Untold Stories of Innovation Podcast

“Numbers and language and storytelling are inextricably linked. They’re very similar topics— kind of a chicken and the egg problem, which one came first? But I think they come together.” Michael Kanaan, author

“A novice or someone in an adjacent field oftentimes has the better perspective because they’re not so immersed in the day to day details and they can look at the bigger picture.” -Maria McLane, innovation project manager at the US Playing Card Company

“When we’re creating music and sounds for a brand, we’re trying to strike the balance between what the brand stands for and what is the desired consumer response that we’re trying to get.” Adam Pleiman, Creative Director of Gwynne Sound

“It is about stirring emotions in your listeners and storytelling is absolutely a powerful way to do that.” – Melissa Pickering, Director at LEGO Education

“It’s really important to hone your message and make sure that it speaks to the benefits of your innovation.” -Tisha Livingston is the CEO of Infinite Acres and president at 80 Acres Farms

“Sharing stories of the past and how great products were created helps inspire people to know and believe that they can do it too, that most of our innovations didn’t come from the top down. They came from the bottom up. It’s empowering. It motivates people to come to work because then everybody realizes they can make a difference.” – Gary Gray, vice president of Racing, Technology and Service for Indian Motorcycle Company, Slingshot, Polaris

“There is power and strength in diversity. Diversity of race and background, age, gender and all these things that people come to the table with as themselves. They bring their whole selves to the table. It’s not just one aspect of them. And we need to figure out, as a city, as a society, as a country: how do we celebrate all the things people are bringing to the table and listen to everybody’s lived experiences? Because that’s how we create better solutions.” -Chelsie Walter, executive director and co-founder of Women of Cincy

“If we talk about a team experience they’ve had and people tell us their own stories, then we can insert our story within that. That’s when people really understand what we’re doing, why it’s important, and why they need it themselves.” —Kirsten Moorefield, COO & Co-Founder at Cloverleaf

“Stories build confidence. Stories drive partnership, stories build trust, and stories entertain.” – Pete Blackshaw, CEO of Cintrifuse