The Art of Charm

Humans are storytellers by nature, so the ability to tell a great story is something we can all learn and develop over time - but where do you start if you want to become a great storyteller, what is the structure of a great story, and how do you practice if you’re not already a public speaker?What to Listen For What does science tell us about why storytelling is so powerful? What can you do to be a more compelling storyteller? What steps can you follow to tell unforgettable stories? What are the 4 basic steps of storytelling and how can you apply them in everyday life to become a great storyteller? What simple game can you play with family, friends, or strangers to test and improve your storytelling ability? Why are emotions such a crucial aspect of great storytelling and what can you do to incorporate them into your stories? What is the Angel’s Cocktail and how does it make for an unforgettable story? How should you approach storytelling in a professional setting like a networking event versus a personal setting like hanging out with friends or being on a date? How do you tell an engaging story when Powerpoint is involved and what should you avoid doing at all costs? What are the key things you should pay attention to in the audience when presenting? What are the 5 layers of communication and how does knowledge of them tell you who is trustworthy and who is not? What mindset should you adopt to better handle the Q & A after a talk or presentation? Storytelling is a skill like any other, but that means to become great at it requires you to practice it - how can you become good at anything without adequate repetition? But unlike many other skills, storytelling is something you can practice every single day with anyone you talk to. Just think about something that has happened in your life, large or small, and tell the story of it through the 4 basic steps discussed in this episode.A Word From Our SponsorsShare your vulnerabilities, victories, and questions in our 17,000-member private Facebook group at theartofcharm.com/challenge. This is a unique opportunity where everyone — both men and women — celebrate your accountability on the way to becoming the best version of yourself. Register today here!Resources from this EpisodeHow to Avoid Death by Powerpoint - TEDx TalkThe Magical Science of Storytelling - TEDx TalkThe 110 Techniques of Communication and Public Speaking - TEDx TalkJPUniversity - David JP Phillips’s school for storytellingDavid JP PhillipsCheck in with AJ and Johnny!AJ on InstagramJohnny on InstagramThe Art of Charm on InstagramThe Art of Charm on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Storytelling is the glue which has held humanity together over tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of years - but why are stories so important to us, what goes into creating a great story, and what can you do turn any story from your life into a great story worth telling?What to Listen For Why is storytelling such a valuable skill to have in personal and professional relationships? What can you do to tell engaging and compelling stories? Why is your storytelling ability important for making new friends, building a network, and dating? How does your storytelling ability make or break your performance in sales? Why do many of us focus on the wrong things when telling a story and how is it hindering you socially and professionally? Why are stories so powerful in conveying information and connecting us? How do you structure a story so you’re captivating the listeners and they can’t help but remember you? What is the Hero’s Journey and how has it been used throughout history to structure famous stories in mythology, religion, and literature? What are 8 steps can you follow to turn any story into a great story? How do you turn an average story into a great story? What are the do’s and don’ts of storytelling? What do people connect with most in stories and what puts them off? What is the “curse of knowledge” and how does it hurt your ability to tell great stories? Humans have likely been telling stories since we first stepped foot on this earth. It is one of our defining features in the animal kingdom and it is the thing that enables us to live and work together in groups, from families to communities to companies to nations. Storytelling is indeed an art, but an art with a structure. This structure has been passed down through the ages and can be found throughout the world in various cultures, which means it can be taught and learned. If you want to create strong relationships in your personal life and professional life, then you need to become a great storyteller.A Word From Our SponsorsShare your vulnerabilities, victories, and questions in our 17,000-member private Facebook group at theartofcharm.com/challenge. This is a unique opportunity where everyone — both men and women — celebrate your accountability on the way to becoming the best version of yourself. Register today here!Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes for creators, entrepreneurs, and curious people everywhere. You can take classes in Film and Video, Marketing, Productivity, and even Entrepreneurship! Join the millions of students already learning on Skillshare today with a special offer just for our listeners: Get two months of Skillshare for free by going to Skillshare.com/CHARM.Equal Parts is here to help you get into the flow of home cooking, with inviting cookware and coaching designed to introduce new ideas and keep you engaged with the process of cooking, one step at a time. Get into the rhythm of the kitchen, with friendly and inviting cookware, coaching, and guidance from Equal Parts. All with free shipping and free returns. Visit equalparts.com and use discount code CHARM get $50 off any cookware kit over $200!Resources from this EpisodeThe Art of Charm BootcampCooperation and the Evolution of Hunter-Gatherer StorytellingJoseph Campbell’s Hero’s JourneyCheck in with AJ and Johnny!AJ on InstagramJohnny on InstagramThe Art of Charm on InstagramThe Art of Charm on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Karen Wickre, expert in networking for introverts, discusses the strengths introverts bring to networking, the value introverts can bring to a network when starting out, and utilizing technology for networking. Topics include improving listening skills, using email, the importance of a 'third place,' balancing online brand, setting networking goals, and the significance of LinkedIn.

Networking is all about people (obviously), but it can be easy to forget that when we’re thinking about what we can get from the relationships in our lives while we should be thinking about what we can give - so how do you start networking with intentions and making sure they are the correct intentions?What to Listen For Why do you need to write a personal mission statement, and how do you go about constructing one? Why are you likely starting your day off on the wrong foot and what simple step can you take to start every day off on the right foot? Why is it so important to develop a plan with intention in how you go about your day? What questions should you be asking yourself each morning to set yourself up for success? How do you stay in touch after networking events with the people you meet at them? Why is it important in professional as well as personal relationships to regularly make exciting plans weeks or months in advance? What is a simple but powerful idea you can use to start building a solid network right before your next conference or networking event? What value can you offer to someone farther up the ladder of success than you? How do you deal with difficult people at work who refuse to cooperate if they don’t get their way? What question can you ask someone who you’re struggling to work with in order to move past the tension and conflict? We are human, and unless we make a conscious effort it can be easy for us to default to thinking about ourselves rather than others. However, when it comes to networking, the goal should not be to figure out “what you can get” from those you meet - but what you can give. You can make yourself stand out from the masses simply by putting effort into determining the value you can bring to those whose paths you cross. Understand the needs and wants, the hopes and fears of the people in your life, and go out of your way to help them and your network will know no bounds.A Word From Our SponsorsShare your vulnerabilities, victories, and questions in our 17,000-member private Facebook group at theartofcharm.com/challenge. This is a unique opportunity where everyone — both men and women — celebrate your accountability on the way to becoming the best version of yourself. Register today here!Hiring used to be hard. Multiple job sites, stacks of resumes, a confusing review process. But today, hiring can be easy and you only have to go to one place to get it done: ziprecruiter.com/charm. ZipRecruiter is so effective that 4 out of 5 of employers who post on ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate through the site within the first day.Resources from this EpisodeBrian Dixon’s websiteBrian’s TED TalkThe Clarity Sessions - Brian’s PodcastStart With Your PeopleCheck in with AJ and Johnny!AJ on InstagramJohnny on InstagramThe Art of Charm on InstagramThe Art of Charm on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The best networkers prepare for networking events in order to get the most out of them, but how do you go about preparing for a networking event, what are the do’s and don’ts of networking, and is your first impression shooting you in the foot before you even open your mouth?What to Listen For What are the do’s and don’ts of networking? How do you handle a networking event if you’re an introvert? What can you do to prepare for a networking event, and do you even need to? How can a bad (or even a neutral) first impression ruin your chances of success at a networking event and what can you do to make a fantastic first impression instead? What kind of research should you do before a networking event? How do you set yourself up for success before and/or during a networking event? How do you choose what to wear for a networking event, and what should you avoid wearing? Where should you hang out at networking events if you want to have the best chance of talking to the individuals you’re trying to meet? Why is it a mistake to make a pitch or try to close a deal when you meet someone at a networking event? What game can you play to make networking opportunities fun and productive? Why is it hurting you to think about what you can take from networking opportunities rather than what you can give? What should you do after a networking event to help you process and learn from the experience? Why is it damaging to your networking potential if you can’t explain what you do in simple terms? What should your elevator pitch attempt to accomplish and why do so many of us focus on the wrong parts? Why do most people fail when it comes to networking and what can you do to set yourself apart from them? How soon after meeting someone at a networking event should you start working on the follow-up? What is a pre-event and how can you plan a simple one to your advantage, setting you apart from most people at a networking event? Networking is like many endeavors in this world - your results depend on how much work you’re willing to put in. The best networkers prepare for every networking event by making sure their first impression is on point, they know who is going to attend and who they want to meet, they understand how to connect and pitch themselves, and most importantly, they follow up.A Word From Our SponsorsShare your vulnerabilities, victories, and questions in our 17,000-member private Facebook group at theartofcharm.com/challenge. This is a unique opportunity where everyone — both men and women — celebrate your accountability on the way to becoming the best version of yourself. Register today here!Hiring used to be hard. Multiple job sites, stacks of resumes, a confusing review process. But today, hiring can be easy and you only have to go to one place to get it done: ziprecruiter.com/charm. ZipRecruiter is so effective that 4 out of 5 of employers who post on ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate through the site within the first day.Resources from this EpisodeEpisode 693: Identifying Low Value BehaviorsEpisode 694: Becoming High ValueEpisode 781: How To Grow Your Network Through Social CapitalCheck in with AJ and Johnny!AJ on InstagramJohnny on InstagramThe Art of Charm on InstagramThe Art of Charm on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

IntroductionNetworking has picked up a bad rap over the years, but what exactly is networking, how is your network different from your social circle, and how do you go about building a strong network full of great people and amazing opportunities?What to Listen For What is the difference between your social circle and your network, and how can the misunderstanding of the difference lead to a loss of opportunities, both personally and professionally? What are the biggest myths surrounding networking? What is social capital and why is your familiarity with it crucial to your ability to network effectively? Why do many of us view networking as transactional, and why is that mindset detrimental to building a strong network? How important is your first impression when building a network versus building a social circle? What is the easiest area to focus on if you want to strengthen your network, and why can ignoring it have detrimental effects? Why are your casual acquaintances more likely to lead to job offers than your close friends? Is it more important to surround yourself with people just starting out, at your level, or further along than you, and why? What common viewpoint can stunt the growth of your network and lead to your network being full of toxic relationships? A strong network can lead to a healthier personal and professional life for one primary reason: a variety of backgrounds. Your network is different from your social circle (though they can overlap) because the individuals in your social circle are people you spend the most time with, and so they tend to share a similar background as you, which means they are likely to share the same perspectives and values you do. People in your network, however, likely come from a variety of backgrounds and are likely then to have different perspectives, values, and career choices.This variety helps keep you open to new ideas and perspectives but also drastically expands the number of connections you have because of the sheer number of people that those in your network have access to.A Word From Our SponsorsShare your vulnerabilities, victories, and questions in our 17,000-member private Facebook group at theartofcharm.com/challenge. This is a unique opportunity where everyone — both men and women — celebrate your accountability on the way to becoming the best version of yourself. Register today here!Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes for creators, entrepreneurs, and curious people everywhere. You can take classes in Film and Video, Marketing, Productivity, and even Entrepreneurship! Join the millions of students already learning on Skillshare today with a special offer just for our listeners: Get two months of Skillshare for free by going to Skillshare.com/CHARM.Equal Parts is here to help you get into the flow of home cooking, with inviting cookware and coaching designed to introduce new ideas and keep you engaged with the process of cooking, one step at a time. Get into the rhythm of the kitchen, with friendly and inviting cookware, coaching, and guidance from Equal Parts. All with free shipping and free returns. Visit equalparts.com and use discount code CHARM get $50 off any cookware kit over $200!Resources from this EpisodeEpisode 693: Identifying Low Value BehaviorsEpisode 694: Becoming High Value“The Strength of Weak Ties” by Mark GranovetterCheck in with AJ and Johnny!AJ on InstagramJohnny on InstagramThe Art of Charm on InstagramThe Art of Charm on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some of the most intense and important negotiations humanity has witnessed have taken place in and around the field of battle, but how much do they have in common with the negotiations we engage in on a daily basis, what can civilians learn from how the military successfully approaches its negotiations, and what 5 strategies can you implement today in order to improve your negotiation skills?What to Listen For What are the most common mistakes people make when negotiating and what can you do to avoid making them? What is the difference between negotiating to create choices and negotiating to reach an agreement, and why should you aim for one while avoiding the other at all costs? Why do most people only think about negotiations in the short term and how can that mindset cause so much damage in the long term? What are the commonalities between life or death military negotiations and negotiations in business? How do you take cultural differences into account when negotiating? What questions should you be asking yourself about the parties in a negotiation if you don’t want to screw it up? What are the 5 strategies of extreme negotiating and how can you use them in important negotiations to everyday negotiations in order to reach a desirable outcome for all parties involved? Many people tend to enter into negotiations with a short term goal in mind. We want the best deal, or the biggest win for ourselves, regardless of what it costs the other party. Think about when you buy a car - are you thinking about the person you’re buying the car from? What about when you’re negotiating a raise - are you actively trying to understand what is required of you to merit that raise and then clearly conveying to your employer what you’ve done to meet or exceed those requirements?Every negotiation we engage in has the potential to build or break relationships. If that’s the case, shouldn’t it be in your best interest to focus on building relationships with win-win outcomes versus breaking them with win-lose outcomes?A Word From Our SponsorsShare your vulnerabilities, victories, and questions in our 17,000-member private Facebook group at theartofcharm.com/challenge. This is a unique opportunity where everyone — both men and women — celebrate your accountability on the way to becoming the best version of yourself. Register today here!Hiring used to be hard. Multiple job sites, stacks of resumes, a confusing review process. But today, hiring can be easy and you only have to go to one place to get it done: ziprecruiter.com/charm. ZipRecruiter is so effective that 4 out of 5 of employers who post on ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate through the site within the first day.Blinkist gives you access to key insights from 2,500+ bestselling nonfiction books, transformed into powerful packs you can read or listen to in just 15 minutes. Go to Blinkist.com/AOC to start your free trial or get three months off your yearly plan when you join today.Resources from this EpisodeExtreme Negotiations - Harvard Business ReviewThe West Point Negotiation ProjectCheck in with AJ and Johnny!AJ on InstagramJohnny on InstagramThe Art of Charm on InstagramThe Art of Charm on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode we talk with Wil Schroter. Will is a serial entrepreneur who has started 9 companies since 1994 and sold 4 of them to date. He is currently the CEO and founder of Startups.co, the world's largest startup launch platform.A Word From Our SponsorsShare your vulnerabilities, victories, and questions in our 17,000-member private Facebook group at theartofcharm.com/challenge. This is a unique opportunity where everyone — both men and women — celebrate your accountability on the way to becoming the best version of yourself. Register today here!Join the millions of students already learning on Skillshare today with a special offer just for my listeners: Get two months of Skillshare for free. go to Skillshare.com/CHARM. Again, go to Skillshare.com/CHARM to start your two months now. That’s Skillshare.com/CHARM.Become a member today by going to feals.com/charm and you’ll get 50% off your first order with free shipping. That’s feals.com/charm to become a member and get 50% automatically taken off your first order with free shipping. Hiring used to be hard. Multiple job sites, stacks of resumes, a confusing review process. But today, hiring can be easy and you only have to go to one place to get it done: ziprecruiter.com/charm. ZipRecruiter is so effective that 4 out of 5 of employers who post on ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate through the site within the first day.Check in with AJ and Johnny!AJ on InstagramJohnny on InstagramThe Art of Charm on InstagramThe Art of Charm on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some of the most important decisions in your life involve negotiating with someone more experienced than you, so what can you do today to make sure you are well prepared for every negotiation to come? What to Listen For What can you do to make sure you’re not shooting yourself in the foot when negotiating? What is the difference between negotiating from a place of cooperation versus position? How are you killing opportunities by negotiating with a competitive mindset and what mindset should you be negotiating with if you want to get the most out of every negotiation? What is the Harvard Negotiation Project and what can you take from it to improve your negotiation skills today? How does pressure work against you in negotiations and what can we do to handle it so it doesn’t have detrimental consequences in the long term? What 3 things are you doing to kill your chances of negotiating a raise? What 3 traits are critical to entering a negotiation that allows for a win-win for all parties involved? What is BATNA and why is your understanding of it crucial if you want to negotiate successfully? How do you develop a bulletproof approach to any negotiation? How do you gain agreement from the other party in a negotiation to decrease the chance of it falling through? When negotiating a raise, what should your first point of agreement be between you and your employer? Negotiating can be both fun and exciting for all parties involved, but it can also be uncomfortable and downright painful. Ideally, we want to avoid the latter, but many of us enter into negotiations from a position that pushes the other party away because we try to come from a place of power and strength. No one wants to be taken advantage of so that is understandable. However, the person we are negotiating with doesn’t want to feel pushed around either, and so a different kind of strength must be used when entering into a negotiation, and that strength comes from a knowledge of what you want as well as what the other person wants. When you do your research and have options, you allow the other party to negotiate with you on what they can offer you versus what you are looking for, rather than saying, “This is what I want and you must give it to me or I’m leaving.” That never ends well for anyone.A Word From Our SponsorsShare your vulnerabilities, victories, and questions in our 17,000-member private Facebook group at theartofcharm.com/challenge. This is a unique opportunity where everyone — both men and women — celebrate your accountability on the way to becoming the best version of yourself. Register today here!Hiring used to be hard. Multiple job sites, stacks of resumes, a confusing review process. But today, hiring can be easy and you only have to go to one place to get it done: ziprecruiter.com/charm. ZipRecruiter is so effective that 4 out of 5 of employers who post on ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate through the site within the first day.Before you go dropping hundreds of dollars on a pair, you need to check out the wireless earbuds from Raycon! Unlike some of your other wireless options, Raycon earbuds are both stylish and discreet, with no dangling wires or stems. And of course, they don’t just look great. They sound great, too. Go to BuyRaycon.com/CHARM to get 15% off your order!Clearbanc is changing the way entrepreneurs raise money with equity-free capital. They charge a small flat fee for the capital, and you pay them back using a win-win rev share. If you are doing over ten thousand a month in revenue, find out how you can receive Clearbanc capital by getting your 20-minute term sheet at clearbanc.com/CHARM.Resources from this EpisodeEpisode 777: Negotiating: 4 Things You Must KnowHarvard Negotiation ProjectEpisode 774: The 3 Most Common Hurdles in Decision MakingCheck in with AJ and Johnny!AJ on InstagramJohnny on InstagramThe Art of Charm on InstagramThe Art of Charm on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Negotiating doesn't have to be a battle. Embrace a win-win mindset to transform your approach and improve outcomes for both parties. Discover how cognitive biases like Prospect Theory can blind you to opportunities. Learn the art of interest-based negotiation by focusing on shared needs rather than positions. Want to boost success? Develop emotional intelligence, creativity, and effective strategies. Overcome the discomfort of negotiating by understanding it's about collaboration, not conflict.