

Anecdotally Speaking
Shawn Callahan & Mark Schenk
Welcome to our podcast, Anecdotally Speaking. Each week we tell a business story, talk about why it works and discuss where you might tell it at work. Our aim is to help you build your story repertoire.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 15, 2025 • 0sec
276 – What We Do is Who We Are – Emlyn Hatch
In this episode, Emlyn Hatch shares his journey into storytelling and how it’s transformed his leadership and team culture. In Episode 276 of Anecdotally Speaking, …
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Dec 8, 2025 • 0sec
275 – The Magic Went Missing – Manchester United
Listen to hear how Manchester United shows us that small changes can erode culture. In Episode 275 of Anecdotally Speaking, Mark shares a story about …
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Dec 1, 2025 • 13min
274 – Illness to Opportunity – John Stetson
In Episode 274 of Anecdotally Speaking, discover how a bout of tuberculosis led to the creation of an American icon. In this episode, Shawn tells …
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Nov 24, 2025 • 40min
273 – Bold, Brave and a bit Quirky – Paul Fairweather
In Episode 273 of Anecdotally Speaking, we’re rejoined by Paul Fairweather to explore how creativity, storytelling, and illustration intertwine in his new book. In this …
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Nov 17, 2025 • 10min
272 – Are You Selling Trombone Oil? – Bob Iger
In Episode 272 of Anecdotally Speaking, discover how a unique metaphor helped Disney’s CEO evaluate risky decisions and how it can help you too. In …
The post 272 – Are You Selling Trombone Oil? – Bob Iger appeared first on Anecdote.

Nov 10, 2025 • 17min
271 – Planning for the Unexpected – New Horizons
Episode 271 of Anecdotally Speaking explores why most business problems live in a field of uncertainty, not precision. In this episode, Mark tells the story …
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Nov 3, 2025 • 21min
215 – Rising from Burnout – Simone Biles (rerun)
Discover the remarkable journey of Simone Biles and the powerful lessons it offers on burnout and the importance of empathy in judging others. In this …
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8 snips
Oct 27, 2025 • 13min
209 – Take the Opposing View (rerun)
Uncover how creative questioning inspired the development of GPS, from tracking Sputnik to innovative prototypes. Explore the concept of ground reversal as a creativity technique, and hear personal storytelling tips that enhance relatability. Delve into practical GPS applications and their implications for businesses. Lastly, engage in a thought-provoking discussion on the benefits of opposite thinking in generating fresh ideas and critiquing marketing jargon.

Oct 20, 2025 • 17min
270 – Publishing on Principal – Katharine Graham
In Episode 270, learn how a moment of courage by Katharine Graham shaped history and provided a lesson in principled leadership. Mark recounts the powerful …
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Oct 13, 2025 • 13min
269 – Generosity Inspires Generosity – Maria Andrejczyk
An Olympic medal auctioned for a child's medical care shines a light on the power of generosity. The conversation dives into how such selfless acts foster a culture of giving. Exploring how expectations shape human relationships, the hosts reveal insights on leadership and trust. They also discuss the effectiveness of plain language in storytelling, emphasizing its impact on communication. The dialogue touches on the ethical boundaries of storytelling, reminding us that the truth should always come first.


