Once Upon a Business – Episode 108
The Story Is All There Is (Lisa Bloom)
Lisa Bloom: Hi, I’m Lisa Bloom, the story coach, and you’re listening to Once Upon a Business. Growing up in Ireland, we had wonderful radio. There were shows that everyone listened to and everything was discussed on them. The topics that people were reluctant to talk about, well, they showed up on the radio. It was fascinating.
For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be on the radio. I thought it would be an amazing job. So years ago, when podcasts started, I knew I wanted to have my own. And it took a long time to make it happen. But three and a half years ago or so, it did. And I was so excited to start Once Upon a Business. As a storyteller, I knew that stories have layers and layers of meaning, and it’s always fascinated me. In fact, in my courses, when I’ve asked students to share what they think about a specific story, I’ve always been amazed to hear that there are so many interpretations. I can work on a story for years. And yet a student brand new to the story will often suggest a perspective that I’ve never seen.
I love it. So I decided that taking a closer look at the stories that have entertained, informed, and inspired me over the years would be a good idea. But not just to share the stories, to actually deep dive into them, to understand the implications and learnings embedded in these stories because it’s the stories that are the core of wisdom and insight into our lives and, of course, our businesses. And so that was the concept for Once Upon a Business. And it’s been wonderful. For three and a half years, I’ve searched to find wonderful stories and then explored their potential, their meaning, and their impact. I’ve loved it. It’s been so much fun. It’s been one of those projects where it just flows.
I love looking for stories. I love telling them. And I’ve had such a good time diving into the meaning and impact of the story. Every time I met with the production team, we had a blast. There were very few retakes. I just told the story and talked about it, and the team said that it was the easiest podcast they work in because very little needs to be cut out. And it seems to me that when something comes that easy, well, that says a lot. Ideally, we want all of our projects to be that calm, clear, and easy. So it’s really been fantastic.
A few months ago, I set some time aside to do a planning session for my company, Story Coach. I worked with my mentor and a small team, and we spent about two days planning out the next few years. I had to travel quite far to get to this planning session, and many thoughts and ideas were flowing through my mind as I traveled. I thought about my current programs and ideas for new ones, and I thought about my weekly stories that I send out to my list. I thought about the potential for a live event or a retreat, but I didn’t think about the podcast at all.
On the morning of our first session, I got up early and went for a brisk walk in the snow. It was so beautiful, so quiet. When I got back, we had some breakfast and then gathered to start the planning session. My mentor asked me, where would you like to start? In that moment, a single sentence came to my mind and I said, I I think Once Upon a Business is complete. I hadn’t been thinking about it or discussed it with anyone. I don’t think it was even on my radar, yet it was very clear. The show has run its course.
And so since then, we’ve been winding it down. Of course, there’s some sadness about ending something that I’ve loved so much. And so that’s why I’m doing this episode today, to thank the amazing people I’ve worked with on the show, and particularly Michi Lantz, who’s been with me since the start, and and our executive producer, Danny Iny. But also to honor the time and effort that the team and I have put into Once Upon a Business. And perhaps most importantly, to honor the stories. They have spanned the entire world, dozens of cultures and communities. They’ve moved, challenged, and inspired me. And I am eternally grateful.
Back when I was figuring out how to manage my fairly acute stage fright, I came up with a powerful mantra for myself. It was to help calm me, to get me to focus and to stay humble. And it seems right to say that mantra now. Trust the story. The story is all there is. Trust the story. And finally, to thank you, dear listener, I’m so grateful for the time you’ve spent with me and these wonderful stories.
When I started Once Upon a Business, I mentioned the great Irish entertainer Maureen Potter, who used to star in the Christmas pantomime every year in Dublin when I was a child. At the end of the evening, she would always say, if you like the show, tell your friends. And if you don’t, keep your breath to cool your porridge. So I’ll say the same. This is the final episode, but if you like the show, please share it. The stories live on. Take them with you wherever you travel. And maybe one day, when you’re sitting with some friends or colleagues and you remember a wonderful story. And perhaps it will start with Once Upon a Business.
And I’ll end with the story that I began with a story from the Brothers Grimm. Because as this show is ending, it leaves space for more wonderful story projects. And yes, they are brewing and will emerge when the time is right.
In the wintertime, when the snow lay on the ground, a poor boy was forced to go out on a sledge to fetch wood. When he had gathered it together and packed it, he wished, as he was so frozen with cold, not to go home at once, but to light a fire and warm himself a little. So he scraped away the snow, and as he was thus clearing the ground, he found a tiny golden key. Hereupon, he thought that where the key was, the lock must be also. And digging in the ground, he found an iron chest. If the key will only fit it, thought he, for no doubt there are precious things in that little box. He searched, but no keyhole was there.
At last he discovered one, but so small that it was hardly visible. He tried it, and the key fitted exactly. Then he turned it once round. And now we must wait until he has quite unlocked it and opened the lid. And then we shall learn that wonderful things were lying in that box.
I’m Lisa Bloom, and you’ve been listening to Once Upon a Business. You can find out more about me at story-coach.com. That’s story-coach.com. Once Upon a Business is part of the Mirasee FM Podcast Network, which also includes such shows as Making it and To Lead Is Human. To catch all the great episodes on Once Upon a Business, please like and follow us on Mirasee FM’s YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave a comment or a starred review. It’s the best way to help us get these ideas to more people. Thank you.