Leadership doesn’t grow by accident. It grows by what you choose to feed it.

In this episode, Adam and Clay tackle the overwhelm of leadership content and make the case for a more intentional approach to learning. Instead of chasing every new book, podcast, or framework, they show how the right resources—at the right time—can reshape how you think, decide, and lead.

They unpack why resources matter, how they train your brain to think better, and why one book, podcast, or mentor can become a turning point in your leadership journey. You’ll learn four practical filters for choosing resources that actually solve real problems, stretch your thinking, and can be applied immediately.

The conversation wraps with a simple system for building a sustainable learning rhythm—without burning out—and a challenge to move beyond consumption by sharing what you’re learning with others.

If you want to grow as a leader without bruising yourself through trial and error, this episode will help you find the resources that move you forward faster—and with less stress.

Leadership growth doesn’t happen by accident. In this mini-series kickoff episode, Adam and Clay introduce the Growing Leader Framework and the five keys that drive real, sustained momentum. They explore why some leaders keep growing while others stall, break down the 5 R’s that shape leadership development, and challenge listeners to intentionally design their growth instead of drifting into it.

Ben Ortlip joins Adam to discuss how effective leaders learn to listen not just to words, but to the emotions behind them.

Learn more about Ben: https://theculturemri.com/

Matt Brost joins Clay and Adam for a conversation about career twists, unexpected turns, and the one thing that’s mattered most along the way: relationships. As we head toward 2026, Matt reminds us that meaning at work often comes less from the job itself and more from the people we choose to build it with.

Clay and Adam reflect on key moments from 2025 and share a few trends they see shaping 2026.

When Clay first started speaking, he’d shut down his calendar and memorize his talk word for word. It was exhausting and it didn’t make him a better communicator.

In this episode, Clay and Adam unpack why memorizing your message actually works against you, causing you to sound robotic, panic when you miss a line, and lose connection with your audience. They argue that great communicators don’t memorize; they understand.

You’ll learn a simple framework to prepare your message so you can speak with confidence, flexibility, and authenticity. Whether you’re leading a meeting, giving a presentation, or standing on a stage.

Big idea: Don’t memorize your message. Understand it, and serve the people in front of you.

Public speaking is one of the most vulnerable things a leader can do. You’re exposed, you’re being judged in real time, and the stakes feel high — which is why most speakers either avoid feedback altogether or settle for vague encouragement like, “Great job!” In this episode, Clay and Adam unpack why that’s a problem and how the right kind of feedback is the fastest path to becoming a better communicator.

Clay opens with the classic Seinfeld line about people preferring to be in the casket rather than giving the eulogy — a reminder that speaking triggers deep vulnerability. Adam follows by naming the trap: if we don’t seek real feedback, we end up believing we crushed it when we may have simply survived it.

The conversation explores three big ideas:

• Why speakers need feedback: You’re too close to your own message to see what the audience sees. Your last talk is your best teacher — but only if you know what to listen for.

• Why feedback feels so hard: Speaking ties into identity, vulnerability, fear of rework, and the awkwardness of unsolicited critiques.

• How to get better feedback: Ask better questions, ask multiple people, and use tools like recordings, surveys, and time-stamped comments to see what you missed.

The episode closes with one simple takeaway:

Growth = vulnerability + curiosity.

The quickest way to get better is to ask for the feedback before the feedback finds you.

Call to Action:

Before your next talk, line up three people and ask,

“Will you give me honest feedback after I speak?”

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.