124 From SME to Storyteller

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What happens when your learning content goes from “just the facts” to “can’t-stop-listening”? This week on The Fabulous Learning Nerds, we’re diving into the storytelling revolution in L&D—and spoiler alert: it’s more than just a bedtime story.

Scott, Daniel, and Zeta are back in full force, and this time they’re taking on a mission: transforming dry data dumps into memorable narratives. From personal tales in the West Virginia radio-free zone to cringeworthy motel stories (yes, “Another Dirty Room” makes an appearance), the Nerds walk you through why storytelling sticks and how to use it to supercharge your training.

Whether you're launching onboarding, teaching new technology, or tackling leadership development, this episode provides the narrative playbook for making your content unforgettable.

📌 Key Takeaways:

• 💡 Storytelling increases retention by triggering emotion and empathy (hello, brain chemicals!).
• 🧠 Neural coupling aligns your learner’s brain with the storyteller’s—yes, it’s real science.
• 📚 You don’t need a novel—just a clear 3-act structure: Setup, Conflict, Resolution.
• 🛠️ Use frameworks like The Hero’s Journey or Pixar’s Story Spine to shape compelling learning journeys.
• 🎯 Good stories lower cognitive load and boost engagement.
• 🤖 Even technical training (email servers, we see you!) becomes impactful when there’s a story behind the why.

🔥 Whether you’re a SME, ID, or L&D leader, this is your cue to stop dumping and start telling

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