The Power of Storytelling for Personal and Professional Development with Priya Sam | Live Greatly Podcast with Kristel Bauer
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Episode Summary
Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for building confidence, advancing your career, and strengthening your personal brand.
In this episode of the Live Greatly Podcast, Kristel Bauer sits down with former national morning show host turned executive communication coach, Priya Sam, to explore how storytelling can elevate leadership presence, increase visibility, and unlock new professional opportunities.
Priya shares her journey from journalism to tech and entrepreneurship, and introduces her signature Power Story framework, designed to help high-achieving women communicate their value with clarity and confidence.
Together, Kristel and Priya discuss:
How to uncover your personal leadership story
Why most women struggle with self-promotion
How storytelling builds confidence and credibility
Practical strategies for networking and personal branding
How to advocate for yourself without feeling boastful
Whether you're a corporate leader, entrepreneur, or emerging professional, this conversation will help you refine your message and use storytelling as a strategic advantage.
Key Takeaways
Everyone has a powerful story — even if you don’t think you do.
Leadership stories often begin with personal turning points.
Storytelling is a more natural and effective way to communicate strengths.
Asking strategic questions can help you steer conversations intentionally.
Confidence grows when you refine and repeat your key stories.
Personal branding requires consistency and clarity.
The story you tell yourself matters just as much as the story you tell others.
About the Host
Kristel Bauer is a corporate wellness and performance expert, keynote speaker, and TEDx speaker who delivers engaging, science-backed keynotes that drive measurable results for organizations. With a rare combination of clinical medical training and real-world business expertise, Kristel helps leaders and teams improve performance, resilience, well-being, and workplace culture—without burnout.
As an Integrative Medicine Fellow and Physician Assistant with clinical experience in Integrative Psychiatry, Kristel brings medical credibility and evidence-based insight to the stage. She translates cutting-edge research on mindset, behavior change, and peak performance into practical, actionable strategies audiences can immediately apply. Her high-energy keynotes are tailored to support leadership development, team engagement, productivity, and sustainable success—while inspiring audiences to “Live Greatly.”
Kristel is the award-winning author of Work-Life Tango: Finding Happiness, Harmony, and Peak Performance Wherever You Work (John Murray Business, November 19, 2024) and the creator and host of the globally ranked self-improvement podcast Live Greatly. She is a contributing writer for Entrepreneur, was named a Forbes Top 10 Social Media Influencer, and was recognized as a 2026 Top Impact Speaker by Real Leaders—highlighting her influence at the intersection of leadership, well-being, and business performance.
Kristel’s prior clients include AbbVie, BP, Cognizant Technology, General Mills, Home Depot, Santander Bank, among many more. She has appeared on major media outlets including NBC News Daily, ABC News Live, FOX Weather, ABC 7 Chicago, and WGN Daytime Chicago. Based in the Chicago area and available for engagements worldwide, Kristel Bauer is an ideal keynote speaker for conferences, events and leadership summits seeking a dynamic, medically credible voice on peak performance, happiness, well-being, and leadership in today’s workplace.
Learn more at: https://www.livegreatly.co
Edited Transcript
Introduction
Kristel:
It’s time to awaken to your ultimate potential.
The first thing I find most people need to overcome is realizing that they have a story. So many people think, “I don’t really have anything unique to offer.” But I’ve never met a single person who doesn’t have a story. Everyone has one.
I’m incredibly excited to have Priya Sam here today to talk about the power of storytelling. Priya is a former national morning show host and news anchor who transitioned into the tech industry. She is now the founder of the Unleash Program, where she coaches high-achieving women to communicate their value with clarity and confidence using her signature Power Story framework.
We’re going to talk about refining your story, using storytelling to advance your career, build relationships, and grow your confidence. Let’s jump in.
Priya, welcome to the show.
Priya’s Background
Priya:
Thank you so much for having me. I’m excited to be here.
I was the kid who every summer had a bag of books from the library that I could barely carry. I’ve always loved stories. I studied journalism in college and went on to become a television reporter and morning show host.
I eventually worked on a national morning show — the Canadian equivalent of Good Morning America. It was an incredible opportunity. From the outside, my career looked like it was skyrocketing. But behind the scenes, I was experiencing sexism, racism, and discrimination that deeply impacted my mental health.
That led me to pivot into tech, where I worked as a product expert at Salesforce. There, I realized I could use my storytelling skills in a completely different way.
Eventually, I began running storytelling workshops for women. After one participant used her story to successfully advocate for a promotion she hadn’t received the year before, I knew this work mattered. In 2024, I left my corporate job to coach women full-time.
Finding Your Leadership Story
Kristel:
For someone who feels like they don’t have a compelling story, where should they begin?
Priya:
The first step is recognizing you do have one.
I have clients list their biggest life turning points — professional and personal. Graduations, promotions, breakups, becoming a parent, major risks taken — these moments shift your trajectory.
From there, we look for patterns.
One client thought she lacked leadership experience. But when we examined her turning points, she remembered receiving a varsity softball leadership award for leading with steady consistency and example.
That became the entry point for her leadership story in interviews.
Storytelling Without Bragging
Kristel:
Many women hesitate to promote themselves because they don’t want to seem boastful. What would you say to that?
Priya:
Seventy percent of women would rather minimize their success than talk about it.
Stories allow you to share achievements naturally. Instead of saying, “I’m ambitious,” you tell a story about a project that increased market share by 30%.
You’re sharing facts — not bragging.
Building Confidence Through Storytelling
Kristel:
What about confidence?
Priya:
Details build confidence.
Instead of saying, “I loved reading as a kid,” I say, “I was the kid with a bag of books heavier than I could carry.” That paints a picture.
Practicing in safe environments also helps. The first time you tell your story shouldn’t be in a high-stakes situation.
Personal Branding & Strategic Networking
Kristel:
How does storytelling connect to personal branding?
Priya:
It’s essential.
When I wanted more speaking opportunities at Salesforce, I used a strategy I call “Ask the question you want to answer.”
I would ask executives how they got into tech. After listening actively, they would ask me the same question. That allowed me to share my background and my goal of speaking on behalf of the company.
Over time, I became one of the go-to speakers.
Personal branding requires repeating your story clearly and consistently.
The Story You Tell Yourself
Priya:
Many people focus on the story they tell others, but the story you tell yourself is equally powerful. That internal narrative shapes your confidence and actions.
Final Question
Kristel:
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give yourself 10 years ago?
Priya:
Follow your gut. Clear away the fog of other people’s expectations. Keep going in the direction your heart is pulling you.
Closing
Kristel:
Thank you so much for being here today, Priya. I truly appreciate your insights.
If you enjoyed this episode, I would greatly appreciate you leaving a review. Reviews help the show gain visibility so more people can benefit.
Until next time, this is Kristel Bauer with Live Greatly, inspiring you to awaken your ultimate potential.
Disclaimer: The contents of this podcast are intended for informational and educational purposes only. Always seek the guidance of your physician for any recommendations specific to you or for any questions regarding your specific health, your sleep patterns changes to diet and exercise, or any medical conditions. Always consult your physician before starting any supplements or new lifestyle programs. All information, views and statements shared on the Live Greatly podcast are purely the opinions of the authors, and are not medical advice or treatment recommendations. They have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. Opinions of guests are their own and Kristel Bauer & this podcast does not endorse or accept responsibility for statements made by guests. Neither Kristel Bauer nor this podcast takes responsibility for possible health consequences of a person or persons following the information in this educational content. Always consult your physician for recommendations specific to you.