A Masterclass In Storytelling - Will Storr - #944

May 22, 2025 1h 38m

About this episode

Will Storr is an author, journalist, and former photographer. Stories mould who we are, from our character to our cultural identity. They drive us to act out our dreams and ambitions, and shape our politics and beliefs. Some of the world’s greatest contributors are those who have learned to master storytelling. Is storytelling something we can learn? Is there a science to storytelling? Expect to learn how we use stories to gain status, why stories are key to how we process reality, what most people get wrong about great storytelling, the fundamental questions great storytellers answer, what the best stories in recent history, and much more… Timestamps: (00:00) Why Are Stories So Persuasive? (03:45) The Problem of Knowingness (08:29) Stories Are the Language of the Brain (13:55) The Link Between Stories & Social Identity (25:22) How Stories Engineer Tribal Preferences (39:05) How We Use Stories to Gain Status (44:31) Rivalry in Storytelling (57:36) Storytelling in Cancel Culture (01:05:32) What People Get Wrong About Good Storytelling (01:10:19) The Importance of Heroes in Stories (01:20:07) How to Make Stories Stick More (01:26:09) The Story Around Smoking Cigarettes (01:33:41) Where to Find Will Sponsors: See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/deals Get 5 Free Travel Packs, Free Liquid Vitamin D, and more from AG1 at https://ag1.info/modernwisdom Get a 20% discount on Nomatic’s amazing luggage at https://nomatic.com/modernwisdom Get up to $350 off the Pod 5 at https://eightsleep.com/modernwisdom Extra Stuff: Get my free reading list of 100 books to read before you die: https://chriswillx.com/books Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic: https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom Episodes You Might Enjoy: This Is How To Master Your Life - David Goggins - #577: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Goggins⁠⁠⁠ How To Destroy Your Negative Beliefs - Dr Jordan Peterson - #712: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Peterson⁠⁠⁠ The Secret Tools To Hack Your Brain - Dr Andrew Huberman - #700: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Huberman⁠⁠ - Get In Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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