Stories With Traction

SHOW NOTES: In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Joshua Altman of Beltway Media to talk about why communication is a core function of business, not an afterthought you bolt on three weeks before a product launch. Joshua shares what happens when companies call him at the last minute, how poor (or excessive) documentation slows everything down, and why leaders must rethink how they use AI for w...

SHOW NOTES: Matt Zaun sits down with Todd White , founder of Clearpeg , to unpack the causes of organizational chaos and how leaders can reduce stress by clarifying decision authority, strengthening leadership behaviors, and aligning on values. Todd, a self-described “recovering engineer,” shares how his background in systems thinking and global business assessments led him to focus on professiona...

SHOW NOTES: Matt Zaun sits down with Malcolm Peace , who shares how his team at Tsetserra evaluates and acquires businesses through a lens that goes beyond numbers. Malcolm introduces a core question that guides their investment thesis: “Do you fit into the story?” Instead of assuming they can “rebuild the plane mid-flight,” Malcolm explains why the best acquisitions align with what’s already work...

Show Notes: In this episode of Stories with Traction , Matt Zaun sits down with performance coach, speaker, and former pro tennis player Jeff Salzenstein to unpack what it means to “ own your zone ,” a powerful framework designed to help high achievers transform stress into strength and pressure into excellence without burning out. Jeff breaks down his three-zone model (body, mind, heart), explain...

SHOW NOTES: In this episode of Stories With Traction , host Matt Zaun sits down with John Welch , a B2B lead generation specialist based in Indianapolis, for a raw, unfiltered conversation about what actually works regarding lead generation and why most companies are playing the game completely wrong. John brings a decade of sales and marketing experience, including nearly 4 years focused on lead...

SHOW NOTES: In this solo episode of Stories With Traction , host Matt Zaun breaks down one of the most common mistakes even great storytellers make: they don’t spend enough time on the hook . But this isn’t about flashy intros or attention-grabbing openers. Matt reframes the hook as the point of change in a story, the moment that connects the message directly to the audience and moves them toward...

SHOW NOTES: In this solo episode of Stories With Traction , host Matt Zaun breaks down a simple, repeatable system for using storytelling to cut through noise, inspire action, and lead more effectively (without adding hours to your calendar). Matt introduces the 20-Minute Story Strategy Session, a practical framework leaders can use to uncover powerful stories already hidden in their subconscious...

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: 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: 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: 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...