Podcast Episodes

Rain Bennett, The Storytelling Lab host, discuss how to use the Narrative Operating System to build, design, and ship your product to the market.

How a Narrative Operating System Solves the Product Problem That Kills Every Brand

"Your product is not the features, the specs, it's not what you ship. The product is the experience, the transformation that your customer goes through. It's the change in their lives. That's what you're selling."

Bill Blankschaen, author of Your Story Advantage, talks about his story multiplier formula and how to maximize impact, influence, and income with host Rain Bennett on The Storytelling Lab podcast.

The Story Advantage and Why Nobody Has the Same One as You with Bill Blankschaen

"CQ — the character quotient — is who you are at the core of your values, and how consistently people can trust you to be that person. That to me is the exponential topper."

Retired Green Beret Scott Mann talks about his new book, The Geneoristy of Scars with host Rain Bennett on The Storytelling Lab podcast.

How the Generosity of Scars Makes Your Story More Powerful with Scott Mann

"I wasn't processing and dealing with my own stuff. Somehow I made my way back to storytelling. And that was really, if I could point to two things—my wife and story—those pulled me out."

Jon Bregel, filmmaker and creator of The Nourish Community talks about creator burnout and mental health with host Rain Bennett on The Storytelling Lab podcast.

The One Thing Every Storyteller Misses About Their Audience with Jon Bregel

"When you live in alignment with your values, you cause yourself as little suffering as possible in the long term. And that one just always sticks with me because it's really challenging in the short term. But if you have faith in your values and who you are and how you want to show up in the world, then ultimately you're creating a path that's going to serve you for the long term."

Joseph Romm, co-creator of Decoding Taylor Swift, discusses the power of storytelling to bridge gaps with host Rain Bennett on The Storytelling Lab podcast.

What a Father Daughter Podcast About Taylor Swift Taught Me About Story with Joseph Romm

"If you think the world could be better and you want to change it, you're going to have to come up with a better story and know how to tell it better."

The Real Brand Difference in Your Internal Story vs. Your Customer's Story

"Marketing might be how you get the first date. But to get the second and third date and hopefully form into a relationship, you have to have a brand."

Rain Bennett, The Storytelling Lab host discusses his Narrative Operative System.

The Most Misunderstood Piece of Brand Missions

“Vision is what inspires your people. Mission is what activates and organizes them.”

Corey Rosen, Moth storytelling champion and author of A Story for Any Occasion, discusses how to tell powerful stories on The Storytelling Lab podcast with host, Rain Bennett.

What Live Storytelling Can Teach Every Brand with Corey Rosen

“When you start to look at things through the lens of story, it helps you appreciate and process what’s going on.”

Kristen Sweeney, founder of Every Little Word, discusses content and communication with Rain Bennett, host of The Storytelling Lab podcast.

The Real Work Behind a Great Content Strategy with Kristen Sweeney

“You can’t even begin to talk about results or impact until you actually put something out into the world.”

Spade Robinson, story and screenwriting consultant and creator of the Atlanta Film Project, discusses storytelling with Rain Bennett, host of The Storytelling Lab podcast.

The Courage to Face What Your Story Is Really About with Spade Robinson

“There is no version of storytelling that does not become therapy.”

Tal Lazar, author of Cinemtography Beyond Technique, discusses storytelling with Rain Bennett, host of The Storytelling Lab podcast.

Cinematography and Storytelling Beyond the Technique with Tal Lazar

“The real story is always in the subtext.”

When Your Brand Design Tells the Right Story with Shane Lukas

“Your stories are building bricks of belief in your brand."

Jensen Savage, of Savage Growth Partners, discusess alignment and messaging with host Rain Bennett on The Storytelling Lab podcast.

Your Brand's Growth Problem Isn't What You Think It Is with Jensen Savage

“Everybody in your organization has to be aligned… or it all starts to break down.”

Elton Anderson, Jr., of L10 Media, discusses authenticity and positioning with Rain Bennett on The Storytelling Lab podcast.

What Happens When YOU Become the Story with Elton Anderson, Jr.

“Every time you press upload, you’re telling the universe this is your part in the grand scheme.”

The Real Reason Your Brand Feels Disconnected

“If your company doesn’t know the story that it’s helping to tell, no marketing campaign is going to save you.”

David Meltzer, discussing entrepreneurship, vulnerability, and the act of giving with host Rain Bennett on The Storytelling Lab podcast.

The Billion-Person Mission That Started With Bankruptcy with David Meltzer

“I was made from mistakes. I was promoted, protected, loved, and perfected by them.”

Krystal Phillips, Communications and Community Relations Manager of Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation sits down with Rain Bennett on The Storytelling Lab.

How a Local Utility Company Became a Storytelling Powerhouse with Krystal Phillips

“It’s not just about keeping the lights on—it’s about building a relationship with the people at the end of the line."

Salvatore Manzi, author of Clear and Compelling, discusses narrative strategy on The Storytelling Lab podcast with host Rain Bennett.

Storytelling That Builds Trust Across Any Organization with Salvatore Manzi

“A shared narrative means everyone in the organization is speaking about the story in the same way.”

David Ebner, founder of Content Workshop discusses content strategy on The Storytelling Lab podcast with host Rain Bennett.

How to Use Storytelling to Fuel a Content Engine with David Ebner

“A message map is the most underutilized resource for marketers.”

Aaran Calafato, host of Seven Minute Stories, joins Rain Bennett on The Storytelling Lab podcast.

How Personal Stories Build Public Trust in Just 7 Minutes with Aaron Calafato

“The shortest distance between two souls is a story.”

Building a Narrative Operating System that Scales Your Business

“A story is a single arc of transformation. A narrative is the thread that connects them all.”

Patrick Hicks, of Patrick Hicks Music Stories, speaks with Rain Bennett on The Storytelling Lab podcast.

How the Soundtracks of Our Lives Shape who We Become with Patrick Hicks

“If it makes me curious, then maybe it’ll make someone else curious, too.”

Wil Weldon, author of Innerviewing: Heart Forward Storytelling and Holistic Communication on The Storytelling Lab with host Rain Bennett.

Interviewing as a Tool for Trust, Healing, and Human Connection with Wil Weldon

"Interviewing is not about taking something—it's about helping them be more of who they are."

Elizabeth Lo, director of Mistress Dispeller, on The Storytelling Lab podcast with host Rain Bennett.

The Ethics of Filming Real Love Triangles in Mistress Dispeller with Elizabeth Lo

"I wanted each character to be complex enough and sympathetic enough that there's some deep reason you could identify in yourself."

Brand Stories Grab Attention, But Brand Narratives Build Movements

“A story is a singular arc of transformation. A narrative is the thread that ties all your stories together.”

Jimi Gibson, of Thrive Marketing Agency, discusses magic and storytelling with Rain Bennett, host of The Storytelling Lab podcast.

Stories are Spells: Marketing Lessons from a Magician with Jimi Gibson

“If you're not leaning into your own abracadabra, you're leaving your competitive advantage on the table.”

Rob Meyers, Managing Director of VERSUS, speaks to Rain Bennett on The Storytelling Lab podcast.

Why Ownable Originality Is the Only Differentiator Left with Rob Meyers

“Ownable originality is about creating something uniquely you—something no one else can do, even if they tried.”

Author Gary Elsworth Smith speaks to Rain Bennett on The Storytelling Lab podcast.

Turning Emotions Into Images on the Page with Gary Smith

“If you write well, readers see your story differently—but they see it. It’s a visual medium, even in text.”

Renee Lynn Frojo speaks to Rain Bennett on The Storytelling Lab podcast.

Why Connection Beats Consistency in Content Marketing with Renee Frojo

“Consistency is not about how often you post—it's about how consistently you show up in your message.”

James Warren, founder of Share More Stories speaks to Rain Bennett on The Storytelling Lab about his storytelling tool, SEEQ.

Unlocking Emotional Insights with Story-Driven Data and AI with James Warren

“The more narrow we get with our prompts, the deeper and more profound the insights become.”

The Rise of the Chief Storytelling Officer Role

"The CSO needs a seat at every department’s table—product, marketing, sales—because story threads through all of it.”

Rain Bennett, The Storytelling Lab host discusses Brandon Sanderson's "Promise, Progress, Payoff" story structure.

Brandon Sanderson’s Simple Storytelling Model that Always Works

“Think about what your story promises and then ask yourself if you're actually moving toward it.”

Erika Arlee and Kristi Ray, Co-Founders of Honey Head Films speak to Rain Bennett on The Storytelling Lab about their debut feature film, A Song for Imogene.

How to Make Indie Filmmaking Sustainable with Erika Arlee and Kristi Ray

“If you get your timeline pushed back, think of it as another year to make the story better.”

Shawn Walchef, CEO of Cali BBQ and Cali BBQ Media speaks with Rain Bennett on The Storytelling Lab about building a business that lasts by creating evergreen media content.

Turn Your Content Into a Show They Can't Stop Watching with Shawn Walchef

“We make our media the same way we make our barbecue, and that’s low and slow.”

Rain Bennett, The Storytelling Lab host breaks down Blake Synder's Save the Cat beat sheet using The Lion King as an example.

Save the Cat (and Your Story) with Blake Snyder’s Beat Sheet

“Your story comes from your heart, and then you structure it to deliver it in the best way.”

Stewart Cohen of SC Pictures speaks with Rain Bennett on The Storytelling Lab about building a long term creative career through video.

The Key to Building a Creative Career That Actually Lasts with Stewart Cohen

“People want to feel heard. If you don’t create a collaborative space, they won’t come back.”

Rain Bennett, The Storytelling Lab host breaks down Nancy Duarte's Sparkline structure for presentations and speeches.

Nancy Duarte's Sparkline: The Secret Structure Behind Every Great Speech

“You don’t just present a pitch—you present a world your audience wants to live in.”

John Bucher, Executive Director of the Joseph Campbell Foundation speaks with Rain Bennett on The Storytelling Lab about the power of mythology.

Joseph Campbell’s Legacy of Myth and Why It Still Matters with John Bucher

“The stories we take on as children are often the ones we spend the rest of our lives trying to rewrite.”

Nina Sossamon-Pogue on The Storytelling Lab podcast with Rain Bennett talking about building resilience.

How to Build Resilience and Rewrite Your Story with Nina Sossamon-Pogue

“It’s okay to not be okay. It’s just not okay to stay that way.”

Nathan Baugh on The Storytelling Lab podcast discussing his new fantasy novel and fiction writing with host Rain Bennett.

Fiction Storytelling as a Form of Self-Discovery with Nathan Baugh

"Most nonfiction books could’ve been blog posts—but fiction sticks with you for life."

Paul F. Austin discussing psychedelics and microdosing with host Rain Bennett on The Storytelling Lab podcast.

Psychedelics, Creativity, and the Future of Work in the Age of AI with Paul F. Austin

"The drugs we've accepted in society—alcohol, nicotine, caffeine—were chosen for productivity, not well-being."

Rain Bennett, The Storytelling Lab host speaks to filmmakers at Full Frame Film Festival about storytelling.

Create Impact with Your Documentary through Characters, Culture, and Collaboration

"It's not just what you say—it's how you say it. And who you're saying it to."

Keenya Kelly on The Storytelling Lab podcast with host, Rain Bennett.

How to Learn, Adapt, and Build a Lasting Business on Social Media with Keenya Kelly

"You have to give yourself permission to be terrible at being a business owner when you start."

Rain Bennett, The Storytelling Lab podcast host, talks about the Story Spine, created by Kenn Adams and adapted by the storytellers at Pixar.

The Simple Story Framework That Built Pixar’s Greatest Hits

"It's not the frame of your house that makes it a beautiful home—but without it, the house falls apart. It's the same with your story."

Cyndi Zaweski of StoryCraft on The Storytelling Lab podcast with Rain Bennett.

Beyond Followers: Creating a True Community Around Your Brand with Cyndi Zaweski

"Social media isn’t just a tool; it’s an opportunity to co-create stories with your audience. They don't need more information. They need insights, emotion, and most importantly, connection."

Rain Bennett, The Storytelling Lab podcast host, talks about the "But, therefore" story structure of the creators of South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker.

Two Simple Words from South Park's Creators to Improve Your Storytelling

"South Park’s creators cracked the code on storytelling, and their method will instantly improve your stories."

Army veteran J.R. Martinez on The Storytelling Lab podcast discussing how he used his near-death experience to build a community and a career by sharing his story vulnerably.

How to Turn Your Pain into Purpose By Sharing Your Story with J.R. Martinez

"You've got to get out of your own way. Put yourself out into the world, and just give it to the universe. Lean into the space shared with the world."

Rain Bennett, The Storytelling Lab podcast host, talks about the eight story shapes identified by Kurt Vonnegut.

Kurt Vonnegut's Simple Theory of the Eight Shapes of Storytelling

"We so rarely stop and realize when we're in good fortune. We don't understand when we're in ill fortune that we won't be there forever. It's just part of the shape of our story."

Filmmaker Rodes Phire on The Storytelling Lab podcast with Rain Bennett

The Art of Crafting Simple and Authentic Stories Using Limited Resources with Rodes Phire

"A great story will always win and find its home and its place in the world. So get better, do better, be better. And if you're in it to win it, then you stay with it and you evolve."

Rain Bennett, The Storytelling Lab podcast host, talks about the six emotional story arcs found be AI used in Project Gutenberg.

The 6 Emotional Story Shapes that Science Found Resonate with Audiences Most

"It's okay for you to use inspiration from other stories that have been there. The point is for you to know how do you tell your story differently."