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224. What Live Storytelling Can Teach Every Brand with Corey Rosen
01:00:40||Season 15, Ep. 224“When you start to look at things through the lens of story, it helps you appreciate and process what’s going on.” — Corey RosenWhat makes someone lean in when you tell a story instead of tune out? In this episode, Rain sits down with Emmy-nominated TV writer, Moth champion, and brand storytelling expert Corey Rosen to break down the real tactics behind stories that actually land. This is not a fluffy conversation about “storytelling matters.” It’s a practical deep dive into curiosity gaps, emotional stakes, visual detail, and the inner life that gives a story dimension.Corey shares how his background in comedy, television, and live storytelling shaped the way he now teaches stories for every occasion—from keynotes and investor pitches to eulogies, wedding toasts, and brand messaging. They also get into improv, theme parks, AI, and why the future belongs to people who can create connection, not just content.In this episode, you will learn to:Build curiosity early so people care about where your story is goingUnderstand the three elements that make stories feel vivid, human, and memorableUse storytelling to build trust before you try to persuade, pitch, or influenceReframe everyday experiences as story material by noticing what changed and why it matteredSee how storytelling skills transfer across live performance, brand communication, and businessFollow Corey Rosen on:Website → https://www.coreyrosen.comInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/storycoachcoreyLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreyrosenstorycoachFor more storytelling tips and tricks:Visit → https://rainbennett.com and https://thestorytellinglabpodcast.comOr follow along at...TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficerTwitter → https://twitter.com/rainbennettInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/rainbennettFacebook → https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellinglabYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett
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223. The Real Work Behind a Great Content Strategy with Kristen Sweeney
49:11||Season 15, Ep. 223“You can’t even begin to talk about results or impact until you actually put something out into the world.” — Kristen SweeneyWhat if the real problem with your content isn’t execution, but alignment? In this episode, Kristen Sweeney, founder of Every Little Word, breaks down the invisible work behind great communication: messaging frameworks, internal clarity, operational discipline, and the codified point of view that most companies skip.We explore why B2B brands struggle to articulate what they actually believe, how regulated industries can differentiate without breaking compliance, and why thought leadership without a clear stance is just noise. Kristen also shares how her background in theater shaped her confidence in high-level conversations and why content operations, not just creativity, determine results. If your content feels scattered, generic, or reactive, this episode is your blueprint for fixing it at the foundation.In this episode, you will learn to:Clarify and codify your point of view before producing a single piece of contentExtract real insight from subject matter experts instead of settling for surface-level answersBuild messaging foundations that reduce friction across teams and client communicationDifferentiate in crowded B2B and regulated industries without sacrificing accuracyMove from informational content to perspective-driven leadershipFollow Kristen Sweeney:Website → https://www.everylittleword.comLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristensweeneyFor more storytelling tips and strategies, visit:Website → https://rainbennett.comPodcast → https://thestorytellinglabpodcast.comOr follow along at:TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficerTwitter/X → https://twitter.com/rainbennettInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/rainbennettFacebook → https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellinglabYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett
222. The Courage to Face What Your Story Is Really About with Spade Robinson
01:00:02||Season 15, Ep. 222“There is no version of storytelling that does not become therapy.” — Spade RobinsonWhat if the difference between an average story and a great one has less to do with talent or skill and more to do with self-awareness? In this episode, screenwriter and story consultant Spade Robinson breaks down why structure isn’t the enemy of creativity—it’s the foundation that allows it to thrive. We explore how unforgiveness shows up on the page, why most writers avoid the emotional core of their work, and how discipline in story design eliminates writer’s block.Spade also shares hard-earned insights from Sundance and the development world about the changing industry, why writers must think of themselves as studios, and how short-form storytelling and brand partnerships may shape the next era of film. If you care about story craft, emotional truth, and building a sustainable creative career, this conversation will challenge you in all the right ways.In this episode, you will learn to:Strengthen your stories by confronting the internal human question driving themUse structure as a creative advantage rather than a limitationEliminate writer’s block by building a strong outline before draftingUnderstand art and commerce must work together in today’s industryPosition yourself as a creator-studio in an attention-driven economyFollow Spade Robinson on:Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/spaderobinsonLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/spade-robinson-5588a231/Website → https://www.atlantafilmproject.com/And for more storytelling tips and tricks:Visit → https://rainbennett.com or https://thestorytellinglabpodcast.comOr, follow along at...TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficerTwitter → https://twitter.com/rainbennettInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/rainbennettFacebook → https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellinglabYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett
221. Cinematography and Storytelling Beyond the Technique with Tal Lazar
50:44||Season 15, Ep. 221“The real story is always in the subtext.” — Tal LazarMost people lose their audience the moment they start explaining. In this episode, cinematographer, educator, and author Tal Lazar breaks down why the real story is always in the subtext, and why emotion beats information when you’re trying to persuade, pitch, teach, or lead. We talk about why leaders default to “feature lists,” how filmmakers create coherence across dozens of departments, and why there’s no such thing as a formula for “coverage” if you’re actually telling a story. The throughline is simple: focus on the transformation your audience wants, not the impressive details you’re tempted to showcase. If you’ve been chasing better tools, better tactics, or better talking points, this conversation will pull you back to the skill that makes everything else work.In this episode, you will learn to:Shift your messaging from “what it is” to the transformation it creates for your audience Use subtext intentionally so your communication lands emotionally, not just intellectually Spot the fear-driven habit of over-explaining and replace it with story-first clarity Lead like a director by creating one coherent interpretation across many moving parts Build cinematic impact with fewer resources by knowing what your audience is actually feeling 🔗 Follow Tal on:Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/talazarLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/talazarWebsite → https://cinematicimpact.com📚 For more storytelling tips and tricks:Visit → https://rainbennett.comOr → https://thestorytellinglabpodcast.comTikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficerTwitter → https://twitter.com/rainbennettInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/rainbennettFacebook → https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellinglabYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett
220. The Most Misunderstood Piece of Brand Missions
20:32||Season 15, Ep. 220“Vision is what inspires your people. Mission is what activates and organizes them.” —Rain BennettWhat good is a bold vision if you don’t have a mission to back it up? In this solo episode, Rain Bennett breaks down why mission is the most misunderstood and most essential piece of a brand’s storytelling system. Using examples from WeWork’s collapse and Airbnb’s legendary collaboration with Pixar, Rain explains how to turn abstract ideas into real-world action through a story-driven mission.If your company struggles to align teams, inspire customers, or scale with clarity, the problem may not be your vision. It may be the lack of a narrative-driven mission. This episode will teach you how to build one that works, aligns, and lasts.In this episode, you will learn to:Find the gap between vision and mission that leads to brand driftCraft a mission that functions like a plotline for your businessAlign internal teams and stakeholders around a shared narrativeUse customer journey mapping as a story structureTranslate lofty goals into repeatable action through story📚 For more storytelling tips and tricks:Visit → https://rainbennett.comOr → https://thestorytellinglabpodcast.comOr following along on...TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficerTwitter → https://twitter.com/rainbennettInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/rainbennettFacebook → https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellinglabYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett
219. When Your Brand Design Tells the Right Story with Shane Lukas
53:51||Season 15, Ep. 219“Your stories are building bricks of belief in your brand." — Shane LukasHow do you sell something your customer can’t see, touch, or fully understand?Shane Lukas has spent decades helping professional service providers do exactly that by using story as a tool to create trust, clarity, and emotional resonance.In this episode, Rain and Shane explore how narrative makes “invisible” value tangible. From accountants and coaches to consultants and creatives, anyone who delivers a process or service will benefit from Shane’s simple but powerful storytelling framework.Together, they discuss the importance of transformation-driven messaging, the psychology of pre-sale belief, and how to guide your prospects with authentic case studies that show, not just tell, what you really do. This is a masterclass in making your message matter.In this episode, you will learn to:Sell intangible services by framing the emotional outcome, not the technical detailsGuide potential clients through stories that build trust before you pitchUse transformation case studies to prove your value without oversellingUnderstand why people buy with emotion, not logic—even in B2BReframe your sales process as a storytelling journey🔗 Follow Shane on:Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/agreatideaWebsite → https://www.agreatidea.comLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-lukas/📚 And for more storytelling tips and tricks:Visit → https://rainbennett.com or https://thestorytellinglabpodcast.comOr follow...TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficerTwitter → https://twitter.com/rainbennettInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/rainbennettFacebook → https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellinglabYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett
218. Your Brand's Growth Problem Isn't What You Think It Is with Jensen Savage
46:00||Season 15, Ep. 218“Everybody in your organization has to be aligned… or it all starts to break down.” — Jensen SavageIf you’ve been muscling your way through growth and wondering why it still feels so hard, this episode is for you.Jensen Savage, founder of Savage Growth Partners, breaks down the true cause of stagnation in business: misalignment.In this conversation, we explore why brute force can’t scale and how systematizing your customer journey can unlock powerful, sustainable growth. Jensen and Rain dig into the often-ignored “connective tissue” between marketing, sales, and operations and show how storytelling is more than messaging and communication—it’s infrastructure.Whether you're a founder, marketer, or small business owner, this episode will help you rethink what’s actually holding you back.In this episode, you will learn to:Understand why growth stalls even when you’re doing everything “right”Uncover the unseen gaps in your customer journey that silently kill momentumMap your marketing to metrics that matter most for service-based businessesBuild systems that turn handoffs into high-performance linksUse story-driven alignment to unify your brand from sales to operations🔗 Follow Jensen on:Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/savagegrowthpartnersLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jensensavageWebsite → https://savagegrowthpartners.com📚 For more storytelling tips and tricks:Visit rainbennett.com or thestorytellinglabpodcast.com, orFollow...TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficerTwitter → https://twitter.com/rainbennettInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/rainbennettFacebook → https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellinglabYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett