This is a HOW-TO podcast. Instead of listening to other people tell their stories, learn how to tell YOUR story and make it stick. Behind every brilliant story is carefully designed craft and strategy. Let Doug take you ‘behind the curtain’ of great business storytelling. Doug Stevenson, the creator of The Story Theater Method for strategic storytelling in business, will share storytelling hacks, techniques, and advanced story crafting skills. Learn how to CHOOSE the right story, how to make the right POINT, and how to BRAND your message. Facts fade, data gets dumped, but stories stick. If you are a business professional at any level, from assistant manager to CEO, and you want to stand out, get ahead and make a positive impression, this podcast is for you. If you’re an entrepreneur who needs to grow your business, your story will sell you and your products and services. Stories build trust, establish credibility, and increase sales. For over 25 years, Doug Stevenson has taught storytelling skills and strategies to speakers, trainers, leaders, marketers, salespeople, HR professionals, fundraisers and TED speakers. He has spoken in 18 countries to clients as diverse as US Bank, Google, Pfizer, Kellogg, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Coca Cola, Aetna and Red Bull. Come study storytelling and more with Doug Stevenson. Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com Website: www.storytelling-in-business.com
44. How to Give a TED Talk with Star Hansen
Star Hansen’s TEDx Talk has been viewed 255,000 times. Listen and learn how she came up with her Idea Worth Spreading and how she nailed her talk. She shares the intimate truth about what it was like for her to overcome her nerves, focus on her purpose and rise to the occasion. A TED Talk is unlike any other speaking experience. It forces you to get clear about your WHY, what you have to say and how to craft your message into a condensed format. A TED Talk can also be a springboard to greater opportunities to grow your brand and your business. What would a video with 255,000 views do for your business? Watch this interview on You Tube as a video: https://youtu.be/ZJ-YikcHfog View Star’s TEDx Talk video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjzvH2wrpDg&t=149s Contact Star Hansen at: https://starhansen.com/ Contact Doug Stevenson at: doug@dougstevenson.com
2/4/2024 • 28 minutes, 6 seconds
43. A Storytelling Contest - Enter to Win
Are you ready? It is your turn to tell a story. In this podcast, I share the details of a storytelling contest. If your story is chosen, you win two hours of free coaching with me, and you’ll be invited to be a guest on this podcast. The topic of your story entry is change. Where and when have you made a significant change in your life? In this episode you’ll hear how to craft and record a 5-7 minute story, and how to submit it for the contest. Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
1/22/2024 • 21 minutes, 7 seconds
42. Twelve Story Types - Part Two
It’s not as simple as thinking, there are two types of stories: business stories and personal stories. When you understand how to use various story types, you’ll be liberated to develop all kinds of strategic and relevant stories. The more you know, the higher you’ll go. To help you identify relevant stories, I’m inviting you to go on a story safari with me. This list of twelve story types will trigger all kinds of story possibilities. In part two of the twelve story types, you’ll learn about eight more story types: 5. Origin Stories – the backstory of your life 6. Pattern Stories – a negative pattern that leads to a positive outcome 7. Small Disaster Stories – encountering and overcoming everyday challenges 8. Game Changer Stories – stories about people who changed the world 9. Brand Stories – the story of how a brand was curated over time 10. Yoda Stories –stories about the people who changed your life 11. Perseverance Stories – stories of perseverance leading to success 12. Minerva Stories – ancient and traditional wisdom stories Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
1/10/2024 • 29 minutes, 42 seconds
41. Twelve Story Types - Part One
It’s not as simple as thinking, there are two types of stories: business stories and personal stories. When you understand how to use various story types, you’ll be liberated to develop all kinds of strategic and relevant stories. The more you know, the higher you’ll go. To help you identify relevant stories, I’m inviting you to go on a story safari with me. This list of twelve story types will trigger all kinds of story possibilities. In part one of the twelve story types, you’ll learn about four story types: 1. The Vignette – a short story 2. Crucible Stories – a severe test 3. Imbroglio Stories – an acutely embarrassing fiasco 4. Credibility Stories – third party stories from trustworthy sources Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com Tucson, Arizona
1/10/2024 • 18 minutes, 11 seconds
40. Build a Bridge of Connection - Connect IN to Connect OUT
There is an invisible space that exists between you and your audience. To succeed, you need to build a bridge of connection and invite them to cross over to your side of the bridge. You need to be so engaging, congruent, and connected to your power, that they find you and your stories irresistible. Rather than reaching out to connect with them, they reach out to connect with you. But what happens when your insecurity invades that space and widens the gap? In this episode, you’ll learn how to Connect IN to your power, in order to Connect OUT to your audience. Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com Tucson, Arizona
12/27/2023 • 19 minutes, 13 seconds
39. Make Peace with Your Past
If you want to be happy, healthy, and prosperous in the present, it’s important to make peace with your past. In this episode, you’ll learn how to shift your focus from negative to positive when recalling a painful past experience. Doug Stevenson - Keynote, TED Talk and Story Coach Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com Tucson, Arizona
12/14/2023 • 23 minutes, 59 seconds
38. A Masterclass in Storytelling with John Register
John Register is a master storyteller because he takes the art and craft of storytelling seriously. John sustained a life-changing leg injury that ended his Olympic track and field dream, and subsequently has tweaked, polished, written, and rewritten his story over time. He has transformed it into a brilliant piece of theater. He moves on the stage like an actor in a play. He creates characters and scenes that draw the listener into the action. Nothing is left to chance. Every word, action, and choice is deliberate. John brilliantly shares his deeply personal story and connects it to the challenges of people and businesses in transition. That’s why he is in high demand from organizations and corporations all over the world. In this podcast, you won’t just listen and learn what it takes to be a masterful storyteller, you’ll feel like you’re sitting in his audience watching him in action. They say if you want to get better at any skill, you need to learn from the best. Sit back and take some notes. John will show you how it’s done. Contact: john@johnregister.com Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com Contact Doug in Tucson, Arizona at 1-719-310-8565
12/3/2023 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 13 seconds
37. Upgrade Your Storytelling Operating System with Navin Thukkaram
Navin Thukkaram went to Harvard, worked on Wall Street and in private equity firms, and is an expert in the realm of angel investing. He compares The Story Theater Method to an advanced operating system for storytelling in business. He has upgraded his speaking and storytelling skills, resulting in successful keynotes at tech conferences around the world. Navin believes that when you invest in a long-term coaching relationship to upgrade your communication skills, the ROI can be exponential. One of the stories that he worked on generated $10 million dollars in seed capital for a tech company startup. He’s a tech investor, mindset coach, and now, a professional speaker. Contact Navin at: navin@ntcapp.com Contact Doug at: doug@dougstevenson.com
11/1/2023 • 43 minutes, 9 seconds
36. Up Your Game - Raise Your Fees with Jim Davidson
Before Jim Davidson became a professional speaker, he was an environmental geologist and avid mountain climber. Nothing in his scientific background prepared him to become a motivational speaker, but he had a powerful story about a near-death experience while climbing on Mount Rainier, and people kept asking him to tell that story. Over time, he learned to up his game by focusing on his storytelling and stage skills. He watched other speakers, polished his story, and learned how to market and sell his keynote. In this episode, you’ll hear how he leveraged each speaking opportunity and became a sought-after speaker on resilience and change management. Contact Jim at: jim@speakingofadventure.com Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
10/24/2023 • 39 minutes, 2 seconds
35. How to Become the Story with Eileen McDargh
Eileen McDargh was a teacher. She is now a professional speaker with an uncanny ability to weave a web of transformational magic with her stories. Although she never studied acting, when she tells a story, she becomes the story. She acts out the characters and conversations. Eileen believes you must place the story in the context of the audience for it to work effectively. She finds her stories by being open to inspiration from the world around her at any given moment. Eileen will inspire you to be more playful, emotional, and strategic with your stories. Website: https://www.eileenmcdargh.com Email: eileen@eileenmcdargh.com Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
10/17/2023 • 36 minutes, 5 seconds
34. The Evolution of a Storytelling Based Keynote
A Crucible is defined as a severe test. Crucible stories are stories of great loss, hardship, or pain. W. Mitchell was burned over 60% of his body in a motorcycle accident, and then was paralyzed in a plane crash. His keynote is based on the stories of his recovery and overcoming adversity. Some keynotes are basically one story after another, with each story making a relevant point. In this episode, W. Mitchell shares how he got started in the speaking business and how, over time, his keynote evolved. You’ll be inspired by his journey from pain to personal empowerment. Contact W, Mitchell at: mitchell@wmitchellspeaks.com Contact Doug Stevenson at: deborah@dougstevenson.com Also: www.storytelling-in-business.com
10/9/2023 • 31 minutes, 17 seconds
33. Get Paid to Speak - Courageously Creative Self-Promotion
If you believe in yourself and that you have something of value to offer, you need to know how to promote yourself. “Buyers” won’t say yes, if they don’t know you are asking. And how do you get to YES, when people keep telling you NO? The ability to promote yourself, to persevere even in the face of rejection, is an essential skill on the road to success. In this episode, you’ll hear five strategies for getting from where you are to where you want to be through courageously creative self-promotion. Whether you want to get paid to speak or to get the job or promotion you want and deserve, these strategies will accelerate the process. Someone is out there waiting to say yes. Your mission, should you accept it, is to seek them out and courageously ask them to say yes. http://www.storytelling-in-business.com For your free 30-minute coaching call contact: deborah@dougstevenson.com
9/26/2023 • 25 minutes, 28 seconds
32. How to Get Paid $15,000 to Speak with Leann Thieman
In 1975, during the last days of the Vietnam War, Leann Thieman, a nurse in Iowa, volunteered to fly to Vietnam to rescue 300 orphan babies as the bombs were falling on Saigon. The story of that harrowing experience became the springboard for her to become a professional speaker. When someone agreed to pay her $100 to tell her story, she began her speaking career. She now charges $15,000 per speech. In this interview, Leann shares with Doug the incremental steps she took in the first couple of years, to market and sell her speech. These steps are the basics of how to get started in the speaking business and get people to pay you to speak. If she can do it, you can do it. Learn how to leveage your story into a lucractive speaking business. Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com http://www.storytelling-in-business.com http://www.storytelling-in-business.com
9/12/2023 • 51 minutes, 32 seconds
31. How to Get Paid to Speak and Become a Professional Speaker
Have you ever watched a professional speaker and thought, I can do that? But HOW? How do you get paid to speak? You’ll find some of the answers in this podcast episode. If you have a story to tell that makes a relevant point or teaches a powerful lesson, you can become a professional speaker. You can make a difference and make a lot of money at the same time. This is episode one in the professional speaker series. In the following episodes, you’ll learn valuable lessons and gain insightful tips on what you need to do to get paid to speak. Link to The National Speakers Association: https://nsaspeaker.org Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
8/25/2023 • 24 minutes, 17 seconds
30. How To Craft Your Pattern Story
Pattern stories are fun to craft and even more fun to tell. They’re like a good Whodunit mystery novel where the plot unfolds over time. They are constructed with a series of mini-stories or segments that illustrate how the same problem keeps happening over and over, while the person or organization experiencing the problem fails to learn the lesson. In the end, the pattern is recognized, and the lesson learned. If you’ve ever made the same mistake multiple times or experienced a similar recurring problem in your life or career, you have a pattern story in the making. In this episode, learn how to identify and craft your pattern story. For your free no obligation 20-minute coaching call, contact deborah@dougstevenson.com www.storytellling-in-business.com
8/11/2023 • 19 minutes, 26 seconds
29. How To Know When NOT To Tell a Story
It’s not always appropriate to tell a story. Different stories work in different situations and sometimes, you shouldn’t tell a story at all. If the story doesn’t fit, you must omit. For your free no obligation 20-minute coaching call, contact deborah@dougstevenson.com www.storytellling-in-business.com
8/1/2023 • 15 minutes, 10 seconds
28. Sticky Storytelling with Corporate Trainer Dave Boduch
In this episode, Doug coaches Dave on the Phrase That Pays for one of his stories. Dave shares how he uses stories in his training courses and how The Story Theater Method has helped him to be more deliberate with his stories. He also says that the stories that he tells improve the bottom- line revenues for his company. There is a strong emphasis on The Phrase That Pays in this episode. Learn more about the Phrase That Pays and how to make the point of your story stick in Episode 5. What’s the Point. For your free no obligation 20-minute coaching call, contact deborah@dougstevenson.com www.storytellling-in-business.com 1-719-310-8586
7/20/2023 • 38 minutes, 40 seconds
27. How to Design a 20-Minute Speech
TED talks opened the door to short speeches, and now, 20-minute speeches are here to stay. Conference planners are scheduling more speakers with shorter time slots. In my experience, designing a short speech is more challenging than crafting a long one. What stays in? What do you cut? I’ve got you covered. Follow these ten steps and you’ll look like a pro. To get 30% off on the downloadable version of the Dynamite Speech System, go to https://www.storytelling-in-business.com/shop/#dynamite-speech-system-downloadable and enter the coupon code PODCAST-DYN during checkout. Regular price is $129. The coupon code is not case-sensitive. You’ll be directed to a User Registration page and watch your email for the confirmation link. Contact: Deborah@dougstevenson.com
6/25/2023 • 24 minutes, 1 second
26. Storytelling for Fundraising with Dr. Alex Porter Umphrey
Dr. Alyx Porter Umphrey is the first black female Neuro Oncologist in the United States. Her personal story of success in the face of adversity is a story that inspires others to donate to Elevate Med, a non-profit dedicated to supporting black and brown medical students with scholarships, mentoring and leadership training. In this episode you’ll learn how your story, and the story of those who benefit from your cause, can be the most powerful element of your fundraising strategy. When you invest in storytelling, others will invest in your organization.
6/3/2023 • 35 minutes, 57 seconds
25. How to Get More Laughs - The Dynamics of Comedy
As a speaker and storyteller, getting a laugh is pretty important. It's not enough to get lucky with an ad-lib, you need to know how to get a laugh on demand. That requires an understanding of the dynamics of comedy. In this episode, you'll discover the three elements that are necessary to get predicatable laughs. After listening to this episode, go to You Tube and search for the videos listed below. Study them. They are a master class in comedy. Bill Cosby – Noah’s Ark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bputeFGXEjA Rowen Atkinson – The Devil https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGxG7QmPQ44 Robin Williams on Fatherhood https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykq8IkiCgFw Steven Wright – Deadpan and One-Liners https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiGag5emLJg Tim Gard – 8 Minutes of Fun - htps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KMqILkRXdQ Jeannie Robertson – Don’t Send a Man to the Grocery Store - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YFRUSTiFUs
5/10/2023 • 19 minutes, 51 seconds
24. How Long Should a Story Be
While there is no one right answer to this question, there are guidlines that will help you decide how long your story should be. Consider the situation, the time alloted for your presentation and adjust accordingly. Doug Stevenson is a keynote and story coach basedin Tucson, Arizona. Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
4/28/2023 • 19 minutes, 43 seconds
23. Your Storytelling Superpower
Your storytelling superpowers are all the things that make you different from everyone else. They are your heart and soul and emotion, your quirky sense of humor and sparkling personality. Your superpowers come across in the way you present yourself as much as what you present. They are the most intimate and outrageous parts of you that you are willing to reveal to an audience. Add to those superpowers your stories and content and you have something powerful to offer. And yet, standing up and standing out also makes you a target for those who don't like what you have to say and offer. How do you balance your need to be liked and accepted with your desire to speak up and be different? Let's talk about that.
4/14/2023 • 25 minutes, 25 seconds
22. Radical Honesty with Conrad Woody
Sometimes is takes more than simply telling a story. Sometimes the story requires Radical Honesty to convey the truth being shared. Listen as Conrad Woody shared his story of rising from shyness and insecurity to becoming a managing partner and top talent advisor and C-Suite and Board Leadership Strategist. His journey to self-empowerment and finding his purpose as a black man rising to the top in corporate America is inspiring and radically honest. contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
3/28/2023 • 34 minutes, 40 seconds
21. It's Going to Be A Great Day with Pete Hinojosa
Pete Hinojosa was tasked with developing a leadership development curriculum and helping Insperity expand from 40 to 100 offices. No small task. In order to achieve these impressive results, Insperity now has 98 offices, he had to hit the road and present his vision to stakeholders who had the power to say yes or no. Pete uses personal stories in his keynotes, trainings and business presentations to make an emotional connection and to drive corporate change. In this episode, you’ll hear how he was inspired by his father to make every day a great day. To learn more about Pete Hinojosa and his role as the Director of Thought Leadership for Insperity, you can follow him on LinkedIn where he publishes a thought provoking message every Friday. https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-hinojosa-728 3355/ Contact Doug at: doug@dougstevenson.com
2/3/2023 • 27 minutes, 33 seconds
20. From Entitled to Empowered with Thayer Willis
Thayer Willis grew up rich. She was born into a wealthy family and became, in her own words, an entitled brat. Her story is one of self-revelation and transformation. When she hit rock bottom, she knew she needed to do something to turn things around. In this episode you’ll hear how she summoned the courage to confront her pain and find her way to a meaningful life. Her origin story became the catalyst for a successful speaking and consulting business. Here’s a preview of what you’ll learn in this episode… How Thayer realized her stories weren’t working as well as they should and did something about it. Why it took courage for her to get to the heart of her story and how that courage paid off. How her origin story became the foundational story for every speech and presentation. Contact: doug@dougstevenson.com
