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That subject line was pretty bold, wasn’t it?

Well, we meant every word. Most storytelling advice is bloated, abstract, and oozing with with buzzwords and jargon. Video Creators don’t need more theory. They need a way to unlock their stories, fast and tell them in a way that lands quickly with audiences.

This week, we’re handing over part of the storytelling system we’ve used with clients for over a decade. And... we've quietly dropping a custom GPT built to help you find your voice and bring your stories to life… fast.⚡️

Principle 1: You are not separate from the story.

Most people believe storytelling is something reserved for charismatic speakers, TEDx veterans, theater kids, or brand strategists with a thesaurus.

That belief keeps smart people silent. 🤦‍♀️

But here’s the truth: [you] [are] [the] [story].

Your observations, your language, your experiences - that’s where the power is.

You don’t need to become a “storyteller.”

You just need the right tools to collect and reveal what’s already there.

Principle 2: Not every story need a prologue.

The founder origin story has been done to death. We love that your great grandpa started the company back in 1892, but it might not be relevant to the current conversation.

Now don’t get me wrong, the roots of a company story can be compelling, but they should be reserved for special occasions.

You don’t need to dig up your third-grade science fair blue ribbon to say something meaningful.

Some of the best stories come from today… what is happening right now.

The things you notice, struggle with, or say out loud without realizing they’re profound. The stories you tell in passing without hesitation at a casual lunch. The things that you see through the lens of all of your collective lived experiences, events, and expertise.

Your most powerful story might be hiding in plain sight and that tale doesn’t need an origin story to work.

Principle 3: Story frameworks are great - until they aren’t.

We all love the Hero’s Journey, but the Hero’s Journey isn’t just fill in the blanks.

Storytelling shouldn’t be a task on some checklist. ✅

Remember it’s called “Storytelling” not “StoryDoing”. That is one of the reasons I have never liked StoryBrand because businesses and agencies treat it like a fill-in-the-blank mad-lib worksheet.

The heart, soul, and connection go right out the window.

These tools are ok, but they’re not a substitute for originality.

People treat them like recipes instead of treating them like the oven.

When you rely too heavily on formulaic structure, your story ends up sounding like everyone else’s.

Frameworks should guide you, not define you.

That’s great… Now what?

You don’t need to learn storytelling. You need to unlearn the fluff.

Strip away the jargon, the hero’s journey diagrams, the Storybrand checklist, and the pressure to sound profound.

This week: Tell one story. No jargon. Just your real voice. Let us know how it lands.

If you can do that, what’s left is your real voice - and that’s what actually connects.

We Have a New Storytelling Tool!

I know some of you might be thinking, hold on a minute…

You just said that you shouldn’t rely on frameworks and now you are sharing a tool that helps us find frameworks for our stories? What gives?

Remember how I said frameworks are the oven? Well our “Custom GPT Storytelling Coach” is simply there to make suggestions of what storytelling framework might best serve your topic and story. The recipe is up to you to create.

We just know that staring at a blank page often leads to inaction, so why not let our coach help get you started each and every time.

Dan Bennett

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