Libsyn Directory

Adam Christing | Founder and President of Clean Comedians | How Clean Comedy Connects People

Release Date: 04/03/2024

Brad Martin | Chairman of RBM Ventures, Vice Chairman of FedEx Corporation, and Retired Chairman and CEO of Saks Incorporated

The Wow Factor

Brad Martin has significant experience in leadership, corporate strategy, public company governance, and entrepreneurial ventures. He served nearly 20 years as Chairman and CEO of Saks Incorporated. During his tenure, the enterprise grew from a $70 million annual revenue 10-store chain into one of the largest department store businesses in the United States. He has previously served on the Boards of Caesars Entertainment, Dillard’s, Chesapeake Energy, First Horizon, Gaylord Entertainment, Lululemon Athletica, and Ruby Tuesday. Brad served five terms as a member of the Tennessee House...

Lt Col Dan Rooney: Air Force Fighter Pilot and Founder of The Folds of Honor Foundation | The Power of Synchronicity: Lt Col Dan's Journey of Faith, Leadership, and Purpose

The Wow Factor

Lt Col Dan Rooney, an Air Force fighter pilot and a force for good. From humble beginnings above his garage, he founded The Folds of Honor Foundation to provide educational scholarships to the families of disabled or fallen military members, and, beginning in 2022, the mission was expanded to include first responders. In his new book, FLY INTO THE WIND: How to Harness Faith and Fearlessness on Your Ascent to Greatness, Lt Col Rooney demonstrates how we are all connected by God, and the path to fulfillment begins with changing ourselves to better one another. Lt Col Dan shares his faith...

Tim Goeglein | Vice President of External and Government Relations for Focus on the Family | The Best Days are Yet to Come

The Wow Factor

Tim Goeglein is Vice President of External and Government Relations for Focus on the Family. Formerly, he served as a special assistant to President George W. Bush and as a deputy director of the White House Office of Public Liaison. He was the President’s principal outreach contact for conservative and faith-based groups. Tim’s extensive resumé includes serving as a senior fellow at The Heritage Foundation and as a communications director for U.S. Senator Dan Coats of Indiana and Gary Bauer at the Campaign for Working Families. Tim has authored a memoir, “The Man in the Middle: Faith...

Paul Saber | President & CEO Manna Development Group, LLC | Being a True Servant Leader

The Wow Factor

Paul Saber has been a restaurant owner since 1980. He was the Owner/Operator of McDonald’s restaurants from 1985-2001. In 2003, Paul became President and CEO of Manna Development Group, LLC, and currently holds the Area Development Agreement for Panera Bread. In 2022, Paul was the recipient of the Fierce Brand Love Award. Paul served on the Board of Directors of several Christian ministries and served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association from 2007 to 2009. I’m excited to have Paul Saber on the podcast this week to share his experiences and insights...

Kevin Lavelle | Co-Founder and CEO of Harbor | A New Way to Monitor Your Kids

The Wow Factor

Kevin Lavelle is the Co-Founder and CEO of Harbor. Kevin brings a wealth of experience from his role as the Founder and Chairman of Mizzen+ Main, having invented the world's first performance fabric dress shirt. With a successful growth round raised from L Catterton, partnerships with world-renowned athletes like Phil Mickelson and JJ Watt, and a background in omnichannel retail, Kevin is not only a dedicated entrepreneur but also a loving husband and father of two. Kevin joins me on the show to discuss his brand-new venture, Harbor. Kevin shares his frustration with current baby...

Dallen Peterson | Founder of Merry Maids and Author | Honoring God Through Business

The Wow Factor

Dallen Peterson is the Founder of Merry Maids and author of an amazing business book, titled “Rags, Riches & Real Success.” In his book, he shares his remarkable true story and success principles based on personal faith. He shares the story of the founding of Merry Maids, its phenomenal growth, and how it eventually became part of the ServiceMaster family. Dallen’s book also shares the seven principles for real success, all life truths that come from serving God. Dallen joins me on The Wow Factor podcast to share his thoughts on the importance of hard work, perseverance, and humility...

Porter Garner | President and CEO of The Association of Former Students at Texas A&M University | Value-Driven Leadership

The Wow Factor

Porter graduated from Texas A&M in 1979 with a BBA in marketing. He joined The Association of Former Students as Field Director in 1981. Over the last 23 years as President and CEO, he has inspired innovation and led initiatives to achieve The Association’s vision to become the premier alumni organization. Porter serves on the board of Baylor Scott & White Hospital – College Station Region, and he and his wife, Lisa ’91, are Endowed Century Club donors to The Association of Former Students, Eppright Distinguished Donors, and members of the Texas A&M Legacy Society. ...

Flip Flippen | Chairman and Founder at The Flippen Group | | Give Your Heart Freely

The Wow Factor

Flip is the Chairman and Founder of Flippen Group, one of North America's fastest-growing educator training, corporate talent, and team development companies. Flippen associates give themselves relentlessly each day to “Building relationships and processes that bring out the best in people.” Flip and his wife Susan, CEO, were named Ernst & Young Entrepreneurs of the Year in 2011, the only couple ever to receive this prestigious award. Founded in 1990, Flippen Group was chosen by Texas Monthly magazine as #2 in the listing of Best Companies to Work For in Texas. The company’s...

David Olaricksiri | Founder of Royal Kingdom Industry| How God’s Advice Helped Create Business Success

The Wow Factor

David Olaricksiri founded Royal Kingdom Industry in 1990 with the vision of exporting Thai goods throughout the world. The business supplies and exports high-quality coolers all over the world. David joins me on the show to share the reason behind the name of his company and why he chose it to honor the Kingdom of Heaven. He credits God with leading him to start a business and his continued gratitude for God’s daily guidance and shares his personal experience of facing giants in business with God's grace, and how his faith has sustained and supported him throughout his life....

Adam Christing | Founder and President of Clean Comedians | How Clean Comedy Connects People

The Wow Factor

Adam is an accomplished comedian, speaker, and entertainer with a passion for making people laugh and bringing joy to audiences worldwide. With over 30 years of experience, Adam has performed for thousands of corporate clients, including Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and more. In 2021, he received the “Best of Los Angeles Award” as the #1 Event Master of Ceremonies. He has appeared on over 100 radio and TV shows, including CNN, Fox News, Entertainment Tonight, and NBC Nightly News. Adam has also been featured in national magazines and newspapers, including USA Today, FORTUNE, and The...

More Episodes

Adam joins me on the show to share his journey from a suburb in Southern California to auditioning as a junior member at the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, where he discovered his passion for combining magic and laughter. We discuss why comedy is inherently shocking, but why clean comedy is the new shocking thing, because comedians have to read the audience moment by moment and be on their toes. Adam also shares more about how he incorporates humor into events to engage and impact his audience.

“We serve our audiences better when we tap into the power of silence.” - Adam Christing

“Treat clients as under your protection. Delight them, and they'll keep coming back.” - Adam Christing

“Some of the brightest comedians are also some of the deepest thinkers. They don’t just reflect on what's going to make someone laugh, but what's going to take them on a journey through story.”

- Adam Christing

This Week on The Wow Factor:

Adam emphasizes the importance of finding your unique sense of humor and style rather than simply relying on jokes or impressions
Why Adam loves calling people onto stage, creating the potential for unexpected interactions in live events
The importance of knowing the audience to create moments of comedy and why observational humor works so well
Adam shares how he used humor as a tool for effective communication in his work as a youth pastor
Why comedy is inherently shocking, but working clean is the new shocking thing!
Why clean comedians have to read the audience moment by moment and be on their toes
Adam talks about the importance of listening in comedy, citing an example of a difficult situation where he had to adjust his approach due to a tragic event
The power of silence when connecting with your audience via humor
How to use humor to build trust and community, then to highlight the organization's impact
Why Adam prioritizes storytelling and emotional resonance in his comedy, reflecting on the importance of handling heavy topics with care and sensitivity
How to manage events, keep things on track, and handle difficult situations with grace and professionalism
The importance of considering the audience's perspective and providing value to them, whether on stage or in other aspects of life
Why failing to provide a clear direction or purpose can lead to a lack of engagement and interest from the audience
Why Adam shares personal stories and vulnerabilities to connect with the audience, revealing the power of intimacy in communication

Adam Christing’s Words of Wisdom:

The word client originally goes back to a Latin root, and it means to come under the protection of another. So when I have a client I think of it as an opportunity to delight. I want to make them look good and I want to help them get the results that they want. When you start treating customers, vendors, and employees like clients under your care, lots of great things will happen.

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