After losing $100 million and hitting rock bottom, David Meltzer rebuilt his life and his business around a mission to empower over 1 billion people to be happy.

In this episode, Rain Bennett sits down with David to explore how storytelling became the vehicle for that transformation.

David opens up about the bankruptcy he once hid from the world, the emotional healing that followed, and the new definition of success that changed everything. They talk about the myth of “give more, get more,” the strategic use of vulnerability, and how to build a brand rooted in service and joy.

If you’ve ever struggled to see the upside in your darkest moments, this conversation will show you how to flip the script and turn your pain into purpose.

In this episode, you will learn to:

• Reframe failure as the foundation for your most powerful story
• Create a happiness-driven business model that serves and scales
• Embrace vulnerability to build real trust and connection
• Shift from ego-based identity to a mission-based life
• Teach your team to lead with empathy, clarity, and consistency

Follow David on:

LinkedIn

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

or pre-order his new book, HERE!

And for more storytelling tips and tricks,

Visit rainbennett.com or thestorytellinglabpodcast.com

Follow on TikTok @chiefstorytellingofficer

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.

Storytelling isn’t just for trendy brands or startups.

In this episode, Rain sits down with Krystal Phillips, Communications and Community Relations Manager at Jones-Onslow EMC, to explore how a rural electric co-op built a storytelling culture that would rival any big tech brand.

Krystal reveals the behind-the-scenes thinking that led a utility company to invest in heartfelt video stories, internal leadership programs, and community-first content. Together, they unpack how to measure storytelling ROI when you can’t rely on sales, how buy-in from leadership transforms culture, and why authenticity matters more than production value.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone working in “unsexy” industries who wants to make storytelling their competitive advantage.

In this episode, you will learn to:

• Harness storytelling as a strategic tool, even in “boring” or highly regulated industries
• Build team buy-in by grounding your strategy in community and trust
• Establish internal programs that create a pipeline of storytellers inside your organization
• Humanize your brand with stories that foster empathy and emotional connection
• Measure the real ROI of storytelling beyond dollars and metrics

Follow Krystal on:

LinkedIn

Instagram

or visit the JO-EMC website, HERE!

And for more storytelling tips and tricks,

Visit rainbennett.com or thestorytellinglabpodcast.com

Follow on TikTok @chiefstorytellingofficer

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.

If every person on your team is telling a different version of your brand story, you don’t have a marketing problem—you have a clarity crisis.

In this episode, communication strategist and author Salvatore Manzi joins Rain to break down how to build a shared narrative that aligns everyone in your organization.

From CEOs to customer service reps, consistency in storytelling builds trust, clarity, and emotional resonance. Salvatore shares actionable frameworks for clear and compelling communication, how to blend personal and brand narratives, and why metaphors are essential tools for influence.

Whether you're leading a nonprofit or a global brand, this episode will sharpen your storytelling and unify your message.

In this episode, you will learn to:

• Align your entire team behind a unified narrative that eliminates confusion
• Use storytelling frameworks to turn complex data into meaningful messages
• Build trust with audiences by integrating vulnerability into your leadership voice
• Avoid common communication pitfalls in both nonprofits and STEM-driven businesses
• Apply the “problem, process, outcome” structure to make your stories more actionable

Follow Salvatore on:

LinkedIn

Instagram

or visit his website, HERE!

And for more storytelling tips and tricks,

Visit rainbennett.com or thestorytellinglabpodcast.com

Follow on TikTok @chiefstorytellingofficer

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 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.