Persuasion and manipulation can look identical from the outside. Same words. Same tone. Same delivery.

So what's the real difference?

In this episode of Todd Liles & The Wizard of Ads, Todd and Roy break down the hidden psychology behind influence — and reveal why intent is what separates ethical persuasion from manipulation.

Roy explains how perception shapes reality, why people argue personal preferences like they're facts, and how confidence transfers from a communicator to an audience.

Todd brings the operator's lens, grounding the conversation in leadership, sales, and everyday decision-making.

This is not an episode about tactics.

It's a conversation about human behavior, trust, and the responsibility that comes with having influence.

• Why persuasion is ethical when rooted in sincere belief

• How manipulation exposes itself through insecurity and fear

• The mechanics of confidence transfer and why it works

• Why people don't buy facts — they buy meaning

• Why illusions reveal how the mind actually interprets reality

• How leaders must speak to perception, not just information

• How sincerity beats "cleverness" in long-term persuasion

• Why intent determines the moral weight of influence

If you communicate, sell, teach, lead, or create, this episode will reshape the way you think about persuasion — and how people make decisions.

If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe, review, and share the show with a business owner who refuses to be ordinary. Because in business, the bold win—and the remarkable reign.

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🔗 Full show notes and resources: www.toddliles.com/wizard