Story Podcast

Michael McRay reflects on the profound idea that "self-authorship is a sacred act" and explores what it means to move from simply telling stories to becoming better stories. Drawing from his own experience growing up in the church, Michael examines how so many of us have lived inside stories written by others - whether by religious institutions, cultural systems, or societal expectations. He shares his personal journey of recognizing that his sensitivity wasn't a weakness but a signal that the internalized stories weren't the whole truth. This solo episode is preparation for his upcoming conversation with Emmy-winning producer Jordan Geary, who has spent decades creating transformative stories for children and families through shows like Sesame Street. Michael introduces his framework of four limiting stories - self-doubt, victim, self-defeating, and avoidance - and explains how the goal isn't to delete painful narratives but to integrate them into a fifth story that transforms pain into purpose. In this epis

Michael McRay reconnects with Harris III to unpack the conversation with Pádraig Ó Tuama and explore the broader implications of moving from an information age to a wisdom based economy. They dive into how artificial intelligence is making information abundant and cheap, while wisdom becomes increasingly rare and valuable. Harris argues that as AI makes it harder to trust anything we see on screens, people will crave authentic, in-person human experiences - exactly the kind that storytelling provides. Their conversation examines empathy as a crucial component of narrative intelligence, but they also explore its shadow side, questioning whether our culture's elevation of emotions above all else might actually hinder productive action. In this episode, they also discuss:How the shift from knowledge-based to wisdom-based economies makes storytelling an essential future-proofing skillWhy artificial intelligence will increase demand for authentic human connection and face-to-face storytelling experiencesThe distin

Michael McRay sits down with his longtime friend Pádraig Ó Tuama, the Irish poet, theologian, conflict mediator, and storyteller who has profoundly shaped Michael's approach to narrative intelligence over their decade-long friendship. Their rich conversation explores the delicate balance between fostering empathy through story while recognizing that mandatory empathy rarely works. Pádraig shares how his work in communities with people from both sides of the Irish border taught him that storytelling isn't inherently good - it's power that can either liberate or control. He also reflects on his years leading Ireland's oldest peace and reconciliation organization, and discusses the origins of Tenx9, the community storytelling night he co-founded in Belfast. In this episode, they also discuss:How stories reveal hidden layers and deeper truths when we resist the urge to explain their meaningWhy "some people's theories are other people's traumas" serves as a reminder that our ideas always land somewhere on someone'

This week, Michael McRay prepares listeners for his upcoming conversation with Pádraig Ó Tuama, the Irish poet, theologian, conflict mediator, and storyteller who has profoundly shaped Michael's approach to story work over their long friendship. This episode introduces the concept of narrative humility - the practice of remembering that no matter how good a story is (even your own) it doesn't tell the whole truth. Michael explores how our impulse to quickly moralize stories or force neat conclusions actually limits their transformative power. Through examples ranging from a retreat participant's mountain rescue story to the tragic tale of physician Ignaz Semmelweis, Michael demonstrates how our attachment to certain narratives can blind us to deeper truths and alternative perspectives. In this episode, he also discusses:How narrative humility differs from narrative intelligence, and why both are essential for transformative storytellingThe power of asking "what must the story be that would make this behavior

Episode SummaryTo unpack the incredible conversation with researcher Ben Rogers about his groundbreaking research on the hero's journey framework, Harris III rejoins Michael McRay. They explore how understanding our lives as unfolding stories, rather than just random events, has implications for reducing anxiety, increasing contentment, and building resilience. Michael and Harris examine about how Ben's research validates what they've long believed: that the stories we tell ourselves fundamentally shape our physiology, our choices, and our capacity for growth. In this episode, they also discuss:How redemptive versus contaminated narratives determine our capacity for leadership, meaningful relationships, and overall flourishingWhy narrative agency is always an option, even when life feels completely out of controlThe connection between cynicism and fearHow simple language shifts like adding "yet" to our self-talk can transform contaminated narratives into redemptive onesComing Up SoonSTORY 2025 - Oct. 9th and

Michael McRay sits down with Dr. Ben Rogers, a researcher at Boston College, to explore his groundbreaking research proving that people who view their lives through the hero's journey framework experience measurably greater meaning, resilience, and life satisfaction. They explore how growth mindset is really just a story we tell ourselves about our capacity to change. Dr. Rogers shares how his personal experiences shifted from finance to studying what makes life meaningful. Their conversation reveals how the narratives we tell ourselves about everything from workplace challenges to personal setbacks directly shape our well-being. In this episode, they also discuss:How people who naturally see their lives as hero's journeys score higher on meaning, resilience, and life satisfactionWhy growth mindset versus fixed mindset are competing narratives about human potentialThe seven research-backed elements of the hero's journey: protagonist, shift, quest, allies, challenge, transformation, and legacyHow a simple inte

What if the key to resilience isn't changing your circumstances, but changing how you see your story? Michael McRay takes listeners through the profound idea that you are a character in a story—and how you understand your role and arc might be one of the most important frames you ever adopt. Drawing on Joseph Campbell's hero's journey and upcoming research from Dr. Ben Rogers, Michael reveals how people who view their lives through mythic storytelling frameworks report greater meaning, resilience, and well-being. In this episode, he also discusses:How the hero's journey framework increases resilience and reduces anxiety when applied to personal lifeWhy challenges aren't signs you're off track—they're the exact terrain of transformationHow stepping outside familiar contexts allows us to recognize patterns we couldn't see beforeMichael's Restoried Roadmap: moving from now story through wound story and no story to new storyComing Up SoonNext Week's Episode: Dr. Ben Rogers on his hero's journey research and workp

Michael McRay welcomes back Harris III for a fascinating exploration of vulnerability, wonder, and influence. Harris shares a powerful story about performing a trick at a conference, then doing something radical—he simply stopped talking. The result? Thirty different people found thirty different meanings, each more profound than anything he could have prescribed. They explore Lisa Cron's framework for narrative influence and why you can't just give someone a transformation—you have to understand their starting point. In this episode, Michael and Harris also discuss:Why vulnerability feels dangerous to leaders and how it's actually the key to connectionThe neuroscience of wonder and how awe literally opens our minds to new possibilitiesLisa Cron's misbelief-truth-realization-transformation framework for influenceHow magic tricks prove we can be easily deceived and why that matters for storytellersComing Up SoonTenx9: June 30th in Nashville, TennesseeSTORY Conference 2025: October 9-10 in Nashville, Tennessee

What if everything you think you know about emotion and decision-making is backwards? Michael McRay sits down with Lisa Cron, the brilliant mind behind "Wired for Story" and "Story or Die," to unpack the revolutionary science showing that emotion isn't the enemy of logic—it's actually running the show. Lisa reveals how her fascination with story began in the most unlikely place: analyzing subway advertisements during her daily commute in New York, studying which ones made her want to buy versus which ones made her roll her eyes. This conversation demolishes the myth that we're rational beings who sometimes feel, exposing the truth that we're feeling beings who rationalize everything. Lisa explains why your brain treats every story like virtual reality and why vulnerability isn't just nice to have in storytelling—it's the neurological key that unlocks human connection. In this episode, they discuss:How emotion functions as the brain's decision-making system, not an obstacle to rational thoughtWhy vulnerability

Tune in as Michael McRay kicks off a new three-part series exploring the wiring of the human brain and why we fall for certain stories while resisting others. He dives into the concept that story isn't just something we tell—it's the invisible operating system running in the background of our entire lives, shaping what we believe, fear, and think is possible. Michael uses the famous 1938 "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast as a compelling example of how well-structured stories bypass rational filters and spark visceral responses because our nervous system doesn't distinguish between narrative and experience. In this episode, he discusses:How narrative functions as the invisible code shaping our decisions and beliefsWhy we hold onto beliefs that helped us cope but no longer help us growHow the body reacts to narrative as if it were real experienceWhy recognizing our stories is essential for human flourishing rather than just academic exerciseReflection PromptsWhat's a belief that you carry that might just be a

Harris III rejoins Michael to explore Selena Garefino's transformative insights about how our bodies store and process the stories of our lives, and why traditional approaches to healing often fall short. They dive deep into the intersection of story and body, exploring how the body functions as the unconscious mind, processing millions of bits of data while our conscious awareness handles a limited amount. The conversation weaves through powerful examples of experiential work, from toxic team dynamics shifting through play, or retreat participants reconnecting with childhood purpose through embodied timeline exercises. In this episode, they discuss:The body as unconscious mind, and understanding how our nervous system processes information beyond conscious awarenessWhy traditional talk therapy has limitations for trauma and transformationHow challenges become wisdom when we don't avoid the learningComing Up SoonLisa Cron, author of "Wired for Story"Experiential Narrative Practice Certification: June 20-22 (O

Michael McRay sits down with Selena Garefino, an internationally renowned yoga teacher, storyteller, and somatic coach. Selena weaves together yoga, mythology, anthropology, and coaching into a transformative practice that recognizes how stories live not just in our minds, but in our bodies. They explore how the subconscious mind receives story through sensation, how myth becomes a map for healing, and how returning to the body can help us re-author inherited meanings. Selena shares her profound wisdom about "never wasting a good crisis" and how good wine comes from stressed grapes. This spacious, grounded conversation reveals how embodied storytelling can be a pathway to healing trauma, navigating grief, and embracing our full dimensional humanity.Coming Up SoonNext Episode: Harris III returns to reflect on this conversation with Selena GarefinoExperiential Narrative Practice Certification Training: June 20-22 in Nashville, TennesseeSTORY 2025: October 9th and 10th 2025 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in

In this episode, Michael McRay introduces his upcoming conversation with Selena Garefino, a somatic storytelling practitioner who weaves yoga, storytelling, anthropology, and coaching into a transformative practice. As a prelude to their full interview, Michael shares the ancient Germanic tale of the Handless Maiden - a powerful story about loss, transformation, and rebirth. Through this myth, Michael explores how stories live not just in our minds but in our bodies, and how disconnecting from our bodies often means losing access to the very stories we need for healing. This episode serves as a beautiful introduction to Selena's philosophy that we don't just tell stories - we carry them, embody them, and move through them as they move through us.Coming Up SoonJoin next week for Michael's conversation with Selena Garefino STORY 2025: October 9th and 10th 2025 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TennesseeApplied Narrative Intelligence: Istoria's certification program Later this season: Lisa Cron,

Michael McRay welcomes back Harris III to discuss key insights from the conversation with Annette Simmons. Together, they explore the critical distinctions between influence and manipulation in storytelling, the importance of transparency and informed consent, and how confidence plays a role in effective leadership narratives. Harris shares wisdom from his background in magic and illusion, drawing parallels between ethical performance and ethical storytelling. The conversation delves into why allowing ourselves to be known is fundamental to building trust, and how leaders can share personal stories without oversharing. Coming Up SoonSTORY 2025: October 9th and 10th 2025 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TennesseeApplied Narrative Intelligence: Istoria's certification program On the podcast: Selena Garefino, a Somatic Storytelling Practitioner from Italy, who believes in "never wasting a good crisis."Contact InformationWebsite: istoria.comInstagram: @istoria_studioEmail: wonder@istoria.comTags:

Join the first interview of season 8, as Michael McRay sits down with Annette Simmons, author of the storytelling classic "The Story Factor" and several other influential books. Their conversation explores storytelling not as performance or persuasion, but as ethical leadership, presence, and the courage to hold complexity. Annette shares her journey into story work, explains her concept of the "six stories every leader needs to know how to tell," and discusses the difference between influence and exploitation. With decades of experience consulting for organizations including the US military and Fortune 500 companies, Annette offers profound wisdom about empathy as a superpower and how storytelling can be both "gold and lead, depending on how you use it."Coming Up SoonNext week, Harris will join Michael to reflect on this conversation with Annette Simmons, discussing practical applications of ethical storytelling and the importance of narrative intelligence in leadership.STORY 2025: October 9th and 10th 2025

Episode SummaryFor the season opener, Michael McRay steps into the host role and takes listeners on a personal journey through his path to narrative work. From his early storytelling for empathy building, through a successful yet unsatisfying corporate consulting career, to the pivotal TEDx talk that changed his direction, Michael shares how he discovered his true calling in helping people reconcile with their life stories. He details the creation of Becoming Restoried, and his eventual partnership with Harris to launch the Istoria Institute. With vulnerability and insight, Michael weaves his own narrative while introducing the foundation for the season: story is not just how we explain the world - story is the world.Coming Up SoonUpcoming Guests: Annette Simmons (author of "The Story Factor"), Lisa Cron (author of "Wired for Story" and "Story or Die") and Pádraig Ó Tuama (host of "Poetry Unbound" podcast)STORY 2025: October 9th and 10th 2025 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TennesseeApplied

Episode SummaryWelcome to Season 8 of the storyOS podcast! In this season opener, Harris introduces Michael McRay as the new host of the podcast. Michael, who now heads the Istoria Institute, sits down with Harris to discuss the exciting vision for this season, which includes the new three-part episode format and an exciting lineup of future guests. As a seasoned storyteller with experience in coaching and facilitation, Michael brings a unique perspective to the storyOS podcast. He's excited to build on the foundation Harris has created while introducing listeners to new perspectives on narrative intelligence.Coming Up SoonUpcoming Guests: Lisa Cron (author of "Wired for Story" and "Story or Die"), Annette Simmons (author of "The Story Factor"), and Pádraig Ó Tuama (host of "Poetry Unbound" podcast)STORY 2025: October 9th and 10th 2025 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TennesseeApplied Narrative Intelligence: Istoria's certification programContact InformationWebsite: istoria.comInstagram: @ist

In this exciting season finale, Harris welcomes back Michael McRay to announce a groundbreaking initiative: the creation of the Istoria Institute, a global center for narrative intelligence. Learn how this new venture aims to transform the way we understand and apply storytelling through the world's first certification program in narrative intelligence, and discover how you can be part of this revolutionary movement. You'll learn:What narrative intelligence is and how it differs from traditional storytelling approachesDetails about the three-level certification pathway in Applied Narrative Intelligence (including specializations in leadership, social change, and personal transformation)How the storyOS methodology is being developed into practical applications for sales, leadership, and organizational changeWays to join the growing global community of narrative practitioners through upcoming initiativesWhether you are a leader, coach, therapist, or someone passionate about the power of story, this episode offe

In this final conversation with Jason Locy and Harris III, we'll explore how organizational storytelling differs from traditional storytelling and learn practical approaches for creating emotional ownership in your work. Tune in as we discover why most people don't naturally care about your organization and how to craft stories that genuinely resonate and support your larger narrative. You'll learn:Why organizational stories require different approaches than campfire tales or moviesHow to build narrative support systems through conversations, experiences, and contentPractical strategies for creating emotional resonance and differentiating your workThe importance of matching your story's ask with the appropriate stage of relationshipThis episode offers valuable insights into crafting stories that go beyond basic storytelling to create genuine connection and lasting impact in your work, whether you're an entrepreneur, in leadership, or a creative professional. LINKS:Jason LocyIstoria Collective 

This second installment with Jason Locy, author of "Culture Bending Narratives," brings us into the practical frameworks for building organizational narratives that drive meaningful change. Discover how to move beyond surface-level storytelling to create deeper narratives that align with your organization's purpose and values. You'll learn:How to use the Four Norms Framework (desires, mindsets, behaviors, and language) to evaluate and build your narrativeUnderstanding the three key strands that make up a powerful narrative: cultural, personal, and aspirationalWhy tension between these narrative elements is necessary and how to harness it productivelyPractical approaches to strategic planning that remain flexible in our rapidly changing worldWhether you're leading a large organization or building your personal brand, this episode provides concrete tools for crafting narratives that authentically reflect your values and drive positive change in the world.LINKS:Jason LocyIstoria Collective