How Stories Happen

Go inside inside my public speaking accelerator, Design My Signature Talk, with this clip from our final group call.

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Join the next cohort of Design My Signature Talk (starts Feb. 23, 2026)→

In this episode, hear Brian Piper deliver his brand new signature story as a reliable opener of his brand new signature talk that we developed in the cohort. He used this material to get 3 brand new client leads from his first attempt.

Brian is a marketing consultant and an author who works with people in higher ed. He helps them embrace AI and become more analytical and data led. But for years, he struggled with developing a SIGNATURE speech, instead building new talks every talk. He also struggled to draw from a major source of ideas and identity and stories in his life, refusing to put that material on stage -- a problem we navigated in the cohort to finally crack the code on a stronger opening story for him.

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ABOUT ME, JAY ACUNZO

I 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.com

Don't market more. Matter more.

Think resonance over reach.

Don't be the best. Be their favorite.

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Creators and Guests

Host
Jay Acunzo
I help entrepreneurs differentiate with stronger IP and storytelling // Author, speaker, host of How Stories Happen, and consultant for hire

What is How Stories Happen?

Inside the process of exceptional business storytellers and how they craft their work to resonate, plus practical frameworks and techniques you can use everywhere you communicate. Hosted by Jay Acunzo, speaking and storytelling advisor to some of the business world’s biggest thinkers and strongest storytellers.