Podcast

The Science Of Storytelling With Will Storr – TWMJ #1027

Welcome to episode #1027 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation).

Will Storr is an award-winning author, journalist and storytelling researcher whose work explores one of the most powerful forces shaping human behavior… the stories we tell ourselves about the world. Over the course of a career that blends psychology, neuroscience, investigative journalism and narrative craft, Will has become one of the most compelling voices examining how stories shape identity, belief and culture. His bestselling books include The Science of Storytelling, Selfie: How We Became So Self-Obsessed And What It’s Doing To Us, and The Status Game, each offering a deeper look at the hidden forces driving human motivation and social behavior. In his latest book, A Story Is A Deal – How To Use The Science Of Story To Motivate And Persuade, Will explores how storytelling operates as a powerful psychological transaction… a kind of deal between storyteller and audience that shapes what we believe, who we trust and how we act. Drawing on research from neuroscience and psychology alongside examples that range from ancient rituals to modern brand campaigns, Will shows how narratives influence everything from the leaders we follow to the products we buy. In this conversation, Will explores why people so often believe stories before they believe facts, how identity and status shape the narratives we embrace, and why character-driven storytelling remains the most powerful way to influence human behavior. At the same time, he wrestles with the darker side of narrative… the way stories can fuel misinformation, reinforce tribal identities and manipulate audiences when used without care. As artificial intelligence begins to play a role in creating and distributing stories, the conversation also turns to questions of authenticity, creativity and the future of narrative itself. I’m a huge fan of Will’s work and it was truly a honor to host him. Enjoy the conversation…

Running time: 54:58.
Hello from beautiful Montreal.
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Please visit and leave comments on the blog – Thinking With Mitch Joel.
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Here is my conversation with Will Storr.
A Story Is A Deal – How To Use The Science Of Story To Motivate And Persuade.
The Science of Storytelling.
Selfie: How We Became So Self-Obsessed And What It’s Doing To Us.
The Status Game.
Will’s other books.
Follow Will on LinkedIn.
Follow Will on Instagram.
Follow Will on X.

Chapters:

(00:00) – Introduction to Storytelling and Its Significance.
(02:47) – The Power of Story in Belief Systems.
(05:43) – The Role of Story in Climate Change Narratives.
(08:56) – Navigating Complex Conversations and Identity.
(11:45) – Storytelling as a Business Tool.
(15:41) – Consciousness and Story: An Indivisible Connection.
(18:18) – Persuasion vs. Manipulation in Storytelling.
(20:29) – AI and the Future of Storytelling.
(27:29) – The Emergence of AI-Generated Content.
(29:36) – The Emotional Connection to Art.
(31:31) – The Future of Cultural Art and AI.
(32:54) – AI’s Role in Creative Writing.
(36:35) – The Formula of Storytelling.
(40:39) – The Impact of AI on Writing Quality.
(44:14) – The Science of Storytelling.
(49:41) – The Role of Character in Business Narratives.
(56:34) – Understanding Religion as a Status Game.

Download the Podcast here: #1027 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation).

Before you go… ThinkersOne gives you direct access to the experts shaping tomorrow’s conversations. Get their insights on leadership, AI, culture and innovation all delivered to your team before the rest of the world catches on. Ideal for your meetings, off-sites, and lunch & learns.

Mitch Joel

Mitch Joel lives at the intersection of technology, business transformation and consumer culture. He is the Executive Director of Next Era Institute, a strategic intelligence platform helping leaders understand the forces reshaping business, technology, culture and society. The Institute identifies which shifts matter, explores their wider significance and translates them into strategic direction and momentum. Mitch is also a globally recognized keynote speaker. He has delivered thousands of presentations across both B2B and B2C industries to organizations including Google, Walmart, LEGO, Shopify, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble and Unilever. Strategy Magazine has called him “one of North America’s leading visionaries.” Mitch built his career by working directly inside the waves of change that reshaped modern business. He founded and built a digital marketing agency that worked with some of the world’s largest brands and was later acquired by WPP, where he served as President of a firm operating in 25 countries with almost 3,000 employees. Mitch is the bestselling author of Six Pixels of Separation and CTRL ALT Delete, and the host of Thinking With Mitch Joel, one of the longest-running business podcasts in the world. His writing and commentary appear in outlets including Harvard Business Review, Fast Company and Inc. Magazine. He is a member of Dr. Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 Coaches and was named to the Thinkers50 Radar. Mitch also hosts Groove – The No Treble Podcast, documenting the oral history of electric bass players. Mitch is also Co-Founder of ThinkersOne, a platform that enables companies to bring personalized thought leadership from world-class experts into meetings, events and off-sites in focused 15-minute bursts.