Skip to main

Why is Storytelling Biologically Important for Survival? With Paul Zak

Authors: Jess Paul Zak
Posted Under: The Business of Story Podcast
Show Business
Hosted By
About The Business of Story Podcast:

Welcome to the Business of Story podcast, where the world’s best storytellers from business, Hollywood, and beyond teach you how to use stories to communicate and connect with your customers. While technology has given us all global reach with our messages, it’s still the ancient bewitchery of storytelling that connects us with one another. You will learn from some of the brightest content creators, advertising creatives, authors, professors, makers, marketers, and brand raconteurs in the business. Within every show you will learn at least one actionable tip that will make your stories more engaging, and help you advance your personal or professional quest further, faster.

Apple Podcast Reviews:

A lot of great information about story telling. It is hard to pick one episode, they are all good!

Risingmaster

I recently came across Park Howell's excellent podcast. I love how he weaves in his personal stories with the interviews of his guests. If you are involved with sales or marketing for your business definitely check out this show.

RivetingFM

Dr. Paul Zak of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies joins The Business of Story this week to discuss the implications of the scientific proof that we are biologically wired for story.

Paul J Zak - instagram

Tear Jerker: The Moral Molecule and Storytelling

Dr. Paul J. Zak is a fascinating man. Not only did he discover the implications of the brain’s release of oxytocin and publish a book on it, “The Moral Molecule,” he also pioneered research in the field of neuroeconomy and works on storytelling with the Department of Defense to help them understand why stories are so persuasive.  
He is the director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies, and a Professor of Economics, Psychology, and Management at Claremont Graduate University.
Dr. Zak studies oxytocin, a molecule that our brains release when we engage in positive social interactions. It creates trust and connects us as social and emotional beings.
Oxytocin is incredibly important to storytelling because, as we know, stories change our behavior. When our brains encounter a good story, oxytocin is released, causing us to feel empathy. The empathy is what causes us to want to take action. People who have this experience are more likely to act on their emotions: purchasing a product, donating to a charity, etc.
For storytellers in the business world we need to “identify what the key factors are that motivate action after you [hear or see a good] story… If you think about story as a way to influence others, then you’ve got to think about having a really tight story.”
What are these equations and molecules and how can we harness them to exponentially increase our stories’ potentials? Listen now to find out!

In This Episode

  • Oxytocin, or the moral molecule, and its acute, chemical effect on the brain
  • What the neuroeconomy is, and how to apply it to your business
  • What you need to know as a business communicator to release oxytocin in your audience
  • Steps to build stories that have a distinct chemical effect on the brain and influence others
  • The ZEST score, and how to use this mathematical equation to predict your story’s success

Quotes From This Episode

“A spoonful of story helps the data go down.” —@ParkHowell 
“We think we write and speak well but we can all get better at that. You want to influence humans around you? These are the skills to acquire.” —@pauljzak
“When business leaders use story, little anecdotes around the data they’re trying to express, it ignites the subconscious.” —@ParkHowell
“I’ve got to think about more effective ways to influence people, to motivate them and storytelling is something that our brains just love.” —@pauljzak

Resources

Join the Social Pros LinkedIn Community

Join a community of real social pros doing social media on LinkedIn. Receive all the inspiration and ideas straight to your feed and add your thoughts to the conversation.

Follow Social Pros on LinkedIn

Subscribe to Social Pros Podcast

b2b influencer