My speaking calendar is almost completely booked for 2025. As of this moment, I only have availability to add a few more Powerfully Persuade Through Storytelling workshops next year.
If your organization is interested in learning strategies to inspire your team, persuade your clients, and create a ...
We all will, actually. Life is quick.
This is the first thing my kids are to do once I'm gone…
…whether I pass away in 5 years or 50.
They are supposed to listen to my podcast, Stories With Traction.
The content is built for leaders, and they are being raised to lead.
Every time I produce an episode, ...
...I find myself reflecting on the whirlwind of the year so far.
It's been quite a journey from countless miles flown and driven to working tirelessly for my clients! ✈️🚗
But now, it’s time for a much-needed pause. I won't be flying anywhere for the next two weeks and spending time with family.
My ...
In today's fast-paced, tech-driven world, storytelling isn’t just important—it’s essential.
🎥 Why? Let’s break it down.
Think back to 2007 when the first iPhone launched. It didn’t change our culture overnight, but within a few years, almost everyone—millennials, Gen Xers, even baby boomers—was glued ...
People want to feel that they can trust you, and the quickest way you can build that trust is through storytelling.
In addition, people are yearning for a real connection.
Understanding this is an opportunity for you and a chance to empower people through your personal and business stories.
👉 Talk...
I just burned mine in the harbor.
In 1519, Hernán Cortés destroyed all his ships to send a clear message to his soldiers…
THERE IS NO TURNING BACK!
I, too, just burned my ship.
Recently, I was offered the largest contract I could have ever thought possible in my business at this point.
I’d love it....
*MLK, Jr. was born in this house on Jan 15th, 1929
Before my son, Elliot, turned 6-years-old, I had him listen to all of MLK’s speeches. I told Elliot, “If you can become a great orator, you can change the world.” This doesn’t just go for my son but for all of us.
I’ve spent a lot of time r...
Ever have that moment when a friend pitches an idea, and you think, "Wait...what? You really want me to do this?" 😅
That was me 3 years ago.
“Scott, are you sure about this?” I asked, trying not to look too doubtful. "There are soooo many podcasts out there already! Is this really how I should spend...
The speaker's vulnerability, storytelling, and authenticity quickly earned a spot as one of the best TEDx talks I've ever listened to.
That is why I’m so excited to share this podcast episode with you. My guest, Mike Thorne, is the speaker in that TEDx talk!
Mike Thorne wears many hats: he is the F...
...inside and outside of your company—employees and customers—to unite around a common purpose.
It tells employees that their actions contribute to the well-being of a broader mission.
It tells clients that they contribute to a movement whenever they interact with you.
...impersonal, faceless institution that only cares about your bottom line?!
No way.
You want people to be endeared to your mission, don't you? If so, you have to build a company culture of storytelling.
By defining your mission as a human-first story, you give your brand a face and a pulse.
SHOW NOTES:
SUMMARY: In this episode, Eric Curtis and Matt Zaun talk about Eric’s adoption story and how climbing a physical mountain led him to climb another kind of mountain.
ERIC CURTIS: Eric is the CEO and Managing Partner at Curtis Strategy.
For more info on Eric:
LinkedIn
Website
MATT ZAUN: Matt is ...
Not the neck pain but the moments leading up to it.
Those seconds right before you hit another car feel like minutes.
It's almost as if time slows down.
Sometimes, in those split seconds, we have time to think.
I remember asking myself, ”did I care for my family enough?
Was I a good friend?
Was my...
It was one of the best cheeseburgers I've ever had, too.
“Wait, what?!” you say. I thought this was the company that says, Eat Mor Chikin?!”
Yup. Well, they used to serve burgers, and the one that started it all (in Hapeville, GA) still does.
What's wild about this to me is that they served burge...
…a mental palate cleanser.
Switching between different projects can be mentally exhausting, especially when each one requires a different mindset.
Amy Lynch, a seasoned ghostwriter and founder of Fernling Creative, shared a fascinating technique in our latest podcast episode: the mental palate clean...
SHOW NOTES:
SERIES: This podcast episode is part of a book-writing series with Amy Lynch on the Stories With Traction Podcast.
SUMMARY: In this episode, Amy Lynch and Matt Zaun discuss systems and creativity in book writing.
AMY LYNCH BIO: Amy is the founder and a writer at Fernling Creative, a premium...
My speaking calendar is already 50% booked for 2025.
As of this moment, I only have availability to add 20 more Powerfully Persuade Through Storytelling workshops next year.
If your organization is interested in learning strategies to inspire your team, persuade your clients, and create a vibrant c...
👉 6 years ago, I was sitting motionless, blankly staring off into the distance.
I had hit rock bottom in my career.
Everything I had worked so hard for fell right between my fingers, and it was all gone.
My wife came and sat down next to me and gave me an incredible smile, only like she could do. She...
5 years ago, I was on the way to an important meeting...
The goal was simple, drop my 5-year-old-off at school, and get to the meeting as quickly as possible!
If I didn't hit traffic, I would make it just in time.
My son said, ”I’m not feeling well, Dad - ahhh!”
He projectile vomited all over my suit...
Even if you've never told a compelling story in your life, you can become a great storyteller! With a little effort and practice, your storytelling skills will improve, and people will be drawn to your words.
Four storytelling recommendations:
1. Ensure that your presence is prominent
You must...
Excited to go to Anchorage, Alaska!
Looking forward to conducting my strategic storytelling workshop there and showing business leaders how to utilize a Storybank to inspire their teams.
The next few days are going to be awesome!
I love how passionate Skamania County is about Bigfoot.
Plus, it’s been a huge boon to the economy there.
They literally sell anything and everything with Bigfoot on it.
Have you embraced what your area is obsessed with?
This could be a specific food, sports team, or historical figure.
It might he...
A huge thank you to Matthew Scura for having me on and for the engaging conversation.
We delved deep into how storytelling can be a powerful tool for building stronger relationships, creating a greater impact, and enhancing engagement in business.
If you're interested in learning how to leverage sto...
Everyone in our group sat down at the Blackjack table.
One of my friends, who was playing Blackjack for the first time, won a ton of money.
While getting up from the table, the gentleman next to me said, “that's the worst thing that could happen to a rookie gambler.”
“What do you mean,” I asked.
“Now ...
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