Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Wendy Babcock. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Wendy, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?
It started because I kept hearing the same thing from my clients…
“I want the TEDx credibility. I want to be seen as an expert. But I don’t know if I have an idea worth sharing.”
But you know what they did have?
An incredible story.
A story of resilience… of reinvention… of rising after everything fell apart.
A story that didn’t fit neatly into the TEDx mold, but still had the power to move people, attract clients, and build a brand that felt personal and magnetic.
And I thought… why isn’t there a stage for that?
So I built it.
WHEN Stories was born from that gap… a stage that looked and felt just as powerful as TEDx, but centered on your story instead of a big idea. A platform created for women who have lived through something and want to use it for impact… not just inspiration.
I made sure the optics were stunning.
The coaching was transformational.
And the assets—the photos, the video, the book, the podcast—were all visibility tools they could actually use to grow their business.
Then the vision got even bigger.
It wasn’t just a stage anymore… it became a movement.
A podcast.
A published book.
A platform.
We’re building the number one destination for women’s stories.
Not just so they can be seen…
But so they’ll never be forgotten.
Because these women aren’t just speakers.
They’re forces.
And their stories deserve a spotlight big enough to hold all that power.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hey, I’m Wendy Babcock…
Speaker. Storytelling strategist. Self proclaimed jokester and goofball. I’m the
founder of WHEN Stories—a platform where women step into the spotlight to tell their story, elevate their brand, and grow their business.
But before any of that… I was a songwriter.
I started writing songs at 11 years old to survive what I couldn’t say out loud. Through childhood trauma and abuse, songwriting was my safe place. I kept it hidden for years… until I submitted one of my songs to VH1’s Song of the Year in 2006 and won. That win cracked something open. I started sharing my voice again.
What I didn’t realize until after launching WHEN Stories was that songwriting was storytelling. And storytelling is the foundation of great speaking.
When I picked up songwriting again just over a year ago, it hit me like lightning—I had a superpower. I could hear the hook in a woman’s story. I could find the thread that tied her journey to her purpose and her business. It’s the same skill I use today when I coach speakers through crafting their signature talk or brand story. The hook. The heart. The moment it clicks.
That’s the magic behind WHEN Stories.
It’s not just a stage. It’s a full-circle visibility platform. Every speaker gets personalized coaching, professional photos, a TEDx-style video, a published book chapter, podcast feature, and visibility support that turns their story into a brand-building asset.
Because I don’t believe in sharing your story just to “inspire”…
I believe in sharing your story to attract aligned clients, create lasting credibility, and leave a legacy.
This is not visibility that fizzles. This is long lasting high quality visibility.
And I’m not just saying that…I’m living it.
This year, I was nominated for a Hollywood Independent Music Award for a song I wrote called She Was Here… a love letter to the women who paved the way and the ones now stepping onto the WHEN Stories stage.
I’m most proud of the moments after the spotlight fades. When a woman comes off stage, takes a deep breath, and says…
“I’ve never felt more seen.”
That’s why I built WHEN Stories.
To help women be seen. Be heard. Be remembered.
And to finally show the world that their story… is the thing that sets them apart and will make them be remembered.
So if you’ve been sitting on a story…
I’ll help you find the hook.
And we’ll build your spotlight together.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes. My mission is deeply personal.
For years, I felt invisible. Like I had a story, but no place to put it. Like my experiences were “too much” for a business audience but “not enough” for a TEDx stage. I know what it feels like to silence yourself… to shrink… to wait for someone else to say, “Now you’re ready.”
I created WHEN Stories to end that waiting game.
My goal is to help women stop hiding behind their trauma, their titles, or their to-do lists… and start showing up with the power of their story. Because when we share our whole selves—not just the polished version—we become magnetic. Our people find us. Our message lands. And we stop playing small.
This isn’t about performing. It’s about being seen.
Because one woman out there is waiting for your story.
She needs to hear it to feel less alone. To take the next step. To rise.
That’s what drives me.
Whether I’m coaching a speaker, writing a song, or helping someone find the “hook” in their journey… it all comes back to visibility with purpose. Women don’t need another generic message. They need a story that’s real, raw, and theirs.
That’s what WHEN Stories is all about.
No more hiding.
No more silence.
Just stories that heal, connect, and ignite.
I’ve lived this mission too.
Sharing my own story on the WHEN Stories stage was one of the most healing, powerful moments of my life. It felt like a massive weight lifted off my chest… and what I didn’t expect was how many women came up to me afterward to say, “Me too.”
That’s when I knew, this is bigger than me.
This is what we’re here for.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Honestly? I built my reputation the moment I stopped curating my authenticity and started just being… well, me.
Before the pandemic, I was very intentional about my online presence. I only showed the highlight reel. I kept things professional. I didn’t let much of my sarcasm, goofiness, or real personality show through. I was polished… but not fully present.
Then came 2020 and a little app called TikTok.
I downloaded it just for fun and made a video about my marshmallow “addiction.” I had maybe four followers… two of which were my adult daughters. It felt safe to be ridiculous. It didn’t go viral. It didn’t blow up. But it was fun. So I made another. And another. And something clicked. For the first time in a long time, I was showing up as my full self… unfiltered and having a blast.
One day I decided to share one of my silly TikToks on Facebook. I was terrified. I thought people would judge me. I thought they’d think I was weird or unprofessional. But instead… I got over 80 comments of people laughing with me, telling me how funny I was, and how much they loved seeing that side of me.
That was the moment everything changed.
I realized I didn’t need to manage my image so tightly. It was okay to be silly. To be serious. To be raw, real, fired up, or vulnerable. From then on, I showed up fully… and that’s when my audience really started to grow.
People connected. They resonated. They hired me. They followed along because they felt like they knew me. And the beautiful part? They actually did.
That shift in showing up authentically—nope, scratch that…
That shift in showing up fully is what built the brand I have today.
And it’s what gives my clients the permission to do the same.
(And yes, many marshmallows were harmed in the making of those videos lol)
Contact Info:
- Website: Http://wendybabcock.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendybabcockspeaks?igsh=YnIxaHh1dndxdjc4&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ESMkbuv4K/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendybabcockspeaks?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@whenstories?si=jPWo9E3ZM6P6YsQn
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/wmR9uhZ7ASy5T7VNeo
Image Credits
Abbie Miller – Stories Framed Photography