
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

Jul 1, 2022 • 48min
Company Culture Statement Needed
SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Ricardo Gonzalez and Matt Zaun talk about why EVERY company needs a Culture Statement and what that entails.RICARDO GONZALEZ BIO: Ricardo is an expert in multi-cultural leadership and cultural communications. He has consulted for many multi-national and Fortune 500 companies, and his goal is to help organizations and individuals develop healthy cultural mindsets and skillsets since this drives human connection, creativity, and collaboration.For more info, check out Ricardo here:https://ricardogonzalez.com/booksMATT 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://youtu.be/pflQtzgP7X0https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/https://mattzaun.com/

Jun 24, 2022 • 34min
Leadership Development is Key
SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Megan Galloway and Matt Zaun talk about the importance of leadership development.MEGAN GALLOWAY BIO: Megan is on a mission to make the workplace a more human, kind, and authentic place for people and future generations to thrive.For more info, check out Megan here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/megalloway/https://www.getcampfire.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://youtu.be/pflQtzgP7X0https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/https://mattzaun.com/

Jun 17, 2022 • 44min
The Power of Debriefing
SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Chris Banks shares stories during his time in the Navy, and how these experiences prepared him to lead in business.CHRIS BANKS BIO: Chris is the President of Banks Industrial Group, which specializes in bulk storage tank insulation, industrial polymer and epoxy coatings, concrete repair, safety crossovers, pipe insulation, and repair services.For more info, check out:https://www.banksindustrial.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://youtu.be/pflQtzgP7X0https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/https://mattzaun.com/

Jun 10, 2022 • 41min
Winning at Digital Marketing
SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Tom Armitage and Matt Zaun talk about digital marketing strategies, and how you need to be focused on the specific stories you’re telling your customers.TOM ARMITAGE BIO: Tom is the digital marketing playmaker, and he loves helping people use their God-given talents to make the best use of their time on earth.PROFESSIONAL:Worked in non-profit, corporate & agency environmentsTaught 120 students over 8 yearsSupported more than 100 companies with marketingOverseen millions of dollars in digital ad spendSpoken on national stagesContributed to dozens of publicationsPERSONAL: Faith and family firstSingle dad with two kidsFree speech, anti-censorshipSeen more than 100 artists/bands liveTop 4% of Spotify users based on hours listenedRecorded 3 rap albumsFor more info, check out Tom here:https://www.site-seeker.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasjarmitage/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/https://youtu.be/pflQtzgP7X0https://mattzaun.com/

Jun 3, 2022 • 39min
The Power of Vulnerability
SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Carl Shawn Watkins and Matt Zaun talk about the power of vulnerability.CARL SHAWN WATKINS BIO: Carl has over 25 years of business leadership and business culture fortitude in the financial, mortgage, and legal services arena. He now empowers executives and leaders on how to transform their vulnerability into a superpower. For more info, check out Carl here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlswatkins1/https://carlshawnwatkins.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://youtu.be/pflQtzgP7X0https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/https://mattzaun.com/

May 27, 2022 • 44min
Solid Business Playbook
SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Kiva Slade and Matt Zaun talk about the importance of having a solid business playbook for your company. KIVA SLADE: Kiva combines strategic planning skills and her detail-oriented nature to manage the operations of 6+ figure online business owners freeing them up to make a bigger impact on the world.For more info, check out Kiva here:https://www.the516collaborative.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kivaslade/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://youtu.be/pflQtzgP7X0https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/https://mattzaun.com/

May 20, 2022 • 41min
How to Radically Reduce Your Stress
SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Dr. Katie Nall and Matt Zaun talk about the stress that people bring on by telling themselves negative stories, and what they can do to combat this challenge. DR. KATIE NALL BIO: Dr. Katie is an author, speaker, and Master EFT practitioner. She creates long-lasting change in the lives of the people in her audience. A sought-after speaker for colleges and universities, non-profit organizations, and private events, Dr. Katie Nall brings a relatable and calm demeanor to her topics of expertise.Check out her TEDx Talk here | https://youtu.be/KZNdBxdNGIEFor more info, check out Dr. Katie Nall here:https://www.nalledgeco.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/katienallphd/https://www.youtube.com/c/KatieNallPhDMATT 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://youtu.be/pflQtzgP7X0https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/https://mattzaun.com/

May 13, 2022 • 46min
Clarity, Reflection, and Trauma
SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Kianna Sadge and Matt Zaun talk about clarity, reflection, and trauma.KIANNAA SADGE BIO: Kiannaa is a fearless communicator who teaches others how to gain profound change by developing the most important relationship we will ever have: the one within ourselves. She works with people to become leaders of change.Leaders who know how to serve our world in a compassionate, authentic, and purposeful manner.She is an innovator and activator who guides clients on an experiential journey of development through awareness, powerful actions, and clarity of intention by accessing our inherent tools within.Kiannaa teaches clients about Energy Management, Emotional Intelligence, the Power of the Voice, and much more.For more info, check out Kiannaa here:http://kiannaa.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiannaasadge/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://youtu.be/pflQtzgP7X0https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/https://mattzaun.com/

May 6, 2022 • 30min
How to Use AI to Craft the Right Stories
SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Denise Murtha Bachmann and Matt Zaun talk about how companies can use AI to craft the right stories to tell their customers. DENISE MURTHA BACHMANN BIO: Denise is a Senior Account Executive at Clarifai. She focuses on using AI to enhance companies’ customer experience, effectiveness, and to reduce operational costs. For more info, check out Denise here | https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigittedenise/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://youtu.be/pflQtzgP7X0https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/https://mattzaun.com/

Apr 27, 2022 • 49min
The Impact of Mindfulness
SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Harriet Stein and Matt Zaun talk about the impact of mindfulness and why some of the most important stories are the ones we tell ourselves. HARRIET STEIN BIO: Harriet is the Founder and President of Big Toe In The Water. She has designed and delivered more than 70 Mindfulness programs to over 5,000 employees at J&J, presented at internal leadership summits for global audiences, and instructed on Mindful Leadership. For more info, check out Harriet here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/harriet-stein-bigtoeinthewater/https://www.bigtoeinthewater.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://youtu.be/pflQtzgP7X0https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/https://mattzaun.com/