Park Howell has spent his life uncovering the power of storytelling—not just as a tool for advertising, but as a way to connect people, build communities, and inspire change. From running a successful ad agency for two decades to coaching leaders across industries, Park has dedicated his journey to showing how stories can transform the way we communicate and lead. Humans of Fuzia is featuring him because his work demonstrates how storytelling can bridge divides, create empathy, and empower people to prosper—values that resonate deeply with our 5 million-strong community working for a mission of supporting women through both He for She and She for She.
Q: Can you share a little about your journey and what led you to storytelling?
Park Howell: From a young age, I was fascinated by advertising—the creativity behind commercials really drew me in. I pursued degrees in communications and music composition, which allowed me to combine creativity with strategy. After a decade working for others, I founded my own ad agency, Park & Co., in 1995. For 20 years, I saw the industry change drastically, especially with the rise of digital marketing. I felt creativity was being lost in the noise. That led me to explore storytelling more deeply, and eventually, I developed the Story Cycle System, inspired by Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. It became my way of helping businesses cut through the noise and truly connect with people.
Q: What is a story you’ve told that deeply touched you or your audience?
Park Howell: One of the most memorable experiences was at Andrews Air Force Base, where I was teaching senior generals and their teams about storytelling. To connect, I shared a personal story about my wife Michelle and her father, an Air Force pilot, whose presence she felt after 9/11 through a chance discovery of his model aircraft. That story resonated deeply. At the end, one general told me, “You said you’ve never served, but today you have served the Air Force admirably.” The entire room erupted in applause. That moment reaffirmed for me the power of storytelling to bridge worlds—even between a civilian like me and decorated officers.
Q: In your view, what role does storytelling play in building stronger communities or movements?
Park Howell: Storytelling creates common ground. When we truly listen to each other’s stories, even across opposing perspectives, we discover shared human desires—health, happiness, opportunity, prosperity. Stories open the door to empathy and understanding, helping us move beyond division to find what unites us. That’s the foundation of stronger communities and meaningful movements.
Q: How do you define success for yourself today?
Park Howell: Success for me is summed up in my purpose statement: to help people live into and prosper from their most powerful stories. Prosperity can mean building a happier family, a thriving community, or a purposeful business. To me, storytelling is the number one tool that makes us unstoppable when we lean into it with clarity and intention.
Q: What legacy do you hope your work leaves behind?
Park Howell: I want the people I teach to keep using these storytelling frameworks long after I’m gone—to pass them on to colleagues, friends, and even their children. My hope is that it creates a ripple effect: for every person I teach, they go on to empower others through story. If we can all use story to find meaning in the chaos of being human and share it in ways others can see themselves in, then that legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
Closing Message
“In the end, we all excel through the stories we tell. The key is to listen, connect, and share in a way that inspires others to see the best version of themselves in your story.” — Park Howell
Connect with Park Howell: You can connect with Park on LinkedIn or explore his storytelling insights through his podcast and resources.
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
