Chief Story Officer

Rob Biesenbach, corporate communications veteran and Second City-trained actor, joins the show to share how trust and emotional resonance are the real engines of powerful storytelling, even in the boardroom.In this episode, we delve into why trust and reassurance consistently trump raw information, and how getting real about conflict and emotion makes your message land. Rob D. Willis and Rob Biesenbach dissect the pitfalls of overly polished corporate case studies, the hidden power of vulnerability, and the value of admitting what went wrong in business stories.Rob Biesenbach reveals his five-step method for crafting stories that stick, drawing on decades in corporate communications and the lessons learnt on stage as a Second City-trained actor. He unpacks how internal storytelling transformed a struggling truck manufacturer, the art of mapping audience wants, and the unexpected parallels between executive speeches and improv performance.You’ll discover how to ladder up audience insights, spot the clutter in your own narrative, and ask the one question that surfaces the “why” behind every story. By the end, you’ll know precisely how to rally teams, rebuild trust, and make your stories unforgettable.GUEST BIO & LINKSRob Biesenbach is a corporate communications consultant, keynote speaker, author, and Second City-trained actor. With decades spent inside the PR world and nearly 200 stage and commercial performances to his credit, he helps leaders craft stories that win trust, rally teams, and make big messages genuinely land. Rob is the author of Unleash the Power of Storytelling and works with executives and organisations to cut through clutter, reveal relatable character, and turn even tough moments into memorable, strategic narratives.Connect with Rob Biesenbach:Website: https://robbiesenbach.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbiesenbach/Unleash the Power of Storytelling — Rob Biesenbach11 Deadly Presentation Sins — Rob BiesenbachAct Like You Mean Business — Rob Biesenbach10 Steps to Better Business Storytelling — Rob Biesenbachrobbiesenbach.com/insights — his blog and articlesFree Storytelling ToolkitTELL YOUR STORY, CHANGE YOUR WORLDReady to get started right away on becoming a more effective storyteller so you can enjoy more success in your career, your business and your life?Sign up now to get your free storytelling toolkit. It includes the book chapter, “How to Tell Your Own Story,” a set of worksheets to walk you through the process, and real-life examples that bring the structures to life.Download it here: https://robbiesenbach.com/storytelling-toolkit/ABOUT THE SHOWChief Story Officer is a podcast about how stories drive strategy, not just communication. Host Rob D. Willis talks with executives and thought leaders about the moments where the right message changed everything.Real stories. Real impact. Every two weeks.CONNECT WITH ROBWant frameworks for strategic storytelling? Download the free guide: "5 Ways to Make People Care About Your Strategy"→ subscribepage.io/robdwillisConnect with Rob:Website: robdwillis.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robdwillis Instagram: @robdwillis TikTok: @robdwillisSubscribe to Chief Story Officer wherever you listen to podcasts.

Paul Smith, bestselling author and business storytelling consultant, joins the show to share how surprise turns stories into unforgettable leadership tools and why the best business lessons don’t always fit on a slide.In this episode, we unpack why adrenaline-fuelled surprises make stories unforgettable, how dialogue trumps data in executive communications, and the simple shift from presenting slides to sharing moments that matter. We explore why even data-driven leaders can use storytelling to move teams, clarify strategy, and tackle scepticism head-on.Paul Smith reveals how a CEO's refusal to look at slides sparked his storytelling journey at Procter & Gamble, what over 300 CEO interviews taught him about memorable stories, and why structure matters less than authenticity. He shares the ten essential stories every leader should master, his effortless story collection method, and the science behind why surprise makes learning stick.Listeners will leave with tools to curate and organise their own stories, strategies to shift culture from “presenting” to “connecting”, and practical advice for nurturing a story-driven team. Plus, the one journaling habit that turns everyday events into your organisation’s most valuable assets.GUEST BIO & LINKSPaul Smith is a bestselling author, business storytelling consultant, and former head of consumer research for Procter & Gamble’s $6 billion global business. After 20 years in data-driven corporate roles, Paul shifted his focus to understanding what separates inspiring leaders from the rest and discovered storytelling as the missing skill. He has personally interviewed over 300 CEOs and executives across 25 countries, capturing more than 3,000 business stories and distilling them into three Amazon #1 bestsellers, including Lead with a Story and The 10 Stories Great Leaders Tell. Paul now helps leaders worldwide build trust, drive change, and clarify strategy through practical storytelling.Connect with Paul Smith:Website: https://leadwithastory.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithpa9/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadwithastory/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/leadwithastoryABOUT THE SHOWChief Story Officer is a podcast about how stories drive strategy, not just communication. Host Rob D. Willis talks with executives and thought leaders about the moments where the right message changed everything.Real stories. Real impact. Every two weeks.CONNECT WITH ROBWant frameworks for strategic storytelling? Download the free guide: "5 Ways to Make People Care About Your Strategy"→ subscribepage.io/robdwillisConnect with Rob:Website: robdwillis.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robdwillis Instagram: @robdwillis TikTok: @robdwillisSubscribe to Chief Story Officer wherever you listen to podcasts.

Annette Simmons, author of The Story Factor and Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins, joins the show to challenge the idea that business storytelling is just about heroes and conflict. She reveals why real influence comes from sharing subjective, emotionally resonant stories, and how rituals of story-sharing can repair trust, build collaboration, and shape organisational culture.In this episode, we dive into the true role of storytelling in organisations, exploring why stories are more than just narratives with conflict and how they're evolution’s way of ensuring collaboration, trust, and survival at work. With business storytelling often reduced to formulas and templates, we challenge what’s been lost, and how leaders can reclaim storytelling’s real strategic power.Annette Simmons reveals her journey from advertising to storytelling, unpacks the difference between objective and story thinking, and introduces the vital but overlooked concept of repair after betrayal stories. She shares practical rituals to surface tacit knowledge, the six stories that every leader needs, and why rituals, not rules are the key to keeping ethics and values alive in business.You’ll leave with tangible prompts to spark more vulnerability and collaboration, a new appreciation for restoring trust after setbacks, and concrete steps to make stories a lived ritual in your team, not just a communication tool.GUEST BIO & LINKSAnnette Simmons is a renowned author, keynote speaker, and storytelling expert whose books The Story Factor and Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins have influenced leaders worldwide. Over three decades, Annette has helped organisations like Microsoft, NASA, and the Brookings Institute use storytelling to resolve conflict, foster trust, and shift mindsets not merely through data, but through powerful shared experience. Drawing on early influences in psychology and marketing, Annette’s approach challenges the dominance of “objective” thinking in business. She advocates for bringing back the lost art of tacit, folk-inspired storytelling and establishing rituals that make subjective wisdom and values central to team culture. Her latest work, Drinking from a Different Well, explores how women’s stories redefine power in collaborative settings.Connect with Annette Simmons:Website: https://annettesimmons.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annettesimmonsstory/Article: Evolution’s Lessons We've Left BehindEmail: annette@annettesimmons.comABOUT THE SHOWChief Story Officer is a podcast about how stories drive strategy, not just communication. Host Rob D. Willis talks with executives and thought leaders about the moments where the right message changed everything.Real stories. Real impact. Every two weeks.CONNECT WITH ROBWant frameworks for strategic storytelling? Download the free guide: "5 Ways to Make People Care About Your Strategy"→ subscribepage.io/robdwillisConnect with Rob:Website: robdwillis.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robdwillis Instagram: @robdwillis TikTok: @robdwillisSubscribe to Chief Story Officer wherever you listen to podcasts.

Shawn Callahan, founder of Anecdote International and author of the award-winning book Putting Stories to Work, joins the show to reveal how story listening, not just storytelling can transform corporate culture and strategy, and why the best stories in business aren’t heroic sagas but small, authentic moments that drive change.In this episode, we dig into how storytelling drives strategy and culture, with practical examples from the boardroom to the frontline. You'll hear why most corporate stories skip the hero’s journey, and how the right conversation can coax stories from even the most reluctant leaders.Shawn Callahan shares behind-the-scenes insights from decades of helping Fortune 500 companies, including the real reason slide decks and town halls fail, the “Costanza manoeuvre” for sharper strategic choices, and how story listening cannily triggers change from the inside out.You’ll walk away with actionable ways to spot, craft, and scale stories in your organisation, plus a simple framework for making strategy stick. Discover why authentic, everyday anecdotes beat polished presentations and how to transform your own strategy into something your team not only hears, but owns.KEY TOPICSWhy story listening, not storytelling, is the foundation for culture change in business [00:01:56]The genius of group “anecdote circles” for unlocking reluctant stories in teams [00:04:33]How co-creating the strategy story forces leaders to clarify real choices and avoid business-as-usual clichés [00:09:18]Scaling strategy through progress stories and “overwhelming the system” with examples at every level [00:17:12]The pitfalls of story banks and why oral, not written, stories drive authenticity and connection [00:23:01]GUEST BIO & LINKSShawn Callahan is the founder of Anecdote International, author of Putting Stories to Work, and one of the world’s leading experts in story-based communication for business. With over 20 years helping Fortune 500 companies across 22 countries and 11 languages make their strategies stick, Shawn is known for his practical approach, starting with story listening and small, real-world anecdotes. From his days at IBM’s Centre for Organisational Complexity to building Anecdote into a global consultancy, Shawn has worked with executives to co-create strategic narratives, drive culture change, and scale storytelling across entire organisations. His work empowers leaders to move beyond slides and scripts, fostering genuine buy-in with stories people actually remember.Connect with Shawn Callahan:Website: https://anecdote.thinkific.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawncallahan/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawndcallahan/?hl=enABOUT THE SHOWChief Story Officer is a podcast about how stories drive strategy, not just communication. Host Rob D. Willis talks with executives and thought leaders about the moments where the right message changed everything.Real stories. Real impact. Every two weeks.CONNECT WITH ROBWant frameworks for strategic storytelling? Download the free guide: "5 Ways to Make People Care About Your Strategy"→ subscribepage.io/robdwillisConnect with Rob:Website: robdwillis.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robdwillis Instagram: @robdwillis TikTok: @robdwillisSubscribe to Chief Story Officer wherever you listen to podcasts.

Matt Armstrong-Barnes, Group AI Practice Director at Servita and keynote speaker, joins the show to uncover why the real challenge of AI transformation isn’t just the technology, it’s the story leaders tell about it.In this episode, we dive into the art of translating complex technical ideas into clear, actionable strategies, exploring how jargon can alienate teams and how the right story brings everyone onto the same page. Matt Armstrong-Barnes, Group AI Practice Director at Servita, reveals the moments that changed his approach to communication and why leaders must own their message to drive transformation.Matt shares practical lessons from his 25-year career, from deciphering AI hype to empowering teams to ask “obvious” questions. He unpacks the real reasons people hesitate to speak up, the value of writing things down, and his signature “coffee machine test” for strategy clarity.You’ll walk away with a toolkit for breaking through jargon, building genuine team alignment, and turning abstract strategy into bite-sized, memorable stories, even if you think you’re “not a storyteller.”KEY TOPICSThe meeting where only two out of thirty technologists understood the technical problem and what happened next [01:07]Imposter syndrome and why tech leaders are afraid to ask “obvious” questions in meetings [04:04]How leadership behaviour around jargon shapes organisational culture and communication habits [05:07]The hidden ambiguity of terms like “artificial intelligence” across academics, technologists, and business leaders [06:15]The exercise of having multiple leaders articulate strategy and why it always reveals misalignment [07:37]Using stories, metaphors, and writing to structure and clarify your message as a leader [08:43]Why ownership of your message and regularly testing team understanding makes strategies stick [11:08]The real stories companies tell themselves about AI and how these myths either paralyse or mislead [17:14]The “coffee machine test”: how to check if your team can explain your vision in 30 seconds or less [27:12]GUEST BIO & LINKSMatt Armstrong-Barnes is the Group AI Practice Director at Servita, a published thought leader, keynote speaker, and technical reviewer for the British Computer Society's International Conference on AI. With over 25 years’ experience guiding organisations through complex technology transformations, Matt specialises in making the intricacies of AI accessible and actionable for business leaders. His approach combines deep technical expertise with a passion for clear, jargon-free communication empowering teams to ask better questions, demystify strategy, and unlock AI's real value. Matt is a regular contributor on LinkedIn and a champion for mentorship, helping the next generation navigate the evolving landscape of technology with confidence and clarity.Connect with Matt Armstrong-Barnes:Website: https://www.hpe.com/us/en/home.htmlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattarmstrongbarnes/ABOUT THE SHOWChief Story Officer is a podcast about how stories drive strategy, not just communication. Host Rob D. Willis talks with executives and thought leaders about the moments where the right message changed everything.Real stories. Real impact. Every two weeks.CONNECT WITH ROBWant frameworks for strategic storytelling? Download the free guide: "5 Ways to Make People Care About Your Strategy"→ subscribepage.io/robdwillisConnect with Rob:Website: robdwillis.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robdwillis Instagram: @robdwillis TikTok: @robdwillisSubscribe to Chief Story Officer wherever you listen to podcasts.

Lauren V. Davis, personal branding consultant and host of The Real Personal Branding Podcast, joins the show to reveal why the executives who say "I don't have any stories" are usually the ones holding everyone else's.In this conversation, we explore why connection beats credentials in building trust, how a financial advisor turned his mother's death into his most powerful client story, and why a real estate coach's "naked in the closet moment" converted more leads than any feature list ever could.Lauren shares her three-part framework for extracting stories from reluctant leaders (moment → shift → meaning), the dinner party test for finding your best material, and why you should Google yourself right now with the keyword you want to own.You'll walk away with a simple journaling practice that captures stories before they disappear, the empathy exercise that reveals gaps in your narrative, and one question that helps people overcome both imposter syndrome and storytelling paralysis: "What do people thank you for most often?"KEY TOPICSWhy "I don't have any stories" usually means you're the keeper of everyone else's stories [00:07]The financial advisor who turned family tragedy into his opening pitch [11:00]How a "naked in the closet moment" became a real estate coach's signature story [18:00]The three-part framework: Moment → Shift → Meaning [15:00]The dinner party test: which stories make everyone stop scrolling? [24:00]Why starting with a story beats starting with your resume [15:25]The Justin Timberlake letter: how embarrassment creates connection [22:00]From journal to Instagram to podcast: repurposing one story across platforms [27:00]The Google test: does your online presence match who you want to be? [31:00]GUEST BIO & LINKSLauren V. Davis is a personal branding consultant, speaker, podcast host, and former record store owner. She helps business owners, speakers, and entrepreneurs establish visibility through masterminds, retreats, and 1:1 consulting. Her work has been featured in Reader's Digest and Huffington Post, and she hosts The Real Personal Branding Podcast (top 2% worldwide).Connect with Lauren:Website: laurendaviscreative.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ldaviscreativeInstagram: @ldaviscreativePodcast: The Real Personal Branding PodcastABOUT THE SHOWChief Story Officer is a podcast about how stories drive strategy, not just communication. Host Rob D. Willis talks with executives and thought leaders about the moments where the right message changed everything.Real stories. Real impact. Every two weeks.CONNECT WITH ROBWant frameworks for strategic storytelling? Download the free guide: "5 Ways to Make People Care About Your Strategy"→ subscribepage.io/robdwillisConnect with Rob:Website: robdwillis.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robdwillisInstagram: @robdwillisTikTok: @robdwillisSubscribe to Chief Story Officer wherever you listen to podcasts.

Rain Bennett, award-winning filmmaker and fractional Chief Storytelling Officer, joins the show to discuss why storytelling isn't just marketing—it's strategy.In this conversation, we explore what a Chief Storytelling Officer actually does, how Nike used story listening to beat Adidas in the 1970s, and why misalignment kills trust faster than bad products. Rain shares his framework for building a brand narrative that guides every decision from product development to sales pitches.You'll walk away with a vision story exercise (resilient, inclusive, service-oriented), an understanding of how storytelling creates virality through community, and one framework for making sure every department tells the same story.KEY TOPICSWhat is a Chief Storytelling Officer and why companies need one [01:00]How Nike's Nelson Ferris built shoes by listening to high school track athletes [14:00]The ROI of storytelling: long-term growth vs. short-term metrics [08:00]Why misalignment between departments destroys trust [11:30]The three tests every vision story must pass [30:00]GUEST BIO & LINKSRain Bennett is an award-winning filmmaker, author of "Chief Storytelling Officer," and host of the Storytelling Lab podcast. He's conducted over 1,000 interviews in 20 years and now embeds himself in companies as a fractional Chief Storytelling Officer.Connect with Rain:Website: rainbennett.comBook: "Chief Storytelling Officer" [coming soon]Podcast: The Storytelling LabABOUT THE SHOWChief Story Officer is a podcast about how stories drive strategy, not just communication. Host Rob D. Willis talks with executives and thought leaders about the moments where the right message changed everything.Real stories. Real impact. Every two weeks.CONNECT WITH ROBWebsite: robdwillis.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robdwillis/Instagram: @robdwillisSubscribe to Chief Story Officer on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts