
Stories With Traction
The Stories With Traction Podcast was created to empower leaders to elevate their businesses through the art of strategic storytelling. By engaging clients and inspiring team members, leaders can significantly impact the world around them. Each episode offers insights into storytelling, marketing, sales, company culture, and leadership, providing practical tools to drive growth and influence positive change. Tune in to transform your approach and lead with purpose.
Latest episodes

Jan 27, 2023 • 35min
Part 1 | Company Culture: Definition, Benefits and Strategies
SHOW NOTES:SERIES: This podcast episode is a part of a company culture series with Ricardo Gonzalez on the Stories With Traction Podcast.SUMMARY: In this episode, Ricardo Gonzalez and Matt Zaun talk about what company culture is and why most leaders get it wrong.RICARDO GONZALEZ BIO: Ricardo is the Founder and CEO of Bilingual America and the author of numerous books that focus on multicultural leadership and cultural communications. He has consulted for many multinational and Fortune 500 companies. He aims to help organizations develop healthy cultural mindsets and skill sets since this drives human connection, creativity, and collaboration.For more info, check out Ricardo here:https://ricardogonzalez.comhttps://bilingualamerica.com/PAST EPISODE MENTIONED: Company Culture Statement Needed | https://storieswithtraction.buzzsprout.com/1781130/10862290-company-culture-statement-neededMATT ZAUN BIO: Matt is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who empowers organizations to attract more clients through the art of strategic storytelling. Matt’s past engagements have catalyzed radical sales increases for over 300 organizations that range from financial institutions to the health and wellness industry.Matt shares his expertise in persuasion with executives, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs, who he coaches on the art of influence and how to leverage this for profits and impact.For more info, check out Matt Zaun here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/

Jan 20, 2023 • 32min
Be Intentional With Your Giving
SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Dan Koval and Matt Zaun talk about how to be intentional with your giving.DAN KOVAL BIO: Currently in his 14th year at Bentley Systems, Dan Koval oversees all global corporate giving and colleague community involvement. This includes Bentley’s massive STEM grant program, which provides funds on behalf of all full-time colleagues to designate monetary support for STEM programs in their communities. In addition, Dan has spent over a decade as a "Big Brother" in the Beyond School Walls Big Brother Big Sister program, he's mentored numerous students through the Future City Competition, and he spent some time in Rwanda building a bridge over a river in a rural village.For more info, check out Dan Koval here | https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-koval/MATT ZAUN BIO: Matt is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who empowers organizations to attract more clients through the art of strategic storytelling. Matt’s past engagements have catalyzed radical sales increases for over 300 organizations that range from financial institutions to the health and wellness industry.Matt shares his expertise in persuasion with executives, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs, who he coaches on the art of influence and how to leverage this for profits and impact.For more info, check out Matt Zaun here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/

Jan 13, 2023 • 55min
Part 2 | Six Figure Sales Secrets
SHOW NOTES:SERIES: This podcast episode is a part of a series with Author, Marcus Chan. In these 2 episodes, we will unpack numerous concepts in his book, Six Figure Sales Secrets.SUMMARY: In this episode, Marcus Chan and Matt Zaun talk about the difference between being good at sales and crushing your sales goals.MARCUS CHAN BIO: Marcus is the founder of Venli Consulting Group and Six Figure Sales Academy.For more info, check out Marcus here | https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcuschanmbahttps://www.venliconsulting.comhttps://www.closewithchan.com/6-figure-sales-secrets-book-a21MATT ZAUN BIO: Matt is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who empowers organizations to attract more clients through the art of strategic storytelling. Matt’s past engagements have catalyzed radical sales increases for over 300 organizations that range from financial institutions to the health and wellness industry.Matt shares his expertise in persuasion with executives, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs, who he coaches on the art of influence and how to leverage this for profits and impact.For more info, check out Matt Zaun here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/

Jan 6, 2023 • 45min
Part 1 | Six Figure Sales Secrets
SHOW NOTES:SERIES: This podcast episode is a part of a series with Author, Marcus Chan. In the next 2 episodes, we will unpack numerous concepts in his book, Six Figure Sales Secrets.SUMMARY: In this episode, Marcus Chan and Matt Zaun talk about the difference between being good at sales and crushing your sales goals.MARCUS CHAN BIO: Marcus is the founder of Venli Consulting Group and Six Figure Sales Academy.For more info, check out Marcus here |https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcuschanmbahttps://www.venliconsulting.comhttps://www.closewithchan.com/6-figure-sales-secrets-book-a21MATT ZAUN BIO: Matt is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who empowers organizations to attract more clients through the art of strategic storytelling. Matt’s past engagements have catalyzed radical sales increases for over 300 organizations that range from financial institutions to the health and wellness industry.Matt shares his expertise in persuasion with executives, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs, who he coaches on the art of influence and how to leverage this for profits and impact.For more info, check out Matt Zaun here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/

Dec 30, 2022 • 30min
Collaborative Conversations
SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Patrick Aylward and Matt Zaun talk about how to create a company culture that has collaborative conversations to reach the best optimal outcome.PATRICK AYLWARD BIO: Patrick is a speaker, workshop leader, and the author of The Collaborative Path.For more info, check out Patrick here:www.CollaborativePath.cahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-aylward01/https://www.amazon.com/Collaborative-Path-Communication-Problem-Solving-Decision-Making/dp/1525557629/ref=sr_1_1?crid=128GF9RNYHB8T&keywords=the+collaborative+path&qid=1652890609&sprefix=the+collaborative+p%2Caps%2C536&sr=8-1MATT ZAUN BIO: Matt is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who empowers organizations to attract more clients through the art of strategic storytelling. Matt’s past engagements have catalyzed radical sales increases for over 300 organizations that range from financial institutions to the health and wellness industry.Matt shares his expertise in persuasion with executives, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs, who he coaches on the art of influence and how to leverage this for profits and impact.For more info, check out Matt Zaun here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/

Dec 23, 2022 • 41min
“Sales” is NOT a Dirty Word
SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Bill Morrow and Matt Zaun unapologetically talk about Sales.BILL MORROW BIO: Bill is the Managing Partner at Empirical Consulting Solutions. Empirical is a management consulting firm focused on helping clients overcome hurdles that prevent them from growing. They take the time to understand their client’s issues, build a plan forward and then work shoulder-to-shoulder through implementation. Their experienced senior-level consultants know how to provide guidance across multiple functional areas including sales, marketing, HR, finance, leadership, supply chain, distribution, change management, and more.For more info, check out Bill here:www.thinkempirical.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/billkmorrowMATT ZAUN BIO: Matt is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who empowers organizations to attract more clients through the art of strategic storytelling. Matt’s past engagements have catalyzed radical sales increases for over 300 organizations that range from financial institutions to the health and wellness industry.Matt shares his expertise in persuasion with executives, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs, who he coaches on the art of influence and how to leverage this for profits and impact.For more info, check out Matt Zaun here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/

Dec 16, 2022 • 41min
Why You Need to Utilize Podcasting
SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Ryan Sullivan and Matt Zaun talk about how you can utilize podcasting to grow your business and/or advance your career. They go over the work it takes to launch a podcast, how to strategically use the medium, and the importance of thoughtful guesting.RYAN SULLIVAN BIO: Ryan is the founder of Podcast Principles, where he helps people launch top 1% podcasts with 0 paid promotion using a proven launch strategy tailored specifically to turn audience members into podcast fans.For more info, check out Ryan here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sullybopCheck out Jack Gallagher (Ryan’s business partner) here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-gallagher-b98070a2For more info on Podcast Principles, click here | https://podcastprinciples.comMATT ZAUN BIO: Matt is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who empowers organizations to attract more clients through the art of strategic storytelling. Matt’s past engagements have catalyzed radical sales increases for over 300 organizations that range from financial institutions to the health and wellness industry.Matt shares his expertise in persuasion with executives, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs, who he coaches on the art of influence and how to leverage this for profits and impact.For more info, check out Matt Zaun here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/

Dec 9, 2022 • 45min
Part 2 | Company Culture of Storytelling on LinkedIn
SHOW NOTES:SERIES: This episode is a part of a two-part series regarding LinkedIn storytelling and strategy.SUMMARY: In this episode, Rachel Simon and Matt Zaun talk about how business leaders can create a company culture of storytelling on LinkedIn.RACHEL SIMON BIO: Rachel is the Founder & CEO of Connect the Dots Digital, where she focuses on LinkedIn corporate strategy and how companies can utilize the platform with their employees for maximum results.For more info, check out Rachel here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/raksimon/*The episode regarding “Gamification in Business” can be found here | https://storieswithtraction.buzzsprout.com/1781130/10955349-gamification-in-business*The Corporate Social Responsibility episodes can be found below…The WHAT | https://storieswithtraction.buzzsprout.com/1781130/10957192-part-1-what-is-corporate-social-responsibilityThe WHY | https://storieswithtraction.buzzsprout.com/1781130/10962306-part-2-why-is-corporate-social-responsibility-importantThe How | https://storieswithtraction.buzzsprout.com/1781130/10962553-part-3-how-to-implement-a-corporate-social-responsibility-strategyMATT ZAUN BIO: Matt is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who empowers organizations to attract more clients through the art of strategic storytelling. Matt’s past engagements have catalyzed radical sales increases for over 300 organizations that range from financial institutions to the health and wellness industry.Matt shares his expertise in persuasion with executives, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs, who he coaches on the art of influence and how to leverage this for profits and impact.For more info, check out Matt Zaun here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/

Dec 2, 2022 • 43min
Part 1 | Share Your Stories on LinkedIn
SHOW NOTES:SERIES: This episode is a part of a two-part series regarding LinkedIn storytelling and strategy.SUMMARY: In this episode, Rachel Simon and Matt Zaun talk about why it’s important for business leaders to share their stories on LinkedIn.RACHEL SIMON BIO: Rachel is the Founder & CEO of Connect the Dots Digital, where she focuses on LinkedIn corporate strategy and how companies can utilize the platform with their employees for maximum results.For more info, check out Rachel here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/raksimon/MATT ZAUN BIO: Matt is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who empowers organizations to attract more clients through the art of strategic storytelling. Matt’s past engagements have catalyzed radical sales increases for over 300 organizations that range from financial institutions to the health and wellness industry.Matt shares his expertise in persuasion with executives, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs, who he coaches on the art of influence and how to leverage this for profits and impact.For more info, check out Matt Zaun here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/

Nov 25, 2022 • 36min
Part 3 | How to Become Great at Copywriting
SHOW NOTES:SERIES: This podcast episode is a part of a series that unpacks the WHAT, the WHY, and the HOW behind copywriting. By utilizing the concepts shared, you can radically enhance your sales, marketing, and company culture.SUMMARY: In this episode, Erin Geiger and Matt Zaun talk about how you can implement better copywriting in your day-to-day life.*Before you listen to the HOW episode, make sure you check out…The WHAT episode |The WHY episode |ERIN GEIGER BIO: Erin is the founder of Muscle Creative, where she helps business leaders make powerful connections with their community through copywriting. Over the past 20+ years, she's written for and managed the editorial, content, and launch teams for brands within Fortune 500 corporations like CBS and technology powerhouses like CNET, with clients ranging from the Coca-Colas of the world to all of the major record labels to your fave household CPG brands.For more info, check out Erin here...https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinpatriciageiger/https://www.instagram.com/musclecreativeco/https://www.facebook.com/musclecreativeco/https://www.musclecreative.com/Check out Erin’s podcast here | https://podcast.musclecreative.com/MATT ZAUN BIO: Matt is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who empowers organizations to attract more clients through the art of strategic storytelling. Matt’s past engagements have catalyzed radical sales increases for over 300 organizations that range from financial institutions to the health and wellness industry.Matt shares his expertise in persuasion with executives, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs, who he coaches on the art of influence and how to leverage this for profits and impact.For more info, check out Matt Zaun here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/