Business of Story

Don't Ever Waste a Heartbeat: How Open Heart Surgery Unlocked Rachel McCord's True Purpose What happens when the woman producing 19 shows, running a Hollywood media network, and appearing on national television is quietly fighting to stay alive? That's the story Rachel McCord tells in this raw, remarkable episode of the Business of Story. Meet Rachel McCord Rachel McCord is the founder of The McCord List, a Hollywood media network that produces McCordless Today — a daily talk show airing on network television and streaming on Roku, Apple TV, Samsung, and Amazon. She's the author of You Can't Heal Your Life, But I Know a Guy, and the co-founder of Viral Brand, a creator marketing company that has launched campaigns for some of the biggest films and TV shows in the world. But before any of that, Rachel was a girl who moved 33 times before she was 16, grew up in multiple trailer parks in Georgia, and began working 13-hour days at a pizzeria at age 13 — not because she had to, but because she was battling depression and didn't want to go home. What You'll Discover in This Episode The hidden cost of success nobody talks about. Rachel was running the education for the world's largest fashion trade show, building a seven-figure media network, and appearing on national television — while simultaneously fighting PTSD, suppressed childhood memories, suicidal depression, and a heart condition that was quietly marching her toward heart failure. How EMDR therapy unlocked a missing chapter of her life. A chance encounter with a therapist led Rachel to a session that recovered years of suppressed childhood memories in a single afternoon — memories she had blocked as a protective response to severe early trauma. The Jerusalem moment that changed everything. Two months before her EMDR breakthrough, Rachel stood in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and begged God to heal her broken heart — not knowing how much healing was still ahead. Open heart surgery at 32 — and the peace that surprised everyone. When Rachel was diagnosed with severe mitral valve prolapse and told she needed open heart surgery (a procedure one in five patients don't survive), she discovered something unexpected: she was ready. The two weeks before surgery became the catalyst for her book. The three-part framework from her book. Get real and honest about your life. Starve fear, feed faith. Do what you're here for. Rachel breaks down each principle and why self-help alone — no matter how many books you read — can't do what faith can. The StoryCycle Genie brand assessment. Park ran Rachel's brand through the StoryCycle Genie before the episode. Rachel shares what it validated, what gaps it revealed, and why she immediately started planning how to use it for her own show hosts. Resources Mentioned Rachel McCord: themccordlist.com Viral Brand social media analysis (free for listeners): themccordlist.com You Can't Heal Your Life, But I Know a Guy by Rachel McCord Free StoryCycle Genie brand assessment: storycyclegenie.ai EMDR therapy information: emdria.org Subscribe to the Business of Story Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and all major platforms. Join 5,000+ subscribers at businessofstory.com/newsletter.

Your audience doesn't understand your message first—they feel it. In today's noisy world, tone is the hidden ingredient that makes your brand story resonate, build trust, and spark a real connection. On this episode of the Business of Story, Park Howell welcomes Charly Tate, founder and Chief Kindling Officer at Kindling Works and host of the Tater Thoughts podcast. With over a decade in communications, storytelling, and marketing—and a background in music—Charly helps founders and business owners find clarity in chaos and connection through intentional, heartfelt storytelling. Listen in to discover: Why tone is the first thing your audience notices—even before your message How to uncover and express your authentic brand voice The biggest mistakes brands make with tone—and how to fix them for lasting impact Charly shares her journey from rebuilding after real estate to launching her consultancy, the lessons she learned from Queen, and actionable steps you can take to audit your own brand's tone. Ready to move from background noise to a story your audience can't forget? Tune in now and start making your brand truly resonate. Learn more about Charly at kindlingworks.com.

Unlocking predictable growth starts with one thing: message market match. In this episode, Park Howell welcomes Charles Gaudet—CEO of Predictable Profits, creator of The Predictable Profits Operating System™, and "The CEO Whisperer" (Yahoo Finance)—to reveal why so many founders get stuck working harder for less. You'll learn how to escape the founder's trap by aligning your brand story with the real needs of your market. Charles shares how to identify your true super consumer (and why most ICPs miss the mark), the data-driven secrets to effortless lead generation, and the frameworks that have helped his clients generate over $100 million in revenue. If you want to make marketing easier, scale beyond yourself, and build a business that thrives without your constant hustle, this episode is for you. Listen now and unlock your message market match.

Discover how to make your message truly heard with Dan Manning, former fighter pilot, speechwriter, and military diplomat turned professional storyteller. In this episode, Dan reveals his simple, repeatable "Before, Change, After, Meaning" framework that helps founders and executives communicate ideas that move people to action. Learn why understanding your audience's pain is the secret to engagement, how scenes—not just stories—create connection, and what military storytelling can teach you about clarity and impact. Dan's clients have raised millions in investment, sold millions in products, and landed dream jobs at Fortune 10 companies—all by using stories that stick. If you want actionable steps to clarify your message, inspire your audience, and drive real results, this episode is for you. Tune in to hear practical frameworks, high-stakes lessons, and storytelling secrets that will transform the way you communicate and lead.

Shamir Duverseau, founder of SmartPanda Labs and former marketing lead at Disney, Marriott, Southwest and NBCUniversal, focuses on turning clicks into customers. He discusses fixing post-click experiences, aligning marketing with IT, behavioral psychology behind lost conversions, a hierarchy of conversion needs, and practical research and persuasion tactics to boost digital conversions.

Lee Schneider, founder of Red Cup Agency, USC professor and veteran storyteller with TV and documentary credits. He explains why being specific lets your story reach the right people. Short, practical takes on origin, customer-use, and testimonial narratives. Tips on testing pitches, reading the room, and using workshops to sharpen what matters most.

Jeff Hyman, CEO of Recruiting Rockstars and author of Recruit Rockstars, brings decades of hiring experience. He explores using storytelling and the ABT framework to make job posts mission-driven. They talk about attracting missionaries not mercenaries, framing roles as meaningful and hard, using an external villain to unite teams, and how AI can scale employer storytelling.

Jen Perry, Executive Creative Director at Vagrants with 20+ years leading creative teams for brands like JetBlue and Dunkin', talks about turning “artificial intelligence” into “artful intelligence.” She explores keeping human emotional intelligence in storytelling. She covers audience-first creative processes, using AI as an augmentation tool, and practical ways to protect thoughtful, empathy-driven ideation.

Christopher Vogler, legendary story consultant and author of The Writer's Journey, explains how the Hero's Journey became a living blueprint for brands and creators. Short scenes cover wish as story energy, turning obstacles into opportunities, translating myth for film, and how stories heal, orient, and protect consumer love. Practical storytelling shapes for business and life are teased throughout.

Joe Pulizzi, a content marketing pioneer and founder of the Content Marketing Institute, discusses the urgent need for creators to build loyal audiences in the age of AI. He reveals that a staggering 99% of content is now influenced by AI, stressing that being known—not just famous—is vital. Joe shares his "vinyl strategy" to differentiate oneself in a sea of synthetic content and emphasizes the importance of owned channels like newsletters. He encourages a daily 30-minute AI practice and urges creators to find their unique tilt to ensure future relevance.