Description

Sam Ford is Director of Cultural Intelligence for Simon & Schuster’s imprint, Tiller Press, dedicated to publishing culturally relevant books. He is the co-author of Spreadable Media: Creating Value and Meaning in a Networked Culture. In addition to his work at Tiller Press, Sam is a Knight News Innovation Fellow at Columbia University’s Tow Center for Digital Journalism, where he has been leading research and consulting on news projects. Loaded with experience in storytelling, journalism, and media, Sam is definitely one of the most interesting people in the world and, with his wisdom and guidance, is instrumental in the publication of Soulbbatical.

Sam joins me today to share his ideas on storytelling and its role in connecting people. He offers his advice on how we can improve the way we share stories and content and explains how stepping into our vulnerability can help people overcome challenging experiences. He defines what cultural intelligence means, his work at Tiller Press as Director of Cultural Intelligence, and how the media landscape has evolved today. He also describes how writers can get publishers to notice their stories and highlights why the world needs to hear your voice.

“Don’t be so guarded over the ideas in your head that you don’t take the opportunity to share them with people.” - Sam Ford

This week on Rebel Souls:

• Rebelling for stories that the world needs to know
• The relationship between spreading stories and creating organizations that listen to culture
• The media landscape in 2020 and how it’s different from previous years
• Creating longevity in stories and how viral content doesn’t necessarily have a lasting impact
• Sam’s background and how his grandparents influenced his philosophy in storytelling
• Taking a transmedia storytelling strategy into a digital media age
• Why WWE was thriving at a time where journalism was struggling as an industry
• The impact of taking small steps and not waiting for the perfect idea to come
• Why you shouldn’t decide on exactly what you want out of life
• The reason Sam would rather surround himself with skeptic people rather than people who think of themselves as experts
• Slow innovations and continuously trying new things
• The $2.99 lifestyle and the illusion of stability
• Navigating your professional life without tying your identity to a role or job
• Cultural intelligence and how Tiller Press locates authors to publish
• The difference between fast and slow culture
• The power of showing up every day to get your story out into the world
• Why a tiny bit of impostor syndrome is healthy
• Meeting the universe the deeper we delve into our personal journey

Resources Mentioned:

• Sorted: Growing Up, Coming Out, and Finding My Place (A Transgender Memoir) by Jackson Bird
• Revisionist History Podcast

Connect with Sam Ford:

• Sam Ford Website
• Sam Ford on LinkedIn
• Sam Ford on Facebook
• Sam Ford on Instagram
• Sam Ford on Twitter
• BOOK: Spreadable Media: Creating Value and Meaning in a Networked Culture

Liberate Your Soul & Join the Rebelution

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Rebel Souls with your host, Shelley Paxton, the podcast dedicated to helping leaders reject the status quo, liberate their soul, and become a lifelong rebel. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe to the show and leave a review. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram and share your favorite episodes across social media. And for more great content and information, visit our website and grab your copy of Soulbbatical: A Corporate Rebel’s Guide to Finding Your Best Life.