We were lucky to catch up with Diane Wyzga recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Diane, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I didn’t. Purpose came looking for me. Purpose got tired of me wasting my time on What and Why. Purpose pulled me out of the line and said, “Your Purpose is your Who. Who are you?” Once upon a time we are all born with a powerful voice. And every day we strive to make ourselves seen, heard, understood, and listened to. But one day someone says: Be quiet! And because of that we hush ourselves. Women especially. We step into line, we take our turn, we wait – quietly. And because of that we hush ourselves. We slow down believing that what we have to say is important, wise, beautiful, creative, bold, brilliant. And because of that we really do forget how powerful we were at one time. We forget but our voice doesn’t forget.
Until finally we come across something or someone that reminds us. In my case it was encountering the power of stories in – of all places – law school. I excelled at Moot Court, arguing imaginary cases. I won. I always won. To the last round I was the winner
Now I had a reason to use my voice. I became a litigator. But working in a law firm was too restrictive. So I created a practice of litigation consulting to teach story skills to litigators so they could improve their chances of helping their clients receive justice. I had a national practice (Lightning Rod Communications) for a dozen years.
What’s funny is that litigation consulting was not my true Purpose. Purpose still wasn’t satisfied with me. So it led me to podcasting. Stories From Women Who Walk (with daily 60 Seconds episoes) is global and on all platfroms. For almost 3 years I’ve put myself out on the airwaves testing my voice, my stories, my messages in the hope that they will open a door for another woman. It’s only been in the last 10 months or so that I feel I am closer to my Purpose with the launch of my Quarter Moon Story Arts website which is the story of my Purpose. It is my voice and my Purpose.
I am my voice: how I sound and the message I deliver: say what you mean and mean what you say. Why? When we share our stories we are seen, heard, understood, listened to AND! we understand others. We shift attitudes, behaviors, even cultures.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
You are asking me to tell you about my Who. It’s a dual role: I’m a global podcaster. Stories From Women Who Walk with daily episodes of 60 Seconds or a bit more to give listeners some motivation, inspiration, practical tips, wisdom, or story to carry in their pocket. Over 150,000 downloads in less than 3 years. I expect to produce episode 1,000 episodes by the end of this year. And then what? Let’s see what Purpose has to say.
And then there is my Quarter Moon Story Arts consulting work. I help socially-conscious professionals find the words they didn’t know they had to become better Story Influencers creating emotional connections with those they serve. Why is this a niche the world needs? By helping people discover and deliver their authentic story messages to connect with, engage and influence their audiences they transform the lives of those they serve. Can you imagine the positive human connection changes in society?
What is so rewarding? Let me use a recent example: Our voice is both the sound we make and the message we are delivering in our voice. Women especially fail to use the power of their voice to say what they mean and mean what they say. They hide behind the written word. But saying what we mean takes courage beyond writing words on the page.
I’m coaching a professional client who is working on her Origin Story. She wrote and sketched her work on large pieces of blank paper. When we met on Zoom she held each piece of paper up to the camera walking me through her work – step by step – page by page – in her own voice – speaking what she had created. There was joy, pride, courage, freedom of expression, and commitment to being who she said she is – her Who!
Speaking aloud does that; it shifts an idea on paper to becoming a reality when spoken aloud. Now there is no stopping her. Imagine this multiplied
by many ….it keeps coming back to the same thing. Our voice.
To help spread the word I created a monthly NewsAudioLetter so listeners can listen to the music of the spoken word. [https://www.
This is what’s on offer:
Insight, knowledge, inspiration, and motivation,
Story content that adds value to your life, and
Tips and tools to give you the confidence to connect with, engage and influence your audience, solve communication challenges, make the most of your story work journey and help you help those you serve.
I also offer a free Story Start-up Session for those who are getting ready to be ready to work with me. What can we work on? A few ideas:
Origin /Brand Story
Book or Business Idea
Keynote or Presentation
About Page story that’s really about you
Purpose / Mission / Vision Statement aligned with your values
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Taking a chance
Being willing to fall down 7 & get up 8
Pushing the limits
I tell people that my life is BC & AC: Before Camino and After Camino. I went on pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. Walked 500 miles in 5 weeks. Relied on the kindness of strangers. Lived without “devices.” Although I had back-packed Europe after college this was the experience of a lifetime. I was so much older than I had been then. To head out with a guidebook, a backpack with essentials, and willingness.
Advice?
Use your voice
Share your stories
Listen to others
Practice kindness
Give it a go; if you don’t go you’ll never never.
How would you describe your ideal client?
Desire,
Curiosity,
Commitment to the work,
Readiness to establish their Who, and
Willingness to connect with, engage and influence their audience with a heartfelt story artfully told – ultimately transforming the lives of those they serve.
The clients who are coming through my Quarter Moon Story Arts door seem to be professional women, entrepreneurs, and creatives, in mid-life who are at some communication transformation cross-roads. They feel challenged by having something to say (write book, deliver a keynote, share a vision, pitch an idea, win a case ….) but can’t find the story. Perhaps their ideas need clarifying. They’re feeling lost for words. They understand the transformative power of a story well told but don’t know how to get there. They want the tools to leverage the power of voice, story, confidence, conviction, connection. Ultimately they want help amplifying their message in their own words, in their own voice.
I’m a guide, a mentor, speaker, and workshop facilitator. And, if there are readers who are curious about collaborating I’m always open to a conversation.
To learn more about my Engaged Storyism method, read testimonials and case studies, check out what others have said: https://www.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.quartermoonstoryarts.net
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-f-wyzga-qmsa/
- Other: Stories From Women Who Walk podcast: https://stories-from-women-who-walk.simplecast.com/
- BizCatalyst 360° Profile: https://www.bizcatalyst360.com/author/dianefwyzga/
- BizCatalyst 360°WRITEWAY 360°: https://www.bizcatalyst360.com/writeway-360/
Image Credits
Diane Wyzga
