The Storytelling Lab

• Create Impact with Your Documentary through Characters, Culture, and Collaboration

  "It's not just what you say—it's how you say it. And who you're saying it to." — Esther OyetunjiWhat makes a story unforgettable? At this year’s Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham, North Carolina, Rain Bennett spoke with three sets of storytellers, each using a different medium, subject, and method—but all working toward the same goal: to move their audience. In this special episode, Rain shares his conversations with Jennifer Tiexiera and Guy Mossman, the co-directors of SPEAK, the film’s star Esther Oyetunji, and Ned Phillips, co-director of The Last Partera.From the deeply collaborative filmmaking process behind SPEAK, to the competitive, emotionally resonant stage presence of Esther, to Ned’s eight-year journey of capturing the fading legacy of Costa Rican midwifery—this episode is a masterclass in the versatility of documentary storytelling. You’ll learn how each of these artists found their story, built relationships with their subjects, overcame technical hurdles, and ultimately created something deeply meaningful. Whether you're a filmmaker, writer, speaker, or content creator, this episode will inspire you to embrace your own unique storytelling path.In this episode, you will:Discover the diversity of effective storytelling structures by seeing how different films—with wildly different pacing and tones—can still move audiences equally.Learn how collaboration strengthens creative vision, especially in co-directing, editing, and producing documentary projects.Explore the emotional precision of live storytelling through Esther’s championship-winning approach to connecting with and transforming her audience.Understand how curiosity can lead to powerful stories by following Ned’s journey from a single conversation in Costa Rica to an 8-year labor of love.Gain insight into staying the course creatively—how to finish the thing, even when funding dries up, motivation dips, or the world moves on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• How to Learn, Adapt, and Build a Lasting Business on Social Media with Keenya Kelly

  "You have to give yourself permission to be terrible at being a business owner when you start." — Keenya KellyIn a world where social media platforms change by the week, how do you stay visible, build a loyal audience, and run a profitable business? Keenya Kelly has done just that—amassing over 500,000 TikTok followers and building a thriving brand across multiple platforms. In this episode of The Storytelling Lab, she sits down with Rain to talk about the reality behind going viral, how to grow your email list through short-form content, and how to avoid the burnout so many creators face.They discuss strategies for platform diversification, how creators can start thinking like entrepreneurs, and what it really takes to build long-term success online. Keenya also opens up about her journey from network marketing to becoming a top-tier content strategist—and why personal growth is essential to brand growth. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale, this episode is packed with real talk and real tactics to help you thrive in the ever-changing digital world.In this episode, you will learn to:Master the art and science of platform diversification by building a brand across multiple channels and driving audiences to your owned assets like email and SMS.Unlock the key to lasting success as a creator by adopting an entrepreneurial mindset and investing in your business skills.Discover the simple strategy to turn viral content into conversions using Keenya’s “sandwich method” of strategic content stacking.Build a team that supports your vision and reduces burnout so you can stay creative and consistent.Create a content funnel that nurtures and converts by focusing on opt-ins, micro-offers, and community building. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• The Simple Story Framework That Built Pixar’s Greatest Hits

  "It's not the frame of your house that makes it a beautiful home—but without it, the house falls apart. It's the same with your story." — Rain BennettWhat if we told you that some of the best stories of all time—from Toy Story to Finding Nemo—were all built on the same simple 8-step framework?In this episode of The Storytelling Lab, Rain breaks down the Story Spine, a storytelling structure originally developed by improv teacher Kenn Adams and later adopted by the storytelling giants at Pixar.Rain takes us through the full arc of this framework, from its humble beginnings in a California improv class to its now-iconic place in Pixar’s creative process. He shares how this deceptively simple structure helps storytellers stay grounded while crafting emotional, impactful narratives.You’ll also hear real movie examples (like The Goonies and Rocky) broken down with this method, and learn how to apply it to your own work—whether that’s a film, blog post, or Instagram caption. If you want to tell better stories with more clarity and impact, start with the spine.In this episode, you will learn to:Master the art and science of story structure by using the Story Spine to frame compelling narratives with clarity.Unlock the key to narrative flow by linking events with causation, not coincidence.Discover the simple strategy to show transformation with two powerful moments of change: the inciting incident and the climax.Learn how even top storytellers like Pixar use basic structure as a foundation before adding heart, character, and color.Apply a timeless framework to your own content—from short videos to keynote speeches to brand storytelling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Beyond Followers: Creating a True Community Around Your Brand with Cyndi Zaweski

  "Social media isn’t just a tool; it’s an opportunity to co-create stories with your audience. They don't need more information. They need insights, emotion, and most importantly, connection." - Cyndi ZaweskiBuilding a supportive community as a solopreneur, artist, or small business owner can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re an introvert. In this episode of The Storytelling Lab, Rain Bennett sits down with storytelling expert Cindy Zaweski to explore how sharing your authentic journey online can create deeper connections and real relationships, not just followers. Cindy shares her path from journalism to marketing, the lessons she learned from burnout, and how she rebuilt her business in a way that aligned with her true passions. If you’re struggling to find your audience, or wondering how to create content that actually resonates, this episode is for you!In this episode, you will learn to:Master the art and science of community building by using storytelling to create real relationships, not just followers.Unlock the key to authentic engagement by shifting your content from information-sharing to insight-driven storytelling.Discover the simple strategy to avoid burnout by aligning your brand storytelling with your true passions and values.Use social media as a storytelling tool to build trust, deepen connections, and strengthen your brand’s identity.Find the courage to pivot and evolve when your business no longer aligns with your goals—and use storytelling to make the transition seamless. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Two Simple Words from South Park's Creators to Improve Your Storytelling

  "South Park’s creators cracked the code on storytelling, and their method will instantly improve your stories." - Rain BennettIn this episode of the Storytelling Lab podcast, Rain discusses the common pitfalls that storytellers face, particularly the challenge of tying together various elements of a story to maintain audience engagement. But there is a simple yet powerful storytelling principle to help avoid this, straight from the creators of South Park: the "But, Therefore" model. This method ensures that every event in your story is causally linked, keeping your audience engaged and eager to know what happens next.Through examples from popular films and personal anecdotes, Rain illustrates how effective storytelling requires a clear cause-and-effect relationship between events, urging listeners to apply these techniques in their own storytelling endeavors. Whether you’re crafting a film, writing a LinkedIn post, or creating short-form content, this approach will transform how you structure your stories. Tune in to learn how to ditch the "And then…" trap and create stories that truly captivate.In this episode, you will learn:What simple model made the South Park creators excellent storytellersThe "and then..." trap and how easy it is to fall intoHow to structure stories for maximum engagementHow effective stories are made up of cause-and-effect chainsWhy rearranging your story in creative ways doesn't sacrifice the connection of story events Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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