Marketing Made Simple

Why That Worked #23: Dadville—The New Rules of Being a Great Dad

Wed, 11 Jun 2025

Exciting news, Hero Makers! We’re sharing a new episode of Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.AI, with Donald Miller back in the host seat. This new show uncovers why certain ideas, brands, and strategies succeed—so you can think differently and apply those insights to your business and life.

We’re only sharing these episodes in the former Marketing Made Simple feed for a limited time! Catch them early every Monday by subscribing to the StoryBrand YouTube Channel or following Why That Worked wherever you listen to podcasts.

Now, enjoy this week’s episode of Why That Worked!

Dads often get a bad rap. In sitcoms, commercials, and even day-to-day culture, they’re typically cast as bumbling sidekicks or lovable oafs who mean well but don’t quite get it right. When that narrative takes root, it can be easy for fathers to shrug and settle for doing the bare minimum (especially when they get praise for just pushing a stroller down the street). But kids need more. And deep down, every dad knows he was made for more. So what does it look like to embrace fatherhood with purpose, presence, and even a little swagger?

In this special Father’s Day episode, Don and Kyle sit down with Dave Barnes and John McLaughlin, hosts of the hit podcast Dadville. Together, they explore the most important messages a father can send his kids. They break down why dad-messaging matters, what it looks like in the real world, and how even small changes in tone or presence can echo for generations. If you’re a dad, or want to be one, listen in for a refreshing take on what it really means to show up for your family.

Check out the Dadville Podcast HERE !

Unlock the power of a framework that works—the StoryBrand Framework at StoryBrand.ai. It's like having the world’s best copywriter create high-converting marketing whenever you need it. Start your free 7-day trial at StoryBrand.ai.

Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon or wherever you buy books!

Why That Worked #22: Seizing the Moment—Lessons from Nike’s Viral Scheffler Ad

Wed, 04 Jun 2025

Now, enjoy this week’s episode of Why That Worked!

Attention is the name of the game in today’s market. If you want to stand out, you need to move fast, think creatively, and tap into what your audience is already talking about. Whether it’s a funny meme, a strategic shoutout, or a well-timed post, the brands that win know how to seize the moment and jump into the spotlight. So how do you identify those moments and use them without sounding corny or out of touch?

In this week’s episode, Don and Kyle unpack the power of real-time marketing using Nike’s viral Scottie Scheffler post as a prime example. They contrast it with Skechers’ missed opportunity and break down how brands can mine attention, play off cultural angst, and create moments people can’t ignore. You’ll learn how to identify what your audience cares about, how to speak their language, and how to turn attention into action. Listen in to discover how to make your brand impossible to overlook.

Nike's "The Verdict Is In" Post from May 18th 2025 referenced in the show.

Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon or wherever you buy books!

Why That Worked #21: Slate—Why This $20K Truck Is Getting All the Attention

Wed, 28 May 2025

Now, enjoy this week’s episode of Why That Worked!

In crowded markets, being different isn’t enough. You have to communicate how you’re different. Too many businesses blend in because they focus on what the competition is doing instead of what customers actually care about. You might offer better pricing, better service, or a better product, but if you don’t say it clearly, it won’t matter. Messaging that stands out starts with understanding what your audience hates about the current options and then owning the opposite. The brands that win don’t just have better products. They have better words. So how do you find the message that sticks?

In this episode, Donald Miller and Kyle Reed unpack the viral product launch of Slate, a new affordable and customizable electric truck. They analyze the messaging strategy behind Slate’s viral launch video, and how the brand positioned itself against high-priced vehicles with a fun, customer-focused message. Listen in and learn how to build a controlling idea that creates clarity and focuses on what customers really want.

Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon or wherever you buy books!

Watch the Slate ad HERE for yourself.

Why That Worked #20: Snipd—What Your Brand Name is Really Saying to Customers

Wed, 21 May 2025

Now, enjoy this week’s episode of Why That Worked!

Coming up with a product name or tagline seems simple. Until you have to do it. You brainstorm, you debate, and you finally land on something… only to find yourself explaining it to people over and over. That’s the real test of a name: if you have to explain it, it’s not working. The truth is, your name or tagline is doing more heavy lifting than you realize. It’s your first impression, elevator pitch, and clearest hook all rolled into a few words. So why do some names work instantly while others fall flat? And how do you make sure yours is good?

In today’s episode, hosts Donald Miller and Kyle Reed break down the art and science of naming and tagline creation, using the podcast app Snipd as a case study. They explore how a name that sounds clever can still confuse your audience, and why instant clarity always beats creativity. You’ll hear a practical breakdown of how to avoid the “curse of knowledge,” how to test if your name really works, and what makes a tagline stick in someone’s brain. Listen in to discover the simple shifts that make your message irresistible.

Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon or wherever you buy books!

Why That Worked #19: Magic Spoon—How One Tagline Dethroned Sugar and Disrupted a $65B Industry

Wed, 14 May 2025

Now, enjoy this week’s episode of Why That Worked!

It’s not enough to have a great product. You have to position it so customers instantly understand the value. That’s what separates the brands that break through from the ones that disappear. Magic Spoon didn’t invent cereal, they just told a better story: one where protein replaces sugar, and taste isn’t sacrificed for health. And they did it with a smart tagline, a well-defined villain, and a brand voice that made people pay attention. So how can you sharpen your positioning to you stand out like they did?

In this episode, Don and Kyle break down the marketing genius behind Magic Spoon’s rise in a crowded cereal market and how it became a household name. From tackling the sugar-loaded bad-guys of the breakfast aisle to delivering a tagline that opens a story loop and closes the sale, Magic Spoon gives us a playbook worth copying. Tune in to learn how to identify your brand’s real enemy and position your product so it’s instantly understood.

Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon or wherever you buy books!