The Importance of Storytelling: You Matter, Your Story Matters

In this deeply moving group conversation on Conversations with Carroll, I had the privilege of sitting with Amy Harrington, Nancy Harrington, and Barbara Collins to explore the power and necessity of storytelling. From the very beginning, we grounded ourselves in the truth that we are all born into stories—some we inherit, some we survive, and some we consciously choose to rewrite. Drawing from Amy and Nancy’s experience conducting over 1,600 interviews with cultural icons and everyday changemakers, and Barbara’s lived experience of faith, healing, loss, and service, this conversation reminded us that stories are not just personal—they are connective tissue for humanity.

We talked about how storytelling builds compassion, dismantles judgment, and helps us realize we are never as alone as we think. Amy and Nancy shared how listening—truly listening—is often more powerful than telling, and how asking the right questions can unlock healing and clarity people didn’t know they were searching for. Barbara offered profound insight into how sharing her own story—through cancer, faith, family revelations, and service—became a lifeline not just for herself, but for others. Again and again, the theme emerged: when one person has the courage to be vulnerable, it gives permission for others to do the same.

What I hope you take from this conversation is simple and sacred: your story matters. Not because it’s polished or perfect, but because it’s yours. There is healing in telling it, power in honoring it, and connection waiting on the other side of sharing it. I invite you to listen to the full episode, soak in the wisdom of these incredible women, and reflect on what your own story might be asking of you next.

Listen to the full episode here! 🎧✨ Youtube | Spotify | Apple