Antonio Stephens: Shaping Authentic Human Stories in Corporate Communications

Join Digital Narrative and Antonio Stephens, Director of Culture Communications and Talent Brand Marketing at Levi Strauss & Co. as well as co-founder of his own podcast and enterprise "Life Chats With Friends," for a conversation on Shaping Authentic Human Stories in Corporate Communications. In a time of change and escalating division in corporate communications, how can we center people-first stories that help global employees feel seen and heard? We explore:

• Building trust through transparency and authentic personal connection that can be amplified with moving digital storytelilng capture through mediums such as documentaries, events, compelling reports, and short-form video 
• Weaving real human stories into corporate messaging and the importance of locating an organization's voice in terms of a maturity model approach to inclusive communications and brand voice
• Uncovering the "story behind the story" to create emotional connection that helps a narrative resonate and impact spread far beyond a linear mission statement 

Whether you're a communications professional, marketer, or business leader, this podcast offers valuable tools and fresh perspectives to make your corporate communication more genuine, impactful, and human-centered. Tune in and discover how storytelling can shape connection, emotional impact, and wide-ranging global ripple effects. 

Antonio is a multifaceted communications and brand leader. Connect with him on all of the platforms and find links to his personal podcast below, as well as case studies discussed in this episode. 

Excitingly, this podcast comes out 2 days before Antonio's first hosted live event for his project Life Chats with Friends, bringing together the wildfire-ravaged LA community for his first Sip & Chats Live event. See details and get notified here! https://www.sipandchat.org/. See the run of show for his first event, Roots of Reslience, on March 28 here: https://www.sipandchat.org/sip-and-chat-ros. 

 

Links: 

Portfolio Work: https://www.antoniostephens.com/

From launching a campaign recently featuring Beyoncé to a 20+ min documentary feature telling people-first stories with a +70% view-through rate, you don't want to miss his work 

Levi Strauss & Co. Documentary Discussed in this episode: Threads of Inclusion (https://vimeo.com/981512004/4bcca20a8a) 

 

Link to Podcast - Life Chats with Friends: https://www.lifechatswithfriends.com/ 

Instagram: @Lifechatswithfriends @AntonioStephenss

LinkedIn: Antonio Stephens 

 

New Live Event Series: Sip & Chat (https://www.sipandchat.org/)

 

About Antonio Stephens: 

Link: https://www.antoniostephens.com/

Antonio Stephens is a storyteller, strategist, and cultural architect who believes in the power of narrative to transform brands, build communities, and spark meaningful conversations.
Born in Jamaica and raised in New York, Antonio’s journey has always been shaped by a deep curiosity about people and the stories that connect us. With a degree in Communications — Mass Media and PR from La Salle University, he set out to craft narratives that don’t just inform but inspire.

 

His career began at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), where he navigated media, public policy, and corporate strategy in the Communications and Government Affairs Future Leaders Program. From there, he expanded his expertise across industries, blending digital storytelling, talent brand marketing, and employee engagement to shape authentic and compelling brand identities.

 

At Levi Strauss & Co., Antonio leads Culture Communications and Talent Brand Marketing, transforming how the company tells its story of inclusion and belonging. His leadership revitalized the employer brand, setting new global standards through award-winning campaigns that elevated the company’s voice and deepened its impact.

 

But Antonio’s work extends far beyond the corporate world. His passion for community, culture, and creativity has led him to explore new ways of fostering connection. He is the visionary behind Sip & Chat, a space for honest conversations, healing, and storytelling that bridges personal and collective transformation.

 

Now, as he steps into his next chapter, Antonio is focused on building experiences — both digital and physical — that foster creativity, community and belonging. Whether through brand storytelling, strategy, or cultural initiatives, he is committed to shaping spaces where people feel seen, heard, and inspired to take action.

 

Want to collaborate or connect? Send an email to [e-mail]. 

 

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