Storytelling Techniques: How to Make Your Stories Stick

Lesson#1: Listen. Watch. Learn. — The Art of Unforgettable Storytelling

The secret lies not just in what the story is about, but in how it’s told.

In our podcast and video lesson, you’ll explore three powerful storytelling techniques inspired by world-class actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Emily Blunt. These simple yet transformative methods — impersonation, building anticipation, and contrast — can help you turn even the most ordinary moments into stories that captivate and inspire.

Lesson#2: Storytelling Techniques: How to Make Your Stories Stick - Presented by Alexander Lyon

Click play to begin. Discover simple, powerful techniques to make every story memorable, meaningful, and impossible to forget.

Impersonation — “Become the Character” (Leonardo DiCaprio)

The first key to unforgettable storytelling is impersonation — stepping into the shoes of your characters rather than simply describing them.

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio demonstrates this brilliantly when he retells a story about an airplane engine explosion. Instead of summarizing what happened, he becomes the flight attendant and Russian passenger, mimicking their voices, expressions, and emotions.

How to Use Impersonation in Your Stories

Use Exact Words: Skip summaries. Instead of “My boss was angry,” say, “Phillip, what on earth was that?”
Change Your Voice: Match each character’s tone and rhythm.
Use Body Language: Small gestures and expressions make scenes real.

Don’t just describe the moment — perform it.

Building Anticipation — “Keep Them Waiting” (Sean Penn)

The second storytelling secret is building anticipation — creating curiosity and emotional tension that keeps your audience hanging on every word.

Actor Sean Penn does this masterfully in a story about his daughter’s first date. Instead of rushing to the point, he builds suspense with lines like:

“That was 16 years of waiting…”
“This was not her moment — it was mine.”
“I’m not going to let you go unless I get this moment.”

Each line raises questions in the listener’s mind: What’s going to happen next? What is this moment he’s waiting for?

How to Build Anticipation in Your Stories

Start with a Hook:
Open with a sentence that sparks curiosity.
“Two weeks ago, I had an encounter that completely changed my outlook on life.”
“Yesterday, I had probably the worst meeting of my career.”
Sprinkle Mini Hooks Throughout:
Add little surprises or mysterious details along the way.
“Just then, I heard a knock at the door.”
“Right at that moment, I saw something that stopped me cold.”

These “micro-moments” keep the listener invested from start to finish.

Takeaway: Make your audience want to know what happens next — and don’t give it away too soon.

Contrast — “Surprise Them” (Emily Blunt)

The third storytelling technique is contrast — setting up an expectation and then flipping it on its head.

Actress Emily Blunt uses this beautifully in her “wolf bear” story. She describes riding what sounds like a majestic, fierce creature — only to reveal that it was actually a “large green screen mound on a cart being pulled by a little green lizard.”

The result? Humor, surprise, and memorability.

How to Use Contrast in Your Stories

Set the Expectation:

Lead your audience toward a predictable outcome.
“I walked into my manager’s office, confident he was going to praise my work…”

Break the Expectation:
Then introduce a twist.
“…but instead, he looked at me and said, ‘I’m sorry — we need to let you go.’”

Simple Contrast Formula:
“I thought it would be X, but it turned out Y.”
“People expected X, but it was really Y.”

The bigger the gap between what’s expected and what actually happens, the stronger the emotional impact.

Takeaway: Surprise your audience. The unexpected makes stories unforgettable.

The Secret to Unforgettable Storytelling

You don’t need to be an actor or a professional speaker to tell great stories — you just need to tell them like you mean it.

By practicing these three techniques:

🎭 Impersonation — Act out the story, don’t just narrate it.
⏳ Anticipation — Keep your audience guessing and curious.
⚡ Contrast — Surprise them with the unexpected.

You’ll turn even the simplest everyday moments into stories people remember and repeat.

Storytelling isn’t about having the most dramatic experience — it’s about how vividly you share it.

So, the next time you tell a story, try using one of these techniques — and watch how your audience leans in.

Final Thought

Great storytelling isn’t just about what you say — it’s about how you make people feel. The techniques you’ve learned will help you craft stories that stay in your audience’s minds long after they’ve heard them. To deepen your understanding, watch the video lesson below. It breaks down the key elements of unforgettable storytelling and shows how to make your stories truly stick. Remember: when you tell a story with emotion, purpose, and authenticity, your message becomes impossible to forget.

Enroll for the Full Course

This section gives you just a taste of what you’ll learn in the full course. If you’re serious about creating stories that people remember — stories that move, inspire, and make a lasting impression — then it’s time to enroll in the full “Storytelling Techniques” course.

You’ll discover practical tools and proven methods to make your stories unforgettable — from structuring your narrative and building emotion to delivering your message with clarity and confidence.

View Full Course & Enrol