Podcast appearances and mentions of jay acunzo

Are you creating content to build an audience, build a brand, or win the SEO sweepstakes? How does content really work in the world today? It's complicated, but Mark Schaefer and Jay Acunzo have a meeting of the minds in this fast-paced and provocative show.    Mark Schaefer is a strategy consultant, college educator, keynote speaker, and the author of 10 books including "KNOWN," “Belonging to the Brand,” and "Marketing Rebellion." His annual marketing retreat is The Uprising.   For more of Mark's insights every week, subcribe to his award-winning blog. Mark also offers classes in personal branding and professional speaking   Jay Acunzo consults experts and entrepreneurs to differentiate their messages and content. He hosts the podcast How Stories Happen, where guests dissect signature stories piece by piece, and runs the Creator Kitchen, where experts learn to become stronger storytellers. Learn more at jayacunzo.com

How to resonate with better clients and buyers—people with experience and taste who hire you for everything that makes you unique. This is different than almost everything the owners of search engines, social networks, and AI tools have taught us. So we first need to unlearn a lot of what's popular on the internet today.***ABOUT ME, JAY ACUNZO:Strategic Storytelling & Speaking Advisor to Experienced ProsI help my clients package and communicate their expertise to differentiate & resonate as stronger stories, speeches, and messaging, so it's easier to attract more and better clients. Go from constantly chasing business to being highly sought, relying more on the influence of your ideas and less on the volume of your marketing.Subscribe to my free newsletter at jayacunzo.comWork with me one-on-one to fix your message or nail your next speech: jayacunzo.com/servicesBook me to speak to your group: jayacunzo.com/keynotesConnect with me on social: LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads***TO RATE AND REVIEW THE SHOW:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify 

Steve Pratt has spent a lifetime earning attention, from his time working for "the MTV of Canada" (Much Music) and as the co-creator of the most popular podcast in Canada, then as the cofounder of Pacific Content, which created podcasts for DELL, Charles Schwab, Zendesk, Slack, Atlassian and more.Steve is a past client of mine, as I helped him develop his keynote speech associated with his book, Earn It: Unconventional Strategies for Brave Marketers. When he's not traveling the world speaking, Steve is consulting his clients on how to differentiate through their creative bravery.In this episode, we dissect one of his Steve's signature stories, and we actively workshop it to flow better. It's a rare look inside the craft of how a great story comes together, and all the parts and pieces that make it gripping, surprising, and relevant to a message.Follow Steve on LinkedIn and visit his website for more.***ABOUT ME, JAY ACUNZO:Strategic Storytelling & Speaking Advisor to Experienced ProsI help my clients package and communicate their expertise to differentiate & resonate as stronger stories, speeches, and messaging, so it's easier to attract more and better clients. Go from constantly chasing business to being highly sought, relying more on the influence of your ideas and less on the volume of your marketing.Subscribe to my free newsletter at jayacunzo.comWork with me one-on-one to fix your message or nail your next speech: jayacunzo.com/servicesBook me to speak to your group: jayacunzo.com/keynotesConnect with me on social: LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads***ENJOY THE SHOW? PLEASE SAY THANKS:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify 

I know a ton of storytellers and creators and entrepreneurs, but I know exactly zero other people who have learned how to do what they do from both legendary news broadcasters and Kermit the Frog.Meet Andrew Davis. He is a powerhouse business speaker who's given speeches in 35 different countries, at more than 50 events every year. He speaks to audiences ranging from marketers and entrepreneurs to plumbers and physicians — and there may not be a storyteller who is this craft-driven and obsessed with telling amazing stories in the worlds of business, marketing, and customer experience.As an entrepreneur, Andrew has built and sold a marketing agency, produced docuseries for brand clients big and small, and authored multiple books about marketing and customer experience.In this episode, we dissect one of his signature stories. It's been with him for almost ten years, and he can customize it across audiences and projects to arrive at basically any insight he needs to teach. It's a rare look at how a true master of the craft executes the tiny things that create a big impact both for his audience and his business.Follow Andrew on LinkedInExplore his speaking, books, and other projects.***ABOUT ME, JAY ACUNZO:I help my clients package and communicate their expertise to differentiate & resonate, so it's easier to attract more and better clients. Through stronger messaging, speaking, and storytelling, you'll build your business on the impact of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.Go from constantly chasing business to being highly sought, relying more on the influence of your ideas and less on the volume of your marketing.Subscribe to my free newsletter at jayacunzo.comWork with me one-on-one to fix your message or nail your next speech: jayacunzo.com/servicesBook me to speak to your group: jayacunzo.com/keynotesConnect with me on social: LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky***ENJOY THE SHOW? PLEASE SAY THANKS:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify 

There's a big difference between people hearing your words and understanding you. There's an even bigger gap between understanding and caring. How can we communicate in ways that ensure others care about our ideas, our messages, our businesses? In this solo episode, a look at two moments involving two very different communicators: Roy Kent, the character from Ted Lasso, and author and speaker Seth Godin.We'll dissect both moments and make sense of what they do differently. It's a stark reminder that communicating in ways that resonate is available to us all, if only we'd meet those moments and make a simple switch compared to our natural tendencies.I loved putting this episode together for you! Please enjoy.***ABOUT ME, JAY ACUNZO:I help my clients package and communicate their expertise to differentiate & resonate, so it's easier to attract more and better clients. Through stronger messaging, speaking, and storytelling, you'll build your business on the impact of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.Go from constantly chasing business to being highly sought, relying more on the influence of your ideas and less on the volume of your marketing.Subscribe to my free newsletter at jayacunzo.comWork with me one-on-one to fix your message or nail your next speech: jayacunzo.com/servicesBook me to speak to your group: jayacunzo.com/keynotesConnect with me on social: LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky***ENJOY THE SHOW? PLEASE SAY THANKS:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify 

This episode is a total blast and tour de force from one of the world's foremost business communicators, Dorie Clark! Dorie is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, a contributor to the Harvard Business Review, a communication coach and mentor for world-class leaders, and a keynote speaker who has consulted with or spoken for Google, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Yale University, and the World Bank.In this episode, you'll hear a signature story Dorie uses in support of her premise and her book, The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World. Together, we dissect what makes the story work, as well as discuss:How to source and develop stories for your workThe formula thinkers like Dorie and Malcolm Gladwell use to turn expertise into powerful ideasThe 3 components of being recognized for your expertise...and more. Dorie is an exceptional communicator who has shared her ideas all over the world. You're in for a treat!Learn more about Dorie and buy her incredible books at dorieclark.com.***ABOUT ME, JAY ACUNZO:I help my clients package and communicate their expertise to differentiate & resonate, so it's easier to attract more and better clients. Through stronger messaging, speaking, and storytelling, you'll build your business on the impact of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.Go from constantly chasing business to being highly sought, relying more on the influence of your ideas and less on the volume of your marketing.Subscribe to my free newsletter at jayacunzo.comWork with me one-on-one to fix your message or nail your next speech: jayacunzo.com/servicesBook me to speak to your group: jayacunzo.com/keynotesConnect with me on social: LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky***ENJOY THE SHOW? PLEASE SAY THANKS:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify 

Enrollment is now open into my Public Speaking Accelerator. Register now for $400 off and secure a 1:1 coaching call with me too: jayacunzo.com/signaturetalkABOUT THIS EPISODE:"Reworking in Realtime." That's a phrase I've been thinking about a lot lately. How often do you get to sit with a peer, a colleague, a mentor, a coach, and go through something to improve in realtime? Why don't we? Athletes do it. Comedians. Musicians. Filmmakers.We should too, and lately, on my YouTube channel, I've been building a playlist of publicly available coaching calls to put the process on display of developing stronger speeches and stories. Justin Moore was the first to kick things off about a year ago, and I invited him back on a call to check in on his progress and workshop a signature story together.Justin is the founder of Creator Wizard, which offers sponsorship education and coaching to help creators earn consistent income. He's is also one of the most trusted voices in the creator economy today.Recently, Justin published his first book, Sponsor Magnet, and he's also starting to scale his business, as he's trying to meet his existing buyer earlier in the buyer's journey and also expand his market to speak to other types of creators and media company owners who'd benefit from his teachings.All of that is pointing him towards elevating the impact of his storytelling everywhere he goes, plus pursuing main stage keynotes at events like never before.Today, we get a raw and refreshing look at the process and rework some things in realtime once again.***CLARIFY YOUR MESSAGE + INCREASE YOUR IMPACT:Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.comWork with me one-on-one to nail your message or your next speech: jayacunzo.com/servicesBook me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes***ABOUT JAY ACUNZO:You don't need more content. You need a better premise. I help you find and own a Big Idea, then turn it into a differentiated message, stronger speeches, and powerful IP, so you can grow from yet-another expert into their favorite voice. Build your business on the impact of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.The changes my clients experience:From passive reach → to passionate fansFrom scattered thinking → to focused messageFrom “wall of smarts” talks → to exceptional speechesFrom constantly chasing business → to being highly soughtConnect with me: LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky***ENJOY THE SHOW? PLEASE SAY THANKS:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify 

Enrollment is now open into my Public Speaking Accelerator. Register now for $400 off and secure a 1:1 coaching call with me too: jayacunzo.com/signaturetalkABOUT THIS EPISODE:Lessons from 20 years of storytelling through my writing, speaking, podcasting, videos, and most of all, from my Grandma.***IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING: Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.comExplore my services: jayacunzo.com/servicesBook me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes***CONNECT:Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or BlueskyThis episode was produced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT ME:I help you package and communicate your expertise to differentiate & resonate, so it's easier to attract better clients. Through stronger messaging, speaking, and storytelling, you'll build your business on the impact of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.I help my clients turn their expertise into a clear, repeatable message and speeches & stories to inspire action.Driving real revenue and having a greater impact are NOT mutually exclusive. Instead of peddling in the grimy tactics and sensationalism found online today, I help you dig down to the root of your thinking, articulate your perspective as a Big Idea others remember, then embody your message through your public speaking and thought leadership.From passive reach → to passionate fansFrom scattered thinking → to focused messageFrom “wall of smarts” talks → to exceptional speechesFrom constantly chasing business → to being highly sought[What you know] matters, but [what you say] has to make that clear.When people make choices, they play favorites. The question is, are you one of them?Think resonance over reach. Don't be the best. Be their favorite.Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.***SUPPORT THE SHOW:Leave a review on Apple PodcastsLeave a rating on Spotify  

AI and people both run on LLMs. AI has large language models. People have little life moments. But mostly, we don't draw on our LLMs confidently or consistently enough.Neal Foard does, and that's made him one of the most exceptional (and viral) storytellers in the business world.  Neal joins me today to lay it all out: we talk about constructing stories, practicing and rehearsal, and how to shape a true story into something entertaining. Together, we hear his famous story of "the best bartender in Chicago" and talk about the little moments that make it work.Neal is a keynote and TEDx speaker, a former ad agency and brand executive, and a storytelling and personal brand coach. After 25 years in advertising and marketing, working with world-class brands, Neal teaches leaders how to tell more persuasive stories.The story we dissect: the Best Bartender in Chicago.The final story you hear in the episode: the Peace Treaty.Connect with Neal on his website, Instagram, YouTube, or Linkedin.***CLARIFY YOUR MESSAGE + INCREASE YOUR IMPACT:Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.comWork with me one-on-one to nail your message or your next speech: jayacunzo.com/servicesBook me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes***ABOUT JAY ACUNZO:You don't need more content. You need a better premise. I help you find and own a Big Idea, then turn it into a differentiated message, stronger speeches, and powerful IP, so you can grow from yet-another expert into their favorite voice. Build your business on the impact of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.The changes my clients experience:From passive reach → to passionate fansFrom scattered thinking → to focused messageFrom “wall of smarts” talks → to exceptional speechesFrom constantly chasing business → to being highly soughtConnect with me:on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky***SHOW CREDITS:This episode was produced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake InkLeave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify 

It's harder than ever to keep up with the world and you can't do it alone. Mark Schaefer and Jay Acunzo share their favorite strategies for tapping into expert advice and staying relevant in a fast-changing world. 

In this special bonus episode, I take your questions about public speaking. We talk about the craft, but also the way we can better approach our speaking as a marketing strategy and approach, how to think about whether to charge for public speaking (and how much), and a lot more!Whether you've got a speaking engagement coming up, give tons of talks each year, or you're just thinking about becoming a stronger and more strategic speaker to support your business and message, this episode will help you rethink some important pieces to the puzzle.***IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING: Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.comExplore my services: jayacunzo.com/servicesBook me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes***CONNECT:Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or BlueskyThis episode was produced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT ME:I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn't to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I've partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I'm in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I'm not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.***SUPPORT THE SHOW:Leave a review on Apple PodcastsLeave a rating on Spotify  

Quality vs. Quantity. Followers vs. Engagement. Reach vs. Resonance? Which is more important? When work matters more, we need to hustle for attention less. In this episode, Jay Acunzo helps us put to rest our “Maker Monsters” – procrastination, overthinking, imposter syndrome, and all the invisible barriers that keep us from shipping great work.It's been months since we released our last episode, and this one might very well be the final chapter of The Subtle Art of Not Yelling. There's no one I'd rather have close out this incredible three-year journey than Jay, bringing it to a fitting and meaningful conclusion.Jay is a speaking and messaging strategist trusted by creators, consultants, authors, and brands like Mailchimp, Wistia, and Salesforce to find the big idea, clarify the message, and craft stories and experiences to differentiate and resonate.His podcast “How Stories Happen” dissects signature stories from people like Seth Godin (marketing legend with 22 bestselling business books), Ann Handley (WSJ bestselling author of Everybody Writes), and Chase Jarvis.Please enjoy.Chapters01:57 The Journey of “Unthinkable” (Jay's previous podcast)06:02 Resonance Over Reach: The Key to Impactful Content11:13 Fueling Creativity: Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Imposed Deadlines15:18 From Good to Effective: The Power of Storytelling17:23 The Storyteller's Posture: Embracing Personal Experiences21:29 Moving Towards Action: Inspiring the Urge to Act26:39 Childhood Aspirations29:48 The Desire to Create: Finding True Passion34:22 Balancing Quality and Quantity in Creative Work36:09 Developing a Practice for Growth and Success39:17 The Craft of Storytelling: Creating Compelling Narratives51:46 Storytelling in Business: Building Connections and Driving GrowthConnect with Jay: https://jayacunzo.comThis podcast is your weekly Creative Companion helping you master the inner game, finish what you start, ship your work, and build a brand without yelling; because it's not the thunder that grows flowers, but the rain.Support & ConnectPodcast website: ⁠subtleartofnotyelling.comSubscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@notyellingThank you for listening.

This episode, we do something a bit different. I'm joined by the brilliant messaging strategist and pioneer of the message design industry, Tamsen Webster! We fully nerd out on crafting messaging and the elements that help you create stronger speeches, better stories, and a more effective message for your entire platform. Tamsen in not only a leader in the field of message design, she's also the author of two revolutionary books: Find Your Red Thread and Say What They Can't Unhear. She's been named to the Thinkers50 Radar, spent over 10 years as an Idea Strategist for TEDx events, and continues to be a sought-after speaker and consultant helping her clients design messages that create large-scale change.Tamsen understands the mechanics and structure of how to motivate readers, audiences, and listeners toward action. In this episode, we get into the nitty gritty of her favorite tagline (and why), what Aristotle has to teach us about story, and why story is an argument (and how to win it). We also break down what it takes to create a powerful message by examining the beats of the argument you need to address, from the foundation to the framing to the finishing. Can you communicate to get buy-in?Connect with Tamsen on her website, instagram, and LinkedinGrab a copy of Tamsen's books ***IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING: Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.comWork with me one-on-one: jayacunzo.com/servicesBook me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes***CONNECT:Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or BlueskyThis episode was produced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT ME:I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn't to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I've partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I'm in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I'm not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.***SUPPORT THE SHOW:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify 

A technique for our work found in an incredible moment between John Mulaney and David Letterman. This is a solo episode from me to share something you can apply to your work right away to become a stronger storyteller, to differentiate your message, and to generally compete on the impact of your ideas NOT the volume of your marketing.***IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING: Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.comExplore my services: jayacunzo.com/servicesBook me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes***CONNECT:Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or BlueskyThis episode was produced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT ME:I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn't to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I've partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I'm in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I'm not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.***SUPPORT THE SHOW:Leave a review on Apple PodcastsLeave a rating on Spotify  

It's hard to show up publicly at times, sharing your work, giving of yourself to others. It can be even harder given the places we mostly show up online today. But Brad Montague is here to lead a joyful rebellion—one for creatives, artists, and humans of all kinds, both kids and (in Brad's terms) former kids. And here's here to show us that celebrating failure is part of the process of doing meaningful things.Brad is a New York Times bestselling author of books for kids and former kids alike. He's also a speaker and creator of the web series Kid President which took the world by storm years ago and was the first viral video I shared to all my friends instantly. His books, which he writes and illustrates with his wife Kristi, include The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination, The Circles All Around Us, Becoming Better Grownups, and his most recent, Failabration. In our episode, Brad shares a delightful story in verse about the "dumpster fire" we always talk about, and a little girl who is skeptical, hopeful, and brave.Brad and I discuss why his style of communicating matters, how humor cuts through defenses, the difference between speaking to an audience of children versus adults, and how we can let our audience know, instantly, “You're in good hands.” Connect with Brad on his website, Instagram, and LinkedInGrab a copy of Brad's booksWatch the video I mention at the top of the episode, Kid President's Pep Talk ***IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING: Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.comWork with me one-on-one: jayacunzo.com/servicesBook me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes***CONNECT:Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or BlueskyThis episode was produced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT ME:I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn't to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I've partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I'm in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I'm not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.***SUPPORT THE SHOW:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify

In this solo episode, I share a storytelling concept I'm calling "the idea before the idea," which helps solve issues of growth and audience traction.***REGISTER FOR MY NEXT BOOTCAMP:Design My Signature Talk is a virtual intensive where I help you develop and nail your next talk and elevate your speaking all year long.Register now at jayacunzo.com/signaturetalk***IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING: Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.comWork with me one-on-one: jayacunzo.com/servicesBook me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes***CONNECT:Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or BlueskyThis episode was produced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT ME:I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn't to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I've partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I'm in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I'm not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.***SUPPORT THE SHOW:Leave a review on Apple PodcastsLeave a rating on Spotify   ***Reminder to register for my upcoming bootcamp before enrollment closes next week: jayacunzo.com/signaturetalk

This week, I'm joined by my favorite recurring guest and the star of our “Is this ANNything” mini-series, the brilliant Ann Handley.Throughout this mini-series (usually called “Is This Anything?”), close friends and collaborators join me to work out new ideas and unproven drafts to see if it is, in fact, anything.Today, Ann and I start by discussing the first time we were paid to speak, then we touch on my white whale of public speaking, the big no-nos when opening speeches, and how we have evolved our on-stage voices over the years.  Then, we crack open Ann's notebook to hear musings on her favorite pencils, Blackwings, before I reciprocate with a draft of my own: a story about a hilarious business bro who didn't realize he was the joke. It's a refreshing look at two prolific writers and speakers (and one bestselling author!) in the middle of their process.Learn more about Ann at her website and subscribe to her newsletter Follow Ann on LinkedIn and InstagramBuy Ann's book, Everybody Writes***REGISTER FOR MY NEXT BOOTCAMP:Design My Signature Talk is a virtual intensive where I help you develop and nail your next talk and elevate your speaking all year long.For a limited time, registrants get my bonus masterclass, Booking Better Stages, all about marketing, selling, and booking yourself as a speaker, whether you want to get paid to speak or drive business another way through your talks. Register now at jayacunzo.com/signaturetalkIMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING: Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.comWork with me one-on-one: jayacunzo.com/servicesBook me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes***CONNECT:Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or BlueskyThis episode was produced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT ME:I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn't to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I've partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I'm in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I'm not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.***SUPPORT THE SHOW:Leave a review on Apple PodcastsLeave a rating on Spotify  ***Reminder to register for my upcoming bootcamp before enrollment closes next week: jayacunzo.com/signaturetalk

In this episode, we go inside the delivery and construction of a popular TED Talk! Elise Hu gets real with us about the preparation and challenges that go into taking complex ideas and molding them to fit a tightly delivered speech.Elise is an award-winning journalist, podcaster, and ‌author based in Los Angeles. She's the host of TED Talks Daily, Accenture's Built for Change, and a co-host of Forever 35. And if that's not enough, she also co-founded the LA-based podcast production company, Reasonable Volume to work with brands and companies tell their stories better. She spent time at Vice News and NPR, serving as their first-ever Seoul bureu chief. She released her first book, Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital in 2023. Elise and I discuss: How to react when the audience response isn't what you expectedWhat goes into crafting an exceptional talk, tightly toldOur shared love for Anthony Bourdain (I know, shocker)The “peak/end rule” in storytelling and journalismAnd the power of a callback. We also unpack why observation is the key to being a great storyteller, and why vulnerability and honesty are essential for any truly compelling speech.I imagine you (like me) will be endlessly enthralled by Elise's curiosity, wisdom, and charm. Happy listening!Connect with Elise on her website and LinkedinGrab a copy of her book, Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty CapitalListen to Elise on your favorite podcasts And watch her TED Talk here***REGISTER FOR MY NEXT BOOTCAMP:Design My Signature Talk is a virtual intensive where I help you develop and nail your next talk and elevate your speaking all year long.For a limited time, registrants get my bonus masterclass, Booking Better Stages, all about marketing, selling, and booking yourself as a speaker, whether you want to get paid to speak or drive business another way through your talks. Register now at jayacunzo.com/signaturetalkIMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING: Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.comWork with me one-on-one: jayacunzo.com/servicesBook me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes***CONNECT:Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or BlueskyThis episode was produced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT ME:I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn't to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I've partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I'm in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I'm not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.***SUPPORT THE SHOW:Leave a review on Apple PodcastsLeave a rating on Spotify   ***Reminder to register for my upcoming bootcamp before enrollment closes next week: jayacunzo.com/signaturetalk

Inspiration is everywhere -- if you're paying attention.Today we're resharing a slightly modified version of an episode I used to help pilot How Stories Happen, back inside my old show called Unthinkable. (You'll hear me reference the “miniseries,” which is what I used to craft this show and test various elements.) In this episode, bestselling author and Hall of Fame keynote speaker Jay Baer brings one of his oldest, most proven stories to the show -- and we learn the two psychological concepts we can embrace to craft more memorable work. Jay and I also discuss how to collect and develop stories regularly, anywhere you go, and hwo to design them so they arrive at the insight that most closely matches your current teachings, premise, and IP.Jay's latest book is The Time to Win: How to Exceed Your Customers' Need for Speed. He's a globally touring keynote speaker, brand advisor to some of the world's most legendary companies, and a marketing and customer experience thought leader. Jay is among the more process-driven storytellers in the world, and he takes us inside that approach in this episode in a refreshingly transparent way.Connect with Jay Baer on his website, Instagram, and LinkedinGrab a copy of any of his bestselling books.***IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING: Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.comWork with me one-on-one: jayacunzo.com/servicesBook me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes***CONNECT:Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or BlueskyThis episode was produced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT ME:I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn't to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I've partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I'm in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I'm not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.***SUPPORT THE SHOW:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify 

We're told to steal from those we admire, but so often, we mimic the wrong things. It's not WHAT someone does but WHY they do it (and why it works for them) which we ought to model in our own creative work and storytelling. Once we find that, we can intentionally master the craft. And this work is about exactly that: intentionality. It's practiced. Until it looks effortless (even if, for a long while, it wasn't).In this episode, Mike Ganino shares a story about his childhood and falling in love with E.T., and his understanding at the young age of 10, that stories make us feel less alone.  Mike is the author of the new book, Make a Scene. He is also a keynote director, working to help others master their stage presence and storytelling, and he draws on his roots in theater and acting to help.Mike and I discuss why intentionality is everything is storytelling, how storytellers are really thought custodians, and how to craft scenes that allow audiences to connect with the emotional core of any story. And be warned: this episode gets very meta. We're two storytelling geeks talking shop about the work we love.Connect with Mike on his website and Linkedin. Grab a copy of his book,Make A Scene: Storytelling, Stage Presence, and The Art of Being Unforgettable in Every Spotlight. ***IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING: Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.comWork with me one-on-one: jayacunzo.com/servicesBook me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes***CONNECT:Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or BlueskyThis episode was produced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT ME:I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn't to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I've partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I'm in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I'm not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.***SUPPORT THE SHOW:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify 

What does the psychology of family systems have to do with being a good storyteller? Well, according to Veronica Romney, a lot. Understanding identity and how people define theirs can make or break your ability to stand out, resonate, and earn passionate fans.In this episode, V shares the story about a funeral unlike any other. In fact, it's 18 years in the making. It even made the news, and it reveals a major lesson about modern marketing. Throw in a Harley-Davison superfan riding his motorcycle to the afterlife, and you've got the makings of an unforgettable signature story.Veronica is the author of the book, Identity Marketing, and a frequent keynote speaker at marketing events. She's also a veteran entrepreneur who sells high-ticket services, so public speaking and storytelling both play a major factor in building her business. High priced offerings require high amounts of trust, and showing up with greater communication power (without needing to shout) is a superpower for that type of business.Veronica and I also discuss the power of the shower thought and why our most candid, knee-jerk ideas are often the ones that resonate deepest with others. We chat about how to get buy-in too—not only from your audience, but from yourself in your strongest ideas.Connect with Veronica on her website and LinkedinGrab a copy of her book,Identity Marketing: How to Create Loyal, Lifelong Fans and a Legendary BrandSubscribe to Veronica's newsletter, Vitamin V***IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING: Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.comWork with me one-on-one: jayacunzo.com/servicesBook me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes***CONNECT:Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or BlueskyThis episode was produced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT ME:I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn't to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I've partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I'm in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I'm not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.***SUPPORT THE SHOW:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify  

How do you make a story truly come alive? You pace things down and focus on the small details. Everyone else might want the big, flashy story, but your most effective (and ownable) stories are from noteworthy moments, not newsworthy events.In this episode, Ron Tite puts on display his otherworldly mastery of public speaking and performance. He takes a (relatively average) hotel and uses a series of interactions with the brand to make you laugh, feel inspired, and transform how you think about customer experience, social media, and even story structure. Of course, this story could ONLY be told by Ron Tite. It's ownable for him. Ron spent 20 years as a comedian before shifting to the business world, where he founded the successful marketing and advertising agency Church+State. He's written multiple books, including his latest, Think Do Say, and he tours the world as a keynote speaker, delivering gripping talks to thousands of people and generally making you laugh, think, and change your approach to marketing. Ron and I discuss what we can learn from standup comedy, the differences between a warm open and cold open (and how to craft them), his hilarious relationship with the Westin Grand in Vancouver (they're in love!), and how to design and deliver stories that only YOU can tell—without making yourself the hero. It's an episode you probably won't want to end. Ron is one of the very best in the world at this, and his energy is infectious.Connect with Ron on his website and LinkedinGrab a copy of his books, Think Do Say and Everyone's An Artist(Or At Least They Should Be)Learn about Church+State on their website***IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING: Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.comWork with me one-on-one: jayacunzo.com/servicesBook me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes***CONNECT:Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or BlueskyThis episode was produced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT ME:I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn't to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I've partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I'm in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I'm not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.***SUPPORT THE SHOW:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify  

In this fun and thought-provoking show, Mark Schaefer and Jay Acunzo challenge each other with the best questions they could ask each other — and then dissect the beauty of the question. Amp up you content game by listening to this extraordinary debate!   Mark Schaefer is a strategy consultant, college educator, keynote speaker, and the author of 10 books including "KNOWN," “Belonging to the Brand,” and "Marketing Rebellion." His annual marketing retreat is The Uprising.   For more of Mark's insights every week, subcribe to his award-winning blog. Mark also offers classes in personal branding and professional speaking.   Jay Acunzo consults experts and entrepreneurs to differentiate their messages and content. He hosts the podcast How Stories Happen, where guests dissect signature stories piece by piece, and runs the Creator Kitchen, where experts learn to become stronger storytellers. Learn more at jayacunzo.com

A special bonus story and a crucial question to guide your 2025. This episode was handcrafted for you by Jason, with love.

In this captivating episode, we delve into the art of storytelling with Jay Acunzo, an expert who helps individuals and brands become stronger storytellers. Jay emphasizes the importance of resonance over reach and challenges us to consider how we can truly connect with our audience by making them care. Learn About... - Resonance vs. Reach: Understand why focusing on resonance is more impactful than just increasing reach, and how it can lead to greater engagement and loyalty. - Crafting Effective Stories: Discover the importance of having a defensible premise and how it can turn a good story into an effective one that drives action. - Valuable and Original Content: Explore how to make your content more insightful and personal to stand out in a crowded marketplace. - Developing Your Unique Voice: Learn how practice and feedback can help you refine your storytelling skills and make your message resonate. - Asking Better Questions: Gain insights into how asking the right questions can lead to deeper understanding and more meaningful communication. Our Guest... Jay Acunzo is a seasoned storyteller and consultant who has worked with industry giants like Google, HubSpot, Mailchimp, and Salesforce. He hosts the podcast "How Stories Happen," where he explores the nuances of storytelling with renowned voices like Seth Godin and Ann Handley. Jay is passionate about helping others find their unique voice and believes that the key to effective storytelling lies in resonance and authenticity. ~._.*._.~ Making a Marketer is brought to you by Powers of Marketing - providing exceptional podcast experiences & online and in-person events. Check out episode 161, and if our show moves you, please share it and let us know your thoughts! Take our LISTENER Community Survey!!! HERE ** Our editor Avri makes amazing music! Check out his music on Spotify! **

When we communicate with business results in mind, whether we work in-house on a team or we ARE the business, it's so common that we omit specific details. We want to rush to stuff things full of our ideas and make our value clear instantly. The thing is, only when we slow our stories down, include specific details, and describe one or two tiny moments, do others start to care.Because the goal isn't to say everything all at once. The goal is to find the touchstones of the story that bring it all to life, allowing your audience to fill in the rest in their heads. This ensures they're enrolled into the story, leaning forward, and paying close attention. This ensures they genuinely care.This is the final episode in a short three-pack of episodes, each of which features a different storyteller from my video series built alongside Intuit Mailchimp, taking you inside my coaching process with three marketing leaders. The series, called B2B Storytelling Stars, offers 6 videos plus associated storytelling templates you can use in your work, all available for free without any registration required at https://jayacunzo.com/starsTo cap off that series, each storyteller gets their own episode of How Stories Happen to further improve 1 story I helped them start building.Closing out the series is Natalie Taylor, head of marketing at video software company, Capsule. Natalie tells a tasty story about pizza. She crafted it for her work to speak to heads of creatives at enterprise brands (the company's core customer base).Together, Natalie and I discuss how tiny details help audiences connect with a character and a story, and you'll get a front row seat to her story's transformation during this episode. I also share a technique for validating, improving, and marketing your story which I call "up the mountain, down the mountain."WATCH THE SERIES: STORYTELLING STARSFor all 6 videos (3 group coaching calls and 3 one-on-ones), plus a free template associated with each (no forms required), visit https://jayacunzo.com/starsRESOURCES:Connect with Natalie on Linkedin and learn more about her company CapsuleSubscribe to my newsletter at jayacunzo.comJoin the Creator Kitchen membershipFollow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or BlueskyThis episode was produced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT JAY:ConsultingSpeakingContactBooksI help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn't to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.After starting at brands like Google and HubSpot, I've helped organizations like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy, plus dozens of individual authors, founders, execs, consultants, and creators with their storytelling and public speaking.I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I'm in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I'm not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi via jayacunzo.com

Welcome to one of the more inspiring episodes of the show! Entrepreneur and growth marketing expert Sarah Stockdale is one of the most nuanced, capable, and generous voices in the industry. When she shows up, she resonates, no matter what she's creating or where she's appearing. Today, both of us commiserate over being dedicated parents learning to be parents, informed citizens struggling with so many things in society, and being public voices with pressure to deliver ... all at the same time.This frames our conversation into the subtleties of storytelling. How do we show up when life is life-ing hard? How do we imbue the work with the right personal details to find the universal? And what happens when your public persona and your business results are intertwined?This is a special episode of the show for another reason too. I've partnered with Intuit Mailchimp as part of a limited series called B2B Storytelling Stars. You can watch as I coach 3 marketers and experts on group calls and 1:1s, helping them craft their premises, messages, and stories. Get all 6 videos plus a storytelling template, free and ungated, at https://jayacunzo.com/starsTo cap off the series, each storyteller will appear on How Stories Happen for their very own episode, featuring the story we began developing behind the scenes together. This is Sarah's episode, and you'll hear the story we workshopped during Storytelling Stars.WATCH MY LIMITED SERIES, STORYTELLING STARSFor all 6 videos (3 group coaching calls and 3 one-on-ones), plus a free template associated with each (no forms required), visit https://jayacunzo.com/starsRESOURCES:Follow with Sarah on Linkedin and subscribe to her newsletterLearn more about Sarah's career and her speaking on her siteSubscribe to my newsletter at jayacunzo.comFollow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or BlueskyThis show is produced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT ME, JAY ACUNZO:ConsultingSpeakingContactBooksI help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn't to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.After starting at brands like Google and HubSpot, I've helped organizations like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy, plus dozens of individual authors, founders, execs, consultants, and creators with their storytelling and public speaking.I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I'm in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I'm not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi via jayacunzo.com

This is a special episode of the show. I've partnered with Intuit Mailchimp as part of a limited series called B2B Storytelling Stars. You can watch as I coach 3 marketers and experts on group calls and 1:1s, helping them craft their premises, messages, and stories. Get all 6 videos plus a storytelling template, free and ungated, at https://jayacunzo.com/starsTo cap off the series, each storyteller will appear on How Stories Happen for their very own episode, featuring the story we began developing behind the scenes together. Kicking things off is Shez Mehra, one of the world's foremost experts in sound and music used by brands to create memorable, cohesive experiences. He leads The 194 Group and has worked with Nike, Sephora, Google, Ford, Microsoft, and others. He's also a partner in the software company Raina Music, which helps retail and hospitality brands with their music experiences.Shez shares a moving story of the power of music, talks about his lifelong obsession with music and sound (and what we can learn from his years as a DJ crafting his sets), and together, we dissect the pieces of his signature story to get more specific, to pivot from a personal story to a relevant message to clients, and to stick the landing of a story well-told. WATCH THE SERIES: STORYTELLING STARSFor all 6 videos (3 group coaching calls and 3 one-on-ones), plus a free template associated with each (no forms required), visit https://jayacunzo.com/starsRESOURCES:Connect with Shez on X, Linkedin, and InstagramSubscribe to my newsletter at jayacunzo.comJoin the Creator Kitchen membershipFollow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or BlueskyThis episode was produced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT JAY:ConsultingSpeakingContactBooksI help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn't to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.After starting at brands like Google and HubSpot, I've helped organizations like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy, plus dozens of individual authors, founders, execs, consultants, and creators with their storytelling and public speaking.I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I'm in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I'm not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi via jayacunzo.com

What does it take to create content that truly stands out? Jay Acunzo, celebrated writer, speaker, and host of the "How Stories Happen" podcast, joins us to unpack the art of meaningful storytelling—in all its messy, frustrating, and euphoric parts.Jay shares why asking better questions can lead to more impactful content and explains how challenging assumptions opens the door to creative breakthroughs. He also introduces his concept of the IP Pyramid, a framework for developing and refining your intellectual property to create truly unique and resonant stories that serve your audience and yourself.Listen to the full episode to hear:How to reach deeper truths that lead to more meaningful contentWhy developing your IP is less about following templates and more about creative risk takingThe pitfalls of following best practices too closely—and how to trust your intuition insteadHow to identify the gaps in your storytelling by identifying what truly matters to your audienceWhy embracing constraints can spark creativity and lead to breakthroughsLearn more about Jay AcunzoWebsite"How Stories Happen" Podcast"Playing Favorites" NewsletterCreator Kitchen (Coaching & Education)Follow on LinkedInLearn more about Mary Knox Miller:Thought Leader Media"Human Dispatches" NewsletterFollow on LinkedIn

As another year comes to an end, we often reflect backwards, because hindsight is 20/20. But what we don't often realize is that sometimes when you have that clarity of sight, you'll want to close your eyes, rub your temples, maybe let your head fall to the table. Because you're amazed at how you just… couldn't… see it. That was me, all year long, but I finally see clearly again, and I want you to avoid the same frustrating slog I endured between 2020-2023.That's why in this solo episode I'm sharing the two questions (and a quote) that made all the difference for me in 2024. I hope these will help you, too. I've lovingly crafted these questions for you, so that you can avoid years of the being stressed out, frenetic, reactive and busy without knowing what the heck you're doing. As for the quote? That's from the master.RESOURCES:Subscribe to my newsletter at jayacunzo.comJoin the Creator Kitchen membershipFollow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or BlueskyThis episode was produced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT JAY:ConsultingSpeakingContactBooksI help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn't to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.After starting at brands like Google and HubSpot, I've helped organizations like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy, plus dozens of individual authors, founders, execs, consultants, and creators with their storytelling and public speaking.I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I'm in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I'm not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi via jayacunzo.com

Signature stories aren't just stories you tell a lot. They're stories you'd sign your name to. In this episode, author and speaker Melanie Deziel shares a story that went from nerve-wracking to heart-wrenching the more she told it, as she found ways to tell it her own way (and as new details emerged from the story).Mel is my cofounder in our Creator Kitchen membership, and this interview was part of the miniseries that helped me pilot How Stories Happen. The thing is, when you pilot something, you're often piloting THREE somethings, so we should rethink the ways we actually test, validate, and improve those somethings. That's a lot of somethings, but hey, this episode has everything. Or at least a handful of really freaking good somethings. We're putting on display the hidden details, tiny choices, and emotional moments, as we seek to go beyond telling stories to instead BECOME storytellers.RESOURCES:Learn more about Melanie at her websiteSubscribe to Jay's newsletter at jayacunzo.comJoin Jay and Mel's membership program for business storytellers and service providers, the Creator KitchenFollow Jay on LinkedIn, Instagram, or ThreadsProduced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT JAY:ConsultingSpeakingContactBooksJay Acunzo is an author, speaker, and differentiation-and-thought leadership consultant on a mission to help you make what matters to your career, company, and community. He's an advisor to experts, execs, and entrepreneurs who want to resonate deeper with others, not just reach them. To do so, he helps you turn your expertise into IP and your IP into differentiated messaging, exceptional speeches, and celebrated creative projects, equipping you with the communication techniques and power of today's top thought leaders—because he believes in standing out through substance and stories, not hollow hype.A leading voice in B2B content marketing for many years thanks to his roles at brands like Google and HubSpot, companies like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy have turned to Jay to strengthen their storytelling, while dozens of individual authors, speakers, consultants, and service providers hire Jay as their dedicated thought partner and exec. producer to help develop their premise, IP, speaking, and shows.Jay lives in the Boston area with his family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan. In the 60 seconds per week he's not creating stuff for work or making his kids laugh, he likes to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with his wife, and daydream about telling stories like that of his storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain.

"You have a real gift," we say to our storytelling heroes. But do they? Storytelling is a skill. Communicating with greater impact is a craft. It's not something anyone is gifted. It's something we all can master.Today, it's just me, Jay. Hello! I'm trying a solo episode, sharing my favorite trick for stronger ideas and stories.Be forewarned: this trick involves sharing your thinking publicly. Not “building in public,” as many like to talk about doing, but by aerating your thinking to sharpen it.So what “thinking” are you aerating? A very specific kind. To communicate in ways that resonate does NOT require you to experience a lightning strike insight or sensational story. This isn't about doing something grand and newsworthy either. No, this trick requires us to do something which our society doesn't often teach, but it's free and easy to start.RESOURCES:Subscribe to Jay's newsletter at jayacunzo.comJoin Jay's membership program for business storytellers and service providers, the Creator KitchenFollow Jay on LinkedIn, Instagram, or ThreadsProduced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT JAY:ConsultingSpeakingContactBooksJay Acunzo is an author, speaker, and differentiation-and-thought leadership consultant on a mission to help you make what matters to your career, company, and community. He's an advisor to experts, execs, and entrepreneurs who want to resonate deeper with others, not just reach them. To do so, he helps you turn your expertise into IP and your IP into differentiated messaging, exceptional speeches, and celebrated creative projects, equipping you with the communication techniques and power of today's top thought leaders—because he believes in standing out through substance and stories, not hollow hype.A leading voice in B2B content marketing for many years thanks to his roles at brands like Google and HubSpot, companies like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy have turned to Jay to strengthen their storytelling, while dozens of individual authors, speakers, consultants, and service providers hire Jay as their dedicated thought partner and exec. producer to help develop their premise, IP, speaking, and shows.Jay lives in the Boston area with his family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan. In the 60 seconds per week he's not creating stuff for work or making his kids laugh, he likes to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with his wife, and daydream about telling stories like that of his storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain.***JOIN MY VIRTUAL BOOTCAMP: Design My Signature TalkHappening this November, I'm leading a two-day virtual bootcamp to help you design, package, and pitch your signature talk—the speaking product you can reliably deliver virtually or in-person, to evangelize your message, continually speak and get invited to speak thanks to how brilliant you are in the room, and generate spin-out business from the talk as well.Some talks are blog posts with a runtime. Other talks stir hearts and engage minds. Whether you're promoting a big launch or your overall business, your signature talk needs to be the latter.Learn more and see the full schedule at jayacunzo.com/signaturetalkSpace is limited. Register now.

It's time for a new edition of "Is This Anything?", the miniseries where friends and clients join me to work out new drafts and ideas for upcoming pieces and projects. In this episode, I help Justin Moore design his signature talk, beat by beat.Justin is the founder of Creator Wizard, which helps creators secure more and better brand deals to grow their businesses. Through trainings, coaching, and his signature course, Justin has made a name for himself in the creator economy.For both his book and for the next wave of growth that he sees for his business, involving a slightly new group of buyers, Justin wants to develop a talk capable of earning him the main stage, not just breakouts, where he's up against multiple speakers at the same time slot. Together, we work through a structure you can use to develop your speeches. We discuss the differences between breakouts and keynotes, virtual and in-person, and why Justin needs his "higher-order idea" or the idea BEFORE the ideas he's known for already, in order to inspire action in his audience and grow his business through speaking.It's a rare look at the speech development process with two established creative voices, with one entrepreneur playing coach and the other the vulnerable but committed student. I hope this is both enjoyable and useful to your speaking journey!RESOURCES:Learn more about Justin's business at creatorwizard.comGet a copy of Justin's book Sponsor Magnet, or join the waitlist now (coming in January 2025)Subscribe to Jay's newsletter at jayacunzo.comJoin Jay's membership program for business storytellers and service providers, the Creator KitchenFollow Jay on LinkedIn, Instagram, or ThreadsProduced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT JAY:ConsultingSpeakingContactBooksJay Acunzo is an author, speaker, and differentiation-and-thought leadership consultant on a mission to help you make what matters to your career, company, and community. He's an advisor to experts, execs, and entrepreneurs who want to resonate deeper with others, not just reach them. To do so, he helps you turn your expertise into IP and your IP into differentiated messaging, exceptional speeches, and celebrated creative projects, equipping you with the communication techniques and power of today's top thought leaders—because he believes in standing out through substance and stories, not hollow hype.A leading voice in B2B content marketing for many years thanks to his roles at brands like Google and HubSpot, companies like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy have turned to Jay to strengthen their storytelling, while dozens of individual authors, speakers, consultants, and service providers hire Jay as their dedicated thought partner and exec. producer to help develop their premise, IP, speaking, and shows.Jay lives in the Boston area with his family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan. In the 60 seconds per week he's not creating stuff for work or making his kids laugh, he likes to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with his wife, and daydream about telling stories like that of his storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain.***JOIN MY VIRTUAL BOOTCAMP: Design My Signature TalkHappening this November, I'm leading a two-day virtual bootcamp to help you design, package, and pitch your signature talk—the speaking product you can reliably deliver virtually or in-person, to evangelize your message, continually speak and get invited to speak thanks to how brilliant you are in the room, and generate spin-out business from the talk as well.Some talks are blog posts with a runtime. Other talks stir hearts and engage minds. Whether you're promoting a big launch or your overall business, your signature talk needs to be the latter.Learn more and see the full schedule at jayacunzo.com/signaturetalkSpace is limited. Register now.

Today, it's a total treat as the one and only Seth Godin takes us into how he thinks about storytelling and the intersection of strategy and story, and then we hear him dissect a signature story. Plus, Seth and I trade stories in the back half of the episode—business storytelling nerdery on full display.Seth is a world-renowned storyteller and thought leader, a legendary keynote speaker who helped disrupt the format, and the bestselling author of more than 20 books, including Purple Cow, The Practice, and This Is Marketing. His brand new book, This is Strategy, is available now.Together, Seth and I discuss his delightful story about recumbent bikes. This "super-story" has found its way into Seth's work repeatedly for over a decade. We discuss ‌the evolution of this story, how he conceptualizes status and affiliation, and why focusing on pedagogy as a storyteller is essential. Also in the episode: why the idea of your posture matters for storytellers, the role of the storyteller today (and why tiny stories make a big impact), and how can you make yourself, your work, and your stories truly stand out.RESOURCES:Learn more about Seth at his website and read his blogBuy a copy of Seth's new book, This Is StrategySubscribe to Jay's newsletter at jayacunzo.comJoin Jay's membership program for business storytellers and service providers, the Creator KitchenFollow Jay on LinkedIn, Instagram, or ThreadsProduced by Ilana NevinsCover art designed by Blake Ink***ABOUT JAY:ConsultingSpeakingContactBooksJay Acunzo is an author, speaker, and differentiation-and-thought leadership consultant on a mission to help you make what matters to your career, company, and community. He's an advisor to experts, execs, and entrepreneurs who want to resonate deeper with others, not just reach them. To do so, he helps you turn your expertise into IP and your IP into differentiated messaging, exceptional speeches, and celebrated creative projects, equipping you with the communication techniques and power of today's top thought leaders—because he believes in standing out through substance and stories, not hollow hype.A leading voice in B2B content marketing for many years thanks to his roles at brands like Google and HubSpot, companies like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy have turned to Jay to strengthen their storytelling, while dozens of individual authors, speakers, consultants, and service providers hire Jay as their dedicated thought partner and exec. producer to help develop their premise, IP, speaking, and shows.Jay lives in the Boston area with his family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan. In the 60 seconds per week he's not creating stuff for work or making his kids laugh, he likes to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with his wife, and daydream about telling stories like that of his storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain.***JOIN MY VIRTUAL BOOTCAMP: Design My Signature TalkHappening this November, I'm leading a two-day virtual bootcamp to help you design, package, and pitch your signature talk—the speaking product you can reliably deliver virtually or in-person, to evangelize your message, continually speak and get invited to speak thanks to how brilliant you are in the room, and generate spin-out business from the talk as well.Some talks are blog posts with a runtime. Other talks stir hearts and engage minds. Whether you're promoting a big launch or your overall business, your signature talk needs to be the latter.Learn more and see the full schedule at jayacunzo.com/signaturetalkSpace is limited. Register now.

This week, we're joined by our first-ever recurring guest. The brilliant Ann Handley (WSJ bestselling author of Everybody Writes and globally touring keynote speaker) joins us for a very special episode of “Is This Anything?”, the mini-series, where friends and collaborators join me to work out new ideas, unproven drafts, and hidden ideas to see if it is, in fact, anything.But because it's Ann, we're renaming it Is This ANNything. Get it? Do you get it? (If you didn't like that, you're really not gonna like this episode…)First, we discuss a story we co-wrote on Threads, sharing back and forth posts to build on each others' previous ideas. Read that story here (you need to click into the first Thread for the threading to make sense. Oh, Threads…)Then, we share drafts of our newsletters, each at different stages, and workshop improvements.It's a refreshing look at two prolific writers and speakers (and one bestselling author!) in the middle of their process.Read Jay's final newsletter version here. (Ann has not written the draft publicly as of this episode's publish date.)Listen to Ann's first appearance on How Stories Happen as she dissects a published piece: “How do we all sign our work?” - Episode 3 with Ann Handley RESOURCES:⚫  Learn more about Ann at her website and subscribe to her newsletter ⚫ Follow Ann on LinkedIn and Instagram⚫  Buy Ann's book, Everybody Writes

Every keynote speaker and content creator knows the value of that signature story – a tale that drives home a point with passion, insight, and a little drama. But how do you come up with these stories, and how do you craft them to serve you well in your marketing?   Mark Schaefer and Jay Acunzo explore this topic in this new episode. You'll learn how each identifies, nurtures, and delivers their best stories. And you'll get to hear two of their favorite tales.    Mark Schaefer is a strategy consultant, college educator, keynote speaker, and the author of 10 books including "KNOWN," “Belonging to the Brand,” and "Marketing Rebellion." His annual marketing retreat is The Uprising.   For more of Mark's insights every week, subscribe to his award-winning blog. Mark also offers classes in personal branding and professional speaking.   Jay Acunzo consults experts and entrepreneurs to differentiate their messages and content. He hosts the podcast How Stories Happen, where guests dissect signature stories piece by piece, and runs the Creator Kitchen, where experts learn to become stronger storytellers. Learn more at jayacunzo.com

Why is candor essential for a good story? How brutally honest should you actually be in sharing a story with the world? The great Chase Jarvis brings us into his story of self-discovery, with the many twists and turns his professional career has taken, as he works through how to best tell that story ahead of his next book tour. Starting in second grade when his entrepreneurial spirit was snuffed by his teacher, Chase works to find acceptance by pursuing the “best” path forward, before realizing that maybe it's not the best path for him. It's a story that's brutally honest, surprising, and carefully crafted so that listeners get an intimate look at the real Chase Jarvis and the themes of his book.Chase is an award-winning photographer, entrepreneur, and the author of “Never Play It Safe," and he's widely considered to be one of the leading voices advocating for the importance of creativity in work, life, and society today.Together, Jay and Chase extract the various blocks that create the flow of Chase's story, exploring what makes certain segments most compelling and how to best drive the story forward. They discuss how great stories are built, rather than experienced, and the importance of allegory versus illustration.Whether you're an aspiring author, artist or entrepreneur, this episode will compel you to slow down, reflect, and connect to your own unique path forward and all the stories that have shaped you and your work. RESOURCES:⚫ Learn more about Chase at his website, or listen to his podcast, The Chase Jarvis LIVE Show⚫ Follow Chase on X and Instagram⚫ Buy Chase's book, Never Play It Safe

In this episode, Jay Acunzo, a leading voice in content creation and storytelling, shares invaluable insights tailored for nonprofit fundraisers and marketers. Jay discusses how to move beyond traditional, transactional fundraising tactics to create transformational experiences that resonate deeply with donors and volunteers. He offers guidance on building a strong Brand IP for nonprofits, the power of journey-based storytelling, and how to use frustration as a catalyst for creative and impactful campaigns.Key Topics:Resonating with donors and volunteers through meaningful storytelling.Shifting from transactional to transformational experiences in nonprofit marketing.Building a strong sense of community among nonprofit supporters.Developing a unique and compelling Brand IP for your cause.Addressing the unspoken needs of your supporter base.Overcoming learned helplessness to innovate in nonprofit storytelling.About Jay AcunzoJay Acunzo is a keynote speaker, author, and a kind of executive producer or "director of differentiation" for entrepreneurs and execs with something meaningful to say. He is known for his thought leadership in content marketing and storytelling. With a focus on creating work that truly matters, Jay's insights are particularly relevant for nonprofit professionals seeking to differentiate their messaging and build deeper, more lasting connections with their audience. His latest book, The Creator's Compass, and podcast, How Stories Happen, explore these themes with a fresh, creative lens.Connect with Jay on LinkedInCheck out Jay Acunzo's WebsiteIs it me, or does social media feel completely overwhelming right now? Are your posts underperforming and you don't know what to do about it? Well I've got you covered. Join me and Neon One for the 2024 Nonprofit Social Media Summit! Designed for the small and mid-size nonprofit, my Summit offers actionable and practical insights on how to best use social media to raise awareness and funds, even during turbulent times.Walk away feeling empowered and supported, with strategies you can implement right away. Best of all, it's free to attend live thanks to my amazing partner Neon One! Reserve your spot today at NonprofitSocialMediaSummit.comTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

What is a super-story? And how can you flex yours to fit different audiences, mediums, or conclusions? That's what we dive into today with powerhouse storyteller, Laura Gassner Otting.Laura takes us into a small story about her first time decorating a Christmas tree with her husband's family. Initially horrified by the chipped ornaments and tattered boxes, she grew to love these mismatched decorations. It's a story about finding meaning in often unexpected, imperfect places—and it's full of callbacks and insights helping LGO serve thousands of attendees at events across the globe where she speaks.Laura is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and executive coach. She's a regular contributor to Good Morning America, the TODAY Show, Harvard Business Review, and Oprah Daily. She also served as a Presidential Appointee in Bill Clinton's White House, founded an international search firm, and has a superpower in seeing others' greatness and reflecting it back to them. Together, Jay and Laura discuss her effective use of "the specific," finding wisdom in frameworks, and how LGO draws from her time in politics to imbue her speaking with musicality. Plus, they talk about the importance of having rounded edges to end in stories, how to immediately become relatable to your audience, and the art of using callbacks.Whether you're an aspiring author or keynote speaker, executive coach or entrepreneur who teaches through content, this episode will motivate you to resonate more deeply with your stories as you show up to any audience, in any medium. RESOURCES:⚫ Learn more about Laura at her website and watch her viral TED Talk⚫ Follow Laura on TikTok or Linkedin⚫ Buy Laura's books, Wonderhell, Limitless, and Mission Driven 

Go inside the development of a brand new TED Talk, as Jay offers notes to friend Simone Stolzoff on his v1 draft. Simone is the author of The Good Enough Job and a journalist whose writing has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and more. This is the first episode of a new bonus episode of How Stories Happen called "Is This Anything?" which we'll occasionally run in our off weeks. During this miniseries, you'll hear Jay and friends actively develop and work through new material for stories, speeches, and other projects. In this miniseries debut, Simone shares an 8-minute TED Talk draft as he prepares for the big day, and Jay offers some notes to strengthen the content, insert callbacks and other framing devices, and tighten the talk track. Simo responds in-kind with vulnerable sharing, piercing questions about what might make more sense, and brand new ideas brainstormed on the fly. It's all in the name of actively developing the speech from raw material into something special. Because that's how stories happen. (Whispers) hey that's the name of the show!RESOURCES:⚫ Learn more about Simone Stolzoff and join his newsletter at simonestolzoff.com⚫ Follow Simone on Instagram or LinkedIn⚫ Buy Simone's book, The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work

Telling stories about your life feels fraught. How do you weave together a story that is deeply personal to you and others, contains the right amount of tension without being too dramatic, and feels both gripping and accessible for your audience? In the case of our guest today, Nat Eliason, his story is about the moment he went from investing hundreds of dollars to having $10 million of his own money on the line, plus more than $100 million of others under his purview, when the whole system was hacked.Nat recently published his first book, “Crypto Confidential: Winning and Losing Millions in the New Frontier of Finance,” and in this episode, he dissects the choices he made writing his prologue (which he shared with more than 20 people to get right).Together, Jay and Nat dissect Nat's thrilling story, unpacking how he grounded the drama, making it feel authentic and relatable, while still embracing the primacy and recency effects in storytelling. Plus, they discuss strategies for getting more valuable feedback on your creative work, Nat's decision to focus on such a dramatic moment for his prologue, and how to effectively combine educational or technical concepts into a story in a way that doesn't lose or bore readers.Whether you are an aspiring author, give keynotes, write articles, or record multimedia content, this episode will make you look a bit closer at how your favorite stories are told—from the very first hook to a perfectly placed detail to the closing line that makes you realize that although the story was specific … it was profoundly universal.Resources:⚫ Follow Nat on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nateliason/⚫  Follow Nat on X: https://x.com/nateliason⚫ Visit Nat's website: https://www.nateliason.com/⚫ Subscribe to Nat's Substack: https://blog.nateliason.com/

Before comedians ever get a Netflix special, they have to run the gauntlet. Night after night, they're putting themselves out there in front of judgmental crowds and trying to win them over.Sometimes they bomb, sometimes they face hecklers, and what may be even worse: silence. Kathy Griffin once bombed so badly at a show in Montreal she said, “The audience was talking so much that they didn't know my set ended.” Ouch.But even after bombing the worst, comedians

What should you include or omit to ensure your stories carry your message, resonate with others, and deliver something that could only come from you? That's the challenge we encounter today. In this special episode, Jay is joined by a favorite client, Susan Boles, to work through a draft of a signature story, which emerged on the back of their months-long work together developing Susan's premise of “calm is the new KPI.” They apply Jay's Align-Agitate-Assert structure, and they find the two biggest opportunities to improve the story.Susan is the founder of Beyond Margins and host of the podcast of the same name. She teaches entrepreneur clients how to optimize their business for quality of life, not just profit margin, by making calm their focus and their literal KPI.In the episode, Jay and Susan dissect her emerging, signature story involving Rand Fishkin, founder and CEO of SparkToro and, previously, founder and CEO of Moz. When one piece of the story runs too long, Jay shares some pointers for how to shorten it without sacrificing the story's power, and the duo figure out what insights can be extracted and delivered from the story to teach and inspire Susan's audience.Whether you're crafting your next keynote or fine-tuning your leadership communication skills, this episode will have you immediately elevating your storytelling in ways that illuminate insights others remember, share, and apply to their work or lives.Resources:⚫ Follow Susan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesusanboles ⚫ Listen to Beyond Margins: https://podcast.beyondmargins.com/ ⚫ Subscribe to Beyond Margins Newsletter: https://beyondmargins.ck.page/21380f9bae 

In today's episode we're switching things up a little and sharing a recap and debrief from Sara's recent launch, the biggest lessons she learned, and our thoughts and experience on launching in our business and some encouragement for you if you have a launch you're bringing to life soon too. Would you love some encouragement and support in your business? Submit your letter for an upcoming episode here.Find out more about Sara's summer schoolWatch Jen's behind the scenes planning video for her upcoming launchJen's 100 Hell Yes People toolkit (100% free for you to dive into!)Escaping the Attention Economy: Resonance Over Reach with Jay Acunzo on Off The GridMore from SaraMore from Jen This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lettersfromahopefulcreative.com

Storytellers often face a paradox: to connect deeper externally, you have to turn deeper internally. You have to know yourself and get more honest with how you think and feel than others might be comfortable doing themselves. That often means we have to stop caring what people think of us quite as much.In this episode, we meet Brook Cupps and Ryan Hawk, coauthors of the book The Score That Matters. We talk about how they collaborated on their book together and how they use stories to inspire and lead others. Brook is the head boys basketball coach at Centerville High School in Ohio, while Ryan hosts the popular podcast, The Learning Leader Show.What makes their partnership one of a kind—and what you'll hear in this episode—is the blend of practical coaching wisdom, deeply personal ideas, and storytelling finesse.The story we dissect comes from Brook, who shares how he transformed his coaching approach after a pivotal moment with his daughter, which shifted his entire philosophy. Ryan chimes in with insights from his own journey, emphasizing the importance of inner growth, values, and deliberate practice.It's a refreshing look at storytelling and the tough things we need to embrace first, which then allow us to become more effective communicators and leaders.BONUS: Hear Jay and Ryan on Ryan's podcast, discussing the art and science of hosting great interviews: https://learningleader.com/episode/330-deconstructing-the-art-science-of-interviewing-with-jay-acunzo/⚫ Check out Ryan Hawk's podcast, The Learning Leader Show: https://learningleader.com/⚫ Learn more about Brook Cupps and Blue Collar Grit: https://www.bluecollargrit.com/about-us.html⚫ Get Ryan and Brook's book, The Score That Matters: https://www.amazon.com/Score-That-Matters-Excellence-Yourself-ebook/dp/B0CGZ8HRXD

How do we compress our lifetime into their runtime? When we're asked to explain our backgrounds and bios, we need a structure, some practice, and a few anecdotes at the ready. Because our story has to pull triple-duty: clarify who we are, build credibility, and teach whatever it is we're there to teach.In this episode, author, PR agency founder, and friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson reveals the simple way she responds to that simple question: “How'd you get here?” Together, we break it apart into component pieces and re-build certain aspects, spotting ways to customize the story to the specific audiences Danielle speaks to as a speaker and service provider.You'll walk away with a new framework for crafting your own gripping answer to the personal background question (“MBAS” – Mission, Background, Anecdote, Summary), and you'll get a glimpse into the craft of two communicators reaching geeky levels of appreciation for what it takes to resonate with our words.Danielle is the author of the new book, Fighting for Our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Relationships.Resources:⚫ Follow Danielle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellebayardjackson/ ⚫ Follow Danielle on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefriendshipexpert  ⚫ Visit Danielle's website: https://www.daniellebayardjackson.com/ 

Jay Acunzo contends in this episode that you don't need to be brilliant to be an effective content creator. You need to up the ante on curiosity. Curiosity is one of the most important "soft skills" of marketing. But can it be learned? Improved? Spread to a team? You'll find out on this new episode.   Jay Acunzo is an author, speaker, and host of the podcast Unthinkable -- the show about marketers who trusted their intuition, not the best practices, and all the unconventional, refreshing things they did to build their brands and leave their legacies. Learn more and find a Starter Pack of episodes at https://jayacunzo.com/unthinkable-podcast     Mark Schaefer is a strategy consultant, college educator, keynote speaker, and the author of 10 books including "KNOWN," “Belonging to the Brand,” and "Marketing Rebellion." His annual marketing retreat is The Uprising.   For more of Mark's insights every week, subcribe to his award-winning blog. Mark also offers classes in personal branding and professional speaking.

While everyone scrambles to learn the new trends and act like a futurist, it's the folks who understand what parts of this work are timeless – because they're based on human nature – that are most powerful of all. Storytelling is one such thing. It's been a constant throughout the history of humanity. Why? Because although the world changes in many ways, human nature is one thing that doesn't change much at all.So says our guest today, Scott Monty, and it's part of what makes Scott such an inspiring storyteller – and a leadership advisor, consultant, and coach who has worked for and with brands like Ford, Google, IBM, Adobe, and Walmart. In fact, thanks to his work helping pioneer all things social media at Ford Motor Company, The Economist named Scott #1 on its list of social business leaders.In this episode, we hear Scott dissect a signature story piece by piece, taking us into the executive team meeting from his time at Ford and how storytelling helped him thwart – then win over – his archnemesis, the curmudgeonly CFO at the time. After hearing the story, we identify the three tentpoles that help it stand up, plus identify details that could improve – and we hear why the moments that don't seem to advance the action are actually the most important pieces for this story to resonate deeper.Scott's brand is about the idea of timeless leadership – and he effortlessly quotes philosophers and leaders from centuries past to help make his points, both on the show and everywhere he shows up.Resources:⚫ Follow Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmonty/⚫ Subscribe to Scott's newsletter, Timeless & Timely: https://www.timelesstimely.com/

It's Pass the Mic where we invite a talented guest with a great story to join us on the pod. Today we are excited to have Jay Acunzo. Jay Acunzo is an author, speaker, and podcaster. He's worked in marketing roles at Google, HubSpot, and ESPN, and he currently hosts the podcast How Stories Happen, where creators and communicators dissect their signature stories piece by piece.