Episode Description
In this episode of Liz on Biz, Liz Theresa welcomes Danielle Evans Cole, founder of Cultivated Storytelling. They dive into the art and strategy of business storytelling, the impact of authenticity, and the human element that stands out in a world increasingly tempted by AI-generated content. Danielle Evans Cole shares her journey from litigation attorney to storyteller, her process for helping clients distill their unique stories, and why storytelling is so powerful in building connection and trust. Plus, they discuss the real role of AI, the importance of standing out instead of blending in, and how to find joy (and confidence!) in your marketing. If you’re ready to get strategic, creative, and real in your business messaging, you won’t want to miss this lively conversation!
Meet Danielle
Danielle Evans-Cole is a Messaging Strategist & Writer/Editor at Cultivated Storytelling. She empowers businesses and professionals to get clear on how they talk about themselves with creative, consistent, and authentic messaging. Her expertise spans Business Storytelling, Messaging Strategy, Authentic & Persuasive Writing, Interviewing, Building Storytelling Cultures, and Designing Storytelling Collection Systems. She works with Small and Mid-Size Businesses, Social Impact Organizations, and Professionals and Entrepreneurs. Her passion is witnessing the moment when someone finally hears their own brilliant story reflected back to them. That light in their eyes. That erupting wide smile on their face. That lightbulb that confidence multiplying moment. Her work is about empowering my clients to tell their spectacular stories about themselves and their organizations. The kind of stories that turn their messaging from “just fine” to compelling and unforgettable.
Key Takeaways
- Danielle Evans Cole founded Cultivated Storytelling to help businesses craft authentic, consistent, and creative messaging rooted in strategy (01:01).
- Storytelling forges connections and builds empathy, both on stage and in business (05:01).
- Personal stories and vulnerability create memorable, relatable content that outshines generic tips or formulaic approaches (02:30).
- Danielle Evans Cole leverages her background as a litigation attorney and interviewer to ask deep, out-of-the-box questions—including senses-based prompts—to uncover clients’ core narratives (10:07).
- AI is a tool, not a replacement for genuine storytelling. Authenticity and humanity are essential for building trust and standing out (14:39).
- Many business owners get stuck trying to be everywhere at once; instead, focus on showing up consistently where your audience is and where it brings you joy (29:49).
- Confidence in messaging comes from clarity about your story and brand foundation (14:01).
- Danielle Evans Cole also writes for North Shore Magazine and is working on her own fiction novel (34:30).
Connect with Danielle Evans Cole
- Website: cultivatedstorytelling.com
- LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram: @cultivatedstorytelling
- Email: danielle@cultivatedstorytelling.com
Danielle Evans Cole loves to connect for networking and collaborative chats!
Mentioned in This Episode
- The Moth Podcast
- Stories from the Stage
- North Shore Magazine
- Stitch (AI design tool)
- SEO & “AIEO” workshops
