Arrogance Killed the Podcasting Star A Cautionary Tale)

Call me picky, but I don’t want to host blowhard, know-it-all jerks on my podcast.

That’s why I didn’t didn’t invite “Tim” to be a guest.

If you want to build a following of people who know, like, trust, respect, and hire you…

…read on. Tim’s story is a cautionary tale about how NOT to do it.

Tim asked to be on the Story Power Marketing Show, and he filled out the survey to submit his information.

As I reviewed his submission, the blowhard-red-flags were flying.

Then I got to the last question:

When it comes to promoting yourself as an expert, what is the number one thing holding you back right now?

Tim’s answer: “Median reading comprehension level in the United States is roughly at the 6th grade level.”

Ummmmmm…

…let me get this straight.

You’re held back by… ummm…. AMERICAN IDIOTS?

I emailed Tim with a polite but firm, thanks-but-no-thanks.

Then Tim wrote back with the most blow-hard-y, know-it-all-y, jerky email I’ve ever read.

He told me I would change my mind if only I read his book or listened to him on other podcasts. Then he said this:

“No disrespect to your guests so far in 2025, but their chosen topics have been rather iterative and hard to separate from thinly-veiled sales pitches. My book criticizes this type of low skill punditry.”

Here’s an important lesson: When someone starts a sentence with “No disrespect, but,” disrespect usually follows close behind.

Here’s another important lesson: If you want a podcast host to know, like, trust, respect, and choose you…

…do not accuse his guests (and by extension him) of “low skill punditry.”

Respect breeds respect. If you show up telling everyone how smart YOU are and how dumb THEY are…

…well…

…you know how that turns out.

Tim is super-smart. He knows a lot.

You’re smart, too. You know a lot.

But smarts and knowledge only get you so far — especially now, when the world is full of smarter and more knowledgable AI-powered robots.

Here comes a not-so-thinly-veiled sales pitch:

If you want to stand out as the human to hire in your niche…

…if you want to rise above the smart and knowledgable and be the one people know, like, trust, respect, and hire…

…read my bestselling book, Story Power Marketing.

You can get it at StoryPowerBook.com

p.s. If you enjoy my emails, please spread the joy and wisdom. Forward this email to someone(s) who would benefit and tell them they can join at StoryPowerMarketing.com/email.

p.p.s. Want to be a guest on The Story Power Marketing Show? Go here for all the details.