Rewriting the Narrative: How Dr. Tamea Ryan Is Transforming Women's Leadership Through Storytelling
- Aug 26
- 3 min read
Dr. Tamea Ryan has built her career on a simple yet profound belief: the stories we tell ourselves shape everything. As a licensed clinician and certified life purpose coach with a doctorate in organizational leadership and a master’s in social work, she has dedicated over twenty years to helping people understand how their personal narratives either limit or liberate their potential.
As founder and owner of The Lived Experiences, Dr. Ryan has witnessed a powerful phenomenon. When one woman rewrites her limiting story and steps into her power, the ripple effects extend far beyond her individual transformation. Daughters notice their mothers speaking up in new ways. Coworkers observe colleagues taking on challenges they previously avoided. Friends begin asking different questions about their own lives and possibilities.
"Leading with legacy means I can't play small anymore, even when it's scary," Dr. Ryan explains. She recognizes that every time she fails to challenge the narratives that have historically told women to wait their turn or stay quiet, she risks passing those limiting beliefs to the next generation. Her mission is to leave behind tools and frameworks that make it easier for future women leaders to step into their authentic power.
The women who seek Dr. Ryan's guidance typically arrive feeling stuck. They've convinced themselves they're not qualified enough, smart enough, or experienced enough for the next level. Through her proven three-step process developed over two decades, she helps them identify the stories they're telling themselves, examine whether those narratives are actually true, and create empowering alternatives that serve their growth.
"When women realize they get to write their own story, they stop asking for permission to go after what they want," Dr. Ryan observes. This transformation forms the foundation of her comprehensive approach to leadership development. Dr. Ryan has crystallized her expertise into three published books that address different aspects of narrative transformation. "Embrace Your Narrative: Own Your Story" focuses on personal empowerment, while "Narratives of a New You: Exercises in Authentic Living" provides practical tools for implementing change. Her third book, "Narrative Leadership: Inspiring Organizational Change Through Storytelling," extends these principles into professional environments where leaders can create real change.
Beyond her published works, Dr. Ryan reaches audiences through multiple platforms. She offers online courses that provide structured pathways for narrative transformation, hosts The Lived Experiences podcast, and is preparing to launch her community circle in September.
For women stepping into positions of power for the first time, Dr. Ryan offers direct advice rooted in her years of experience. She encourages them to stop waiting for external validation and to recognize that they already possess knowledge others need. She emphasizes the importance of transparency during leadership transitions, noting that when women are honest about the messy parts of stepping into power, the self-doubt, the learning curve, the moments of figuring it out as they go, they create permission for other women to envision themselves in similar roles.
Dr. Ryan also stresses the importance of community, encouraging emerging leaders to surround themselves with women who understand that leadership isn't about perfection but about authenticity, continuous learning, and commitment to growth. She warns that the thoughts and beliefs that brought someone to their current level might not be sufficient for the next phase of their journey. Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Ryan advocates for ongoing self-examination of the stories we tell ourselves about success, worthiness, and possibility. She believes these internal narratives fundamentally shape our external reality and our capacity to lead others effectively.
Through her multifaceted approach, combining clinical expertise, coaching methodology, published resources, and community building, Dr. Tamea Ryan continues to challenge women to author their own stories of leadership and transformation, creating lasting change that extends far beyond individual sessions into families, organizations, and communities.
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