319. Open the Portal: The Simple Science Behind Impactful Storytelling

In this 24-minute episode, host Matt Abrahams speaks with behavioral scientist and former Disney Imagineer Troy Campbell about the psychology of storytelling. Campbell explains how causality is the foundation of narrative, turning everyday information into a story by using 'because.' He introduces the concept of 'portals' — short openings that prepare audiences for what's to come — and shares a simple Goal-Insight-Action structure for persuasive communication. The conversation provides practical techniques for making any message more relevant and memorable.