Stories are the connective tissue of our humanity. They are how we learn, how we interact, and how we move conversations forward.
But if we don’t understand the art and science of what makes a great story, we are missing out on the potential to truly influence and inspire.
Today’s guest on The Edge of Possible is Cheryl Miller Houser, an award-winning documentary filmmaker who has spent her career shaping culture and shifting attitudes.
From her documentary ‘Generation Startup’ featured on Netflix, to brand spots for global companies, Cheryl knows how to connect a message directly to the human heart through the architecture of struggle and triumph.
In this deep dive, we explore narrative transportation, the neurochemicals that make a story stick in the brain, the exact framework Cheryl uses to move people to action, and how vulnerability can become your greatest superpower as a leader.
“If you tell a story about someone and that person takes us on an emotional journey through them, we go on a journey called narrative transportation where we become a participant in the story”. — Cheryl Miller Houser
In This Episode, You Will Learn
- How to utilize “narrative transportation” to move your audience from passive observers to active participants.
- The important neurochemicals that dictate how we process and remember stories.
- The “Think, Feel, Do” framework for crafting messages that drive tangible results.
- Why appropriate vulnerability builds more trust than “perfect” leadership.
- How to find and cast real people who embody universal human emotions to break down biases.
- Plus much more…
What We Discuss:
- 00:00 – Episode Opener and Introduction to the Podcast – Cheryl Miller Houser
- 00:53 – Podcast and Guest Intro
- 02:19 – Human Stories That Stick
- 06:32 – Vulnerability Builds Relatability
- 10:13 – Universal Emotions Examples
- 16:35 – Think Feel Do Framework
- 21:33 – Stories Drive Action
- 26:29 – Sustainability Messaging Trap
- 29:21 – Start With Action First
- 33:28 – Biases And Objections
- 38:48 – Story Steps And Heroes
- 49:50 – Neurochemistry Of Story
- 52:53 – Being A Story Conduit
- 54:25 – Vulnerability Builds Trust
- 55:21 – Create Your Storybook
- 1:00:06 – Habits for Capturing Stories
- 1:06:29 – Inner Critic and Judgment
- 1:13:53 – Gratitude After Loss
- 1:16:35 – Letting Go Practices
- 1:23:10 – Narrative Transportation Explained
- 1:25:55 – Stories Rewritten by Listeners
- 1:31:09 – Your Edge Rapid Fire
- 1:38:00 – Where to Connect and Closing
About Cheryl
Cheryl Miller Houser is an award-winning documentary filmmaker who works with brands and organizations to create connection, community and positive action through storytelling. She directs and writes documentaries, commercials, branded content and all forms of human-centered storytelling that shift people’s attitudes and behavior and shape culture. Cheryl also gives inspirational keynotes and workshops globally on how to use storytelling to move people deeply, including 4-time featured speaker at SXSW, and coaches high level execs on storytelling. Some of Cheryl’s credits include feature documentary GENERATION STARTUP following 6 young people launching startups in Detroit (Netflix), TRUTH TO TRANSFORMATION about the overhaul of the foster care system in NJ, web series, commercials and launch videos.
Show Notes
Connect with Cheryl Miller Houser:
Resources Mentioned:
