No Conflict, No Story

Randy Lane • September 19, 2012

by Randy Lane

“Without conflict, you don’t have a story. You have a reality show. A story begins with conflict.”   Writer Jeff Goins’ blog has several salient points on storytelling that apply to both your show and your life.


We strongly recommend that you start stories on-air by answering the question, “What’s at risk or what’s at stake?” If you can’t answer that question, you don’t have a story that will engage the audience and you don’t have a hook headline. Hook headlines are crucial to immediately engage listeners, and they always contain conflict. For example: “Tell me if this makes me a bad parent?”

Without conflict you may have an interesting observation but you don’t have a story that will stick with people or touch them emotionally. As Goins points out, “It all comes down to a moment. When Harry Potter finds out he’s a wizard. When Katniss steps in to die for her sister. That’s when a story really begins – when things start to get uncomfortable. Screenwriters call this catalytic moment an ‘inciting incident’.”

Inner conflicts or dilemmas almost always make us feel uncomfortable, yet bringing these types of personal stories to your show builds character depth. Chris Ebbott, PD Virgin/Toronto, echoed this point recently to the Virgin Breakfast Show, “If something in your life makes you feel uncomfortable then that’s probably something you want to talk about on the show.”

Every great radio show, TV show, movie, book, and comedy incorporates conflict. Most of the entertainment arises out of the conflict. So mine your personal life for stories that contain conflict and use hook headlines to engage people immediately. Your show will improve… and your friends won’t nod off during a story at your next dinner party.

Share this article

Recent Posts

By Randy Lane • September 29, 2026
When I start coaching a show, talents often say:“Nobody calls anymore.” Or: “Listeners in this market don’t call radio shows.” My response is, “That’s interesting, because several of our shows get more calls than they need.” The difference isn’t necessarily the market. It’s often how the show invites people into the conversation.  Airing callers and text […]
By Randy Lane • September 21, 2026
Jerry Seinfeld wrote every episode of Seinfeld longhand, on a yellow legal pad, with a blue Bic pen. He still writes that way. He’s said the flashing cursor on a screen makes him anxious, like it’s asking, “So, whaddaya got?” Why Start With Pen and Paper?Writing by hand slows you down just enough for ideas to […]
By Randy Lane • September 15, 2026
In the era of loud, fast-talking announcer DJs, my radio mentor, Todd Wallace, asked my fellow DJs and me, “Would you talk to your neighbor over the back fence like a pukey DJ or just in natural conversation?” Of course we all said we’d talk to them conversationally. Todd concluded, “Talk to listeners on air like […]
Show More