Actor, producer and Harvard grad Yara Shahidi presents a familiar story in a new way with her 2023 TED Talk, “Let Curiosity Lead”.

We’ve all heard about the importance of re-discovering our child-like curiosity and wonder. Shahidi puts a fresh spin on that story with her personal journey of juggling both her Harvard education and acting career (she’s the star of Black-ish and Grown-ish) as equally important catalysts for learning about herself. 

Shahidi illustrates that “honoring our distractions” can help create rupture, change and discovery—for both ourselves and the world. 

Although Yara may only be 23 years old at the time of this talk, there’s a lot to learn from her presentation, her story and her “commitment to curiosity.” 
This is an episode for: Creativity gurus, presenters and Yara Shahidi fans.

What's in the Spice Cabinet??

Mikey and I read April Dunford’s latest book, Sales Pitch: How to Craft a Story to Stand Out and Win, and to no surprise to anyone familiar with her work—it was hilarious, accessible and whip-smart insightful.

Dunford offers a fresh perspective on applying narrative to sales and flips the current advice on its head emphasizing that buying can actually be harder than selling. 

One of the biggest takeaways? Shift the focus from your features to your “Differentiated Value”. She all but guarantees that you’ll sell more. 

What book should we read next? 

This is an episode for: Startups, sales folks or anyone who’s had to work on positioning.

What's in the Spice Cabinet??

Get your own copy of April’s latest book, Sales Pitch: How to Craft a Story to Stand Out and Win

Want more of April? 

April’s walkout song?

Molly’s guess: “That Don’t Impress Me Much” by Shania Twain

When Narrative Strategist and film nerd Asha Alaji-Sharif started to think about the Best and Worst films of 2023, she noticed a pattern. 

What common factors make for a memorable movie? And can those factors be applied to brand storytelling as well? 

That’s what we explore in this episode with “The Good Story Checklist”.

How does The Little Mermaid remake create the perfect character development combined with mise-en-scene (visuals) while Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey painfully misses every mark?
This is an episode for: storytelling enthusiasts, copywriters, brand messagers and movie lovers.

What's in the Spice Cabinet??

In September of 2013, Diana Nyad became the first person to swim unassisted in open water across the Florida Straits from Cuba to Florida. It was an epic feat, and one she returned to at age sixty after a failed attempt in her 20s. 

A few months later, she gives an aptly titled TED Talk called “Never, ever give up”.

Her story is one on never giving up, facing the odds and beating the ego. Nyad’s experience fits perfectly into a 3-act hero’s journey and we break down how she really leverages that to her benefit. 

With no visual aids, Nyad’s storytelling skills really shine through. Presenters everywhere can learn from her pacing, tone and delivery. 

This is an episode for: presenters, motivational speakers and swimming enthusiasts.

What’s in the Spice Cabinet??

Watch Diana Nyad’s 2013 TED Talk, “Never, ever give up.”

Want Nyad’s story in movie-form? 

Our interpretation of Nyad’s walkout song??

Follow us on Instagram! 

Entrepreneurs and startups everywhere love following Shark Tank—the reality show where passionate pitchers bring their product to a group of wealthy “sharks”—well-known Venture Capitalists—in hopes of investment funds and expert business guidance. 

Continuing from Episode 69, we break down another great round of pitches from 2023, “3 Biggest deals Season 14”.

Oogiebear had all of the sharks fighting over an investment, Collars & Co. showed a lesson in what NOT to do and Legacy Shave knew exactly how to tell their story. 

While this high stakes pitch environment isn’t the norm, the pitch structure and presentation of each product or service is well-worth examining—and learning from. 

This is an episode for: entrepreneurs, presenters and people that love Shark Tank.

What’s in the Spice Cabinet??

Checkout the 3 pitch products:

Mikey talks my ear off about wassail, a holiday drink you might be enjoying as you tune in. 

Keep an eye on PoolSnacks.com, one of many in Mikey’s random domain collection.

You have a favorite Shark Tank episode or pitch you want us to dissect? 

For our hundredth episode of Presentation Thinking AKA the Storyteller’s Study Club AKA Pitchin’ Ain’t Easy, we’re reflecting on our ~metaphorical~ hero’s journey thus far. 

We’ve learned so much about storytelling, presenting, speaking, product marketing, design and, of course, podcasting throughout the last two years. 

From meeting fellow presentation nerds online to growing our audience over 3x the amount from the previous year, we feel more and more like true story experts primed to help presenters and product marketers everywhere. (You may hear us say “um” and “like” but hey, we know our way around a story framework. We’re learning!)

While we can check off the “centenary” milestone, we’ve got a lot more of our plot to play out! Buckle up—let’s keep pitchin’.
This is an episode for: friends of the pod, story nerds and anyone who produces their own (or wants to!) podcast.

What's in the Spice Cabinet??

Tis the season for SKOs (Sales KickOffs)! 

After years in various roles in B2B marketing most recently the Director of Product Marketing at RingCentral, Ashima calls herself a “Product Storyteller.” 

We discuss her path into product marketing management and the necessary elements needed for SKOs to really be a success. In fact, she even wrote a blog about it—"6 Tips & Tricks to Survive (and Thrive) SKO 2024 as a PMM." 

From aligning on goals to building a memorable agenda, SKOs really can be FUN and we’re here to help you through it.

This is an episode for: product marketers, sales teams and anyone in need of SKO inspiration.

What’s in the Spice Cabinet?? 

Folks planning for SKOs - you need this blog, "6 Tips & Tricks to Survive (and Thrive) SKO 2024 as a PMM.”

Ashima’s favorite coffee table book? 

Product Marketing Leaders to follow:

Fave SKO memory?

Ashima’s presentation preparation practice

Walkout song? 

What does “Presentation Thinking” mean to you? 

“Presentation Summit” is the annual presentation party—a place where all things PowerPoint, presentation design and speaker inspiration come together. 

Created by our friend Rick Altman, we’ve had several Rancheros from GhostRanch attend this annual conference that’s turned into a community. What they bring back is not only fresh insights but hilarious stories—and we wanted to highlight them on the ‘cast. 

GhostRanch Presentation Designers Ashante DuJour and Breece Justice are now “PreSum” alum and they're here to share their experiences, favorite speakers and most useful takeaways for you.

This is an episode for: speakers, presentation designers and the Presentation Summit fam.

What's in the Spice Cabinet??

Do YOU want to join the Presentation Party?? 

People, books & more that will give you ~Presentation Inspiration~

Ashante & Breece’s Walkout songs??

Having started a career in broadcast journalism, VP of Marketing Garrett Denney knows how to communicate effectively. 

When we met Garrett as the MC for a Product Marketing Alliance event in New York, we knew he was a natural presenter.  

So when he shifted into the tech and marketing world, what skills did he take with him? 

Through his role as a Product Marketing Manager and now VP of Marketing at Crayon, Garrett shares the lessons he’s learned, the importance of leaning into presentation soft skills and how to get ready for SKO season.  

This is an episode for: Product Marketers, broadcast media nerds and Bon Iver fans.

What's in the Spice Cabinet?

Keep up with Garrett on LinkedIn 

Reading reccos? 

What’s the ‘Hype Cycle’? 

Garrett’s walkout song?

It’s Thanksgiving here in the United States but we didn’t want to miss an opportunity to create a special (and short) holiday episode in which Mikey and Molly riff on everything they’re thankful for within our podcast and presentation world.

From our mascot, Shakespeare, to the pilgrims who invented PowerPoint (just kidding), we run through our “Favorites” short-list. 

We are especially appreciative for our weekly episode art illustrator, NoNo Flores—an unbelievably talented artist. 

And we’d be nowhere without our audio editor Will Kommor who has graciously edited out Mikey & Molly’s “ums” and “likes” for almost 100 episodes now. 

Friends of the Ranch, let’s gather round the table. 

Spice Cabinet