logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2024
1h 48m

Shaan Puri: 3 Principles to Master Story...

David Perell
About this episode

Every year, 25 million people download Shaan’s podcast. Sure, he’s a brilliant entrepreneur, investor, and writer, but there’s one skill in particular that keeps Shaan’s audience coming back for more: storytelling. 


And not the kind of storytelling that feels like an IQ contest. (I know you know what I mean.) Shaan tells stories that burst with aliveness, that make readers laugh out loud with joy or fall silent with understanding. And as a result, he’s built more than just a following; he’s built a fandom. 


In this episode, Shaan reveals every framework he knows for telling stories so well they make your reader go, “Wait, how did they do that?”. And I mean, every framework. You won’t find this in the ole’ self-help aisle. Plus, he shows you exactly how to do it. We deconstruct everything from popular movies to business origin stories to viral Twitter threads. 


Stories are the #1 way to grab readers’ attention, get them to like you, and ultimately, turn them into fans. And this episode is a masterclass on how to do it.


WRITE OF PASSAGE: 

Website & Newsletter: https://www.shaanpuri.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShaanVP

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaanpuri


WRITE OF PASSAGE: 

Want to learn more about the next class Write of Passage?

Click here: https://writeofpassage.com/


PODCAST LINKS: 

Website: https://writeofpassage.school/how-i-write/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel/videos

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Aug 20
John Lennox: AI, God & Writing | How I Write
I interviewed John Lennox, the Oxford mathematician who's spent decades bridging science and faith. We talked about why John 1:1 reveals we live in a word-based universe, how to recognize God-breathed scripture, why scientific explanations don't exclude God, and his fascinating t ... Show More
1 h
Aug 13
Henrik Karlsson: One of the world’s most under-rated writers | How I Write
I interviewed Henrik Karlsson, a writer who's developed a five-step method for writing that starts with exploring without pressure and ends with crafting the opening last, after everything else is done. We talked about why looking away from the page improves your writing, how to ... Show More
1h 31m
Aug 6
Jayne Anne Phillips: Learn Storytelling from a Pulitzer Winner | How I Write
I interviewed Jayne Anne Phillips, who won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for her novel Night Watch. We dug into passages from her writing that will show you how she thinks about voice, character, and the poetry of great writing. As you listen, I want you to notice something: pay ... Show More
51m 15s
Recommended Episodes
May 2024
Next Level Storytelling Skills
Not all great stories are told by speakers but all great speakers tell stories. This is the secret to why some speakers have you hanging on their every word and chomping at the bit to take some form of action. The key here though is to not just tell any old story but to tell stor ... Show More
24m 33s
Nov 2024
171. Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 2
Make your audience a part of the story.Great storytellers don't just relay information — they create experiences. As magicians, TikTok influencers, and stand-up comedians, these masters of engagement know that true connection happens when you make your audience a part of the stor ... Show More
20m 16s
Aug 2
The 3 Stories You Must Tell to Build Your Brand | Ep 368
We all know we should tell better stories—but how do you do it when you’re creating business content, not writing a novel? In this solo episode, Chris Do breaks down the YOU + POV framework for storytelling, showing creators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders how to share storie ... Show More
13m 44s
Jan 2025
Magazine | How To Write Authentic and Diverse Characters
Have you ever wondered what makes some characters leap off the page while others fall flat? In this episode, we explore the art of creating authentic and diverse characters that resonate with readers. From building layered personalities to writing dialogue that truly fits, we’ll ... Show More
5m 1s
Nov 2024
168. How Story Can Change Everything in Your Career
Make your message memorable.“Immediately forgettable” — that’s how Matthew Dicks describes most of the business communication that he encounters. If you want to be remembered, he says, it’s time to tell stories.A veteran elementary school teacher, storytelling coach, and best-sel ... Show More
24m 48s
Mar 2023
The Culture Code: Secrets of Highly Successful Groups - Daniel Coyle
Teamwork is renowned for being the key to success. The practicalities of making it happen to rely on building a brilliant culture. But what does that mean?This book breaks down some memorable and thought-provoking examples leading to some actionable lessons.In our view, it is a p ... Show More
35m 44s
Sep 2024
#202 Matthew Dicks: The Storytelling Expert
Master storyteller Matthew Dicks unveils the hidden blueprint behind stories that win million-dollar deals, transform resistant teams, and turn skeptical investors into champions. Learn why most leaders tell stories that fail, and discover the counterintuitive techniques that mak ... Show More
2h 4m