Podcast Summary: The Futur with Chris Do – Episode 364: "The One Thing LinkedIn Doesn’t Reward (But You Should Do Anyway)" featuring Jodie Cook

Release Date: July 19, 2025

In Episode 364 of The Futur Podcast, host Chris Do engages in a lively and thought-provoking conversation with guest Jodie Cook. Together, they delve into the concept of "weirdness" on LinkedIn, exploring its implications for personal branding, the influence of AI on content authenticity, and the broader societal perceptions of normality versus uniqueness. This summary captures the essence of their discussion, highlighting key insights, notable quotes, and the conclusions they reach.

1. Introduction to Embracing Weirdness on LinkedIn

Chris and Jodie kick off the episode by discussing the rising trend of embracing "weirdness" on LinkedIn as a strategy to stand out amidst a sea of generic, AI-generated content.

• Jodie Cook (00:24): "We’re going to talk about what it means to get weird and why that might even be something you might be interested in."

• Chris Do (00:24): "We have to get more weird online right now, for sure... If you cast your mind back to high school... we’re all doing it."

They highlight how AI tools like ChatGPT often produce standardized content, making genuine, quirky interactions more noticeable and valuable.

2. The Impact of AI on Content Authenticity

The conversation shifts to the role of AI in shaping online interactions, particularly on professional platforms like LinkedIn.

• Chris Do (01:35): "I’ve been geeking out on people doing weird things on LinkedIn and doing a bit more of it myself as well."

• Jodie Cook (05:40): "When you normalize weirdness, it’s not that 99% of the people are going to be weird. It’s going to be 0.2% more. That’s going to be weird because it’s not comfortable."

They argue that while AI has made content more uniform, introducing unique and unconventional elements can disrupt the monotony and foster genuine connections.

3. Defining Weirdness: Perspectives from Chris and Jodie

Chris and Jodie delve into their personal interpretations of what constitutes "weirdness," emphasizing that being weird doesn't equate to being socially awkward.

• Chris Do (12:05): "If you are a bit weird. But you can also function in a group because weird doesn’t have to mean socially awkward."

• Jodie Cook (12:20): "Being weird means that almost even just by looking at you or being around you, people feel a little bit uncomfortable because you have challenged the status quo."

They agree that weirdness involves deviating from established norms and fostering an environment where uniqueness is celebrated rather than suppressed.

4. The Normal vs. Weird Debate

A substantial portion of the discussion centers on societal perceptions of normality and how individuals self-identify within these constructs.

• Jodie Cook (06:01): "Does anyone actually think, yes, I am normal?"

• Chris Do (07:09): "I don’t think anyone would actually self-select as normal, really. I think they would say, I think they’d be like, no, because I do this and I do that."

They explore the idea that what one considers normal is often a reflection of their upbringing and environment, leading most people to view themselves as "normal" within their own context, even if they exhibit unconventional traits.

5. The Role of Personal Branding in Embracing Weirdness

The discussion transitions to personal branding, with Chris emphasizing the importance of authenticity and uniqueness in building a compelling personal brand.

• Chris Do (19:36): "If someone wants to assume that you’re just a meathead or someone wants to assume that you just spend time in the gym, or someone wants to assume that you work in fitness and then you’re actually really smart and then you actually say some good stuff, it’s like, oh, hang on, there’s more to that person."

• Jodie Cook (25:30): "I think what’s been real interesting the last couple of years is more and more people are just telling you now this is really what I do."

They argue that blending diverse aspects of one's personality—such as physical fitness and intellectual pursuits—can create a more authentic and relatable personal brand that stands out in professional networks.

6. Physical Fitness as Part of Personal Branding

Chris and Jodie discuss the intersection of physical fitness and professional identity, debating whether fitness can enhance one’s personal brand and authenticity.

• Jodie Cook (18:10): "I think that getting in shape is an absolute cheat code for life... it elevates everything."

• Chris Do (23:35): "You can do so much without them [performance-enhancing drugs]. And even if you take the stuff, you still got to lift the stuff."

They highlight how maintaining physical fitness can signal discipline and commitment, traits that are highly valued in professional settings. However, they also caution against the overemphasis on appearance, advocating for a balanced approach to personal branding.

7. The Importance of Transparency and Authenticity

Towards the end of the episode, the focus shifts to the importance of transparency and authenticity in online interactions, especially in the age of AI and curated content.

• Chris Do (27:03): "What you said about the brainstorm... it’s how fast can everyone Google this? How fast can everyone Claude this or ChatGPT this to find this answer faster."

• Jodie Cook (29:20): "What you said about defining realness... disclose the source, whatever that is."

They advocate for honest disclosure of one’s methods and sources, arguing that transparency fosters trust and deeper connections in professional networks. By being upfront about the tools and strategies one uses, individuals can present a more authentic and relatable persona.

8. Conclusions and Final Thoughts

In their concluding remarks, Chris and Jodie reiterate the value of embracing uniqueness and authenticity in professional settings to foster genuine connections and stand out in a crowded digital landscape.

• Jodie Cook (30:22): "Your level of transparency, I think, determines how real you are. So I would encourage everybody to be as transparent as you’re comfortable with and go extra 10% and see it doesn’t hurt you."

• Chris Do (27:07): "I get that you can cheat a lot of things, but you can’t cheat your fitness... it shows that you’ve got some kind of level of commitment, discipline, more about you."

They conclude that in a world increasingly dominated by AI-generated content and curated personas, genuine weirdness and authentic self-expression are not only refreshing but also essential for meaningful professional relationships and personal growth.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embrace Uniqueness: Standing out on platforms like LinkedIn requires breaking away from generic content, often exacerbated by AI-generated posts.

2. Define Your Weirdness: Understand and amplify the aspects of your personality that deviate from the norm to attract like-minded individuals and foster genuine connections.

3. Balance Authenticity and Branding: Integrate diverse facets of your identity, such as intellectual pursuits and physical fitness, to create a multifaceted and authentic personal brand.

4. Prioritize Transparency: Being open about your methods, tools, and sources enhances trust and authenticity, essential for building meaningful professional relationships.

5. Resist Conformity: Challenge societal norms and resist the pressure to conform, especially in professional settings, to cultivate a more vibrant and diverse online community.

This episode of The Futur Podcast offers valuable insights into personal branding, the impact of AI on professional networking, and the importance of authenticity in a digitally saturated world. Chris Do and Jodie Cook encourage listeners to embrace their unique qualities and cultivate genuine interactions to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of professional platforms.