How to Lead with Clay Scroggins and Adam Tarnow

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

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

Don't Memorize Your Message

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.

What Every Speaker is Afraid to Hear (But Needs Most)

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?”

The #1 Reason Most Talks Fall Flat

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.

Connecting with Audiences: Lessons from a Stand-Up Comedian

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_1Takeaways: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.