Keynote 45–60 min, Motivational Comedy Show, Storytelling Workshop, Leadership Retreat
Corporate leaders, sales teams, customer service professionals, associations, and conference attendees
WHO HIJACKED MY FAIRYTALE: HOW TO CREATE A WINNING MINDSET BY LIVING A STORY-DRIVEN LIFE
In a world where self-doubt and external pressures often dictate our narrative, many of us are held captive by stories that diminish our true potential. These limiting beliefs create barriers to personal growth, leading to feelings of stagnation and unfulfillment. Kelly Swanson believes if you want to change your life, you must start by changing your story.
In this hysterically funny, motivational program, Kelly draws from her own journey of overcoming challenges and reshaping her narrative, blending humor with profound insights to inspire a shift in perspective.
Participants are guided to rewrite their own stories, cultivating a winning mindset that unlocks passion, purpose, and confidence. With Kelly’s unique
storytelling approach, individuals are empowered to not only envision a brighter future but to actively pursue it.
STORY-DRIVEN IMPACT: WHERE THE ART OF STORY MEETS THE BUSINESS OF PERSUASION
No matter what industry you are in, or what job title you hold, at some point you will find yourself in a position of influence – wanting or needing to convince someone else to do something. The goal is clear: to connect, engage, persuade, and leave a lasting impact. Yet, many professionals find themselves falling short, often missing that crucial emotional connection that drives action and loyalty.
Enter the transformative power of storytelling.
By the end of this highly interactive program, participants will not only understand the mechanics of effective storytelling but will also be equipped to
harness its power in their professional roles. Whether you’re pitching a product, leading a team, or serving a customer, storytelling is the key to forging deeper connections and achieving desired outcomes. Under Kelly Swanson’s expert guidance, you’ll master the art of crafting compelling stories that hit the mark every time.
Kelly Swanson is an award-winning storyteller, comedian, and hall-of-fame inspirational speaker who blends humor with powerful life lessons. She is the author of Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale and a contributor to Huffington Post. Her unique gift is turning everyday struggles into funny, relatable, and inspiring stories that help people rewrite their narrative and embrace their value.
Kelly’s mission is to make people laugh, remind them of their worth, and equip them with storytelling tools that build resilience, confidence, and influence. She has been featured on The Fashion Hero television show on Amazon Prime and is a regular presence at conferences, leadership retreats, and corporate events worldwide.
Kelly Swanson is an award-winning storyteller, comedian, hall-of-fame inspirational speaker, Huffington Post Contributor, and cast member of The Fashion Hero television show airing on Amazon Prime.
Kelly’s mission is to make you laugh, remind you of your value, help you see beyond your obstacles, and learn how to tap into the most powerful tool you have for a positive mindset and persuasive influence, embracing your story.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Twitter
In this 20-minute clip, Kelly Swanson blends humor and heartfelt storytelling to show how rewriting your inner story changes confidence, resilience, and influence.
Kelly Swanson takes the audience on a journey through comedy, personal stories, and practical storytelling lessons. She shares her path from English major to professional storyteller and motivational speaker, highlighting the challenges of low self-esteem and the power of humor to break through fear. With candid honesty, she jokes about body image, confidence struggles, and everyday insecurities, instantly connecting with her audience through authenticity.
Kelly explains how storytelling is not just entertainment but a tool of influence that opens hearts and builds emotional connections. She teaches that the stories we tell ourselves shape our beliefs and actions, and rewriting those narratives can unlock leadership, sales, and personal growth. She introduces her storytelling framework, which focuses on three critical stories: your story, your brand story, and your customer’s story.
Testimonials within the video highlight Kelly’s ability to connect deeply with audiences, transforming skepticism into engagement. Her stories—ranging from holiday memories to everyday insecurities—illustrate how humor and vulnerability create lasting bonds. She closes by emphasizing that humor and hope are essential for resilience, reminding audiences to embrace authenticity and step boldly into their own spotlight.
00:00 Audience feedback: Kelly praised for connection, humor, and energy
01:00 Kelly introduces herself and her journey into storytelling and speaking
04:00 Humor and vulnerability: body image, confidence, and authenticity
07:30 Discovering storytelling as a motivational and influential tool
10:00 Teaching: the stories we tell ourselves shape our reality
12:30 Introducing three foundational stories: personal, brand, and customer
15:00 Story crafting course explained: turning data into compelling narrative
17:00 Testimonials on Kelly’s unique talent for helping leaders tell their story
19:00 Closing: humor, hope, and authenticity as the foundation of influence
A lively showcase where Kelly Swanson mixes comedy, candid life stories, and a clear framework for using story to connect, engage, and persuade.
The showcase opens with host intro and quick testimonials about Kelly’s energy and connection. Kelly appears with a playful virtual bit, then pivots into why she speaks: to change the stories people tell themselves. She shares an early memory about “being poor” and her father’s lesson on turning nothing into something, setting up her core theme that perspective is a choice. Through rapid-fire humor about confidence and body image, she models authenticity as a bridge to trust.
Kelly explains that in an age of information overload, data alone does not persuade; story is the Trojan horse that earns attention and opens hearts. She traces her path from shy English major to professional storyteller, then to motivational speaker and coach, describing how laughter and vulnerability transformed audiences from arms-crossed to emotionally engaged. She introduces her three critical stories every influencer should master: your story, your brand story, and your customer story. Each turns facts into meaning and action.
She illustrates connection with a church “vision casting” anecdote, showing how story can move people from resistance to buy-in. Testimonials underscore her impact and her Story Crafting Course, which guides teams to produce three finished stories they can use immediately. In closing, Kelly reframes success as rewriting the internal script: the story you write becomes the life you live. Her call to action is simple and human—choose a braver, kinder narrative, and lead others with it.
00:00 Host intro and why to book Kelly; quick audience praise
01:10 Kelly’s playful cold open; what she’s “about” and customization
03:00 Childhood story on “being poor” and her father’s lesson about perspective
05:00 Humor and authenticity: confidence, body image, inner critic
07:30 From storyteller to speaker: discovering story as a tool of influence
09:00 Core idea: data needs a story; the Trojan horse of persuasion
11:00 Three foundational stories: your story, brand story, customer story
13:00 Church vision-casting example; moving from telling to motivating
15:00 Story Crafting Course overview; outcomes and deliverables
17:30 Testimonials on connection and practical impact
19:30 Closing call to rewrite the inner story; invitation to engage
Both, she blends laugh-out-loud humor with actionable insights.
Yes, she tailors content to leadership, sales, customer service, or event themes.
Yes, workshops and courses on storytelling are available.
In order to view the below you must be logged in.
Both, she blends laugh-out-loud humor with actionable insights.
Yes, she tailors content to leadership, sales, customer service, or event themes.
Yes, workshops and courses on storytelling are available.
Zack Kass is a globally recognized Open AI futurist, keynote speaker, consultant, and educator, dedicated to helping organizations and individuals navigate the dynamic intersection of technology, innovation, and human potential. With a career that spans leadership roles in artificial intelligence and a passion for empowering others through education, Zack is a trusted voice in the […]
One of the most exciting players of his generation, Eric Davis elicited comparisons to Willie Mays as the centerfielder for the Cincinnati Reds. From 1986 to 1990 he averaged 30 home runs and 40 stolen bases, won a pair of Gold Glove awards and led the Reds to a World Series victory in 1990. Injuries […]
Redmond Ramos is an extraordinary keynote speaker, veteran, and advocate for resilience and perseverance. His story of overcoming adversity, from his time in the military to becoming a Paralympic athlete and successful entrepreneur, is an inspiration to audiences worldwide. Redmond delivers powerful and motivational talks that resonate with corporate teams, educators, and individuals, instilling a […]
David Salyers is a visionary leader, author, and marketing expert who played a pivotal role in shaping one of the most beloved brands in America: Chick-fil-A. As one of the original two marketing executives at Chick-fil-A, David spent an impressive 37 years in the company’s marketing department, most recently serving as Vice President. Throughout his […]
Dr. Willie Jolley is not just another motivational speaker; he is a beacon of inspiration, a maestro of transformation, and a living testament to the power of resilience and perseverance. With a career spanning decades, Dr. Jolley has solidified his position as a triple threat personality and a global thought leader. Renowned as a Hall […]
After his initial shot at acting didn’t pan out, Andy Buckley was 5 years into his career as a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch, part of a team managing over $500 million in personal assets, when he got the luckiest phone call of his life – the offer to appear on the NBC comedy, ‘The […]
Kathy Cleveland Bull is a highly regarded professional speaker, trainer, and consultant. Her company, N~Compass Consulting, has helped clients on three continents “Navigate the Art and Science of Change.” Kathy has appeared with Dr. Phil McGraw and Deepak Chopra where she delivered her powerful change message to an audience of over 7,000 people. Kathy conducts […]
Dr. Tye Caldwell stands at the forefront of innovation in the beauty industry, wielding a potent combination of entrepreneurial acumen, technological prowess, and a profound commitment to empowering beauty and barbering professionals worldwide. As the Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of ShearShare, Dr. Caldwell has etched his name as a visionary leader, dedicated to revolutionizing […]
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel
