What if you’re doing more than building a business? What if you’re building a movement?

So many of us have a chapter or conflict in our story that changed us. A moment we wish had been different, or a belief we couldn’t ignore any longer.

And yet, we rarely see how that tension is often the very thing that reveals what we stand for - and the beginnings of a movement we may already be leading.

In this episode of The Business of Stories, Susan explores how the friction inside your story - the thing that shaped you, stretched you, or woke you up - can become the catalyst for something much bigger than an offer, a programme, or a brand.

• How your story can become the foundation of the movement you’re quietly building
• Why movements don’t begin with offers or strategies - but with the beliefs you hold most deeply
• The simple sentence that uncovers the ‘injustice’ your work is here to change
• Inspiring stories of those whose hardest seasons and struggles became catalysts for meaningful change
• Listener Q&A: How to use storytelling to shift a cultural narrative
• And a practical action step on sharing what you believe - and stand for

This inspiring and practical episode will help you see your story, and your business, through a wider, more powerful lens.

If you’re ready to uncover what you stand for, honour the movement within your message, and lead with more clarity, compassion and confidence, this episode is a must-listen.

If you have a question you would love Susan to answer on the show, please email it (in writing) to susan@thebusinessofstories.com

Download my Be The Guide Masterclass here

https://thebusinessofstories.com/betheguide/

Download a free copy of The Business of Stories here

Grab The Storyteller’s Starter Pack here

Check out Storytelling Mastery here

About your host Susan Payton:

When Susan told her ‘ordinary’ story to 1,500 business owners back in 2015, the response from people who resonated with it and felt connected to her as a result of hearing it, blew her away!

In fact, that moment completely changed her business - and her life.

Susan has since worked with entrepreneurs all over the world, written the international bestselling book, The Business of Stories, hosted the podcast of the same name, and become a leading authority on how to use storytelling to stand out in your industry.

Thousands have used her simple framework to share their message with impact, attract ideal clients and grow their business.

Susan has also spoken on stages from Brighton to Barcelona, guested on panels and podcasts and run numerous masterclasses, guest expert sessions and workshops, both online and in person.

In a world where it’s getting harder and harder to be heard above the noise, Susan is passionate about showing business owners how to clearly articulate their value and speak to the right people, at the right time, with a simple message and a great story.

See my bio

What happens when the story that shaped you is also the one you’re most afraid to share?

In this episode of The Business of Stories, Susan sits down with Storytelling Mastery member Jen Neil, who spent years hiding - held back by a chapter of her life that carried deep shame, grief, and a sense of failure.

Jen opens up about walking away from everything - her home, her business, her identity - and the long journey back to herself. You’ll hear how she rebuilt from the ground up, found the courage to tell the truth about her past, and slowly turned the very story she wanted to hide from … into the foundations of the thriving coaching practice she runs today.

If you’ve ever felt like a part of your past disqualifies you, makes you question how others will see you, or is safer kept quiet, Jen’s story will show you what’s possible when you stop hiding, and start reclaiming the strength you didn’t know you had.

You’ll discover:

• Why shame-filled or ‘messy’ chapters are often the ones that shape your deepest gifts and purpose
• How Jen rebuilt her identity after losing everything, and why hiding kept her stuck
• The moment she realised the thing she was most afraid to share was the exact thing her clients needed
• What changes when you shift from sharing your story as the hero (or victim!) … to sharing it as the guide
• How to share hard stories safely, intentionally and from the scar, not the wound

This honest, powerful conversation will help you see your story with more compassion, and recognise the strength, wisdom and mission that may already be living inside the chapters you’ve been avoiding.

If you’re ready to rewrite how you see yourself, reclaim the parts of your story that shaped you, and use them to serve others, this episode is a must-listen.

If you have a question you would love Susan to answer on the show, please email it (in writing) to susan@thebusinessofstories.com

If you’d like to contact today’s guest Jen Neil, you can do so at storystrands.co.uk/contact-us

Or grab her free guide ‘10 Signs It Might Be Time to Refresh Your Story’ at storystrands.co.uk.

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Download my Be The Guide Masterclass here

https://thebusinessofstories.com/betheguide/

Download a free copy of The Business of Stories here

Grab The Storyteller’s Starter Pack here

Check out Storytelling Mastery here

About your host Susan Payton:

When Susan told her ‘ordinary’ story to 1,500 business owners back in 2015, the response from people who resonated with it and felt connected to her as a result of hearing it, blew her away!

In fact, that moment completely changed her business - and her life.

Susan has since worked with entrepreneurs all over the world, written the international bestselling book, The Business of Stories, hosted the podcast of the same name, and become a leading authority on how to use storytelling to stand out in your industry.

Thousands have used her simple...

So many of us have chapters of our story that we feel uncomfortable sharing; moments we wish had gone differently or that we fear people might judge us for.

In this episode of The Business of Stories, Susan shares why those very chapters often hold the most strength, the most connection, and the most gold.

Through real life stories of celebs and clients, Susan shows how the hardest seasons can shape who you become and why sharing the challenging times (when you're ready) can deeply resonate with the people you want to help.

You’ll discover:

• How to know what to share (and what not to) when a chapter feels raw, painful or vulnerable
• The power of sharing from the scar, not the wound, and why timing matters
• How to tell honest stories without feeling like a victim, or worrying that people will pity you.
• Five simple steps to sharing a difficult story with purpose, clarity, and impact
• Why owning your story builds trust, relatability, and respect even when things didn’t go to plan
• A powerful reminder that your audience doesn’t need the whole story to benefit from the wisdom that came from it

This honest and reassuring episode will help you honour your story, own your growth, and use even the hardest chapters to support the people you’re here to help.

If you’re ready to stop hiding the parts of your story that shaped you most, this episode is a must-listen.

If you have a question you would love Susan to answer on the show, please email it (in writing) to susan@thebusinessofstories.com

Download my Be The Guide Masterclass here

https://thebusinessofstories.com/betheguide/

Download a free copy of The Business of Stories here

Grab The Storyteller’s Starter Pack here

Check out Storytelling Mastery here

About your host Susan Payton:

When Susan told her ‘ordinary’ story to 1,500 business owners back in 2015, the response from people who resonated with it and felt connected to her as a result of hearing it, blew her away!

In fact, that moment completely changed her business - and her life.

Susan has since worked with entrepreneurs all over the world, written the international bestselling book, The Business of Stories, hosted the podcast of the same name, and become a leading authority on how to use storytelling to stand out in your industry.

Thousands have used her simple framework to share their message with impact, attract ideal clients and grow their business.

Susan has also spoken on stages from Brighton to Barcelona, guested on panels and podcasts and run numerous masterclasses, guest expert sessions and workshops, both online and in person.

In a world where it’s getting harder and harder to be heard above the noise, Susan is passionate about showing business owners how to clearly articulate their value and speak to the right people, at the right time, with a simple message and a great story.

See my bio