The Storytelling Lab

"Storytelling is about a lot of honesty and being aware that your audience, depending upon who they are and where they're from, when you say a word or a phrase, they may interpret that differently than what you think you heard." —Nelson FarrisIn this episode of The Storytelling Lab, Nelson Farris, the Chief Storyteller at Nike, shares his 50 years of experience and insights on effective storytelling, collaboration, and embracing change. With a background as an athlete and a liberal arts major, Farris emphasizes the power of personal experience and the abundance of stories in sports, offering valuable lessons for marketers and content creators. His deep understanding of storytelling and communication, coupled with his role in Nike's internal culture, highlights the timeless importance of storytelling in shaping brand narratives. His journey from a runner in Southern California to becoming Nike's first chief storyteller showcases his unique perspective and the transformative power of collaboration, making this episode a must-listen for storytellers, content creators, and marketers seeking to foster trust and drive innovation through effective storytelling.In this episode, you will learn to:Uncover the powerful impact of storytelling in sports marketing and learn how it can elevate your brand's message.Explore the evolution of Nike's marketing strategy and gain inspiration for refining your own marketing approach.Embrace the pivotal role of trust and innovation in driving career growth and success.Learn effective strategies for adapting to technological change in business and staying ahead in a competitive market.

"Persuasion is ultimately about convincing others that change is possible." —Neil GordonWant to captivate your audience with compelling storytelling and persuasive communication? You're about to discover a game-changing solution that will elevate your ability to engage and persuade. Are you ready to transform your communication game and leave a lasting impact? Let's dive in and unlock the power of persuasive storytelling.This episode's guest is Neil Gordon, a public speaking expert, author, and content creator. Neil brings a wealth of experience in cultivating persuasive communication, formerly working with best-selling authors at Penguin Random House. He now focuses on helping speakers find their "silver bullet" that elevates them among the other thought leaders and experts in their space.In this episode, you will learn how to:Captivate an audience with effective public speaking techniques.Unlock the secrets to crafting content strategies that persuadeDevelop a compelling elevator pitch that leaves a lasting impression and opens doors to new opportunities.

"If you can't sell your story to somebody else, you're not buying it yourself. You're trying to create stories that are valuable, and if they're not valuable to anybody else, they're not really that valuable." —Jay AedoHave you found yourself questioning the impact of historical stories on your beliefs and spiritual growth, but unsure of where to start? If you're feeling hesitant to challenge the stories you've been told and rewrite your own narrative, then you are not alone! This episode's guest is Jay Aedo, the author of Conscious Bible Stories.Rooted in a Christian upbringing, Jay embarked on a journey to dissect and reconstruct traditional stories, seeking to empower individuals through a reevaluation of their beliefs. Through his work on Conscious Bible Stories, Jay aims to provide a fresh perspective on historical tales, guiding listeners towards increased self-awareness and personal reflection. His candid approach and transformative experiences offer valuable insights into the evolution of personal narratives and the profound influence of historical stories on our lives. In this episode, you will learn how to:Explore the path to spiritual growth by questioning and reevaluating religious stories and teachings.Unlock the transformative role of storytelling in achieving spiritual enlightenment and self-discovery.Learn the art of creating children's books with conscious and empowering messages that inspire young minds.

"Negotiating is easy when everybody wins. So if you can create a win-win-win story in the minds of your clients or your potential clients, it is going to help you convert sales every time."Do you ever feel like you're stuck in a negotiation, trying to get the best deal for your sales but ending up feeling frustrated? You may have been told to stick to your price, but deep down, you know it's not working. And you also don't want to miss out on a good gig.So you go back and forth with offers and counteroffers and ultimately someone feels like they've "lost." But what if I told you there's a better way to negotiate? It's all about changing perspectives and crafting compelling narratives in the minds of your potential clients.Let's dive into the power of storytelling to create win-win-win situations in negotiations and elevate your success in securing better deals and partnerships.In this episode, you will learn how to:Master the art of creating win-win situations in negotiations and elevate your deal-making game.Harness the power of storytelling to captivate your audience and boost your sales success.Uncover effective strategies for increasing your speaking fees and maximizing your earning potential.Strengthen client relationships through collaborative approaches, leading to long-term partnerships and increased sales opportunities.Learn the secrets of converting potential clients through the persuasive force of storytelling, unlocking new business prospects.

"The most important part of a conversation happens when you're not talking. You know what you believe. If you're talking to someone and you're constantly repeating what you already know, you're doing it wrong." — Riaz PatelHave you ever been told to just put yourself out there in order to overcome judgment and vulnerability, only to end up feeling more alone and disconnected? Today, we dive into the transformative power of authentic storytelling and entertainment to cultivate genuine connections and embrace vulnerability. It's time to rewrite the narrative and find hope in true human connection. This episode's guest is Riaz Patel, the creator of ConnectEffect.Riaz Patel is an entertainment and television producer who has created an interactive live experience designed to address loneliness and polarization. Patel's initiative caters to diverse audiences, including colleges, conferences, and community health programs, aiming to combat the prevailing mental health crisis and foster intergenerational connections. With a strategic focus on leveraging entertainment as a catalyst for emotional shifts and enhancing human connections, Patel has created something truly unique that shrinks the gap between the "screen world" and the "real world."In this episode, you will learn how to:Master the art of connecting through entertaining interactions.Discover the antidote to isolation and loneliness through live experiences.Unlock the untold advantages of intergenerational connections.Conquer judgment and vulnerability in social interactions.Harness the power of storytelling for personal and societal transformation.

"When you tell a story and there's no old you versus new you, you don't have a story." — Sun YiWant to captivate your audience with compelling storytelling that leaves them hanging on your every word? Learn the powerful secret to crafting engaging stories that will have your listeners hooked from start to finish. Get ready to transform your storytelling abilities and deepen your human connection like never before.This episode's guest is Sun Yi, founder of the brand agency Night Owls and the storytelling community Night Owl Nation.With over 20 years of experience in web design, Sun Yi has honed a diverse skill set encompassing coding, design, film, photography, and copywriting. Despite not initially identifying as a storyteller, Sun's innate talent led her to develop a successful course on storytelling for freelance creators and freelancers, attracting over 28,000 students. His dedication to ongoing learning and enthusiasm for teaching make him a valuable asset for personal brands looking to elevate their storytelling capabilities, particularly within the marketing domain.In this episode, you will learn how to:Discover the power of vulnerability in storytelling to create deeper human connections and resonate with your audience on a new level.Explore effective techniques for teaching in online communities, unlocking the potential to engage and inspire your learners in a virtual setting.Uncover the distinctions between personal and corporate storytelling, revealing how each approach can uniquely impact your audience and message.Learn how to capture and leverage personal moments for storytelling, and use the "Myth/Truth Sandwich" to change with way people think.Avoid common beginner mistakes in storytelling, gaining insight into pitfalls to sidestep and setting yourself on the path to impactful and authentic storytelling.

"Your voice is the thing about you that's so unique, that's going to make people crave the things that you're making. It's like a fingerprint. Nobody can replicate it."If you're feeling overwhelmed and stuck in a never-ending cycle of overthinking your first draft, and you're struggling to make progress on your book, then you are not alone! It's time to break free and find a writing routine that works for your real life. Let's get you on track to finish that first draft and move closer to your goal of becoming a successful author.Ally Fallon is a prolific author and writing coach, with a passion for helping aspiring writers bring their stories to life. As a self-starter who's navigated the challenges of the publishing world 14 times herself, Ally offers practical insights and actionable tips for first-time authors. Her journey from being an introverted journal writer to a published author is both inspiring and relatable, making her the perfect guest to share valuable strategies for developing a clear controlling idea and establishing a consistent writing routine. In this episode, you will learn how to:Unleash your unique writing style with effective voice-finding techniques.Discover the powerful mental health benefits of writing and how it can transform your well-being.Learn how to balance a full-time job while writing your book and make progress towards your dream.Master practical strategies tailored for first-time book authors to overcome common hurdles and achieve success.Create a nurturing and inspiring environment to fuel your creativity as an artist and bring out your best work.

Are you tired of being told that you have to be a master storyteller to succeed in business? You've probably been feeling the pressure to craft the perfect story, follow the hero's journey, and do everything the gurus say, only to end up with lackluster results. Guess what? Your business communication can thrive without being a storytelling genius.Let's flip the script and what you thought you knew about storytelling for marketing!In this episode, you will learn how to:Uncover simple yet effective storytelling techniques that will elevate your business's communication strategy.Learn how to use storytelling to create a loyal community around your brand and foster meaningful connections.Master a long-term content strategy that will fuel sustainable growth for your business or brand.Find and embrace your authentic voice in storytelling to stand out and resonate with your audience.