Ever wondered how top interviewers create effortless conversations with A-list celebrities? In this episode, I sit down with Variety’s Deputy Awards and Features Editor, Jenelle Riley, an Emmy-winning host of Actors on Actors, playwright, and screenwriter. Jenelle has spent years perfecting the art of interviewing, and today, she shares her insights on balancing authenticity, confidence, and preparation while navigating high-pressure conversations.

We dive deep into what makes a great interviewer, how to stay present, and why being yourself is your greatest advantage. Whether you're a podcaster, journalist, or creative looking to improve your communication skills, this episode is packed with wisdom to help you master the art of storytelling and connection.

I connected with Jenelle Riley, Deputy Awards and Features Editor at Variety, is a two-time Emmy winner for Actors on Actors, an award-winning playwright and screenwriter, who also hosts Q&As for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.

If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, perfectionism, or simply want to level up your communication skills, this conversation with Jenelle Riley is a must-listen.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Balancing authenticity with putting yourself out there
• The art of asking better questions and getting guests to open up
• Overcoming perfectionism and embracing spontaneity
• The impact of improv and listening skills in interviews
• Maintaining confidence and letting go of the need to be liked
• How to handle going off-script and staying in the moment
• Lessons from years of interviewing Hollywood’s biggest names

CONNECT WITH JENELLE RILEY:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenelleriley/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask
• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access Full Show Notes Here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/77

Putting yourself out there—sharing your content, your ideas, your voice—can feel terrifying.

Over the past several years, I’ve interviewed over 1,000 people across different shows, and when it comes to confidence, three conversations stand out the most.

Each of these ideas is unique, but my hope is that one of them will be exactly what you need to push past fear and take action on what you know you're called to do.

🎥 WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: youtube.com/heatherparady

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBcAws9Byss
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRhWvciRCUc&t=71s
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRiKFGs7pck

• Stop waiting to feel confident. Confidence isn’t a prerequisite—discipline is.
• Confidence isn’t about the absence of insecurity. It’s about how you move through challenges and come out stronger.
• Leverage an alter ego. Stepping into a character can help you show up with more confidence.

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask
• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access full show notes here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/76

If you've ever felt like you're on the sidelines, cheering for others while knowing deep down you're holding yourself back—this episode is for you.

I sat down with Rivky Gross, a somatic and subconscious-based practitioner, to explore the concept of the shadow artist—a term from Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. A shadow artist feels the pull to create but hesitates due to fear, perfectionism, or self-doubt.

As Carl Jung said, “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” Suppressing creativity can manifest as perfectionism, anxiety, or a deep sense of unworthiness. Many creatives fear being misunderstood or judged, keeping them from sharing their work. But the world needs more creators who dare to be fully themselves. If you’ve been holding back, consider this your permission to create and share unapologetically.

SIGN UP FOR THE SHADOW ARTIST OUR WORKSHOP HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/shadowartistworkshop

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• What it means to be a shadow artist—and how to know if you are one.
• How unexpressed creativity can lead to anxiety, self-doubt, and fear of visibility.
• The role of shadow work in reclaiming your creative power.
• Why creative expression matters—even if it’s not loud or profitable.
• Actionable steps to move from the sidelines into full creative freedom.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

CONNECT WITH RIVKY:

• Website: https://www.rivky-gross.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rivkygross/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask
• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access full show notes here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/75

How can you tell a BIG Story in Less Time? Here are three tips from experts.

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• How to break down big ideas using the “watermelon” method
• Why limiting your options will help you find the heart of the story
• How to start your story to get to the point faster

EPISODES MENTIONED:

• How to Make More SPACE in Your Life for Creativity & Impact | Tyler Moore @tidydad | Episode 71
• Overcoming BURNOUT and Finding the HEART of the Story | Filmmaker @CarlosAndresCuervo | Episode 27
• Matthew Dicks: How to be a Better Storyteller | @matthewjohndicks | Author of Storyworthy

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask
• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access full show notes here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/74

Introverts, did you know you have a competitive advantage—not just as a creative, but even in your business? Today, I connected with Margaret Soraya, an award-winning Scottish photographer, fine artist, and creative thought leader (and just an amazing human).

Proud to embrace her introversion, she spends a lot of time alone, sometimes weeks unplugged, yet still manages to sell out her creative retreats—sometimes within minutes of being listed—and leads an engaged, loyal online community.

Running a business doesn’t have to look just one way. Sometimes, we forget that we co-create our lives. If you feel trapped or pressured to be someone you’re not in order to “make it,” Margaret’s story is for you. As she beautifully says, “The more you get to know yourself, the better your work is.”

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/73

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• The competitive advantage of being introverted
• How self-awareness drives creativity and business
• How she sells out retreats fast and builds an engaged online community

Connect with Margaret Soraya: https://margaretsoraya.com/

Ask Heather a Question: www.heatherparady.com/ask

Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/

Here are 3 Storytelling Myths DEBUNKED by Experts.

EPISODES MENTIONED:

1. How to be a Better Storyteller | @matthewjohndicks | Author of Storyworthy
2. Storytelling Tips for Personal Brands | @SunYiCo | Episode 39
3. Improve Your Short Form Video by Doing This | @BrendanKane | Episode 8

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Why stories should be boring
• Why you don’t need powerful words
• Why you might NOT want to “change things up”

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask
• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access full show notes here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/72

To make space for something new, we first need to clear the clutter.

In this episode, I connected with Tyler Moore, famously known online as Tidy Dad. An educator from New York, Tyler has built a massive following by tackling one universal topic: tidying up your life. But as Tyler reveals, this isn’t just about the mess in your home—it’s about the emotional and mental clutter that affects every aspect of your work and life.

By clearing out his personal space, Tyler found his voice and began using storytelling to help others find joy and order in the beautiful mess of life. In this conversation, Tyler shares how he not only cleaned up his life but also uses storytelling to help others do the same.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Dealing with emotional and mental clutter that affects our work.
• Storytelling tips for conveying HUGE topics without the overwhelm.
• Taking the first step when you're stuck—finding clarity in chaos.

CONNECT WITH TYLER MOORE

• Order Tidy Up Your Life: https://www.amazon.com/Tidy-Your-Life-Rethinking-Declutter/dp/B0DG394ZV1
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tidydad/

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask
• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access full show notes here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/71

Do you feel like you need to dumb down your message to grow your social platforms? Think again. In today’s episode, I’m breaking down why that thought pattern is totally wrong—and sharing exactly how to frame your deep, meaningful message in 60 seconds or less.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady

EPISODES MENTIONED:

• How to Tell Your Personal Story (Like a Pro) | Irene’s Entropy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7A-XOR8a4k&t=9s
• How to be a Better Storyteller | ‪@matthewjohndicks‬ | Author of Storyworthy ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lohwMR56bvA&t=10s
• How to Captivate an Audience & Be More Confident | ‪@learnwithrene‬ | Episode 10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBcAws9Byss

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

• Ask Heather a Question: https://www.heatherparady.com/ask
• Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/
• Access full show notes here: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/70