The best social sharing snippet from Jude in this interview… “That is why I believe your marketing is more than your portfolio, because you need to come from a different place. When clients are thinking about, why should I work with you? Versus any and every other option available to me, that question really boils down to why you, and that why you is more than just your portfolio. You have to dig deeper than that.”
In this episode, I talk with Jude Charles, a master storyteller dedicated to helping entrepreneurs tell their stories in powerful ways. Having worked with clients like Google and Steve Harvey, and author of the book Dramatic Demonstration, Jude reveals his approach to capturing real moment narratives beyond portfolios. We go through a live demonstration of his Story Bank Journal. A super easy way for business owners to find and tell impactful stories.
02:50 Marketing Beyond the Portfolio
07:20 Vulnerability in Storytelling
10:53 Capturing Real Life in Documentaries
18:46 Finding and Telling Your Stories
20:14 A Tool for Collecting Stories
21:19 Creating and Using the Story Bank Journal
21:45 Story Prompts to Spark Your Creativity
22:56 Seinfeld Moments
23:39 Transforming Stories into Lessons
23:51 Client Experiences with the Story Bank Journal
30:14 Importance of Client Testimonials
32:51 Using Stories to Communicate Value
34:38 Skydiving and Storytelling
37:46 Takeaway
Resources
Visit JudeCharles.co to contact Jude and to purchase his book and/or Story Book Journal.
Listen On Apple Podcasts
Listen on Spotify
Watch the Podcast or Read the Post Below
I had the privilege of sitting down with Jude Charles, a filmmaker, storytelling consultant, and the brilliant mind behind Dramatic Demonstration, his insightful book on the art of storytelling for entrepreneurs. Jude’s passion is helping business owners—especially those on the brink of redefining their brand—connect with their audiences in ways that go beyond just showcasing the final product. He’s worked with giants like Google and Steve Harvey, yet his mission remains focused — empowering entrepreneurs to tell authentic, deeply personal stories that resonate.
This interview is a masterclass on why every entrepreneur’s “why” matters far more than their “what,” and how putting yourself fully into your story can build trust and connection with your audience.
Why Your Story Is Bigger than Your Portfolio
One of the first insights Jude shared was that a portfolio only captures about 10% of the real story. For instance, interior designers might showcase their beautiful end results, but what resonates most with potential clients are the processes and challenges that led to those beautiful spaces. It’s this behind-the-scenes journey that reveals the character, passion, and persistence behind a brand. Jude explained how he encourages his clients to go beyond a polished highlight reel, sharing candid moments that reveal who they are not just as creators, but as people—something he calls a “dramatic demonstration of proof.”
Jude illustrated this with a story about an entrepreneur who was nervous to appear on camera due to his accent. Through a heart-to-heart conversation, Jude helped him shift his focus from worrying about his insecurities to thinking about the importance of showing up for his family and clients. The next day, the entrepreneur bravely stepped in front of the camera, allowing his real story to be shared. It’s this kind of realness and vulnerability that Jude believes makes marketing impactful.
It’s All About Core Values
Jude’s approach is rooted in helping entrepreneurs identify their core values and tell stories that align with them. He encourages clients to go beyond standard pitches and dig into what they stand for as individuals. For Jude, depth is key, a principle he calls “depth versus width.” This focus helps his clients identify stories that aren’t just entertaining but are also meaningful reflections of their values.
A key part of his process is something he calls “roadmapping,” a consulting session where he gathers clients’ stories and learns about their values, personal histories, and what drives them. It’s not about scripting; it’s about witnessing and capturing authenticity. As he puts it, he’s a “fly on the wall” when documenting these entrepreneurs, allowing their true selves to come through on camera.
Making Storytelling Accessible With a Story Bank Journal
One of the practical tools Jude created to help entrepreneurs find and refine their stories is the Story Bank Journal. This journal, available in both physical and digital formats, includes daily prompts designed to jog memories and tease out stories from life’s mundane moments. The prompts are wide-ranging, from asking about the origin of your career to recalling a specific time you felt proud. The goal is to break through that “storytelling paralysis” many of us feel, where we think we don’t have any meaningful stories to share.
I shared my own experience with his Story Bank Journal, explaining how one of the prompts helped me craft a story for my marketing—a story that I wouldn’t have thought of on my own. Jude’s journal made it easy to connect an everyday experience with a relatable business lesson, helping me communicate my approach in a fresh and memorable way.
Transforming Everyday Experiences into Lessons
What stood out most in our conversation was Jude’s ability to transform seemingly ordinary moments into powerful lessons. We talked about how sharing personal stories and relatable moments is key to connecting with clients who want to know more than just what you do; they want to understand why you do it. Jude emphasized that vulnerability in storytelling doesn’t mean sharing weaknesses—it’s about showing who you really are, strengths and all.
Jude shared a funny anecdote about an early morning flight experience that could have been lifted straight from a Seinfeld episode. But in his hands, it became a prompt for reflecting on life’s quirks, further proof that even the small, everyday annoyances can become teaching moments with the right perspective.
Storytelling is More than Just Marketing
Jude doesn’t just view storytelling as a marketing tactic; he sees it as a means of building courage, confidence, and clarity. For his clients, the experience of sharing their true selves on camera often has the surprising side effect of deepening their own self-understanding. Jude believes that the stories we tell, and the stories we choose to keep, reflect the unique qualities that set us apart. And when we lean into those stories, we attract clients who value not just what we do but who we are.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a creative, or someone simply looking to connect more authentically with others, Jude’s insights reveal that storytelling isn’t just about promotion. It’s about expression, authenticity, and forging deeper connections.
Ready to Discover Your Own Stories?
If you’re inspired by Jude’s approach and want to find your unique angle, consider starting with his Story Bank Journal. Scroll through your photos or reflect on a moment that impacted you recently—then, ask yourself, “What’s the lesson here?” Your story might resonate more than you think.
For more of Jude’s insights, visit his website JudeCharles.co to explore resources like his newsletter and the Story Bank Journal. I highly recommend checking it out if you’re ready to explore the depths of your own story.
And remember, as Jude so brilliantly put it: “Your portfolio might showcase what you do, but your story reveals who you are.”
