The StoryBrand Podcast

#96: There's Been A Murder! How Did This Small Business Die? (Special Halloween Episode with Don & J.J.)

31 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tune in for this special Halloween "whodunnit" murder mystery episode! Like so many small businesses, Penelope Featherbottom's business has died. The ...

#95: Will Guidara—Why a Culture of Hospitality Matters for Every Business

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you've ever thought that hospitality is only for… well, the hospitality industry… think again! Your customers are craving human connection more...

#94: The Secret to Optimizing and Pricing Your Products for Explosive Growth

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you have a great line of products but don't optimize, price and package them strategically, you are leaving money on the table. The truth is, 10% o...

#93: Why Your Products Aren't Selling and How to Fix It

10 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have a great product that people need, but for some reason people aren't buying it? This is a common problem when you're just starting out or l...

#92: 5 Key Talking Points You Need to Close Deals

03 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you tired of losing sales because you're fumbling over your words? Your customers deserve to know about your product and services – but unless y...

#91: Hate Selling? Here's the Sales Framework You Need

26 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you're like most people, you hate being sold to – and you don't enjoy selling to others, either! But as a small business owner, you have to sell ...

#90: Stop Getting Talked Over & Start Being Seen as a Leader

19 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you struggling to find confidence and step out of your comfort zone at work when it comes to growing as a leader and asking for what you want? Tod...

#89: 5 Ways to Protect Your Time (and Increase Revenue)

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you a leader or executive in your company? If so, you're one of the biggest expenses in your business. You're also one of the most sought-after pe...

#88: Jason Feifer—How to Embrace Change and Be Adaptable

05 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you struggling to adapt to a recent change in your life or business? No matter what your personality type, research shows that people move through...

#87: Should You Hire Someone Else to Run Your Company?

29 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you started a company, you probably have the personality of an entrepreneur. Which means you don't like running day-to-day operations! Visionaries ...

#86: Scale Your Startup With 90 Minute Workdays

22 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking to scale your startup? If you're like most entrepreneurs, you have two major obstacles to growth: limited time and how to best differe...

#85: Leveraging the Power of Story to Grow Your Business (Donald Miller at Baylor University)

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that your brain spends 30% of its time daydreaming? But not when your mind is engaged in a story. When you're emotionally connected to th...

#84: How to Know if Your New Idea Might Actually Kill Your Business

08 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Entrepreneurs are wired to constantly come up with new ideas. But sometimes creative juices can cause your business to get pulled in multiple directio...

#83: How to Become an Authority in Your Niche

01 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Having trouble being seen as an authority in your niche? No matter what you're selling, if you don't position your products correctly, you'll lose cre...

#82: Recession-Proof Your Business Using this Marketing Checklist

25 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The economy has many business owners on edge. How can you recession-proof your company? One key way is to make sure your marketing is strong and effec...

#81: How You Can Create a Subscription Model for Your Business

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What if you had recurring revenue that covered most (if not all) of your monthly expenses? Anything on top of that would be pure profit. If your busin...

#80: How to Reinvest Your Profit to Fuel Growth

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When you have extra money in the bank, you should reinvest it in your company. But how do you know where to invest when there are many areas that need...

#79: Pivot Your Products to Break Out of a Revenue Rut

04 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is your business stuck making the same revenue as last year? No matter what industry you're in, expanding or changing a product or service could be th...

#78: Jenna Kutcher—The Risk of Authenticity

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Many business owners find their personalities are tightly bound to their company's marketing, especially thanks to social media. On one hand, this can...

#77: How to Buy a Company You Didn't Start

20 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What would you do if your boss gave you the opportunity to buy the company? It's a huge decision, and hard to know where to even begin evaluating if i...

#76: The Right Way to Scale as a Consultant

13 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As a consultant, customers are paying for your expertise. The problem is how can you scale if your business model limits your services to one-on-one i...

#75: How to Tell Your Story Without Playing the Hero

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You've heard us say it over and over again: your marketing should invite your customers into a story where they are the hero. And this means focusing ...

#74: Choosing Your Next Strategic Initiative

30 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to growing your business, it's easy to fill up a list with potential great ideas. What's hard is deciding which ones to implement and wh...

#73: Why Your Non-Profit Isn't Growing

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

One of the questions we get asked the most at Business Made Simple is "Can you apply these frameworks to help grow nonprofits?" The simple answer: YES...

#72: Tim Schurrer—The Right Way to Quit

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Starting and growing a business can't happen in a vacuum. You need supporting players to help foster your dream into a reality. But what happens when ...

#71: Confusing Marketing Could Be Killing Your Business

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Your website is the front door to your business, and you only have a few seconds to win over a customer before they either engage with your brand or m...

#70: Amy Porterfield—How to Start a Successful Business From Scratch

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As a business owner, starting a business from nothing can feel like solving an impossible mystery. But with the right frameworks and insight you can r...

#69: How to Grow a Successful Business as an Artist

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Many artists don't believe they're competent at business or feel thinking about their art as a business might cheapen it. But whether you're an author...

#68: How to Make More Money by Monetizing Your Mission

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You started your business to follow your passion, to fill a need or even to accomplish a mission. But exactly how can you inspire customers to buy int...

#67: David Novak—Are You Truly Self Aware as a Leader?

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As a leader it's easy to feel the pressure of needing to make every decision. It's also easy to fall into the trap of dismissing other people's ideas ...

#66: Getting Back to Growth Post-Pandemic

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The pandemic shifted business in a huge way. As things start to return back to normal, many businesses are stuck trying to get back to where they were...

#65: How to Make More Money with Your Current Products

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to future-casting, business leaders often try to think of the next big product they can create or service they can offer. But what if yo...

#64: Are You Solving the Right Problem for Your Customers?

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Last week's conversation was all about honing in on the problem you solve for customers because when your product is the solution to a problem, its va...

#63: Is a Weak Brand Identity Holding Your Business Back?

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you think of your product or your business as a solution to a problem? If your product is the solution to a problem, your product's value doubles i...

#62: How to Create More Demand for Your Products

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

So many small businesses feel stuck when it comes to their revenue. Year after year they keep making the same amount, and no matter what they try, it ...

#61: How to Attract and Retain Top Talent

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Your business needs highly trained individuals to serve your clients well. But hiring top talent is expensive, and businesses often wonder how they ca...

#60: How to Scale Your Team as a Solopreneur

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As a soloprenuer, you are used to doing everything yourself. But as a team of one there's only so much you can do to scale your business. So when it c...

#59: Tim Arnold—Move Forward Faster When You Lead With "And"

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As a leader, you're committed to making a difference, leaving a mark, and making the world a better place. But when it comes to moving things forward,...

Becoming a Hero on a Mission—Play the Hero to Improve Your Story

10 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to your own personal story and experiencing a meaningful life, do you feel like things are coming up short? Even if you have a packed sc...

#58: How to Build and Grow Your Personal Brand

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to selling your products, they need to be in demand and profitable. But what about if you are the product? How can you strategize and bu...

Becoming a Hero on a Mission—How to Escape a Villain Mindset

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to your own personal story and experiencing a meaningful life, do you feel like things are coming up short? Even if you have a packed sc...

#57: Is Word-of-Mouth Marketing Dead?

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Customers are buying your product. They're loving it. ... Then what? As a business, is your job done now? We'll go ahead and give you the answer. If y...

Becoming a Hero on a Mission—How to Ditch a Victim Mentality (When You're Not a Real Victim)

27 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to your own personal story and experiencing a meaningful life, do you feel like things are coming up short? Even if you have a packed sc...

#56: Curing the Overworked, Overwhelmed Business Owner

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Success as a business owner can feel like a double edged sword. You are accomplishing your dream and growing a business you're passionate about, but y...

Becoming a Hero on a Mission—Create a Morning Routine that Gives You Meaning

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to your own personal story and experiencing a meaningful life, do you feel like things are coming up short? Even if you have a packed sc...

#55: How to Grow Your Business to Seven Figures

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's inevitable; even the most successful businesses eventually hit a plateau. So how do you avoid losing the momentum that grew your business from th...

Becoming a Hero on a Mission—Start By Writing Your Eulogy Now

13 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to your own personal story and experiencing a meaningful life, do you feel like things are coming up short? Even if you have a packed sc...

#54: How Writing a Book Can Give Your Business Extra Fuel

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have life experiences that feel too valuable not to share with the world? Or have you figured something out in you business you know other busi...

Becoming a Hero on a Mission—How to Rediscover Purpose and Meaning in Your Life

06 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to your own personal story and experiencing a meaningful life, do you feel like things are coming up short? Even if you have a packed sc...

#53: How to Incorporate Your Mission into Your Products

03 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For some business owners, the mission behind the business is what truly drives them, and at the end of the day, means more to them than making a profi...

Hero on a Mission Limited Series PREVIEW—What You Need in a Morning Ritual

30 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us are bored with the story we're living. We've lost interest in our own lives, and as a result, we spend our days feeling anxious, restless o...

#52: The Best Business-Growing Moments of 2021

27 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

2021 was quite the ride, especially for businesses, and we're honored you took the journey with us! Before we say goodbye to 2021, let's look back on ...

Discover True Meaning in Your Life's Story—New Limited Series Coming January 6!

23 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us are bored with the story we're living. We've lost interest in our own lives, and as a result, we spend our days feeling anxious, restless o...

#51: Grow Your Products Without Growing Your Expenses

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes time to expand and grow, companies often rush to create new products that inflate their overhead. But in order to stay in business, doub...

#50: Create Lifelong Customers with a Product Funnel

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After a customer purchases a product from you, what's next for them? You could call it a day and let that customer drop off. Or you could create a pat...

#49: How to Grow Your Business by Getting Specific

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Let's start with the bad news. If you're attempting to target anyone and everyone as a potential customer, your business will never be known for anyth...

#48: Tom Henschel—Establishing Your Executive Presence

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You may take pride in wearing your heart on your sleeve when interacting with your team, feeling it comes across as transparent and honest. The troubl...

#47: How to Scale as a Solopreneur

22 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Solopreneur- we applaud you. You've worked hard, started a business, and grown it to where it is today. Now you're ready to take the next step! ... Ex...

#46: Hala Taha RETURNS—How to Start and Grow Your Own Podcast

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Over the last year, podcasts have exploded in popularity, becoming a powerful marketing tool. Podcasts are a great way to engage with and build your c...

#45: Tyler Ginn—How to Use Social Media to Actually Grow Your Business

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You know your business is supposed to be on social media, right? So you keep showing up there, posting randomly, spending time and money trying to con...

#44: Mignon Francois—How to Build a Business When You Have Absolutely, Freaking Nothing

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How can you build your business when you have nothing? Nothing in the bank, nothing left in your fuel tank and nothing much to work with. Believe it o...

#43: Joshua DuBois—How Your Business Can Get the Most Out of Quarter 4

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With the holidays just around the corner, is your business ready to make the most of it? In this week's conversation, Joshua DuBois, co-founder and CE...

#42: Tim Schurrer—How to Keep Your Team Focused On Your Big Goals

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Are your employees always busy, but your business still doesn't seem to move forward? Do you feel like you're always stuck micromanaging? Without a ma...

#41: Clate Mask—Not Having a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System Is Costing You

11 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Creating and nurturing customer relationships is key to growing your business. You must know where they are in their journey to buying your product so...

#40: How To Grow Your Business When You Feel Stuck

04 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Growing your business can feel like a constant and overwhelming guessing game. That's exactly what this week's guest, Sheri Rowney, owner of Harmonize...

#39: Cathy Heller—Ditch Your Day Job and Turn Your Passion Into Profit

27 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Over 95% of Americans are considering quitting their jobs right now. Are you one of them?   This week, we're continuing our deep dive into how you...

#38: Tanya Dalton—Get Unstuck and Find Your Passion in Work (and in Life)

20 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Close to 11 million people, almost 10% of the U.S. workforce, have recently quit their jobs in search for greater purpose. Some have coined this mome...

#37: Hala Taha—How to Develop an Internship Program to Fill Your Talent Pool

13 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Some the biggest challenges you face growing your business are finding the right talent and managing to pay your people without overhead getting too ...

#36: Scott Jeffrey Miller—Marketing Strategies That Stand the Test of Time

06 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Want to beat the competition every time, without having the lowest price in the market? First, make it unbelievably easy to buy from you. Second, surp...

#35: Bill Haslam—Leading with Empathy When Your People are Divided

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Some believe being a strong leader means having all the answers and ruling with an iron fist. But unfortunately for them, they don't last long. It's o...

#34: Erin Meyer—Rewrite the Rules for Growing Your Business

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hard work is irrelevant. Be radically honest. And never, ever try to please your boss. Would you believe these are the rules Netflix has lived by to r...

Marketing Made Simple #9: Give Your Customers a "Happily Ever After"

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Never assume people will understand how your brand can change their lives. You need to clearly tell your customer how buying your product will end in ...

#33: Doug Keim—How to Attract, Hire and Manage Top Talent

16 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hiring and managing top talent to grow your business can be overwhelming. Without a clear process to thoroughly qualify potential hires, you could fin...

Marketing Made Simple #8: Save Your Customers from Failure

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A story lives and dies based on one question: Will the hero succeed or will they fail? This is also true for your marketing. You need to tell your cus...

#32: Governor Bill Lee—How Investing in Your Employees Can Pay Off

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When running a growing team, developing your employees is no small feat. Today's conversation with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee offers guidance and a s...

Marketing Made Simple #7: Challenge Your Customers to Take Action

04 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In a story, a character never takes action on their own. They need to be challenged. The same is true for your customer! As the guide in your customer...

#31: Koula Callahan—How to Conduct a Great Exit Interview

02 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When one of your team members decides to leave your company, even for the best reasons, it is crucial to conduct a great exit interview. Without one y...

Marketing Made Simple #6: Customers Never Trust a Guide Without a Plan

28 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You should always begin your customer's story by identifying what they want then define their problem to spark interest in how you can help them overc...

#30: John Maxwell—The Proven Steps You Need to Create Change

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We live in a time filled with conflict and uncertainty, feeling like we're stuck watching from the sidelines ready to give up. But even as we are cons...

Marketing Made Simple #5: Your Customers Are Looking for a Guide, Not a Hero

21 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Many businesses feel like they have something to prove and position themselves as the hero in their story. But customers aren't looking for another he...

#29: Frank Calderoni—Why Downplaying the Importance of Character-Led Culture Will Cost You

19 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The character of your business is a critical driver of sustained success. Without character, there is no trust. So if your customers are reluctant to ...

Marketing Made Simple #4: What Specific Problem Do You Solve For Customers?

14 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Can you name the specific problem your business solves for your customers? Identifying your customers' problem deepens their interest in the story you...

#28: David Eagleman—Break Free of Your Soul-Sucking Routine

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes it can feel like you're constantly stuck in the same soul-sucking routine day after day, like a hamster in a wheel. And even if it's not dra...

Marketing Made Simple #3: Discover What Your Customer Really Wants

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As a brand, you must define what your customer wants. As soon as you define that, a story question forms in their mind: Can this brand really help me ...

#27: Juliet Funt—Reclaim Your Focus and Productivity

05 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Have a minute? If you're like most business leaders today, the answer is probably no. But you need open windows of time during the day in order to thr...

Marketing Made Simple #2: Invite Your Customers Into a Beautiful Story

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In every great story, the main character goes on a journey and by the end she transforms from zero to hero. This is called identity transformation. Th...

#26: Josh Linkner—Five Strategies for Escaping a Creative Rut

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Running a business, you constantly run into challenges that need creative solutions. But what happens when you've hit a creative rut and time is ticki...

Marketing Made Simple #1: Donald Miller—The Framework That Makes Marketing Easy

23 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Does your company have a clear message? If not, it could be costing you thousands or more! That's exactly why we've invited Donald Miller, author of B...

#25: Joshua DuBois—Get the Most Out of the Post-COVID Spending Boom

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The post-COVID spending boom is coming! Is your business positioned to get the most out of it? Joshua DuBois, co-founder and CEO of Gauge.ai, returns ...

Marketing Made Simple Launches Next Week on June 23!

16 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Showing your customer exactly how your product can transform their life is essential if you want your business to win! It's called identity transforma...

#24: Greg McKeown—Experiencing Burnout? How to Reprioritize!

14 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We tend to equate success with working hard and think anything worth getting is worth working for, no matter the cost. But once we reach the level suc...

Introducing Our New Podcast: Marketing Made Simple!

09 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If your company does not have a clear message, it could be costing you thousands if not more! But don't worry because our brand new Marketing Made Sim...

#23: Carey Lohrenz—Equipping Yourself to Perform Under Pressure

07 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Are you feeling helpless or stuck in perpetual chaos emerging into the post-COVID landscape? Today's guest, Carey Lohrenz, author of Span of Control, ...

#22: Ellen Bennett—Learn To Stop Overthinking and Take Action

31 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Have you been trying to start up a business but keep dragging your heals overthinking every detail? If so, you need to listen to this episode! Special...

#21: Charles Koch & Brian Hooks—How to Become the Best Version of Yourself

24 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're asking the question, "What would happen if you shift the need to control to a need to empower?" Special guests Charles Koch and Brian ...

#20: Ryan Deiss—The Digital Marketing Strategy Your Business Needs [Part 2]

17 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Special guest, Ryan Deiss, digital marketing expert and CEO of Digital Marketer, is back to continue guiding you step-by-step through a digital market...

#19: Ryan Deiss—The Digital Marketing Strategy Your Business Needs [Part 1]

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

These days your business needs an effective digital marketing strategy not only to keep up with the competition but in order for it to fly far and fas...

#18: Leah Glover Hayes—Three Keys to Success

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Most people think success is a solo endeavor – you have to do it alone and there's no one else who can help you get there. But the reality is that w...

#17: Tom Eisenmann—Is Your Start-up Destined to Fail?

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The failure rate for startups is 90%. That means 9 out of 10 businesses will fail! It doesn't have to be this way though. If you know the patterns cau...

#16: Tyler Reagin—How To Lead Something You Didn't Start

19 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

No matter what your role is within your business, there will be a time when you need to step in and take over something somebody else has built. Not k...