Media Humans

NIL game isn’t just about big boosters anymore — it’s about real advertising value, smart partnerships, and a fanbase that shows up harder than anyone in the country. Host Brian Hurley sits down with Nick Garner, Director of NIL at Washington State, to break down how deals actually work, why small brands can win big, and how creative campaigns are turning student-athletes into must-have marketing...

What makes someone fall in love with a brand? It’s not always the product—it’s the way it makes us feel. In this episode of Media Humans , Brian Hurley (Hurley Media Group) sits down with Matt Diefenbach, Managing Partner at Turnstyle Studio, to unpack the psychology behind brand building, the role of trust and rapport in long-term client relationships, and why even AI can’t replace the human touc...

What happens when the Wi-Fi cuts out in the middle of a million-dollar fundraiser? If you’re Julianne, you keep smiling, keep the show moving, and still crush your donation goals. In this episode, we talk studio builds, live-stream magic, and the art of raising big money without losing your mind (or your blood pressure). Whether you’re planning your first gala or your fiftieth, Julianne’s war stor...

What does it look like to get sober in an industry where the job is the happy hour? In this episode, we sit down with Alysse Bryson, media executive turned founder of The Sober Curator, to talk about the messy, hilarious, and ultimately powerful journey of getting sober in the media world. From hiding hangovers in luxury auto sales to quietly navigating networking events without a drink in hand, A...

Brandon Bowman, creative director at Hurley Media Group, joins me to kick off Media Humans with a real-world look at AI in video production and media buying. We talk about what AI’s actually good for (spoiler: busywork and time sucks), what it’s nowhere close to replacing (actual creativity, emotion, and basic common sense), and why you’re probably safe from the robot uprising, unless your entire...