#204: David Kessler—Why ADHD Minds Are Exceptionally Wired for Entrepreneurial Success
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Release Date: 12/09/2024
#22: Seizing the Moment—Lessons from Nike’s Viral Scheffler Ad
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Attention is the name of the game in today’s market. If you want to stand out, you need to move fast, think creatively, and tap into what your audience is already talking about. Whether it’s a funny meme, a strategic shoutout, or a well-timed post, the brands that win know how to seize the moment and jump into the spotlight. So how do you identify those moments and use them without sounding corny or out of touch? In this week’s episode, Don and Kyle unpack the power of real-time marketing using Nike’s viral Scottie Scheffler post as a prime example. They contrast it with...
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#21: Slate—Why This $20K Truck Is Getting All the Attention
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
In crowded markets, being different isn’t enough. You have to communicate how you’re different. Too many businesses blend in because they focus on what the competition is doing instead of what customers actually care about. You might offer better pricing, better service, or a better product, but if you don’t say it clearly, it won’t matter. Messaging that stands out starts with understanding what your audience hates about the current options and then owning the opposite. The brands that win don’t just have better products. They have better words. So how do you find the message that...
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#20: Snipd—What Your Brand Name is Really Saying to Customers
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
Coming up with a product name or tagline seems simple. Until you have to do it. You brainstorm, you debate, and you finally land on something… only to find yourself explaining it to people over and over. That’s the real test of a name: if you have to explain it, it’s not working. The truth is, your name or tagline is doing more heavy lifting than you realize. It’s your first impression, elevator pitch, and clearest hook all rolled into a few words. So why do some names work instantly while others fall flat? And how do you make sure yours is good? In today’s episode, hosts...
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#19: Magic Spoon—How One Tagline Dethroned Sugar and Disrupted a $65B Industry
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
It’s not enough to have a great product. You have to position it so customers instantly understand the value. That’s what separates the brands that break through from the ones that disappear. Magic Spoon didn’t invent cereal, they just told a better story: one where protein replaces sugar, and taste isn’t sacrificed for health. And they did it with a smart tagline, a well-defined villain, and a brand voice that made people pay attention. So how can you sharpen your positioning to you stand out like they did? In this episode, Don and Kyle break down the marketing genius behind...
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#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...
info_outlineRunning a business is hard enough without feeling like your own brain is working against you. If ADHD has you stuck in cycles of procrastination, perfectionism, or overwhelm, you might wonder if you’ll ever get a handle on your own productivity. Many entrepreneurs struggle to balance their creative bursts with the structure and discipline needed for success. So how do you work with your brain instead of against it? And what if the quirks of ADHD are actually your greatest asset?
In this episode, hosts Bobby Richards and James Sweeting sit down with David Kessler, co-founder of the Willow Center for Integrative Health and co-host of the Something Shiny Podcast, to unpack the connection between ADHD and entrepreneurship. You’ll learn practical strategies for creating flexible structures, breaking free from shame spirals, and leaning into your unique work style to unlock your full potential. Listen in and learn how to use ADHD as an asset, not a barrier, to thrive in both business and life.
Get free access to the Something Shiny ADHD Focus & Flow Finder at SomethingShinyPodcast.com/BMS.
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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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