Story Through Music with Singer Songwriter Aaron Burdett

Meet singer-songwriter Aaron Burdett, one of the top 10 most important musicians of western North Carolina according WNC Magazine. He’s named alongside such greats as Doc Watson, Steep Canyon Rangers, and The Avett Brothers. It wasn’t always easy though, as you might imagine.

After seeing a lot of his friends and musical colleagues struggle to be full-time musicians, sometimes at the cost of their marriages and family lives, Aaron moved back to his hometown and decided to go another route. He started a construction business, built a home for himself and his wife, and started a family, all while continuing to write songs and playing music, recording an album every year or two. In 2013, Aaron decided to pursue music full time, so fast forward to today, and his distinctive clear voice has carried his dream into a successful career. Aaron’s songs effortlessly transition from solo performance to full band, with equal emotional impact on audiences. 

Aaron has 7 albums dating back to 2005. He tells stories through his music, his lyrics and his performances.

“I believe the most powerful stories, works, pieces of music and novels … are a reflection of that person, that only that person could write in that way.” - Aaron Burdett on the power of personal story

How Routine Can Drive Your Greatness with Michelle Steffes

During this portion of the Entertainment Storytellers season, I wanted to bring on a special guest to explore something a little different. Today we’re talking about your journey to greatness. It’s more a resource than an example… my guest is the author of Your Journey to Greatness Through Routine and host of her daily podcast with the same name. She is also the CEO and founder of IPV Consulting working with companies to address organizational dysfunction getting to the root of human behavior using cognitive training methods. Michelle Steffes brings insight, information, and inspiration to this episode, to help us all reach greatness.

“If you go into a bank and you want to borrow money, they’re going to require a business plan. Why in the world do we think that we can just fly by the seat of our pants when it comes to accomplishing big dreams?” - Michelle Steffes on preparing for greatness

Poetry to Entertain, Educate and Inspire with Slam Poet Ebony Stewart

Ebony Stewart is an international touring poet – of slam poetry – and performance artist. Her work speaks to the black experience, with emphasis on gender, sexuality, womanhood, and race, with the hopes to be relatable, remove shame, heal minds, encourage dialogue, and inspire folks in marginalized communities. 

As one of the most decorated poets in Texas, Ebony is a respected coach & mentor, one of the top touring poets in the country, and a Woman of the World Poetry Slam Champion.

She is the author of Love Letters to Balled Fists and Home.Girl.Hood. Her work has been featured in For Harriet, AfroPunk, Teen Vogue, and The Texas Observer. The only poet to perform at the 2018 Seattle Pride Festival before 200,000 people, was Ebony Stewart.

“It just so happens that I have been afforded a life where I can write deeply about gender and race and colorism and sex and those things move me because they’re things I know a lot about.” - Ebony Stewart on her story

Storytelling with Writer, Podcaster Sarah Rhea Werner

Sarah Rhea Werner is a professional podcaster, writer, editor, coach, speaker, voice actor, ghostwriter, a contributor to Forbes, founder of the Write Now podcast, and TEDx speaker.

She’s also the writer, editor, and executive producer of the hit audio drama Girl In Space. Sarah is an up and coming entertainment storyteller and huge supporter of audio dramas – fictional podcasts that tell a story and entertain.

For Sarah, creating stories for others to enjoy is all about finding her inspiration from her community.

“The inspiration comes from other people. Inspiration for characters, inspiration to keep going. The community keeps you invested in what you’re doing. It seems like a solo project, but it’s not.” - Sarah Rhea Werner on story inspiration

The Power of Parables and Story with John David Mann

Welcome to the season finale of Season 6: Business Storytellers. This is part 2 of 2… focusing on the “Go Giver” series of books and their principle in business and in storytelling.

My guest for part 2 is co-author John David Mann. John is an award-winning author whose titles include the New York Times bestseller The Red Circle and of course the international bestseller The Go-Giver. His new book The Latte Factor is already earning a ton of praise.

As a storyteller, John knows what it takes to create effective, engaging parables that move people. If the reader isn’t moved, they won’t care, they won’t learn, and they won’t retain.

“If I don’t cry when I’m writing it… if I don’t laugh when I’m writing it… if I’m not moved when it’s going on the page, then the reader won’t be moved.” - John David Mann on the power of story

Welcome to the season finale of Season 6: Business Storytellers. This is part 1 of 2… focusing on the “Go Giver” series of books and their principle in business and in storytelling.

My guest for part 1 is co-author Bob Burg. Bob is a hall of fame speaker and bestselling author, a former top sales pro and podcast host of, you guessed it, the Go-Giver Podcast.

In our conversation, Bob shares insight on topics vital to the success of today's businessperson, and storyteller… often crossing the lines between both. In his daily walk, he speaks for corporations and associations internationally, including Fortune 500 companies, franchises, and numerous direct sales organizations.

For Bob, it’s all about giving value above and beyond, bringing value back to the originator.

“Money is simply an echo of value. It’s the thunder to value’s lightning. The value must come first. You must focus on bringing value to another human being.” - Bob Burg on success in business

Clear Storytelling The King of Clarity Steve Woodruff

Steve Woodruff, known as the King of Clarity, is a consultant and author who has helped many professionals - from solo consultants to Fortune 100 pharmaceutical companies - with their brand identity and messaging. He’s best known for his intensive clarity sessions, which, in less than a day, unlock a company's DNA and market positioning, and produce crystal-clear messaging to generate sales and referrals. He also helps people find their professional purpose with Clarity Consulting.

The author of Clarity Wins, Steve loves to help people and businesses find clarity. In our conversation you’ll hear how Chris Brogan gave him his nickname, how a Russian oligarch and his French chateau plays a part in Steve’s story, and so much more.

“I’ve replaced the term elevator pitch with the term memory dart. Which is an even shorter version of an elevator pitch. Symbols are the most powerful, an analogy or a word picture. Distill it down to something that is symbolic.“ - Steve Woodruff on clarifying your message

Dave Lorenz is the Vice President of Travel Michigan. He’s responsible for leading the state’s tourism branding, advertising and public relations efforts. Essentially, Dave’s the guy behind my favorite marketing campaign, the award-winning Pure Michigan tourism campaign. He also coordinates overall statewide tourism initiatives.

Dave also speaks around the world on behalf of Michigan for tourism, as well as telling the Pure Michigan success story. He’s a storyteller through-and-through.

Dave currently serves on the board of directors for the U.S. Travel Association, the National Council of State Tourism Directors, Michigan Cares for Tourism, Circle Michigan, Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, MotorCities National Heritage Association, and the West Michigan Tourism Association, Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Grand Rapids Hotel Advisory Board.

He’s a true, authentic Michigan storyteller and ambassador.

“They literally brought the state together, the upper and lower peninsulas.” – Dave Lorenz on Mighty Mac and the Michigan story

Remington Begg is the co-founder and CEO of Impulse Creative, a branding and inbound marketing agency. He’s fortunate to be based in southern Florida, although the agency does have remote employees, proving that you can be a storyteller anywhere.

While Remington may not seem like a typical storyteller we get to spend time with, in my opinion he’s a story ambassador or curator, as he helps brands tell their story through inbound marketing and content marketing. Plus he, like many of my guests, is simply a good storyteller in conversation.

His advice for being a better storyteller: Be a consumer of story.

“Any other creators I know, the storytellers I really respect are inspired by, are always talking about how much content they consume.” - Remington Begg on filling your storytelling cup

Tackling Tough Issues for Entrepreneurs with Josh Cary

Josh Cary spent 40 years in hiding. He says he hid every aspect of himself, showing up with a mask on in all areas of life trying to gain the approval of everyone else. At 19, he changed his name and entered what would become a 15-year career as a professional actor and filmmaker. But the applause and external accolades didn't completely heal his feelings of anxiety and insecurities and he found himself more isolated than ever.

Fast forward to today, and Josh helps his clients unmask themselves by leading them through poignant, important, and direct questions… resulting in a profound and honest experience that reveals aspects, desires, and philosophies within them that have been dormant for years.

Josh also hosts the podcast, The Hidden Entrepreneur Show, where he sits with entrepreneurs, creatives, and small businesses owners who were also once in the darkest of places. In other words, he helps them understand and share their story.

“We’re all so amazingly awkward, it’s not even funny… You are not a perfect specimen. But you are.” - Josh Cary on authenticity and story

Chris Brogan is an entrepreneur, an author, a marketing consultant and a speaker… among other titles and skills. He’s also a good guy with a terrific outlook and desire to help, inspire and teach. Chris has written several books, publishes a terrific newsletter and runs Owner Media Group with Rob Hatch. We get to learn about Chris’ story, how hitting a house with his bicycle paints the picture of entrepreneurship and more … as we get to Chris Brogan’s stories.

“I do love brevity. I think the tiny bites matter. People don’t want a lot to consume, until they are ready.“ - Chris Brogan on audience attention

I created this presentation for Kalamazoo Social Media Week 2019. Looking over 70+ episodes, I knew I could bring some lessons to an audience. What I found was so much more than I thought it would be. So… I made it a bonus podcast episode!

Digital Strategist and Social Media Pioneer Jason Falls

Jason Falls is a Digital Strategist, Keynote Speaker, and Thought Leader. He’s co-author of two books… No Bullshit Social Media: The All-Business, No-Hype Guide To Social Media Marketing he wrote in 2011 with Erik Deckers.

Jason has been helping brands connect with online audiences for 25 years. A thought leader in the social media and digital marketing space, Falls leads digital and social strategy for Cornett, a full-service advertising agency based in Lexington, Ky. He is a dynamic and entertaining public speaker and a leading practitioner and analyst in the social listening and social intelligence space. He’s also most-widely known for founding Social Media Explorer, one of the top social media marketing blogs in the world.

“I’ll be frank and a lot of social media people are going to be pissed I’ve said this. If you are banking on [the major social networks] are going to drive 40%-50% of your revenue, you’re sunk. If you’re not also using paid, PR, email marketing, your website… you’re going to fail.” - Jason Falls on digital strategy

Today’s guest is a Hall of Fame speaker and emcee, a New York Times best-selling author of six books, an Internet pioneer, a 7th-generation entrepreneur and the founder of five, multi-million dollar companies.

Jay Baer has spent 25 years in digital marketing and customer experience, consulting for more than 700 companies during that period, including 34 of the FORTUNE 500. His current firm – Convince &Convert – provides word of mouth, digital marketing, and customer experience advice and counsel to some of the world’s most important brands.

His newest book, Talk Triggers, is the complete guide to creating customers using strategic, operational differentiators that compel word of mouth. 

Yet he still has to work at telling his own story, just like the rest of us.

“I have a lot of weird stories from when I was a kid. Stories follow me around. I have a really colorful life. I really have to get better at telling my own stories and not just case studies. But that’s why I spend a lot of money and time on coaches to become a better storyteller.” - Jay Baer

Chris Krimitsos gets called “changemaker,” “motivator,” “catalyst for change,” and “inspiration” by those who know him. He works with major corporations’ CEOs, solopreneurs, relative nobodies and well-known personalities. Chris is a national speaker, an event founder and podcast ambassador.

Chris brings the unique perspective of success from both sides of an event. He understands the challenges of the organizer that needs to move an audience, having himself facilitated over 1,000 events that have brought together business owners, toward economic growth, under the umbrella of Tampa Bay Business Owners, which he founded in 2008. That success regionally was the springboard to launching a national event, Podfest Multimedia Expo.

Channeling that energy into creating a documentary, now he is making an impact globally. Under the CK Productions banner, as a filmmaker and producer, Chris has even successfully birthed The Messengers: A Podcast Documentary.

“I created this amazing speech. [Then] I realize a commencement speech has nothing to do about you, but everything to do about the graduating class. I literally had to scrap my entire presentation.” - Chris Krimitsos on knowing your audience

The Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of BNI is also an author, a humanitarian, an expert in the field of business networking and a terrific storyteller. Dr. Ivan Misner travels the world discussing referral networking and personal and professional development. He has been featured in the New York Times, the L.A. Times, the Wall Street Journal and on networks such as CNN and MSNBC.

All along the way, Ivan brings life to stories.

“When I tell a story, I do my best to relive it, not retell it. The truth is if you want to be a great storyteller, don’t retell a story. Relive a story.“ - Dr. Ivan Misner

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’