Storytelling secrets—fails, lessons, and how to truly connect.

In this powerful episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, I sit down with Jeff Polish—founder and executive director of The Monti, a live no-notes storytelling series that has lit up stages across North Carolina since 2008.

We explore how storytelling transforms vulnerability into connection, why personal narratives carry the power to heal and unite communities, and what it takes to step on stage with nothing but your truth. Along the way, Jeff shares the tips, the fails, and the lessons learned from curating thousands of stories.

By the end of this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for connection and meaning-making
• How vulnerability on stage can dissolve shame and inspire courage in others
• The evolution of The Monti from a small community event to a statewide movement
• Practical tips for shaping and delivering a powerful story without notes
• The biggest mistakes storytellers make—and how to recover when things go wrong
• How storytelling can reshape identity, belonging, and leadership in every profession

About Today’s Guest

Jeff Polish is the founder and executive director of The Monti, a live, no-notes, true personal storytelling series based in North Carolina. Since 2008, Jeff has built one of the country’s most impactful storytelling movements, where people from all walks of life share stories that are raw, real, and unforgettable. Named a Hero of the New South by Southern Living and recipient of the Indies Arts Award, Jeff is widely known for helping people transform vulnerability into connection. He holds a PhD in molecular cell biology and has devoted his career to teaching, curating, and celebrating the art of live storytelling.

🌐 Learn more about The Monti: https://themonti.org/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.monti/
💼 Connect with Jeff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-polish-11902b10/

About the Host

Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician, TEDx Speaker, with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.

Connect with Dr. Shabbir:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/

🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking
🌐 No Cost Application - Join the Perfectionism Project Collective: http://perfectionism-project.com/

❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.

❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?
Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.
Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

In a world full of distractions and endless demands, how do we decide what truly matters?

In this solo episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, I explore the concept of Essentialism—a philosophy of living by design, not by default. Essentialism is not about doing more; it’s about doing less but better. It’s about reclaiming your power of choice, recognizing life’s inevitable trade-offs, and focusing on what matters most.

I share how essentialism contrasts with perfectionism, and why perfectionism often keeps us stuck chasing non-essential goals. Along the way, I’ll provide practical steps to help you let go of distractions, say no with confidence, and simplify your decision-making so you can create a life anchored in clarity and purpose.

Episode Takeaways

By the end of this episode, you’ll learn:

• Essentialism is about living by design, not by default
• The power of choice is crucial for personal empowerment
• Information and opinion overload can lead to stress and confusion
• Trade-offs are a natural part of life—focus on what matters most
• How to rediscover true priorities for clarity and focus
• Why perfectionism can distract us from our essential path
• The importance of saying no to non-essential commitments
• How identifying one true priority can simplify decisions
• Why releasing non-essential tasks leads to greater productivity
• How Essentialism is a powerful antidote to perfectionism

Resource Mentioned:
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown - https://gregmckeown.com/books/essentialism/

About the Host

Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician, TEDx Speaker, with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.

Connect with Dr. Shabbir:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/

🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking

❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.

❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?
Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.
Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.

Finding your voice requires courage, persistence, and a willingness to step into the unknown.

In this powerful episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD, I sit down with Tara LaFon Gooch—international TEDx speaker, bestselling author, confidence expert, and the creator of the GRASP Method—to uncover what it really takes to move from self-doubt to the TEDx red dot.

We dive deep into Tara’s personal journey from being terrified of public speaking to becoming a global thought leader, and how she now empowers others to transform fear into confidence, comparison into courage, and ideas into impact.

By the end of this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to get started on your own TEDx journey with clarity and intention
• The biggest mistakes people make when pursuing a TEDx talk—and how to avoid them
• Why “if nothing changes, nothing changes” became Tara’s guiding mantra
• How to transform your biggest fear into your greatest breakthrough
• Why comparison is the thief of confidence—and how to break free from it
• Dr. Amna Shabbir’s reflections and insights from her own TEDx experience on perfectionism and self-doubt

About Today’s Guest:

Tara LaFon Gooch is an international TEDx speaker, bestselling author of GRASP Confidence, and confidence expert who has coached countless leaders to bring their ideas to life on the TEDx stage. She is the creator of the GRASP Method (Gratitude, Responsibility, Action, Sight, Purpose) and is passionate about helping people transform fear into fuel, amplify their voices, and embrace their unique stories.

Connect with Tara:
🌐 Website: https://taralafongooch.com/
📚 Book: GRASP Confidence https://a.co/d/bkztokw
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-lafon-gooch/

About the Host

Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.

Connect with Dr. Shabbir:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/

🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking

❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.

❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?

• Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.
• Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message.