When it comes to sharing our story, we’ve all heard the advice: “share from your scars, not from your wounds.” But Renee Frojo, a brand and content strategist, makes a bold case for doing the opposite.

In this episode, Renee discusses the power of speaking from your pain before it’s polished, how vulnerability builds real credibility, and why the future of storytelling might actually make us more human. As she says, “It’s the very things we are afraid of that ultimately unlock potential, connection, and answers.”

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• The hidden cost of always trying to appear “credible” online
• The fear of exposure—and how it blocks creative potential
• Why emotionally intelligent storytellers will thrive in the age of AI

CONNECT WITH RENEE FROJO:

• Website: reneelynnfrojo.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reneelynnfrojo/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask
• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/104

In this episode, we have with us Amie McNee (@inspiredtowrite), the author of We Need Your Art and the voice behind the wildly popular community, Inspired to Write, where she helps her global audience of creatives dismantle limiting narratives and start taking their work seriously.

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask
• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/103

Terry Rice is a keynote speaker, author, and coach for high performers and teams, specializing in storytelling for influence, impact, and income. He had a major breakthrough in his work when he learned to lean into the dark side of his story instead of shying away from it. In this conversation, Terry opens up about the power of storytelling, how to know when to share your truth, and how to transform pain into impact.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Sharing raw, vulnerable stories as an authority figure
• Using alter egos to enhance storytelling
• Clarifying your audience by knowing yourself

CONNECT WITH TERRY RICE:

• Website: https://terryrice.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsterryrice/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask
• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/102

Today we’re revisiting two conversations, one with Matthew Lunn from Pixar and another with Todd Herman, author of The Alter Ego Effect, to explore how we can develop our imagination.

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• How Matthew Luhn’s parents nurtured his imagination
• What happens in our brain when we are in a state of play
• The power of letting go of outcomes to unleash your best ideas.

PREVIOUS INTERVIEWS MENTIONED:

• Matthew Luhn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-65jOrpPlA&t=852s
• Todd Herman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRiKFGs7pck&t=2186s

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask
• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/101

Powerful storytelling is not just about what you choose to say, but HOW you say it. Mike Ganino, the secret weapon behind some of your favorite professional speakers, joins us today to walk us through how to use our physical bodies to tell parts of the story that words alone never could.

Mike shares what it takes to go from a “good” speaker to a great one, how to use your quirks as strengths, and why we have far more choices in how we show up, not only on stage but in the world, than we often believe.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• How to go from a “good” speaker to a “great” speaker
• Using your quirks wisely, intentionally, and as an asset
• Why we have far more choices in how we show up than we often believe

CONNECT WITH MIKE GANINO:

• Website: https://mikeganino.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikeganino/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask
• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/

If you feel a deep calling but are absolutely terrified to switch careers, this is for you.

Mark Shiiba was working on nuclear reactors aboard an aircraft carrier when he made the bold decision to leave the Navy and share his music with the world. I discovered him on Season 26 of The Voice, fell in love with his music, and immediately noted his old soul. I had to bring him on to talk about all things spirituality, creativity, and what it means to make the bold, friggin' choice to lean all the way in.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Self-mastery vs. flow and creativity
• Navigating next steps when you don’t have an example
• Leaning into the work (no one is coming to save you)
• Balancing writing for your audience vs. yourself (they keep you honest)
• Morality and the pursuit of your dreams

CONNECT WITH MARK SHIIBA

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markshiibamusic
• Website: https://markshiiba.com/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask
• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/99

Can you rediscover a relationship with God through your creative work? Maybe even find a community of people who are truly tapped in? After leaving the church, I discovered a deeper level of faith and connection through the creative process…and I want to share that with you, especially if you’ve been feeling a little lost when it comes to connecting with God outside the institution.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• The connection between creativity and spirituality
• Is God the muse?
• Can you find “church” through a creative community?

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask
• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/98

Reconstructing your faith can be tricky. It can take years to unravel what was indoctrinated into you and it can be scary leaning back into the Christian world when the God that the American church follows isn’t the God you know.

Meet Jeremy Alder. His online series Christians Who Don’t Suck is completely blowing up. As an ex-evangelical, homeschooled preacher, he’s now sharing unconventional messages of hope in some unlikely places. Jeremy joins us to talk about the tension between faith and doubt, the weight of deconstruction, and the unexpected role humor plays in making sense of it all.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Finding calling post-religion
• How to stay hopeful—not closed off or bitter
• Returning to church with a new lens (and a political act)

CONNECT WITH JEREMY ALDER:

• Almost a Grown Man: https://open.spotify.com/album/0PC4B1O1eELKEAXSn3hDrb
• Website: https://www.jeremyalder.com
• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jeremy.alder

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask
• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/97