Part 1 – The Emotional Science Behind Storytelling & Why I Built a Digital Storytelling Platform

In the intersection of technology and human connection, storytelling has always been my compass. After more than two decades as a corporate professional, finishing my career as a C-suite executive, I realized that while data drives decisions, it’s stories that move people to action.

Storytelling, rooted in authenticity and emotional commitment, has been the foundation of my character and my leadership. It is the reason people follow leaders they trust. I come from a long line of skilled storytellers and entrepreneurs (often the two go hand in hand).

Why Stories Matter And Why Our Digital Stories Are Broken

Storytelling is ancient, embedded in our DNA. From cave paintings to digital platforms, our mediums have evolved, but the core need to connect remains unchanged.

Today, however, the sheer volume of digital content – billions of photos, videos, and posts have led to fragmented memories and diluted connections. Most digital platforms are engineered for fleeting engagement, not for building lasting, meaningful communities.

For me, I can reflect on the people, places, and mostly the stories that shape who I am and who I want to become. Stories inform most of my decisions, where I shop, to whom I donate, and how I want to be remembered.

Growing up with two entrepreneurs for parents, a 4th generation of entrepreneurs, I also knew the stories I heard about my ancestors. Their businesses, their lives, shaped my desire to build a business that mattered, as they had.

At every stop, every decision, there is a story that guides me. For years, I just thought that was my gut, but I now realize, after extensive studies in storytelling, that there was more to it, and there always is.

The Science Behind Emotional Storytelling

Neuroscience reveals why stories are so powerful. When we hear an emotional narrative, our brains release dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins- chemicals that foster empathy, trust, and memory retention.

Research shows that character-driven stories with emotional resonance activate multiple brain regions. This makes us feel as if we’re part of the story ourselves.

This “neural coupling” leads to deeper understanding, better recall, and stronger connections.

A Personal Imperative: Building memoryKPR

My journey to founding memoryKPR was both technical and deeply personal. I thought of the letters from my late parents to my children, the precious voice notes from loved ones lost, a lost social media from a departed loved one.

I faced the challenge of finding meaningful memories buried in endless digital folders. About five years ago, my son graduated, and the school did the classic slide show and needed pictures from a couple of stages of life.

I struggled to find photos; sure there were over 10,000 images on my phone. Yet the only place I had to turn was social media, which was alarming to me. Social media is not a reliable way to keep anything. I realized our digital memory systems were fundamentally broken, so I set out to fix it.

I wanted to build a platform that does more than store content. I wanted a place where stories are preserved with context, emotion, and ethical stewardship. I envisioned a digital community where authenticity thrives and memories are protected for generations.

Expertise in Storytelling and Digital Community-Building

I designed memoryKPR to prioritize meaningful connection over empty engagement. Our platform uses modern content organization and privacy-first design, ensuring stories are shared, truly experienced, and safeguarded.

It also ensures that sharing and co-creating stories is easier than ever. Because really good stories don’t just happen in isolation.

The Business Case: Why Emotional Storytelling Works

The data is clear: emotional storytelling drives action. People make big decisions emotionally.

Customers with emotional connections to brands have a 306% higher lifetime value. They are far more likely to recommend those brands.

In philanthropy, stories about individuals’ double donation rates compared to statistics alone. Communities with strong narrative identities see higher civic participation and local business support.

In every context, stories that touch hearts inspire loyalty, generosity, and meaningful action.

Thoughtful Leadership for the Future

Starting a company from scratch is daunting, especially when you are not a software developer. It’s even more challenging when you want to start a software company.

Frequently Asked Questions