Do any of these sound familiar?
This you?
You've got a high-stakes presentation, storytelling event, or keynote coming up, and while you're not exactly having stress dreams about it yet... okay, maybe just one. Or two.
You've read so many books on storytelling that you're now more confused than when you started. (Shockingly, sometimes more information isn't actually helpful!)
You've got ambitious memoir dreams and approximately 17 Google Docs full of notes, but you feel stuck.
Your narrative project (documentary, podcast, or memoir) is technically working, but something feels off and you can't quite put your finger on it.
Do any of these sound familiar?
This you?
You've got a high-stakes presentation, storytelling event, or keynote coming up, and while you're not exactly having stress dreams about it yet... okay, maybe just one. Or two.
You've read so many books on storytelling that you're now more confused than when you started. (Shockingly, sometimes more information isn't actually helpful!)
You've got ambitious memoir dreams and approximately 17 Google Docs full of notes, but you feel stuck.
Your narrative project (documentary, podcast, or memoir) is technically working, but something feels off and you can't quite put your finger on it.
You don't need someone to hijack your narrative and do everything for you. (Trust me, that rarely ends well.) What you need is a toolkit and an expert perspective so you can find YOUR best story.
You’re ready to go from blocked and overwhelmed, to confident and creative.
I hear you.
For the past 14 years, I've mixed my teaching superpowers, research background, and real-world performance experience to create a truly unique approach to story coaching.
As the founder of The Moth's Education Program and curriculum developer for the storytelling frameworks now used by thousands of teachers worldwide, I bring world-class storytelling expertise to every coaching session.
My own stories have been featured on This American Life, The Moth Radio Hour, and my hit Audible Original memoir "You Will Not Recognize Your Life." With two Moth GrandSLAM championships under my belt and a PhD in narrative education, I blend academic knowledge with practical experience in a way few story coaches can.
From clients who've gone on to win story slams to folks who FINALLY sent out that pilot script they've been tinkering with for years, I've helped creative people work through their overthinking, perfectionism, and "who would want to hear MY story?" doubts. Let's work together on yours.
Hi, I'm Micaela.
More about me
For the past 14 years, I've mixed my teaching superpowers, research background, and real-world performance experience to create a truly unique approach to story coaching.
As the founder of The Moth's Education Program and curriculum developer for the storytelling frameworks now used by thousands of teachers worldwide, I bring world-class storytelling expertise to every coaching session.
My own stories have been featured on This American Life, The Moth Radio Hour, and in my hit Audible Original memoir "You Will Not Recognize Your Life." With two Moth GrandSLAM championships under my belt and a PhD in narrative education, I blend academic knowledge with practical experience in a way few story coaches can.
From clients who've gone on to win story slams to folks who FINALLY sent out that pilot script they've been tinkering with for years, I've helped creative people work through their overthinking, perfectionism, and "who would want to hear MY story?" doubts. Let's work together on yours.
Hi, I'm Micaela.
More about me
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.
Do I think we should assign scores to personal experience? Of course not. Have I helped hone clients'stories to engage and delight a storytelling audience? Heck yeah.
Win a StorySLAM
I've helped clients who had been carrying around a powerful personal story for years but couldn't figure out how to shape it. Together, we identified the moments that resonated most deeply, developed a structured framework that felt safe for sharing vulnerable material, and created a sustainable writing practice that worked for them.
Turn scattered ideas into a clear plan for a memoir
I offer targeted, 60-minute consultations to level up your story, narrative project or presentation with clarity and confidence. Let’s create something you’re proud of!
Sometimes it takes a new, experienced set of eyes to get past what's blocking a story's way. I've worked with filmmakers, memoirists, journalists, and playwrights to refine structure, nail their message, brainstorm new directions, and more – and watched their projects find momentum again.
Unstick a stalled project
I've helped my creative clients...
What's possible with a Story Tune Up?
And I can help you do it, too.
Do I think we should always assign scores to personal experience? Of course not. Have I helped hone clients'stories to engage and delight a storytelling audience? Heck yeah.
Win a StorySLAM
I've helped clients who had been carrying around a powerful personal story for years but couldn't figure out how to shape it. Together, we identified the moments that resonated most deeply, developed a structured framework that felt safe for sharing vulnerable material, and created a sustainable writing practice that worked for them.
Turn scattered ideas into a clear plan for a memoir
Sometimes it takes a new, experienced set of eyes to get past what's blocking a story's way. I've worked with filmmakers, memoirists, journalists, and playwrights to refine structure, nail their message, brainstorm new directions, and more – and watched their projects find momentum again.
Unstick a stalled project
I've helped my creative clients...
What's possible with a Story Tune Up?
And I can help you do it, too.
Introducing:
Tune Ups are one-on-one, personalized consultation calls-plus-feedback, where we'll work together to solve the storytelling puzzles you can't seem to crack alone.
Tune Ups are one-on-one, personalized consultation calls-plus-feedback, where we'll work together to solve the storytelling puzzles you can't seem to crack alone.
Story Tune Ups
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.
I offer targeted, 60-minute consultations to level up your story, narrative project or presentation with clarity and confidence. Let’s create something you’re proud of!
One 45-minute coaching call focused on your specific story goals
One round of detailed feedback on up to 2,000 words or 10 minutes of audio
Feedback delivered in writing or video format (your choice!)
Recording of our call for your reference
Single Tune Up
What's included in a Tune Up?
Let’s work together
I offer three options for Tune Ups, depending on how much time you’ve got and how much storytelling support you’d like.
2 Week Tune Up
4 Week Tune Up
Two 45-minute coaching calls: one to kick things off and a closing call to discuss your work
Two weeks of asynchronous feedback and support as you revise
8,000 words or 40 minutes of audio total to submit for support
Feedback delivered in writing or video format (your choice!)
Recording of our calls for your reference
One 45-minute coaching call to kick off our work, plus two additional 30-minute check-ins
Four weeks of asynchronous feedback and support as you revise
16,000 words or 80 minutes of audio total to submit for support
Feedback delivered in writing or video format (your choice!)
Recording of all calls for your reference
$499
$299
$849
IF YOU NEED POWERFUL ADVICE ON A SINGLE PROJECT
MORE SUPPORT IF YOU WANT TO WORK ON MULTIPLE DRAFTS
PERFECT FOR MORE COMPLEX PROJECTS OR MULTIPLE PROJECTS
One 45-minute coaching call focused on your specific story goals
One round of detailed feedback on up to 2,000 words or 10 minutes of audio
Feedback delivered in writing or video format (your choice!)
Recording of our call for your reference
Single Tune Up
What's included in a Tune Up?
Let’s work together
I offer three options for Tune Ups, depending on how much time you’ve got and how much storytelling support you’d like.
2 Week Tune Up
4 Week Tune Up
Two 45-minute coaching calls: one to kick things off and a closing call to discuss your work
Two weeks of asynchronous feedback and support as you revise
8,000 words or 40 minutes of audio total to submit for support
Feedback delivered in writing or video format (your choice!)
Recording of our calls for your reference
One 45-minute coaching call to kick off our work, plus two additional 30-minute check-ins
Four weeks of asynchronous feedback and support as you revise
16,000 words or 80 minutes of audio total to submit for support
Feedback delivered in writing or video format (your choice!)
Recording of all calls for your reference
$499
$229
$849
IF YOU NEED POWERFUL GUIDANCE ON A SINGLE PROJECT
MORE SUPPORT IF YOU WANT TO WORK ON MULTIPLE DRAFTS
PERFECT FOR LONGER OR MORE COMPLEX PROJECTS
Micaela has a way of honing in on the exact thing that can kick your story up a notch, and she explains her feedback with great simplicity and clarity. She has a wonderful way of teaching what not only isn't working about your story, but what IS as well. She fosters a supportive, collaborative environment in which real learning - and better stories - can happen! Follow her methods and watch your stories blossom!
“Follow her methods and watch your stories blossom!”
-- Yvonne Perry, Actor and StorytellER
When we start, you'll have a total "word count" to use however you need. For example, with the 8,000 words included in the two-week program, you could:
- Get feedback on one big 8,000-word project
- Share four different 2,000-word drafts
- Submit two versions of a 4,000-word piece
- Mix it up however works best for you
We'll use a simple, custom-designed Notion workspace to share everything. I'll help you keep track of what you've submitted so you always know where you stand.
How does feedback work in a Tune Up?
At this point, you might ask...
If you’re in a longer package, you’ll schedule your next calls so that you can check in 1:1 while you’re working and before we end our time together!
04
When you schedule your call, I’ll share a Portal where you can upload your work for feedback, and I can respond. I’ll keep track of your word count for you so you always know how much feedback you’ve got left.
03
Schedule your first call and share as much as you like about what you’re working on. On our first call, we'll hit the ground running on your project and set some goals for the rest of our time.
02
Choose your package and make your payment: choose Single, Two Weeks or Four Weeks. Payment plans are available for longer packages.
01
The A-Z of working with me
The Logistics
First of all, I don’t just study storytelling in some theoretical way – I tell my own stories all the time.
And I didn't take a couple of classes and decide to call myself a story coach. I designed those classes, and I’ve helped hundreds of storytellers just like you share work they feel great about.
So with years of experience as both an artist and an educator, I'm uniquely positioned to guide you through your sticky narrative questions. And I’m known for doing it with care, humor and enthusiasm. Empathy and flexibility are the core of my practice, not an afterthought.
I’ve helped solve almost every kind of storytelling problem, and I’m deep enough in this work that I know we don’t have to depend on a formula to get you there. I’ve opened the hood on a lot of stories: they don’t all run the same!
I’ve made a life’s work of exploring the nuances of storytelling and learning, in their many forms, so I can dig deep to help you identify the true blocks standing in the way of your kick-ass story. We will find what works for YOU.
Why work with me?
Still reading? Maybe you're wondering...
What will you use your Tune Up for?
This is about your goals and needs. Here are some of the things we can work on together:
Diagnosing the root cause of your writer’s or storyteller’s block, with a gentle and actionable plan to overcome it
Transforming a collection of notes and ideas into a cohesive narrative plan for your essay/memoir/other longer work
Crafting a compelling grant proposal or pitch that clearly communicates your creative vision
Unraveling the true sticking points behind a too-long, too-short, or not-quite-there Moth-style story, and how to solve them
Solving that sticky structure problem in your documentary, podcast, or narrative film
Finding the structure and framework for your memoir that makes your story shine – and that you can feel great about tackling
Laura is a screenwriter who was developing a TV comedy pilot.
"I had to re-break a story for a TV comedy Pilot and was churning my wheels figuring out the story structure. What was working and what wasn't!? I was too close to the story to tell. Micaela helped me cut through the fog and restructure it, plus gave me so many funny ideas to punch up different scenes. If you're feeling stuck, Micaela is the person to call!"
- Identified and restructured key elements of her story to establish clearer stakes in the opening
- Used techniques for introducing characters’ goals and foibles more efficiently, which is crucial for a pilot episode
- Heightened the comedy in high-impact scenes
By the end of our time together, Laura had a clearer structure for her pilot, stronger character introductions, and sharp comedy that made her script shine.
When Laura came to me, she was struggling with her sitcom pilot's story structure. It was a brilliant concept and she had finely drawn characters, but she was too close to her own material to identify what was working and what wasn't, leaving her feeling stuck and frustrated with the writing process. She’d taken a storytelling workshop with me before, so she knew I would be the person to help her solve her narrative challenges.
The Before
The Client
What we did
In her words
Case Study: Laura, Screenwriter
What's possible?
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers
I work with filmmakers, memoirists, novelists, podcasters, storytellers and anyone who is trying to figure out their story for a stage, a page or their brother's wedding.
Things happen! I get it. Please reschedule with 24 hours notice if possible. If you reschedule more than once, I may charge you.
Get in touch! You can fill out my inquiry form here, or email me at hello@micaelablei.com.
Not necessarily. You could do some great brainstorming with me if that’s the part of the storytelling you’re feeling stuck on.
Yes! Just get in touch with my inquiry form or at hello@micaelablei.com and tell me about your situation or project. We can schedule a quick, no-strings call to see if we'd be a match for longer-term work together.
This depends on a couple things– including how much time you’ve got, and what you’d like support on! If it’s a longer piece, you might want a longer package. But feel free to sign up for a single and we can always add on. I don’t want you to sign up for something you don’t need.
My prep questionnaire will ask you for things like context on an event, aspects of a story you're finding challenging, and other info that can get me up to speed on your project quickly. The questionnaire takes between 10 and 30 minutes.
What types of people do you work with?
How should I decide which package I need?
What should I do to prepare for our first call?
Should I wait until I have a story in mind before booking?
Can I work with you more long-term?
What if I have to reschedule a call?
What if I have a different question?
I work with filmmakers, memoirists, novelists, podcasters, storytellers and anyone who is trying to figure out their story for a stage, a page or their brother's wedding.
Things happen! I get it. Please reschedule with 24 hours notice if possible. If you reschedule more than once, I may charge you.
Get in touch! You can fill out my inquiry form here, or email me at hello@micaelablei.com.
Not necessarily! You could do some great brainstorming with me if that’s the part of the storytelling you’re feeling stuck on.
Yes! Just get in touch at hello@micaelablei.com and tell me about your situation or project. We can schedule a quick, no-strings call to see if we'd be a match for longer-term work together.
This depends on a couple things– including how much time you’ve got, and what you’d like support on! If it’s a longer piece, you might want a longer package. But feel free to sign up for a single and we can always add on. I don’t want you to sign up for something you don’t need.
My prep questionnaire will ask you for things like context on an event, aspects of a story you're finding challenging, and other info that can get me up to speed on your project quickly. The questionnaire takes between 10 and 30 minutes.
What types of people do you work with?
How should I decide which package I need?
What should I do to prepare for our first call?
Should I wait until I have a story in mind before booking?
Can I work with you more long-term?
What if I have to reschedule a call?
What if I have a different question?
A great intro to telling personal stories, for lots of reasons -- not just onstage.
Read my guide in Psyche magazine
A guide to telling stories
A publication for the story-obsessed. Join me as I nerd out about narrative strategies, cultural storytelling, and the fascinating mechanics behind great stories.
Subscribe to The Story Letter
A Newsletter
Brand new and coming soon! A 10-episode journey through the art of personal storytelling. Subscribe to The Story Letter and be the first to know when it drops.
Brand new and coming soon! A 10-episode journey through the art of personal storytelling. Subscribe to The Story Letter and be the first to know when it drops.
