The Morgan Snyder Show

Tyler Denk noticed it first. The beehiiv founder, scrolling job boards with the pattern recognition of someone who spots market shifts before they announce themselves, saw something emerging. He called it “storymaxxing”, corporate America’s sudden scramble for narrative control.What can you do in this gold rush for storytelling supremacy? The answer might surprise you...-Come and say hi at www.thoughtleadertoday.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe

I talked with Anya Cheng, CEO of Taelor.ai: an AI-powered styling service that’s revolutionizing how busy professionals look good without thinking about fashion.Before Taelor, Anya spent 15 years at companies like Meta, eBay, and McDonald’s launching new products and entire departments. And her career almost didn’t happen at all.She graduated from Northwestern in 2008, right in the middle of the recession.Her story is one of the coolest I’ve ever heard. Watch out! She’s inspiring!No transcript or things to read this week. You’ll just have to listen. Sorry not sorry. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe

My client had sent over his LinkedIn analytics from the past 30 days, and I couldn’t stop looking at it.* Five hundred new followers* 181,000 impressions* Eight posts* One monthI leaned back in my chair, let out a satisfied sigh and thought: “Another day playing the game…”You're going to want to read this case study. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe

Nine behavioral economics principles from Rory Sutherland that explain why CEO visibility and thought leadership actually work—beyond the fluffy "personal brand" stuff.About Rory SutherlandVice-Chairman of Ogilvy UKAuthor of Alchemy: The Surprising Power of Ideas That Don't Make SenseTED speaker with millions of viewsSpectator columnistCore insight: Most business problems are problems of perception, not realityRecommended: Watch Sutherland debate Scott Galloway on the Uncensored CMO podcastThe Nine Principles1. The Flower and the Weed"A flower is simply a weed with an advertising budget." Being good is useless if you're not noticed.2. The Barber's ParadoxYou can't cut the back of your own hair. The Curse of Knowledge makes experts terrible at explaining their own expertise.3. The Red Bull ParadoxThe opposite of a good idea can also be a good idea. Red Bull won by being smaller, pricier, and worse-tasting. Counterintuitive positioning breaks through.4. The Peacock's Tail (Costly Signaling Theory)Wasteful signals are credible signals. Consistent, substantive thought leadership demonstrates you're on top of your game.5. The Frederick the Great Potato StrategyPersuasion beats compulsion. The best thought leadership doesn't feel like marketing—it feels like thinking.6. The Rogue Bee StrategyIncrease your surface area for luck. Every piece of content is a signal into the unknown.The Luck Formula: L = C × R × D^TL = Luck (opportunities that find you)C = Content (ideas you put out)R = Reach (who sees them)D = Differentiation (how memorable you are)T = Time (the compounding exponent)7. The Uber Map InsightMost problems are problems of perception, not reality. Thought leadership changes how people perceive what you do.8. The Diamond Shreddies PrincipleReframe existing value. The best content helps people see what they hadn't noticed before.9. The Doorman FallacyYou are the human signal that makes everything else feel more valuable. Investors buy people, not companies.Key TakeawayThe value of thought leadership cannot be measured in conventional terms—and that's why it's valuable. If it were easy to measure, everyone would do it."Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts." — Sign in Einstein's office This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe

Today we're tackling cringe on LinkedIn. Let's jump into it! 👇You have the War Room stories. You have the access. But you might not know how to package them.You might be sitting there thinking: “Morgan, I know what happened in the board meeting, but I don’t know how to turn that into a 300-word post that stops the scroll.”You have the gold buried in your head. You just need a miner to get it out.That is what I do at Thought Leader Today. I don’t make things up for you. I turn your notes into magnetic content. I interview you for 30 minutes, I extract the stories, and I package them without any cringe.So, if you are one of the 10 CEOs who DM’d me last week... Or if you are listening to this and nodding your head...You don’t have to choose between Fame and Dignity. You can have both.Send me a DM. Let’s get you those views. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe

Many people think it's not important to be well-known on LinkedIn. You know what I think? That's a bunch of phooey. This episode will hopefully bring you over to my side...Come and say hi at https://www.thoughtleadertoday.com/ 👋 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe

Let’s start with a confession—a safe space, just between us.You probably hate LinkedIn. Honestly? I don’t blame you.If you are a serious executive—someone running a Series B startup, a Private Equity firm, or a Fortune 500 division—opening the app probably feels like walking into a cafeteria where everyone is screaming for attention.So, let's not be cringe. I've outlined 3 things in this episode you should think about heading into 2026. They are really, really good. I'm not biased.Come say hi at https://www.thoughtleadertoday.com/. 👋 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe

Today, I'm talking about playing the game of social media in 2026.The basic philosophy:Goals make us play 'not to lose.' We become risk-averse. Games make us play to win. We take big swings because the cost of missing is low.Which is what I want you to do with your social content...Come say hi at https://www.thoughtleadertoday.com/ 👋 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe

What we're covering today...Why You’re Hearing Crickets: Why writing like a brochure is killing your engagement (and why 22-year-old life coaches are beating you).The Tyson Williamson Case Study: A post-by-post deconstruction of the 5-post formula that hit 100+ reactions right out of the gate.Tactics: How to use Ugly Numbers, real dialogue, and internal monologues to build an economic moat around your brand.The 2026 Checklist: A playbook for leaders who want their social content to CRUSH in the next year. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe

Whenever I post content, the comments section inevitably becomes a melting pot of hot and cold opinions. But last week? One came in especially caliente.Let's see what we can learn....Come and say hi at https://www.thoughtleadertoday.com/ 👋 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe

Should you care so much about what others think when you post?Wharton researchers in 2017 found that successfully using humor in a professional setting increases status. It signals confidence (because it’s risky) and competence (because it requires intelligence to execute).Seems like a good idea to me...:come and say hi at https://www.thoughtleadertoday.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe

I struggle with networking events.More than anything, most of the conversations feel transactional and often one sided.There is absolutely NO VIBE.So my friends Jacob, Tyson, and I decided to fix it. :) ..I will write three free posts for you. No pitch or “hey, I think you would be a really great fit for what I do.” Scouts honor. All you have to do is reply to this email or jump over to thoughtleadertoday.com/learnmore and submit your info. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe

I got an email recently from a reader, which was similar to others I’ve had in the past.This was the gist:“Morgan. I love your newsletter and laugh at your Linkedin content. It’s actually pretty helpful and gets me motivated to post more. I really need to.The problem is I can’t afford to work with you at the moment. Maybe sometime in the future we could? I’ll keep reading until then and support you from a distance.”For whatever reason, it hit me hard.I’ve got a startup CEO who reads most of my stuff, would appreciate having a writer support him with his content, but it doesn’t make sense right now. This newsletter / podcast is great, but would there be something I could do to help this person?These are some thoughts...Come and say hi at https://www.thoughtleadertoday.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe

Today is Tuesday, November 11th, and you’re listening to The Morgan Snyder Show.We are officially in the holiday spirit here in the Snyder home and it has me reminiscing.I’ve been thinking about all the Turkey Bowl games, the Christmas Eves, and other events with my family growing up in Ohio.Julie has told me I’m getting more emotional as I get older. I don’t think much has changed. The other night I was driving my daughter back from her ballet rehearsal for The Nutcracker and had tears welling up as she told me how excited she was to perform. Ok, ok, maybe I am a little more sensitive. Anyway, with all of this swirling around in my head, I thought back to those Snyder get togethers in the fall. The colder weather. The Ohio State football. Going to my grandma’s house and eating apple pie.So many good memories.If I could go back in time and relive those moments again, I would go back just for the laughs.We’d play Perudo, and there would be a lot jokes. We’re at the dinner table and my grandpa is telling stories and making everyone laugh. My uncle Josh is doing his best Chris Farley during our white elephant.As Snyders, we have a hard time being serious, no matter the occasion. I guess that’s the mask we wear to deal with life’s ups and downs.And it’s not like I’m in a family where you say, “Oh, you know so and so, always being a clown!”Everyone in my family is funny. My dad and my four uncles are funny. My cousins are funny. My brothers are funny. You’d probably say I was exaggerating, but I’m 100% serious. I can’t think of many people in my immediate or extended family where I could honestly say they don’t make me laugh or aren’t fun to be around.Explains a lot who I am. I’d like to think that I have a decent sense of humor and how to get people smiling and having a good time.The other side of that coin is If I’m not able to crack jokes, (forced to be serious) I get really uncomfortable. It’s hard for me to go through a conversation and not try to come up with a stupid joke.I’m sure people have judged me for that. But I mean, come on. If you were surrounded by the people I’m related to, it would be extremely hard for you not to come out of that experience very sarcastic and over the top.Maybe that’s why this whole idea of being funny and rejecting the normal definition of professionalism has been such an interesting idea to chew on for the last six months.I’m able to be more Snyder with people and they’re actually responding well to it. It’s amazing.Similar to what I’ve been writing about here and elsewhere, humor really is the fastest way to build an in-group. No one was safe in my family. It didn’t matter who you were. You were susceptible to a nice roast. It was good natured and no one aimed to really harm anyone’s ego. (Well, maybe they did, but I didn’t feel like a target)I guess this a good time to segue into one thing I wanted to talk about:Anyone can be funny....and this is where I get pushback.“Morgan, this is all great for you. You’re a writer.’You’re a creative. I’m a 50-year-old CEO of a logistics company. I’m not funny. I like spreadsheets, EBITDA and golf. This isn’t for me.”I don’t think I can mold you into a stand-up comic. My clients and I aren’t writing jokes as Linkedin or X content. If we did, it would probably sound inauthentic. It’d be cringey. I think one really practical piece of advice for any senior leader is your job is not to find your funny. Your job is to find your perspective.We’re not looking for jokes. Funny isn’t “ha-ha.” Funny on social media really is,“huh... that’s true.”I think we’ve established the point over many episodes that funny is just a vehicle for smart. It’s an observation. And you, the CEO, are smart. You have observations. You have a perspective. You’re some of the sharpest people on planet earth.What I’m getting at is humor is really just...truth.So, how do you find it?This may sound completely wrong, but I think it would be helpful to run a gripe session with yourself.(And if you’re in the mood I can help you with this 👇…)This produces an EXCELLENT content-mining interview. Sit down and type out your answers to these questions.* “What’s the dumbest trend in my industry right now?”* “What’s a piece of corporate jargon I absolutely hate?”* “What’s a rule’everyone in my field follows that I think is secretly stupid?”* “What’s an email I got this week that made me angry?”* “What’s the worst business advice I’m hearing everyone repeat?”Anger is the root of all great satire. A gripe is a passionate opinion in disguise. A gripe is a perspective.That’s where the gold is.When you think, “These 25-year-old gurus telling me to wake up at 5 AM are idiots. I wake up at 5 AM to let the dog out, not to build an empire before breakfast”...BOOM. That’s a post.I also add that’s where you can find yourv oice. You’re not making up jokes. You’re just...telling the truth.In that way, it’s easy to find your comedic edge.Wit falls into a few key personas. Find yours.* First we have the Dry Observer: You’re not angry. You’re amused. You stand back and just point out the absurdity of it all. The voice is witty, dry, and often understated.* Example: “Our Q3 was strong. I’d love to say it was all genius strategy, but honestly, my main skill was just approving spreadsheets.”* Then we have the Self-Deprecator: You build trust by punching yourself. You disarm the audience by making fun of your own (relatable) flaws.* Example: “I’m a tech CEO, of course I have no idea why the Zoom audio isn’t working.”* We also have the Contrarian: This is the “girl dad” voice. You see the herd running one way and you deliberately run the other. The voice is strong, declarative, and built on the word “Wrong.”* Example: “Everyone says ‘culture is everything.’ They’re wrong. Your product is everything. A great culture with a bad product is just a fun-run to bankruptcy.”* Finally, the Absurdist: This is the most “advanced” move. You take a common idea (like ‘hustle’) and stretch it to its logical, absurd conclusion.* Example: “My 5 AM routine is so optimized, the sun now texts me when it wakes up.” (I had to go with some Chuck Norris joke)You just have to be you. Whatever that looks like.So, “I’m not funny” is just an excuse. It’s lazy.You have a perspective. You have gripes. You have a ‘funny strategy’ that can work for you...My free book Keep It Light is on Amazon Unlimited. It’s a year’s worth of content starters for the busy executive. If you read it and love it, please give it 5 stars (along with this podcast). Reviews make a big difference in people finding my work.You also go over to thoughtleadertoday.com and find time with me if you need a creative partner for your Linkedin and X content.My friends: keep writing, keep pushing, and I’ll see you next time. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe

I went deep this weekend.I came to the conclusion that only a sugar cookie can bring on:I need to help you write the perfect post.This is the way...Come and say hi at https://www.thoughtleadertoday.com/. 👋 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe

Man, oh man. I got roasted for my post about Linkedin headlines.I reflect before I try to do it all over again...Come and say hi at https://www.thoughtleadertoday.com/ 👋 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe

For the last decade, every marketing guru, every thought leader, every consultant with a book deal has been telling us the exact same thing:You need to be a STORYTELLER.I'm not so sure about that...👇Come and say hi at https://www.thoughtleadertoday.com/ 👋 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe

This week, I made a post about 'girl dads'.People lost their minds in the comments.What happened?I break it all down in this episode...Come and say hi at https://www.thoughtleadertoday.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe

Alright. It happened.You wrote something, you hit publish, and you walked away.But then your phone started buzzing. And it didn’t stop. It’s become an angry hornet nest of notifications.The dopamine is flowing. The metrics are going bananas. You keep refreshing the page, watching the numbers climb like the stock ticker for a company that just cured aging.You did it. You went viral. And now...what exactly? This episode explains it all. ..Come and visit me at https://www.thoughtleadertoday.com/. 👋 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe

No music, no intro, you’re listening to The Morgan Snyder Show.Last week, I shared my CEO Content Masterclass. Hopefully you’ve already started building your idea vault, you’re using the voice-to-text hack, you’re actually publishing your thoughts…spreading the good news about what you’re doing. You are doing it, right? Of course you are!It’s simply impossible not to be provoked into action by this podcast.To start out today, I want to share a quick story…I recently saw a CEO post something good. Actually, it was great. Had all the right elements, and I thought they did a really good job of formatting and pacing.I mean, I’m camping out on LinkedIn and see hundreds of things on a given day and it pulled me in.The comments section? It was on fire. VPs from major companies asking questions, from the looks of it, potential clients raising their hands with problems…..seemed like a goldmine. I looked at the replies. Where was that gosh darn CEO? He was a ghost. Not a single reply. He just dropped a content firecracker and ran.It’s like a chef who creates a beautiful, Michelin-star dish, places it on the table, and then runs into the walk-in freezer to hide from the customer feedback.I felt a little sad for the CEO, then for the VP of marketing, then the social media manager, then the people going nuts in the comments.What a miss!Wish I could say it doesn’t happen that much but so many people post and ghost.There’s just not enough time in the busy schedule of an executive.The post is just the starting line.The real race (the part where you actually win sometimes) is in conversation that follows. So today, we’re talking about the after-party. The Comment is the New HandshakeCommenting is the new handshake.Proactively commenting is just as valuable than posting your own. Spending 10 minutes a day leaving three to five thoughtful, strategic comments will generate more opportunities than spending two hours crafting one “perfect” post.Most people think “engagement” is just scrolling through their feed, doling out likes like they’re the prom queen waving from a parade float. A little thumbs-up here, a “Celebrate” there…this is not engagement. A “like” is a polite nod in a crowded hallway. A thoughtful comment is sitting down at someone’s table for a five-minute conversation. Which one do you think actually builds a relationship?You’re not just commenting for the sake of being “visible.” Shift your perspective.You’re commenting to learn. Think of yourself as a digital anthropologist. The comment section is a free market research report. What are your peers struggling with? What jargon are your customers using? What are the dumb ideas getting traction?Hey! I heard you from here.I know that some of my post ideas are…special. So are my comments. But! It’s still one of the best intelligence-gathering tools. And it’s free.How to Write a Comment That Isn’t SpammyYou may have heard people say that you need to be ‘thoughtful.’Eh, what does that mean?Let’s start with what it doesn’t mean. It does not mean, “Great post!” “So true!” or “Thanks for sharing!” This is the equivalent of a caveman grunt.You are adding zero value.If you want to write a comment that actually starts a conversation, remember these steps. Don’t have to use each every time, but it will definitely ensure your comments are solid.* Acknowledge. Prove you actually read the post. Quote a specific line that made you think. “I love that point you made about transparency being a recruiting tool...” This immediately separates you from the 99% of grunters.* Value. Add your own two cents. A tiny personal anecdote, a supporting data point, or a slightly different perspective. “It reminds me of a time we lost a deal and our honesty about it actually won us two other clients.” You’ve just added a new layer.* Question. This is the secret weapon. End with an open-ended question that invites them to continue the rally. “How do you see that playing out in an industry like finance?”Acknowledge, Value, Question. Ok. Cool.Now, for the advanced move: Productive Disagreement. Agreeing with everyone makes you invisible. A respectful, well-argued counterpoint makes you a peer. It looks like this: “That’s a fascinating take. I see it a bit differently. While I agree that [Point A] is crucial, my experience has shown that [Counterpoint B] can often be the bigger lever. Have you found that to be the case?” Obviously don’t be a jerk. You’re starting a high-level debate. That’s how you get noticed.Or you can take a page out of my playbook and be a goofball. Funny comments can work even better to get you attention.For example, a website designer / agency owner posted this a few days ago:“I’m looking for an exceptional copywriter to write website copy for my clients.…What I want is someone with experience who doesn’t just type out whatever the client says. It’s gotta be someone who actually uses their brain, does research, nails TOV, and helps with positioning so the copy makes people take action (obvs).Not the brochure-style typa drivel that reads nice and does nothing.”He attached a picture of himself laying down, pulling down his shirt so you could see his shirt.Intro the Morg. I went ahead and commented:Haven’t landed him as a client, but he did connect, a few people tagged me in the post and said they loved me. We’ll see what happens.Navigating the Commenter ZooBefore we get to the DM, you need to know who you’re dealing with. The comment section is a zoo. You’ll meet a few common species.* First, The Sycophant. Their comments are always, “100% agree, John! Another game-changing post from a true visionary!” It’s nice, but it’s empty calories. Thank them, be gracious, and move on.* Next, The Pedant. This is the “Well, actually...” guy. “Actually, according to a 1987 study you failed to cite...” Never wrestle with a pedant. You can’t win. A simple, “Thanks for the perspective!” is your only move.* Then, The Hijacker. This person uses your post as a stage for their own 12-paragraph manifesto about their startup. Don’t reward them with a detailed reply. A quick “Thanks for sharing” is all they get.* Finally, The New Friend. Wading through all the nonsense, there will be people you actually want to engage with. They leave a thoughtful comment, and you have a fun sidebar in the thread. This is what you’re looking for. The Non-Sleazy DM SlideYou’ve had a great back-and-forth in the comments. How do you take it private without being weird? A bad DM slide is the business equivalent of a guy at a party interrupting your fun conversation to ask if you want to see a bad picture of their dog.The goal of the DM is not to sell. It’s to collaborate. Here’s your script.Start by referencing the context. “Hey [Name], I’m really enjoying our back-and-forth in the comments on [Topic].”Next, state the reason for the DM. “Your point about [Specific Detail] is actually something I’ve been wrestling with for a project I’m working on.”Finally, ask for a low-effort opinion. “If you have a spare moment, I’d love to get your unvarnished take. No sales pitch, I promise. Just genuinely curious about your perspective as an expert in this.”You’ve made them the expert. You’ve made it low-pressure. If they don’t reply, let it go. Don’t be the person who follows up 9 times. “Just wanted to make sure this was on your radar!” It’s gross.The best follow-up is to just show up in their comments again next week with another great comment. Stay on their public radar, not in their inbox.Engage Your AudienceThis all leads to the final, simplest rule of all. Your comment section is a party you are hosting in your own house. If a guest comes up to you and says something interesting, you don’t just stare at them blankly and walk away. You answer them!Engage with every single person who took the time to write something.This is what sparks the algorithm, and more importantly, it shows you actually care.You’ve done the hard work of creating the content. Now, do the smart work of building the community.To wrap up, I can’t stress enough that there is money in the comments.Sometimes it’s hard to find. There’s gold in the responses and reactions.Your LinkedIn feed and profile can become your relationship engine.Dedicate a small amount of time for ‘maintenance.’ 10 minutes. Get out. It’s worth it!..Before you go, I’ve got two things.First: I’m happy to show anyone who reads my newsletter or listens to my podcast exactly how I set up founders, CEOs and other leaders for content success.Find me on LinkedIn and grab some time with me. I will interview you for a few minutes and if nothing else, you’ll walk away with some LinkedIn posts for free.Second: My book, Keep It Light, is available read on Amazon Unlimited. It’s a year’s worth of content starters. If you like it, please give it 5 stars, along with this podcast. It really helps.My friends: Keep writing, keep pushing, and I’ll see you next time. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit morgansnyder.substack.com/subscribe