S2E26 - Attract or Repel? The Truth About Your Online Persona & Who's Actually Watching You S2E24

Dr. Jake Clendenning and THE MichaelLibercci deliver a brutally honest wake-up call about your digital footprint in this game-changing Total Disruption episode. The hosts tackle the critical question every entrepreneur and professional must answer: Are you trying to impress strangers or attract the right people? Through powerful analogies—from Jesus the carpenter to the MyPillow Guy—Jake and Michael dissect the attract-or-repel dynamic that defines modern business success. They expose the dangerous trap of "keyboard courage," reveal why everything you do is a job interview, and explain why chasing viral fame might be destroying your business. With 2.5 million people currently job hunting post-layoffs, your social media presence has never mattered more. This episode delivers tactical advice on authenticity, consistency, and strategic messaging that separates successful entrepreneurs from those stuck chasing the wrong audience. Whether you're building a brand, recovering from a layoff, or trying to stand out in a crowded market, this conversation will fundamentally change how you show up online and in person.

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Attract or Repel: The Hidden Cost of Your Online Persona (And Who's Really Watching)
A Total Disruption Episode Breakdown with Dr. Jake Clendenning and THE MichaelLibercci

The Question That Changes Everything
Here's the uncomfortable truth that Dr. Jake Clendenning and THE MichaelLibercci force every entrepreneur to confront in this explosive Total Disruption episode:

Are you trying to impress people you don't know, or attract people you want to know?

That single question separates successful entrepreneurs from those perpetually struggling for attention, validation, and growth. And with 2.5 million people currently navigating job searches and career transitions, the answer has never been more critical.

Manifestation or Meltdown? The Jack-in-the-Box Moment
Michael opens with a powerful metaphor that defines every entrepreneur's social media journey:

"There's this internal feeling when you sort of let the jack in the box—that final click pops and that gesture comes out. It's like, yes, there you are. But am I naked in the middle of a wedding?"

The Two Outcomes of "Letting It Rip":
Manifestation: Your authentic voice resonates, attracts ideal clients, and establishes authority Meltdown: You alienate audiences, damage relationships, and destroy business opportunities

As Michael perfectly captures it: "It's either a manifestation or a meltdown. It's all subject to interpretation."

The question isn't whether you should be authentic—it's who will your authenticity serve?

The MyPillow Paradox: When Passion Becomes Polarizing
The hosts use a fascinating case study without naming names—a business owner whose strong public stances created extreme audience division:

The Extremist Audience Effect:
Adamant haters: Everything this person says is evil, they're the devil incarnate
Devoted followers: They're the next best thing since sliced bread
Vanishing middle ground: Few neutrals remain; positions harden daily
Critical Insight: The "love" audience doesn't necessarily grow when controversial statements are made—the "hate more" audience expands and intensifies.

The Business Consequences:
When this business owner's statements triggered boycotts and distribution losses:

45-50+ jobs jeopardized
Sales plummeted
Complete business pivot required
Career rebuilding from scratch
Michael asks the defining question: "Are you willing to go through what it takes to let that jack-in-the-box stay out?"

Everything Is a Job Interview: The 27-Year-Old Lesson That Still Matters
Dr. Jake shares transformational wisdom from a mentor named Bob, spoken 27 years ago in Alaska:

"No matter what you do and everything you do, somebody is always watching. Everything is a job interview."
This principle has exploded in importance in the social media age.

Then (27 years ago): Your reputation existed in your local community and professional network

Now (2025): Your digital footprint is permanent, searchable, and globally accessible

Who's Watching Your Social Media Right Now:
✓ Potential employers (2.5 million job seekers competing for attention) ✓ Prospective clients (vetting you before first contact) ✓ Business partners (evaluating alignment and values) ✓ Investors (assessing risk and professionalism) ✓ Competitors (studying your positioning) ✓ Current clients (validating their decision to work with you) ✓ Family members (yes, they're watching too)

The Stakes: With nearly a million Q4 layoffs and 2.5 million people job hunting, your social media profile is either your greatest asset or biggest liability.

The Times Square Test: Are You Screaming Into the Void?
Michael delivers a visceral analogy that reframes social media behavior:

"Let's say you're in the middle of Times Square by the tree, and all of a sudden you start standing on an elevated platform screaming things about your beliefs..."