I’ve spent years listening to people, but it wasn’t until recently that I truly understood the transformational power of storytelling. Sitting down with Mona Saade revealed not just the art of preserving memories, but the deeper, personal shifts that unfold when someone begins to speak their truth. Mona doesn’t just write books—she captures lives. Through her work at “Writing Your Life,” she partners with individuals, families, and business founders to shape narratives that are as healing as they are lasting.
Her process is more than factual recounting. It’s about uncovering values, identity, and the heartbeat behind achievements. One story that stayed with me was of a man with dementia. Mona helped him tell his story while he could still remember it, crafting a legacy for his sons and grandchildren. Another was a young mother with terminal cancer, determined to leave something for her children before she lost her ability to speak. In both cases, the result wasn’t just a book—it was a lifeline for those left behind.
Mona’s work is deeply personal and entirely collaborative. Every story is unique and demands a bespoke approach. Family business projects might span years; individual stories may unfold over many months. But in each case, what starts as a conversation grows into something far more powerful. Clients often undergo emotional transformation—feeling seen, lighter, even healed—simply because someone listened deeply.
This listening, Mona explains, is a skill honed over time and rooted in care. She holds space for silence, for moments people didn’t even know shaped them. Her curiosity, not judgment, invites trust. And through her guidance, people discover clarity in the chaos, strength in their struggles, and meaning they’d never acknowledged before.
As she spoke, I reflected on a moment from my own life. I once dismissed my story as unimportant, but someone saw value in it. That encouragement led me to a keynote speech I never planned to give. Preparing for it was confronting, but cathartic. It made me realize just how powerful even the most ordinary-seeming story can be. Mona echoed that truth. Most people are too close to their own lives to recognize what’s significant—but when they hear it reflected back, the shift is undeniable.
Stories Carry Culture
In families and businesses, these stories carry culture, values, and identity across generations. For entrepreneurs, they humanize the brand. For everyone, they preserve something that might otherwise be lost. When people don’t tell their stories, Mona says, they risk losing more than memory—they lose connection, resilience, and the opportunity to inspire others.
We live in a world increasingly starved for authenticity. Between the filters, algorithms, and fabricated content, the hunger for something real is growing. That’s where Mona’s work resonates most. Not everyone will write their story, but those who do give a gift—not just to their families, but to anyone who might find meaning in their words.
For anyone unsure where to start, Mona’s advice is simple: begin with what stays with you. Don’t wait for drama or perfection. Just be willing to reflect, to remember, and most importantly, to connect with someone who will truly listen. Because when a story is told honestly and with heart, it lives on. And when it’s told well, it changes lives—including the storyteller’s.