Dr. Matthew Naylor, President and CEO of the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Under his leadership, this Kansas City landmark has become more than a museum; it’s a living, breathing front porch for the community and a destination for visitors from around the globe.

Dr. Naylor shares how the museum honors those who served while also “confessing the horrors of war,” using immersive storytelling and cutting-edge technology to connect history to today’s challenges. He reflects on what it means to make an institution porous, inviting the community in for everything from the Stars and Stripes Picnic to championship parades, and why influence comes not from being the center of the story, but from serving others and helping them create their own memories.

Along the way, listeners will hear lessons in leadership, philanthropy, and trust, from rethinking board engagement, to building unexpected partnerships (yes, even around tattoos and cannabis), to using language as a tool for uniting rather than dividing.

If you’ve ever wondered how influence can be rooted in service, humility, and storytelling, this episode is for you.

Takeaways:

• Lead with service, not ego. Influence grows when you focus on helping others create their stories rather than positioning yourself as the star.
• Make your organization “porous.” Remove barriers and invite people in—whether for community events, partnerships, or unexpected collaborations.
• Balance reverence with honesty. Honor sacrifice while also “confessing the horrors” of difficult truths—holding tension builds credibility and trust.
• Leverage technology to deepen human connection. Use immersive storytelling tools, but root them in authentic voices and real history.
• Play to your board members’ strengths. Align their passions and assets with your mission to multiply your organization’s impact.
• Expand influence through partnerships. Collaborate outside traditional boundaries (tattoos, cannabis, sports) to connect with new audiences.
• Guard public trust. Transparency, ethics, and accountability are non-negotiable—especially when leading institutions that carry civic responsibility.

Quote of the Show:

• “I have learned that by calling people or articulating a vision, a hopeful future for an organization, being able to articulate the purpose of the organization, and inviting people if that resonates with them to be a part of it, is a really powerful way of influencing others.”

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattnaylor/ 
• Website: https://www.theworldwar.org/