Right now, we're balancing on a major tipping point in diversity policy that, despite many forces trying to convince you otherwise, can make all the difference for your storytelling success and revenuw. That’s why today we’ll look at the numbers and the narratives on why Diversity, Equality & Inclusion (DEI) is so incredibly good for the bottom line. However, we’ll start with that nightmare story on what happens when DEI goes wrong...   (Source) Thank you for understanding Me

Right now, the AI bubble is so inflated that the entire American economy leans on its hype. Today we’ll discuss eleven major shifts and insights in these turbulent artificial intelligence times for you to base your strategic and storytelling steps on. Preferably before bubbles burst. Fasten your seat belts...   Oh, the existential questions... (image credit Futurama) Insight 1 — Growth Is Not Exponential The promise of artificial intelligence is that it will unleash an expone

All Great Civilizations Innovate Energy: A Journey Through Time and Leadership All great civilizations have one thing in common: they innovate energy. This innovation fuels functional, emotional, social, and financial progress, ultimately leading to greater freedom. Today, we’ll explore the narratives that connect energy innovation and democracy. We’ll dive into two types of energy that resonate with our times: sustainable power usage and life force energy. In simpler terms,

The Art of Storytelling in Government Communication: How Personal Relevance Makes a Difference In the tumultuous world of today, more and more hinges on governments doing a good job in governing. As with all things, this starts with the story they convey. Yet, a lot of general welfare messaging is still not up to par, even in a world that has been perfecting its branding and marketing messages. Today, we use a simple example to demonstrate how best to communicate to the publ

In storytelling we explore the challenges, frictions and conflicts that life throws at us, trying to learn its lessons so we better ourselves. In that space, comedy has the biggest role to play of all, talking truth to power and creating a safe space for us to ridicule our most horrid demons, cutting them down to size and laughing at them, so they don't consume us. In short, comedy is catharsis. And it is the great equalizer of humanity we now need more than ever. Let's expl

Those who squint their eyes can see that within America, the tone is shifting from left-right to up versus down. A turning point is visible in media signals and language, while tentatively the word revolution is appearing, all in the context of an economic storm building. So, today I give you an outsider perspective on the narrative shift that could change everything from within the USA itself, as signs of an uprising grow. Even South Park (image credited) is weighing in with

As a story, populism is a simple one. It promises that all the complexities of life can be evaded by simple, straightforward talking leaders. The type of strong leader that 'gets things done'. It's easy to see its appeal. Yet looking at the graveyard of failed ideological politics in our times, even populism has now added its tombstone. So today, mostly from a storytelling point of view , we'll discuss how and why populism has failed. And then we'll paint a picture for humani

Now that Europe can no longer lean on its big American brother, the spotlights have put it into full view. While the first reactions to the new world order from European leaders have been surprisingly positive, there is still a lot that needs to be fixed when it comes to the story of democracy in Europe. Here goes... Credits: TheMetaPicture.com Before we start We have highlighted a similar story for the US in this blogpost addressing the particulars of why America is now not

Now that America's society is getting hit, here's an outsider's view on what steps Americans need to take to finally become a true democracy again. Today, we're rewriting the story for America, just to inspire you to make it better. Buckle up for a wild ride. Here goes... A step before we walk... Super quick word before we begin. Forgive me if and when I point out things you may already know as an American. A European like me is also learning as I go, most of all from my many

"Script. Script. And Script." Alfred Hitchcock Image Credits: Riot Games and Fortiche (Arcane) Still reading? Okay, okay... I'll bite! This has been a huge question on gamer's minds for decades now: Why do so many game-to-film adaptations fail? And why are those that do succeed successful? If that Hitchcock 'script' quote didn't (fully) answer those questions, you better strap yourself in, because we're going to go through the entire lowdown, including those really, awkwardl

Compelling. That's what it all comes down to, building compelling narrative in storytelling. So, today we'll dive into the big 'Why' of storytelling, then quickly move to the fundamentals of narratives, following it up with inspiring practices, and finish it all with an artistic sheen. Without further delay, here we go... Storytelling Book Good storytelling is - and will always be - in demand The very first thing you need to know about storytelling - and that even the best s

Since at the moment all kinds of industries have problems recruiting the right people, I sometimes get asked if there are storytelling lessons and tricks that can be used to make the recruitment process better. We'll jump into it immediately and I'll share the best insights and practices - and a few real practical solutions - on how storytelling can help you be a more interesting organization that attracts the right talent. Let's dive in! Blue Steel Never Fails To Impress 1

Move over Greta Thunberg, the real - and very much needed - change will come from the answer to this question: Who will become the next Apple in the sustainable field? And the irony is that it's not about green. Innovation is back as the key word. The whole trick will be to make it super practical, so I call this burgeoning trend Seamless & Down to Earth . Right now, with still a way-too-small group of people living sustainably, the real green revolution will not come from c

In Stranger Things we follow a tight knit group of youngsters in the '80's who encounter things that are not of this world. Still having flexible minds, they are the only ones able to get to the bottom of the frightening mysteries, and they do so with flair plus a whole lot of funny bickering. I cannot begin to describe how well executed this series is. So, let's break it down storytelling-style. We'll skip the usual suspects like embracing friction and building a journey ,

Sometimes you can't seem to start, or you are stuck, you run into a writer's block or something else is in the way of your storytelling or you as the storyteller. No worries, we've got your back. For your convenience we'll release two checklists - one for Branding, Product, Service, Organization, Cultural & Corporate Storytelling and this article on Art, Fiction, Character, Film, Novel, Literature & Poetry Storytelling as the second. Just go through the tips and tricks, and

The Socrates Method is the practice where you keep asking questions until there are no more questions to be asked and everything you need to know about a subject has come to light. The premise is that the answer is already there, it already exists... you just have to keep asking the right questions until it appears. And it's that method that we'll use to kick start your storytelling. For your convenience we'll release two checklists - this one on Branding, Organization, Cult

On October 6th 2008, from a landline at the Waldorf Estoria hotel in New York, my dad phoned me up and said: "I don't know how long they will keep this line open, so if I get disconnected, know that your mom and I are okay. But there is total panic here. Cell phones are dead, televisions are on... the market has crashed. Biggest downturn ever. So listen to me carefully, here's what we are going to do... we're going to write a smart, short book called Recession Marketing, and

For years now, a debate has been raging about purpose-driven thinking. This concept of 'purpose' for companies seems well-intentioned and successful. However, the word "purpose" is also often used to sell hot air. So today we look at purpose-driven branding and marketing through the lens of the storytelling: is it an effective story? Under what circumstances can it be trusted? We'll get right to the gist of it all: the greatest gap is between 'saying' and 'doing'. To find out

Sound is invisible. Yet, it exists. Love is the same. You can't grab it. Yet, that feelings is very much there. And the universal energy you need to tap into for your creative work is invisible too. Yet that too, exists. Today, let's make that energy more real and discuss how to tap into it better. Flow... here we come! Tapping into Universal Creative Energy When we talk about inspiration 'hitting us' or use words like 'the muse' or 'creative energy', it always feels very in

In 2012 I was supposed to run the mother of all marathons: New York. It was on the top of my bucket list and it felt like something I had to do to prove myself. You can imagine what such an endeavor means. A marathon… the months of injury-prone training, special diets and a bill of over 5000 bucks are but a few things you need to endure. Yet, I endured them. And finally, in November that year I arrived in The Big Apple to run the run of all runs. Then hell froze over. You