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The Jay Clouse Episode

December 24, 2025

⚡️ Highest Converting Websites Swipe File (Steal The Best Designs on the Internet):

https://www.mmgdesign.net/visualswipefile

In this episode of Marketing by Design, I sit down with Jay Clouse to unpack one of the most misunderstood forces in marketing and business: trust.

We explore why trust is declining generation by generation, why people are choosing less than ever, and what marketers can do to earn trust faster—without slipping into manipulation.

Jay breaks down the research-backed four traits of trustworthiness: competency, reliability, integrity, and empathy. We also cover why “leaving money on the table” can be the strongest trust signal, transparency vs. trust, invisible selling, and how Jay uses AI to pressure-test ideas without losing his voice.

If you’re building an audience, selling services, or leading a brand in a skeptical market—this episode will recalibrate how you think about trust.

Connect With Jay Clouse

Website
https://www.creatorhq.com

Newsletter
https://www.creatorscience.com

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayclouse/

Podcast
Creator Science

Connect With Andy

Website
https://www.mmgdesign.net/

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmilligan/

Resources Mentioned

Thinking, Fast and Slow — Daniel Kahneman
Rachel Botsman (trust research + frameworks)
The 48 Laws of Power — Robert Greene
Francis Fukuyama (high-trust vs. low-trust societies)
Jordan Harbinger (invisible selling philosophy)

Timestamps

00:00 – Why trust is declining (and why people choose less)
01:51 – Trust, loyalty, and why Jay thinks of his wife first
05:39 – Humans evolved to trust beyond family lines
07:11 – The trust blind spot: 75% think they’re above average
08:58 – Reverse-engineering trust with an audience
10:00 – The 4 traits of trustworthiness
11:22 – Leaving money on the table as a trust signal
13:34 – Trust vs. manipulation
15:51 – Transparency as a trust substitute
21:44 – Packaging ideas: books vs. content
25:58 – Using AI to pressure-test ideas without losing your voice

Team

🎙 Host — Andy Milligan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/

🎥 Production — MMG Design
https://www.mmgdesign.net/

‍

The Jay Clouse Episode

Connect With Jay Clouse

Connect With Andy

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