Storytelling in a Small Town

What We Learned About Storytelling (and What's Next)

It’s the Season 2 finale of Storytelling in a Small Town—and Trent and AJ are back together to recap what this season was really about: helping small business owners tell better stories, build trust, and show up more intentionally in their marketing. They look back on the themes that kept coming up all season, including origin stories, authenticity, choosing the right spokesperson, and letting customers become advocates. They also revisit one of the most talked-about topics: how they’re using AI tools differently (and how those tools can take real work off your plate—like transcripts, show notes, and planning). From there, the conversation shifts into what’s next. Trent shares what he’s building in the off-season—more classes and coaching around podcasting and storytelling—and why that matters in a tighter economy where people are watching their spending but still need to market smart. AJ shares upcoming projects (including commercial work and new creative films), and they tease a Season 3 direction that’s more interactive, more demonstrative, and more community-driven—including guests, listener questions, and new storytelling formats. Plus: Trent gives a quick shoutout to the Snohomish Podcast Network [https://www.snohomishpodcasts.com/]—a growing hub for local voices and local stories. If you’re looking for more community-driven conversations, creative projects, and small-town storytelling, explore the other shows on the network and find a few that fit your interests. Call to action: Listen to the other podcasts on the Snohomish Podcast Networ [https://www.snohomishpodcasts.com/]k, share your favorite episode of Storytelling in a Small Town, and send in questions or topic ideas you’d love to hear in Season 3.

Should You Start a Podcast? (A Small Business Guide Before You Hit Record)

Should you start a podcast for your small business or organization, or is it going to become one more project that never gets off the ground? In this episode of Storytelling in a Small Town, Trent and AJ share a practical, no-fluff guide to starting a podcast the right way by focusing on what matters most before you record your first episode. They break down the question they hear all the time: "Should I do a podcast?" and explain why the answer depends on your podcast goals, marketing, branding, community connection, thought leadership, or building trust with future customers. You'll also hear how podcasting can go far beyond the standard interview format, and how choosing the right style and tone helps your show stand out (especially if you're creating a local podcast). Trent and AJ also cover the real-world planning that helps creators stay consistent: whether you have the time or budget to produce quality, how to choose a release schedule, why recording multiple episodes ahead prevents burnout, and how to promote your podcast so people actually find it on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. If you're researching how to start a podcast, how to market a podcast, or how to use podcasting to grow a business, this episode will help you build a strong foundation, and make your show worth pressing play on.

Podcast Guest Strategy for Small Business: Audience, Trust, and What to Ask First

Being a guest on someone else’s podcast can be one of the most effective (and most overlooked) ways to build trust, grow your network, and get your small business in front of the right people—without having to launch a show of your own. In this episode of Storytelling in a Small Town, Trent and AJ break down why guesting works, how to approach it strategically, and what to do so your appearance actually leads to real relationships and future customers. They talk through how to choose the right shows, how to pitch yourself in a way that’s helpful (not salesy), and how to prepare so you sound confident and clear on mic. You’ll also hear practical tips for showing up as a great guest: bringing stories and examples instead of generic talking points, keeping your message simple, and making it easy for listeners to take the next step with you. If you’ve ever wondered how to use podcasts as a marketing channel—especially when time and budget are tight—this episode will help you turn guest appearances into meaningful visibility, credibility, and momentum for your business.

DIY Video Editing for Small Business (Simple, Fast, Effective)

In this episode of Storytelling in a Small Town, Trent, Brian, and AJ tackle the part of content creation most small businesses skip: what to do after you hit record. They break down simple DIY editing moves that instantly make your videos feel more professional (without turning you into a full-time editor). You’ll hear practical advice on trimming dead space, avoiding the “millennial pause,” getting better feedback, and deciding when to polish vs. when to just post and learn. They also dig into how music, pacing, captions, and color subtly shape emotion—and why you don’t need to master all of it to start making better content. What You’ll Learn / Big Moments * The #1 DIY edit everyone should do: Trim the beginning and end so viewers don’t watch you hit record, adjust gear, or fumble * The “millennial pause” explained: Why millennials tend to hit record… pause… then start talking—and why Gen Z doesn’t * Tech habits shape content habits: Older tech trained people to “wait for it to catch up,” and it still shows up in our videos * Old film rules vs. social rules: Why starting on a black frame (film school) can hurt performance on social media * Sleep on your edit (when it matters): Coming back with fresh eyes helps you catch awkward cuts, framing issues, and timing * Get feedback the smart way: * Use a small group of trusted “early testers” * Ask for the type of feedback you want (sniff test vs. nitpicky final) * When to just post it: For short shelf-life social content, audience feedback can be your best teacher * Algorithm reality check: If no one sees it, you won’t get useful feedback—pair content with platform best practices * Editing choices that affect emotion: * Music sets tone and pace immediately * Pacing controls how fast information hits the viewer * Color temperature and filters can make content feel warm, safe, clinical, or dramatic * Captions are basically mandatory now: Auto-captions are easy—just quick-check spelling (or don’t, if you want “comment bait”) * The bigger takeaway: Don’t overthink it—have fun, trust your instincts, and keep experimenting

Behind-the-Scenes Content That Builds Trust (and Gets Views)

In this episode of Storytelling in a Small Town, Trent, Brian, and AJ break down why behind-the-scenes (BTS) content is one of the most effective (and easiest) ways for small businesses to build connection, credibility, and curiosity online. They talk about why BTS works psychologically (humans love suspense, learning, and realness), what kinds of BTS moments audiences actually care about, and simple ways to capture it without turning your day into a full production. From quick phone clips and boomerangs to time lapses and “first time trying this” experiments, you’ll walk away with practical ideas you can use immediately, even if you hate being on camera. What You’ll Learn / Big Moments * What BTS really means (and why it’s trending): Not the band. Business BTS = behind-the-scenes content that pulls back the curtain * Why BTS builds trust faster than polished ads: It “verifies you’re human” and makes your brand feel real * Two big reasons people watch BTS: * Entertainment + suspense (what’s going to happen next?) * Learning + curiosity (how is this made? what tools do they use?) * BTS vs. process videos: The crew realizes they’re basically the same thing, showing how the work gets done * A surprisingly sticky BTS hook: Watching someone struggle through an unboxing/assembly because you need to see how it ends * The “don’t filter for your audience” reminder: What feels mundane to you can be fascinating to someone who’s never seen your work * How to capture BTS without making it a big ordeal: * Quick phone clips, photos, or 3-second boomerangs * Set-and-forget phone tripod shots * Simple time lapses that show transformation * The best time lapse rule: Film moments with a clear before/afterblank slate → finished result * Framing tip that helps sales: Shoot wider than you think you needpeople notice the “small” details * Pro tip (AJ): Mix wide shots and tight detail shots to keep BTS videos visually interesting while staying consistent Creators & Guests * Brian Harmon [https://Storytellinginasmalltown.transistor.fm/people/brian-harmon] - Host * AJ Soto [https://Storytellinginasmalltown.transistor.fm/people/aj-soto] - Host * Trent DeVerter [https://Storytellinginasmalltown.transistor.fm/people/trent-deverter] - Producer