Episode 014 - Conversation with Mike Garner

Welcome back to Halftime Huddle – the midweek moment where small business owners pause, reflect, and recharge. In this episode, host Mark Webb sits down with Mike Garner, founder of Stories That Matter, to explore imposter syndrome, finding your authentic voice, AI collaboration, and why everyone has a story worth telling.

Mike Garner has spent nearly 30 years "being responsible for his own income" – from translator in France to copywriter to storytelling expert. After 2020's personal traumas became his breakthrough year, Mike discovered that the stories we think are boring are often the most remarkable. In this conversation, you'll hear honest, practical insights about overcoming self-doubt, using AI as a tool (not a replacement), and celebrating progress with done lists instead of drowning in endless to-do lists.

Mike shares how writer Neil Gaiman met "a little old man called Neil" at a gathering of achievers – both feeling like they'd done nothing special. That man was Neil Armstrong. If the first person on the moon can feel ordinary, there's hope for us all.

How his mother's death from Alzheimer's and his wife's cancer diagnosis became the unexpected catalyst for finding his voice after 40 years of silence – and why rolling with the punches is sometimes your only option.

Mike's brilliant "meat and veg" analogy: AI provides the structure, but you add the ketchup, the HP sauce, the Tabasco – your personality is what makes content yours.

Why tracking accomplishments on a Trello board fights negativity bias and helps you see what you've achieved, not just what's left to do.

Know who you DON'T want as clients. The massive red flag? "I want to target everybody."

Why "Don't brag" and "Stay in your lane" messaging keeps entrepreneurs from sharing their stories – and how to break free.

"The Psychology of Money" by Morgan Housel – Life-changing for Mike's relationship with wealth and success; explores how we think about money beyond the numbers.

"Storyworthy" by Matthew Dicks – Practical storytelling techniques including the "Homework for Life" practice: capturing one story-worthy moment each day to mine your timeline for hidden gold.

"If Neil Armstrong can feel that he's done nothing special in his life, then I think there's hope for us all."

"The content that comes out is your meat and veg. But I need to put the ketchup on, the HP sauce. I give it the flavor."

"The day I stopped trying to be someone I'm not, I gained so much energy."

Mike Garner is the founder of Stories That Matter, a consultancy helping entrepreneurs discover and share their authentic stories. With nearly 30 years of self-employment experience spanning translation, copywriting, and storytelling expertise, Mike brings a history graduate's perspective to personal branding – viewing careers as transformational narratives rather than linear paths. He maintains a 600-day writing streak on 750words.com and a 2,500-day Duolingo streak, embodying the consistency he preaches.

Connect with Mike Garner:

- LinkedIn: Mike Garner

- Website: How to Show Off - Stories That Matter

Hosted by Mark Webb, Halftime Huddle is your weekly midweek motivation for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each episode offers open conversations, practical insights, and real-world inspiration from people actively building and growing businesses every day.

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