What's Your Story?
164 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 days ago -What Makes a Superhero?
Every story has a power. Every journey holds a secret. What if your life experiences could unlock a superpower to change the world?
Welcome to “What’s Your Story?”, where your host, Matt Story, dives deep into the lives of leaders who've turned their personal journeys as people of color into powerful beacons for change, inspiration and success. With a passion for storytelling and a heart for community, Matt uncovers how each guest's unique background has shaped their extraordinary contributions to fostering a better world for all of us.
This Podcast is For You If:
You're Seeking Inspiration: Discover how to channel your unique experiences into strength.You Support Inclusion and Equity: Learn how you can contribute to making a difference.You Love Stories: Get ready to be moved by the power of real-life journeys.Join Us Every Sunday for new stories that celebrate the magic of diversity and the strength of legacy. Whether you're looking to find your own superpower or simply to be inspired by the richness of human experience, “What’s Your Story?” promises a journey into the heart of what makes us truly remarkable.
Subscribe Today to never miss an episode and become part of our mission to illuminate the stories that shape our world.
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Episodes
Activism isn't a choice when you are raised in the revolution - Imani Cheers, PhD
July 05, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 44.3 MBImani Cheers, PhD, learned about the struggle for freedom at a very early age. Following her youth in which she was surrounded by black leadership and black excellence including her father's coverage of Jesse Jackson's presidential runs, she attended high school in a post-apartheid South Africa and met Nelson Mandela when she was 15 yrs old. Her exposure to the power of media to drive engagement and movements led her to a career as a storyteller. Now as the Associate Director of the School o...
Going from chameleon to the advertising hall of achievement - Saneel Radia
June 28, 2020 12:00 - 44 minutes - 30.8 MBSaneel Radia, Chief Innovation Officer for R/GA, looks back on balancing his Indian life with his non-Indian life growing up in San Antonio, Texas. He recalls memorable moments from sharing his aspirations of a career in advertising with his father (who responded with "What type of engineering is that?") to the feeling of being recognized by his industry heroes as he was inducted into the AAF Advertising Hall of Achievement. Saneel also shares the importance of modeling work/life balance for...
Searching the world to see yourself in academia - Megan Ming Francis, PhD
June 21, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutes - 34.3 MBMegan Ming Francis, PhD, was raised knowing that she would grow up in a color based society by her Chinese mother and Jamaican father. Her connection with two black professors in undergrad set her career on its trajectory to be a leading academic voice in civil rights, politics and capitalism. She also understood the responsibility of using her acquired power to help make systems more equitable for all people in her community. Episode References: Megan's book, Civil Rights and the Making o...
Leading with expertise and facial hair - Dan Gould
June 14, 2020 13:00 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MBAsking "Why Not?" has proven to guide Dan Gould's professional and personal journey. Dan, Senior Portfolio Manager with TIAA, FSB, recognized that his community while successful and diverse did not have an intricate understanding of finances so he decided to unlock that world for his community. Dan also shares the importance of a team approach to overcome any unconscious bias or lack of familiarity in a relationship based field. Episode References: Diana Riley's (Dan's Mom) Charity Swingi...
Overcoming the Heisman curse - Brandon Roberts, MD
June 07, 2020 14:00 - 39 minutes - 27 MBWords can sow an idea into someone's life journey from an early age. This happened to Brandon Roberts, MD, when someone told him he should be a doctor. Without even knowing what it would take to do it, Brandon took the thought and saw it through to fruition in his own life and now seeks to plant similar seeds in the next generation of leaders. Brandon also shares what it was like winning the Academic Heisman and why he decided to give the trophy back to his alma mater, Washington University ...
Going from Little Rock to Michael Buble and the Super Bowl - Michael Craig
June 04, 2020 03:00 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MBComing of age in Little Rock, Arkansas during the 80s, Michael Craig, Marketing Executive, developed a capability to operate in chaos while being comfortable in his own skin simultaneously. This skill set enabled him to change careers after a decade of engineering to the marketing industry where he has worked on multiple global brands and developed Super Bowl commercials. Michael shares that the consistent thread in his career has been seeking success even when things do not appear in his fa...
Staying ready, rule of three and spreadsheets - Shaun Koiner
June 04, 2020 03:00 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBBeing his true self from the start of his career, Shaun Koiner, SVP Publishing at DAZN, built confidence through finding ways to contribute value to his organizations at each stage of his career. He even went as far as to recommend to the Time Inc. board that they should buy a little social media company called Facebook. His approach helped him build mutually beneficial relationships that have created the path of his career to date. Shaun also shares why he does not believe in following your...
Unmattering of black lives - Matt Story
June 01, 2020 08:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBMatt shares his own personal feelings on the recent incidents involving Christian Cooper in Central Park and the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis along with the nationwide response. He touches on a few of the historical contributing factors that have led to this point in time. Lastly, he gives his suggestions for what we can do to make a difference in our communities. Follow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourst...
The lasting impact of impermanence on creativity - Frank William Miller Junior
May 30, 2020 22:00 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MBFrank William Miller Junior, creative director and marketing designer, has always wanted to get a job in the kitchen of his favorite restaurants. Not because he has an interest in the culinary arts but instead so he could learn how to perfect his favorite dish and then move on to his next creative outlet. Growing up as a military kid created an impermanence that removed his fear of taking risks which included a stint working at Blockbuster video. In addition to his experience at Hot 97, Rock...
Finding your identity before the term exists - Gia Altreche
May 30, 2020 20:00 - 52 minutes - 36.2 MBGrowing up is difficult enough but imagine growing up feeling like you have to choose which part of your ethnic background to identify. This was the experience for Gia Altreche, Director of Business Development and Marketing at Newmeyer & Dillion LLP., growing up in Phoenix, AZ. She also shares how your perceptions of reality can be more limiting than the actual reality you are facing if you aren't careful. Episode References: Gia's sister, Erica Mathlin, would play her in the movie of her...
Becoming the voice for those not seen - Jonathan Goree, MD
May 30, 2020 20:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBJonathan Goree, MD, Director of the Chronic Pain Division and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, has seen first hand the opportunities created by the power of Black Excellence in his own life. The Arkansas Physician of the Year gives the story behind his calling to help solve the public health emergency around opioid addition and the under-treatment of pain for minority patients. He also shares the importance of aski...
Becoming the voice for those not seen - Johnathan Goree, MD
May 30, 2020 20:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBJohnathan Goree, MD, Director of the Chronic Pain Division and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, has seen first hand the opportunities created by the power of Black Excellence in his own life. The Arkansas Physician of the Year gives the story behind his calling to help solve the public health emergency around opioid addition and the under-treatment of pain for minority patients. He also shares the importance of ask...
Creating opportunities they pay you to take - Eugene Hillsman, PhD
May 30, 2020 19:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBMoving to Atlanta, Georgia and being surrounded by a community of African American leaders had a lasting impact on Eugene Hillsman, PhD, Deputy Director in the Office of Cannabis for the City and County of San Francisco. In this episode, Eugene shares how he learned the importance of being open to opportunities and taking risks helped shape his career. Eugene also discusses the need to engage in community activities to give back and remain connected. Episode References: LEAD Program: https...
What's My Story (Trailer) - Matt Story
May 30, 2020 18:00 - 5 minutes - 3.72 MBWelcome to the pod. In this kick-off episode, Matt shares how the transition from Detroit, Michigan to Evansville, Indiana completely changed his understanding of his identity. He also touches on finding and understanding the importance of his voice within his career journey. Lastly he shares what he hopes listeners take away from this podcast series. Follow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https:...