Episode Title:

The Smart Publishing Impact Series – Episode 68: Interview with Jason T. Powell

Episode Summary:

Can stand-up comedy make you a better leader?

In Episode 68, Renée Lautermilch, Chief Editor at Smart Publishing, and Jonathan Lautermilch, CEO of Smart Publishing, sit down with publishing partner Jason T. Powell to explore the surprising connection between comedy and leadership.

Drawing from decades of experience as a stand-up comedian, speaker, coach, and leadership trainer, Jason shares how performing in front of unpredictable audiences taught him lessons that apply far beyond the stage. From learning how to read a room and earn trust to recovering from failure and communicating with confidence, he explains why some of the best leadership principles come from the world's toughest proving ground: live comedy.

Jason also opens up about the writing process behind his upcoming book, Laughs to Leadership, why vulnerability is essential to connecting with readers, and how the most embarrassing moments in life can become the greatest opportunities for growth.

Whether you lead a business, a team, a classroom, or your own family, this conversation will challenge you to embrace authenticity, build stronger relationships, and lead with greater confidence.

What You’ll Hear:

• How stand-up comedy teaches real-world leadership skills

• Why every leader needs to learn how to read a room

• The role humor plays in building trust and influence

• How failure becomes one of your greatest teachers

• Why vulnerability makes leaders—and authors—more relatable

• The surprising story that launched Jason's confidence on stage

• What writing a second book taught Jason about growth and authenticity

• Why leadership doesn't stop when you leave work—it follows you home

• How great leaders help people get "unstuck"

• Why finishing a book creates confidence that carries into every area of life

Quote to Remember:

“Every great leader has had embarrassing moments. The difference is they learn from them and keep moving forward.”

Guest Featured in This Episode:

Jason T. Powell – leadership speaker, stand-up comedian, TEDx speaker, and author of Compete to Live and Laughs to Leadership

Mentioned in This Episode:

Laughs to Leadership (releasing July 21)

Compete to Live: The Everyman's Playbook to Beating Depression

Compete to Live Foundation

smartpublishingservices.com – publishing education and author support

Connect with Renée Lautermilch on Facebook – she's the only one in the world

Connect with Jonathan Lautermilch on Facebook and LinkedIn

Where you can find Jason T. Powell:

Watch Jason at The Unserious Summit on July 25th - https://www.eisemanncenter.com/event/?i=12109

Connect with Jason: https://www.jasontpowell.com/about-jason

Jason’s Social Media Platforms: linktr.ee/coachjpow71

Coming Next:

More conversations with Smart Publishing authors, sharing the stories behind their books and the lessons they've learned about writing, publishing, and using a book to create lasting impact.