“If it weren’t for hope in those 90% failures, I’m not sure where I’d be.”

What if a single moment—something as simple as noticing a poster on a wall—could change the trajectory of your life?

In this episode, we sit down with Bryce Kennedy, Executive Director of Space Valley Foundation and Space Connectivity Senior Officer at the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union. Bryce shares the unexpected journey that led him from law, consulting, and even acting… into the world of space.

At the heart of his story is a powerful idea: wonder.

From a pivotal pandemic moment under the stars to building a global initiative designed to ensure access to space for all, Bryce’s journey is anything but linear. It’s a story of experimentation, resilience, and ultimately aligning with something deeply human—the search for hope and meaning.

This conversation invites us to rethink how we approach our careers, our failures, and the values that quietly guide us.

You’ll Hear

• How a chance encounter with a NASA roadmap reignited Bryce’s childhood sense of wonder—and changed everything
• Why a “90% failure rate” can actually be a sign you’re on the right path
• The unexpected throughline in Bryce’s career: from law to acting to space
• How hope became the hidden driver behind his life and work
• Why “wonder” is more than a feeling—it’s a gateway to innovation and global collaboration
• The mission behind Space Valley Foundation and the global Space for Good initiative
• A powerful reframe: instead of forcing outcomes, align with your “North Star” and let possibilities emerge

Resources

• Space Valley Foundation
• Bryce Kennedy on LinkedIn

Here's a link to the LISTENING LAB

Narativ’s online course in partnership with New Mexico State University Global Campus:
Lead With Your Story (self-paced, on-demand course)
Podcast listeners get 25% off - Use code NARATIV → Register Here

Learn more about how to leverage Narativ’s storytelling method for your pitch and sales team: Download our free e-book, or you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call with Jerome.

Please join our mailing list to stay updated on all our latest episodes and events.

EMAIL Jerome@narativ.com
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/narativ-inc
TWITTER @narativ

Buy Julienne’s book here

“It’s not about perfection, it’s about connection.”

Overview

What if growth isn’t supposed to look polished?

In this debrief episode, Jerome Deroy and Julienne Ryan reflect on their conversation with Nicolas Darveau-Garneau and his powerful metaphor: be a sequoia, not a bonsai.

A bonsai is carefully shaped, controlled, and aesthetically pleasing—but limited. A sequoia, on the other hand, grows wild and tall over time, shaped by its environment, weathering challenges, and drawing strength from deep roots.

This conversation explores what that metaphor means for leadership, storytelling, and organizational culture. From embracing experimentation and failure, to balancing structure with openness, Jerome and Julienne unpack how real growth happens—not through control or perfection, but through connection, listening, and lived experience.

You’ll Hear

• Why organizations that prioritize experimentation over perfection are the ones that truly grow
• How “messy” stories—especially the ones that didn’t go as planned—build trust and connection
• The hidden tension between control (bonsai) and organic growth (sequoia) in leadership and culture
• Why Narativ’s methodology balances both: structure that creates safety + space for authentic expression
• How storytelling isn’t the starting point—it’s the result of intentional listening and connection-building
• Why the real goal isn’t just telling a story, but being heard and acknowledged
• How drawing from past experiences—both positive and difficult—creates meaning and forward momentum

Resources

• 🎧 Listen to the full conversation with Nick HERE

Here's a link to the LISTENING LAB

Narativ’s online course in partnership with New Mexico State University Global Campus:
Lead With Your Story (self-paced, on-demand course)
Podcast listeners get 25% off - Use code NARATIV → Register Here

Learn more about how to leverage Narativ’s storytelling method for your pitch and sales team: Download our free e-book, or you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call with Jerome.

Please join our mailing list to stay updated on all our latest episodes and events.

EMAIL Jerome@narativ.com
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/narativ-inc
TWITTER @narativ

Buy Julienne’s book here

“If I was scattered, the team was scattered—and it was life or death.”

What happens when the life you’ve built is also the life you’re hiding inside?

In this episode, Jerome Deroy and Julienne Ryan sit down with leadership coach and former CIA officer Kenny Leahman to explore the concept of “living under cover”—and what it takes to drop it.

From volunteering for two years in Afghanistan during the height of the war to navigating the internal conflict of living a double life, Kenny shares how extreme environments sharpened his understanding of focus, trust, and leadership. But it’s his personal journey—coming out to his wife, his organization, and ultimately himself—that reveals the deeper cost of inauthenticity.

This conversation moves beyond storytelling into something more fundamental: the courage to be seen, the role of self-awareness in leadership, and the transformational power of dropping the covers that hold us back.

You’ll Hear

– How a life-and-death leadership environment in Afghanistan clarified what truly matters
– Why focus isn’t just a productivity tool—but a signal of leadership and commitment
– The surprising parallel between intelligence work and coaching: deep, trust-based relationships
– What it means to “live under cover”—and why everyone, in some way, does
– The internal cost of misalignment between identity, values, and behavior
– A powerful story of coming out—and the unexpected leadership response that changed everything
– How fear of being “found out” shows up as imposter syndrome in leaders
– The role of self-awareness in leadership—and why lack of it can do real harm
– How to identify the gap between the values you claim and the values you live
– Why dropping your cover doesn’t just transform you—it expands your impact
– The three questions every leader should ask themselves: Who am I? Who do I need to be? How do I get there?

Resources

Kenny's website
Connect with Kenny on LinkedIN

Kenny's story on Yahoo! News

Here's a link to the LISTENING LAB

Narativ’s online course in partnership with New Mexico State University Global Campus:
Lead With Your Story (self-paced, on-demand course)
Podcast listeners get 25% off - Use code NARATIV → Register Here

Learn more about how to leverage Narativ’s storytelling method for your pitch and sales team: Download our free e-book, or you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call with Jerome.

Please join our mailing list to stay updated on all our latest episodes and events.

EMAIL Jerome@narativ.com
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/narativ-inc
TWITTER @narativ

Buy Julienne’s book here