RecomMONDAYtions ~ 2025.09.22
Recommended Reading
šĀ Lies Damned Lies
This blog post from the great Drayton Bird contains a tip so simple, yet so powerful, it could transform your marketing content from pitiful to profitable overnight. Everyone who writes marketing copy should readĀ thisĀ and take Bird’s advice.
Recommended Listening
š”Ā Cal Fussman: April 20, 1999, September 10, 2025, And The Future
Cal Fussman is a GREAT storyteller. I love his podcast, “Big Questions.” Here are the notes from his latest, great episode:
Two dates. Separated by decades. Bound by a thread weād all prefer didnāt exist. Cal revisits the firstāa day etched in memory that too many now treat as common behavior. He weighs the secondāfresh in the headlines, heavy in the heartāand wonders if itās a shadow of what lies ahead. The connections arenāt obvious. They arenāt supposed to be. But once you hear them, you wonāt forget.
From the Archives
ā¾ļøĀ Why Yogi’s Nonsense Can Help Your Business
Yogi Berra died on this day (September 22) in 2015. A few years back, I wrote about Yogi — how his quirky quotes (often dismissed as nonsense) hold surprising wisdom for marketers.
ReadĀ thisĀ if you want to make better, business-building connections with prospects and clients.
Recommended Book
šĀ The Playground Principles
Barry Kleiman is a brilliant businessman… and basketball coach. He has created basketball programs — and coached the game — in places where they never existed.
This year, he has published a pair of books in which he shares “The Playground Principles.” Here’s the description:
“From the asphalt playgrounds of Philadelphia to the world’s most powerful boardrooms, the fundamental principles of human connection, competition, and character remain unchanged.
“In ‘The Playground Principles,’ Barry Kleiman, a self-described “74-year-old kid from a Philly playground” with more than half a century in executive search and development, reveals universal lessons learned on the court are also essential for success and fulfillment in every aspect of life.”
Ted Prodromou and I chose this book as the September selection for the Mastermind Book Club. Each month, Ted and I choose a great book for Club members to read and discuss.
On the fourth Thursday (9/25) at 2:30 p.m., we will gather on Zoom to discuss the book and how its lessons can help us in our lives and businesses.
There’s no charge to attend or join the Club. But you have to be a member to get the meeting notices and Zoom link. JoinĀ here.
Recommended Television
šŗĀ Slow Horses
My favorite TV show returns on Wednesday. Season 5 of Slow Horses on Apple TV. Gary Oldman stars (so good!). If you haven’t seen it, backtrack and watch the first four seasons. If you’re already a fan, enjoy the new season, and let me know what you think.

Podcast (The Story Power Marketing Show)
š”How to Transform Your Marketing by Listening More and Shouting Less (with Sam Nelson)
Sam Nelson is the CEO of Downstreet Digital, an award-winning, digital marketing agency specializing in high-impact advertising and branding. With nearly 15 years of experience in digital strategy, Sam has led campaigns for national food chains, major media organizations, and high-stakes political races.
Sam shares valuable insights from his political and marketing experience, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing audience needs. He and I discuss leveraging digital tools like CTV and social media to target and engage audiences effectively to optimize marketing efforts for small and medium-sized businesses.
DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE
~01:06 Meet Sam Nelson: CEO of Down Street Digital
~01:58 Lessons from Politics for Marketing
~03:38 The Importance of Listening in Marketing
~07:43 Digital Tools for Effective Marketing
~12:55 The Evolution of Down Street Digital
~15:51 Trends in Digital Marketing
~18:37 The Power of Targeted Advertising
~27:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
FULL EPISODE VIDEO: vimeo.com/1115058791
Words to Ponder
āThe future ain’t what it used to be.”
– Yogi Berra
Don't go away yet..
p.s. Coaches, authors, and consultants hire me to power-up their creative content and storytelling to captivate prospects, stand-out and book more business.
Whenever you're ready, here are several ways I can help you become a storytelling stand-out so you'll land more clients without pitching and prodding:
1) Get theĀ Story Power Profit PackĀ -- 52 Strategies, Tips, and Tactics Ā to Transform Your Content from Ignored to Adored.
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3) Become a Story Power VIP: Master how to discover, assemble, and deliver business-building stories. Twice-monthly live masterclasses. Members-only content. One-on-one feedback and consulting sessions. And more⦠If you'd like to learn more about our VIP program, just reply to this email and put "Story Power VIP" in the subject line. Iāll contact you with more details.
4) Work with me one-on-one: If youāre interested in working directly with me -- to discover, assemble, and deliver powerful, business-building stories -- simply reply to this email and change the subject line to "Private Client." Tell me a little about yourself, your business, and what you'd like to accomplish, and I'll reply to discuss options.
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