PODCAST · arts
storyOS
by Istoria
Stories are powerful, and narrative drives all human behavior. But how do we as leaders, creators, entrepreneurs, or just humans searching for meaning leverage that power for good? The storyOS Podcast dives deep into that question, so you can increase your narrative intelligence, grow your influence, live with purpose, and build a better future for yourself and the world you live in.
Episodes
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S08 E30: STORY 2025 Highlights, Favorite Moments & Season Finale
In this season finale, Harris, Kate and Michael reflect on STORY 2025, and the transformative experience of storytelling events, emphasizing the importance of environment and creativity in engaging audiences. The discussion highlights how changes in format and atmosphere can lead to moments of…
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S08 E29: The Power of Leading an Intentional Family Story
In this episode of the Story OS Podcast, hosts Michael McRay and Harris III discuss the importance of leadership within the family unit, emphasizing the need for intentionality and proactive engagement. They explore how family dynamics can mirror organizational leadership, the role of children in...
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S08 E28: Living Room Leadership with Brittany and Geoff Anderson
Tune in this week as Michael McRay welcomes Brittany and Geoff Anderson, co-authors of brand new book Living Room Leadership and founders of Renala, for a conversation about why world-changing leadership begins at home. The Andersons share their powerful story of a marriage that nearly ended in...
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S08 E27: World-Changing Leadership Begins at Home
In this week's episode, Michael McRay sets the table for next week's conversation with Brittany and Geoff Anderson, authors of Living Room Leadership. After his divorce, Michael crafted a framed set of commitments that define how he and his son show up together. This episode explores the radical...
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S08 E26: The Wild Way
Michael McRay welcomes listeners into a different kind of episode - a celebration of his fifth book, The Wild Way: Navigating the Space Between the Old Story and the New, releasing today. Tune in for an intimate invitation into the heart of a project years in the making, born from more than a...
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S08 E25: The Sacredness of Story
This week, Michael McRay and Harris III gather for a raw, timely conversation about what it means to treat story as sacred in a world that has reduced it to formulas and frameworks. Reflecting on last week's interview with Kaitlin Curtice and her new book Everything is a Story, they explore why...
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S08 E24: Everything is a Story with Kaitlin Curtice
This week, Michael McRay welcomes award-winning author and poet Kaitlin Curtice to celebrate the launch of her new book, Everything is a Story. Curtice, an enrolled citizen of the Potawatomi Nation, explores how narrative drives all human behavior and shapes our identities, beliefs, and...
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S08 E23: Stories That Root, Stories That Release
Michael McRay prepares listeners for his upcoming conversation with Kaitlin Curtice, award-winning author and Potawatomi Nation citizen, whose new book Everything is a Story explores how stories root in our bodies, beliefs, and behaviors. Michael reflects on Kaitlin's framework of stories as...
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S08 E22: The Narrative of Emotions
Tune in as Michael McRay and Harris III explore the complex relationship between emotions and storytelling, diving into whether we're primarily emotional beings who tell stories, or story beings who experience emotions. Harris shares how his childhood survival mechanism of entertaining others to...
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S08 E21: The Intelligent Messengers Within with Karla McLaren (pt. 2)
Join Michael McRay as he continues his conversation with emotional researcher Karla McLaren, diving deeper into how emotions serve as guides rather than problems to solve. Karla explains that when emotions feel overwhelming, it's often about our lack of skills to work with them rather than the...
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S08 E20: Purpose Behind Every Emotion with Karla McLaren (pt. 1)
Michael McRay welcomes Karla McLaren, award-winning author and emotional researcher whose work has fundamentally reshaped how many understand inner life and emotional intelligence. Karla shares how her journey into emotions began not as academic pursuit but as survival. When severe childhood…
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S08 E19: The Internal Navigation of Storytelling
In preparation for his upcoming two-part conversation with emotional researcher and author Karla McLaren, Michael McRay explores why emotions are the fundamental architecture of all storytelling. Drawing from his work with David Hutchins in the Storytelling Leader program, Michael addresses the...
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S08 E18: Failure as Your Origin Story
In today's episode, Michael McRay and Harris III dive deep into how we define success and failure, exploring whether our culture's focus on mental health has inadvertently reduced our resilience. Their conversation examines the pendulum swing from necessary trauma awareness to potentially...
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S08 E17: Stepping Into Your Own Story with Jordan Geary
This week, Michael McRay sits down with Jordan Geary, Emmy Award-winning creative producer and executive at Sesame Workshop who has spent over 20 years crafting stories for children and families through beloved shows like Sesame Street's Mecha Builders, Ghostwriter, and Helpsters. After ten years...
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S08 E16: Becoming Better Stories
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...
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S08 E15: The Currency of Human Connection
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...
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S08 E14: Stories For the Sake of Stories with Pádraig Ó Tuama
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...
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S08 E13: The Practice of Narrative Humility
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...
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S08 E12: Agency Is Always an Option
To 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…
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S08 E11: The Hero's Journey with Dr. Ben Rogers
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…
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S08 E10: The Character You're Becoming
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....
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S08 E09: The Space Between Stories
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...
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S08 E08: The Neuroscience of Story with Lisa Cron
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...
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S08 E07: Story is Your OS
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...
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S08 E06: Never Waste a Good Crisis
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...
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S08 E05: The Body Keeps the Story With Selena Garefino
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...
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S08 E04: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Transformation
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...
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S08 E03: The Motive Behind the Story
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...
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S08 E02: The Portal to Wisdom with Annette Simmons
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...
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S08 E01: A New Chapter for storyOS
Meet Michael McRay as he 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,...
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Welcome to Season 8 of storyOS
Welcome 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…
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The Future of storyOS: Building a Global Movement for Narrative Intelligence
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...
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Beyond Basic Stories: Jason Locy on Creating Emotional Ownership Through Narrative
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...
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Building Powerful Narratives: The Four Norms Framework with Jason Locy
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...
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The Power of Narrative: Jason Locy on Moving Past Stories to Create Meaningful Change
In this illuminating conversation, host Harris III sits down with Jason Locy, founder of Five Stone agency and author of "Culture Bending Narratives," to explore the crucial distinction between storytelling and narrative in business and culture. Together, they unpack how organizations can move...
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Embracing Your Inner Two-Year-Old: Writing with Wonder and Influence
Join host Harris and Sarah Selecky, founder of Sarah Selecky Writing School, as they explore how embracing childlike curiosity and creative influences can transform your writing practice. In this final installment of their four-part series, Sarah shares profound insights about reconnecting with...
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Beyond the Scroll: How White Space Changes Your Story and Your Life
Writer and teacher Sarah Selecky explores the vital role of white space in creativity and life in this illuminating episode. Drawing from her experience as a Gen X creator straddling pre and post-social media worlds, she shares how intentional spaces away from digital noise can transform both our...
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Embracing Influence and Wonder: Sarah Selecky on Creative Curiosity
In this illuminating conversation with Sarah Selecky, dive into the transformative power of embracing both childlike wonder and conscious influence in your creative work. Through a heartwarming story about a two-year-old's visit to her home, Sarah reveals how returning to a state of pure…
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Writing as Transformation: Sarah Selecky on Story, Magic, and Creative Flow
Tune in to hear an intimate conversation with Sarah Selecky about the transformative power of writing and storytelling as host Harris III sits down with Selecky to explore why some stories feel transactional while others touch our souls. In this episode, you'll learn: How to recognize when a…
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Authenticity, Influence, and Purpose: Storytelling's Evolution in the Digital Era" Copy
In this final episode with the Istoria team, you'll explore the evolution of storytelling in our digital age, focusing on its role in social media and brand communication. There is a shift from wanting curated, polished content to authenticity in social media - but this brings the challenge of...
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Stories Everywhere: Exploring the Broad Applicability of Narrative
Join Harris and two members from the Istoria team, Angie Kline and Ben Stewart, as they continue to unpack the reasons behind storytelling's buzzword status and its enduring application in our digital age. In this engaging discussion, you'll explore: The unexpected ways storytelling manifests in...
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Beyond the Buzzword: The Power of Storytelling
In this episode, join Harris III and Istoria team members Ben Stewart and Angie Kline as they dive deep into the world of storytelling in business, and how the team applies it to the work they do on a daily basis. The team talks about why storytelling has become a buzzword and whether it's still...
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Creative Leadership Reimagined: Lessons from Samantha and Aaron Edwards
In this inspiring episode, you'll get a unique glimpse into the world of creative leadership through the eyes of siblings Samantha and Aaron Edwards, co-founders of the Charles Group. You'll learn: The challenges and benefits of combining family dynamics with professional leadership Strategies…
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The Art of Accountability: Redefining Leadership for Personal and Professional Growth with Shane McKenzie
In this final interview, Shane McKenzie dives deep into the often misunderstood concept of accountability in leadership. Both seasoned leaders or those simply interested in personal development will benefit from this episode. Listen as Harris III and Shane bring fresh perspective on leadership…
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Curiosity Over Judgment: Shane McKenzie's Framework for Effective Leadership
In this episode, Harris III and executive coach Shane McKenzie dive deeper into the critical role of communication in leadership. 70% of conversations are characterized by misunderstanding and misconception; Shane talks about practical strategies for providing clear expectations and direction....
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Beyond Micromanagement: Shane McKenzie's Approach to Empowering Teams
In this insightful episode, join Harris III and executive coach Shane McKenzie as they dive deep into the challenges of leadership and team development. Shane drives home the point of why people are the solution, not the problem, in any organization. You'll learn more about: The crucial…
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The Human Side of Leadership: Sacrifice, Stories, and Success with Shane McKenzie
In this candid and insightful episode, you'll hear from executive coach Shane McKenzie as he shares his personal journey and hard-earned wisdom about leadership. You'll learn: Why leadership is often misunderstood and how to reframe your perspective on it The sacrifices required for effective...
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People Are Not the Problem: Shane McKenzie on Leadership and Accountability
In this thought-provoking episode, you'll hear from executive coach Shane McKenzie as he challenges common perceptions about leadership and accountability. Shane presents a fresh perspective on handling team dynamics, particularly when people fail to meet expectations. Shane helps us reframe...
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Don't Bring Sand to the Beach: Ken Black's Insights on Distinctive Leadership
Ken Black is the former VP of Design Future at Nike and a creative powerhouse in the world of sports and design. In this inspiring episode, Ken shares his wealth of experience and insights on leadership, creativity, and standing out in a crowded field. You'll learn the importance of having a…
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Reimagining Leadership: Michelle Hord on Creativity and Finding Common Ground
In this powerful second part of our series with Michelle Hord, you'll dive deeper into her extraordinary journey of resilience and leadership. Listen as Michelle shares intimate details about overcoming personal tragedy and transforming her pain into purpose. This conversation brings insight on:...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Stories are powerful, and narrative drives all human behavior. But how do we as leaders, creators, entrepreneurs, or just humans searching for meaning leverage that power for good? The storyOS Podcast dives deep into that question, so you can increase your narrative intelligence, grow your influence, live with purpose, and build a better future for yourself and the world you live in.
HOSTED BY
Istoria
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does storyOS have?
storyOS currently has 214 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is storyOS about?
Stories are powerful, and narrative drives all human behavior. But how do we as leaders, creators, entrepreneurs, or just humans searching for meaning leverage that power for good? The storyOS Podcast dives deep into that question, so you can increase your narrative intelligence, grow your...
How often does storyOS release new episodes?
storyOS publishes regularly with 214 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to storyOS?
You can listen to storyOS on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts storyOS?
storyOS is created and hosted by Istoria.
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