The Top Storytelling Coaches
THE TOP STORYTELLING COACHES
Have you ever wondered what makes a story truly unforgettable? It’s not just about words on a page or slides in a presentation—it’s about weaving together emotions, insights, and authenticity to create a narrative that resonates deeply with your audience.
In the world of storytelling, mastering this art can open doors to new opportunities, whether you're pitching a startup, writing a novel, or sharing your personal journey.
In this article, we’ve tapped into the expertise of top storytelling coaches who specialize in guiding individuals like you toward crafting compelling narratives.
From decoding the essence of a story to infusing authenticity into every word, these coaches bring unique insights and strategies that can elevate your storytelling game to new heights.
Do you think you or a coach that you know deserves to be featured as a top storytelling coach? If yes, then fill out this form and we will consider your application and get in touch with you for the next steps.
In Brief : The Top Storytelling Coaches
- Gabriela - Gi is a queer, nonbinary, first generation Mexican-American photographer, filmmaker and story coach helping their clients connect with communities and opportunities through messaging strategy.
- Ara Grigorian - Ara Grigorian, a USA Today Bestselling author and experienced coach, helps writers uncover the heart of their stories, drawing on over a decade of industry experience and a keen understanding of reader expectations.
- Anna McAfee - Anna McAfee, the founder of the #linkedinlocal movement, specializes in building communities both online and offline, coaching individuals and brands to establish networks that foster connection and belonging.
- Anna McAfee - Anna McAfee, a pioneer in community building and social impact, co-authored 'How a Hashtag Changed The World' and founded the #linkedinlocal movement, fostering offline connections from online networks across 100 cities and 96 countries.
- Patricia Chica - Patricia Chica, a renowned filmmaker and chi energy educator, pioneers a transformative approach to storytelling coaching, bridging metaphysical concepts with practical techniques to enhance creativity and communication skills.
- Matteo Cassese - Matteo Cassese, a business storytelling coach, combines a humanistic approach with a deep understanding of technology and business, helping individuals and organizations craft compelling narratives for presentations and meetings.
- Michael McRay - Michael McRay, an award-winning author and Certified Experiential Coach, specializes in storytelling and conflict resolution, guiding individuals through transformative journeys of self-discovery and reconciliation.
- Melissa Reaves - Melissa Reaves, a professional storyteller and sales expert, empowers individuals to find and tell impactful stories that resonate with audiences, drawing on her extensive experience in technology sales and professional acting.
- Debbie Weil - Debbie Weil, a podcaster and nonfiction writing coach, leverages her background in tech, online marketing, and storytelling to guide clients in crafting compelling narratives that engage and inspire.
- Bobby Umar - Bobby Umar, an inspirational speaker and leadership advocate, empowers individuals to harness the power of storytelling to become more impactful and influential leaders.
- Jay Golden - Jay Golden, a storytelling expert with a background in web learning and entertainment, helps leaders navigate the complexities of storytelling in the digital age.
- Jan Blake - Jan Blake, a leading storyteller with over twenty-five years of experience, captivates audiences with dynamic and generous storytelling rooted in African, Caribbean, and Arabian traditions.
- Ira Koretsky - Ira Koretsky, the founder of The Chief Storyteller®, brings decades of experience in storytelling and public speaking to his coaching practice, helping individuals and organizations craft compelling narratives that drive engagement and influence.
- Dave Walker - Dave Walker, a coach and storyteller, inspires and empowers clients to make positive changes in their lives through storytelling and coaching.
- Jyoti Guptara - Jyoti Guptara, a bestselling author and storytelling expert, specializes in helping leaders and companies tell compelling stories that inspire and engage audiences.
Gabriela
Gi is a queer, nonbinary, first generation Mexican-American photographer, filmmaker and story coach helping their clients connect with communities and opportunities through messaging strategy. Since producing stories on community health while getting their BA in Journalism, Gi has used storytelling to evolve narratives and preserve culture; they often emphasize the contributions of decolonial, cultural workers to activism, holistic wellness, sustainable fashion, and creative entrepreneurship.
What do you do differently, or how is your coaching different from others?
I approach coaching through a decolonial and trauma-informed lens, which means co-building impactful storylines for my clients’ campaigns and projects that help decolonize both their industries and personal narratives. I believe in sharing stories as a vehicle to connecting with communities and aligning with quality opportunities.
I also help clients foster compassion and claim the power of their lived experiences. Through my Constellation Mapping technique, clients have managed to draw a mycelial connection between their personal stories and larger cultural narratives. This provides clients with insight into their unique strengths, values and how they feel most empowered to foster change.
What according to you has been the single most important thing that has contributed to your success as a coach?
As a story coach, it has been critical for me to anchor the value and impact of storytelling into my program and sessions. I constantly address the importance of independent storytelling in a world of propaganda and media biases. My guidance being impactful highly depends on there being a conviction that the role of authentic truth-telling is crucial to change on a personal, spiritual and political level.
Ara Grigorian
Ara Grigorian is a USA Today Bestselling author whose novels include the international award-winning Game of Love, and Fortuny Bay series. When not devising hopefully-ever-after stories, he helps writers find the heart of their story by identifying and improving on the elements that make books unputdownable. Ara has had the privilege of leading countless workshops at some of the most prestigious writers’ conferences and has coached hundreds of writers
What do you do differently, or how is your coaching different from others?
Ara is an active, award-winning author, continually publishing successful novels. Additionally, he has been in the literary industry for over a decade. Therefore, because he has seen the transformation of the industry, he brings relevant and timely advice. Finally, because he is also an executive in the entertainment industry for nearly two decades, he incorporates the mindset of the current generation of readers, and what they expect and desire in their sources of entertainment. His workshops converge on where the best elements of movies intersect with exceptional writing.
What according to you has been the single most important thing that has contributed to your success as a coach?
The single most important thing would be the implementation of character transformation in the context of a story arc. He incorporates a holistic view of story in his coaching. The goal is to help the client produce the best work possible by focusing on the elements of story: the arc, the character, the motivations, the story beats, and the payoffs. If the story doesn’t touch the heart of the reader, then there is no resonance. No resonance, and the story is forgotten. He aims for timeless experiences.
Anna McAfee
Patricia Chica, an acclaimed filmmaker, chi energy educator, and coach, is on a mission to merge storytelling, higher consciousness, and performance in the film/TV and entertainment industry. As a sought-after instructor, she has empowered countless actors, celebrities, and industry professionals. Through personalized training, global Chi Energy workshops, engaging talks at film festivals and academia, and various online platforms, Chica has enlightened individuals about harnessing the power of mind, body, and spirit for enhanced creativity, overcoming limiting beliefs, and manifesting desired outcomes faster through simple energy techniques anyone can learn. As recently featured in the LA
