Gavin McMahon on The Power of Storytelling

About Gavin McMahon

Gavin McMahon builds things. Once, they were submarines, sports cars, and steel plants; massive, intricate systems built on logic and precision. But plans fall apart when people enter the equation. That realization led him from engineering to storytelling. Now, as CEO and co-founder of fassforward, Gavin helps companies shape strategy, leadership, and culture through the stories they tell. His new book, Story Business, captures a lifetime of learning about how great ideas move or die based on how they’re told.

Show Summary:

In this episode, Justin and Virginia reconnect with Justin’s old friend Gavin to talk about his new book, Story Business, and explore the craft and psychology of storytelling in a world drowning in content. In the conversation, they discuss why humans still fall for their own narratives, how propaganda and storytelling share the same tools, and why “the best idea” rarely wins. From ancient Assyrian tablets to PowerPoint decks, Gavin shows that storytelling has always been the way humans make sense of chaos. Together, they dive into emotion, neuroscience, leadership, and humor as the universal teacher.