#024: The Power of Listening + Podcasting for Influence

Talks That Shape Success

Grow Your Influence Through Better Conversations and Smarter Podcasting

Ever feel like you’re talking, but not really connecting?

This week, Michael Davis reminded me that true influence starts when people feel heard. And Matt Halloran? He pulled back the curtain on how podcasting, done right, isn’t about downloads. It’s about trust.

These aren’t just tip-packed episodes - they are a wake-up call for how we lead, speak, and grow.

Let’s dig in.

Spotlight #1: Conversations That Grow
Why Listening Is Magnetic (and How to Do It Better)

Michael Davis, founder of Speaking CPR, didn’t set out to become known as a great listener. But when his top clients told him it was why they stayed with him, he paid attention.

Michael now teaches leaders how to listen with empathy, clarity, and presence. Not with "uh-huhs," but with follow-up questions, silence, and emotional connection. His childhood story - standing on a desk in first grade, and the vivid way he tell it - shows just how powerfully stories pull people in.

🎤 Mic-Drop Moment: "Every business problem, every personal problem—it all comes back to some type of miscommunication."

💡 Try This:
Ask “What does that mean?” in your next 1:1 or team meeting. Don’t just nod. Seek clarity.

🎙️ Why He’d Slay a Podcast:
Empathy, silence, and storytelling? Michael would make every guest (and listener) feel understood.

Spotlight #2: Podjunction
What 10,000 Podcasts Taught Matt About Influence

Matt Halloran, co-founder of ProudMouth, has built a podcasting empire by helping financial experts grow their influence. His team has produced over 10,000 episodes and 150,000 social posts—but what he teaches is simple:

• Podcasting is performance. Treat it like a show.

• Short-form content wins. Repurpose smartly.

• Don’t post and ghost. Build relationships in the algorithm.

Matt’s "atomic content method" turns each episode into a dozen strategic assets—memes, shorts, reels, carousels—keeping your message alive far beyond the mic.

🎤 Mic-Drop Moment:
"Don’t question your art. Content is credibility."

💡 Pro Tip:
YouTube Shorts often get 10-20x the views of other posts. Repurpose with purpose.

🚀 Steal This Move:
Book a short pre-call with your guests. It boosts quality, trust, and listener experience.

Sadaf’s Playbook: Your Growth Nugget
Here’s what stuck with me:

Michael said that after a full day of coaching, he’s exhausted — not from speaking, but from listening. That landed hard. Because the kind of listening he’s talking about—curious, intentional, empathetic—it’s rare.

And powerful.

Matt reminded me that podcasting isn’t about quick wins. It’s about consistency, connection, and building authority over time. And that happens when we show up like pros, treat it like a show, and repurpose the gold.

This week? I’m practicing silence and letting the conversation breathe.

Try it with a teammate, or client or family member and watch what happens.

One-Word Takeaway Results

Last week, I asked you for your one-word takeaway on leadership or storytelling. Big thanks to Matt Anderson who shared his word: Transparency.

Transparency builds bridges. It signals authenticity, invites trust, and creates space for meaningful conversations. Whether you’re leading a team, hosting a podcast, or speaking from a stage, transparency can be what turns attention into connection.

It also reminded me of Mike Schentrup’s focus on humility and Peter Murphy Lewis’ use of podcasting to build trust with clients—because transparency paves the way to trust.

Your Turn: One Word Takeaway

What’s your biggest takeaway from this week’s stories?

Reply with just one word that captures what listening or podcasting for influence means to you.

I’ll feature the most popular word in next week’s newsletter! (And if your word sparks something powerful... maybe I’ll invite you on the show.)

Thanks for reading,
Sadaf