"If you’re able to communicate a shade different, just a bit more distinct or personal, you’re already ahead of the game." - Jason Malouin

This week’s featured track is FROM THE TRENCHES — in-depth conversations with experienced operators working at the sharp end of PR, media and communications, and content creation.

Hosted by Trevor Young, this series explores how recognition is earned, how credibility compounds, and how influence is built in today’s reputation economy.

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In this episode of Earn the Right, Trevor Young is joined by Jason Malouin, founder of Superpower Portraits, to explore what really makes someone distinctive.

Drawing on a pivotal professional encounter in Dubai, as well as his background in theatre, wilderness guiding and photography, Jason challenges the idea that differentiation comes from simply creating a sharper message, better visual identity or more polished personal brand.

Instead, he argues for going deeper into your own context: understanding your experiences, values, beliefs, worldview and capabilities, then finding the language to communicate them in a way that is genuinely yours.

The conversation explores what happens when we start “performing” distinctiveness rather than expressing something real, why the seemingly simple question “Why you?” can be surprisingly difficult to answer, and how self-awareness can become a source of strategic differentiation.

Along the way, Jason introduces some memorable ideas, including the difference between “standing out” and “standing in”, developing a personal lexicon, communicating in 3D, and the difference between a “mic drop” and a “pin drop” moment.

Key Takeaways:

• Surface branding vs. deeper context: Colours, messaging and visual identity can shape how you're perceived, but genuine distinctiveness starts with understanding the person behind the brand.
• The “Why you?” question: It's surprisingly difficult to explain what makes you distinctive beyond your skills, services or methodology.
• Define your values for yourself: Words like “integrity” only become meaningful when you can explain exactly what they mean in your own life and work.
• Context is a competitive advantage: Your particular combination of experiences, beliefs, perspectives and capabilities can create something other people can't simply reproduce.
• Communicate in 3D: Jason explores the interplay between heartset, mindset and skillset, moving beyond what you do to communicate who you are and how you see the world.
• Standing in vs. standing out: Distinctiveness isn't about being louder or manufacturing uniqueness. It's what can emerge when you're deeply grounded in your own experience and perspective.
• Mic drop vs. pin drop: The loudest communication isn't necessarily the most powerful. Sometimes a quieter, more nuanced observation creates the deeper moment of connection.
• Becoming difficult to copy: The more your communication reflects your particular context and perspective, the less it can be replicated by simply following a formula.
• Authenticity isn't a tactic: Authenticity emerges from the work of understanding yourself and bringing that understanding consistently into how you communicate and operate.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone wanting to build a personal brand that is genuinely distinctive, deeply grounded and impossible to copy.

Check out Jason's website - https://www.superpowerportraits.com/

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