Chief Story Officer

Dr. Paul Zak, neuroscientist and founder of Immersion, joins the show to reveal how stories physically and emotionally move us and why crafting the right narrative can transform behaviour.
In this episode, we go deep into the neuroscience of storytelling, what makes a story truly memorable, how to grab attention from the first seconds, and why emotion, not just information, is the real driver of behaviour change. From TED talks to boardrooms, we break down why your audience's brains are built for narrative and what happens at a chemical level when a story lands.
Paul Zak reveals the research behind immersion, why stories beat statistics every time, and how even movie trailers are fine-tuned to trigger oxytocin and drive action. He shares his own "crying on a plane" moment, lessons from the Pentagon, and practical tips honed from testing thousands of stories in the wild.
You'll leave with a neuroscientist's toolkit for influencing behaviour: how to open hot, create emotional resonance, and close with impact. Plus, the reason you should keep your stories under 20 minutes and what happens if you don't.

GUEST BIO & LINKS
Dr. Paul Zak is a pioneering neuroscientist, university professor, TED speaker, and founder of Immersion. Renowned for discovering oxytocin’s role in trust and human connection, Paul has spent three decades studying the science of behaviour in settings ranging from the Pentagon to Fortune 50 boardrooms. His research and real-time immersion technology have reshaped how organisations use storytelling to influence decision-making, engagement, and memory. Paul is the author of The Moral Molecule, Trust Factor, Immersion, and The Little Book Of Happiness.

Connect with Paul Zak:
Website: https://www.getimmersion.com/
Personal Website: https://pauljzak.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-j-zak-91123510/

ABOUT THE SHOW
Chief 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 ROB
Want frameworks for strategic storytelling? Download the free guide: "5 Ways to Make People Care About Your Strategy"
→ subscribepage.io/robdwillis
Connect with Rob:
Website: robdwillis.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robdwillis Instagram: @robdwillis TikTok: @robdwillis
Subscribe to Chief Story Officer wherever you listen to podcasts.

Andy Raskin, strategic narrative expert and host of the Bigger Narrative Podcast, sits down with us to explore how shifting from bragging about features to championing a movement can align leadership, shift strategy, and help businesses thrive.
In this episode, we dive into the power of strategic narrative, unpacking why today’s most influential leaders are shifting from boastful selling to championing movements that inspire change and rally teams. We break down why most sales decks fail, how the right narrative can unify complex organisations, and where even the best messaging unravels if the CEO’s not leading the charge.
Andy Raskin joins to share hard-won lessons from shaping narratives with Gong, Salesforce, Dropbox and more, revealing why manifesto-style documents rarely stick, how to craft a deck that does, and exactly who needs to be in the room if you want everyone truly on board. Andy opens up about his own journey from failed pitches to narrative epiphanies, and walks through his evolved five-part structure for creating a winning strategic narrative.
You’ll leave with actionable ways to build story-driven culture, an exercise for surfacing your buyer’s true mission, and the one customer question that just might transform your pitch tomorrow.

GUEST BIO & LINKS
Andy Raskin is a strategic narrative adviser who’s helped leadership teams at Gong, Dropbox, Salesforce, Uber, Square, and IBM unite around a single story. Credited with popularising the term “strategic narrative” in the startup world, his Medium post “The Greatest Sales Deck I’ve Ever Seen” is now required reading in VC-backed companies, with over 3 million views. Andy’s expertise spans sales, marketing, fundraising, and recruiting narratives. He hosts the Bigger Narrative Podcast, where he interviews CEOs about storytelling’s role across organisations.

Connect with Andy Raskin:
Website: https://andyraskin.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyraskin/

The Greatest Sales Deck I've Ever Seen — Andy Raskin, Medium (2016) — the original viral post
The Making of a Great Strategic Narrative — Andy Raskin, Medium
Selling Your New Sales Deck to Sales — Andy Raskin, Medium
The Bigger Narrative podcast — andyraskin.com/podcast
Zuora's "Best Sales Deck Ever" — zuora.com/resource/best-sales-deck-ever/
Lenny's Newsletter episode with Andy — The power of strategic narrative

ABOUT THE SHOW
Chief 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 ROB
Want frameworks for strategic storytelling? Download the free guide: "5 Ways to Make People Care About Your Strategy"
→ subscribepage.io/robdwillis

Connect with Rob:
Website: robdwillis.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robdwillis Instagram: @robdwillis TikTok: @robdwillis
Subscribe to Chief Story Officer wherever you listen to podcasts.

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 & LINKS
Rob 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 Biesenbach
11 Deadly Presentation Sins — Rob Biesenbach
Act Like You Mean Business — Rob Biesenbach
10 Steps to Better Business Storytelling — Rob Biesenbach
robbiesenbach.com/insights — his blog and articles

Free Storytelling Toolkit
TELL YOUR STORY, CHANGE YOUR WORLD
Ready 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 SHOW
Chief 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 ROB
Want frameworks for strategic storytelling? Download the free guide: "5 Ways to Make People Care About Your Strategy"
→ subscribepage.io/robdwillis

Connect with Rob:
Website: robdwillis.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robdwillis Instagram: @robdwillis TikTok: @robdwillis
Subscribe to Chief Story Officer wherever you listen to podcasts.

Park Howell, EMMY Award-winning storyteller and host of the Business of Story podcast, joins the show to share why simplifying your message isn’t just good storytelling, it’s good leadership.
In this episode, we explore the ABT (“And, But, Therefore”) framework and why the most compelling brand stories never start with you. Rob and Park delve into how the right narrative can shift team alignment, boost engagement, and transform even the most complex strategies into messages that stick.
Park shares the origins of the ABT method, real-world results from rebranding a Canadian car dealership, and how enterprise leaders can turn a wandering vision statement into a rallying cry that inspires action. He reveals why it’s not about what you make, but what you make happen in your audience’s world.
You'll walk away with practical ways to reframe your website, roll out storytelling rituals across your team, and test your own brand’s narrative, all before your next meeting. Plus, hear how AI-powered tools can give your story an instant edge that your competitors will envy.

KEY TOPICS
The ABT framework: how "and, but, therefore" forms the DNA of compelling storytelling [01:52]
Turning complex leadership visions into clear, emotionally resonant messages with narrative structure [07:17]
Building a story-driven culture where teams create and share ABTs for alignment and buy-in [21:08]
The Pret Auto Partez case: using a focused ABT to drive brand growth and team engagement [24:15]
StoryCycle Genie: an AI tool for instantly grading and sharpening your brand story [32:06]

GUEST BIO & LINKS
Park Howell is an EMMY Award-winning storyteller, brand strategy consultant, podcast host, and creator of the Storey Cycle System. With 40 years’ experience building brands including giants like Dell, Hilton and the United States Air Force, he now helps leaders sharpen their narratives and rally teams behind a common vision. Park hosts the Business of Story podcast (top 10% globally) and recently launched StoryCycle Genie, an AI-powered tool for brand storytelling.

Connect with Park Howell:
Website: https://businessofstory.com/storycycle-genie/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parkhowell/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessofstory/
Podcast: https://businessofstory.com/podcast/

ABOUT THE SHOW
Chief 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 ROB
Want frameworks for strategic storytelling? Download the free guide: "5 Ways to Make People Care About Your Strategy"
→ subscribepage.io/robdwillis

Connect with Rob:
Website: robdwillis.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robdwillis Instagram: @robdwillis TikTok: @robdwillis
Subscribe 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 & LINKS
Paul 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/leadwithastory

ABOUT THE SHOW
Chief 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 ROB
Want frameworks for strategic storytelling? Download the free guide: "5 Ways to Make People Care About Your Strategy"
→ subscribepage.io/robdwillis

Connect with Rob:
Website: robdwillis.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robdwillis Instagram: @robdwillis TikTok: @robdwillis
Subscribe to Chief Story Officer wherever you listen to podcasts.