エピソード

  • #554: How Great Brand Storytelling Helps You Recruit Rockstars, With Jeff Hyman

    #554: How Great Brand Storytelling Helps You Recruit Rockstars, With Jeff Hyman
    2026/02/09

    Unlock the secret to recruiting top talent with storytelling! In this episode, Park Howell welcomes Jeff Hyman—author of "Recruit Rockstars"—to reveal how the ABT narrative framework can transform your hiring process. Discover why stories attract missionaries (not mercenaries), how to make your job postings irresistible, and the role of AI in scaling your employer brand. Whether you're an HR leader, hiring manager, or job seeker, you'll learn actionable strategies to build a team that stays for the mission, not just the money. Listen now and make your next hire a rockstar!

    Test the strength of your brand story on the StoryCycle Genie® for FREE.

    Story on!

    ≈Park
    続きを読む 一部表示
    57 分
  • #553: How to Turn AI Into Artful Intelligence That Inspires Your Brand Storytelling, With Jen Perry

    #553: How to Turn AI Into Artful Intelligence That Inspires Your Brand Storytelling, With Jen Perry
    2026/02/02

    Discover how to transform "artificial intelligence" into "artful intelligence" and inspire your brand storytelling in this must-listen episode of the Business of Story. Park Howell is joined by Jen Perry, Executive Creative Director at Vagrants, who shares her journey from building creative teams for brands like JetBlue, IKEA, and Dunkin' Donuts to leading Vagrants' evolution into a creative powerhouse.

    You'll learn why "artificial intelligence" is a branding problem, and how reframing it as "artful intelligence" helps you keep your storytelling human, emotionally resonant, and truly impactful—even as you embrace the latest technology. Jen reveals practical strategies for using emotional intelligence in your creative process, building lasting client relationships, and coaching teams to bold, effective ideas.

    Plus, you'll hear a real-world case study from Tom Schwab of Interview Valet on how the StoryCycle Genie™ platform delivers artful, brand-aligned content that saves hours and elevates quality.

    Listen now to discover:

    • How to blend AI and empathy for better brand stories
    • Why artful intelligence is your creative edge
    • Actionable steps to inspire your team and audience

    For more insights and resources, visit businessofstory.com.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    54 分
  • #552: How Stories Are Alive And Energize Your Brand, With Christopher Vogler

    #552: How Stories Are Alive And Energize Your Brand, With Christopher Vogler
    2026/01/26

    Chris Vogler, legendary story consultant and author of The Writer's Journey, joins Park Howell to reveal how the Hero's Journey is more than a Hollywood formula—it's a living, breathing blueprint for personal and brand transformation.

    You'll discover why wish fulfillment is at the heart of every great brand story, how to turn obstacles ("threshold guardians") into opportunities, and why stories have the power to heal, orient, and energize us in a chaotic world.

    Chris shares behind-the-scenes stories from Disney, explains the science of story energy, and offers practical advice for marketers, leaders, and anyone looking to create deeper connections with their audience.

    Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or searching for your own path, this episode will help you unlock the universal patterns that move people—and move the world.

    Related Episodes:
    • How to Use The Hero's Journey in Business and In Life, With John Bucher
    • Robert McKee: The Science of Story
    • Park Howell: The ABT Framework for Business
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 3 分
  • #551: Why Building Your Audience Now is the Only Moat Against AI, With Joe Pulizzi

    #551: Why Building Your Audience Now is the Only Moat Against AI, With Joe Pulizzi
    2026/01/19

    The content marketing pioneer who coined the term in 2001 reveals the urgent reality: creators have 12-24 months to build discoverable human audiences before AI-generated synthetic content makes it nearly impossible.

    The 99% Problem and the Vinyl Solution

    Joe Pulizzi drops a startling statistic: 99% of content being created today is heavily influenced by AI. Instagram recently admitted they can't keep up with the flood of AI content and won't even try to block it.

    But Joe isn't running from AI—he's running WITH it while building something AI can't replicate: authentic human relationships with loyal audiences.

    His "vinyl strategy": While 99% of content becomes synthetic commodity, human creators can become the premium 1% that builds small audiences who know, like, and trust them.

    What You'll Learn

    In this episode, discover:

    • Why being KNOWN (not famous) is your only competitive moat in the AI age

    • The urgent 12-24 month window to build your audience before discoverability becomes impossible

    • Joe's 30-minute daily AI practice using ChatGPT as co-CEO, health coach, and financial advisor

    • How to find your "tilt"—that one thing you're exceptionally good at for a specific audience

    • Why email and owned audiences matter more than algorithm-dependent platforms

    • Why Joe stopped his 527-episode podcast to focus on ONE thing: his newsletter The Tilt

    • The generational advantage Baby Boomers and Gen Xers have (and how to leverage it)

    • How to use AI as collaborator while maintaining your authentic voice

    About Joe Pulizzi

    Joe Pulizzi is founder of Content Marketing Institute and The Tilt, bestselling author of seven books including Epic Content Marketing (named a Must-Read Business Book by Fortune Magazine) and Burn the Playbook. He coined the term "content marketing" in 2001 and received the Content Council's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. He successfully exited CMI in 2016.

    His two weekly podcasts include the award-winning This Old Marketing with Robert Rose (the longest-running marketing news podcast) and Content Inc. (recently concluded after 527 episodes).

    His foundation, The Orange Effect, delivers speech therapy and technology services to over 450 children in 40+ states.

    Key Takeaways

    Curiosity is one of the most human traits—point it in the right direction and opportunities emerge. Block 30 minutes daily for AI experimentation. Write down the 10 things that make you uniquely you. Then start building your audience on ONE platform where you own the relationship.

    The future belongs to the curious and the known.

    Episode: 551

    Guest: Joe Pulizzi

    Host: Park Howell

    Show: Business of Story

    Topics: AI, Content Marketing, Creator Economy, Audience Building, Synthetic Content, Personal Branding, Newsletter Strategy, Career Development, Retirement Planning
    続きを読む 一部表示
    59 分
  • #550: How to Use The Hero's Journey in Business and in Life, With John Bucher

    #550: How to Use The Hero's Journey in Business and in Life, With John Bucher
    2026/01/12
    Why This Episode Matters This milestone 550th episode brings the Business of Story full circle to its foundational inspiration: Joseph Campbell and the Hero's Journey. Host Park Howell interviews John Bucher, PhD, Executive Director of the Joseph Campbell Foundation, revealing why the Hero's Journey is more than a story framework - it's a neurological blueprint for business success. What You'll Discover The Neuroscience of Storytelling Modern research shows the Hero's Journey mirrors the exact neurological patterns your brain uses to solve problems. When you structure business communications around this framework, you're speaking the native language of human decision-making. How Customers Really Make Decisions John Bucher reveals the truth most businesses miss: Customers make emotional decisions first, gather evidence to support those feelings second, then justify logically third. As Robert McKee said, "The conscious mind is simply the PR department that justifies all the decisions the emotional subconscious mind makes." This is why stories (which communicate feelings) are more powerful than data alone. The Two Paths to Business Transformation Discover how the "Call to Adventure" manifests differently for entrepreneurs versus managers: • Entrepreneur's Journey: Driven by dissatisfaction, voluntarily leaves comfort zone, proactively pursues opportunity • Manager's Journey: Forced by circumstances, faces organizational changes, adapts to involuntary transitions Understanding both paths helps you connect with any audience. Your Customer Is the Hero (Not Your Brand) The positioning shift that transforms marketing from pushy to magnetic: Your brand is Yoda, not Luke Skywalker. You're the mentor providing guidance, not the hero seeking glory. John explains: "We all trust ourselves more than we trust anyone else. When we create the framework for listeners to tell themselves the story, it's so much more powerful." What You're Really Selling "Chevrolet doesn't sell automobiles, they sell freedom." Customers don't buy based on specifications - they buy emotional stories about what products enable in their lives. You're selling transformation, not products. From Intuitive to Intentional Storytelling We're all natural storytellers, but there's a difference between intuitive and intentional storytelling. Learn how to replicate storytelling success consistently without becoming a story theorist. The Hero's Journey as Life Instruction Manual Christopher Vogler calls the Hero's Journey "an instruction manual for life." John Bucher agrees: "No matter how good things are going, bad times always come. That road of trials is something we all keep returning to." The framework helps you recognize patterns, identify mentors, and embrace transformation as natural. Guest Expert John Bucher, PhD, is a renowned mythologist and story expert who has been featured on the BBC, the History Channel, the LA Times, The Hollywood Reporter, and numerous other international outlets. He serves as Executive Director for the Joseph Campbell Foundation and is a writer, storyteller, and speaker. John has consulted and worked with government and cultural leaders around the world, as well as organizations such as HBO, DC Comics, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, A24 Films, Atlas Obscura, and The John Maxwell Leadership Foundation. He is the author of six influential books on storytelling and has worked with New York Times best-selling authors, YouTube influencers, Eisner winners, Emmy winners, Academy Award nominees, magicians, and cast members from Saturday Night Live. Holding a PhD in Mythology & Depth Psychology, he integrates scholarly insights with practical insights, exploring the profound connections between myth, culture, and personal identity. His expertise has helped shape compelling narratives across various platforms, enriching the way stories are understood, told, and experienced globally. Website: tellingabetterstory.com Episode Highlights • The Deathbringer and Lifebringer Native American story that illustrates what you're really selling in business • Why Joseph Campbell opposed dogmatic application of the Hero's Journey (and championed diverse adaptations) • Park Howell's synchronicity experience: Lights flickering when mentioning Campbell's death anniversary • How Park's career demonstrates multiple hero's journeys (agency founder at 35, story consultant at 55) • The Refusal of the Call in sales: Why customer resistance is a natural stage, not permanent barrier • John Bucher's accidental hero's journey (enrolled in music program, ended up in film/TV by mistake) • The Fundamental Attribution Error and how it affects business communication • Why the Hero's Journey is a form (not formula) - the tango dancing metaphor • How to use storytelling language to create deeper listening and engagement Resources Mentioned Quick Introduction (3 minutes): "What It Takes to Be a Hero" by Matthew Winkler (TED-Ed video) - ...
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 11 分
  • 549: Don't Market More, Matter More: Why Resonance Beats Reach, With Jay Acunzo

    549: Don't Market More, Matter More: Why Resonance Beats Reach, With Jay Acunzo
    2026/01/05

    What good is reach if you don't have resonance?

    In this transformative episode of Business of Story, host Park Howell sits down with Jay Acunzo to explore why clarity isn't enough for brand stories and how to transform expertise into influential public voice through premise development.

    --- ABOUT JAY ACUNZO ---

    Jay Acunzo is an author, speaker, and public speaking coach who helps experts become stronger public voices. He's written books about creativity and storytelling, and he's traveled the world giving keynotes to marketers and managers, dentists and designers, leaders and landscapers.

    His clients include bestselling authors, mainstage TED speakers, startup founders, and seven-figure coaches and consultants. Brands like Salesforce, GoDaddy, Zillow, and Mailchimp have trusted Jay to support some of their most visible projects.

    He began his career in sales and marketing at Google and HubSpot, and his own journey as a speaker has been featured in 3 different books.

    Jay's philosophy challenges conventional marketing wisdom: don't market more, matter more. Think resonance over reach. Don't be the best, be their favorite.

    --- WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER ---

    ✓ What a premise really is (and why it's different from a tagline, mission, or niche)

    ✓ The resonance over reach philosophy and why it creates more business impact

    ✓ How resonance works (using physics to understand the urge to act)

    ✓ The narrative argument framework: six beats that move audiences from skepticism to action

    ✓ Laddered messaging structure: We Want → We Need → We Hope

    ✓ Story 2.0: Why process alone isn't enough (you need practice and posture too)

    ✓ The critical difference between clarity and strength in brand storytelling

    ✓ How to develop your premise through iteration (not instant perfection)

    ✓ Why focus is something you pick, but clarity is something you build

    ✓ Real examples: How Jay helped Anne Handley refine her premise for ASAP: As Slow As Possible

    ✓ Premise examples from James Clear, Simon Sinek, Michelle Warner, and more

    ✓ How to apply premise thinking to products and services (StoryCycle Genie case study)

    --- KEY FRAMEWORKS REVEALED ---

    NARRATIVE ARGUMENT (6 Beats):

    1. What are their goals?
    2. What's their current approach?
    3. What are the problems with that approach?
    4. What root cause do you see?
    5. What change do they need?
    6. How do they implement it?

    LADDERED MESSAGING (3 Phrases):

    • We Want: Meet people where they're at • We Need: Your premise/philosophical change • We Hope: The grand transformation

    STORY 2.0 (3 P's):

    • Process: Story structure and frameworks • Practice: Regular creation and refinement • Posture: Seeing yourself as a storyteller

    --- MEMORABLE QUOTES ---

    The goal is not to market more, it's to matter more.

    What good is awareness if you don't have affinity? What good is reach if you don't have resonance?

    Don't be the best, be their favorite.

    Clarity doesn't mean strength. Clarity doesn't mean efficacy.

    Focus is something you pick. Clarity is something you build.

    --- ABOUT BUSINESS OF STORY ---

    The Business of Story podcast helps business owners and marketers master the art of storytelling to grow their brands and create meaningful impact. Hosted by Park Howell, creator of the StoryCycle System and ABT Framework, each episode features expert guests sharing proven strategies for business growth through authentic narrative.

    Whether you're building a brand, leading a team, or developing your public voice, Business of Story delivers the frameworks and insights you need to make your message matter.

    Topics: premise development | resonance over reach | brand storytelling | thought leadership | narrative argument | public speaking | IP development | expert positioning | influential voice | business communication | content strategy | keynote speaking | Story 2.0 | clarity vs strength | laddered messaging
    続きを読む 一部表示
    55 分
  • #548: Bringing Stories of Wisdom Back From Beyond the Grave, With Miles Spencer

    #548: Bringing Stories of Wisdom Back From Beyond the Grave, With Miles Spencer
    2025/12/29
    53 分
  • #547: From Burnout to Breakthrough: How Taking Time Off Accelerates Growth, with Michael Walsh

    #547: From Burnout to Breakthrough: How Taking Time Off Accelerates Growth, with Michael Walsh
    2025/12/22

    What if working LESS is the smartest business growth strategy for 2026?

    Michael Walsh went three years without a vacation—grinding relentlessly, believing scaling required personal sacrifice. Then his wife forced him to take time off. The result? He generated $10,000 in new sales—more than any previous week. He tested further, taking the last week of every month off. His income kept growing.

    After 30+ years helping $2M-$20M companies scale, Michael has proven that people-first business growth outperforms systems-first approaches every time.

    What You'll Discover:

    ✅ The $10,000 vacation discovery - Why strategic time off accelerates revenue instead of slowing it down

    ✅ The relationship complexity math - Why 100 people = 4,950 relationships, explaining why your systems break as you scale from $1M to $10M

    ✅ Survive, Thrive, Connect, Adapt framework - Practical roadmap for understanding human behavior structures that support your people to be at their best

    ✅ Why your people are your #1 brand story customer - How training influencers (even janitors and cafeteria workers) instead of just executives creates authentic brand ambassadors

    ✅ The social contract that works - Why professional growth takes pressure off top dollar, and how two-minute weekly conversations replace twice-yearly performance theater

    ✅ Intelligent ecosystems vs. machines - Why "I'm the boss, you do what I say" fails in service businesses, and how to build adaptive capacity

    ✅ AI and the Age of Creativity - How AI is eliminating junior jobs and what the shift from Information Age to Age of Creativity means for your business

    About Michael Walsh:

    Michael Walsh is founder of Walsh Business Growth Institute and author of Freedom by Design: The Established Business Owner's Guide to Grow, Make an Impact, and Find the Joy Again. His myth-busting methodologies liberate owners from operational dependency through contrarian, people-first strategies.

    FREE BOOK: Get Freedom by Design free (print, PDF, or MP4) at WalshBusinessGrowth.com

    Key Topics: business growth strategies, scaling $2M-$20M companies, employee relationship management, leadership development, burnout recovery, work-life balance, organizational culture, brand storytelling, people-first leadership, service business optimization, AI impact on business, future of work

    Connect with Michael:
    🌐 WalshBusinessGrowth.com
    📧 info@WalshBusinessGrowth.com

    About Business of Story:

    Business of Story helps business owners and marketing professionals master brand storytelling for business growth. Hosted by Park Howell, featuring expert guests sharing proven strategies.

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
    Connect: BusinessOfStory.com | @parkhowell | @businessofstory

    ⭐ Love the show? Leave a 5-star review and help other leaders discover strategic storytelling!
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 3 分