About this episode

In this episode, Vic Pepe interviews Anna Stallmann about strategic communications and the hidden opportunities in entrepreneurship.

We're back with another episode of Ten Thousand Miles, and today I'm incredibly lucky to sit down with Anna Stallmann, founder of Ascent Strategic Communications. Whether you're a CEO trying to build influence, a founder considering a rebrand, or a professional wondering if you should start a podcast — this episode is for you. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Anna Stallmann 05:00 From the U.S. Senate to the Department of Defense 16:00 Launching Ascent Strategic Communications 19:00 The First 90 Days of Entrepreneurship 26:00 Strategy Over Noise 33:00 Should You Start a Podcast? 40:00 The Rebrand 44:00 People First Leadership 51:00 Personal Brand vs. Company Brand 58:00 Rapid Fire KEY TAKEAWAYS * The most underrated communication move: know your white space — the message only YOU can deliver * Visibility is not influence. Influence is built through trust, discipline, and messengers * "Plans are worthless, but planning is everything." — General Eisenhower * Be famous internally first — with your family, your team, your community * Hard work ethic still builds the best leaders. Fame that is earned lasts * It doesn't matter what you say. It matters what people hear GUEST…

People in this episode

Host: Vic Pepe

Guest: Anna Stallmann

Topics covered

• communication
• entrepreneurship
• branding
• leadership
• podcasting

Keywords

• strategic communications
• personal branding
• leadership
• entrepreneurship
• podcast

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Ascent Strategic Communications

Books & works: Made to Stick

More episodes of Ten Thousand Miles

• This Is What Reinvention Really Looks Like! | Lori "ICE" Fetrick · July 20, 2026 · 1h 16m
• Strength, Discipline, Legacy! | Josh Holyfield · July 13, 2026 · 1h 8m
• The Career Secret Every Successful Person Knows at 20 · July 7, 2026 · 46 min
• Success Isn't Enough! | Dave Guttman · June 29, 2026 · 1h 13m
• My LinkedIn Strategy for Massive Growth! | Denise Panza · June 22, 2026 · 1h 0m

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Ten Thousand Miles podcast page.