In this podcast episode, Michelle Cutler and Steve Harper delve into the profound influence of origin stories on personal and professional growth. Michelle shares her journey to becoming a storytelling coach and screenwriter, emphasizing the importance of exploring personal narratives to uncover deeper truths about oneself. She discusses how small details, like the backstory of a name, can reveal significant storytelling potential. The conversation highlights the importance of everyday moments and their link to both past and present, which can transform mundane experiences into rich, insightful narratives. Michelle also discusses practical aspects of storytelling, such as the necessity of risk-taking, continuous practice, and refining storytelling skills across different mediums. She shares an instance of feeling unprepared during an interview, using it as a lesson in the importance of preparation and intentionality in storytelling. The episode wraps up with Michelle encouraging listeners to explore their own origin stories and consider her Last Looks editing service for a final review of their writing.
In a world filled with stories, finding your unique voice can feel like a daunting task. Whether you’re writing a novel, a screenplay, or simply preparing for a public speech, storytelling is at the heart of it all. In a recent conversation, I had the pleasure of speaking with Michelle Cutler, a seasoned storyteller, screenwriter, and coach who helps people find and share their unique stories. Our discussion touched on everything from personal growth to the nuances of storytelling craft.
Michelle started by discussing her path to becoming a storytelling coach and the importance of finding a unique storytelling voice. As a writer and educator with a background in screenwriting and theater, she has a knack for helping people connect to the “why” behind their stories. For her, the magic of storytelling is all about authenticity and vulnerability.
“You have to ask yourself, ‘Why now? Why this story?’” Michelle shared. “The ‘why’ matters as much as the ‘what.’”
Michelle highlighted how storytelling is less about the perfect grammar or structure and more about the truth you’re trying to convey. She believes that in the early stages of storytelling, the focus should be on getting the story out, not on perfecting every detail.
“I’m a firm believer in not worrying about grammar or paragraphs or anything that you feel might hinder you from expressing yourself until you’re ready to present. Those are presentation tools… But what’s the story? Why are you there in the first place?”
We both agreed that storytelling is a skill that requires practice and a willingness to take risks. Michelle emphasized that finding one’s storytelling style often involves stepping outside of comfort zones and trying new things—whether it’s speaking in public, writing a different genre, or even just sharing a personal experience in a new way.
Michelle also touched on the different challenges she faced when transitioning from screenwriting to prose writing. She used a vivid metaphor to describe her experience:
“My mentor told me, ‘Michelle, it’s like you’re in a car. You’re pulling up in this fast car, and you’re like, get in, get in. And we all want to get in, because that car looks awesome. But before I can even put on my seatbelt, you’ve got me down the road and you’re taking me here and there. And I’m just trying to get my seatbelt on.’”
From this, Michelle learned the importance of giving her readers time to settle into a story—allowing moments of pause and reflection. It’s these moments, she explained, that can resonate deeply with an audience.
We discussed how practice and feedback are critical to honing one’s storytelling skills. Michelle shared an anecdote about a self-sabotaging interview at Cambridge, where she found herself rambling off-topic despite having prepared well.
“I started to think, in retrospect, I was wondering if maybe I didn’t really want that opportunity. Maybe there was a reason I was kind of sabotaging myself by telling too much story,” she reflected.
Michelle’s insights were relatable—those moments of uncertainty, over-preparation, or the fear of not doing justice to a story can be common hurdles for any storyteller.
Michelle encouraged aspiring storytellers to embrace risk and step into uncomfortable situations. Whether speaking at a wedding or finding themselves unexpectedly asked to make a toast, she explained that such experiences help sharpen one’s storytelling abilities.
“There’s so much that can be gained by practicing drafts and working on drafts. You start to know where your strengths and weaknesses lie,” she said. “It’s all about trying, riffing, getting comfortable, and seeing what sparks fly.”
We also delved into the origins of our names and how those stories reflect our personal narratives. Michelle shared how her name, inspired by her grandfather Michael, had a humorous twist tied to a famous Beatles song, “Michelle.” Despite the assumption that there was a great romantic story behind the name, she discovered it was just a playful song Paul McCartney made up at a party.
“Humor will always save you in any moment, in any story going off track,” she laughed. “I thought I knew my name’s origin story, but a little extra research led me somewhere unexpected.”
I shared my own story about how I became “Steve” on-air. My real name isn’t Steve—it was chosen from a baby name book when I started my radio career at 17. The bigger station I moved to didn’t want the listeners to think they were stealing talent from a smaller station, so I needed a new name. “Steve” was just a name my finger landed on!
“There is an origin story in most everything,” I said. “And every story is interesting—it’s just a matter of which pieces we pull out of it.”
Michelle’s approach to storytelling coaching is flexible and tailored to individual needs. She offers various services from one-on-one coaching sessions to her unique offering called “Last Looks,” a quick 24-hour turnaround service designed to help writers polish their work just before submission.
“Last Looks is for when you feel you’re there, but something isn’t quite right,” Michelle explained. “I provide a fresh perspective to help you get that final touch you’re looking for.”
For Michelle, storytelling coaching isn’t just about improving grammar or refining presentation; it’s about helping people find and tell their stories with authenticity and confidence.
Storytelling, as Michelle beautifully put it, is a journey that requires practice, reflection, and a little bit of risk-taking. Whether it’s finding the courage to speak in front of a crowd, revisiting the origins of your name, or understanding the value of a well-placed pause, every step contributes to becoming a better storyteller.
Michelle’s insights and services provide valuable tools for anyone looking to improve their storytelling skills. To learn more about Michelle Cutler and her offerings, visit her website at www.michellecutler.com.