Storytelling School

It’s my very first time at Comic-Con. I’m with my dear friend Denise, and it’s her first time, too. The second we arrive in downtown San Diego, we’re hit with a wave of everything - cosplayers everyw…

It’s a Tuesday morning. I am sitting in front of my computer, matcha tea in hand, staring at my podcast dashboard. A little number in the top corner catches my eye. 200 episodes, 200! Part of me can’…

I am standing on a court in Santa Barbara, and it's my very first pickleball lesson. I arrived early and I’m already warmed up, focused and ready to do everything exactly right. In fact, even before …

I'm on a Zoom call with one of my private clients. She is a powerhouse executive and is preparing for a TED-style keynote. Her ideas are solid, and her story is incredible; it's emotional, has high s…

I’m working with my client on a TEDx Talk. In her opening story, she shares a vivid moment from her childhood: She is standing on a stranger's doorstep, completely nervous and uncertain if anyone is …

I am standing in the dojo, drenched in sweat. We’re in the middle of a dynamic circle knife drill, and I’m surrounded by fellow black belts, each armed with metal training knives and ready to attack …

I'm a freshman at the University of Hawaii, living the dream on a full-ride softball scholarship. One night during finals week, my roommate and I decide to take a break from studying and grab a bite …

It's the early 2000s, and I get invited to speak in New York to a room full of tech heavyweights - people and thought leaders I dreamed of being in front of. I am determined to crush it, so I do what…

It’s 2006. I am sitting in the audience at TED surrounded by visionaries, innovators, and thought leaders. The energy in the room is electric and everyone is buzzing with anticipation about who’s goi…

I am coaching a speaker as she prepares for one of the biggest keynotes of her career. Her story is powerful, full of resilience and triumph. As she runs through her story, I am captivated... until i…

I’m running a high-stakes speaking event and, as I always do, I have everyone share their name and something interesting that may not be on their bio. We go around, one by one, with people sharing su…

It’s the end of 2002 and I am fully immersed in the world of technology, running a bicoastal tech event. Over lunch with a new connection, we start unraveling a really wild idea - what if we were to …

It's 2014. As the year draws to a close, all of my friends come up with their New Year’s resolutions, ranging from dropping bad habits to losing weight. But while I create my list of resolutions on t…

I’m in a high-stakes game throwing pitch after pitch after pitch for the University of Hawaii. I feel the ball roll off of my fingers in a perfect spin towards the catcher’s mitt. Then, I notice a sh…

I’m in my martial arts class where we’re deep into advanced weapons training. On this day, our Grandmaster tells us that we’re going to have a special guest instructor join us. I’m thinking, “I’ve go…

A few years ago, I’m coaching a speaker for her first big keynote. We rehearse endlessly, tweaking every word and gesture. On the day of the event, I’m sitting in the audience feeling a mix of pride …

I’m on the East Coast about to speak at a corporate event filled with tech leaders of a very large company. As I’m backstage, the CEO comes up to me and says, “Remember Kymberlee, these are incredibl…

It’s the early 2000s, and I’m between sessions at the TEDx conference. As I go to grab a coffee, I notice this crowd forming nearby. Naturally curious, I wander over there to see what the fuss is abo…

I’m helping my client Barbara get ready for one of the biggest Talks of her career. She’s preparing to stand on stage in front of thousands of people (with even more watching live online). 

She share…

It's time for my first theatrical performance. I've memorized my lines and have been rehearsing relentlessly. I am ready to go. 

As I'm standing backstage, I suddenly notice my leg is shaking. And th…