Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
The greatest influence on my work last year came from outside my industry.
I am a broadcast journalist who’s been in the business 15 years, and in 2017 I spoke at six workshops, went to several awards ceremonies, and participated in four company summits. I witnessed a slew of inspiring speakers, colleagues, and leaders.
But I transformed my game thanks to Jay Acunzo.
He doesn’t work in journalism – he actually eschewed the industry when he would have begun professionally – but he sure works in storytelling. He is the founder of Unthinkable Media and oversees a handful of B2B podcasts to reshape the way businesses connect with their audiences. But his primary podcast, Unthinkable, serves up weekly reminders of the value of carving your own path. Acunzo abhors the idea of “best practices”. He encourages trusting your intuition and developing your voice.
Those qualities might sound familiar. They’re the basis of what my podcast is all about, specifically for journalists.
But that’s the problem. Young journalists too often become funneled into the familiar through traditional media outlets that demand quantity, speed, and routine over quality, depth, and originality. I have spoken before – including directly to college students – about thinking big. I use this podcast to spotlight others who do the same. Acunzo thinks huge but methodically, passionately, and with a willingness to push beyond the norm.
Last summer I received the opportunity to launch my own storytelling franchise, Untold Atlanta, for the city’s NBC affiliate. I didn’t want to become complacent. I wanted to break ground. Around that time, I began listening to Unthinkable’s eight-part “How Intuition Works” series. Every episode bubbled new ideas into my mind. The results soon showed: original output, audience response, and numerous honors. Most recently, my first Untold Atlanta documentary received a regional Edward R. Murrow award, my first in the documentary category.
Acunzo is my guest on Episode #62 of the Telling the Story podcast. He may not be my typical guest, but that’s what makes him great. He’s a founder, creator, keynote speaker, podcaster, and soon-to-be book author. More importantly, he’s an original thinker who inspires others to follow unique paths.
Listen to the podcast at the top of the page or download it and listen to it later. And subscribe to the podcast – and rate and review it – on iTunes and Stitcher!
The Solo Video Journalist is available for purchase. You can find it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the publisher’s web site.
Matt Pearl is the author of the Telling the Story blog and podcast. Feel free to comment below or e-mail Matt at matt@tellingthestoryblog.com. You can also follow Matt on Facebook and Twitter.