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.”
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Tired of overcomplicated storytelling formulas?
In this episode, Rain simplifies the process with a three-step model inspired by bestselling fantasy author Brandon Sanderson: Promise, Progress, Payoff. This framework is rooted in classical storytelling principles but designed for clarity and ease—whether you're telling a short story, a brand narrative, or a social media post.
Rain breaks down what each step means, how to apply it in your work, and why it's so effective at keeping your audience engaged and emotionally invested. You’ll hear examples from The Lion King, Star Wars, and even YouTube tutorials to show how Promise, Progress, and Payoff show up across formats.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by storytelling theory, this episode brings you back to what matters most: clear expectations, forward motion, and satisfying endings.
In the episode, you will learn to:
Use Promise, Progress, Payoff to guide any story you’re telling, no matter the format or length.
Establish clear expectations early to draw your audience in and build trust.
Keep your story on track by checking whether each moment is moving the narrative forward.
Deliver a satisfying resolution that rewards the time and attention of your audience.
Adapt this structure to content of any scale, from brand videos to epic novels.
“Think about what your story promises and then ask yourself if you're actually moving toward it.”
- Rain Bennett
If you want to understand a super simple model to keep your story on track...
this is the episode for you!
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Some of the highlights of the episode:
00:00 - Why Story Structures Feel So Complicated
01:26 - The Case for Simplicity in Storytelling
02:15 - Who Is Brandon Sanderson and Why This Model Works
03:51 - The Three Ps: Promise, Progress, Payoff
04:39 - How a Story Makes Its First Promise
06:55 - The Lion King and the Promise of the Throne
07:58 - What Progress Looks Like in a Story
09:18 - The Risk of Losing Trust Without Clear Progress
11:43 - Why Progress Matters in Business and Brand Stories
12:50 - The Payoff and What Makes It Satisfying
14:07 - Examples of Emotional Payoffs (Rocky, Terminator 2)
16:22 - Every Beat Must Support the Final Payoff
17:50 - A Real-World Example: YouTube Tutorials
18:42 - The Foundation of Promise, Progress, Payoff
20:14 - Using This Framework for Any Size Story
21:05 - Final Thoughts and Season 13 Wrap-Up
As always, I hope you enjoy the episode!
Rain
For more storytelling tips and tricks,
Visit my website rainbennett.com, or
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