Chief Story Officer artwork

Management · Rob D. Willis

Chief Story Officer

by Rob D. Willis

Most leaders know storytelling matters. But can stories actually be strategic? On Chief Story Officer we talk to executives and thought leaders who know that the right story at the right time can shift strategy, align teams and transform businesses. Hosted by Rob D. Willis, a strategic story producer who's helped leaders at HelloFresh, Babbel, and Raisin craft compelling stories that make strategies stick, so teams live it and clients feel it. What You'll Discover: 🎯 Real world examples of stories shifting team direction, clarifying strategy or closing deals. 🧠 Strategic frameworks to think about storytelling as part of business strategy ⚡ Practical takeaways you can use in your next meeting, pitch, or all-hands 🎙️ Diverse perspectives from CEOs, strategists, and operators who've cracked the code on strategic storytelling This isn't about crafting perfect presentations or learning narrative tricks. It's about understanding how stories shape decisions, drive alignment, and create measurable business impact. Who This Is For: Chief Story Officer is built for executives, senior leaders, and strategic thinkers who know that communication is more than a soft skill. If you're responsible for: 📊 Leading teams through change and uncertainty 🎯 Communicating vision and strategy across your organisation 🤝 Building buy-in for complex initiatives 💡 Translating technical ideas into compelling direction ✨ Creating alignment where there's confusion ...then this podcast will sharpen how you lead through communication. About Your Host: Rob D. Willis is a strategic story producer who's been helping executives communicate ideas that matter since 2018. He's delivered 3,000+ presentations to 100,000 people across six continents, working with HelloFresh, Babbel, and Raisin to transform how they tell their stories. Before focusing on executive storytelling, Rob spent years as a Berlin tour guide and music producer—two disciplines that taught him what makes messages memorable and impossible to ignore. The Format: ⏱️ 30 minutes per episode 📅 New episodes every two weeks 💬 Conversational and story-driven style 🎯 Focused on extracting specific lessons that made communication work in high-stakes moments Why Subscribe: If you believe that the way you communicate shapes the way you lead—and that better stories lead to better strategy—Chief Story Officer will become your go-to resource for sharpening both. New episodes drop bi-weekly. Subscribe now so you never miss a conversation! 🌐 Visit robdwillis.com for frameworks, resources, and more on strategic storytelling in leadership.

Chart trend

Position in the Management chart (US), last 90 days.

#39
all-time peak
5
days in the top 50 since Mar 2026

Latest episodes

Showing 19 · updated from the feed

Why Your Story Isn’t What Your Audience Hears with Kendall Haven

Kendall Haven, narrative influence architect and author of StoryProof and StorySmart, joins the show to uncover why it’s not the story you tell that matters, it’s the one

Aug 28
35 min

Shaping Storytelling as a Strategic Business Function with Elliott Rayner

Elliott Rayner, Fractional Head of Storytelling and creator of The Story Cohort, joins the podcast to explain why a truly strategic narrative is less about individual cre

Aug 14
36 min

Why Simple Stories Win: Philipp Humm on Speaking for Impact

Philipp Humm, founder of StoryLab and bestselling author, joins the show to break down the art and science of connecting with an audience, whether you’re in the boardroom

Jul 31
33 min

Turning Stories Into Action: The Brain Chemistry Behind Influence With Paul Zak

Dr. Paul Zak, neuroscientist and founder of Immersion, joins the show to reveal how stories physically and emotionally move us and why crafting the right narrative can tr

Jul 17
40 min

Storytelling that Converts: Andy Raskin on Creating an Irresistible Strategic Narrative

Andy Raskin, strategic narrative expert and host of the Bigger Narrative Podcast, sits down with us to explore how shifting from bragging about features to championing a

Jul 3
33 min

Why Your Company Story Needs More Conflict and Vulnerability with Rob Biesenbach

Rob Biesenbach, corporate communications veteran and Second City-trained actor, joins the show to share how trust and emotional resonance are the real engines of powerful

Jun 19
39 min

From Brand Clarity to Team Buy-In: Park Howell on Narrative Leadership

Park Howell, EMMY Award-winning storyteller and host of the Business of Story podcast, joins the show to share why simplifying your message isn’t just good storytelling,

Jun 5
40 min

How Great Leaders Inspire with Stories, Not Slides, Featuring Paul Smith

Paul Smith, bestselling author and business storytelling consultant, joins the show to share how surprise turns stories into unforgettable leadership tools and why the be

May 22
37 min

Why Every Leader Needs Story Discovery Not Just Storytelling with Esther Choy

Esther Choy, CEO and Chief Story Facilitator at Leadership Story Lab, joins the show to challenge the idea that the leader must always be the "sage on stage" and explains

May 8
34 min

Rethinking Storytelling: Folklore, Collaboration, and Decolonising the Business Narrative with Annette Simmons

Annette Simmons, author of The Story Factor and Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins, joins the show to challenge the idea that business storytelling is just about heroes an

Apr 24
36 min

The Magic of Metaphors: Simon Lancaster’s Guide to Transforming Boring Corporate Speeches

Simon Lancaster, leading speechwriter and author of Connect! How to Inspire, Influence and Energise Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime, joins the show to break down why most corpo

Apr 10
36 min

Turning Small Stories into Big Strategy: Insights from Shawn Callahan

Shawn Callahan, founder of Anecdote International and author of the award-winning book Putting Stories to Work, joins the show to reveal how story listening, not just sto

Mar 27
36 min

The Red Thread of Relevance: Strategic Storytelling Lessons from Kendra Valentine

Kendra Valentine, story strategist and author of How to Pitch (Almost) Anything, joins the show to unpack how leading with your value rather than your credentials transfo

Mar 13
31 min

Clear Communication Drives Change: Matt Armstrong-Barnes on Leadership, Stories, and AI

Matt Armstrong-Barnes, Group AI Practice Director at Servita and keynote speaker, joins the show to uncover why the real challenge of AI transformation isn’t just the tec

Feb 27
29 min

Why Executives Lose Deals: The Left Brain Trap

Jeremy Connell-Waite, Global Communications Designer at IBM and author of "The 109 Rules of Storytelling," joins the show to reveal why smart executives fail at persuasio

Jan 9
29 min

Why Personal Stories Sell Better Than Features

Lauren V. Davis, personal branding consultant and host of The Real Personal Branding Podcast, joins the show to reveal why the executives who say "I don't have any storie

Dec 26 2025
33 min

What "Be More Strategic" Actually Means (And How to Do It)

Charlie Curson, strategist and leadership coach with 25+ years advising companies like VISA, McDonald's, and Unilever, joins the show to break down what "being strategic"

Dec 12 2025
31 min

The Chief Storytelling Officer: Why Every Company Needs a Story Guardian

Rain Bennett, award-winning filmmaker and fractional Chief Storytelling Officer, joins the show to discuss why storytelling isn't just marketing—it's strategy. In this c

Nov 28 2025
39 min

Trailer: Welcome to Chief Story Officer

Welcome to Chief Story Officer. In this quick trailer, host Rob D. Willis introduces the show: conversations with executives and thought leaders about how storytelling

Nov 14 2025
1 min

Chart positions

Where Chief Story Officer ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 10, 2026).

#60 ▲ 26 Management US

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