Brian Colburn: Crafting Stories That Resonate and Elevate Through Podcasting

From the Thriving Business Network Podcast: Listen to the Episode Here!

In this insightful episode of the Thriving Business Network Podcast, we sit down with Brian Colburn—a master of podcast production, a champion of storytelling, and the founder of a podcast production company that’s helping brands and individuals share their authentic voice with the world. With decades of experience in content creation and a deep love for audio storytelling, Brian teaches us why intentional storytelling beats information sharing every time—and how entrepreneurs can build brands that stick.

The Power of Story: Moving Beyond Information Dumping

Brian’s mission is simple yet profound: help people tell their stories. But not just any story—ones that connect, resonate, and live on in the hearts of listeners. Having worked with brands like 5.11 Tactical, Brian has helped companies shift their focus from product marketing to human storytelling.

"The difference between information telling and storytelling is: Do you want to be remembered?" Brian explains.

Instead of pitching products, Brian helps brands create emotional arcs that allow audiences to experience connection, pride, resilience, and transformation. His expertise lies in coaching businesses to lead with their humanity, not their sales pitch.

"Business information turned into story—that’s when the real power shines through," he shares.

The Architecture of a Great Story

Brian’s storytelling framework is rooted in planning. Every presentation, podcast, or YouTube video he works on begins with a single question:

"What do you want the listener or viewer to walk away feeling and remembering?"

From there, he crafts an emotional arc, using anecdotes, metaphors, and carefully curated narratives to keep the audience engaged. He even keeps a database of stories, struggles, wins, and lessons learned—ready to pull the right one into the conversation at the right moment.

"I maintain a database of stories. Storytelling is a muscle you need to work on regularly," Brian explains.

He also recommends podcast guests and hosts take improv classes or storytelling workshops to sharpen their performance skills and deliver more captivating content.

Building a Business that Serves Storytellers

Brian’s journey into podcasting wasn’t a straight line. From early experiments with web development to producing his first show in 2008, he gradually built a career around helping others amplify their voices.

His passion for building sustainable businesses is evident. Over time, he intentionally offloaded tasks he disliked, scaled his team—including disabled veteran contractors—and created a company that not only tells stories but also supports his lifestyle goals.

"I worked myself out of a job—and that’s exactly what I wanted. I built a business that could thrive without me doing everything," Brian shares.

Today, he balances production work with coaching and mentoring content creators to help them unlock the full potential of their shows.

Monetizing Podcasts Without Losing Your Soul

When it comes to monetization, Brian doesn’t play by conventional rules. He discourages creators from relying solely on programmatic ads, which often feel disconnected from the audience.

Instead, he advocates for building direct relationships with sponsors—hand-selecting partners whose values align with the podcast’s mission.

"Protect your audience first. The money will follow," Brian advises.

By pitching potential sponsors directly and maintaining full control over ad content, he’s helped shows grow into powerful platforms that honor both their listeners and their brand partnerships.

Reviving Feed Drops: Lifting Up Podcasters Everywhere

Brian is also revamping his podcast, Feed Drops, alongside his co-host Linz. Originally a podcast review show, Feed Drops is evolving into a platform where podcasters can submit episodes for professional review and scoring across ten categories, including content, editing, and audience value.

"If you score above 6.0, we’ll release it publicly. If not, you’ll get a private report to help you get better," Brian shares.

The goal is simple: uplift podcasters by providing constructive feedback in a supportive, non-destructive way.

"We want to lift podcasters up—not tear them down," he emphasizes.

Wisdom for Aspiring Podcasters

Brian’s advice for entrepreneurs and content creators thinking about launching a podcast is clear:

• Start with a mission and values statement. Know why you’re creating your show and what principles you’ll uphold.

• Plan, plan, plan. Outline your first 100 episodes if possible, build a content backlog, and set a realistic production schedule.

• Be transparent with your audience. If you can only post bi-weekly, say so. Protect the trust you’re building.

• Store everything. Keep copies of every episode, transcript, and asset—you never know what future technology will allow you to repurpose.

• Build relationships, not transactions. Your show grows with community and authentic engagement, not algorithms alone.

"Every episode should be a gift to your audience. Plan like it matters—because it does," Brian says.

Connect with Brian Colburn:

• Website: bcolburn.com

• Additional Links: Feed Drops | Digital Brew

• LinkedIn: Brian Colburn

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