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How Stories Happen
Jay Acunzo
Recent Episodes
AI and people both run on LLMs. AI has large language models. People have little life moments. But mostly, we don't draw on our LLMs confidently or consistently enough.
Neal Foard does, and that's made him one of the most exceptional (and viral) storytellers in the business world.
Neal joins me today to lay it all out: we talk about constructing stories, practicing and rehearsal, and how to shape a true story into something entertaining. Together, we hear his famous story of "the best bartender in Chicago" and talk about the little moments that make it work.
Neal is a keynote and TEDx speaker, a former ad agency and brand executive, and a storytelling and personal brand coach. After 25 years in advertising and marketing, working with world-class brands, Neal teaches leaders how to tell more persuasive stories.
The story we dissect: the Best Bartender in Chicago.
The final story you hear in the episode: the Peace Treaty.
Connect with Neal on his website, Instagram, YouTube, or Linkedin.
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CLARIFY YOUR MESSAGE + INCREASE YOUR IMPACT:
Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.com
Work with me one-on-one to nail your message or your next speech: jayacunzo.com/services
Book me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes
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ABOUT JAY ACUNZO:
You don't need more content. You need a better premise. I help you find and own a Big Idea, then turn it into a differentiated message, stronger speeches, and powerful IP, so you can grow from yet-another expert into their favorite voice. Build your business on the impact of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.
The changes my clients experience:
From passive reach → to passionate fans
From scattered thinking → to focused message
From “wall of smarts” talks → to exceptional speeches
From constantly chasing business → to being highly sought
Connect with me:on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky
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SHOW CREDITS:
This episode was produced by Ilana Nevins
Cover art designed by Blake Ink
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
In this special bonus episode, I take your questions about public speaking. We talk about the craft, but also the way we can better approach our speaking as a marketing strategy and approach, how to think about whether to charge for public speaking (and how much), and a lot more!
Whether you've got a speaking engagement coming up, give tons of talks each year, or you're just thinking about becoming a stronger and more strategic speaker to support your business and message, this episode will help you rethink some important pieces to the puzzle.
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IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING:
Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.com
Explore my services: jayacunzo.com/services
Book me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes
***
CONNECT:
Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky
This episode was produced by Ilana Nevins
Cover art designed by Blake Ink
***
ABOUT ME:
I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn’t to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.
With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.
After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I’ve partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.
I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I’m in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I’m not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.
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SUPPORT THE SHOW:
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
This episode, we do something a bit different. I’m joined by the brilliant messaging strategist and pioneer of the message design industry, Tamsen Webster! We fully nerd out on crafting messaging and the elements that help you create stronger speeches, better stories, and a more effective message for your entire platform.
Tamsen in not only a leader in the field of message design, she’s also the author of two revolutionary books: Find Your Red Thread and Say What They Can’t Unhear. She’s been named to the Thinkers50 Radar, spent over 10 years as an Idea Strategist for TEDx events, and continues to be a sought-after speaker and consultant helping her clients design messages that create large-scale change.
Tamsen understands the mechanics and structure of how to motivate readers, audiences, and listeners toward action. In this episode, we get into the nitty gritty of her favorite tagline (and why), what Aristotle has to teach us about story, and why story is an argument (and how to win it). We also break down what it takes to create a powerful message by examining the beats of the argument you need to address, from the foundation to the framing to the finishing. Can you communicate to get buy-in?
Connect with Tamsen on her website, instagram, and Linkedin
Grab a copy of Tamsen’s books
***
IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING:
Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.com
Work with me one-on-one: jayacunzo.com/services
Book me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes
***
CONNECT:
Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky
This episode was produced by Ilana Nevins
Cover art designed by Blake Ink
***
ABOUT ME:
I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn’t to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.
With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.
After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I’ve partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.
I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I’m in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I’m not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.
***
SUPPORT THE SHOW:
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
A technique for our work found in an incredible moment between John Mulaney and David Letterman. This is a solo episode from me to share something you can apply to your work right away to become a stronger storyteller, to differentiate your message, and to generally compete on the impact of your ideas NOT the volume of your marketing.
***
IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING:
Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.com
Explore my services: jayacunzo.com/services
Book me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes
***
CONNECT:
Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky
This episode was produced by Ilana Nevins
Cover art designed by Blake Ink
***
ABOUT ME:
I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn’t to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.
With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.
After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I’ve partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.
I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I’m in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I’m not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.
***
SUPPORT THE SHOW:
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
It's hard to show up publicly at times, sharing your work, giving of yourself to others. It can be even harder given the places we mostly show up online today. But Brad Montague is here to lead a joyful rebellion—one for creatives, artists, and humans of all kinds, both kids and (in Brad's terms) former kids. And here's here to show us that celebrating failure is part of the process of doing meaningful things.
Brad is a New York Times bestselling author of books for kids and former kids alike. He’s also a speaker and creator of the web series Kid President which took the world by storm years ago and was the first viral video I shared to all my friends instantly. His books, which he writes and illustrates with his wife Kristi, include The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination, The Circles All Around Us, Becoming Better Grownups, and his most recent, Failabration.
In our episode, Brad shares a delightful story in verse about the "dumpster fire" we always talk about, and a little girl who is skeptical, hopeful, and brave.
Brad and I discuss why his style of communicating matters, how humor cuts through defenses, the difference between speaking to an audience of children versus adults, and how we can let our audience know, instantly, “You’re in good hands.”
Connect with Brad on his website, Instagram, and LinkedIn
Grab a copy of Brad’s books
Watch the video I mention at the top of the episode, Kid President’s Pep Talk
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IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING:
Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.com
Work with me one-on-one: jayacunzo.com/services
Book me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes
***
CONNECT:
Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky
This episode was produced by Ilana Nevins
Cover art designed by Blake Ink
***
ABOUT ME:
I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn’t to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.
With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.
After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I’ve partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.
I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I’m in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I’m not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.
***
SUPPORT THE SHOW:
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts