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"CQ — the character quotient — is who you are at the core of your values, and how consistently people can trust you to be that person. That to me is the exponential topper." — Bill Blankschaen Every person has a story no one else has. The problem is most people either don't know how to tell it or don't believe it's worth telling. Bill Blankschaen, author of Your Story Advantage and founder of StoryBuilders, has spent over a decade helping thought leaders (from John Maxwell to Lewis Howes)nfind their story, shape it, and use it to grow their impact, influence, and income. In this episode, Bill breaks down the Story Multiplier Formula, the five traps that keep people from ever telling their story, and why the structure he teaches doesn't constrain you, but actually sets you free to be more creative and more effective. He also walks through IQ, EQ, and the often-overlooked "CQ," and why that last one is the only variable that's entirely your choice. If you've got a message inside you that you haven't figured out how to get out, this is your episode. In this episode, you will learn to: Apply the Story Multiplier Formula to turn who you are into measurable impact, influence, and incomeIdentify and break out of the confidence trap, the chaos trap, and the other story blocks holding you backUnderstand the difference between IQ, EQ, and CQ—and why character is the only one you fully controlBuild a story ecosystem with a clear message, a multiplier like a book, and a path to monetizationEdit your story for your audience, not yourself, because your story is about you but it was never for you Follow Bill Blankschaen:Website → https://billblankschaen.com/ Free Resources → https://www.yourstoryadvantage.com/free-resources Book → Your Story Advantage by Bill Blankschaen: https://amzn.to/4vPjudW Company → Story Builders → https://mystorybuilders.com/ Book Referenced → Never Quit by Glenn Cunningham (https://amzn.to/4tsDFNe) People Referenced → John Maxwell, Lewis Howes, Dean Graziosi, Jason Wilson, Stephen Covey, Hugh Hewitt And for more storytelling tips and strategies, visit: Website → https://rainbennett.com Podcast → https://thestorytellinglabpodcast.com Or follow along at: TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficer Twitter/X → https://twitter.com/rainbennett Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rainbennett Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellinglab YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I wasn't processing and dealing with my own stuff. Somehow I made my way back to storytelling. And that was really, if I could point to two things—my wife and story—those pulled me out." — Ret. Lt. Col. Scott Mann Scott Mann spent nearly two decades as a Green Beret, but the most powerful weapon he ever wielded was his story. In this episode, Scott breaks down rooftop leadership, the concept he coined in Afghanistan after watching storytelling and human connection turn frightened villagers into fighters. What he learned on those rooftops became the foundation for everything he now teaches about leadership, trust, and the courage to be relatable. After leaving the military, Scott hit rock bottom, standing in his closet holding a pistol, lost and without purpose. Storytelling pulled him out. Now he's an author, playwright, and the founder of a nonprofit helping veterans and first responders find their voice. His book The Generosity of Scars and his one-man shows Last Out and 11 Days are taking that message across the country and onto stages where veterans and civilians sit side by side and finally make sense of things together. If you've ever wondered whether your story is worth telling, Scott Mann's answer is clear: it was never about you in the first place. In this episode, you will learn to: Use storytelling as a trust-building tool in any high-stakes, low-trust environmentDistinguish between vulnerability for its own sake and relatability as an intentional, powerful communication strategyUnderstand what "autobiographical listening" means and why it explains how stories move people to actionOwn your story rather than let it own you by working through it in the service of othersRecognize that your scars are not your wounds—they are your most generous gift to the people who need to hear them Follow Scott Mann: Website → https://www.scottmann.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/greenberetscottmann Books → The Generosity of Scars (out May 12th) and Operation Pineapple Express by Scott Mann Plays → Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret and 11 Days: The Story of Operation Pineapple Express Nonprofit → Task Force Pineapple Program → Take the Mic (storytelling coaching) People Referenced: Steven Pressfield, Bo Eason, Dr. Diego Hernandez, Gary Sinise, Daniel Coyle, Daniel Pink For more storytelling tips and strategies, visit: Website → https://rainbennett.com Podcast → https://thestorytellinglabpodcast.com Or follow along at: TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficer Twitter/X → https://twitter.com/rainbennett Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rainbennett Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellinglab YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"When you live in alignment with your values, you cause yourself as little suffering as possible in the long term. And that one just always sticks with me because it's really challenging in the short term. But if you have faith in your values and who you are and how you want to show up in the world, then ultimately you're creating a path that's going to serve you for the long term." — Jon Bregel What happens when the thing you love most… starts breaking you? In this episode, Rain sits down with cinematographer, founder of Variable, and career/life coach for filmmakers, Jon Bregel, to unpack a reality most creatives don’t talk about enough: burnout. After years of success in the film industry, Jon hit a breaking point that forced him to reevaluate everything—his career, his identity, and the story he was telling himself. That journey led him to create The Nourish Community, a space designed specifically to support the mental and emotional health of filmmakers. This conversation goes beyond tactics. It’s about identity, purpose, and how to build a creative life that actually sustains you, instead of slowly draining you. If you’re a filmmaker, creator, or entrepreneur feeling the pressure… this one hits close to home. In this episode, you will learn to: Recognize the early warning signs of creative burnout before it becomes a crisisUse core values as a practical decision-making compassUnderstand the difference between a life coach and a therapist and why creatives may need both for different reasonsReframe career plateaus, pivots, and rest as seasons of inner growth rather than signs of failureBuild or seek out real community as a creative and understand why that distinction changes everything Follow Jon Bregel: Website → https://www.nourishcommunity.co Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jonbregel Production Company → Variable (New York City) Film Referenced: The Baltimorons — directed by J. Duplass, starring Michael Strassner (cinematography by Jon Bregel) And, for more storytelling tips and strategies, visit: Website → https://rainbennett.com Podcast → https://thestorytellinglabpodcast.com Or follow along at: TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficer Twitter/X → https://twitter.com/rainbennett Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rainbennett Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellinglab YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"If you think the world could be better and you want to change it, you're going to have to come up with a better story and know how to tell it better." —Joseph Romm What happens when a physicist with a PhD realizes that data, charts, and credentials can't change a single mind, but a story can? Joseph Romm spent years working in climate science and clean energy before arriving at an uncomfortable truth: facts don't persuade people. Emotions do. In this episode, Joseph breaks down the ancient storytelling tools—the figures of speech used by Homer, Shakespeare, Lincoln, and yes, Taylor Swift—that make stories stick, spread, and move people to action. But this episode is about more than communication theory. Joseph and his daughter co-host the podcast Decoding Taylor Swift, where they analyze the storytelling craft embedded in her music. What started as a way to bond with his daughter over song lyrics became a masterclass in how great writers use foreshadow, irony, the hero's journey, and circular narrative structure to create stories that lodge in the brain and don't let go. As a father of a daughter himself, Rain finds this project deeply personal, and the conversation that follows is one of the most layered and surprising in the show's history. Whether you're trying to communicate complex ideas, reach an audience that doesn't share your worldview, or simply connect more deeply with the people you love, this episode gives you the framework to do it. In this episode, you will learn to: • Understand why storytelling is more effective than raw information in shaping beliefs • Recognize how narrative framing influences what people accept as true • Replace ineffective fact-based arguments with story-driven communication • Identify why misinformation spreads faster than truth • Apply narrative thinking to make your ideas more memorable and persuasive Follow Joseph Romm: Podcast → Decoding Taylor Swift (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decoding-taylor-swift/id1708550100) Book → How to Go Viral and Reach Millions by Joseph Romm (https://www.amazon.com/How-Viral-Reach-Millions-Shakespeare/dp/1944733779) Books & Talks Referenced: Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Roger Federer's Dartmouth Commencement Speech Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Speech The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell And, for more storytelling tips and strategies, visit: Website → https://rainbennett.com Podcast → https://thestorytellinglabpodcast.com Or follow along at: TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficer Twitter/X → https://twitter.com/rainbennett Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rainbennett Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellinglab YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Marketing might be how you get the first date. But to get the second and third date and hopefully form into a relationship, you have to have a brand." — Rain Bennett Brand isn't your logo, your color palette, your fonts, or your tagline. Brand is the story others tell about you. And in this solo episode, Rain breaks down exactly how to influence that story before it gets told without you. As part of the ongoing Narrative Operating System framework from his upcoming book The Chief Storytelling Officer, this episode is your practical guide to building a brand that goes deeper than decoration. Rain walks you through two foundational tools: the Brand Pyramid and the Brand Bible. Using real-world examples from Patagonia, Liquid Death, Apple, Yeti, and even his own mother's real estate business in Eastern North Carolina, he unpacks how the most powerful brands in the world built identity, loyalty, and community. Whether you're building something from scratch or realizing your current brand has drifted off course, this episode gives you the framework to get it back on track. From finding your one-word North Star to running a voice test on your content, Rain arms you with tools you can use this week, and a mindset that will serve your brand for the long run. In this episode, you will learn to: Distinguish between the three types of story every brand carries — the story you tell yourself, the story you tell others, and the story others tell about youBuild your Brand Pyramid from the ground up, starting with a single guiding word that informs every decision you makeCreate a Brand Bible that keeps your voice, visual identity, and messaging consistent across your entire team and every platformUse real brand case studies (Patagonia, Liquid Death, Yeti, Apple) to reverse-engineer what makes brand identity actually stickEvolve your brand intentionally over time through a cycle of inspiration and reflection — without losing who you areEpisodes Referenced: EP 216 — Vision: The Big Future StoryEP 220 — Mission: How You're Going to Get ThereEP 150 — Brand Essence & the Brand Pyramid (Deep Dive)EP 219 — Shane Lucas on Design as Storytelling Book Mentioned: The Chief Storytelling Officer by Rain Bennett → Pre-order now! Release date: August 25th Book Recommendation: If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? by Alan Alda For more storytelling tips and strategies, visit: Website → https://rainbennett.com Podcast → https://thestorytellinglabpodcast.com Or follow along at: TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficer Twitter/X → https://twitter.com/rainbennett Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rainbennett Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellinglab YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“When you start to look at things through the lens of story, it helps you appreciate and process what’s going on.” — Corey Rosen What makes someone lean in when you tell a story instead of tune out? In this episode, Rain sits down with Emmy-nominated TV writer, Moth champion, and brand storytelling expert Corey Rosen to break down the real tactics behind stories that actually land. This is not a fluffy conversation about “storytelling matters.” It’s a practical deep dive into curiosity gaps, emotional stakes, visual detail, and the inner life that gives a story dimension. Corey shares how his background in comedy, television, and live storytelling shaped the way he now teaches stories for every occasion—from keynotes and investor pitches to eulogies, wedding toasts, and brand messaging. They also get into improv, theme parks, AI, and why the future belongs to people who can create connection, not just content. In this episode, you will learn to: Build curiosity early so people care about where your story is goingUnderstand the three elements that make stories feel vivid, human, and memorableUse storytelling to build trust before you try to persuade, pitch, or influenceReframe everyday experiences as story material by noticing what changed and why it matteredSee how storytelling skills transfer across live performance, brand communication, and business Follow Corey Rosen on: Website → https://www.coreyrosen.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/storycoachcorey LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreyrosenstorycoach For more storytelling tips and tricks: Visit → https://rainbennett.com and https://thestorytellinglabpodcast.com Or follow along at... TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficer Twitter → https://twitter.com/rainbennett Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rainbennett Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellinglab YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“You can’t even begin to talk about results or impact until you actually put something out into the world.” — Kristen Sweeney What if the real problem with your content isn’t execution, but alignment? In this episode, Kristen Sweeney, founder of Every Little Word, breaks down the invisible work behind great communication: messaging frameworks, internal clarity, operational discipline, and the codified point of view that most companies skip. We explore why B2B brands struggle to articulate what they actually believe, how regulated industries can differentiate without breaking compliance, and why thought leadership without a clear stance is just noise. Kristen also shares how her background in theater shaped her confidence in high-level conversations and why content operations, not just creativity, determine results. If your content feels scattered, generic, or reactive, this episode is your blueprint for fixing it at the foundation. In this episode, you will learn to: Clarify and codify your point of view before producing a single piece of contentExtract real insight from subject matter experts instead of settling for surface-level answersBuild messaging foundations that reduce friction across teams and client communicationDifferentiate in crowded B2B and regulated industries without sacrificing accuracyMove from informational content to perspective-driven leadership Follow Kristen Sweeney: Website → https://www.everylittleword.com LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristensweeney For more storytelling tips and strategies, visit: Website → https://rainbennett.com Podcast → https://thestorytellinglabpodcast.com Or follow along at: TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficer Twitter/X → https://twitter.com/rainbennett Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rainbennett Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellinglab YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“There is no version of storytelling that does not become therapy.” — Spade Robinson What if the difference between an average story and a great one has less to do with talent or skill and more to do with self-awareness? In this episode, screenwriter and story consultant Spade Robinson breaks down why structure isn’t the enemy of creativity—it’s the foundation that allows it to thrive. We explore how unforgiveness shows up on the page, why most writers avoid the emotional core of their work, and how discipline in story design eliminates writer’s block. Spade also shares hard-earned insights from Sundance and the development world about the changing industry, why writers must think of themselves as studios, and how short-form storytelling and brand partnerships may shape the next era of film. If you care about story craft, emotional truth, and building a sustainable creative career, this conversation will challenge you in all the right ways. In this episode, you will learn to: Strengthen your stories by confronting the internal human question driving themUse structure as a creative advantage rather than a limitationEliminate writer’s block by building a strong outline before draftingUnderstand art and commerce must work together in today’s industryPosition yourself as a creator-studio in an attention-driven economy Follow Spade Robinson on: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/spaderobinson LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/spade-robinson-5588a231/ Website → https://www.atlantafilmproject.com/ And for more storytelling tips and tricks: Visit → https://rainbennett.com or https://thestorytellinglabpodcast.com Or, follow along at... TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficer Twitter → https://twitter.com/rainbennett Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rainbennett Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellinglab YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“The real story is always in the subtext.” — Tal Lazar Most people lose their audience the moment they start explaining. In this episode, cinematographer, educator, and author Tal Lazar breaks down why the real story is always in the subtext, and why emotion beats information when you’re trying to persuade, pitch, teach, or lead. We talk about why leaders default to “feature lists,” how filmmakers create coherence across dozens of departments, and why there’s no such thing as a formula for “coverage” if you’re actually telling a story. The throughline is simple: focus on the transformation your audience wants, not the impressive details you’re tempted to showcase. If you’ve been chasing better tools, better tactics, or better talking points, this conversation will pull you back to the skill that makes everything else work. In this episode, you will learn to: Shift your messaging from “what it is” to the transformation it creates for your audience Use subtext intentionally so your communication lands emotionally, not just intellectually Spot the fear-driven habit of over-explaining and replace it with story-first clarity Lead like a director by creating one coherent interpretation across many moving parts Build cinematic impact with fewer resources by knowing what your audience is actually feeling 🔗 Follow Tal on: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/talazar LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/talazar Website → https://cinematicimpact.com 📚 For more storytelling tips and tricks:Visit → https://rainbennett.com Or → https://thestorytellinglabpodcast.com TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficer Twitter → https://twitter.com/rainbennett Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rainbennett Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellinglab YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Vision is what inspires your people. Mission is what activates and organizes them.” —Rain Bennett What good is a bold vision if you don’t have a mission to back it up? In this solo episode, Rain Bennett breaks down why mission is the most misunderstood and most essential piece of a brand’s storytelling system. Using examples from WeWork’s collapse and Airbnb’s legendary collaboration with Pixar, Rain explains how to turn abstract ideas into real-world action through a story-driven mission. If your company struggles to align teams, inspire customers, or scale with clarity, the problem may not be your vision. It may be the lack of a narrative-driven mission. This episode will teach you how to build one that works, aligns, and lasts. In this episode, you will learn to: Find the gap between vision and mission that leads to brand driftCraft a mission that functions like a plotline for your businessAlign internal teams and stakeholders around a shared narrativeUse customer journey mapping as a story structureTranslate lofty goals into repeatable action through story 📚 For more storytelling tips and tricks:Visit → https://rainbennett.com Or → https://thestorytellinglabpodcast.com Or following along on... TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficer Twitter → https://twitter.com/rainbennett Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rainbennett Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellinglab YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Your stories are building bricks of belief in your brand." — Shane Lukas How do you sell something your customer can’t see, touch, or fully understand? Shane Lukas has spent decades helping professional service providers do exactly that by using story as a tool to create trust, clarity, and emotional resonance. In this episode, Rain and Shane explore how narrative makes “invisible” value tangible. From accountants and coaches to consultants and creatives, anyone who delivers a process or service will benefit from Shane’s simple but powerful storytelling framework. Together, they discuss the importance of transformation-driven messaging, the psychology of pre-sale belief, and how to guide your prospects with authentic case studies that show, not just tell, what you really do. This is a masterclass in making your message matter. In this episode, you will learn to: Sell intangible services by framing the emotional outcome, not the technical detailsGuide potential clients through stories that build trust before you pitchUse transformation case studies to prove your value without oversellingUnderstand why people buy with emotion, not logic—even in B2BReframe your sales process as a storytelling journey 🔗 Follow Shane on:Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/agreatidea Website → https://www.agreatidea.com LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-lukas/ 📚 And for more storytelling tips and tricks:Visit → https://rainbennett.com or https://thestorytellinglabpodcast.com Or follow... TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficer Twitter → https://twitter.com/rainbennett Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rainbennett Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellinglab YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Everybody in your organization has to be aligned… or it all starts to break down.” — Jensen Savage If you’ve been muscling your way through growth and wondering why it still feels so hard, this episode is for you. Jensen Savage, founder of Savage Growth Partners, breaks down the true cause of stagnation in business: misalignment. In this conversation, we explore why brute force can’t scale and how systematizing your customer journey can unlock powerful, sustainable growth. Jensen and Rain dig into the often-ignored “connective tissue” between marketing, sales, and operations and show how storytelling is more than messaging and communication—it’s infrastructure. Whether you're a founder, marketer, or small business owner, this episode will help you rethink what’s actually holding you back. In this episode, you will learn to: Understand why growth stalls even when you’re doing everything “right”Uncover the unseen gaps in your customer journey that silently kill momentumMap your marketing to metrics that matter most for service-based businessesBuild systems that turn handoffs into high-performance linksUse story-driven alignment to unify your brand from sales to operations 🔗 Follow Jensen on:Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/savagegrowthpartners LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jensensavage Website → https://savagegrowthpartners.com 📚 For more storytelling tips and tricks: Visit rainbennett.com or thestorytellinglabpodcast.com, or Follow... TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@chiefstorytellingofficer Twitter → https://twitter.com/rainbennett Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rainbennett Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellinglab YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@RainBennett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Every time you press upload, you’re telling the universe this is your part in the grand scheme.” — Elton Anderson, Jr. What if your content wasn’t just a creative outlet, but a mirror for your transformation? In this episode, Rain Bennett sits down with Elton Anderson—a photographer, storyteller, and founder of L10 Media—for a deep, vulnerable conversation on using storytelling to break free of the algorithm, let go of outdated identities, and build a media platform rooted in purpose. Elton shares his own creative pivot, leaving behind a successful photography career and embracing a new chapter built around authenticity, micro media ownership, and spiritual self-alignment. Together, they explore how to attract the right audience by showing up fully as yourself, why resistance is a sign you’re on the right path, and how to build a life and career that flow from the inside out. If you're multi-passionate, burned out by content trends, or questioning how to evolve in public, this episode will show you that your shadow isn’t something to fear—it’s where your story begins. In this episode, you will learn to: Embrace identity shifts as part of your creative evolutionFind your unique voice through consistent, imperfect actionUse storytelling as a tool to connect with others and yourselfBuild a micro media company around your personal purposeReframe resistance as a signal that you're on the right path Follow Elton on: Instagram TikTok or visit his website, HERE! And for more storytelling tips and tricks, Visit rainbennett.com or thestorytellinglabpodcast.com Follow on TikTok @chiefstorytellingofficer Follow on Twitter @rainbennett Follow on Instagram @rainbennett Follow on Facebook @thestorytellinglab  Subscribe to the YouTube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“If your company doesn’t know the story that it’s helping to tell, no marketing campaign is going to save you.” — Rain Bennett Most businesses mistake their vision for a quarterly goal or a financial target, but that’s not a story anyone wants to join. In this solo episode, Rain Bennett unpacks the critical difference between vision and mission, showing how your vision acts as the narrative North Star for your entire brand. Rain shares a clear, actionable framework based on Simon Sinek’s “Just Cause” model and explains how the best visions are resilient, inclusive, and service-oriented. Through two powerful case studies—Patagonia and The People’s Game—Rain illustrates how a well-crafted vision can guide every part of your business, from branding to product development to internal culture. If you’ve ever struggled to articulate why your company exists beyond just making money, this episode gives you the foundation to start telling a story that actually matters. In this episode, you will learn to: Define a brand vision that is resilient, inclusive, and service-orientedAlign your team and decisions around a single, powerful storyAvoid the common mistakes that make most vision statements meaninglessUse real-world case studies to guide your own storytelling strategyCraft a vision that inspires belief, not just activity For more storytelling tips and tricks, Visit rainbennett.com or thestorytellinglabpodcast.com Follow on TikTok @chiefstorytellingofficer Follow on Twitter @rainbennett Follow on Instagram @rainbennett Follow on Facebook @thestorytellinglab  Subscribe to the YouTube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I was made from mistakes. I was promoted, protected, loved, and perfected by them.” — David Meltzer After losing $100 million and hitting rock bottom, David Meltzer rebuilt his life and his business around a mission to empower over 1 billion people to be happy. In this episode, Rain Bennett sits down with David to explore how storytelling became the vehicle for that transformation. David opens up about the bankruptcy he once hid from the world, the emotional healing that followed, and the new definition of success that changed everything. They talk about the myth of “give more, get more,” the strategic use of vulnerability, and how to build a brand rooted in service and joy. If you’ve ever struggled to see the upside in your darkest moments, this conversation will show you how to flip the script and turn your pain into purpose. In this episode, you will learn to: Reframe failure as the foundation for your most powerful storyCreate a happiness-driven business model that serves and scalesEmbrace vulnerability to build real trust and connectionShift from ego-based identity to a mission-based lifeTeach your team to lead with empathy, clarity, and consistency Follow David on: LinkedIn Instagram TikTok YouTube or pre-order his new book, HERE! And for more storytelling tips and tricks, Visit rainbennett.com or thestorytellinglabpodcast.com Follow on TikTok @chiefstorytellingofficer Follow on Twitter @rainbennett Follow on Instagram @rainbennett Follow on Facebook @thestorytellinglab  Subscribe to the YouTube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.