S08 E02: The Portal to Wisdom with Annette Simmons

Join the first interview of season 8, as Michael McRay sits down with Annette Simmons, author of the storytelling classic "The Story Factor" and several other influential books. Their conversation explores storytelling not as performance or persuasion, but as ethical leadership, presence, and the courage to hold complexity. Annette shares her journey into story work, explains her concept of the "six stories every leader needs to know how to tell," and discusses the difference between influence and exploitation. With decades of experience consulting for organizations including the US military and Fortune 500 companies, Annette offers profound wisdom about empathy as a superpower and how storytelling can be both "gold and lead, depending on how you use it."

Coming Up Soon

• Next week, Harris will join Michael to reflect on this conversation with Annette Simmons, discussing practical applications of ethical storytelling and the importance of narrative intelligence in leadership.
• STORY 2025: October 9th and 10th 2025 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, Tennessee
• Applied Narrative Intelligence: Istoria's certification program 

Resources

• Annette Simmons
  • The Story Factor
  • Territorial Games
  • A Safe Place for Dangerous Truths
  • Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins
  • Drinking from a Different Well
• In the Shelter by Pádraig Ó Tuama
• Website: istoria.com
• Instagram: @istoria_studio
• Email: [e-mail]

Tags: narrative intelligence, storytelling, Annette Simmons, ethical leadership, empathy, The Story Factor, paradox, significant emotional experience, Michael McRay, Istoria Institute