The Storytelling Lab

Rain Bennett
  • 4.7 (44)
  • 视觉艺术
  • 两周一更

The Storytelling Lab covers everything you need to know about personal and professional stories to leverage their power to deepen your connections, increase your sales + donations, and serve your audiences better with real-life examples and experts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

    5天前

    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." — Elizabeth Lo How do you tell a story that's intimate, ethically complicated, and rooted in real-life secrecy—without exploiting your subjects? In this episode, Rain Bennett speaks with acclaimed documentary filmmaker Elizabeth Lo, director of Mistress Dispeller, one of the most talked-about films this year. The film follows a professional “mistress dispeller” in China hired to break up extramarital affairs on behalf of betrayed spouses—yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Elizabeth opens up about how she gained the trust of real people in real love triangles, how she balanced empathy with narrative clarity, and how she created emotional tension through stillness instead of sensationalism. They discuss ethical gray areas, building documentaries without control, and letting stories unfold naturally while still crafting a cohesive arc. If you’re a nonfiction filmmaker or just someone interested in telling hard stories with humanity, this episode is a must-listen. In this episode, you will learn to: Earn the trust of documentary subjects by building long-term, authentic relationshipsLet stories unfold naturally instead of forcing a narrative structureNavigate ethical storytelling with sensitive, real-world materialUse stillness and silence to create emotional tensionAlign your personal values with the stories you choose to tell For more storytelling tips and tricks, Visit rainbennett.com or thestorytellinglabpodcast.com Follow on TikTok @rainbennett.storyeller Follow on Twitter @rainbennett Follow on Instagram @rainbennett Follow on Facebook @thestorytellinglab  Subscribe to the Youtube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 分钟
  2. Brand Stories Grab Attention, But Brand Narratives Build Movements

    10月6日

    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.” — Rain Bennett Is telling your brand story enough to build a loyal audience? In this episode, Rain Bennett breaks down the essential but often misunderstood difference between brand story and brand narrative. While most marketers focus on crafting engaging stories, Rain explains why the real secret to lasting brand trust lies in building a clear, consistent narrative thread that connects everything you do, from vision to product to marketing and sales. He uses powerful metaphors—from Hamilton to the Bible to Christmas lights—to help you see the structure of your storytelling system in a new way. You’ll also learn how the Chief Storytelling Officer is the guardian of that narrative, ensuring every department speaks in harmony. If you’ve ever felt like your content is scattered or your message is missing the mark, this episode will show you how to realign your storytelling, as well as your business. In this episode, you will learn to: Distinguish between brand story and brand narrative—and why both are essentialUse narrative as a strategic compass for every department in your businessBuild trust and loyalty by aligning all stories under one cohesive threadCreate a system (not just content) to sustain long-term brand impactStep into the Chief Storytelling Officer role and protect your narrative across platforms For more storytelling tips and tricks, Visit my website rainbennett.com or thestorytellinglabpodcast.com Follow me on TikTok @rainbennett.storyeller Follow me on Twitter @rainbennett Follow me on Instagram @rainbennett Follow me on Facebook @thestorytellinglab  Subscribe to my Youtube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    22 分钟
  3. Stories are Spells: Marketing Lessons from a Magician with Jimi Gibson

    9月29日

    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.” says magician and marketer, Jimi Gibson. What if storytelling wasn’t just about clever hooks or flashy content—but instead about casting spells that transform how people feel and act? In this episode, Rain sits down with Jimi Gibson, a marketing strategist, TEDx speaker, and lifelong magician, to explore the deep parallels between magic and storytelling. Jimi shares how the neuroscience behind awe, attention, and trust can be reverse-engineered into any brand message or business interaction. He even performs a mind-blowing magic trick live on the show—proving firsthand how story structure mirrors a magic trick’s setup, curiosity, and climax. Whether you’re a founder, marketer, or content creator, this episode reveals how to tap into your own “abracadabra” and use it to spark genuine human connection. In this episode, you will learn to: See storytelling as a biological sequence of connection, curiosity, and closureUse the magician’s mindset to build anticipation and deliver transformationApply the three-part structure of a magic trick to your content and copywritingTranslate your personal quirks into brand authenticity and visibilityReframe timing as a tool for trust—not just attention For more storytelling tips and tricks, Visit my website rainbennett.com or thestorytellinglabpodcast.com Follow me on TikTok @rainbennett.storyeller Follow me on Twitter @rainbennett Follow me on Instagram @rainbennett Follow me on Facebook @thestorytellinglab  Subscribe to my Youtube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 分钟
  4. Why Ownable Originality Is the Only Differentiator Left with Rob Meyers

    9月22日

    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.” — Rob Meyers What does it mean to create something that no one else can replicate? In this episode of The Storytelling Lab, Rain sits down with Rob Meyers, Managing Director of the creative studio Versus, to explore the concept of “ownable originality.” Rob shares the philosophy behind Versus—one that prioritizes culture over style, curiosity over templates, and meaning over metrics. The result? A studio that helps brands and creators make work that is not only beautiful, but deeply aligned with who they are. They discuss the evolving landscape of branded content, how more companies are creating their own original documentaries and films, and why traditional marketing models are no longer enough. Rob also explains how a founder-led, culture-first organization can scale without losing its soul—and how his team’s creative autonomy fuels both client work and original IP like films, books, and games. If you’re looking for a model that balances creativity, commerce, and community, this conversation will inspire you to reimagine your own storytelling strategy. In this episode, you will learn to: Define your brand through culture, not content volume or visual styleBuild a studio or agency that empowers creativity across departmentsMake the case for long-form storytelling and brand-backed originalsBalance client work with internal creative projects to retain passionLead with values and build trust as your most irreplaceable asset For more storytelling tips and tricks, Visit my website rainbennett.com, or Follow me on TikTok @rainbennett.storyeller Follow me on Twitter @rainbennett Follow me on Instagram @rainbennett Follow me on Facebook @thestorytellinglab  Subscribe to my Youtube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 分钟
  5. Turning Emotions Into Images on the Page with Gary Smith

    9月15日

    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.” — Gary Smith What happens when a fine art photographer becomes a novelist? In this episode of The Storytelling Lab, Rain Bennett sits down with Gary Smith, a visual artist turned fiction author, who brings a unique perspective to the craft: writing as seeing. Gary explains how his background in photography shapes the way he builds scenes, characters, and emotions on the page. His process begins with feeling, moves through visualization, and ends with carefully structured prose that reads like a cinematic experience. The conversation dives deep into discipline, creativity, character development, and how the act of storytelling can help both writer and reader reflect on life’s deeper questions. Gary shares how years of long-distance running and construction work taught him the habits and resilience that now power his writing routine. This episode is packed with wisdom for any writer who wants to create stories that resonate visually, emotionally, and philosophically. In this episode, you will learn to: Develop a storytelling mindset that starts with feeling and translates to visual scenes on the pageBuild a daily writing practice grounded in discipline, not motivationUse your life experience to create authentic, layered charactersSee your scenes cinematically and structure your chapters like movie framesUnderstand how self-publishing can be a fulfilling and strategic path for fiction writers For more storytelling tips and tricks, Visit my website rainbennett.com, or Follow me on TikTok @rainbennett.storyeller Follow me on Twitter @rainbennett Follow me on Instagram @rainbennett Follow me on Facebook @thestorytellinglab  Subscribe to my Youtube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 分钟
  6. Why Connection Beats Consistency in Content Marketing with Renee Frojo

    9月1日

    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.” — Renee Frojo What if the key to growing your brand wasn’t pumping out more content, but going deeper with your message? In this episode of The Storytelling Lab, host Rain Bennett talks to Renee Frojo, a former journalist turned brand storyteller, about why clarity in your narrative beats consistency in your posting schedule. Renee breaks down how founders, solopreneurs, and startups can stop chasing viral trends and start building powerful stories that connect, convert, and scale. From her personal evolution in content marketing to the development of her storytelling retreats and workshops, Renee shares the systems she uses to help brands mine for meaningful stories and communicate with confidence. They discuss how storytelling enhances every part of your business—from sales calls to short-form social content—and why authenticity has its limits when it comes to brand building. If you're burned out by content creation and looking for a smarter, more resonant approach, this episode will reshape the way you think about storytelling in business. In this episode, you will learn to: Reframe consistency by focusing on a cohesive brand narrative rather than daily content outputIdentify emotionally resonant stories through Renee’s “story mining” frameworkApply short-form storytelling techniques that stand out in crowded digital spacesBuild trust and credibility with authentic vulnerability—without oversharingDesign storytelling-driven case studies that simplify your value and deepen engagement For more storytelling tips and tricks, Visit my website rainbennett.com, or Follow me on TikTok @rainbennett.storyeller Follow me on Twitter @rainbennett Follow me on Instagram @rainbennett Follow me on Facebook @thestorytellinglab  Subscribe to my Youtube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 小时
  7. Unlocking Emotional Insights with Story-Driven Data and AI with James Warren

    8月25日

    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.” — James Warren How do you uncover what your customers and employees really think—without another boring survey? In this episode of The Storytelling Lab, Rain speaks with James Warren, the founder of Share More Stories and creator of SEEQ, a storytelling and insights platform that blends the emotional power of stories with the analytical depth of AI. With a background in brand strategy and corporate leadership, James has pioneered a way to analyze written stories to reveal the underlying emotions, needs, and values of employees, customers, and communities. James shares how emotional mapping, sensory prompts, and narrative-based strategy help organizations tap into deeper truths that conventional analytics miss. Whether you’re a team leader, marketer, or founder, this episode offers powerful insight into how empathy and data can combine to unlock connection and impact at scale. In this episode, you will learn to: Uncover hidden truths by using storytelling as a data collection method for organizational insightBridge the gap between emotional intelligence and analytics by using tech tools like AI and NLP without sacrificing humanityDesign better prompts that help employees and customers recall deeper, more meaningful storiesStrengthen both employee and customer experience (EX and CX) by listening to the emotions that drive behaviorUse stories to create authentic culture alignment across leadership, brand, and community For more storytelling tips and tricks, Visit my website rainbennett.com, or Follow me on TikTok @rainbennett.storyeller Follow me on Twitter @rainbennett Follow me on Instagram @rainbennett Follow me on Facebook @thestorytellinglab  Subscribe to my Youtube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 小时 4 分钟
  8. The Rise of the Chief Storytelling Officer Role

    8月19日

    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 Storytelling isn’t just about marketing anymore—it’s about leadership, alignment, and growth. In this special 200th episode of The Storytelling Lab, Rain kicks off Season 14 by exploring the rise of a new essential role in business: the Chief Storytelling Officer. Whether you’re at a massive company like Nike or a scrappy startup, someone needs to take responsibility for narrative consistency across your entire organization. Rain shares insights from his interviews with real CSOs, including Nike’s Nelson Farris, and breaks down what this role looks like—why it matters, what it includes, and how to fill it (even if it’s you). From establishing your brand’s core “why” to ensuring cohesion across departments like product, marketing, and sales, the CSO is the linchpin of a modern brand. And as Rain writes his next book on the topic, he’s bringing listeners along for the journey. This episode sets the stage for a season focused on clarity, alignment, and the systems that make brand storytelling sustainable. In this episode, you will learn to: Understand the purpose and impact of the Chief Storytelling Officer as a leadership role, not just a creative one.Translate your brand’s purpose and vision into aligned stories across product, marketing, sales, and internal culture.Avoid misalignment and brand dilution by building a system of narrative cohesion from top to bottom.Identify the right person to fill the CSO role—whether that’s you or someone already doing the work informally.Create trust and connection with customers, teams, and investors through one clear, consistent story. For more storytelling tips and tricks, Visit my website rainbennett.com, or Follow me on TikTok @rainbennett.storyeller Follow me on Twitter @rainbennett Follow me on Instagram @rainbennett Follow me on Facebook @thestorytellinglab  Subscribe to my Youtube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 分钟
查看全部 207 集

4.7
共 5 分
44 个评分

关于

The Storytelling Lab covers everything you need to know about personal and professional stories to leverage their power to deepen your connections, increase your sales + donations, and serve your audiences better with real-life examples and experts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

信息

  • 创作者
    Rain Bennett
  • 活跃年份
    2018年 - 2025年
  • 单集
    207
  • 分级
    儿童不宜
  • 版权
    © Rain Bennett
  • 节目网站
    The Storytelling Lab

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