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How Stories Happen

How Stories Happen

Become a stronger public speaker and storyteller.

Jay Acunzo

79 episodesEN

Show overview

How Stories Happen has been publishing since 2024, and across the 2 years since has built a catalogue of 79 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode. That works out to roughly 50 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.

Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 26 min and 43 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Business show.

The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 4 days ago, with 22 episodes already out so far this year. Published by Jay Acunzo.

Episodes
79
Running
2024–2026 · 2y
Median length
39 min
Cadence
Fortnightly

From the publisher

Become a stronger public speaker and storyteller. You've got plenty of competence. What you need next is resonance. On the show, go inside the process of exceptional communicators and how they craft their ideas, stories, and speeches to connect. You'll walk away with inspiration and practical frameworks to apply today. Hosted by Jay Acunzo, speaking and storytelling advisor.

Latest Episodes

View all 79 episodes

Punching up the premise of a marketing legend

Oct 5, 202626 min

Keynote Breakdown: We found 1 change to knock 'em alive | Robert Rose

Sep 28, 202642 min

The sniveling expert

Sep 21, 202621 min

Keynote Breakdown: Why this opener works where others like it fail | Chloé Nwangwu

Sep 15, 202628 min

What if my baby is ugly?

Sep 4, 202620 min

KEYNOTE PUNCH-UP: How to open a data-heavy talk, with Amanda Natividad

Aug 18, 202639 min

Live podcast audit: Jeremy Enns and Jay overhaul this show's strategy

Aug 10, 20261h 13m

Book announcement! Plus a sneak preview

Jul 20, 202617 min

BEST OF: Seth Godin dissects his signature story

Jul 10, 202642 min

BEST OF: The only way to figure out a story is to tell it | Andrew Davis

Jun 25, 202645 min

How YOU can appear on the show [+ ranting on thought leaders and AI]

Jun 10, 202623 min

NEW SHOW NAME! Here's why, plus a tiny concept with big implications

May 8, 202633 min

A look inside my business

Apr 27, 202643 min

Ep 67I can't believe people can do that

I can't believe people can do THAT.I can't believe people can DO that.I can't believe PEOPLE can do that.***To get regular advice, frameworks, and stories helping you communicate with greater clarity and resonance, subscribe to my newsletter→PS: As mentioned in previous episodes, please expect a name change and cover art change for the show soon. Can't wait for things to come!***ABOUT ME, JAY ACUNZOI work with entrepreneurs, execs, and teams on the journey from competent to resonant. To do that, I help transform your thinking into clear, captivating ideas, speeches, and IP. Stop chasing attention. Become the one others seek.I’m a former marketing leader at Google and HubSpot and globally touring speaker and author. I've spent 20 years building the exact thought leadership I now help clients create—as a practitioner-peer, not a coach with templates.Work with me 1:1, book me to speak, or explore free resources at jayacunzo.comDon't market more. Matter more.Think resonance over reach.Don't be the best. Be their favorite.***IF YOU ENJOY THE SHOW:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify Thanks for listening!

Apr 7, 202618 min

Ep 66Something bad happened to me thanks to AI

I'm sharing the full story in this episode. It's time to take stuff like this more seriously.To get regular advice, frameworks, and stories helping you communicate with greater clarity and resonance, subscribe to my newsletter→PS: As mentioned in the episode, please expect a name change and cover art change for the show soon. Can't wait for things to come!***ABOUT ME, JAY ACUNZOI work with entrepreneurs, execs, and teams on the journey from competent to resonant. To do that, I help transform your thinking into clear, captivating ideas, speeches, and IP. Stop chasing attention. Become the one others seek.I’m a former marketing leader at Google and HubSpot and globally touring speaker and author. I've spent 20 years building the exact thought leadership I now help clients create—as a practitioner-peer, not a coach with templates.Work with me 1:1, book me to speak, or explore free resources at jayacunzo.comDon't market more. Matter more.Think resonance over reach.Don't be the best. Be their favorite.***IF YOU ENJOY THE SHOW:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify Thanks for listening!

Mar 30, 20261h 3m

Ep 65How to (actually) grow your paid speaking

When you want to make speaking a real revenue engine, the temptation is to invest in a couple of incorrect things. In this episode, I set the record straight for what actually works to drive results as a keynote speaker, so you can focus on the right things, in the right order, for the right results.This is Part 2, to be paired with my last episode, "The last great advantage."To get more ideas like this, subscribe to my newsletter→PS: As mentioned in the episode, please expect a name change and cover art change for the show soon. Can't wait for things to come!***ABOUT ME, JAY ACUNZOI work with entrepreneurs, execs, and teams on the journey from competent to resonant. To do that, I help transform your thinking into clear, captivating ideas, speeches, and IP. Stop chasing attention. Become the one others seek.I’m a former marketing leader at Google and HubSpot and globally touring speaker and author. I've spent 20 years building the exact thought leadership I now help clients create—as a practitioner-peer, not a coach with templates.Work with me 1:1, book me to speak, or explore free resources at jayacunzo.comDon't market more. Matter more.Think resonance over reach.Don't be the best. Be their favorite.***IF YOU ENJOY THE SHOW:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify Thanks for listening!

Mar 23, 202639 min

Ep 64The last great advantage

Thanks to the ubiquity of AI, this is the last great advantage.To get more ideas like this, subscribe to my newsletter→PS: As mentioned in the episode, please expect a name change and cover art change for the show soon. Can't wait for things to come!***ABOUT ME, JAY ACUNZOI work with entrepreneurs, execs, and teams on the journey from competent to resonant. To do that, I help transform your thinking into clear, captivating ideas, speeches, and IP. Stop chasing attention. Become the one others seek.I’m a former marketing leader at Google and HubSpot and globally touring speaker and author. I've spent 20 years building the exact thought leadership I now help clients create—as a practitioner-peer, not a coach with templates.Work with me 1:1, book me to speak, or explore free resources at jayacunzo.comDon't market more. Matter more.Think resonance over reach.Don't be the best. Be their favorite.***IF YOU ENJOY THE SHOW:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify Thanks for listening!

Mar 18, 202614 min

Ep 63How to write better pitches to book speaking gigs [Jay's go-to format]

The way we write pitches is broken compared to what actually works, all because of one nuanced but critical reality:We're good at describing our talks. We're bad at describing why they'd BOOK US TO SPEAK. But isn't that the point? In this short episode, you'll learn how to re-think your pitches and write better session descriptions to pitch event planners. It'll also be useful for pitching podcast hosts, editors, and any gatekeeper who might platform you.To get more ideas like this, subscribe to my newsletter→PS: As mentioned in the episode, please expect a name change and cover art change for the show soon. Can't wait for things to come!***ABOUT ME, JAY ACUNZOI work with entrepreneurs, execs, and teams on the journey from competent to resonant. To do that, I help transform your thinking into clear, captivating ideas, speeches, and IP. Stop chasing attention. Become the one others seek.I’m a former marketing leader at Google and HubSpot and globally touring speaker and author. I've spent 20 years building the exact thought leadership I now help clients create—as a practitioner-peer, not a coach with templates.Work with me 1:1, book me to speak, or explore free resources at jayacunzo.comDon't market more. Matter more.Think resonance over reach.Don't be the best. Be their favorite.***IF YOU ENJOY THE SHOW:Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify Thanks for listening!

Mar 11, 202618 min

Ep 62Content ARCs: how to own your ideas in the market

There is a very big difference between having a good idea and actually owning it publicly. In this episode, a means to re-think your approach to crafting and publishing your content, no matter the channel or medium. The goal is to both clarify your thinking to yourself and build an audience of passionate fans along the way. Subscribe to my newsletter→***ABOUT ME, JAY ACUNZOI work with entrepreneurs, execs, and teams on the journey from competent to resonant. To do that, I help transform your thinking into clear, captivating ideas, speeches, and IP. Stop chasing attention. Become the one others seek.I’m a former marketing leader at Google and HubSpot and globally touring speaker and author. I've spent 20 years building the exact thought leadership I now help clients create—as a practitioner-peer, not a coach with templates.Work with me 1:1, book me to speak, or explore free resources at jayacunzo.comDon't market more. Matter more.Think resonance over reach.Don't be the best. Be their favorite.***ENJOY THE SHOW? PLEASE SAY THANKS!Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify Thanks for listening!

Mar 2, 202630 min

Ep 61The metaphor and the magic: My take on AI in 2026

It's been a good long while since I've had a good long rant. *Cracks knuckles.* Let us begin.Join the next cohort of Design My Signature Talk (starts Feb. 23, 2026)→Subscribe to my newsletter→***ABOUT ME, JAY ACUNZOI work with entrepreneurs, execs, and teams on the journey from competent to resonant. To do that, I help transform your thinking into clear, captivating ideas, speeches, and IP. Stop chasing attention. Become the one others seek.I’m a former marketing leader at Google and HubSpot and globally touring speaker and author. I've spent 20 years building the exact thought leadership I now help clients create—as a practitioner-peer, not a coach with templates.Work with me 1:1, book me to speak, or explore free resources at jayacunzo.comDon't market more. Matter more.Think resonance over reach.Don't be the best. Be their favorite.***ENJOY THE SHOW? PLEASE SAY THANKS!Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Leave a rating on Spotify Thanks for listening!

Feb 16, 202623 min
Unthinkable Media