37 | Speak and Stand Out: How Storytelling Helps Working Women Be Heard and Confident featuring Dr. Danny Brassell

Ever feel like your voice disappears in a meeting—or even at the dinner table? You’re not alone. But what if you didn’t need a stage to become a confident speaker?

In this lively and laugh-filled episode, I’m joined by Dr. Danny Brassell, author of 19 books and dynamic communication expert who’s spoken to over 3,500 audiences worldwide. Known as “Jim Carrey with a PhD,” 

Danny brings humor, heart, and real tools for busy moms who want to speak up with more confidence—whether it’s in a Zoom meeting, a job interview, or just convincing your toddler to eat vegetables.

What You’ll Learn:
➡️ The 5‑C Story Framework you can use in any conversation (from boardroom to bedtime)
➡️ Why your voice matters—especially when it feels like no one’s listening
➡️ How to transform your so-called “failures” into unforgettable and powerful connection points
➡️ Simple ways to feel more confident speaking up at work, at home, or online
➡️ Why your lived experience as a mom is leadership gold—not a limitation

Favorite Quote from Danny:
“It’s not always the smartest person who wins—it’s the one who can connect.”

🔗 Connect with Dr. Danny Brassell and get his free Story Blueprint

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Transcript

Shannon Fox:

Ever feel like you're invisible in meetings or just trying to get your toddler to listen? What if the secret to being heard isn't speaking louder, but telling better stories?

In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Danny Brassell – he's been called the Jim Carrey with a PhD – to talk about how moms can speak with confidence, communicate like a pro, and actually enjoy it, even if you never want to get on stage. We’re breaking down storytelling tips, ditching perfectionism, and showing how your messiest parenting fail might actually be your most powerful message.

So grab your coffee, hit play, and let’s do this.

Intro:

Hey mama, welcome to Career Growth for Working Moms. If you're stuck in a job that doesn't fit or burning out trying to do it all, you're in the right place. I'm Shannon, a career coach and fellow working mom. Here, you'll get simple career strategies and strength-based leadership tips to help you grow with clarity and confidence. So grab your coffee or reheat it for the third time, and let's do this.

Shannon:

Hello, welcome. I'm so excited to have Dr. Danny Brassell with me today. He is known as Jim Carrey with a PhD. He's a dynamic speaker, author of 19 books, and an expert in storytelling and communication who’s spoken to over 3,500 audiences worldwide.

Beyond the stage, Danny brings something incredibly valuable to our listeners – a way to communicate with more confidence, share your story with impact, and stand out, whether you're in the boardroom, on a Zoom call, or at the dinner table teaching your kids resilience.

Today, he's going to share how busy moms can tap into their own storytelling and speaking power to grow their careers, get heard, and feel more confident without needing to be a public speaker.

Danny, welcome to the show. I'm so excited to have you here.

Danny Brassell:

Thanks so much for that kind introduction, Shannon. More importantly, thanks for spreading some joy in the world. We need a lot more of you.

Shannon:

Yeah, thank you, thank you. So you went from being in an inner-city classroom to keynote stages all around the world. What lessons from teaching and parenting shaped how you communicate today?

Danny:

Well, it's been great because I've taught all age levels, from preschoolers all the way up to rocket scientists. I can make that claim because I used to teach English as a second language to engineering students at the University of Southern California.

And the mothers will relate to this one: I learned what works with a 12th grader does not necessarily work with a kindergartner, but what works with a kindergartner works with all age levels. I love little ones. They're great.

Shannon:

Yes, yes. So a lot of career moms feel like their voice gets lost, whether it's at work or at home. What's one way they could start owning their voice and their story and speaking with more confidence?

Danny:

I think the most important job in the world is stay-at-home moms. I actually work with a lot of single working moms. I'm like, wow, there's a place reserved in heaven just for you. I have no idea how you're able to do it.

I once watched a speaker – I’m addicted to watching speakers – and he was a brain expert showing a man's brain at rest and a woman's brain at rest. The man's brain at rest only lit up for respiration and digestion. The woman's CAT scan? The entire brain was lit up. Women never stop; they’re constantly thinking about everything.

And I think the biggest thing I deal with when working with moms is they just don’t feel their voice is important. But every single person on the planet has in common that they had a mom. There's nothing more important than that.

Most of the people I work with don’t want to be on stages; they’re terrified of it. I just try to build their confidence and help them see who they are. It’s like on an airplane – you put on your oxygen mask first before helping others. Moms always want to serve everybody else first, but if mama ain’t right, nothing’s right.

Shannon:

Yes, definitely. I love that because we do take care of everybody else and forget ourselves. So what guidance do you have for women who want to fine-tune their communication skills, even if it’s not for a stage but maybe for presentations or interviews?

Danny:

Yeah, so I co-founded a company called the Well-Crafted Story Workshop with Coach Jimmy Hayes Nelson and Dave Ward. I call us the professor, the performer, and the producer. My background is academia, Coach Jimmy was an actor on Broadway, and Dave Ward was an attorney – so he’s our producer.

We teach a formula that works on stage, in a boardroom, a classroom, a courtroom – and for moms, even in the bathroom when your kid's being difficult.

We call it our Five Seeds Process:

1. Clarity – Who is your audience, and what is the problem you’re solving?
2. Connect – Stories are the best way to connect. It’s biblical; Jesus always used stories to teach.
3. Content – The meat of your message.
4. Call to Action – What do you want them to do?
5. Close – Finish strong.

For example, with kids, connect with them through stories. My youngest daughter had a teacher who told her she couldn’t do something. I told her, “When someone says you can’t do something, really what they’re saying is they can’t do it. Don’t let them put their limitations on you.”

Or my son, who thought nothing ever happened to him to write about. I told him about when I was in first grade, a teacher called me stupid, smacked my hand, and made me cry in front of the class. The next day, I peed on an apple and gave it to her. My son thought that was the coolest story ever.

Stories connect people, and your story should always have a point – the moral. Moms read picture books with kids all the time. That’s where the most important lessons are.

Shannon:

Yes, yes. I love that. One thing my listeners struggle with is imposter syndrome or perfectionism, especially with speaking. What mindset shift should they take to speak from a place of impact instead of fear?

Danny:

Always turn your perceived weakness into a strength. Comedians are great at this – Kevin Hart talks about being short, Jim Gaffigan jokes about being a big guy. Roseanne Barr joked about being overweight.

People connect with your failures and vulnerabilities, not your perfection. For example, I have a client from Saudi Arabia who’s climbed the highest peak on all seven continents and done the Iditarod to the North Pole. Amazing, but no one can relate to that. But everyone can relate to parenting fails – like the time my daughter swallowed a penny on Christmas Eve, and I had to check every diaper until she pooped it out.

People relate to stories about failure, messiness, and imperfection. That’s where true connection lies.

Shannon:

I absolutely love that.

So for moms feeling overwhelmed after a move and wanting connection quickly, what advice would you give?

Danny:

Go where women congregate – like MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) groups, hiking groups, coffee groups, anything that gathers moms together. Overwhelm is universal among moms, so connecting with others in similar seasons is powerful.

Shannon:

This has been such a great conversation. Where can my listeners best connect with you?

Danny:

As a thank you to you and your audience, go to freestoryguide.com – I’ll give you my Well-Crafted Story Blueprint. This process helps you structure your story or presentation with clarity and confidence to connect with any audience.

Again, Shannon, thank you. I love your mission, and I’m here for you anytime.

Shannon:

Thank you so much. 

Before we wrap up, I love to leave my listeners with an action step. What is one small storytelling or speaking tip they can use today to feel more heard and confident in their voice?

Danny:

Stop talking about your successes. Start sharing your failures. Everyone has failed, and the more you share those moments, the more people see themselves in you. That’s where connection and confidence come from.

Shannon:

I love that. Well, thank you, Danny, so much for being here.

Danny:

Thanks, Shannon. God bless.

Outro:

Hey, Working Mama, I hope you enjoyed today’s episode. If so, would you take 30 seconds to share it with a friend who's stuck in her career but doesn’t want to sacrifice her family to grow?

Also, please leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts. It seriously lights me up to know this show is helping you navigate burnout, find clarity, and lead with confidence.

All right, time to shut down my laptop and pretend I’m not hiding from folding that laundry.

I’ll meet you back here soon for another episode of Career Growth for Working Moms.

You’ve got this.