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One year ago I made a mistake (I'm doing it again today)

One year ago today I did something terrifying. Today I'm doing it again. Here's what I learned..."

Author

Stephen Stanberry
January 2nd, 2026

In partnership with

True story friend:

One year ago today, I'm sitting at my desk staring at the "Send" button...

My first Yellow Bite newsletter is queued up and ready to go.

And I'm absolutely frozen.

Because here's the thing...

I spent 5 years as a journalist (2012-2017).

I knew how to write. I knew how to tell stories. I knew how to dig for truth.

But newsletters?

That was a whole different beast.

I remember thinking: "What if nobody opens this? What if I have nothing worth saying? What if I'm just adding more noise?"

Either way...

I hit send.

And here we are. 365 days later. “nuff” newsletters. hundreds of you reading.

Wild, right?

But that's not even the crazy part.

Because today exactly one year after that first newsletter, I'm doing something that scares me even more:

I'm launching my first podcast episode with a guest.

And honestly?

I almost didn't do it.

Not because I didn't want to.

But because I kept overthinking the HELL out of it.

Should I script every question? Should I map out every story? Should I plan every transition?

And then it hit me...

I was making the same mistake I see everyone make with storytelling.

The mistake that kills credibility faster than anything else.

Want to know what it is?

Yeah?

Okay, but first...

Let me tell you about something that happened last week.

I'm on a call with a client.

Smart guy. Built a solid business. Knows his stuff.

He asks me: "Can you have this draft done by Friday?"

Simple question, right?

And I'm about to launch into this whole story about my system for managing deadlines...

How I learned time management juggling three stories at once in the newsroom...

How I have this color-coded calendar system that,

Then I stopped myself.

Because you know what he actually needed?

"Yes."

That's it.

One word.

He didn't need my life story. He didn't need my framework. He didn't need my origin tale about becoming organized.

He just needed to know if his project would be done on time.

And that's when I realized something...

Something most "storytelling experts" will never admit...

But it's the difference between someone who gets results and someone who just gets engagement.

Want to know what it is?

Here's the truth:

Sometimes the best thing you can do is STOP storytelling and just give people what they need.

I know, I know...

Coming from me the guy who's been preaching storytelling all year, that sounds crazy.

But here's what I learned in my years as a journalist:

Not every moment needs a story.

Sometimes people just need an answer.

And mastery? Real mastery?

It's knowing the difference.

Here's the rule I follow:

If I've got 15 minutes or more, and I want to be memorable and influential?

I tell a story.

But if someone just needs a clear, straightforward answer?

I skip the story and give them what they need.

Because here's what happens when you tell a story at the wrong time...

You look self-indulgent.

Like you care more about being interesting than being helpful.

And that's the fastest way to lose trust.

Now, back to the podcast...

For months, I kept thinking I needed this whole storytelling framework mapped out.

Every question scripted. Every story perfectly placed. Every moment engineered.

Then I remembered:

The best interviews I ever did as a journalist? They weren't scripted.

They were just two people talking about something that mattered.

Stories came up naturally. Moments were real. The conversation flowed.

So that's what I did.

Sat down with my guest. Hit record. And we just... talked.

No script. No manufactured moments. No trying to go viral.

Just a real conversation.

And it turned out better than anything I could've planned.

So here's what I want to know:

Which mistake are YOU making?

Are you telling stories when people just need answers?

Or are you giving quick answers when a story would make it stick?

Reply to this email and tell me which one.

See ya tomorrow...

Stephen

P.S. - One year ago, I didn't know if this newsletter would last a month. Today, I'm launching a podcast. Funny how the scariest decisions end up being the best ones.

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