Introducing storytelling to your podcast

Storytelling captures the listener’s imagination

If there’s one element every good podcaster has in their repertoire it’s the ability to incorporate storytelling.

Whether it’s a conversational podcast, a solo podcast or even a podcast on the latest news or political events, storytelling is an essential part of the delivery.

Storytelling is an essential element of human communication, and it plays a crucial role in podcasting. A good story can captivate listeners, evoke emotions, and build connections.

Master storyteller and Author Matthew Dicks emphasises the importance of transformation in storytelling. He argues that for a story to be a story, it has to have a moment of change or transformation.

This transformation can be big or small, but it needs to be significant to the person telling the story. This change can take many forms:

Internal Transformation: The protagonist undergoes a shift in their beliefs, attitudes, or understanding of the world.

External Transformation: A change in the protagonist's circumstances, relationships, or physical environment.

Relational Transformation: The protagonist's relationship with another person or people fundamentally changes.

This transformation is what resonates with listeners, allowing them to connect with the story on a personal level and perhaps even see themselves in the narrative.

Stories are also more persuasive than statistics or facts. People are more likely to remember and be influenced by a story than a list of facts. 

This is because stories connect with us on an emotional level. For example, a story about a person who overcame adversity to achieve their goals is more likely to inspire listeners than a statistic about the percentage of people who achieve their goals.

Humans are wired for stories. Our ancestors used stories to share information, teach lessons, and entertain each other. Stories have been an essential part of human communication for thousands of years.

What makes a good story?

A good story has a clear beginning, middle, and end. But more importantly it has a relatable protagonist who undergoes a transformation. The story should be engaging and evoke emotions in the listener.

To achieve this, consider these elements:

Structure: Go beyond a simple beginning, middle, and end. Explore structures like the Hero's Journey, In Medias Res (starting in the middle of the action), or even non-linear storytelling.

Key Components: Include elements like conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution to create a dynamic narrative.

Show, Don't Tell: Instead of stating emotions, describe them. Use vivid language, sensory details, and dialogue to immerse the listener in the story.

How to become a good storyteller

Becoming a good storyteller takes practice. One way to improve your storytelling skills is to find and record stories in everyday life. This will help you build a "bank" of stories you can draw on when you need to tell one.

You can also improve your storytelling by focusing on the structure of your stories. Ensure your stories have a clear beginning, middle, and end. You can also use hooks and suspense to keep your listeners engaged.

The importance of hooks and suspense

Hooks are essential for grabbing the listener's attention at the beginning of a story. Some basic and effective hook examples include:

Ponder questions and provoke thought: "Have you ever wondered...?", “What would you do?”

Statements: "The day started like any other, until..."

Sound Effects: Where appropriate use an intriguing sound effect to set the scene.

Suspense is important for keeping the listener engaged throughout the story.

Techniques to build suspense include:

Foreshadowing: Hinting at future events.

Cliffhangers: Ending a segment on a high point of tension.

Varying Pacing: Using pauses and changes in your vocal delivery to create rhythm and anticipation.

Less is more

Ever been listening to someone tell you a story and before you know it they are off on a tangent or giving you some opinion on the sequence of events?

Tangents kill stories. 

When telling stories in a podcast, less is more. You don't need to include every detail of the story. Just focus on the essential details that will keep the listener engaged. ‘Word’ economy matters!

Tailoring storytelling to podcasting

Remember that podcasting is an audio medium. Utilise the power of:

Your Voice: Vary your tone, pace, and volume to create emotion and emphasis.

Sound Design: Use music and sound effects to enhance the atmosphere and immerse listeners.

Listener Imagination: Encourage listeners to create their own mental pictures by providing vivid descriptions and evocative language.

Resources and inspiration

Podcasts: Listen to podcasts known for their strong storytelling, such as ‘The Moth’, ‘This American Life’, or ‘Days like these’ on the ABC.

Books: Explore books like ‘Storyworthy’ by Matthew Dicks or ‘The Storytelling Animal by Jonathan Gotschall for practical information and techniques.

By following some of these tips, you can use storytelling to create a more engaging and persuasive podcast.