
Hosted by Nathan Barry · EN

I've always brought Mike Pacchione in to coach every speaker at my Craft + Commerce conferences, including myself, because he has an uncanny ability to help people transform their talks from good to truly great. Mike's number one goal? For the audience to forget it's even a speech. In our conversation, Mike unpacks his framework for crafting compelling stories, why you should almost never tell them in chronological order, and his genius TED acronym for tension, editing for emotional impact, and the right details. He also shares invaluable insights on designing an ending that resonates and even how to strategically use humor (especially if you're not naturally funny). This episode is packed with lessons I've learned firsthand from Mike over the years.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:00 Making the audience forget it's a speech04:06 Setting the room up for success06:14 The power of stories in speeches08:39 Story selection and placement10:42 Why you don't need to tell stories in order11:11 Mike's TED acronym for storytelling: Tension14:55 Editing for emotional impact20:02 Crafting an engaging middle of a speech22:57 Asking questions to build tension24:37 Describing people in vivid detail (loglines)30:48 Crafting a powerful ending33:09 The "one more thing" strategy40:07 Controlling the emotional arc of a talk40:50 Using humor effectively44:09 The power of awkward silence and tension45:53 Cueing the audience for laughs and applause48:14 Leading the audience with your emotions50:57 Mike's take on using AI for speeches55:24 How to work with Mike Pacchione56:47 Mike's free resourceIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comKit: https://www.kit.comFollow Mike:Freebie: https://bestspeech.co/nathanWebsite: https://mikespeaks.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpacchioneInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpaccX: https://x.com/mpaccFeatured in this episode:Kit: https://www.kit.comDuarte: https://www.duarte.comAtomic Habits: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habitsWP Engine: https://wpengine.comConvertKit: https://convertkit.comHighlights:02:01 – Getting the audience to forget it's a speech15:30 – Ending your story in the middle for maximum impact26:06 – Sarah: The person who eats quinoa for a cheat meal37:05 – Why you should never end your talk on Q&A53:02 – The point of a speech is to make an emotional connection

How do you build significant wealth in a way that feels sustainable and joyful, rather than sacrificing your mental and physical health? That's what I explored in my conversation with Mallory Rowan, who achieved a million-dollar net worth by age 29, but not without first hitting a wall of burnout at 22. Her story isn't just about financial metrics; it's a testament to redefining success and building a life where financial freedom supports personal well-being. I was particularly struck by her "Six Solutions Theory" and how she challenges the conventional wisdom about ambition versus balance. Join me as Mallory shares her unique approach to turning profit into compounding assets and creating a business that serves her life, not the other way around.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:06 Burnout at 22: Ignoring the whispers03:59 The toxic cycle of business, health, and happiness07:22 When you realize the limit keeps moving10:14 The collision of creativity and finances13:17 Rebuilding after burnout18:03 The difference between revenue and profit21:02 Making investing goals exciting27:26 Getting specific about building wealth30:45 The cottage purchase and creative financing32:02 Active income and first down payment34:03 The million dollars invested goal41:17 Why net worth goals matter more52:27 Having it all: Ambition and avoiding burnout55:28 Why behind the goal: The Toddler Test57:38 The categories: non-negotiables, nice-to-haves, experiments01:00:04 How a nest egg enables lighter living and creativityIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comKit: https://www.kit.comFollow Mallory:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malloryrowanYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theinbetweenerscoTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@malloryrowanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malloryrowan?originalSubdomain=caWebsite: https://malloryrowan.comFeatured in this episode:Kit: https://www.kit.comHighlights:01:06 – Ignoring the whispers before burnout screams15:00 – Strategically building "boredom" into your business model25:21 – The "Thumbnailing" approach to problem-solving41:17 – Why net worth goals offer true financial freedom01:00:04 – How a solid nest egg allows for lighter, more playful business decisions

How do actually make meaningful money on Instagram? That's what I wanted to find out when I sat down with Gannon Meyer. He's figured out how to turn social media attention into actual revenue. My guest today, Gannon, went from living with his girlfriend's mom to building a thriving business in just 12 months, and he credits a huge part of that transformation to what he shares in our conversation. We dive deep into his "free, segment, upsell" framework for converting Instagram followers into paying customers, and I even get a direct critique of my own content strategy. If you're looking to monetize your audience on Instagram, you won't want to miss Gannon's insights.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:14 Converting Instagram attention into revenue03:33 Client examples and creator income levels06:47 The "Free, Segment, Upsell" funnel framework08:39 Using open-ended questions for better segmentation10:50 How ManyChat and AI interpret responses13:12 Real-world example: Adrian's camera business15:52 Good vs. bad open-ended questions18:18 Crafting a CTA for your free content22:00 Storytelling frameworks for strong retention30:07 Maximizing engagement with Instagram Stories33:22 The impact of CTAs on Instagram reach35:01 Why comments are crucial for discoverability44:19 The truth about views vs. revenue47:55 Deep diving into solving problems for revenue51:08 How Gannon's 'whiteboard' videos attract clients53:22 Gannon's life transformation in 12 months58:50 The realization: being willing to be wrong in public1:04:15 The power of putting yourself out thereIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comKit: https://www.kit.comFollow Gannon:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gannon.meyerYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gannonmeyerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gannonmeyerFeatured in this episode:Kit: https://www.kit.comHighlights:01:30 Gannon's approach to helping people sell their products16:17 How to ask open-ended questions effectively30:57 The PSA story framework for Instagram46:12 Why high views don't always equal high revenue59:57 The power of being willing to be wrong in public

Why did this founder fire himself from his own company? That's what I wanted to find out when I sat down with Steve Kamb, founder of Nerd Fitness. We've known each other for a long time, and I've watched him build an incredible audience and business. But then, to my surprise, he "fired" himself – twice! Steve shares the surprising truth about chasing growth, the pitfalls of wearing the wrong hat in your own business, and how he rediscovered his passion for writing. His journey is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the true path to fulfillment means stepping away from the very thing you've so diligently built.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:10 Firing myself (twice!) from Nerd Fitness05:37 The five years I spent in the wrong seat07:20 The "If you're not growing, you're shrinking" myth10:37 How I realized writing is what lights me up12:55 When to double down on strengths vs. fix weaknesses18:19 The curated "all I do is win" internet vs. real life20:20 Sharing my failures: cancer, Google changing, divorce23:09 The overwhelming positive response to vulnerability24:06 How my book was born and evolved30:17 My visit to the Museum of Failure33:55 My PACT framework: Pause, Accept, Change, Try40:22 Everything old is new again in content49:00 The value of Craft + Commerce and community56:14 Longevity in creative work: falling in love with the craft1:02:43 How to Try Again: Where to find the bookIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comKit: https://www.kit.comFollow Steve:How To Try Again (Book): https://howtotryagain.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevekambLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevekambYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/stevekambX: https://x.com/SteveKambNerd Fitness: https://www.nerdfitness.comFeatured in this episode:Kit: https://www.kit.comHow to Try Again: https://howtotryagain.comNerd Fitness: https://www.nerdfitness.comThe Museum of Failure: https://failuremuseum.com

Codifying your knowledge into intellectual property (IP) is a crucial step for scaling any business, but what my guest Mo Bunnell shared in this episode completely changed my perspective on how to do it and the incredible impact it can have. Mo, author of Give to Grow and founder of the Bundle Idea Group, has built an astonishing career training professionals at some of the world's most prestigious organizations. He walked me through the evolution of his IP, from humble beginnings to the sophisticated materials he uses today to secure multi-six-figure contracts. This isn't something he typically breaks down publicly, and I was genuinely surprised by the tangible examples and actionable steps he provided for transforming a service-based business into an IP-driven powerhouse.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:29 Codifying your system in a weekend05:07 From intuition to framework: creating IP08:00 The evolution of training materials11:20 Essential elements of effective IP18:30 The economics of B2B and corporate clients21:00 How to get your first pilot clients26:00 Overcoming B2B objections29:00 Translating B2C IP to B2B corporate world31:00 Identifying high-leverage industries and roles34:00 Lowering the bar on perfection for B2B37:00 Lead magnets for decision-makers vs. users41:40 Advanced lead magnet strategies45:20 The power of public workshops49:40 Scaling beyond yourself: travel and certification52:45 Michael Hyatt's Business Accelerator growth56:00 The annuity effect of corporate trainingIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comKit: https://www.kit.comFollow Mo:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mobunnellBunnell Idea Group: https://bunnellideagroup.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd0dvX8kfxF_MMz6IZT17kwGive to Grow: https://bunnellideagroup.com/givetogrowFeatured in this episode:Kit: https://www.kit.comThe Snowball System: How to Win More Business and Turn Customers into Raving Fans: https://www.amazon.com/Snowball-System-Business-Customers-Raving/dp/1640950343Unreasonable Hospitality: https://www.amazon.com/Unreasonable-Hospitality-Remarkable-Giving-People/dp/0593418193Highlights:01:04 – How Mo started codifying his IP04:08 – The power of IP to scale a business11:22 – Four components of world-class IP18:49 – The "this changes everything" B2B opportunity37:04 – Lead magnets for buyers versus users43:09 – James Clear's strategic review request56:00 – The annuity model of B2B corporate training

I’ve always been fascinated by how some companies manage to create not just customers, but passionate communities who become true advocates. My guest today, Russell Brunson, has mastered this, building ClickFunnels to a staggering 100,000+ users *without any outside funding*. In our conversation, Russell broke down the exact framework he used to achieve this, a framework born from studying thousands of successful movements across history, politics, and even religion. If you've ever wondered how to inspire loyalty that goes beyond a simple transaction and transforms your audience into a committed tribe, this episode reveals the secrets to building a movement, not just a business.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:16 Studying Successful Movements03:30 From Educator to Movement Leader04:58 The Three Core Elements of a Movement06:25 The Attractive Character (The Guide)07:05 The New Opportunity (Not Just an Improvement)09:24 The Future-Based Cause12:12 Universal Principles in Movements13:17 The Power of Positioning18:47 Crafting the New Opportunity27:12 The Importance of Customer Alignment28:16 Cutting Through the Noise with Your Message33:23 The Power of Customer Stories35:12 Why General Messaging Can Be More Powerful46:17 Milestones and Awards for Motivation50:50 Creating Belief and Encouraging Progress52:33 Scaling with Progressive Achievement59:55 Where to Learn More from Russell BrunsonIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comKit: https://www.kit.comFollow Russell:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellbrunsonYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2qUDKqTsz00csykCYgdLuALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russellbrunsonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/russbrunsonX: https://x.com/russellbrunsonWebsite: https://russellbrunson.comFeatured in this episode:Kit: https://www.kit.comExpert Secrets: https://expertsecrets.comClickFunnels: https://www.clickfunnels.comHighlights:06:09 – Every Movement Needs a Guide11:00 – The Power of a Future-Based Cause24:50 – The Importance of Actively Choosing Your Dream Customer47:50 – The Two Comma Club: Gamifying Entrepreneurial Success57:20 – Why People Care More About a Plaque Than Money

Can you truly break through your own limitations and achieve what seems impossible? Today, I sit down with my friend Nir Eyal, the author of three bestselling books, including his latest, *Beyond Belief*, which just hit the New York Times bestseller list. Nir recently blew my mind when he told me he doesn't "believe in jet lag" after flying from Europe to Asia, and that was just the appetizer for our conversation. In his typical science-backed style, Nir reveals the surprising research behind why some people persist where others quit, and how our beliefs—not always our circumstances—are often the key to unlocking our full potential. He shares practical, data-driven strategies I'm already applying in my own life and creative work, and I think you will too.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:26 Belief and Placebos05:25 Why Placebo Effect is Getting Stronger06:59 When Pain is Not Suffering10:10 Hypnosedation and Unlocking Potential15:35 Applying Beliefs to Creative Process19:10 Chasing Happiness vs. Decreasing Suffering21:47 Why Positive Thinking Can Be Harmful26:34 Applying Belief-Shifting to Relationships31:03 Changing Your Mind and Beliefs35:35 Belief Problems, Not People Problems37:25 High Expectations, Low Control Leads to Burnout40:03 Internal vs. External Locus of Control44:27 The Rat Experiment and Persistence47:47 What's Next for Nir EyalIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comKit: https://www.kit.comFollow Nir:Website: https://www.nirandfar.comX: https://twitter.com/nireyalLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nireyalBeyond Belief: https://www.nirandfar.com/beyondbeliefFeatured in this episode:Kit: https://www.kit.comBeyond Belief: https://www.nirandfar.com/beyondbeliefHighlights:01:31 – How belief separates suffering from symptoms06:17 – Why I don't want to hear about side effects15:06 – How I stopped suffering in my creative process25:29 – Visualizing how to deal with discomfort30:39 – Who I become when I hold onto a belief38:40 – Formula for burnout: high expectations, low control44:45 – How a change in belief increased a rat's persistence

What actually makes a bestseller? My two guests this episode, James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, which has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling book of the last decade, knows a thing or two about it. I also sit down with Madeline McIntosh, CEO of Penguin Random House US, where she's overseen the publication of over 1000 books. Together, James and Madeline have co-founded Authors Equity, a publishing model that completely inverts how authors are typically paid and how books are brought to market. In our conversation, they break down everything you need to know about publishing today, what works, what's broken, and how they're revolutionizing the industry with a win-win approach for authors.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:21 Publishing transformations Madeline has witnessed02:59 Madeline's motivation for founding Author's Equity05:14 The Author's Equity model compared to traditional publishing09:20 Why the author's equity model is beneficial14:03 The power of aligned incentives18:22 Author pain points solved by Author's Equity21:00 Selecting custom teams for each book24:45 Author's Equity's willingness to learn from authors28:22 Self-published authors joining Author's Equity31:07 Who Author's Equity is not for34:00 The win-win philosophy of Author's Equity36:05 Crafting books that sell for years39:00 The importance of building an audience as a nonfiction author41:40 The timeless desire and new vessel for delivering information46:00 Getting your best work in front of readers50:08 What makes books keep selling in year two and beyond53:10 Leveraging seasonal buying and promotional efforts55:22 The New York Times Bestseller list: commercial vs. psychological1:00:30 The most accurate bestseller list1:02:10 Reaching out to Author's EquityIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comKit: https://kit.com/?utm_campaign=29661554-nathan_barry_show&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_term=nathanbarryshow&utm_content=youtube_descriptionFollow James:Website: https://jamesclear.comX: https://twitter.com/JamesClearInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesclearLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesclearFollow Madeline:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinemcintoshInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/madmciFeatured in this episode:Kit: https://www.kit.comAuthors Equity: https://authorsequity.com/Atomic Habits: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habitsHighlights:01:21 – Publishing before the internet and email09:20 – Authors no longer have to choose21:00 – Hand-selecting custom teams for each book31:07 – Avoiding books with a short shelf life47:03 – Value in the push and pull of ideas50:28 – The book has to sell itself1:00:30 – The most accurate bestseller list

How do you break through that elusive $1 million revenue ceiling in a creator business? That's the question I dove into with two incredible founders on this episode: Grant Baldwin of The Speaker Lab and Bryan Harris of Growth Tools. Both have scaled their businesses far beyond that mark, not with flashy tactics, but by building fundamentally great businesses. We chat about the counter-intuitive strategies that got them there, why simplifying your offer is often the fastest path to growth, and how tracking actual customer outcomes is a superpower that most businesses ignore. It's a candid conversation about the foundational shifts that unlock real, sustainable growth.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:27 Building a business without being the "dancing monkey"06:40 The million-dollar ceiling for creators12:01 Bryan's first million: simplifying to one core product16:21 Overvaluing sales and marketing vs. a great offer22:04 The "steakhouse vs. buffet" analogy for niche26:58 The shift in the creator economy with AI31:47 The future of SaaS and the role of relationships37:13 Bryan's shocking AI experience saving thousands42:33 Navigating the opportunities and concerns of AI48:08 The problem with tracking success rate53:29 Less information, shorter path, higher success rate coaching01:00:07 The importance of product and rallying a team01:06:52 The near-death experience of a refund-based guarantee01:13:51 Bryan's mistake: stopping getting your hands dirty too soon01:21:40 Grant's decision to wind down his businessIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comKit: https://kit.comFollow Bryan:Website: https://growthtools.com/nathanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrisbryannashFollow Grant:Website: https://grantbaldwin.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gbaldwinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-baldwinFeatured in this episode:Kit: https://www.kit.comRework: https://basecamp.com/books/reworkStop Guessing: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59388878-stop-guessingWealth, Riches, and Money: https://www.amazon.com/Wealth-Riches-Money-Kingdom-Principles/dp/0984183864Highlights:06:10 What's the outcome if I stay on this path?12:01 SImplifying to one core product made everything easier.15:47 A great offer makes sales and marketing easier.31:12 When AI solutions are fundamentally 10x better.39:09 People's number one competitor is quitting.01:01:09 Track your outcomes to be in the top 0.01%.01:13:51 You need to keep your hands dirty as a founder.

What's the secrets to unreasonable hospitality? That's what I wanted to find out when I sat down with Will Guidara and Brian Canlis. Will spent over a decade running Eleven Madison Park, the restaurant voted number one in the world, and Brian is the force behind Canlis in Seattle, one of the most respected fine dining institutions in the country. Their insights on hospitality extend far beyond the restaurant world, and I was particularly struck by how they've systematically approached building meaningful connections, both online and off. Their approach to "unreasonable hospitality" has completely reshaped how I think about every customer touchpoint in my own business, and there are so many actionable ideas here for any creator or entrepreneur.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:07 How Will and Brian started working together03:07 The first big project they worked on04:47 Brian's "friend internship" and meeting his wife05:56 Brian's career running Canlis08:26 The vision for their current business14:16 Shifting from consulting to creative studio16:18 The broad applicability of hospitality30:53 Chewy's pattern recognition and customer experience35:16 "What would have to be true?" for seemingly impossible goals45:40 Mapping every tiny guest interaction54:19 The value of "fresh eyes" and notebook feedback1:07:47 Why doing the "right thing" matters long-term1:09:15 The 95/5 rule for managing resources1:11:49 Opportunities to elevate the Kit platform experience1:15:16 Making powerful tools accessible and fun1:18:18 Celebrating user milestones and personalized momentsIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comKit: https://kit.comFollow Will:Website: https://unreasonablehospitality.comThe Field Guide: https://uhthefieldguide.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wguidaraLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willguidaraFollow Brian:Website: https://unreasonablehospitality.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcanlisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-canlis-2820122a6Featured in this episode:Kit: https://www.kit.comUnreasonable Hospitality: https://unreasonablehospitality.comUnreasonable Hospitality Field Guide: https://uhthefieldguide.com