How do you make a story truly come alive? You pace things down and focus on the small details. Everyone else might want the big, flashy story, but your most effective (and ownable) stories are from noteworthy moments, not newsworthy events.

In this episode, Ron Tite puts on display his otherworldly mastery of public speaking and performance. He takes a (relatively average) hotel and uses a series of interactions with the brand to make you laugh, feel inspired, and transform how you think about customer experience, social media, and even story structure.

Of course, this story could ONLY be told by Ron Tite. It’s ownable for him. Ron spent 20 years as a comedian before shifting to the business world, where he founded the successful marketing and advertising agency Church+State. He’s written multiple books, including his latest, Think Do Say, and he tours the world as a keynote speaker, delivering gripping talks to thousands of people and generally making you laugh, think, and change your approach to marketing.

Ron and I discuss what we can learn from standup comedy, the differences between a warm open and cold open (and how to craft them), his hilarious relationship with the Westin Grand in Vancouver (they’re in love!), and how to design and deliver stories that only YOU can tell—without making yourself the hero.

It’s an episode you probably won’t want to end. Ron is one of the very best in the world at this, and his energy is infectious.

Connect with Ron on his website and Linkedin

Grab a copy of his books, Think Do Say and Everyone’s An Artist(Or At Least They Should Be)

Learn about Church+State on their website

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IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING + STORYTELLING:

Subscribe to my newsletter and learn more about me at jayacunzo.com

Work with me one-on-one: jayacunzo.com/services

Book me to speak: jayacunzo.com/keynotes

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CONNECT:

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This episode was produced by Ilana Nevins

Cover art designed by Blake Ink

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ABOUT ME:

I help business leaders become stronger speakers and storytellers. The goal isn’t to get in front of your audience. The goal is to ensure they care. While others agonize over reach, your ability to resonate helps you compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.

With my clients, I help clarify + differentiate their message, craft their thinking and expertise into a distinct premise and IP they own, and develop signature speeches, frameworks, and stories to influence, inspire, and drive results.

After making a name for myself as an early advocate for quality and storytelling in content marketing at brands like Google and HubSpot, I’ve partnered with orgs like Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wistia, and GoDaddy and consulted dozens of authors, entrepreneurs, execs, and creators on their storytelling, messaging, and public speaking.

I live in the Boston area with my family as a proud Yankees and Knicks fan (yes, I’m in enemy territory). In the 60 seconds per week I’m not creating stuff for work or making my kids laugh, I like to shoot hoops, sip nice bourbons, cook with my wife, and daydream about telling stories like my storytelling hero, Anthony Bourdain. Say hi on LinkedIn or contact me here.

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“Great stories are ownable” | Ron Tite, keynote speaker and agency exec

How Stories Happen