the genesis of a story…a problem
Have you ever noticed that the most powerful stories—the ones that stick with you, move you, and inspire you—always start with a problem? There’s a reason for that. I don’t mean to sound harsh, but if you don’t have stories it probably because you aren’t solving problems. If there’s no challenge, no struggle, no tension to overcome, then there’s nothing to tell. There’s no journey, no transformation, and ultimately, no story.
The Anatomy of a Story
When we talk about stories, especially in the context of video or digital content, it’s easy to confuse a story with a moment. A 30-second TikTok clip might be funny, clever, or even surprising, but does it really take you anywhere? Does it introduce you to someone you care about, show you what they’re up against, and let you witness their transformation? Most of the time, the answer is no.
A real story, the kind that lingers in your mind and tugs at your heart, is so much more than a fleeting moment. It’s a journey. It’s about meeting someone at a crossroads—someone facing a real problem. It’s about feeling their tension and uncertainty, and then following them as they find their way through it. That’s what makes us care. That’s what makes us remember.
Emotional Engagement: The Heart of Storytelling
If you want your video stories to be powerful, you have to do more than just show what happened. You have to make your audience feel it. That means giving them a chance to get to know the characters, to understand their struggles, and to root for their success. The audience needs to feel the weight of the problem, the frustration, the fear, and the hope. Only then can they truly celebrate the victory on the other side.
This emotional engagement doesn’t happen by accident. It’s crafted with intention. It’s about asking: Who is this person? What are they up against? What’s at stake for them? And who, or what, is going to help them get through it?
Every Business, Organization, and Nonprofit Needs to tell Stories
Here’s the good news: If you’re in the business of solving problems—whether you’re a company, a nonprofit, or even an individual—you already have stories. Every time you help someone move from a place of difficulty to a place of hope, you’re creating the raw material for a great story. Every challenge overcome, every obstacle faced, every life changed—these are the moments that matter.
But you have to tell these stories the right way. Don’t just talk about what you do or how you do it. Show the human side. Introduce us to the people whose lives you’ve touched. Let us feel their struggles and their triumphs. Make it personal, make it real, and make it matter.
Moving Beyond Moments to Meaning
It’s tempting to chase trends and quick hits, especially in a world obsessed with short-form content. But if you want to make a real impact—if you want your stories to be remembered—focus on the journey, not just the destination. Give your audience someone to care about, a problem to worry over, and a resolution to cheer for.
Because in the end, the only people who don’t have stories are the people who aren’t solving problems. And every time you help someone overcome a challenge, you’re not just changing their life—you’re creating a story worth telling.
So, the next time you sit down to tell a story—on video, in a blog, or anywhere else—start with the problem. Invite your audience into the tension. And then take them with you, all the way to the other side. That’s where the magic happens.
