#203: Cathy Heller—How to Reimagine Success and Create Abundance in Your Life
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Release Date: 12/02/2024
#18: Southwest—The Genius of ‘Bags Fly Free’ and What Happened When It Changed
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Southwest Airlines built one of the strongest brands in the world by doing one thing better than almost anyone: clear, clever messaging that made customers feel like family. “Bags fly free” was more than a tagline. It was a promise that set them apart from every other airline. But when they recently backtracked on that core message, the backlash was instant. In a world where loyalty is fragile and expectations are sky-high, even the best brands can stumble if they don’t communicate the right way. So what happens when a company known for brilliant messaging gets it wrong? In this...
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#17: Annoying Ads—The Dumbest Campaigns That Won Your Attention and Made Millions
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Most people try to make their marketing polished, clever, or inspirational. But in the end, clarity beats creativity every time. In fact, some of the most “annoying” ads in history made hundreds of millions of dollars simply because they were impossible to ignore. They weren’t beautiful, they weren’t clever, but they were unforgettable. So why do so many businesses avoid this approach? Because we assume our customers want sophistication, when what they really need is a message that’s crystal clear and easy to remember. If your ad gets ignored, it doesn’t matter how gorgeous it is....
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#16: Airbnb—The Brilliant Strategy Behind Their New Messaging Campaign
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
If your marketing isn’t working, it’s probably because you’re not talking about the right problem. Most businesses struggle to identify the most compelling issue their customer is trying to solve. They either talk about too many things or pick a problem that’s too vague. When that happens, customers stop listening. But when you finally address the problem that makes your customers say “yep, that’s me!”, sales start to climb. That's what Airbnb just nailed with their new messaging campaign. So, how do you figure out the exact problem your business solves in a way that drives real...
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#15: Morning Routines—The NEW Way To Create A Morning Routine In 2025
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
If you followed every piece of advice out there about your ideal morning routine, you'd probably spend eight hours every day doing mindfulness excercises and supplements and journaling and workouts and cold plunges and more. But morning routines can be both easy AND effective if you identify the right mission for your life. In this episode, Kyle Reed and Donald Miller break down a new way to approach your morning routine—one that actually fits the demands of 2025. Whether you’re a high-performing entrepreneur, a working parent, or just trying to get your act together before 9am, this...
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#14: Simplicity—Why a “Less Is More” Approach Can Make Anything More Effective
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Most businesses, brands, and even thought leaders make the same mistake: they overcomplicate things. The more complex something is, the harder it is for people to understand—and if they don’t understand, they don’t engage. Whether you’re trying to grow a business, capture attention, or lead a movement, clarity is your greatest asset. That’s why we’re shaking things up this week with a very special recap episode! We’re revisiting some of the most valuable insights from past episodes—all centered around one powerful theme: simplicity. Don and Kyle explore how...
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#13: Marriage—The Truth About What Makes Love Work Long-Term (ft. Johnnyswim)
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Relationships can be beautiful, but they’re also complicated. From the outside, it’s easy to assume great marriages happen by luck or chemistry. But the reality? Every relationship faces storms—health challenges, career stress, personal struggles—and most couples aren’t equipped to weather them. Without the right mindset and tools, it’s easy to drift apart or fall into survival mode. So how do couples not just stay together, but grow closer—even through the hardest seasons of life? In this week’s episode, Don and Kyle sit down with musical duo Johnnyswim (Abner...
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#12: Nostalgia—The Hidden Force That Makes Brands Feel Iconic
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Nostalgia is a powerful force. You hear an old song or catch a familiar scent, and instantly, you’re transported back in time. But our brains don’t just remember the past, they rewrite it. We filter out the stress, the boredom, the everyday struggles, and what we’re left with is a version of the past that feels safer, simpler, and better than it really was. So why does nostalgia have such a hold on us? And how does it shape the way we think, feel, and buy? This week, hosts Donald Miller and Kyle Reed break down the psychology of nostalgia and why it’s one of the most...
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#11: Starbucks—The Brand that Changed How the World Drinks Coffee
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
If someone told you in the ’90s that people would happily pay $5 for a cup of coffee, you probably would’ve laughed. Before Starbucks, coffee was just… coffee. It wasn’t an experience, a ritual, or a “third place” between home and work. So how did one company transform a simple commodity into a global phenomenon? The rise of Starbucks wasn’t just about caffeine—it was about community, habit-building, and a relentless pursuit of consistency. In this episode, hosts Don and Kyle dive into the fascinating story of Starbucks, breaking down how a small Seattle coffee shop grew...
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#10: Reality TV—Why We're Obsessed with Chaos (And What It's Actually Doing to Our Brains!)
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Reality TV is everywhere, and whether you love it or hate it, you can’t deny it’s addictive. Millions of people tune in daily to binge-watch strangers argue, compete, or fall in love on camera. But reality TV isn’t “real” at all—it’s carefully crafted chaos, designed to keep you hooked. Producers manipulate stories, stir up conflict, and edit scenes to make the drama irresistible. But beyond the entertainment, what’s it actually doing to our brains? In this episode, hosts Donald Miller and Kyle Reed break down why reality TV works—and why we can’t look away. They...
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#9: Michelin Star—How a Tire Company Created the Most Prestigious Award in Food
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
The Michelin Star is a restaurant rating system so powerful that a single star can launch careers, change cities, and even break chefs. So what makes one restaurant just “good” and another Michelin-worthy? The path to earning a Michelin Star isn’t just about making great food—it’s about precision, consistency, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. But why do these stars hold so much weight? Today’s episode pulls back the curtain on the fascinating world of Michelin Stars. Hosts Don and Kyle explore how a tire company unexpectedly shaped the fine dining industry, why chefs...
info_outlineWhat if the secret to abundance isn’t found in chasing external success but in reframing how you see and approach your life and business? For so many of us, achieving more doesn’t always equate to feeling fulfilled. How can you shift your mindset and embrace the abundance already around you?
In this week’s episode, Cathy Heller, author of Abundant Ever After, talks with hosts Bobby Richards and James Sweeting and shares how reframing your relationship with abundance can transform your life and business. Cathy unpacks why aligning with your authentic self leads to true joy and creativity, how generosity can create immediate abundance, and why fulfillment starts with changing how you define success. Tune in for practical strategies to unlock a deeper connection to your purpose, your work, and the abundance waiting for you.
Get Cathy’s new book, Abundant Ever After, along with exclusive bonuses, at CathyHeller.com/book.
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BIG NEWS! After three amazing years, the Business Made Simple Podcast will be ending, and starting January 6, 2025, this feed will become home to an exciting new show:
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.AI, hosted by Donald Miller.
It’s been an honor providing you with the tools and frameworks to help you become a better business owner, and this new podcast will continue giving incredible value with actionable insights you can immediately apply. Stay subscribed to this feed so you don’t miss a single episode of Why That Worked starting January 6, 2025!
Need proven strategies and actionable tactics to drive your coaching business and make a bigger impact on more people in 2025? Don't miss our upcoming How to Land 5 High-Value Clients in the Next 30 Days, hosted by Donald Miller and Michael Hyatt, on December 12, 2024 at 10am CST. Register now at CoachBuilder.com.
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