The Story Maker
Insights from the Affection Economy:
where values are lived, not told.
Values-led leadership, cultural change, and human connection.
Welcome to The Story Maker — Jet Swain’s blog exploring how we live, lead, and belong through the lens of The Affection Economy.
Here you’ll find reflections, case studies, and practical strategies for leaders, teams, and communities ready to build trust, lead with kindness, and create meaningful change.
When values are declared — and how we help people actually live them
What happens when values are beautifully articulated — but not fully felt?
I came across an agency culture page that stopped me in my tracks. Its values were simple, human and quietly ambitious: Imagine. Grow. Respect. Perform. Enjoy.
And yet, I’ve spent years listening to people who want to live values like these — without always being given the conditions to do so.
This piece explores the quiet gap between stated values and lived experience, and why values aren’t slogans at all — they’re creative infrastructure.
Affection Is a Cultural Shift, Not Just a Movement
Affection isn’t just a movement, it’s a cultural shift. As our old stories of growth unravel, affection offers a new way to measure meaning, connection, and belonging.
We Can’t Live Company Values If We Don’t Know Our Own
We can’t live company values if we don’t know our own. This post explores why alignment must begin with the individual — not the poster on the wall.
Micro-Moments That Build Trust and Meaning
Trust isn’t built in grand gestures — it’s shaped in the micro-moments. These quiet glimmers of presence, care, and consistency are what truly define values-led leadership.
