We’ve all had that mortifying language mix-up moment. But few handle it like Rosa Yupari.
In this hilarious and heart-warming episode of Thoughts Between Shots, Rosa shares how a single mispronounced word in front of 3M executives turned into the best mistake of her career. From saying her electrical connector was "belching" instead of "bulging" to proudly owning the laughter in the room, Rosa’s story is a masterclass in confidence, humor, and belonging.
We also talk about:
How immigrants can use humor to defuse embarrassment and build connection
Why perfection isn’t required to earn respect
Storytelling lessons for technical professionals and leaders
How to own the room, even when things go wrong
If you’ve ever held back from speaking up because of your accent, language gaps, or fear of being misunderstood, this episode will remind you that your story and your voice belong in every room.
In this solo episode of Thoughts Between Shots, I share the story of a chance encounter with a retired elementary school teacher in a tiny Lisbon restaurant that completely transformed how I understand confidence and belonging.
What started as a conversation between two solo travelers became a profound moment when he shared his first-day-of-school ritual with students. His words: "There's nothing in the world that makes you feel more confident than knowing you belong" became the foundation of my entire philosophy and the driving force behind my work with immigrant professionals.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Perfect for: Immigrant professionals, emerging leaders, anyone who's ever felt like they don't belong, and communicators who want to build deeper connections through storytelling.
How do you reinvent yourself, tell stories that stick, and build deeper connections all at the same time?
This week on Thoughts Between Shots, I sit down with journalist-turned-brand storyteller Renee Frojo for an unforgettable conversation that spans heartbreak, humor, and hard-earned wisdom.
Renee opens up about her post-divorce dating adventures (and what they taught her about storytelling), her journey from the newsroom to building A Good Reputation, and why curiosity, not cleverness, is the real secret to great conversations.
We dive into:
Storytelling lessons and approaching post-divorce dating from a storyteller's lens
How curiosity transforms conversations and relationships
What questions to ask to uncover your best personal and professional stories
The frameworks Renee swears by (yes, including StoryBrand)
Building a reputation that actually feels authentic
If you’ve ever struggled with telling your story, connecting deeply, or pivoting into a new chapter, this episode will make you laugh, reflect, and rethink how you communicate.
In this solo episode of Thoughts Between Shots, I share one of the most painful (and hilarious, in hindsight) lessons from my early days as a business owner steeped in hustle culture.
Picture this: San Francisco. A viral LinkedIn post. A dream client named “CJ.” A Tesla. And a deal ... that vanished overnight.
What followed was heartbreak, humiliation, and one of the most valuable lessons of my entrepreneurial life: always have a contract.
Along the way, I also break down the art of storytelling — from using descriptive language that pulls people into your scene to vocal variety that makes your delivery unforgettable.
✨ What you’ll learn:
Why contracts aren’t optional (even with dream clients)
How to add descriptive detail that hooks your audience
Why vocal variety matters more than the actual words you say
A business failure that turned into my storytelling gold
And yes, I might throw a little shade at Tesla drivers. 🚗⚡😉
This week on Thoughts Between Shots, professional magician and keynote speaker Rudy Reynoso tells a soul-shifting story about ego, surrender, and the unexpected places transformation can happen, like a monastery in Colombia … while he was an atheist.
What began as a skeptical journey turns into a spiritual awakening, sparked not by theology but by a laundry basket, Gregorian chants, and a woman named Rosalinda.
It’s a story about humility, humanity, and how small acts of kindness can crack open even the most closed-off hearts.
✨ We also break down:
Storytelling tips from a magician’s perspective
How “patter” and “method” mirror structure in speaking
Using intentional pauses for maximum impact
The power of vulnerability in transformation
🎩 Whether you’re a speaker, a skeptic, or someone in need of a mindset shift, this episode is for you.
Follow Rudy Reynoso here:
Instagram & TikTok: @rudyismagic
Website: rudyreynoso.com
This week’s episode of Thoughts Between Shots will leave you speechless. My guest Albina Rippee shares an unbelievable, soul-stirring story of synchronicity, surrender, and unexpected miracles. From a hotel sauna in Helsinki to a chance meeting with a long-lost relative in Tuscany, her journey is a testament to the magic of letting go. We also break down how to adapt stories for different audiences and how your stories evolve as you evolve.
If you're stuck in uncertainty or need a reminder that magic happens outside your comfort zone, this one's for you.
🌟 Topics Covered:
Trusting the unknown
Storytelling for impact
Reinvention & pivoting
The power of intention in communication
Albina Rippy is a realtor, yoga teacher, and serial entrepreneur based in Austin, Texas. Give her a follow for insights and inspiration.
🎙️ Thoughts Between Shots is where good questions and great stories meet. Hit play—and let’s get better at being human.
💌 Want to Get Involved?
We’d love that! Here’s how:
✔️ DM Nammy on LinkedIn with a great question to spark a future guest’s story
✔️ Pitch yourself (or someone awesome) as a future guest
✔️ Listen, watch, follow, and share with your friends, coworkers, and that one cousin who always tells great stories but never hits “record”
If you were handed a mic right now and told to speak for 20 minutes—no prep, no slides, no script—what would pour out of you?
In this solo “in-between” episode of Thoughts Between Shots, host Nammy Sirur reflects on one of Priya Parker’s most magical questions and shares a personal story that reveals exactly what she'd speak about.
Whether you’re a storyteller, a leader, or just someone finding your voice, this episode will help you surface the topic only you can speak about with soul.
🧠 Learn how to uncover your natural zone of genius🗣️ Explore how storytelling shapes your personal brand🧭 And reflect on the one topic you must share with the world
What do you do when one letter from a plane changes your life forever? In this emotional and unforgettable episode of Thoughts Between Shots, storytelling coach and public speaker Will Greenblatt shares the defining moment of his life: the tragic loss of his brother on a wilderness canoe trip—and how that pain transformed his purpose.
Together, we break down the anatomy of a powerful story:
🎭 How to share difficult stories without “trauma dumping”
🧠 Why storytelling matters even if you’re not famous
💬 How grief can make you a better communicator, leader, and human
Whether you're building your brand, writing a keynote, or just trying to connect more deeply with others, this episode is a masterclass in courageous communication.
🎧 Listen in if you want to:
Tell meaningful, high-impact stories
Understand grief without experiencing it firsthand
Learn what not to do with vulnerability in business storytelling
See how personal stories lead to real relationships (and clients!)
💌 Want to Get Involved?
We’d love that! Here’s how:
✔️ DM Nammy on LinkedIn with a great question to spark a future guest’s story
✔️ Pitch yourself (or someone awesome) as a future guest
✔️ Listen, watch, and share with your friends, coworkers, and that one cousin who always tells great stories but never hits “record”
Ever had a date crash and burn after someone shared way too much… too soon? Or worse, a painfully boring one where no one asked a good question? In this solo episode of Thoughts Between Shots, host Nammy shares personal and hilarious stories from her post-divorce dating life - including one involving baby laxatives and cocaine (yep, really) - to break down the do’s and don’ts of first-date communication.
💡 Learn how storytelling and asking the right questions can turn a forgettable date into a meaningful connection. Whether you're single, newly back in the dating pool, or just trying to level up your small talk, this episode is a crash course in flirting through better conversations.
🎯 Perfect for: singles, late bloomers, newly divorced folks, and anyone wondering, “Why didn’t I get that second date?”
💌 Want to Get Involved?
We’d love that! Here’s how: ✔️ DM Nammy on LinkedIn with a great question to spark a future guest’s story ✔️ Pitch yourself (or someone awesome) as a future guest ✔️ Listen, watch, and share with your friends, coworkers, and that one cousin who always tells great stories but never hits “record”
🎙️ Thoughts Between Shots is where good questions and great stories meet. Hit play—and let’s get better at being human.
When a stranger asked Mariam Shahab, “Is he yours?” while she was out trick-or-treating with her newborn, they had no idea how loaded that question was. In this deeply personal and moving episode of Thoughts Between Shots, Mariam—a South Asian Muslim woman and brand strategist—takes us through her unexpected path to motherhood via gestational surrogacy.
From navigating infertility and IVF to defying cultural expectations and COVID-era isolation, Mariam’s story is a testament to hope, vulnerability, and the power of storytelling. She challenges assumptions about what motherhood looks like and invites us to rethink the questions we ask—and why they matter.
🎧 Tune in to hear how love, courage, and taking an unconventional path to motherhood brought her son into the world.
🔥 About the Show
Thoughts Between Shots is a storytelling podcast that helps you become a more powerful communicator—by learning to ask better questions and tell better stories. Hosted by speaker and communications coach Nammy Sirur, every episode starts with one great question that leads to one unforgettable, true story.
We then break down the storytelling magic so you can apply it to your own life—whether you're speaking up at work, crafting your personal brand, or just trying to be less awkward at dinner parties.
💌 Want to get involved?
DM Nammy on LinkedIn to:
✅ Pitch a story or guest (maybe yourself!)
✅ Send in a thoughtful question for a future episode
In our first solo edition of Thoughts Between Shots (the in-between episodes), Nammy Sirur shares a personal story about a high-stakes meeting - the first time she introduced her White boyfriend to her Indian parents - went hilariously sideways.
The question and story that follows are at the heart of Nammy’s work in intercultural communication. In this week's story, Nammy brings to life the nuances of culture, communication, and connection.
You’ll walk away with: ✨ A fresh example of how to ask magical questions ✨ A real-world breakdown of what makes a story compelling ✨ A deeper understanding of how cultural traditions shape how we show up in relationships, conversations, and even conflict
Whether you’re an immigrant navigating cross-cultural dynamics, a leader trying to connect more deeply with a diverse team, or just someone who loves a juicy, well-told story—this episode is for you.
🔥 About the Show
Thoughts Between Shots is a storytelling podcast that helps you become a more powerful communicator—by learning to ask better questions and tell better stories. Hosted by speaker and communications coach Nammy Sirur, every episode starts with one great question that leads to one unforgettable, true story.
We then break down the storytelling magic so you can apply it to your own life—whether you're speaking up at work, crafting your personal brand, or just trying to be less awkward at dinner parties.
💌 Want to get involved? DM Nammy on LinkedIn to:
✅ Pitch a story or guest (maybe yourself!)
✅ Send in a thoughtful question for a future episode
✅ Share what tradition you’d teach someone from another culture
In this episode of Thoughts Between Shots, host Nammy Sirur sits down with longtime public radio reporter Andy Uhler, whose voice you might recognize from NPR’s Marketplace or BBC’s Business Matters.
These days, Andy’s digging deep into energy and climate issues as a journalism fellow at the University of Texas at Austin’s Energy Institute, where he also produces the podcast Phases and Stages: The Texas Energy Story.
🎙️ Listen to Andy's podcast: Phases and Stages on Spotify
WHAT IS THOUGHTS BETWEEN SHOTS?
This is not your average storytelling podcast ...
Hosted by communications coach Nammy Sirur, Thoughts Between Shots is where one good question leads to one unforgettable true story. Every episode starts with a thoughtful question and unfolds into a story rarely shared publicly—funny, deep, messy, human. Then we zoom out and break it down:
What made the story so engaging?
What can we learn from how it was told?
How can we use these storytelling tools in our own lives?
Whether you're a curious listener, an aspiring speaker, or a professional who wants to level up your communication skills, this podcast helps you get better at two of the most powerful tools in human connection:
How to ask better questions
How to tell better stories
WHY THIS MATTERS
In her work coaching immigrant professionals, emerging leaders, and executives, Nammy has seen firsthand how storytelling can help people build trust, connection, and confidence. This podcast is your front-row seat to that magic—served with a side of laughter, curiosity, and real talk.
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
We’d love that! Here’s how:
✔️ DM Nammy on LinkedIn with a great question to spark a future guest’s story
✔️ Pitch yourself (or someone awesome) as a future guest
✔️ Listen, watch, and share with your friends, coworkers, and that one cousin who always tells great stories but never hits “record”
🎙️ Thoughts Between Shots is where good questions meet great stories.
Hit play—and let’s get better at being human.
