OTS 338: Being Bold Enough - Kelly Swanson

Today’s guest believes you can master the art of connection and engagement through the power of strategic storytelling. She is an award-winning storyteller, comedian, and motivational speaker. Her wacky wit and powerful stories have charmed hearts and tickled funny bones for nearly two decades. She was a featured entertainer for Holland America Cruise Lines, keynote speaker for the International Toastmasters Convention, and has keynoted numerous major conferences and corporate events. In 2022, she was inducted into the National Speakers Association Speaker Hall of Fame. She is the host of Prides Hollow Podcast and has written several books, including “Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale,” “The Land of If Only,” “The Story Formula,” and “The Gutsy Girls Pocket Guide to Public Speaking.” Her one-woman show Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale is being booked all over the U.S.  Please join me in welcoming Kelly Swanson.  In this week's On the Schmooze episode, unlock the power of storytelling and learn how to create deep connections and influence through the art of strategic storytelling with award-winning storyteller and comedian Kelly Swanson. In this episode, we discuss the following: Kelly believes that leadership is not limited to a specific position but can be anyone with moments of influence. This perspective highlights that anyone can make a positive impact through their actions and words. The healing power of storytelling: Kelly initially wrote and shared her stories without realizing their profound impact on healing and creating emotional connections with others. Her personal experiences and wacky wit helped her forge deep connections with her audience. Her childhood experience of being bullied led her to seek solace in books and stories. This early connection with storytelling significantly shaped her career as a storyteller, comedian, and motivational speaker. Kelly discovered her passion for storytelling while attending a writing class in college. This discovery led her to visit different schools to share stories with children. Joining the National Speakers Association (NSA) and building a network of speakers further propelled her career and opened doors for new opportunities. Join the laughter-filled journey with Kelly Swanson and learn how to "story" your way to success because when it comes to connection and engagement, she's got the perfect "plot" twist for you! On the Schmooze is a podcast that features interviews with talented professionals who have overcome challenges to achieve success. I ask probing questions, and guests share untold stories about their leadership journey and how they built and sustained their professional network. Links Kelly Swanson on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. https://motivationalspeakerkellyswanson.com www.storyimpactnetwork.com  Prides Hollow Podcast Books mentioned in this episode: “Affirmation Journal for Positive Thinking: Prompts and Inspiration to Help You Harness Peace and Joy” by Kelly Swanson  “Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale?” by Kelly Swanson  “Small Town America: Stories From the Bank” by Kelly Swanson  “Story-Libs: Templates For Crafting Strategic Stories in Business” by Kelly Swanson  And more ... Other Resources Learn more about Jeannie Robertson. Subscribing (or following) and leaving a rating and review wherever you are listening helps this podcast be discovered.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices