Lessons on Living with Purpose and Clarity — Lessons on Living with Purpose and Clarity

[Podcast] Ross Hagan Helps Us Peel Back the Layers of Our Story

Our guest this week on Story Signals is Ross Hagan, the Director of Story for Whiteboard. Based in St. Elmo, TN (just outside of Chattanooga), Ross and Whiteboard have worked with an impressive collection of companies, including Google and Catalyst Conference. In our conversation, Ross shares a bit of the process he takes people through… Read More

[Podcast ]The Art & Practice of Transformation

Matt Podcasts

This week on Story Signals, I’m sharing one of the most powerful short stories I’ve ever heard. It’s about the process of transformation, and the role plays in our lives. I first heard the story in Aravaipa Canyon, a remote area in Arizona. I was there for a men’s retreat, and the weaver shared this… Read More

How Quests Give Purpose to our Stories (plus a big giveaway!)

Matt Creativity & Work, Travel

Have you ever been on a quest? Maybe it’s been a while since you thought of life in those terms. As kids, we think of everyday occurrences as quests and adventures. When I was young, my friends and I would build forts, chop down trees, ride to Wal-Mart, and other short-term quests. We knew what… Read More

[Podcast] David Molnar teaches us the responsibility of telling your story

Matt Podcasts

David Molnar is a photographer, author, and most importantly, Story Signals guest! I’m so pleased David is on the show this week, he shares deep wisdom and great advice for our listeners. I really enjoyed talking to David, it really was like two friends having a conversation over coffee, and we had just met! We cover… Read More

20 Books I Wish I’d Read at 20

Matt Book Reviews, Creativity & Work

Yesterday I led a workshop for a group of Vanderbilt students. We talked about story, and how they can use the elements of story in a speaking opportunity they have. It was similar to my presentation at Podcamp Nashville, but with a lot more background and research thrown in. My hope is for them to… Read More

Lessons Learned from NOT getting the Dream Job

Matt Creativity & Work

Last month, I was a finalist for the platform builder job at HelpScout. I didn’t end up getting the job, I learned so much in the process. I’ll be clear, it was disappointing. I wanted the job, had convinced myself that I was going to get it. It was my dream job, and was going to solve… Read More

Daily Rituals: Writing Your Own Story

Matt Book Reviews, Creativity & Work

I am finally reading Daily Rituals, Mason Currey’s wonderful collection of the rituals and practices of history’s greatest creative minds. My initial thought was that I am drinking far too little and am not odd enough to be successful, but that’s besides the point. I also began thinking about what may be written of me…. Read More

[Podcast] Ryan Delk of Gumroad teaches us about Authenticity, Creating Value, and Doing Hard Things

Matt Business & Design, Podcasts

This week on Story Signals I’m excited to be speaking with Ryan Delk. Ryan is the head of Growth and Business Development at Gumroad, a payment platform that helps entrepreneurs, artists, and writers share their work with fans. He shares his journey from the University of Florida, to Africa, then Square, and now San Francisco… Read More

[Podcast] 25 Lessons from 25 Episodes

Matt Creativity & Work, Podcasts

This week on the Story Signals podcast, I’m sharing the lessons I’ve learned from the first 25 episodes of the show. It’s coming up on a year since I had the first inkling of an idea for this podcast, and now being six months in, I’ve got a lot to share. This is the longest… Read More

[Podcast] The Power of Practice in our Life’s Story

Matt Creativity & Work, Podcasts

This week is just you and me, because I want to share the value of practice and rituals in our life’s story. What we practice in our day-to-day lives says a lot about who we are, what’s important, and where our priorities lie. Practices and rituals also help give shape and purpose to our relationships,… Read More

Relationships in 3×5 Circles

Matt Community

Defining and Managing the Relationships that Matter You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with — Jim Rohn Relationships are vital to our lives. Human beings are specifically designed to live in community, rely on each other, and even take on shared characteristics. This is all for the good of the… Read More

[Podcast] The Most Important Lesson I’ve Learned: “You Are Enough”

Matt Human Development, Podcasts

Today’s episode is just you and me, because I want to share the most important lesson I’ve learned. You Are Enough For me, it bears repeating every day. When I forget, I pursue all types of ways to find meaning and definition. It could be in my work, writing, status, power, influence, travel, or new… Read More

Hi! I'm Matt Ragland