The StoryBrand Podcast

StoryBrand.com

Each week on the StoryBrand Podcast host Donald Miller, bestselling author of the book "Building A StoryBrand", shares strategies for creating marketing and messaging that make you stand out, connect with customers, and actually grow your business. Get the tools you need to create clear and effective messaging that grows your business at StoryBrand.com.

  1. Codie Sanchez—The Messaging Playbook Behind Building a Thought Leader Brand

    5D AGO

    Codie Sanchez—The Messaging Playbook Behind Building a Thought Leader Brand

    So many entrepreneurs struggle to stand out because they sound like everyone else. They bury their message in jargon, chase every shiny object, or spread themselves too thin across platforms. The result? People tune out, engagement stalls, and the business that should be thriving ends up stuck. Attention is the currency of today’s economy. And without a sharp, repeatable message, you won’t earn it. So how do you cut through the noise and become the go-to voice your audience can’t ignore?   In today's episode, Donald Miller and Kyle Reed talk with Codie Sanchez, the investor and entrepreneur behind Contrarian Thinking, who built a massive following by saying bold things clearly and consistently. Codie reveals how she frames problems in ways that demand attention, why repeating simple soundbites scales faster than constant novelty, and how her approach has made her a leading voice in business and investing. Listen in to learn how to sharpen your voice and build influence that actually drives results.   --   Click HERE to attend the upcoming StoryBrand Your Business LIVE event!   Click HERE to find a StoryBrand certified marketing coach to help you grow your business!   Unlock the power of a framework that works—the StoryBrand Framework at StoryBrand.ai. It's like having the world’s best copywriter create high-converting marketing whenever you need it. Start your free 7-day trial at StoryBrand.ai.   Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon  or wherever you buy books!   Click HERE to check out Codie's website and HERE for Contrarian Thinking.

    44 min
  2. The One Sentence Every Business Owner Needs (And How to Write It)

    OCT 6

    The One Sentence Every Business Owner Needs (And How to Write It)

    Most business owners dread being asked, “So, what do you do?” Not because they don’t know, but because they don’t know how to explain it without rambling. When you stumble through your business model or every service you offer, people glaze over. That moment is your shot to spark curiosity and build value, but if you blow it, you lose potential opportunities. Whether you’re networking at a conference, pitching a client, or updating your website, you need one sentence that makes people lean in and say, “Tell me more.” So what makes a great first impression every time?   In this episode, hosts Don and Kyle break down the formula for creating a compelling one-liner: a short, powerful sentence that clarifies what you do by highlighting the problem you solve, the product you offer, and the result people can expect. You’ll hear real-time examples, get a lesson in positioning your value, and discover why a clear one-liner opens doors faster than anything else. Tune in and learn how to create the perfect elevator pitch so you never struggle to explain what you do again.   -- Click HERE to attend the upcoming StoryBrand Your Business LIVE event!   Click HERE to find a StoryBrand certified marketing coach to help you grow your business!   Unlock the power of a framework that works—the StoryBrand Framework at StoryBrand.ai. It's like having the world’s best copywriter create high-converting marketing whenever you need it. Start your free 7-day trial at StoryBrand.ai.   Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon  or wherever you buy books!

    27 min
  3. The 3-Phase Marketing Formula That Works Every Time

    SEP 29

    The 3-Phase Marketing Formula That Works Every Time

    Too many brands skip straight to “content” and wonder why nobody bites. In this episode, Donald Miller unveils the StoryBrand Messaging Campaign, a simple system that turns words into revenue. You’ll learn the 3 key campaign phases, how to craft “survival” sound bites that stop the right people in their tracks, and the exact formula to confidently ask for the sale.   Don breaks down the “House” metaphor, then walks through a real case study he did for YNAB (You Need A Budget), a budgeting app that simplifies spending decisions, including the 5 curiosity sound bites that move people from “worried about money” to “good with money.” You’ll leave knowing what to say, where to say it, and how to scale it across your site, emails, lead magnets, and sales calls. Tune in to build a messaging campaign your customers can’t ignore and your team can finally execute.   --   Click HERE to find a StoryBrand certified marketing coach to help you grow your business!   Unlock the power of a framework that works—the StoryBrand Framework at StoryBrand.ai. It's like having the world’s best copywriter create high-converting marketing whenever you need it. Start your free 7-day trial at StoryBrand.ai.   Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon or wherever you buy books!   Get good with money at YNAB.com.

    39 min
  4. BIG NEWS—Introducing The StoryBrand Podcast

    SEP 22

    BIG NEWS—Introducing The StoryBrand Podcast

    Welcome to the first episode of The StoryBrand Podcast (formerly Why That Worked), where we’re doubling down on what actually grows businesses: clear messaging. Most business owners are too close to their own work to explain it clearly. They tweak and refine, but your customers still don’t “get it.” That’s why we’re hitting reset on this podcast and going back to the foundation of great messaging.    In this premier episode, Kyle Reed and Donald Miller kick things off with a full masterclass on the StoryBrand framework so you can stop confusing customers and start winning more sales. Don breaks down the 7 sound bites that make messaging land every time, why the brain buys to survive and conserve calories, and how to position yourself as the guide with empathy and authority. You’ll also get a one-liner exercise you can use at parties, pitches, and on your homepage. Listen in to get the clarity you need to create clear messaging that drives growth.   --   Click HERE to find a StoryBrand certified marketing coach to help you grow your business!   Unlock the power of a framework that works—the StoryBrand Framework at StoryBrand.ai. It's like having the world’s best copywriter create high-converting marketing whenever you need it. Start your free 7-day trial at StoryBrand.ai.   Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon  or wherever you buy books!

    1h 12m
  5. Slate—Why This $20K Truck Is Getting All the Attention (RE-RELEASE)

    SEP 15

    Slate—Why This $20K Truck Is Getting All the Attention (RE-RELEASE)

    Hopefully you're getting a chance to recharge this summer—but that doesn’t mean you have to lose momentum. Fall is just around the corner, and before you know it we’ll be heading into the final stretch of the year. That’s why (for just a couple more weeks) we’re rereleasing several of our high-impact episodes— designed to give you clarity, sharpen your message, attract the right customers, and ultimately drive more revenue, so you’re not stuck playing catch-up when it matters most!     --   In crowded markets, being different isn’t enough. You have to communicate how you’re different. Too many businesses blend in because they focus on what the competition is doing instead of what customers actually care about. You might offer better pricing, better service, or a better product, but if you don’t say it clearly, it won’t matter. Messaging that stands out starts with understanding what your audience hates about the current options and then owning the opposite. The brands that win don’t just have better products. They have better words. So how do you find the message that sticks?   In this episode, Donald Miller and Kyle Reed unpack the viral product launch of Slate, a new affordable and customizable electric truck. They analyze the messaging strategy behind Slate’s viral launch video, and how the brand positioned itself against high-priced vehicles with a fun, customer-focused message. Listen in and learn how to build a controlling idea that creates clarity and focuses on what customers really want.   --   Click HERE to find a StoryBrand certified marketing coach to help you grow your business!   Unlock the power of a framework that works—the StoryBrand Framework at StoryBrand.ai. It's like having the world’s best copywriter create high-converting marketing whenever you need it. Start your free 7-day trial at StoryBrand.ai.   Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon  or wherever you buy books!   Watch the Slate ad HERE for yourself.

    37 min
  6. Annoying Ads—The Dumbest Campaigns That Won Your Attention and Made Millions (RE-RELEASE)

    SEP 8

    Annoying Ads—The Dumbest Campaigns That Won Your Attention and Made Millions (RE-RELEASE)

    Hopefully you're getting a chance to recharge this summer—but that doesn’t mean you have to lose momentum. Fall is just around the corner, and before you know it we’ll be heading into the final stretch of the year. That’s why (for just a couple more weeks) we’re rereleasing several of our high-impact episodes— designed to give you clarity, sharpen your message, attract the right customers, and ultimately drive more revenue, so you’re not stuck playing catch-up when it matters most!     --   Most people try to make their marketing polished, clever, or inspirational. But in the end, clarity beats creativity every time. In fact, some of the most “annoying” ads in history made hundreds of millions of dollars simply because they were impossible to ignore. They weren’t beautiful, they weren’t clever, but they were unforgettable. So why do so many businesses avoid this approach? Because we assume our customers want sophistication, when what they really need is a message that’s crystal clear and easy to remember. If your ad gets ignored, it doesn’t matter how gorgeous it is.   In this week’s episode, hosts Donald Miller and Kyle Reed discuss the genius behind annoying marketing campaigns like HeadOn, Chia Pet, and the George Foreman Grill. You’ll learn why these seemingly ridiculous ads worked, how they used repetition and simplicity to dominate attention, and what you can take away to sharpen your own message. Tune in to learn how to make your marketing stick no matter how simple (or obnoxious) it may seem.   --   Click HERE to find a StoryBrand certified marketing coach to help you grow your business!   Unlock the power of a framework that works—the StoryBrand Framework at StoryBrand.ai. It's like having the world’s best copywriter create high-converting marketing whenever you need it. Start your free 7-day trial at StoryBrand.ai.   Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon  or wherever you buy books!

    30 min
  7. Annie F. Downs—The Strategy Behind Her Breakthrough Personal Brand (RE-RELEASE)

    SEP 1

    Annie F. Downs—The Strategy Behind Her Breakthrough Personal Brand (RE-RELEASE)

    Hopefully you're getting a chance to recharge this summer—but that doesn’t mean you have to lose momentum. Fall is just around the corner, and before you know it we’ll be heading into the final stretch of the year. That’s exactly why we’re rereleasing several of our high-impact episodes—designed to give you clarity, sharpen your message, attract the right customers, and ultimately drive more revenue, so you’re not stuck playing catch-up when it matters most!     --   What makes someone trust you enough to follow you, buy from you, or even just listen? In the noisy world of personal branding, it’s easy to assume you need a slick image or a viral strategy to break through. But that’s not what people are looking for. They want someone who feels real and honest. But how much is too much to share? And how do you stay grounded when your face becomes your brand? These are the questions that haunt creators, entrepreneurs, and professionals alike. So how do you strike the right balance?   In this week’s episode, Donald Miller and Kyle Reed sit down with bestselling author and speaker Annie F. Downs, who’s built a deeply human, wildly successful personal brand rooted in hope and honesty. They unpack how Annie shaped her brand over the years, how she discovered her “controlling idea,” and why she’s leaned into the very things she used to avoid. You’ll learn the role of consistency, why timing matters more than transparency, and how to craft a message that’s strategic and soul-aligned. Listen in for a candid conversation about what it really takes to build a personal brand that lasts.   Click HERE to check out Annie F Downs' website and HERE for here "That Sounds Fun" pocast!   --   Click HERE to find a StoryBrand certified marketing coach to help you grow your business!   Unlock the power of a framework that works—the StoryBrand Framework at StoryBrand.ai. It's like having the world’s best copywriter create high-converting marketing whenever you need it. Start your free 7-day trial at StoryBrand.ai.   Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon  or wherever you buy books!

    41 min
  8. Magic Spoon—How One Tagline Dethroned Sugar and Disrupted a $65B Industry (RE-RELEASE)

    AUG 25

    Magic Spoon—How One Tagline Dethroned Sugar and Disrupted a $65B Industry (RE-RELEASE)

    Hopefully you're getting a chance to recharge this summer—but that doesn’t mean you have to lose momentum. Fall is just around the corner, and before you know it we’ll be heading into the final stretch of the year. That’s exactly why we’re rereleasing several of our high-impact episodes—designed to give you clarity, sharpen your message, attract the right customers, and ultimately drive more revenue, so you’re not stuck playing catch-up when it matters most!     --         It’s not enough to have a great product. You have to position it so customers instantly understand the value. That’s what separates the brands that break through from the ones that disappear. Magic Spoon didn’t invent cereal, they just told a better story: one where protein replaces sugar, and taste isn’t sacrificed for health. And they did it with a smart tagline, a well-defined villain, and a brand voice that made people pay attention. So how can you sharpen your positioning to you stand out like they did?   In this episode, Don and Kyle break down the marketing genius behind Magic Spoon’s rise in a crowded cereal market and how it became a household name. From tackling the sugar-loaded bad-guys of the breakfast aisle to delivering a tagline that opens a story loop and closes the sale, Magic Spoon gives us a playbook worth copying. Tune in to learn how to identify your brand’s real enemy and position your product so it’s instantly understood.   --   Click HERE to find a StoryBrand certified marketing coach to help you grow your business!   Unlock the power of a framework that works—the StoryBrand Framework at StoryBrand.ai. It's like having the world’s best copywriter create high-converting marketing whenever you need it. Start your free 7-day trial at StoryBrand.ai.   Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon  or wherever you buy books!

    23 min
4.7
out of 5
1,913 Ratings

About

Each week on the StoryBrand Podcast host Donald Miller, bestselling author of the book "Building A StoryBrand", shares strategies for creating marketing and messaging that make you stand out, connect with customers, and actually grow your business. Get the tools you need to create clear and effective messaging that grows your business at StoryBrand.com.

You Might Also Like