September 15, 2025
When I first got into storytelling, I was completely confused. All the tips out there made it sound so complicated.
But I learned it’s actually pretty easy—if you know what matters. If you just give me 7 minutes, I’ll show you how to tell better stories than 97% of people.
The secret to great storytelling comes down to one thing: zooming into the moment.
The best storytellers drop you into one specific scene that you can see, feel, and remember.
Let me show you what I mean.
Anne Hathaway once told this story:
I’ve been to the gym and I’m on this machine, and I see this guy staring at me. I’m like, Oh god, am I doing something wrong? So I say, Hey, is everything cool? Did you want to work in?
And he goes, Oh god, no. I’m just in my own world.
So I’m like, Okay, cool, because he was staring really hard. I go back, get off the machine, and then he comes up to me.
He says, So, uh, you’ve been working out at this gym for a long time?
I think, Oh my god, he’s hitting on me.
So I say, Yeah, I’ve been coming here for a little bit.
Then he says, Cool. I’m a trainer here. I was just wondering if you wanted some pointers.
And I realize—Oh, he’s not hitting on me. He just wants a job.
So I say, Well, you know, I had a baby seven weeks ago.
And he goes, Oh, trying to lose the baby weight?
Wow.
So I muster up my dignity and say, No, Brandon, I’m just trying to regain my strength. He says, Great, walks away, and I cried a little bit.”
Notice what she did:
She didn’t summarize with, I was at the gym and a guy gave me some advice.
She zoomed into one specific moment—the conversation.
It felt like a movie playing in our minds.
And here’s the good news: you can do the same thing with just four simple techniques I call P.A.S.T.
Think of it as zooming into the past.
Start by telling us where the story is happening.
Example: Two weeks ago, I was sitting on the couch in my living room in Chicago.
Example: I was outside the conference room, taking a deep breath.
When you name the place, your audience instantly starts picturing it. You don’t need excessive detail (like describing every chair or wall). That just feels staged. A simple place is enough to anchor the story.
Next, share what’s happening. What are you (or someone else) doing?
Example: I’m staring at my laptop, hovering over the send button.
Example: I’m putting my bags onto the security belt at the airport.
Actions create a mental movie for your audience. They make the story feel like it’s unfolding in real time.
Bring in dialogue. Many stories involve more than one character, and quoting them makes the story much more vivid.
Instead of: My manager was frustrated.
Say: My manager called me and said, “What the hell was that? You were all over the place.”
Instead of: My mom loved the idea.
Say: My mom told me, “Wow, this is exactly what I needed. Thank you so much.”
Dialogue pulls people into the scene. And don’t worry if you can’t recall the exact words—capture the essence.
What were you thinking in that moment?
Our thoughts are often chaotic, irrational, or funny—and that’s what makes them relatable.
Instead of: I was nervous about the meeting.
Say: I thought, oh please don’t ask me any questions. I don’t know the answers.
Instead of: I was excited.
Say: I thought, this is my moment. This video will blow up my channel.
Unpolished, raw thoughts make your story feel real.
Here’s another example, from actor Chris Pratt:
I had this rule with my old man, and now with my son, that when you’re fishing, you can swear.
So we’re out fishing. He catches a fish, and I’m trying to get him to take a picture before we let it go. The fish flops out of his hands, the spines poke him, and it falls into the water.
He starts crying. I ask, Hey buddy, are you all right?
He says, Oh Dad, I’m about to swear.
Then he goes, That bass… that bass is stupid.
And I said, All right buddy, now’s the time, get it out.
And he goes, That stupid bass is a [ __ ] [ __ ]!
Why does this work?
Place – Instantly, we’re fishing out on the water.
Action – His son catches the fish, it flops, it pokes him. We can see it happening.
Speech – Dad, I’m about to swear. That line is hilarious and memorable.
Thoughts – In this case, the dialogue carries the story, but it still lands.
Even if your story only has three out of four elements, it’s enough.
If you want your stories to land, remember this:
Don’t summarize. Zoom into the moment.
Storytelling isn’t just about flying over the scene. Storytelling is about walking through the front door.
If you want to take your storytelling to the next level, check out this check out this article where I share three simple frameworks to better articulate your thoughts.
Storytelling has helped me more than anything else boost my retention, go viral, and grow my business in the end.
Enjoy.
P.S. Want to become a stronger communicator?
Here are two ways I can support you:
👉 Want to tell more engaging stories? Join our next Storytelling Workshop.
👉 Want to speak with confidence and clarity? Check out our Communication Skills Training.
Both are fun, practical, and designed to help you grow fast.
Are you ready to transform your storytelling skills?
Discover how your storytelling skills score and uncover useful insights to help you become a charismatic storyteller:
