It seems as though the role of public figures has evolved dramatically. I'm convinced that anyone striving for prominence must be ready to embrace this new era of raw transparency, where engaging with opposition and going into deep discussions isn't an option—it's the gold standard.
Think about it. The time of carefully crafted, teleprompter-fed monologues is quickly fading. It's not enough anymore to be the best orator. Today, people demand more. They want to hear your thought process, your beliefs, even if they challenge the established consensus.
That's why I see long-form, candid podcasts as a sort of proving ground for public figures. It's not about your comfort level with the medium, or whether you even listen to podcasts yourself. It's about reaching people in a raw, unfiltered way, allowing them to know the real you. It's no coincidence that political figures like Andrew Yang, Bernie Sanders, and RFK saw significant boosts in popularity after appearing on Joe Rogan's podcast among others, known for diving headfirst into controversial topics.
It goes beyond just sharing your viewpoint, though. It's about being willing to answer the tough questions, the uncomfortable accusations thrown at you. Take RFK, for example. Despite being labeled as everything from a liar to a conspiracy theorist, he stepped up, inviting discussion about these perceptions on live TV, for hours at a time.
This act, answering the critics, facing the music, is a testament to character and integrity. It’s a far more admirable than memorizing a bunch of consultant-fed talking points to consistently deliver heartfelt, thoughtful explanations for your beliefs, especially when they run counter to mainstream narratives.
Now, if you're not willing to take this route, to engage, debate, and answer difficult questions, then I'm afraid you're likely unfit for the limelight. And that's okay, but you should consider adjusting your aspirations accordingly. It's not enough to be brilliant in your field—say, an engineering wunderkind or a math whiz—if you're unable, or worse, unwilling to publicly defend your actions and decisions.
So, as we bid farewell to an era characterized by polish and perfect presentation, we usher in a new dawn where artifice is outmoded. This is the era of authenticity. If you're up for it, ready to engage, debate and stand your ground, then you might just be ready for primetime, for the biggest stages of all. If not, it might be time to rethink your path, because, like it or not, the game has changed.