Digital Mythology
Welcome to the Digital Mythology Podcast, hosted by Declan Goodman. This podcast explores the powerful intersection of ancient mythology and modern digital transformation. With over two decades of experience in IT, Declan is on a mission to fill a crucial gap in the tech world—how to effectively tell the digital transformation story to non-technical stakeholders.
Every organization invests heavily in technology, but the true challenge lies in winning the hearts and minds of those who are crucial to the success of these initiatives. Through storytelling, metaphors, and emotional connection, Declan demonstrates how ancient myths and belief systems can be leveraged to simplify complex digital concepts and drive business success.
In each episode, Declan introduces his unique storytelling framework, built on three pillars:
- Xin (Heart-Mind) – How to connect emotionally and intellectually with stakeholders.
- Metaphor – Using simple, relatable comparisons to explain complex tech concepts.
- Catalyst – Sparking passion and action within your organization to push digital projects forward.
Through guest interviews, practical tips, and personal anecdotes, Declan helps you craft a compelling narrative around your digital transformation journey. Whether you're a tech leader, a business strategist, or simply curious about how stories shape the world of digital innovation, this podcast provides insights to help you succeed.
Join Declan as he helps you bridge the gap between technology and humanity, making your digital transformation not just a technical upgrade, but a story that resonates and inspires action.
Key Topics:
- Storytelling in digital transformation
- Engaging non-technical stakeholders
- Metaphors and emotional connections in IT
- Creating business buy-in for tech initiatives
- Lessons from ancient mythology for modern tech leaders
Tune in and discover how to turn your digital projects into compelling stories that captivate, engage, and inspire!
Digital Mythology
Digital Mythology Podcast – Episode 3: "The Power of Metaphors in Digital Storytelling"
🔍 Episode Synopsis:
In this insightful episode, Declan Goodman explores the second pillar of the Digital Mythology storytelling framework: metaphors. Building on the foundation of the first pillar, Xin (the heartfelt narrative), Declan emphasizes the critical role of metaphors in bridging the gap between complex technical language and stakeholder understanding. With engaging examples—from ancient parables to surfing metaphors—he demonstrates how metaphors can transform digital transformation conversations into relatable, memorable stories that foster alignment and buy-in across an organization. Whether you're leading a digital initiative or trying to gain executive support, this episode provides practical tools to help you communicate with impact.
🧩 Episode Breakdown:
00:00 – 01:20
Introduction & Context
Declan reintroduces the podcast and sets the stage by revisiting the storytelling framework, with a focus on the second pillar: metaphors.
01:21 – 04:30
Why Metaphors Matter in Tech
Declan explains why the digital industry, known for its jargon, needs metaphors more than most. Like engineering or architecture, digital systems are complex—and metaphors help translate that complexity into human terms.
04:31 – 07:50
Metaphors as Bridges
Metaphors serve as bridges between technical speak and business language. Declan positions them as the “middle” of the storytelling tree—linking emotion (Xin) with action (to be covered in future episodes).
07:51 – 11:10
Examples: The Blind Men and the Elephant
Declan uses the classic parable to illustrate how different perspectives in an organization can lead to misunderstanding—and how a single metaphor can align everyone around the bigger picture.
11:11 – 13:50
“What’s In It For Me?” & Surfing the Digital Wave
Tackling common resistance to change, Declan shares examples of metaphors that resonate with stakeholders—like planting seeds for future systems, or catching the right wave at the right time.
13:51 – 15:50
Metaphor Strategy: Match the Domain or Shift the Lens
Guidance on selecting metaphors tailored to stakeholder backgrounds—sometimes staying close to their area of expertise, other times deliberately shifting perspective to unlock new understanding.
15:51 – 17:00
Closing Thoughts & Call for Listener Metaphors
Declan recaps the value of metaphor as a communication tool and invites listeners to share their own culturally diverse metaphorical approaches to digital transformation.
🎧 Perfect for:
Digital leaders, transformation professionals, tech communicators, and anyone looking to engage stakeholders through the art of storytelling.
As you embark on your digital transformation journey, remember that success isn't just about the tools or technology—it's about how well you can tell your story. By leveraging the timeless power of mythology, storytelling, and emotional connection, you can engage stakeholders, win buy-in, and inspire action. The Digital Mythology Podcast is here to help you bridge the gap between complex tech and human understanding, transforming your digital efforts into a narrative that truly resonates.
Join host Declan Goodman as he guides you through this journey, one story at a time.