Some branded company podcast topics are such good fits for inducing sympathy and emotional moments, that the magic comes from not going too far with easy, tear-jerker tropes, and finding the right calibrations for storytelling and brand goals.

Tell Me What Happened 

This is the podcast from car safety service OnStar and with production partner Pacific Content, which just returned for its fourth season. The first episode of season four is a great encapsulation of what they can do with the show. It tells the story of a harrowing rescue with injury, wilderness, and reunion all packaged together. The adventure is undoubtedly thrilling, and I liked that they didn’t put excessive drama into it through host Torah Kachur. The listener comes away with such a strong feeling of the power of human connection, exactly what the brand is looking for.