You Are a Storyteller

Ever wonder why some stories stick with you for years while others fade by the time the credits roll? That’s the kind of curiosity that drives You Are a Storyteller, a conversation from the Belief Agency. Here, founder and executive creative director Jesse Bryan teams up with chief storyteller Brian McDonald to pull back the curtain on narrative craft. They’re less interested in rigid rules and more focused on the fundamental elements that give a story its soul and staying power. Each episode feels like sitting in on a lively, insightful workshop where classic films become case studies, dissected to reveal the mechanics of their magic. You’ll hear them unpack the nuance of structure, debate the critical role of a story’s central idea or armature, and explore concepts like outer boundaries and the dark night of the soul-jargon that quickly becomes clear and useful through their discussions. It’s a deep dive into the why behind the what you see on screen. Whether you’re a filmmaker, a writer, or simply someone who loves getting lost in a great movie, this podcast offers a fresh lens on the stories we all consume and the ones you might be trying to tell yourself. The tone is conversational and generous, rooted in a genuine passion for the craft that makes the complexities of storytelling accessible to anyone who listens.