Story Coach Liz Morrison shares the real story behind being named to Inc. Magazine's 2026 Female Founders 500 — from a career valley to her biggest year yet — and why personal storytelling is the most important leadership skill in the age of AI. Plus, a free storytelling exercise to celebrate.

In September 2022, I was stuck on my couch doom scrolling Instagram. Three years later, I was standing on the STORY Conference stage. Watch my full STORY 2025 talk about vicarious mastery — the psychological phenomenon where hearing someone else's story helps you believe your own goals are possible — and learn how I used personal storytelling and Narrative Navigation to go from career crisis to dream stage.

How one professional used Story Coaching to transform post-campaign uncertainty into career clarity.

When my Fast Company article about getting laid off published this week, my inbox filled with messages from people sharing their own stories—crying in parking lots, getting laid off that very week, finally feeling less alone. It confirmed what I see with my coaching clients every day: your story doesn't need to be perfect or have a neat ending to be powerful; it just needs to be real.

Most of us grew up believing in the tidy storyline of life—get the degree, land the job, climb the ladder, retire—but research shows the average person will actually have 3–7 careers in their lifetime. In my conversation on the ACT3 Podcast, I shared how storytelling can help us navigate these nonlinear paths, especially in midlife when many of us “look up” and realize we might be living someone else’s story. The key is learning to reframe your past chapters into a redemption narrative, so you can write forward with clarity and intention. In the full blog, I share how my client Sole transformed her career story, plus I offer two free tools—the Career Chapter Map and a Time Travel Meditation—to help you uncover the wisdom in your own story and imagine what comes next.

How one uncomfortable push became the blueprint for navigating every transition that followed.

Most professionals struggle with sharing their stories confidently—whether it's in job interviews, networking events, or on LinkedIn. After years as a Story Coach, I've discovered the real issue isn't how you tell your story—it's whether you actually believe the story you're trying to tell. In this post, I'll share why confident storytelling starts from the inside out and the deeper work that transforms both how you see yourself and how others experience your authentic voice.

If there's one thing turning 40 taught me, it's that our stories are always evolving, and we get to be the conscious authors of what comes next. But perhaps most importantly, you deserve to be celebrated for the story you've written so far. And sometimes, the most radical act is throwing yourself the party—and trusting that your people will show up. Mine did, in the most beautiful ways.

What started as a simple 40th birthday project—finding one photo from every year of my life—became the most transformative work I'd done in years. After sorting through 20,000 photographs, I discovered patterns I'd never noticed: the consistent thread of bringing people together, the periods where I lost myself in work, and most surprisingly, that many limiting stories I'd been telling about myself simply weren't true. This visual journey through my life chapters revealed that sometimes looking back is the only way to see forward clearly—which inspired me to create a gift that helps you do the same with your own story.

Read my full journey + get your free Life Chapters Map

A $1 pamphlet in the redwood forests changed everything I thought about professional "failures."

The Dyerville Giant—370 feet tall, 1,600 years old—crashed in 1991 with such force that a neighbor a mile away thought it was a train wreck. But that "dead" tree now feeds over 4,000 species as a "nurse log."

Your career setback isn't your ending. It's creating conditions for breakthrough.

I bet on a horse named Sovereignty at a Kentucky Derby party—and won. But what stuck with me wasn’t the $75 prize or the winner’s sash. It was the unexpected reminder that we get to author our own stories—and that asking better questions (like a good journalist) is often where that authorship begins.

Five years ago, I lost my dream job—and found my true calling.

In this reflection on my layoff-aversary, I share how one painful moment crying under a tree became the start of a new story. If you’re navigating your own turning point, this one’s for you. 💫

When I set out to become “Surfer Girl” in Portugal, I thought it would be a triumph. Instead, it was three days of wipeouts, saltwater tears, and one surprisingly holy moment involving a surfboard and the words: “Put your arms out like Jesus.”

This is the story of how I stopped trying to control the ocean—and started rewriting my story instead.

Five years after the world shut down, I’m reflecting on a grocery store trip that meant more than I realized. This story isn’t just about snacks and Zoom pasta—it’s about connection, resilience, and the power of looking back to move forward. Download your free Story Spark Worksheet to reflect on your own journey.

That sh*t is no longer my sh*t. A moment of clarity after getting fired changed everything. Read how I reset—and find your own story of letting go.

We’ve all been there—stuck in should, weighed down by guilt. But what if we rewrote the story?

Shifting from Should → Shame → Stuck to Could → Curious → Choose opens up new possibilities.

I'm so excited to share this episode with you because Lis and I had such a thoughtful conversation about how reflecting on your own stories can give you clarity, confidence, and direction—whether in your personal life, career, or leadership.

Discover how a simple tattoo, "This is happening," became a powerful mantra for grounding, reflection, and intentional storytelling. Learn how to pause, reflect on your year, and create a clear vision for 2025 with actionable tools and personalized coaching.

Reflecting on my dear cat Indy’s passing two years ago, I've come to realize how much he taught me about life. Indy wasn't just my pet; he was my family, my companion, and my source of joy during a tumultuous period in my life.

How the experiences and people I encountered during the Olympics inspired me to embrace sports in a new way. Plus story prompts to help you think about your connection to sports!