Water Creatures
I chose the title “Water Creatures” because it elicits the flexibility of symbolic thought, which is the subject of today’s message. “Elicit...
Radio and PodcastLive Radio & Podcasts
Business
Wizard of Ads
Thousands of people are starting their workweeks with smiles of invigoration as they log on to their computers to find their Monday Morning Memo just waiting to be devoured. Straight from th...
Episodes
20 of 1,127 episodesWhen is a Cliché Not a Cliché?
At the center of every cliché is a point that deserves to be made. We need to learn to make these points in new and different ways. Overuse...
Energy & Activities, Decisions & Consequences
Unexpected events happen to us all. This is why it is never completely within our power to determine the acceleration and elevation of our l...
The Glimmering of Deep Waters
Linda Pastam wrote a marvelous poem called “Driving West” in which these lines appear: We are the pioneers of our own histories, drawn to th...
The Island Magic of Being Invisible
The Island Magic of Being Invisible (A Song for My Partners) Six months later, a thought occurred to me; Writing for Youtube is like writing...
Impression vs. Clarity
August 17, 2026 “Trust” is a fuzzy word. We know the meaning of the word, but it conjures no clear image in the mind. “Razor blade” is a viv...
Bernie was Born in a Farmhouse
Between the village of Anwick and the town of Sleaford in Lincolnshire, England, lies a farmhouse. It is at this farmhouse that our journey...
Shortcuts, Pro Tips, and Life Hacks
The Three Quivering Questions of Modern Society: How can I achieve my goals with less effort? How can I achieve my goals in less time? How a...
Life is an Adventure Without Socks
Life is an adventure of choices and consequences. Choices and consequences. I believe that with all my heart. But I do not believe that wise...
Paint Jobs Don’t Win Car Races
Road Atlanta is a famous roadracing track 800 miles from Tulsa, Oklahoma, a grueling trip to make in the back seat of a 1972 BMW 2002. Tony...
What the Bible Teaches About Advertising
I received an email last Thursday from my friend Doug Burdon in which he mentions a story told by Jesus. That story is often called “The Par...
Elon Musk Wants to Sell Me a Tire
Dear Elon, Congratulations on your initial public offering of SPCX. Google’s AI says, “The blockbuster debut briefly made Elon Musk the worl...
Business Boundaries and Walls
There is a big difference between a boundary and a wall. A boundary is a friendly agreement that keeps people from going too far. But a wall...
Predictable is Invisible
If your message is predictable, your message is invisible. If your advertising is predictable, your advertising is invisible. When something...
Writing Great Ads is a 10-Step Dance
Do you want to become a great ad writer? Follow these ten steps and you will rise high and go far. 1. Read poetry every day. 2. Memorize at...
Make More Money by Reducing the Friction
Business owners ask, “How can we get customers to do what we want them to do?” And then they create an app and insist that you download it....
ROAS: What It is and Is Not
Direct response ads are written to take the customer from Attention to Interest to Desire to Action in a single encounter. Direct marketers...
The Only Rule of Success
I promise that I will state plainly for you – in ten short words – the singular Rule of Success before you have finished reading this Monday...
How to Write Effective Ads
Effective advertising is not about delivering information; it is about delivering persuasion. Don’t tell your audience how to feel. Make the...
How to Strengthen Your Brand in 3 Easy Steps
Find out what people already want, then offer them exactly that. Quit trying to convince customers that they should want what you are sellin...