CREATIVE EXECUTIVE | STRATEGIC STORYTELLER | KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Every town has a story.
Most just aren’t telling the right one.
Cory Hepola works with communities, organizations, and audiences to uncover the stories that already exist – then bring them to life in ways that create connection, pride, and momentum.
In 2023, his team launched “My Town” – a documentary series – with a mission to break down the popular misconceptions with small town living by showing WHY people CHOOSE rural areas. The idea was simple: the most meaningful stories in America aren’t found in headlines – they’re found in communities.
Since then, “My Town” has grown from an idea to a reality:
-21 Episodes across 9 States
-Nominated for 4 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Lifestyle Series
-Distribution on PBS, CBS, FOX, and cable outlets
-Inspired a TEDx Talk
-Selected to premiere at the Twin Cities Film Festival
These are positive stories of identity, resilience, and belonging. The kind of stories you pin up on your bulletin board.
In his signature keynote, “What’s On Your Bulletin Board,” Cory encourages leaders to rethink the narratives shaping their community and take ownership of their story by intentionally elevating the ones that reflect who they truly are.
Because the story people hear becomes the story they believe.
Cory,
It was great to see you and visit briefly yesterday. I heard wonderful things about your presentation. Also I have enjoyed watching your series that you have been running over the last year. Fun to watch!
Now to the work part of this message. I am currently teaching a Marketing and Sales class to juniors and seniors and am wondering if you would like to talk about your business and the series that you are currently doing. I know the students would love it and I would also like to have you be a part of my class in some way. I know that you have so much to offer not just in the business and marketing way but also just in life in general. I would also like to hear about what you are doing and use stuff that I hear in my classes.
If you are interested in doing this, please let me know. I will work with you on a date and time. As I can work it in whenever it works best for you. It could be web based or live if you are coming this way to visit family.
Thank you again and have a wonderful Christmas and holiday season with family and friends. Stay safe and enjoy the outdoors. I am excited to get out and do some cross country skiing soon.
Enjoy the reason for the season.
Becky Butenhoff
Cory,
It was an absolute pleasure meeting you today at Chaska Rotary. You are not only an interesting, engaging person but because I feel like there is much alignment in our mission. I want to build a pipeline of leaders in our community. The only way this country will heal is from the grass roots and it starts will local leaders. Both political parties have proven that they are not interested in being part of the solution so we need to identify and develop the next generation of leader who will. I would like to meet and discuss the possibilities.
Let me know what works for you in the next week or the week of February 13 as I am accompanying my mother to warmer climate the week of February 6th.
Thanks and take care,
Lisa Anderson
Cory you did a nice presentation at our Chaska Rotaŕy meeting. Nice to see you went to Concordia. I have a niece who went to college there. I graduated from St John’s in 1975.
Hi Cory,
My name is Nate Atkins and I am the political director for the Libertarian Party of Minnesota. I am working to build a coalition of 3rd party activists and members to speak on and oppose SF1827 in the Minnesota Senate. SF1827 contains language that will raise the threshold for minor political parties to achieve major party status from 5% to 10% of the statewide vote.
I will be speaking at a Minnesota Senate committee meeting next Tuesday, February 28th at 3:00pm. Would you be interested in partnering with me to speak out against this bill? I would also like to hold a press conference with myself and other 3rd party representatives on this bill.
I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your time!
Nate
Good Morning,
My name is Dale Specken and I am with the Hopkins Rotary club and I am wondering if someone from you group would be interested in speaking at our Rotary club meeting?
We meet at 12:00 on Thursdays at Tuttle’s in Hopkins.
Please let me know if someone can speak and we can set up a date.
Cory,
Chatted briefly this weekend at Blackboard (restaurant). Wanted to share with you a link to images of your grandparent’s wedding — as well as other relatives. Wishing you and your family the best.
Hello Corey.
I was just browsing Coach Cresap (long time friend) and noticed your article in the Perham paper and your Rural by Choice series. Powerful stuff. To be honest, your comment on mentoring really hit home. I call it veering right and left and has the same message. What happens to those interactions that don’t happen? Regardless, I would like to talk to you about how we could access this message with you and what it would cost our school district. 320-583-2972