They have a story awareness problem.

It’s not that you don’t have stories to tell.

It’s that you’re not catching them while they’re happening.

Comedians like Jerry Seinfeld walk through life asking,
👉 “Where’s the funny in this?”

Great leaders should ask,
👉 “Where’s the story in this?”

-That awkward Zoom...

...I've always wanted to go to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
 
I told myself, if I ever get to the Cleveland area, I'm going to the museum. 
 
This year, I had the opportunity to conduct four strategic storytelling sessions for business leaders in "The Land." 
 
So you know where I went...

Imagine encountering someone whose charisma is so potent that you are eager to follow their suggestions. There exist individuals whose persuasive abilities are so formidable that they can inspire action in just about anyone. Now, picture yourself wielding this same power. Envision a scenario where...

Those words hit like a punch to the gut.
Because they were true.
 
For the first 4 years of my oldest son’s life…
I neglected him.
Not intentionally. I wasn’t cruel.
I was just busy. Focused. Obsessed with growth, with metrics, with winning in business.
 
The sad part?
I don’t remember much of those early ye...

SHOW NOTES:

In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with David Frederiksen, Petra Coach and founder of PatientFocus, to discuss the often-overlooked struggles business leaders face when transitioning from doing the work to leading the team. David shares lessons from launching a company that chang...

This year of podcasting has been incredible so far! Excited for you to hear what’s to come in the months ahead, but in the meantime, check out some of the highlights:
 
Launch, Grow, Thrive with  John H. Wilson, PhD 
How to be Great at Public Speaking with  Matthew Scura
The Secret to Strategic Storyt...

So far, I've been to:
 
-George Washington 
-Thomas Jefferson
-James Buchanan
-Abraham Lincoln 
-Rutherford B. Hayes
-James Garfield
-Grover Cleveland
-William McKinley
-Woodrow Wilson
-Warren G. Harding
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
-Lyndon B. Johnson
-Richard Nixon
-Jimmy Carter
-Ronald Reagan
-George H. W. Bush
-George...

...I aimed to study the most innovative companies, not just what they built, but how they built it.
 
One company that fascinates me more than most?
Pixar.
 
The animation studio behind Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Up, Inside Out, and a dozen others that made grown adults cry.
 
But Pixar isn’t just about an...

Could you imagine all the sleepless nights? 
 
All the tossing and turning?
All the stress? 
All the fear?
 
Why? Well…
 
-He was defeated for Illinois state legislator in 1832.
-He started a business only to see it go under. 
-He lost his run for Congress in 1843 and again in 1848.
-He lost his bid to becom...

Nope...this isn’t a toddler throwing a tantrum.

It’s the secret to achieving BIG goals. Especially when it comes to losing weight.
 
Here’s what I mean 👇
Three years ago, I hired fitness coach  Aly Di. 
She didn’t just ask me why I wanted to lose weight…
She asked me five times.
Like Inception, but with ...

What happens when the work goes away?

-You lose the promotion.
-You lose the client.
-You lose the company.
-And suddenly…you lose yourself.

Too many people learn this the hard way. I almost did too. 👇

Here’s the truth:
-Your work doesn’t define your worth.
-Your principles do.
-Jobs change. Titles shift. ...

That’s what I remind myself whenever someone’s behavior makes my blood boil.
 
You know the feeling:
-The rude email
-The oblivious driver
-The coworker who just doesn’t get it
 
In the past, I’d let it wreck my mood.
 
Now?
 
I pause and remind myself:
-Not everyone has seen what we've seen.
-Not everyone knows...

…said no one ever. 😆
 
We all know the truth:
-Your next big opportunity is one conversation away.
-Your next client, referral, or mentor? They're already connected to someone you know.
 
So why don’t more people treat networking like a business priority?
 
Because here’s the honest answer:
Networking is sim...

...visit as many iconic American landmarks as possible, not just for the photo ops, but to learn something from each one.
 
Recently, I stood in awe of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
One of the most photographed bridges in the world.
 
But here’s what most people don’t think about:
This thing ...

When I played high school football, we were terrible.
New coach came in and changed everything.

"You might not be the most skilled," he said,
"but you will be the most conditioned."

So he ran us.
Hard.
Every practice ended when someone puked.

He told us, "This sucks now, but when you're on that field, no o...

She says he has a raspy voice. I love Bob Dylan. I think he is one of the best lyricists of all time.
 
Who’s right? We both are.
 
My wife has run sound for hundreds of concerts, so she has an incredible ear for pitch and tone.
 
I’ve written for dozens of politicians and business leaders and obsess ov...

...legacy, and lasting impact 👇
 
When I walked into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, I expected great music.
 
What I didn’t expect was a masterclass in movement-building.
 
Here’s what stood out:
It wasn’t just about talent.
 
Sure, the Hall is packed with musical geniuses. But what they really...

When Einstein gave his famous quote about “expecting different results,” he was referring to a mathematical equation, not business. 
 
Let’s clarify something:
 
📈 In business, you must do the same things over and over…
…even when it feels like yelling into the void.
 
-Posting when no one’s liking.
-Call...

About 432 tiny plastic bricks and a bruised heel. 🧱👣

I came across this image that explains it better than most consultants ever could (and with fewer slides):

• DATA – Legos scattered across the floor. Chaotic. Painful. Confusing.
• SORTED – Same legos, now grouped by color. Slightly better.
• ARRANG...