Passion Struck with John R. Miles
Donald Miller on the Secret to Making People Care About You
Thu, 27 Mar 2025
In this episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles sits down with Donald Miller, bestselling author and founder of StoryBrand, to explore the transformational power of storytelling. They discuss the release of Building a StoryBrand 2.0 and how leaders can use narrative frameworks to connect, inspire, and drive action. Donald reveals how storytelling applies not just in marketing, but in family, community, and self-leadership.Together, they dive into Donald’s personal practices—like writing a eulogy, crafting a family mission, and fighting loneliness through intentional community. This episode goes beyond business advice—it's about reclaiming your story to live a more intentional and impactful life.Full Shownotes here: https://passionstruck.com/donald-miller-how-making-people-care-about-you/What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Storytelling is the most powerful tool we have to hold attention and drive action.A personal narrative gives clarity to your life’s purpose—and helps you say “no” to what doesn’t align.Loneliness is spiritual starvation—intentional community is the cure.Every great story includes opposition, a mission, a plan, and transformation.Tools like storybrand.ai can help translate your passion into practical impact.Writing your own eulogy helps keep your daily decisions aligned with your life’s end goal.You don’t have to find a perfect community—create one that reflects your values and passions.Connect with Donald Miller: https://www.donaldmiller.com/Sponsors:Factor Meals: http://factormeals.com/factormeals50off and use code “FACTOR MEALS 50 OFF”Rosetta Stone: Unlock 25 languages for life at “ROSETTASTONE.com/passionstruck.”Prolon: Reset your health with 15% off at “ProlonLife.com/passionstruck.”Mint Mobile: Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at “MINT MOBILE dot com slash PASSION.”Hims: Start your journey to regrowing hair with Hims. Visit hims.com/PASSIONSTRUCK for your free online visit.Quince: Discover luxury at affordable prices with Quince. Enjoy free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/PASSIONNext on Passion Struck:In the next episode of Passion Struck, John sits down with Anne Marie Anderson, an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, sports journalist, and leadership expert. Anne Marie has spent years breaking barriers in sports media, navigating high-stakes environments, and coaching top athletes and executives on leadership, resilience, and communication. In our conversation, we'll dive into the mental frameworks of high performers, the art of storytelling, and how to build confidence in any field.For more information on advertisers and promo codes, visit Passion Struck Deals.Join the Passion Struck Community!Sign up for the Live Intentionally newsletter, where I share exclusive content, actionable advice, and insights to help you ignite your purpose and live your most intentional life. Get access to practical exercises, inspiring stories, and tools designed to help you grow. Learn more and sign up here.Speaking Engagements & WorkshopsAre you looking to inspire your team, organization, or audience to take intentional action in their lives and careers? I’m available for keynote speaking, workshops, and leadership training on topics such as intentional living, resilience, leadership, and personal growth. Let’s work together to create transformational change. Learn more at johnrmiles.com/speaking.Episode Starter PacksWith over 500 episodes, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. We’ve curated Episode Starter Packs based on key themes like leadership, mental health, and personal growth, making it easier for you to dive into the topics you care about. Check them out at passionstruck.com/starterpacks.Catch More of Passion Struck:My solo episode on Why Mattering at Work Is the New Metric Leaders Must TrackCatch My Episode with Coach Matt Doherty on How You Rebound From Life’s Toughest MomentsWatch my interview with Jessica Kriegel on How to Build an Intentional WorkplaceCan’t miss my episode withJacob Morgan on the Vital Power of Leading With VulnerabilityListen to my interview with Ivo Brughmans on How to Navigate the Paradoxes of LeadershipCheck My solo episode on Why We All Crave To Matter: Exploring The Power Of Mattering.If you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally.How to Connect with John:Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMilesFollow him on Instagram at @John_R_MilesSubscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips ChannelFor more insights and resources, visit John’s websiteWant to explore where you stand on the path to becoming Passion Struck? Take our 20-question quiz on Passionstruck.com and find out today!
Chapter 1: How can storytelling transform communication?
Chapter 2: Why is specific targeting crucial for audience engagement?
But if I said, I have a podcast for human beings who collect Matchbox cars. Okay, I actually might listen. I don't collect Matchbox cars, but I'm fascinated by you guys who do this.
Welcome to Passion Struck. Hi, I'm your host, John R. Miles, and on the show, we decipher the secrets, tips, and guidance of the world's most inspiring people and turn their wisdom into practical advice for you and those around you. Our mission is to help you unlock the power of intentionality so that you can become the best version of yourself.
If you're new to the show, I offer advice and answer listener questions on Fridays. We have long-form interviews the rest of the week with guests ranging from astronauts to authors, CEOs, creators, innovators, scientists, military leaders, visionaries, and athletes. Now, let's go out there and become PassionStruck. Hey, PassionStruck fam. Welcome to episode 590.
Whether you've been with us for years or are just tuning in for the first time, I am so grateful you're here. You've joined a global movement dedicated to unlocking purpose, living with intention, and creating a life that truly matters. Let me ask you a question. Why do some brands forge deep, lasting connections with their audiences while others fade into the background?
What if there was a proven formula, not just for clearer messaging, but for transforming the way you communicate, lead and inspire. Today, we're diving into the art and science of storytelling, how you can position yourself, your brand, or your business as the guide your audience needs most.
We'll explore a timeless framework that has helped over a million leaders create messaging that cuts through the noise and builds trust that lasts. But before we dive in, let's take a moment to highlight an incredible episode from earlier this week with Wes Adams and Tamara Miles, where we explored their new book, Meaningful Work.
It's a powerful conversation about finding fulfillment, aligning work with purpose, and creating impact that lasts. If you missed it, I highly recommend checking it out. It's packed with insights you won't want to miss. And for first-time listeners, don't forget our episode starter packs, curated playlists of the best episodes on leadership, personal growth,
emotional health, communication, relationships, and more. You can find them on Spotify or at passionstruck.com slash starterpaps. And do you want even more intentional inspiration? Subscribe to my Live Intentionally newsletter at passionstruck.com for weekly tools, challenges, and insights to help you create a purpose-filled, impactful life. Now, on to today's guest.
I'm thrilled to welcome Donald Miller to the show. Donald is the CEO of StoryBrand and Business Made Simple, a nine-time best-selling author and one of the most influential voices in branding, leadership, and business growth. His StoryBrand framework has been used by world-class organizations from Tom's Shoes to Trek Bicycles to clarify messaging and drive exponential results.
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Chapter 3: What makes storytelling a powerful tool for leaders?
So we had to go over and deconstruct all of that. But all those bombs that were dropped and the people who were killed and the atrocities that were committed started with words. And they were defeated with words from Harry Truman, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and so forth and so on.
And then Stalin continued to use that playbook after World War II to kill millions of people in Russia. If you understand these things, you can... And I wish more people did. I wish that more people could understand when they were being hijinked and when they weren't. What that does speak to is how powerful story is at...
brainwashing of hijacking a human brain it is very difficult for a human to know what is fiction and what is not fiction at the emotional level pretty easy on a cognitive we know that the marvel comics are fiction. But while you're sitting there in the theater, you certainly feel like it's true.
Your emotions are up and this Thanos is going to destroy the world and you're on the edge of your seat. Well, why? It's pure fiction, isn't it? Well, yeah, it's fiction, but it feels true right now in this theater. Well, there's a lot of people who cannot help but suspend disbelief when they're listening to political rhetoric that is not remotely true.
And in America, you see it on both sides of the political aisle. Democrats stirring up fear and anxiety over what Republicans are doing and Republicans stirring up fear and anxiety over what the Democrats are doing. And almost nobody working on actual practical solutions because they're using this propaganda to stay in personal power or party power.
And you understand it and you roll your eyes a lot watching the nightly news.
Well, if you know the mechanisms that they're using, you, you definitely do roll your eyes.
So I appreciate, especially it's not just, I'd say the worst culprit is the media. How many times have you read a headline and oh my gosh, is that what's going on? You click it and you realize that's a very exaggerated take.
on what's happening in order to get me to click and read this article, which, by the way, is this advertisement for toilet paper right next to it, which is the whole reason they created the clickbait in the first place was to sell that ad. And now you're realizing they're lying to all of us in order to sell toilet paper.
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Chapter 4: How can you use narrative frameworks in personal and professional life?
All that was done, I think I did it minutes before getting on this podcast, so I could email it to him. I think I did it in about six minutes. And so you can actually take your passion and turn it into a business with all the collateral you need to sell that product inside of StoryBrand.ai. It will even, if you answer a few questions, it'll even give you product ideas.
You should turn that into this product, and here's what it would be called, and here's what you should charge for it. So all of that now exists at StoryBrand.ai.
Man, I love it. It's going to be exactly what I do after I get this interview is check that out because I can't tell you how many hours I spent thinking about those things. And I have to tell you a really cool story. You talk about your breakfast meeting. I'm part of a men's group where we get together one Tuesday every month for dinner.
And one of my best friends was on the Notre Dame national championship team from 88. And I watched this last game with him and go the way he wanted it. But interestingly enough, he has now gotten that entire team that he played with to come to where we live in Tampa Bay and
every year and they come back and they all say it's one of their favorite events of the year and he started with six of them and he brought me in because the navy has a close relationship to notre dame and now he has 40 of his teammates who come in now every single year that gets me choked up the need and the desire for community because those guys are getting a need met that can't be met anywhere else
There's a need for family. Our family meets that. There's a need for God. God meets that. There's a need for food. Food meets that. Where's the need for community? And especially for old connections, for connections that you've had for a long time, because friendships are one of the things that just get better and better over time. Very cool story to hear.
And also an example of somebody being very intentional about creating community.
He's the best. He's one of those guys that I think he spends Probably two hours on the phone, just reaching out to teammates and friends, just to, even if it's my typical conversation with them is I talk to them three or four times a week.
And most of the time it's under three minutes, but it's typically sharing a laugh or an update, but there are very few people in my life that I have that type of bond with. So I really treasure it. Now, I wanted to ask, given that you're from Nashville, do you know Rory and AJ Vaden? I do. Yeah. In fact, they're pretty much neighbors. They live about a mile from me. I know them both.
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