This episode is part of Mastering the Business of Storytelling, a Learn-It-All™ Mini-Series exploring how great leaders move people to action through story.
Why do most leaders struggle to inspire action? The answer isn’t a better slide deck—it’s better storytelling. In this dynamic episode of The Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon sits down with Park Howell—Emmy-winning storyteller, brand expert, and creator of the ABT storytelling framework. Drawing on nearly 40 years leading organizational transformations, Park Howell breaks down why stories (not stats) move hearts, minds, and teams. Discover how leaders can build credibility, unlock trust, and spark change by putting their audience at the center of every narrative. Plus, learn how AI and the new StoryCycleGenie tool revolutionize branding and leadership communication—even if you’re not a “natural” storyteller.
Packed with real-world examples, role-playing, and hands-on exercises, this episode delivers the tools, frameworks, and inspiration every leader needs to connect and drive action—especially in today’s crowded, high-stakes environment.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why storytelling is the most powerful tool in leadership and sales
- The critical mistakes leaders make—and how to fix them with the ABT (And, But, Therefore) framework
- How to craft a story that puts your audience at its center
- Why sharing your authentic mistakes builds more credibility than sharing successes
- How introverts and technical minds can master storytelling with simple “algorithms”
- The science behind emotional selling and the “because” effect on behavior change
- How AI can amplify (not replace) human storytelling—and why StoryCycleGenie is a game-changer for brands
Timestamps:
00:00 – Why storytelling outperforms features and functions in leadership
01:54 – The essence of a story: conflict, resolution, and Kurt Vonnegut’s “man in a hole”
02:43 – The “and, and, and” trap—and how South Park’s replacement rule changes everything
05:12 – How the brain responds to stories vs. information overload
07:52 – How leaders build trust and credibility with story (even if you’re “not in sales”)
09:53 – Telling personal stories: it’s not just about you—it’s about relatable outcomes
11:26 – Using humility and mistakes to create impactful learning moments
13:50 – How introverts and engineers can break through limiting beliefs and leverage the ABT
17:46 – The Harvard “because” study and why it transforms persuasion
20:29 – Selling as “find the hurt, amplify the pain, heal the wound”
22:43 – Leading AI change: Applying ABT to overcome fear and resistance
24:27 – The power of empathy and elevating the audience
25:48 – Practical ABT role play: helping middle managers overcome overwhelm
34:24 – Why your call to action matters (and how to make it stick)
36:30 – Nursery rhymes, Lincoln, and the ABT “chassis” of timeless storytelling
39:22 – Cutting through content overload: narrative as a leadership hack
40:10 – How AI (and StoryCycleGenie) transforms branding and saves time
44:51 – Uncovering blind spots and real user feedback on StoryCycleGenie
53:47 – Park’s Emmy-winning Goodwill story—and what makes a campaign work
58:47 – Free tools: ABT worksheet, brand story assessment, and more
60:15 – Where to find Park’s podcast and additional resources
About Park Howell
Park Howell is an Emmy-award-winning storyteller,...
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