In this inspiring episode of Healed and Chilled, Coach Yana sits down with master storyteller and interviewer Dr. Rod Berger — a man who has captured the voices of NBA icons Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley, world leaders, rock legends, and even royalty. With over 4,000 interviews for outlets like Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Los Angeles Magazine, Dr. Berger’s stories span continents and cultures, from refugee camps in Africa to boardrooms in the Nordics.

We dive deep into the art — and power — of authentic storytelling, exploring why it’s the ultimate currency for leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. Dr. Berger shares insights from his upcoming book, The Narrative Edge (Wiley), and reveals behind-the-scenes moments from conversations with everyone from the Pope to Sammy Hagar.

Whether you’re looking to inspire, lead, or connect, this episode will leave you seeing your own story in a whole new light.

📚 Learn more about Dr. Rod Berger and his new book: https://www.drrodberger.com/book
🌟 For all your children’s confidence coaching needs, connect with Coach Yana: https://thelaptoplifecoach.com/

Dr. Rod Berger is a keynote speaker, moderator, producer, author, and expert in strategic storytelling. Berger’s book, The Narrative Edge: Authentic Storytelling That Meets The Moment (Wiley), hits bookstores in late 2025. He draws on more than 4,000 interviews conducted worldwide for Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Fair Observer, including a cover story about former Virgin Entertainment co-founder Jason Felts, for Los Angeles Magazine, as well as various podcasts. He has captured the narratives of investors, CEOs, renowned entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, scholars, and cultural icons such as NBA legends Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley, as well as United Nations officials and Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar, while also exploring the behind-the-scenes world of Formula 1.

Berger has met with the Crown Princess of Sweden, Pope Francis, United Nations officials, and NGO leaders, covering stories of water insecurity with WaterAid, the intergenerational refugee crisis faced by displaced Sudanese in Uganda, and the impacts of child marriage in Western Africa with the Le Korsa Foundation.

Berger served as a guest lecturer at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management for nearly two decades, focusing on the power of storytelling in business.

He has partnered with The Jim Henson Company to create a television show, The Ultimate GOAT, that combines his passion for distant lands and storytelling with culture, sports, and puppetry for family programming.

Berger conducts moderated keynote events that blend storytelling with live, on-stage narratives featuring cultural icons such as Opal Lee, the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and recognized as the “Grandmother” of Juneteenth. In 2023, Berger received the inaugural Pangea International Literacy Prize and delivered his TEDx Talk, “Story is Our Currency.” He lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife and two children.

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