About this episode
Can storytelling really be the most valuable skill in podcasting- and in business?In this episode of PodBiz, Norma Jean Belenky speaks with Laura Joyce Davis, CEO of Narrative Podcasts and Managing Editor of the Stanford Storytelling Project, about the power of narrative podcasting. Laura shares how she went from launching Shelter in Place on the first day of lockdown to producing 200 episodes, founding a company, and now teaching podcasting at Stanford and Google.As she puts it:“The magic happens in the revision process. That’s where professional growth, creative breakthroughs, and the best ideas live.”Here are some insightful moments within the episode:Why storytelling is the most valuable skill in podcastingHow Shelter in Place became both a lifeline and a launchpadWhy the revision process matters more than quick winsThe importance of separating ‘creator brain’ from ‘marketer brain’Building an audience before launching a podcastHow AI can serve as a creative companion, not a replacementLaura Joyce Davis is the CEO of Narrative Podcasts and Managing Editor of the Stanford Storytelling Project. She created the award-winning Shelter in Place, has trained dozens of emerging podcasters, and now teaches storytelling at Stanford, Stanford Continuing Studies, and Google. She is also writing a forthcoming book on narrative podcasting.Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurajoycedavis/Learn more at Narrative Podcasts: www.narrativepodcasts.comEpisode Chapters00:00 – Storytelling as a vital skill01:47 – Can you really make money in podcasting?05:00 – How narrative podcasting builds life skills07:28 – Shelter in Place: a pandemic project becomes a career11:12 – Learning by doing: 200 episodes, zero training wheels13:06 – Why revision is where the magic happens17:52 – Building Narrative Podcasts to train new creators22:12 – From burnout to Stanford25:29 – The mindset shift that makes or breaks creators29:08 – Creator brain vs. marketer brain32:31 – The community power of podcasting33:28 – If starting over, what Laura would do differently37:31 – AI as a creative companionSome Additional PodBiz Buzz…“Good work will always stand the test of time.”“When you can turn research and interviews into a great story, that’s the skill that will bring money, profit, and success to you.”“You don’t become an expert until you learn by doing — over and over again.”PodBiz is the podcast about the business of podcasting. Hosted by industry veterans Norma Jean Belenky and John Kie
