Podcast Summary: Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson

Episode: The WORST Public Speaking Advice You Keep Hearing 🤐 Jay’s SCOOP | Ep. 457
Release Date: February 5, 2026
Host: Jay Schwedelson (GURU Media Hub)

Episode Overview

In this high-energy solo episode, Jay Schwedelson takes aim at some of the most commonly recycled – and, in his words, “embarrassing garbage” – public speaking tips floating around the marketing world. Emphasizing both virtual and real-world scenarios, Jay calls out outdated best practices and replaces them with realistic, actionable advice rooted in his vast speaking experience. Delivered with his trademark humor and candor, Jay’s mission is to help listeners elevate their presentation skills by doing the opposite of what conventional wisdom suggests.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Broadening the Definition of “Public Speaking”

Timestamp: 01:09–02:10

• Jay quickly reframes public speaking: It’s not just about being on stage; it includes leading Zooms, pitching clients in conference rooms, or anytime you’re talking to a group.
• “Public speaking is also when you get on a Zoom with people and you are the one that's leading the talk... big or small, it doesn't matter.” (01:38)

2. The Worst Public Speaking Best Practices

Jay fires through five classic public speaking tips he believes you should absolutely not follow:

a. Don’t Memorize Your Speech

Timestamp: 02:20–03:10

• Memorization sucks the energy and authenticity out of presentations.
• “There is nothing more boring on earth than watching somebody that has memorized what it is that they're saying. They're not into it. All they're doing is trying to remember the next word.” (02:29)

b. Practice, but Not in a Mirror or in Silence

Timestamp: 03:11–04:33

• Practicing in the mirror is "ridiculous... super distracting.”
• Instead, practice in real-world conditions: with distractions and noise, the way it’ll actually be.
• “Why would you practice in silence?... Never practice until you say, 'Okay, I got it, it's perfect.' Perfect is boring. The interesting parts of speeches is the stuff that's not perfect.” (04:05)

c. Don’t Open With a Joke. Be Instantly Relatable Instead.

Timestamp: 04:42–06:40

• “Everybody always says open with a joke. Well, first of all, I don't think you're Jerry Seinfeld, okay?” (04:47)
• Instead of jokes, start with something spontaneous and relevant about yourself — a true moment from backstage, your nerves, or your lunch.
• Example: “I just had a prime energy drink for the first time… I feel really weird, like, edgy right now. Instantly, everybody in the audience is like, ‘Oh, I've tried one of those.’” (05:33)

d. Don’t Stand Still & “Project Confidence” from Behind a Lectern

Timestamp: 06:45–08:18

• Traditional advice says to stand still and look the part, but Jay insists that’s a path to boredom.
• “You need to fill the screen… have the energy for the entire audience that's watching you… You want to always be thinking about having your hands out there, filling the screen, however you can do that.” (07:32)
• Move around (physically on stage, gesturally on Zoom) and interact energetically, even “point, do things, have energy.”

e. Don’t End With a Recap – End With a Challenge

Timestamp: 08:22–09:34

• Recapping at the end is pointless and boring: “Here, I just bored you to tears for the last half an hour... Let me recap why this was so epically boring.”
• Instead, hone in on a single actionable takeaway and ask the audience to commit to just one thing.
• “Make the person think about what they just consumed and have a takeaway that they can actually do something with.” (09:15)

3. Jay’s Golden Rule: Do the Opposite of Google

Timestamp: 09:36–10:00

• “If you go on Google, what should I do for public speaking? You probably should do the opposite of whatever it is that it tells you.” (09:53)

Notable Quotes

• On memorization:
  “There is nothing more boring on earth than watching somebody that has memorized what it is that they're saying.” (02:29)

• On practicing realistically:
  “Never practice until you say, ‘Okay, I got it, it's perfect.’ Perfect is boring.” (04:05)

• On relatability:
  “Open with something that is wildly relatable in that moment. I instantly connect with whoever I’m speaking in front of.” (05:00)

• On energy:
  “You have to have the energy for the entire audience that's watching you.” (07:34)

• Final advice:
  “Make the person think about what they just consumed and to have a takeaway that they can actually do something with.” (09:15)

Memorable Moments & Fun Anecdotes

Jay’s “Since You Didn’t Ask” (Silly Segment)

Timestamp: 10:10–14:00

• Jay shares behind-the-scenes hype around the upcoming Guru Conference. Past antics include eating spam, bugs, and enduring hot sauce challenges on live stream.
• Vivid story about suffering post-hot-sauce challenge:
  “I was violently ill. Like, I don’t know how much weight I lost that night... there were some wellness checks outside of the bathroom.” (12:50)
  • He jokes about resigning himself to fate in the bathroom after overdosing on hot sauce: “This is how it's going to end… What a crazy story.” (13:15)
• Encourages listeners to suggest ridiculous new ideas for this year’s conference challenge.

Structure with Timestamps

• 01:09 — Public speaking redefined
• 02:20 — “Never memorize your speech”
• 03:11 — Mirror and silent practice debunked
• 04:42 — "Don’t open with a joke"; relatability instead
• 06:45 — Stand up, move, project energy
• 08:22 — Reject the recap; focus the takeaway
• 09:36 — “Do the opposite of Google”
• 10:10 — Jay’s outrageous conference stories

Key Takeaways

• Don’t memorize; aim for authentic, flexible delivery.
• Practice in real-world conditions (not mirrors, not silence).
• Start by making yourself relatable, not by telling pre-planned jokes.
• Engage physically: move around, use your body, and be energetic.
• Ditch the boring summary; end by challenging your audience to take action.
• Question conventional wisdom—if it’s popular “best practice,” it might be bad advice.

For more from Jay Schwedelson, check out Guru Conference and jayschwedelson.com, and look out for his upcoming book “Stupider People Have Done It.”