425: The Story You're Most Reluctant to Share is the One You Should

Is there a story you’re reluctant to share? The one that still makes you cringe a little, that feels raw and vulnerable?

That’s probably the exact story you should be telling - not just for your audience, but for yourself.

In this episode, I’m joined by Diane Diaz, and we’re pulling back the curtain on our own stories - the ones we’ve hesitated to share.

We talk a lot about storytelling in public speaking, thought leadership, and keynotes, but let’s be honest: we often default to the safer stories. You know, the ones about career missteps, lessons learned, or professional challenges. But what about the deeply personal stories? The ones that shaped who we are?

Diane and I each share a story we’ve been reluctant to tell - stories tied to our self-worth, identity, and fears.

We unpack how these experiences have influenced our careers, our approach to public speaking, and even the way we show up in the world.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why the stories that scare you the most are the ones that will connect the deepest with your audience

• How childhood experiences still shape the way we think about ourselves (and what to do about it)

• Why leaning into imperfection and vulnerability makes you a more compelling speaker

• How to balance preparation and spontaneity in your speaking style (Diane and I approach this very differently!)

• A behind-the-scenes look at our own speaking journeys, including what we’ve learned from our clients

This episode was filmed in one of the beautiful studios on the campus of Full Sail University, where Diane and I have been teaching business and marketing classes since 2009.

Watch the video episode at https://youtu.be/WoIk1kK1a8c

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/425/

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/carolcox

• Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 398: Storytelling for Leaders: Crafting Narratives that Inspire and Persuade

• Episode 378: The Power of Women's Voices and Stories to Change the World

• Episode 337: Sharing Your Story as a Catalyst for Transformation

Become Bookable Live Online Workshop - April 15, 2026
If you want to speak more but you’re not sure where to start or your efforts haven’t produced the results you want, I’m hosting a live online workshop called “Become Bookable: How to Get Speaking Invitations” on Wednesday, April 15th.

A lot of brilliant women assume they just need to pitch themselves more. But the real reason speakers get invited isn’t because they pitch harder — it’s because they’re positioned as bookable.

In this 3-hour interactive workshop live on Zoom, I’ll show you how speakers actually get invited — and help you clarify the positioning that makes event organizers say yes.

As a podcast listener, use the coupon code “Podcast100” to save $100 on your registration.

Learn more and register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/bookable