Podcast Summary: Courage & Clarity with Steph Crowder

Episode 160: [Part 3] The Interest Problem – When People Engage But Don’t Move Forward (3 Gaps Series)
Release Date: October 29, 2025
Host: Steph Crowder

Overview

In Part 3 of the "Three Gaps" mini-series, Steph Crowder delves into "The Interest Problem"—the puzzling issue where an audience is engaging with your content but not moving forward to buy, inquire, or take further action. Steph unpacks the nuances of this gap, highlighting that what often looks like a conversion problem is actually a messaging problem. This episode offers actionable strategies to bridge the gap between resonating with your audience and compelling them to act.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining the Interest Problem

• The Interest Problem arises when people engage with your content (likes, comments, messages), but don't progress to the next step (inquiries, sign-ups, purchases).
• It’s not a conversion gap—it's a gap in your messaging that fails to move your audience from passive engagement to meaningful action.
• Steph calls this a "messaging gap," emphasizing, “Messaging gaps kill momentum.” (03:07)

2. Common Scenarios Indicating Interest Problems

• Scenario 1: You have the audience (“eyeballs”), but little or no active engagement.
• Scenario 2: People love your posts and say so, but don’t reach out, book calls, or buy.

Quote:

“You might be getting conversations in your DMs: ‘Oh my gosh, I loved this post.’ ...but they’re not going to that next step to be like, ‘How do I work with you?’”
— Steph Crowder (05:25)

3. Four Root Causes (and Solutions) of the Interest Problem

a. Your Audience Doesn’t See Themselves in Your Content

• Content lacks a mirror for the audience; they don’t recognize their own problem or its urgency.
• There may be “resonance” (comments/likes) but no actionable recognition.
• Example: Jokes about a problem vs. helping people see it’s an issue to act on.

Quote:

“Interest is really about holding up a mirror.”
— Steph Crowder (08:58)

b. Mistaking ‘Education’ for ‘Emotion’

• Many entrepreneurs are expert educators who stay in their teaching comfort zone.
• Buying is fundamentally emotional. People need to feel urgency, not just be informed.
• Auditing your content: is it just “helpful,” or does it drive a strong urge to act?

Quote:

“Selling and buying—those are emotional processes. People buy emotionally and justify purchases with logic.”
— Steph Crowder (12:04)

c. Your Offer Isn’t the Logical Next Step

• Content often leaves audience “in midair” with no clear invitation or compelling reason to act.
• Don’t assume engaged followers will hunt for your next step; spell it out and explain why.

Quote:

“You are leaving them suspended in midair. ...You're not connecting the dots on why.”
— Steph Crowder (15:08)

d. Not Enough Opportunities for Audience to Self-Select

• Creators forget to provide simple, fun, or creative ways for followers to raise their hand or engage deeper.
• Using features like polls, quizzes, “coffee chats,” or audits to give easy points of entry.

Quote:

“Are you giving enough invitations and opportunities for people to even make themselves known to you?”
— Steph Crowder (18:28)

4. Magnetic Messaging Essentials

• Storytelling: Use relatable, bold, or contrasting stories to stand out.
• Contrast: Don’t be generic—clarify how you’re different, even “edgy.”
• Transformation Language: Clearly state the transformation possible for the client.
• Be courageous and bold in promising real outcomes (with the caveat that clients must put in the work).

Quote:

“Only humans can provide a level of contrast. That’s actually going to be interesting.”
— Steph Crowder (21:19)

“We have to show people what is possible ...and, quite honestly, they deserve that.”
— Steph Crowder (22:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the pressure of perfectionism in messaging:

  “We have this pressure to want to get our messaging ‘right.’ ...All you have to do is learn how to become magnetic.”
  (02:20)

• On ‘calls to action’ that actually work:

  “Saying, ‘Your next step is booking a call with me’ is not enough. If they don’t understand why... No, no, no, no, no, no.”
  (15:58)

• On transformation and being bold:

  “If you’re still hiding and you’re still scared of boldly walking forward and saying, ‘I will help you transform, I will help you get X result,’ that is going to be a huge way that you’re missing interest.”
  (22:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – 02:20: Introduction to the Three Gaps Series and overview of the Interest Problem
• 03:07: How a messaging gap shows up and why it’s so critical
• 05:25: Common symptoms of the Interest Problem
• 08:58: Holding up a mirror for your audience
• 12:04: Emotional selling vs. staying in the “education comfort zone”
• 15:08 – 16:35: Making your offer the next logical step
• 18:28: Creating opportunities for your audience to show interest
• 21:19: How contrast and story set you apart in a crowded world
• 22:00 – 23:00: The importance of promising (and delivering) transformation

Tone & Delivery

Steph’s tone is direct, empowering, and practical—grounded in deep experience but also warm, encouraging, and conversational. She combines sharp business strategy with a “cheerleader for your courage” approach, never shying away from calling out common missteps but always offering actionable solutions.

Final Thoughts

This episode is packed with wisdom for entrepreneurs who are struggling to turn engagement into action. Steph skillfully identifies subtle messaging flaws and provides a four-part framework to make your content magnetic and your offers irresistible. If you want your audience to take the next step, this is essential listening.

Next Episode: Part 4—addressing the final gap in selling out your offers, available now on the podcast feed.