Stories With Traction

Matt Zaun
  • 5.0 (31)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Stories With Traction

The Stories With Traction Podcast was created to empower leaders to elevate their businesses through the art of strategic storytelling. By engaging clients and inspiring team members, leaders can significantly impact the world around them. Each episode offers insights into storytelling, marketing, sales, company culture, and leadership, providing practical tools to drive growth and influence positive change. Tune in to transform your approach and lead with purpose.

  1. 5D AGO

    #156: From Navy Cryptologist to Cybersecurity Advisor

    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 Dave Snell, founder of Snell Advisory Group, to unpack the critical (and often ignored) role of cybersecurity in business today. Dave explains why cybersecurity is not just a tech issue; it’s a leadership issue. From Fortune 100 firms to small startups, he shares real stories of oversight, breaches, and deception that cost companies far more than they anticipated. In addition, they talk about: ✅ Why most executives underestimate their company’s cyber risk ✅ The danger of using ChatGPT to “write a security policy” without a real strategy ✅ How Dave’s Navy cryptology background shaped his career … and much more! BIOS: Dave Snell is the founder and principal consultant of Snell Advisory Group, where he helps companies of all sizes protect their most valuable asset: information. With a 20-year background in cryptology and cybersecurity from the Navy, and experience supporting both Fortune 100 companies and startups, Dave brings a unique blend of strategic insight and operational expertise to the world of cyber defense. Matt Zaun is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who shows business leaders how to inspire action and drive results through the power of strategic storytelling. With a track record of catalyzing significant sales growth for over 300 organizations across industries—from financial services to health and wellness—Matt’s approach has been proven to deliver measurable impact.

    31 min

  2. JUL 1

    #155: From Rock Bands to Boardrooms: How Creativity Fuels Leadership

    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 David Nast, CEO of Nast Partners, to explore how creativity, storytelling, and grit have shaped his life from the stage as a rock musician to the boardroom as a business coach. David shares how writing fiction every morning has not only improved his mental clarity but also increased his business performance. With 21 novels written and three CEO roles under his belt, David unpacks the lessons he’s learned from building multiple Vistage groups and transitioning away from high-pressure industries into more purpose-driven work. In this episode, they dive into: ✅ Why creativity isn’t a luxury, it’s a leadership tool ✅ How daily writing (even fiction!) can lead to a 39% increase in productivity ✅ Why starting with “mood” makes you a better storyteller, songwriter, and coach …and much more! BIOS: David B. Nast is the CEO and Managing Partner of Nast Partners. He’s a three-time CEO, an award-winning business coach, and a Vistage Chair. David combines behavioral science, AI, and leadership coaching to help organizations eliminate bias in decision-making and build healthier, more productive teams. Outside of business, he’s a novelist, a former rock musician, and a lifelong Prince fan. Matt Zaun is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who shows business leaders how to inspire action and drive results through the power of strategic storytelling. With a track record of catalyzing significant sales growth for over 300 organizations across industries—from financial services to health and wellness—Matt’s approach has been proven to deliver measurable impact.

    39 min

  3. JUN 27

    #154: Myths, Leadership, & Life

    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: SUMMARY: In this episode, Scott Mason and Matt Zaun talk about storytelling and the myths that we tell ourselves.  SCOTT MASON: Scott is a transformational coach for attorneys, a keynote speaker, and the host of Myths, Leadership, & Life. MATT ZAUN: Matt is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who empowers organizations to attract more clients through the art of strategic storytelling. Matt’s past engagements have catalyzed radical sales increases for over 300 organizations that range from financial institutions to the health and wellness industry.  Matt shares his expertise in persuasion with executives, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs, who he coaches on the art of influence and how to leverage this for profits and impact.

    1h 2m

  4. JUN 13

    #153: From CEO to Coach: The Leadership Lessons That Matter Most

    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 David Frederiksen, Petra Coach and founder of PatientFocus, to discuss the often-overlooked struggles business leaders face when transitioning from doing the work to leading the team. David shares lessons from launching a company that changed how healthcare organizations collect payments—and how humility, systems thinking, and a mindset shift helped him scale both his impact and influence. In addition, they explore: ✅ Why strategic systems scale a business ✅ What most leaders get wrong about delegating  ✅ How to turn humbling moments into powerful growth catalysts …and much more! BIOS: David Frederiksen is a Petra Coach based in Nashville and the founder of PatientFocus, where he served as CEO from 2008–2023. He now works with teams across the U.S. to align strategy, execution, and leadership for real growth. Matt Zaun is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who shows business leaders how to inspire action and drive results through the power of strategic storytelling. With a track record of catalyzing significant sales growth for over 300 organizations across industries—from financial services to health and wellness—Matt’s approach has been proven to deliver measurable impact.

    44 min

  5. MAY 30

    #152: The Identity Crisis of Successful Business Leaders

    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: SERIES: This episode is part of a Launch, Grow, Thrive series with John Wilson on the Stories With Traction podcast.  SUMMARY: In this episode, John Wilson and Matt Zaun discuss why many successful business leaders face an identity crisis.  EPISODE MENTIONED | Always Fall Forward with Jacob Brown  DR. JOHN WILSON: John is an entrepreneur, a professor at Drexel University, and the Host of EntreProfessor. MATT ZAUN: Matt is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who empowers organizations to attract more clients through the art of strategic storytelling. Matt’s past engagements have catalyzed radical sales increases for over 300 organizations that range from financial institutions to the health and wellness industry. Matt shares his expertise in persuasion with executives, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs, who he coaches on the art of influence and how to leverage this for profits and impact.

    32 min

  6. MAY 16

    #151: Why You Should Hire the Right COO

    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: SERIES: This episode is part of a Launch, Grow, Thrive series with John Wilson on the Stories With Traction podcast.  SUMMARY: In this episode, John Wilson and Matt Zaun discuss why hiring the right COO is paramount to the growth phase of your business.  DR. JOHN WILSON: John is an entrepreneur, a professor at Drexel University, and the Host of EntreProfessor. MATT ZAUN: Matt is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who empowers organizations to attract more clients through the art of strategic storytelling. Matt’s past engagements have catalyzed radical sales increases for over 300 organizations that range from financial institutions to the health and wellness industry.  Matt shares his expertise in persuasion with executives, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs, who he coaches on the art of influence and how to leverage this for profits and impact.

    35 min

  7. MAY 2

    Episode #150! | Launch, Grow, Thrive

    SHOW NOTES: SERIES: This episode is part of a Launch, Grow, Thrive series with John Wilson on the Stories With Traction podcast. SUMMARY: In this episode, John Wilson and Matt Zaun discuss the build, measure, learn loop and whether or not we should pivot or persevere. DR. JOHN WILSON: John is an entrepreneur, a professor at Drexel University, and the Host of EntreProfessor. MATT ZAUN: Matt is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who empowers organizations to attract more clients through the art of strategic storytelling. Matt’s past engagements have catalyzed radical sales increases for over 300 organizations that range from financial institutions to the health and wellness industry. Matt shares his expertise in persuasion with executives, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs, who he coaches on the art of influence and how to leverage this for profits and impact.

    52 min

  8. APR 25

    #149: Culture is Not Fluff: How to Architect a High-Performing Team

    SHOW NOTES: In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Sel Watts, founder of Wattsnext PX, to discuss the essential role of culture in business growth. Sel challenges the common perception that culture is just a "fluffy" HR concept, arguing instead that it is a strategic business driver that directly impacts productivity, retention, and company valuation. In addition, they talk about: ✅ The Dreamcatcher strategy: Understanding what truly matters to employees beyond salary. ✅ Why businesses should consider past employees as "alumni" and how positive exits impact long-term reputation. ✅ Sel’s "No Plan B" mantra (literally tattooed on her arm) and why she believes having a backup plan prevents full commitment. …and much more! BIOS: Sel Watts is the founder of wattsnext Group, the founder and CEO of wattsnext PX, and the NYC Chapter President of EO. Matt Zaun is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who shows business leaders how to inspire action and drive results through the power of strategic storytelling. With a track record of catalyzing significant sales growth for over 300 organizations across industries—from financial services to health and wellness—Matt’s approach has been proven to deliver measurable impact.

    48 min
See All (156)

5
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

The Stories With Traction Podcast was created to empower leaders to elevate their businesses through the art of strategic storytelling. By engaging clients and inspiring team members, leaders can significantly impact the world around them. Each episode offers insights into storytelling, marketing, sales, company culture, and leadership, providing practical tools to drive growth and influence positive change. Tune in to transform your approach and lead with purpose.

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Zaun
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    156
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Stories With Traction
  • Show Website
    Stories With Traction

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada