About Chad

About Chad Petersen, keynote speaker and the Story Catcher

Chad Petersen is the Story Catcher, a keynote speaker and narrative coach based in Baños, Ecuador. He spent his career telling other people's stories before his own came apart, and now he speaks to people in midlife who want to figure out what they actually want.

Chad Petersen, keynote speaker and the Story Catcher, writing in a notebook on a log

His story

Who is Chad Petersen?

A keynote speaker who spent his career telling other people's stories, until his own came apart.

He started at a newspaper as a kid, moved into TV and radio, then spent 11 years running social media for three hospitals. When his own life fell apart, he rebuilt it in the mountains of Ecuador, where he lives today.

Now he speaks to people in midlife who have spent years meeting everyone else's expectations: people who don't know what they want anymore, who keep saying yes out of habit, or who wonder whether there is a different way to live.

You don't need to reinvent yourself. You just need to remember who you are.

Chad Petersen

Chad Petersen, the Story Catcher, at sunset

Training

What training does Chad have?

In December 2025 Chad completed The Narrative Coach program with David Drake at The Moment Institute.

Speaking experience

Where has Chad Petersen spoken?

Chad has spoken at events in places including the United States, Peru and Belize, and has been the MC at others. Those events were on other topics, not the talks on this site. He also teaches at his own retreats and classes in Ecuador.

As a speaker

  • Social Media Day in Denver, Houston and Wichita, Kansas
  • Social Media Week Lima
  • Several DigiMarCon events
  • The Thing in Orlando and Nashville
  • Innovate, Brian Wallace's conference
  • Churches across Southeast Texas
  • Real estate groups in Reno and Denver
  • A real estate conference in Las Vegas
  • A tourism bureau conference in Belize

As MC

  • MC at Social Media Marketing World
  • MC at Social Media Week Lima
  • Livestream MC at AI Marketing World in Dallas

Listen first

Where can you hear Chad before you book?

These podcast interviews give a good sense of how Chad sounds and how he thinks.

In their words

What do Reignite 90 participants say about Chad's work?

This is feedback from people taking part in Reignite 90, Chad's coaching program, shared while they were in it. It speaks to his work, not to a specific talk.

“Uncovers the hidden stories and drivers I have had running on autopilot, enabling me to see and make changes at the root. Grateful for this and Chad!!”

Mike, Reignite 90 participant

“I really thought that, at 60 years old, I had some idea of what was driving my daily thoughts and actions. However, this program has really given me a thorough insight into where my thoughts and actions have come from. Life-changing work.”

Sarah, Reignite 90 participant

“What I appreciate most is that this isn’t a program you outgrow. I believe you can get something from it regardless of where you are in life or how much personal work you’ve already done. Each time you revisit yourself through the lens of this process, the next piece of work has a way of revealing itself.”

Jennifer, Reignite 90 participant

Questions

Questions about Chad

Quick answers about who Chad is and where he works.

Where does Chad live and work?

Chad lives in Baños de Agua Santa, a mountain town in the Andes of Ecuador. He is available to speak worldwide, in person or online.

Is Chad a speaker or a coach?

Both. On this site Chad is a keynote speaker. His coaching, including his program Reignite 90, his retreats in Ecuador and one-on-one coaching, is on thestorycatcher.com.

Bring Chad to your next event

Tell Chad your date, city, audience and the format you want, and he will come back to you with availability.

WhatsApp +1 409-350-7865 | [email protected]