Why They Resonate
Jay Acunzo
Speakers, authors, experts, and entrepreneurs develop their ideas in real-time, so you can see what it really takes to resonate. Join professional speaker and public speaking advisor Jay Acunzo as you get closer to the process of how greater communicators actually craft their materials. You'll hear how new ideas take shape, speeches become great, and stories evolve from meh to memorable. The show is part celebration, part workshop, and you'll walk away ready to compete on the influence of your ideas, not the volume of your marketing.
Episodes
Mentioned books
19 snips
May 8, 2026 • 34min
NEW SHOW NAME! Here's why, plus a tiny concept with big implications
A relaunch story about changing focus and creative plans. A deep dive into sprezzatura, the Italian idea of making hard work look effortless. Discussion of how that ideal shows up in speaking, sports, and art. Practical prompts for using your own effortless moves to teach, sell, and build influence.
15 snips
Apr 27, 2026 • 43min
A look inside my business
A transparent business tour covering a pandemic pivot, reinvention, and the move from road-based speaking to high-end advisory work. Revenue sources and hiring plans get a clear breakdown. A new invite-only group and aligned pricing strategy replace mismatched offer ladders. Relationship-driven marketing and higher-converting sales conversations close the loop.
9 snips
Apr 7, 2026 • 18min
I can't believe people can do that
A love letter to wonder that urges valuing human effort over flashy attention. Stories include the Artemis II launch and a Coldplay dance moment that spark amazement. A critique of shallow AI showmanship and a call to celebrate the people behind feats. Ends with a challenge to see shared possibility and create meaningful work yourself.
19 snips
Mar 30, 2026 • 1h 3min
Something bad happened to me thanks to AI
Jay Acunzo, a storytelling advisor and former marketing leader at Google and HubSpot, shares a personal AI likeness story. He recounts discovering unauthorized AI edits, discusses consent and contractual protections, debates the ethics of digital clones, and outlines why personalization and paying creators matter. The conversation probes platform training, legal realities, and how creators can set clear boundaries.
19 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 40min
How to (actually) grow your paid speaking
Practical advice on turning speaking into real revenue, focusing on the right early investments. A clear critique of glossy reels and bureaus and what to prioritize instead. The episode breaks down the must-have traits of sustainable speakers and how to create one signature talk plus a pipeline gig. Tips on generating fast, high-value stage-side leads and scaling outward from a single talk.
7 snips
Mar 18, 2026 • 15min
The last great advantage
A discussion about why live speaking can outlast AI and become a durable advantage. It explores choosing resonance over reach and escaping the content hamster wheel. The conversation reframes speaking as a horizontal skill that boosts messaging and business. It highlights trust, authentic in-person connection, and why speaking can be an unfair edge in a synthetic world.
15 snips
Mar 11, 2026 • 19min
How to write better pitches to book speaking gigs [Jay's go-to format]
A practical take on why most pitches fail and how to close the context gap with decision makers. A simple Align–Agitate–Assert–Invite format for crafting session descriptions. Real examples of title, subtitle, and a full pitch walkthrough to make outreach clearer. Tips on turning individual pitches into momentum instead of chasing attention.
15 snips
Mar 2, 2026 • 30min
Content ARCs: how to own your ideas in the market
A framework for turning ideas into owned public narratives using focused content arcs. Steps for asking, refining, and codifying a single theme across formats. Practical guidance on creating repeatable IP like definitions, branded terms, and signature stories. A suggested publishing cadence and discipline to build audience language and momentum over time.
26 snips
Feb 16, 2026 • 24min
The metaphor and the magic: My take on AI in 2026
A spirited rant about AI and creativity, using a car-and-flashlight metaphor to call out shallow marketing uses. A critique of relying on AI for content instead of crafting experiences. A case for owning a clear premise to attract the right people. A warning that correctness from AI is not the same as human resonance and that loving the creative process matters more than shortcuts.
47 snips
Feb 9, 2026 • 26min
My favorite story structure to captivate and teach
A practical blueprint for captivating any audience using a five-beat story structure. Tips on pacing, open loops, and two extra beats that turn a gripping tale into a teaching moment. Real-life beach storytelling shows how small actions and perspective shifts become memorable lessons. Includes coaching-style advice for designing talks that both hold attention and deliver a clear message.
