

The Story Power Marketing Show
Tom Ruwitch
Business leaders, coaches, consultants, and thought leaders, The Story Power Podcast will help you harness the power of storytelling so you can grow your business and have fun doing it. Each week, Story Power Marketing's Tom Ruwitch and his guest will share powerful stories, trade business-building insights, and have a few laughs. Tom created this podcast to... ...Help you captivate prospects and inspire them to act… ...so you can get more clients, quickly and easily. That’s what powerful storytelling is all about. That’s what this podcast is all about.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 14, 2026 • 31min
How to Get Earned Media That Actually Moves The Needle (with Steve Turner)
Steve Turner is the Principal and Owner of Solomon Turner PR in St. Louis. The firm, now in its 35th year, is known for its expertise in media relations and has received numerous awards, including recognition as one of the top PR firms in St. Louis for 17 consecutive years by Small Business Monthly.Steve shares his journey from broadcasting to PR, discussing the evolution of the industry and offering valuable insights for leveraging traditional and digital media. He and Tom discuss Steve's book, 'PR That Works', which provides practical strategies and real-world case studies for PR professionals and business owners. Don't miss the valuable takeaways from this experienced PR veteran.DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE01:04 Meet Steve Turner: PR Expert02:21 Steve's Journey into PR05:43 Adapting to the Digital Age09:45 Leveraging Media Coverage12:17 The Value of Earned Media15:30 Insights from Steve's Book21:11 How to Connect with Journalists25:05 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFULL EPISODE VIDEOhttps://vimeo.com/1154541504CONNECT WITH STEVEWebsite: https://solomonturner.comSocial Media:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveturnerpr/Facebook:: https://www.facebook.com/steveturnerprInstagram: @rockstarpublicist-InstagramX: @steveturnerpr-X

Dec 31, 2025 • 24min
What Are We Really Trying To Say (with Amos Balongo)
Amos Balongo has been a corporate motivational speaking sensation since moving to the United States from Africa. He has presented at several leadership conferences and summits and traveled to over 32 countries motivating and transforming leaders with his message.In this episode, Amos shares his journey from Africa to the United States, his shift from management consulting to leadership coaching, and the pivotal role of effective communication in leadership. He and Tom discuss common communication mistakes leaders make, the importance of authenticity, and the power of storytelling. Amos also outlines his coaching processes and offers resources for improving communication skills. This episode is essential listening for anyone looking to enhance their leadership abilities through better communication.DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE01:03 Amos's Journey From Africa to Corporate Leadership04:33 The Importance of Effective Communication in Leadership06:07 Common Communication Mistakes Leaders Make07:01 The Power of Clarity and Simplicity in Messaging10:56 Developing Effective Communication Skills12:48 The Role of Authenticity in Leadership15:07 The Impact of Storytelling in Communication18:04 Amos's Coaching and Resources20:43 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFULL EPISODE VIDEOhttps://vimeo.com/1150499142CONNECT WITH AMOSWebsite: https://amosbalongo.com/Social Media:LinkednIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amosbalongo/Twitter/X: https://x.com/abalongoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/amosbalongoYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmosBalongoincInstragram: https://www.instagram.com/amosbalongoSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46nGeoZTKCYOhrJh7Lfg42

Dec 10, 2025 • 54min
How to Craft Stories That Persuade and Sell (with David Garfinkel)
David Garfinkel, veteran copywriter and author of Breakthrough Copywriting and The Persuasion Story Code, shares why short persuasion stories sell. He outlines six categories and 25 story types you can use to build trust and overcome objections. They also explore real ad examples, where to find persuasive tales in everyday life, and how to harness AI without losing human judgment.

Dec 3, 2025 • 36min
How to Apply Bartender Wisdom to Business Success (with Neil Rogers)
Neil Rogers is an author, speaker, and business leader with over 37 years of experience in marketing & sales, generating revenue and guiding clients through highly effective & result-oriented marketing campaigns.In this episode, Neil shares insights from his book 'Bar Tips: Everything I Needed to Know in Sales I Learned Behind the Bar,' illustrating how his early experiences as a bartender shaped his success in business. He and Tom discuss the importance of systems and processes, the power of hospitality, and how connecting with clients on a personal level can drive business success. Neil emphasizes the significance of consistency, persistence, and tenacity in sales, providing actionable advice for anyone looking to transform their marketing and sales approach through the power of storytelling.DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE00:57 Meet Neil Rogers: From Bartender to Business Leader02:12 The Journey from Bartending to Business Success04:32 Applying Bartender Skills to Sales06:51 The Birth of 'Bar Tips' and Business Insights14:20 The Importance of Systems and Processes18:24 Applying Lifelong Principles18:55 Lessons from a Top Salesman21:08 Transitioning to a New Industry23:30 The Art of Tenacity in Sales24:01 Hospitality and Personal Connection31:07 Enhancing Customer Experience32:21 Conclusion and ResourcesFULL EPISODE VIDEOhttps://vimeo.com/1142599906CONNECT WITH NEILWebsites: rogmark.net positiveactivity.net Book: https://www.amazon.com/Bar-Tips-Everything-Needed-Learned/dp/B0BZ1V85T1LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-p-rogers-cas-68a4a22/

Nov 19, 2025 • 51min
How to Break Through The Noise with Direct Mail (with Jeff Kruszyna)
Jeff has more than 20 years of experience in the areas of Republican politics, direct response strategy, fundraising, copywriting, design, donor acquisition, list selection, segmentation and analysis. His direct mail fundraising appeals have been recognized with more than a dozen industry awards.In this episode, he and Tom cover the importance of making mail skimmable, emotionally engaging, and urgent, and touching on how these principles apply across political, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors, including real estate. They explore the importance of multi-channel strategies and integrating print with digital media to maximize impact.Whether you're a fundraiser or business owner, this episode is rich with timeless marketing wisdom.DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE01:02 Meet the Guest: Jeff Kruszyna Impressive Background02:50 The Power and Resurgence of Direct Mail05:17 Emotional Connection and Storytelling in Marketing11:44 Political Messaging: Simplifying Complex Issues22:01 Testing and Personalization in Direct Response26:40 Effective Calls to Action in Digital Marketing28:13 Transition to Real Estate Marketing28:43 Core Marketing Principles for Real Estate30:37 The Power of Direct Mail in Modern Marketing33:50 Integrating Multi-Channel Campaigns43:32 The Importance of Repetition in Marketing47:22 Conclusion and Contact InformationFULL EPISODE VIDEOhttps://vimeo.com/1138367733CONNECT WITH JEFFWebsite: https://www.jmkvictory.com/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/jmkvictory/ Twitter and Instagram: @JMKVictoryFacebook: facebook.com/jmkvictory

Nov 12, 2025 • 26min
How to Avoid Becoming White Noise in an AI Overloaded World (with Doug Crowe)
Doug is a brand specialist and an accomplished writer having contributed articles to Entrepreneur, Thrive Global, Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald, MSN Money, Yahoo Finance, and the Seattle Times, along with authoring several #1 best selling books. He's also been featured on broadcast media including CBS & FOX News. He hosted his own show radio program, “The Real Estate Coach” to ABC’s powerhouse, WLS AM 890 radio in Chicago.Through his “future-proof” marketing and relationship-driven initiatives he works to give leaders "blue ocean" opportunities to expand their reach & impact.In this episode, Doug elaborates on how entrepreneurs and business leaders can avoid the trap of turning into 'white noise' by embedding human elements such as heart, experience, and responsibility into their machine-generated content. He and Tom explore the importance of personal branding, particularly when authoring a book, and in leveraging human connections to stand out in a crowded digital marketplace.DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE01:05 Meet Doug Crowe: Brand Specialist and Media Insider02:03 The Impact of AI on Content Creation04:09 Humanizing AI-Generated Content15:27 Doug Crow's Business and Services23:56 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFULL EPISODE VIDEOhttps://vimeo.com/1135913555CONNECT WITH DOUGWebsite: https://authoryourbrand.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedougcrowe/

Nov 5, 2025 • 47min
How to Create Disney Level Loyalty Without The Theme Park Budget (with Vance Morris)
Vance is a former birth control factory security guard turned Disney leader, turned bankrupt out-of-work executive, turned carpet cleaner, turned successful entrepreneur. He helps business owners get, serve, and keep clients for life through creating experiences and response required marketing.He and Tom discuss the importance of systems and processes, customer retention, and practical steps to wow clients without breaking the bank. Tune in for valuable insights and actionable tips to captivate prospects and keep customers for life.DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE~00:57 Meet Vance Morris: From Disney Leader to Entrepreneur~03:10 The Importance of Standing Out in Marketing~06:14 Lessons from Disney: Systems and Processes~12:57 Customer Retention and the Power of Experience~15:03 The Cost of Acquiring vs. Retaining Customers~20:00 The Importance of Communication in Customer Experience~23:46 Vance Morris: Master of Storytelling and Email Marketing~23:58 Customer Support Failures and Basics~24:30 Creating Magical Customer Experiences~26:15 Translating Disney's Magic to Your Business~27:33 Handling Delays with Grace~31:12 The Power of Personal Touch~35:52 Implementing Systems for Success~38:43 Practical Steps to Wow Your Customers~40:48 Final Thoughts and Encouragement~43:50 Closing Remarks and Call to ActionFULL EPISODE VIDEOhttps://vimeo.com/1133717150CONNECT WITH VANCEWebsite: https://www.vancemorris.comService: https://www.deliverservicenow.comSocial Media:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vancemorris/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DeliverservicenowFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/vance.morris.9/

Oct 29, 2025 • 28min
How To Stop Selling To Broke Leads and Start Closing Real Deals (with Hunter Hensley)
Hunter co-founded SimpleCheck and SmartForm, tools that show you whether a lead can actually buy before your sales team wastes a minute.In this episode, he shares insights on how their tools help businesses identify leads with the desire, authority, and resources to buy, ensuring legal compliance. He and Tom explore techniques to get more qualified leads, such as enhancing ad targeting through consumer report consent and leveraging custom APIs for instant data. A must-listen for business owners and marketers looking to optimize their sales processes and increase ROI.DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE~00:57 Meet Hunter Hensley: Solving the Broke Leads Problem~02:03 Understanding the Core Principles of Sales~03:58 How Simple Check and Smart Form Work~08:04 Legal Considerations in Lead Qualification~12:57 Optimizing Ad Spend with Qualified Leads~18:17 Who Can Benefit from SimpleCheck?~20:35 Introducing SmartForm: A New Tool for Lead Capture~24:12 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFULL EPISODE VIDEOhttps://vimeo.com/1131169411CONNECT WITH HUNTERWebsite: www.simplecheck.com/smartformInstagram: instagram.com/officialhunterhensley

Oct 22, 2025 • 34min
How to Scale Your Business Without Burning Out (with Dave Valentine)
Dave Valentine built 10 businesses that have collectively driven over $1 billion in revenue for 1,200+ clients—including Fortune 100 giants like Target, Time Magazine, and American Express. He now leads a global agency from a house by a river in the mountains—complete with three waterfalls—where strategy meets serenity. Merging conscious capitalism with unconventional marketing, he guides businesses toward growth that’s not just exponential, but holistic.Dave faced a severe health scare at 29 due to excessive stress. This led him to make crucial lifestyle changes, including daily walks, meditation, and drinking more water. These changes not only improved his personal well-being but also exponentially grew his business. Dave discusses the importance of small, manageable steps in lifestyle changes and shares his current routines that help him maintain health and productivity. He and Tom highlight the power of balancing work and personal life for sustained business success.DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE00:57 Meet Dave Valentine: How He Scales Business Without Burnout02:13 Dave's Health Wake-Up Call and Lifestyle Changes05:43 Implementing Small Changes for Big Results10:23 Evolving Morning Routines and Personal Growth22:14 About Finch: Performance Marketing Agency26:15 The Importance of Rest and Work-Life Balance30:07 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFULL EPISODE VIDEOhttps://vimeo.com/1129409260CONNECT WITH DAVETikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewizardmarketing

Oct 15, 2025 • 32min
How to Stop Wasting Ad Spend and Start Tracking What Matters(with Scott Desgrosseilliers)
Scott Desgrosseilliers is the founder and CEO of Wicked Reports, a leading first-party marketing attribution platform for high-growth eCommerce brands. With over a decade of experience analyzing billions in ad spend, Scott helps marketers cut through the noise to find what’s really driving ROI. He’s the creator of the 5 Forces System, a proven framework that turns messy marketing data into clear, confident decisions.Scott shares his expertise in marketing attribution and how to make sense of complex marketing data to drive ROI. He introduces the Five Forces System, a framework for turning messy data into clear decisions and optimizing ad spend effectively. The conversation touches on real use cases, AI's role in marketing attribution, and practical steps for business owners to measure and improve their marketing efforts.DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE00:57 Introducing Today's Guest: Scott Desgrosseilliers02:38 Understanding Marketing Attribution04:23 The Five Forces System Explained09:32 Setting Expectations and Measuring Outcomes15:45 Understanding the Importance of Financial Planning16:14 Subscription Models Beyond Software16:41 Projecting Lifetime Value and Conversion Rates17:44 Optimization Strategies for Marketing20:04 Leveraging AI for Marketing Attribution21:32 Identifying Red Flags in Your Business23:59 Practical Steps to Improve Attribution26:04 Final Thoughts and ResourcesFULL EPISODE VIDEOhttps://vimeo.com/1127168505CONNECT WITH SCOTTWebsite: https://WickedReports.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottd71/


