Dr. Rod Berger has interviewed over 4,000 people and just wrote his first book, "The Narrative Edge", but his real expertise is in finding the human behind the talking points. In this episode, we explore what makes storytelling important, how Rod breaks through people's scripted responses to get to an authentic connection, and his philosophy that "if you're not telling your story, someone else is."
Rod shares how his "Forrest Gump-like" career of saying yes to unexpected opportunities led him from psychology to refugee work to becoming a master interviewer. We dig into the vulnerable process of writing his first book, why he refuses to ask questions you could find in a press release, and how true presence and authenticity can change everything.
Whether you're struggling to find your authentic voice or wondering how to connect more deeply with others, this episode will make you rethink how you show up in your own story.
Links for this episode:
You can learn more about Michael Carruthers and his show, Imperfect Creativew, below:
Imperfect Creatives
with Michael Carruthers
Exploring what it actually takes to build meaningful creative work in the real world, either alongside or instead of traditional careers. Conversations with people at every stage of the journey, from side project builders to full-time creators and founders, about the practical and emotional reality of choosing purpose over default paths.
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Chapters
(00:00) The Journey of Storytelling
(05:36) Embracing Opportunities: The Power of Saying Yes
(13:43) Crafting Your Own Narrative
(22:09) The Art of Authentic Interviewing
(30:46) The Addictive Nature of Storytelling
(36:52) The Impact of Connection
(42:51) The Importance of Being Present
(46:56) The Evolution of Storytelling
(54:59) Capturing Stories with Integrity
(01:00:18) Episode Wrap-Up