
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

Oct 13, 2023 • 33min
The Story of BenefitsDNA
SHOW NOTES:Wanna…Boost your Sales?Enhance your Marketing?and create a vibrant company culture?All of that is possible through the power of Strategic Storytelling!Check out the Stories With Traction course, where you’ll learn how to set up a storybank and utilize it to achieve your goals!You can find the course HERE.EPISODE MENTIONED IN INTRO: The Importance of Learning Tours with Kirsten Yurich.PODCAST SUMMARY: In this episode, Justin Leader and Matt Zaun talk about the healthcare industry and why Justin founded BenefitsDNA.JUSTIN LEADER BIO: Justin is the President and Founding Partner of BenefitsDNA.For more info, check out Justin here | https://www.linkedin.com/in/justindonaldleader/https://benefitsdna.com/http://wefixyourhealthcare.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.

Oct 6, 2023 • 33min
Why Some Leaders Suffer
Wanna…Boost your Sales?Enhance your Marketing?and create a vibrant company culture?All of that is possible through the power of Strategic Storytelling!Check out the Stories With Traction course, where you’ll learn how to set up a storybank and utilize it to achieve your goals!You can find the course HERE.SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Don Schmincke and Matt Zaun talk about why a lack of strategic clarity leads to tactical frustration.DON SCHMINCKE BIO: For over 35 years, Don and his team have consulted and trained executives in North America, South America, Europe, and India. Additionally, they have conducted leadership research excursions in South Africa, Japan, Bhutan, Vietnam, South Korea, and North African regions. Within the last few decades, Don has worked behind the scenes and trained over 7,000 CEOs on organizational performance and growth.For more info, check out Don HERE.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.

Sep 29, 2023 • 38min
Strategic Networking
EPISODES MENTIONED IN INTRO:Stories of LeadershipHow to Get Involved in Politics How to Build a Legacy How Hobbies Make You More Creative SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Terence Farrell and Matt Zaun discuss how to have intentionality and strategy behind networking.TERENCE FARRELL BIO: Terence served as a Chester County Commissioner for 12 years, and before that, he was the Recorder of Deeds for 8 years. Today, he is the President of For Real Solutions, a consulting firm that brings value to its clients through leveraging Terence’s knowledge, experience, network, and creativity. Two of the major focuses for his business are on reducing healthcare costs for various organizations and mitigating loss in pension funds that occur because of fraud or other illegal activities.For more info, check out Terence HERE.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.

Sep 22, 2023 • 40min
Understanding Your Behavioral DNA
Wanna…Boost your Sales?Enhance your Marketing?and create a vibrant company culture?All of that is possible through the power of Strategic Storytelling!Check out the Stories With Traction course, where you’ll learn how to set up a "Storybank" and utilize it to achieve your goals!You can find the course HERE.SHOW NOTES:PODCAST EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode, Ana Quinn and Matt Zaun talk about how understanding your “Behavioral DNA” will position you to be a better leader.ANA QUINN BIO: Ana is the co-founder and managing partner of Imprint Talent Readiness, and she is also a Vistage Chair, where she and her husband, Chris, coach 180 CEOs and executives on how to be better leaders for their organizations.For more info, check out Ana here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-rios-quinn/https://www.imprinttalent.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.

Sep 15, 2023 • 38min
How to Embrace Creativity
Wanna...Boost your Sales?Enhance your Marketing?and create a vibrant company culture?All of that is possible through the power of Strategic Storytelling!Check out the Stories With Traction course, where you’ll learn how to set up a "Storybank" and utilize it to achieve your goals!You can find the course HERE.SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Robin O’Donovan and Matt Zaun talk about how songwriters embrace creativity and how you can do the same thing when it comes to your storytelling ability.ROBIN O’DONOVAN BIO: Robin is the founder of My Energetic Tribe Coaching, where she focuses on helping people simplify their life purpose and add to the new purpose-driven economy. In addition, Robin is the author of The Seven Core Life Purposes, and she’s a professional Singer and Songwriter.For more info, check out Robin HERE.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.

Sep 8, 2023 • 10min
Significant Stories
Wanna…Boost your Sales?Enhance your Marketing?and create a vibrant company culture?All of that is possible through the power of Strategic Storytelling!Check out the Stories With Traction course, where you’ll learn how to set up a "Storybank" and utilize it to achieve your goals!You can find the course HERE.PODCAST SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: This is a solo episode focused on the significant stories in your life.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.

Sep 5, 2023 • 36min
The Story of Bro Dough
Wanna…Boost your Sales?Enhance your Marketing?and create a vibrant company culture?All of that is possible through the power of Strategic Storytelling!Check out the Stories With Traction course, where you’ll learn how to set up a "Storybank" and utilize it to achieve your goals!You can find the course HERE.PODCAST SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Erica Rankin and Matt Zaun talk about what it took to make Bro Dough what it is today.ERICA RANKIN BIO: Erica is the Founder & CEO of Bro Dough, which is Canada’s first better-for-you edible cookie dough.For more info, check out Erica here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabrodough/https://www.growwitherica.com/https://brodough.ca/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.

Sep 1, 2023 • 39min
The Speaker
Wanna…Boost your Sales?Enhance your Marketing?and create a vibrant company culture?All of that is possible through the power of Strategic Storytelling!Check out the Stories With Traction course, where you’ll learn how to set up a "Storybank" and utilize it to achieve your goals!You can find the course HERE.PODCAST SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: Many people have asked me over the years, “who is your favorite speaker, Matt?” The Speaker that I’ve learned the most from and who has had the largest impact on my career has been Ryan Avery. Having him on the Stories With Traction podcast was an honor and privilege.RYAN AVERY BIO: Ryan is the speaker that shows people and organizations how to go from A to The. He is an incredible author and world record-breaker.For more info, check out Ryan HERE.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.

Aug 25, 2023 • 36min
How Hobbies Make You More Creative
SUMMARY: In this episode, Terence Farrell and Matt Zaun discuss how our hobbies can make us more creative in life and business.TERENCE FARRELL BIO: Terence served as a Chester County Commissioner for 12 years, and before that, he was the Recorder of Deeds for 8 years. Today, he is the President of For Real Solutions, a consulting firm that brings value to its clients through leveraging Terence’s knowledge, experience, network, and creativity. Two of the major focuses for his business are on reducing healthcare costs for various organizations and mitigating loss in pension funds that occur because of fraud or other illegal activities.For more info, check out Terence HERE.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.

Aug 18, 2023 • 37min
The Future of Events and AI
Wanna…Boost your Sales?Enhance your Marketing?...and create a vibrant company culture?All of that is possible through the power of Strategic Storytelling!Check out the Stories With Traction course, where you’ll learn how to set up a storybank and utilize it to achieve your goals!You can find the course HERE.SHOW NOTES:PODCAST EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode, Rajeev Kapur and Matt Zaun talk about how COVID changed 1105 Media’s business and how they were able to be creative to continue to deliver value to their clients. In addition, they talk about the future of in-person events and why leaders should embrace AI.RAJEEV KAPUR BIO: Rajeev is the President and CEO of 1105 Media. As a Global Business and Tech Leader, he has reinvented business cultures and has transformed stagnant sales into dynamic multimillion-dollar growth for small and middle-market companies. A true rainmaker and innovator, he is passionate about repairing broken market strategies, company cultures, and leadership stagnation to identify and capture new business opportunities.For more info, check out Rajeev here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajeevkapur1/https://1105media.com/pages/from-our-ceo.aspxMATT 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.