The StoryBrand Podcast - podcast cover

The StoryBrand Podcast

StoryBrand.comstorybrand.com
Each week on the StoryBrand Podcast host Donald Miller, bestselling author of the book "Building A StoryBrand", shares strategies for creating marketing and messaging that make you stand out, connect with customers, and actually grow your business. Get the tools you need to create clear and effective messaging that grows your business at StoryBrand.com.
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Episodes

#75: How to Negotiate When Nice Stops Working

Most people walk into a negotiation hoping reason will win. Then the other side throws a punch, and suddenly your "win-win" mindset starts costing you money, leverage, and sleep. Whether you're dealing with a tough client, a legal threat, or a conflict that got personal fast, you need to know what kind of negotiation you're actually in. So how do you protect the relationship without getting steamrolled? In this episode, host Donald Miller sits down with John Lowry, negotiation expert and author ...

Jun 08, 202637 min

#74: How to Ask for the Sale Without Sounding Pushy

Believing in what you sell is one thing. Asking someone to pay for it is another. When it's time to talk price, follow up, or close the deal, everything starts to feel awkward. So you wing it, avoid the hard questions, and hope the customer decides on their own. But hope is not a sales strategy. What if selling could feel less like pressure and more like helping someone cross the finish line? In this week's episode, Donald Miller talks with Jonny Holsten, CEO of Bridge Selling and author of Fix ...

Jun 01, 202642 min

#73: How One CEO Used Clear Messaging to Scale Past $100M

Business owners often think growth comes from doing more, offering more, and saying more. But the more you add, the easier it is to confuse customers, muddy your message, and slow down sales. When people don't understand exactly what you do or why it matters, they move on. So how do you keep your message clear while your business keeps growing? In this episode of the StoryBrand Podcast, Donald Miller talks with Tricia Sciortino, CEO of BELAY, about how the company used clear messaging to grow pa...

May 25, 202644 min

#72: How to Lead When the Future Feels Unpredictable

Most leaders are making decisions in a world that keeps changing faster than their plans can keep up. Tactics expire. Trends fizzle. Teams get confused. And when pressure rises, it's easy to chase quick wins instead of building on something solid. But what if the best way to grow through uncertainty isn't to find a better tactic, but to lead from better principles? In this episode, Donald Miller talks with Chase Koch, executive vice president at Koch Industries and co-author of Becoming a Princi...

May 18, 20261 hr 4 min

#71: Brian Hooks—How to Build a Team Around People's Strengths

It's easy to give up on people when they disappoint us, miss expectations, or don't seem to fit the role they're in. But great leaders know people are rarely just "good" or "bad" at work. More often, they're either understood or misunderstood, positioned well or placed poorly. What would change if you started looking for people's potential before writing them off? In this episode, host Donald Miller talks with Brian Hooks, CEO of Stand Together and co-author of Believe in People, about how leade...

May 11, 202629 min

#70: Dr. Henry Cloud—The 5 Essential Components of Success

Anything that works has the same 5 elements behind it. Anything that fails is missing one of those. That is true for businesses, relationships, and personal goals. Most people never stop to ask which piece is broken. They stay busy, execute harder, and measure the wrong things. But success is not random. It follows a pattern. What if achieving your goals comes down to understanding that pattern and making sure every piece is in place? In this episode, Donald Miller sits down with Dr. Henry Cloud...

May 04, 202643 min

#69: Will Guidara—Why Great Service Is Never an Accident

Remarkable customer experiences don't happen because someone on your team happened to be in a good mood. They happen when a business decides, in advance, how people should feel at every step. Without that kind of intention, even great companies become forgettable. So how do you design moments customers actually remember and share? In this episode, Donald Miller sits down with Will Guidara, author of Unreasonable Hospitality , to talk about how business owners can turn everyday transactions into ...

Apr 27, 202634 min

#68: Stop Telling Your Story (It's Costing You Customers)

A lot of brands are saying the wrong thing first. They lead with their mission, their story, and their personality, thinking that will make people care. But customers aren't looking for a brand to admire. They're looking for a guide who understands their problem and can help them solve it. When your message starts in the wrong place, your customer tunes out before you ever get a chance to help. How do you know if your brand is leading with the wrong story? In this episode, host Donald Miller bre...

Apr 20, 202615 min

#67: The Real Reason Your Business Isn't Growing

Most businesses are losing sales in the first few seconds, not because the offer is weak or the product is bad, but because the message feels like work. When people have to stop and decode your language, they don't lean in. They leave. And if confusion is costing you customers before the conversation even starts, how do you fix it fast? In this week's episode, Donald Miller explains why confusion is the real reason businesses stall and how zero cognitive load messaging helps customers buy. He br...

Apr 13, 202618 min

#66: The 3 Tactical Moves That Build Customer Loyalty

If you want your marketing to convert better, join us for StoryBrand Your Business Live, a workshop in Nashville TN May 7th-8th 2026 where Donald Miller will teach you how to create clear messaging and you'll get direct feedback from StoryBrand Certified Guides so you walk out confident that your message connects. These sell out fast so register now at https://storybrand.com/live/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=sbyourbusiness&utm_term=sbpod&utm_content=SB_work...

Apr 06, 202616 min

#65: How to Be More Magnetic in Conversations

Donald Miller introduces The Magnetic Conversation Method, a simple framework designed to build trust in everyday interactions and boost business success. He shares personal struggles and research-backed insights, detailing three practical steps: slowing down, tuning in with curiosity, and responding from genuine connection. The episode emphasizes how these skills make people feel valued, leading to stronger relationships and increased opportunities.

Mar 30, 202622 min

#64: Can a Clear Message Win a War?

If you want your marketing to convert better, join us for StoryBrand Your Business Live, a workshop in Nashville TN May 7th-8th 2026 where Donald Miller will teach you how to create clear messaging and you'll get direct feedback from StoryBrand Certified Guides so you walk out confident that your message connects. These sell out fast so register now at https://storybrand.com/live/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=sbyourbusiness&utm_term=sbpod&utm_content=SB_work...

Mar 23, 202625 min

#63: The Secret to Building a Cult-Like Following for Your Brand

If you want your marketing to convert better, join us for StoryBrand Your Business Live, a workshop in Nashville TN May 7th-8th 2026 where Donald Miller will teach you how to create clear messaging and you'll get direct feedback from StoryBrand Certified Guides so you walk out confident that your message connects. These sell out fast so register now at https://storybrand.com/live/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=sbyourbusiness&utm_term=sbpod&utm_content=SB_work...

Mar 16, 202619 min

#62: The Exact AI Prompt Donald Miller Uses to Rewrite Flat Copy

If you've ever struggled to explain what your business does or felt like your marketing should be converting better, join us for StoryBrand Your Business Live. It's a two-day workshop in Nashville this May 7-8, 2026 where Donald Miller will teach you how to build clear messaging that works. You'll also get direct feedback from StoryBrand Certified Guides so you walk out confident your message connects. Every workshop this year has filled up fast, and this one will too. Register now at http://sto...

Mar 09, 202621 min

#61: How to Build a $400k Marketing Business (Without Hiring a Team)

If you've ever struggled to explain what your business does or felt like your marketing should be converting better, join us for StoryBrand Your Business Live. It's a two-day workshop in Nashville this May 7-8, 2026 where Donald Miller will teach you how to build clear messaging that works. You'll also get direct feedback from StoryBrand Certified Guides so you walk out confident your message connects. Every workshop this year has filled up fast, and this one will too. Register now at http://sto...

Mar 02, 202624 min

#60: The 3-Phase Messaging Campaign That Fuels Sales

If you've ever struggled to explain what your business does or felt like your marketing should be converting better, join us for StoryBrand Your Business Live. It's a two-day workshop in Nashville this May 7-8, 2026 where Donald Miller will teach you how to build clear messaging that works. You'll also get direct feedback from StoryBrand Certified Guides so you walk out confident your message connects. Every workshop this year has filled up fast, and this one will too. Register now at http://sto...

Feb 23, 202618 min

#59: The Hidden Power of Difficult Conversations

Get free marketing videos from Donald Miller every week at: https://WeeklySoundbite.com/ Most of us avoid hard conversations. We tell ourselves it's not worth the tension. We don't want to look needy or rock the boat, so we let things slide. At work, at home, with friends. But every time we stay silent, something inside us shrinks. Resentment builds, and the relationships that matter most slowly drift off course. We don't lose influence because we lack talent. We lose it because we lack the cour...

Feb 16, 202636 min

#58: Want More Sales? Lower the Cognitive Load in Your Marketing

Get free marketing videos every week from Don at WeeklySoundbite.com Every day, businesses lose sales because their message is hard to understand. If your website or sales pitch uses complicated words or vague ideas, customers will move on. That's because it creates mental friction, and the brain's natural response is to check out. You might think you're sounding smart, but unclear communication often makes people feel confused or uninterested. And when people feel confused, they don't buy. So h...

Feb 09, 202622 min

#57: Hala Taha—Catapult Your Personal Brand With This Simple Messaging Formula

You might think posting daily, chasing trends, and being "everywhere" is the key to growing your personal brand. But what if the real problem isn't visibility, it's clarity? Most people trying to build a brand skip the hardest part: figuring out exactly what they stand for and how to communicate it consistently. Without that foundation, every post feels like a shot in the dark. And if your message is muddy, even the best content won't convert. So how do you build a brand that actually resonates,...

Feb 02, 202641 min

#56: Why Telling Your Story Will Not Grow Your Business (And What to Do Instead)

Get free marketing videos from Donald Miller every week at: https://WeeklySoundbite.com/ Companies love to talk about themselves—how they started, what they value, what makes them different. But your story isn't what sells. In fact, it could be what's holding you back. When your pitch, your website, or your brand story starts with you, your potential customers tune out fast. Why? Because they're not looking for a hero. They're looking for help. And if you don't lead with their problem, they'll f...

Jan 26, 202624 min

#55: Winning Words: How to Lead When the Culture is Broken

Get free marketing videos from Donald Miller every week at: WeeklySoundbite.com Leaders often inherit a culture. The problem is, some of those cultures are toxic, broken, and built on a belief system of losing. When you walk into a room where failure has been normalized, where low standards are expected and defeat is baked into the identity, it's not just about improving performance. You have to rewrite the entire story people believe about themselves. That's where many leaders fail. They try to...

Jan 19, 202644 min

#54: Is Your Billboard a Complete Waste of Money?

Get free marketing videos from Donald Miller every week at: https://WeeklySoundbite.com/ Most business owners waste thousands on billboards that never bring in a single lead. Why? Because they try to be clever instead of clear. When your brand isn't a household name, confusing messaging on a massive sign just becomes expensive noise on the side of the road. No one's pulling over to decode your inside jokes or admire your witty wordplay. If your billboard doesn't solve a problem in 7 words or les...

Jan 12, 202633 min

#53: Why Your Nonprofit Isn't Getting Attention (And How to Fix It)

Get free marketing videos from Donald Miller every week at: https://WeeklySoundbite.com/ Nonprofit leaders often feel stuck between wanting to make a real impact and struggling to get people to care. With attention spans shrinking and skepticism about charitable giving growing, how do you break through the noise and actually inspire action? You're constantly trying to build trust with donors and rally support, but even when the mission is noble, the response can feel underwhelming. What if your ...

Jan 05, 202632 min

#52: How Creatives Can Scale Without Losing Their Soul

Get free marketing videos from Donald Miller every week at: WeeklySoundbite.com You're great at your craft, whether it's designing, photography, or running a small creative agency, but turning your talent into consistent income feels like a mystery. You've tried word of mouth, posted on socials, and maybe even dabbled in funnels, but the results just don't scale. You want more clients, more impact, and more income without becoming a 24/7 marketing machine. And if you're honest, you're starting t...

Dec 29, 202525 min

#51: StoryBrand Christmas Special: The Radio Drama that Could Save Your Business in 2026

Get free marketing videos from Donald Miller every week at: WeeklySoundbite.com As the holidays slow things down, many business owners take stock of what's ahead. You've got goals for growth, plans for product launches, and maybe even a rebrand on the horizon. But before you do anything else, take a hard look at your message. Because unclear messaging is the silent killer of great businesses. No matter how good your product is, if your message isn't clear, sales will stall. So before the new yea...

Dec 22, 20251 hr 7 min

#50: You Don't Have to Be the Hero to Change the World

Get free marketing videos from Don every week at WeeklySoundbite.com Every brand has a story, but not every brand knows how to tell it well. We often skip over the hard parts, thinking they make us look weak. But those moments are what make us human and help people connect. The truth is, your most powerful message isn't the perfect version of your story. It's the honest one. When you reframe your story to show what you've been through and how it changed you, you build trust. You help people see ...

Dec 15, 202515 min

#49: Why Your Team Isn't Rallying Around Your Message

Get free marketing videos from Don every week at WeeklySoundbite.com A confused team can't sell a clear product. Period. If your executive team can't clearly articulate your mission, you're already losing ground. You think you've cast a vision, but no one's catching it. Instead, you're running a business with a fractured identity where every department is chasing a different goal, and your customers are left scratching their heads. Misalignment is more than just a leadership issue. It's a revenu...

Dec 08, 202528 min

#48: How to Grow a Consulting Business in Uncertain Times

Get free marketing videos from Don every week at WeeklySoundbite.com Running a marketing consulting business is never simple. In uncertain times, it's even harder. Clients are cautious, timelines stretch, and budgets shrink. You know your services create real results, but closing new business feels tougher than ever. If you're not clear and confident in your message, potential clients will hesitate or move on. And the longer you stay vague or unfocused, the more you're stuck in survival mode ins...

Dec 01, 202529 min

#47: Why Narcissists Rise to Power and What Self-Aware Leaders Do Differently

Get free marketing videos from Don every week at WeeklySoundbite.com Leadership success often hinges on a trait many people misunderstand: self-awareness. In today's fast-paced world, leaders are surrounded by noise: social media flattery, AI-generated validation, and constant feedback loops that create more confusion than clarity. And while confidence is essential, when it crosses into narcissism, the fallout can be devastating. Think Enron, Lehman Brothers, or any organization led by someone b...

Nov 24, 202533 min

#46: Amy Porterfield — How to Pivot Your Business Without Losing Your Audience

Get free marketing videos from Don every week at WeeklySoundbite.com Most entrepreneurs eventually feel the pull to pivot, but that shift can come with real risk. You've worked hard to build trust, grow your audience, and establish your expertise in one lane. So when it's time to evolve, how do you shift your messaging without confusing your audience or breaking what's already working? This is the tension: stay in your lane too long and you stagnate. Jump too fast and you lose everything. So how...

Nov 17, 202524 min
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