Thought I Was Going Deaf. Turns Out, I’m Just Distracted, episode 158

EP 158.   Ever feel like life is just too noisy to connect—at home or in your marketing? In this episode, host Sarah Panus shares a personal story that started with a hearing test and sparked powerful insights about distraction, parenting, and what it really takes to cut through the noise as a brand. Tune in for three actionable storytelling tips to help your marketing break through busy, distracted audiences and genuinely connect with today’s families; so your audience not only hears you but actually LISTENS. 

In this personal and insightful episode of Marketing With Empathy® (Episode 158: "Thought Going Deaf Turns Out Distracted"), host Sarah Panus dives deep into a recent experience that started with concerns about her hearing and transformed into a powerful revelation about parenting, distraction, and marketing. Sarah shares how, after repeated complaints from her family about not listening, she feared she might be losing her hearing—only to discover her ears were working perfectly fine. The real culprit? Distraction. This relatable story is a springboard for discussing how brands, like parents, can struggle to truly connect and be "heard" with today's distracted audiences. Sarah guides listeners through actionable storytelling shifts that help brands break through the noise, resonate more deeply, and earn a lasting place in their audience's lives.

Key Questions Answered in This Episode

• What made Sarah think she might be going deaf, and what did she really discover?

• What’s the difference between hearing and truly listening—in families and in brand messaging?

• Why are audiences today more distracted than ever, and how does that impact your marketing?

• How can brands win the attention and hearts of busy families and decision makers?

• What practical storytelling shifts can marketers make to break through the everyday noise?

• Why is empathetic, consistent presence more important now than ever for brand storytelling?

Sarah recounts how her family's repeated complaints about her not listening led her to an audiologist, only to reveal her hearing was perfectly fine. The real culprit? Distraction—something that plagues so many of us in today’s multitasking world.

She draws a poignant analogy between her own challenges with being fully present at home and the hurdles brands face when trying to connect with today’s overwhelmed, perpetually distracted audiences. Sarah underscores the chasm between simply being heard and being actively listened to, a subtlety that has major implications for marketers.

As she puts it:

Pull Quote:
“There is really a big difference between hearing and listening. … This story really isn't about hearing, it's about presence.”

Top Takeaways from the Episode

• Presence Over Hearing: There’s a big difference between simply hearing your audience and truly listening—being present, focused, and empathetic.

• Simplicity Wins: Keep your brand messaging simple and clear. If it’s too complicated or takes too long to understand, distracted audiences will scroll on by.

• Lead with Empathy: Acknowledge your audience’s real life, not just an idealized version. Build content that meets them where they are, both emotionally and practically.

• Consistency is Key: One message or one ad isn’t enough. Consistently show up, repurpose your best content, and remind your audience you care—because they may not catch your message the first time.

• Everyone is Distracted: Your customers aren’t purposely ignoring you—they’re simply overwhelmed, multi-tasking, and living busy lives. Your approach needs to fit into this reality.

• Personal Growth Mirrors Brand Growth: Sarah’s strive for presence with her family parallels the importance of brands striving for focused, value-driven communication with their audiences.

• Bonus Resource for Health & Wellness Brands: Check out the episode show notes for a special blog post on five storytelling shifts to earn mom trust this season.

Ready for a refreshing mix of real-life insight and actionable marketing advice?

🎧 Tune in to Episode 158 for the full story, plenty of “aha!” moments, and tips you can put to work right away—both at home and in your brand.
Don’t forget to check the show notes for additional resources and ways to connect with me for even more support!

RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE

• Blog Article: How Health & Wellness Brands Can Earn Mom Trust This Summer and Fall

• Connect with Sarah Panus

  • Website: www.kindredspeak.com 
  • Sarah Panus' StoryBrand Messaging & Marketing Workshops: https://www.kindredspeak.com/storybrand 
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahpanus/ 
  • Other content marketing free resources: https://www.kindredspeak.com/favorites 

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ABOUT MARKETING WITH EMPATHY PODCAST HOST, SARAH PANUS

Marketing With Empathy® is the show for brands who want to win the hearts (and carts) of today’s busy families — and earn a trusted spot in their homes. In most households, moms still influence or control 85% of what ends up in the cart — making them a key voice to understand when marketing to families. Join host and 20+ year content strategist, Sarah Panus, as she shares ideas, stories, and strategies to grow your leads and sales. Top 5% of all podcasts and a proud member of the Marketing Podcast Network.

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With 20+ years of experience, Sarah understands how hard it is to juggle all the demands coming at you. She’s a mom, content marketing strategy consultant, Certified StoryBrand Coach, 2x podcast host of Marketing With Empathy® and KEEP KIDS SAFE, a speaker, and owner of Kindred Speak®. Sarah’s helped clients of all sizes including: Sleep Number, SHEFIT, American Express, LegalZoom, Katie Couric Media, Thrive Global, Nestle Waters, Lindt Chocolate, Starbucks, Western Green, JHL Turf Pros, Christos Bridal, University of St. Thomas, American Heart Association, + numerous small businesses.

Podcast Produced by Sarah Panus