The Story behind #impact

Told in 4 Chapters.

From an arcaded courtyard in Vienna to a construction site in China and along the way, finding a voice.

Hi, I’m Regina. I help people like you to craft and tell impactful stories in an intimate and human-centred way so it truly resonates with their audience, engaging them to become part of their community.

I often think about the dreams I had as a little girl around my life’s story. What I would give for seeing the world through the eyes of my 8-year-old self just one more time! Just one moment of that childlike wonder, that feeling of being invincible.

I’d love to hear young Regina’s voice and what she would have to say to me today, now that I am living one of her dreams:

The dream of sharing other people’s impactful stories with the world. Stories that matter to her. And to me. And my #impact Podcast community.  

I am not sure what she would say, but one thing I know for certain. She would smile. 

Fast forward from my 8-year-old self: I am standing on my university campus, thinking about potential career options. One of my biggest dreams? Going into broadcasting….

It was a very pleasant, sunny afternoon in early spring of 2002. I was into my first year as a China Studies Major and Theater Science minor at the University of Vienna.

That day the university was hosting a big job fair for its students. They set up colourful stands in the gorgeous arcaded courtyard modelled on Italian Renaissance. Back then, I didn’t even take note of the beauty of this sun filled courtyard that I found myself in that day. 

Growing up in Vienna I was used to being surrounded by buildings of monumental beauty. 

I instantly spotted the stand. 

The logo of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation sparkled beautifully. It was one of my childhood dreams to go into broadcasting, and that moment when I spotted the Logo, memories of my first playful interviews as a 12-year old with my younger cousin made me smile.

I had always been particularly fascinated with radio. I loved listening to the radio. Being a radio host was – and that I was certain – the absolute coolest job in the world. 

I was lurking around the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation stand for at least an hour, slowly moving closer, picking up brochures along the way from other companies I had no interest in at all, just to build up the courage to go over to the only stand that mattered to me. 

Finally, I approached 2 women working for the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation as they were chatting with each other. 

Walking up to them was, up until this point, one of the bravest things I had done in my life. What happened next, is something I can still play back inside my head even though this happened almost 20 years ago.

I bravely asked them a question, that I expected to open ears and doors to what could become maybe a future internship opportunity at the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation: 

“What does it take to make a career in Broadcasting?” I asked.

And here is where my dream burst. The 2 women at the stand did not even bother to turn my way. They obviously couldn’t care less about talking to me, they definitely did not even bother to listen to me. 

My voice was not heard. 

They did not encourage me to apply for an internship as I had hoped for. They did not even bother to give me a brochure. They could not wait to get back to their conversation which left me quickly withdrawing feeling incredibly defeated and sad. 

I gave up on my radio dream that very day, standing in the middle of the gorgeous arcade courtyard of the University of Vienna.

The sun was still shining but all of a sudden everything seemed grey.

Hi, I’m Regina. I help people to craft and tell impactful stories in an intimate and human-centred way so it truly resonates with their audience, engaging them to become part of their community. I get voices heard that deserve to get heard and I’d love to hear your voice too. If you want to hear mine, you can listen to my story.