"If you can't sell your story to somebody else, you're not buying it yourself. You're trying to create stories that are valuable, and if they're not valuable to anybody else, they're not really that valuable." —Jay AedoHave you found yourself questioning the impact of historical stories on your beliefs and spiritual growth, but unsure of where to start? If you're feeling hesitant to challenge the stories you've been told and rewrite your own narrative, then you are not alone! This episode's guest is Jay Aedo, the author of Conscious Bible Stories.Rooted in a Christian upbringing, Jay embarked on a journey to dissect and reconstruct traditional stories, seeking to empower individuals through a reevaluation of their beliefs. Through his work on Conscious Bible Stories, Jay aims to provide a fresh perspective on historical tales, guiding listeners towards increased self-awareness and personal reflection. His candid approach and transformative experiences offer valuable insights into the evolution of personal narratives and the profound influence of historical stories on our lives. In this episode, you will learn how to:Explore the path to spiritual growth by questioning and reevaluating religious stories and teachings.Unlock the transformative role of storytelling in achieving spiritual enlightenment and self-discovery.Learn the art of creating children's books with conscious and empowering messages that inspire young minds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does the feeling of being stuck and unfulfilled sound familiar to you? You may have been told to simply follow the traditional path of education and career, only to find that it hasn't brought you the personal growth and self-reflection you desire. The pain of feeling lost and disconnected from your true purpose can be overwhelming when you've followed the conventional wisdom without seeing the results you hoped for. But there is a better way.Deevo Tindall, a creative force with a passion for visual storytelling and personal growth, brings a unique perspective to the realm of self-reflection. Hailing from San Diego and now a resident of North Carolina, his journey from the West to the East Coast shaped his understanding of identity and life's narratives. With a background in photography and a deep curiosity about human design, Deevo's insights into the power of personal storytelling and its impact on decision-making and self-awareness offer a refreshing take on the complexities of business, branding, and life. In this episode, you will learn how to:Embrace personal growth and self-reflection to unlock your true potential.Surround yourself with a community of like-minded individuals to support your journey of growth.Pursue your goals and navigate career transitions with confidence and determination.Build and maintain meaningful connections while cultivating your brand.Discover the perfect timing and effective resolutions for enhancing your brand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you tired of struggling to generate earned media attention? Have you fallen victim to these common myths about crafting a personal and professional PR story? Myth #1: You need celebrity status to get noticed. Myth #2: A press release is all it takes for successful media exposure. Myth #3: PR is too expensive for small businesses. Kayley Hamilton, the founder of KAYLEY Media, is a PR expert with a keen eye for crafting compelling stories that generate media exposure. Her background in entertainment news has given her valuable experience in understanding what makes a story resonate with audiences and journalists alike. Kayley is passionate about helping entrepreneurs craft their own stories to generate earned media attention and grow their businesses. With a track record of helping clients land features in major outlets, Kayley knows what it takes to make a splash in the PR world. Prepare to learn from someone who's mastered the art of storytelling for maximum media impact.In this episode, you will learn how to:Grasp the nuances of the earned digital media landscape and capitalize on its benefits.Tackle apprehensions and modify viewpoints for a triumphant presence in the media arena.Harness the art of storytelling to uplift your brand and engage with the desired audience effectively.Cultivate self-assurance and vanquish fear through Kayley's "FPL" method.Create and share a captivating personal and professional PR story to achieve media exposure success. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re back with Season 5 of the Storytelling Lab and kicking it off with Scott Dawson, a local historian, author, amateur archaeologist, and expert on the mysterious Lost Colony. Scott is a native of Hatteras Island whose family roots on the island trace back to the 1600s and his mission is to tell the true story of 'America's oldest mystery.' In this episode, Scott takes us back in time to discuss the famous “CROATOAN” carving, his archeological findings, and the importance of inclusivity and keeping our ancestral stories alive. Check out Scott’s newest book at: https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Colony-Hatteras-Island/dp/1467144339 OR https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Products/9781467144339 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Season 4 recap is here! Rain discusses our favorite and most actionable storytelling tips and tricks from our Season 4 guests. We focus on storytelling fundamentals, basics of content marketing, interacting with your audience, and making a plan! Listen now to catch up on anything you may have missed or guests you just couldn’t get enough of. Guests include Paul J Zak, Brant Pinvidic, John Livesay, Grant Baldwin, Jay Acunzo, Rob Simmelkjaer, Shirlette Ammons, Melanie Deizel, Denise Withers, and Kathy Klotz-Guest. Follow Rain on Twitter @rainbennettFollow The Storytelling Lab on Twitter @storylabpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re rounding out our 4th season with a very special interview from one of America’s most highly regarded photographers, Burk Uzzle, and filmmaker, Jethro Waters. We discuss truthfully portraying a subject, leading with your heart, and learning from people with whom you disagree. This interview was recorded after the screening of F/11 and Be There, Jethro Water’s documentary on photographer Burk Uzzle, at the 2019 Full Frame Film Festival. Learn more about Burk Uzzle at his website: www.burkuzzle.com Learn more about Jethro Waters at his website: www.jethrowaters.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s Health & Happiness story is from Joshua Gunn, aka J. Gunn, a Durham native, North Carolina rapper, and community leader. Joshua tells his story of growing up in Durham and what led him to run for city council. With experience in and love for both the “old” and “new” Durham, Joshua strives to create economic and racial equity within our growing community. Follow Joshua Gunn on Twitter @JGunnisbetterOr on Facebook as Joshua Gunn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guest is Grant Baldwin, entrepreneur, speaker, and author of The Successful Speaker: Five Steps for Booking Gigs, Getting Paid, and Building Your Platform. This episode is all about demystifying the world of speaking! We discuss the Speaker Success Roadmap, using storytelling in your speaking gigs, and finding the courage to share personal stories. Follow Grant on Twitter @grantbaldwinAnd learn more about his work at freespeakerworkshop.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s our 50th episode and we’re bringing you a truly special guest! This week we’re joined with Shirlette Ammons, Poet, Musician, Producer, and native Eastern North Carolinian, to discuss something near and dear to our heart: Stories of the South. We dive into the multifaceted world of Southern food, culture, and music & discuss how to tell authentic stories of the people and places we love. Follow Shirlette on Twitter @shirletteammonsAnd learn more about her work at shirletteammons.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s Health & Happiness story comes from Naya Powell, Holistic Lifestyle Strategist and Founder & CEO of Spa Utopia. Naya discusses her experience growing up in a household of entrepreneurs and how her parent’s success and lifestyle inspired her to quit her corporate job and start a spa company. Naya has personally experienced the stress and burnout many entrepreneurs face and is committed to helping others let go of stress and put their physical well-being first. Follow Naya’s Spa Utopia on Instagram @myspautopiaAnd Learn more about Spa Utopia at myspautopia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week is all about perfecting the art of the interview with Rob Simmelkjaer, journalist and CEO & Co-Founder of Persona. Everyone has a story to tell, but it can be difficult to know how to share your story or how to extract stories from others. Rob has created the solution: Persona App makes interviewing easy for anyone. Listen in to hear Robs top interviewing tips and get a sneak peek into how you can use the Persona App to make connections and share stories. Follow Rob on Twitter @RobSimmelkjaerLearn more about Persona App at personatalks.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s Health & Happiness story is from Dee McDougal, SVP of Inclusion and Diversity at Pacific Western Bank. Dee shares her experience growing up as an “Only” and of how she learned to lean into her true identity as she paved her career in the financial industry. Dee shares her story to spread awareness and to increase diversity in stereotypically white, male dominated business.Follow Dee on on LinkedIn: Dee McDougalAnd learn more about her work at westernbankers.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guest is Kathy Klotz-Guest, Keynote Speaker, Story Strategist, Author, and Improv Comedian. You may not think about it but comedians are some of the best storytellers on earth! Kathy and Rain discuss how to raise the stakes in your storytelling, yes-and-ing your clients, and incorporating comedy and improv into your marketing strategies.Follow Kathy on Twitter @kathyklotzguestAnd learn more about her work at keepingithuman.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s Health & Happiness story comes from Lauren Erickson, CFP, Financial IMPACT Advisor, and managing partner at Erickson Advisors. Lauren loves to see people build and sustain a financial confidence that will resonant throughout their lives. Lauren tells a deeply personal story of how family can dramatically affect your financial health (for better or for worse), if you wait too long to have tough financial conversations.Follow Lauren on Instagram at @lauren_erickson_bennettFind out more about Erickson Advisors at ericksonadvisors.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guest is Jay Acunzo, Speaker, Author, Podcaster, and Founder of Marketing Showrunners, a media company committed to helping brands grow their audiences. Rain and Jay discuss discovering your best practices, creating a series for your business, and turning your audience into a community. This episode is perfect for anyone wanting to go deeper in their marketing strategy. Follow Jay on Twitter @jayacunzoLearn more about Marketing Showrunners at marketingshowrunners.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re moving into Financial Health with this week’s Health & Happiness story from Keith Beverly, Chief Investment Officer and Founder of Grid 202 partners. Keith is passionate about closing the racial wealth gap & promoting financial education in low-income communities. In this story, Keith discusses his experience growing up amidst financial hardship and how it inspired him to go into his current work.Follow Keith on Twitter @KeithBevCFAAnd learn more about Grid 202 Partners at grid202partners.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guest is Denise Withers, a filmmaker, story strategist, and author of Story Design: The Creative Way to Innovate. Denise seeks to create world change through her stories & strategies. In this episode, we discuss Story Design, the combination of storytelling and design thinking; how to use story as a sense-making tool; and how to continue serving our communities in the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic. Follow Denise on Twitter @denisewithersAnd visit her website: www.denisewithers.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s Health & Happiness story comes from Shelda Askew, a recovered addict and spokesperson for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Shelda shares her recovery story, her experience of finding hope in prison, and her decision to start helping others once she helped herself. The world seems upside-down right now -- it’s such an important time to practice empathy and connect through storytelling! Follow the National Alliance on Mental Illness on Instagram at @namicommunicateAnd learn more about NAMI at nami.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guest is Melanie Deziel, keynote speaker, author, and founder of Storyfuel. Rain and Melanie discuss keeping up with communications & marketing in the midst of a crisis, Melanie’s content creation framework, and unique & creative ideas to use in your marketing today. With all the craziness going on, we are committed to bringing you quality storytelling content & will continue with our weekly release schedule. Follow Melanie on Twitter @mdezielAnd check out her book: The Content Fuel Framework: How to Generate Unlimited Story Ideas (For Marketers and Creators) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s another Health & Happiness week! This story comes from Dr. Nicole Cranley, AKA the Doctorette, a behavioral scientist and lifestyle blogger. Nicole shares her personal story of burnout, an abusive relationship, losing herself, and making the choice to find herself again. This talk is from Health & Happiness: A Storytelling Series on Living Your Best Potential, hosted in Durham, North Carolina. Follow Nicole on Instagram @thedoctoretteAnd visit her website thedoctorette.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guest is Brant Pinvidic, documentary filmmaker, producer, speaker, and author of The 3-Minute Rule. Brant is an expert at using short form storytelling to capture attention. Rain and Brant discuss the 3-step decision making process, how to use storytelling to feed information to your audience, and how to say less & get more!Follow Brant on Instagram @brantpinvidicAnd visit his website brantpinvidic.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s Health & Happiness story is from Dr. Nicole Swiner, aka “Doc Swiner.” Doc Swiner is a family medicine doctor, author, and speaker who focuses on a wide range of physical and mental health & wellness issues. In this talk Doc Swiner discusses her mother’s struggle with alcoholism, the stress of being a superwoman, and taking the time to sit down. This talk is from Health & Happiness: A Storytelling Series on Living Your Best Potential, hosted in Durham, North Carolina. Follow Dr. Swiner on Instagram @docswinerAnd visit her website www.docswiner.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guest is John Livesay, keynote speaker, pitch whisperer, and storytelling expert! Rain and John discuss how to use storytelling to boost sales, make yourself irresistible to clients, and turn case studies into “case stories.” This is a great episode for all you entrepreneurs wanting to learn the best way to pitch your idea or sell your product!Follow John on Twitter @John_Livesay And check out his book: Better Selling Through Storytelling Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re kicking off our Health & Happiness storytelling episodes with a story from Tom Ferguson, Founder & CEO of Rise Biscuits & Donuts and self-identified Birdman. Tom shares his experience with mental health and how birding saved his life. Keep an eye out for more Health & Happiness storytelling episodes in the future! From now on, we'll be sharing stories of people navigating their Health & Happiness every other week. Enjoy!Visit Tom’s website: Hypermanicbirdman.comAnd check out his podcast: Tools for Tools with Ninja & the Birdman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re kicking off Season 4 with an all-star guest, Paul J. Zak, neuroeconomist and storytelling expert. Zak studies the neuroscience behind storytelling and is full of knowledge about how narrative form affects our brains and informs our actions. Listen in to hear more about neuroeconomics (the study of how people make decisions), the science behind storytelling, and why narrative arcs are almost necessary to incite action. Cheers to Season 4 & thank you to all you wonderful listeners! Follow Paul on Twitter @PaulJZakAnd check out his website pauljzak.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Season 3 recap is here! Rain talks us through our favorite storytelling tips and tricks from our Season 3 guests. We focus on storytelling fundamentals, telling the stories of the people you help, being vulnerable, and believing in yourself! Listen in to catch up on anything you may have missed or guests you just couldn’t get enough of. Follow Rain on Twitter @rainbennettStay up to date on all Story Lab activity at @storylabpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re bringing you a special bonus episode with the one and only Evan Carmichael, entrepreneurial expert and YouTube star! Evan is working to solve the world’s biggest problem: people don’t #BELIEVE in themselves enough. Evan and Rain discuss belief & what it means to Evan, learning from your role model’s success stories, and turning your dreams into action. Enjoy!Follow Evan on Instagram @evancarmichaelFollow Evan on Twitter @EvanCarmichaelFor more visit https://believe.evancarmichael.com/homepage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guest is Alexa Carlin, motivational speaker and Founder & CEO of Women Empower X, a speaker convention dedicated to connecting diverse female leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs. Rain and Alexa discuss setting realistic and measurable goals for 2020, finding the courage to share the stories you are currently living, and harnessing the power of storytelling to build a community. This episode is perfect for all you entrepreneurs and goal setters! Follow Alexa on Instagram @alexarosecarlinCheck out her website at www.alexacarlin.comFollow Women Empower X (WEX) on Instagram @womenempowerxWant to visit a WEX event? Check it out here: womenempowerx.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guest is Eric Henry, President & CEO of TS Designs, a sustainable T-shirt manufacturing company in Burlington, NC. TS Designs is dedicated to creating locally made and environmentally responsible products that have a positive social impact! We discuss sustainable business practices, telling creative and interactive stories of products, and how to make a positive impact (personally and professionally). Follow Eric on Instagram @ericmhenryFollow TS Designs on Instagram @tsdesignsncAnd check out their website at www.tsdesigns.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we welcome Brian Powell, Communications Director for the NC Conservation Network. Brian works every day to bring light to stories of environmental injustice affecting the people of North Carolina. We discuss how the NC Conservation Network uses communication to contribute to policy change, why the environmental movement is moving towards human-centric messaging, and how to tell big picture stories through micro-stories. Follow Brian on Instagram @FocusBrianFollow NC Conservation Network on Instagram @ncconservationnetworkFollow NC Conservation Network on Twitter @NCConservation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guest is Britni Clark, social media and marketing manager for the Virginia Realtors Association. We discuss how realtors (and ALL other businesses) can benefit from digital storytelling, how to convince your company to devote more time to social, and how to make social media content management more manageable. This episode it perfect for anyone that wants to learn more about social media storytelling!Follow Britni on Instagram @_itsbclarkFollow Virginia Realtors Association on Instagram @virginiarealtorsCheck out their website https://www.virginiarealtors.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guest storyteller is Sabine Harnau, founder of From Scratch Communications, a company committed to helping businesses change the world through sustainable and responsible copywriting! In this episode, we discuss Sabine’s take on the 5 act story structure, why it pays off to be vulnerable in your business communications, and how the biggest factor holding you back can often be yourself. Follow From Scratch on Instagram @scratch_postsFollow From Scratch on Twitter @scratch_postsCheck out their website: from-scratch.net/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re heading back into the nonprofit world with today’s guest, Jaz O’Hara, founder of The Worldwide Tribe, a nonprofit dedicated to sharing stories and raising awareness of the global refugee crisis. We discuss how to share the stories of the people you help, combat negative narratives in the news media, and use video to move your audience to action. This is a great episode for anyone looking to learn how to raise awareness through storytelling!Follow Jaz on Instagram @jaz.oharaFollow The Worldwide Tribe on Instagram @theworldwidetribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guest is Jimmy George (aka The Script Butcher), a horror film producer and scriptwriting consultant. Jimmy has been writing and creating micro budget horror films for over 15 years and joins us to share his actionable tips and tricks! We discuss creating low budget films, common pain points for new scriptwriters, and the top 5 things every script needs to be successful.Jimmy is currently in post production on his seventh feature horror film: What Happens Next Will Scare You. It will be released next year!Check out his website: https://scriptbutcher.com/services/And follow him on Twitter @JimmyRGeorge Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we dive into a new and exciting form of storytelling: video games! Our guest is Susan O’Connor, a writer, speaker, and teacher, who has worked on scriptwriting for video games including Far Cry 2, and Tomb Raider. We discuss how storytelling is used in video games, why people love games so much, and how both stories and games are used to make sense of the world.Follow Susan on Twitter @bluepumaAnd check out her website http://www.susanoconnorwriter.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we welcome Nick Sung, a storyboard artist who has worked with companies such as Pixar, Airbnb, and Nike to incorporate storytelling into their brands! Nick discusses the art of visual storytelling, using pictures to complement words, and using stories to create a social impact. We circle back to empathy with this episode -- no matter what medium you use in your storytelling, it all comes back to communicating human experience!Check out Nick’s website http://www.nicksung.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first episode of season 3, we dive into nonprofit communication with Maria Bryan, a communications strategist specializing in writing and content marketing. Maria wants to make the world a better place by sharing inspiring stories! She shares the best way to take advantage of social media management tools, keep track of analytics, communicate with clients and much, much more! If you’re in need of quick social media marketing hacks, this is the episode for you.Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria__BryanAnd check out her website https://www.mariabryan.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we look back on an exciting second season full of expert storytellers, the same themes keep coming up.(Hint: THESE are your key takeaways!)So we compiled them all into one jam-packed bonus episode full of highlights!Rain talks us through some of our favorite tidbits and lessons from our Season 2 guests. We focus in on the importance of storytelling, doubling down on your unique qualities, and (as always) being authentic! Listen in to catch up on storytelling tips you may have missed or guests you just couldn’t get enough of.Follow Rain on Twitter @rainbennettStay up to date on all Storytelling Lab activity at www.rainbennett.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for our final episode of Season 2 with guest Melissa Cassera, scriptwriter, business owner, and PR & marketing consultant. Melissa takes on the challenging question: How do I combine my artistic passions with my business goals to create something truly unique? She has done it in her own life, being both a business professional and a scriptwriter and she is on the show to share her tips and tricks with us. Rain and Melissa discuss infusing your passion into everything you do and taking creative leaps.Follow Melissa on Instagram @melissa.casseraCheck out her website: https://melissacassera.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re moving back into the nonprofit world this week with Antionette Kerr, a local nonprofit leader, media correspondent, author, and owner of Bold & Bright publishing company. Rain and Antionette discuss the intricacies of non profit media relations and publishing, how to conduct a successful interview, and tips to make your audience care. We circle back to one of our more popular themes: listening with empathy & allowing others opportunity to share!Follow Antionette on twitter @thewritefolksRead her book Modern Media Relations for Nonprofits: Creating an Effective PR Strategy for Today’s World Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we join screenwriter and storytelling enthusiast William Simpson. Simpson is known for his work on Myths & Monsters, now available on Netflix, and Murder Maps, a British true crime series in its 4th season. Rain and William nerd out over stories and history, diving into questions including: What makes a good character? What common themes do we use in storytelling? What parts are needed in each and every story? And how do stories interact with society?Follow William on twitter @will__simpsonWatch Myths & Monsters on Netflix Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guest is Jake Fehling, a speaker, writer, and fellow podcaster. Jake works as the Vice President & Communications Executive for Movement Mortgage, a company based in Charlotte, NC. He joins Rain to discuss genuinely caring about customers, creating and keeping up with content calendars, and implementing creative branding. If you are a marketing professional, or interested in the world of social media for business, this episode is for you!Follow Jake on Twitter @jakefehlingCheck out his website http://jakeandpage.com/Or listen to his podcast Mortgage Impact Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest this week is Elaine Bloom, a motivational speaker, career counselor & business owner living in Norway. Rain and Elaine discuss personal and societal narratives, being better listeners, learning to be honest with ourselves and others, and knowing when it’s time to say “no” or walk away. As a career counselor, Elaine has learned that sharing stories and personal experiences is the best way to connect with others. Listen in for a truly motivational episode!Follow Elaine on Instagram @elaine_bloomFind her on Facebook as Elaine BloomOr check out her website at elainebloom.no Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wonder how long your online blog post should be? How to write for health care professionals? Or, how to turn academic journals into plain language for a larger (and more general) audience? Well, this episode is perfect for you! Rain discusses actionable writing tips with Annie Beth Brown Donahue, a long-time friend and freelance healthcare writer and children’s novelist. Annie Beth recently finished writing a mystery novel for middle schoolers, titled No Clues, You Lose.Follow Annie Beth on Twitter @anniebdonahueOr check out her website (and short stories) at anniebethdonahue.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We take a break from our normal interviews to share a conversational interview, recorded last year at the Full Frame Film Festival, between Rain and Bing Liu, director of Oscar nominated documentary Minding the Gap! Rain talks with Bing about shooting beautiful skateboarding footage, the decision to make Minding the Gap a personal narrative, and the hardships surrounding familial cycles of abuse. And, of course, we wish Bing the best of luck at the Academy Awards this weekend!Follow Bing on Twitter @BingLiu89And watch Minding the Gap on Hulu Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we dive into the world of independent filmmaking with North Carolina filmmaker, Evan Kidd. Evan finished his first feature film, Son of Clowns, in 2016 (just two years after graduating college!), and is now focusing his energy on a short documentary. Rain and Evan discuss taking creative leaps, knowing when to ask for favors, being authentic, and speaking to your audience.Follow Evan on twitter @MrEvanKidd Or check out his website: https://rocksetproductions.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week our guest is Dr Katherine Loflin, a globally-recognized expert in the field of Placemaking. Katherine runs a global consulting agency, where she helps communities better understand the dynamic relationship we have with our places, focusing on the importance of thriving in the cities and towns where we feel most at home. When she’s not busy being the City Doctor, Katherine produces historical fiction stage performances that tell the stories of a place. Listen in to learn more about Place science, branding, and telling stories that can’t be found in history books.Follow Katherine on twitter @KatherineLoflinOr check out her website: http://loflinconsultingsolutions.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we welcome Brittany Jennings, Eastern North Carolina’s regional communication manager for the American Red Cross, to discuss nonprofit communication and recent hurricane Florence relief efforts. We talk storytelling in the midst of crisis, packaging stories for news outlets, and owning up to mistakes when they happen (because they always do).Follow Brittany on twitter @BritJenningsFollow Eastern NC Red Cross @RedCrossENC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we get practical! Rain talks us through the tools needed in each step of the filmmaking process. We break it up into bare bones, middle range, and high budget tools so that you can decide what works best for your storytelling style. Listen in to learn more about the roles needed on a film set, camera models, stabilizers, light sets, microphones, and editing softwares. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cheers to the last episode of Season 1! To finish it off, Rain brings us back to the heart of storytelling. We’ve talked through many important storytelling tips and tricks, but remember the most important tip is to follow your heart (as cheesy as it sounds). Join us next season as we dive deeper into the practice of storytelling and invite trailblazing guests to share more storytelling techniques. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back! This episode’s all about audio. You might not think about it, but audio can be even more important than video, and bad audio can make or break a story! Rain talks the yeses and nos of audio equipment, how to make sound effects your friend, and the importance of music choice and personable narration. We also talk podcasts, audio books, and other new, audio-heavy storytelling methods. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Storytelling Lab! Today we’re talking all things video. Rain takes us through the basics of showing, instead of telling, and stresses the importance of variety in visual storytelling. We’ll teach you how to successfully use A-roll, B-roll, and archival footage, and explain the different types of shots used to create tone and variety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to another episode of the Storytelling Lab! Today, Rain explains the best ways to use graphics in your storytelling. We’ll explore the importance of text graphics, animation, infographics, and subtitles (which are SO effective for social media storytelling). Listen in to learn simple ways to use graphics to bump your visual storytelling to the next level! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back! It’s time to dive into the nuts and bolts of storytelling: the beginning, middle, and end. In this episode, Rain will share some techniques that will help you plot out a story. We’ll discuss ways to create relatable characters and see how themes begin to emerge when the basics are already planned out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s up and welcome! On this episode of the Storytelling lab, we explore storytelling tools. With everything available at the touch of a screen, we have so many different ways to receive and to tell stories. Listen in to see how you can use social media, podcasts, graphics, gifs, and memes as a tools for storytelling! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to another episode of the Storytelling Lab. Today, Rain will talk about the advantage of short form storytelling, starting with the Ernest Hemingway legend of the original six word story. Learn the how to cut fat out of your stories and grab your audience in the first 5 seconds! And remember, if it’s not helping move your story forward, it’s an injustice to the piece. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the first episode of the Storytelling Lab with Rain Bennett, professional documentarian and competitive storyteller! In this series, Rain will break down the art and science of storytelling, and together we will learn how to start seeing our “flaws” as super powers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’ll be talking about the ‘why’ of storytelling. Why do we love stories? And, why does storytelling work? Join Rain, our storytelling expert, as he talks branded content and storytelling as a method to build trust. Thanks for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.