People want to feel that they can trust you, and the quickest way you can build that trust is through storytelling.
In addition, people are yearning for a real connection.
Understanding this is an opportunity for you and a chance to empower people through your personal and business...
I just burned mine in the harbor.
In 1519, Hernán Cortés destroyed all his ships to send a clear message to his soldiers…
THERE IS NO TURNING BACK!
I, too, just burned my ship.
Recently, I was offered the largest contract I could have ever thought possible in...
*MLK, Jr. was born in this house on Jan 15th, 1929
Before my son, Elliot, turned 6-years-old, I had him listen to all of MLK’s speeches. I told Elliot, “If you can become a great orator, you can change the world.” This doesn’t just go for my son but for all of us....
Ever have that moment when a friend pitches an idea, and you think, "Wait...what? You really want me to do this?"
That was me 3 years ago.
“Scott, are you sure about this?” I asked, trying not to look too doubtful. "There are soooo many podcasts out there already! Is this...
The speaker's vulnerability, storytelling, and authenticity quickly earned a spot as one of the best TEDx talks I've ever listened to.
That is why I’m so excited to share this podcast episode with you. My guest, Mike Thorne, is the speaker in that TEDx talk!
Mike...
...inside and outside of your company—employees and customers—to unite around a common purpose.
It tells employees that their actions contribute to the well-being of a broader mission.
It tells clients that they contribute to a movement whenever they interact with you.
...impersonal, faceless institution that only cares about your bottom line?!
No way.
You want people to be endeared to your mission, don't you? If so, you have to build a company culture of storytelling.
By defining your mission as a human-first story, you give your brand a...
SHOW NOTES:
SUMMARY: In this episode, Eric Curtis and Matt Zaun talk about Eric’s adoption story and how climbing a physical mountain led him to climb another kind of mountain.
ERIC CURTIS: Eric is the CEO and Managing Partner at Curtis Strategy.
For more info on Eric:
LinkedIn
Website
MATT ZAUN:...
Not the neck pain but the moments leading up to it.
Those seconds right before you hit another car feel like minutes.
It's almost as if time slows down.
Sometimes, in those split seconds, we have time to think.
I remember asking myself, ”did I care for my family enough?...
It was one of the best cheeseburgers I've ever had, too.
“Wait, what?!” you say. I thought this was the company that says, Eat Mor Chikin?!”
Yup. Well, they used to serve burgers, and the one that started it all (in Hapeville, GA) still does.
What's wild about this to...
…a mental palate cleanser.
Switching between different projects can be mentally exhausting, especially when each one requires a different mindset.
Amy Lynch, a seasoned ghostwriter and founder of Fernling Creative, shared a fascinating technique in our latest podcast...
SHOW NOTES:
SERIES: This podcast episode is part of a book-writing series with Amy Lynch on the Stories With Traction Podcast.
SUMMARY: In this episode, Amy Lynch and Matt Zaun discuss systems and creativity in book writing.
AMY LYNCH BIO: Amy is the founder and a writer at Fernling Creative, a...
My speaking calendar is already 50% booked for 2025.
As of this moment, I only have availability to add 20 more Powerfully Persuade Through Storytelling workshops next year.
If your organization is interested in learning strategies to inspire your team, persuade your clients, and create a...
6 years ago, I was sitting motionless, blankly staring off into the distance.
I had hit rock bottom in my career.
Everything I had worked so hard for fell right between my fingers, and it was all gone.
My wife came and sat down next to me and gave me an incredible smile, only like she could...
5 years ago, I was on the way to an important meeting...
The goal was simple, drop my 5-year-old-off at school, and get to the meeting as quickly as possible!
If I didn't hit traffic, I would make it just in time.
My son said, ”I’m not feeling well, Dad - ahhh!”
He projectile...
Even if you've never told a compelling story in your life, you can become a great storyteller! With a little effort and practice, your storytelling skills will improve, and people will be drawn to your words.
Four storytelling recommendations:
1. Ensure that your presence is prominent
You...
Excited to go to Anchorage, Alaska!
Looking forward to conducting my strategic storytelling workshop there and showing business leaders how to utilize a Storybank to inspire their teams.
The next few days are going to be awesome!
I love how passionate Skamania County is about Bigfoot.
Plus, it’s been a huge boon to the economy there.
They literally sell anything and everything with Bigfoot on it.
Have you embraced what your area is obsessed with?
This could be a specific food, sports team, or...
A huge thank you to Matthew Scura for having me on and for the engaging conversation.
We delved deep into how storytelling can be a powerful tool for building stronger relationships, creating a greater impact, and enhancing engagement in business.
If you're interested in...
Everyone in our group sat down at the Blackjack table.
One of my friends, who was playing Blackjack for the first time, won a ton of money.
While getting up from the table, the gentleman next to me said, “that's the worst thing that could happen to a rookie gambler.”
“What do you...
At the time, it was a huge risk.
I made the decision while staring at El Capitan (in Yosemite) with my wife.
For those of you who aren't aware, a climber named Alex Honnold free-soloed the mountain, meaning he climbed without any ropes.
He was asked why in the world he would do such a...
I remember my Dad telling me that when I was growing up because I was reading a lot of newspapers and magazines.
His point was to read more material (like novels and non-fiction), where the author put more time and energy into writing.
Social media is even lower-level writing than newspapers.
You...
...formed from an inspirational story that Howard Schultz continually shared early on in his career.
He would often tell team members of his significant financial struggles growing up and how challenging it was for him.
These stories empowered the company to do everything they could to...
SHOW NOTES:
SUMMARY: In this episode, Stephanie Crowe and Matt Zaun talk about growing your leadership skills.
STEPHANIE CROWE BIO: Stephanie is the CEO of Learn.net. She is also a Best-Selling Author and Speaker.
For more info on Stephanie:
LinkedIn
Website
MATT ZAUN BIO: Matt is an award-winning...
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