Episode 159 Summary – "Brutally Honest Business Recap of 2024 | Jon Davids vs Charles Schwartz"

In Episode 159 of "Making It with Jon Davids," host Jon Davids welcomes Charles Schwartz from "I Am Charles Schwartz" for a crossover episode that delves into the "Greatest Hits of 2024" in business, marketing, entrepreneurship, and culture. Released on December 24, 2024, this episode offers a candid and comprehensive recap of the year's triumphs and setbacks. Below is a detailed summary capturing all key discussions, insights, and conclusions, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

1. Best Product of 2024

Charles Schwartz kicks off the discussion by sharing his journey in finding the perfect sleep aid. Initially, he invested heavily in premium systems like Eight Sleep and Chili Coolers, spending $5,000-$6,000. However, his breakthrough came when he discovered the Adamsum B10 Cooling Pad, a more affordable $150 solution available on Amazon.

Charles Schwartz [02:14]: “I went from spending five, six thousand dollars all the way down to like 150 bucks. And it gets me unbelievably night. It's just worth it.”

Jon Davids counters with his endorsement of ChatGPT, highlighting its versatility in replacing traditional tools like Google for various tasks, from cooking tips to idea generation for his podcast and business content.

Jon Davids [03:32]: “It's everything from how do I make a great Caesar salad? ... it is just an amazing thought partner.”

2. Biggest Business Fail of 2024

Charles Schwartz reflects on his regret of not investing in cryptocurrency, specifically Bitcoin, due to a lack of understanding. Despite recognizing its potential after missing multiple investment opportunities, he maintained his stance of not engaging with unfamiliar assets.

Charles Schwartz [07:47]: “Not spending the energy over the last couple of years to learn about cryptocurrency...you're not investing in Things I don't understand. That's just rule one.”

Jon Davids echoes this sentiment by sharing his own delayed adoption of Bitcoin, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in the fast-evolving business landscape.

3. Best Thing on Social Media in 2024

Jon Davids highlights Jefferson Fisher’s Instagram account as the standout social media achievement of the year. Fisher provides communication advice while casually sitting in his car, offering high-value, authentic content in a consistent format.

Jon Davids [15:13]: “He's just a 30 something year old lawyer by profession who sits behind the wheel of his car when he has 10 minutes to spare and gives out some good advice.”

Charles Schwartz builds on this by discussing the return to authenticity in social media. He observes a shift away from flashy, inauthentic displays towards genuine, value-driven content creators who resonate more deeply with audiences.

Charles Schwartz [16:33]: “We're starting to have this drive now towards authenticity...”

4. Most Underhyped Trend of 2024

Both Jon Davids and Charles Schwartz agree that podcasting remains the most underhyped trend of the year. They emphasize its effectiveness as a networking tool and a gateway to business opportunities, sharing personal success stories of how their podcasts have opened doors to new ventures and collaborations.

Charles Schwartz [29:00]: “Being a top ranked podcast...opened the doors to new relationships and opportunities.”

Jon Davids [39:27]: “Execute on it properly...Podcasting became the ultimate skeleton key.”

5. Most Annoying Buzzword of 2024

Charles Schwartz names "woke" as the most irritating buzzword, critiquing its overuse and dilution into a meaningless term.

Charles Schwartz [23:20]: “Everyone will go through and they're like, you drank a glass of water. That's woke.... now it's a meaningless term.”

Jon Davids adds to the frustration by mentioning "first principles," expressing annoyance at its frequent, often superficial use in conversations and brainstorming sessions.

Jon Davids [23:20]: “I've heard first principles 19 times in the last two weeks, and I'm done with first principles.”

6. Best Flex or Virtue Signal of 2024

The hosts discuss the evolving nature of status displays. Charles Schwartz introduces the concept of the "quiet millionaire," where success is conveyed through understated actions rather than overt displays of wealth.

Charles Schwartz [31:38]: “The real humble brag is creating residual income... we're done. We don't want to show off anymore.”

Jon Davids shares a personal anecdote about his eight-year marriage, highlighting the importance of genuine personal achievements over material flexes.

Jon Davids [33:21]: “The best flex for me is being vulnerable...”

7. Best Side Hustle or Startup of 2024

Charles Schwartz champions podcasting as the premier side hustle, detailing how it has been instrumental in launching multiple businesses and fostering valuable connections.

Charles Schwartz [38:35]: “Podcasts... the best thing to open up doors and create new relationships.”

Jon Davids concurs, discussing the growth of his own podcast and its role in personal and business development, encouraging persistence despite initial challenges.

Jon Davids [44:43]: “You have to work your way up there...”

8. Wins and Fails

In the final segment, both hosts share their personal wins and fails of 2024.

• Charles Schwartz admits that allowing personal beliefs to hinder business opportunities was his biggest fail. He recounts a situation where he declined to join a politically charged merchandise venture, which later proved lucrative for his friend who embraced it.

Charles Schwartz [47:40]: “I let my personal beliefs get in the way of executing on a really good business.”

• Jon Davids reflects on his own failure of ignoring TikTok for too long, recognizing its potential for business growth and now actively investing in it to catch up.

Jon Davids [51:01]: “I should be doing a lot of the things that I talk about much more myself.”

Conversely, their wins revolve around the success and growth of their podcasts, the enrichment of their personal lives, and embracing authenticity in their professional endeavors.

Charles Schwartz [55:00]: “Letting go... to see what happens.”

Jon Davids [56:03]: “The greatest win was my marriage...”

Notable Quotes

• Charles Schwartz [02:14]: “It gets me unbelievably night. It's just worth it.”

• Jon Davids [03:32]: “It is just an amazing thought partner.”

• Charles Schwartz [07:47]: “Not spending the energy over the last couple of years to learn about cryptocurrency...that's rule one.”

• Jon Davids [15:13]: “He's just a 30 something year old lawyer by profession who sits behind the wheel of his car when he has 10 minutes to spare and gives out some good advice.”

• Charles Schwartz [23:20]: “Everyone will go through and they're like, you drank a glass of water. That's woke.... now it's a meaningless term.”

• Charles Schwartz [31:38]: “The real humble brag is creating residual income... we're done. We don't want to show off anymore.”

• Jon Davids [33:21]: “The best flex for me is being vulnerable...”

• Charles Schwartz [38:35]: “Podcasts... the best thing to open up doors and create new relationships.”

• Jon Davids [51:01]: “I should be doing a lot of the things that I talk about much more myself.”

Conclusion

Episode 159 of "Making It with Jon Davids" offers a brutally honest and insightful recap of 2024’s business landscape. Through an engaging dialogue with Charles Schwartz, listeners gain valuable perspectives on leveraging authenticity, embracing underhyped trends like podcasting, and navigating the pitfalls of personal biases in business. The episode underscores the importance of continuous learning, strategic adaptability, and genuine connections in achieving entrepreneurial success.

For those seeking to elevate their business acumen and personal growth, this episode serves as a treasure trove of actionable insights and real-world experiences.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to "Making It with Jon Davids" on your favorite podcast platform.
• Follow Jon Davids on Twitter: @ealjohndavids
• Visit Influicity: influicity.com