The Storytelling Lab

• Turning Emotions Into Images on the Page with Gary Smith

  “If you write well, readers see your story differently—but they see it. It’s a visual medium, even in text.” — Gary SmithWhat 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 background in photography shapes the way he builds scenes, characters, and emotions on the page. His process begins with feeling, moves through visualization, and ends with carefully structured prose that reads like a cinematic experience.The conversation dives deep into discipline, creativity, character development, and how the act of storytelling can help both writer and reader reflect on life’s deeper questions. Gary shares how years of long-distance running and construction work taught him the habits and resilience that now power his writing routine.This episode is packed with wisdom for any writer who wants to create stories that resonate visually, emotionally, and philosophically.In this episode, you will learn to:Develop a storytelling mindset that starts with feeling and translates to visual scenes on the pageBuild a daily writing practice grounded in discipline, not motivationUse your life experience to create authentic, layered charactersSee your scenes cinematically and structure your chapters like movie framesUnderstand how self-publishing can be a fulfilling and strategic path for fiction writersFor more storytelling tips and tricks,Visit my website rainbennett.com, orFollow me on TikTok @rainbennett.storyellerFollow me on Twitter @rainbennettFollow me on Instagram @rainbennettFollow me on Facebook @thestorytellinglab Subscribe to my Youtube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Why Connection Beats Consistency in Content Marketing with Renee Frojo

  “Consistency is not about how often you post—it's about how consistently you show up in your message.” — Renee FrojoWhat 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 consistency in your posting schedule.Renee breaks down how founders, solopreneurs, and startups can stop chasing viral trends and start building powerful stories that connect, convert, and scale.From her personal evolution in content marketing to the development of her storytelling retreats and workshops, Renee shares the systems she uses to help brands mine for meaningful stories and communicate with confidence. They discuss how storytelling enhances every part of your business—from sales calls to short-form social content—and why authenticity has its limits when it comes to brand building.If you're burned out by content creation and looking for a smarter, more resonant approach, this episode will reshape the way you think about storytelling in business.In this episode, you will learn to:Reframe consistency by focusing on a cohesive brand narrative rather than daily content outputIdentify emotionally resonant stories through Renee’s “story mining” frameworkApply short-form storytelling techniques that stand out in crowded digital spacesBuild trust and credibility with authentic vulnerability—without oversharingDesign storytelling-driven case studies that simplify your value and deepen engagementFor more storytelling tips and tricks,Visit my website rainbennett.com, orFollow me on TikTok @rainbennett.storyellerFollow me on Twitter @rainbennettFollow me on Instagram @rainbennettFollow me on Facebook @thestorytellinglab Subscribe to my Youtube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Unlocking Emotional Insights with Story-Driven Data and AI with James Warren

  “The more narrow we get with our prompts, the deeper and more profound the insights become.” — James WarrenHow 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 power of stories with the analytical depth of AI.With a background in brand strategy and corporate leadership, James has pioneered a way to analyze written stories to reveal the underlying emotions, needs, and values of employees, customers, and communities.James shares how emotional mapping, sensory prompts, and narrative-based strategy help organizations tap into deeper truths that conventional analytics miss. Whether you’re a team leader, marketer, or founder, this episode offers powerful insight into how empathy and data can combine to unlock connection and impact at scale.In this episode, you will learn to:Uncover hidden truths by using storytelling as a data collection method for organizational insightBridge the gap between emotional intelligence and analytics by using tech tools like AI and NLP without sacrificing humanityDesign better prompts that help employees and customers recall deeper, more meaningful storiesStrengthen both employee and customer experience (EX and CX) by listening to the emotions that drive behaviorUse stories to create authentic culture alignment across leadership, brand, and communityFor more storytelling tips and tricks,Visit my website rainbennett.com, orFollow me on TikTok @rainbennett.storyellerFollow me on Twitter @rainbennettFollow me on Instagram @rainbennettFollow me on Facebook @thestorytellinglab Subscribe to my Youtube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• The Rise of the Chief Storytelling Officer Role

  “The CSO needs a seat at every department’s table—product, marketing, sales—because story threads through all of it.” — Rain BennettStorytelling 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.Whether you’re at a massive company like Nike or a scrappy startup, someone needs to take responsibility for narrative consistency across your entire organization.Rain shares insights from his interviews with real CSOs, including Nike’s Nelson Farris, and breaks down what this role looks like—why it matters, what it includes, and how to fill it (even if it’s you). From establishing your brand’s core “why” to ensuring cohesion across departments like product, marketing, and sales, the CSO is the linchpin of a modern brand. And as Rain writes his next book on the topic, he’s bringing listeners along for the journey.This episode sets the stage for a season focused on clarity, alignment, and the systems that make brand storytelling sustainable.In this episode, you will learn to:Understand the purpose and impact of the Chief Storytelling Officer as a leadership role, not just a creative one.Translate your brand’s purpose and vision into aligned stories across product, marketing, sales, and internal culture.Avoid misalignment and brand dilution by building a system of narrative cohesion from top to bottom.Identify the right person to fill the CSO role—whether that’s you or someone already doing the work informally.Create trust and connection with customers, teams, and investors through one clear, consistent story.For more storytelling tips and tricks,Visit my website rainbennett.com, orFollow me on TikTok @rainbennett.storyellerFollow me on Twitter @rainbennettFollow me on Instagram @rainbennettFollow me on Facebook @thestorytellinglab Subscribe to my Youtube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Brandon Sanderson’s Simple Storytelling Model that Always Works

  “Think about what your story promises and then ask yourself if you're actually moving toward it.” — Rain BennettTired 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 clarity and ease—whether you're telling a short story, a brand narrative, or a social media post.Rain breaks down what each step means, how to apply it in your work, and why it's so effective at keeping your audience engaged and emotionally invested. You’ll hear examples from The Lion King, Star Wars, and even YouTube tutorials to show how Promise, Progress, and Payoff show up across formats.If you're feeling overwhelmed by storytelling theory, this episode brings you back to what matters most: clear expectations, forward motion, and satisfying endings.In this episode, you will learn to:Use Promise, Progress, Payoff to guide any story you’re telling, no matter the format or length.Establish clear expectations early to draw your audience in and build trust.Keep your story on track by checking whether each moment is moving the narrative forward.Deliver a satisfying resolution that rewards the time and attention of your audience.Adapt this structure to content of any scale, from brand videos to epic novels.For more storytelling tips and tricks,Visit my website rainbennett.com, orFollow me on TikTok @rainbennett.storyellerFollow me on Twitter @rainbennettFollow me on Instagram @rainbennettFollow me on Facebook @thestorytellinglab Subscribe to my Youtube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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