The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast

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CNLP 751 | The 6 Surprising Traits of Sticky Sermons And Why Focusing On The Problem is the Wrong Approach—With Dan Heath

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Sep 2, 2025

Guest

Dan Heath

Dan Heath, a renowned author known for his impactful books like Made to Stick, discusses crafting unforgettable sermons. He reveals six surprising traits that make messages memorable, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and emotional connection. Heath challenges leaders to shift their focus from problem-solving to celebrating successes, sharing insights from Chick-fil-A on creating peak experiences. The conversation is filled with strategies for enhancing engagement and fostering a more positive leadership environment.

01:11:27

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INSIGHT

Six Traits Of Sticky Ideas

Sticky ideas share six traits: simple, unexpected, concrete, credible, emotional, and story-driven.
Story is the most powerful vehicle because it bundles many of those traits and carries the message.

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ADVICE

Make Your Main Story Carry The Message

Align your most compelling story to your sermon’s core message so listeners remember the point.
Avoid letting an entertaining opening story overshadow the main lesson.

insights

INSIGHT

People Remember Images, Not Transcripts

Memorable content is not recalled as transcripts but as vivid images and scenes.
Those images let listeners reconstruct and retell the idea in their own voice later.

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The Art of Sticky Ideas

04:36 • 23min

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Engaging Sermons: Crafting Memorable Messages

27:56 • 6min

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Reframing Leadership: From Problems to Positives

34:15 • 7min

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Shifting Focus: Celebrating Bright Spots in Leadership

40:46 • 14min

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Transforming Efficiency: The Journey of a Hospital's Supply Chain

54:56 • 5min

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Crafting Memorable Experiences

59:39 • 11min

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Reflections on Insights and Resources for Preaching

01:10:59 • 4min

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#5716

• Mentioned in 6 episodes

The Visual Display of Quantitative Information

Edward Tufte

This book is a comprehensive guide to the design of data graphics, featuring 250 illustrations of the best and worst statistical graphics. It covers topics such as high-resolution displays, small multiples, editing and improving graphics, the data-ink ratio, time-series and relational graphics, data maps, multivariate designs, and the detection of graphical deception. The second edition includes excellent color reproductions and corrections accumulated from previous printings.

#154

• Mentioned in 95 episodes

The Tipping Point

How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

Malcolm Gladwell

In The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell examines the phenomenon of social epidemics and how ideas, products, and behaviors spread rapidly. He introduces three key principles: the law of the few (the role of connectors, mavens, and salespeople in spreading ideas), the stickiness factor (how messages or trends must be memorable to spread), and the power of context (how environment and circumstances influence human behavior). Gladwell uses various examples, such as the rise in popularity of Hush Puppies shoes, the decline in New York City's crime rate, and the success of children's TV programs like Sesame Street, to illustrate these concepts. The book provides insights into how small changes can lead to large-scale social and behavioral transformations.

#24

• Mentioned in 243 episodes

Influence

The Psychology of Persuasion

Robert Cialdini

In this highly acclaimed book, Dr. Robert B. Cialdini explains the psychology behind why people say yes and how to apply these insights ethically. The book outlines six universal principles of influence: Reciprocation, Commitment and Consistency, Social Proof, Liking, Authority, and Scarcity. The new and expanded edition includes a seventh principle, Unity, along with new research, insights, and examples. Cialdini uses memorable stories and relatable examples to make the subject accessible and easy to understand, helping readers become more skilled persuaders and defend themselves against unethical influence attempts.

#758

• Mentioned in 31 episodes

Switch

How to Change Things When Change Is Hard

Chip Heath

Dan Heath

In 'Switch', Chip and Dan Heath explore why making lasting changes is difficult due to the conflict between the rational mind and the emotional mind. They present a framework for successful change by uniting these two minds, drawing on decades of research in psychology, sociology, and other fields. The book provides compelling examples of how everyday people have achieved dramatic results by following this pattern, whether in personal, organizational, or societal contexts.

#2003

• Mentioned in 15 episodes

Decisive

How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work

Chip Heath

Dan Heath

In 'Decisive', Chip and Dan Heath address the critical topic of decision-making, highlighting the biases and irrationalities that disrupt our choices. The book introduces a four-step process—WRAP (Widen your options, Reality-test your assumptions, Attain distance before deciding, Prepare to be wrong)—designed to counteract these biases. Through engaging stories and practical tools, the Heaths provide strategies to stop agonizing over decisions, make group decisions without destructive politics, and ensure that valuable opportunities are not overlooked.

#631

• Mentioned in 34 episodes

The Power of Moments

Chip Heath

Dan Heath

In this book, Chip and Dan Heath explore why certain brief experiences can have a profound impact on our lives. They argue that our most memorable positive moments are dominated by four elements: elevation, insight, pride, and connection. The authors provide practical advice and numerous examples on how to engineer these moments, whether in professional settings, educational environments, or personal life. The book delves into the psychology behind why we remember certain experiences and how we can intentionally create more meaningful moments rather than leaving them to chance.

#295

• Mentioned in 60 episodes

Made to Stick

Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

Chip Heath

Dan Heath

In this book, Chip and Dan Heath explore the anatomy of ideas that stick and provide methods to make ideas more memorable. They introduce the SUCCESs formula, which stands for Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, and Stories. The book is filled with examples from urban legends, business stories, and personal anecdotes, demonstrating how these traits can be applied to make any idea stickier. It is particularly useful for anyone interested in influencing others, whether in business, education, or other fields.

#2204

• Mentioned in 14 episodes

Reset

Reclaiming the Internet for Civil Society

Ronald Deibert

Dan Heath, author of Made to Stick, The Power of Moments, and other seminal leadership books, talks about the six surprising traits of sticky sermons, how to design church experiences people never forget, why focusing on the problem is the wrong approach to leadership, what he's learned from Chick-fil-A, and getting people to change.

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