The fundamental building blocks of great storytelling are intention and obstacle

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Great storytelling hinges on two essential elements: intention and obstacle. The hero of the story must possess a clear intention—what they want, why they want it, and the stakes involved if they fail to achieve it. Simultaneously, there must be obstacles that stand in their way, creating conflict and engagement. If the audience can identify these components at every moment, they remain invested in the narrative. If clarity about intention and obstacle falters, engagement diminishes, highlighting their crucial role as the fundamental building blocks of effective storytelling. This approach is universally applicable, transcending the concept of life-and-death scenarios, reflecting the power of storytelling to captivate an audience through relatable struggles and desires.

Every year, 25 million people download Shaan’s podcast. Sure, he’s a brilliant entrepreneur, investor, and writer, but there’s one skill in particular that keeps Shaan’s audience coming back for more: storytelling.

And not the kind of storytelling that feels like an IQ contest. (I know you know what I mean.) Shaan tells stories that burst with aliveness, that make readers laugh out loud with joy or fall silent with understanding. And as a result, he’s built more than just a following; he’s built a fandom.

In this episode, Shaan reveals every framework he knows for telling stories so well they make your reader go, “Wait, how did they do that?”. And I mean, every framework. You won’t find this in the ole’ self-help aisle. Plus, he shows you exactly how to do it. We deconstruct everything from popular movies to business origin stories to viral Twitter threads.

Stories are the #1 way to grab readers’ attention, get them to like you, and ultimately, turn them into fans. And this episode is a masterclass on how to do it.

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