Stories With Traction
The Stories With Traction Podcast was created to empower leaders to elevate their businesses through the art of strategic storytelling. By engaging clients and inspiring team members, leaders can significantly impact the world around them. Each episode offers insights into storytelling, marketing, sales, company culture, and leadership, providing practical tools to drive growth and influence positive change. Tune in to transform your approach and lead with purpose.
Stories With Traction
#159: From Chaos to Creative Power
5-Day Storytelling Challenge
Whether you're looking to boost sales, enhance marketing, or captivate audiences in meetings, this challenge is for you.
To sign up, go HERE.
SHOW NOTES:
In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Steve Schmidt, Chief Revenue Officer and Co-Owner of Magnetic, as well as Co-Owner and Creative Lead at Spotlight Sioux Falls, to explore how creative content and radical authenticity shape modern business success. From building a $5M company in one year to facing rock bottom and rebuilding both his life and career, Steve offers a brutally honest look at what it really takes to lead and why vulnerability might just be the ultimate business superpower.
In addition, they talk about:
✅ Rhythm, consistency, and predictability: business lessons from the drummer’s seat
✅ Steve’s powerful sobriety journey and how it reshaped his leadership approach
✅ How to creatively break through content saturation (with actual examples)
✅ The role of emotional regulation and why sometimes the smartest move is just to walk away
…and much more!
BIOS:
Steven Schmidt is the Chief Revenue Officer and Co-Owner of Magnetic, a creative content agency helping companies craft compelling media strategies that scale. He’s also the Co-Owner and Creative Oversight at Spotlight Sioux Falls, a rapidly growing local media platform. A former touring musician, seasoned entrepreneur, and advocate for mental health and sobriety, Steve brings a unique blend of grit, creativity, and real-world leadership to every conversation.
Matt Zaun is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who shows business leaders how to inspire action and drive results through the power of strategic storytelling. With a track record of catalyzing significant sales growth for over 300 organizations across industries—from financial services to health and wellness—Matt’s approach has been proven to deliver measurable impact.