Chapter Twenty Nine: Storytelling 101

Catch Phrases and Comfort Zones

Lately, I have noticed something funny about my videos. When I went back and watched a few of my older videos, I realized that I had fallen into a default catch phrase. Almost every video began with “Hey everyone.” It was always nice, but it felt like a habit I did not even notice I had developed. My friends even started joking about some of the random intros I used over the last couple of months, which made me laugh but also made me reflect.

Those small, silly parts of creating content—like how you greet your audience—end up becoming part of the fun. They create moments of connection. Whether it is friends and family or people who are following along, I have come to appreciate those little exchanges that come from sharing videos, writing, or any kind of content. It is interesting to see how my language has evolved as I get more comfortable in different formats, whether that is written, video, or something else entirely.

Thinking About Storytelling

This week, I found myself thinking a lot more about storytelling and what it means in both a personal and professional sense. Storytelling is a broad topic, but it matters deeply to me. I want to understand not just what it is, but how it can truly create impact for organizations and communities.

Too often, I see content defaulting to something very generic. An article published “from the team at” a company might be easy and efficient for a communications team, but it lacks a personal touch. I know organizations worry that people come and go, and that makes it harder to put experts at the forefront. But I believe that when you give people space to lead with their expertise, it builds both their personal brand and the organization’s reputation at the same time.

There is always a balance between the individual and the organization, but they are closely linked. When people see someone thriving in their field, they associate that credibility with the organization as well. Helping experts grow their voice and visibility creates opportunities for them while also serving as a launching pad for the company.

Networks and Human Connections

Being in the Caribbean has made me more aware of the role of networking and personal connections. Large distances and oceans separate communities, but what brings people together is always that human connection. This feels especially important when I think about how we approach content strategies.

There is a place for educational content and formal research, but I think we also need to show the human side of the work. Across Guyana, there are so many people—scientists, researchers, field teams—who are doing incredible things. Sharing their stories makes the impact real. It reminds audiences that behind every project and study, real people are working hard, and that human element creates deeper engagement.

Building for the Long Term

Another thing I keep coming back to is sustainability in content. Not every organization can create an article every week, and that is okay. What matters is producing work that has staying power. A high-quality piece of content that can be reused, translated, or adapted will often have more value in the long run than a constant stream of one-off pieces.

I think a lot about how content can remain evergreen. A research paper, a story, an FAQ, or even an explainer can all serve different purposes, but together they create a body of work that can last. Content should meet people where they are, whether they want a quick answer or a deep dive into science. The point is to create multiple entry points so people can engage in ways that make sense for them.

Looking Ahead: Audiences

As I reflect on all of this, I realize that the next step is to think more deeply about audiences. Who do we want to reach? What are their needs? How can we make sure that they actually see and benefit from the content we are creating? Those are the kinds of questions I want to explore further in the coming weeks.

The Good, The Challenging, and What’s Next

The good this week was a return visit to Aagman Indian Cuisine. I got to meet the chef again, and I think he remembered me. We chatted, and I even got his number, which made the evening feel extra memorable.

The challenging part was workouts. I had a rough one this morning, and it reminded me that I need to reset my schedule and stay more consistent.

What is next? Stay tuned for more on audiences and a new milestone—I’ve just translated my AI toolkit into Spanish, which I hope will be a helpful resource for Spanish speakers worldwide.