In this insightful episode of the Made For More podcast, Ally Nitschke is joined by the dynamic and creative Joel McKerrow, a renowned Australian poet, speaker, and creative facilitator. Known fondly as the “red-headed poet guy,” Joel brings a unique blend of creativity, depth, and storytelling expertise to the conversation.

Joel shares his remarkable journey from working in youth and social work to becoming a celebrated spoken word poet and keynote speaker. He opens the episode with a compelling poetic introduction that immediately sets the tone for a rich, thought-provoking dialogue.

Throughout the conversation, Joel explores the transformative power of storytelling in leadership, asserting that all human behaviour is shaped by the stories we tell ourselves and those around us. He underscores the critical importance of listening as a foundational skill for effective leadership.

Joel and Ally also delve into the role of creativity in leadership, with Joel cautioning against an over-dependence on artificial intelligence for creative tasks. He champions the value of facing the blank page, embracing the discomfort of self-confrontation, and finding authentic expression through creativity.

Offering practical takeaways, Joel encourages leaders to engage in inner work, excavate their personal stories, and empower others to reframe and articulate their own. His passion for storytelling as a tool for connection, engagement, and transformation is evident throughout the discussion.

Listeners interested in Joel’s work can connect with him via LinkedIn, Instagram, or explore further resources on joelmckerrow.com.

A heartfelt thank you to Joel McKerrow for sharing his wisdom, poetic brilliance, and deep insight into how creativity and storytelling can elevate leadership and drive meaningful change.

00:00:00 - Introduction to Joel McKerrow

00:00:40 - Joel's Unique Approach to Poetry

00:01:01 - The Invitation of the Present Moment

00:02:31 - Host's Reaction to Joel's Poetry

00:03:01 - Joel's Background and Journey

00:04:04 - Transition from Social Work to Poetry

00:05:09 - Impact of Poetry on Transformation

00:06:03 - Combining Poetry with Leadership

00:07:03 - The Power of Story in Leadership

00:08:07 - Stories Shaping Human Behavior

00:09:10 - Organizational Stories and Culture

00:10:03 - Applied Narrative Intelligence

00:11:05 - Internal Stories and Self-Growth

00:12:03 - Importance of Listening

00:13:07 - Listening to Deeper Stories

00:14:10 - Plot vs. Story in Human Experience

00:15:02 - Internal Listening and Self-Reflection

00:16:05 - Quality of Presence in Relationships

00:17:12 - Practical Tips for Better Listening

00:18:15 - Intentional Presence and Deep Listening

00:19:09 - Joel's Practice of Writing Weekly Poems

00:20:25 - The Impact of Personalized Poems

00:21:07 - Listening for Meta and Metaphor

00:22:00 - Using Metaphor to Convey Depth

00:23:06 - Metaphor in Organizational Vision

00:24:04 - Shared Experience through Metaphor

00:25:06 - Storytelling for Team Engagement

00:26:00 - Visionary Leadership and Storytelling

00:27:00 - Real-Life Stories in Vision Casting

00:28:03 - Example of Sean Askinosie's Story

00:29:01 - Transformational Power of Dark Stories

00:30:03 - Joseph Campbell's Cave Metaphor

00:31:07 - Authenticity in Leadership Stories

00:32:04 - AI and Creativity in Leadership

00:33:04 - The Risk of Over-Reliance on AI

00:34:07 - Facing the Blank Page and Fear

00:35:01 - The Importance of Creative Muscles

00:36:04 - Authentic Human Stories for Impact

00:37:09 - Unique...