The Storytelling Lab

• 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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• How to Make Indie Filmmaking Sustainable with Erika Arlee and Kristi Ray

  “If you get your timeline pushed back, think of it as another year to make the story better.” — Erika ArleeWhat does it really take to build a sustainable filmmaking career?In this episode, Rain sits down with Erika Arlee and Kristi Ray, the powerhouse duo behind Honey Head Films, to explore how they’ve grown a production company that balances passion, purpose, and profit.They share the story of their debut feature A Song for Imogene, and how they expanded it from a short film into a fully realized, distributed feature while staying true to their vision.Erika and Kristi break down how they built their brand around authentic Southern stories, women filmmakers, and a collaborative, values-driven approach. You’ll learn how they crowdfunded, built community buy-in, and turned obstacles into creative opportunities.If you’re dreaming of turning your passion for film into a business that lasts, this conversation is packed with hard-earned wisdom and inspiration.In this episode, you will learn to:Build an authentic film brand that aligns with your values and attracts the right collaborators.Create momentum around your project by involving your community early and often.Balance client work with creative projects so your passion stays alive while paying the bills.Approach collaboration strategically to find the partners who can help you grow.Treat your indie film like a startup by thinking about your audience and exit strategy from the start.Follow Honey Head Films on:InstagramFacebookOr visit their website HERE!*** A Song for Imogene is now on Amazon Prime!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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