The Story Power Marketing Show How to Tell Authentic Stories That Grow Your Business (with Michael Hauge)
Mar 11, 2026
Michael Hauge, a Hollywood story consultant and author who teaches storytelling to writers and entrepreneurs. He recounts his Hollywood origin and pivots to marketing. He explains creating a “movie in the mind,” building empathy for the hero, prioritizing emotion over data, using a six-step story structure, and the power of showing aftermath to make transformation feel real.
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Childhood Popcorn Sparked A Hollywood Story Career
- Michael Hauge's popcorn-run childhood led him to love movies and want to make stories for a living.
- He moved to Hollywood, discovered story analysis, became a script reader, then a development executive and teacher at UCLA.
Hero's Two Journeys Led To Will Smith Connection
- Michael collaborated with Christopher Vogler to create The Hero's Two Journeys video combining Campbell's hero journey and deeper psychological transformation.
- That video circulated widely and led to high-profile attention, including Will Smith seeking his feedback.
Create A Movie In The Prospect's Mind
- Movie storytelling principles transfer directly to business: create a movie in the mind to transport the audience.
- Use a hero (client or prospect) to build empathy so listeners feel what the hero feels and participate emotionally.
