#23 Chris Hare: Rewrite the Story Before It Wrecks You

In Part 2 of his three-part series, narrative strategist Chris Hare shares the stories he used to survive. From a near-suicidal season while working at Amazon to a healing moment years later in a record store, this episode unpacks how internal stories—if left unchecked—can become prisons. But when named, challenged, and re-authored, they can also become paths to freedom. For Gen Xers who’ve spent decades carrying stories they didn’t choose, this is a masterclass in taking your story back—and choosing what to build next.>>When the Narrative Turns Against You“I repeated ‘I’m stuck’ like a mantra—for hours, every week.”Chris reveals how one toxic narrative nearly ended his life, and how a shift in story—triggered by a tragic moment—gave him just enough room to survive.>>From Mental Health Crisis to Narrative Recovery“I believed I was going to die. That became my story.”He shares his journey through depression, chronic pain, and burnout—and the slow, uncomfortable work of rewriting that internal tape.>>The Most Powerful Story He Ever Felt“It started with my boss’s tattoo and ended with Eddie Vedder hugging me in a record store.”Chris tells the full-circle story of how a Pearl Jam song became the turning point in his healing—and why storytelling doesn’t just change businesses, it changes people.>>Storytelling Is a Risk—and a Return“Most of us tell curated stories. The raw ones? That’s where the power is.”He makes a case for telling the stories that aren’t polished. Because those are the stories that truly shift our futures—and invite others to shift with us.>>From Blame to Responsibility“I had to stop blaming everyone else for my unhappiness.”Chris opens up about how his marriage nearly ended, and how rewriting his personal narrative—through new inputs and radical honesty—brought him back.__________________________Connect with Chris Hare