Giant Stories

By Medium Giant

While the tools we have at our disposal to create and share stories have never been more broad and varied, the fundamentals of great storytelling remain as transcendent as ever.

Despite the headwinds... more

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Giant Stories:

How many episodes does Giant Stories have?

The podcast currently has 14 episodes available.

Giant Stories episodes:

August 16, 2025 Signs, Strategy, and Storytelling: Inside Tire Discounters’ Unique Brand Voice — with Crissy Niese
In this episode of Giant Stories, we sit down with Crissy Niese, the Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer of Tire Discounters, to explore how a Cincinnati-based, family-owned company has grown from a one-bay garage into one of the nation’s largest independent tire and automotive service chains.

Episode highlights include:

The origins of Tire Discounters and its family-owned ethos
Why storytelling is the foundation of Tire Discounters’ brand strategy
The surprising power of humor and humanity in a traditionally “unsexy” industry
Creating brand equity through cheeky signage, radio jingles, and character-driven ads
How Tire Discounters brings employees and customers into the brand narrative
Turning a transactional industry into a relationship-driven business

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
39min
July 14, 2025 Built by Locals, Made for the World: The Heart Behind the Dallas Rebrand — with Jennifer Walker
In this episode of Giant Stories, host John Kiker sits down with Jennifer Walker, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Dallas, for an honest, insightful, and energizing look at how a bold brand transformation is reshaping how the world sees Dallas — and how Dallas sees itself.

Jennifer and her team are on a mission: take Dallas from a city with strong name recognition but low tourism consideration and turn it into a top-tier global destination. This is more than a logo or a campaign — it’s a unifying story rooted in people, culture, innovation, and swagger.
You’ll hear how Visit Dallas’ “Can-Do” brand was built from the inside out, beginning with robust community input, strategic storytelling, and a vision for long-term economic and emotional impact.
From spotlighting local luminaries and telling good stories, to preparing for FIFA and shaping how international visitors experience Dallas, this episode is a must-listen for brand builders, city leaders, and anyone curious about how bold ideas can become intentional brand movements.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
36min
April 25, 2025 Helmets Off: How the NFL is Winning with Global Storytelling — with Marissa Solis
In this episode of Giant Stories, we sit down with one of today’s most dynamic marketing leaders, Marissa Solis, Senior Vice President of Global Brand and Consumer Marketing for the NFL.

From transforming fan engagement to expanding the NFL’s global reach, Marissa shares how one of America’s most iconic brands continues to evolve through the power of storytelling.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
39min
March 26, 2025 Bringing the FIFA World Cup to North Texas — with Monica Paul
Episode highlights include:

A behind-the-curtain look at the bid process for hosting the FIFA World Cup

How North Texas positioned itself as a prime location for the event — and what makes its sports culture unique

The impact of bringing global audiences to North Texas and the massive infrastructure efforts needed to prepare for the World Cup

The economic and cultural impact of hosting nine matches in the metroplex — and the collaboration required between cities

A sneak peek into the plans for FIFA World Cup fan festivals, concerts, and immersive experiences

How major sporting events leave a lasting legacy in the community and why Dallas is already thinking ahead to a future Women’s World Cup bid

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
38min
February 26, 2025 Defining the Storytelling Edge — with Medium Giant’s Shawn Kruggel and Lizzy Bakhaus
Episode highlights include:

The Foundations of Great Storytelling: What makes a brand story compelling, and why authenticity is key.

Medium Giant’s Storytelling Framework: The unique exploration of critical context to earned ending.

The Role of AI in Creativity: When to embrace automation and when human insight matters most.

Reach vs. Resonance: How brands can balance data-driven tactics with emotional connection.

The Future of Storytelling in Marketing: Emerging trends in brand ecosystems, influencer marketing, and strategic consulting.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
45min
January 23, 2025From Convenience to Pop Culture: How 7-Eleven Tells Its Story — with Marissa Jarratt
Episode highlights include:
The accidental way Marissa fell in love with brand marketing after initially pursuing a career in finance
The story framework that 7-Eleven uses in all its marketing, communications, programming, development, and partnerships
Why “conflict” is so important to brand storytelling — and how 7-Eleven activates the brand’s conflict of amusing vs. essential
How launching a Slurpee into space showcased just one way 7-Eleven contextualizes its marketing to its audiences
The role of “car culture” in 7-Eleven marketing — and what they learned from their fans
How 7-Eleven approaches sustainability for the short-term and long-term future
The three ways that 7-Eleven is navigating Generative AI

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
42min
January 21, 2025The Real Deal: Why Authentic Storytelling Matters for Brands — with Paige Guzman
In this episode, Paige shares her brand experience and insights with John Kiker, president of Medium Giant, including:
The origin stories behind brands like Lagunitas and Mezzetta — and why authenticity matters
How to appeal to consumers emotionally and deliver content that makes an impact
Why brands birthed in boardrooms can be more challenging to build stories around
The challenges of finding influencers who have a meaningful connection with the brand
Where she sees a huge opportunity for unfulfilled stories in the market
Her predictions for how storytelling will evolve over the next five years

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
33min
December 14, 2024How 105 Moons Sparked the Importance of Every Individual’s Story and Truth in Leadership — with Jackie Insinger
In this episode, Jackie shares her own sparks of leadership inspiration with John Kiker, president of Medium Giant, including:
Why having a rich diversity of perspectives — individual stories — can influence better decision-making, greater innovation, and bigger outputs
Why we can’t manage through change in today’s VUCA world — and what to do instead
The critical impact of psychological safety — and why encouraging courage is necessary for innovation, growth, and success
What “Ted Lasso leadership” can show us about the intersection of transparency, authenticity, and positivity
How the “power lead” technique can help set a positive tone
Why creating smaller finish lines is a game-changer for maintaining momentum

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
37min
November 27, 2024From Pizza Coupons to PCs: How Insights Drive Stories – with Lance Hill
In this episode, Lance sits down with John Kiker, president of Medium Giant, to discuss:
How building content around tater tots and milkshakes laid an early foundation for Lance’s career journey
Why it takes art and science to fuel storytelling
The integral role and appeal of authenticity in marketing — and how nuance can be a game-changer
Why playing it safe is clamping down on creativity
The role of technology in our current world and how it has changed how we work — and create content

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
35min
November 19, 2024From The Gap to Bay Club: Why It’s Important to “Keep it Real” – with Tracy Cioffi
In this episode, Tracy sits down with John Kiker, president of Medium Giant, to discuss:
How her time at The Gap, Sur la Table, and more shaped her perception of brand story — and its importance
The specific qualities she looks for when she’s telling brand stories
How she “keeps it real” at Bay Club
ay Club’s unique approach to connecting with members of all ages — and what other brands can learn from it
How she sees storytelling evolving — why she actually hopes it slows down

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
34min

FAQs about Giant Stories:

How many episodes does Giant Stories have?

The podcast currently has 14 episodes available.