Telling My Story

Chiwetelu Henry
  • 5.0 (3)
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  • Updated Weekly

Telling My Story is a podcast that explores real journeys of business growth, career development, entrepreneurship, leadership and personal transformation. Through authentic conversations and powerful life experiences, each episode shares lessons, challenges, and breakthroughs designed to inspire, empower, and help listeners grow with purpose and confidence.

  1. 1d ago

    From Heart Failure to a Second Chance at Life: Gaylen Wilson on Surviving Addiction, Heart Failure, and Starting Again

    What would you do if you were told you only had a few months to live? Gaylen Wilson is a heart transplant survivor, 20-year sober former alcoholic, relationship coach, author, and advocate for men and couples navigating intimacy, erectile dysfunction, mental health, and emotional connection. His life has been defined by reinvention. From farm failure and career setbacks to alcoholism, sobriety, financial uncertainty, and eventually end-stage heart failure, Gaylen has repeatedly been forced to rebuild his life. In 2018, after telling his wife Heather that he might only have a few months left, Gaylen received an unexpected call from the transplant center just 30 minutes later. The following morning, he received a new heart. But surviving wasn't the end of his story—it became the beginning of a new purpose. After spending years supporting thousands of men and their partners dealing with erectile dysfunction, Gaylen discovered that what appears to be a physical problem can often become a much deeper crisis involving shame, masculinity, mental health, intimacy, and relationships. To connect with Gaylen visit: http://www.monumentmethodinstitute.com/ In this powerful episode of Telling My Story, Gaylen shares what his journey taught him about second chances, sobriety, marriage, emotional safety, resilience, and using the years we are given to make a difference.

  2. 1d ago

    Removing the Mask: Jay Stefanson on Purpose, Mindset, and Finding Your True Self

    What happens when the words you heard as a child—“You’re not enough”—follow you into adulthood? In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu sits down with Jay Stefanson, best-selling author, motivational coach, spiritual teacher, and international podcast host, for a powerful conversation about self-worth, purpose, authenticity, and personal transformation. Jay shares how childhood messages shaped his beliefs, how a serious stroke scare became a turning point in his life, and what it took to stop allowing past experiences to define his future. We explore what it means to remove the mask, embrace who you truly are, develop an Undisputed Purpose Mindset, and turn adversity into fuel for growth. Jay also shares the story behind the WWH Motivational & Hype App and his vision of helping people move from “not enough” to limitless. To connect with Jay visit: https://whitewarriorhealth.systeme.io/302359c4 This is a conversation about realizing that your past may be part of your story, but it doesn't have to be the ending.

  3. Sep 7

    Restored by the Storm: Bill Derrick on Resilience, Faith, Leadership, and Life’s Unexpected Challenges

    What happens when the storms of life arrive one after another? In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu sits down with Bill Derrick, a business leader, author, and public speaker with more than 50 years of experience in the construction industry. Bill shares the powerful story behind his book, Restored by the Storm, and the unexpected challenges that transformed his understanding of leadership, resilience, faith, and gratitude. After helping lead his family business through the devastating 2008 recession, Bill and his family faced another storm when he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer. Through these experiences, he discovered lessons about control, perseverance, gratitude, and finding meaning in circumstances we cannot always change. This conversation explores what it means to keep moving forward when life doesn't go according to plan, and how some of our greatest challenges can ultimately reveal strength and purpose we didn't know we had. Learn more about Bill, his book, and his speaking engagements: https://www.billderrick.com/

  4. Sep 7

    The Hidden Side of Retirement: Cheryl Fimbel on Identity, Purpose, and Starting a New Chapter

    Retirement is often presented as the reward for a successful career, but what happens when the career ends and you suddenly realize you are not emotionally prepared for what comes next? In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu sits down with Cheryl Fimbel, a 45-year healthcare leadership veteran and author of The Hidden Side of Retirement, to explore the emotional and psychological side of retirement that financial planning often overlooks. Cheryl shares her deeply personal experience of being unexpectedly forced into retirement just one year before her planned retirement, shortly after losing her mother. Her story reveals how retirement can bring unexpected anxiety, loss of identity, lack of structure, and questions about purpose, even when you are financially prepared. We discuss why the first 90 days can be so challenging, how high achievers can separate their identity from their careers, why retirees shouldn't rush to reinvent themselves, and how to gradually build a meaningful life beyond work. Whether you're approaching retirement, recently retired, or helping someone navigate this major life transition, this conversation offers practical insights and encouragement for preparing not only financially—but emotionally. Learn more about Cheryl and explore her retirement resources: https://www.crownyearsmedia.com/

  5. Sep 7

    Lead Last: Olaolu Ogunyemi on Servant Leadership, Fatherhood, Resilience, and Raising the Next Generation

    What if the most powerful form of leadership isn't about being first but about choosing to Lead Last? In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu sits down with Olaolu Ogunyemi, a U.S. Marine Officer, award-winning author, leadership mentor, and passionate advocate for intentional fatherhood and the next generation. Olaolu brings a unique perspective shaped by military leadership, fatherhood, coaching, and personal adversity. His mission is to help people move beyond superficial influence and build leadership rooted in service, trust, empathy, discipline, and purpose. We explore his Lead Last philosophy, his journey from adversity to leadership, the lessons he learned through the Marine Corps, and how the principles of leadership in the workplace can transform the way we lead our families. We also discuss his children's book Crow From the Shadow, raising emotionally resilient children, overcoming insecurity, the role of faith, and why parents and communities have a responsibility to help prepare the next generation for success. In this episode, you'll discover: ● What it truly means to "Lead Last" ● How adversity can shape a leader ● Leadership lessons from the Marine Corps ● How to build trust-based teams and relationships ● Practical strategies for intentional parenting ● Helping children develop resilience and emotional awareness ● The connection between leadership at work and leadership at home ● Why service may be more powerful than status Connect with Olaolu on: https://parent-child-connect.com/ If you're a parent, professional, entrepreneur, leader, mentor, or anyone interested in personal growth, this conversation will give you practical ideas you can apply immediately. Follow, rate, review, and share Telling My Story to help more people discover stories that inspire growth and positive change.

  6. Sep 7

    Beyond Fiction: Cody Sisco on Neurodivergence, Technology, and Resilience

    What happens when speculative fiction becomes a mirror for the world we live in? In this episode of Telling My Story, Henry Chiwetelu sits down with Cody Sisco, a cyberpunk author, editor, publisher, and literary culture producer whose work explores queer identity, neurodivergence, technology, resilience, and societies where truth itself can become contested. Cody is the author of the Resonant Earth series and has spent years building communities around independent and queer science fiction. His work asks difficult questions about what happens when systems are designed to erase people—and what it takes to keep your identity, creativity, and dreams alive in the process. We discuss his novel Broken Mirror, the creative discipline behind writing, the challenges of building an audience outside traditional publishing, the relationship between technology and human behavior, and how speculative fiction can help us recognize problems that may already exist in our world. Cody also shares lessons from his journey as a writer, editor, publisher, and literary community builder. In this episode, you'll learn about: ● Writing queer and neurodivergent characters authentically ● Using science fiction to explore real-world problems ● Resilience and staying focused on your goals ● Creative discipline and protecting time for writing ● Technology, manipulation, and the future of society ● Building communities instead of creating alone ● The evolution of an author over a decade Connect with Cody: https://www.codysisco.com/ If you enjoy conversations about storytelling, creativity, technology, identity, resilience, and personal growth, this episode is for you. Listen, follow, rate, and share Telling My Story with someone who needs to hear Cody's story.

  7. Sep 7

    Beyond Complacency: Chris Anderson on Becoming a Better Man, Building a Better Life, and Refusing to Settle

    What happens when success on the outside doesn't match the person you're becoming on the inside? In this episode of Telling My Story, I sit down with Chris Anderson, founder of Elevate Media Group and host of The Upgraded Man, to explore what it really means to become a better man and live a more intentional life. Chris believes that complacency is one of the biggest obstacles to personal growth. Through his experience as an entrepreneur, husband, father, media founder, and podcast host, he has spent years exploring the challenges men face in relationships, finances, fitness, mindset, and living fully. We discuss the five pillars of an upgraded life, why being busy doesn't necessarily mean you're growing, and how entrepreneurs can pursue success without sacrificing their health, relationships, family, or identity. Chris also shares honest insights about entrepreneurship, fatherhood, marriage, personal responsibility, podcasting, and the small daily decisions that ultimately shape who we become. Whether you're a man looking to improve your life, an entrepreneur trying to find balance, a father navigating responsibility, or simply someone who refuses to settle for less, this conversation offers practical lessons and honest perspectives on growth. Connect with Chris Anderson: 🌐 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-upgraded-man/id1488052556 If you enjoyed this episode, follow Telling My Story, leave a rating and review, and share this conversation with someone who needs a reminder that growth doesn't happen by accident.

  8. Sep 6

    Unlocking Trapped Cash: Bill Ferrier on Improving Cash Flow, Reducing DSO, and Getting Paid Faster

    What if the cash your business needs isn't sitting in the bank—but is already sitting in your customers' accounts? In this episode of Telling My Story, I sit down with Bill Ferrier, founder of Ready Set Collect and a credit and collections professional with nearly 40 years of experience, to discuss one of the most important yet often overlooked areas of business: cash flow and accounts receivable. Bill explains why businesses can struggle financially even when they are profitable, how overdue invoices can tie up valuable working capital, and why improving your collection process can have a significant impact on cash flow and Days Sales Outstanding (DSO). We explore how companies can train their in-house collection teams to overcome payment objections, recognize early warning signs, ask better questions, and get customers to pay without damaging valuable relationships. Bill also shares practical strategies for dealing with difficult accounts, improving collection conversations, and turning collections from an uncomfortable business function into a profitability and cash-flow opportunity. Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, finance professional, sales leader, or anyone responsible for getting customers to pay on time, this conversation provides practical lessons you can apply to strengthen your business. Connect with Bill Ferrier: 🌐 http://readysetcollect.ca/ If you enjoyed this episode, follow Telling My Story, leave a rating and review, and share this conversation with another business owner who could benefit from stronger cash flow.

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5
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About

Telling My Story is a podcast that explores real journeys of business growth, career development, entrepreneurship, leadership and personal transformation. Through authentic conversations and powerful life experiences, each episode shares lessons, challenges, and breakthroughs designed to inspire, empower, and help listeners grow with purpose and confidence.

Information

  • Creator
    Chiwetelu Henry
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    121
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Chiwetelu Henry
  • Show Website
    Telling My Story