Ep. 95 The Stern Truth: Does Your Story Serve You? With Alex Garnier

Ep 95 is the final episode of Season 1 of The Stern Truth! I can’t believe that we’ve done a full season, and what a year and a half it’s been.

In today’s Season 1 finale, it’s all about stories. It shapes who we are and how we show up in the world. We control more of it than we might think. Alex Garnier, a character animator, is a master of storytelling himself and sees obstacles more as a fascination and not a roadblock.

Alex started off in art school, then pivoted to animation school, and later into the animation industry. He learned a lot more about what characters want and what they are meant to pursue through his time in animation. Think about it for a minute, my friends - have you ever seen a cartoon character without a goal?

There’s a strong benefit in telling our own story as a business owner. Alex goes on to explain that when you share it with people, there’s the emotional connection that needs to be there. The core values help Alex to shape the story of the who behind the businesses.

We get into how you can utilize storytelling in business, not necessarily to get more clients but to get to that next step in business. One tip Alex has is to make the experience of telling your story unique to each prospective client. How you present yourself makes all the difference.

Alex’s golden nugget from the episode is so beautiful that you’ll have to tune in to hear it. But I will leave you with one he gave right before the end, and that is to show your passion to people; the connection will come naturally.

Get in touch with Alex here:

LI: @alexgarnierstoryteller
Email: alexgarnierstoryteller.pro@gmail.com 

September 8th is the premiere of Season 2 of The Stern Truth. Tune in to get even more of the inspiring stories about entrepreneurs and small businesses that you love.

Have feedback or questions about this or any episode of the Stern Truth? Send me an email at marshall@marshallstern.net. 

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Transcript

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[00:00:00] Marshall Stern: All right, so this episode is episode number 95. 95. It is also the final episode of season one. I scared you for a minute. Season one. My friends, I'm so excited to announce season two is just around the corner. It is going to come out on September the 8th. It's the launch of season two, and we are coming back bigger and better than ever.

[00:00:27] Amazing guests we've always had, deeper insights, deeper inspiration, motivation, hearing stories from entrepreneurs that have been there. They've been in the trenches. Their story, my story, maybe your story. And here's the thing about the story, and that's what we're talking about in today's final episode of season one.

[00:00:47] It's all about our story, the story we tell ourselves, the story that we show up with because our story, my friends, shapes not only who we are, but how we show up in the world, both online and offline. And we can control that story. We can control writing the next chapter. So, sit back, grab a pad of paper and pen, and enjoy episode 95, the finale of season one.

[00:01:16] And I thank you for being on this journey with me through season one the past year and a half, and now heading into season two, beginning September 8th. Enjoy, and thank you

[00:01:33] Hi, I'm Marshall Stern and I've spent over 35 years leading and growing multiple small businesses. I know firsthand the struggles of entrepreneurship, feeling isolated, lonely, overwhelmed, and feeling like you have to do it all by yourself. I've been through multiple recessions, and I have felt the highs and the lows.

[00:01:52] I've been there, and I get it. This podcast is here to change that. Every week I will bring you straight talking advice, real world strategies, and honest conversations about what it takes to succeed in business without the fluff, the gimmicks, or the sugar-coated. If you're ready to stop spinning your wheels and start making real progress, then you are in the right place.

[00:02:15] This is The Stern Truth. 

[00:02:20] Marshall Stern: All right. Welcome back, everyone, to another episode of The Stern Truth Business Unfiltered, and another amazing guest today. And my friends, grab a pad of paper and a pen and be ready because I want to introduce you to my guest to, I don't know, my right, my left, depends on which way it's going to come out.

[00:02:40] This is Business Unfiltered, however. So, Alex, Alex Garnier, who is a storyteller, and we're going to talk about storytelling today, and a little bit about your journey as well. Welcome, Alex. 

[00:02:51] Alex Garnier: Welcome. Thank you. Thank you for having me on the podcast. 

[00:02:54] Marshall Stern: So, I, I'm curious, we had a quick chat a little while ago about storytelling and what you do.

[00:03:01] But I'm, I, I, before we get into that, tell me a little bit about your journey into- 

[00:03:07] Alex Garnier: Yeah... 

[00:03:07] Marshall Stern: …doing this. 

[00:03:09] Alex Garnier: Yeah, definitely. So, when I was a kid, I was always passionate about creating universe, creating stories, and playing with, like, Lego and anything that I can come up with, and create my own, like, universe and story like this.

[00:03:24] And growing up, I was reading a lot, like... You know, it's cool, like, when other kids were playing, like, football, soccer, whatever, I was reading books. I was, like, immersing myself with, like, different universe and everything, because for me, it was making more sense in some way than the life, like, I was in, in many ways.

[00:03:44] And sometime, I remember, because I was working in the street and I was not in the street anymore, like, my brain was picturing myself, like, in the universe, seeing the Earth, seeing all the planet, everything like this. And I was like, "What is the deal with everything that we are doing in Earth?" And I was, like, five.

[00:04:03] It's not normal when you're five, you're feeling like this. And I was like, "Okay, maybe I'm made a different way or anything." And growing and growing, I always have this, like, fascination for story and everything. And the first time I saw a Disney movie or, like, animated movie, I was like, "Oh, so it's possible to give life to a character, to create all this universe and it makes sense."

[00:04:25] And it create dreams for people and, like, it's a new kind of life. It's based on everything that we... all the obstacle that we have in our life. What can be family or health or anything like this. And it just, like, create this kind of world where you put another character, he has all this expression that can be human, and he's facing all these challenges, and he find a way to find a solution to it, and it transform.

[00:04:52] And I was like, "That's fascinating." I did – so, my father is a science guy, and in my family not really everybody's an artist. So, for me, the art was pretty much my own way to, like, escape from everything that everybody could tell me any feedback and be like, "You're right or you're wrong," or anything like this.

[00:05:13] For me, art was like a way to, like, nobody can tell me what is right, what is wrong. I can do my own thing. So basically, that's how I discovered the joy of, like, creating universe, illustration, and everything. And yeah, like after I did, like I did one year of like science school. I quit after because it wasn't, something was missing somewhere.

[00:05:35] And I went back into, I went into art school, and that's where I truly find myself, like drawing, like analyzing how the world is, how everybody act between like everybody or we are, we shape our story between like in family, with friends, and everything like this, and it was very interesting.

[00:05:56] Then I went to animation school, and then I started my journey into the animation industry. And it's funny because the first time I came into a animation studio, for me, I was like a kid at Disney World. It was like, oh, that's beautiful, like all those people creating this universe and everything. And the first shot I animated, like the guy came to see me and told me, "What did you do on the shot?"

[00:06:19] I was like, "I'm animating the character." He told me, "What did you animate?" I was like, "What the guy is telling you." He told me, "Think about what he's thinking instead." And I was like- 

[00:06:29] Marshall Stern: Hmm.

[00:06:29] Alex Garnier: Oh, that's interesting. So, what do you mean by what he's feeling?" He told me, "What is the challenging that he's facing? What he, what is like, what is the context in which he evolves right now?"

[00:06:41] And what did he want to pursue as a character? What is his goal in life?" And I was like, "Oh, that's, that's way different than what I was doing." And I start thinking in term of like, okay, what's like, what we are thinking in life and everything, and I realize, oh, and that's where I was like, so the body language and what we think can be very different from what we actually say.

[00:07:05] Marshall Stern: Hmm. 

[00:07:05] Alex Garnier: And storytelling is also about like, are you expressing that all people in their own way, they don't express a lot of, like, they are expressing thing by their expression, their body language and everything. But this can be either different or even a, a like purpose beyond what they are saying. And that was, I like working on for years and years into the animation movie.

[00:07:31] And after, after like there was a strike in Hollywood, so for one year to another almost everybody lose a job in some way. I started my journey into digital marketing first, then I stop it because something didn't make sense for me in many ways. And during a networking event when I was showing, like, with some French people, but showing myself as a CEO, a woman came and she had a book for expression for kids with like emotion and character.

[00:08:02] And I saw that, I was like, "Oh, I was into like this when I was doing animation." And she told me about storytelling. I was, yeah, I can help you with storytelling. And from one person to another, the storytelling came so much that I was like, I think that's my call in some way. And, and I start... And it, it was like, for me, it makes total sense in everything.

[00:08:23] And I was like, okay, that's, that's my... Like, that's the fulfilling of my journey and that's where I will be helping people the most, is like unraveling their own story and shaping it 

[00:08:35] Marshall Stern: So, you're almost like an accidental storyteller. Although I have a feeling even through your animations and probably growing up, you were a storyteller- 

[00:08:42] Alex Garnier: Yeah, yeah, definitely. In many ways. 

[00:08:44] Marshall Stern:  Okay, so because most of our listeners are business owners, entrepreneurs- 

[00:08:50] Alex Garnier: Right. Yeah. 

[00:08:50] Marshall Stern: We're a rare breed. I mean, every, everyone obviously has their own story. 

[00:08:55] Alex Garnier: Right. 

[00:08:55] Marshall Stern: But entrepreneurs, business owners  you know, we've talked about this before, right? We talk about this on the podcast all the time.

[00:09:03] Our story- 

[00:09:05] Alex Garnier: Yeah. 

[00:09:06] Marshall Stern: ..that we write for ourselves or that we allow to be written for us, will either move us forward and serve us, or will hold us back. 

[00:09:18] Alex Garnier: Exactly. 

[00:09:18] Marshall Stern: Right? So how do you help in that?

[00:09:21] Alex Garnier: So what you say is very interesting because a story can be, either way, can be hold us back, but this thing is like, at the same time it will hold you back, but at the same time, everything that you face in life, you either find a solution or it's life telling you it will make you better, it will make you different after.

[00:09:43] It's like a transformation. And with people, I, I look at both what is their strength and both what weakness can they have. Like, the weakness because for me sometimes, like, you can have, like, what you think is a flaw or something actually can be a strength. 

[00:10:03] Marshall Stern: Right. 

[00:10:03] Alex Garnier: We are all different, and this difference make us unique, make us like our singularity, and for me, that's the most beautiful of everything.

[00:10:12] Because what you can think like, "Okay, but I'm like this, and probably that's not something I, I need to show people," I'm like, "Why do you want to hide it?" Because for me, it's a gem. It's like this is a gift that you have, and people need to see it. So, it's not that it's hold you back, it's just that the work, the, the way I do the work with client is really finding all you, everything you face in life or in your, like, first business before you create your own, and trying to express in a way like, oh, we can turn it in a strength.

[00:10:50] Everything, like, a lot of thing can be a strength, and always like, oh, we can shape it in a way that it can be so unique that people will looking for it. So, like, so it's more my way to see it. 

[00:11:01] Marshall Stern: So, what is the benefit for, for listeners who are wondering and, and curious. What is the benefit of telling our own story?

[00:11:10] Because, you know, you have a, like, for me, okay. You know, I coach and mentor entrepreneurs and small business owners. That's fine. My story's probably really important, right? And how I tell it. Well, I guess, hang on, before we go there, is it the story we tell ourselves, or is it the story we tell ourselves and that we tell, that we share to the world?

[00:11:32] Alex Garnier: Right. So, the story that you share with people, in many ways, you, you need to find an emotional connection in it. What I mean is that you need to find part of your life where you had the most, like, emotional feeling about what you are doing right now, and how it help you to, like, solve a problem or anything, and that's what you're going to tell people.

[00:11:55] Marshall Stern: Mm-hmm. 

[00:11:55] Alex Garnier: Because in some way, probably they, they are facing the same problem that you had, that you had in the past that you solved. And they will be like, "You, you totally understand me." And that's understanding of, like, the human connection. 

[00:12:09] Marshall Stern: Mm. 

[00:12:09] Alex Garnier: That's what they're looking for, and that's how you can help them to achieve their own goal.

[00:12:14] That's, that's what I'm trying to, to express. And basically, it's like, it's more going to the why you're doing your business, why you're here right now talking to them. That is the why that people are looking for, and that people, it's like sharing your vision. And by the time they share your vision, they have it in mind, and they're, like, connected to it, that's the time they will ask you to help them.

[00:12:39] Marshall Stern: No, I love that and, and I mean, I talk all about, I, I always talk about like you have to be really clear, have clarity around your why and your what. 

[00:12:46] Alex Garnier: Right. Yeah. 

[00:12:47] Marshall Stern: So, you know why you do what you do and what you're, the, the vision because people, that's where people connect. People,  people buy from people. 

[00:12:54] Alex Garnier: People want to connect with people, and people want to... That's why we are all fascinated by movies, stories, and everything because- 

[00:13:03] Marshall Stern: Right.

[00:13:03] Alex Garnier: It’s like the vision you give people, and the more, the more beyond you see things, the more they are willing to take the next step and to transform their life.

[00:13:13] That's really the goal, and storytelling helps them doing that. 

[00:13:16] Marshall Stern: So, okay, for our listeners, they're, they own a marketing agency. They have a bookkeeping company. They're a coach or a mentor. They have a landscaping company, furniture store, whatever it is. How would you work with them- 

[00:13:30] Alex Garnier: Mm. 

[00:13:30] Marshall Stern: …and what would you do with their story specifically?

[00:13:34] Because there's the, the internal growth with knowing our story and... right, but what do you do with that story? 

[00:13:41] Alex Garnier: So, the first thing I work on is the brainstorming. 

[00:13:45] Marshall Stern: Okay. 

[00:13:46] Alex Garnier: Which is explain to me, what step did you took to come here right now? Explain to me if you have some passion in life or anything like this.

[00:13:56] I also work, like with some exercise, like for example, if you had a, a magic, like, magic object right now, what would it be? What power does it has, and why people want this, like, magic object, or what does this magic object attract? Like, what kind of people can it attract or anything like this. Also, like, if you have to shape a character, what is the character?

[00:14:22] Marshall Stern: Mm. 

[00:14:23] Alex Garnier: What is the genre? Like, what is his characteristic? Does he have superpower or not, or is it built? Like, like, everything like this, and it's like also thinking in term of, like, a, a planet. If you're a planet, like, what is, what is the atmosphere, what you want to see in it? Because everything tell me, tell me like the psychology beyond everything that, like, we are looking for in term of story, and like the passion, the why, the what, how you do this.

[00:14:55] And from there, I start to shape the story in term of like core values, message, the slogan. The personality of the person that you're looking for. So, it's not about saying, "Okay, this is a man. He has 45-year-old. That's his business." That's good, but that's not something I'm looking for. It's more like in term of psychology, what is his aspiration, what he dreams about, what is challenge he's facing and that he want to solve.

[00:15:21] It's more like this that I think in, in, in more the way that, okay, those people, that's the struggle they have, and that's why they're coming for you. 

[00:15:31] Marshall Stern: Okay, I'm going to shift, I'm going to shift gears for a moment. So, you're doing this for other people, business owners, entrepreneurs. 

[00:15:38] Alex Garnier: Right. 

[00:15:38] Marshall Stern: Okay. What about for yourself? So, this is the Stern Truth, okay? We're talking, this is it. 

[00:15:44] Alex Garnier: This is fine. 

[00:15:45] Marshall Stern: So, what would you say would be one of the biggest... How long have you been doing, how long have you officially been doing storytelling, first off? 

[00:15:53] Alex Garnier: So, storytelling since years in animation movie, and for my own business since a year.

[00:15:59] Marshall Stern: Okay. What would you... So, for the past year that you've been doing this as a, as a business on its own-

[00:16:03] Alex Garnier: Yeah, yeah. 

[00:16:04] Marshall Stern: What would be, what would you say would be the biggest or one of the biggest challenges- 

[00:16:11] Alex Garnier: Yeah, okay. 

[00:16:12] Marshall Stern: …that you've had with your business? 

[00:16:16] Alex Garnier: So, one of the challenge that I, that I see happening,  is that, especially, like, with business is that, but it's very fascinating, like- 

[00:16:26] Marshall Stern: No, for, but for, for your business, though.

[00:16:27] Alex Garnier: Yeah, yeah. But- 

[00:16:28] Marshall Stern: Oh, this is... Okay. 

[00:16:29] Alex Garnier: No, it's, it's a mix between- 

[00:16:31] Marshall Stern: Okay. 

[00:16:31] Alex Garnier: it's like- 

[00:16:31] Marshall Stern: Okay. 

[00:16:32] Alex Garnier: No, for, like, for my business, in a way it was like, in some way it was clear because it was my core values I know was, like, creativity, authenticity, empathy, a lot of kindness in everything I do, and those were my core values.

[00:16:48] And I see this in the, in the, in the sense that when people give me feedback, the feedback are almost always the same in some ways. Like, I thank you for being so creative. 

[00:16:59] Marshall Stern: Mm-hmm. 

[00:17:00] Alex Garnier: Thank you for giving us the structure that we need, because my story, I was having so many ideas, but I didn't know to structure it.

[00:17:07] Thank you so being, like, kind with us when we do things, because I never expect a business to even know what storytelling is or even know exactly how to do it. I never expect it because it, it can look like very simple, but it's super complex. Super complex. Because storytelling is also about creativity, and creativity is like mixing universe that have no reason to be mixed in the first place.

[00:17:36] Marshall Stern: Mm-hmm. 

[00:17:37] Alex Garnier: And so, I totally get that for business owner it can be a challenge. Even for me sometimes, like, it depends on the story that I unravel with business. Sometime I, like, in which universe I, I will find the, the perfect story for them, and I'm like, "Okay," like think about everything, all the map that you have, and I, I kind of like lay out everything, and I think in terms of like what makes sense.

[00:18:06] So, I take all this idea, I think about what makes sense. So, storytelling is a lot like you have to build a puzzle. No one tell you what part of the puzzle is the right one that fit with the good one, so it's like basically a puzzle. But every piece you don't exactly know the shape that another piece can go with till find out till you built it, and every piece, the shape can transform at any time.

[00:18:29] That's, that's the, that's a, that's the map of storytelling. And you have to find a way to mix everything together and to create, like, masterpiece in some way. 

[00:18:39] Marshall Stern: Mm-hmm. 

[00:18:40] Alex Garnier: That in my mind was here the whole time. You just need to… to be in rival. And you, and the storytelling is like, "Oh, can I make it the story that they needed?"

[00:18:52] Marshall Stern: Okay. So, I'm trying to get into the mind of my listeners. 

[00:18:57] Alex Garnier: Yep. 

[00:18:58] Marshall Stern: They're listening, they're hearing you talk about storytelling. What if we... Now, I think you've been to Connect and Collaborate. I think that's when our networking group, I think that's where I first met you. If you were in a networking group right now- 

[00:19:10] Alex Garnier: Right.

[00:19:11] Marshall Stern: …how do you... because this is important, you know? I'm not into the elevator pitch per se, but how do you, how do you explain, like, your story? How do you, how do you introduce yourself to others? So, if I were to say to you, "Alex, what do you do for a living?" 

[00:19:24] Alex Garnier: Yeah. 

[00:19:25] Marshall Stern: What do you say? 

[00:19:26] Alex Garnier: So, I'm a storyteller, and my goal and my purpose is to create that bridge between you and your client, and to create this emotional connection that you will need for them to be, or, like, engage in the vision that you have and to come work with you.

[00:19:43] Marshall Stern: Okay. 

[00:19:43] Alex Garnier: That's what I will say. 

[00:19:45] Marshall Stern: Okay. 

[00:19:45] Alex Garnier: All of it. 

[00:19:46] Marshall Stern: Okay. So, I'm a listener, I'm listening to all this stuff. Okay, who's this guy who does the storytelling thing? It seems to me a little bit... Okay, I'm not so sure. Storytelling, I heard about it. I, how can it really... What would be the next step? Like, if I'm a business, obviously I have, you know…

[00:20:03] I'm trying to get every – look, everybody wants to get clients. 

[00:20:06] Alex Garnier: Yeah. That's right. 

[00:20:07] Marshall Stern: Everybody wants more clients, more freedom, more income, more-

[00:20:10] Alex Garnier: Right. 

[00:20:11] Marshall Stern: …more, more, more, more.  what would be the next step for you? If they were... I'll put your information in the show notes, right? If they want to reach, reach out to you.

[00:20:21] Alex Garnier: Right. 

[00:20:21] Marshall Stern: What would be the next step? 

[00:20:24] Alex Garnier: So, the next step and the first step I always do with client is, like, I take an... Like, I take time with them, so come an hour or something, and I, I just listen to, like, what's, what is your business about, why you're doing what you do, and to try to have a clear picture, biggest picture that what is the story behind the business that you're doing.

[00:20:51] Marshall Stern: Mm-hmm. 

[00:20:52] Alex Garnier: And how can I make it clear, and how can I make it so unique for them that they will want to tell it to people? And when they will tell it to people, those people will be like, "I never seen something like this before. The way you do it is so unique that I want to work with you." That's, that's- 

[00:21:11] Marshall Stern: Ooh.

[00:21:12] Alex Garnier: …that's what I will do, is like- I, I…

[00:21:15] Marshall Stern: What you just said. Hang on, hang on. What you just said. 

[00:21:18] Alex Garnier: Yeah. 

[00:21:19] Marshall Stern: I have to look at the time to see, so I can rewind and listen to it after. Because what you just – seriously, what you just said is really powerful- 

[00:21:26] Alex Garnier: Yep. 

[00:21:27] Marshall Stern: …on the way you can introduce yourself. 

[00:21:29] Alex Garnier: Right.

[00:21:30] Marshall Stern: Okay.  I'll have to go back to, again, listen to how you said it. 

[00:21:35] Alex Garnier: No. 

[00:21:36] Marshall Stern: But it's, there's so much noise out there. That's, like, that's why the storytelling, like, what you do is really powerful and helpful and, and important, because there is so much noise out there. But what you said was basically how you could help them.

[00:21:50] Yeah. I, I'm going to have to listen again, because I can't remember the s- the exact words, but it caught me. 

[00:21:57] Alex Garnier: Yep. 

[00:21:58] Marshall Stern: And it's all about... That's what, what it's about, right? It's capturing people's attention. 

[00:22:02] Alex Garnier: Exactly. That's why it's powerful. Right? 

[00:22:04] Marshall Stern: Because everyone's like, "Blah." Everyone's talking. 

[00:22:07] Alex Garnier: Storytelling is, is removing all the noise that you have around to make it so clear and so powerful and unique for those people that are looking for you to do the steps without, without you telling them to do the steps.

[00:22:22] That is the power of storytelling. For me, that's, that's what it is. 

[00:22:26] Marshall Stern: Okay. So, I'm going to give you a little bit of coaching here. A little – no, a little feedback. Okay? So once this is done, okay, I'm going to listen back and I'm going to send you the, I’m going to send you the snippet of what you said because I think it, for you, next time you're in, like, in a networking or connecting collaborator or networking, another networking group, if you said that, people will be like, "Whoa. That's what I want." It was very, it was short, it was powerful, and I, I, I can't remember why now because we're talking. 

[00:22:56] Alex Garnier: Yeah, right. 

[00:22:57] Marshall Stern: But seriously, it, it's all about... It's so rare to be able to capture someone. I remember, it's not really off topic, but you know, we get not as much anymore, but we...

[00:23:07] Well, I shouldn't say that. We get a lot of spam phone calls now. I never, I rarely answer my phone because it's always, like, spam or, someone selling something. But when I had my previous company, I used to get them all the time, financial advisors, like stockbrokers, credit card merchant visas, like whatever, garbage, waste management companies calling, calling, calling trying to get business.

[00:23:30] Alex Garnier: Yep. 

[00:23:31] Marshall Stern: I remember this, this person, this is going back probably 15 years, from TD Canada Trust, and he calls me, and he first asked... I can't remember exactly what he said all again, but I can't remember. But he actually got my attention. He wasn't going on about who he is or whatever. He just called it like it was.

[00:23:51] He was very authentic, and he just said, "Hey, Marshall, I know you're..." So, he knew my first name without calling me, like some people call me by my last name. But you know they're telemarketers. They're just looking at a list. They take the last name, think it's the first name. And he said, "I know you're a really, really busy person.

[00:24:07] This might not even be of interest to you." Something to that effect.  "But if you have two minutes, I'd love to just share what I, I have. And if you're not interested, that's no problem." 

[00:24:16] Alex Garnier: Right 

[00:24:17] Marshall Stern: Right. And I said, stopped him and I said, "I, I’ve got to tell you something." I said, "You've intrigued me. I'm not interested because I already have someone I work with, but I just want to acknowledge you that the way you've presented yourself is so refreshing, so authentic, and you respect me.

[00:24:35] Like, you respect my time, rather than just calling and just blah," right? "And just blurting out everything and not even letting you get a word in edgewise." And I think that's so important, and that's why I think storytelling is, can be so powerful because it's all about trying to stand out and connect and have people...

[00:24:52] If you can really be of service to someone, helping them, connect with their audience. 

[00:24:59] Alex Garnier: Yeah. 

[00:24:59] Marshall Stern: So, I, you know, if I never did business with this guy, I already had someone, but I did stop and I listened, and then I, I thanked him. As opposed to everyone else, it's like, "Nope, not interested." Now I just don't answer the phone.

[00:25:11] But yeah. 

[00:25:12] Alex Garnier: Yeah, he got your attention, so. 

[00:25:14] Marshall Stern: It, and it's very hard these days, right? 

[00:25:17] Alex Garnier: It's, it's very hard. It's very difficult because there is so much noise all around that at some point we... It's not that we don't want to listen, just that we don't know which, which noise or which sound is the right one for us, and that's the trickiest part because it's like when you do cold email or anything, just at some point you're, like, overwhelming by all this noise, everything happening, that the tiny one that you need is out there somewhere, you just don't know where or anything like this. And nothing is made easier for you to find out what it is, so. 

[00:25:53] Marshall Stern: Yeah. Yeah. No, 100%. You say that again, I can't remember exactly what you said, but it was perfect, right? Because you're... No, but you're right. You're right. Because there is so much, no, I do, I do remember what you said. There is so much noise out there, and you said, "It's not that we don't want to listen, it's that we just don't know what to listen to." 

[00:26:10] Alex Garnier: Yeah. 

[00:26:11] Marshall Stern: What's fluff? What's garbage? What's spam? 

[00:26:14] Alex Garnier: Yeah. 

[00:26:15] Marshall Stern: What is going to take us down the wrong path? And it's unfortunate because we miss, we all miss that email that actually would've made a difference. We all miss that podcast episode. Like, people might have clicked off at the beginning.

[00:26:28] "No, this is not for me," of this episode today. And it's unfortunate for them because I think what we've talked about in here is so important. Okay.  Okay, people want to get in touch with you. I got, have some more questions, but if people want to get in touch with you, what's the best way? 

[00:26:44] Alex Garnier: So, it can be either LinkedIn or either phone number.

[00:26:49] I... And email address, yep. 

[00:26:52] Marshall Stern: Okay. Okay, so I can put... I'll put your email and maybe your LinkedIn down below in the show notes. What would be one... Before we go, what would be one, I, I, I call them golden nuggets. 

[00:27:04] Alex Garnier: Right. 

[00:27:04] Marshall Stern: Okay? So, my late father used to say, "If you get one gold nugget from..."

[00:27:09] There was no podcasts back then, but, "One gold nugget from a speaker or a seminar or a book- 

[00:27:13] Alex Garnier: Yeah. 

[00:27:14] Marshall Stern: …it's worth your time." What would be one gold nugget or takeaway that you could give to our listeners that, that will help them on their journey? 

[00:27:24] Alex Garnier: Um… 

[00:27:25] Marshall Stern: That was a lot of pressure. 

[00:27:28] Alex Garnier: That's, that's a really good question.

[00:27:31] I will say have the courage to be yourself and to show people who you are with authenticity, clarity, and passion. 

[00:27:43] Marshall Stern: Wow. That's… Thank you. That's, that's beautiful. No, but honestly, like that is... We talked about this, I think, when we met last time. 

[00:27:52] Alex Garnier: Yeah, yeah. 

[00:27:52] Marshall Stern: There are so, and if you guys are listening out there or watching out there, this is for you.

[00:27:57] Don't hide. 

[00:27:59] Alex Garnier: Yep. 

[00:27:59] Marshall Stern: Right? Get in touch with Alex, get in touch with me, get in touch with yourself more than anything. You got it. Okay? Get in touch with yourself and, and have the courage. Just be yourself. 

[00:28:11] Alex Garnier: Yeah. 

[00:28:12] Marshall Stern: Yeah. Get out, get out there, be seen, tell your story. 

[00:28:15] Alex Garnier: Exactly. Like you're unique, you're... You have these differences that make you who you are.

[00:28:21] Don't, like… show it. People need it more than anything. People are looking for it, and they don't know yet that you're out there. 

[00:28:29] Marshall Stern: 100%. People are looking for it. They're looking for authenticity. They're looking for people of character. 

[00:28:36] Alex Garnier: Exactly. 

[00:28:37] Marshall Stern: And you're absolutely... Also, you've said lots of golden nuggets, takeaways.

[00:28:42]  They don't know we're out there. They don't know you're out there. I'm talking to you, the listener. I'm talking to you, Alex, and I'm talking to me, Marshall. A lot of people don't know we're out there, and if we don't share our story with them, right? You know, a lot of people are scared to share their story.

[00:28:57] Alex Garnier: I know.

[00:28:57] Marshall Stern: Okay, that's my last que- it's another question, and then we'll go. 

[00:29:00] Alex Garnier: Yeah. 

[00:29:00] Marshall Stern: What do you say to those people who are scared to share their story? 

[00:29:04] Alex Garnier: So, the first question I will say is, like, why are you scared? What make you scared to share what you have to share? Because it is something, like, it's this, if you have a fear, it means something.

[00:29:18] For me, it means that it's a path that you need to go on to understand probably something about you that you either... Nothing scare us because of nothing. What I mean is that we all scared about something that can help us to be better, that can help us to move forward. Our fears tell a lot about we, like, maybe what we are trying to avoid, why we are avoiding this.

[00:29:43] Is it because it scares, or is it because it reveals something in us that maybe we don't know to handle it? And storytelling is also this, is like if you have to, if you have to understand what it is, what all you will feel after, what kind of transformation that will happen in yourself that help you in your business or anythings.

[00:30:04] And yeah, it's, and it's, it's also one of the thing I worry with people is, like, understanding why do you have this fear or... But it's like, it's very with a lot of kindness. What I mean is that it's... I, I truly think it's, like, a difference and it's like a strength more than anything else. 

[00:30:23] Marshall Stern: Oh. Okay ... 

[00:30:24] Alex Garnier: So, it's, I don't know if it answers the question or not, but… 

[00:30:27] Marshall Stern: Well, no, I think it does, but I think it's, it's actually really...

[00:30:31] It's a question I'm going to have for everyone else. As you're watching this, and as we, we, we end our episode today, I want everyone to ask themselves if you're... Are you scared of telling your story? And not necessarily even just telling your story to your audience, to your people, which is really important.

[00:30:48] First and foremost, we have to be comfortable and courageous to tell the story and own the story ourselves. Own your story. I think we would all… we'll all benefit from everyone owning their story. 

[00:31:00] Alex Garnier: Oh, definitely. And be passionate. and show that passion to people. 

[00:31:05] Marshall Stern: Yes. Oh, 100%. Well, people, yeah, people feed off that.

[00:31:08] People will, will connect with you much more when you love what you do, and you're passionate about it. And, and you're, and you're connected, so. Alex, thank you very much. 

[00:31:20] Alex Garnier: Thanks a lot. 

[00:31:21] Marshall Stern: And for the rest of you, thank you for listening, and I'm just curious as to if, you... Well, share, obviously, not just your story.

[00:31:30] Share your story. Share this podcast with everyone, all your friends as well, and give us comments. Give us feedback. I'd, I'd love to know, and Alex would love to know, are you stepping into your story? Are you scared of your story? And if you want to get in touch with Alex and go down further with that, information is down below in the show notes.

[00:31:51] So Alex, you stay on for a second. 

[00:31:53] Alex Garnier: Yeah, sure.

[00:31:54] Marshall Stern: I'm going to bid everyone else a farewell, and we'll see you again next week in another episode of The Stern Truth Business Unfiltered.

[00:32:05] Thank you so much for tuning in to the Stern Truth. If you found today's episode helpful, we would love to hear from you. Please like, share, and leave us a review. Also, if you'd like to be a guest in an upcoming episode or join us in one of our Momentum accountability group sessions, simply email me to marshall@marshallstern.net.

[00:32:26] That's marshall@marshallstern.net. And don't forget to hit the subscribe button so you never miss an episode. Until next time, keep pushing forward and leading with confidence.