Why They Resonate

In this episode, we go inside the delivery and construction of a popular TED Talk! Elise Hu gets real with us about the preparation and challenges that go into taking complex ideas and molding them to fit a tightly delivered speech.

Elise is an award-winning journalist, podcaster, and ‌author based in Los Angeles. She’s the host of TED Talks Daily, Accenture’s Built for Change, and a co-host of Forever 35. And if that’s not enough, she also co-founded the LA-based podcast production company, Reasonable Volume to work with brands and companies tell their stories better. She spent time at Vice News and NPR, serving as their first-ever Seoul bureu chief. She released her first book, Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital in 2023.

Elise and I discuss: 

• How to react when the audience response isn’t what you expected
• What goes into crafting an exceptional talk, tightly told
• Our shared love for Anthony Bourdain (I know, shocker)
• The “peak/end rule” in storytelling and journalism
• And the power of a callback. 

We also unpack why observation is the key to being a great storyteller, and why vulnerability and honesty are essential for any truly compelling speech.

I imagine you (like me) will be endlessly enthralled by Elise’s curiosity, wisdom, and charm. Happy listening!

Connect with Elise on her website and Linkedin

Grab a copy of her book, Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital

Listen to Elise on your favorite podcasts 

And watch her TED Talk here

***

REGISTER FOR MY NEXT BOOTCAMP:

Design My Signature Talk is a virtual intensive where I help you develop and nail your next talk and elevate your speaking all year long.

For a limited time, registrants get my bonus masterclass, Booking Better Stages, all about marketing, selling, and booking yourself as a speaker, whether you want to get paid to speak or drive business another way through your talks. 

Register now at jayacunzo.com/signaturetalk

IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING: 

Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.com

Work with me one-on-one: jayacunzo.com/services

Book me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes

***

CONNECT:

Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky

This episode was produced by Ilana Nevins

Cover art designed by Blake Ink

***

ABOUT ME:

I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn’t to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.

With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.

After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I’ve partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.

I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I’m in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I’m not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.

***

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Inspiration is everywhere -- if you're paying attention.

Today we’re resharing a slightly modified version of an episode I used to help pilot How Stories Happen, back inside my old show called Unthinkable. (You’ll hear me reference the “miniseries,” which is what I used to craft this show and test various elements.)

 In this episode, bestselling author and Hall of Fame keynote speaker Jay Baer brings one of his oldest, most proven stories to the show -- and we learn the two psychological concepts we can embrace to craft more memorable work. 

Jay and I also discuss how to collect and develop stories regularly, anywhere you go, and hwo to design them so they arrive at the insight that most closely matches your current teachings, premise, and IP.

Jay’s latest book is The Time to Win: How to Exceed Your Customers’ Need for Speed. He's a globally touring keynote speaker, brand advisor to some of the world’s most legendary companies, and a marketing and customer experience thought leader. Jay is among the more process-driven storytellers in the world, and he takes us inside that approach in this episode in a refreshingly transparent way.

Connect with Jay Baer on his website, Instagram, and Linkedin

Grab a copy of any of his bestselling books.

***

IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING: 

Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.com

Work with me one-on-one: jayacunzo.com/services

Book me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes

***

CONNECT:

Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky

This episode was produced by Ilana Nevins

Cover art designed by Blake Ink

***

ABOUT ME:

I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn’t to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.

With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.

After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I’ve partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.

I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I’m in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I’m not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.

***

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 

Leave a rating on Spotify 

We’re told to steal from those we admire, but so often, we mimic the wrong things. It’s not WHAT someone does but WHY they do it (and why it works for them) which we ought to model in our own creative work and storytelling. Once we find that, we can intentionally master the craft. And this work is about exactly that: intentionality. It’s practiced. Until it looks effortless (even if, for a long while, it wasn’t).

In this episode, Mike Ganino shares a story about his childhood and falling in love with E.T., and his understanding at the young age of 10, that stories make us feel less alone.  

Mike is the author of the new book, Make a Scene. He is also a keynote director, working to help others master their stage presence and storytelling, and he draws on his roots in theater and acting to help.

Mike and I discuss why intentionality is everything is storytelling, how storytellers are really thought custodians, and how to craft scenes that allow audiences to connect with the emotional core of any story. And be warned: this episode gets very meta. We’re two storytelling geeks talking shop about the work we love.

Connect with Mike on his website and Linkedin. 

Grab a copy of his book,Make A Scene: Storytelling, Stage Presence, and The Art of Being Unforgettable in Every Spotlight. 

***

IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING: 

Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.com

Work with me one-on-one: jayacunzo.com/services

Book me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes

***

CONNECT:

Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky

This episode was produced by Ilana Nevins

Cover art designed by Blake Ink

***

ABOUT ME:

I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn’t to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.

With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.

After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I’ve partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.

I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I’m in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I’m not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.

***

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 

Leave a rating on Spotify 

What does the psychology of family systems have to do with being a good storyteller? Well, according to Veronica Romney, a lot. Understanding identity and how people define theirs can make or break your ability to stand out, resonate, and earn passionate fans.

In this episode, V shares the story about a funeral unlike any other. In fact, it’s 18 years in the making. It even made the news, and it reveals a major lesson about modern marketing. Throw in a Harley-Davison superfan riding his motorcycle to the afterlife, and you’ve got the makings of an unforgettable signature story.

Veronica is the author of the book, Identity Marketing, and a frequent keynote speaker at marketing events. She’s also a veteran entrepreneur who sells high-ticket services, so public speaking and storytelling both play a major factor in building her business. High priced offerings require high amounts of trust, and showing up with greater communication power (without needing to shout) is a superpower for that type of business.

Veronica and I also discuss the power of the shower thought and why our most candid, knee-jerk ideas are often the ones that resonate deepest with others. We chat about how to get buy-in too—not only from your audience, but from yourself in your strongest ideas.

Connect with Veronica on her website and Linkedin

Grab a copy of her book,Identity Marketing: How to Create Loyal, Lifelong Fans and a Legendary Brand

Subscribe to Veronica’s newsletter, Vitamin V

***

IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING: 

Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.com

Work with me one-on-one: jayacunzo.com/services

Book me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes

***

CONNECT:

Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky

This episode was produced by Ilana Nevins

Cover art designed by Blake Ink

***

ABOUT ME:

I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn’t to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.

With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.

After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I’ve partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.

I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I’m in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I’m not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.

***

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 

Leave a rating on Spotify  

How do you make a story truly come alive? You pace things down and focus on the small details. Everyone else might want the big, flashy story, but your most effective (and ownable) stories are from noteworthy moments, not newsworthy events.

In this episode, Ron Tite puts on display his otherworldly mastery of public speaking and performance. He takes a (relatively average) hotel and uses a series of interactions with the brand to make you laugh, feel inspired, and transform how you think about customer experience, social media, and even story structure. 

Of course, this story could ONLY be told by Ron Tite. It’s ownable for him. Ron spent 20 years as a comedian before shifting to the business world, where he founded the successful marketing and advertising agency Church+State. He’s written multiple books, including his latest, Think Do Say, and he tours the world as a keynote speaker, delivering gripping talks to thousands of people and generally making you laugh, think, and change your approach to marketing. 

Ron and I discuss what we can learn from standup comedy, the differences between a warm open and cold open (and how to craft them), his hilarious relationship with the Westin Grand in Vancouver (they’re in love!), and how to design and deliver stories that only YOU can tell—without making yourself the hero. 

It’s an episode you probably won’t want to end. Ron is one of the very best in the world at this, and his energy is infectious.

Connect with Ron on his website and Linkedin

Grab a copy of his books, Think Do Say and Everyone’s An Artist(Or At Least They Should Be)

Learn about Church+State on their website

***

IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING: 

Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.com

Work with me one-on-one: jayacunzo.com/services

Book me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes

***

CONNECT:

Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky

This episode was produced by Ilana Nevins

Cover art designed by Blake Ink

***

ABOUT ME:

I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn’t to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.

With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.

After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I’ve partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.

I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I’m in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I’m not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.

***

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 

Leave a rating on Spotify  

A special bonus story and a crucial question to guide your 2025. This episode was handcrafted for you by Jason, with love.

When we communicate with business results in mind, whether we work in-house on a team or we ARE the business, it's so common that we omit specific details. We want to rush to stuff things full of our ideas and make our value clear instantly. The thing is, only when we slow our stories down, include specific details, and describe one or two tiny moments, do others start to care.

Because the goal isn't to say everything all at once. The goal is to find the touchstones of the story that bring it all to life, allowing your audience to fill in the rest in their heads. This ensures they're enrolled into the story, leaning forward, and paying close attention. This ensures they genuinely care.

This is the final episode in a short three-pack of episodes, each of which features a different storyteller from my video series built alongside Intuit Mailchimp, taking you inside my coaching process with three marketing leaders. The series, called B2B Storytelling Stars, offers 6 videos plus associated storytelling templates you can use in your work, all available for free without any registration required at https://jayacunzo.com/stars

To cap off that series, each storyteller gets their own episode of How Stories Happen to further improve 1 story I helped them start building.

Closing out the series is Natalie Taylor, head of marketing at video software company, Capsule. Natalie tells a tasty story about pizza. She crafted it for her work to speak to heads of creatives at enterprise brands (the company's core customer base).

Together, Natalie and I discuss how tiny details help audiences connect with a character and a story, and you’ll get a front row seat to her story’s transformation during this episode. I also share a technique for validating, improving, and marketing your story which I call "up the mountain, down the mountain."

WATCH THE SERIES: STORYTELLING STARS

For all 6 videos (3 group coaching calls and 3 one-on-ones), plus a free template associated with each (no forms required), visit https://jayacunzo.com/stars

RESOURCES:

Connect with Natalie on Linkedin and learn more about her company Capsule

Subscribe to my newsletter at jayacunzo.com

Join the Creator Kitchen membership

Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky

This episode was produced by Ilana Nevins

Cover art designed by Blake Ink

***

ABOUT JAY:

Consulting

Speaking

Contact

Books

I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn’t to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.

With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.

After starting at brands like Google and HubSpot, I’ve helped organizations like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy, plus dozens of individual authors, founders, execs, consultants, and creators with their storytelling and public speaking.

I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I’m in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I’m not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi via jayacunzo.com

Welcome to one of the more inspiring episodes of the show! Entrepreneur and growth marketing expert Sarah Stockdale is one of the most nuanced, capable, and generous voices in the industry. When she shows up, she resonates, no matter what she's creating or where she's appearing.

Today, both of us commiserate over being dedicated parents learning to be parents, informed citizens struggling with so many things in society, and being public voices with pressure to deliver ... all at the same time.

This frames our conversation into the subtleties of storytelling. How do we show up when life is life-ing hard? How do we imbue the work with the right personal details to find the universal? And what happens when your public persona and your business results are intertwined?

This is a special episode of the show for another reason too. I’ve partnered with Intuit Mailchimp as part of a limited series called B2B Storytelling Stars. You can watch as I coach 3 marketers and experts on group calls and 1:1s, helping them craft their premises, messages, and stories. Get all 6 videos plus a storytelling template, free and ungated, at https://jayacunzo.com/stars

To cap off the series, each storyteller will appear on How Stories Happen for their very own episode, featuring the story we began developing behind the scenes together. This is Sarah's episode, and you'll hear the story we workshopped during Storytelling Stars.

WATCH MY LIMITED SERIES, STORYTELLING STARS

For all 6 videos (3 group coaching calls and 3 one-on-ones), plus a free template associated with each (no forms required), visit https://jayacunzo.com/stars

RESOURCES:

Follow with Sarah on Linkedin and subscribe to her newsletter

Learn more about Sarah's career and her speaking on her site

Subscribe to my newsletter at jayacunzo.com

Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky

This show is produced by Ilana Nevins

Cover art designed by Blake Ink

***

ABOUT ME, JAY ACUNZO:

Consulting

Speaking

Contact

Books

I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn’t to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.

With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.

After starting at brands like Google and HubSpot, I’ve helped organizations like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy, plus dozens of individual authors, founders, execs, consultants, and creators with their storytelling and public speaking.

I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I’m in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I’m not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi via jayacunzo.com

This is a special episode of the show. I’ve partnered with Intuit Mailchimp as part of a limited series called B2B Storytelling Stars. You can watch as I coach 3 marketers and experts on group calls and 1:1s, helping them craft their premises, messages, and stories. Get all 6 videos plus a storytelling template, free and ungated, at https://jayacunzo.com/stars

To cap off the series, each storyteller will appear on How Stories Happen for their very own episode, featuring the story we began developing behind the scenes together. 

Kicking things off is Shez Mehra, one of the world’s foremost experts in sound and music used by brands to create memorable, cohesive experiences. He leads The 194 Group and has worked with Nike, Sephora, Google, Ford, Microsoft, and others. He’s also a partner in the software company Raina Music, which helps retail and hospitality brands with their music experiences.

Shez shares a moving story of the power of music, talks about his lifelong obsession with music and sound (and what we can learn from his years as a DJ crafting his sets), and together, we dissect the pieces of his signature story to get more specific, to pivot from a personal story to a relevant message to clients, and to stick the landing of a story well-told. 

WATCH THE SERIES: STORYTELLING STARS

For all 6 videos (3 group coaching calls and 3 one-on-ones), plus a free template associated with each (no forms required), visit https://jayacunzo.com/stars

RESOURCES:

Connect with Shez on X, Linkedin, and Instagram

Subscribe to my newsletter at jayacunzo.com

Join the Creator Kitchen membership

Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky

This episode was produced by Ilana Nevins

Cover art designed by Blake Ink

***

ABOUT JAY:

Consulting

Speaking

Contact

Books

I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn’t to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.

With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.

After starting at brands like Google and HubSpot, I’ve helped organizations like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy, plus dozens of individual authors, founders, execs, consultants, and creators with their storytelling and public speaking.

I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I’m in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I’m not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi via jayacunzo.com

As another year comes to an end, we often reflect backwards, because hindsight is 20/20. But what we don’t often realize is that sometimes when you have that clarity of sight, you'll want to close your eyes, rub your temples, maybe let your head fall to the table. Because you’re amazed at how you just… couldn’t… see it. 

That was me, all year long, but I finally see clearly again, and I want you to avoid the same frustrating slog I endured between 2020-2023.

That’s why in this solo episode I’m sharing the two questions (and a quote) that made all the difference for me in 2024. I hope these will help you, too. I’ve lovingly crafted these questions for you, so that you can avoid years of the being stressed out, frenetic, reactive and busy without knowing what the heck you’re doing. As for the quote? That’s from the master.

RESOURCES:

Subscribe to my newsletter at jayacunzo.com

Join the Creator Kitchen membership

Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky

This episode was produced by Ilana Nevins

Cover art designed by Blake Ink

***

ABOUT JAY:

Consulting

Speaking

Contact

Books

I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn’t to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.

With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.

After starting at brands like Google and HubSpot, I’ve helped organizations like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy, plus dozens of individual authors, founders, execs, consultants, and creators with their storytelling and public speaking.

I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I’m in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I’m not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi via jayacunzo.com