Storytelling with Native Advertising Expert and Content Creator Chad Pollitt

Chad Pollitt is the Co-founder of Relevance, the world's first website dedicated to content distribution and promotion, news and insights. He’s also an Adjunct Professor of Digital Marketing at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and Adjunct Instructor of Content Marketing at the Rutgers Business School. Plus, Chad is a member of the Advisory Board for native advertising platforms, inPowered and AdHive.

And if that wasn’t enough, this guy is also a member of a Forbes Top 100 list, and author of "The Native Advertising Manifesto," "The Content Promotion Manifesto" and "51 Things Your Mother Taught You About Inbound Marketing." He is a regular contributor to industry media outlets, including the Huffington Post, Guardian and Social Media Today. He’s definitely a Business Storyteller. You’re in for a treat, as Chad breaks down storytelling… and what to do after you’ve crafted your story. Don’t “publish and pray.”

“The average storyteller and content marketer will spend $1 on distribution for every $5 we spend on creation…. the average television advertising executive, for every $1 they spend on creation they spend $5 on distribution. “ - Chad Pollitt on the power of distribution

Business Storytelling with the insightful author of Marketing Rebellion, Mark W. Schaefer

Mark W. Schaefer is an internationally-acclaimed speaker, author and college educator. His books include the recently published Marketing Rebellion as well as the popular Known, The Content Code, Return On Influence, and The Tao of Twitter. He’s also the co-host of The Marketing Companion, one of the top 10 marketing podcasts on iTunes.

He is among the world’s most recognized social media authorities and has been a keynote speaker at conferences such as Social Media Week London, SXSW, Social Media Marketing World and many other great events. And despite how the world of marketing has changed - as you’ll read in his book - Mark believes in the power of story as well as the power of authenticity in your own story.

“I was terrible when I started [blogging]. In my mind I had the perfect message for my target audience. I was bored, making up stories for what I thought my persona wanted to hear. So I decided to just be myself.” - Mark W. Schaefer on the power of authenticity

Modern Business Storytelling with Seth Godin

He’s an author of about two dozen books and says: “The future of publishing is about having connections to readers and the knowledge of what those readers want.” Seth Godin pioneered the idea of permission marketing. He’s a storyteller in written and spoken formats.

You can find him at his blog, where he upends the old adage that more is better. Sometimes he writes only a relatively few words, yet gets a ton of attention. His latest book, This Is Marketing, takes a look at the modern marketplace and teaches us that you can’t be seen until you learn to see.

Seth says one way brands set themselves apart is through their story, or their brand.

“Brands aren’t logos. Brands are promises. If Nike opened a hotel … with your eyes closed you’ could figure out what it would be like. But if Hyatt came out with a brand of sneakers, no clue! Nike has a story.“ - Seth Godin on story and brand

Inspirational Storytelling in Business with Joe Pulizzi

From a corporate media job to launching a blog to talk about something no one had heard of yet, to launching a movement, Joe Pulizzi’s journey so far has been pretty incredible. He founded Content Marketing Institute, put on Content Marketing World, has written or co-written about a half-dozen business books including the recent Content, Inc.

Joe’s known for his orange suit – which he explains in our conversation how that all came about – and what he calls his quirky personality. I mean, who else makes lists of 42 as a nod to the Hitchhikers Guide? This creative, authentic, kind, funny storyteller falls into multiple categories, so he wraps up Inspirational Storytellers in Season 5 in preparation for Season 6 and Business Storytellers.

“Some experts out there say there’s just too much content. There’s always been too much content. Since the dawn of time, since printing press was created there’s been too much content for people to engage in. But you always find [your] niche and that’s the opportunity.” - Joe Pulizzi on ‘too much content’

Storytelling with Photographer Robert H. Miller

Today’s guest is someone who not only tells stories, but who captures and curates and shares others’ stories. Robert Miller is an “Independent Book author and photojournalist for National Geographic Books.” His projects include the book “Veteran Voices: Remarkable Stories of Heroism, Sacrifice and Honor.”

I had the privilege of meeting Robert when he was a photographer for Nat Geo when Honor Flight flew our nation’s oldest living veteran at the time, Emma Didlake of Detroit, to Washington, D.C. His photographs tell inspirational stories.

“…photography is like receiving a gift. It’s a gift from a stranger who allows me to briefly enter their life and capture their moment with them.” - Robert Miller on the power of photography

Today’s guest asks, “Are you ready for a new focus and a powerful purpose?” He’s an inspirational survivor, speaker, and author. His thoughts on leadership have made him an internationally sought-out

Back on January 15, 2009, Dave Sanderson was one of the last passengers off the plane that crashed into the Hudson River, best known as The Miracle on the Hudson, considered to be the most successful ditching in aviation history. His book, Moments Matter, details the lessons learned from that miraculous landing and how to take a potentially tragic experience, what he calls ‘you own personal plane crash’ and turn it into an opportunity to survive and “create your own flight plan.”He has built a career as a motivational speaker, mentor and author. Dave averages over 100 speeches a year for major corporations across the world.

And it all started with “an elderly lady” at his first talk on his Miracle on the Hudson experience.

“She grabbed my left arm, looked at me and said ‘I was questioning if there was a God and I don’t believe in miracles. But you are physical evidence that there is a God and He does miracles.’ What happened to me impacted somebody, and now I have a different calling.” - Dave Sanderson on his speaking journey

Storytelling with Inspirational Speaker and Keeper of the Ziglar Legacy, Tom Ziglar

Tom Ziglar runs the Ziglar media empire, helping the legacy of his dad Zig Ziglar live on. As CEO of Ziglar and key collaborator on his father’s 30th book, Born to Win, Tom carries on the organization’s “profoundly simple” philosophy: “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”

He also takes the stage, addresses leadership of all levels, co-hosts the podcast, The Ziglar Show, Inspiring Your True Performance, with Kevin Miller (our guest from season 2)… he’s definitely an inspirational storyteller.

“I started doing presentations and speaking … reluctantly. I was the guy who prepared the stage for The World’s Best. I was nervous. The story I told myself was, ‘They want me to be like my dad.’ But no. I realized they just want me to be the best version of myself.” - Tom Ziglar on his storytelling journey

Branding coach, personal brand strategist and storyteller Kristen Hartnagel

Kristen Hartnagel knows how to tell a story and frame a personal brand. Here’s a great quote from her LinkedIn: "Be a Magnet, Not a Megaphone." 

Kristen is a branding coach and personal brand strategist working for Brand Builders Group. Their mission inspires. They are a personal brand strategy firm for influencers and entrepreneurs. Their services are designed to clarify your positioning, expand your reach, and increase your revenues.

Kristen has been a professional trainer and speaker for years, inspiring others from the stage. You can see why Kristen is a great fit for this season of inspirational storytellers. She's also here to offer a little insight into how to craft your personal brand as a storyteller. She also happens to be a singer/songwriter.

A major part of Kristen’s world is encouraging others to step out of their comfort zones, leave the past behind and reach for greater success.. She says that ships are safe and cozy in the harbor, but is that what they were meant for?

“Ships are meant to take on the sea. The sea when it’s calm and inviting, and the sea when it’s raging with uncertainty. I think we cheat ourselves when we play it safe.” - Kristen Hartnagel on how to grow

Storytelling with a Purpose - Lessons from Legendary Vocal Coach Arthur Samuel Joseph

If you’re speaking in front of another person – or many – it’s not a presentation. At least, it shouldn’t be. It should be – a performance. That’s how Arthur Joseph sees it. And that’s how he teaches others to see it. From NFL Hall of Fame inductees like Emmitt Smith to Hollywood heavy hitters like Angeline Jolie, Arthur has helped thousands up their speaking game. 

Now, he’s ready to help you grow. Arthur wants to do more than just bring a tip or two… he’s ready to offer you, my audience a Masterclass feel for our conversation. 

Whether it’s preparing for a TED talk or a business presentation (performance!) – whether a keynote or a quarterly earnings report, or any kind of oral story, Arthur can help you go beyond the next level as a storyteller.

“I’d like us to step back each day as often as we can, allow a Conscious Loving Breath and slow this process down a bit. Let’s not just stream this data. Let’s learn how to embody the message and the messenger as we tell our story.” - Arthur Joseph on social media

Nick Usborne is The Conversational Copywriter. Conversational copywriting could change your business, your personal brand or your career.

Whether you own a salon or you’re a dentist, how you communicate with your potential clients matters. Even if you’re not a writer, you’ll need to communicate (or maybe hire a writer).

So often my goal here is to inspire, not necessarily instruct. Nick does both. We talk about what conversational writing is, what it isn’t, how to do it well and take your storytelling to the next level, and so much more. This is a great episode to take notes on!

“If I write you a 4-page [marketing] letter I know that I’m going to lose the most people at the end of each page… never end a sentence at the bottom of a page.” - Nick Usborne on the art of holding attention

Visual Storyteller Brian Kelly

Brian Kelly, a photographer and filmmaker based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, tells story through photos and video. He travels frequently, as he puts it, to wherever he needs to be. Seth Meyers, Whoopi Goldberg, Betty White, Eminem…. Brian’s portrait photography portfolio includes high-profile subjects. But it’s not all he does.

Brian’s passion is to shoot and communicate stories. A seasoned photographer and director, he has more than 20 years of experience on productions all over the country. Hybrid shoots are his specialty, where he and his create awesome video and print assets during the same production. This visual storyteller took time to explore the craft of storytelling. He started as a still photographer and has grown as a creator with technology advancements and encourages us to do the same – always grow and explore new ways to tell stories.

“I would leverage relationships with current clients and encourage them to try video. We still need high quality images. That hasn’t changed. What’s changed is that we take a hybrid approach to production… so alongside the photographs you’re creating video.” – Brian Kelly on evolving as a storyteller

Storytelling with Honor Flight network Co-Founder Earl Morse

Today’s guest is inspirational to many, even if he’s not technically a motivational speaker. But, he has motivated thousands of people to mobilize and serve on an amazing mission.

Earl Morse co-founded an organization that serves veterans in their later years – starting first with World War II vets, moving on to Korean War and Vietnam vets. It’s called Honor Flight Network, and it’s made up of more than a hundred local hubs… all because Earl saw a need and convinced a few other pilots to begin flying veterans to Washington, D.C. to see the memorial built in their honor.

Since May 21, 2005, thousands of veterans have taken their Honor Flight from all over the country. Earl Morse tells a great story, and has heard many, many more.

“The world is free because of [these veterans]. They’re in our community still to this day.” - Earl Morse

MOTIVATIONAL STORYTELLING WITH DAVID POWELL

David Powell’s inspirational journey began at birth being born without hands and malformed legs.  However, challenges have never slowed him down.

David was born in New Orleans. As a child he got around in an electric wheelchair using his feet as his hands. After the separation of his parents, David relocated to Dallas, TX. He then became a patient at Scottish Rite Hospital for children and started walking with the help of prosthetics.

With his feet no longer available, he once again adapted and learned to do everything he did with his feet, with his arms. As a freshman in high school, David lost his mother to a drug overdose, leaving him devastated. A few years later he fell into a dark hole of drug addiction and alcoholism until the age of 29.

Over time, and after a move to Salina, KS, David once again beat the odds and overcame those struggles. He is now fulfilling one of his lifetime dreams of becoming a motivational speaker to help people though helpful messages on life and its perspectives.

Inspiring stories through pictures with photographer Jim Swoboda

Photographer Jim Swoboda puts his skill and expertise to work for non-profits like Honor Flight, crafting inspirational stories from photos. Jim also explores nature and man-made structures with his camera, capturing the world around us with his unique perspective.

Sometimes the best stories are the ones captured as people do ordinary things, but with extraordinary meaning.

“Our most moving ones, as we’ve been moving more into the Vietnam [veterans]. Those are pretty poignant when we get to the Wall with some Vietnam vets. They all know somebody on the Wall, if not many people on the Wall.” - Jim Swoboda on telling veteran stories with Honor Flight

From Convicted Murderer to Motivational Speaker, a Conversation with Poet Will Latif Little

Today’s guest is a mentor, activist, poet, author, inspirational Speaker who has appeared on the TEDx stage … and a man convicted of murder.

Will Latif Little grew up in a single-parent home with his four sisters in Philadelphia. Without his father, or any father figure, Will began to venture out, picking up bad habits and negative ideas on the street. Becoming a product of his environment, Will dropped out of high school in the 10th grade and got involved in the Philadelphia drug trade and other illegal activities. This ultimately landed Will in prison for 10-20 years on a murder conviction at the age of 19.

While in prison, Will decided to turn his life around, by first getting his diploma by way of a GED. He became a voracious reader. What began as a way to pass the time actually helped him become a man, a storyteller, and an inspiration to others.

“He stalked me before. He had guns out, and saw me at restaurants and places with my lady and my daughter. He said everywhere he went, ‘everyone loves you but I didn’t care, you killed my brother.’” - Will Little on meeting the brother of his shooting victim

If you could only tell one last story, what story would that be?

Each episode, I ask my guest this question. The premise is that we’re all storytellers at our core, and that “last story” would probably be a big deal. Over 54 interviews, I’ve heard a different answer each and every time.

Each answer is not only different, but feels different in its nature. It’s been a lot of fun hearing from each storyteller what their “last story” might be, or might look like.

In part 2, we hear from seasons 3 and 4 of The Storytellers Network. Enjoy.

If you could only tell one last story, what story would that be?

Each episode, I ask my guest this question. The premise is that we’re all storytellers at our core, and that “last story” would probably be a big deal. Over 54 interviews, I’ve heard a different answer each and every time.

Each answer is not only different, but feels different in its nature. It’s been a lot of fun hearing from each storyteller what their “last story” might be, or might look like.

In part 1, we hear from seasons 1 and 2 of The Storytellers Network. Enjoy.

Putting Stories to Work: Mastering Business Storytelling

Shawn Callahan, a sought-after keynote speaker, international business consultant and executive coach, works with global organizations such as Mars, Danone, Allianz, SAP, Tesco and Shell. He is the founder of Anecdote, the world's largest business storytelling company, where they help leaders and sellers around the world to find and tell oral stories with impact.

He's also the award-winning author of Putting Stories to Work: Mastering Business Storytelling.

Interesting trivia: this guy holds a bachelor's degree in geography and archaeology from the Australian National University. 

And Shawn loves giving away “the secret” to storytelling so much, that he even gets pulled aside at presentations to be scolded!

“He came up to me, grabbed me by the arm, pulled me in close and says ‘I resent what you’re doing here.’ Then he pulled me in closer and said, ‘Because you’re giving away my secrets.’” - Shawn Callahan on the power of story

Storytelling with Business Storyteller Park Howell

Get any Point Across With the Applied Science and Bewitchery of Story

Podcaster, brand story strategist, keynote speaker… and STORYTELLER Park Howell joins the show on Season 4, Episode 10.

Park is the president of Park & Co, a Phoenix-based brand consultancy that has ignited the growth of purpose-driven clients for 20 years. Park & Co uses its proprietary Story Cycle process to create abundance for the greater good. Park created and teaches his Story Cycle curriculum in the Executive Masters for Sustainability Leadership program at Arizona State University. His podcast, Business of Story, connects business leaders and communicators with top story artists, authors, screenwriters, and others ranks among the top business podcasts on iTunes.​

From great businesses to classic music, Park sees story inspiration everywhere.

“You find, especially when you’re pulling apart great pieces like Beethoven and Mozart wrote… you couldn’t help, even like a math ditz like me, seeing how math plays into… the rhythm of the piece… that really helped me as a writer.” - Park Howell on the rhythm of writing

Engineer turned salesperson, Mike Adams taught himself storytelling 'on the job' while selling and managing sales teams in the United Kingdom, Russia, India, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia for international corporations Schlumberger, Siemens, Nokia and Halliburton. Since 2014, Mike has been helping companies find and develop their own stories through his storytelling consulting practice. 

His book Seven Stories Every Salesperson Must Tell helps those who sell, tell. The book takes readers on a high-stakes sales journey, using stories to establish rapport and trust, deliver insight, inspire action and close the deal, and in doing so win new friends and collaborators. Sharing more than 50 stories from around the world, Mike draws on his diverse international sales career to teach and demonstrate the power of storytelling -- from first hello to signed contract.

Mike is married with three sons and lives in Melbourne, Australia… and today Mike Adams shares with The Storytellers Network his storytelling craft, successes and stumbles… in other words, his story.

“[Sales people] are in a category, that if you make up a story, you blow your credibility. You don’t have the credibility to tell a mythical story or fable.” - Mike Adams on honesty in sales storytelling