WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.450 --> 00:00:06.600 Joe: A family walks into a talent agency and says, have we got the act for you? 00:00:07.500 --> 00:00:12.030 If you're familiar with this opening to a joke, you may have 00:00:12.030 --> 00:00:14.190 had a visceral reaction to it. 00:00:14.820 --> 00:00:17.070 Either you think it's hysterically funny? 00:00:17.520 --> 00:00:20.400 Shamefully disgusting or both. 00:00:21.060 --> 00:00:23.910 It's the opening to the joke, the aristocrats. 00:00:24.270 --> 00:00:28.620 And if you have a weak stomach, I don't suggest you look it up. 00:00:29.460 --> 00:00:33.180 See the point of this joke, isn't actually the punchline, 00:00:33.210 --> 00:00:34.680 which is right in the title. 00:00:35.190 --> 00:00:38.490 The point is to see how long you can improv a shocking, 00:00:38.520 --> 00:00:40.320 disgusting, offensive story. 00:00:41.130 --> 00:00:45.270 You can think about it as a secret handshake among comedians that 00:00:45.270 --> 00:00:51.060 became not so secret after a 2005 documentary came out about the joke. 00:00:52.260 --> 00:00:56.070 But it got me thinking about the importance of telling a story. 00:00:56.940 --> 00:00:57.630 Last week. 00:00:57.630 --> 00:01:01.380 I got to speak to my friend, Nick Benson's college classes 00:01:01.740 --> 00:01:03.360 about digital storytelling. 00:01:04.080 --> 00:01:04.920 Don't worry. 00:01:05.040 --> 00:01:06.960 I didn't tell the aristocrats. 00:01:07.470 --> 00:01:11.700 But I did tell them about why storytelling is so important. 00:01:12.030 --> 00:01:13.950 And that's what I want to talk to you about today. 00:01:14.400 --> 00:01:18.270 So as you listen to what is, hopefully this story? 00:01:18.300 --> 00:01:21.000 I look for these top takeaways. 00:01:21.690 --> 00:01:23.670 How to tell a good story. 00:01:24.780 --> 00:01:26.700 And how do we integrate. 00:01:27.000 --> 00:01:29.550 Elements from the story into the point in your making. 00:01:30.450 --> 00:01:33.000 Where to find good stories. 00:01:33.690 --> 00:01:36.570 And the three act structure that dictates them. 00:01:37.260 --> 00:01:40.410 And who you need to make the hero. 00:01:40.890 --> 00:01:41.820 In your story. 00:01:42.510 --> 00:01:46.200 We'll cover all of that in more plus in the pro show, I'm going to 00:01:46.200 --> 00:01:50.700 talk about how I am revamping my automations database for members. 00:01:51.180 --> 00:01:58.140 As well as how and why I deeply upset some fans of artificial 00:01:58.140 --> 00:02:00.540 intelligence and large language models. 00:02:00.840 --> 00:02:06.810 So if you want to hear that, You can head over to how I built it slash join 00:02:07.110 --> 00:02:09.270 and become a member of the Foundry. 00:02:10.080 --> 00:02:11.370 But that's it. 00:02:11.430 --> 00:02:14.280 Let's get into the intro. 00:02:14.700 --> 00:02:16.260 And then the episode. 00:02:16.732 --> 00:02:21.112 Hey everybody, and welcome to How I Built It, the podcast that helps 00:02:21.112 --> 00:02:25.522 busy solopreneurs and creators grow their business without 00:02:25.527 --> 00:02:27.202 spending too much time on it. 00:02:27.742 --> 00:02:33.052 I'm your host, Joe Casabona, and each week I bring you interviews and case studies 00:02:33.202 --> 00:02:37.602 on how to build a better business through smarter processes, time management. 00:02:37.802 --> 00:02:39.902 And effective content creation. 00:02:40.262 --> 00:02:44.432 It's like getting free coaching calls from successful solopreneurs. 00:02:45.062 --> 00:02:49.382 By the end of each episode, you'll have one to three takeaways you can 00:02:49.382 --> 00:02:54.992 implement today to stop spending time in your business and more time on 00:02:54.992 --> 00:03:00.092 your business or with your friends, your family reading, or however 00:03:00.092 --> 00:03:02.912 you choose to spend your free time. 00:03:05.732 --> 00:03:09.842 So I got to speak to a college class, two college classes actually. 00:03:10.412 --> 00:03:12.812 About the importance of storytelling. 00:03:13.202 --> 00:03:13.982 And I loved it. 00:03:13.982 --> 00:03:16.652 It reminded me of how much I miss. 00:03:17.162 --> 00:03:19.082 Teaching in the classroom. 00:03:19.082 --> 00:03:23.912 For those of you who don't know, I taught intro to computers and computer 00:03:23.912 --> 00:03:25.922 science at the university of Scranton. 00:03:26.402 --> 00:03:31.322 From when I was a grad student in 2007, until I got married and moved away. 00:03:31.832 --> 00:03:36.362 At the end of 2016, I continued to teach online courses. 00:03:36.812 --> 00:03:39.032 For a while, but it just wasn't the same. 00:03:39.032 --> 00:03:43.052 It's not the same as being in a classroom full of students. 00:03:43.712 --> 00:03:45.812 Who are increasingly younger than you. 00:03:46.292 --> 00:03:50.042 Uh, and understanding what makes them think. 00:03:50.582 --> 00:03:52.742 And the zeitgeists and the culture. 00:03:53.372 --> 00:03:56.102 Uh, and that is something that I really miss. 00:03:56.102 --> 00:03:59.492 And so I thoroughly enjoyed, even though it was via zoom. 00:04:00.302 --> 00:04:04.322 Joining my friends class and teaching him. 00:04:04.892 --> 00:04:08.642 Uh, and his students, the importance of storytelling. 00:04:08.642 --> 00:04:10.682 And so most of this. 00:04:11.522 --> 00:04:15.362 Most of these thoughts I have are in the context of podcasting. 00:04:16.022 --> 00:04:21.182 I think that not enough people tell stories with their podcasts. 00:04:21.782 --> 00:04:26.342 Uh, and I think that storytelling is important in any context, in any content 00:04:26.342 --> 00:04:28.412 you create, but especially podcasting. 00:04:29.102 --> 00:04:34.022 Uh, and I say again, I, I say, especially because up until this point, the vast 00:04:34.022 --> 00:04:40.112 majority of podcasts, haven't integrated storytelling in some way, they've been 00:04:40.322 --> 00:04:43.022 back and forth interviews, emulating. 00:04:43.562 --> 00:04:46.862 More of a late night host format. 00:04:47.342 --> 00:04:52.202 Then a movie or a TV show, but if you'll notice everybody 00:04:52.562 --> 00:04:54.422 brings a story with them, right. 00:04:54.452 --> 00:04:55.142 They're not just. 00:04:55.772 --> 00:05:00.332 Shooting it, uh, I can send to myself here, shooting there 00:05:00.752 --> 00:05:05.612 because, uh, they feel like it, they, they want to make an impact. 00:05:05.642 --> 00:05:08.282 They want to tell people about their cause. 00:05:09.872 --> 00:05:15.002 So, well, there are popular podcasts that don't weave storytelling 00:05:15.002 --> 00:05:17.162 into the fabric of their content. 00:05:18.032 --> 00:05:21.692 Uh, most of, again, most of the popular podcasts do. 00:05:22.262 --> 00:05:25.712 Uh, look at lore, which was one of the first to really do that. 00:05:26.132 --> 00:05:27.812 Uh, before that, right? 00:05:27.872 --> 00:05:28.802 Most. 00:05:29.402 --> 00:05:33.302 Podcasts were, I mean, stuff you should know, that was, that was, 00:05:33.302 --> 00:05:34.682 and still is a really good one. 00:05:35.162 --> 00:05:38.162 But most of them were like white guys talking about apple, right? 00:05:38.192 --> 00:05:39.542 No story required. 00:05:39.872 --> 00:05:44.342 Uh, so lore American storytellers is a recent favorite of mine. 00:05:44.762 --> 00:05:45.812 And serial Ray. 00:05:45.962 --> 00:05:50.042 Those kinds of podcasts kind of transformed the landscape. 00:05:50.612 --> 00:05:54.002 And they all tell a compelling story. 00:05:54.992 --> 00:05:58.502 If you're trying to differentiate in today's world, no matter 00:05:58.502 --> 00:06:00.182 what content you make. 00:06:00.902 --> 00:06:04.502 Uh, the world where everything is vying for your attention. 00:06:04.502 --> 00:06:07.712 As we talked with, uh, the clarity king, Steve. 00:06:07.982 --> 00:06:09.662 Back a few episodes ago. 00:06:10.382 --> 00:06:13.412 Uh, you can't just have a conversation. 00:06:13.682 --> 00:06:16.052 You can't just be two people talking. 00:06:16.382 --> 00:06:20.882 Uh, unless you happen to be a Superbowl winning tight end dating the world's most 00:06:20.912 --> 00:06:23.042 popular pop star and American royalty. 00:06:23.822 --> 00:06:25.862 You need to tell a good story. 00:06:26.552 --> 00:06:30.332 So, where do you start? 00:06:31.262 --> 00:06:34.712 Well, just to quickly level set here. 00:06:35.282 --> 00:06:39.122 I'm talking about nonfiction information focused podcasts here. 00:06:39.752 --> 00:06:43.742 Uh, the interviews are solo shows where you're teaching or doing 00:06:43.742 --> 00:06:45.542 some sort of knowledge transfer. 00:06:46.412 --> 00:06:51.662 I suspect I don't need to convince people who are already telling 00:06:51.662 --> 00:06:52.712 a story that they need to. 00:06:53.402 --> 00:06:54.362 Tell a story. 00:06:55.412 --> 00:06:56.072 So. 00:06:58.412 --> 00:07:00.032 How do we tell a good story? 00:07:00.032 --> 00:07:00.992 Where do we start? 00:07:01.022 --> 00:07:03.212 I've talked about this before my three act. 00:07:03.812 --> 00:07:04.682 Process. 00:07:05.012 --> 00:07:07.232 But we have to go a little bit. 00:07:08.012 --> 00:07:09.962 Back further back. 00:07:10.412 --> 00:07:13.082 To really understand the importance of storytelling. 00:07:13.832 --> 00:07:14.942 Uh, my friend Mike Paki. 00:07:14.942 --> 00:07:18.092 He owned, who was on this show is a public speaking coach. 00:07:18.602 --> 00:07:20.942 And he knows the power of storytelling. 00:07:21.482 --> 00:07:25.412 He knows that you need to hook your listeners and take them 00:07:25.412 --> 00:07:28.412 on a journey through your talk. 00:07:29.192 --> 00:07:31.172 It doesn't have to be an epic story. 00:07:31.262 --> 00:07:32.582 It just needs to be a. 00:07:33.302 --> 00:07:35.912 A story with a beginning or a hook. 00:07:36.392 --> 00:07:38.042 Uh, middle some conflict. 00:07:38.582 --> 00:07:40.082 And some conclusion. 00:07:40.652 --> 00:07:43.112 Even if that conclusion. 00:07:43.472 --> 00:07:44.672 Is a cliffhanger. 00:07:45.932 --> 00:07:50.522 Mike opens up one of his talks by telling a story about how 00:07:50.762 --> 00:07:52.322 he was staying in a hotel. 00:07:52.802 --> 00:07:53.642 And he got. 00:07:54.272 --> 00:07:56.852 A very scary call in the middle of the night. 00:07:57.932 --> 00:07:59.972 And he thought he heard a knock on his door. 00:08:01.172 --> 00:08:02.342 And he doesn't end the story. 00:08:03.662 --> 00:08:04.742 Just leaves it there. 00:08:04.982 --> 00:08:05.732 Hanging out. 00:08:06.302 --> 00:08:07.652 Because that's not the point. 00:08:07.682 --> 00:08:09.062 The point is to hook your listeners. 00:08:09.302 --> 00:08:10.172 If you. 00:08:10.802 --> 00:08:12.842 No, the aristocrats. 00:08:13.352 --> 00:08:17.072 Then I immediately hooked you with a family, walks into a talent 00:08:17.102 --> 00:08:21.542 agency and says, If you don't know the aristocrats, then you're 00:08:21.542 --> 00:08:24.032 like, what is Joe talking about? 00:08:24.872 --> 00:08:25.202 Right. 00:08:25.442 --> 00:08:28.802 So you want to hook your listeners right off the bat. 00:08:30.722 --> 00:08:35.072 In a minute, I will talk about the main difference between the two courses. 00:08:35.072 --> 00:08:37.442 The two sections of the course I taught back to back. 00:08:37.862 --> 00:08:40.142 Because this is also a really interesting thing to me. 00:08:40.562 --> 00:08:41.912 But first, I want to tell you. 00:08:43.112 --> 00:08:48.962 About the format that most or many stories at least to follow. 00:08:49.502 --> 00:08:50.852 And that's the hero's journey. 00:08:51.632 --> 00:08:56.162 The basis of many, many stories is Joseph Campbell's hero's journey. 00:08:56.852 --> 00:09:01.112 It's the idea that we have a hero, the main character go through 00:09:01.112 --> 00:09:03.302 some life altering adventure. 00:09:03.812 --> 00:09:05.342 With the help of a guide. 00:09:06.122 --> 00:09:11.522 The hero experiences, a trial that eventually leads to growth. 00:09:12.662 --> 00:09:15.242 We see this format all the time. 00:09:16.292 --> 00:09:17.402 Star wars. 00:09:18.332 --> 00:09:19.382 Harry Potter. 00:09:20.372 --> 00:09:21.542 Lord of the rings. 00:09:21.902 --> 00:09:23.882 Those are very commonly cited. 00:09:24.722 --> 00:09:26.402 But they don't have to be epics. 00:09:26.402 --> 00:09:28.592 They don't have to be science fiction or fantasy. 00:09:29.222 --> 00:09:32.222 Uh, one of my favorite shows is 30 rock. 00:09:32.642 --> 00:09:34.022 Which is a bit more fluid. 00:09:34.712 --> 00:09:39.482 But you could argue that both Liz lemon and Jack Donaghy go through their own 00:09:39.482 --> 00:09:41.462 hero's journey throughout the series. 00:09:42.302 --> 00:09:46.142 They're almost like their own heroes and they're each other's guide. 00:09:46.742 --> 00:09:49.412 Guiding each other to be better versions. 00:09:50.042 --> 00:09:51.212 Of themselves. 00:09:52.052 --> 00:09:54.212 Barney Stinson and how I met your mother. 00:09:54.692 --> 00:09:56.492 While, not the main character. 00:09:56.942 --> 00:10:00.122 Goes through considerable character growth. 00:10:01.022 --> 00:10:02.912 From the first to last season. 00:10:03.812 --> 00:10:05.042 And if we look at scrubs. 00:10:05.552 --> 00:10:07.442 J D is our main character. 00:10:07.442 --> 00:10:08.222 Uh, Dr. 00:10:08.222 --> 00:10:10.262 Cox is his most obvious guide. 00:10:11.432 --> 00:10:12.932 But he helps Dr. 00:10:12.932 --> 00:10:15.602 Cox grow to Jed's friends, help him grow. 00:10:15.602 --> 00:10:16.892 He has several guides. 00:10:18.002 --> 00:10:23.072 But he changes dramatically from the very first episode to the very last. 00:10:24.662 --> 00:10:27.632 This doesn't need to be in fiction either. 00:10:28.502 --> 00:10:32.012 And in fact, one of Nick's students asked me how to turn 00:10:32.522 --> 00:10:35.492 non-fiction events into stories. 00:10:36.062 --> 00:10:36.662 It's something. 00:10:36.662 --> 00:10:40.772 I think we wish we were all good at, but are kind of bad. 00:10:40.772 --> 00:10:41.162 Right? 00:10:41.642 --> 00:10:42.872 Uh, or most of us are right. 00:10:42.872 --> 00:10:46.772 We all have that friend or family member who gives you too many details. 00:10:46.772 --> 00:10:48.062 And the story goes nowhere. 00:10:48.482 --> 00:10:50.162 It's like, oh, so I was like up at midnight. 00:10:50.462 --> 00:10:51.542 Uh, and I couldn't sleep. 00:10:51.572 --> 00:10:56.132 So I got in my car and, uh, I drove, uh, down the 4 0 5. 00:10:56.132 --> 00:10:57.152 No, maybe it was the night. 00:10:57.182 --> 00:11:00.422 Well, either way I was driving, I was wearing my red hoodie and I went to 00:11:00.452 --> 00:11:03.692 Walmart and now you're like, why does it matter what road they were driving on? 00:11:03.692 --> 00:11:04.952 Why does the red hoodie matter? 00:11:05.012 --> 00:11:06.482 What, what's the point of this story? 00:11:07.382 --> 00:11:12.572 Um, But we should be able to turn nonfiction events into stories 00:11:12.572 --> 00:11:15.032 because those are going to help. 00:11:16.202 --> 00:11:17.852 Relate our. 00:11:18.962 --> 00:11:23.312 Knowledge or our information, the thing we're trying to teach to the audience. 00:11:24.302 --> 00:11:26.732 It's something I spoke to Cody Sheehy about on this show. 00:11:27.572 --> 00:11:31.172 Uh, but there's another person who's very good at telling 00:11:31.172 --> 00:11:33.032 stories based on her own life. 00:11:33.482 --> 00:11:35.822 And we know her all too well. 00:11:36.482 --> 00:11:41.042 But before we get into that, I want to take a quick break for our sponsors. 00:11:43.501 --> 00:11:47.911 If you haven't listened to the 10 minute version of Taylor Swift's all too. 00:11:47.911 --> 00:11:50.611 Well, I highly recommend it. 00:11:51.271 --> 00:11:53.821 Not only is it a bop? 00:11:54.571 --> 00:11:57.661 But it tells an incredible story about a several months 00:11:57.661 --> 00:12:00.421 relationship and well, 10 minutes. 00:12:01.201 --> 00:12:02.911 She uses her words. 00:12:03.271 --> 00:12:08.041 To paint, incredible pictures for us to imagine. 00:12:13.253 --> 00:12:15.683 It used to be a little kid glasses. 00:12:18.653 --> 00:12:23.303 And your mother's telling stories about you on the tee ball team. 00:12:24.143 --> 00:12:25.943 You told me about your past thinking. 00:12:31.013 --> 00:12:32.783 Can't you see that scene? 00:12:33.323 --> 00:12:34.013 In your head. 00:12:35.213 --> 00:12:37.463 I can picture it perfectly. 00:12:38.153 --> 00:12:41.513 I actually picture my own childhood bedroom for some reason. 00:12:42.383 --> 00:12:45.263 But she's painting a picture for you. 00:12:45.863 --> 00:12:48.923 To see what she remembers all too well. 00:12:50.123 --> 00:12:53.813 But Taylor swift also uses similes. 00:12:54.323 --> 00:12:55.253 To convey. 00:12:55.853 --> 00:12:59.813 How she, and whoever she's talking about. 00:13:00.683 --> 00:13:04.733 Uh, Treated there clan desk, dine, rekindling. 00:13:05.363 --> 00:13:08.963 This is maybe one of my favorite parts of the song. 00:13:15.113 --> 00:13:16.883 It's so good. 00:13:17.333 --> 00:13:18.713 'cause you really. 00:13:19.703 --> 00:13:25.523 You understand, we, you immediately know the difference between how she viewed 00:13:25.913 --> 00:13:27.953 them covertly getting back together. 00:13:28.523 --> 00:13:29.603 Versus how. 00:13:30.263 --> 00:13:31.613 The subject. 00:13:32.753 --> 00:13:34.853 Views them getting back together. 00:13:35.993 --> 00:13:41.933 And then finally her use of metaphors are also powerful and powerfully convey the 00:13:41.933 --> 00:13:45.863 emotion that she and we should be feeling. 00:14:00.713 --> 00:14:01.313 In here. 00:14:01.763 --> 00:14:02.303 Remember? 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:10.090 A crumpled up piece of paper. 00:14:10.750 --> 00:14:11.410 Crushed. 00:14:12.040 --> 00:14:12.820 Wasted. 00:14:13.420 --> 00:14:15.040 And thrown in the trash. 00:14:15.881 --> 00:14:16.931 The truth is. 00:14:17.351 --> 00:14:19.961 Most of this was probably mundane. 00:14:20.561 --> 00:14:22.661 But she highlights the important bits. 00:14:23.081 --> 00:14:26.321 And how she felt as a 20 to 21 year old. 00:14:26.621 --> 00:14:29.411 Dating someone seemingly older than her. 00:14:30.101 --> 00:14:33.581 At one point, she says, you said if we had been closer in age, 00:14:33.641 --> 00:14:34.811 maybe it would have been fine. 00:14:35.261 --> 00:14:37.751 And that made me want to die. 00:14:38.381 --> 00:14:40.421 You really feel. 00:14:40.991 --> 00:14:43.871 The emotion that she is feeling. 00:14:45.221 --> 00:14:49.121 And the hook in all of this isn't necessarily the song itself. 00:14:50.021 --> 00:14:51.221 It's the mystery. 00:14:52.241 --> 00:14:55.061 The song came out in 2012. 00:14:55.841 --> 00:14:59.921 The 10 minute version of this song came out in 2021. 00:15:02.005 --> 00:15:08.155 And I read what was basically an investigative article dated the same week. 00:15:08.185 --> 00:15:12.085 I'm recording this episode in October, 2023. 00:15:12.655 --> 00:15:13.675 Diving in. 00:15:13.945 --> 00:15:16.045 To who the song is about. 00:15:16.435 --> 00:15:18.055 And why it's about them. 00:15:19.225 --> 00:15:20.755 It's all speculation. 00:15:20.815 --> 00:15:25.585 And none of this is confirmed by any of the parties who have 00:15:25.585 --> 00:15:27.175 been named in this article. 00:15:27.775 --> 00:15:30.115 But we love to talk about it. 00:15:30.745 --> 00:15:33.745 Taylor swift knows how to hook us. 00:15:34.045 --> 00:15:35.275 With a good story. 00:15:36.745 --> 00:15:39.535 So, where can we find the story? 00:15:40.435 --> 00:15:45.025 For Taylor, it's usually based on her own life experience. 00:15:46.135 --> 00:15:49.285 I also like to draw on my own experience. 00:15:49.705 --> 00:15:51.925 As well as lessons from pop culture. 00:15:52.255 --> 00:15:57.385 If you couldn't tell by now, You can find inspiration anywhere. 00:15:57.565 --> 00:16:00.445 You just need to make sure it drives home your point. 00:16:01.705 --> 00:16:02.545 Mike Paki. 00:16:02.575 --> 00:16:07.315 I don't recommend that you get a long sheet of paper and draw a timeline 00:16:07.315 --> 00:16:12.175 of your life on it, where you mark important events from your life. 00:16:12.925 --> 00:16:16.885 Then you can find stories based on what was going on. 00:16:17.335 --> 00:16:18.475 Around that time. 00:16:19.765 --> 00:16:21.445 For Nick's class. 00:16:21.775 --> 00:16:26.755 I presented my information into very different ways. 00:16:27.685 --> 00:16:29.275 And this gets to. 00:16:29.845 --> 00:16:33.085 Practicing your story, which you definitely also have to do. 00:16:34.075 --> 00:16:38.785 'cause the second class got a much better version of this than the first. 00:16:39.235 --> 00:16:42.955 And that was always true when I taught in the classroom as well, I would teach 00:16:42.985 --> 00:16:45.265 three sections back to back to back. 00:16:45.625 --> 00:16:50.335 The first section always got the short end of the stick they got the first time 00:16:50.335 --> 00:16:51.865 I was going through the information. 00:16:52.165 --> 00:16:55.165 The third class always got the best one I had given it twice 00:16:55.165 --> 00:16:56.785 before I knew the questions. 00:16:57.565 --> 00:16:59.755 And I knew the best way. 00:17:00.265 --> 00:17:02.845 Up until that point to deliver it. 00:17:03.475 --> 00:17:07.555 But for next class, the second session I opened with a story about 00:17:07.555 --> 00:17:09.595 the first time I sought therapy. 00:17:10.345 --> 00:17:14.395 And the events that led to the conclusion that I needed help. 00:17:14.935 --> 00:17:18.025 I chose this story because it was very personal. 00:17:18.565 --> 00:17:22.915 And this allowed them to maybe trust me a little bit more. 00:17:23.515 --> 00:17:25.975 But it also hooked them. 00:17:26.815 --> 00:17:32.005 I, uh, relatively young guy, I have kids, but it was the pandemic, 00:17:32.005 --> 00:17:33.415 which was stressful for everybody. 00:17:33.715 --> 00:17:36.535 I had a panic attack in front of my three-year-old and she's 00:17:36.535 --> 00:17:37.855 the one who ended up helping me. 00:17:38.335 --> 00:17:40.255 That's just a compelling story. 00:17:41.125 --> 00:17:42.355 I'm not embellishing. 00:17:42.475 --> 00:17:44.815 I'm picking the important parts to. 00:17:45.355 --> 00:17:46.555 Tell people. 00:17:47.425 --> 00:17:47.935 About. 00:17:49.105 --> 00:17:50.845 In this case, the power of story. 00:17:51.145 --> 00:17:55.525 Usually when I tell that story, it's this is the inciting incident 00:17:55.525 --> 00:18:00.445 that led me on my transformation to systematize my whole business. 00:18:00.925 --> 00:18:01.705 So that I wouldn't. 00:18:02.635 --> 00:18:04.675 Be stressed about at least that part of it. 00:18:07.075 --> 00:18:08.575 But that's the power of story. 00:18:09.475 --> 00:18:12.415 With my interviews, I try to define the interviews using a 00:18:12.415 --> 00:18:15.745 three-act structure that you may have heard me talk about already. 00:18:17.005 --> 00:18:20.545 The first act is the setup where we introduce our guide, 00:18:20.575 --> 00:18:22.435 the guest more on that later. 00:18:22.945 --> 00:18:28.375 And have some sort of inciting incident that forces the need to change. 00:18:29.575 --> 00:18:34.765 Then enact to, we have the confrontation where we create 00:18:34.765 --> 00:18:36.895 some sort of conflict or tension. 00:18:37.495 --> 00:18:40.885 This is usually a challenge to the guides main point, which 00:18:40.885 --> 00:18:43.135 we introduced in act one. 00:18:43.715 --> 00:18:48.395 So, for example, in an upcoming interview, an episode I have with 00:18:48.395 --> 00:18:50.945 henna Pryor, she talks about. 00:18:51.455 --> 00:18:54.755 What being awkward is she has a book called good, awkward. 00:18:55.115 --> 00:19:00.515 And so the confrontation is me saying shouldn't we try as hard as possible. 00:19:00.545 --> 00:19:01.895 Not to be awkward. 00:19:02.975 --> 00:19:07.655 She set up her whole thesis statement, which is being awkward is actually good. 00:19:08.075 --> 00:19:11.045 And I'm immediately challenging it by saying why? 00:19:11.075 --> 00:19:12.485 Like, why is being awkward? 00:19:12.485 --> 00:19:13.025 Good though. 00:19:13.535 --> 00:19:19.085 Take our listeners through this thought process because usually. 00:19:19.775 --> 00:19:22.835 If the listener feels awkward, they immediately no 00:19:22.835 --> 00:19:24.095 longer want to feel awkward. 00:19:24.545 --> 00:19:26.225 So why are you saying it's a good thing? 00:19:27.275 --> 00:19:30.065 And then act three, is the rev, the resolution. 00:19:30.395 --> 00:19:35.675 Where we confront the conflict except the guides point of view and learn how to 00:19:35.675 --> 00:19:37.925 implement what the guide has taught us. 00:19:38.225 --> 00:19:40.595 Again, in hennas episode a which. 00:19:40.985 --> 00:19:42.725 Is coming up as this comes out. 00:19:44.315 --> 00:19:45.035 Is. 00:19:45.335 --> 00:19:45.785 Okay. 00:19:45.785 --> 00:19:47.225 So it's good to be awkward. 00:19:48.275 --> 00:19:51.545 How do we embrace our awkward. 00:19:53.615 --> 00:19:55.115 And I know what you're thinking here. 00:19:55.355 --> 00:19:56.555 Shouldn't the guest. 00:19:57.365 --> 00:19:58.355 Be the hero. 00:19:58.865 --> 00:20:00.545 I mean, it's their journey after all right. 00:20:00.545 --> 00:20:02.555 Where we're talking about them. 00:20:04.175 --> 00:20:05.405 And I think no. 00:20:05.855 --> 00:20:10.865 I think if you're telling a fiction story, Or you're doing something 00:20:10.865 --> 00:20:16.055 like what American storytellers does or lore or cereal then yes. 00:20:16.055 --> 00:20:19.835 You need to have some hero closely related to the story, but when 00:20:19.835 --> 00:20:23.255 you're doing knowledge transfer, And you're creating this sort of 00:20:23.255 --> 00:20:26.345 podcast or any other content video. 00:20:26.735 --> 00:20:27.485 Uh, course. 00:20:28.295 --> 00:20:29.105 Written word. 00:20:29.765 --> 00:20:31.565 Someone else should be the hero. 00:20:32.105 --> 00:20:35.855 If you want sticky, helpful content. 00:20:36.335 --> 00:20:37.595 Your listener. 00:20:38.135 --> 00:20:39.635 Your reader. 00:20:40.055 --> 00:20:43.655 The person you're writing for should be the hero. 00:20:44.825 --> 00:20:46.655 Everyone roots for the hero. 00:20:47.075 --> 00:20:48.455 And believes in them. 00:20:49.235 --> 00:20:51.305 As they approach the end of the story. 00:20:52.415 --> 00:20:54.425 Making your listener, the hero. 00:20:54.905 --> 00:20:56.045 Empowers them. 00:20:56.615 --> 00:20:58.955 Gets them to believe in themselves. 00:20:59.375 --> 00:21:03.515 And opens them up for the possibility of transformation. 00:21:04.865 --> 00:21:08.225 If you have guests, your guests can be the guide. 00:21:10.025 --> 00:21:13.325 Our hero, our listener doesn't want to be awkward. 00:21:14.045 --> 00:21:16.355 But they've just learned that being awkward can be good. 00:21:16.355 --> 00:21:17.885 So how can we leverage that? 00:21:17.885 --> 00:21:18.245 Good. 00:21:18.875 --> 00:21:21.485 Our guide had a prior is going to tell you. 00:21:22.565 --> 00:21:24.845 If you don't have guests. 00:21:25.445 --> 00:21:27.725 Then you should be the guide. 00:21:28.685 --> 00:21:31.715 I am the guide for you in this story. 00:21:32.165 --> 00:21:33.215 I'm not the hero. 00:21:33.785 --> 00:21:36.335 I'm not the one who's so amazing at telling stories. 00:21:36.605 --> 00:21:38.615 I'm the person who's teaching you. 00:21:38.885 --> 00:21:40.535 How to tell good stories. 00:21:41.585 --> 00:21:43.955 And positioning yourself as the guide. 00:21:43.955 --> 00:21:45.005 It does two things. 00:21:45.335 --> 00:21:48.215 First of all, it makes you an authority on the topic. 00:21:49.175 --> 00:21:52.655 And it helps your listener know, like, and trust you faster. 00:21:53.615 --> 00:21:58.085 After all who doesn't like Obi wan Kenobi, Dumbledore, and Gandalf. 00:21:59.405 --> 00:22:00.725 You do that? 00:22:01.775 --> 00:22:05.495 By focusing the content around the listener. 00:22:06.095 --> 00:22:09.035 And what they need to do to transform. 00:22:10.025 --> 00:22:13.535 In star wars, obiwan appears to Luke and tells him. 00:22:13.955 --> 00:22:15.305 Trust in the force. 00:22:15.785 --> 00:22:19.055 Obiwan doesn't manipulate the force for him. 00:22:20.105 --> 00:22:23.435 Dumbledore puts in entire system in place. 00:22:23.825 --> 00:22:25.265 To help Harry do. 00:22:25.655 --> 00:22:28.025 What only Harry can do. 00:22:29.405 --> 00:22:32.555 Gandalf doesn't deliver the ring to Mordor. 00:22:33.455 --> 00:22:37.205 He helps Frodo deliver the ring to Mordor. 00:22:38.465 --> 00:22:44.495 Your job as the podcaster video creator writer. 00:22:46.475 --> 00:22:48.065 Is to be the guide. 00:22:48.755 --> 00:22:50.555 And it's to help your listener. 00:22:52.055 --> 00:22:55.865 You can't do that unless you make them the hero. 00:22:58.325 --> 00:23:03.395 So the next time you prep a podcast, episode, blog, post or video. 00:23:03.935 --> 00:23:05.705 Think about the story you're telling. 00:23:06.695 --> 00:23:08.915 What are you or your guest? 00:23:09.815 --> 00:23:11.705 Guiding the listener towards. 00:23:12.395 --> 00:23:15.035 What conflict will they overcome? 00:23:16.025 --> 00:23:18.485 How will the story evolve? 00:23:19.805 --> 00:23:21.995 Cody Sheehy in my interview with him. 00:23:22.535 --> 00:23:26.255 Said it telling a good story is opening a bunch of doors in a house. 00:23:26.825 --> 00:23:30.215 And then running through that house and slamming most of them shut. 00:23:31.505 --> 00:23:35.615 How can you help your listeners slam the door? 00:23:35.615 --> 00:23:36.065 Shut. 00:23:36.875 --> 00:23:37.865 On a problem. 00:23:38.165 --> 00:23:39.695 They are having. 00:23:42.375 --> 00:23:44.415 Thanks so much for listening. 00:23:44.835 --> 00:23:48.405 You can get all of the show notes, everything I talked about, 00:23:48.405 --> 00:23:50.925 as well as our written to be read version of this article. 00:23:51.285 --> 00:23:54.255 Over at how I built it slash 3, 3 7. 00:23:54.255 --> 00:23:56.595 Those links will also be in the description for your podcast player. 00:23:56.985 --> 00:24:00.825 If you liked this and you want to get more behind the scenes, looks at how 00:24:00.825 --> 00:24:02.865 I produce my podcast and how I am pre. 00:24:04.095 --> 00:24:08.565 Uh, fixing my workflows, how I'm improving my processes, what I wanted to say there, 00:24:08.835 --> 00:24:11.655 you can become a member of the podcast. 00:24:11.685 --> 00:24:12.405 Foundry. 00:24:12.675 --> 00:24:14.925 There will be a link at that same. 00:24:15.345 --> 00:24:18.195 Place over at how I built it slash three. 00:24:18.585 --> 00:24:19.845 Three seven. 00:24:20.085 --> 00:24:22.155 Thank you so much for listening. 00:24:22.155 --> 00:24:23.565 I really appreciate it. 00:24:23.925 --> 00:24:25.665 Thanks to our sponsors. 00:24:26.115 --> 00:24:27.375 And until next time. 00:24:27.795 --> 00:24:30.225 Get out there and build something.