Whether you've had one day that changed your life forever - or a series of events that shifted your understanding of yourself and the world - or a culmination of hard-won lessons from work and life, you have a story worth sharing.This is something I emphasize often, because so many women tell me, “I don’t really have a story. Nothing big has happened to me.”What matters isn’t the size of your story, but how you tell it and what lessons you offer your audience.In this episode of the Speaking Your Brand podcast, I talk with Karen Keene, a graduate of our Thought Leader Academy, whose life was forever altered after surviving a violent home invasion. Karen’s journey of healing - through 26 surgeries, unimaginable loss, and the courage to rebuild - has become the foundation for a keynote talk that inspires audiences to face adversity with resilience and purpose.But this conversation isn’t only about Karen’s story. It’s about:Why your story can be just as powerful, even if you haven’t faced extreme traumaHow to uncover the universal lessons in your story that speak to anyone in your audienceThe importance of moving from “sharing what happened” to “showing what’s possible”Karen’s M.A.P. framework and how it turns inspiration into actionThe transformation that happens for you when you tell your story with intention If you’ve ever wondered whether your story is “enough” to share or how to use it to truly serve your audience, this episode will give you both the confidence and the tools to do it.This conversation originally aired as episode 337 on July 10, 2023.Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/story-transformation/Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxKaren Keene = https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-keene-profile2023/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 297: Integrating Your Story Into Your Talks with Carol Cox, Diane Diaz, and Joy SpencerEpisode 263: Finding the Emotional Heart of Your Message with Carol CoxEpisode 230: Use Your Story for an Inspirational Talk with Tanea SmithEpisode 137: The Missing Ingredients in Your Stories with Carol Cox JOIN US: Our in-person Speaking Accelerator Workshop is coming up in Downtown Orlando on October 30, 2025. Create and practice your signature talk in one day using our proven framework, so you can confidently share your message and attract more opportunities. It's a fun, supportive environment where you get personalized feedback, professional photos, and more. Limited to 15 attendees. Get the details and secure your spot at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.