The Storytelling Lab

As we look back on an exciting second season full of expert storytellers, the same themes keep coming up.

(Hint: THESE are your key takeaways!)

So we compiled them all into one jam-packed bonus episode full of highlights!

Rain talks us through some of our favorite tidbits and lessons from our Season 2 guests. We focus in on the importance of storytelling, doubling down on your unique qualities, and (as always) being authentic! Listen in to catch up on storytelling tips you may have missed or guests you just couldn’t get enough of.

Follow Rain on Twitter @rainbennett

Stay up to date on all Storytelling Lab activity at www.rainbennett.com/

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Join us for our final episode of Season 2 with guest Melissa Cassera, scriptwriter, business owner, and PR & marketing consultant. Melissa takes on the challenging question: How do I combine my artistic passions with my business goals to create something truly unique? She has done it in her own life, being both a business professional and a scriptwriter and she is on the show to share her tips and tricks with us. Rain and Melissa discuss infusing your passion into everything you do and taking creative leaps.

Follow Melissa on Instagram @melissa.cassera

Check out her website: https://melissacassera.com/

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We’re moving back into the nonprofit world this week with Antionette Kerr, a local nonprofit leader, media correspondent, author, and owner of Bold & Bright publishing company. Rain and Antionette discuss the intricacies of non profit media relations and publishing, how to conduct a successful interview, and tips to make your audience care. We circle back to one of our more popular themes: listening with empathy & allowing others opportunity to share!

Follow Antionette on twitter @thewritefolks

Read her book Modern Media Relations for Nonprofits: Creating an Effective PR Strategy for Today’s World

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This week we join screenwriter and storytelling enthusiast William Simpson. Simpson is known for his work on Myths & Monsters, now available on Netflix, and Murder Maps, a British true crime series in its 4th season. Rain and William nerd out over stories and history, diving into questions including: What makes a good character? What common themes do we use in storytelling? What parts are needed in each and every story? And how do stories interact with society?

Follow William on twitter @will__simpson

Watch Myths & Monsters on Netflix

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This week’s guest is Jake Fehling, a speaker, writer, and fellow podcaster. Jake works as the Vice President & Communications Executive for Movement Mortgage, a company based in Charlotte, NC. He joins Rain to discuss genuinely caring about customers, creating and keeping up with content calendars, and implementing creative branding. If you are a marketing professional, or interested in the world of social media for business, this episode is for you!

Follow Jake on Twitter @jakefehling

Check out his website http://jakeandpage.com/

Or listen to his podcast Mortgage Impact Podcast

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Our guest this week is Elaine Bloom, a motivational speaker, career counselor & business owner living in Norway. Rain and Elaine discuss personal and societal narratives, being better listeners, learning to be honest with ourselves and others, and knowing when it’s time to say “no” or walk away. As a career counselor, Elaine has learned that sharing stories and personal experiences is the best way to connect with others. Listen in for a truly motivational episode!

Follow Elaine on Instagram @elaine_bloom

Find her on Facebook as Elaine Bloom

Or check out her website at elainebloom.no

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Ever wonder how long your online blog post should be? How to write for health care professionals? Or, how to turn academic journals into plain language for a larger (and more general) audience? Well, this episode is perfect for you! Rain discusses actionable writing tips with Annie Beth Brown Donahue, a long-time friend and freelance healthcare writer and children’s novelist. Annie Beth recently finished writing a mystery novel for middle schoolers, titled No Clues, You Lose.

Follow Annie Beth on Twitter @anniebdonahue

Or check out her website (and short stories) at anniebethdonahue.com

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We take a break from our normal interviews to share a conversational interview, recorded last year at the Full Frame Film Festival, between Rain and Bing Liu, director of Oscar nominated documentary Minding the Gap! Rain talks with Bing about shooting beautiful skateboarding footage, the decision to make Minding the Gap a personal narrative, and the hardships surrounding familial cycles of abuse. And, of course, we wish Bing the best of luck at the Academy Awards this weekend!

Follow Bing on Twitter @BingLiu89

And watch Minding the Gap on Hulu

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This week we dive into the world of independent filmmaking with North Carolina filmmaker, Evan Kidd. Evan finished his first feature film, Son of Clowns, in 2016 (just two years after graduating college!), and is now focusing his energy on a short documentary. Rain and Evan discuss taking creative leaps, knowing when to ask for favors, being authentic, and speaking to your audience.

Follow Evan on twitter @MrEvanKidd

Or check out his website: https://rocksetproductions.com/

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This week our guest is Dr Katherine Loflin, a globally-recognized expert in the field of Placemaking. Katherine runs a global consulting agency, where she helps communities better understand the dynamic relationship we have with our places, focusing on the importance of thriving in the cities and towns where we feel most at home. When she’s not busy being the City Doctor, Katherine produces historical fiction stage performances that tell the stories of a place. Listen in to learn more about Place science, branding, and telling stories that can’t be found in history books.

Follow Katherine on twitter @KatherineLoflin

Or check out her website: http://loflinconsultingsolutions.com/

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