From Refugee Camps to Corporate Boardrooms – An Interview with Storytelling Expert Dr. Rod Berger

Photo Credit: Dr. Rod Berger in Senegal with former NY Times Africa Correspondent Jaime YaYa Barry

By: Simon Duque

Storytelling continues to emerge as a cutting-edge topic for corporations, entrepreneurs, hiring managers, and organizations seeking to connect with global audiences who are skeptical of reporting and eager for narratives that reflect reality.

Dr. Rod Berger reflects a new era of storytelling focusing on people and profiles rather than spreadsheets and talking points. We sat down with Berger to discuss his new book, The Narrative Edge – Authentic Storytelling That Meets The Moment (Wiley), and his perspective on all manner of story.

Q: Dr. Berger, congratulations on your new book with Wiley. How did this project come about?

A: When Wiley reached out to me, I was genuinely humbled. This is the second-largest business book publisher in the world, and they wanted me to write about storytelling. It felt like validation for all the years I spent traveling to remote corners of the earth, sitting with people, and truly listening to their stories. The fact that Wiley recognized value in this approach—focusing on authentic human connection rather than corporate jargon—meant everything to me.

Q: Your book “The Narrative Edge” takes a unique approach to storytelling. What makes it different?

A: Most storytelling books provide formulas—do this, say that, follow these steps. I refuse to do that. Instead, I offer a posture, a way of being in the world that’s rooted in genuine curiosity about human experience. The book asks big questions: How do the stories we tell ourselves shape who we are? Why do we struggle to acknowledge the stories unfolding in our own lives? These aren’t questions with easy answers, and that’s the point.

Q: You’ve conducted over 4,000 interviews worldwide. What’s the most impactful story you’ve encountered?

A: Without a doubt, meeting Mawa Emmanuel in the Imvepi Refugee Settlement in Uganda was unforgettable. Emmanuel’s name means “born during wartime”—it’s a timestamp of conflict woven into his identity. At 25, he aspires to become a doctor, but he faces financial barriers, lacks prospects for medical school, and has no clear path ahead as a refugee. I had never encountered an ending like that before. It challenged everything I believed about hope and possibility. Sometimes the most powerful stories lack Hollywood endings, and we need to embrace that discomfort.

Q: How has your background in clinical psychology influenced your storytelling approach?

A: My doctorate in clinical psychology taught me that healing occurs when people can authentically share their stories—not the polished versions we present publicly, but the raw, messy truth. In therapy, I learned to listen as much for what people weren’t saying as for what they were. That skill translates directly to storytelling. Whether I’m interviewing a CEO or a refugee, I’m looking for the authentic human experience beneath the surface narrative.

Q: You’ve written for Forbes and Entrepreneur Magazine. How do you adapt your storytelling for different audiences?

A: The core principle never changes—authentic human connection. However, the context matters immensely. When I interviewed Sammy Hagar of Van Halen, I didn’t focus on his music career. Instead, I explored his childhood in the lettuce fields of California and his relationship with his grandfather, who lived in a double-wide trailer. Those formative experiences shaped the performer who could leave everything on stage each night. Whether it’s a rock star or a tech entrepreneur, I’m always looking for the origin story that explains the ‘why’ behind their ‘what’.

Q: Your work has taken you to some challenging environments. How do you build trust with interview subjects?

A: Trust comes from genuine interest, not an agenda. When I was in West Africa documenting efforts to combat child marriage, I spent days sitting with people, learning their rhythms and understanding their world. I don’t show up with predetermined narratives; I arrive with curiosity and respect. People can sense when you’re genuinely interested in their story versus when you’re just mining for quotes.

I remember just before meeting NBA Hall of Famer, Magic Johnson, for an interview – how would I begin? He’s been asked a million questions. I trusted my instincts and started with a personal story of my boyhood fandom for the rival Detroit Pistons, and the interview was off and running.

Q: You received the inaugural International Prize for Literacy from Pangea Education. How does advocacy fit into your storytelling work?

A: Storytelling without a purpose is merely entertainment. I’ve been fighting against book bans in Tennessee, supporting librarians, and advocating for digital library access. When I see children in refugee camps clutching their one book—their only book—with such pride and hope, it reminds me that literacy is the key to unlocking human potential. Stories aren’t just nice to have; they’re essential for human dignity and agency.

Q: In your book, you discuss the concept of “Side Stories.” Can you explain this?

A: Side Stories are the narratives we create when our main story isn’t going well—the off-ramps and on-ramps that either divert us or guide us back to our primary narrative. Social media is full of Side Stories.

We see someone’s highlight reel and feel envious, not realizing we’re comparing our behind-the-scenes to their carefully curated moments. Understanding Side Stories helps us navigate the influence of others’ narratives on our self-perception.

Q: What role does vulnerability play in authentic storytelling?

A: Vulnerability is the gateway to authentic connection. When I interviewed Norwegian entrepreneur Jonas Helmikstøl about his company’s near-bankruptcy, we had to break through cultural norms that discourage emotional expression.

The Law of Jante in Scandinavian culture says in part, “don’t think you’re special,” which can prevent people from sharing their struggles. But when Jonas shared his panic attacks and his PTSD from media pressure, the audience was riveted. Vulnerability creates permission for others to be human too.

Q: Who should read “The Narrative Edge?”

A: Anyone wishing to grasp the power of their own story. Early-career professionals are striving to find their voice. Senior executives needing to connect authentically with their teams.

Parents assisting their children in navigating identity. Entrepreneurs building their companies. High school graduates determining who they want to become. The book isn’t about age or position—it’s about the universal human experience of creating meaning from our experiences.

Q: What’s your hope for readers of this book?

A: I hope they’ll stop waiting for permission to share their story. I hope they’ll embrace the messy, complicated, and beautiful truth of who they are, instead of presenting a polished version of themselves.

Photo Courtesy: Dr. Rod Berger & Wiley

Most importantly, I hope they’ll realize that their story matters—not because it’s perfect, but because it’s theirs. In a world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence and synthetic experiences, authentic human storytelling is one of the last true acts we have left.

Q: Any final thoughts?

A: The book concludes with this idea: It’s not a guidebook. It’s something riskier and more honest—a mirror. My hope is that readers will look into that mirror and see not just who they are, but who they dare to become.

Berger’s book hits bookstores on November 12th and can be preordered by shopping wherever books are sold or by visiting www.drrodberger.com/book.

NY Weekly Contributor