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Why Your Brain Loves a Good Story
Issue 28: The Storyteller - a zebuLearn imprint
Sri Srikrishna
June 06, 2025
Each week, we share a practical technique to become a more effective storyteller and analyze a video that demonstrates its use in the real-world.
✨ Quote of the week
“Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience.” Robert McKee
David Matos via Unsplash
What do stories do to our brains?
Ever wondered why some stories stay with us forever while others fade away?
Science says our brains are wired for storytelling. When we hear a compelling narrative, our brains release dopamine (the pleasure chemical) and oxytocin (the bonding hormone). That’s why a great story feels addictive—it literally changes our brain chemistry.
Let’s dive into why that happens—and how you can use it to craft stories that linger long after the last word.
The 3-Act Brain Hook storytelling framework
Here is a science-backed structure to make your stories irresistible.
Act | Why and What It Does | How to Use It |
|---|---|---|
1. Create Tension | Our brains crave resolution. Tension triggers cortisol (focuses the listener’s attention) | Start with a question, problem, or mystery. Example: "I almost quit writing—until I discovered this one trick." |
2. Engage via Immersion | The brain activates the same regions whether we experience something or just read about it. This releases oxytocin (emotional bonding) | Use vivid details. Instead of "I was nervous," try "My palms stuck to the podium like duct tape." |
3. Provide Meaning | Resolution provides an emotional payoff. This releases dopamine (the feel good chemical) | End with a lesson or transformation. "That’s when I learned fear is just a story waiting to be rewritten." |
💪 Try it now: Pick a personal moment and frame it using these 3 acts.
Start with Tension "I almost quit writing—until I discovered this one trick."
Use Sensory Details – Instead of "I was nervous," try "Fear froze my hand. Like an unused pen with dry ink, no words appeared."
End with Meaning – "That’s when I learned fear is just a story waiting to be rewritten."
From Theory to Mastery: How to Actually Persuade with Stories
Last month, a reader wrote “"I know storytelling works—but when I try to persuade my team (or clients), my stories fall flat. What’s missing?"
Turns out, there’s a hidden layer between understanding storytelling and using it persuasively:
Structure → Most frameworks miss the "why" behind each step.
Delivery → The same story told two ways can land like a joke… or a funeral.
Adaptation → A pitch, a speech, and a heartfelt confession all need different tools.
That’s why we are teaching Success Through Persuasive Storytelling on Maven this July—a live cohort where you will:
Master the art of persuasive storytelling (no PowerPoint required)
Apply techniques to real projects—with instructor guidance & peer feedback.
Engage audiences, whether in presentations, pitches, or everyday communication.
This course is for you if you’ve ever thought: How do I make people care about my ideas? Be remembered (in a sea of forgettable Zoom calls)? Persuade without pushing?
Video
This week, we analyze Joe Kowan's TED Talk "How I Beat Stage Fright." Watch how he masterfully uses the 3-Act Brain Hook to transform a personal struggle into a compelling narrative that resonates with anyone who's ever felt nervous.
Notice how Kowan creates immediate tension by admitting his stage fright, then immerses us in the visceral experience through specific details about sweaty palms and racing thoughts. Finally, he delivers meaning through his creative solution and personal transformation.
As you craft your next story, remember Kowan's approach: start with honest vulnerability, paint the struggle with vivid details, then reveal the lesson or growth. When you follow this brain-friendly structure, your stories don't just inform—they stick.
Missed an issue? Read past editions of The Storyteller Newsletter here.