Everyone has a story

Tell it well

Hi, I’m Heather.

I’m an Emmy-winning creative leader, producer, speaker, and author whose work has been consumed by millions worldwide. I champion teams, design content, create user experiences, and craft stories.

My career has spanned broadcast, digital, publishing, and tech, but I’m most passionate about helping people tell personal stories that resonate widely. I believe sharing our experiences helps us all feel less alone.

I’m a Trekkie, a puzzler, and a stand-up comic. Running is The Worst, and I can’t really swim, so it makes sense that I am also a triathlete. Sitting still has never been my forté.

Available for consulting, speaking engagements, and workshops. To inquire, reach out to heather@heathermcg.com

Based in Chicago.

Podcast

The Happily Never After is a podcast that explores how life’s endings can lead to a new beginning. Whether we’re talking about loss, grief, heartbreak, a crisis of faith, or a big move, endings also push us to grow in unexpected ways.

Public Speaking

I am available to lead sessions on a curated list of professional and lifestyle topics. Reach out using the button below, or alternatively, send an email to heather@heathermcg.com.

  • Your product has the potential to make a positive impact on your customers' lives, but only if you know how to tell the story well. What can your product do for your customer? Why is it special? Why does it matter? Anytime you take a product to market, you have to connect the dots between impact and meaning, and, that requires telling a story, a human story. This talk will cover the development of a flagship messaging framework, a story that motivates employees and customers alike, and 360-degree content design that sings.

    Key Takeaways

    • Product stories are human stories.

    • You must be able to verbalize what your product can accomplish, how it works, and why it matters.

    • Storytelling is a craft, but at work, it must be applied creative, driving impact.

    • A powerful product story is told through a connected 360-degree content ecosystem.

    • One product story, many dimensions.

  • In-house creative teams present unique opportunities and challenges for any brand, whether small, mid-level, or global in size. With increased ownership comes increased responsibility, and in the age of AI, the stakes have never been higher. This session covers how to design, staff, operate, and inspire an in-house creative team that wins awards, drives business impact, and is happy, to boot.

    Key Takeaways

    • Learn why running an in-house team like an agency does your team a disservice.

    • Learn how to structure and staff for success.

    • Learn the four vital principles of effective creative leadership.

    • Learn how to operate at scale using AI tools and workflows.

    • Learn how to empower a team to win, grow, and enjoy coming to work every day.

  • AI provides transformative tools to help creative teams create scale, drive impact, and achieve incredible excellence. However, many misuse its power only to take the team down the wrong road with greater speed. This session will cover the tools, processes, and mindset needed to make the turn successully. You’ll learn how to design an AI strategy that turns teams into creative powerhouses, all at the speed of AI.

    Key Takeaways

    • Develop an amplifier mindset

    • Create accountability

    • Validate results

    • Integrate workflows

    • Innovate team collaboration

  • Heather is the co-founder and co-host of Thirsty: the Podcast, a show with over 30,000 downloads over 92 episodes talking about dating, relationships, and life after divorce. As someone who has spoken to hundreds of other divorced women, Heather is uniquely positioned to personally connect to others who are working on their next chapter.

    We are rarely more vulnerable than while in the throes of divorce. This fun but practical session covers how to reenter the post-divorce dating waters with success after years spent out of the dating pool. From navigating apps to in-person, dumpster fire dating to real relationships, this talk covers it all so that the audience can navigate the confusing world of post-divorce dating and create their best second chapter.

    Key Takeaways

    • Dating isn’t a numbers game, after all

    • Use the Relationship Mixing Board to assess where you’re at with your dates

    • How to use apps to your best advantage

    • Why “if he wanted to, he would” is all wrong

    • The critical superpower all divorcées need

  • Everyone’s got a podcast these days! Learn how to stand out in a sea of shows no matter what your budget. This session talks about how to develop an effective show premise, production, and promotion. From microphones to booking, scripting, editing, and social media, this talk has you covered.

    Key Takeaways

    • Creating a messaging framework

    • The power of intention in storytelling

    • Defining show moments that resonate

    • How to book powerful guests

    • Production processes and tools that make you look and sound great

    • Creating a multi-channel platform for promotion

Join my Substack—for free.

Monthly essays on all the ways life's big endings can lead to a personal breakthrough, or, whatever’s on my mind at the moment.

Emergency Exit

What happens when you love Jesus but his church doesn’t seem to love you.

Five Lessons I Wish I’d Learned Before I Got Married

Sometimes divorce teaches you truths you receive a little too late.

What It Means To Be A Good Mother

I didn’t always want to be a mom. Actually, for most of my life, I was certain I wouldn’t.

Podcast

Thirsty is a podcast about love, life, and a second chance after divorce. Though our marriages failed, we still believe in the power of a great love story. Over 92 episodes and over 30k+ downloads, we share the best (and worst!) dating stories, the highs and the lows, lessons learned, and nothing’s off limits. This is Thirsty: the Podcast, because sometimes life leaves you wanting more.

Awards