Testimonials
Story Coaching
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“This work helps you discover yourself and integrate, actualizing the threads of your life. The work with Jay has helped me refine the way in which I can tell a story that allows people to put themselves in the story and see a path to the future.”
—Matthew Upchurch, CEO/Chairman, Virtuoso Travel
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“Our work together helped me organize my insights and stories for speaking and also for launching my new company. In fact, I've been using one of the stories that you helped me with in many successful pitches. We got a huge amount of mileage out of that story!”
—Jessica Rolph, Co-Founder of Happy Baby and Lovevery
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“Even though I have been working to hone my public speaking craft for decades, Jay's wise insights and masterful guidance have given me an entirely new perspective on how to understand and feel my stories far more deeply, and how to tell them far more effectively.”
—Ken Dychtwald, Founder/CEO of Agewave, Keynote Speaker, Author of 18 books
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“I’m in a whole different place as a communicator as a result of this work. The personal stories took me to a place I rarely went to, and now find myself visiting frequently, with a few good jokes along the way.”
—Charles Antis, CEO and Founder, Antis Roofing
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“The work you did with me was truly impactful and transformative. I just wanted to say thank you. You have helped me in more ways than you know. You are really a blessing in my life and I am grateful for you helping me to create a Re-tellable story.”
—Kim Sherman, Former CEO of Echo Media
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“Jay delivers an inner sense of knowing, alignment, personal connection to story and audience, which is the perfect recipe to create a powerful impact. Thank you for all you do Jay, you are truly a gift for so many leaders!”
—Julie Hudash, Keynote Speaker, CEO of TeamKids
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“Jay amazes. He provided a framework to turn what I thought was mundane into exciting pieces that others would find relatable and interesting.”
—Christopher Ticknor, Chief Transformation Officer, United Way of Orange County
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“Jay creates a safe space and you start learning how to recreate that safe space. So that you can become a better speaker, a better communicator, a better boss, a better employee, a better customer, a better parent…the list goes on.”
—Ashish Sanghrajka, CEO of Big Five Travel
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“It's been a personal transformation for me. I've been on a high for two months! It changes the way I approach talks. I will never again tell a story without knowing its meaning.”
—Rebecca Tarbotton, Former Executive Director, Rainforest Action Network
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“I received tremendous value out of the work we did together and I use the stories a lot! I use portions in almost everyday conversations. I really like the work that we've done together.”
—Israel Ganot, Former President and CEO, Gazelle.com
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“You helped me find the soul of my stories, and understand how their meaning translates.”
—Melinda Kramer, Founder of Women’s Earth Alliance
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“Working with Jay helped me see that the stories and anecdotes I used to keep to myself can be a connective force inside and outside of our company. Our work together gave me a method for organizing and shaping my insights that makes prep for meetings and talks much easier - and more enjoyable.”
—Brian Dick, CEO, Golden State Foods
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“I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to have been coached by you Jay! You are an inspiration and a great professional.”
—Joelle Edwards-Tonks, former Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, Oetker Collection
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“Hiring Retellable was one of the best professional decisions I've ever made.”
—Nell Greenberg, Former Communications Director, Rainforest Action Network
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“We did it right! Thanks to you – I have the new story. I am so grateful! To you Jay.”
—Sherry Benjamins
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“I worked with Jay and his colleague to devise a story telling presentation for restoring the Gulf wetlands. That project was also compelling and highly creative and productive. Jay Golden is a great story teller!”
—Jennifer Witherspoon, California Communications Director, Environmental Defense
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“The guidance and inspiration I got from Jay and Retellable was not only essential in helping tell the story, but enlivened and evolved our mission and vision as well. Brilliant!”
—Dr. Stever Dallmann, Executive Director, Liberation Institute
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“I came to Jay with a lot of ideas, and threw a bunch of spaghetti against the wall. He took what I had and made a beautiful circle of stories. ”
—Ahmed Rahim, CEO and Co-Founder, Numi Tea
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“You can spend a lifetime discovering the patterns employed by great storytellers, or spend a few sessions with Jay. ”
—Andy Ruben, CEO, Trove
Storytelling Pods
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“Because of this work, I ask better questions. I am a better listener, and I’m a better writer. Plus - he is an amazing person, and an advocate for our nonprofit sector. And I have built deep friendships with cohort members.”
—Dawn Reese, CEO, The Wooden Floor
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“You helped me cultivate a sense of introspection. Now I’m wired to see teachable moments – what’s happening with me, around me, and to me, and translate these into valuable insights to share.”
—Greg Hulsizer, Former CEO, Leadership Coach
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“I would recommend Jay's Storytelling Cohort to anyone! I met amazing people and worked on my own stories. I’ve been working on other people's stories for nearly 30 years and finally made the commitment to do it myself. It's so powerful! Thank you Jay Golden!”
—Rebecca Hall, CEO IdeaHall
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“I believe as human beings we all need to know, embrace and be able to articulate our purpose and passion in life. If you’re a leader compelled to dig into your personal story, to find your authentic voice, I highly recommend joining one of Jay’s coaching pods. Just warning you tho, be ready to lean into the transformational journey of self awareness and purpose.”
—Julie Hudash, Founder and CEO, Team Kids
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“This is not just becoming a better speaker or communicator, but a better person, in helping others through your story, and in experiencing theirs. Because it’s one thing to tell your own story but when you get so excited about another person’s story, and can retell that out in the world, the benefits are very clear.”
—Lisa Thomas, Founder & CEO, Main Street Marketing Partners
Story Crafting
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“The idea of developing a global story with so many moving parts at first seemed impossible, but your approach really worked. First, it brought our team together on a common goal — and then provided such a great group learning experience, with a memorable output that will be shared far and wide. Thank you for everything you did! It was a pleasure working with you.”
—Rachelle Diamond, Director, Employee Experience, LinkedIn
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“We think you think guys are brilliant! We loved working with you...you helped me understand how to use stories and see them everywhere in my life.”
—Terri Ludwig, Former CEO, Enterprise Community Partners
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“My GRATITUDE for holding all these beautiful leaders through this vulnerable process and hitting the ball OUT OF THE PARK even though we blindfolded you and didn’t tell you much of anything at all. Your ability to marry personal convictions and motivation to our collective industry goals really did help change the narrative on economic justice in the region.”
—Anne Olin, Founder and CEO, Charitable Ventures
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“You really landed the story we needed, when we most needed it. You were responsive, attentive, and very sharp – and your work aligned our leaders and our wider team at a critical time.”
—Erica Friedman, Director of Communications & Change Management, Abbott
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“Jay is one of the most amazing tellers and more importantly, an amazing teacher at helping us tell our story.”
—Jose Benitez Cong, Former Co-Founder and CEO, Plause
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“The story is applauded everywhere! It’s so moving for everyone!”
—Paurvi Bhatt, Former Senior Director of Employee Engagement, Levi Strauss
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“I listened to the Retellable audio to prepare for my company presentation to 900 people last year and it was crucial!”
—Tori Adamo
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“Jay doesn’t give me the answers I was searching, he teach me how to find the answers myself.”
—Jorge Manzur, General Manager, Anantara Villa Padierna
Training
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“The team was just blown away with what you did for us. Hopefully the start of a great journey towards becoming powerful storytellers.”
—Steve Spivak, Vice President of Sales, Tauck Travel
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“I loved it! Your storytelling workshops changed the way we think about and approach our stories. Equally surprising was the amount of connectedness we built as a team.”
—Adam Ward, Former Director of University Recruiting, Facebook
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“You guys were great. We walked away much better at telling stories and with a greater understanding of how our stories drive our mission. I look forward to working with you again soon!”
—Ben Renda, Former Head of Global Scaled Services, YouTube
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“Totally successful. Very well received. I'm impressed and grateful that the story we've developed still holds up 100%.”
—Erica Friedman, Director of Communications & Change Management, Abbott
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“Through their story coaching and workshop, You helped our conference participants feel more focused and connected. As we developed and shared our impact stories, we saw our challenges more clearly, and our solutions more readily. We felt the strength of our movement come alive.”
—Jennifer Krill, Executive Director, Earthworks
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“Your storytelling clinic received rave reviews. ”
—Jill Epner Willett, Former Director of Community Engagement at BALLE
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“I was blown away by how useful the storytelling workshop was, and how powerful, in such a brief period of time. He gave us some really simple, really effective tools and I immediately saw how I might be able to re-cast my own story to make my presentation — and funder pitches — much more successful.”
—Elizabeth Ü, Founder & Former Executive Director, Finance for Food
Speaking
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“Jay is a skilled presenter who energetically articulates the transformational power of story in branding. Our attendees walked away with a step-by-step understanding of how to craft effective, authentic (retellable) narratives.”
—Denver Lewis, Conference Content Manager, New Hope Network
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“Our audience loved Jay's workshop and are still raving about it a year later. A hands-on practical experience that is equally enlightening as it is fun. Anytime we could have him back we would want him back!”
—David Nihill, Founder, FunnyBizz Conference
The Legend Network
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“My GRATITUDE for holding all these beautiful leaders through this vulnerable process and hitting the ball OUT OF THE PARK even though we blindfolded you and didn’t tell you much of anything at all. Your ability to marry personal convictions and motivation to our collective industry goals really did help change the narrative on economic justice in the region.”
—Anne Olin, Founder and CEO, Charitable Ventures
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“The evening was mind-opening and heart moving highlighting purpose, courage and generosity.”
—Debora Wondercheck, Founder and CEO, Arts and Learning Conservatory
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“It's been a personal transformation for me. I've been on a high for two months! It changes the way I approach talks. I will never again tell a story without knowing its meaning.”
—Rebecca Tarbotton, Former Executive Director, Rainforest Action Network
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“Everything went quite smooth and the story flowed. I had fun! Thank you for all the extra care and attention. Much appreciated!!”
—Dana Bourland, Former Vice President of Green Communities, Enterprise Community Partners
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“Thank you each for enriching my own story/life telling skills, and sharing yours in ways that are helping me expand the contribution of my own. I’m grateful to know you, and look forward to more together.”
—Don McLaughlin, Former CEO, PurePower Botanicals (2017–2023)
The Legend Experience
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“I am so thankful to be part of this and excited to see where it goes from here. I think everyone who attended agrees, it was like no other event. And it was difficult for all us storytellers to share our personal stories but so rewarding after!”
—Eric Goodman, CEO, Mountain View Service
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“It was as if I was sitting with a good book and turning the pages of #authentic stories that spoke — each — to our human characteristics — drawing us to turn the page to hear what is next… what happened. Thank you Jay Golden for opening the book, allowing us to ‘read’ these amazing Legends. What a unique way to bring Purpose to life here in Orange County.”
—Livi Kerszenbaum, MBA
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“Such a great and memorable night to share the stage and the room with so many amazing people!”
—Ed Hart, Founder, Hart Leadership Institute
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“Such an awesome and amazing event! You all are incredible leaders with such impactful stories. You are all such a blessing 🙌🙏💗”
—Dr. Catherine Maloof, Director at Uniforms for Hope
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“In this hectic world, we all need an extra dose of purpose, connection and humanity. Thanks Jay Golden for creating and hosting Legend OC! Sparking such authenticity and vulnerability in OC was just the perfect recipe for an unforgettable night.”
—Julie Hudash, CEO and Founder, Team Kids