In this episode, Denise Grace Gitsham, a political contributor, attorney, speaker, and author, joins host, Jordan Johnstone, to discuss the importance of storytelling and its impact. Denise highlights the significance of storytelling in leadership, sales, and motivating others. She also shares how storytelling can be used to talk about personal accomplishments and professional successes, emphasizing the importance of sharing stories as a testimony of God’s goodness and inspiring others.

Key Takeaways

• Storytelling is a powerful tool that engages our emotions and activates different parts of our brains, making it more memorable and relatable.
• Storytelling is effective in leadership, sales, and motivating others, as it helps convey messages in a way that resonates with people.
• Sharing personal accomplishments and professional successes through storytelling can be done by viewing them as a testimony of God’s goodness and inspiring others.
• Being truthful about the results of a year while maintaining a positive and encouraging tone can be achieved through storytelling that focuses on growth, learning, and resilience. Authenticity and speaking truthfully about challenges can minister to others.
• Authenticity is important in leadership and can inspire trust and connection.
• Storytelling is a powerful tool in various contexts, such as politics and thought leadership.
• Crafting an authentic story involves knowing your audience and staying on message.
• God’s discipline can shape and transform us, even in the realm of politics.

Guest Bio:

Denise Grace Gitsham is a political contributor, attorney, speaker, and author of the book Politics for People Who Hate Politics: How to Engage without Losing Your Friends or Selling Your Soul. 

Denise is a graduate of Bowdoin College and the Georgetown University Law Center. Prior to starting her own public affairs firm, Vitamin D Public Relations, she practiced law at K&L Gates and served as a presidential appointee at the White House and the U.S. Department of Justice, as well as a law clerk in the U.S. Senate. In 2016, Denise ran for Congress in California’s Fifty-second Congressional District. Today, Denise advises businesses, ministries, and nonprofits as a consultant and board member.

Born and raised at Travis Air Force Base in Northern California, Denise’s mother is a Chinese immigrant who escaped communism in 1949, and her father is a Canadian immigrant who served twenty years in the U.S. Air Force. As a member of a proud military family, Denise has a special appreciation for the liberties that enabled her parents to achieve the American dream. She also recognizes the personal significance of her favorite Bible verse: To whom much is given, from him much will be required (Luke 12:48). This verse underlies Denise’s lifelong commitment to public service.

Denise speaks Mandarin Chinese, is an avid reader, and has competed as an Ironman triathlete. When she isn’t on a plane headed to or from DC, she’s basking in the California sun with her golden retriever, Jack.