The Storytelling Lab

“A message map is the most underutilized resource for marketers.” — David Ebner What if the reason your marketing isn’t working has nothing to do with the content itself, but everything to do with the foundation it’s built on? In this episode, Rain sits down with David Ebner, founder of Content Workshop and one of the clearest voices in content strategy, to unpack why most brand storytelling falls...

“The shortest distance between two souls is a story.” — Aaron Calafato Aaron Calafato doesn’t just teach storytelling—he lives it. In this episode, we dive into what it really means to lead with story, both as an artist and a business strategist. Aaron shares how he built an audience (and a business) by showing up authentically and consistently, telling personal stories that are never just about h...

“A story is a single arc of transformation. A narrative is the thread that connects them all.” — Rain Bennett Most businesses think their biggest challenge is marketing. But what if the real issue is story misalignment ? In this solo episode, Rain Bennett introduces the Narrative Operating System —a strategic framework designed to bring your brand's stories into alignment across every department:...

“If it makes me curious, then maybe it’ll make someone else curious, too.” — Patrick Hicks What started as a 30-day content challenge became a storytelling movement powered by rock, raw honesty, and curiosity. In this episode of The Storytelling Lab , Rain Bennett speaks with Patrick Hicks , creator of a viral TikTok account (@patrickhicksmusic), where he tells the stories behind the songs that sh...

"Interviewing is not about taking something—it's about helping them be more of who they are." — Wil Weldon What if the key to more powerful storytelling lies not in your editing skills—but in your ability to deeply listen? In this soul-stirring episode, Rain Bennett talks with Wil Weldon , a video journalist, former massage therapist, and Reiki practitioner who’s developed a holistic approach to i...

"I wanted each character to be complex enough and sympathetic enough that there's some deep reason you could identify in yourself." — Elizabeth Lo How do you tell a story that's intimate, ethically complicated, and rooted in real-life secrecy—without exploiting your subjects? In this episode, Rain Bennett speaks with acclaimed documentary filmmaker Elizabeth Lo , director of Mistress Dispeller , o...

“A story is a singular arc of transformation. A narrative is the thread that ties all your stories together.” — Rain Bennett Is telling your brand story enough to build a loyal audience? In this episode, Rain Bennett breaks down the essential but often misunderstood difference between brand story and brand narrative . While most marketers focus on crafting engaging stories, Rain explains why the r...

“If you're not leaning into your own abracadabra, you're leaving your competitive advantage on the table.” says magician and marketer, Jimi Gibson. What if storytelling wasn’t just about clever hooks or flashy content—but instead about casting spells that transform how people feel and act? In this episode, Rain sits down with Jimi Gibson , a marketing strategist, TEDx speaker, and lifelong magicia...

“Ownable originality is about creating something uniquely you—something no one else can do, even if they tried.” — Rob Meyers What does it mean to create something that no one else can replicate? In this episode of The Storytelling Lab , Rain sits down with Rob Meyers , Managing Director of the creative studio Versus , to explore the concept of “ownable originality.” Rob shares the philosophy behi...

“If you write well, readers see your story differently—but they see it. It’s a visual medium, even in text.” — Gary Smith What happens when a fine art photographer becomes a novelist? In this episode of The Storytelling Lab , Rain Bennett sits down with Gary Smith , a visual artist turned fiction author, who brings a unique perspective to the craft: writing as seeing. Gary explains how his backgro...

“Consistency is not about how often you post—it's about how consistently you show up in your message.” — Renee Frojo What if the key to growing your brand wasn’t pumping out more content, but going deeper with your message? In this episode of The Storytelling Lab , host Rain Bennett talks to Renee Frojo , a former journalist turned brand storyteller, about why clarity in your narrative beats consi...

“The more narrow we get with our prompts, the deeper and more profound the insights become.” — James Warren How do you uncover what your customers and employees really think—without another boring survey? In this episode of The Storytelling Lab , Rain speaks with James Warren , the founder of Share More Stories and creator of SEEQ , a storytelling and insights platform that blends the emotional po...

“The CSO needs a seat at every department’s table—product, marketing, sales—because story threads through all of it.” — Rain Bennett Storytelling isn’t just about marketing anymore—it’s about leadership, alignment, and growth. In this special 200th episode of The Storytelling Lab , Rain kicks off Season 14 by exploring the rise of a new essential role in business: the Chief Storytelling Officer ....

“Think about what your story promises and then ask yourself if you're actually moving toward it.” — Rain Bennett Tired of overcomplicated storytelling formulas? In this episode, Rain simplifies the process with a three-step model inspired by bestselling fantasy author Brandon Sanderson: Promise, Progress, Payoff . This framework is rooted in classical storytelling principles but designed for clari...

“If you get your timeline pushed back, think of it as another year to make the story better.” — Erika Arlee What does it really take to build a sustainable filmmaking career? In this episode, Rain sits down with Erika Arlee and Kristi Ray, the powerhouse duo behind Honey Head Films, to explore how they’ve grown a production company that balances passion, purpose, and profit. They share the story o...

“We make our media the same way we make our barbecue, and that’s low and slow.” — Shawn Walchef How do you run a business and still find time to create content? In this episode, Rain sits down with Shawn Walchef, owner of Cali BBQ and founder of Cali BBQ Media, to explore how storytelling and content creation aren’t distractions—they’re growth engines. Shawn shares how he went from struggling rest...

“Your story comes from your heart, and then you structure it to deliver it in the best way.” — Rain Bennett Ever hear the term "story beat" and wonder what it really means? In this episode, Rain breaks down the mysterious middle ground between scenes and acts—the story beat. And he uses Blake Snyder’s popular (and sometimes polarizing) Save the Cat beat sheet to do it. You’ll get a clear explanat...

“People want to feel heard. If you don’t create a collaborative space, they won’t come back.” — Stewart Cohen How do you build a long, successful creative career when you are the brand? In this episode, Rain sits down with director and visual storyteller Stewart Cohen to explore the balance between artistry and entrepreneurship. With decades of experience in commercial production, photography, and...

“The stories we take on as children are often the ones we spend the rest of our lives trying to rewrite.” — John Bucher What if the story you’re living isn’t the one you were meant to live? In this episode, Rain sits down with John Bucher, President of the Joseph Campbell Foundation, to explore how the ancient patterns of mythology still shape our modern lives. Together, they dive deep into Joseph...

“You don’t just present a pitch—you present a world your audience wants to live in.” — Rain Bennett What do the Gettysburg Address , I Have a Dream , and your next sales pitch have in common? They all follow a specific structure—one that Nancy Duarte calls the Sparkline . In this solo episode, Rain breaks down how this framework works, why it resonates so deeply, and how you can use it to capture...

“It’s okay to not be okay. It’s just not okay to stay that way.” — Nina Sossamon-Pogue What do you do when life knocks you flat? Former U.S. gymnast turned Emmy-winning journalist, tech exec, and resilience coach Nina Sossamon-Pogue has fallen—and learned how to get back up more times than she can count. In this episode of The Storytelling Lab , Rain sits down with Nina to explore how we build per...

"Most nonfiction books could’ve been blog posts—but fiction sticks with you for life." — Nathan Baugh Is fiction just entertainment—or is it the best self-help you’re not reading? In this episode, Rain Bennett sits down with storyteller, writer, and World Builders creator Nathan Baugh to talk about the power of fiction in a world obsessed with productivity, optimization, and self-help checklists....

"The drugs we've accepted in society—alcohol, nicotine, caffeine—were chosen for productivity, not well-being." — Paul Austin What if the stories we’ve been told about psychedelics were wrong? In this episode, Rain Bennett sits down with Paul Austin, founder of Third Wave and Psychedelic Coaching Institute, to explore how microdosing and intentional psychedelic use are helping people heal, focus,...

"It's not just what you say—it's how you say it. And who you're saying it to." — Esther Oyetunji What makes a story unforgettable? At this year’s Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham, North Carolina, Rain Bennett spoke with three sets of storytellers, each using a different medium, subject, and method—but all working toward the same goal: to move their audience. In this special episode,...

"You have to give yourself permission to be terrible at being a business owner when you start." — Keenya Kelly In a world where social media platforms change by the week, how do you stay visible, build a loyal audience, and run a profitable business? Keenya Kelly has done just that—amassing over 500,000 TikTok followers and building a thriving brand across multiple platforms. In this episode of Th...