The StoryBrand Podcast

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!

Could your price actually become a selling point for your product? On today's podcast, author and speaker Allan Langer shares his secret to pricing products in a way that makes them sell. It isn't about cutting costs and running sales -- it's about using price as a sales strategy. When you implement these five practical tips, you'll harness the power of pricing once and for all.

We don't have very many emotionally healthy leaders anymore, and the ones who are don't get the microphone. We often feel like we're being led by a bunch of adult children. Emotionally healthy leaders are an imperative in our culture, and on today's podcast, we talk with author and speaker Michele Cushatt, who shares some paradigm-shifting knowledge about how to be vulnerable without risking control as a leader.

In today's culture, standing for something important and sticking to it takes guts, but it's also one of the fastest ways to grow your business or nonprofit. On today's podcast, Jeff Henderson, entrepreneur, speaker, pastor and author of the book Know What You're For, gives practical examples of actions leaders can take to bridge the gap between what they're known for and what they'd rather be known for. He's launched churches and worked in marketing for Chick-fil-A, the Atlanta Braves and other larger organizations, but he breaks his expertise into bite-sized chunks.

As you kick off the new decade (!), take a moment to reflect on how you're growing as a business leader. This episode can help. We've compiled the best and brightest insights from 2019's episodes, from guests like Michael Hyatt, Rebekah Lyons, and Adam Savage. It's a wealth of wisdom to equip you for a successful 2020.

So many people have everything they need to succeed but get in their own way. A lack of confidence often keeps people from achieving their potential. Sound familiar? Life doesn't have to be that way. The start of a new year (and decade) is the perfect time to reflect on what's most important and make sustainable changes to create a life you love. Today on the podcast, Don and JJ walk you through creating a personal life plan step by step (and you can follow along!). What if a plan was the only thing you needed to accomplish your goals in 2020 and beyond? If you're tired of struggling in key areas of your life, this approach will help you overcome and flourish in your work, relationships, spirituality and health.

When Chanda Bell's family sold 5,000 units of the "Elf on the Shelf" book and doll in its first season in 2005, they knew they were onto something. With 11 million elves now in homes around the world, they were right. But that success didn't happen overnight. Hear on the podcast how this family bootstrapped their beloved family tradition into a cultural phenomenon without the help of publishers and corporations -- and what we can learn from their enduring success and unique company culture. If Chanda and her family can do this with a fictional story, imagine what you can do with yours. Listen now!

Many individuals and families are living in a "narrative void." Without a sense of purpose, mission or agency, we drift through life feeling unfulfilled and sometimes even depressed. In this special edition of the podcast, Don and JJ talk about the formative practice of creating guiding principles for you and your family (not just your business). Living a great story doesn't happen on accident. When you follow this formula, you'll begin to inspire others and get investment into a cause that can change the world–starting with your own.

No one creates success alone. And the most successful teams are positive ones that are continuously strive to get better. But how do you create a positive culture of growth when we're hard-wired for negativity and competition? On today's podcast, Jon Gordon, a world leader on executing positivity, shows you the role "positive discontent" can play in creating connection and commitment in your organization. He's seen it work with his corporate clients like Dell as well as sports teams like the Rams, Clemson, Dodgers, Heat and the Pacers. He says what you believe ultimately determines what you create, and in this episode, he shares practical tips on how to do it.

In this episode, Koula Callahan interviews our own Dr. J.J. Peterson about his doctoral dissertation on StoryBrand Narrative Marketing. Don't just tell your customers a story, invite them into it. Don't miss this detailed, StoryBrand-focused episode that unpacks the data and science behind why this 7-part framework drives revenue for every type of business.

If you approach creating a habit with drudgery, you won't stick with it. The key is to create pleasure around healthy habits so they're more likely to stick. Today on the podcast, Atomic Habits author James Clear gives us an entirely fresh approach to making and breaking habits. What if discipline and willpower had nothing to do with it? If you're tired of failing at the habits that will create a better life for you, make sure you listen to this episode.

What will your customers lose if they don't make a timely decision to buy your product or service? That's the power of scarcity, and it's one of the oldest tools in the marketer's box. But how has this seminal marketing principle evolved now that the way people consume has changed so dramatically? That's why we're excited to welcome Dr. Kelly Goldsmith to the podcast. She's an award-winning Yale-educated behavioral scientist (and former Survivor contestant) who examines scarcity's seemingly paradoxical effects. You'll rethink what scarcity looks like in your marketing after this.

Ian Morgan Cron, who teaches our all-new Enneagram Made Simple course at Business Made Simple University, is back with Part 2 of our two-part Enneagram series. He and Don dive deep into what winning in relationships and business looks like when our personalities are each wired so differently. In this episode, we dive into the remaining Types 5-9: The Investigator, The Loyalist, The Enthusiast and The Peacemaker. Plus, discover how to go even deeper with your own team so you waste less time on workplace drama.

Life and business revolve around relationships. That means things can get messy fast. Our unconscious motivations can sometimes derail communications, creating obstacles and inefficiencies. Ian Morgan Cron, who teaches our all-new Enneagram Made Simple course at Business Made Simple University, joins us to talk about what winning looks like when we're all wired so differently. The conversation he and Don have is so packed with helpful Enneagram content that we're sharing it in two parts. In this episode, we dive into Types 1-4: The Perfectionist, The Helper, The Performer and The Romantic.

Most of us are good at setting goals. But accomplishing them? That's another story. Today's digitally native world constantly vies for our attention and energy, threatening to derail the best-laid plans. This is especially true within organizations. On today's podcast, Megan Hyatt Miller, the Chief Operating Officer of Michael Hyatt & Company, shows you how vision can help you get instant clarity so you can focus and accomplish your goals personally and as a team. She's a practitioner at her father's company, not just a philosopher, and their success is proof you can do it, too.

What can you do in your business to turn casual customers into super fans? On this episode of the podcast, Donald Miller talks with online marketing expert Pat Flynn about how to interrupt customers' routines, delight them with exclusive experiences, and more. Why? Because if your customers are succeeding because of your product or service, then you are, too. Whether you have an email list of 26 or run an enterprise, this super practical episode has a tip you can start using today.

You may not even realize it, but you're stressed out. Today's modern world is undermining all our efforts to live a full and productive life. In this episode, Rebekah Lyons will help you identify and manage anxiety so you can prevent burnout and actually improve your productivity. If you think you've heard it all before, this tender yet powerful conversation will open your mind to new possibilities.

If you lead a business, you're in the public eye. That means people are talking about you and your brand on social media – even if you don't realize it. Today's guest, former Twitter executive Claire Díaz-Ortiz, shares a model for how to succeed at social media for your company. This episode, and StoryBrand's new free online course (at www.SocialMediaMadeSimple.com), is going to give you the confidence to know if you're using the correct platform for your brand and creating the right content.

Our cups overfloweth with data. But creating a story with data can feel like drinking from a firehose. These days, powerful presentations are less about stand-and-deliver presenting. It's more about crafting an explanation that can spread online. That's why we're so excited to have Nancy Duarte on the podcast. Author of Data Story, she's the world's leading expert on how to create a compelling keynote. Learn how you can apply her powerful four-part strategy to your own brand to create memorable messages that hit a nerve and earn an audience.

How do you frame a mission, get buy-in for it, and then make it work? That's what we're discussing in this episode with U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Trafficking in Persons John Cotton Richmond. When we need to make sure wrong things are being made right, it takes maximum engagement around a clear mission. Ambassador Richmond shares brilliant insight on how to build a team around a mission and help people understand their role – and that the mission is doable. Whether you're saving lives or improving them, this approach can generate more passion and engagement and make a huge difference.

It's time for corporations, businesses, and consumers to wise up about how supply chains play a role in human trafficking around the world. While there are more slaves today than ever, Gary Haugen, CEO and founder of International Justice Mission, shares a game plan to stop it. In this critical interview, hear how IJM is partnering with giants like Walmart and Target to clean up supply chains so they don't facilitate human trafficking. You'll also hear how "story" is fueling those efforts. If you're a nonprofit or business owner, you don't want to miss it.

Local businesses are the heartbeat of a local economy. But to succeed, they have to play the guide. In this episode, our own Koula Callahan interviews Brooke Allison, co-owner of Scout's Barbershop, about the grassroots strategies they've employed to grow to 6 neighborhood-based locations. Whether you're marketing, hiring, learning your customer, or giving back to the community, you need to understand your role in the process. Don't miss this super practical, local-business focused episode!

Marissa Orr, a former executive at Google and Facebook, is a self-proclaimed Corporate Rebel, and in her new book, Lean Out, she challenges the notion that women have to change in order to succeed in corporate business. In this episode of the podcast, she and Don discuss the myths that prevail about the wage gap and unpack how we got to where only 5 percent of CEOs in the Fortune 500 are women. This is a fascinating discussion you won't want to miss.

Leaders are the lynchpin in company culture. So how do you identify and develop great ones within your business? Today on the podcast, we talk to management expert Scott Miller, an Executive VP at FranklinCovey, on why management takes a complete shift in mindset – one that's counterintuitive to your top producers. You owe it to your company to build a culture where people choose to stay and give their all. This episode will help you do that.

Millennials want to work from home or a totally open office space – and have unlimited time off – right? Wrong. On today's podcast, Lindsey Pollak, a leading expert on Millennials and author of the book The Remix: How to Lead and Succeed in the Multigenerational Workplace, debunks modern workplace myths. She offers insight into what Millennials want instead, and why many companies are re-thinking that age group for the primary talent pool. Discover how you can create a thriving culture that develops employees who are much more likely to stick around.

Most of us have a love-hate relationship with our smartphones and digital media. The technology is here to stay, so how can we keep social media and apps like Slack from killing our productivity? Marie Kondo may have helped us declutter our homes, but on today's podcast, Cal Newport, a professor of computer science at Georgetown University and author of the book Digital Minimalism, shows you how to digitally declutter. Discover how to harness your tech and keep it from sabotaging your brain's optimal performance.

Captain Obvious here: Successful businesses don't do stupid stuff. Of course we all know that, but running a business is hard! And that means we all make dumb (and costly) mistakes along the way. Today's guest, Keith Cunningham, teaches 5 key disciplines that will help you avoid those common business mistakes. Today's episode could save you a TON of wasted money and effort. It's like free consulting. Listen now!

"Well, I'm not really a creative type." Today on the podcast, Adam Savage (host of the popular show Mythbusters) is going to bust THAT myth for us. We're all creative -- whether we build model cars or entire organizations. But we don't always know how to tap into that part of ourselves. When you listen to this episode, you'll hear Adam's practical advice to add more creativity to your life. You'll learn why it matters. Best of all, you'll give yourself permission to be more curious and creative, both at home and at work. Give it a listen!

If you're a leader, you need energy. But if you don't have the right people in your life, you'll always feel drained. On today's podcast, Dr. John Townsend shares the 7 types of relationships -- which ones we need, which ones we don't, and how to balance them so the people in your world keep you focused, creative, and fueled u