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

David D. Doerrier

Present Your Way To Success!

As a Sales Engagement & Presentation Expert, I help sales professionals, business leaders, and technical experts transform their conversations into high-impact, results-driven interactions that engage, persuade, and close more deals.

Through the Sticky Sales Process, I teach teams how to simplify complex ideas, build trust, and craft memorable presentations that resonate with both technical and non-technical audiences. 

By applying the 8 Principles of Engagement, they learn to capture attention, communicate with clarity, and make their message stick—ensuring every pitch, presentation, or client conversation leads to stronger relationships and higher conversions.

When sales conversations are engaging, strategic, and unforgettable, closing deals becomes a natural next step.

Sales Engagement & Presentation Expert

eLearningVoiceover.com

Providing eLearning development and voiceover for various fortune 500 companies.  I am proficient with multimedia technology and authoring tools such as Sound Forge Audio, Articulate, Storyline, Captivate, Camtasia, Snagit, LMS, and PowerPoint.

eLearning Voiceover & Development

The Connective

An elite community of purpose-driven Connectors, subject matter experts, and entrepreneurs, united by the shared ambition to harness the power of social currency to open doors, create value and do well for one another. 

Connective members are highly connected and successful professionals across every relevant industry, hand-picked for their character, quality of networks and alignment with our standards.

ATL-Chapter head

Hire Heroes USA

Volunteer Mentor

Classic Long Island Radio

Internet based radio station. The Classics ~ with a Twist!
​Mix of ​​Album ​​Oriented ​Rock, Jazz, Blues, R&B, and "Selected" Hits - ALL from the ​​60's & 70's. All music, No chatter - CLIRadio.com

Program Director / Owner, Classic Long Island Radio

ProVisors

Through our Proven System and a hybrid model of in-person and virtual networking meetings, ProVisors ensures that each member has the resources to achieve expanded reach, relevance, access and connectivity both locally and nationally.

Member

FinThrive

Interface with functional internal organizations to access, design and develop specifications for content of courses. Prepare lesson plans including the method, media and documentation to be presented. Create interactive self-paced training materials using Storyline, Vyond, Camtasia, Captivate and Articulate.

Sr. Instructional Designer/Facilitator

Change Healthcare

Change Healthcare and McKesson Technology Solutions merged to form one new company. Lateral move to Change Healthcare.

Responsible for conducting supervisory, management or non-technical skills training courses for internal staff. Interfaces with functional organizations to develop specifications for content of courses. Prepares lesson plans including the method, media and documentation to be presented. Instructs participants in classroom lectures and/or group sessions. Conducts follow up to determine applicability of course material.

Learning and Performance Specialist

McKesson Health Solutions

Change Healthcare and McKesson Technology Solutions merged to form one new company.

Responsible for conducting supervisory, management or non-technical skills training courses for internal staff. Interfaces with functional organizations to develop specifications for content of courses. Prepares lesson plans including the method, media and documentation to be presented. Instructs participants in classroom lectures and/or group sessions. Conducts follow up to determine applicability of course material.

Aaron's, Inc

Assess, design, develop, implement and evaluate instructional material that supports company goals, products, and other skills. Utilize needs analysis, project management, course development, and evaluation skills. Proficient with multimedia technology and authoring tools such as Sound Forge, Articulate, Captivate, Camtasia, Snagit, and PowerPoint.

Sr. Instructional Designer

Do you want to accelerate your communication skills, increase engagement, and drive more sales? 

Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or sales professional, speaking confidently, establishing authority, and captivating an audience is a game-changer. 

That’s where I come in.

At Present Your Way to Success (PYWTS), I help professionals like you master the art of communication—so you can deliver messages that stick, inspire action, and ultimately grow your business.

Unlike generic public speaking programs, I bring 30+ years of experience coaching professionals to effectively present, train, and communicate—ensuring that your expertise doesn’t get lost in translation. 

Whether you're presenting to clients, investors, or leadership teams, I provide proven best practices that give you the confidence, authority, and clarity to make a lasting impact.

What I Offer:
✅ Public Speaking & Presentation Coaching – Master audience engagement, storytelling, and stage presence
✅ Sales & Pitch Training – Convert more prospects by crafting messages that resonate and inspire action
✅ Executive Communication – Lead with confidence and command any room
✅ Workshop Facilitation & Train-the-Trainer Programs – Become a stronger facilitator and communicator

The reality is: Great ideas don’t sell themselves. If your message isn’t clear, engaging, and compelling, you’re losing opportunities.

Let’s change that. Let’s make your message impossible to ignore.

📩 Ready to level up? Let’s connect!

taplio

The Battle

Karl Pontau

David D. Doerrier

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