Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai

We don't have very many emotionally healthy leaders anymore, and the ones who are don't get the microphone. We often feel like we're being led by a bunch of adult children. Emotionally healthy leaders are an imperative in our culture, and on today’s podcast, we talk with author and speaker Michele Cushatt, who shares some paradigm-shifting knowledge about how to be vulnerable without risking control as a leader.

In today’s culture, standing for something important and sticking to it takes guts, but it’s also one of the fastest ways to grow your business or nonprofit. On today’s podcast, Jeff Henderson, entrepreneur, speaker, pastor and author of the book Know What You’re For, gives practical examples of actions leaders can take to bridge the gap between what they’re known for and what they’d rather be known for. He’s launched churches and worked in marketing for Chick-fil-A, the Atlanta Braves and other larger organizations, but he breaks his expertise into bite-sized chunks.

As you kick off the new decade (!), take a moment to reflect on how you’re growing as a business leader. This episode can help. We’ve compiled the best and brightest insights from 2019's episodes, from guests like Michael Hyatt, Rebekah Lyons, and Adam Savage. It’s a wealth of wisdom to equip you for a successful 2020.

So many people have everything they need to succeed but get in their own way. A lack of confidence often keeps people from achieving their potential. Sound familiar? Life doesn’t have to be that way. The start of a new year (and decade) is the perfect time to reflect on what’s most important and make sustainable changes to create a life you love. Today on the podcast, Don and JJ walk you through creating a personal life plan step by step (and you can follow along!). What if a plan was the only thing you needed to accomplish your goals in 2020 and beyond? If you’re tired of struggling in key areas of your life, this approach will help you overcome and flourish in your work, relationships, spirituality and health.

When Chanda Bell’s family sold 5,000 units of the “Elf on the Shelf” book and doll in its first season in 2005, they knew they were onto something. With 11 million elves now in homes around the world, they were right. But that success didn’t happen overnight. Hear on the podcast how this family bootstrapped their beloved family tradition into a cultural phenomenon without the help of publishers and corporations -- and what we can learn from their enduring success and unique company culture. If Chanda and her family can do this with a fictional story, imagine what you can do with yours. Listen now!

Many individuals and families are living in a "narrative void." Without a sense of purpose, mission or agency, we drift through life feeling unfulfilled and sometimes even depressed. In this special edition of the podcast, Don and JJ talk about the formative practice of creating guiding principles for you and your family (not just your business). Living a great story doesn't happen on accident. When you follow this formula, you'll begin to inspire others and get investment into a cause that can change the world–starting with your own.

No one creates success alone. And the most successful teams are positive ones that are continuously strive to get better. But how do you create a positive culture of growth when we’re hard-wired for negativity and competition? On today’s podcast, Jon Gordon, a world leader on executing positivity, shows you the role “positive discontent” can play in creating connection and commitment in your organization. He’s seen it work with his corporate clients like Dell as well as sports teams like the Rams, Clemson, Dodgers, Heat and the Pacers. He says what you believe ultimately determines what you create, and in this episode, he shares practical tips on how to do it.

In this episode, Koula Callahan interviews our own Dr. J.J. Peterson about his doctoral dissertation on StoryBrand Narrative Marketing. Don’t just tell your customers a story, invite them into it. Don’t miss this detailed, StoryBrand-focused episode that unpacks the data and science behind why this 7-part framework drives revenue for every type of business. 

If you approach creating a habit with drudgery, you won’t stick with it. The key is to create pleasure around healthy habits so they’re more likely to stick. Today on the podcast, Atomic Habits author James Clear gives us an entirely fresh approach to making and breaking habits. What if discipline and willpower had nothing to do with it? If you’re tired of failing at the habits that will create a better life for you, make sure you listen to this episode.

What will your customers lose if they don’t make a timely decision to buy your product or service? That’s the power of scarcity, and it’s one of the oldest tools in the marketer’s box. But how has this seminal marketing principle evolved now that the way people consume has changed so dramatically?  That’s why we’re excited to welcome Dr. Kelly Goldsmith to the podcast. She’s an award-winning Yale-educated behavioral scientist (and former Survivor contestant) who examines scarcity’s seemingly paradoxical effects. You’ll rethink what scarcity looks like in your marketing after this.