Amanda Johnson alchemizes twenty-five years of transformative experiences through story literacy, writing, and narrative medicine to fulfill her mission: to equip individuals to use humanity’s most innate tools to transmute the pain of their backstory into a more magically-ever-after for themselves, their loved ones, and those they serve.

Known today as The Story Oracle, Amanda partners with organizations and individual helping professionals, creatives, coaches, CEOs, educators, and parents who want to learn how to use Story, Writing, and Community to open portals of (re)connection and belonging, (re)build resilience and trust, and (re)claim and leverage latent superpowers in themselves and their families, workplaces, and communities. With her partners at Saved By Story, she midwifes paradigm-changing brands, content, and more whole thought leaders and storytellers into the world.

To reach Amanda:

http://www.savedbystory.house/foreshadows

Meeting Purpose

Podcast interview with Amanda Johnson, "The Story Oracle", about her work helping people write transformative books and stories.

Key Takeaways

• Amanda helps people uncover and process hidden stories/trauma through writing books and memoirs
• Her 7-day retreats blend personal growth work with writing instruction
• Writing can be a powerful tool for personal transformation and professional development
• Amanda's company Saved by Story offers various services from inspiration to publishing

Topics

Amanda's Background and Origin of "The Story Oracle"

• Started as a journalist, then history teacher
• Transitioned to online writing instruction and editing
• Realized clients needed help processing personal stories to write effectively
• Began "kidnapping" clients for intensive writing retreats
• Discovered the transformative power of helping people work through their stories

Writing as a Tool for Transformation

• Many high-achievers struggle to write due to unprocessed stories/trauma
• Writing can reveal hidden stories people are living unconsciously
• The process can be cathartic and lead to personal breakthroughs
• Books don't need to be long to be impactful - one 150-page book transformed many readers

Amanda's Retreat Process

• 7-day retreats with 10-20 participants
• First 3 days: Address blocks through examining stories and personal work
• Middle day: Rest and integration
• Final 3 days: Focused writing work
• Communal living creates powerful connections and insights

Types of Clients and Projects

• Typically high-performing helping professionals, entrepreneurs, coaches
• Age range from 20 to 70
• Mix of fiction and non-fiction projects
• Some write for personal growth, others for business/speaking goals

Commercial Success and Next Steps

• Some clients have become globally successful thought leaders
• Books can lead to speaking opportunities and business growth
• Writing often reveals new directions and opportunities

Next Steps

• Explore Amanda's free resources at savedby story.house/fourshadows
• Consider joining Amanda's next 12-month cohort starting in March
• 30-day "Greatest Messenger Portal" available as an entry point
• Reach out to Amanda for support in writing transformative stories