Most leaders rush to the solution. They skip the most essential part of compelling communication—creating tension. In this episode, Clay and Adam break down why tension matters, how the brain is wired to crave it, and how stronger tension-building can instantly transform any meeting, presentation, or keynote.

In this conversation, Scott Bedgood emphasizes the critical role of audience connection in effective communication, whether in standup comedy, keynotes, or meetings. He discusses how initial engagement is crucial for maintaining attention and ensuring that messages resonate with the audience. Scott also highlights the importance of making communication matter to foster follow-through and engagement.

Follow Scott:

• Free newsletter: https://scottbedgood.com/speaker-tips-funny-clips-email-newsletter/
• Website: https://scottbedgood.com/
• Insta: https://www.instagram.com/scottbedgood/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbedgood/
• His book: https://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Legends-Coaches-Leadership-Leaving/dp/0692947671/ref=sr_1_1

Takeaways:

• Audience connection matters more than anything.
• People are always looking for an excuse to check out.
• The first minute or two is crucial for engagement.
• It's important to make your communication matter.
• Connection is key in all forms of communication.
• Phoning it in leads to disengagement.
• You need to be present and engaged with your audience.
• Follow-through is linked to audience connection.
• One-on-one communication also requires connection.
• Engagement is essential for effective meetings.

June 29, 2007— the day public speaking changed forever. Before smartphones, a bored audience member had to doodle or stare at the ceiling. Now they have a casino in their pocket. If you want to hold people’s attention, you’re not just competing with distractions… you’re competing with the most addictive technology ever created.

In this episode, we break down why engagement is no longer optional. Every time you open your mouth, you become a guest in your listener’s mind. And every mind has a ruthless bouncer whose job is to kick out anything boring.

We explore the five main causes of boredom—Irrelevance, Complexity, Aimlessness, Apathy, and Predictability—and give you practical tactics to beat each one. You’ll learn how to stay relevant, simplify your message, create structure, tap into emotion, and use vulnerability to surprise your audience.

The bottom line: It’s your job to engage, not their job to pay attention. If you want to influence people, you have to talk about what they want and show them how to get it.

A simple, powerful guide to making your communication impossible to ignore.