Meet Jori O’Neale

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jori O’Neale. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jori, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

You know, being the only one in the room that looks like me — that’s a position I’ve been in more times than I can count. I grew up on the South Side of Chicago where everyone looked like me, but stepping out into different rooms — from classrooms at St. John’s, to publishing masterminds, to writer’s circles — I quickly realized, oh, you stand out here.

And it used to shake me. I used to wonder: Am I showing up as Jori? Or am I code-switching? Am I diluting who I am to be palatable? And for a long time, I didn’t even know the answer to that question. Therapy, faith, and radical honesty helped me find it. I learned to be okay with me first — my full, Black, South Side, comedic, truth-telling, sometimes blunt self — so that when I step in any room, I’m not asking for permission to belong. I already do.

How have I learned to be effective? By refusing to let my difference be a deficit. My difference is the gift. The truth is, the room benefits when someone like me sits at the table — when I bring my perspective, my story, my ideas. So now, I see every space where I’m the only one as an opportunity to make sure I’m not the last one. My goal is always to disrupt any system that tries to keep that seat empty.

I’ve learned to be successful by keeping my eyes on the bigger mission. I’m not just there for me. I’m there for the next young girl who feels unseen. The next author who doesn’t believe their story matters. The next Black woman who thinks she has to shrink to fit. I’ve learned to stand tall, speak up, and be visible — because sometimes seeing one helps someone else believe they can be the one too.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

You know, if I had to sum it up, I’d say I help people believe that their story is worth telling — and then I help them tell it well.

I’m a 10-time published, 2-time bestselling author, a comedian, a coach, and what I call a ‘publishing authority partner.’ I’m all about making sure everyday people — especially those who’ve been overlooked or underestimated — get the tools and support they need to turn their lived experiences into books, podcasts, talks, and whole movements.

For me, storytelling isn’t just about putting words on paper — it’s about reclaiming your power. I know firsthand what it’s like to feel unseen and unheard, and I know the freedom that comes when you say, “I get to write this. I get to decide how this story ends.”

What makes my work special is that I don’t just give people strategy — I walk with them through the mess. I’m honest, I’m blunt, I’m funny when I need to be, and I’m right there in the trenches, helping you push past the fear and doubt that tells you your story doesn’t matter. Spoiler: it does.

Right now, I’m focused on expanding my coaching and publishing services so I can help even more folks — especially Black and brown writers — share good, quality books that actually open doors. I’ve got my ‘Talk Your Book’ framework, which guides people to speak their ideas out loud and shape them into compelling, marketable books. I’m also working on partnering with other publishers so that our people have more pathways to get their work out into the world — and actually get paid well for it.

We’ve got a few new things cooking, too: more live workshops, a luxury women’s writing retreat, and some fresh group coaching spaces for aspiring authors who want community and accountability. And of course, my podcast, Thirty Minutes of Power, is still rolling — that’s where I pour out the truth and invite people to step into their power, one word at a time.

If you remember nothing else about my brand, remember this: Your story is your power. Tell it well. And if you don’t know how, come find me — that’s what I’m here for.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I’d say there were three things that have made all the difference for me:

1. Radical Honesty (with myself first).
Being able to tell the truth — not just to other people but to yourself — is game-changing. For a long time, I didn’t even know what I truly wanted or felt because I was so busy performing and people-pleasing. But once I started being radically honest — in my journal, in therapy, with God — that’s when I started to heal. And that honesty shows up in my writing, my coaching, my comedy — all of it. My advice? Make time to sit with yourself. Ask hard questions. Write them down. Be brave enough to answer them without sugarcoating it.

2. Storytelling (as a skill and a healing tool).
Storytelling saved my life — literally. I’ve been telling stories since I was a kid trying to escape my reality, and over the years I learned that sharing your story is a bridge. It connects you to people you never thought you’d meet, and it connects you back to parts of yourself you thought were lost. For anyone early on: start by practicing telling the truth of your story out loud — to a friend, to a mirror, or into a voice note. The more you tell it, the more power you take back.

3. Community-Building.
I tried to do a lot of things alone — and I crashed and burned every single time. The moment I got serious about finding real, safe community — people who would hold me accountable, tell me the truth in love, and remind me who I am when I forget — that’s when things started to flourish. If you’re early in your journey, my advice is: get in rooms that stretch you but don’t drain you. Find your people. And if you can’t find them, create the space for them.

At the end of the day, what’s worked for me is remembering: you are not for everybody — but you better be for you. When you’re honest, when you’re willing to share your story, and when you build or find the right community, you can’t help but grow.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes! I’m always looking for folks to partner and collaborate with — because I know that real impact doesn’t happen in isolation.

I’d love to connect with:
+Aspiring authors and speakers who know they have a story worth telling but don’t know where to start — come sit at my table, I’ll help you shape it, write it, and share it well.
+Other coaches, consultants, or community leaders who work with people whose voices deserve to be heard — let’s build bridges so they have access to publishing, ghostwriting, and storytelling tools that actually open doors.
+Publishers, event hosts, and organizations that want to amplify underrepresented stories and voices — I believe in partnerships that make publishing accessible, profitable, and powerful for the people it’s meant to serve.
+Brands, podcasters, and faith-based spaces who want to have real conversations about identity, storytelling, faith, and freedom — I’m here for it. Bring me in to speak, teach, or co-create.

If you’re reading this and you feel that tug — that little “yes” in your spirit — please reach out. The best way to connect with me is to book a quick Story Call at www.jorioneale.com. You can also find me on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok — wherever you hang out, I’m probably there @jorioneale.

I’m not just here to help you write a book — I’m here to help you build a legacy. Let’s do it together.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Sarah Hoag, Becky Velasquez

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