Why Being Yourself Makes for Great Stories

This Week’s Episode:

My guest, Mo Barrett, has a remarkable way of bringing her stories to life. In today’s episode, she and I talk about telling stories simply through living and being yourself, even if you can’t always outwardly express it to others. We dive into her 25-year career in the military, the nuances of storytelling that helped propel her speaking career, and her insistence on everyone being able to find their tribe.

What you will learn in this episode:

Living your truth as your story
Unapologetically embracing your true self, quirks and all
Having a medium through which to tell your story

Who is Mo?

Michelle “Mo” Barrett went from failing the Air Force Academy, being the first member of her pilot training class to receive an “Unsatisfactory” grade in the process, to retiring as an Air Force Colonel 25 years later. As an Air Force pilot, she flew the Alenia C-27A throughout Central and South America. Then she moved to Northern California to fly the Lockheed C-5 around the world. After 9/11, Mo deployed to bases in Afghanistan and Uzbekistan with a small team and converted them from empty fields to airlift hubs.

Mo has also dealt with the stigma, strain, shame, and success of being a life-long, non-conforming gay woman in the military’s structured environment. As a lesbian, she experienced the rule-changing gamut of gays being banned to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to that policy’s repeal and acceptance of gays in the military. During her career, she leveraged hard work and an ability to view the world with a sense of humor, optimism, and perspective.

Now in retirement from the Air Force, Mo uses those skills as a professional speaker. She thrives as a multi-minority woman and connects with audiences across all ages and walks of life, entertaining them with her unique presentation style and contagious energy. Her mission in life right now: to chart a course for people who want to laugh, learn, and think.

Links & Resources

Mo's Website
@Mo on Facebook
@Mo on Instagram
@Mo on LinkedIn
@storytellingschool on Instagram
@storytellingSchool on Facebook

Ready to be unforgettable? Good.

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"Storytelling is an art form - and Kymberlee Weil is the master! I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some of the most talented creatives in the world, and Kymberlee is close to the top of that list. She has an uncanny ability to uncover nuance and layers in a story - details often overlooked by the author - and has a deep understanding and connection with the value of well-executed presentation. Working with Kymberlee is more than a journey, it’s a transformative experience."

JULIAN REEVE

SPEAKER, AUTHOR, FORMER MUSIC DIRECTOR OF HAMILTON

"Kymberlee helped me tremendously in the weeks leading up to my TED talk and afterwards. I have given hundreds of talks to audiences big and small. But the TED stage is a different beast -- every word matters.Kymberlee kept me on point, focused, and she took the time to figure out what my objectives really were and how to get me there. She is a true master of her trade and I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from her."

JUNA KOLLMEIER

ASTROPHYSICIST, TED SPEAKER

"I thought I had public speaking down pat. I've addressed audiences all over the world ranging from 62 to 1000 people. But going into that red circle at TEDx, and connecting with a vastly diverse audience is like moving to another planet. Kymberlee made that move effortless and exciting. As a former Green Beret, I have followed a lot of quality leaders and coaches, and I would follow Kymberlee anywhere… Especially into the red circle."

LTC (RET.) SCOTT MANN

GREEN BERET, ENTREPRENEUR, STORYTELLER, TRAINER, COACH, AUTHOR