No joke.
Stalin thought Wayne’s brand was too powerful and was influencing too many Americans that he wanted him dead.
People often wonder how powerful a brand can be—case in point.
It was cool seeing John Wayne’s Academy Award up close.
Who are you influencing through your brand?
...thinking about our comfort when, in reality, we should be thinking about others' pain.
Having an impact on this world is impossible unless we get out of our comfort zones to help others.
Many people tout their number of followers, but I rarely see them passionately express why they want those fol...
SHOW NOTES:
SUMMARY: From overcoming personal struggles as a teen mom to leading a successful business, Tami Cole has built a career defined by resilience, determination, and leadership.
In this episode, Tami shares her inspiring journey from adversity to entrepreneurship, offering powerful lesson...
The documentary celebrating his life was one of the few movies I cried through.
During his 35+ year run, Mr. Rogers taught millions of children (and adults!) about what it meant to be a good neighbor.
He held our hands through some of the darkest times in U.S. history, telling us to “look for the ...
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, ...
If you were actually a numbers person like you claim, you'd obsess over how to tell better stories, knowing that doing so would boost your numbers.
Powerful stories boost your numbers in:
Sales
Marketing
Employee Retention
I'm a “numbers person," too; that's exactly why I share stories!
😎
—-
If you want...
15 years ago, I was at an event where I met Terence Farrell for the first time.
I saw people circling around him, shaking his hand, laughing, and sharing stories.
Naturally, my immediate thought was, "who is that?!"
I watched in amazement as I saw Terence "work the room" and shake every single hand i...
So far, I've been to:
-George Washington
-Thomas Jefferson
-James Buchanan
-Abraham Lincoln
-Rutherford B. Hayes
-Grover Cleveland
-Woodrow Wilson
-Warren G. Harding
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
-Lyndon B. Johnson
-Richard Nixon
-Jimmy Carter
-Ronald Reagan
-George H. W. Bush
-George W. Bush
Each one fascinates me ...
A perfect example of that was when 3M decided to place money inside the advertising casing at a bus stop in Vancouver.
The case was covered at the edges with a 3M product, Scotchshield.
“If you break it, you can keep it!”
Hundreds of people attempted to break the glass, and none were successful.
Five...
Here’s something I see all too often: leaders delegating the tasks that make them uncomfortable. Social media? “I’ll let the team handle all of that.” Storytelling? “Not my thing; I’ll let someone else do it.”
But here’s the hard truth: Delegating discomfort is dangerous.
Imagine if Steve Jobs had...
At least, that’s what hundreds of people told him early on.
Bank after bank rejected the Mickey Mouse concept. Investors laughed him out of rooms. Critics said it would never work.
But today? Walt Disney is hailed as a genius.
This year marks Walt Disney Studios' 102nd anniversary, a global empire bu...
You could get a cancer diagnosis and live with the ripple effects for years to come.
You could close a massive deal in business and make your year.
You could make a stupid decision and embarrass your family.
You can land your dream job and get asked to start ASAP.
You could get in a major car acciden...
...and I’ll be going to every single one before I die. So far, I've been to...
-George Washington
-Thomas Jefferson
-James Buchanan
-Abraham Lincoln
-Rutherford B. Hayes
-Grover Cleveland
-Woodrow Wilson
-Warren G. Harding
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
-Lyndon B. Johnson
-Richard Nixon
-Jimmy Carter
-Ronald Reagan
-Ge...
S - Stories
T - Thoughts
U - Urges
F - Frustrations
F - Feelings
…your S.T.U.F.F is what fuels your behaviors in the world.”
-Joy Rains
Wanna hear more? Check out the Stories With Traction podcast.
I took a financial risk, and it didn’t pay off.
Instead, it put my family in a difficult position.
The night it all came crashing down, I sat on my couch with tears streaming down my face, fully aware of the uphill battle ahead.
My wife sat down next to me and said something that changed everything:...
🟩I love public speaking.
🟩I don't mind public speaking.
🟩I don't like public speaking.
✅I would rather die than do public speaking.
Some people actually check that box!
Public speaking is scary. Most of us don't feel comfortable standing in front of people and taking responsibility for the...
So far, I've been to:
-George Washington
-Thomas Jefferson
-James Buchanan
-Abraham Lincoln
-Rutherford B. Hayes
-Grover Cleveland
-Woodrow Wilson
-Warren G. Harding
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
-Lyndon B. Johnson
-Richard Nixon
-Jimmy Carter
-Ronald Reagan
-George H. W. Bush
-George W...
What makes a story stick? What makes it truly connect? There’s a difference between storytelling that’s good and storytelling that’s unforgettable. And here’s the truth: the path to mastery isn’t glamorous; it’s uncomfortable.
How to Get Better, Faster
If you want to supercharge your storytelling and ...
Where my youngest son was the 1st time the Eagles won the Super Bowl vs. now.
At that time, I had just launched my speaking business and was really struggling.
I told myself that I had to prove to my kids that some dreams are worth fighting for.
Today, I get so many paid speaking requests that I...
Have you ever watched a TEDx talk and thought, "I could do that!" only to realize you have no idea where to start? Don't worry, you're not alone.
Today, since it’s his Birthday, I'm sharing insider tips from the one and only Bobby Umar, CEO of Discover Your Personal Brand and five-time TEDx speak...
Super Bowl XLI wasn't going to be played in the rain. It was going to be played in a monsoon.
...and while pro football players deal with the elements all season, rock stars do not. They have provisions in their contracts to avoid such calamities.
Electricity and water don't mix particularly well....
Three years ago, I spoke in L.A. and stopped by SoFi Stadium during the Super Bowl festivities. As I watched the energy behind the game, it got me thinking…
What separates winning organizations from the rest?
How do some businesses crush their sales goals and build a thriving company culture while o...
...Ronald Reagan, also known as the Great Communicator.
President Reagan possessed a fascinating capability...the ability to command the attention of his audience.
Whether you loved or hated him, there is no denying that his public speaking skills were off the charts.
I spent time reflecting o...
Here’s the thing about creativity: if you’re not willing to look a little silly, it will be a tough road. And the same is true for storytelling.
Whether you’re a C-suite executive or just starting out, tapping into your creative side is essential if you want to become a masterful storyteller. But cre...
Stories With Traction Blog
