There’s a reason why some stories linger long after they are told.

While a good structure and powerful message are important, it is often the sensory details that help a story leave its mark. When the audience can envision the moment and feel the story the way you do, it will stay with them in a much more powerful way. That is the magic of sensory details.

In the art of storytelling sensory details are the brushstrokes that turn your sketch into a masterpiece. And if you want your audience to remember your message, your focus needs to be on helping them feel it on a deeper level.

Today we are learning why sensory details are important elements of your stories, and how you can use them to captivate your audience.

Why Sensory Details Matter

Various research has shown that sensory details help activate the brain and create stronger neural pathways. When we hear a story with vivid sensory input like “the smell of fresh-baked bread” or “the icy grip of the steering wheel,” the parts of...

When it comes to storytelling—whether you are on stage, writing a book, or speaking to a room full of executives—facts alone will not move your audience. What moves people is emotion.

Ask anyone who has had to endure a handful of power-point based meetings (that could have been emails) and they will tell you that facts and data and science, while valuable, are B-O-R-I-N-G.

But, fear not, there is a way to make even the most mundane information engaging…by adding your own personal flair and stories to the mix!

Stories are not just how we share information; they are how we connect, remember, and relate to each other. 

You can give a flawless presentation with all the right data and astounding factual information and still leave your audience unmoved. Or you can speak from the heart, share a vulnerable truth, and suddenly every eye is locked on you. Why? Because emotion is the gateway to connection. And connection is the true goal of storytelling.

Let’s break down exactly why emotion...

I used to think that healing only came in quiet moments, over time, crying in the shower, or sitting alone with my thoughts. I believed healing was private, solitary, and inward. And while there is truth in that, I have learned that there is another, equally powerful path to healing: standing in the light, taking the mic, and speaking your story out loud.

That truth hit me like a wave the first time I stood on a stage to share my own story.

My hands were shaky. My mouth was dry. My heart raced in my chest like it was trying to escape—but still, I spoke. I shared the story of loving an addict through addiction and recovery. The story of becoming a single mom overnight. The story finding strength I didn’t know I had until I had no choice but to have it.

In sharing my experiences something incredible happened. As the words left my mouth, I felt the room breathe with me. I saw heads nodding. I saw those half-smiles we make when we realize we relate to what someone has just said. I saw e...

Think public speaking is just for extroverts, CEOs, or polished TED Talkers? Guess again!

Public speaking is for anyone with a voice and a story to tell—including you.

As exciting as that is, it can be equally terrifying. If your heart races at the thought of speaking in front of others, don’t worry, you are not alone. The fear is real and it is shared by millions of people. And I’ll let you in on a little secret…even the most seasoned speakers get a little bit nervous about stepping on stage. The difference between you and them: they didn’t let that fear stop them!

If you are ready to tell your fear to kick rocks and step up to the stage, this guide is for you. 

This guide is for beginner, novice, or even experienced speakers who need a refresher—especially those who have ever felt silenced, unsure, or overlooked. You are not here to perform to perfection, speaking from a script like an A-list actor. You are here to show up, mess up, take up space, and speak with the presence and ...

Whether you are speaking to a room full of strangers or holding the mic at your best friend’s wedding, the goal is the same: keep them with you. And not just physically. You want heads nodding, eyes locked in, energy exchanged. You want people to feel something, remember something. You want your message to stick.

That takes more than just a strong opening line or a witty joke. It takes strategy. It takes storytelling. It takes a little something unexpected.

I have been binge watching Hawai’i 5-0 on Paramount+ for the last two weeks, so in this article, we are channeling some of that energy and diving into how to hook your audience—and hold them—like a pro. The title says it all: Hook ‘em, Danno.

We are also bringing in a little communication theory this week and discussing Expectancy Violation Theory—because breaking the “rules” can be one of your best tools.

What Is Expectancy Violation Theory?

Expectancy Violation Theory (EVT) suggests that people have expectations in communicat...

If your brain doesn’t work in bullet points.

If your voice has been buried under shame, burnout, or other people’s expectations.

If you are carrying a story that is too layered, too messy, too painful—or too beautiful—to “just write it already”...

You are not broken. You are not behind. You are not alone. You just need a different rhythm. 

You need the COB Method.

The COB Method—short for Collect, Organize, Build—is a framework made for folks like you. It’s for the nonlinear thinkers, deep feelers, messy processors, and people who heal and create at the same time.

If any of these describe you, keep reading. If you feel like you are running with 87 tabs open and the squirrel moments on repeat, keep reading. If you want to write or tell your story but feel completely overwhelmed by the way you were taught to write, KEEP READING!

The COB Method was designed with you in mind. Unlike the writing processes you were taught in grade school, this method will allow you to fully embrace al...

We live in a world flooded with information, advertisements, and social media content. Some of it is real, and so much of it is AI generated. The online world is noisy place (to say the least).

With so much noise and a plethora of distractions, how do you and your business have any chance of standing out? How do you get people to not only notice you but to connect with and remember you?

You marketers out there are thinking things like paid ads, marketing strategy, a fancy pitch, and reaching as many people as possible…

But,

The answer isn’t in fancy marketing tricks, flashy graphics, or even the most well-researched sales pitch. It’s in something far simpler—your story.

Storytelling isn’t just a technique for speakers, authors, or entertainers. It is the heartbeat of every successful brand and business. 

As Carmine Gallo says, "Storytelling is not something we do. Storytelling is who we are." 

Using stories helps to build trust, create emotional connections, and inspire action. ...

As a child growing up in rural west-central Utah, I only knew one color: white.

Sure, there were a few Latino kids at my school, but overwhelmingly, my world was white—white classmates, white teachers, white neighbors. That was my norm. Then came sixth grade, and with it, the arrival of a single African-American student. One student. One beautiful, intriguing, interesting student who stood out simply by existing.

I did not have the language back then to describe what I was experiencing, but looking back, that was my very first encounter with diversity. And it left an impression.

Still, no one talked about it. Diversity and inclusion were not words we used. Equity was not a concept we were taught. I do not recall a single lesson, assembly, or conversation in school that asked us to reflect on the variety of human experiences that exist beyond our own. Diversity in communication didn’t exist, because other than that one student, we were basically one size fits all and there was no per...

At the end of the day, our words are what remain. The stories we share, the lessons we teach, and the connections we create—they outlive us, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire, even when we’re no longer in the room.

Many people think of storytelling as something they do in the moment, but the truth is, storytelling is more than something we do, it is who we are. 

When you step onto a stage—whether it’s a conference, a podcast, a meeting, or even a conversation over coffee—you are shaping how people remember you and what they take from your message.

The question isn’t if your story will leave a legacy. The question is: what kind of legacy will you leave?

Too often, people hesitate to share their stories because of the narratives in their heads…those pesky limiting beliefs that we always deal with. They think:

• “I don’t have anything important to say.” 
• “My experiences aren’t unique enough.”
• “I’m not a great storyteller.”
• “No one will want to listen to me.”
• “I am...

We’ve all heard the saying, “Practice makes perfect.” But let’s be honest—perfection isn’t the goal. Confidence is. I prefer to say “Practice makes PERMANENT” because you will perform in the way that you rehearse!

Whether you’re preparing for a keynote speech, a business presentation, or simply sharing your story in front of an audience, how you practice will make all the difference. Great speakers don’t just wing it—they prepare with purpose. 

The secret isn’t rehearsing until you’ve memorized every word—you are not a robot simply memorizing a sequence of words. The real secret to effective rehearsal is doing it in a way that builds familiarity with your content, confidence in your voice, flexibility and adaptation, and a strong connection with your audience.

In today’s article we will talk about how to practice effectively so that you walk onto any stage feeling confident, prepared, and powerful, not panicked.

1. Rehearse Out Loud—Not Just in Your Head

It’s one thing to read thr...