The Story Craft Podcast

Hosted by Meg and Kyle Adams

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Apr 2026

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Welcome to The Story Craft Podcast, hosted by Meg and Kyle Adams. We believe that your stories are your most valuable assets so we are on a mission to help you use storytelling to build deeper connections and stronger communities. As former journalists and founders of Homeplace Creative, a storytelling firm, Meg and Kyle Adams know that even the smallest stories can be powerful so join in as they show you how to leverage your stories to create connection, empathy, and buy-in.

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April 28, 2026Episode 5443 min

54: THALER PEKAR: Stories We Build Together: Listening, Trust, and Connection

What does it take to truly connect with your audience? How do you move beyond broadcasting your message to co-creating stories that inspire, engage, and build trust?In this episode of The Story Craft Podcast, Dr. Meg Adams sits down with Thaler Pekar, an award-winning expert in institutional storytelling and founder of Thaler Pekar & Partners. For over 18 years, Thaler has guided visionary leaders in crafting narratives that engage audiences worldwide, teaching them to listen, connect, and co-create stories that resonate.Together, we explore:How trust and listening are essential to effective storytellingThe art of co-creating stories with audiences rather than just presenting themEthical considerations in participatory storytellingHow leaders and organizations can foster connection through narrativePractical tips for bringing audience-centered storytelling into your own workThis conversation is a deep dive into how storytelling becomes truly meaningful when it’s collaborative, and how connection and trust are inseparable from the stories we tell.Whole Story Living emphasizes that every story is lived, shared, and received. In this episode, we see this in action:Listening is as important as telling.Storytelling is a shared experience, not a solo performance.The stories that matter are the ones that engage, invite, and transform both teller and listener.This episode is perfect for anyone looking to deepen the connection between their story and the people they serve!If this episode resonates:Follow The Story Craft Podcast for more conversations on storytelling, leadership, and connectionShare this episode with colleagues, leaders, or creatives who want to improve how they listen and communicateLeave a review to help others discover the showAnd if you want guidance on how to craft stories that build trust, foster engagement, and invite participation, this is the work I do through Whole Story Living—helping individuals and teams live and communicate their stories authentically.

April 21, 2026Episode 5346 min

53: DAWN ROBINETTE: Becoming Who You Are: Personal Branding & Storytelling in a Polarized World

How do you communicate who you are… in a world that feels louder, faster, and more divided than ever?In this episode of The Story Craft Podcast, Dr. Meg Adams sits down with Dawn Robinette, an award-winning communications expert and founder of Tale to Tell Communications, to explore the intersection of personal branding, storytelling, and identity in today’s complex communication landscape.With decades of experience in public relations, branding, and campaign strategy, including work with major organizations and cultural initiatives, Dawn brings both expertise and clarity to what it means to build a brand that is not only strategic, but authentic.Together, we discuss:How to communicate who you are with clarity and confidenceThe role of storytelling in shaping your brand and messageHow to navigate communication in a polarized and noisy worldThis conversation is both practical and deeply reflective...inviting you to think not just about how you show up, but why.If this episode resonates:Follow The Story Craft Podcast for more conversations on storytelling, leadership, and communicationShare this episode with a leader, marketer, or creative navigating how to show up authenticallyLeave a review to help others discover the showAnd if you’re looking to bring this kind of clarity and human-centered communication into your team or organization, this is the work I do through Whole Story Living—helping leaders and teams communicate with confidence, build trust, and show up authentically!

April 14, 2026Episode 5213 min

52: KYLE ADAMS: How to Tap Into Your Purpose (Without Overthinking It)

What if purpose isn’t something you find… but something you choose to live into?In this episode of The Story Craft Podcast, Kyle Adams talks about what it really looks like to tap into your purpose, especially in seasons of uncertainty and transition.He explores the tension between waiting for clarity and taking action, and how purpose often reveals itself not in big, defining moments, but in small, intentional choices over time.In this conversation, we talk about:The difference between waiting for clarity and creating momentumHow purpose is often revealed through action, not overthinkingWhat it looks like to navigate transition, risk, and uncertaintyThis episode is a reminder that purpose is something you practice.Whole Story Living reframes purpose as something you live, not something you unlock.It’s found in:The choices you makeThe risks you takeThe work you’re willing to show up forYou don’t have to have it all figured out to begin. You just have to take the next step!If this episode resonates:Follow The Story Craft Podcast for more conversations on storytelling, leadership, and meaningful workShare this episode with someone who’s feeling stuck or searching for directionLeave a review to help others discover the show

April 7, 2026Episode 5114 min

51: Whole Story Living: The Story You Live is a Choice

What if the life you’re living isn’t just something that’s happening to you… but something you’re actively choosing?In this episode of The Story Craft Podcast, I explore one of the core ideas behind Whole Story Living: the story you live is a choice—and that choice is shaped by your values.We’re living in a world that is constantly telling us what to believe, what to prioritize, and who to be. And if we’re not careful, we can end up living out values we never consciously chose.In this episode, I unpack:Why understanding your values is essential to living an aligned, meaningful lifeThe urgency of defining your values in a culture full of competing narrativesHow knowing your values gives you the confidence to speak up and stand firmWhy value conflict isn’t a problem, but a sign you’re actually living authenticallyWhat my Whole Story Living experiment is teaching me about courage, clarity, and conviction.Here’s what I’m learning:When you are truly living into your values, it will create tension. Not everyone will agree with you. Not everyone will understand you. And that might be your sign that you’re finally doing it right.Whole Story Living is about living in alignment. If you’ve been feeling pulled in different directions, unsure of what’s really yours, or hesitant to fully stand in what you believe, this episode reminds you to choose your story, on purpose.If this episode resonated with you, here’s where to start:Reflect: What values are actually shaping your decisions right now?Notice: Where are you staying quiet or small to avoid tension?Choose: What would it look like to live your values more fully this week?And if you’re leading a team, organization, or community…This is the work I do.I help leaders and teams clarify their values, communicate with confidence, and build cultures rooted in trust, connection, and human-centered communication through Whole Story Living.If you’re looking for a speaker or workshop facilitator to help your team:Speak up with clarity and confidenceNavigate tension and value differencesBuild stronger, more connected communicationLet’s connect! I’d love to bring this work to your organization. Email me at megan@homeplacecreativeco.com to learn more about how we can work together!

March 24, 2026Episode 509 min

50: KYLE ADAMS: Wins, Losses, and the Stories We Tell About Success

In a world that celebrates big wins and visible milestones, what if the most meaningful growth is happening quietly?In this episode of The Story Craft Podcast, Kyle explores a different way of understanding success. He unpacks how we’ve been conditioned to measure our lives through wins and losses and why that framework often misses the deeper, more transformative story unfolding within us.Kyle shares insights from his own coaching journey, reflecting on the slow, often invisible process of growth that doesn’t always translate into immediate results. This conversation invites us to reconsider the metrics we use to define progress and to notice the quieter forms of becoming that shape who we are.Through a Whole Story Living lens, this episode challenges the dominant narrative that success must be loud, fast, and externally validated. Instead, it offers a more grounded, human-centered perspective: growth is often subtle, nonlinear, and deeply personal.If you’ve ever felt like you’re “behind,” stuck, or not seeing the results you expected, this conversation will help you reframe your story and recognize the growth that’s already happening.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy measuring life by wins and losses can limit your perspectiveThe difference between external validation and internal transformationHow to recognize progress when nothing “big” seems to be happeningA Whole Story Living approach to redefining successLearn more about Kyle's creative work as co-founder of Homeplace Creative, here.

March 11, 2026Episode 4919 min

49: Whole Story Living: My January Experiment in Becoming the Author of My Story

What would happen if you decided to become the author of your own life story?In this episode of The Story Craft Podcast, Dr. Meg Adams shares the behind-the-scenes reflection from the first month of her Whole Story Living experiment—a year-long practice of stepping out of algorithm-driven living and reclaiming agency over the stories that shape our lives.January was designed as a reset month: slowing down, creating space to think, and building habits that help us live more intentionally in a world that constantly pulls our attention elsewhere.Meg shares what she learned from protecting her mornings for writing, creating a dedicated space for creative work, stepping back from social media noise, and reconnecting with the deeper narrative of her life and work.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the pace of digital life—or like your story is being written by everything except you—this episode will help you begin reclaiming your role as the storyteller.This conversation explores:What it means to become the author of your own storyWhy digital culture makes it easy to lose narrative agencyThe first steps of the Whole Story Living frameworkHow small habits—writing, reflection, and attention—help reshape your life narrativeWhat Meg learned during the first month of her year-long experimentThis episode is a reflection on agency, creativity, and intentional living—and an invitation to start paying attention to the story you’re telling with your life.Big Magic by Elizabeth GilbertThe Artist’s Way by Julia CameronWhole Story Living Substack (follow along with the experiment)Follow the Whole Story Living journey:Instagram: @drmegadamsSubstack: Whole Story LivingIf you paused long enough to listen to your life right now…What story is asking to be written next?If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to The Story Craft Podcast, share it with a friend, and follow along with Meg’s Whole Story Living field notes on Substack.

March 3, 202647 min

48: JENNY YOUNG: Believing in Yourself & Building a Small Business Through Community

What does it take to believe in yourself when others don’t? And how do you build a thriving small business rooted in relationships instead of algorithms?In this episode of The Story Craft Podcast, Dr. Meg Adams sits down with Jenny Young, founder of SHE Did It Videography, to explore the power of self-trust, community-centered entrepreneurship, and storytelling as a force for local impact.Jenny’s journey from Akron, Ohio to becoming an award-winning videographer serving small businesses and nonprofits across Northeast Ohio is a story of courage, resilience, and returning to your creative roots. A graduate of The University of Akron, Jenny spent years honing her craft—filming up to five videos a week across cities like Wadsworth, Medina, and Cleveland—before launching her own business in 2018.But her success didn’t come from chasing trends. It came from investing in relationships.In this conversation, we talk about:How to believe in yourself when support feels scarceWhy community is the strongest marketing strategy for small business ownersWhat it means to build a brand people talk about (“SHE did it!”)The courage it takes to leave stability and start your own creative businessHow serving small businesses and nonprofits can create ripple effects of kindnessJenny shares how SHE Did It Videography was born from a desire to serve “small first” — making high-quality, accessible video production available to local entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations. Her work isn’t just about content creation; it’s about strengthening the conversation around storytelling, visibility, and generosity in Northeast Ohio.At its core, Jenny’s story is a Whole Story Living story.Whole Story Living is about stepping into authorship — choosing courage over comfort, connection over competition, and contribution over comparison.Jenny embodies:Narrative Aliveness – Returning to the creative spark she had as a child with a camera.Relational Intelligence – Building a business around trust, community boards, and collaboration.Human-Centered Rhythms – Designing a business that works alongside motherhood and family life.The Sacred Ordinary – Seeing videography not just as a career, but as a way of giving back.Her story reminds us that entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. It can be local. It can be relational. It can be rooted.If you’re a creative entrepreneur, small business owner, nonprofit leader, or someone trying to build something meaningful while staying connected to your community — this episode will encourage you to trust your story and take the next brave step.If this episode resonated with you:Subscribe to The Story Craft PodcastShare this episode with a small business owner or creative who needs encouragementLeave a review to help more community-driven entrepreneurs discover this conversationAnd for more reflections on building a life and business rooted in connection, follow along with Whole Story Living on Substack and Instagram @drmegadams.Because when you believe in your story — even when others don’t — you don’t just build a business.You build a community!

February 24, 2026Episode 4714 min

47: Whole Story Living: Reclaiming Your Attention, Identity, and Voice in an Algorithmic World

What happens when you stop letting algorithms shape your life and start becoming the author of your own story?In this episode of The Story Craft Podcast, Meg introduces Whole Story Living — a human-centered framework for reclaiming your attention, reconnecting with your values, and showing up more fully in your work and relationships.After growing disillusioned with social media, hustle culture, and performative productivity, Meg shares why she’s treating 2026 as a living research experiment: slowing down, listening more deeply, and rebuilding her rhythms around connection, creativity, and meaning.You’ll hear:Why algorithms quietly shape how we think, create, and relateWhat it means to become the author of your own life instead of a passive consumerThe origin of Whole Story Living — and how it blends storytelling, leadership, and embodied presenceSimple practices for reclaiming your mornings, your voice, and your inner narrativeHow small, intentional habit shifts can restore confidence and clarityThis episode is both a personal reflection and an invitation — especially for women leaders, creatives, and thoughtful humans who feel tired of being optimized and ready to feel alive again.If you’ve been craving slower mornings, deeper connection, and a more honest relationship with your own story, this conversation is for you.👉 Follow along with the Whole Story Living experimentSubscribe to Meg’s Substack for monthly field notes, research reflections, and behind-the-scenes insights from this year-long journey — and connect on Instagram @drmegadams for weekly story prompts and practice ideas.

February 17, 2026Episode 467 min

46: KYLE ADAMS: How Social Media Algorithms Hijack Our Thinking (and How to Stay Human in a Digital World)

Have you ever noticed how suddenly everyone is talking about the same thing online?In this episode of The Story Craft Podcast, Kyle Adams explores how social media algorithms quietly shape what we see, what we think about, and even what we believe matters — using the flood of posts surrounding the Super Bowl halftime show as a real-time example of collective attention being redirected.But this conversation goes deeper than trending topics.Kyle unpacks how algorithmic feeds can:Hijack our attention and emotional energyCreate manufactured consensusPull us away from our own values and lived experiencesReplace meaningful connection with performative engagementMore importantly, he offers grounded, practical ways to resist the pull.This episode is an invitation to reclaim your agency — to slow down, stay rooted in your values, and choose face-to-face human connection over algorithmic validation.You’ll walk away with simple practices for:Becoming more aware of how algorithms influence your thinkingRe-centering on what actually matters to youPrioritizing real relationships over digital noiseLiving and leading with intention in an attention economyIf you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by social media, exhausted by online discourse, or disconnected from your deeper sense of purpose, this episode will help you reconnect with your humanity — and remember that you still get to author your own story.

January 27, 2026Episode 811 min

45: Why Your Story Matters Right Now: Living and Leading a Whole Story

We are living in a moment where stories shape everything—what we believe, who we trust, how power moves, and whose voices are heard.In this solo episode of The Story Craft Podcast, Dr. Meg Adams explores the urgency of telling your story and what it means to live—and lead—a Whole Story in a time when narratives are constantly being written for us.Drawing from her Whole Story Living framework, Meg unpacks the idea that storytellers are not just content creators or communicators—we are meaning makers. The stories we tell (and the ones we silence) shape culture, build communities, and influence how power is understood and distributed.This episode is a call to presence and authorship. To stop outsourcing your story. To show up with confidence. And to recognize that your lived experience carries weight—whether you claim it or not.Why storytelling is not optional in today’s cultural momentWhat it means to live a Whole Story—not a curated or fragmented oneWhy confidence comes from ownership, not performanceHow storytelling builds community and shifts narrativesThe responsibility storytellers carry as cultural meaning makersThis episode is especially for leaders, creatives, educators, and anyone who has ever felt hesitant to take up space with their story—but knows, deep down, that it matters.If you’ve been waiting for permission to own your voice, consider this your invitation.