Ep. 1118 Will Severns | The Unexpected Power of Storytelling in Building Influence and Impact

Will Severns, Chief Relationship Officer at ShareYourStory.com, reveals a radical truth: everyone—regardless of title, fame, or platform—has a story worth telling, and that story is the most powerful tool for influence in the digital age. Far from being a niche skill for authors or speakers, storytelling is a foundational human ability that’s been lost in the rush of modern life. Severns argues that the real power lies not in perfecting narrative structure, but in starting small: a five-minute phone call, a bedtime story, or a voice memo to yourself. The company he co-founded has helped 251 emerging leaders turn their lived experience into books, speeches, and media—all because they finally believed their story mattered. What’s more, he challenges the myth that only 'big' voices deserve to be heard, citing Chick-fil-A’s 'abundance mindset' as a blueprint: grow the pie, not just your slice. The future? A full ecosystem where story isn’t just shared—it’s taught, scaled, and leveraged as a force for connection, trust, and impact. The episode dismantles the myth that storytelling is only for the elite. Instead, it’s a daily practice accessible to anyone with a phone and a purpose. Severns emphasizes that the 'why' behind a story—its emotional core—is more important than the 'what.' He shares a simple yet transformative rule: if you can’t answer why your story matters to someone else, don’t tell it.