Creating Unforgettable Events—How Jazz, Failure, and the 3M Framework Transform Audiences ( Phil Mershon )

What if the worst night of your life became the spark behind your greatest impact?In this episode, Junaid Ahmed sits down with Phil Mershon—jazz musician, event designer, and author of “Unforgettable”—to break down the art of building events people remember for a lifetime.

Phil reveals his personal story of stepping onstage and falling short—then using years of practice (and a near-disaster) to fuel a revolution in how we think about experiences. Discover the science, emotion, and strategy behind making your message resonate and your audience transform.

What You'll Learn:

• How a humiliating jazz performance set Phil on a path to mastery—and what it taught him about growth.
• The 3M Framework: Memorable, Meaningful, Momentous—a playbook for powerful experiences.
• The secret power of senses—why a whiff of coffee can make your event unforgettable.
• The top mistake event planners make (and how to avoid designing for yourself instead of your audience).
• Why storytelling isn’t fluff—it’s the glue that makes every lesson stick.

Timestamps: 00:03 – Jazz, Failure, and Fuel: Phil’s Pivotal Night in Chicago
05:15 – The 3M Framework Exposed: Memorable, Meaningful, Momentous
09:30 – Engaging the Senses: Coffee, Smell, and Memory Triggers
12:20 – Crafting Emotional Journeys: Audience Relevance & Deep Impact
16:10 – Pitfalls to Avoid: Who Are You Really Designing For?
18:45 – Storytelling Hooks: From Morpheus to Avengers—Making Lessons Stick
22:40 – How to Connect: Phil’s Book, Links & Where to Go Next

Where to reach our Guest:

• Website: filmersean.com
• Book: Unforgettable: The Art and Science of Creating Memorable Experiences (also available at major retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart)
• LinkedIn: Phil Mershon on LinkedIn
• Instagram: @phil_mershon