding, empathy, and trust.

In this episode, we’ll explore why exchanging stories is essential for meaningful communication—whether you’re leading a team, connecting with an audience, or building relationships.

Join me as we uncover how storytelling helps bridge gaps, break down barriers, and create connections that go beyond surface-level interaction.

If you're looking to improve how you communicate and engage with others, this episode will provide valuable insights into the transformative power of story exchange!

Show Notes

Connect with Dr. Meg Adams:

• Website: Dr. Meg Adams
• Instagram: @DrMegAdams
• LinkedIn: Megan Adams, PhD

Welcome to The Story Craft Podcast—I'm Dr. Meg Adams, your host and co-founder of Homeplace Creative.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s close to my heart: networking, but not in the traditional sense. Instead of thinking about it as something transactional, what if we approached networking like making new friends? I’ll be sharing how storytelling is a powerful way to get to know others better, build trust, and create authentic connections.

Whether you’re looking to grow your personal network, connect with new collaborators, or just engage with people in a more meaningful way, storytelling is the key.

So, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s explore how we can use the stories we share to learn more about those around us!

Show Notes:

Connect with Dr. Meg Adams:

• Website: Dr. Meg Adams
• Instagram: @DrMegAdams
• LinkedIn: Megan Adams, PhD

Welcome to The Story Craft Podcast, where we dive into strategies for creating impactful content that drives results. In this episode, we're joined by Sarah Panus, a 20+ year content expert and host of the top-ranked Marketing with Empathy® podcast. Sarah shares her signature F.E.D. method—Focus, Empathy, and Data—that blends the art and science of storytelling to create content that resonates with audiences and boosts conversions. Whether you're looking to refine your content strategy or scale your business, Sarah’s actionable insights will help you take your marketing to the next level.

SHOW NOTES:

• Connect with Sarah Panus via here website: https://www.kindredspeak.com/
• Check out the Story Brand resources mentioned in the episode: https://mystorybrand.com/
• Connect with Meg via her website: https://www.drmegadams.com/

Building trust through telling stories is one of the most powerful communication strategies you can use to build community and strengthen relationships. In this episode, storytelling consultant and speaker, Katie Quesada shares her tips to help you tell your best stories!

Katie is an acclaimed speaker and consultant who is deeply passionate about the art of storytelling. Katie has recently worked with top brands like SpaceX, United Healthcare, American Eagle Outfitters (and more!) to ignite their story for more effective communication, high trust within teams, and increased sales. Katie and her husband Danny live with their two daughters in Orange, CA. They spent two years living in a 180 square foot tiny home and believe that stories are better than stuff.

SHOW NOTES:

• To learn more about Katie, visit her website here: https://www.katiequesada.com/
• Have a question about storytelling you'd like us to answer? Contact us at lindsey@homeplacecreativeco.com and let us know so that we can answer it in a future episode!
• Learn more about Meg & Kyle at https://www.homeplacecreativeco.com/

We're trying something new here on the podcast and bringing you a recast of Meg's Tell Your Stories Workshop, so you can take the tools she shares and add them to your storytelling tool box. This episode focuses on storytelling for your brand.

Have a question or concern about storytelling you'd like us to answer? Contact us at lindsey@homeplacecreativeco.com and let us know so that we can answer it in a future episode!

About jesikah: jesikah maria ross has three speeds: listening, making, and sharing. she’s an artist, an academic, and experienced media producer. jesikah is out to make a difference and believes that wit, grit and imagination can take us where we need to go. jesikah knows how to mobilize people around a shared interest and create processes that lead to community change. she’s done it with large institutions, small non-profits and independent media makers. jesikah has built a career of consulting, training and project management for participatory media projects with a path and a plan that changes how we collect, tell and share the stories of our communities.

We talked with jesikah about how she uses storytelling projects to mobilize communities. She shares valuable insight on how to create and sustain community participatory work (work with the communities we serve) and shares her own stories from doing this work. She also provides excellent resources and guidelines for storytellers who aim to empower others to tell their stories!

SHOW NOTES:

• Learn more about jesikah's work here: ⁠https://www.jesikahmariaross.com/⁠

• Hire Meg for a workshop or keynote by contacting lindsey@homeplacecreativeco.com or connecting via her website at [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠drmegadams.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]⁠
• Learn more about Storytelling Training with Homeplace Creative via their website at [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠homeplacecreativeco.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠] or contact kyle@homeplacecreativeco.com
• Connect with Meg across social at @drmegadams and Kyle at kyle@homeplacecreativeco.com

In this episode, Meg shares her tips for organizing your stories so that you can share them strategically to gain influence. Often, people say they feel overwhelmed when it comes to sharing their stories. Start the process of organizing your stories so you can share them with the right audience at the right time to build connections and community!

About Meg: Meg Adams, PhD, is co-founder and CEO of Homeplace Creative. Upon receiving her PhD in Rhetoric & Writing from Bowling Green State University with an emphasis in digital storytelling, Dr. Adams founded Homeplace Creative as a visual storytelling company devoted to helping organizations tell impactful stories across media platforms. Her own stories have appeared in news outlets and peer-reviewed academic journals in rhetoric and writing. Her Tedx Talk, ⁠⁠How Storytelling Shifts Perspective ⁠⁠provides insight into what she believes in the power of storytelling. She’s currently an Associate Professor of Communications at the University of Findlay teaching courses in digital storytelling, public relations, and journalism. She also hosts a weekly podcast, ⁠⁠The Story Craft podcast⁠⁠ where she interviews professionals across industries to learn more about how they apply storytelling techniques in their work. You can find her online posting on social ⁠⁠@DrMegAdams⁠⁠.

SHOW NOTES:

• Hire Meg for a workshop or keynote by contacting lindsey@homeplacecreativeco.com or connecting via her website at [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠drmegadams.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠]⁠
• Learn more about Storytelling Training with Homeplace Creative via their website at [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠homeplacecreativeco.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠] or contact kyle@homeplacecreativeco.com
• Connect with Meg across social at @drmegadams and Kyle at kyle@homeplacecreativeco.com