What if the reason your marketing isn’t working has nothing to do with the content itself, but everything to do with the foundation it’s built on?

In this episode, Rain sits down with David Ebner, founder of Content Workshop and one of the clearest voices in content strategy, to unpack why most brand storytelling falls flat. They explore the concept of the message map, how to build a storytelling system that scales, and why trust is the most important marketing metric you’re probably not tracking.

David also opens up about how his background in creative writing fuels his approach to business storytelling, what metrics actually matter, and how emotion creates longevity in brand relationships.

Whether you're a solopreneur or scaling a team, this episode will challenge the way you think about content and give you a smarter path forward.

In this episode, you will learn to:

• Apply the power of a message map to bring structure and purpose to your content
• Use storytelling as a system, not just a one-off tactic
• Rethink your marketing metrics and focus on what truly builds trust
• Leverage long-form cornerstone content to fuel your daily output
• Avoid burnout by shifting from production obsession to strategic clarity

Follow David on:

LinkedIn

or visit the Content Workshop website, HERE!

And 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.

Aaron Calafato doesn’t just teach storytelling—he lives it.

In this episode, we dive into what it really means to lead with story, both as an artist and a business strategist. Aaron shares how he built an audience (and a business) by showing up authentically and consistently, telling personal stories that are never just about him.

We discuss the fine line between self-expression and self-indulgence, how personal narratives can unlock professional growth, and why he refuses to monetize his podcast Seven Minute Stories.

This conversation is full of heart, humor, and hard-earned wisdom for anyone trying to build trust through story.

In this episode, you will learn to:

• Identify the differences between storytelling as a gift and storytelling as a performance
• Use personal stories to create trust, not just attention
• Balance art and business while staying true to your values
• Build long-term brand equity through consistent storytelling
• Avoid the trap of trying to be “cool” when what people really want is connection

Follow Aaron on:

YouTube

Instagram

or listen to his show, Seven Minute Stories, HERE!

And 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.

Most businesses think their biggest challenge is marketing. But what if the real issue is story misalignment?

In this solo episode, Rain Bennett introduces the Narrative Operating System—a strategic framework designed to bring your brand's stories into alignment across every department: from vision and mission to product, marketing, advertising, and sales.

This isn't just a branding tool. It’s a storytelling system that ensures your internal culture and external messaging work in harmony.

Rain breaks down each layer of the system and shows how companies can create a brand people don’t just buy from, but they believe in.

You’ll learn why most teams default to their own version of the story, how that causes confusion and erodes trust, and how the Chief Storytelling Officer role solves that. If you’ve ever felt like your message was scattered or your content inconsistent, this episode gives you a clear roadmap to fix it for good!

In this episode, you will learn to:

• Align every department with one cohesive brand narrative
• Build a storytelling system that fuels marketing, product, and sales
• Understand the difference between story and narrative—and why it matters
• Use narrative to drive consistency, connection, and long-term loyalty
• Embrace the CSO role as the protector of your brand’s story DNA

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.

What started as a 30-day content challenge became a storytelling movement powered by rock, raw honesty, and curiosity.

In this episode of The Storytelling Lab, Rain Bennett speaks with Patrick Hicks, creator of a viral TikTok account (@patrickhicksmusic), where he tells the stories behind the songs that shaped our lives. With over half a million followers and a growing book project, Patrick has built a creator career that feels authentic, soulful, and sustainable.

They discuss how Patrick’s background in marketing, music, and punk DIY culture gave him the tools to grow his audience without losing his voice. You’ll hear how he balances content creation with a full-time job, why he never polishes his videos, and how he structures stories to connect emotionally—without chasing algorithms.

This episode is a masterclass in following your curiosity, honoring your influences, and building something meaningful on your own terms.

In this episode, you will learn to:

• Turn a simple idea into a large, loyal audience by following your own curiosity
• Tell better stories by pairing emotional narratives with musical memory
• Structure short-form content that resonates without being overproduced
• Build trust and authenticity by leaning into your quirks and imperfections
• Balance creative pursuits with real life while still growing your platform

Follow Patrick on:

TikTok

Instagram

or subscribe to his Substack here!

And 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.

What if the key to more powerful storytelling lies not in your editing skills—but in your ability to deeply listen?

In this soul-stirring episode, Rain Bennett talks with Wil Weldon, a video journalist, former massage therapist, and Reiki practitioner who’s developed a holistic approach to interviewing called Heart-Forward Storytelling.

They dive into Wil’s new book INNERviewing: Heart-Forward Storytelling and Holistic Communication, which teaches storytellers, coaches, marketers, and everyday humans how to create space for transformational conversations. You’ll learn how principles of energy transfer, intention, and trust can improve your interviews—not just on camera, but in life.

From family storytelling to trauma-informed listening, this episode reminds us that storytelling is more than performance—it's connection at its deepest level.

In this episode, you will learn to:

• Create deeper interviews by minimizing your ego and agenda
• Apply Reiki-inspired principles to your communication process
• Build trust and energy in storytelling relationships without manipulation
• Preserve your family’s legacy through intentional, heart-centered conversations
• Redefine interviewing as a collaborative, healing experience—not an extractive one

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.

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 relationships
• Let stories unfold naturally instead of forcing a narrative structure
• Navigate ethical storytelling with sensitive, real-world material
• Use stillness and silence to create emotional tension
• Align 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.

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 essential
• Use narrative as a strategic compass for every department in your business
• Build trust and loyalty by aligning all stories under one cohesive thread
• Create a system (not just content) to sustain long-term brand impact
• Step 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.

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 closure
• Use the magician’s mindset to build anticipation and deliver transformation
• Apply the three-part structure of a magic trick to your content and copywriting
• Translate your personal quirks into brand authenticity and visibility
• Reframe 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.

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 style
• Build a studio or agency that empowers creativity across departments
• Make the case for long-form storytelling and brand-backed originals
• Balance client work with internal creative projects to retain passion
• Lead 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.

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 page
• Build a daily writing practice grounded in discipline, not motivation
• Use your life experience to create authentic, layered characters
• See your scenes cinematically and structure your chapters like movie frames
• Understand 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.