Human Side Up: Meagan O’Nan on Honesty, Values, and Connection

Meagan O’Nan is an award-winning speaker, storytelling coach, and founder of The Unify Experience. From her home base in Starkville, Mississippi, she helps leaders and organizations transform conflict into connection and move beyond surface-level disagreements. The author of three award-winning books and a powerful TED Talk on what to do when you disagree with someone you love, O’Nan brings authenticity and courage to every conversation. She joined Human Side Up with CLARA Founder & CEO Natasha Nuytten to talk about values-driven leadership, why honesty is the foundation of connection, and how to create space for teams to be truly seen.

From outed to outspoken

O’Nan grew up in a conservative Catholic family and became a two-sport athlete at Mississippi State University. Her world shifted when she was outed as gay in college, facing rejection from peers, mentors, and family. 

“I left that day being very aware that I was just a label to people and it wasn’t a good label in their mind. I was alone and I was going to have to find a way forward.” 

That painful turning point eventually shaped her mission: helping people bridge divides and connect beyond differences. 

Living by core values 

O’Nan says her life is anchored in honesty and intentionality. “I don’t take decisions lightly and I’m very intentional about how I show up. And the other word that pops up is honest and just being real. That is the thing that I think that has really saved me in the end.” 

Being outed forced her to live in alignment with her values. What once felt like a setback became a gift, fueling the authenticity she now teaches others to embrace. 

Creating space for teams 

O’Nan emphasizes that leaders set the tone. “When I think about leadership, the first thing that I really focus on is that person’s presence. How are they showing up? Are they being true to themselves?” 

Even simple practices, like giving employees opportunities to share their stories, build trust and belonging. “When we create that space, even briefly, people feel seen and heard for who they are. That simple act builds connection.” 

Listen to the full episode of Human Side Up to hear Meagan’s story in her own words and learn more about how to lead with courage and authenticity.