SHOW NOTES: In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Ryan Hogan, Founder & CEO of Talent Harbor, to unpack what actually works in recruiting top sales talent today. They dig into why “keep it simple” beats complex hiring funnels, how to design a value ladder that moves buyers forward, and where AI helps (and hurts) in the hiring process. Ryan also shares the gritty lessons that shaped him (from bankruptcies to billion-dollar beliefs) and the leadership habits he brought home from the Nav...

SHOW NOTES: In this practical, high-energy episode, Matt Zaun talks with Sean Garner, StoryBrand–certified marketer and founder of Sean Garner Consulting, about cutting through today’s 10,000-messages-a-day noise with a simple idea: clarity beats clever. They break down how to build messaging that wins attention, creates qualified demand, and turns “we do X” into “we solve your problem.” In this episode, they cover: ✅ The StoryBrand core — 7 talking points that become your “verbal brand guide...

Show Notes: In this high-impact episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Tom Schwab, Chief Evangelist Officer & Founder of Interview Valet, to unpack how leaders can use podcast interview marketing to beat obscurity, earn trust at scale, and convert ideal clients, and how to repurpose one 45-minute conversation into a month of authoritative content. In this episode, they cover: ✅ Obscurity is the real enemy — Why trusted conversations (not more funnels) drive the best partners, clients, and hire...

SHOW NOTES: In this insightful episode, Matt Zaun talks with Marcy Sagel, CEO & Principal of MSA Interiors, a Baltimore-based commercial interior design firm with over 30 years of experience designing multifamily, student housing, senior living, hospitals, and more. They unpack how Marcy built a downturn-proof business by diversifying revenue streams, locking in budgets early, and adapting her leadership through crisis...including the sudden loss of her hearing during COVID. Marcy shares ...

SHOW NOTES: In this powerful episode, Matt Zaun talks with Natalia Zacharin, founder of Zacharin Consulting—an “accounting firm on steroids.” They unpack how fractional CFOs turn messy books into strategic insight, why AI speeds analysis but never replaces human judgment, and how Natalia rebuilt her life (and business) from $7.10/hour to a multi-million-dollar firm. In this episode, they cover: ✅ AI in finance (the truth) — great for speed and patterns; still needs humans to classify revenu...

SHOW NOTES: In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Stewart Cohen, award-winning director/photographer and CEO of SC Pictures and Superstock, to unpack how brands can use video and imagery to stay on message in a chaotic, multi-channel world. From keeping large organizations aligned with the role of authenticity (and where it can backfire) to practical ways leaders can tell stories people actually want to binge, Stewart shares practical ways leaders can tell stories people actually want to ...

SHOW NOTES: In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Rob Black, Founder & CEO of Fractional CISO, to demystify cybersecurity for growing companies—without the fear-mongering. Rob explains how his team operates as a virtual CISO (security leader) to strengthen programs, enable enterprise sales, and translate “security-speak” into clear business outcomes. Rob shares why security shouldn’t be priority #1 (sales and delivery come first), how to size up the risk when incidents are low-probabi...

SHOW NOTES: In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Patricio Misitrano, a racquet-sports strategist and consultant, to unpack the cultural boom of pickleball and the fast-rising padel movement and what it means for players, investors, and operators. Patricio explains why pickleball exploded (hint: everyone is the target market), how short games and easy onboarding supercharge engagement, and what separates thriving facilities from failing ones. Whether you’re a curious player, a gym owner e...

SHOW NOTES: In this insightful episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Morgan Adams, an insomnia and holistic sleep coach, to break down why so many high achievers are running on fumes and what to do about it. Morgan shares practical tools, mindset shifts, and behavioral strategies for those struggling with sleep maintenance, middle-of-the-night wakeups, and chronic insomnia. Whether you’re a business leader burning the candle at both ends or someone simply trying to reclaim restful sleep, this epi...

5-Day Storytelling Challenge Whether you're looking to boost sales, enhance marketing, or captivate audiences in meetings, this challenge is for you. To sign up, go HERE. SHOW NOTES: In this episode of Stories With Traction, Matt Zaun sits down with Daniel McMahon, Founder and Managing Partner of Integrated Growth Advisors, to discuss how leaders can transition into purpose-driven, sustainable roles beyond their primary career without losing their identity or impact. With over 30 years of...

5-Day Storytelling Challenge Whether you're looking to boost sales, enhance marketing, or captivate audiences in meetings, this challenge is for you. To sign up, go HERE. SHOW NOTES In this episode of Stories With Traction, Matt Zaun sits down with Gary Braun, Founder and Owner of Pivotal Advisors, to break down what most companies get wrong about sales and how to build a repeatable system that actually works. He also unpacks the biggest myth in sales: “If I just hire a great rep, we’ll g...

5-Day Storytelling Challenge Whether you're looking to boost sales, enhance marketing, or captivate audiences in meetings, this challenge is for you. To sign up, go HERE. SHOW NOTES: In this episode of Stories With Traction, Matt Zaun sits down with business strategist and growth expert, Jessica Yarbrough, to discuss how high-achieving professionals (especially those from the C-suite) can escape hustle culture and build scalable, sustainable, and wildly profitable consulting businesses. ...

5-Day Storytelling Challenge Whether you're looking to boost sales, enhance marketing, or captivate audiences in meetings, this challenge is for you. To sign up, go HERE. SHOW NOTES: In this episode of Stories With Traction, Matt Zaun talks with Kristen Pucci, Founder and CEO of KRAE Creative & Talent, to explore why most leaders get marketing wrong and how to fix it through brand clarity, human connection, and strategic authenticity. Kristen shares her journey as a creative navigating a ...

SHOW NOTES: In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Luke Frazier, Head of Revenue at Good Agency, to explore how powerful storytelling can transform not only business results but also the human experience behind the brand. Luke challenges business leaders to go beyond tactics and marketing hacks, and instead ask: “What impact are we really making?” In addition, they talk about: ✅ Why brand clarity is both a strategy and a calling ✅ How storytelling builds trust and drives performance ...

5-Day Storytelling Challenge Whether you're looking to boost sales, enhance marketing, or captivate audiences in meetings, this challenge is for you. To sign up, go HERE. Show Notes: In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Christopher Brown, co-founder and CEO of Teed & Brown, to unpack what it really takes to grow a thriving service business from the ground up. Christopher shares how a teenage summer job on a golf course shaped his work ethic, how the right partnership fueled early...

5-Day Storytelling Challenge Whether you're looking to boost sales, enhance marketing, or captivate audiences in meetings, this challenge is for you. To sign up, go HERE. Show Notes: In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Scott Raven, founder of Corvus Solutions, to explore how high-achieving entrepreneurs can escape the very businesses that are trapping them. Scott opens up about the hidden burnout cycles that plague founders and executives and how he turned his own rock-bottom experi...

5-Day Storytelling Challenge Whether you're looking to boost sales, enhance marketing, or captivate audiences in meetings, this challenge is for you. To sign up, go HERE. Show Notes: In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Mary Messner, a former healthcare executive turned keynote speaker, to explore how creativity, not just innovation, fuels business momentum. Mary shares how creative thinking helped her rise through the corporate ranks, lead global teams, and eventually launch a thriv...

SHOW NOTES: In this powerful episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Kristen Harootunian, mental health advocate and speaker, to explore her journey from addiction and childhood trauma to long-term recovery and national advocacy work. Kristen shares how losing her mother to suicide at age 12 led to years of substance abuse, and how her path to recovery began at just 17. Now, more than a decade sober, she’s committed to helping others find healing through storytelling, vulnerability, and mental heal...

5-Day Storytelling Challenge Whether you're looking to boost sales, enhance marketing, or captivate audiences in meetings, this challenge is for you. To sign up, go HERE. Habits of Sales Champions Keynote. In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Ian Koniak, founder and CEO of Untap Your Sales Potential, for a raw and powerful conversation about what it truly takes to succeed in business — and in life — when the spotlight fades. Ian opens up about his journey from being Salesforce’s ...

5-Day Storytelling Challenge Whether you're looking to boost sales, enhance marketing, or captivate audiences in meetings, this challenge is for you. To sign up, go HERE. SHOW NOTES: In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Joshua B. Lee, Founder and Chief Engagement Officer of Standout Authority, to unpack what it truly means to be human in the age of AI. Joshua shares his powerful journey from burnout and breakdown to building a business that thrives on authenticity. He challenges the nois...