Question 1

Do you offer keynotes and workshops in Nashville?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Michael is a Nashville-based keynote speaker and facilitator who helps teams and conference audiences explore how story shapes leadership, culture, trust, and change. His keynotes blend compelling storytelling with practical insights people can apply immediately.

Question 2

What types of storytelling workshops do you offer?

Accepted Answer

Michael offers interactive storytelling workshops designed for teams, leaders, and conference breakout sessions. Common themes include storytelling for leadership and influence, communication and trust, culture and team connection, crafting your origin story, meaning-making and resilience, and using story to navigate change and challenging conversations.

Question 3

Can your material be licensed or delivered as an ongoing program?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For organizations that want narrative intelligence work to live beyond a single event, Michael offers licensing and Train the Trainer programs in The Storytelling Leader. He also leads personal certifications through the Istoria Institute in Applied Narrative Intelligence and Experiential Narrative Practice.

Question 4

Are you open to traveling for this offering?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Though Michael is based in Nashville, he travels frequently to deliver his services across the United States and internationally.

Question 5

Can you customize a keynote or workshop for our conference theme and audience?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Customization is one of the biggest reasons planners hire Michael. Before each event, he learns the theme, audience makeup, key challenges, and the moment the organization is in—so the keynote or workshop feels tailored to the audience.

Question 6

How much does a storytelling keynote speaker cost in Nashville?

Accepted Answer

Pricing depends on format (keynote, workshop, or facilitation), audience size, customization level, and whether sessions are stacked across a full day. Most events fall into one of three categories: keynote only, workshop or breakout session, or keynote plus workshop plus leadership session or coaching add-on.

Question 7

Do you offer half-day or full-day storytelling workshops?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Michael offers half-day and full-day workshops, especially for leadership retreats, team offsites, and professional development days.

Question 8

Do you facilitate retreats, offsites, and leadership groups?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In addition to keynotes and workshops, Michael is available as a retreat facilitator and group facilitator for leadership teams, staff retreats, community gatherings, and strategic offsites.

Question 9

What makes your storytelling work different from a typical motivational speaker?

Accepted Answer

Michael blends storytelling craft, narrative intelligence, experiential facilitation, trauma-informed insight (without doing therapy), and practical tools leaders can actually use. The goal is always transformation and traction: a powerful experience that creates real movement afterward.

Question 10

Do you offer corporate storytelling training for teams?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Michael provides corporate storytelling workshops for organizations who want stronger communication, deeper alignment, and more trust. This includes leadership messaging, internal communication, values storytelling, and culture-building.

Question 11

Do you provide public speaking training?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Michael works with individuals and teams on the full range of public speaking skills: how to use slides effectively, how to use humor, how to make eye contact, and how to deliver presentations repeatedly without losing energy. The goal is to make speakers a bigger, braver version of themselves.

Question 12

Can you help our speakers prepare stories for the stage?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If your event includes a storytelling showcase, leadership presentations, or employee speakers, Michael can coach individuals or small groups on story selection, structure, emotional integrity, and delivery support.

Question 13

What size group works best for a storytelling workshop?

Accepted Answer

Workshops work for groups ranging from 10 to 300+. For deeper interaction and practice: 10 to 40 people. For high-energy engagement with structure: 40 to 150. For conference audiences with interactive elements: 150 to 500+.

Question 14

How do we book Michael McRay?

Accepted Answer

Fill out the booking form at michaelmcray.com or schedule a 20-minute introductory call. Michael responds to all inquiries within 24 hours.