Podcast Summary: Mick Unplugged
Episode: Unleash Your Value: Storytelling, AI, and Brand with Maha Abouelenein
Date: February 2, 2026
Host: Mick Hunt
Guest: Maha Abouelenein
Overview
This episode of Mick Unplugged, hosted by Mick Hunt, welcomes renowned communications strategist Maha Abouelenein to explore the transformative power of storytelling, the critical importance of personal branding, and the practical integration of AI into modern leadership communication. Drawing from Maha’s new book, The Seven Rules of Self Reliance, as well as her own personal journey and experience coaching global brands, the conversation delivers actionable insights for leaders, solopreneurs, and anyone looking to amplify their impact by unleashing their true value.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Maha’s “Because”: A Story Rooted in Value Creation
(03:03 - 05:21)
- Mick opens with the signature “because” question—what motivates Maha’s work beyond just a “why.”
- Maha’s answer stems from caring for ill parents throughout her life, which taught her to focus on small, meaningful ways to create value for others.
“When I created value for my father, I actually created value for myself… I get the value of saying I did that.”
— Maha Abouelenein (04:04) - This ethos of value creation carries through her professional life—serving colleagues, clients, and companies.
2. Why Purposeful Communication Matters Now More Than Ever
(05:26 - 07:05)
- Maha asserts that communication is not a “nice to have” — it is the ultimate leadership skill.
“If you can learn how to tell a story, you can learn how to connect with others… If you can tell a story, you can build trust. And being good at communications is not just a nice to have, it's a top leadership skill.”
— Maha Abouelenein (05:47) - In a world increasingly shaped by AI, being able to clearly articulate your values and brand is a key defense.
3. Communication Tips: Confidence, Authenticity, and the “Three C’s”
(08:13 - 11:11)
-
Maha shares practical tips for improving communication:
- Start with what you know and are passionate about. Authenticity trumps performance.
- Find your comfort zone: Whether it’s video, writing, or face-to-face.
- The Three C’s: Comfortable, Confident, Consistent.
“Find the speed that makes you be comfortable, confident, and consistent. Those are the three C’s I always look at.”
— Maha Abouelenein (10:42) -
Mick and Maha illustrate this with a playful sports banter, emphasizing communication style over content.
4. Core Elements of Great Brand Storytelling—For Any Size Team
(14:03 - 15:10)
- Maha’s common advice for multinationals and small businesses alike:
- Tell a story that’s relevant in culture and timing.
“The number one thing I would advise all these big companies or these personal brands…: find a story that can be relevant based on what people are talking about today.”
— Maha Abouelenein (15:04) - Tap into cultural conversations (e.g., Small Business Saturday, sports events, trending topics).
- Tell a story that’s relevant in culture and timing.
5. The Seven Rules of Self Reliance: Building Value and Reputation
(15:53 - 19:05)
- The genesis of Maha’s book The Seven Rules of Self Reliance:
- Designed as a practical playbook with exercises—not biography or “just” a communications manual.
- Core lessons:
- Create and deliver value for others.
- Build and own your relationships and network.
- Treat your reputation as currency.
“Your name opens doors, your name gets you relationships, your name gets you more money… It is the most precious thing you can invest in.”
— Maha Abouelenein (18:16) - Curate your digital reputation so that Google reflects your narrative.
6. The Power and Criticality of the Personal Brand
(19:17 - 21:42)
- Individual brands often matter more than company brands.
- Maha’s approach:
- Whether you’re in-house or an entrepreneur, people follow people first.
- Building your brand inside a company increases opportunities, visibility, and trust.
- Show your expertise online—especially on LinkedIn—by sharing insights and lived experience.
“People follow people, they don’t follow companies.”
— Maha Abouelenein (22:01) (Mick echoes this insight humorously as well.)
7. Storytelling as Your Connection—and Social Media as the New PR
(23:41 - 25:53)
- Maha underscores the irreplaceable role of storytelling:
- Be visible, not invisible.
- Storytelling connects, differentiates, and stops us “scrolling” online.
“If you are not visible, you are invisible… The things that stand apart are the stories that make you listen, and your goal is to tell a story that makes somebody listen.”
— Maha Abouelenein (24:15, 25:49)
8. Leveraging AI for Personal Branding and Storytelling
(25:53 - 28:39)
- Maha’s launching a course on “building your personal brand with AI.”
- Key points:
- AI can help structure, scale, and analyze stories—but you must maintain authenticity.
- Frameworks and prompts are essential, but experimentation matters; find which tools best fit.
“It’s not hard, it’s just new.”
— Maha Abouelenein (28:39, on using AI and new tools.) - The danger: letting AI automate your voice without human touch feels inauthentic and is detectable.
- Mick: “There actually are, press a button and it’s done, but it won’t be authentically you.” (27:52)
9. Rapid Fire: Leadership, Sports, Setbacks, and Legacy
(31:39 - 34:47)
- Fun sports banter: Patriots vs. Vikings, favorite players, and football wagers.
- Maha’s “Get Hype” song: “Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince (33:48)
- Biggest setback lesson:
“Failure is not the opposite of success. It’s part of success.”
— Maha Abouelenein (34:12) - Maha’s one word to summarize her legacy: “Value.” (34:47)
10. How to Work With Maha
(29:30 - 30:35, 30:09)
- The Seven Rules of Self Reliance available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and local bookstores.
- Connect: @MahaGaber on social platforms, mahaabouelenein.com, new course info available on her website.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Live your life by creating value for other people...you are giving more than you're taking and you're really putting multiple deposits in other people's trust banks along your lifetime.”
— Maha Abouelenein (04:54) - “Being able to articulate who you are and what you stand for is essential. And… the only thing that will help you defend against the onslaught of technology and AI is you investing in your brand.”
— Maha Abouelenein (06:25) - “Your personal brand is your reputation. To get a promotion, to get the good projects, to be someone people recommend… your personal brand is the only thing that will carry that.”
— Maha Abouelenein (21:22) - “It’s not hard, it’s just new.”
— Maha Abouelenein (28:39)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 03:03 — Maha’s “because” and story of value-creation
- 05:47 — Why communication is today’s top leadership skill
- 08:13 — Tips: Authenticity and the Three C’s
- 14:03 — Relevance in storytelling at all sizes
- 15:53 — Book origin: The Seven Rules of Self Reliance
- 19:17 — The business case & method for personal brand-building
- 24:15 — Why storytelling is your superpower
- 26:13 — How AI enables personal branding (course announcement)
- 28:39 — “It’s not hard, it’s just new”—overcoming tech hesitancy
- 31:39 — Rapid Fire (sports, music, set-backs, legacy)
- 29:30 — Where to buy Maha’s book, connect, and join her course
Tone & Atmosphere
- Lively, candid, and supportive — with a strong foundation in actionable leadership.
- Warm banter and sports references between Mick and Maha offer levity and rapport.
- Maha’s advice is anchored in empathy, experience, and a relentless focus on building and delivering value for others.
Final Takeaways
- Make your “because” your compass: Let value creation drive both personal and professional impact.
- Communication is your edge: How you say it matters more than what you say—start with authenticity and consistency.
- Personal brand is currency: Don’t wait for the company to validate your worth—show up, share your expertise, and own your digital reputation.
- Leverage AI—intentionally: Use new tools to amplify your voice, not replace it; authenticity wins, always.
- Invest in your own growth: Maha’s resources—from her book to her new course—offer a roadmap for self-empowerment in the modern world.
Connect with Maha:
- Website: mahaabouelenein.com
- Social: @MahaGaber
Book: The Seven Rules of Self Reliance — Available now
Course: “How to Build Your Personal Brand Fast Using AI” — Details on her website
“Remember, your because is your superpower. Go unleash it.” — Mick Hunt