Stories With Traction

SHOW NOTES: SUMMARY: This is part of an FAQ series featuring Michelle Griffin and Matt Zaun , who discuss personal branding and strategic storytelling. Michelle Griffin coaches on authority-focused personal branding to help professionals step out and be seen as leaders in their space. Matt Zaun is an award-winning speaker and strategic storytelling expert who helps leaders inspire action and drive...

SHOW NOTES: In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Ryan Hogan , Founder & CEO of Talent Harbor , to unpack what actually works in recruiting top sales talent today. They dig into why “keep it simple” beats complex hiring funnels, how to design a value ladder that moves buyers forward, and where AI helps (and hurts) in the hiring process. Ryan also shares the gritty lessons that shaped him (...

SHOW NOTES: In this practical, high-energy episode, Matt Zaun talks with Sean Garner , StoryBrand–certified marketer and founder of Sean Garner Consulting , about cutting through today’s 10,000-messages-a-day noise with a simple idea: clarity beats clever. They break down how to build messaging that wins attention, creates qualified demand, and turns “we do X” into “we solve your problem.” In this...

Show Notes: In this high-impact episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Tom Schwab , Chief Evangelist Officer & Founder of Interview Valet , to unpack how leaders can use podcast interview marketing to beat obscurity, earn trust at scale, and convert ideal clients, and how to repurpose one 45-minute conversation into a month of authoritative content. In this episode, they cover: ✅ Obscurity is the...

SHOW NOTES: In this insightful episode, Matt Zaun talks with Marcy Sagel , CEO & Principal of MSA Interiors , a Baltimore-based commercial interior design firm with over 30 years of experience designing multifamily, student housing, senior living, hospitals, and more. They unpack how Marcy built a downturn-proof business by diversifying revenue streams, locking in budgets early, and adapting h...

SHOW NOTES: In this powerful episode, Matt Zaun talks with Natalia Zacharin , founder of Zacharin Consulting —an “accounting firm on steroids.” They unpack how fractional CFOs turn messy books into strategic insight, why AI speeds analysis but never replaces human judgment, and how Natalia rebuilt her life (and business) from $7.10/hour to a multi-million-dollar firm. In this episode, they cover:...

SHOW NOTES: In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Stewart Cohen , award-winning director/photographer and CEO of SC Pictures and Superstock , to unpack how brands can use video and imagery to stay on message in a chaotic, multi-channel world. From keeping large organizations aligned with the role of authenticity (and where it can backfire) to practical ways leaders can tell stories people actu...

SHOW NOTES: In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Rob Black , Founder & CEO of Fractional CISO , to demystify cybersecurity for growing companies—without the fear-mongering. Rob explains how his team operates as a virtual CISO (security leader) to strengthen programs, enable enterprise sales, and translate “security-speak” into clear business outcomes. Rob shares why security shouldn’t be...

SHOW NOTES: In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Patricio Misitrano , a racquet-sports strategist and consultant , to unpack the cultural boom of pickleball and the fast-rising padel movement and what it means for players, investors, and operators. Patricio explains why pickleball exploded (hint: everyone is the target market), how short games and easy onboarding supercharge engagement, and w...

SHOW NOTES: In this insightful episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Morgan Adams , an insomnia and holistic sleep coach, to break down why so many high achievers are running on fumes and what to do about it. Morgan shares practical tools , mindset shifts, and behavioral strategies for those struggling with sleep maintenance, middle-of-the-night wakeups, and chronic insomnia. Whether you’re a business...

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 of Stories With Traction , Matt Zaun sits down with Daniel McMahon, Founder and Managing Partner of Integrated Growth Advisors , to discuss how leaders can transition into purpose-driven, sustain...

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 of Stories With Traction, Matt Zaun sits down with Gary Braun , Founder and Owner of Pivotal Advisors , to break down what most companies get wrong about sales and how to build a repeatable system...

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 of Stories With Traction, Matt Zaun sits down with business strategist and growth expert, Jessica Yarbrough , to discuss how high-achieving professionals (especially those from the C-suite) can...

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 of Stories With Traction, Matt Zaun talks with Kristen Pucci, Founder and CEO of KRAE Creative & Talent, to explore why most leaders get marketing wrong and how to fix it through brand clarit...

SHOW NOTES: In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Luke Frazier , Head of Revenue at Good Agency , to explore how powerful storytelling can transform not only business results but also the human experience behind the brand.  Luke challenges business leaders to go beyond tactics and marketing hacks, and instead ask: “What impact are we really making?” In addition, they talk about: ✅ Why brand c...

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 really takes to grow a thriving service business from the ground up. Christopher shares how...

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 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 hid...

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 Mary Messner, a former healthcare executive turned keynote speaker, to explore how creativity, not just innovation, fuels business momentum. Mary shares how creative thi...

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 years of substance abuse, and how her path to recovery began at just 17. Now, more than a decade sober, sh...

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 Potential , for a raw and powerful conversation about what it truly takes to succeed in business...

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 Joshua B. Lee, Founder and Chief Engagement Officer of Standout Authority , to unpack what it truly means to be human in the age of AI. Joshua shares his powerful journe...

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 Lisa Dy, a mindset coach and public speaking advocate, to explore how leaders can create meaningful change by mastering communication, embracing vulnerability, and devel...

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 Steve Schmidt, Chief Revenue Officer and Co-Owner of Magnetic, as well as Co-Owner and Creative Lead at Spotlight Sioux Falls, to explore how creative content and radica...

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 Cody Hand, founder of Speakers Collaborative, to discuss what it really takes to become a dynamic speaker in the age of AI and short attention spans. Cody breaks down th...

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 Dave Snell , founder of Snell Advisory Group , to unpack the critical (and often ignored) role of cybersecurity in business today. Dave explains why cybersecurity is not...