How to Lead with Clay Scroggins and Adam Tarnow

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 engagemen...

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. E...

Most people think becoming a great speaker means mastering body language, vocal tone, and slide design. But the truth? None of that matters if you don’t have something worth saying. In this episode, Adam and Clay unpack why public speaking isn’t about polish — it’s about purpose. Drawing from Rob Fitzpatrick’s idea of pseudoteaching , they explore how even flawless delivery can fall flat when the...

Work is serious — but does it have to feel that way? In this episode, Adam and Clay explore how humor can make us better leaders. From lowering defenses to building trust and sparking creativity, humor isn’t a distraction — it’s a leadership superpower. You’ll learn the kind of humor that works (and what to avoid), why joy is serious business for healthy teams, and three practical ways to lighten...

As AI transforms the workplace by automating tasks and boosting productivity, leaders face a new challenge: keeping humans engaged, connected, and valued. This episode explores how the real threat isn’t artificial intelligence—it’s disconnection—and offers three ways leaders can respond: coach more, lean into human skills, and make purpose visible. The message is clear: in an AI-driven world, your...

George Bernard Shaw once said, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” In this episode, Adam and Clay dig into why miscommunication happens so often at work—and how leaders can prevent it. From funny mix-ups (like a cake with the wrong message) to frustrating real-life examples of missed handoffs and unclear priorities, they explore why clarity is a l...

Every leader eventually faces this challenge: noticing something others don’t—and deciding whether to say it out loud. In this episode, Adam and Clay unpack why helping people see their blind spots is both one of the hardest and most important things leaders do. Drawing from voices like Daniel Goleman, Patrick Lencioni, Kim Scott, and the Crucial Conversations framework, they explore why awareness...

Life is hard. You’d better be willing to get dirty. The path to courage is narrow, demanding—and few are willing to walk it. Courage is always a choice. On 9/11, after hours of rendering aid, evacuating the wounded, and fighting fires, today's guest and his teammates looked wrecked—bloodied, exhausted, and wearing suits torn to shreds. Later that day, Darin crossed paths with another group—cle...

Ever played the party game Green Glass Door ? The rules keep changing, and the fun comes from watching people struggle to figure them out. Your career works the same way. The skills that made you successful early on—working hard, delivering results, and being dependable—will only take you so far. At some point, you cross The Edge , an invisible line where the rules shift. On the other side of The...

Live learning isn’t just another way to consume content, it’s an experience that commands attention, personalizes the message, and accelerates team momentum. Unlike books or podcasts, a live session meets your people in the moment, speaks directly to their challenges, and creates a shared language that sticks long after the event. For senior leaders, it’s one of the few investments that can delive...

What makes a leader unforgettable? In this episode, Adam and Clay reflect on a quiet moment in an airport lounge with former Home Depot CEO Frank Blake—and what it revealed about the kind of leadership that truly lasts. Instead of holding court, Blake was asking questions, listening intently, and showing up with presence. They break down three simple (but rare) behaviors: staying curious when it’s...

Your personal brand is always speaking, whether you’re shaping it intentionally or not. In this episode, we explore six subtle (but telling) clues that your reputation at work might be stuck in the past. From being known for who you used to be, to struggling to articulate what makes you different today, we break down how to recognize when your brand needs a refresh—and what to do about it. Whether...

“this is not a fulfilling life” "why do I want to win this tournament so bad?" This is the paradox of Scottie Scheffler and there is something for all of us to learn.

“Just ask more questions.” It’s classic leadership advice — but what if it doesn’t land the way you think? In this episode, we unpack a tension that’s come up again and again, especially with younger Millennials and Gen Z: Questions can build trust, open doors, and deepen connection — but when they feel forced, transactional, or performative, they do the opposite. We’ll explore: Why the best leade...

“What Gen Z and Millennials Really Want From Their Leaders” (And why it’s probably not a ping-pong table) Today’s younger workforce isn’t just looking for a paycheck or a trendy office perk. Gen Z and millennials want something deeper: meaningful work, balanced lives, and leaders they can actually trust. In this episode, Clay and Adam unpack the latest findings from the Deloitte Global 2025 survey...

Burnout isn’t a badge of honor—and it’s not the end of the road. In this episode, Clay and Adam unpack four surprising reasons high-capacity leaders hit a wall—and how to bounce back without guilt or heroic grit. From emotional fatigue to financial pressure, they explore what’s really behind burnout and what to do when work won’t let up. You’ll learn why burnout isn’t always about working too much...

Middle management gets a bad rap: too much pressure, not enough power, and none of the credit. But what if we’ve misunderstood its purpose all along? In this episode, we reframe the middle—not as a corporate purgatory, but as a vital proving ground. You’ll discover why this role is more than a rung on the ladder—it’s a shaping season that builds vision, resilience, and sound judgment. We’ll explor...

When you hear “control freak,” what comes to mind? Probably someone who micromanages, hoards tasks, and drives everyone nuts. But what if the real issue isn’t being controlling—it’s trying to control everything ? In this episode, we reclaim the term and explore what it means to become an Enlightened Control Freak —someone who’s focused, self-aware, and ruthlessly clear about what’s theirs to own....

Peter Drucker once wrote, “For development is always self-development.” In this episode, we unpack why that simple idea might be the most overlooked (and freeing) truth in the professional world. Clay and Adam explore: Why so many people wait to be “developed” by their company or manager The real reasons we resist taking initiative What self-development actually looks like in everyday life The rol...

“I was promoted once… and quickly realized I’m not management material.” If you’ve ever thought or said those words, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken. In this episode, Clay and Adam unpack why so many talented professionals opt out of management and why that decision often has more to do with broken systems than broken people. We explore the cultural shift that’s made leadership feel more li...

Many talented leaders quietly do excellent work, wondering why no one sees it. If that’s you, you’re not alone. In this episode, Clay and Adam explore how to show up, stand out, and get noticed without becoming someone you’re not. They’ll cover: The difference between humility and invisibility Three common reasons you feel overlooked (and what to do about it) How to get noticed without selling out...

You don’t have to hate your job to feel stuck in it. In fact, some of the most respected, well-paid professionals still find themselves restless, unmotivated, and going through the motions. In this episode, Clay and Adam unpack what it really means to feel “stuck” at work—and why it doesn’t always mean it’s time to quit. Drawing on insights from thinkers like Mel Robbins, Dan Heath, Jocko Willink,...

Most leaders overestimate what their team knows. We assume too much, communicate too little, and then get frustrated when people miss the mark. In this episode, Clay and Adam unpack the Curse of Knowledge —the tendency to forget what it’s like not to know something and share 4 practical ways to lead with more clarity: ✅ Assume nobody knows anything ✅ Define success clearly and repeatedly ✅ Repe...

Caring too much about what others think will shrink your leadership, steal your courage, and keep you from making the impact you’re meant to make. In this episode, Clay and Adam unpack why approval addiction is so common—and so costly and give you three practical ways to lead with clarity, confidence, and conviction. You’ll learn how to filter feedback, clarify your values, and build real confiden...

PushPay proudly sponsors this episode. Unleash generosity at your church: pushpay.com ______________________________________________________________ Clay and Adam break down the steps to building a speaking business—particularly if you’re doing it on the side. Clay shares how two decades of church speaking and writing books laid the foundation for his speaking career, and together they unpack the...