{"podcast":{"title":"Chief Story Officer","slug":"chief-story-officer-7582078","podcast_index_feed_id":7582078,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/chief-story-officer/","website_url":"https://chief-story-officer.captivate.fm","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/5c9a86ba-88fe-4340-9e9c-48db40151749/Rob-Willis-Podcast-Art-1.png","author":"Rob D. Willis","episode_count":13,"summary":"Most leaders know storytelling matters. But can stories actually be strategic? On Chief Story Officer we talk to executives and thought leaders who know that the right story at the right time can shift strategy, align teams and transform businesses. Hosted by Rob D. Willis, a strategic story producer who's helped leaders at HelloFresh, Babbel, and Raisin craft compelling stories that make strategies stick, so teams live it and clients feel it. What You'll Discover: 🎯 Real world examples of stories shifting team direction, clarifying strategy or closing deals. 🧠 Strategic frameworks to think about storytelling as part of business strategy ⚡ Practical takeaways you can use in your next meeting, pitch, or all-hands 🎙️ Diverse perspectives from CEOs, strategists, and operators who've cracked the code on strategic storytelling This isn't about crafting perfect presentations or learning narrative tricks. It's about understanding how stories shape decisions, drive alignment, and create measurable business impact. Who This Is For: Chief Story Officer is built for executives, senior leaders, and strategic thinkers who know that communication is more than a soft skill. If you're responsible…","last_synced_at":"2026-06-05T14:18:43.293670+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/chief-story-officer-7582078"},"episode":{"title":"The Magic of Metaphors: Simon Lancaster’s Guide to Transforming Boring Corporate Speeches","slug":"the-magic-of-metaphors-simon-lancaster-s-guide-to-transforming-boring-corporate-speeches","published_at":"2026-04-10T04:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/chief-story-officer-7582078/the-magic-of-metaphors-simon-lancaster-s-guide-to-transforming-boring-corporate-speeches","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/chief-story-officer-7582078","url":"https://chief-story-officer.captivate.fm","audio_url":"https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/7abf8675-10af-43cf-9e83-74de200e0197.mp3","summary":"Simon Lancaster, leading speechwriter and author of Connect! How to Inspire, Influence and Energise Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime, joins the show to break down why most corporate communication fails and what leaders can do to finally make their words stick. In this episode, we dive into why most corporate communication misses the mark, what truly captures audiences’ attention, and how leaders can transform tired presentations into memorable moments that stick. Simon Lancaster and Rob D. Willis dissect the neuroscience behind effective messaging and the pitfalls of “tin-eared” delivery in boardrooms and beyond. Simon Lancaster reveals his practical approach honed over decades writing for Tony Blair’s cabinet, CEOs, and global brands. He shares his signature “three keys” metaphor, moral appeal, and story plus his favourite questions for unlocking a leader’s deepest values and most powerful narratives. You’ll learn how to spot a dead presentation, the one-word speech technique for instant engagement, and why care, empathy, and musicality matter more than flashy slides. Expect tactics you can use straight away to bring your next speech, meeting, or message to life. KEY TOPICS Why most corporate presentations fail to connect—and how to pass the coffee break test [00:02:34] The neuroscience-backed trio for unforgettable communication: metaphors, moral appeals, and stories [00:08:18] Extracting stories from leaders with one question and a list of 50 moral values [00:12:04] The EVA formula (Empathy, Values, Action): a speechwriter’s fix for political Q&A and crowd control [00:25:19] The “Golden Six” rhetorical devices that instantly make any speech sound powerful, breathless sentences, repetition, contrast, metaphor, exaggeration, and rhyme [00:29:12] GUEST BIO & LINKS Sim…","meta_description":"Simon Lancaster, leading speechwriter and author of Connect! How to Inspire, Influence and Energise Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime, joins the show to break dow…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2163,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/chief-story-officer-7582078/episodes/the-magic-of-metaphors-simon-lancaster-s-guide-to-transforming-boring-corporate-speeches/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/chief-story-officer-7582078/the-magic-of-metaphors-simon-lancaster-s-guide-to-transforming-boring-corporate-speeches.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}