Disruptive Influence: The Storytelling, Communication & Executive Presence Podcast
If you know what you do but struggle to talk about it in a way that lands — this podcast is for you.
Most founders, creators, and leaders have the expertise…but not the story, clarity, or communication skills to express it with confidence, conviction, and influence.
Disruptive Influence is the storytelling, communication, and executive presence podcast for founders, solopreneurs, and LinkedIn-era leaders who want to communicate with more clarity and power - in meetings, in pitches, in content, and in everyday conversations.
Learn how to:
- turn lived experience into clear, compelling stories
- communicate with clarity, confidence, and executive presence
- build a strong POV that attracts the right people
- sell your ideas, your value, and your vision with conviction
- unlock the mindset shifts behind real influence and high-performance communication
Hosted by Jeff Abracen - executive storytelling coach, former agency creative director, and creator of the Disruptive Influence™ system - each episode reveals how exceptional thinkers shape narratives, build presence, and communicate in ways that create opportunity.
Through a mix of solo tactical episodes and deep conversations with founders and creators who are disrupting and influencing their industries in their own way, you’ll learn how real leaders think, speak, and tell stories that move people.
If you're building a company, growing a personal brand on LinkedIn, leading a team, or simply want to communicate with more confidence and conviction — this podcast gives you the tools and perspective shifts to become the most influential person in the room.
➞ Subscribe and learn how to tell stories that sell - and speak with clarity, confidence, and conviction.
➞ Connect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.
Disruptive Influence: The Storytelling, Communication & Executive Presence Podcast
Why You Need to Put Gas on Your Strengths with Curtis Matsko
Curtis Matsko turned a pink diary and a garage startup into a $180 million leather-goods empire - then doubled it year after year by unleashing what he calls “founder magic.” He shares how leaning into your strengths and embracing the unknown can turn every setback into a launchpad for growth.
Curtis Matsko is the CEO and co-founder of Portland Leather Goods, one of North America’s fastest-growing DTC and retail brands. A self-described “over-educated jerk” who never held a real job beyond three days, he’s built his business on pattern recognition, calculated risks, and unapologetic authenticity.
Mariana Patiño, PA/EA at Portland Leather Goods, jumps in to share what it’s like being Curtis’ right hand - juggling the logistics, capturing his lightning-fast ideas, and turning his wild energy into every project’s secret sauce.
We talk about:
◽️ Why “10× is easier than 2×”—and how big-vision thinking sidesteps incremental bottlenecks.
◽️ How to pour gas on your strengths instead of wasting time fixing weaknesses.
◽️ The profit math behind scaling both direct-to-consumer and a 30-store footprint.
◽️ Why the clearest path isn’t yours - and how to find magic in uncharted territory.
◽️ How founder-led storytelling becomes your ultimate competitive advantage.
◽️ The secret role of Mariana, his “energy multiplier,” in rapid iteration and team chemistry.
Whether you’re launching your first venture or leading a mature organization, you’ll walk away with a new playbook for bold growth, real-talk storytelling, and the magic that happens when you refuel your superpowers.
Chapters
00:00 – Focus on Your Strengths (Intro Teaser)
00:21 – Podcast Intro & What to Expect
00:35 – Meet Curtis Matsko, CEO of Portland Leather Goods
01:39 – From Garage Origins to a $180M Business
03:22 – The Three-Day Box Boy Job & Pivot to Lifeguarding
07:04 – Authenticity in Founder-Led Storytelling
10:15 – The Disruptive Influence Backstory
13:15 – Balancing “Rush” vs. “Long-Haul” Vision
16:49 – Pattern Recognition & On-the-Fly Problem Solving
20:00 – Why 10× Is Easier Than 2× (Mindset Shift)
23:49 – Scaling Online & Retail: Profit Math Revealed
26:24 – Crafting Compelling Presentations (55-Minute Talks)
31:13 – Calculated Risk: Worst-Case Scenarios & Learning Fast
37:48 – Double Down on Strengths & Team Synergy
40:54 – Introducing Mariana Patiño!
44:37 – Surprises, Gratitude & Final Takeaways
Connect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/]
If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you.
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Cover art by Daniel Devoy
Music by Stephen Voyce
©2024 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen