Stories With Traction – Details, episodes & analysis

SHOW NOTES:

In this solo episode of Stories With Traction, host Matt Zaun breaks down one of the most common mistakes even great storytellers make: they don’t spend enough time on the hook.

But this isn’t about flashy intros or attention-grabbing openers.

Matt reframes the hook as the point of change in a story, the moment that connects the message directly to the audience and moves them toward action.

SHOW NOTES:

In this solo episode of Stories With Traction, host Matt Zaun breaks down a simple, repeatable system for using storytelling to cut through noise, inspire action, and lead more effectively (without adding hours to your calendar).

Matt introduces the 20-Minute Story Strategy Session, a practical framework leaders can use to uncover powerful stories already hidden in their subconscious and apply them directly to business processes such as staff meetings, sales conversations, and internal communication.

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 revenue vs. loans, deposits, and edge cases

✅ A trust case study — “400 calls a month” salesperson with zero sales; the numbers exposed fabricated activity

✅ Survival tactics when you feel stuck — slash to essentials, stack small wins, and re-engage your mind so you’re not trapped in a negative loop

✅ Why founders should sell more often — being in the sales process forces you to listen and shape services people actually want

...and much more!

BIOS:

Natalia Zacharin is the founder & CEO of Zacharin Consulting, a full-service accounting firm with controller-level oversight, dedicated payroll specialists, fractional CFO services, and tax strategy. She and her team help clients improve revenue, profit, and cash clarity to build sellable companies. Zacharin Consulting grew 525% in three years (Inc. 5000) and surpassed $2M in annual revenue with a team of 12+.

Matt Zaun is an award-winning speaker and strategic storytelling expert who helps leaders inspire action and drive results through the power of story. He’s the author of The StoryBank, a practical playbook for using strategic storytelling to build culture, boost sales, strengthen marketing, and become a dynamic public speaker.

Wanna…

Boost your Sales?
Enhance your Marketing?
...and create a vibrant company culture?

All of that is possible through the power of Strategic Storytelling!

Check out the Stories With Traction course, where you’ll learn how to set up a storybank and utilize it to achieve your goals!

You can find the course HERE.


PODCAST SUMMARY: In this episode, Claire Davis and Matt Zaun talk about how they created a storytelling system and positioned it to boost sales and enhance their marketing efforts.

CLAIRE DAVIS BIO: Claire is a branding consultant that helps people write their stories.  The Stories With Traction podcast wouldn’t exist if it weren't for her.  Claire has been one of the most influential individuals when it comes to marketing, crafting messages, and getting stories to connect with an audience.

For more info, check out Claire HERE.


MATT ZAUN BIO: 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.

For more info, check out Matt Zaun HERE.

Wanna…

Boost your Sales?
Enhance your Marketing?
...and create a vibrant company culture?

All of that is possible through the power of Strategic Storytelling!

Check out the Stories With Traction course, where you’ll learn how to set up a storybank and utilize it to achieve your goals!

You can find the course HERE.


PODCAST SUMMARY: In this episode, Jacob Brown and Matt Zaun talk about how to turn failure into fuel for growth.

JACOB BROWN BIO: Jacob is a former NFL athlete turned entrepreneur, transformational speaker, and writer.

For more info, check out Jacob here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobaaronbrown/
https://failforwardbrown.com/


MATT ZAUN BIO: 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.

For more info, check out Matt Zaun HERE. 

Wanna…

Boost your Sales?
Enhance your Marketing?
...and create a vibrant company culture?

All of that is possible through the power of Strategic Storytelling!

Check out the Stories With Traction course, where you’ll learn how to set up a storybank and utilize it to achieve your goals!

You can find the course HERE.


PODCAST SUMMARY: In this episode, Lori Halverson and Matt Zaun talk about the motivational level of leaders and how this can impact their company culture.  In addition, they dive into the importance of keeping everyone accountable regardless of generation.

LORI HALVERSON BIO: Lori is the President of The Halverson Group and a Vistage Chair, where she helps business leaders build and live their legacy.

For more info, check out Lori HERE.


MATT ZAUN BIO: 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.

For more info, check out Matt Zaun HERE. 

SHOW NOTES:

PODCAST EPISODES MENTIONED:

Stories of Leadership

How to Get Involved in Politics

SUMMARY: In this episode, Terence Farrell and Matt Zaun discuss ways leaders can get more involved in their communities and why it’s important.

TERENCE FARRELL BIO: Terence served as a Chester County Commissioner for 12 years, and before that, he was the Recorder of Deeds for 8 years.  Today, he is the President of For Real Solutions, a consulting firm that brings value to its clients through leveraging Terence’s knowledge, experience, network, and creativity. Two of the major focuses for his business are on reducing healthcare costs for various organizations and mitigating loss in pension funds that occur because of fraud or other illegal activities.

For more info, check out Terence HERE

MATT ZAUN BIO: 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.

For more info, check out Matt Zaun HERE

Wanna…

Boost your Sales?
Enhance your Marketing?
and create a vibrant company culture?

All of that is possible through the power of Strategic Storytelling!

Check out the Stories With Traction course, where you’ll learn how to set up a storybank and utilize it to achieve your goals.

You can find the course HERE.

SHOW NOTES:

SUMMARY: In this episode, Mike Kramer and Matt Zaun talk about how business leaders can implement simple strategies that will lead to significant growth.

MIKE KRAMER BIO: Mike is the founder of ManageHub, which provides mid-market and smaller organizations leadership and coaching services. He utilizes Baldrige-based management for results.

For more info, check out Mike HERE.


MATT ZAUN BIO: 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.

For more info, check out Matt Zaun HERE. 

Wanna…

Boost your Sales?
Enhance your Marketing?
and create a vibrant company culture?

All of that is possible through the power of Strategic Storytelling!

Check out the Stories With Traction course, where you’ll learn how to set up a Storybank and utilize it to achieve your goals.

You can find the course HERE.

SHOW NOTES:

SUMMARY: In this episode, Chanel Cook and Matt Zaun talk about how business leaders can give back through nonprofit work.

CHANEL COOK BIO: Chanel is the Public Affairs Officer at the Erie VA Medical Center.  In addition, she is an Adjunct Instructor at Mercyhurst University, where she specializes in Organizational Leadership.

For more info, check out Chanel HERE.

MATT ZAUN BIO: 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.

For more info, check out Matt Zaun HERE. 

Wanna…

Boost your Sales?
Enhance your Marketing?
and create a vibrant company culture?

All of that is possible through the power of Strategic Storytelling!

Check out the Stories With Traction course, where you’ll learn how to set up a storybank and utilize it to achieve your goals!

You can find the course HERE.


SHOW NOTES:

PODCAST SUMMARY: In this episode, Erik Wolf and Matt Zaun talk about the disconnect between C-suite, sales, and marketing and what can be done to change that.

ERIK WOLF BIO: Erik is the founder and CEO of estound, which is an award-winning fractional marketing department for mid-size companies.

For more info, check out Erik here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikwolf/
https://estound.com/
https://getunifiedmarketing.com/

MATT ZAUN BIO: 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.

For more info, check out Matt Zaun here:
https://www.storieswithtraction.com/