Telling My Story
Telling My Story is a podcast that explores real journeys of business growth, career development, entrepreneurship, leadership and personal transformation. Through authentic conversations and powerful life experiences, each episode shares lessons, challenges, and breakthroughs designed to inspire, empower, and help listeners grow with purpose and confidence.
Getting Out of Your Own Way: Ilene Marcus on Managing Annoying People, Self-Awareness, and Personal Transformation
Why do certain people get under our skin, and how often do our own reactions make difficult situations worse?
In this episode of Telling My Story, Ilene Marcus joins us to explore the art of managing annoying people, understanding our emotional reactions, and breaking patterns that prevent us from becoming our best selves.
With over 25 years of leadership experience, two master's degrees from Columbia University, and experience managing more than 10,000 employees, Ilene brings a wealth of practical knowledge to the conversation. She is the author of Managing Annoying People...
Making Mental Health Support Accessible: Stephanie McAlister on Therapy, Trauma, and Building a Virtual Counselling Business
What does it really mean to seek help, and how can we make mental health support more accessible?
In this episode of Telling My Story, we speak with Stephanie McAlister, counsellor, researcher, and founder of Virtual Connect Counselling Clinic. Stephanie shares her journey into counselling and the inspiration behind building a virtual practice that connects Canadians with professional mental health support.
Free 7-Day Mental Health Toolkit:
https://mailchi.mp/virtualconnect.ca/iebdnb2yor
To connect with Stephanie Mcalister visit:
https://virtualconnect.ca
<...Why You Can't Switch Off: Liz Coleman on Anxiety, Overthinking, and Self-Trust
What happens when you build a life that looks successful to everyone else, yet still struggle to find peace within yourself?
On this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu welcomes Liz Coleman, a certified transformational life coach, psychology graduate, and creator of the MindLife Reset™.
After experiencing the pressures of corporate life, relationship challenges, and health struggles, Liz searched for answers through therapy, medicine, and wellness approaches. Her experiences inspired her to develop a whole-person approach to personal growth.
Liz shares why high ac...
How Do You Build a Career When AI Keeps Changing the Work? | David Lengyel, Venture Up
How can young professionals prepare for work that keeps evolving? David Lengyel of Venture Up joins Henry to explore the difference between using AI to bypass learning and using it to become a stronger learner. They discuss developing subject knowledge, asking better questions, checking results, and turning information into useful action. Drawing on Venture Up’s experience in professional and team development, David connects career readiness with curiosity, judgment, and adaptability—challenges relevant to emerging professionals in Nashville, Raleigh, Pittsburgh, PA, and beyond.
Connect with David Lengyel:
Email: [email protected]
David’s Linked...
Living With Every Memory: Frank Healy on Healing the Past, Managing Stress, and Finding Happiness
What would it be like to remember almost every day of your life since childhood, including the emotions attached to those memories?
On this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu welcomes Frank Healy, a Licensed Professional Counselor, life coach, and author with hyperthymesia, a rare condition that gives him an extraordinary autobiographical memory.
Frank shares how his experiences inspired him to study psychology and help others navigate difficult memories, emotional challenges, and stress. He also discusses his books on healing the past, finding happiness, and pursuing success without...
When the Past Stops Holding the Pen: Anne Topenot on Authentic Communication, Trauma, and Finding Your Voice
What happens when we stop hiding our wounds and start speaking from a place of authenticity?
In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu sits down with Anne Topenot, a French-born, US-trained TEDx speaker, European improvised speaking champion, and creator of the Flow Method.
Anne shares her powerful journey from growing up in an environment where painful things were left unspoken to discovering how authentic communication can become a pathway to freedom, healing, leadership, and personal transformation.
To connect with Anne Topenot visit:<...
When Leaders Struggle: Stephen Moss on Career Setbacks, Mentorship, and Finding Your Way Forward
What happens when a career that looks successful from the outside takes an unexpected turn? And how do you find a new sense of purpose when your professional identity no longer fits?
On this episode of Telling My Story, host Henry Chiwetelu welcomes Stephen Moss, founder and president of Executive Springboard, an organization that helps leaders navigate pivotal career moments through mentorship from experienced corporate executives.
Stephen’s journey includes serving as a Chief Marketing Officer four times. But his fourth experience lasted only 18 months and left him questioning wh...
Stop Waiting to Be Chosen: Elizabeth Suarez on Career Growth, Negotiation, and Finding Your Voice
What happens when you're talented, hardworking, and consistently delivering results but the opportunities you deserve keep going to someone else?
In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu sits down with Elizabeth Suárez, an executive coach, leadership strategist, international keynote speaker, and bestselling author who has spent more than 25 years helping professional women negotiate for the careers, opportunities, and influence they deserve.
With an impressive background spanning Fortune 100 companies, including Johnson & Johnson, PepsiCo International, and AT&T, Elizabeth understands what it takes to succeed in demanding professional e...
Rebuilding Life After Losing Everything: Steve Gamlin on Purpose, Gratitude, Love, and Healing Through Grief
What happens when the life you built suddenly falls apart? And how do you find the courage to start again?
In this episode of Telling My Story, host Henry Chiwetelu sits down with Steve Gamlin, also known as The Motivational Firewood® Guy and The Vision Board Guy, to explore a remarkable journey of setbacks, reinvention, love, purpose, and personal growth.
At 35, Steve experienced the collapse of several important parts of his life, including his radio career, first marriage, and financial stability. But instead of allowing that chapter to define h...
Culture Is a Verb: Jill Delgado on Human Behavior and Organizational Change
What if the biggest obstacle to organizational transformation isn't the strategy, technology, or resources, but the people?
In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu sits down with Jill Delgado, a Human Systems Architect, Executive Advisor, mindset author, and global transformational practice leader with more than 20 years of experience helping organizations navigate complex change.
Jill shares the story behind her realization that organizations often try to teach adults adaptability, empathy, innovation, and resilience when these behaviors could be developed much earlier in life.
...
What Color Is Your Brain? Sheila Glazov on Personality, Communication, and Building Better Relationships
Why do some people seem easy to understand while others feel impossible to communicate with?
In this episode of Telling My Story, I sit down with Sheila Glazov, bestselling author, personality expert, professional speaker, educator, and coach, to explore the fascinating differences in how people think, communicate, solve problems, and build relationships.
Sheila is the creator of the "What Color Is Your Brain?" methodology, a simple and memorable framework designed to help people understand their own personality and recognize what makes others tick.
We...
When Stories Become Medicine: Dr. Danice Rinderknecht on Teen Mental Health, Healing, and Finding Your Inner Strength
What happens when a family physician takes everything she has learned from more than 30 years of caring for people and turns it into a story designed to help young people navigate some of life's hardest challenges?
In this episode of Telling My Story, I sit down with Dr. Danice Rinderknecht, a board-certified family medicine physician, author, and mental health advocate, to explore the growing challenges facing teenagers today—including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and the difficulty many young people have finding the words to express what they are going through.
Dr...
Coming Home to Yourself: Theresa Gale on Self-Forgetting, Self-Remembering, and the Inner Work of Leadership
What happens when you spend years taking care of everything and everyone around you, only to realize you've quietly lost touch with yourself?
In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu sits down with Theresa Gale, an executive coach, certified Enneagram trainer, and author of The Inner Work of Love and Action.
For more than 30 years, Theresa has worked with leaders, teams, and individuals, helping them explore the gap between the life they're living and the life they sense is possible.
Theresa shares...
Leading Through Chaos: Pat Welsh on Faith, Resilience, and the Warrior Servant Leader Mindset
What does it really mean to lead with courage, serve others with compassion, and remain grounded in faith during difficult times?
In this episode of Telling My Story, we sit down with Pat Welsh, an author, speaker, trainer, and consultant who teaches the Warrior, Servant, Leader mindset.
Pat’s life story began in an orphanage in Dublin, Ireland, where he was left as a newborn before being adopted by an American family. His journey eventually led to a remarkable career in law enforcement, including more than 25 years of service wi...
Speak, Connect, Succeed: Aletta Rochat on Executive Presence, Confidence, and Career Growth
Why do some highly capable professionals work hard, deliver great results, and still get overlooked for promotions and leadership opportunities?
In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu sits down with Aletta Rochat, an Executive Presence Coach, global speaker, author, and Past International President of Toastmasters International.
Aletta shares practical insights on executive presence, confidence, communication, visibility, and influence in the workplace. We explore why talented professionals sometimes struggle to communicate their strengths, how subtle communication habits can affect credibility, and what it takes to be seen as...
Healing Without a Rulebook: Kerisma Vere on Healing, Self-Trust, and Creating Lasting Change.
What if lasting change isn't about trying harder, pushing yourself further, or finding the perfect self-help formula?
In this episode of Telling My Story, we sit down with Kerisma Vere, a holistic wellness coach and author whose work focuses on healing, recovery, self-trust, nervous system regulation, and quality of life.
Drawing from her lived experience with trauma, adversity, addiction, and recovery, Kerisma shares what she learned about the approaches that can help—and those that may unintentionally create more pressure. Her work challenges the all-or-nothing approach to personal development an...
Un-Conditioning the Mind: Arnold Beekes on Brain Fitness, Mental Wellness, and Becoming a Better Leader
What if your brain could be trained just like your body?
In this episode of Telling My Story, we sit down with Arnold Beekes, the creator of Brain Fitness and Brain Athletes, to explore the importance of brain health, emotional intelligence, mental wellness, and personal transformation.
After spending decades working in technology, organizational leadership, psychology, and personal development, Arnold has dedicated himself to helping people develop clearer thinking, emotional stability, stronger relationships, and better performance under pressure.
Arnold explains what brain fitness really means...
Rewire, Untangle, Lead: Dr. Marcia Ruben on the Neuroscience of Leadership and Untangling Your Mind
Why do intelligent, capable leaders sometimes struggle to make clear decisions, communicate effectively, or respond calmly under pressure?
In this episode of Telling My Story, we sit down with Dr. Marcia Ruben, also known as The Untangle Doctor. Marcia is an executive coach, organizational consultant, and graduate leadership professor emerita with more than three decades of experience helping leaders navigate complexity and lead with clarity.
As the author of The Neuroscience of Leadership: Rewire. Untangle. Lead., Marcia translates brain science into practical tools that help leaders understand the hidden...
The Borderless Self: Yoli Chisholm on Building a Life Beyond Borders
What happens when moving to another country becomes the key to career growth, personal freedom, and financial independence?
In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu sits down with Yoli Chisholm, an award-winning executive, TEDx speaker, author, and editor-in-chief of Borderlessself.com.
Yoli shares her inspiring journey from being a refugee born in Zambia to building a successful global career across five countries and three continents. Drawing from her experience at companies such as Microsoft, eBay, and Sprinklr, she explores how international relocation can shape careers, expand opportunities...
Raising Emotionally Healthy Boys: Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst on Fathers, Sons, Relationships, and Emotional Connection
What happens when boys grow up learning to hide, suppress, or disconnect from their emotions?
In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu speaks with Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, a psychologist, writer, advisor, and mentor with more than 50 years of experience working with children, adults, couples, and families.
Gloria's work has focused particularly on the emotional development of boys and men and the ways cultural expectations can influence how males understand emotions, vulnerability, relationships, and intimacy.
We explore the relationship between fathers and sons...
It’s Always Too Soon to Quit: Jay Setchell on Resilience, Faith, Purpose, and the Strength Within
What keeps us going when life gives us every reason to stop?
In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu speaks with Jay Setchell, an entrepreneur, former Marine, leader, and resilient survivor whose life has been shaped by challenges, setbacks, faith, and an unwavering commitment to keep moving forward.
Jay has experienced multiple life-threatening situations, major obstacles, surgeries, business challenges, and personal setbacks. Yet his philosophy remains simple:
“It’s always too soon to quit.”
In this conversation, Jay shares the experiences that shaped his mindset, the role f...
Finding Your Voice: Bradley Gabbert on Childhood Trauma, People-Pleasing, and Healing Later in Life
What happens when the behaviors that once helped us feel safe begin to control our lives?
In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu speaks with Bradley L. Gabbert, author of The Agreeable Child: A Yogic Journey from Tragedy to Triumph.
Bradley's story begins at just two years old, when he was struck by a car and spent two weeks in a coma. He survived the accident, relearned how to walk and speak, and eventually built what appeared to be a normal and successful life.
<...
Closing the Open Loops: Robin Quinn Keehn on Boundaries, Self-Trust, and Difficult Conversations
What if the unfinished conversations, broken promises, and boundaries you keep avoiding are quietly draining your time, energy, and peace?
In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu speaks with Robin Quinn Keehn, a Human Dynamics Specialist, Certified Mediator, and author of Stop Stealing From Yourself.
Robin introduces the concept of “Open Loops”—the unresolved commitments, difficult conversations, unspoken feelings, and boundaries we avoid but continue to carry.
Drawing from her personal experiences, including the end of a 28-year marriage and the lessons she le...
Losing and Finding My Faith Again: Jeff Dalton’s Story of Healing and Hope
What happens when the place where you expected to find acceptance becomes the place where you experience rejection?
In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu sits down with Jeff Dalton, an author, poet, and speaker whose journey through faith, church hurt, rejection, mental health struggles, and losing and rediscovering his faith has shaped a powerful message of authenticity and healing.
Jeff shares how his relationship with Jesus began during a difficult period in high school, how poetry became a way to express emotions he couldn't always put...
Don’t Just Build a Business, Build a Life: Lady Jen Du Plessis on Leadership, Scaling, and Living Your Legacy
What happens when the success you worked so hard to build begins to consume the very life you wanted it to create?
In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu sits down with Lady Jen Du Plessis, the Business Scaling Architect and Sovereign Leadership Mentor, for a powerful conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, relationships, and the journey behind success.
With more than 40 years of experience across finance, mortgage lending, entrepreneurship, consulting, and business ownership—and more than $400 million in revenue generated across multiple businesses—Lady Jen shares the...
From Heart Failure to a Second Chance at Life: Gaylen Wilson on Surviving Addiction, Heart Failure, and Starting Again
What would you do if you were told you only had a few months to live?
Gaylen Wilson is a heart transplant survivor, 20-year sober former alcoholic, relationship coach, author, and advocate for men and couples navigating intimacy, erectile dysfunction, mental health, and emotional connection.
His life has been defined by reinvention. From farm failure and career setbacks to alcoholism, sobriety, financial uncertainty, and eventually end-stage heart failure, Gaylen has repeatedly been forced to rebuild his life.
In 2018, after telling his wife Heather that...
Removing the Mask: Jay Stefanson on Purpose, Mindset, and Finding Your True Self
What happens when the words you heard as a child—“You’re not enough”—follow you into adulthood?
In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu sits down with Jay Stefanson, best-selling author, motivational coach, spiritual teacher, and international podcast host, for a powerful conversation about self-worth, purpose, authenticity, and personal transformation.
Jay shares how childhood messages shaped his beliefs, how a serious stroke scare became a turning point in his life, and what it took to stop allowing past experiences to define his future.
We ex...
Restored by the Storm: Bill Derrick on Resilience, Faith, Leadership, and Life’s Unexpected Challenges
What happens when the storms of life arrive one after another?
In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu sits down with Bill Derrick, a business leader, author, and public speaker with more than 50 years of experience in the construction industry.
Bill shares the powerful story behind his book, Restored by the Storm, and the unexpected challenges that transformed his understanding of leadership, resilience, faith, and gratitude.
After helping lead his family business through the devastating 2008 recession, Bill and his family faced another...
The Hidden Side of Retirement: Cheryl Fimbel on Identity, Purpose, and Starting a New Chapter
Retirement is often presented as the reward for a successful career, but what happens when the career ends and you suddenly realize you are not emotionally prepared for what comes next?
In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu sits down with Cheryl Fimbel, a 45-year healthcare leadership veteran and author of The Hidden Side of Retirement, to explore the emotional and psychological side of retirement that financial planning often overlooks.
Cheryl shares her deeply personal experience of being unexpectedly forced into retirement just one year before her...
Lead Last: Olaolu Ogunyemi on Servant Leadership, Fatherhood, Resilience, and Raising the Next Generation
What if the most powerful form of leadership isn't about being first but about choosing to Lead Last?
In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu sits down with Olaolu Ogunyemi, a U.S. Marine Officer, award-winning author, leadership mentor, and passionate advocate for intentional fatherhood and the next generation.
Olaolu brings a unique perspective shaped by military leadership, fatherhood, coaching, and personal adversity. His mission is to help people move beyond superficial influence and build leadership rooted in service, trust, empathy, discipline, and purpose.
<...
Beyond Fiction: Cody Sisco on Neurodivergence, Technology, and Resilience
What happens when speculative fiction becomes a mirror for the world we live in?
In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu sits down with Cody Sisco, a cyberpunk author, editor, publisher, and literary culture producer whose work explores queer identity, neurodivergence, technology, resilience, and societies where truth itself can become contested.
Cody is the author of the Resonant Earth series and has spent years building communities around independent and queer science fiction. His work asks difficult questions about what happens when systems are designed to erase people—an...
Beyond Complacency: Chris Anderson on Becoming a Better Man, Building a Better Life, and Refusing to Settle
What happens when success on the outside doesn't match the person you're becoming on the inside?
In this episode of Telling My Story, I sit down with Chris Anderson, founder of Elevate Media Group and host of The Upgraded Man, to explore what it really means to become a better man and live a more intentional life.
Chris believes that complacency is one of the biggest obstacles to personal growth. Through his experience as an entrepreneur, husband, father, media founder, and podcast host, he has spent years exploring the...
Unlocking Trapped Cash: Bill Ferrier on Improving Cash Flow, Reducing DSO, and Getting Paid Faster
What if the cash your business needs isn't sitting in the bank—but is already sitting in your customers' accounts?
In this episode of Telling My Story, I sit down with Bill Ferrier, founder of Ready Set Collect and a credit and collections professional with nearly 40 years of experience, to discuss one of the most important yet often overlooked areas of business: cash flow and accounts receivable.
Bill explains why businesses can struggle financially even when they are profitable, how overdue invoices can tie up valuable working capital, and wh...
From Founder-Led Sales to Predictable Growth: Zeeshan Qedwaee on Building a Global B2B Revenue Engine
What does it really take for a B2B technology company to move from founder-led sales to a predictable, scalable revenue engine?
In this episode of Telling My Story, I sit down with Zeeshan Qedwaee, Enterprise Revenue Architect and Commercial Advisor with more than 20 years of global sales leadership experience.
Zeeshan has worked at the intersection of technology, enterprise sales, and business growth, generating tens of millions in enterprise revenue across Fortune 500 and multinational clients. Today, he helps B2B SaaS companies, technology exporters, and founder-led businesses overcome revenue...
Beyond Google: Shanzila Ahmed on AI Search, GEO, and How Businesses Get Recommended by ChatGPT
What happens when your customers stop searching Google and start asking AI for recommendations?
In this episode of Telling My Story, I sit down with Shanzila Ahmed, AI Search Visibility and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) expert and co-founder of ReachLLM, to explore how artificial intelligence is changing the way people discover businesses and brands.
Shanzila explains why ranking well on Google doesn't necessarily mean ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, or other AI search platforms will recommend your business—and what companies can do to become more visible, credible, and citable in AI...
Building a Good Life: Kirana Sidin on Purpose, Intentional Choices, and Finding Meaning in Everyday Life
What does it really mean to build a good life?
In this thoughtful episode of Telling My Story, I sit down with Kirana Sidin, Amazon #1 bestselling author and strategic life coach, to explore how ordinary choices can shape an extraordinary life.
Kirana is the author of Cheers for a Good Life, a bestselling book inspired by her journey of reflection, personal growth, philosophy, and intentional living. Her work challenges us to look beyond conventional ideas of success and ask a deeper question: Are we intentionally building the life we...
The American Dream in the Age of AI: Bradley Aman on Success, Opportunity, and the Future of Work
What happens to the American Dream when artificial intelligence begins changing the way we work, build businesses, and create wealth?
In this inspiring episode of Telling My Story, I sit down with Bradley Aman, entrepreneur, author, business strategist, storyteller, and founder of the American Dream Book Series.
Bradley shares his remarkable journey of building businesses from the ground up, becoming a millionaire by the age of 40, and eventually selling his primary business after growing it into a national leader in its industry.
Now, Bradley...
From Banker to Real Estate Investor: Jodi Satkunam on Building Wealth, Passive Income, and Investing with Purpose
What does it really take to build wealth without creating another full-time job for yourself?
In this insightful episode of Telling My Story, I sit down with Jodi Satkunam, CPA, CEO, real estate investor, and founder of Level Up Investments.
After 28 years in banking and FinTech and nearly two decades of real estate investing, Jodi has built significant experience in finance, investing, and wealth creation. She now helps accredited investors gain access to institutional-grade multifamily real estate while pursuing passive income, diversification, and tax advantages.
When Success Doesn't Feel Like Success: Shante Alexander on Identity, Ambition, and the Emotional Cost of Achievement
What happens when you finally achieve the life you worked so hard for—but it doesn't feel the way you expected?
In this powerful episode of Telling My Story, I sit down with Shante Alexander, an Organizational Psychologist, executive coach, speaker, and author of The Emotional Cost of Clarity™.
Shante explores the hidden emotional cost of success and why high achievers can sometimes feel exhausted, disconnected, or stuck despite accomplishing their goals.
We discuss identity, ambition, leadership, burnout, boundaries, emotional well-being, and the pressure of a...
Don’t Let Your Past Define Your Future: Tom Meyers on Futurizing Yourself, Resilience, and Thriving Through Change
What if your future could become an asset instead of something you simply wait for?
In this inspiring episode of Telling My Story, I sit down with Tom Meyers, osteopath, author, speaker, and founder of The Reset Approach, to explore how we can consciously shape our future and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Tom shares his personal journey from being told he was “good for nothing” and experiencing business failure to building a life aligned with the future he envisioned. Through his concept of “Futurizing Yourself,” Tom explains how chan...
