You Are a Storyteller

In this conversational podcast, we explore the history, importance, and structure of stories—and why we tell them.

Why Simplicity Leads to Better Storytelling

Why Experienced Storytellers Tell Stories That Serve Others

Outer Boundaries

What Is a Story? (And Why Do We Tell Them?)

Denying the Ego

Good Stories Last Forever

Meet your hosts

Jesse Bryan

Executive Creative Director, CEO

As CEO, Jesse leads the Belief Agency team in telling true stories about brands big and small—from Fortune 500 companies to 100-year-old family businesses. With a background in filmmaking and art direction, Jesse is driven by telling stories that move people to action.

Brian McDonald

Partner, Chief Storyteller

Brian is an award-winning screenwriter, director, and producer who has worked in film, television, and comic books for more than 30 years. He has taught the fundamentals of storytelling at Disney, Pixar, Microsoft, and HBO.

“There are only a few scholars who seem to truly understand the vital function of storytelling in society and culture. Among them, none can communicate and apply it as clearly as Brian McDonald.”

Chris Oatley, arts educator

“Whoever said the best things in life are free must have been a time traveler alerting us about the You Are a Storyteller podcast. Listening makes me delightfully dizzy the way a good paradoxical experience should, as it delivers complex, master craft ideas in simple, accessible packages.”

Brook West, former student and fan of the show

“If you haven’t heard Brian and Jesse talk about armature, clone characters, charged objects, the golden theme, or using truth for storytelling, you’re missing out on the tools that will level you up to be a better artist, writer, filmmaker, animator, and storyteller.”

Sway Molina, fan of the show

“I hope viewers know what a gift this show is. This is a class taught by master storytellers on how to master storytelling. You won’t find this sort of knowledge anywhere else. These lessons are time-tested and hard-won, and they are asking for nothing in return—just better stories.”

Michael Raka, fan of the show

“There are only a few scholars who seem to truly understand the vital function of storytelling in society and culture. Among them, none can communicate and apply it as clearly as Brian McDonald.”

Chris Oatley | arts educator

Masters of the Craft

This interview series from You Are a Storyteller tells the stories of—and shares advice from—some of today's greatest storytellers.

Glen Keane on the Value of Childlike Discovery

Kira Lehtomaki on Using Fear to Tell Better Stories

Carl Gottlieb on Crafting Scripts That Come Alive

Charles Johnson on “Digging Deep” Into Your Craft

Derek DelGaudio on Sharing Humanity Through Story

Paul Feig on Directing with Authenticity