The Human Connection Podcast

Is your business’s growth stalled? Employee churn eating into your profits? Struggling with customer retention? 

You need stronger connections.

Every Tuesday, connect with an expert who’s sharing actionable advice for building stronger relationships with your customers, clients, and stakeholders. Hosted by Karl Pontau, a storytelling super-connector, content system strategist, and survivor of two childhood brain tumors, this podcast’s mission is to fix the underlying cause of workplace and societal dysfunction: the lack of human connection.

Learn more at www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

Podcast Host

Squash and Stretch Productions

My heroic mission involves guiding teams to bring visionary Content Systems and strategies to life. By fostering a creative environment where complex ideas transform into compelling visual stories, I've helped clients achieve remarkable results. What drives me is connecting clients' missions with audiences through visually striking content that sparks action. By nurturing talent and overseeing seamless workflows, I ensure our work not only captivates but also delivers on strategic goals.

▶️Led Enovix’s team to clearly and concisely explain the value of their innovative battery tech - taking them from a 45 minute explanation to a 2 minute video – supporting their $1.13B SPAC event and their $250 million contract with the US Army. Optimized creative strategy and message to grab and hold viewer’s attention. Navigated around two major holidays and an unexpected scope change to deliver on time and under budget.

▶️Recruited and managed the team, budget, and timeline for a collaborative animation project that convinced the San Jose City Council to require life-saving firefighting tech in high-rises, catalyzed adoption in 18 other cities, and contributed to a $100M IP sale for my client. 

▶️Designed flexible content system for La Familia's anti-Fentanyl campaign, enabling rapid pivot when major challenge arose; directed production and content adaptation while production team saved two lives through Narcan administration during new on-site shoot; final campaign successfully deployed regionwide.

Freelance Art Director / Senior Digital Creative Producer

SAE Expression College

As a Brand Story Coach, I've helped entrepreneurs translate their knowledge into actionable ideas for their ideal consumer. Additionally, in the classroom, I've had the joy of shaping future creatives. Through developing curricula and adapting to diverse learning styles, I created supportive environments where innovation thrives and students discover their creative potential.

▶️Advised a local coach on connecting client challenges to his solutions, boosting referrals and sales through improved value communication.

▶️Mentored college students at SAE Expressions in advanced motion graphics, editing, and branding, guiding them through complex software challenges to enhance their technical proficiency and creative output. 

▶️Inspired young minds aged 9-17 at iD Tech Camps, fostering creativity and teamwork while leading students through courses including web design, animation, and robotics.

Storytelling Coach / Teacher / Mentor

GuideSpark

My leadership journey began as a production team member, where I discovered my passion for contributing toward a shared vision. I learned that great leadership creates harmony in both team dynamics and the final product. I also learned that my favorite projects are socially impactful and profitable. Each project laid the foundation for my skills in leading cross-functional teams, managing end-to-end production, and turning creative challenges into opportunities for growth and connection. 

▶️Fostered open communication between animators and VFX coordinators and ensured director feedback was thoughtfully implemented as Animation Coordinator for The Glass Butterfly.

▶️Created intricate 3D facial animations for a confidential project, honing my ability to deliver exceptional work on time and under budget while honoring client trust at FlickerLab.

▶️Collaborated with a remote team to explain organizational change strategies and processes that help companies be more agile at Fire Tribe, Inc. 

▶️Contributed to a local team that created 1,700+ accurate employee benefit animations in 3 months at GuideSpark.

▶️Championed i-GATE's vision for a thriving Tri-Valley startup community that now brings new tech from local labs to the marketplace.

Contract Motion Designer

Health/Med Tech companies and nonprofits have vital - yet difficult - stories to tell. 

So, they struggle to explain their value and attract their best clients.

What makes a story difficult?

Stories that…

😨Cover emotionally triggering subjects... (Cancer, Overdoses, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome)
😵Focus on complex or abstract ideas... (Battery tech, Air Tank Refill Systems)
😳Reveal deeply personal experiences... (Founder Stories, Mental Health, Loss)

...are all difficult to effectively tell.

But, I am uniquely equipped to solve these challenges because I:

💗 Show empathy and compassion for clients, team members, and audiences via active listening
🧠 Bring a deep understanding of human decision making and behavior to every project
🚀 Employ an entrepreneurial mindset honed from running my small production agency

I was inspired to focus on these skills after overcoming two malignant brain tumors when I was 15, and am forever grateful for my family, friends, and medical team for showing me what can be accomplished when people care for each other, clearly communicate, and work towards a common goal. 

Once you optimize your story, you’ll need to get it in front of your audience.

That takes a Content System.

These:

💡 Starts with a comprehensive Content Strategy
📚 Delivers a custom asset library for your brand
📲 Generates adaptive content for multiple platforms
💰 Results in greater cost savings and ROI over time

For example:

🎉 Led Enovix’s team to clearly and concisely explain the value of their innovative battery tech - taking them from a 45 minute explanation to a 2 minute video – supporting their $1.13B SPAC event and their $250 million contract with the US Army. Optimized creative strategy and message to grab and hold viewer’s attention. Navigated around two major holidays and an unexpected scope change to deliver on time and under budget.

🥂 Recruited and managed the team, budget, and timeline for a collaborative animation project that convinced the San Jose City Council to require life-saving firefighting tech in high-rises, catalyzed adoption in 18 other cities, and contributed to a $100M IP sale for my client.

If you are interested in discussing how I can add value to your team and accelerate your company's growth, please email me at kpontau@gmail.com or send a DM.

Let's talk!

(I’m open to contract or full time employment.)

Karl Pontau

StoryAngled

We help B2B founders build brand stories that resonate — and turn them into content campaigns that drive results.

From positioning to execution, we develop strategic narratives and deliver creative campaigns your audience actually connects with.

Check the Featured section to book a free consultation.

AI Data Management

• Developing communication strategy for enterprise-level AI data management solutions.
• Creation, management, and optimization of the company's content
• Inbound lead generation

Marketing Strategist

HRnest

I was responsible for the strategy, execution, and optimization of HRnest's content across multiple channels:

• Blog
• Social media
• Video
• Email marketing

I built a comprehensive product education experience (HRnest Academy) to support free trial users during product adoption in their company.

I shifted HRnest's positioning and strategy to reach more customers from international markets. Guided the process of adjusting the app's language, voice, and messaging to fit the needs of international customers better.

I co-created multiple lead magnets and materials for the Sales and Customer Care department to support them during discovery calls.

Content Specialist

Acquiring Inbound Leads for B2B Founders with Personal Content Programs • Explaining Content, one Ugly Drawing at a time

Your B2B content marketing should do more than just fill a feed.

It should: 

• Attract the right people to your offer
• Position you as a trusted expert
• Convert attention into pipeline

At StoryAngled, we build custom content programs that deliver:

• Inbound lead generation strategy
• A full-stack content production team
• An always-growing database of proven content systems, frameworks, and resources

We work exclusively with B2B founders and growth-minded teams.

If that’s you, shoot me a DM — I’ll get back to you personally.

Kuba Czubajewski

6 things I’ll never tell a B2B founder to do on LinkedIn:

I help founders build their personal brands. But:

There are some “tactics” I’ll never recommend, no matter how much hype they get:

1. Post photos with their children

Your kids can’t give 100% consent to being online.

It’s weird.

It’s iffy.

You never know who’s looking at those photos, and LinkedIn isn’t the place.

2. Post contrarian takes just to farm engagement

Arguing for attention smells desperate.

People see right through it.

3. Use “proven” formats

If it’s “proven,” it’s probably tired.

Aim to post your original thoughts and processes. Originality gets remembered.

4. Chase every LinkedIn trend

If you’re always chasing, you’re never leading.

5. Share empty “hustle” stories

Nobody cares how early you get up.

They care about results.

6. Fake vulnerability for sympathy

Real leaders don’t perform.

They show up (wins, losses, all of it) no theatrics.

Any other things you see here that I should add to the list?

1 system to consistent inbound for complex B2B offers | 30+ founders using it | Sharing daily content advice for busy B2B leaders

If your buyer can't use, share or apply the CTA in your content in ~60 seconds, they'll ignore it. I run my CTAs through this filter:

1. Can they use it right now?

A cheat sheet, a checklist, a 2-slide summary – something they can put to work in their next meeting.

2. Can they share it easily?

If your CTA helps them look smart in front of their team, you win.

Think: a quick summary they can forward, a KPI sheet, or a list of questions for their next call.

3. Can they apply it in under a minute?

If it takes more than 60 seconds, it’s too much friction.

Your buyer just scrolls past.

It's about giving your buyer an option as frictionless as possible.

Not because their attention spans suck - but because they don't know you or trust you yet to invest any more time into what you have to offer.

Here's a list of 48 micro-CTA examples for different B2B niches:

Every post I publish here saves €19-49 for my business.

Last week, I checked how much it costs to "boost" my LinkedIn post.

Well, it's kind of a sh!tty offer, tbh.

I mean, 4,300 impressions for €49?!

That’s €0.01–€0.05 per impression.

And that’s just for people seeing it. Not clicking, not engaging, just scrolling by.

I get the same results (for free) for most of the stuff I post.

So here’s how I “save” ~€1200/month (and get way better results):

1. I post 2–5x a week on my company page and personal profile

2. Every post is built around a clear problem my B2B buyers actually care about

3. I use the Demand Packet method:

→ Real trigger
→ Tangible outcome
→ Tiny proof artifact (mini case, checklist, or 2-slide summary)

4. I add a Utility CTA – something genuinely useful, no friction, no forms

5. I repurpose each post for my videos or website.

As a solo operator, I can't afford to pay LinkedIn big bucks for them to show me.

So, irresistible content is my way to go.

If you want to see how I do it, DM me and I’ll send you my template.

One of my clients recently returned to work with us on his YT. What he said on our first call:

"You're not just creating great stuff, but you're also a great communicator"

That hit me in the feeelzzz...

Look, just like any other content agency, I'm obsessed over deliverables.

I want the work to be top-notch + delivered on time – that's table stakes.

But from Day 1 of StoryAngled, I was also obsessed with giving my clients clarity.

• Translating your expertise into plain English (not jargon soup)

• Asking sharp questions until your real differentiator shows up

• Never “ghosting” – always keeping you in the loop

• Challenging your assumptions when something won’t work

My clients are mostly tired of yet another vendor pushing PDFs over the fence.

They want a partner who listens, gets their world, and closes the loop every step of the way.

Want to see what “content + clarity” feels like?

DM me and I’ll show you how we work – no pitch, just a peek behind the scenes.

Just a quick reminder: building a brand here gives you a rare opportunity to gather feedback from pros you'd never have access to in any other way.

I'm currently working on content for my YT channel (3 videos done, 2 more to go 😮‍💨).

Last week, I sent the first one to a few of fellow creators, asking for feedback.

Honestly, I didn't expect anyone to respond. It's the end of of the year, everyone is busy af, it's totally fair.

Yet most of them replied.

People who I admire so much from all the sides of the world. Who have built incredible businesses through and with content. 

And all of them were 100% happy to help.

They gave me incredible notes, pointed out what to fix, and even offered help for the next time.

All because at one point in my life, I thought: "Oh, those folks are so cool, I'm going to support them here every day."

Want to build a real network? Start by showing up for others.

That’s it. That’s the whole play.

Comment on their stuff. Share their wins. Send a quick DM after a great post.

Just be visible and genuinely helpful.

When you do this consistently, something wild happens:

Suddenly, the people you look up to start rooting for you, too.

They spot your name in their notifications.

They remember you’re the one who left a sharp comment last week.

They notice your work.

And when you finally ask for feedback or support... they actually care.

It took me years to learn this.

But the fastest way to build a circle of allies isn’t to pitch, pitch, pitch.

It’s to become the person who gives first.

Want to test this?

Pick one creator you admire.

Support them for a month without asking for anything in return.

Then see what happens the next time you need advice.

That’s how you build a brand that’s bigger than just content.

3 micro-triggers that make B2B buyers actually reply to your content (tested on 2000+ posts this year):

1/ Use their own complaints - word for word

Don’t guess. Steal the exact line your buyers grumble about to their team.

Example: “We’re drowning in broken dashboards every Monday morning.”

Our client posted this and got 5 DMs from ops leaders - 2 booked calls.

2/ Show proof, don’t just promise

Nobody cares about “great results.” They want to see it.

Drop a real before/after screenshot or a no-BS checklist.

We posted a 2-slide “bottleneck fix” for a client - one prospect sent it straight to his COO.

3/ Tell people who should scroll away

Stop trying to please everyone. Say who your solution isn’t for.

Example: “If you don’t have reporting chaos, keep scrolling.”

Every time, the right people lean in and reply – the rest self-select out.

Want to know which trigger fits your market right now?

DM me or drop a comment, I’ll give you my honest answer.

taplio

The Battle

Karl Pontau

Kuba Czubajewski

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreKuba Czubajewski's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Karl Pontau

Kuba Czubajewski

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Kuba Czubajewski's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreKuba Czubajewski's LinkedIn Performance