Business of Story

How to Turn Your Stories of Loss Into an Empowering Legacy For those of us who have experienced a great loss or traumatic event, waking up the next day and continuing life might seem an impossible task. Trauma shakes us to our very core, and overcoming such an emotional impact on our psyche is a monumental challenge unlike any other. When there’s a struggle for survival happening within our mind, how can we possibly prevail? The answer is to use our one true superpower. Utilizing our personal experience to create an authentic, emotionally powerful story. Storytelling is a tool that is valuable in almost every situation, and relieving the pain of trauma is no different. Our guest today will show us that tragedy and loss can be conquered by using stories. Sandra Miller Younger is the author of The Fire Outside My Window and founder of ComeBACK Solutions. A survivor of the 2003 Cedar Wildfire, Sandra’s experience with loss and resilience has helped people around the world change from a victim into a victor. She created the ComeBACK Formula to provide practice and insight for disaster situations and help anyone develop their resiliency. Sandra will share with us today that resilience is a muscle to be strengthened, trauma is part of a hero’s journey, and how both are critical towards overcoming our personal challenges and turning a loss into legacy. In This Episode, You Will Learn The five steps of Sandra’s ComeBACK Formula and how you can use them in your life How to choose to be the victor over, rather than the victim of, a loss or tragedy And how our signature story is usually our comeback story Key Quotes “When I came out of this fire, I realized I was a storyteller that had come out of the worst struggle of my story.” - Sandra Miller Younger “There's nothing like losing your possessions to remind yourself what's truly important.” - Sandra Miller Younger “There was a choice, not what happened to us but what we made of it.” - Sandra Miller Younger “We are genetically predisposed to be grateful. It recalibrates our mindset to be positive.” - Sandra Miller Younger “The past can never come back, as much as we wish it would. You can choose to be the victim, or you can choose to be the hero.” - Sandra Miller Younger “More than just a story came out of this experience, you built your life on this journey.” - Park Howell “Patience is critical. The more we struggle in quicksand, the faster we sink.” - Park Howell Mentioned In This Episode Sandra Younger Sandra Younger Facebook The Fire Outside My Window ComeBACK Solutions ComeBACK Formula Post-Traumatic Growth Five Minute Resilience Workout Matthew Winkler Show #24 Become a Master Storyteller Grab your free copy of The 5 Stages of Grief in Telling YOUR Business Story, check out: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/vn00zi042y Keynote Speaker | Brand Strategy & Workshops | Story Raconteur Park Howell is an international keynote speaker who teaches people and organizations across the world the applied science and bewitchery of story. He makes brand stories crystal clear through his proven Story Cycle system that works every single time that's helped companies grow as much as 400 percent.  International brands Park's worked with include Hilton, Coca-Cola, Beyer Pharmaceutical, Cummins Diesel, American Express, American Marketing Association, Arizona State University, United States Air Force and dozens more. Learn more about working with Park to get your brand story straight.

We all know that story brand marketing is more than just selling your product. It’s about creating an unbreakable bond between your customers and yourself through an authentic, emotional appeal. But in our age of digital marketing, the transition from print publishing to online communications can be a struggle. Our guest today can teach you how to approach story branding through every possible channel, to engage your audience and drive powerful new stories. Cassie Roma joins us from New Zealand to bring her years of storytelling experience to you. Cassie is the GM of content marketing at New Zealand Media and Entertainment, where she works with her team to create incredible narratives that fit in any form of media. She’s a renowned keynote speaker and social activist in LGBT groups in and around New Zealand. She’s going to teach you how to romance your customers with storytelling, drive deep customer engagement, explain why she believes modern marketing is going through a renaissance, and how you can use this to rise to the top. Become a Master Storyteller Grab your free copy of The 5 Stages of Grief in Telling YOUR Business Story, check out: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/vn00zi042y Keynote Speaker | Brand Strategy & Workshops | Story Raconteur Park Howell is an international keynote speaker who teaches people and organizations across the world the applied science and bewitchery of story. He makes brand stories crystal clear through his proven Story Cycle system that works every single time that's helped companies grow as much as 400 percent.  International brands Park's worked with include Hilton, Coca-Cola, Beyer Pharmaceutical, Cummins Diesel, American Express, American Marketing Association, Arizona State University, United States Air Force and dozens more. Learn more about working with Park to get your brand story straight.

Telling the right story can help you in every situation. Even if you’re a novice who's transferred into a completely new field, the ability to create the right narrative will make you an invaluable asset to your team. Unfortunately, most people find themselves overwhelmed in a new work environment, terrified of their lack of experience. This episode will teach you that when you have confidence, authenticity, and a powerful story, you can overcome any obstacle. Joining us is a man who has worked in wildly different work throughout his career. Jim Ward, President and CEO of The Phoenix Symphony Association, knows firsthand the intimidation of joining an organization without a clear idea of what’s needed.  Here is the rehearsal with John Williams that I was fortunate enough to attend. It has been these kinds of innovative community events that have helped the Phoenix Symphony become one of the leaders in resurrecting Arizona's fine art scene. Jim has worked with influential business leaders, such as George Lucas, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Rolling Stones, and even Tiger Woods. He recently moved to Phoenix and began helping the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra regain their footing during financial difficulties. Each of these wildly different positions needed the same critical skill: storytelling. Today Jim will share his stories of uncertainty, understanding, open-mindedness, and confidence during his career, and teach you how to become the best storyteller you can be. Become a Master Storyteller Grab your free copy of The 5 Stages of Grief in Telling YOUR Business Story, check out: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/vn00zi042y Keynote Speaker | Brand Strategy & Workshops | Story Raconteur Park Howell is an international keynote speaker who teaches people and organizations across the world the applied science and bewitchery of story. He makes brand stories crystal clear through his proven Story Cycle system that works every single time that's helped companies grow as much as 400 percent.  International brands Park's worked with include Hilton, Coca-Cola, Beyer Pharmaceutical, Cummins Diesel, American Express, American Marketing Association, Arizona State University, United States Air Force and dozens more. Learn more about working with Park to get your brand story straight.

How can you rise above your competition in an oversaturated market? We’ve all found ourselves in competition with similar brands. These competitors are often doing the exact same thing as us, and sometimes they do the service better! This is a situation that makes or breaks an organization, and there seems to be only one way to survive. Today you will learn how the right brand story separates you from the competition and leads your business to the top. Joining us is my friend Sean Schroeder of blueriver™. Sean came to us with a brand that was struggling to find its authentic story and market position. And although his team was skeptical, he wanted to try our Story Cycle system. In this episode, we will discuss the results of his hard work, and howblueriver™ and its Mura Digital Experience Platform found the flow of its brand story. They landed on a narrative that has always been true toblueriver™ focused on creating peak customer experiences. They are now designing their unique category in the crowded digital and interactive industry to help them rise above their noisy a commoditized world. Become a Master Storyteller Grab your free copy of The 5 Stages of Grief in Telling YOUR Business Story, check out: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/vn00zi042y Keynote Speaker | Brand Strategy & Workshops | Story Raconteur Park Howell is an international keynote speaker who teaches people and organizations across the world the applied science and bewitchery of story. He makes brand stories crystal clear through his proven Story Cycle system that works every single time that's helped companies grow as much as 400 percent.  International brands Park's worked with include Hilton, Coca-Cola, Beyer Pharmaceutical, Cummins Diesel, American Express, American Marketing Association, Arizona State University, United States Air Force and dozens more. Learn more about working with Park to get your brand story straight.

Phil Jones, a global speaker with over 2,000 presentations, discusses the rebranding of sales from pushy to genuine guidance. He emphasizes the power of simple word changes to enhance persuasion and storytelling. The conversation also covers the importance of effective communication and authentic human connections in business. Listeners will learn how strategic language can transform sales outcomes and the role of storytelling in elevating brand value. It's a transformative look at how integrity can reshape the sales narrative.

Every business has its own set of values. Either for publicity purposes or genuine care, all organizations have principals that guide the direction of the brand’s growth. But what if your values were in conflict with that growth? Would you be willing to set aside profit to keep in line with your personal story? Authentic story brand marketing demands a fearless commitment to your character, and today’s guest will discuss how living up to your values is the key to success. Lee Einhorn has been creating advertising campaigns since he was 10 years old. Creative Director at Venables Bell & Partners, Lee has been able to exercise his creative branding skills to build innovative advertising movements, such as the anti-smoking Truth Campaign, which helped drop teen smoking by 23 percent! On this week's podcast, Lee is joining us to discuss his role in REI’s #OptOutside movement, which closes their stores on Black Friday to encourage you to spend time with family in the great outdoors. Join us to learn how this simple story of a company’s values created a movement that could change the industry for years to come. In This Episode, You Will Learn Creating your story from the heart Why values are more important than value Changing the world through an authentic story Key Quotes “Our job was to strike the match, fan the fires, and the customers would take it upon themselves and create the story.” - Lee Einhorn “The whole idea was we wanted people to engage and make the story their own.” - Lee Einhorn “We could have added a lot of ugly Black Friday footage, but we decided to keep it as positive as possible. This was a campaign that came from the heart, and had to reflect our story.” - Lee Einhorn “We made it clear from the beginning that this wasn't a publicity stunt. This came from the heart of what we believed in.” - Lee Einhorn “My big questions are, how does a brand like REI continue to make statements?  How do they continue to be a brand of meaning?” - Lee Einhorn “The story wasn't about REI, it was about creating a space for their consumer base to move into action.” - Park Howell “You were able to create a narrative that helped stir people into action and get them thinking about the issues. “ - Park Howell Become a Master Storyteller Grab your free copy of The 5 Stages of Grief in Telling YOUR Business Story, check out: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/vn00zi042y Keynote Speaker | Brand Strategy & Workshops | Story Raconteur Park Howell is an international keynote speaker who teaches people and organizations across the world the applied science and bewitchery of story. He makes brand stories crystal clear through his proven Story Cycle system that works every single time that's helped companies grow as much as 400 percent.  International brands Park's worked with include Hilton, Coca-Cola, Beyer Pharmaceutical, Cummins Diesel, American Express, American Marketing Association, Arizona State University, United States Air Force and dozens more. Learn more about working with Park to get your brand story straight.

When you’re presenting on stage, chairing a meeting, or even talking with a friend at a coffee shop, you may find yourself struggling to give your idea a sense of importance. I mean, how can you convey the depths of your imagination through simple conversation? Your thoughts could change the world, but without the ability to properly share it, your idea may fizzle. There is nothing more crucial than being able to convey your imagination and experience. Learn how to become the best communicator you can be fro one of the masters. Gideon For-mukwai, the founder of Story Warrior Associates, is a world-renowned storytelling coach, dedicating his life to sharing the tremendous impact of storytelling for business leaders. Raised in a Cameroonian village in Africa, Gideon learned as a boy how a simple narrative can move an entire community to action. As described in his book, The Science of Storytelling, Gideon will teach you his Story DNA Method to help you create simple yet profound narratives for any situation.  Become a Master Storyteller Grab your free copy of The 5 Stages of Grief in Telling YOUR Business Story, check out: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/vn00zi042y Keynote Speaker | Brand Strategy & Workshops | Story Raconteur Park Howell is an international keynote speaker who teaches people and organizations across the world the applied science and bewitchery of story. He makes brand stories crystal clear through his proven Story Cycle system that works every single time that's helped companies grow as much as 400 percent.  International brands Park's worked with include Hilton, Coca-Cola, Beyer Pharmaceutical, Cummins Diesel, American Express, American Marketing Association, Arizona State University, United States Air Force and dozens more. Learn more about working with Park to get your brand story straight.

What if the company you ran was recognized with the prestigious "Best Places to Work" award, but life at home was not what it could be? Would you change? Ambition and bills drive us to pursue the best possible career. And that requires dedication to your work. But what happens when we place too much focus on our business? It's easy for us to forget why we work in the first place, but it's far more difficult to change once we remember. Our guest today will show you firsthand how you can not only balance family and work but create a better environment in both. Jay Feitlinger is a father, husband, and Founder of Stringcan Interactive. After years of focusing on creating a thriving business, Jay realized that he had been neglecting his family. Using the same strategies he applied at work, he created a step-by-step method of shifting your focus and finding a healthy balance. Jay found that not only was he happier at home, but the changes with his family helped boost productivity at the office too! Tune in and learn how shifting the focus from the boardroom to the dining room will benefit your family at work, and your family at home. He's redesigned his entire company around the concept of family business.  Be sure to check out the B2B Growth Show for new podcasts every week! In This Episode, You Will Learn How focusing on your family will help your business Creating a balance between your work and personal life Finding a category that fits your business model Key Quotes “It scared me how one person's selfishness could ruin so many lives.” - Jay Feitlinger “My friends were concerned that I was putting all my effort into my family and not my business. But I made a commitment to my family, and I found that I was so much happier, and I was a lot more focused at work.” - Jay Feitlinger “The more I removed myself, the better my team was performing.” - Jay Feitlinger “We always want to keep learning, but never be the smartest guy in the room.” - Park Howell Mentioned In This Episode Jay Feitlinger StringCan Interactive Family 2.0 Jonathan Green James Carbary B2B Growth Show Christopher Lockheed Play Bigger Become a Master Storyteller Grab your free copy of The 5 Stages of Grief in Telling YOUR Business Story, check out: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/vn00zi042y Keynote Speaker | Brand Strategy & Workshops | Story Raconteur Park Howell is an international keynote speaker who teaches people and organizations across the world the applied science and bewitchery of story. He makes brand stories crystal clear through his proven Story Cycle system that works every single time that's helped companies grow as much as 400 percent.  International brands Park's worked with include Hilton, Coca-Cola, Beyer Pharmaceutical, Cummins Diesel, American Express, American Marketing Association, Arizona State University, United States Air Force and dozens more. Learn more about working with Park to get your brand story straight.

Only when faced with a great adversary does our true character show. Modern humans rarely find themselves in such a situation, many never will.  But those who experience fear during a crisis can create resiliency. It's in our darkest moments that we reveal our true character. Our guest today has used his story of tragedy to create monumental change. Author of Heretics to Heroes: A Memoir on Modern Leadership, Cort Dial is a consultant who has fought for years to improve workplace safety in the most dangerous of jobs. His unique method of facilitating changes involves sharing his personal experience with the dangers of construction. Cort understands the power of raw, authentic emotion, and can help you craft a story that will achieve what others think is impossible. For more information, Cort has created a page on his website to help us get started at cortdial.com/businessofstory. In This Episode, You Will Learn Why every story you tell has to have what Cort calls a “Star Moment” to connect with and inspire your audiences How Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey has impacted his life and how you can use it in your leadership development And the five emotional conditions that need to be present if you are going to get your team and your customers to buy into your story Key Quotes “The things that are most important to performance cannot be quantified.” - Cort Dial “What limits a human’s performance is what they believe is possible.” - Cort Dial “Every story has to have a star moment, something your audience will always remember.” - Cort Dial “Tell a story about why not how.” - Cort Dial “Everyone has a great story, we just need to unearth and find it.” - Park Howell “Story is merely a mirror of life.” - Park Howell Mentioned In This Episode Cort Dial Cort Dial Twitter Cort Dial Consulting Heretics to Heroes: A Memoir on Modern Leadership Finding Joe An Open Life Joseph Campbell Shoe Dog Business Story Strategist, Keynote Speaker, and Brand Raconteur Park Howell is a trusted brand story strategist and sought-after keynote speaker on story marketing. He has helped international brands, including Coca-Cola, Beyer Pharmaceutical, Cummins Diesel, American Express, and United States Air Force. The widely popular Business of Story podcast helps leaders of purpose-driven organizations clarify their stories to grow revenue and amplify their impact. Each episode brings you the brightest content creators, advertising creatives, authors, screenwriters, makers, marketers, and brand raconteurs that show you how to craft and tell compelling brand stories that sell. Learn more about working with Park Howell and getting your brand story straight on our website.

We often see creative people as larger than life. People like Elon Musk, Maya Angelou, and Leonardo Da Vinci seem to have achieved a level of genius that is beyond anything we could ever imagine. Creativity is a critical facet of any organization, yet we are told it’s something that a special few are gifted with. But what if there was a way to change your thoughts to become more creative? Thinking outside of the box is an invaluable skill, and today’s guest will show you how to harness your inner creative genius. Larry Robertson is the bestselling author of A Deliberate Pause: Entrepreneurship and it’s Moment in Human Progress, and The Language of Man: Learning to Speak Creatively and founder of Lighthouse Consulting. Larry’s area of expertise is in helping businesses leaders and innovators find their creative strengths to make their breakthrough ideas come to life. You will learn that there is no ‘X-factor’ in creative growth, creativity is a mindset rather than an action, and that everyone has the capacity to be an innovative genius. In This Episode, You Will Learn Five simple truths about creativity How to become a more powerful creative force What all successful stories have in common Key Quotes “Today’s top leaders all agree that the most important skill they have is creativity.” - Larry Robertson “The leaders who are ahead of the game are always asking themselves ‘who cares?’” - Larry Robertson “They think in questions and know that the answer is not the destination. They don't instruct, they frame and inspire. They ask a question that is ongoing." - Larry Robertson “My father said that you always have to take a deliberate pause and think.” - Park Howell “We tend to lead towards predictable, data-packed stories that have minimal impact on our reptilian brains.” - Park Howell “In the grand spectrum of intelligence, IQ score means nothing. We can't limit ourselves to what society’s constructs tell us is a genius.” - Park Howell Mentioned In This Episode Larry Robertson Lighthouse Consulting A Deliberate Pause: Entrepreneurship and it’s Moment in Human Progress The Language of Man: learning to Speak Creativity Kellogg School of Management Howard Gardner Otto Siegel