Whether you want to level up your storytelling practice, or you're just getting started, you're in exactly the right place.
About Me
I’m an editor and coach for creative people who want to tell better stories.
I help you find the strategies, tools and confidence so that you can figure out how you want to sound, and tell stories that feel like you.
I’m not going to hijack your narrative. I’m going to help you feel great about your own voice.
Hi, I'm Micaela...
... and I'm a literal story doctor.
(If you count the PhD in narrative education.)
When I left elementary school teaching in 2011 to pursue my PhD in Education, I could finally stay up late on a school night. My friend Gina took me to an open-mic storytelling night. I genuinely didn't expect to get picked, but I got picked first. I got onstage before I'd ever seen a true, personal story performed.
I was terrified. But surprise! It was exhilarating. I loved the narrative artistry, the feeling of community, and the honest connection that all started with sharing a story from my life.
I’m a teacher, so I knew I wanted to help other people experience those feelings too. And that one five minute story actually did change the course of my life.
I got started in this work because my bedtime was finally later than 9.
How it all began...
This doesn't have much to do with storytelling, I'm just excited about it. I'm learning "House of the Rising Sun" at the moment-- very slowly.
I started learning piano.
08
I work with podcast companies like Wondery and Business Insider, as well as independent artists, to guide the structure and tone of narrative podcasts, from history to comedy to personal stories.
I got into story editing for audio.
07
I've found a new home in this city, and I'm also proud to be Storytelling Performance professor at The Salt Institute for Documentary Studies.
I moved to Portland, ME.
06
In 2021, I signed the contract for my debut memoir: an Audible Original called You Will Not Recognize Your Life. It's coming winter 2024! You can find out more here.
I signed a contract with Audible.
05
In 2018, I headlined in their first ever sold out ballroom of 9,000 people. I was SO nervous and I did it anyway, and you can too.
I headlined the opening keynote for SXSW EDU.
04
My PhD research explores storytelling and identity in classroom spaces. My research keynotes are kind of "dissertation stand-up." Think extremely nerdy jokes.
I got my doctorate in Education from NYU.
03
As Director of Education for the international storytelling nonprofit, I wrote the storytelling curriculum that thousands of teachers now use worldwide.
I co-founded The Moth's Education Program.
02
I won two Moth GrandSLAM championships and toured nationally with The Moth. My stories have been on This American Life, The Moth, Risk!, and many others. You can see some of them here.
I got really into storytelling performance.
01
Here are 8 highlights from the last 13 years, ever since that night.
The Highlights
Since that first nail-biting storytelling experience in Manhattan, I’ve coached almost a thousand storytellers-- from curious first-timers to veteran authors, from marketing professionals to high school juniors.
I learned you don’t need to be a word-perfect performer to tell a kick-ass story that connects. With my signature teaching style that blends deep empathy, rigorous craft and a medium dose of silliness, I help people find and share the stories that let them feel seen, heard, and understood– and that feel great to tell.
Stories-for-everyone is my life's work.
So now...
Heard on & Trusted by
I will not be taking questions at this time.
Waiting for Guffman is a perfect movie.
I live, work, make art and coach storytellers in the balance of these three ideas. You can read my mini-manifesto about it in this Story Letter post.
Fun. Soul. Rigor.
As someone with a neurodivergent brain and chronic illness, I honor my own needs while working, and I'll honor yours too. We bring our whole selves to creative, personal work. I value flexibility, respect and super clear communication as a way to make great work without struggle or burnout.
Be your whole self. I'll be mine.
If you've been in one of my performance workshops, you already know that I do a mean Coach Taylor impression (clear eyes, full hearts, y'all). Collaboration is a fundamental part of creativity, and we have each others' backs, even if we're at the mic one at a time.
Storytelling is a team sport. Let's play!
Storytelling creates connection, but it can also be a tool for manipulation or (worse) bigotry. I believe in vaccine science, climate change, LGBTQIA+ rights, Black lives mattering, and abortion as healthcare. If you don’t share those values, I’m not the story coach for you.
There’s no space for hate (or propaganda) in this work.
Storytelling is more than following a formula, and your story belongs to you. So I won't dictate your story choices, though I will give you concrete ideas and plenty of guidance to get there. My goal is for you to tell your story in a way that feels real to you.
There's no perfect way to tell a story: there's your way.
Sure, we laugh a lot in my workshops -- but I take my values very seriously.
My Approach
MICAELA BLEI, PHD, has been teaching, studying and performing true, personal storytelling worldwide since 2012. She is a two-time Moth GrandSLAM winner and former founding Director of Education at The Moth. She’s currently the resident professor of Storytelling at the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies in Portland, Maine. She is also a senior story editor and writer for podcast network Wondery, most recently for This Job is History, hosted by Chris Parnell.
Micaela’s own storytelling has been called “heartbreaking and hilarious.” Her stories can be heard on This American Life, The Moth Radio Hour and podcast, Family Ghosts, Risk! and many others. Her debut Audible Original memoir, You Will Not Recognize Your Life, will be released Fall 2024. Find out how to work with Micaela and hear more stories at micaelablei.com.
The less short bio
MICAELA BLEI, PHD, is an award-winning storyteller, veteran educator and story editor based in Portland, Maine. Find out more and see more stories at micaelablei.com.
The shortest little bio
Here's some language you can use if you're introducing me at an event or on a podcast.
Need a bio you can read or post?
Since 2017, I’ve applied my narrative expertise (and enthusiasm) to the audio space with clients like Wondery, Panoply and Marketplace APM. If you need to make sure your project has a riveting narrative arc and just the details you need, I can help.
Since 2017, I’ve applied my narrative expertise (and enthusiasm) to the audio space with clients like Wondery, Panoply and Marketplace APM. If you need to make sure your project has a riveting narrative arc and just the details you need, I can help.
Story Editing for Audio
Podcasts & Radio
No one understands you like your storytelling friends. I’ll visit your organization, school or group and bring an expert perspective on storytelling in practice and in community. My workshops and keynotes are invitations to reflection, full of concrete strategies, and most of all— really, really fun.
Storytelling for Teams
Groups & Teams
I offer targeted training and consultations to level up your story, narrative project or presentation with clarity and confidence. Let’s create something you’re proud of!
I offer targeted training and consultations to level up your story, narrative project or presentation with clarity and confidence. Let’s create something you’re proud of!
