START YOUR HERO'S QUEST

Harness the confidence and master storytelling with tools and strategies to Discover the hero inside, embarking on a journey few dare to take. 

Get David's PROVEN TACTICS TO Discover your own journey with personalized strategies to conquer fear and unlock your voice’s true power confidently.

Discover the Path to Your Hero's Legacy!

Stand Up! And Speak Mastering the Art of Confident Communication: The exclusive Course from David Ahearn that empowers storytellers and speakers to captivate and inspire on any stage or platform.

Summon Heroic Valor:

Master Your Hero's Tale:

Shape Your Legend's Journey:

Transform Anxiety into Heroic Presence:

One Year unlimited acces:

+ bonus Treasures: unlock your Hero's Journey

LIMITED BONUS #1: Hero's Connection

LISTEN, LAUGH, CONNECT

Step through Door #1 to begin your hero's journey with Listen, Laugh, Connect by David Ahearn. Master storytelling and speaking by embracing four essential components: listening intently, adding valuable insights, elevating interactions, and effortlessly injecting humor. Transform your narrative skills to forge meaningful connections and enhance your communication as you progress on your adventure."

 LIMITED BONUS #2: Essential Hero's Guide

21-Days to Saying "Yes" to Life Journal:

Pass through Door #3 on your hero's journey with '21 Days of Saying Yes to Life.' Crafted by David Ahearn, this transformative journal provides daily prompts to help you conquer fears and seize opportunities. Master this stage by transforming hesitation into action and embrace a future filled with joy and purpose.

TOTAL VALUE: $999

YOURS TODAY FOR ONLY 297!

Enroll in Stand Up! And Speak: Begin Your Hero's Journey Now!"

ENTER YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION
SHIPPING ADDRESS
PAYMENT INFO
ItemQuantityPrice
No products available

By clicking "Submit My Information" above you agree that David Ahearn may collect and use your email/phone number to discuss your account & share additional services or products via email, phone or text as set forth in our Privacy Policy, You also agree to our Terms & Conditions. Your data is 100% secured and will never be shared.

Stand Up! And Speak Mastering the Art of Confident Communication

Stand Up! And Speak Mastering the Art of Confident Communication is a transformative odyssey crafted to empower your voice in storytelling and public speaking.

Whether at a crossroads or seeking purpose, the Stand Up! And Speak course equips you with the tools and insights to begin a new adventure toward success.

David draws on years of experience and will guide you to embrace your Hero's Journey, sharing powerful insights to conquer fear and captivate your audience.

Follow David's Map to Your Epic Quest Stand Up! And Speak Mastering the Art of Confident Communication!"

Included in course:

• Video lessons

• Legendary PDF blueprints to shape your saga

• Embark on Your Hero's Path
Listen, Laugh, Connect Digital Guide

• Hero’s Expedition Journal: 21 Days to Embrace Life

• Explore Additional Legendary Bonuses: Featuring David's Best-selling book,
We'll Always Have Paris

What Do Others Have To Say About David's Life Changing Education?

Image

Bryan Bergjans-

SVP, Caliber Home Loans

"Before taking 'Stand Up! And Speak' with David Ahearn, I struggled to find my confidence as a speaker. Through David's insightful coaching and the Hero’s Journey framework, I discovered my voice and transformed into a more impactful leader. Now, I feel empowered and at ease in any speaking setting. This course is essential for anyone ready to embrace their own heroic path to communication mastery!"

Image

Sam Miller-

CRO, ECI Solutions

"David Ahearn's 'Stand Up! And Speak' course helped me discover my Hero's Journey, allowing me to find my voice and lead our team with newfound heroism. The skills gained transformed our communication, and the positive impact was swift and profound. If you're eager to elevate your team's leadership and storytelling, this course is essential!"

Joseph Campbell

Everyone Loves a Good Story: The Four Ws of Storytelling

September 09, 20253 min read

My daughter called me the other day from Austin, where she’s attending the University of Texas. She’s studying Radio, Television, and Film, and she had a project due. Her assignment? To direct a short film from a two-page script her professor had given her.

But here’s the catch: the script was intentionally vague. The characters were nameless, the genders undefined, the setting so nonspecific it could be anywhere in the world. An inciting incident had taken place, but the audience wasn’t told what it was. The challenge was clear: tell a story that isn’t fully on the page.

“Dad, I have no idea what to do with this script,” she said.

“It’s vague on purpose,” I told her. “You have to use your imagination and create something out of very little. We need to start with the Four Ws.”

Like most daughters, mine isn’t particularly impressed by her father’s professional experience. My lessons on storytelling have mostly fallen on deaf ears (parents, you get it…). But this time, she leaned in and asked:

“What are the Four Ws?”


The Four Ws of Storytelling

Who? What? Where? And most importantly, Why?

I explained to her that before she even thought about picking up a camera, she needed to answer these questions. Without them, the story would never come alive.

Who are the main characters?
Like Joseph Campbell taught us, we have to know who the hero is before we can care about their journey. What are their motivations, their flaws, their gifts? Who are we rooting for?

What has happened?
What incident forced the characters into this situation? What’s at stake if they fail to act? What do they stand to gain if they succeed? The “what” gives the story momentum.

Where does it take place?
Every story unfolds somewhere. And often, the setting is more than a backdrop—it’s another character. A location can create obstacles, set a mood, and shape the choices the characters make.

Why does it matter?
This is the heart of it all. Why is this journey important to the protagonist? What purpose is fulfilled if they embark on it? As Nietzsche said, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” The same is true for storytelling. Without a “why,” the audience won’t invest in the ride you want to take them on.


Beyond Film: The Stories We All Tell

I told my daughter: once you’ve done this deep dive—once you’ve uncovered the Who, What, Where, and Why—you’ll truly understand your story. And when you understand it, your audience will too. They’ll care. They’ll lean in.

But this lesson goes far beyond film.

Every story we tell—whether it’s in a book, a movie, a product pitch, or a speech—lives or dies by its “why.” Audiences don’t just want to know what you’re offering; they want to know why it matters. Find that, and your story has the power to unfold in ways that resonate, inspire, and endure.

Because in the end, everyone loves a good story… especially one with a purpose.

StorytellingJoseph CampbellDavid AhearnHero's JourneyStand Up! And Speakonline speaking course
blog author image

David Ahearn

David Ahearn is a comedian, author and host who travels around the world teaching the Art of Communication.

Back to Blog

© 2025 David Ahearn - All rights reserved