​

​

Hello Reader,

Why Stories Stick & How to Make Yours Unforgettable

Sometimes you meet someone and five minutes later you can’t remember their name… but you do remember the story they told about their dog stealing a rotisserie chicken off the counter?

Yeah. That’s not just you. That’s your brain doing what it was built to do.

The truth is, humans are wired for stories. We’ve been telling them for over 30,000 years, way before TikTok, Instagram, or even writing. Stories are how we’ve always connected, taught lessons, and, quite literally, stayed alive.

The Science-y Bit (That I Find Fascinating)

When you hear a boring fact like, “I’m 24 years old,” your brain gives it a polite little blip. The language part of your brain flickers, the comprehension part nods along… and then poof, it’s gone in ten minutes.

But tell a story? Whole other situation.

Your sensory cortex lights up when you describe the smooth feel of a coffee mug. Your motor cortex kicks in when you talk about running for your life (even from an imaginary bear). Your emotional centers fire when you share heartbreak, triumph, or the kind of tension that makes people lean in.

Our brain doesn’t just hear a story, it becomes the story.

And here’s the kicker…

Your Brain Starts to Sync with Theirs

This part blew my mind when I learned it. When you tell a story, your listener’s brainwaves can literally sync with yours. It’s called neural coupling. Researchers have proven it, your brains start firing in the same patterns, like you’re tuned into the same radio station.

When that happens?

• Connection deepens
• Comprehension skyrockets
• Trust is built without you begging for it

No bullet-point list, no “three easy steps,” no algorithm hack can do that for you.

Why This Matters for Your Business

If you’re a coach, service provider, or expert… your audience isn’t buying you because of your credentials. They’re buying because they feel something when you show up.

A great story can:

• Make them trust you before they even book a call
• Turn a casual follower into a committed client
• Keep you in their head long after they’ve logged off

If you’re wondering why your content isn’t hitting? You’re posting, but nothing’s sticking, it might be because you’re leading with facts instead of stories.

The Sticky Story Formula

Want your stories to land? Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

1. Make it sensory – Add details your audience can see, hear, touch, or feel.
2. Add movement – Even small actions light up the brain.
3. Tap into emotion – Share the wins, the fears, the messy middle.
4. Wrap your message inside the story – Let the takeaway emerge naturally.

When you do this, you’re not just talking at your audience, you’re syncing brains, building trust, and giving them something they’ll actually remember.

And in a world full of noise, being unforgettable is your best marketing strategy.

So… what story will you tell today?

Based on an episode of my new podcast, The Story Lab! Catch episode 5 here!

​

Keep Creating,

Jonathan