Storytelling That Sticks for Business and Life: Recent Episodes
Doug Stevenson
This is a HOW-TO podcast. Instead of listening to other people tell their stories, learn how to tell YOUR story and make it stick. Behind every brilliant story is carefully designed craft and strategy. Let Doug take you ‘behind the curtain’ of great business storytelling.
Doug Stevenson, the creator of The Story Theater Method for strategic storytelling in business, will share storytelling hacks, techniques, and advanced story crafting skills. Learn how to CHOOSE the right story, how to make the right POINT, and how to BRAND your message. Facts fade, data gets dumped, but stories stick.
If you are a business professional at any level, from assistant manager to CEO, and you want to stand out, get ahead and make a positive impression, this podcast is for you. If you’re an entrepreneur who needs to grow your business, your story will sell you and your products and services. Stories build trust, establish credibility, and increase sales.
For over 25 years, Doug Stevenson has taught storytelling skills and strategies to speakers, trainers, leaders, marketers, salespeople, HR professionals, fundraisers and TED speakers. He has spoken in 18 countries to clients as diverse as US Bank, Google, Pfizer, Kellogg, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Coca Cola, Aetna and Red Bull.
Come study storytelling and more with Doug Stevenson.
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com Website: www.storytelling-in-business.com
doug@dougstevenson.com
1-719-310-8586 - Tucson, Arizona
How do you design a speech that works at all levels? It’s smart, inspiring and generates income. If you’ve got lots of speech elements but they don’t all fit seamlessly together, the Dynamite Shuffle is the design hack you need.
This process will help you choose which elements to keep and which ones to delete. What new content and ideas and stories will displace old worn-out material? Take the time to disign a truly amazing keynote speech. The time spent will pay for itself.
You were born with certain talents and aptitudes. They showed up in your personality and tendencies early on. I believe those natural talents and aptitudes revealed your organic purpose. You are here to fulfil that purpose. In this episode, Doug explores what it means to live a life of purpose.
There is a critical moment in every story where the trajectory of the story changes. It can be a powerful and pivotal moment, or it can be an ordinary moment that no one even notices. When you incorporate this seven second technique called Hold the Moment into your storytelling repertoire, your story will go from good to great.
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
The magic of storytelling is in the details. It’s the small but colorful details that make a story come alive. But what if you can’t recall every detail because the event of the story happened months or years ago?
The answer is called Creative License. Creative license is a permission structure that allows you to fill in the blanks with non-consequential choices. Was her name Bridget or Diane? Pick one. Did the story take place in the boardroom or a conference room? Pick one. Did your coach say, “Get your head in the game,” or ‘Get out of your head and into the game?” Pick one.
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
When you are 100% true to yourself, complete within yourself in front of an audience, they will choose to come to you. This requires you to focus IN to who you are, what you have to say and how you want to say it.
When you invite the audience to meet you where you are, you become magnetic and attractive. It’s your energy and presence that attracts people to you as well as your content.
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
Is the story of the life that you are living a story that you are proud to share with your audience? Create a new and inspiring story by making a brave choice.
It’s a new year and an opportunity for you to turn the page and begin a new chapter in your life. Is the year 2025 the year you Focus Forward and make a brave choice? A brave choice is one that scares and excites you. Change is scary. Remaining stuck is scarier and more destructive.
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
Ty Boyd has some amazing wisdom to share from his decades of speaking experience. He once spoke in front of an audience of 80,000 people. He says, “It’s not about being perfect, but rather about stepping into the deep water and finding your authentic brilliance.”
He encourages us to put our passion into what we do and to tell our truth through our personal stories. Ty Boyd passed away in 2020 having made an indelible impact on thousands of speakers, trainers and executive through Ty Boyd, Inc.
https://tyboyd.com/
Dr. Terry Paulson is a profession speaker on the topics of leadership, humor and change management. He takes storytelling seriously and, in this episode, he offers practical tips on how to make your stories stick with humor, physicality and deliberate craft.
He is the author of Leadership Truths One Story at a Time. One of the insights he shares is how you can find your best personal stories by picking a room and them remembering what happened in that room or location.
www.terrypaulson.com
Alvin Law was born with no arms. He has been speaking and performing since the age of three. His stories of resilience and perseverance in the face of overwhelming adversity are inspiring. He sings, tap dances and plays the drums. Alvin has stories to tell.
His stories about celebrating the beauty from within are rich with emotion and meaning. This podcast is one you’ll want to watch on You Tube. You’ve got to see Alvin to appreciate the power of his message.
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
Contact: alvin@alvinlaw.com
https://alvinlaw.com/
Pegine is a force of nature and an inspiration for anyone who feels that they don’t fit into any category or box. She says: “In the sharing of who we are the world expands.” The nuggets of wisdom she shares about speaking and storytelling are practical, powerful and motivating.
In this interview you will hear the method behind her keynote and storytelling madness as she shares her powerful story of growing up in the dangerous neighborhoods of New York City.
https://www.pegine.com/
Robert Kennedy believes that it’s more important to focus on transformation than information. His stories are rich in imagery and emotion while being strategic about the point or lesson. His energy and style inspire people to find their own voice as a speaker just as he has.
Contact: Robert Kennedy III at inquiries@robertkennedy3.com?
Can a story boost your career? Can a story change the trajectory of your life? It can, if you take your stories seriously and learn the secrets of story mastery.
Kelly Swanson is not only a masterful and mesmerizing storyteller, but she also understands story craft and performance, and she’s an expert at teaching how to elevate your storytelling skills. Listen and learn as she tells the tale of the woman with a mop.
https://motivationalspeakerkellyswanson.com/
https://motivationalspeakerkellyswanson.com/story-impact-academy/
What if, after you finish speaking, everyone just stands up and leaves? Does that mean your presentation wasn’t a success? Or did they leave immediately because they had another session to get to?
In this episode, I discuss a philosophy that helps you know that your message, your story, and your content ideas made an impression on each audience member, even if they don’t let you know it.
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
Are you thriving or just surviving? What role do the stories we tell ourselves affect our ability to activate and amplify thriving in our lives and in the lives of the people we work with?
In this episode you’ll hear how Renee Moorefield of Wisdom Works is leading a global movement of leaders and individuals who make thriving a priority at work, at home, and in all walks of society.
Contact: renee@wisdom-works.com
https://www.wisdom-works.com
Imagine you’re running in the 100-yard dash and just after the gun goes off, you stumble and fall. You can’t recover. The race is over.
That’s what can happen to the speech that you’ve spent hours and hours working on if you don’t know what to do before you speak. In this episode, you’ll learn how to be prepared mentally, physically, and emotionally, before you utter your first sentence.
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
For Adiba Nelson, her TEDx Tucson talk opened doors of opportunity. As a result of her TED talk, she became the subject of a documentary for PBS that won an Emmy Award. She signed a book deal to write her memoir. She was invited to share her story with speaking engagements nationwide, and it empowered her to believe in herself at a completely new level.
In this episode you’ll hear how she navigated the TED talk process from submitting a proposal, to auditioning, and on through to her standing ovation presentation. If she can do it, you can do it.
Contact: https://thefullnelson.net/
Skating Downhill: The Art of Claiming your Life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adfKcwgadqk&t=29s
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
How do you get into a creative zone – on demand? Is it possible to train your brain to be creative? Dave Liber is a Dallas Morning News columnist who writes two columns a week on deadline. He also writes books, plays, and delivers keynote speeches. He has trained his brain to be creative on demand.
His TEDx Talk, The Power of Storytelling to Change the World, has been viewed over 270,000 times. His approach to storytelling and creativity is refreshingly honest and insightful. In this episode he talks about his creative process and how he believes that humanity and humor are the necessary ingredients for a compelling presentation, story, or book.
Contact: dave@yankeecowboy.com
Contace: doug@dougstevenson.com
You don’t need story mastery to be effective. You just need to tell your story.
Carla Rocha teaches communication and storytelling skills in Lisbon, Portugal. She helps people to become more authentic in their communications to team members and clients. One of the techniques she uses is to have people share personal stories.
She urges her students to start small with a personal story where they overcame a difficult situation or obstacle. For her corporate clients, it’s not about story craft or performance. She simply wants them to experience the connection that takes place when you share your story.
What’s your story?
Contact Carla at: https://carlarocha.pt/en/academy/
Contact Doug at: doug@dougstevenson.com
Do the Story Theater techniques and principles taught in this podcast make sense to you, but you’re scared to implement them? Are you worried about what people will think? Do you want to be more theatrical, emotional, and powerful with your stories, but think you would be uncomfortable?
How do you break the pattern of self-consciousness when speaking and telling a story? In this episode Doug will help you find your power and show you how to bring that power forward when you tell a story or give a speech or presentation.
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
Lisa McInnes-Smith focuses her stories on what she wants people to think, feel, and do. She’s delivered over 7000 keynote speeches and uses her stories to build the foundation for the lessons she wants to teach. She says, “The audience remembers how you make them feel, and once you’re in people’s hearts, you stay there.”
Stories ensure that your message sticks. They also grow your speaking business. Your stories make you memorable. Using brilliantly crafted stories is how you can make a positive impression in the workplace.
Contact Lisa: www.lisaspeaks.com
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
Mark Sanborn says, “Few of us can be famous, but every one of us can be great.” He is an international bestselling author and an award-winning leadership keynote speaker. Mark challenges us to be extraordinary and to turn everyday actions into extraordinary results.
He is also a master at turning everyday moments into extraordinary stories.
In this episode, you’ll hear how Mark crafted a simple story about a mail carrier named Fred, and over time, used that story as a springboard to build a multi-million-dollar brand. He believes that “stories are the mental coat pegs that people hang your ideas on.”
Contact Mark Sanborn at: https://marksanborn.com
Contact Doug at: doug@dougstevenson.com
How did a geeky kid, who was an average student and college dropout, become one of the most successful movie makers of all time? How did Steven Spielberg become Steven Spielberg? You’ll be surprised to know the answer to that question.
A Game Changer story reveals the backstory of a famous person with the goal of teaching a valuable lesson about success. How did they do it? What choices did they make? What obstacles did they overcome?
Game Changer stories add a nice bit of variety to any speech or presentation. What famous person do you want to know more about? Do your research and craft that story. Your audience will thank you for it.
Contact: Doug@dougstevenson.com
For your free 30-minute coaching consultation, contact: deborah@dougstevenson.com
Keynote, TED Talk and Story Coach
Star Hansen’s TEDx Talk has been viewed 255,000 times. Listen and learn how she came up with her Idea Worth Spreading and how she nailed her talk. She shares the intimate truth about what it was like for her to overcome her nerves, focus on her purpose and rise to the occasion.
A TED Talk is unlike any other speaking experience. It forces you to get clear about your WHY, what you have to say and how to craft your message into a condensed format.
A TED Talk can also be a springboard to greater opportunities to grow your brand and your business. What would a video with 255,000 views do for your business?
Watch this interview on You Tube as a video: https://youtu.be/ZJ-YikcHfog
View Star’s TEDx Talk video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjzvH2wrpDg&t=149s
Contact Star Hansen at: https://starhansen.com/
Contact Doug Stevenson at: doug@dougstevenson.com
It’s not as simple as thinking, there are two types of stories: business stories and personal stories. When you understand how to use various story types, you’ll be liberated to develop all kinds of strategic and relevant stories. The more you know, the higher you’ll go.
To help you identify relevant stories, I’m inviting you to go on a story safari with me. This list of twelve story types will trigger all kinds of story possibilities. In part two of the twelve story types, you’ll learn about eight more story types:
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Origin Stories – the backstory of your life
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Pattern Stories – a negative pattern that leads to a positive outcome
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Small Disaster Stories – encountering and overcoming everyday challenges
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Game Changer Stories – stories about people who changed the world
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Brand Stories – the story of how a brand was curated over time
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Yoda Stories –stories about the people who changed your life
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Perseverance Stories – stories of perseverance leading to success
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Minerva Stories – ancient and traditional wisdom stories
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
It’s not as simple as thinking, there are two types of stories: business stories and personal stories. When you understand how to use various story types, you’ll be liberated to develop all kinds of strategic and relevant stories. The more you know, the higher you’ll go.
To help you identify relevant stories, I’m inviting you to go on a story safari with me. This list of twelve story types will trigger all kinds of story possibilities. In part one of the twelve story types, you’ll learn about four story types:
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The Vignette – a short story
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Crucible Stories – a severe test
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Imbroglio Stories – an acutely embarrassing fiasco
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Credibility Stories – third party stories from trustworthy sources
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
Tucson, Arizona
There is an invisible space that exists between you and your audience. To succeed, you need to build a bridge of connection and invite them to cross over to your side of the bridge. You need to be so engaging, congruent, and connected to your power, that they find you and your stories irresistible. Rather than reaching out to connect with them, they reach out to connect with you.
But what happens when your insecurity invades that space and widens the gap? In this episode, you’ll learn how to Connect IN to your power, in order to Connect OUT to your audience.
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
Tucson, Arizona
If you want to be happy, healthy, and prosperous in the present, it’s important to make peace with your past. In this episode, you’ll learn how to shift your focus from negative to positive when recalling a painful past experience.
Doug Stevenson - Keynote, TED Talk and Story Coach
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
Tucson, Arizona
John Register is a master storyteller because he takes the art and craft of storytelling seriously. John sustained a life-changing leg injury that ended his Olympic track and field dream, and subsequently has tweaked, polished, written, and rewritten his story over time. He has transformed it into a brilliant piece of theater. He moves on the stage like an actor in a play. He creates characters and scenes that draw the listener into the action. Nothing is left to chance. Every word, action, and choice is deliberate.
John brilliantly shares his deeply personal story and connects it to the challenges of people and businesses in transition. That’s why he is in high demand from organizations and corporations all over the world.
In this podcast, you won’t just listen and learn what it takes to be a masterful storyteller, you’ll feel like you’re sitting in his audience watching him in action. They say if you want to get better at any skill, you need to learn from the best. Sit back and take some notes. John will show you how it’s done.
Contact: john@johnregister.com
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
Contact Doug in Tucson, Arizona at 1-719-310-8565
Before Jim Davidson became a professional speaker, he was an environmental geologist and avid mountain climber. Nothing in his scientific background prepared him to become a motivational speaker, but he had a powerful story about a near-death experience while climbing on Mount Rainier, and people kept asking him to tell that story.
Over time, he learned to up his game by focusing on his storytelling and stage skills. He watched other speakers, polished his story, and learned how to market and sell his keynote. In this episode, you’ll hear how he leveraged each speaking opportunity and became a sought-after speaker on resilience and change management.
Contact Jim at: jim@speakingofadventure.com
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
Eileen McDargh was a teacher. She is now a professional speaker with an uncanny ability to weave a web of transformational magic with her stories. Although she never studied acting, when she tells a story, she becomes the story. She acts out the characters and conversations.
Eileen believes you must place the story in the context of the audience for it to work effectively. She finds her stories by being open to inspiration from the world around her at any given moment. Eileen will inspire you to be more playful, emotional, and strategic with your stories.
Website: https://www.eileenmcdargh.com Email: eileen@eileenmcdargh.com
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
A Crucible is defined as a severe test. Crucible stories are stories of great loss, hardship, or pain. W. Mitchell was burned over 60% of his body in a motorcycle accident, and then was paralyzed in a plane crash. His keynote is based on the stories of his recovery and overcoming adversity.
Some keynotes are basically one story after another, with each story making a relevant point. In this episode, W. Mitchell shares how he got started in the speaking business and how, over time, his keynote evolved. You’ll be inspired by his journey from pain to personal empowerment.
Contact W, Mitchell at: mitchell@wmitchellspeaks.com
Contact Doug Stevenson at: deborah@dougstevenson.com
Also: www.storytelling-in-business.com
If you believe in yourself and that you have something of value to offer, you need to know how to promote yourself. “Buyers” won’t say yes, if they don’t know you are asking. And how do you get to YES, when people keep telling you NO? The ability to promote yourself, to persevere even in the face of rejection, is an essential skill on the road to success.
In this episode, you’ll hear five strategies for getting from where you are to where you want to be through courageously creative self-promotion. Whether you want to get paid to speak or to get the job or promotion you want and deserve, these strategies will accelerate the process. Someone is out there waiting to say yes. Your mission, should you accept it, is to seek them out and courageously ask them to say yes.
http://www.storytelling-in-business.com
For your free 30-minute coaching call contact: deborah@dougstevenson.com
In 1975, during the last days of the Vietnam War, Leann Thieman, a nurse in Iowa, volunteered to fly to Vietnam to rescue 300 orphan babies as the bombs were falling on Saigon. The story of that harrowing experience became the springboard for her to become a professional speaker. When someone agreed to pay her $100 to tell her story, she began her speaking career. She now charges $15,000 per speech.
In this interview, Leann shares with Doug the incremental steps she took in the first couple of years, to market and sell her speech. These steps are the basics of how to get started in the speaking business and get people to pay you to speak. If she can do it, you can do it.
Learn how to leveage your story into a lucractive speaking business.
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
http://www.storytelling-in-business.com
http://www.storytelling-in-business.com
Have you ever watched a professional speaker and thought, I can do that? But HOW? How do you get paid to speak? You’ll find some of the answers in this podcast episode. If you have a story to tell that makes a relevant point or teaches a powerful lesson, you can become a professional speaker. You can make a difference and make a lot of money at the same time.
This is episode one in the professional speaker series. In the following episodes, you’ll learn valuable lessons and gain insightful tips on what you need to do to get paid to speak.
Link to The National Speakers Association: https://nsaspeaker.org
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
Pattern stories are fun to craft and even more fun to tell. They’re like a good Whodunit mystery novel where the plot unfolds over time. They are constructed with a series of mini-stories or segments that illustrate how the same problem keeps happening over and over, while the person or organization experiencing the problem fails to learn the lesson. In the end, the pattern is recognized, and the lesson learned.
If you’ve ever made the same mistake multiple times or experienced a similar recurring problem in your life or career, you have a pattern story in the making. In this episode, learn how to identify and craft your pattern story.
For your free no obligation 20-minute coaching call, contact deborah@dougstevenson.com
www.storytellling-in-business.com
It’s not always appropriate to tell a story. Different stories work in different situations and sometimes, you shouldn’t tell a story at all. If the story doesn’t fit, you must omit.
For your free no obligation 20-minute coaching call, contact deborah@dougstevenson.com
www.storytellling-in-business.com
In this episode, Doug coaches Dave on the Phrase That Pays for one of his stories. Dave shares how he uses stories in his training courses and how The Story Theater Method has helped him to be more deliberate with his stories. He also says that the stories that he tells improve the bottom- line revenues for his company.
There is a strong emphasis on The Phrase That Pays in this episode. Learn more about the Phrase That Pays and how to make the point of your story stick in Episode 5. What’s the Point.
For your free no obligation 20-minute coaching call, contact deborah@dougstevenson.com
www.storytellling-in-business.com
1-719-310-8586
TED talks opened the door to short speeches, and now, 20-minute speeches are here to stay. Conference planners are scheduling more speakers with shorter time slots. In my experience, designing a short speech is more challenging than crafting a long one. What stays in? What do you cut? I’ve got you covered. Follow these ten steps and you’ll look like a pro.
To get 30% off on the downloadable version of the Dynamite Speech System, go to https://www.storytelling-in-business.com/shop/#dynamite-speech-system-downloadable and enter the coupon code PODCAST-DYN during checkout. Regular price is $129. The coupon code is not case-sensitive. You’ll be directed to a User Registration page and watch your email for the confirmation link.
Contact: Deborah@dougstevenson.com
Dr. Alyx Porter Umphrey is the first black female Neuro Oncologist in the United States. Her personal story of success in the face of adversity is a story that inspires others to donate to Elevate Med, a non-profit dedicated to supporting black and brown medical students with scholarships, mentoring and leadership training.
In this episode you’ll learn how your story, and the story of those who benefit from your cause, can be the most powerful element of your fundraising strategy. When you invest in storytelling, others will invest in your organization.
As a speaker and storyteller, getting a laugh is pretty important. It's not enough to get lucky with an ad-lib, you need to know how to get a laugh on demand. That requires an understanding of the dynamics of comedy. In this episode, you'll discover the three elements that are necessary to get predicatable laughs.
After listening to this episode, go to You Tube and search for the videos listed below. Study them. They are a master class in comedy.
Bill Cosby – Noah’s Ark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bputeFGXEjA
Rowen Atkinson – The Devil https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGxG7QmPQ44
Robin Williams on Fatherhood https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykq8IkiCgFw
Steven Wright – Deadpan and One-Liners https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiGag5emLJg
Tim Gard – 8 Minutes of Fun - htps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KMqILkRXdQ
Jeannie Robertson – Don’t Send a Man to the Grocery Store - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YFRUSTiFUs
While there is no one right answer to this question, there are guidlines that will help you decide how long your story should be. Consider the situation, the time alloted for your presentation and adjust accordingly.
Doug Stevenson is a keynote and story coach basedin Tucson, Arizona.
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
Your storytelling superpowers are all the things that make you different from everyone else. They are your heart and soul and emotion, your quirky sense of humor and sparkling personality. Your superpowers come across in the way you present yourself as much as what you present. They are the most intimate and outrageous parts of you that you are willing to reveal to an audience.
Add to those superpowers your stories and content and you have something powerful to offer. And yet, standing up and standing out also makes you a target for those who don't like what you have to say and offer. How do you balance your need to be liked and accepted with your desire to speak up and be different?
Let's talk about that.
Sometimes is takes more than simply telling a story. Sometimes the story requires Radical Honesty to convey the truth being shared. Listen as Conrad Woody shared his story of rising from shyness and insecurity to becoming a managing partner and top talent advisor and C-Suite and Board Leadership Strategist.
His journey to self-empowerment and finding his purpose as a black man rising to the top in corporate America is inspiring and radically honest.
contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
Pete Hinojosa was tasked with developing a leadership development curriculum and helping Insperity expand from 40 to 100 offices. No small task. In order to achieve these impressive results, Insperity now has 98 offices, he had to hit the road and present his vision to stakeholders who had the power to say yes or no.
Pete uses personal stories in his keynotes, trainings and business presentations to make an emotional connection and to drive corporate change. In this episode, you’ll hear how he was inspired by his father to make every day a great day.
To learn more about Pete Hinojosa and his role as the Director of Thought Leadership for Insperity, you can follow him on LinkedIn where he publishes a thought provoking message every Friday. https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-hinojosa-728 3355/
Contact Doug at: doug@dougstevenson.com
Pete Hinojosa was tasked with developing a leadership development curriculum and helping his company expand from 40 to 100 offices. No small task. In order to achieve these impressive results, his company now has 98 offices, he had to hit the road and present his vision to stakeholders who had the power to say yes or no.
Pete uses personal stories in his keynotes, trainings and business presentations to make an emotional connection and to drive corporate change. In this episode, you’ll hear how he was inspired by his father to make every day a great day.
To learn more about Pete Hinojosa, you can follow him on LinkedIn where he publishes a thought provoking message every Friday. https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-hinojosa-728 3355/
Thayer Willis grew up rich. She was born into a wealthy family and became, in her own words, an entitled brat. Her story is one of self-revelation and transformation. When she hit rock bottom, she knew she needed to do something to turn things around. In this episode you’ll hear how she summoned the courage to confront her pain and find her way to a meaningful life. Her origin story became the catalyst for a successful speaking and consulting business.
Here’s a preview of what you’ll learn in this episode…
- How Thayer realized her stories weren’t working as well as they should and did something about it.
- Why it took courage for her to get to the heart of her story and how that courage paid off.
- How her origin story became the foundational story for every speech and presentation.
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
Geeks, nerds and engineers spend much of their time sitting in front of a computer working on technical projects that most people around them need but don’t understand.
The challenge for many engineers is to communicate their ideas, products and processes to non-engineers. Learn how a self-described geeky nerd and her team learned how to use storytelling to close more sales and make technical training presentations more engaging.
Here’s a preview of what you’ll learn in this episode…
- How to make complex ideas and processes simple and understandable with a story.
- Why your brilliant PowerPoint slides and bullets are boring.
- The danger of getting bogged down in explaining how something works rather that why it’s important.
Contact Doug Stevenson at: doug@dougstevenson.com or call 1-719-310-8586 for information on private coaching and consulting.
Is there an actor hiding out inside you waiting to be cast in the role of a lifetime? In this episode, you’ll learn how to release your inner actor and use some simple acting techniques to make your story memorable, marketable and compelling. Your story is the play and you’re the leading actor or actress. It’s show time. Curtain up!
Here’s a preview of what you’ll learn in this episode…
- How to portray the emotions of your story with reactions and inner monologue.
- How to use tempo, volume, movement and gesture to create dynamic tension.
- How to stop being nervous by focusing in on yourself and what you’re saying and doing instead of out to your audience.
Watch how Doug uses these acting skills in his Bennett and Oscar stories as well as his TEDx Talk on How to Talk to a Bigot on you Tube. Search - Doug Stevenson Storytelling - to view a list of his You Tube Videos.
Contact Doug Stevenson at: doug@dougstevenson.com or call 1-719-310-8586 for information on private coaching and consulting.
Good leadership is easy to spot. You know it when you see and experience it. It’s the same with bad or toxic leadership. You’ve probably worked for both kinds of leader. I’ve worked for both and I’ve also had the opportunity to speak at conference where I’ve interacted with CEOs and presidents, VPs and sales managers. That’s where I have been able to find my leadership stories.
Listen and learn as I share four stories that illustrate good and bad leadership. And then, get to work crafting your leaderships stories.
Contact Doug Stevenson at: doug@dougstevenson.com
If you want your story to stick, to be memorable, to engage people’s full attention, you’ve got to say or do something that surprises people. You’ve got to catch them off guard, to create intrigue. In other words, confuse them or lose them.
I know that sounds counterintuitive, to confuse them or lose them. But how many times has someone bored you to death by giving a well thought out but completely predictable presentation. Be unpredictable. Tell a story that makes them think, feel and engage with you.
In this episode I interview Paul Butler, the owner of New Leaf Training and Development. New Leaf is an international staff training and consulting firm. Paul and I met in London when I gave a presentation way back in 2005. As you’ll hear in this interview, his memory of that presentation and the stories I told is very vivid. It’s is a good example of what sticks.
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
The foundation of every story is a journey, a quest, an adventure. It’s the action or activity of your story. It can be something big and dangerous or mundane and ordinary. With craft and development leading to a powerful lesson or point, your journey can illuminate my journey. When you take me along with you on your journey by telling me your story, I find the meaning I need to navigate my journey.
In this episode you’ll identify a number of possible journeys from your life. I’ll also share the harrowing and exciting journey I took over 50 years ago when I hitchhiked from Chicago to Hollywood to pursue my dream to be an actor in movies and TV. Come along with me on my journey and pay attention to how I craft my story to embed lessons along the way.
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
Learn how to apply the Aikido Selling approach to telling stories in a sales conversation. Build trust and create rapport by sharing targeted customer success stories that redirect the conversation and create story surrogates.
Here’s a preview of what you’ll learn in this episode…
- How to grab the attention of a distracted client and gain their trust
- How to identify the right customer story to tell
- How to blend imagery, emotion, and data into a sales story
- How to close the sale with a Phrase That Pays
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
- Emotion is the Fast Lane to the Brain
How do you use emotion artfully and gracefully? It’s tricky. You don’t want to be manipulative and gratuitous, but at the same time you want to make an emotional connection with your listener, client, or audience member. Without emotion, your presentation will be like a black and white movie. With emotion, it will be in Imax, 3D, high-definition color.
As an actor, I learned to harness the power of emotion in my performances. I knew where and when to employ the emotion that served the moment. When I started telling stories in keynotes, it was natural to use the same instincts to to make my stories come alive with emotion. My audiences loved it and told me so by hiring me over and over. I perfected the methodology that I am teaching in this podcast in front of hundreds of corporate and association audiences over 25 years.
The secret to giving a great speech or telling a powerful story is simple: make them laugh, cry and think. If all you do is make them think, you’ll join the ranks of smart but forgettable speakers.
You can learn how to use emotion in your stories and speeches. First, you need to identify the emotional moments in your story and then you need to know what to do with them. In this episode, you’ll learn the following:
- Why it’s essential to trigger an emotional response in your listener or audience member
- How you can trigger an emotional response with some simple presentation techniques
- Where the emotional moments in your story live so you won’t skip over them
In this episode, I refer back to The Nine Steps of Story Structure from Episode Three. The Nine Steps are foundational to everything I teach. If you haven’t listened to that episode, I suggest you go back and start with Episode One.
In addition to listening to this podcast, hop on over to You Tube where you can watch instructional videos, my Authors at Google keynote and my TEDx talk.
I’d also like to hear from you with your questions, comments and suggestions. What country are you dropping in from? What is your interest in storytelling? What have you learned so far that you’ve put into practice?
To get in touch with me, email: doug@dougstevenson.com
A good story is interesting. People enjoy hearing it. But nothing happens as a result. Nothing changes. A great story on the other hand, moves the needle. It causes people to change the way they think and behave. A great story overcomes objections leading to more sales. It inspires confidence in leadership. It empowers people to make smarter decisions.
Great stories told by masterful storytellers not only get you noticed, but they also pay the bills. A great story, like a great product, is money in the bank. If you have aspirations of being hired to speak, train or consult, a great story is the price of admission. Good stories won’t cut it.
A good story takes little effort. A great story takes more effort, but the results are dramatic. In this episode, I interview Bill Raymond, a masterful storyteller, corporate speaker, trainer and executive coach. He shares how his stories went from good to great by being more intentional about the process of choosing, crafting and delivering his stories. He gets hired to tell his signature stories.
Good stories quickly fade from memory. Great stories stick with the listener long after the storyteller leaves the room. The listener not only remembers the story, but they also ruminate on the meaning of the story and the relevance of the lesson in their own life. If you want to make a difference in people’s lives and be remembered long after you’re done speaking, you need great stories.
Contact Doug Stevenson at: doug@dougstevenson.com
www.storytelling-in-business.com
Do you want scientific proof that explains why stories stick? In this episode, we’re going to explore the brain science research that’s been conducted over the years, that describes why stories are more effective at influencing people and persuading them to come over to your point of view, versus simply providing a logical explanation backed up with facts and data.
In his book, Brain Rules, molecular biologist John Medina writes, “When the brain detects an emotionally charged event, the Amygdala releases dopamine into the system. Because dopamine greatly aids memory and information processing, you could say it creates a Post It note that reads, ‘Remember this.’”
In Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath, they state, “Stories are like flight simulators for the brain. The right kind of story is effectively, a simulation. Mental simulation is not as good as actually doing something, but it’s the next best thing.” They go on to explain that these mental simulations cause people to experience what you are proposing, rather than simply explaining it intellectually.
For anyone who is skeptical about telling stories in a business context, this episode provides the scientific basis for how and why stories captivate people’s attention by changing their brain chemistry. Learn how mirror neurons fire in your brain during a well told story and how the Amygdala in your brain releases dopamine into your system when you detect an emotionally charged event.
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com or visit: www.storytelling-in-business.com to learn more.
Change is an issue that affects all of us. For many people, it’s is something to be avoided. Change is disruptive, annoying and often mentally and emotionally painful. And yet, our change stories can help people see change in a different light. We can help people move past their fear and anxiety about change and into a more neutral place where they can see themselves making the changes necessary to move forward.
In this episode you’ll hear two change stories and how they were effective at helping people embrace change. I’ll also share a simple four-part formula for choosing your change stories. If you care about your audience, your change story can make a real and lasting difference in someone’s life.
What is an Origin Story and how do you develop yours? It depends on who you’re going to tell it to and for what purpose. Is it your personal origin story or your company’s origin story? Are you selling yourself, your idea, or your organization? In this episode Doug shares a simple three step formula for developing your origin story. He’ll share the origin story of how Google became Google and the origin story of how The Story Theater Method originated.
Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
Engineers like systems and procedures. Maybe that’s why my guest in this episode, Elise Foster, an engineer by training and now a keynote speaker, executive coach and leadership consultant, appreciated how The Story Theater Method could help her engineer her stories.
Elise Foster got her start in the speaking business when she was asked by Liz Wiseman, the author of the best-selling book, Multipliers – How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter, to co-author a book with her. That book, The Multiplier Effect – Tapping the Genius Inside Our Schools, required that Elise deliver keynotes in front of large and small audiences. She quickly realized that she needed to elevate her speaking and storytelling skills.
Elise realized that the data, facts, and details that she relied on as an engineer didn’t translate well to motivational keynotes on leadership. She had watched Liz deliver inspiring keynotes filled with engaging and relevant stories that captivated her audience attention. She knew she needed help making her stories come alive.
I had worked with Liz back in 2004 when she was the VP of Oracle University. She hired me to teach storytelling to her global training leaders. When she brought Elise on board, Liz recommended that Elise get in touch with me. As fate would have it, I was speaking in Indianapolis where Elise lived at the time, and she came to see me.
We had an immediate connection. Elise attended my Story Theater Retreat in Colorado Springs and has since gone on to incorporate The Nine Steps of Story Structure in crafting her stories. We’ve also become good friends.
In this episode she shares her signature story, a bedtime story for leaders, and how that one core story has stood the test of time and generated a consistent stream of income. Listen and learn from my special guest, Elise Foster, the president of Leadership Potential Consulting.
Doug tells his Million Dollar Story – a funny Imbroglio story that was the genesis for The Story Theater Method and a 25-year speaking career. An Imbroglio is an acutely embarrassing or painful situation. It’s a comedy of errors. Listen, learn and be inspired to find your Million Dollar Story that sticks.
Do you have a hard time choosing the point of your story? Do you ever ramble when you make the point? The Phrase That Pays will solve that problem and make your point or lesson stick. Find your Phrase That Pays. Take the time to get it right. Stick the landing!
doug@dougstevenson.com
www.storytelling-in-business.com
Discount Code for Next Level Storytelling Video eLearning Series: podcast-videos
Start with the end in mind. What is the purpose of your story? Will it drive sales, inspire confidence, persuade people to embrace change? What do you need a story to do? In this episode, you'll be guided through a process for finding the right story that makes the right point for the right situation.
Link to Doug's Storytelling talk at Google:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKUiE9DBkKc&t=18s
Learn how to develop a story from concept to a finished product. This episode focuses on story craft and analysis. Learn how the Nine Steps of Story Structure works and how it will provide a template for crafting all your stories. Discover how to create a Yoda and why you need to repeat your Phrase That Pays multiple times for it to stick.
Discover The Story Theater Method for strategic storytelling in business and how it will help you tell a powerful story. Learn how to create scenes, develop dialogue and brand the point of your story with a Phrase That Pays. Doug tells a story and then analyzes how he makes the point of his story stick.
In this short 3-minute introduction, you’ll learn how this podcast will help you stand out, get ahead, and make a positive impression by learning the science of the art of storytelling. Doug Stevenson will share storytelling hacks, techniques and advanced story crafting skills.