Podcast
Welcome to our podcast, Anecdotally Speaking. Each week we tell a business story, talk about why it works and discuss where you might tell it at work. Our aim is to help you build your story repertoire.
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265 – Thrown to the Sharks – Quentin Tarantino
Episode 265 of Anecdotally Speaking explores Quentin Tarantino’s early setback and the value of persistence and learning from failure. In this episode, Shawn shares the …
261 – Gambling on a Curry – Dishoom
Discover how Dishoom gamified dining to become a must-visit destination, offering lessons in creative problem-solving and customer engagement. In Episode 261 of Anecdotally Speaking, Shawn …
264 – Finding What Didn’t Exist – Beth Norris
In Episode 264 of Anecdotally Speaking, hear how a chance act of curiosity led to the groundbreaking discovery of Australian amber, and what it teaches …
263 – Chasing Payment, Finding Connection
In Episode 263 of Anecdotally Speaking, hear how a potter turned a late payment request into a meaningful conversation through storytelling. In this episode, Shawn …
262 – What We Walk Past
In Episode 262 of Anecdotally Speaking, discover how a 25-second train delay in Japan sparked a deep conversation about organisational culture. In this episode Mark …
260 – Every Turn is An Olympic Final – Mary Meagher
In Episode 260 of Anecdotally Speaking, discover how keystone behaviours transformed Mary T. Meagher into an Olympic legend. In this episode, Shawn shares a story …
259 – Unreasonable Hospitality – Will Guidara
Discover how vulnerability and connection drove Eleven Madison Park to become the world’s best restaurant. In Episode 259 of Anecdotally Speaking, Mark shares a story …
258 – A Memorial in Mashed Potato – Maya Lin
Discover how creativity under constraint led to one of the world’s most distinctive memorials. In Episode 258 of Anecdotally Speaking, Shawn shares the inspiring story …
257 – How to Make a Great Story Boring – Notre-Dame
This episode explores how story delivery can either ignite or flatten your message, illustrated by the fire and restoration of Notre-Dame. In Episode 257 of …
256 – The Power of Coaching
Discover why coaching drives real behaviour change, far beyond training alone. In Episode 256 of Anecdotally Speaking, Shawn shares research by Joyce and Showers that …
255 – Rich Church, Poor Church
Discover how 17th-century Rome reveals a clever behavioural insight still relevant for change initiatives today. In Episode 255 of Anecdotally Speaking, Mark shares a story …
128 – Collaboration and diversity is how you make progress (Rerun)
Collaboration and diversity bring progress. Listen to hear how one woman defied gender norms to receive recognition for a scientific breakthrough.
254 – Cooking Up Company Culture – Ericsson
Listen to hear how Ericsson’s workplace culture was transformed by a cleaner, and the lessons this brings in empowerment and initiative. In Episode 254, Shawn …
253 – Radical Transparency in Action – Patagonia
Learn how Patagonia’s radical transparency over PFAS transformed a corporate challenge into a brand triumph. In Episode 253 of Anecdotally Speaking, Mark tells the story …
252 – The Architecture of Play – Carl Sorensen
In Episode 252, discover how a radical playground redesign during WWII transformed free play and what it teaches us about engagement, creativity, and ownership. Shawn …
251 – Starting an Airline with a Blackboard – Richard Branson
Discover how a missed flight led to the creation of one of the world’s most iconic airlines and what it teaches us about innovation and …
250 – Barbie is Born – Ruth Handler
In Episode 250 of Anecdotally Speaking, hear how Ruth Handler used a simple story to reframe scepticism and launch one of the world’s most iconic …
249 – Find the Torture You’re Comfortable With – Jerry Seinfeld
Discover how Jerry Seinfeld’s process in finding comfort in the mundane can guide your path to excellence in your career and life. In Episode 249 …
248 – Tuning into New Frequencies – Hedy Lamarr
In Episode 248 of Anecdotally Speaking, discover how unexpected talents and hidden connections can spark world-changing innovation. Shawn shares an unexpected story set during World …
247 – The Cure was Already Here – David Fajgenbaum
In Episode 247 of Anecdotally Speaking, discover how moments of desperation can spark remarkable change and what businesses can learn from one man’s race against …
246 – The Value is in the Doing: Patrick Matthew
Learn how Patrick Matthew’s overlooked insight into the theory of evolution shows why execution, not just inspiration, drives real impact. In Episode 246 of Anecdotally …
245 – Doing the Human Thing: Joe Ingles
How a coach’s unexpected decision showed the power of empathy, lifted a team, and reminded us that leadership is deeply human. In Episode 245 of …
244 – Building Culture with Your Bare Hands: Jeff Bezos
Discover how Jeff Bezos turned a DIY desk into a powerful symbol of frugality and a cornerstone of Amazon’s culture. In Episode 244 of Anecdotally …
243 – Trust Your Spider Senses: Stan Lee
Listen to hear how Stan Lee’s bold decision-making and trust in his instincts turned Spider-Man into a global icon, and what you can learn for …
242 – Who’s Going to Bell the Cat?
Listen to hear a timeless fable, useful in business situations where great ideas face real-world challenges and execution matters. In Episode 242 of Anecdotally Speaking, …
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