Shaking Up Storytelling Formulas

Reporting on complex, abstract topics like Nobel Prize-winning contract theory requires breaking rigid production formulas to avoid dull storytelling. The Planet Money team overcame this challenge by adopting Brian Eno’s "Oblique Strategies," a deck of cards featuring cryptic creative prompts designed to force unconventional thinking. By committing to these arbitrary instructions—such as "breathe more deeply" or "not building a wall, making a brick"—the producers introduced spontaneity into their workflow, including live, unscripted guitar accompaniment during segments. This experiment shifted the team away from their standard narrative structure, allowing them to rediscover creative joy and produce a more engaging, reflective piece. Ultimately, the process demonstrates that injecting randomness into professional routines serves as a vital tool for veteran storytellers to escape creative ruts and approach familiar subjects with renewed curiosity.