What if the very stories you think are 'just ordinary' are actually your greatest superpowers? April Bell, wisdom story alchemist and founder of innovative storytelling methodologies, reveals why the moments we dismiss as obvious to us are often amazing to others. After spending nearly two decades helping everyone from corporate leaders to community elders uncover the wisdom embedded in their life experiences, April discovered she was the reluctant storyteller herself. Her journey from personal historian to story alchemist began when she realized that vulnerability isn't weakness - it's the secret ingredient that transforms surface-level conversations into life-altering connections. Through her Story Catcher app and transformational workshops, April has developed a unique approach to helping people understand not just what they believe, but why they believe it, creating a foundation for clear decision-making in careers, relationships, and personal growth.
In this conversation, April shares the exact moment she abandoned her polished elevator speech at a networking lunch and used a simple three-level exercise that completely transformed how 12 strangers connected with each other. You'll discover why every day can be extraordinary when you start listening for the stories in your life, how to practice vulnerability without oversharing, and the framework April uses to turn tangent-filled conversations into powerful wisdom stories. April also reveals her 'obvious to you, amazing to others' principle and explains why the cookie-cutter success formulas aren't working anymore - people are hungry for authentic stories that give them permission to follow their own hearts.
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Connect with April Bell:
Website: aprilbell.com
Email: hello@aprilbell.com
LinkedIn: aprilgbell
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/achieving-success-with-olivia-atkin--5743662/support.
In this conversation, April shares the exact moment she abandoned her polished elevator speech at a networking lunch and used a simple three-level exercise that completely transformed how 12 strangers connected with each other. You'll discover why every day can be extraordinary when you start listening for the stories in your life, how to practice vulnerability without oversharing, and the framework April uses to turn tangent-filled conversations into powerful wisdom stories. April also reveals her 'obvious to you, amazing to others' principle and explains why the cookie-cutter success formulas aren't working anymore - people are hungry for authentic stories that give them permission to follow their own hearts.
Want to grow your podcast, land more guest appearances, and save hours every week? The Podcast Growth Partner helps podcasters, guests, and podcast teams create stronger content, prepare smarter, and grow strategically.
Start your free 3-day trial: PodcastGrowthPartner.com
Want personalized podcast strategy support? Book a free clarity call: MeetwithOlivia.me
Connect with Olivia Atkin & Achieving Success:
Website: Achieving-Success.com
Facebook Community: The Podcaster’s Powerhouse Community For Business Owners
Facebook: Olivia Atkin | Achieving Success
LinkedIn: Olivia Atkin | Achieving Success
Instagram: @_achievingsuccess
Connect with April Bell:
Website: aprilbell.com
Email: hello@aprilbell.com
LinkedIn: aprilgbell
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/achieving-success-with-olivia-atkin--5743662/support.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
Hello everyone, Welcome to Achieving Success with Olivia Acken. I'm
your host, Olivia Achen. Each week we will discuss the
real map of achieving your personal and professional success. We
will give you real life stories on growing personally and
professionally to achieve your life and for your goals, with
the help of some top notch guests. Today we are
speaking with April Bell. April Bell is a wisdom story
(00:29):
alchemist and founder of innovative storytelling mythologies that have transformed
how people connect with their authentic voice. April is the
author of My Life in Paragraphs, Find and Tell Your Stories,
and co creator of Storycatcher for iPhone, a value driven
storytelling app that has been featured in Your Times, Wired,
(00:51):
USA Today, and Fox News. With nearly two decades of
experience guiding everyone from corporate leaders to community elders through
her values based personal storytelling process, April has developed a
unique approach to helping people uncover the wisdom embedded in
their life experiences. Her workshops and leadership programs have empowered
(01:13):
countless individuals to understand not just what they believe, but
why they believe it, creating a foundation for clear decision
making in careers, relationships, and personal growth. You can find
April by going to her website Aprilbell dot com, or
by email at Hello at Aprilbell dot com, or on
(01:35):
LinkedIn by searching April G. Bell. Hello April. It's fantastic
having you on the show today.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Hi, Olivia, thanks so much for having me.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
I really appreciate it. I'm excited to talk to you
about the story telling.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Yes, I love this topic, so let's dive right in
to start off the show. Can you tell me what
success means and looks like?
Speaker 3 (01:57):
To April Bell, that's such an interesting question. So I
spend most of my time gathering stories from other people,
so then to think about my own story is a
little you know, different, like the flipping the script, but
(02:21):
for me on a larger scale, it's really about has
been about finding purpose, following my heart and being a
true contribution to others and helping them do the same.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
I love that, and I love the fact that you
bring in the contribution aspect and going off that you
call yourself a wisdom story alchemist, which is a beautiful
and unique title within itself. What led you to that
specific definition for your work and calling yourself and branding that.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
Yeah, that's a great question, and it didn't come quickly
or easily, and I spent a lot of time trying
to figure out how to, you know, what do I
call myself? So when I first started doing life story work,
it started with doing life story biographies for people, so
I would film and interview them to talk about their
(03:26):
life story, about their ancestors, their values of philosophies, and
then to pass that out on for generations to come.
And then at that time I found an organization called
the Association of Personal Historians, So I called myself a
personal historian, and back in two thousand and eight, I
would go around and people are.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Like, Oh, that's so interesting. I've never heard of that before.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
And as I evolved in my work, and as my
work evolved, I have been helping people in different ways, and.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
What it came down to is really getting.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
That the true you know, what I really bring to
the party is I have this way of.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Helping people see things in a new light, to see
themselves in a different way.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
To Like so many times when I'm interviewing or somebody
or working with them, they'll be telling me about their story,
their values of what it is that they're wanting to
communicate and all come in with a different angle and
they're like, oh, I never thought of it that way. So,
you know, alchemy is bringing two things together and making
(04:38):
something new.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
So it's really helping people dig.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Into their past experiences, their learned experiences, their wisdom and
reshaping that to communicate the essence of who they really
are in a really elegant way.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
And let's talk about the essence and being able to
tell that story in an impactful way, an elegant way
all the things. As you're hearing different stories and you
get told a lot of different stories, how do you
differentiate between a regular story and a wisdom story?
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Yeah, for me, it's you know, so.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Our learning experiences are what have created our wisdom inside
of us, and so fundamentally it's it's if did you
learn something, did something change? Is there some part of
the story where you changed and you learned something from that,
and then that changed who you were and how you
did things going forward, So that nugget of learning is
(05:50):
the piece of wisdom.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
And how do you when someone's like, I'm gonna phrase
it this way, thinking through this question in a real
time right for you there's moments in our life, our
everyday life where we can say, oh, well this might
not be important, but those stories shape us, as you
(06:15):
just said, and really transform how we show up. So
how do you in your own life and when you
work with people trying to make sure you're reflecting on
all the moments, not just the moments where you're like, well,
that was just a regular day, nothing truly happened, but
that piece of the story could be really important.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
Well, if you really look every day, it can be
an extraordinary day. Oftentimes we're just kind of like running
to the next thing, so then we don't take the
time to notice what those moments, experiences, interactions are that
could be extraordinary. But in regard to finding those stories
for yourself, well, so.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
I really like I have a.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
One of the people I really like is Derek Sivers.
He got started CD baby and if you don't know
who he has, look him up.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
He's fascinating.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
But one of the things that he likes to say
is obvious to you, amazing to others. So the thing
is that we run through our daily lives and we
just do what we do because that's who we are,
and we don't think that there's anything special about us,
you know, like people say like, oh, it's.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
You know, it's just the water you swim in. But
then when you start.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
To tell your stories or reflect on your stories, what
is obvious to you can then become like, oh, that's
actually my superpower. Oh that's something special and unique that
I do. And so then that's the value of kind
of like practicing storytelling, so finding your stories, doing it
(07:59):
in a group for community, because most times, like it's
just not going to happen in a vacuum.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
It's it's listening and telling.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
So it's listening to other people's stories and then seeing
ourselves in them, and then that creates connection points of like, oh,
I have a story about that that it might be
valuable for others to hear, or that would really illustrate
straight who I am. And then it's also in the telling,
because there's one thing that happens inside our head, and
then there's a whole different thing that happens when we
(08:31):
actually say it out loud or take a little time
to try and arrange it in such a way that
it lands in the way that we want to land,
or you know, communicates a value or you know, just
anything that we want somebody to understand about us or
product or service, the organization that.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
We belong to.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
So it's in that practice. They're just like any musician
has to practice their instrument. It's if you're gonna, if
you want it. So we're all storytellers were born with it.
Like you know, anybody can learn to tell a story.
It's a skill and like with any skill, the more
you practice, the better you become.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
And that being said too, because you mentioned the stories previously,
you mentioned identifying the nuggets and what was the challenge?
How did you learn from it? You have helped people
carry decades of love's experience without staffing to ask what
(09:31):
their stories reveal about who they are and uncovering that
with them. What was the moment for you where you
asked yourself that question?
Speaker 2 (09:44):
So, oh gosh, my life is a divine comedy.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
So I developed the story Catcher app back and I
had the idea in twenty eleven and then we launched
in twenty thirteen. So I've had that product for a
long time, and it was we wanted to find a
way to help people tell personal stories on the fly,
and then we also give them questions to ask so
(10:10):
that you can tell values based story anyway.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
So that's you know, the nutshell of that.
Speaker 3 (10:16):
But since then app was called so the app was
called story Catcher.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
But then I go out and meet people and they're.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
Like, oh, yeah, yeah, you're the storyteller, and I'm like, no, no, no, no,
I'm the story Catcher.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
You're the storyteller.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
And I had been interviewing people for years about their
life stories. And this is even after I had developed
my workshop and been working with people that way.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
And in twenty twenty one, I took a workshop. I
wanted to.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
I wanted to work on my own storytelling skills for
myself and then but really to help other.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
People in my work. So I took a workshop.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
And I really had it when I took that workshop
that I was going to like do my about me
story or something like that. Like, I was very hard
headed about what I was going to get out of it.
And long story short is that I ended up having
to take it twice because the first time I was
so kind of bullheaded about doing it my way and
wanting to tell this really big story that the second
(11:24):
time and so I didn't get out of it what
I you know, the value that it offered, and so
then I decided to take it again, and the second time,
I was like, I'm just going to go into this
for the fun of it and not be so significant.
And what happened from that was incredible, because one I
(11:46):
gave myself permission to explore and tell my own stories
without an agenda, so it didn't have to be attached
to my business. And I had this huge aha moment
and like one of the first stories that I told
of that the way that that cohort worked is that
(12:08):
you would work in a story, they'd shall the story.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Then everybody gave feedback, and this particular.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
Story I told to me it had a specific meaning
and purpose and communicated a point.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
In my life.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
And then the feedback that I got from one of
the people and the cohort was that it landed for
her in such a way that she saw something in
her own life that helped her take the next step
on the path that she was going on that actually
didn't have that.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
Much to do with my story, but it really made
a difference in her life.
Speaker 3 (12:51):
And I was like, oh, well, one, like my stories matter,
Like I can tell my story in a very personal
way that feels like it's just about me, and then
in reality it really made a difference in somebody else's life,
like a life altering difference. She made a life altering
choice based on, oh, well she can do that, I
(13:12):
can do that.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
So I don't know the answers your question.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
But that so that was a big offa for me
of like, oh, I'm the reluctant storyteller. I have a
story in my book about my favorite client, Elizabeth. So
when I her son had hired me to interview her,
and when I got to her house, she answered the door,
she's like, oh, warm, it friendly, and I come inside,
(13:37):
and you know, her son comes up and welcomes me,
and then like she turns she's being like super warmed friendly,
and then she turns to him.
Speaker 2 (13:46):
And she's like do we really need to be doing this?
And I was like, oh, I think I'll go set
up my gear.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
And then like she was just resisting it the whole time,
and like his comical I'm like putting the microphone on
her and she's kind of like taking it off, and
finally her son is like, Mom, please just do it
for me.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
I want to have your story, and she's like okay, and.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
Then we sit down, I push record, and three hours later,
she's still talking.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
She's like reading me poetry and she's.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
Got this incredible life story and she she didn't think
she had anything to share, and she had, you know,
could have gone on and on, and she did continue
to go on and on after that, telling even more stories.
So part of it is that. So then I just
found it so ironic that in the end I found
out that I too was the reluctant storyteller.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
So it is like an.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
Uncomfortable space even for me, because you know, it requires
a degree of vulnerability to tell a really good story,
so you have to like, you know, kind of open
your heart and trust and you know figure out the
pathway of like where to do that, how to do that.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
But the reward is so yeah, I guess that's that's.
Speaker 3 (15:05):
What I'll say about that. So yeah, I was reluctant storyteller.
And so then you know, I've been beating this drum.
You're a storyboutter as well.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
Guess what is mine?
Speaker 3 (15:15):
So I am walking the same path of anybody that
I work with.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
And I I know because I think we all can
serve people better when we walk that path and that
journey as well. How has that helped you relate to
individuals as well when they're in that reluctant phase, knowing like, Okay,
I've been reluctant myself, And is there moments of like
(15:44):
reflection points for you where I was like okay, oh
I do this too. Are there points where like to
get them more comfortable you share your story?
Speaker 2 (15:56):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (15:57):
So well expanded by a like I already part of
why I do what I do is that I mean,
I did this whole process years ago. I was like
obsessed with finding purpose, Like what's my purpose?
Speaker 2 (16:18):
I'm not alone in that one, I know.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
And I was also lucky enough that I met a
woman that was a true purpose life coach and I
did her program and it took like eight or nine weeks,
and at the end I figured out this whole life
story thing and I was like, wow, that really is
perfect for me. And part of that is that I
(16:41):
do have a way of making people feel comfortable and
they open up and they trust me.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
And I also set the table for them to know.
Speaker 3 (16:50):
Like I really honor confidentiality and so like when I'm
filming people, if they want stuff cut out, you know,
I cut it out right away, and but so I
just naturally have this way of making people feel comfortable
and drawing their stories out and.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
I love to go deep, and.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
Not everybody is super comfortable with that, but I would,
you know, I could hold the space and take them there,
and I did. I did, you know, I did a
good job at that. However, when I really had to
put myself in that vulnerable when I really pushed myself
into the vulnerable space because I was always telling my stories,
(17:34):
just when I took this workshop, I went a whole
level deeper and that really opened up my compassion for
what other people were going through as I was working
with them, of of you know, what they felt comfortable
sharing or how they wanted to share it. So yeah,
(17:55):
I just expanded my awareness so that I could hold
that space better and be more i don't know, kind
and generous and empowering to help them communicate what they
want to communicate.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
Well, talking about holding space as well, because as you
mentioned too, sometimes there's heavy stories. Sometimes you can go
down a path in your own story and in your
own journey that is not expected. Sometimes hearing someone's story,
as you mentioned earlier, can trigger a sting of yourself
(18:31):
and making a decision. So how do you make sure
when you were recording someone and meeting someone and helping
them say that story and all of their stories, that
you're holding the space for them to be as comfortable
as they can even when sometimes because we all have
those moments, there's things that shock you right or you're like, oh,
(18:56):
I wasn't expecting us going down this path? How do
you handle that?
Speaker 2 (19:04):
You know? I think in the interview.
Speaker 3 (19:06):
When I do the interviews, that's kind of a different
animal because that's like a real time experience of where.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
The person is sharing.
Speaker 3 (19:14):
And also you know they're aware that we're doing this
for it's going to be shared. It's private, they're private,
they're private documentaries for their family, but they're also aware
of like who their audience is. So one is that. Frankly,
(19:35):
I just trust my intuition on how to kind of
like guide us along to keep things positive.
Speaker 2 (19:45):
And also if people want to share the.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Things we talk about, how they are going to be
comfortable doing that.
Speaker 2 (19:58):
So then.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
When I work with people in regard to telling certain stories,
you know, working on the story before they share it.
I talk a lot about discernment and so from my perspective,
the secret sauce to any good story is being vulnerable.
But the thing is is that you really need to
be discerning about how vulnerable that you're willing to be.
(20:23):
So if it's something that you haven't completely worked out
for yourself yet, you know, you don't want to get
on a stage and talk about that in front of
a group of people because then you're going to have
to deal with the aftermath of the effect that that'll
have on you.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
So then it's.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
Really being aware of, you know, what you're comfortable sharing.
So then what I recommend with that is that you know,
if you have a piece of your story that you are,
you know, testing out to see if you really want
to go that deep, is to share it with a
really close and trusted friend and see how you feel
and see the feedback that they get. Because the end
the you know, the thing is, the funny thing about
(21:05):
vulnerability is it's like that thing that we think makes us.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
Look you know, foolish or weak.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
Or like, you know, we made the wrong decision or whatever.
That's that piece that everyone connects with. And then when
you tell the rest of your story, that's the thing
that makes you like.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
Oh my god, that was so amazing that you did that.
Speaker 3 (21:25):
You're like, you know, whatever you got through or triumphed over.
So it's a fine line to walk and also to
be self aware of what you're ready to share and
also be mindful of your audience too, because like you
don't want to overshare and freak them out.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
So it's it's being you know.
Speaker 3 (21:48):
Aware of what you're ready to say and what your
audience is ready to receive, and.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
They're also is a journey in that, like you said,
and I love how you bring up the ability for
all of us to know that the vulnerabilities are the
moments that not only shape us, but will make someone
relate to us and be like oh no, she gets
(22:18):
it right or he gets it, or you know, really
connect on that deeper level. But it's also about being
able to be comfortable in that space, as you said,
and to going Okay, I'm going to practice this. I'm
going to tell this to one person first before I
get on the microphone or I get on that stage.
(22:42):
You also created story Catcher, which you mentioned earlier. You've
written a book and worked with corporate leaders. How do
you decide which median or approach is right for helping
someone uncover those wisdom stories.
Speaker 3 (23:04):
Well, I mean it kind of goes back to what
you're just saying of, like, so the thing is in
the practice, so.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
You know, you can think about.
Speaker 3 (23:19):
Like, oh, this thing makes me feel a little bit vulnerable,
so I'm gonna share it with my best friend, or
I'm gonna share it with a couple of close people
on my.
Speaker 2 (23:26):
Team, or and then seeing how it lands.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
And then the thing is with that vulnerability, like that's
where our humanity lives, and that's how we connect with
people on a human level.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
So as we you.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
Know, weighe deeper and deeper into that pond, then it
gets easier. It's like you know, you like go into
the gym and building a muscles, Like the more you
do it, the easier it becomes because you realize you're like, oh,
I'm not gonna die, Like oh, that actually like opens
something up with these people and now they're sharing more
deeply with me, and now we're more connected, and now
we're being more productive together. So it's a process of
(24:04):
you know, taking one step at a time and then
and it's a very that's so that's a very individual
thing of like, when do you feel comfortable doing it?
Speaker 2 (24:12):
Who do you feel comfortable doing it with?
Speaker 3 (24:14):
And so then what matters is giving it a try
and seeing what happens.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
And then really.
Speaker 3 (24:23):
The most powerful way to do that too is to
invite the other person to also share, So then you
know you're not just putting stuff on other people, You're
having an exchange, and so then you're kind of in
it together, and then everybody kind of grows and expands together.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
Talking about growing and expanding as well as telling those
powerful authentic stories. You mentioned that sharing, and you've said
this in different pieces throughout our conversation so far, that
you know, sharing the authentic stories is one of the
(25:02):
most powerful ways to bring people together in our current climate.
Why do you think storytelling has become even more crucial?
I mean you're seeing it through podcasting conversations, you're seeing
it in different spaces, but also in the environment we are.
Why do you think storytelling is so crucial?
Speaker 3 (25:25):
Well, yeah, so I often refer to it as personal storytelling.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
So like, I'm super passionate about personal storytelling, and oh god,
I can.
Speaker 3 (25:35):
Say so much about this. But you know, for so
long we've been told that there is you know, a framework,
a process, a list, oh, you know, like these all
these different containers are the way that it's done. And
(25:58):
people have gone on these self improvement paths this way,
that way, the other way to try and reach their level,
that level of a success that the outside world is saying, this.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
Is what you need to do. Like, you know, it's
all over YouTube.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
I was like, you're doing it wrong, and you know,
it's like the clickbait of you're doing it wrong and
I'm going to tell you how to do it right.
And so you know, we've all now gotten oversaturated with
that and we're like, hey, no, I really don't think
that that's the answer.
Speaker 2 (26:31):
So I mean, I think we really know and understand
that the answer to.
Speaker 3 (26:37):
Really having a successful life isn't found out there.
Speaker 2 (26:42):
It's looking inside.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
Looking my own humanity, looking at what's important to me.
Like so then you know the thing is if I
follow my heart, hopefully you'll follow yours too. Right, So
it's not like we're all supposed to fit into this one.
Cookie Cutter is like, no, we're all different. We bring
our own contribution, and the more that we listen to
and tell each other our stories, we give each other
(27:05):
the support and the permission to continue to do that,
and so I think the people are really hungry for that,
living on authentic life, having the permission to do that.
So I mean, I think that's kind of like, you know,
this grassroots see change of not being so driven by
(27:26):
consumer culturalism and you know, finding our true path of
what is meaningful and successful.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
What that means to us personally.
Speaker 1 (27:42):
For someone listening who's thinking, I want to get better
using my voice and telling my story, what's the best
first step you'd recommend them to take that they could
take today.
Speaker 3 (27:56):
To practice Yeah, really to practice story.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
But you know the thing, I think the thing the
first thing that.
Speaker 3 (28:07):
You could do that's easy is start listening for the
stories in your life, just out in random like is
it strangers, is it your friends and family? You know,
like there's a lot of people that just have like
these really surface conversations. But then you know, you catch
these nuggets of people telling stories about their life.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
And so then if you hear.
Speaker 3 (28:30):
Something that creates a question, you know, ask that elicit
stories from other people and listen to what it is
that they have to say.
Speaker 2 (28:39):
Find what you feel to be interesting.
Speaker 3 (28:41):
And see if you can find folks that are interested
in listening to your stories too.
Speaker 2 (28:45):
But again, I'm looking for stories in your daily life.
Speaker 1 (28:49):
I love that. I'm going to start practicing that as well.
And now I want to flip this script on you
a little bit. So we just talked about and I answered,
what is the first thing and a good first step
to practice telling authentic and with some stories what someone
avoid doing in the early stages or of exploring their
(29:14):
own stories.
Speaker 3 (29:17):
That's a good one. So then that was the I look,
that's another I don't know. I think I've learned everything
the hard way, but I learned that one.
Speaker 2 (29:24):
The hard way. The perfect place.
Speaker 3 (29:31):
To start is telling stories about small meaningful moments, just
a small.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
Little thing that happened.
Speaker 3 (29:38):
Tell that story, because the mistake that people often make
is they're like, oh, I need to tell my story,
and then they want to tell this big, huge, massive
story that's actually a tons of little, tiny stories, and
then it just becomes difficult and overwhelming, and you know,
they want to go have a bear instead.
Speaker 2 (30:00):
That's it.
Speaker 1 (30:01):
That's a good one because sometimes two when you're talker
or EVADEHD, the story starts one direction and then another
story gets added in, and another story. I've done that myself.
There's times, right I'm like, oh, wait, and then we're
going down a path and someone asks a question and
(30:22):
now we turn right, and then I'm like, no, but
I need to circle back around to the original point
as well.
Speaker 3 (30:30):
Right, So right, the tangents and so then that's the
thing when you're telling a story is then so then
that's a good thing to listen for, is where those
tangents happen. So if you're actually wanting to tell a
specific story that makes a point, you dilute it. We
dilute it when we bring those tangents in. That I
completely guilty talk that way all the time.
Speaker 2 (30:54):
So then.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
When crafting like a wisdom story or something like that,
is to just like be really mindful of keeping those
tangents out of the equation so that you know, we
stay on track and land the plane and don't distract.
So then that would be another good thing to listen for,
is like when these tangents come in, and then that
(31:17):
really helps, Like.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
Being mindful of that helps so much in communication.
Speaker 1 (31:22):
Well, and for yourself, how have you practiced not going
on tangents as much?
Speaker 3 (31:32):
So, yeah, I have a so I belong to a
storytelling community and we do stories telling every Wednesday morning.
Speaker 2 (31:38):
And so then that helps me.
Speaker 3 (31:40):
So being in that practice of so I learned, you know,
structure and a framework of the pieces of my story.
And then because I have that framework, which that's also
in my book, is that it helps keep me in
line so that I don't co squirrel. And then it
because I'm mindful of what those pieces are, then I
(32:02):
can be like, oh, does this fit or does this
not fit?
Speaker 2 (32:06):
So then in.
Speaker 3 (32:09):
You know, when I'm doing it in a structured way,
when I'm working on a story that I'm going to
share later, you know, in a speaking situation or whatever.
Speaker 2 (32:17):
That is useful.
Speaker 3 (32:19):
But then also practicing on the fly, it's really helpful
for me to think in real time of like getting
pulled by that tangent and going is that going to
add to this or is it going to distract? And
then I can you know, stop and re center myself.
Speaker 1 (32:35):
Well talking about adding versustracting in stories to how do
you know when you've shared too much versus not sharing
enough in a story?
Speaker 3 (32:49):
That's a really good question. That's also a practice. So
that goes I mean, the thing that comes up for
me is you know, like when I was talking about vulnerability,
so like, so the thing about being vulnerable is that
you feel that little rise of emotion and then you
(33:09):
have to be like, oh, am I going to be
okay sharing this? Like there's always going to be some trepidation.
Otherwise you're not being vulnerable. So you know, it's important
to know yourself and knowing where your boundaries are and
how you feel safe. And so then that's one of
(33:30):
the things that I really love about personal storytelling is
that it is very transformational because as we look back
on the turning points, the lessons that you know, changes
that we've gone through, we really get to know who
we are and what we're capable of.
Speaker 2 (33:49):
And so then all that stuff sort of feeds.
Speaker 3 (33:52):
Into the awareness of am I over sharing or not
sharing enough? It's for me, it's a feeling, so and
then of like I know when I'm holding back, and
then I also know.
Speaker 2 (34:09):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (34:09):
Sometimes I'd be like, oh, that might have been a
little bit too much for this group, but I actually
think that that can be really valuable for people, like
it helps expand folks. But yeah, it's more of a
feeling and it's something that comes with practice. So then
like some of the people that are in my storytelling community,
(34:32):
they'll you know, I'll think that they told a great
story and they'll be like, oh, I kind of phoned
it in, and I was like, oh, okay.
Speaker 2 (34:39):
There was more there. So it was just like their
comfort level of where they thought they could.
Speaker 1 (34:43):
Go, oh, and I do too. I hear what you're saying,
and I'm like, yeah, if I do that too, I'll
gauge in a room and who I'm talking to and
kind of facial expressions and things like that, like Okay,
can I say this, Can I make a joke in
(35:03):
it land as I'm telling this story or communicating XYZ
to them? Or is this not the space for that?
And that also made me think even when I shared,
there's times I'm like, maybe that was oversharing, but I'm like,
own it. As long as you're like, okay, yeah, I
(35:23):
did that, Like it is what it is, whether it's
good bad, and someone resonates with it, you're like, yeah,
that probably was too much for the conversation, making yourself
grounded in the fact like yeah, I did it, Okay,
In case I shared that over like moving on, I
think it makes it way easier. It makes it way
(35:45):
more comfortable in the situation.
Speaker 3 (35:49):
Yeah, and also gosh, so one of the things that
is challenging for many people to do is to really
show up as their real self. So especially in work spaces,
we put on whatever hat we think we're supposed to wear,
(36:10):
because that's what you're supposed to do. So I had,
I wrote, I shared it. Actually, I did a story
at a story slam. I think it was two years
ago now. But the and the speaks perfectly to the
question that you're asking, is that the prompt for the
story slam so with it was five minute stories and
(36:30):
they gave a prompt and then so it.
Speaker 2 (36:32):
Has to be true.
Speaker 3 (36:33):
It about you has been topic and the prompt was
what is love? And because it was around Valentine's Day
and there was ten of us that were telling at
the event, and I had been telling a lot of
kind of heavy stories up until then.
Speaker 2 (36:53):
I'd gone through really i'd gone through a.
Speaker 3 (36:57):
Personal tragedy and I kind of like had worked out
a lot of that through storytelling. And I was like, well,
I think for this one, I'm gonna not you know,
I told that story.
Speaker 2 (37:12):
Times.
Speaker 3 (37:14):
So I decided to tell a story that related to work.
And so in that tale, god years ago, I was
working with a coach and my assignment was to show
up as myself no matter what. And so I was
going into this networking event and it was a lunch.
(37:37):
She was a fancy restaurant and there's all the white
table claws and everything, and it was it was a
small group, you know, like the group of twelve, and
we all sat down and the woman leading it was like, okay,
let's go around the table and you know, introduce ourselves.
And when the first person started, I realized that I
(37:57):
was going to be last because of where I was sitting.
Speaker 2 (37:59):
She was directly across from me and was gonna go
all the way around.
Speaker 3 (38:03):
And I was already a little nervous because I was like, oh,
I'm gonna you know, I've made this commitment. And she
started talking and you know, she's telling her tried and
true elevator speech, and one by one, you know, there's
like the wealth planner, the enterior designer, the real estate agent.
Speaker 2 (38:25):
All those folks.
Speaker 3 (38:26):
And then when it came to me, I was like,
you know, am I just gonna do my tried and
true elevator speech or am I gonna, you know, kind
of flip.
Speaker 2 (38:37):
The script and be real.
Speaker 3 (38:38):
And anyway, I ended up doing this exercise that I
had learned, which is called if you really knew me,
So if you really knew me, and you go three
levels down, if you really knew me, you know that
I do personal storytelling.
Speaker 2 (38:53):
If you really really knew me, you'd.
Speaker 3 (38:55):
Know that I'm honored and appreciated to do the work
that I do.
Speaker 2 (38:58):
And if you really really knew me, know that you know.
Speaker 3 (39:01):
I really find it a gift that I get to
listen to people on a very deep level, because as
I was in my younger days, I didn't necessarily feel so.
Speaker 2 (39:14):
Seen or heard, and so they were all kind of
looking at me weird.
Speaker 3 (39:22):
And then I said, you know, instead of me talking
about my work more, i'd be really interested if you know,
we'd go around the table and people can share something
about them, either personally or professionally. And I mean, they
were all looking at me like I was. I felt
(39:43):
like they maybe they were looking at me like I
was nuts. But one by one they all started to share,
and actually they all shared stuff that was personal, and
by the end of that lunch, instead of all of
us just like bind to get out of the door.
Speaker 2 (40:00):
Oh that's over.
Speaker 3 (40:02):
You know, everybody lingered and they all knew each other
on a much deeper level.
Speaker 2 (40:07):
And so the point is is that.
Speaker 3 (40:11):
I was super nervous to do that, but then what
was on the other side was this really magical connective
moment because we got to see each other as who
we really are. So on one hand, like reading the
room of oh my god, are they all going to
think I'm crazy to kind of creating a space for
(40:33):
people to get to show up as who they really are.
Speaker 2 (40:36):
So yeah, it's a balancing act.
Speaker 1 (40:39):
Well, thank you for sharing that story, because I've seen
here and I was like, Okay, I want to challenge
people to do that, like one that sounds fun. But April,
this has been such an insightful conversation about the power
of our stories and how they can truly transform how
(41:00):
we show up in the world. And even in that
last example you just gave of like how that can
transform a networking opportunity and relationship building. So, April, how
can people get in touch with you? If they want
to connect with.
Speaker 3 (41:13):
You, you can visit my website aprilbell dot com or
email me at Hello at aprilbell dot com. But yeah, everything,
all the different things that I'm up to in different
ways to connect with me or right there on my website.
Speaker 1 (41:30):
Thank you April for all of your insight today.
Speaker 3 (41:34):
Thank you Olivia for having me. I really appreciate it.
It's been lovely talking to you.
Speaker 1 (41:39):
It has been great. And a few of our key
takeaways from today's conversation include, did something change in your stories?
So April brought this up in the beginning, when you're
turning to decide and figure out your wisdom story, is
there that negative information where something whether pivotal not changed,
(42:01):
you learned from it and it directed your path forward.
As well as every day can be an extraordinary day.
And that I loved how April brought that up, because
that's really a mindset on how you show up every
day and even on the hard times like today, can
be a good day, even if it's not going exactly
(42:22):
as planned, And there's probably a story within that as
well as well as something obvious to you, a story
a moment is something amazing to others. So, as April
had brought up earlier, as well, practice your stories if
you're trying to figure out what are those stories, talk
(42:45):
to people, practice, tell a story to a friend, and
tell what you think is the obvious story and part
of your day because it can be amazing and impactful
to someone else, like April brought up and talked about
how she told a story and it really impacted someone
else enough to make a life altering decisions and pass
(43:09):
forward from listening to a story that April was like, Yeah,
this is obvious, this is what I would talk about,
this is what I would say, and as well as
start listening for the stories in your life. Listen for
those moments, talk to friends, see ways to connect with them.
And then I have two challenges, not one, but two
(43:31):
for everyone this week. Listen and tell stories to your
friends and family and look for the connection points between
the conversation you're having and the story you're telling. As
well as if you really knew me? So I want
everyone this second challenge, to sit down today and at
(43:52):
least one other time this week and do a if
you really knew me? The three levels of that that
April brought up. This was a great episode with our
top notch guest, April Bell. Thank you for listening and
have a successful day.
Hello everyone, Welcome to Achieving Success with Olivia Acken. I'm
your host, Olivia Achen. Each week we will discuss the
real map of achieving your personal and professional success. We
will give you real life stories on growing personally and
professionally to achieve your life and for your goals, with
the help of some top notch guests. Today we are
speaking with April Bell. April Bell is a wisdom story
(00:29):
alchemist and founder of innovative storytelling mythologies that have transformed
how people connect with their authentic voice. April is the
author of My Life in Paragraphs, Find and Tell Your Stories,
and co creator of Storycatcher for iPhone, a value driven
storytelling app that has been featured in Your Times, Wired,
(00:51):
USA Today, and Fox News. With nearly two decades of
experience guiding everyone from corporate leaders to community elders through
her values based personal storytelling process, April has developed a
unique approach to helping people uncover the wisdom embedded in
their life experiences. Her workshops and leadership programs have empowered
(01:13):
countless individuals to understand not just what they believe, but
why they believe it, creating a foundation for clear decision
making in careers, relationships, and personal growth. You can find
April by going to her website Aprilbell dot com, or
by email at Hello at Aprilbell dot com, or on
(01:35):
LinkedIn by searching April G. Bell. Hello April. It's fantastic
having you on the show today.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Hi, Olivia, thanks so much for having me.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
I really appreciate it. I'm excited to talk to you
about the story telling.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Yes, I love this topic, so let's dive right in
to start off the show. Can you tell me what
success means and looks like?
Speaker 3 (01:57):
To April Bell, that's such an interesting question. So I
spend most of my time gathering stories from other people,
so then to think about my own story is a
little you know, different, like the flipping the script, but
(02:21):
for me on a larger scale, it's really about has
been about finding purpose, following my heart and being a
true contribution to others and helping them do the same.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
I love that, and I love the fact that you
bring in the contribution aspect and going off that you
call yourself a wisdom story alchemist, which is a beautiful
and unique title within itself. What led you to that
specific definition for your work and calling yourself and branding that.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
Yeah, that's a great question, and it didn't come quickly
or easily, and I spent a lot of time trying
to figure out how to, you know, what do I
call myself? So when I first started doing life story work,
it started with doing life story biographies for people, so
I would film and interview them to talk about their
(03:26):
life story, about their ancestors, their values of philosophies, and
then to pass that out on for generations to come.
And then at that time I found an organization called
the Association of Personal Historians, So I called myself a
personal historian, and back in two thousand and eight, I
would go around and people are.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Like, Oh, that's so interesting. I've never heard of that before.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
And as I evolved in my work, and as my
work evolved, I have been helping people in different ways, and.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
What it came down to is really getting.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
That the true you know, what I really bring to
the party is I have this way of.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Helping people see things in a new light, to see
themselves in a different way.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
To Like so many times when I'm interviewing or somebody
or working with them, they'll be telling me about their story,
their values of what it is that they're wanting to
communicate and all come in with a different angle and
they're like, oh, I never thought of it that way. So,
you know, alchemy is bringing two things together and making
(04:38):
something new.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
So it's really helping people dig.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Into their past experiences, their learned experiences, their wisdom and
reshaping that to communicate the essence of who they really
are in a really elegant way.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
And let's talk about the essence and being able to
tell that story in an impactful way, an elegant way
all the things. As you're hearing different stories and you
get told a lot of different stories, how do you
differentiate between a regular story and a wisdom story?
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Yeah, for me, it's you know, so.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Our learning experiences are what have created our wisdom inside
of us, and so fundamentally it's it's if did you
learn something, did something change? Is there some part of
the story where you changed and you learned something from that,
and then that changed who you were and how you
did things going forward, So that nugget of learning is
(05:50):
the piece of wisdom.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
And how do you when someone's like, I'm gonna phrase
it this way, thinking through this question in a real
time right for you there's moments in our life, our
everyday life where we can say, oh, well this might
not be important, but those stories shape us, as you
(06:15):
just said, and really transform how we show up. So
how do you in your own life and when you
work with people trying to make sure you're reflecting on
all the moments, not just the moments where you're like, well,
that was just a regular day, nothing truly happened, but
that piece of the story could be really important.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
Well, if you really look every day, it can be
an extraordinary day. Oftentimes we're just kind of like running
to the next thing, so then we don't take the
time to notice what those moments, experiences, interactions are that
could be extraordinary. But in regard to finding those stories
for yourself, well, so.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
I really like I have a.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
One of the people I really like is Derek Sivers.
He got started CD baby and if you don't know
who he has, look him up.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
He's fascinating.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
But one of the things that he likes to say
is obvious to you, amazing to others. So the thing
is that we run through our daily lives and we
just do what we do because that's who we are,
and we don't think that there's anything special about us,
you know, like people say like, oh, it's.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
You know, it's just the water you swim in. But
then when you start.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
To tell your stories or reflect on your stories, what
is obvious to you can then become like, oh, that's
actually my superpower. Oh that's something special and unique that
I do. And so then that's the value of kind
of like practicing storytelling, so finding your stories, doing it
(07:59):
in a group for community, because most times, like it's
just not going to happen in a vacuum.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
It's it's listening and telling.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
So it's listening to other people's stories and then seeing
ourselves in them, and then that creates connection points of like, oh,
I have a story about that that it might be
valuable for others to hear, or that would really illustrate
straight who I am. And then it's also in the telling,
because there's one thing that happens inside our head, and
then there's a whole different thing that happens when we
(08:31):
actually say it out loud or take a little time
to try and arrange it in such a way that
it lands in the way that we want to land,
or you know, communicates a value or you know, just
anything that we want somebody to understand about us or
product or service, the organization that.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
We belong to.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
So it's in that practice. They're just like any musician
has to practice their instrument. It's if you're gonna, if
you want it. So we're all storytellers were born with it.
Like you know, anybody can learn to tell a story.
It's a skill and like with any skill, the more
you practice, the better you become.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
And that being said too, because you mentioned the stories previously,
you mentioned identifying the nuggets and what was the challenge?
How did you learn from it? You have helped people
carry decades of love's experience without staffing to ask what
(09:31):
their stories reveal about who they are and uncovering that
with them. What was the moment for you where you
asked yourself that question?
Speaker 2 (09:44):
So, oh gosh, my life is a divine comedy.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
So I developed the story Catcher app back and I
had the idea in twenty eleven and then we launched
in twenty thirteen. So I've had that product for a
long time, and it was we wanted to find a
way to help people tell personal stories on the fly,
and then we also give them questions to ask so
(10:10):
that you can tell values based story anyway.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
So that's you know, the nutshell of that.
Speaker 3 (10:16):
But since then app was called so the app was
called story Catcher.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
But then I go out and meet people and they're.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
Like, oh, yeah, yeah, you're the storyteller, and I'm like, no, no, no, no,
I'm the story Catcher.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
You're the storyteller.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
And I had been interviewing people for years about their
life stories. And this is even after I had developed
my workshop and been working with people that way.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
And in twenty twenty one, I took a workshop. I
wanted to.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
I wanted to work on my own storytelling skills for
myself and then but really to help other.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
People in my work. So I took a workshop.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
And I really had it when I took that workshop
that I was going to like do my about me
story or something like that. Like, I was very hard
headed about what I was going to get out of it.
And long story short is that I ended up having
to take it twice because the first time I was
so kind of bullheaded about doing it my way and
wanting to tell this really big story that the second
(11:24):
time and so I didn't get out of it what
I you know, the value that it offered, and so
then I decided to take it again, and the second time,
I was like, I'm just going to go into this
for the fun of it and not be so significant.
And what happened from that was incredible, because one I
(11:46):
gave myself permission to explore and tell my own stories
without an agenda, so it didn't have to be attached
to my business. And I had this huge aha moment
and like one of the first stories that I told
of that the way that that cohort worked is that
(12:08):
you would work in a story, they'd shall the story.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Then everybody gave feedback, and this particular.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
Story I told to me it had a specific meaning
and purpose and communicated a point.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
In my life.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
And then the feedback that I got from one of
the people and the cohort was that it landed for
her in such a way that she saw something in
her own life that helped her take the next step
on the path that she was going on that actually
didn't have that.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
Much to do with my story, but it really made
a difference in her life.
Speaker 3 (12:51):
And I was like, oh, well, one, like my stories matter,
Like I can tell my story in a very personal
way that feels like it's just about me, and then
in reality it really made a difference in somebody else's life,
like a life altering difference. She made a life altering
choice based on, oh, well she can do that, I
(13:12):
can do that.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
So I don't know the answers your question.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
But that so that was a big offa for me
of like, oh, I'm the reluctant storyteller. I have a
story in my book about my favorite client, Elizabeth. So
when I her son had hired me to interview her,
and when I got to her house, she answered the door,
she's like, oh, warm, it friendly, and I come inside,
(13:37):
and you know, her son comes up and welcomes me,
and then like she turns she's being like super warmed friendly,
and then she turns to him.
Speaker 2 (13:46):
And she's like do we really need to be doing this?
And I was like, oh, I think I'll go set
up my gear.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
And then like she was just resisting it the whole time,
and like his comical I'm like putting the microphone on
her and she's kind of like taking it off, and
finally her son is like, Mom, please just do it
for me.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
I want to have your story, and she's like okay, and.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
Then we sit down, I push record, and three hours later,
she's still talking.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
She's like reading me poetry and she's.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
Got this incredible life story and she she didn't think
she had anything to share, and she had, you know,
could have gone on and on, and she did continue
to go on and on after that, telling even more stories.
So part of it is that. So then I just
found it so ironic that in the end I found
out that I too was the reluctant storyteller.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
So it is like an.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
Uncomfortable space even for me, because you know, it requires
a degree of vulnerability to tell a really good story,
so you have to like, you know, kind of open
your heart and trust and you know figure out the
pathway of like where to do that, how to do that.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
But the reward is so yeah, I guess that's that's.
Speaker 3 (15:05):
What I'll say about that. So yeah, I was reluctant storyteller.
And so then you know, I've been beating this drum.
You're a storyboutter as well.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
Guess what is mine?
Speaker 3 (15:15):
So I am walking the same path of anybody that
I work with.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
And I I know because I think we all can
serve people better when we walk that path and that
journey as well. How has that helped you relate to
individuals as well when they're in that reluctant phase, knowing like, Okay,
I've been reluctant myself, And is there moments of like
(15:44):
reflection points for you where I was like okay, oh
I do this too. Are there points where like to
get them more comfortable you share your story?
Speaker 2 (15:56):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (15:57):
So well expanded by a like I already part of
why I do what I do is that I mean,
I did this whole process years ago. I was like
obsessed with finding purpose, Like what's my purpose?
Speaker 2 (16:18):
I'm not alone in that one, I know.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
And I was also lucky enough that I met a
woman that was a true purpose life coach and I
did her program and it took like eight or nine weeks,
and at the end I figured out this whole life
story thing and I was like, wow, that really is
perfect for me. And part of that is that I
(16:41):
do have a way of making people feel comfortable and
they open up and they trust me.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
And I also set the table for them to know.
Speaker 3 (16:50):
Like I really honor confidentiality and so like when I'm
filming people, if they want stuff cut out, you know,
I cut it out right away, and but so I
just naturally have this way of making people feel comfortable
and drawing their stories out and.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
I love to go deep, and.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
Not everybody is super comfortable with that, but I would,
you know, I could hold the space and take them there,
and I did. I did, you know, I did a
good job at that. However, when I really had to
put myself in that vulnerable when I really pushed myself
into the vulnerable space because I was always telling my stories,
(17:34):
just when I took this workshop, I went a whole
level deeper and that really opened up my compassion for
what other people were going through as I was working
with them, of of you know, what they felt comfortable
sharing or how they wanted to share it. So yeah,
(17:55):
I just expanded my awareness so that I could hold
that space better and be more i don't know, kind
and generous and empowering to help them communicate what they
want to communicate.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
Well, talking about holding space as well, because as you
mentioned too, sometimes there's heavy stories. Sometimes you can go
down a path in your own story and in your
own journey that is not expected. Sometimes hearing someone's story,
as you mentioned earlier, can trigger a sting of yourself
(18:31):
and making a decision. So how do you make sure
when you were recording someone and meeting someone and helping
them say that story and all of their stories, that
you're holding the space for them to be as comfortable
as they can even when sometimes because we all have
those moments, there's things that shock you right or you're like, oh,
(18:56):
I wasn't expecting us going down this path? How do
you handle that?
Speaker 2 (19:04):
You know? I think in the interview.
Speaker 3 (19:06):
When I do the interviews, that's kind of a different
animal because that's like a real time experience of where.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
The person is sharing.
Speaker 3 (19:14):
And also you know they're aware that we're doing this
for it's going to be shared. It's private, they're private,
they're private documentaries for their family, but they're also aware
of like who their audience is. So one is that. Frankly,
(19:35):
I just trust my intuition on how to kind of
like guide us along to keep things positive.
Speaker 2 (19:45):
And also if people want to share the.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Things we talk about, how they are going to be
comfortable doing that.
Speaker 2 (19:58):
So then.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
When I work with people in regard to telling certain stories,
you know, working on the story before they share it.
I talk a lot about discernment and so from my perspective,
the secret sauce to any good story is being vulnerable.
But the thing is is that you really need to
be discerning about how vulnerable that you're willing to be.
(20:23):
So if it's something that you haven't completely worked out
for yourself yet, you know, you don't want to get
on a stage and talk about that in front of
a group of people because then you're going to have
to deal with the aftermath of the effect that that'll
have on you.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
So then it's.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
Really being aware of, you know, what you're comfortable sharing.
So then what I recommend with that is that you know,
if you have a piece of your story that you are,
you know, testing out to see if you really want
to go that deep, is to share it with a
really close and trusted friend and see how you feel
and see the feedback that they get. Because the end
the you know, the thing is, the funny thing about
(21:05):
vulnerability is it's like that thing that we think makes us.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
Look you know, foolish or weak.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
Or like, you know, we made the wrong decision or whatever.
That's that piece that everyone connects with. And then when
you tell the rest of your story, that's the thing
that makes you like.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
Oh my god, that was so amazing that you did that.
Speaker 3 (21:25):
You're like, you know, whatever you got through or triumphed over.
So it's a fine line to walk and also to
be self aware of what you're ready to share and
also be mindful of your audience too, because like you
don't want to overshare and freak them out.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
So it's it's being you know.
Speaker 3 (21:48):
Aware of what you're ready to say and what your
audience is ready to receive, and.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
They're also is a journey in that, like you said,
and I love how you bring up the ability for
all of us to know that the vulnerabilities are the
moments that not only shape us, but will make someone
relate to us and be like oh no, she gets
(22:18):
it right or he gets it, or you know, really
connect on that deeper level. But it's also about being
able to be comfortable in that space, as you said,
and to going Okay, I'm going to practice this. I'm
going to tell this to one person first before I
get on the microphone or I get on that stage.
(22:42):
You also created story Catcher, which you mentioned earlier. You've
written a book and worked with corporate leaders. How do
you decide which median or approach is right for helping
someone uncover those wisdom stories.
Speaker 3 (23:04):
Well, I mean it kind of goes back to what
you're just saying of, like, so the thing is in
the practice, so.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
You know, you can think about.
Speaker 3 (23:19):
Like, oh, this thing makes me feel a little bit vulnerable,
so I'm gonna share it with my best friend, or
I'm gonna share it with a couple of close people
on my.
Speaker 2 (23:26):
Team, or and then seeing how it lands.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
And then the thing is with that vulnerability, like that's
where our humanity lives, and that's how we connect with
people on a human level.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
So as we you.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
Know, weighe deeper and deeper into that pond, then it
gets easier. It's like you know, you like go into
the gym and building a muscles, Like the more you
do it, the easier it becomes because you realize you're like, oh,
I'm not gonna die, Like oh, that actually like opens
something up with these people and now they're sharing more
deeply with me, and now we're more connected, and now
we're being more productive together. So it's a process of
(24:04):
you know, taking one step at a time and then
and it's a very that's so that's a very individual
thing of like, when do you feel comfortable doing it?
Speaker 2 (24:12):
Who do you feel comfortable doing it with?
Speaker 3 (24:14):
And so then what matters is giving it a try
and seeing what happens.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
And then really.
Speaker 3 (24:23):
The most powerful way to do that too is to
invite the other person to also share, So then you
know you're not just putting stuff on other people, You're
having an exchange, and so then you're kind of in
it together, and then everybody kind of grows and expands together.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
Talking about growing and expanding as well as telling those
powerful authentic stories. You mentioned that sharing, and you've said
this in different pieces throughout our conversation so far, that
you know, sharing the authentic stories is one of the
(25:02):
most powerful ways to bring people together in our current climate.
Why do you think storytelling has become even more crucial?
I mean you're seeing it through podcasting conversations, you're seeing
it in different spaces, but also in the environment we are.
Why do you think storytelling is so crucial?
Speaker 3 (25:25):
Well, yeah, so I often refer to it as personal storytelling.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
So like, I'm super passionate about personal storytelling, and oh god,
I can.
Speaker 3 (25:35):
Say so much about this. But you know, for so
long we've been told that there is you know, a framework,
a process, a list, oh, you know, like these all
these different containers are the way that it's done. And
(25:58):
people have gone on these self improvement paths this way,
that way, the other way to try and reach their level,
that level of a success that the outside world is saying, this.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
Is what you need to do. Like, you know, it's
all over YouTube.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
I was like, you're doing it wrong, and you know,
it's like the clickbait of you're doing it wrong and
I'm going to tell you how to do it right.
And so you know, we've all now gotten oversaturated with
that and we're like, hey, no, I really don't think
that that's the answer.
Speaker 2 (26:31):
So I mean, I think we really know and understand
that the answer to.
Speaker 3 (26:37):
Really having a successful life isn't found out there.
Speaker 2 (26:42):
It's looking inside.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
Looking my own humanity, looking at what's important to me.
Like so then you know the thing is if I
follow my heart, hopefully you'll follow yours too. Right, So
it's not like we're all supposed to fit into this one.
Cookie Cutter is like, no, we're all different. We bring
our own contribution, and the more that we listen to
and tell each other our stories, we give each other
(27:05):
the support and the permission to continue to do that,
and so I think the people are really hungry for that,
living on authentic life, having the permission to do that.
So I mean, I think that's kind of like, you know,
this grassroots see change of not being so driven by
(27:26):
consumer culturalism and you know, finding our true path of
what is meaningful and successful.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
What that means to us personally.
Speaker 1 (27:42):
For someone listening who's thinking, I want to get better
using my voice and telling my story, what's the best
first step you'd recommend them to take that they could
take today.
Speaker 3 (27:56):
To practice Yeah, really to practice story.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
But you know the thing, I think the thing the
first thing that.
Speaker 3 (28:07):
You could do that's easy is start listening for the
stories in your life, just out in random like is
it strangers, is it your friends and family? You know,
like there's a lot of people that just have like
these really surface conversations. But then you know, you catch
these nuggets of people telling stories about their life.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
And so then if you hear.
Speaker 3 (28:30):
Something that creates a question, you know, ask that elicit
stories from other people and listen to what it is
that they have to say.
Speaker 2 (28:39):
Find what you feel to be interesting.
Speaker 3 (28:41):
And see if you can find folks that are interested
in listening to your stories too.
Speaker 2 (28:45):
But again, I'm looking for stories in your daily life.
Speaker 1 (28:49):
I love that. I'm going to start practicing that as well.
And now I want to flip this script on you
a little bit. So we just talked about and I answered,
what is the first thing and a good first step
to practice telling authentic and with some stories what someone
avoid doing in the early stages or of exploring their
(29:14):
own stories.
Speaker 3 (29:17):
That's a good one. So then that was the I look,
that's another I don't know. I think I've learned everything
the hard way, but I learned that one.
Speaker 2 (29:24):
The hard way. The perfect place.
Speaker 3 (29:31):
To start is telling stories about small meaningful moments, just
a small.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
Little thing that happened.
Speaker 3 (29:38):
Tell that story, because the mistake that people often make
is they're like, oh, I need to tell my story,
and then they want to tell this big, huge, massive
story that's actually a tons of little, tiny stories, and
then it just becomes difficult and overwhelming, and you know,
they want to go have a bear instead.
Speaker 2 (30:00):
That's it.
Speaker 1 (30:01):
That's a good one because sometimes two when you're talker
or EVADEHD, the story starts one direction and then another
story gets added in, and another story. I've done that myself.
There's times, right I'm like, oh, wait, and then we're
going down a path and someone asks a question and
(30:22):
now we turn right, and then I'm like, no, but
I need to circle back around to the original point
as well.
Speaker 3 (30:30):
Right, So right, the tangents and so then that's the
thing when you're telling a story is then so then
that's a good thing to listen for, is where those
tangents happen. So if you're actually wanting to tell a
specific story that makes a point, you dilute it. We
dilute it when we bring those tangents in. That I
completely guilty talk that way all the time.
Speaker 2 (30:54):
So then.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
When crafting like a wisdom story or something like that,
is to just like be really mindful of keeping those
tangents out of the equation so that you know, we
stay on track and land the plane and don't distract.
So then that would be another good thing to listen for,
is like when these tangents come in, and then that
(31:17):
really helps, Like.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
Being mindful of that helps so much in communication.
Speaker 1 (31:22):
Well, and for yourself, how have you practiced not going
on tangents as much?
Speaker 3 (31:32):
So, yeah, I have a so I belong to a
storytelling community and we do stories telling every Wednesday morning.
Speaker 2 (31:38):
And so then that helps me.
Speaker 3 (31:40):
So being in that practice of so I learned, you know,
structure and a framework of the pieces of my story.
And then because I have that framework, which that's also
in my book, is that it helps keep me in
line so that I don't co squirrel. And then it
because I'm mindful of what those pieces are, then I
(32:02):
can be like, oh, does this fit or does this
not fit?
Speaker 2 (32:06):
So then in.
Speaker 3 (32:09):
You know, when I'm doing it in a structured way,
when I'm working on a story that I'm going to
share later, you know, in a speaking situation or whatever.
Speaker 2 (32:17):
That is useful.
Speaker 3 (32:19):
But then also practicing on the fly, it's really helpful
for me to think in real time of like getting
pulled by that tangent and going is that going to
add to this or is it going to distract? And
then I can you know, stop and re center myself.
Speaker 1 (32:35):
Well talking about adding versustracting in stories to how do
you know when you've shared too much versus not sharing
enough in a story?
Speaker 3 (32:49):
That's a really good question. That's also a practice. So
that goes I mean, the thing that comes up for
me is you know, like when I was talking about vulnerability,
so like, so the thing about being vulnerable is that
you feel that little rise of emotion and then you
(33:09):
have to be like, oh, am I going to be
okay sharing this? Like there's always going to be some trepidation.
Otherwise you're not being vulnerable. So you know, it's important
to know yourself and knowing where your boundaries are and
how you feel safe. And so then that's one of
(33:30):
the things that I really love about personal storytelling is
that it is very transformational because as we look back
on the turning points, the lessons that you know, changes
that we've gone through, we really get to know who
we are and what we're capable of.
Speaker 2 (33:49):
And so then all that stuff sort of feeds.
Speaker 3 (33:52):
Into the awareness of am I over sharing or not
sharing enough? It's for me, it's a feeling, so and
then of like I know when I'm holding back, and
then I also know.
Speaker 2 (34:09):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (34:09):
Sometimes I'd be like, oh, that might have been a
little bit too much for this group, but I actually
think that that can be really valuable for people, like
it helps expand folks. But yeah, it's more of a
feeling and it's something that comes with practice. So then
like some of the people that are in my storytelling community,
(34:32):
they'll you know, I'll think that they told a great
story and they'll be like, oh, I kind of phoned
it in, and I was like, oh, okay.
Speaker 2 (34:39):
There was more there. So it was just like their
comfort level of where they thought they could.
Speaker 1 (34:43):
Go, oh, and I do too. I hear what you're saying,
and I'm like, yeah, if I do that too, I'll
gauge in a room and who I'm talking to and
kind of facial expressions and things like that, like Okay,
can I say this, Can I make a joke in
(35:03):
it land as I'm telling this story or communicating XYZ
to them? Or is this not the space for that?
And that also made me think even when I shared,
there's times I'm like, maybe that was oversharing, but I'm like,
own it. As long as you're like, okay, yeah, I
(35:23):
did that, Like it is what it is, whether it's
good bad, and someone resonates with it, you're like, yeah,
that probably was too much for the conversation, making yourself
grounded in the fact like yeah, I did it, Okay,
In case I shared that over like moving on, I
think it makes it way easier. It makes it way
(35:45):
more comfortable in the situation.
Speaker 3 (35:49):
Yeah, and also gosh, so one of the things that
is challenging for many people to do is to really
show up as their real self. So especially in work spaces,
we put on whatever hat we think we're supposed to wear,
(36:10):
because that's what you're supposed to do. So I had,
I wrote, I shared it. Actually, I did a story
at a story slam. I think it was two years
ago now. But the and the speaks perfectly to the
question that you're asking, is that the prompt for the
story slam so with it was five minute stories and
(36:30):
they gave a prompt and then so it.
Speaker 2 (36:32):
Has to be true.
Speaker 3 (36:33):
It about you has been topic and the prompt was
what is love? And because it was around Valentine's Day
and there was ten of us that were telling at
the event, and I had been telling a lot of
kind of heavy stories up until then.
Speaker 2 (36:53):
I'd gone through really i'd gone through a.
Speaker 3 (36:57):
Personal tragedy and I kind of like had worked out
a lot of that through storytelling. And I was like, well,
I think for this one, I'm gonna not you know,
I told that story.
Speaker 2 (37:12):
Times.
Speaker 3 (37:14):
So I decided to tell a story that related to work.
And so in that tale, god years ago, I was
working with a coach and my assignment was to show
up as myself no matter what. And so I was
going into this networking event and it was a lunch.
(37:37):
She was a fancy restaurant and there's all the white
table claws and everything, and it was it was a
small group, you know, like the group of twelve, and
we all sat down and the woman leading it was like, okay,
let's go around the table and you know, introduce ourselves.
And when the first person started, I realized that I
(37:57):
was going to be last because of where I was sitting.
Speaker 2 (37:59):
She was directly across from me and was gonna go
all the way around.
Speaker 3 (38:03):
And I was already a little nervous because I was like, oh,
I'm gonna you know, I've made this commitment. And she
started talking and you know, she's telling her tried and
true elevator speech, and one by one, you know, there's
like the wealth planner, the enterior designer, the real estate agent.
Speaker 2 (38:25):
All those folks.
Speaker 3 (38:26):
And then when it came to me, I was like,
you know, am I just gonna do my tried and
true elevator speech or am I gonna, you know, kind
of flip.
Speaker 2 (38:37):
The script and be real.
Speaker 3 (38:38):
And anyway, I ended up doing this exercise that I
had learned, which is called if you really knew me,
So if you really knew me, and you go three
levels down, if you really knew me, you know that
I do personal storytelling.
Speaker 2 (38:53):
If you really really knew me, you'd.
Speaker 3 (38:55):
Know that I'm honored and appreciated to do the work
that I do.
Speaker 2 (38:58):
And if you really really knew me, know that you know.
Speaker 3 (39:01):
I really find it a gift that I get to
listen to people on a very deep level, because as
I was in my younger days, I didn't necessarily feel so.
Speaker 2 (39:14):
Seen or heard, and so they were all kind of
looking at me weird.
Speaker 3 (39:22):
And then I said, you know, instead of me talking
about my work more, i'd be really interested if you know,
we'd go around the table and people can share something
about them, either personally or professionally. And I mean, they
were all looking at me like I was. I felt
(39:43):
like they maybe they were looking at me like I
was nuts. But one by one they all started to share,
and actually they all shared stuff that was personal, and
by the end of that lunch, instead of all of
us just like bind to get out of the door.
Speaker 2 (40:00):
Oh that's over.
Speaker 3 (40:02):
You know, everybody lingered and they all knew each other
on a much deeper level.
Speaker 2 (40:07):
And so the point is is that.
Speaker 3 (40:11):
I was super nervous to do that, but then what
was on the other side was this really magical connective
moment because we got to see each other as who
we really are. So on one hand, like reading the
room of oh my god, are they all going to
think I'm crazy to kind of creating a space for
(40:33):
people to get to show up as who they really are.
Speaker 2 (40:36):
So yeah, it's a balancing act.
Speaker 1 (40:39):
Well, thank you for sharing that story, because I've seen
here and I was like, Okay, I want to challenge
people to do that, like one that sounds fun. But April,
this has been such an insightful conversation about the power
of our stories and how they can truly transform how
(41:00):
we show up in the world. And even in that
last example you just gave of like how that can
transform a networking opportunity and relationship building. So, April, how
can people get in touch with you? If they want
to connect with.
Speaker 3 (41:13):
You, you can visit my website aprilbell dot com or
email me at Hello at aprilbell dot com. But yeah, everything,
all the different things that I'm up to in different
ways to connect with me or right there on my website.
Speaker 1 (41:30):
Thank you April for all of your insight today.
Speaker 3 (41:34):
Thank you Olivia for having me. I really appreciate it.
It's been lovely talking to you.
Speaker 1 (41:39):
It has been great. And a few of our key
takeaways from today's conversation include, did something change in your stories?
So April brought this up in the beginning, when you're
turning to decide and figure out your wisdom story, is
there that negative information where something whether pivotal not changed,
(42:01):
you learned from it and it directed your path forward.
As well as every day can be an extraordinary day.
And that I loved how April brought that up, because
that's really a mindset on how you show up every
day and even on the hard times like today, can
be a good day, even if it's not going exactly
(42:22):
as planned, And there's probably a story within that as
well as well as something obvious to you, a story
a moment is something amazing to others. So, as April
had brought up earlier, as well, practice your stories if
you're trying to figure out what are those stories, talk
(42:45):
to people, practice, tell a story to a friend, and
tell what you think is the obvious story and part
of your day because it can be amazing and impactful
to someone else, like April brought up and talked about
how she told a story and it really impacted someone
else enough to make a life altering decisions and pass
(43:09):
forward from listening to a story that April was like, Yeah,
this is obvious, this is what I would talk about,
this is what I would say, and as well as
start listening for the stories in your life. Listen for
those moments, talk to friends, see ways to connect with them.
And then I have two challenges, not one, but two
(43:31):
for everyone this week. Listen and tell stories to your
friends and family and look for the connection points between
the conversation you're having and the story you're telling. As
well as if you really knew me? So I want
everyone this second challenge, to sit down today and at
(43:52):
least one other time this week and do a if
you really knew me? The three levels of that that
April brought up. This was a great episode with our
top notch guest, April Bell. Thank you for listening and
have a successful day.
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Betrayal Weekly
Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com