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PODCAST

Unconventional Leaders

Join Heather Parady each week for a spiritual and quirky take on storytelling. Each week: tactical tips, behind-the-scenes with creators, and reflections on how the stories we tell shape culture, humanity, and our spiritual lives.

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All Episodes

01:11:26

Strengthen Your Spiritual Life with THIS | Alex Portillo

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/08/19

Today’s guest is Alex Portillo, a pastor and content creator who is on a mission to help folks read the Bible with new eyes. Instead of clinging to black-and-white answers, Alex invites us to explore nuance, contradiction, and the uncomfortable beauty of not knowing.We talk about why doubt isn’t the opposite of faith, how “bad religion” doesn’t have to drive you away from “good religion,” and what it looks like to communicate what you’re learning in a way that opens doors instead of closing

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04:10

How to Pick the Right Story to Tell

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/08/14

There are stories we “think” we should tell… and then there are the ones that won’t stop tapping us on the shoulder.From raw advice by singer-songwriter Yungblud to a powerful reminder from storyteller Neal Foard, this episode is a call to stop hiding behind trends and start sharing the kind of truth that truly connects.WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparadyEPISODE MENTIONED:Stories Telling Tips for Social Media | Neal Foard

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50:51

How do I Reconstruct Faith? The Story of Ray Edwards

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/08/12

Ray Edwards is one of the world’s top copywriters. His words have generated over $500 million for clients like Tony Robbins, Michael Hyatt, and Jack Canfield.But his most powerful story isn’t about marketing.In 2011, Ray was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He prayed for healing…and it didn’t come. What happened next led him to deconstruct everything he believed, rebuild his faith from the ground up, and discover a deeper connection to God than ever before.If you’re wrestling with faith, or if

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03:44

Best Ways to Begin a Story (Advice from Experts)

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/08/07

What’s the BEST way to capture attention…and keep it? I asked pro storytellers in Atlanta, content creators in Austin, and even sat down with a Pixar storyteller who worked on Toy Story. Here’s what they told me… and their answers might surprise you.WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparadyCONNECT WITH THE STORYTELLERSEldon Smith: https://www.instagram.com/eldonosmith/Misha Sanders: https://www.instagram.com/reverend_misha/Gregg Clunis:

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51:08

How to Partner with Creativity (Lessons from a World...

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/08/05

Fredrik Haren has spent the last 25 years traveling to more than 75 countries asking one question: How does creativity differ around the world?He’s interviewed thousands, from Silicon Valley executives to Mongolian nomads, and what he discovered might surprise you.From his geometric dome on a private island, Fredrik shares why his new book The World of Creativity might just convince you to stop forcing creativity… and start listening to it.WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE:

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10:14

Use LISTENING to be a Better Storyteller

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/07/31

Want to become a better storyteller? You HAVE to master the science and art of LISTENING. Today, I’m sharing 4 clips from 4 different storytelling experts, each showing how they use listening in their craft.WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparadyEPISODES MENTIONED:How to Captivate an Audience & Be More Confident | René Rodriguez https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBcAws9Byss&t=3311sMeaning in the Making | Sean Tucker |

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46:09

Is Hell Even Biblical? Brian Recker on...

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/07/29

Brian Recker is a former evangelical pastor turned public theologian who's challenging the very foundations of Christianity. In his viral content and new book Hell Bent, Brian unpacks why so many of us were handed a spirituality rooted in punishment and how that’s distorted our relationships with God, others, and even ourselves.In this conversation, Brian shares his personal story of deconstruction and what it means to rebuild a faith based on love, curiosity, and mutual respect. From publicly

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08:08

Make Stories Better Using Weakness

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/07/24

Here are three clips from storytelling experts on why showing weakness not only improves your stories…but also builds your credibility.WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparadyEPISODES MENTIONED:Storytelling Expert: Science of Emotions and Backstory | Lisa Cronhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4pb41H6OR4The Storytelling Process: Deep Dive with Screenwriter & Director Steven Bernsteinhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsSk_k8dMgk&t=36sSTORYTELLING TIP: The Hidden Power of

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49:24

Storytelling Expert: Science of Emotions and...

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/07/22

Story coach and author Lisa Cron (Wired for Story, Story Genius, Story or Die) joins us to unpack the neuroscience behind powerful storytelling—and to challenge some of the most common (and misleading) advice writers are given. In this episode, Lisa shares how our brains are literally wired for story, the three key brain chemicals that great narratives activate, and why most people misunderstand what makes a character “likable.” Spoiler: it’s not about being nice. It’s about vulnerability and

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06:42

I Cussed Out an Angel

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/07/17

I want to share a personal story about the time I cussed out a real-life angel. Sometimes we think our message isn’t landing…but we never really know the impact our words can have.WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparadyCONNECT WITH HEATHER:Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/askFollow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/109

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42:01

Christian Rock Star to LGBTQ Advocate: Trey Pearson...

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/07/15

Trey Pearson, front man of the Christian rock band Everyday Sunday, sold hundreds of thousands of records, amassed millions of streams, and toured all over the world. Then, he came out of the closet and made national headlines.Trey's announcement sparked a national conversation, including a television appearance on The View and coverage from The New York Times, Billboard Magazine, CNN, and more. At one point, he was the #1 trending topic worldwide on Facebook.I had him on the show today to talk

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12:15

Discovering Your Calling (It's Not Where You Think)

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/07/03

I asked Michael Gungor how to find your calling…and I loved his response. Enjoy this short clip featuring singer-songwriter Michael Gungor. Watch our full conversation (Reconstructing Through Creativity) here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJVMVwLEIMQ&t=164sCONNECT WITH MICHAEL GUNGOR:Website: https://www.michaelgungor.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelgungor/CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/askFollow Heather on IG:

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56:38

Reconstructing Through Creativity | Michael Gungor

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/07/01

Michael Gungor is a Grammy nominated singer-songwriter, producer, author, and co-founder of The Liturgists. Once known for leading worship in megachurches and writing anthems like Beautiful Things, Michael became a defining voice in the faith deconstruction movement.In this conversation, we explore how he found connection to the divine outside of religious systems…through creativity, mysticism, and surrender. Michael shares why play, wonder, and imagination are essential for wholeness, and what it

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45:21

How Suffering Unlocks Purpose | Voice Contestant:...

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/06/24

Lauren-Michael Sellers is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter whose music I first heard on Season 26 of The Voice. But it wasn’t just her voice that struck me…it was the presence behind it. In this conversation, Lauren-Michael opens up about trauma, faith, and finding God in the middle of suffering. She shares why those who suffer are anointed, and why pain isn’t something that should push us away from God, but draw us closer.TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:Becoming a vessel for God and creativity to flow

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54:51

STORYTELLING TIP: The Hidden Power of UNHEALED...

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/06/17

When it comes to sharing our story, we’ve all heard the advice: “share from your scars, not from your wounds.” But Renee Frojo, a brand and content strategist, makes a bold case for doing the opposite.In this episode, Renee discusses the power of speaking from your pain before it’s polished, how vulnerability builds real credibility, and why the future of storytelling might actually make us more human. As she says, “It’s the very things we are afraid of that ultimately unlock potential, connection,

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03:56

Niche Down is BAD Advice | Amie McNee

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/06/12

In this episode, we have with us Amie McNee (@inspiredtowrite), the author of We Need Your Art and the voice behind the wildly popular community, Inspired to Write, where she helps her global audience of creatives dismantle limiting narratives and start taking their work seriously.CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/askFollow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/103

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46:48

How to Be Braver Sharing Your Story | Terry Rice

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/06/10

Terry Rice is a keynote speaker, author, and coach for high performers and teams, specializing in storytelling for influence, impact, and income. He had a major breakthrough in his work when he learned to lean into the dark side of his story instead of shying away from it. In this conversation, Terry opens up about the power of storytelling, how to know when to share your truth, and how to transform pain into impact.WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparadyTOPICS FROM THIS

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13:30

Tips on Increasing Imagination | Feat. Matthew Luhn &...

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/06/05

Today we’re revisiting two conversations, one with Matthew Lunn from Pixar and another with Todd Herman, author of The Alter Ego Effect, to explore how we can develop our imagination.TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:How Matthew Luhn’s parents nurtured his imaginationWhat happens in our brain when we are in a state of playThe power of letting go of outcomes to unleash your best ideas.PREVIOUS INTERVIEWS MENTIONED:Matthew Luhn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-65jOrpPlA&t=852sTodd Herman:

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51:02

Using Physical Energy in Storytelling | Mike Ganino

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/06/03

Powerful storytelling is not just about what you choose to say, but HOW you say it. Mike Ganino, the secret weapon behind some of your favorite professional speakers, joins us today to walk us through how to use our physical bodies to tell parts of the story that words alone never could.Mike shares what it takes to go from a “good” speaker to a great one, how to use your quirks as strengths, and why we have far more choices in how we show up, not only on stage but in the world, than we often

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54:44

Leaving Security and Going ALL IN as a Creative |...

Unconventional Leaders ·

2025/05/22

If you feel a deep calling but are absolutely terrified to switch careers, this is for you.Mark Shiiba was working on nuclear reactors aboard an aircraft carrier when he made the bold decision to leave the Navy and share his music with the world. I discovered him on Season 26 of The Voice, fell in love with his music, and immediately noted his old soul. I had to bring him on to talk about all things spirituality, creativity, and what it means to make the bold, friggin' choice to lean all the way

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139 results

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