The StoryBrand Podcast

Well, friends, we did it! We've wrapped on yet another year of the Building a StoryBrand Podcast. And you know what that means: it's time for the annual "Best of" episode. On this year's episode, we've pulled together some of the best nuggets of wisdom from guests like Adrienne Bankert, Matthew McConnaughey, and even our very own Business Made Simple President, Doug Kiem. So join us as we revisit some amazing business (and life) advice we got in 2020. Head to storybrand.com/survey to complete our 2020 Listener Survey before December 31 for a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card! Just head over to storybrand.com/survey and give us your feedback!

There is no doubt we're all craving a return to normalcy. But is getting back to the way things were what your customers actually want? Joshua DuBois, market research expert and CEO of Gague.ai, gives Don some surprising insight. Peeking into his "crystal ball", Joshua predicts how trends will change so you and your business can be more than ready heading into 2021! Head to storybrand.com/survey to complete our 2020 Listener Survey before December 31 for a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card! Just head over to storybrand.com/survey and give us your feedback! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

There are specific qualities that highest paid people possess. I don't mean integrity or honesty or kindness — those are characteristics you have to have in order to be a decent human. I'm talking about tangible character traits that make you a value-driven professional. Traits like understanding how to receive feedback, de-escalating drama and prioritizing your highest return opportunities. There's a reason the highest paid people are where they are — and I want to teach you why. If you develop these characteristics, you become seen as a valuable "product" that organizations will want to invest in. Not too dissimilar from a good stock, you become the type of employee who gives your organization a great return. And when you give an organization a great return, they're more likely to pay you more. A lot more. In this week's episode I'll explain the 10 characteristics of every value-driven professional and how you can develop them. When you embody these traits, you'll increase your economic value on the open market and your career will soar.

Have you ever found yourself feeling a bit...meh.. about your career trajectory? You're proud of what you've accomplished, and you should be. But you just can't shake the fact that you feel unfulfilled and that there's got to be more to life... It wasn't too long ago when Good Morning America news anchor, Paula Faris, found herself in the same rut. So she decided to change things. She quit her job and completely re-engineered her life to discover her true purpose. What some might have thought was a drastic move, Paula knew was right. On this week's episode, she shares her journey of finding a career that aligned with her purpose and offers practical tools to help you clear out the clutter and find meaning in life.

Many artists think sheer talent and creativity are all they need to turn their art into a lucrative business. Sadly, here's what usually ends up happening: they realize talent alone isn't going to cut it so they resort to being a "starving artist" and never really achieve the type of success they once dreamt possible. Elida Field could have easily fallen into the same trap, but her focus and determination propelled her into a profitable career she loves. In this week's episode, she'll share her process for how she defeated the "starving artist" phase and built a profitable career as an artist. If you're a creative and need a plan to help you monetize your art and build a successful career, this episode will help!

In a candid moment from his back porch, Don shares a few ways you can break through the noise at the dinner table this Thanksgiving and focus on what really matters--sharing love and connection with friends and family. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Fate is a terrible writer -- and it shouldn't be the one in the driver's seat of your life. But there has to be a balance between fate and control, right? Matthew McConaughey's take on this topic is an inspiring one, and in this week's interview, he talks about how fate works together with self-determination to help you create the life you really want. He argues that ego is actually a healthy thing and that there is a beautiful balance between freedom and responsibility (in his terms, "giddy-up and innate ability.") This epic conversation with Don and Matthew will inspire you to learn from your setbacks, take back control of your life, and develop the kind of optimism that will help you succeed.

We all want to live a meaningful life, but if we're honest, we've been letting fate author our story for way too long. A meaningful life doesn't happen when we let fate write it for us. A meaningful life happens when we create and follow a life plan that gives us a clear direction and purpose. Imagine knowing every task you completed was contributing to a life full of meaning. Imagine waking up each day not in a fog, but with a clear sense of purpose. That's exactly what you'll experience when you create and follow the life plan Donald Miller teaches in this episode. These five steps will help you take back control of your life so you wake up every day knowing your work matters and is part of an incredibly meaningful story.

Most people think there are those who are "just born" creative, and those who just aren't. Seth Godin would disagree. He believes that creativity, like riding a bike, is a skill everyone can learn and develop over time. It's an important skill, too, and if we don't develop practices that keep us creative, we could get left behind. In today's episode, Seth gives us insight into how we can become more creative with our work. Whether you're a graphic designer, and architect, a CEO or a receptionist, these practices will help you grow and become a more valuable professional.

Your business can't always be booming. So what do you do when it feels like everything is slowing down? If you're like most people, you'll probably panic -- but Lee LeFever would challenge you not to. Lee decided he was going to embrace the slow down and learn how to gain success even if he wasn't making money. If you're the type of person who hates when things slow down, this is the episode you need. Plus -- our friend Justin Christensen stops by to share how he pivoted his business during the pandemic and saw serious growth.

When COVID-19 hit, everyone scrambled to pivot their businesses. And our friends at the Canlis restaurant in Seattle were no exception. They took their fine-dining restaurant and made it a burger joint, and a crab shack, and oh yeah ... a drive-in movie theatre?! So when we got the chance to talk to them about their (new and improved) business model, we just couldn't resist. And we get it -- your business might not need to do a full 180 like it did six months ago. But this episode will transform the way you think about what's possible for your business -- regardless of if there's a global pandemic forcing you to pivot or not.

The beginning of the pandemic felt like being chased by a tiger. For a lot of us, this is the first time we're getting to slow down and catch our breath. This week, Daniel Harkavy stops by to share why it's important to spend time really reflecting on your wins and losses from this season. His new book, The 7 Perspectives of Effective Leaders, provides a framework to become a better leader even in the face of enormous challenges. When you use his perspectives to reflect on everything that's happened this year -- you'll feel proud of all you and your team have actually accomplished.

If you've ever tried to wrangle a screaming preschooler into a car, you know what the worst days of leading a team feel like. Managing a team and parenting a small child can sometimes feel … a little too similar. But Hal Runkel doesn't think that's such a bad thing. This bestselling author of books like ScreamFree Parenting and Choose Your Own Adulthood joins the podcast to show you how his proven parenting techniques can also help you become a confident and respected leader.

How many times have you been told to leave your emotions at the door? Probably too many to count. But when you're sitting at your desk with chest pains or feel your ears ringing after a frustrating meeting -- that feels pretty impossible. Miles Adcox flips the script when it comes to emotions in the workplace. He gives you permission to actually feel your emotions and shows you 3 ways to use them to your advantage.

You want recurring revenue for your business. The thing is — you just aren't sure if you have what it takes to create something people will actually buy. It stinks, but subscription services can sink your business — fast. So if you're going to do this, you need to do it right. Robbie Kellman Baxter literally wrote the book on creating subscription services that make money. And in this episode, she's giving you her secret formula for building a recurring revenue stream that lasts. Listen now!

You have great ideas that have the power to transform your business. But it's hard to get people to pay attention. What you need is a proven framework that makes any communication campaign a success and gets buy-in from your entire team. And that's exactly what you'll get in our newest Business Made Simple University course -- Communication Made Simple. On this week's episode, we're giving you a sneak peek into the paradigm-shifting framework so you can start applying these helpful tips today!

Building a profitable business takes a lot of hard work. But when you boil it down -- there are two characteristics every profitable business leader has in common. On today's episode, StoryBrand Certified Guide Sherman Merricks is sharing why these two characteristics have the power to make or break your business. Plus, Don and Sherman talk about the current social climate and how business leaders can affect change.

If you've ever tried to convince someone your position is right, you know it can feel like talking to a brick wall. But what if you were just going about persuasion in the wrong way? The truth is—most people aren't convinced by some compelling set of facts. Most people change their minds because of their emotions. Lee Hartley Carter has studied the art of persuasion and on today's episode, she's sharing what works, what doesn't, and what you can do to persuade people when it matters most.

Life is busy. Between email notifications, calendar reminders, and your wandering mind, it's easy to let distractions rule the day. But what if staying focused and being productive didn't have to be so hard? Nir Eyal, author of Indistractable, has cracked the code on staying focused. In this episode, he's breaking down how to control your attention-span, increase your productivity, and say no to distractions once and for all. If your mind wandered even a little bit while reading this podcast description — this episode is for you.

You've worked hard to grow your business, so you want to make sure that every little thing is done right. But what if there were parts that would be more successful if you let someone else take the wheel for a change? London Business School professor, Gary Hamel, is sharing why top-down micromanagement structures are suffocating businesses and stifling their growth. If you've struggled to give up control of your business, this episode might just convince you that it's actually the best thing you can do.

We have two options when we're faced with a problem. We can either resolve it and walk away or figure out why it's happening in the first place. It's tempting to just solve problems as they come up, but bestselling author and speaker Dan Heath thinks there's a better way. On today's episode, he's sharing why it's important to get to the root of a problem. If managing conflict at work has ever felt like a game of whack-a-mole, this episode will give you the tools you need to create lasting change instead.

When you know your product or service will make your customer's life better and you have the confidence to back it up, your business strategy is foolproof. But most of us walk around giving wimpy pitches instead because we're afraid of sounding arrogant. Today's guest, Nicole Walters, shows you why that's costing you money. There's actually a missing ingredient in your business strategy. It's not better branding. It's not more advertising. It's confidence. Listen now. On today's episode, we talk about becoming a Business Made Simple Certified Coach. Click here to apply: https://bit.ly/bms-coach

Tiffani Bova is an executive at Salesforce and the author of Growth IQ. Her strategies have helped companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM take their business to the next level. When it comes to scaling your business, it can be hard to know where to start. But the path to success is not as daunting as you might think. There are actually ten paths to grow a business, and this week's guest is sharing them with you.

The most well-recognized thought leaders have one thing in common: an irresistible personal brand. But for those of us without a platform, it's hard to know where to start. Rory Vaden, author of Take the Stairs, has worked with countless influencers to develop brands people gravitate towards and love. In today's episode, he shares the keys to creating a personal brand that will elevate your status and help you win big with customers.

Great leaders have a superpower that helps them stay centered while the world spins around them. They know how to be still. On today's episode Ryan Holiday, author of Stillness is the Key, shows you how to incorporate daily practices into your routine that help you avoid distractions and stay fully present. Our greatest insights usually come out of our quietest moments. Today's episode shows you how to find those crucial moments of stillness in our fast-paced world.

Succeeding at work takes a high level of competency. But today's podcast guest believes you have an even greater superpower — kindness. Adrienne Bankert, ABC News national correspondent and Emmy-award winning journalist, is sharing the philosophy behind her new book, Your Hidden Superpower. Succeeding at work doesn't have to be exhausting — you just have to be kind.

Trust is the foundation for any great relationship. But have you ever thought about what role trust plays at work? Work environments without trust are both exhausting and demoralizing. And most of the time, you don't notice how much you need trust at work until it's no longer there. Stephen M. R. Covey is the author of The Speed of Trust, and on this week's episode he and Don are unpacking why trust is so important at work and how to get it back if it has been lost. Listen now!

We all set goals in life. But for many of us -- the road stops there. We make plans to buy a bigger house or take the next step in our career without ever stopping to ask what bigger dreams we might be leaving behind. Today's guest, Bob Goff, is an expert at helping people discover their dreams and turn them into reality. His new book, Dream Big, is available now, and on today's episode he's offering practical tips to help you do just that. You don't have to be bound by the limitations you put on yourself -- you can dream big instead.

If you're like most businesses, you've probably lost more deals this year than you'd like to admit. And if you're being honest, you actually don't understand why that is. You've got a great product, clear messaging, a smooth sales process -- but time and time again you just aren't closing the deal. Well, there's good news. The secret to closing more deals is as simple as writing a great proposal. On this week's episode, Koula Callahan shows you how to create a 7-part proposal that will help you close more deals and drastically increase your revenue.

Giving gifts is an essential part of building relationships in business. But most business leaders only think about gifts when it's somebody's birthday or they're closing a deal. And even then, they usually end up sending baskets of stale popcorn and chocolate bars wrapped in cellophane. There has to be a better way. That's why we've invited John Ruhlin, author of Giftology, to share his seven steps to giving gifts that grow your business. In this episode, he explains the art of giving gifts and the competitive advantage you get in the marketplace when you're thoughtful.

Growing your business to $10M can be hard work -- but it doesn't have to be. On this week's episode, we're talking with Curt Richardson, founder of Otterbox, about what it's like to scale a business. He's sharing practical tips about how he did it and the inspiration you need to keep going even when it gets tough. Your business has potential to get to (and far surpass) $10M in revenue. Listen to this episode to find out how.

It's not often that an author chooses to be vulnerable in a business book. But that's exactly what co-founder of The Hollis Co., Dave Hollis decided to do. In his new book, Get Out of Your Own Way, Dave unpacks 7 lies he used to believe about leadership and how those lies affected him both personally and professionally. Join Dave and Don as they debunk these false beliefs and uncover the truth about leadership, vulnerability, and what it means to live a life of meaning.

If you're like most people -- the economy might be keeping you up at night. But what if you were able to use this season as a chance to change your mindset AND make more money? Chris Guillebeau, author of The Money Tree, is explaining how to view the current economic situation as an opportunity to grow. If you've felt worried about money over the last few months, this episode offers hope and practical action to help you recover.

What would it be like to release a product without any platform, customer base, or name recognition? That's exactly where James Clear found himself when he released his book, Atomic Habits. Now, Atomic Habits is a staple on bestsellers lists with over one million copies sold. On today's episode, James is unpacking the psychology of a successful product launch and sharing his secrets with you. No matter what type of product you sell or what your customer base looks like today, these tips will help your next product launch be a hit!

Right now, most business leaders finally have time to work on the things that have always bothered them about their business. But improving a business is like opening a junk drawer -- things can get overwhelming fast. Mike Michalowicz, author of Fix This Next, is sharing his guide that will help you fix your business one step at a time. From growing revenue to creating repeatable processes for your team, Mike's strategies will help every part of your business thrive. Don't get bogged down by all details, listen to this episode instead.

Most people believe they fall into one of two categories when it comes to their leadership style: those who cast a vision for the company and those who get stuff done. The problem is -- a really good leader needs to do both. Bestselling author and CEO, Michael Hyatt, created a formula to help leaders become visionaries and now he's sharing it with you. In this episode, he's unpacking what it means to have a vision for your company, why it's important, and what you can do to become a vision-driven leader today.

What if the best leaders actually have more in common with drug addicts than anyone else? That's exactly what Michael Brody-Waite, author of Great Leaders Live Like Drug Addicts, shares in his conversation with Don. The truth is -- drug addicts and great leaders have the same super power. And if you can harness it, it'll advance your career. Discover what that superpower is and how to unlock it in today's episode.

After any crisis, there comes a time to rebuild. But it can be hard to know where to begin. On this episode, Joel Peterson is sharing foundational strategies for building a healthy business. He used these strategies to grow JetBlue Airways, and now you can apply them to your business. If you've been wondering how you're going to rebuild after the COVID-19 crisis is over, this episode is for you.

When the team at StoryBrand HQ realized everything was about to change, we jumped right into a plan that would help us survive these uncertain times. Now, we're sharing that plan with you. Join Don in his conversation with Doug Keim, the President of StoryBrand, as they unpack the 6-part checklist that will help your business survive this crisis and come back stronger than ever.

Winston Churchill was no stranger to leading during a crisis. He led his country through World War I, World War II, an economic crisis, and much more. And he has 9 things that made him an effective leader during those times. On this week's episode, author Stephen Mansfield is unpacking Churchill's 9 strategies for leading during a crisis. These nine practical tips will help you become the leader your team needs during this challenging time.

Don and J.J. give you three strategies to manage anxiety through the COVID-19 crisis. It's possible for your business to survive, and even thrive, after the dust settles -- but you have to know how to manage stress in the meantime. This week's episode will show you how.

The coronavirus is disrupting careers, lifestyles, and peoples' overall sense of calm. These are inevitably difficult times, and most business leaders are overwhelmed trying to decide what to do next. So we invited bestselling author and speaker, Jon Gordon, to the podcast to share strategies for managing stress. Even the most calm, assured people can freeze with anxiety in turbulent circumstances like these. This episode provides hope and practical tips that will help you -- and your business -- get through this.

Most business leaders have a surplus of great ideas, but get stuck at one crucial step -- implementation. When businesses don't implement their ideas, growth becomes impossible. In today's episode, Howard Partridge outlines ten proven principles that will help you get unstuck and actually deliver on your businesses' best ideas.

As a business leader, you have to take risks. But for most people, taking even the smallest risk can feel terrifying. This week's guest, Bruce Deel, has a different perspective altogether. He founded the incredible community service organization, City of Refuge, and he believes taking risks could be the key to finding your purpose. This paradigm-shifting episode will push you outside of your comfort zone. And who knows -- you might just feel a little braver after listening!

Workplace drama is why so many employees dread Monday mornings and struggle to work as a team. And unfortunately, nobody is immune to it. But what if conflict didn't have to be so stressful? What if it could actually lead to best-case-scenarios for everyone involved? Today's guest, Dr. Jennifer Goldman-Wetzler, believes it can. She's the author of Optimal Outcomes and today she's giving you her strategies for understanding, managing, and even negotiating conflict. After this episode, you won't have to worry about hard conversations at work anymore! Listen now!

If you run a nonprofit, you've probably wondered whether the StoryBrand Framework will work for you. Here's a secret -- it totally will! But don't just take our word for it. We've invited Jeremy Vallerand to the podcast to share how Rescue:Freedom International is using the StoryBrand Framework every day. It's helped them talk about what they do, share stories of the people they serve, and expand their relationships with donors. And it can do the same for your nonprofit, too. Listen now!

Good business coaches can make a big difference in the success of your company. But if your "coach" just roots for you from the sidelines, they might actually be more of a cheerleader than a coach. Our Executive Vice President, Doug Keim, acts as our coach at StoryBrand everyday and he's sharing the nine areas where every business needs good coaching. This episode is full of practical tips that you can implement in your business right now. Plus — we're announcing some exciting news about what's around the corner at StoryBrand. You don't want to miss this!

As a StoryBrand podcast listener, you know all about creating great marketing. But do you know how to create a great brand? Crafting a brand that gets people excited is no small task. That's why we invited Ben Weprin, mastermind behind Soho House and Graduate hotels, to share how he's built a brand that welcomes people to live inside of a story. He's a master of whimsy and believes if you can build a magical brand, it might be the most meaningful part of your life.

People can't help you if they don't know what you need. But it's hard to ask for help -- so you usually wind up just doing the job yourself. Dr. Wayne Baker, author of All You Have to Do Is Ask, has harnessed the power of asking for help. This episode doesn't stop at why it's so important. It actually gives you practical tools to overcome your fear of asking. If you've ever needed help but didn't know how to ask, this episode is for you!

Have you ever wished you could just read your customers' minds and know exactly how to sell them your product? Spoiler alert: telepathy is impossible, but today's guest has a formula that can get you pretty close. Shelle Rose Charvet is the author of Words that Change Minds and she knows how to figure out what customers want. If you've ever struggled with sales, negotiation, or communication in general, her 14-part framework is here to help!