Anecdotally Speaking

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Become a great business storyteller and build your repertoire of stories you can tell to engage, influence and inspire at work. Join Shawn Callahan and Mark Schenk from Anecdote as they share great stories to tell, why they work and when to tell them.

Shawn Callahan & Mark Schenk


    • May 26, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 21m AVG DURATION
    • 260 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Anecdotally Speaking

    251 – Starting an Airline with a Blackboard – Richard Branson

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2025 20:08


    Discover how a missed flight led to the creation of one of the world's most iconic airlines and what it teaches us about innovation and … The post 251 – Starting an Airline with a Blackboard – Richard Branson appeared first on Anecdote.

    250 – Barbie is Born – Ruth Handler

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 13:36


    In Episode 250 of Anecdotally Speaking, hear how Ruth Handler used a simple story to reframe scepticism and launch one of the world's most iconic … The post 250 – Barbie is Born – Ruth Handler appeared first on Anecdote.

    249 – Find the Torture You're Comfortable With – Jerry Seinfeld

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 17:47


    Discover how Jerry Seinfeld's process in finding comfort in the mundane can guide your path to excellence in your career and life. In Episode 249 … The post 249 – Find the Torture You're Comfortable With – Jerry Seinfeld appeared first on Anecdote.

    248 – Tuning into New Frequencies – Hedy Lamarr

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 16:30


    In Episode 248 of Anecdotally Speaking, discover how unexpected talents and hidden connections can spark world-changing innovation. Shawn shares an unexpected story set during World … The post 248 – Tuning into New Frequencies – Hedy Lamarr appeared first on Anecdote.

    247 – The Cure was Already Here – David Fajgenbaum

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 18:27


    In Episode 247 of Anecdotally Speaking, discover how moments of desperation can spark remarkable change and what businesses can learn from one man's race against … The post 247 – The Cure was Already Here – David Fajgenbaum appeared first on Anecdote.

    246 – The Value is in the Doing: Patrick Matthew

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 20:03


    Learn how Patrick Matthew's overlooked insight into the theory of evolution shows why execution, not just inspiration, drives real impact. In Episode 246 of Anecdotally … The post 246 – The Value is in the Doing: Patrick Matthew appeared first on Anecdote.

    245 – Doing the Human Thing: Joe Ingles

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025 9:33


    How a coach's unexpected decision showed the power of empathy, lifted a team, and reminded us that leadership is deeply human. In Episode 245 of … The post 245 – Doing the Human Thing: Joe Ingles appeared first on Anecdote.

    244 – Building Culture with Your Bare Hands: Jeff Bezos

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 16:54


    Discover how Jeff Bezos turned a DIY desk into a powerful symbol of frugality and a cornerstone of Amazon's culture. In Episode 244 of Anecdotally … The post 244 – Building Culture with Your Bare Hands: Jeff Bezos appeared first on Anecdote.

    243 – Trust Your Spider Senses: Stan Lee

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 19:44


    Listen to hear how Stan Lee's bold decision-making and trust in his instincts turned Spider-Man into a global icon, and what you can learn for … The post 243 – Trust Your Spider Senses: Stan Lee appeared first on Anecdote.

    242 – Who's Going to Bell the Cat?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 13:29


    Listen to hear a timeless fable, useful in business situations where great ideas face real-world challenges and execution matters. In Episode 242 of Anecdotally Speaking, … The post 242 – Who's Going to Bell the Cat? appeared first on Anecdote.

    241 – Turning Mistakes Into Magic: Miles Davies

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 20:07


    In Episode 241 of Anecdotally Speaking, discover how a wrong note became a moment of brilliance – and the lesson it holds. Mark shares a … The post 241 – Turning Mistakes Into Magic: Miles Davies appeared first on Anecdote.

    Episode 240 – Everyday Storytelling: The Secret to Better Communication

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2025 28:01


    In episode 240 of Anecdotally Speaking, Mark and Shawn give insight into everyday storytelling—what it is, why it's so important, and how it can be … The post Episode 240 – Everyday Storytelling: The Secret to Better Communication appeared first on Anecdote.

    239 – Patrick Cooley: How Stories Shape Leadership at Mars

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 38:55


    In Episode 239 of Anecdotally Speaking, Patrick Cooley, a business leader at Royal Canin, shares insights on leadership, resilience, and the role of storytelling in … The post 239 – Patrick Cooley: How Stories Shape Leadership at Mars appeared first on Anecdote.

    238 – When Incentives Backfire: The Great Hanoi Rat Hunt

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 12:07


    Discover how well-intended incentives can backfire through the story of the great Hanoi rat hunt – a lesson in unintended consequences. In Episode 238 of … The post 238 – When Incentives Backfire: The Great Hanoi Rat Hunt appeared first on Anecdote.

    237 – Play Your Own Game: Josh Waitzkin

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 17:13


    In Episode 237 of Anecdotally Speaking, discover why staying true to your strengths and being selective with what advice you take is key to long-term … The post 237 – Play Your Own Game: Josh Waitzkin appeared first on Anecdote.

    236 – Ignoring Expertise: The Vasa

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2025


    In Episode 236, hear the dramatic story of the Vasa, Sweden's ill-fated warship, and the lessons it holds for leadership, decision-making, and engineering. In this … The post 236 – Ignoring Expertise: The Vasa appeared first on Anecdote.

    235 – Price vs Value: Julius Caesar’s Ransom

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 12:04


    How Julius Caesar turned a kidnapping into a power move—and what it teaches us about sales, self-worth, and negotiation. In Episode 235 of Anecdotally Speaking, … The post 235 – Price vs Value: Julius Caesar's Ransom appeared first on Anecdote.

    234 – Paul Luxton: Storytelling and Authenticity in Leadership

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2025 39:08


    In Episode 234 of Anecdotally Speaking, Paul Luxton, Head of Asia for Syngenta, shares insights on leadership, cultural adaptability, and the power of storytelling. Paul … The post 234 – Paul Luxton: Storytelling and Authenticity in Leadership appeared first on Anecdote.

    233 – Sorry We Suck: Domino’s Pizza

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2025 17:03


    In Episode 233 of Anecdotally Speaking, learn how Domino's transformed their business by owning their flaws and taking bold action. Mark shares the remarkable story … The post 233 – Sorry We Suck: Domino's Pizza appeared first on Anecdote.

    232 – Humanity in the Trenches: The Christmas Truce of 1914

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2024 20:43


    Uncover the incredible true story of how Christmas spirit brought enemy soldiers together in No Man's Land during World War I in 1914. In the … The post 232 – Humanity in the Trenches: The Christmas Truce of 1914 appeared first on Anecdote.

    231 – A Parade to Billions: Bob Iger

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2024 17:38


    In Episode 231 of Anecdotally Speaking, discover how Bob Iger used a simple story to drive a billion-dollar turnaround at Disney. In Episode 231 of … The post 231 – A Parade to Billions: Bob Iger appeared first on Anecdote.

    230 – Purpose Drives Performance: Adam Grant

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 17:13


    In Episode 230 of Anecdotally Speaking discover how purpose and storytelling can skyrocket performance. In Episode 230 of Anecdotally Speaking, Shawn shares a research story … The post 230 – Purpose Drives Performance: Adam Grant appeared first on Anecdote.

    229 – Less is More: Edward Everett

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 25:33


    In Episode 229 of Anecdotally Speaking, explore how Edwards Everett and Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Addresses demonstrate the impact of concise communication. In Episode 229 of … The post 229 – Less is More: Edward Everett appeared first on Anecdote.

    228 – The Power and Peril of Storytelling: Orson Welles

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024


    In Episode 228, we examine Orson Welles' groundbreaking War of the Worlds broadcast and its lessons on innovation and the ethical complexities of storytelling. In … The post 228 – The Power and Peril of Storytelling: Orson Welles appeared first on Anecdote.

    227 – Too Good to Ignore: Cecilia Payne

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024 16:02


    Explore the story of Cecilia Payne, whose discovery reshaped our understanding of the universe—and what it teaches us about perseverance, recognition, and excellence. In Episode … The post 227 – Too Good to Ignore: Cecilia Payne appeared first on Anecdote.

    226 – Falconry and Fortitude: The Siege of Malta

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2024 26:36


    In this episode of Anecdotally Speaking, Shawn and Mark explore a gripping historical tale from Malta, highlighting lessons in resilience and ingenuity. In Episode 226 … The post 226 – Falconry and Fortitude: The Siege of Malta appeared first on Anecdote.

    225 – Shady Dealings in a Bright Industry: Phoebus Cartel

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2024 8:56


    In Episode 225 of Anecdotally Speaking, Mark explores why lightbulbs don't last forever and the implications of planned obsolescence. In Episode 225 of Anecdotally Speaking, … The post 225 – Shady Dealings in a Bright Industry: Phoebus Cartel appeared first on Anecdote.

    224 – Small Inventions Can Change the World: John Gates

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 19:35


    In Episode 224 of Anecdotally Speaking, discover how barbed wire transformed the American West and its business lessons on innovation. In Episode 224 of Anecdotally … The post 224 – Small Inventions Can Change the World: John Gates appeared first on Anecdote.

    223 – Shelley Beumont: Storytelling in Communications

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2024


    In Episode 223 of Anecdotally Speaking, listen to hear Shelley Beumont's insights into the field of communications, and why storytelling, connection, and authenticity are essential … The post 223 – Shelley Beumont: Storytelling in Communications appeared first on Anecdote.

    222 – Bridge to Nowhere

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2024 14:09


    In Episode 222 of Anecdotally Speaking, listen to hear a story that exemplifies why adaptability is one of the most important attributes of longevity. In … The post 222 – Bridge to Nowhere appeared first on Anecdote.

    221 – Accidentally Iconic: Paul Simon

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2024 16:01


    In Episode 221 of Anecdotally Speaking, discover the story behind the creation of one of Paul Simon's most iconic songs and explore the lessons in … The post 221 – Accidentally Iconic: Paul Simon appeared first on Anecdote.

    220 – Paul Fairweather: Storytelling and Creating Without Fear

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2024 49:10


    In Episode 220 Paul Fairweather joins Anecdotally Speaking to discuss all things storytelling and creativity in business and beyond. In Episode 220 of Anecdotally Speaking, … The post 220 – Paul Fairweather: Storytelling and Creating Without Fear appeared first on Anecdote.

    219 – The Art of Brewing Influence

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2024 12:35


    In Episode 219 of Anecdotally Speaking, learn how to change minds, build trust and influence others through your storytelling In Episode 219 of Anecdotally Speaking, … The post 219 – The Art of Brewing Influence appeared first on Anecdote.

    218 – Punching an Unconventional Path to Greatness – Vasyl Lomachenko

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2024 10:33


    In Episode 218 of Anecdotally Speaking, discover how boxing legend Vasyl Lomachenko's unconventional training shaped him into one of the greatest of all time, and … The post 218 – Punching an Unconventional Path to Greatness – Vasyl Lomachenko appeared first on Anecdote.

    217 – The Foundations of Royal Canin – Jean Cathary

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2024 10:56


    In Episode 217 of Anecdotally Speaking, listen to hear an exemplary foundation story and learn how to effectively use foundation stories in the sales process. … The post 217 – The Foundations of Royal Canin – Jean Cathary appeared first on Anecdote.

    216 – Challenge the Status Quo – Todd McFarlane

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2024 22:09


    In Episode 216 of Anecdotally Speaking, listen to hear how Todd McFarlane repopularised the Spider-Man comics by going against the status quo. In episode 216 … The post 216 – Challenge the Status Quo – Todd McFarlane appeared first on Anecdote.

    215 – Rising from Burnout – Simone Biles

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2024 21:19


    In Episode 215 of Anecdotally Speaking tune in to discover the remarkable journey of Simone Biles and the powerful lessons it offers on burnout and … The post 215 – Rising from Burnout – Simone Biles appeared first on Anecdote.

    214 – Jumping to New Ideas – Richard Fosbury

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2024 24:29


    In 214 of Anecdotally Speaking, listen to hear how Richard Fosbury used innovation to defy all odds and win a gold medal in the high … The post 214 – Jumping to New Ideas – Richard Fosbury appeared first on Anecdote.

    213 – Value is Relative

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2024 18:17


    Episode 213 of Anecdotally Speaking illustrates the impact of product placement and range, giving insight into sales tactics and the impact of identity. In Episode … The post 213 – Value is Relative appeared first on Anecdote.

    212 – Fight Fire with Fire – Wagner Dodge

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2024


    In Episode 212 of Anecdotally Speaking, delve into the gripping tale of the Mann Gulch fire, a story that will challenge your views on underlying … The post 212 – Fight Fire with Fire – Wagner Dodge appeared first on Anecdote.

    211 – Looks Can be Deceiving – Ronald Read

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2024 10:59


    In Episode 211 of Anecdotally Speaking, discover Ronald Read's secret and its application to staff development and job design. In Episode 211 of Anecdotally Speaking, … The post 211 – Looks Can be Deceiving – Ronald Read appeared first on Anecdote.

    210 – There's a Story Behind Everything

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2024 18:10


    Episode 210 of Anecdotally Speaking gives insight into how salespeople can increase value and customer buy-in through story. In Episode 210 of Anecdotally Speaking, Shawn … The post 210 – There's a Story Behind Everything appeared first on Anecdote.

    209 – Take the Opposing View

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2024 12:38


    In Episode 209 of Anecdotally Speaking, discover how asking the right questions brought us GPS – and how you can take these lessons into your … The post 209 – Take the Opposing View appeared first on Anecdote.

    208 – Making Numbers Meaningful

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2024 16:02


    In Episode 208 of Anecdotally Speaking, discover how to make abstract concepts relatable and humanize data in business settings. In Episode 208 of Anecdotally Speaking, … The post 208 – Making Numbers Meaningful appeared first on Anecdote.

    207 – Control is an Illusion – Barbra Streisand

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2024 14:38


    In Episode 207 of Anecdotally Speaking, learn the origin of “The Streisand Effect” and uncover its powerful lesson on perseverance in business. In Episode 207 … The post 207 – Control is an Illusion – Barbra Streisand appeared first on Anecdote.

    206 – Necessity is the Mother of Invention – John Sipe

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2024 18:30


    Explore how John F. Sipe's 1919 innovation provides lessons in business problem-solving and challenging the status quo. In Episode 206 of Anecdotally Speaking, Mark tells … The post 206 – Necessity is the Mother of Invention – John Sipe appeared first on Anecdote.

    205 – Creativity in Constraints – Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2024 13:28


    Boundless creativity can create stagnancy. Listen to hear how Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie demonstrate the importance of constraints in creativity. In Episode 205 of … The post 205 – Creativity in Constraints – Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie appeared first on Anecdote.

    204 – The Serve and Return Turning Point: Agassi, Becker and perseverance

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2024 23:05


    We are all looking for the turning point in a good story, and we love a story that demonstrates perseverance and resolve. Shawn and Mark discuss the relevance of this story to: explaining the data in a story, sizing up your competition and 'keeping Mum' with your competitive advantage. The post 204 – The Serve and Return Turning Point: Agassi, Becker and perseverance appeared first on Anecdote.

    203 – The resilience and persistence story of Penfolds Grange

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2024 21:21


    Resilience and persistence are not only the hallmarks of future success in winemaking, but in business too. Shawn and Mark discuss the relevance of this story to: sticking to your guns, having a 'partner in crime' and really, fully backing your instincts. The post 203 – The resilience and persistence story of Penfolds Grange appeared first on Anecdote.

    202 – Efficiency versus cost cutting

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2024 15:23


    Reducing waste increases the efficiency of raw material use. But can we all agree that scraping mould off food product prior to packaging may be a little beyond the pale? Shawn and Mark discuss the relevance of this story to: understanding the difference between efficiency and cost cutting, short 'single point' storytelling, the retelling factor in stories with disgust, and the importance of avoiding abstraction in your stories. The post 202 – Efficiency versus cost cutting appeared first on Anecdote.

    201 – Governance and accountability lose their Barings

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2024 24:08


    A governance and accountability story. Welcome to the Anecdotally Speaking podcast! Visit our website for more captivating stories and business insights! https://www.anecdote.com/ In this episode, … The post 201 – Governance and accountability lose their Barings appeared first on Anecdote.

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