Meet Jesse Wilson | Communication Specialist and Storytelling Strategist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jesse Wilson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jesse, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, I pretty much struggled in every area of my life except for the arts. Theater was the only real thing that made sense to me. After being accepted into the Juilliard School for theater, it seemed clear to me that I was meant to be an actor in this life. But that was not my path. Later on in life, I realized that Juilliard was really gearing me up to be a teacher of authentic communication- a role that inspires me to no end. The breakthrough moment for me came in a theater-behind-bars program that I helped co-develop for inmates, using the lessons from the stage to help Colorado inmates tell their stories. Often, the process involves stripping away masks of pain. I studied masks at Juilliard and now every person in my “breakthrough communication” workshops work with masks. So in a way, you could say that I never really left the stage, I’m just in a different kind of stage that I never could have imagined… the best kind.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a teacher of what I call a breakthrough communication experience through Authentic Human Connection and Storytelling. When you bring these two key elements together, what you have is what you need to motivate, move, and inspire your listeners to action- whether you are a lawyer, business leader, or any other member of the human race.

However, human connection without a story is like flying with one wing of a plane. And a story without human connection is like the difference between a great production of Hamlet and a crap production. The words don’t change. It’s you. It’s the performance that makes the difference.

Working with inmates in prisons across Colorado formed the foundation of Tell The Winning Story.

You could say I found my voice as a teacher helping others drop their masks and find their voice.

It became very clear that my life’s purpose is to help people awaken to the reality of who they are at their core, once they drop their mask. I call this “Living Your Greater Story”.

This is how I help people make their breakthroughs in communicating at their greatest level possible.

As a communications specialist, best-selling author, and jury trial consultant, integrating a high-impact theater process, Tell The Winning Story is a success tool for Lawyers, Leaders, Veterans, Athletes, Artists, Teachers, Entrepreneurs, and all who defy titles looking to give their peak performance in every area of their lives.

Every day, at every moment, we are on stage. And every moment is an opportunity to remove your mask.

One of my greatest passions is being able to help people reach their greatest potential as powerful communicators and storytellers… and to be able to help them “bring their audience home”- whether that audience is 1 or 1,000… and maybe that audience member needs to be you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love this question. First, we’d go hiking.
I’m lucky to be surrounded by at least 5 different kick ass hiking spots near where I live.
So we’d go hiking. We’d breathe in the mountain air and sweat a little.
And then we’d come back to my living room and if you’re into very strong coffee I’d make us a pot of the good stuff.
And then you’d sit down, get super comfortable, meet our chocolate lab Rocky chilling at your feet… and then we’d have a conversation.
Which is a sacred art.
Next day we’d do it all over again.
Only I’d take you to a different hiking spot- like the Garden of The Gods or Ute Valley Pass.
And then we’d drink great coffee.
And have more great conversations.
Could we stretch this out to a week.
Absolutely.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mom and dad who gave my brother and I the greatest gift in the world by saying YES to every damn thing under the sun that had to with creative expression. (Looking back, maybe they should have said no a little more, but what are you gonna do?) My wife, Branda, who has been my greatest champion in the world. My best friend, Chris Goffard, who introduced me to Harlan Ellison in the seventh grade… my second love, next to Marlon Brando. My great friend and brilliant trial lawyer, Mel Orchard, who opened up the doors for me as a jury trial consultant and brought me into the world of the courtroom where every day I get to help witnesses tell their stories. (Helping people tell their stories has been a common theme my entire life). Trial Lawyers College, Trial Guides where I recently published my first book, “Witness Preparation: How To Tell The Winning Story.” Linda Weiss and the brilliant work she and her team at the Colorado Community Cultural Collective are doing to help heal the planet through the arts. And finally, to my son, Nicholas Jackson Wilson. You make me wanna be a better man and a better daddy every day.

Website: www.tellthewinningstory.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tellthewinningstory_/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessekwilson/

Twitter: @JesseWilsonProd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessekwilson

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtc8cYuHXfAzsE8EeR4e5cg

Image Credits
Photography by Kent Wilson