#192: Kim Scott—The Hidden Cost of Being Too Nice in Leadership
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Release Date: 09/16/2024
#32: Southwest—The Genius of ‘Bags Fly Free’ and What Happened When It Changed (RE-RELEASE)
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Hopefully you're getting a chance to recharge this summer—but that doesn’t mean you have to lose momentum. Fall is just around the corner, and before you know it we’ll be heading into the final stretch of the year. That’s exactly why we’re rereleasing several of our high-impact episodes—designed to give you clarity, sharpen your message, attract the right customers, and ultimately drive more revenue, so you’re not stuck playing catch-up when it matters most! -- Southwest Airlines built one of the strongest brands in the world by doing one thing better...
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#31: Airbnb—The Brilliant Strategy Behind Their New Messaging Campaign (RE-RELEASE)
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Hopefully you're getting a chance to recharge this summer—but that doesn’t mean you have to lose momentum. Fall is just around the corner, and before you know it we’ll be heading into the final stretch of the year. That’s exactly why we’re rereleasing several of our high-impact episodes—designed to give you clarity, sharpen your message, attract the right customers, and ultimately drive more revenue, so you’re not stuck playing catch-up when it matters most! -- If your marketing isn’t working, it’s probably because you’re not talking about the...
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#30: AI with Jay Owen—How Smart Businesses Use It Without Losing the Human Touch
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
AI is everywhere and it’s moving faster than most of us can keep up. For business owners and marketers, the challenge isn’t just understanding the tools. It’s figuring out how to use them without losing your voice, your brand, or your job. Should you be afraid of AI, or should you be doubling down? How do you stay relevant in a world where machines can write, code, and even strategize? The questions are big, but if you ignore them, you’ll get left behind. In this episode, Don and Kyle sit down with entrepreneur Jay Owen to explore the opportunities and risks AI presents for...
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#29: Infomercials—What OxiClean & Shamwow Can Teach Us About Messaging That Sells
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Infomercials may seem cheesy, but they often get one thing right: the sales pitch is clear, dramatic, and fast. Most business owners present their products like they’re chatting over coffee, not realizing they’re competing with autoplay videos and an infinite scroll of distractions. The result? Content with no energy, clarity, or urgency. Subtle doesn’t sell. That’s why the repetitive, over-the-top style of these high-energy TV sellers still works. So what makes those pitches so effective, and how can you apply the same tactics to grow your brand? This week, hosts Don and Kyle...
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#28: John Mark McMillan—How to Make Promotion a Part of the Creative Process
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
The biggest challenge creative people face isn’t making something meaningful, it’s figuring out how to share it without feeling like a sellout. Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or thought leader, there comes a point when the art alone isn’t enough. You realize that if your work is going to make an impact, you have to learn how to promote it. But how do you do that without compromising your voice or turning into a walking ad? In this episode, musician and songwriter John Mark McMillan joins hosts Donald Miller and Kyle Reed to unpack that exact tension. With more...
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#27: Bombas—The Shark Tank Pitch That Got Everything Right (And What Businesses Can Learn From It)
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
When you’re pitching a product, every word matters. That’s why some Shark Tank entrepreneurs walk away with millions while others walk out empty-handed. The Bombas sock pitch not only got a deal, it sparked a billion-dollar brand. But what made it work? From “cardboard feel” to “seven substantial improvements,” the Bombas team used sticky soundbites, clear contrasts, and emotional resonance to win over the Sharks and their customers. So what messaging lessons can your business learn from one of Shark Tank’s biggest success stories? In today’s episode, Don and Kyle break...
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#26: Dan Go—The Fitness Coach Who Built a Mega Brand by Niching Down
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
When you’re building a personal brand, the biggest mistake you can make is being too broad. The world doesn’t need another generalist. It needs someone who owns a clear, specific problem and solves it consistently. That’s the magic of niching down. A focused message not only grabs attention, it builds trust and traction faster than trying to be everything to everyone. So what does it look like to get hyper-specific, and how do you know if your niche is tight enough? In this week's episode, hosts Donald Miller and Kyle Reed break down the personal brand of Dan Go, also known as...
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#25: Annie F. Downs—The Strategy Behind Her Breakthrough Personal Brand
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
What makes someone trust you enough to follow you, buy from you, or even just listen? In the noisy world of personal branding, it’s easy to assume you need a slick image or a viral strategy to break through. But that’s not what people are looking for. They want someone who feels real and honest. But how much is too much to share? And how do you stay grounded when your face becomes your brand? These are the questions that haunt creators, entrepreneurs, and professionals alike. So how do you strike the right balance? In this week’s episode, Donald Miller and Kyle Reed sit down with...
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#24: Pass/Fail—Breaking Down the Best and Worst in Branding
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Messaging can make or break a brand. Whether you're launching a campaign, building a personal brand, or responding in real time, what you say and how you say it matters. One wrong sound bite can sink your credibility, while one clear, compelling message can unlock massive opportunity. The stakes are high, and yet most people treat messaging like an afterthought. So how do you know if your message is building trust or breaking it? In this new “Pass/Fail” segment, Don and Kyle grade recent moments in marketing and culture through the lens of what worked and what flopped. They dig into...
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#23: Dadville—The New Rules of Being a Great Dad
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Dads often get a bad rap. In sitcoms, commercials, and even day-to-day culture, they’re typically cast as bumbling sidekicks or lovable oafs who mean well but don’t quite get it right. When that narrative takes root, it can be easy for fathers to shrug and settle for doing the bare minimum (especially when they get praise for just pushing a stroller down the street). But kids need more. And deep down, every dad knows he was made for more. So what does it look like to embrace fatherhood with purpose, presence, and even a little swagger? In this special Father’s Day episode, Don and...
info_outlineWhat’s the real cost of being too nice? It’s more than you might think. Many leaders, especially small business owners, fall into the trap of “ruinous empathy”, which is the failure to provide essential feedback due to the fear of hurting someone's feelings. Avoiding difficult confrontations might feel like the right thing to do—but it’s actually a fast track to mediocrity.
Join hosts Bobby Richards and James Sweeting as they sit down with Kim Scott, author of Radical Candor, to dive into the dangers of avoiding tough conversations. In this episode, Kim shares her powerful Radical Candor framework, breaking down how leaders can strike the perfect balance between caring personally and challenging directly. You'll learn how to move beyond "ruinous empathy," build stronger, more effective teams, and create a culture of honest feedback that drives real results. Listen in and discover specific strategies to give feedback that’s both clear and compassionate, helping you create a more accountable and high-performing team!
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