In Storytelling, Marketing, and Leadership, Connection Is Everything
- Alison Nissen
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
We’ve all had moments where someone’s story made us stop, listen, and feel—because in it, we saw ourselves. That kind of connection doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of intentional storytelling.
One powerful tool to create that connection is using the Epiphany Bridge to meet your audience where they are emotionally. The idea, popularized by Russell Brunson, creator of ClickFunnels, in his books DotCom Secrets and Expert Secrets, outlines a systematic method for sharing personal stories that guide an audience toward a fresh perspective.
This viewpoint is what he refers to as their “epiphany.”
What Is the Epiphany Bridge?
The Epiphany Bridge is a storytelling technique that acknowledges the audience’s current state—frustrations, fears, questions, beliefs—before introducing new ideas or solutions. It says: “I see you. I’ve been where you are.” That connection creates trust and paves the way for transformation.
As entrepreneur and storytelling advocate Chris Slaydon puts it in a recent ABOVE CENTER® Leadership Podcast, “A good story needs to be truthful and very personal.” Slaydon, who has launched over 20 businesses, including Dealer Blue Sky, believes that storytelling isn't just about captivating an audience: it’s about being honest about your failures and breakthroughs. “The Epiphany Bridge,” he explains, “starts when you hit a problem you couldn’t solve, tried everything, and then finally discovered something that worked. That turning point is what others connect to.”
He describes storytelling as genetic, hardwired into us long before we could read or write: “Your kids don’t ask you to write them a story. They say, ‘Tell me a story.’” At its best, the Epiphany Bridge is not just a marketing device, it’s a leadership tool that unites people around a shared vision and lived truth.
When to Use It
Use the Epiphany Bridge when your audience may be skeptical, unsure, or resistant to change. It’s particularly beneficial when introducing a new idea, inviting people to take action, or sharing a story intended to inspire or challenge beliefs. Whenever your message asks the audience to shift their mindset or try something unfamiliar, the Epiphany Bridge helps you connect with them through understanding rather than instruction.
How to Use It
Start by identifying where your audience is emotionally—what they might be feeling, fearing, or questioning. Acknowledge that experience clearly and without judgment. Then, share a relatable moment from your own life that mirrors that state of mind. When you demonstrate that you've walked a similar path, you build credibility and emotional resonance. Finally, transition into your insight, lesson, or message—gently leading them from where they are to where you want them to go. The key is to connect first, then guide.
Why? People don’t respond to information—they respond to connection. An Epiphany Bridge softens resistance, builds rapport, and makes your message land with meaning. It turns audiences into allies.
In storytelling, marketing, and leadership, connection is everything.
Listen to the ABOVE CENTER® Leadership Podcast Episode with Chris Slaydon
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About the author: As the co-founder and Chief Storytelling Officer of Revel Coach, a career growth platform, Alison Nissen helps leaders perfect their business pitches and online presence through storytelling. Successful executives use key storytelling points to engage their audience and gain market share because they know good storytelling is the best form of marketing, recruiting, and fundraising. Write Your Book NOW! Mastermind enrolling now.
The Revel Coach™ Blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not mental health, financial, business or legal advice. The information presented here is not intended to diagnose, treat, heal, cure or prevent any medical, mental or emotional condition. The information presented here is not a guarantee that you will obtain any results or earn any money using our content.
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