It's a lie and could hurt your business.
Here is what I mean...
When people say, ”give it 100%, ” what they are saying is ”give it your all,” but you can't do that all the time.
We experience periods of high productivity and creativity throughout the day, which occur in spurts.
For instance, my ...
...isn’t CEO, consultant, or author. It’s Dad.
My daughter has taught me more about resilience, patience, and boldness than any boardroom ever could.
Today is National Daughters Day, and I’m reminded: the best leaders aren’t just shaped at work…they’re shaped at home.
After years of false starts, setbacks, and rewriting, my book The StoryBank is finally out in the world!
I first began writing it back in 2019. Between the pandemic, family responsibilities, and a growing business, it was a stop-and-go process. Most days, I doubted it would ever come to fruition. B...
5-Day Storytelling Challenge
Whether you're looking to boost sales, enhance marketing, or captivate audiences in meetings, this challenge is for you.
To sign up, go HERE.
Show Notes:
In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Christopher Brown, co-founder and CEO of Teed & Brown, to unpack what it...
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 were g...
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 apply to my son, but to all of us.
I’ve spent a considerable a...
The best way to start is with your clients’ questions.
I take the questions I'm asked and connect them to 3 “S’s”...
1️⃣ 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 I have that relates to the questions
2️⃣ 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 I've learned over the years that connect to the questions
3️⃣ 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲...strategically highlight other authorities' work t...
The very first copy of my new book, The StoryBank, didn’t sell in the U.S…it sold in Brazil! 🇧🇷
Here’s the wild part: I don’t know a single person in Brazil.
That means someone, somewhere, scrolled across my LinkedIn post yesterday…clicked…and decided this book was worth their time.
So, is The StoryB...
Creating this baby took work.
You all laugh, but it takes a lot of energy.
Oh, we’re not having another kid.
I’m talking about the launch of my book, The StoryBank.
It's been my baby for the last couple of years.
My wife told me to focus on it.
She said lots of people are missing out on the storytel...
Show Notes:
In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Scott Raven, founder of Corvus Solutions, to explore how high-achieving entrepreneurs can escape the very businesses that are trapping them.
Scott opens up about the hidden burnout cycles that plague founders and executives and how he turned hi...
The speaker's vulnerability, storytelling, and authenticity quickly earned a spot as one of the best TEDx talks I've ever listened to.
That's why I was so excited to do this podcast episode. My guest, Mike Thorne, is the speaker in that TEDx talk!
Mike Thorne wears many hats: Founder and Managing ...
Show Notes:
In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Mary Messner, a former healthcare executive turned keynote speaker, to explore how creativity, not just innovation, fuels business momentum.
Mary shares how creative thinking helped her rise through the corporate ranks, lead global teams, and e...
Like so many people, I remember watching in horror as I saw the Twin Towers fall on the news.
Hopelessness.
Sadness.
Shock.
But then something happened in the month that followed (ended around mid Oct), that was simply amazing...
People started to come together in a big way.
Community.
Strength. ...
The countdown is getting real.
In one week, The StoryBank will officially be out in the world, a book that’s been years in the making.
This isn’t just another “business book.”
It’s a playbook for leaders who want to harness the most powerful tool they already have: stories.
Inside, I show how str...
When people hear the word "sales," they often picture pushy pitches, constant follow-ups, and closing deals no matter what. However, there's another, more meaningful way to think about sales —one that's all about solving problems and building genuine connections. This fresh approach is championed ...
SHOW NOTES:
In this powerful episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Kristen Harootunian, mental health advocate and speaker, to explore her journey from addiction and childhood trauma to long-term recovery and national advocacy work.
Kristen shares how losing her mother to suicide at age 12 led to year...
My speaking calendar is almost completely booked for 2026. 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 enhance communication, boost sales, and achieve your 2...
I hear the same thing everywhere I go: "We have a great company culture!" It's practically a mantra at this point. However, what baffles me is that those same leaders who rave about their culture are often the ones struggling to find and retain talented people.
It's the same conversation every t...
Here is the most important framework that I learned...
1. You have to understand your Ideal Client Persona (ICP).
2. You share stories that relate to your ICP.
3. You engage (comment, "like," etc.) with your potential clients.
4. You network (virtual coffee/meet IRL) with your potential clients.
5. Y...
1–2 minutes and in under 20 seconds.
Here’s when to use each...
One of the biggest questions I hear about storytelling is: How long should my story be?
The answer depends on your situation, but here’s the key: people’s attention spans are shorter than ever, so your stories must be concise and inten...
The countdown is getting real.
In less than a month, The StoryBank will officially be out in the world, a book that’s been years in the making.
This isn’t just another “business book.”
It’s a playbook for leaders who want to harness the most powerful tool they already have: stories.
Inside, I show h...
This little building is where Schwarzenegger launched his empire!
I had to go there after my speaking engagement in Cali to see it for myself.
Love Arnold or hate him, there is no denying that he used his grit to build a massive business. 💪
Have a great week, everyone!
What she didn't realize is that sometimes our greatest “weakness” can actually be our greatest strength.
Because of her condition, she was forced to focus on every interaction she had with people, and it was actually paying off in huge dividends.
One of her direct reports told me that she's the ...
5-Day Storytelling Challenge
Whether you're looking to boost sales, enhance marketing, or captivate audiences in meetings, this challenge is for you.
To sign up, go HERE.
Habits of Sales Champions Keynote.
In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Ian Koniak, founder and CEO of Untap Your Sales Pot...
Stories With Traction Blog
