In this episode, Brian and Jesse discuss why “outer boundaries'' matter in storytelling. Without taking the time to set boundaries in the first act, you miss out on an emotional bond with your audience—and you fail to create parameters for what’s believable in the story that follows.

In this episode of “Masters of the Craft,” Brian is joined by actor, writer, and filmmaker Paul Feig, who directed “Ghostbusters,” “A Simple Favor,” and “Last Christmas.” Paul shares how his experiences as a young comedian helped hone his craft—and why he believes in honest stories that entertain audiences responsibly.

In this episode, Brian and Jesse discuss what stories really are—and why we tell them. Because without a shared definition of story, we have no way of knowing if we’re doing it correctly—and risk sacrificing clarity in the process.

In this episode of “Masters of the Craft,” Brian is joined by screenwriter, actor, and comedian Carl Gottlieb, co-writer of “Jaws” and its first two sequels. Carl shares how “serving time in the improv trenches” made for better writing—and some secrets he learned in the writing room that helped him craft scripts that come alive.

In this episode, Brian and Jesse discuss how ego gets in the way of the real purpose of storytelling: to help people. When we’re rooted in ego, either because we want to be noticed or because we’re afraid of being vulnerable, we serve ourselves instead of others—and sabotage our message to boot.

In this episode of “Masters of the Craft,” Brian is joined by director and writer Ronnie del Carmen, who received an Academy Award nomination for best original screenplay on Pixar’s animated smash hit, “Inside Out.” Ronnie shares his journey as an artist and talks about the mystical—and often painful—processes creatives face to produce empathetic work that resonates across audiences.

In this episode, Brian is joined by visual development artist and illustrator Claire Keane, whose work is showcased in the beloved films Frozen, Wreck It Ralph, Tangled, and Enchanted. In addition to illustrating a number of children’s books, Claire is also the author and illustrator of the children’s books “Once Upon A Cloud” and “Little Big Girl.” Brian and Claire chat about the power of curiosity, how creatives develop consistent personal styles, and how she used her own experiences and...

In this episode, Brian and Jesse explore the cyclical nature of stories, and how the classics of yesterday are fodder for the new ideas of today. From “The Ugly Duckling” to “The Epic of Gilgamesh” and “Star Trek” to “Moby Dick,” ingesting stories that have stood the test of time will help you use those stories to navigate your life and to become a better storyteller.

In this episode, Brian is joined by director, producer, actor, and legendary puppeteer Frank Oz. Frank is known for performing such iconic characters as Yoda, Cookie Monster, Miss Piggy, and Grover, and for directing movies such as “The Indian in the Cupboard,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Death at a Funeral,” and the captivating off-Broadway one-man stage show, “In & Of Itself.”

Welcome to “Masters of the Craft,” a new conversational series with author and filmmaker Brian McDonald. In the first episode, Brian is joined by screenwriter and playwright Danny Rubin, best known for his work on the beloved movie “Groundhog Day” (1993). Danny talks about his journey to becoming a writer, how he honed his craft, and how he uses his experiences to teach others how to write in the entertainment industry.

In this episode, Brian and Jesse discuss the importance of consuming quality content as a storyteller—because in order to create something meaningful today, you have to have studied the work of master storytellers yesterday. We invite you to expand your palate and embark on the 30-Day Story Challenge, where you’ll watch hand-picked movies to help you and other committed storytellers hone their craft.

In this episode, Brian and Jesse talk about the civil unrest sparked by the killing of George Floyd, Brian’s personal experience in the entertainment industry as a black writer, and unpack how you can use what you have to make a difference and help change systemic racism, prejudice, and social injustice. Be sure to watch Brian’s award-winning film, “White Face.”

During any time of crisis, people search for answers and seek out resources that help them understand ways to cope. In this episode, Brian and Jesse delve deeper into the meaning of “survival information,” how it relates to stories of crises, and how these stories resonate with their listeners during difficult times.

In this episode of “You Are a Storyteller,” Brian and Jesse discuss Brian’s book, “The Golden Theme,” and how all stories share one big message: that we are all the same. “You Are a Storyteller” is produced in Seattle by Belief Agency. “The Golden Theme,” by Brian McDonald: https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Theme-Writing-Highest-Denominator/dp/0998534412/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1586812033&sr=8-1

On this week's episode of You Are A Storyteller, Brian McDonald and Jesse Bryan talk about what it means to be brave and how bravery can impact your stories. This program is produced in Seattle, WA by Belief Agency.

On this week's episode of You Are A Storyteller, Brian McDonald and Jesse Bryan talk about how the principles of story structure apply to all areas of life, not just screenwriting and filmmaking. This program is produced in Seattle, WA by Belief Agency Show notes/references: https://youtu.be/4yOjts0tpco https://vimeo.com/341942802 https://www.instagram.com/p/B5vXEY3gI2Z/

On this week's episode, Brian and Jesse discuss focus—specifically how it relates to each character in your story. This program is produced in Seattle, WA by Belief Agency

On this week's episode, Brian and Jesse discuss charged objects and how you can use them to make a deeper emotional connection with your audience. This program is produced in Seattle, WA by Belief Agency

On this week’s episode, Brian and Jesse discuss feedback and dive into questions like, "How do you give good feedback?" and "How do you sift through feedback you've received?". This program is produced in Seattle, WA by Belief Agency.

As a storyteller, how should you be measuring and defining success? On this week's episode, Brian and Jesse dive into what it truly means to succeed. You Are A Storyteller is produced in Seattle, WA by Belief Agency.

On this week's episode, we conclude our two-part series discussing Brian's influences and the importance of mentorship.

In the first of a special two-part series, Brian McDonald and Jesse Bryan talk about Brian's influences - who they are, what he learned from them, and what you can learn from them, too.

In this week's episode of You Are A Storyteller, Brian McDonald and Jesse Bryan talk about how to get unstuck. When you know how to get unstuck, you can avoid some of the stress and anxiety that comes from working under tight deadlines and deliver great stories on time.

Behind every moment of triumph, there’s a story of struggle. For Brian McDonald, that story has been 33 years—and a lot of struggle—in the making. In this week’s episode, Brian talks about the release of his new graphic novel, “Old Souls,” and the journey from first word to launch.

In this week’s episode, we discuss how understanding the power of simplicity allows you to make creative decisions that better serve your story. Belief Agency founder and executive creative director Jesse Bryan and chief storyteller Brian McDonald discuss the importance of simplicity in storytelling. Belief Agency is a full-service marketing and production agency in Seattle, WA. We build brands with conviction. Show notes: Brian’s Invisible Ink blog about simplicity:...