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  • Episode 483 – Finding Your Voice: The Power of Unstoppable Confidence with Michelle Mekky

    Episode 483 – Finding Your Voice: The Power of Unstoppable Confidence with Michelle Mekky
    2026/10/13
    Sometimes the biggest setbacks in life lead us to discover what we're truly capable of achieving. My guest, Michelle Mekky, knows this firsthand. A former broadcast journalist and television producer, Michelle spent 12 years working behind the scenes at Fox before moving into public relations. Her journey took an unexpected turn when she faced ovarian cancer and later lost her job. Rather than allowing fear and self-doubt to hold her back, she started Mekky Media, which grew into a seven-figure PR agency. Michelle shares how she built her business through storytelling, hard work, trust, and a strong team culture. We also explore the importance of public speaking, media training, authentic communication, and learning to believe in yourself. Michelle's story reminds us that confidence doesn't always come naturally. Sometimes we have to face the things that scare us most to discover our own potential. I believe you'll find valuable lessons here about leadership, entrepreneurship, overcoming adversity, and finding the courage to share your story. Highlights: 01:21 – Discover how Michelle's passion for journalism shaped her career. 06:41 – Learn why believing in yourself is key to overcoming fear. 16:06 – Hear how Michelle overcame her fear of public speaking. 30:23 – Explore how cancer and job loss led Michelle toward entrepreneurship. 36:53 – Learn how trust and team culture helped build a seven-figure PR agency. 56:40 – Discover how AI and digital media are changing storytelling and communication. About the Guest: Michelle Mekky is a veteran, award-winning broadcast journalist and public relations executive, and the founder and CEO of Mekky Media Relations, Inc., a boutique PR agency with clients in Chicago and coast to coast. She began her career as an overnight newswriter for the morning shows at Fox-TV in Chicago, before eventually growing to become Senior Producer, overseeing all morning show content. After 12 years in the media, she transitioned into PR and marketing, working at top agencies prior to launching Mekky Media in 2016 after she survived ovarian cancer. The agency partners with organizations across a broad range of verticals, including nonprofits, technology, healthcare, restaurants, retail, fitness, financial services B2B and more. Michelle leads a team of experienced PR professionals who help clients tell their stories, reach new audiences and fuel growth through PR strategy, media relations, media training, social media strategy, integrated digital and PR programs and personal branding. Building on nearly a decade of growth and demand for executive coaching, Michelle also recently launched Elevated by Mekky Media, a sister company specializing in personalized media training, public speaking coaching and executive presence development for leaders and teams. Michelle and Mekky Media have been widely recognized for their success, earning multiple Gold and Silver Stevie Awards between 2018 and 2023, a PR News Top 100 Agency Elite Award, recognition as one of Expertise PR’s Best Chicago PR Firms and several Publicity Club of Chicago Gold and Silver Trumpet Awards. Michelle has also received numerous individual honors, including being named one of the 2025 100 Women to KNOW in America, PRSA Chicago’s 2023 Professional of the Year, the 2023 Daily Herald Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, a 2021 Ragan and PR Daily Communicator of the Year Award, a 2020 PR News Top Women in PR honor, a 2019 Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Entrepreneur recognition and the 2018 Bronze Stevie Award for Women in Business. Michelle is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council, Forbes Agency Council, WBENC and the International Public Relations Network, where she serves as North American regional chair and a member of the Executive Committee. A Forbes blogger and motivational speaker, she is also a cancer survivor, a spokesperson for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and serves on the board of the Business Executives Association and the Strategic Advancement Committee for Start Early. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University’s renowned Medill School of Journalism. The daughter of immigrants, she is the first-generation in her family to go to college. Michelle also is most proud of being a mother to her children Adam and Hannah, who are getting ready to launch their own careers as they finish college and graduate school. Ways to connect with Michelle**:** Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mekkymedia/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mekky-media-relations-inc./ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mekkymedia/ About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 ...
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    1 時間 5 分
  • Episode 482 – Unstoppable Resilience When Everything Feels Impossible with Vincent Van den Broeck

    Episode 482 – Unstoppable Resilience When Everything Feels Impossible with Vincent Van den Broeck
    2026/10/09
    What does it take to survive the impossible and come back stronger? My guest, Vincent Van den Broeck, is a Belgian entrepreneur whose life has been filled with unexpected challenges. From losing his mother at a young age to building restaurants, facing bankruptcy, and finding success in the hospitality industry, Vincent has never allowed setbacks to define his future. Then, in October 2024, he was struck by a car and spent three weeks in a coma. Doctors warned his wife that he might not survive. Yet Vincent defied those expectations and began the difficult journey of learning to walk and talk again. I enjoyed hearing how his experiences shaped his views on overcoming adversity, personal growth, gratitude, and the power of positive thinking. We also discuss his book, Everything Feels Impossible Until It's Done, and why preparing yourself for life's challenges matters long before they arrive. Vincent's story reminds us that we have more strength and ability than we often realize. Highlights: 01:38 – Discover how personal loss led Vincent to a career in hospitality. 10:30 – Learn why curiosity and passion are keys to success. 18:39 – Explore the challenges of entrepreneurship and business failure. 34:43 – Hear how a devastating accident changed Vincent's life. 45:48 – Discover the challenges of recovery and the power of support. 56:35 – Learn how gratitude and positive thinking help overcome adversity. About the Guest: Vincent Van den Broeck is a Brussels-based entrepreneur, restaurateur, and survivor of a near-fatal car accident that changed his life forever. On October 11th, 2024, he was struck whilst riding a scooter in a collision at 55 km/h in a 30 zone. The impact left him with multiple fractures and major brain trauma. Doctors gave little hope with most injuries of this severity having only a 10% survival rate. He spent weeks in a coma and three months in intensive rehabilitation, but recovery didn't stop there — it became a daily mission. Against all odds, he not only regained his strength but came back stronger than before: working out 7 times a week, running a business, and building new creative projects. Today, Vincent shares his story as living proof that resilience, mindset, and community can make the impossible possible. About the book: On October 11th, 2024, I nearly died. Surviving was one thing. Understanding why became another. This is the story of how the life I built became the life that saved me: the sacrifices I made, the small daily habits, the challenges I faced, the days I kept going anyway. And how all of it took me from a 1% chance of survival to a full recovery. No one sees those moments, but when everything breaks, they're what hold you together. And sooner or later, life tests all of us. So if you're going through something difficult right now, or searching for something more, this book is for you. Because everything feels impossible, until it's done. Everything Feels Impossible Until It's Done is more than a memoir. It's a testimony of survival, perseverance, and hope — told with raw honesty and humility. The book takes readers through: • Before – the years leading to the day of the accident. • The Accident – a life-changing moment in Brussels. • The Coma & Rehab – weeks unconscious and months relearning life. • The Recovery Journey – rebuilding body, mind, and spirit, far beyond the hospital. • The Rebirth – lessons in resilience, purpose, and creating again. Ultimately, this is not just a story about survival. It's about awareness, responsibility, and perspective — toward yourself, and toward everyone who plays a role in your journey. For fans of David Goggins' Can't Hurt Me, James Clear's Atomic Habits and Paul Kalanithi's When Breath Becomes Air Ways to connect with Vincent**:** https://www.instagram.com/vincentinthekitchen/ https://www.tiktok.com/@vincentinthekitchen0 https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-van-den-broeck-b9b275103/ About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT\&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children’s Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association’s 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this ...
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    1 時間 7 分
  • Episode 481 – Why Curiosity Makes You Unstoppable in Business with Eric van Hall

    Episode 481 – Why Curiosity Makes You Unstoppable in Business with Eric van Hall
    2026/10/06
    The people who adapt best to new technology are often the ones willing to experiment before everyone else is ready. I talk with Dutch entrepreneur and communication strategist Eric van Hall about a career built on curiosity, from competitive windsurfing and video production to web design, copywriting, ChatGPT, and AI technology. Eric shares why entrepreneurship requires persistence, why understanding your audience matters more than chasing tools, and how AI can support creativity when humans stay accountable for the results. We also explore AI accessibility, automation, human values, and why keeping an open mind may be one of the most useful skills for navigating rapid technological change. Highlights: 01:28 - How windsurfing opened the door to Eric’s creative career. 15:07 - Why persistence and drive matter in entrepreneurship. 23:04 - How discovering the early web changed Eric’s career. 30:58 - Why curiosity and experimentation fuel innovation. 43:58 - How AI can expand human creativity. 59:38 - How AI could improve accessibility for people with disabilities. About the Guest: Eric van Hall is an entrepreneur and communications strategist with nearly four decades of experience at the intersection of creativity, technology, and media. He is the founder of CopyRobin, an AI-driven creation agency that helps organizations produce high-quality content at scale without sacrificing strategic intent or human nuance. Eric began his career in the 1980s as a freelance copywriter and video producer, working with international extreme sports brands such as O’Neill. His early work in storytelling and audiovisual production led to the founding of The Box Office, an independent production company. In the mid-1990s, as the commercial internet emerged, he pivoted again—this time launching Mediaweb in 1995, one of the Netherlands’ first web design agencies. After more than two decades building digital platforms, Eric identified a structural weakness in digital organizations: content production consistently lagged behind design and technology. To address this, he founded CopyRobin in 2015. Originally conceived as a “copywriting as a service” platform, CopyRobin streamlined collaboration between organizations and professional writers, removing friction from content workflows. When generative AI entered the mainstream, Eric once again adapted. Rather than viewing AI as a threat to creative work, he repositioned CopyRobin around a hybrid model that combines AI efficiency with human judgment, strategy, and editorial responsibility. His core belief: AI can accelerate production, but authority, meaning, and trust remain human responsibilities. In addition to his commercial work, Eric is co-founder of the Scriptorium Initiative, a thought-leadership platform focused on responsible, human-centric communication in the age of AI. As a speaker, writer, and moderator, he explores how organizations can use technology not to replace human voice, but to sharpen it. His career reflects a consistent principle: those who adapt with intent can turn disruption into leverage. Ways to connect with Eric**:** LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericvvanhall/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/copyrobin/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/scriptorium-initiative/ About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT\&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children’s Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association’s 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank ...
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    1 時間 8 分
  • Episode 480 – From Engineer to Entrepreneur: Building a Business That Lasts with Christine Slocumb

    Episode 480 – From Engineer to Entrepreneur: Building a Business That Lasts with Christine Slocumb
    2026/10/01
    What happens when an engineer discovers that great technology alone isn’t enough to build a successful business? My guest, Christine Slocumb, began her career as an electrical engineer before moving into marketing, entrepreneurship, and eventually building and selling her own agency, Clarity Quest. Christine and I talk about why marketing and sales need to work together, how SEO and AI are changing business, and why website accessibility is simply good business. We also explore something I believe matters even more: how we treat people. Christine shares why she built a company where employees could feel respected, how she balanced entrepreneurship with putting her family first, and what she learned during the long process of selling her business. Now, she is helping other entrepreneurs prepare for business exits and discover who they want to become afterward. I think you will enjoy Christine’s thoughts about authentic leadership, embracing change, and taking the time to discover what comes next in life. Highlights: 04:53 - How growing up without gender-based limits shaped Christine’s confidence and career choices. 11:17 - Why great technology still needs strong marketing to succeed. 21:35 - How website accessibility can benefit customers, businesses, and search visibility. 35:25 - Why AI can transform marketing without replacing human creativity and relationships. 45:25 - The choices Christine made to grow a business while keeping family first. 55:43 - Why selling a business can create an unexpected search for identity and purpose. . About the Guest: Chris Slocumb started her career as an electrical engineer at Motorola, where she witnessed firsthand how poor marketing could tank great technology. That insight sparked a career pivot that would eventually lead her to founding Clarity Quest Marketing and writing the 2024 book “Stop Starvation Marketing: 23 Power Moves For Healthcare, Biotech and IT Companies”. For over 20 years, Chris built Clarity Quest Marketing, growing it into a two-time Agency of the Year winner. When she sold the agency in 2023, she stayed on as Chief Growth Officer at the buyer’s holding company, driving 88% revenue growth for the holding company. From the outside it looked easy. In reality, selling her company and finding a new identity was a gauntlet. In February 2025, Chris made her exit from the buyer’s company complete and launched her exit advisory practice helping B2B founders successfully exit with their heads held high and values intact. Unlike traditional M\&A advisors focused solely on financial readiness, Chris addresses the complete founder experience: emotional preparation, successful transaction, and post-exit life design. Her upcoming book "Mastering the Exit Gauntlet" (April 2026) captures the raw reality of her journey in the moments she felt lost, questioned everything, and learned to celebrate the sale in order to design a new identity. Her core message challenges the exit narrative: A technically successful exit can become a disaster without organizational, financial, and emotional preparation. Chris brings the same nerve and grit that got her through the tech startup world’s engineering floors to helping founders exit on their own terms—living proof that life after exit can be purposeful, grounded, and entirely your own. Ways to connect with Christine**:** My website is https://christineslocumb.com/ Link to my upcoming book's teaser page: https://christineslocumb.com/my-books/mastering-the-exit-gauntlet/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisslocumb/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmslocumb/ About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT\&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children’s Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association’s 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the ...
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    1 時間 4 分
  • Episode 479 – From Trauma to Unstoppable: Reclaiming Your Life with Merrill Isherwood

    Episode 479 – From Trauma to Unstoppable: Reclaiming Your Life with Merrill Isherwood
    2026/09/29
    Sometimes becoming unstoppable begins with realizing you have more control over your life than you thought. Merrill Isherwood shares how her journey from professional ballet and a battle with bulimia to an abusive marriage, single parenthood, corporate struggles, and life coaching taught her the importance of self-ownership. She and Michael explore trauma recovery, toxic relationships, self-esteem, emotional support, and the courage to ask for help. Merrill also explains why coaching is not about giving people answers, but helping them discover their own strength and make conscious choices about the life they want to live. Highlights: 03:11 - Merrill shares how ballet shaped her early life and career. 11:00 - Pressure around weight led to bulimia and leaving professional ballet. 20:49 - Toxic relationships taught Merrill the importance of setting boundaries. 31:09 - A life coaching course changed how Merrill viewed control and personal responsibility. 43:28 - Trauma recovery became a focus of Merrill’s coaching work. 59:16 - Undivided attention can help parents build stronger connections with their children. . About the Guest: I am still here, and I am most grateful for that privilege. I have been fortunate to live out most young girls’ dreams of being a professional ballet dancer and an air hostess / flight attendant. However, for many years was terribly unhappy and felt life was not worth living.... Abusive relationships were the order of the day, both at work and in my personal life, and I unfortunately developed a severe eating disorder which taunted me for 12 years. Atop that were several sexual assaults, exorcism, home robberies, burnout, financial scarcity, manipulation and more. I overcame being completely broken emotionally; physically, experienced grief from the loss of multiple loved ones and friends; was a single parent (for over 20 years with no support), lost most of our material possessions, and loads more. Often questioning, “Why me?”, I read one day what we should be asking ourselves is “Why not me?” Why should I think, or assume I should be immune to difficulties in life? This was when I realised the power of my mind. I overcame the trauma of the above through mind control, determination, reflection, introspection, and willpower. That was a changing point in my life. Perhaps I went through these experiences so I could help others. In 2019 I studied to become a certified life coach, intent on helping others. Subsequently, I created a course on healing oneself emotionally, using the principles of life coaching. I discovered once my emotions were better aligned, the physical 'tiredness', and lethargy, decreased, and for the first time, (in what felt like forever), I decided life might be worth living after all. My desire is to teach others to do the same. Realising how much valuable time I had wasted, hiding from the world, feeling pathetic, and unworthy, I set out to make a difference, spreading love and support. At the lowest of the low, God sent heavenly friends to support me through the dark days. My mission is to strengthen, and empower others by teaching them the tools, strategies, and skills they need to succeed, and to be able to live the life they choose. I encourage them not to waste their lives being unhappy, it really IS worth putting in the work, healing, and being able to actually LIVE a productive AND fulfilling life! Ways to connect with Merrill**:** Website 1: Merrills Life Transformation Coaching: https://merrills.co.za Website 2: My Healing Program: https://myhealingprogram.com Instagram: The Sista Hood: @thesistahoodsa Facebook: Merrill Isherwood: https://www.facebook.com/merrill.isherwood Merrills Life Coaching: https://www.facebook.com/Merrillsthesistahood/ The Sista Hood: https://www.facebook.com/Merrillsthesistahood/ LinkedIn: Merrill Isherwood: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrill-isherwood-the-change-catalyst/ **My Healing Program: ** ? About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT\&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children’s Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association’s 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson ...
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    1 時間 7 分
  • Episode 478 – Unstoppable Leadership: Building Teams That Trust and Deliver with Will Watrous

    Episode 478 – Unstoppable Leadership: Building Teams That Trust and Deliver with Will Watrous
    2026/09/25
    Strong businesses do not become healthy by accident. They are built through trust, clear leadership, accountability, and a willingness to face problems together. Will Watrous joins me to explore what makes leadership teams work and why so many companies struggle even when good people are involved. Will shares how his own entrepreneurial journey led him from marketing into helping leadership teams use the Entrepreneurial Operating System, or EOS, to create greater vision, traction, and team health. We discuss vulnerability-based trust, productive conflict, accountability, business complexity, data-driven decisions, and why leaders must take responsibility for both what works and what does not. Will also explains why simplicity matters as companies grow, how weekly meetings can keep teams focused, and why leaders need quiet thinking time to gain clarity. You will find practical leadership lessons here for building stronger teams, making better decisions, and creating a healthier business. Highlights: 05:22 How helping one business owner launched Will’s entrepreneurial journey. 11:42 Why strong leadership creates accountability. 15:29 How trust becomes the foundation of healthy teams. 26:20 Why productive conflict leads to better decisions. 40:44 How leaders can reduce complexity as a business grows. 54:04 Why clarity breaks help leaders think and lead better. . About the Guest: Will Watrous is a business owner, EOS Implementer, and advisor to growth-minded leaders in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow area. He works primarily with founders and leadership teams of companies with 10 to 250 employees who want more clarity, discipline, and traction in their organizations. His work centers on helping leaders simplify complexity, make better decisions, and consistently execute on what matters most. As a Certified EOS Implementer, Will guides leadership teams through the Entrepreneurial Operating System, focusing on vision, accountability, data, and healthy team dynamics. He is known for being practical, direct, and grounded in real-world business experience. Clients value his ability to ask hard questions, create focus, and turn strategy into clear priorities that actually get done. Beyond EOS, Will owns and advises multiple businesses, including a marketing company and commercial real estate investments. This firsthand ownership experience shapes how he works with clients. He understands cash flow, hiring decisions, sales challenges, and the pressure leaders face when growth creates complexity. His approach blends structured systems with sound judgment and financial awareness. Will is deeply interested in finance, long-term wealth building, and disciplined execution, both personally and professionally. He values tools, scorecards, and measurable outcomes, but believes strong businesses are ultimately built by healthy, aligned leaders. His Christian worldview influences how he thinks about stewardship, integrity, and responsibility. He lives in the Tulsa area with his wife Jenny and their two children, Eli and Ellie. Outside of work, Will enjoys fitness, hiking, travel, learning, and time with his family. He is driven by helping leaders build organizations that are not only successful, but sustainable and well-run for the long term. Ways to connect with Will**:** LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willwatrous/ Website: https://implementer.eosworldwide.com/will-watrous/ About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT\&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children’s Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association’s 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts...
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    1 時間 3 分
  • Episode 477 – The Storytelling Framework Behind Unstoppable Brands with Park Howell

    Episode 477 – The Storytelling Framework Behind Unstoppable Brands with Park Howell
    2026/09/22
    A strong story can do more than sell a product. It can change how people see a brand, a problem, and even themselves. I talk with advertising and brand storytelling expert Park Howell about why our brains respond to simple problem-and-solution stories, how trust shapes buying decisions, and why your story should focus on your audience instead of you. Park shares the ABT storytelling framework, lessons from decades in advertising, and how one campaign helped drive major growth for Goodwill. We also explore AI storytelling, brand identity, human creativity, and why the best use of AI still requires a human voice. I believe you will find Park’s ideas useful whether you lead a business, market a brand, speak to audiences, or simply want to communicate with greater impact. Highlights: 01:19 - Why every strong story starts with a problem that needs solving. 14:46 - How shifting the story away from yourself makes it more relevant to your audience. 19:55 - What one advertising campaign taught Park about the power of story structure. 30:25 - How the ABT framework turns a message into a clear, compelling story. 44:39 - How storytelling helped Park make a major career shift at age 55. 53:50 - Why finding key moments in your life can reveal the story worth telling. About the Guest: Park Howell is known as The World's Most Industrious Storyteller, having helped purpose-driven brands grow by as much as 600 percent through the power of strategic narrative. With over 40 years in brand creation, including 20 years running his own advertising agency Park and Co, Park was named Advertising Person of the Year in 2010 by the American Advertising Federation of Metro Phoenix. The following year, his agency was recognized among the Top 10 Impact Companies in Arizona by the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. Park is an EMMY Award-winning storytelling strategist and the founder of the Business of Story, a proven platform based on his 10-step Story Cycle System to clarify your story, amplify your impact, and simplify your life. His popular weekly Business of Story podcast is ranked among the top 10 percent of downloaded podcasts worldwide, and Feedspot.com named it the number one business storytelling podcast for 2022. In 2020, Park published Brand Bewitchery: How to Wield the Story Cycle System to Craft Spellbinding Stories for Your Brand, which teaches readers how to use three proven narrative frameworks to captivate audiences and convert customers. He followed this with The Narrative Gym for Business in 2021, a practical 75-page guide on using the ABT framework—And, But, Therefore—to make all business communications compelling and persuasive. Most recently, Park launched the StoryCycle Genie, an AI-powered platform that helps business leaders craft lucrative brand story strategies in minutes rather than months, using his proven Story Cycle System that has grown brands by as much as 600 percent. The platform democratizes strategic storytelling expertise, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes. Park consults, teaches, coaches, and speaks internationally, having guided hundreds of brands and developed thousands of leaders in organizations including Dell, The Home Depot, Hilton, Cummins, Walgreens, Banner Health, and the United States Air Force. A graduate of Washington State University, he combines his degrees in communications and music composition to help leaders excel through the stories they tell. Ways to connect with Park**:** StoryCycle Genie™ Linkedin.com/in/ParkHowell Twitter.com/ParkHowell Facebook.com/Park.Howell Instagram.com/ParkHowell YouTube/BusinessOfStory The Business of Story About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT\&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children’s Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association’s 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to ...
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    1 時間 7 分
  • Episode 476 – How Better Questions Create an Unstoppable Attitude with Stephen Shaner

    Episode 476 – How Better Questions Create an Unstoppable Attitude with Stephen Shaner
    2026/09/18
    What if changing your attitude starts with changing the questions you ask yourself? Stephen Shaner has taken a remarkable path through music, the military, firefighting, air traffic control, technology, leadership, magic, and public speaking. Along the way, he became fascinated with how people respond to life and why some people remain positive when things go wrong. Stephen and I explore how attitude becomes a choice, why focusing on what you can control can reduce fear and frustration, and how simple changes in vocabulary can shift your outlook. We also talk about gratitude, energy, service, leadership, passion, and discovering who you are beyond what you do for work. Stephen shares lessons from Stephen Covey, Toastmasters, his own leadership experiences, and everyday moments when one different question changed everything. I believe you will find some useful ideas here for building a more positive attitude and making choices that help you move forward. Highlights: 02:58 – Follow Stephen’s unusual path from music and the military to leadership and speaking. 10:21 – Discover why knowing who you are matters more than defining yourself by your job. 13:44 – Learn why attitude is a choice, even when circumstances are difficult. 22:42 – See how changing your words can shift the way you experience everyday challenges. 30:21 – Hear how gratitude can quickly change your focus and mood. 52:30 – Learn how one different question can turn a negative situation into a positive one. About the Guest: Stephen Shaner has been studying the concept of “attitude” for more than 35 years. Specifically, his interest has focused on how attitude affects people, and the people around them. He has incorporated learning experiences from a multitude of sources, research, and training relative to behavior, attitude, ethics, and business and personal relations. Stephen, as a facilitator of Stephen Covey’s “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" for 15 years, was able to gain powerful insight. These opportunities led him to design informative and relevant presentations. Coupled with his contagious attitude, his extensive experience has made him a popular resource for keynotes, seminars, workshops, private sessions, newsletters and articles. He is a sought-after mentor for business professionals and individuals seeking for meaningful and lasting improvement. In his professional life, after 20 years of employment with HealthPartners, Stephen recently retired as the Manager of the Regional Technology Center in Duluth, Minnesota. He has been an active member of Toastmasters International for over 23 years, where he has held many leadership positions, including District Director for a membership base of approximately 5,000, and Region IV Advisor, with responsibilities covering six U.S. states and four Canadian Provinces. Stephen currently lives with his wife in Tennessee. Stephen continues to incorporate his leadership and communication skills to help professional and private entities meet their specific demands and goals. His success is based on delivering personalized training, guidance, and entertaining messages, and his passion for teaching and sharing his knowledge for the benefit of those around him. As an award-winning international speaker, his presentations have reached around the globe to businesses including England, Germany, Canada, the Philippines, and India. Stephen is also building a successful podcast titled, “Are You Awesome Today?” He will soon be releasing his 200th episode, all featuring a truly international cache of professionals, covering a myriad of relevant, interesting and dynamic topics. Stephen has developed presentations that reach to the core of what attitude is and how having the right one can dramatically change lives professionally and personally. You are invited to explore all Stephen has to offer, or contact him to discuss a presentation that fits your needs. Ways to connect with Stephen: Website: www.awesomeattitude.net LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenshaner/ About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT\&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children’s Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association’s 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://...
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