#170: Lessons From the CPA Who Took the Mic (and the Risk)

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, sustainable roles beyond their primary career without losing their identity or impact.

With over 30 years of experience as a CPA, strategist, and business advisor, Dan shares hard-earned wisdom on critical thinking, leadership, and what truly prepares founders for the next chapter of their lives after building a successful company.

He also shares how doing stand-up comedy has made him a stronger communicator and why that matters now more than ever in an AI-driven world.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✅ Comedy as a Communication Tool: Why Dan performs stand-up to sharpen business skills and model risk-taking

✅ Improv for Executives: How improv and humor unlock better listening, confidence, and connection

✅ Leading by Example: Why integrity means doing what you ask others to do—even if it terrifies you

✅ The Real Retirement Crisis: What happens when identity is tied too tightly to career success

…and much more!

GUEST BIO:

Daniel McMahon is the Founder and Managing Partner of Integrated Growth Advisors. With 30+ years of experience as a CPA and trusted business advisor, Dan helps founders and executives get unstuck, scale sustainably, and prepare for meaningful transitions (both in business and in life). He’s also an improv-trained stand-up comedian who believes leadership gets better when you’re willing to laugh at yourself.

Matt Zaun is an award-winning speaker and strategic storytelling expert who shows leaders how to inspire action and drive results through the power of story. He’s the author of The StoryBank, a book that teaches people how to utilize strategic storytelling to create a vibrant company culture, boost sales, enhance marketing, and become dynamic public speakers.