The StoryBrand Podcast

Football has a powerful grip on its fans, but have you ever stopped to think about why it works so well? Football has a remarkable history of uniting friends and families across generations. From the build-up to game day and the epic rivalries to the emotional highs-and-lows of every play, football delivers both the thrill of competition and the comfort of community. But what actually makes it so...

Thought leaders influence the way we see the world, solve problems, and make decisions. But what makes someone a true thought leader? Are they original thinkers with unique worldviews, or can they be curators sharing their opinions and amplifying others' ideas? With the rise of social media, it's harder than ever to tell the difference. So how can we separate the trailblazers from those simply ech...

Some movies capture lightning in a bottle, but few soar as high as Top Gun: Maverick. With $1.4 billion in global earnings and record-breaking attendance post-pandemic, this film didn't just work—it dominated. But why? Was it the nostalgia, the perfectly executed hero's journey, or the relentless determination of its star, Tom Cruise? At a time when theaters struggled, Maverick reminded us why blo...

Whether you realize it or not, frameworks structure the world around us. They help us make decisions faster, simplify complex processes, and are the reason so many bestselling books and billion-dollar businesses succeed. Without clear frameworks, progress can feel chaotic and goals seem unattainable. So, why are frameworks so effective, and how can you create one to make life and business simpler?...

Starting January 6, 2025, the Business Made Simple Podcast feed will become home to an exciting new show:  Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai , hosted by Donald Miller, creator of the StoryBrand framework.   Have you ever wondered why some brands, trends, or products become massive successes while others fade into obscurity? That's exactly what this podcast will explore. Each week, Donal...

AI is revolutionizing the way businesses operate—but how do you harness it effectively without getting lost in the noise? In this final episode of the Business Made Simple Podcast, Bobby Richards and James Sweeting sit down with Geoff Woods, author of The AI-Driven Leader, to unpack the practical ways small business owners can leverage AI as a strategic thought partner.   Geoff shares the essentia...

Life's curveballs can leave you feeling out of control, burned out, and off your game. And when your mornings feel chaotic, the rest of your day never seems to recover. Most people start their day hitting snooze, reacting to problems, and dragging themselves to work.  But what if you could take back your mornings and start every day with clarity, purpose, and motivation? Imagine how much more you...

Countless business owners unknowingly build a "prison" around themselves — a business that only works if they're doing all the work. Every problem is their problem. Every fire is their fire. They're working 60, 70, 80 hours a week — and for what? This is the hidden trap that swallows countless business owners whole. Here's the truth: if you don't break out of this cycle, you'll end up resenting th...

Running a business is hard enough without feeling like your own brain is working against you. If ADHD has you stuck in cycles of procrastination, perfectionism, or overwhelm, you might wonder if you'll ever get a handle on your own productivity. Many entrepreneurs struggle to balance their creative bursts with the structure and discipline needed for success. So how do you work with your brain inst...

Get ready for an all-new podcast experience! Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand. AI launches January 6th.   Have you ever wondered why some brands, trends, and campaigns succeed while others fall flat? Host Donald Miller dives deep into the strategies behind today's biggest successes, breaking them down into actionable insights you can use.   Whether you're a business owner, marketer, or ju...

What if the secret to abundance isn't found in chasing external success but in reframing how you see and approach your life and business? For so many of us, achieving more doesn't always equate to feeling fulfilled. How can you shift your mindset and embrace the abundance already around you?   In this week's episode, Cathy Heller, author of Abundant Ever After , talks with hosts Bobby Richards and...

BIG NEWS! After three amazing years, the Business Made Simple Podcast will be ending, and starting January 6, 2025, this feed will become home to an exciting new show: Why That Worked – Presented by  StoryBrand. AI , hosted by Donald Miller.  It's been an honor providing you with the tools and frameworks to help you become a better business owner, and this new podcast will continue giving incredib...

Delivering exceptional customer service can feel taxing, especially when you're juggling multiple roles in your business. It's easy to think that "good enough" is sufficient, but the truth is, it's the small, thoughtful actions that leave the biggest impact on your customers. If you've ever struggled with handling tough customer interactions or wondered how to wow your clients without breaking the...

When your business starts to scale, growth brings new opportunities—and new complexities. As they say, "New level, new devil." While rapid growth is exciting, it can also lead to misalignment, confusion, and burnout without the right checks in place. To keep your team focused, your mission clear, and your growth sustainable, you need a proactive approach.   In this episode, host Bobby Richards tal...

If you're in the coaching business, you know it's not enough to just find clients. You've got to help them get real results that make a difference. But without a proven system, that's easier said than done. A lot of coaches end up frustrated, watching their clients stall out. So, what if you could skip the trial and error and go straight to what works?   In this episode, Donald Miller talks with M...

As a business coach, you might have all the passion and wisdom in the world, but if you don't have a clear, step-by-step framework, things can get messy—fast. Without a reliable system, helping your clients get consistent, meaningful results is essentially a gamble. You end up reinventing the wheel for each client which creates an exhausting grind for you and an unpredictable experience for your c...

Feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? Download  The Small Business Owner's Quickstart Checklist  for free at  BusinessMadeSimple.com/Quickstart and start streamlining your operations, clarifying your message, and building a business that works for you.   --   If you think more followers or a bigger ad budget will fix your business, think again. Too often, business owners mistake tactics for stra...

How do you start charging for your advice without feeling weird about it? A lot of business owners have the expertise to coach others, but turning that knowledge into a successful coaching business can feel daunting and awkward. How do you know if what you're offering is worth the price? The real challenge isn't what you know—it's learning how to package that knowledge into something people are wi...

Feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? Download The Small Business Owner's Quickstart Checklist for free at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Quickstart and start streamlining your operations, clarifying your message, and building a business that works for you.   --   Video marketing can do wonders for your business—if you're comfortable getting on camera. For many, though, creating videos feels awkward and...

You've got the vision and the drive to grow your business, but there's a massive obstacle holding you back: chaos. Tasks pile up, deadlines blur, and you find yourself juggling too many things at once. How many times have you wished you had more time to focus on the bigger picture? Without someone to manage the daily grind, it can feel like you're constantly putting out fires instead of strategizi...

You've built a business you're proud of, but are you spending too much time in the weeds? When small tasks pile up, you might feel like you're doing everything except what actually grows your business. With every email and customer support issue you handle, you're losing time that should be dedicated to sales and marketing—the lifeblood of your revenue. So, how do you know when it's time to delega...

What's the real cost of being too nice? It's more than you might think. Many leaders, especially small business owners, fall into the trap of "ruinous empathy", which is the failure to provide essential feedback due to the fear of hurting someone's feelings. Avoiding difficult confrontations might feel like the right thing to do—but it's actually a fast track to mediocrity.    Join hosts Bobby Ric...

Many people believe that financial freedom—accumulating enough money to never work again—is the ultimate goal. But for most entrepreneurs, this dream feels out of reach, which leads to frustration and financial stress. The constant pressure to build wealth and achieve financial freedom can leave you feeling like a failure if you don't hit that big number. So what if financial freedom isn't the ans...

Are you leaving money on the table by not offering an online course? A lot of business owners feel overwhelmed by the idea of turning their knowledge into a digital product, worried it might be too complex or could cannibalize their bread-and-butter services. The doubts—about your teaching ability or the sheer effort involved—can make you question if creating an online course is the right move.  ...

Cash flow is the heartbeat of any business. But what do you do when revenue takes a sudden hit and the money isn't coming in as expected? Whether it's a seasonal dip, unexpected expenses, or a major disruption like a pandemic, every entrepreneur feels the pressure when cash flow slows down. These times can be stressful and can even threaten the survival of your business. So, what can you do now to...