Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai

StoryBrand.ai
  • 4.7 (1.9K)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai

Welcome to Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai. Have you ever wondered why some brands, trends, or products become massive successes while others fade away? That’s exactly what this podcast explores. Hosted by Donald Miller, creator of the StoryBrand Framework, and co-hosted by Kyle Reed, each episode dives into the strategies behind the world’s biggest wins, breaking them down into clear, actionable insights you can use to create your own success. Discover how to craft clear and effective messaging that works for your business at StoryBrand.ai.

  1. 5D AGO

    Morning Routines—The NEW Way To Create A Morning Routine In 2025

    If you followed every piece of advice out there about your ideal morning routine, you'd probably spend eight hours every day doing mindfulness excercises and supplements and journaling and workouts and cold plunges and more. But morning routines can be both easy AND effective if you identify the right mission for your life. In this episode, Kyle Reed and Donald Miller break down a new way to approach your morning routine—one that actually fits the demands of 2025. Whether you’re a high-performing entrepreneur, a working parent, or just trying to get your act together before 9am, this conversation is packed with practical strategies, unexpected insights, and a fresh mindset shift. You’ll learn:   • Why most morning routines fail (and what to do instead) • How to reverse-engineer your day for better mornings • The role of intention, simplicity, and rhythm in a sustainable routine • What Kyle and Don are doing differently this year—and why it’s working   If you’ve struggled with consistency, motivation, or just hate mornings altogether, this episode will help you build a routine that serves your real life—not some influencer’s highlight reel.   --   Unlock the power of a framework that works—the StoryBrand Framework at StoryBrand.ai. It's like having the world’s best copywriter create high-converting marketing whenever you need it. Start your free 7-day trial at StoryBrand.ai.   Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon or wherever you buy books!   If you're tired of feeling unproductive and unmotivated, get clarity on your life goals and supercharge your productivity by visiting HeroOnAMission.com for your free planner!

    34 min

  2. APR 7

    Simplicity—Why a “Less Is More” Approach Can Make Anything More Effective

    Most businesses, brands, and even thought leaders make the same mistake: they overcomplicate things. The more complex something is, the harder it is for people to understand—and if they don’t understand, they don’t engage. Whether you’re trying to grow a business, capture attention, or lead a movement, clarity is your greatest asset.     That’s why we’re shaking things up this week with a very special recap episode! We’re revisiting some of the most valuable insights from past episodes—all centered around one powerful theme: simplicity. Don and Kyle explore how frameworks, storytelling, and clear communication can help you find clarity, make better decisions, and connect to more people. Tune in to discover why the most successful brands, leaders, and ideas all follow one golden rule: keep it simple.   --   Unlock the power of a framework that works—the StoryBrand Framework at StoryBrand.ai. It's like having the world’s best copywriter create high-converting marketing whenever you need it. Start your free 7-day trial at StoryBrand.ai.   Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon or wherever you buy books!

    33 min

  3. MAR 31

    Marriage—The Truth About What Makes Love Work Long-Term (ft. Johnnyswim)

    Relationships can be beautiful, but they’re also complicated. From the outside, it’s easy to assume great marriages happen by luck or chemistry. But the reality? Every relationship faces storms—health challenges, career stress, personal struggles—and most couples aren’t equipped to weather them. Without the right mindset and tools, it’s easy to drift apart or fall into survival mode. So how do couples not just stay together, but grow closer—even through the hardest seasons of life?     In this week’s episode, Don and Kyle sit down with musical duo Johnnyswim (Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano) to unpack what makes their marriage work. From tour bus living to health challenges and creative careers, Abner and Amanda share how they’ve stayed united—and transformed—through it all. Tune in to hear their honest take on commitment, communication, and the real purpose of marriage.   --   Unlock the power of a framework that works—the StoryBrand Framework at StoryBrand.ai. It's like having the world’s best copywriter create high-converting marketing whenever you need it. Start your free 7-day trial at StoryBrand.ai.   Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon or wherever you buy books!

    23 min

  4. MAR 24

    Nostalgia—The Hidden Force That Makes Brands Feel Iconic

    Nostalgia is a powerful force. You hear an old song or catch a familiar scent, and instantly, you’re transported back in time. But our brains don’t just remember the past, they rewrite it. We filter out the stress, the boredom, the everyday struggles, and what we’re left with is a version of the past that feels safer, simpler, and better than it really was. So why does nostalgia have such a hold on us? And how does it shape the way we think, feel, and buy?     This week, hosts Donald Miller and Kyle Reed break down the psychology of nostalgia and why it’s one of the most effective tools in marketing, storytelling, and even leadership. They reveal how businesses tap into nostalgia to create emotional connections with customers and how you can use it to strengthen your brand—or simply make more meaningful memories in your own life. Tune in to learn how nostalgia works, why we crave it, and how to use it to your advantage.   --   Unlock the power of a framework that works—the StoryBrand Framework at StoryBrand.ai. It's like having the world’s best copywriter create high-converting marketing whenever you need it. Start your free 7-day trial at StoryBrand.ai.   Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazonor wherever you buy books!

    40 min

  5. MAR 17

    Starbucks—The Brand that Changed How the World Drinks Coffee

    If someone told you in the ’90s that people would happily pay $5 for a cup of coffee, you probably would’ve laughed. Before Starbucks, coffee was just… coffee. It wasn’t an experience, a ritual, or a “third place” between home and work. So how did one company transform a simple commodity into a global phenomenon? The rise of Starbucks wasn’t just about caffeine—it was about community, habit-building, and a relentless pursuit of consistency.   In this episode, hosts Don and Kyle dive into the fascinating story of Starbucks, breaking down how a small Seattle coffee shop grew into a 35,000-location empire. They explore the visionary leadership of Howard Schultz, the brand’s impact on American culture, and how Starbucks managed to make coffee both an addiction and an experience. Plus, they debate whether Starbucks is still as great as it once was—or if its best days are behind it. Listen in for a deep dive into what made Starbucks work.   --   Unlock the power of a framework that works—the StoryBrand Framework at StoryBrand.ai. It's like having the world’s best copywriter create high-converting marketing whenever you need it. Start your free 7-day trial at StoryBrand.ai.   Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon or wherever you buy books!

    34 min

  6. MAR 10

    Reality TV—Why We're Obsessed with Chaos (And What It's Actually Doing to Our Brains!)

    Reality TV is everywhere, and whether you love it or hate it, you can’t deny it’s addictive. Millions of people tune in daily to binge-watch strangers argue, compete, or fall in love on camera. But reality TV isn’t “real” at all—it’s carefully crafted chaos, designed to keep you hooked. Producers manipulate stories, stir up conflict, and edit scenes to make the drama irresistible. But beyond the entertainment, what’s it actually doing to our brains?   In this episode, hosts Donald Miller and Kyle Reed break down why reality TV works—and why we can’t look away. They explore the psychology behind our obsession with drama, the tricks producers use to keep us engaged, and how reality TV has shaped everything from social media to politics. Plus, they reveal the surprising ways it’s rewiring our attention spans and expectations of real life. Tune in for a revealing look at the power (and the price) of reality TV.   --   Unlock the power of a framework that works—the StoryBrand Framework at StoryBrand.ai. It's like having the world’s best copywriter create high-converting marketing whenever you need it. Start your free 7-day trial at StoryBrand.ai.   Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon or wherever you buy books!

    29 min

  7. MAR 3

    Michelin Star—How a Tire Company Created the Most Prestigious Award in Food

    The Michelin Star is a restaurant rating system so powerful that a single star can launch careers, change cities, and even break chefs. So what makes one restaurant just “good” and another Michelin-worthy? The path to earning a Michelin Star isn’t just about making great food—it’s about precision, consistency, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. But why do these stars hold so much weight?   Today’s episode pulls back the curtain on the fascinating world of Michelin Stars. Hosts Don and Kyle explore how a tire company unexpectedly shaped the fine dining industry, why chefs dedicate their lives to earning (or desperately holding onto) these elusive stars, and what truly sets Michelin-caliber restaurants apart. Along the way, they share their own experiences—from unassuming hole-in-the-wall joints to world-famous dining rooms—and break down whether the chase for a star is worth the sacrifice. Listen in for a compelling look at the prestige, pressure, and obsession that fuel the Michelin Star legacy.   --   Unlock the power of a framework that works—the StoryBrand Framework at StoryBrand.ai. It's like having the world’s best copywriter create high-converting marketing whenever you need it. Start your free 7-day trial at StoryBrand.ai.   Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazonor wherever you buy books!

    39 min

  8. FEB 24

    Amazon—The Crazy Business Strategies that Rewired Our Brains and Changed Shopping Forever

    Amazon didn’t just change how the world shops—it rewired our brains. Suddenly, driving to a store for light bulbs feels like a huge chore. Need cat food? Click. New coffee maker? Click. A hat with antlers for your Halloween costume? It’ll be at your door by 5 p.m. Love it or hate it, Amazon’s success lies in its relentless focus on the customer. It turned convenience into an art form. The real question is: how did they pull it off, and what can we learn from them?   In today's episode, Donald Miller and Kyle Reed dissect the magic (and madness) behind Amazon’s rise. From Jeff Bezos’s obsession with customer experience to why two-pizza teams might be the secret to innovation, they explore what makes Amazon unstoppable. Tune in to find out how one company reshaped retail, rewrote the rules of business, and filled your house with way too many cardboard boxes.   --   Unlock the power of a framework that works—the StoryBrand Framework at StoryBrand.ai. It's like having the world’s best copywriter create high-converting marketing whenever you need it. Start your free 7-day trial at StoryBrand.ai.   Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon or wherever you buy books!

    41 min
See All (500)

Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
1,907 Ratings

About

Welcome to Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai. Have you ever wondered why some brands, trends, or products become massive successes while others fade away? That’s exactly what this podcast explores. Hosted by Donald Miller, creator of the StoryBrand Framework, and co-hosted by Kyle Reed, each episode dives into the strategies behind the world’s biggest wins, breaking them down into clear, actionable insights you can use to create your own success. Discover how to craft clear and effective messaging that works for your business at StoryBrand.ai.

Information

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada