S08 E03: The Motive Behind the Story
Michael McRay welcomes back Harris III to discuss key insights from the conversation with Annette Simmons. Together, they explore the critical distinctions between influence and manipulation in storytelling, the importance of transparency and informed consent, and how confidence plays a role in effective leadership narratives. Harris shares wisdom from his background in magic and illusion, drawing parallels between ethical performance and ethical storytelling. The conversation delves into why allowing ourselves to be known is fundamental to building trust, and how leaders can share personal stories without oversharing.
Coming Up Soon
- STORY 2025: October 9th and 10th 2025 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, Tennessee
- Applied Narrative Intelligence: Istoria's certification program
- On the podcast: Selena Garefino, a Somatic Storytelling Practitioner from Italy, who believes in "never wasting a good crisis."
Contact Information
- Website: istoria.com
- Instagram: @istoria_studio
- Email: wonder@istoria.com
Tags: storytelling ethics, narrative intelligence, trust building, influence vs. manipulation, personal stories, confidence, leadership, Harris III, Michael McRay, Annette Simmons, significance emotional experience
Creators and Guests

Host
Michael McRay
Head of Istoria Institute for Narrative Intelligence. Sought-after experiential coach and facilitator. Award-winning author. Keynote speaker.
