In this episode of Bippity Boppity Business, Rita Richa sits down with Stephanie Thoma, international speaker, private advisor, and author of Confident Introvert, for a conversation that will completely change how you think about storytelling, visibility, and what it actually means to lead with your voice. Stephanie has spoken at over 250 events including Harvard, Boston University, and LinkedIn HQ, and she's spent years helping thoughtful leaders show up with clarity and confidence without performance.
This one is for every business leader who has ever second-guessed their story, over-rehearsed their delivery, or wondered if their everyday experiences are even worth telling. Using Disney's most iconic storytelling moments as a through-line, Stephanie and Rita break down the real formula behind stories that stick, connect, and convert, and why the micro moments in your life are often more powerful than the big dramatic ones.
In this episode, Stephanie Thoma & Rita Richa discuss:
00:00 – Intro & Rita sets the stage
03:00 – Why imperfection makes you more likable
05:00 – Elegant Vulnerability explained
07:00 – The Calm Authority framework introduced
08:00 – The painful handshake networking story
13:00 – Cultivating the courage to be disliked
19:00 – Micro moments: what makes a story impactful
24:00 – Written vs. verbal storytelling — different dialects
31:00 – The story bank & balancing authority with relatability
39:00 – The Calm Authority pyramid: Calm → Confidence → Connection → Impact
40:00 – Box breathing exercise
44:00 – What gets Stephanie out of bed every morning
46:00 – Where to find Stephanie + closing
Do you wish to connect with our special guest?
Connect with guest:
Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemthoma
Website: https://stephaniethoma.com
RESOURCES & LINKS
Work with Stephanie: https://stephaniethoma.com
Free resources: https://stephaniethoma.com/resources/
Her book Confident Introvert by Stephanie Thoma
Find Stephanie on Goodreads (yes, she's there!)
Tune in to every conversation about making magic in business on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google! Leave a rating and review so we can keep making magic!
Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Bippity Boppity Business in your favorite podcast player.
Connect with Rita:
Visit her website: https://bippityboppitybiz.com
Connect with her on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ritaricha
Do you have a podcast you want to create, rebrand, or grow? Discover Rita’s podcast consulting and production company, https://reignitemedia.onepage.me/.