#47 Maury Rogow: How Questions Create Instant Trust in Any Conversation!

"You were the most interested person in the room, and you're gonna get love." - Maury Rogow

Maury Rogow is all about storytelling. He is the CEO of the Rip Media Group and creator of the Story2Sales methodology that's generated over $150 million in trackable revenue for clients. I appreciate the tag line, "Your brand will thrive or die, based on the story you tell."

Maury's unique journey spans high-tech success and Hollywood storytelling. He built his business career at companies like Avaya, Lucent Technologies, and GeoTel—a startup that sold to Cisco Systems for over $1 billion. He then pivoted to Hollywood, serving as executive producer for feature films like "Bedrooms" and "Enter The Dangerous Mind," and working with industry legends including the creator of the Batman franchise.

Today, Maury combines business acumen with cinematic storytelling to help Fortune 1000 companies like Comcast, Kaiser Permanente, and Ben & Jerry's create compelling brand narratives. His approach recognizes that in our noise-filled marketplace, every company must master storytelling to survive and thrive.

Maury has proven that great stories don't just entertain—they sell. He's written several books, with his latest on the horizon being "Your Story Can Be Your Superpower - Selling in an AI world." He has been featured in Forbes, Inc., and Entrepreneur magazines.

In this episode of Curated Questions, host Ken Woodward engages with Maury Rogow, CEO of RipMedia Group, to explore the transformative power of questions in both personal and professional contexts. Maury shares pivotal moments in his career, from telecommunications to Hollywood, emphasizing how a single question can change a transactional relationship into a meaningful connection.

The discussion covers the importance of storytelling, the benefits of embracing unique traits, the impact of framing on emotional responses, and effective strategies for leveraging questions in sales and daily life. Maury also offers practical advice on finding balance in business, the role of AI in asking the right questions, and shares key resources and techniques for developing better questioning skills. Listeners are encouraged to take on an audience challenge to spend a day asking only questions and to reflect on the impact it has on their interactions.

This Curated Questions episode can be found on all major platforms and at CuratedQuestions.com.

Keep questioning!

#38 Ernest Ponraj: How Do You Build a Life That Honors All Your Talents?

The episode delves into Dr. Ernest Ponraj’s initial fear of questions, the crises that led to his renewed focus on integrating his passions for art and dentistry, and his insights on how open-ended questions can empower and connect with patients. The conversation also explores the challenges and joys of merging two distinct aspects of his identity into a harmonious professional practice, and his future aspirations for community engagement and artistic collaboration.

#37 Ken Woodward: Walking 2,085 Miles Through America's Hard History

Curated Questions host, Ken Woodward recounts his transformative journey of questioning deeply held beliefs about patriotism and social justice, influenced by significant moments, readings, and personal encounters.

This introspective episode delves into his midlife reevaluation of American history, racism, and the resilience required to challenge ingrained myths. From walking through Washington DC to participating in significant social movements, Ken shares the trials, learning experiences, and the courage it took to step outside his comfort zone.

The episode underscores the importance of continuous questioning and engagement in personal and societal growth.

#36 Jeff Wetzler: When Every Conversation Holds Possibility

In this episode of Curated Questions, host Ken Woodward welcomes Jeff Wetzler, a distinguished leader in business and education, to discuss the profound impact of asking quality questions. Jeff introduces his 'Ask' approach and elucidates how curiosity can transform leadership and personal growth. The conversation delves into various strategies for designing impactful questions, leveraging curiosity in conflict situations, and the importance of reflective listening. Jeff also shares practical methods to expand one's natural curiosity, highlighting the role of intentional lifestyle choices in fostering this growth. Together, they explore how fostering genuine curiosity can lead to deeper connections and richer life experiences.

#35 Shelbie Morgan: When You Show Up for Yourself, Your World Changes

In this Curated Questions episode, host Ken Woodward is in conversation with Shelbie, who emphasizes the importance of showing up for oneself, making empowered decisions, and the value of financial literacy. They discuss her upbringing, shaped by strategic parenting and mandatory volunteering, and how these experiences cultivated her confidence, empathy, and strong work ethic. The conversation explores the importance of structured freedom, the power of serving others, maintaining financial awareness, and the impact of manifesting goals and self-belief. Shelbie's insights highlight the vital questions to ask oneself to achieve both personal and financial growth. Tune in for actionable advice on harnessing your full potential and building a successful, balanced life.

#34 MK Palmore: From FBI Interrogations to Corporate Conversations

In this episode of Curated Questions, host Ken Woodward engages MK Palmore, an expert in cybersecurity and leadership, in a holistic conversation about the nuances of interviewing, the significance of psychological safety, and the impact of people-centered leadership. MK, a former FBI special agent, shares the invaluable lessons he's learned from his diverse career spanning the US Naval Academy, the Marines, Silicon Valley, and his own start-up, Apogee Global RMS. He reveals the power of strategic silence in eliciting critical information during interviews, his unique approach to fostering team growth and leadership, and how his constant curiosity has been a driving force in his professional journey. Listeners will gain practical insights on improving their questioning techniques, building trust within their teams, public speaking, and leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance productivity and learning.

#33 Tony Kennedy: From Cowboy Dreams to Coaching Life Transitions

Tony Kennedy emphasizes the importance of preparing athletes for life after sports, instilling values of financial management, and transitioning into successful careers beyond the field. He also discusses his involvement in sports representation, mentoring young athletes, and leveraging CBD products through his company, RX Sports, to aid in pain management. This comprehensive dialogue highlights the essence of asking the right questions and providing guidance to aspiring athletes at different stages of their careers.

#32 Patrick Dubois: Why Curiosity Converts Better Than Commission

Patrick Dubois, a seasoned sales professional discusses the power of questions in sales and personal growth. Patrick emphasizes the importance of understanding the real reasons behind lost sales and how genuine curiosity can enhance relationships and build trust. He shares his journey from aspiring veterinarian to corporate sales and the transformative impact of knowing one's strengths and values. The conversation also explores the intersections of Patrick's passions for animals, wine, and coaching, providing deep insights into aligning one's career with personal strengths and authentic self-expression.

#30 Tim Molnar: Intentionally Cracking Love's Enigma Through Analytics

Host Ken Woodward talks with Tim Molnar, who shares how he developed his strategic dating framework by applying research principles to dating, emphasizing the importance of asking better questions about ourselves and potential partners. He explores how traditional metrics like "feeling a spark" can be misleading compared to questions about safety, visibility, and energy levels after being with someone. The conversation highlights how self-awareness, intentional action, and thoughtful questioning can increase the probability of building fulfilling relationships while also creating space for continued growth and evolution within partnerships.

#29 Dave Reynolds: Cultivating Transformational Growth Through Questions

Host Ken Woodward talks with Dave Reynolds, CEO of the Rumin8 Group, about the impact of purposeful questioning in leadership and coaching. Reynolds shares his journey of learning the value of questions through his mentor Pablo, emphasizing transformation over transactional leadership. They discuss the importance of preparing for coaching conversations, asking in-depth questions, and fostering a culture of coaching and accountability in organizations. Reynolds also introduces concepts from his new book "Radicle Growth," which focuses on using questions to drive personal and organizational growth. The episode highlights the need for leaders to go beyond surface-level interactions, commit to ongoing development, and engage more deeply with their teams through strategic questioning.

#27 Ken Woodward: A Fork, A Precipice, A Decision

Host Ken Woodward shares a personal and professional dilemma faced upon receiving an unexpected resignation offer from his government employer. Reflecting on extensive conversations and internal contemplation, Ken explores the strengths and vulnerabilities of his situation.

Highlighting the obstacles and emotional turmoil faced while deciding to stay the course or resign, Ken raises numerous thought-provoking questions and discusses the considerations influencing his final decision. Through analyzing the risks and rewards, Ken aims to inspire others to leverage questioning for personal growth and decision-making even in uncertain times.

#19 Jerry Colonna: A Courageous Quest For Beloved Community

Through sharing personal stories, Jerry delves into the impact of his childhood, his experiences with depression, and his path to becoming a reporter who asked probing questions and tackling subjects that elicited deep emotional responses from business executives. He also discusses historical contexts and systemic issues stemming from fear and curiosity. Additionally, Jerry discusses the importance of remembering and acknowledging personal and communal histories to build better futures. The conversation is rich with insights into how powerful questions foster growth, belonging, and a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.