Brad Montague Dissects a Signature Story and Shares Why Audiences Need to Know: "You're in Good Hands"
New Episode 🎧
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New to the show? On How Stories Happen, business communicators take us inside the crafting of their ideas into powerful stories they use to grow their audience and their cause. It's a show about what it really takes to become a more effective storyteller, so you can differentiate and resonate everywhere you show up.
It's hard to show up publicly at times, sharing your work, giving of yourself to others. It can be even harder given the places we mostly show up online today. But Brad Montague is here to lead a joyful rebellion—one for creatives, artists, and humans of all kinds, both kids and (in Brad's terms) former kids. And here's here to show us that celebrating failure is part of the process of doing meaningful things.
Brad is a New York Times bestselling author of books for kids and former kids alike. He’s also a speaker and creator of the web series Kid President which took the world by storm years ago and was the first viral video I shared to all my friends instantly. His books, which he writes and illustrates with his wife Kristi, include The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination, The Circles All Around Us, Becoming Better Grownups, and his most recent, Failabration.
In our episode, Brad shares a delightful story in verse about the "dumpster fire" we always talk about, and a little girl who is skeptical, hopeful, and brave.
Brad and I discuss why his style of communicating matters, how humor cuts through defenses, the difference between speaking to an audience of children versus adults, and how we can let our audience know, instantly, “You’re in good hands.”
Connect with Brad on his website, Instagram, and LinkedIn
Grab a copy of Brad’s books
Watch the video I mention at the top of the episode, Kid President’s Pep Talk
In the episode, Elise and I discuss:
How to react when the audience response isn’t what you expected
What goes into crafting an exceptional talk, tightly told
Our shared love for Anthony Bourdain (I know, shocker)
The “peak/end rule” in storytelling and journalism
And the power of a callback.
We also unpack why observation is the key to being a great storyteller, and why vulnerability and honesty are essential for any truly compelling speech.
I imagine you (like me) will be endlessly enthralled by Elise’s curiosity, wisdom, and charm. Happy listening!
Connect with Elise on her website and Linkedin
Grab a copy of her book, Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital
Listen to Elise on your favorite podcasts
And watch her TED Talk here
