In this episode, we sit down with legendary storyteller Neal Foard — a man who spent decades shaping the voice of brands like Budweiser, Toyota, and Sony, before stepping out from behind the curtain to tell stories that actually matter: the stories of us.

Neal has become famous for something rare — reminding people that the world is still full of decency if you’re willing to look for it. With his fireside-chat style videos on LinkedIn, he captures small human moments that feel bigger than any ad campaign he ever created.

Neal unpacks the stories that shaped him — including the unforgettable lesson he learned as a young man when his father’s car broke down on the side of the road. They explore why certain moments hit us in the heart, what Neal learned from a lifetime in the ad world, why humility is a superpower, and how “it costs zero dollars to be a decent human being.”

Episode 34 is a reminder that the smallest gestures can change everything — and that great storytelling begins with paying attention.

Find More on Neal at:

https://www.nealfoard.com/

https://www.storyfire.net/

https://www.youtube.com/@nealfoard

https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-foard/

https://www.instagram.com/nealfoard/More on The Great Unfamous:

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Some people follow the path they planned. Others take the one they were meant for.

Mike Lebsock was supposed to be a doctor. Instead, he became something rarer: a teacher who changes not just what you know, but how you see the world.

By tapping into his own story—and the stories buried in America’s past—he’s turned classrooms into conversations and students into thinkers. And along the way, he’s helped educators rediscover why they teach in the first place.

This isn’t just about history. It’s about curiosity. It’s about connection. It’s about the power of a teacher who reminds us that the right story, at the right time, can change everything.

Huzzah... and welcome, Mike Lebsock.

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He’s not a politician. Not an influencer. Not a name you’ll see trending.
But Matt Elliott has been quietly changing the world for 20 years.

In this episode, we meet the man who lit the spark behind civic leader Sarah Teti (Ep. 30), and never stopped building bridges.

Raised in the small town of Newport in upstate New York and shaped by the wild beauty of the Adirondacks, Matt saw early on how environmental damage didn’t just touch the land -- it touched lives.

So he did something radical: he kept showing up. First as a student organizer. Then as a deep-woods surveyor. Now as a lobbyist who listens more than he lectures.

Matt doesn't seek attention. He seeks impact. And in this conversation, he shares what he's learned about finding common ground in divided rooms, how small towns shape big convictions, and what to do when you want to make a difference -- but don’t think you have the time, the talent, or the title.

Because as Matt proves, sometimes the greatest leaders are the ones who walk in quietly, build something lasting, and leave it better than they found it.More on The Great Unfamous:

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