In this episode, we're joined by Amanda Natividad, the VP of marketing at SparkToro, who shares a story about the time she met her marketing hero: her now-boss, Rand Fishkin. Amanda is a former tech journalist and also a former test kitchen cook for the LA Times. She writes the newsletter The Menu which includes marketing advice and delicious recipes (for actual food, not marketing). And she takes us inside three different drafts for potential intros of this signature story, where we learn about the paradox in our storytelling: to connect deeper externally, we need to go deeper internally.But does our work and culture encourage that? Amanda and Jay wrestle with that.Throughout this series, we'll learn from how inspiring creators and experts craft their most valuable, most original stories that build connection and resonate deeply. We're putting on display the hidden details, tiny choices, and emotional moments, as we seek to go beyond telling stories to instead BECOME storytellers.BECOME A STRONGER STORYTELLER:Subscribe to Jay's free newsletter or work with Jay to consult your team or coach you personally: jayacunzo.comHire Jay to develop a differentiated podcast.JOIN THE CREATOR KITCHEN MASTERMIND:Where smart experts become influential voices. Join fellow entrepreneurs, marketers, and creators learning to craft more valuable, more original content, with a community of creative, kind humans, daily access to the Kitchen’s founders, masterclasses and elite guest interviews, group calls and 1:1 support, and shared focus sprints fitting busy schedules.Learn more about membership at creatorkitchen.com***IN THIS EPISODE:Amanda Natividad, VP marketing at SparkToro and writer of The Menu newsletter. Find her on LinkedIn.***PRODUCTION CREDITS:Creator, host, writer, editor: Jay AcunzoProducer and researcher: Ilana Nevins