Beyond Influence

Ohemaa Akosua made the leap from flight attendant to full-time content creator during the early days of COVID, and hasn’t looked back since. In this episode, she shares how she’s landed dream brand deals, built a community that cares, and represented proudly as a Ghanaian creator in the micro-influencer space. We also get into her content workflow, her favorite tools, and why Pinterest deserves a...

Andy Dooley’s journey from chaplain to content creator proves that consistency, discipline, and purpose can open unexpected doors. In this episode, he shares how he built a platform rooted in faith, landed a hosting role with the Seattle Seahawks, and secured his dream brand deal with Reebok. We also talk about his pillars—faith, family, fitness, fun, and fandom—and the habits that helped him grow...

Kate O’Brien traded her career in HR for a camera and a ring light, and never looked back. From hitting 200K YouTube subscribers to building long-term brand partnerships, Kate shares how she navigated the leap into full-time content creation. In this episode, we talk about creator rates, syndication strategies, and why her “just one free moisturizer” mindset helped her grow a deeply engaged audien...

Olga Goffman started her creator journey in Ukraine, but it wasn’t until she immigrated to the U.S. that her content truly took off. Now based in Chicago, Olga shares how she built trust with her audience, and got brands to notice her before she ever pitched herself. We discuss how managing her own deals has helped her stay true to her vision. Follow Olga as she redefines what it means to grow wit...

At just 22, Carrie Berk has written a book, built a multi-platform audience in the millions, and carved out space online for mental health conversations that matter. In this episode, she shares how her book, “Mindfire,” helps readers better understand how to approach and overcome anxiety. We address what it takes to grow across five social channels, and why the most meaningful influence often star...

Francesca Murray has carved out a thriving creator career at the intersection of travel, beauty, and culture. With a publicist’s eye for opportunity, she’s landed brand deals and global moments that go beyond follower count. In this episode, Francesca shares why creators should be showing up at Cannes, how to evolve your niche without losing your audience, and the tools she uses (including AI) to...

Vin Matano made his mark in tech sales—then turned his expertise into a personal brand that now powers his own business. As a leading B2B creator, Vin shares why LinkedIn is the most underrated platform, what the Cannes Lions festival revealed about the future of influencer marketing, and how creators can stay focused while building multiple income streams.  Follow Vin on Instagram @vinmatano and...

Justin Glaze first rose to fame on season 17 of “The Bachelorette," but reality TV was just the launchpad. Since then, he’s carved out a space as a creator, artist, and now, founder of Love Potion—a canned espresso martini brand born from personal obsession.  In this episode, Justin shares how he rebuilt his audience with intention, the value of losing followers to gain real connection, and w...

Coco Mocoe is a content creator, marketing strategist, and podcast host known for her sharp insights into pop culture, digital trends, and the creator economy. Through her TikTok account, she’s built a following of over 1.1 million, delivering viral commentary on marketing, media, and the ever-evolving landscape of influence—making her a trusted voice among creators and brands alike. In this episo...

Meet Chris Allen, startup founder and cast member of Netflix’s “Million Dollar Secret.” Before stepping into reality TV, Chris co-founded Osena, the world’s first zero-sugar spiked coconut water cocktail. Navigating the ultra-competitive beverage industry gave him a front-row seat to the mental and emotional challenges of chasing success—an experience that prepared him for the world of “Million Do...

From rapping forecasts to viral dance videos, Nick Kosir has built a career that blends entertainment with meteorology—and made waves far beyond the weather map. Known as “The Dancing Weatherman,” Nick’s creative content has earned him over 9 million TikTok followers and a spot in pop culture history, with a video featured in Lil Nas X’s opening at the 2019 MTV VMAs. In this episode, Nick shares h...

Maha Abouelenein is a personal branding expert, CEO of Digital and Savvy, and bestselling author of “7 Rules of Self-Reliance.” With three decades of experience, she’s advised major brands like Google, Netflix, and Careem and played a key role in Egypt’s largest IPO. Recognized as one of Dubai’s most influential women and a Forbes Power Woman of the Middle East, she’s a trailblazer in global commu...

Meet Daniel and Taylor, the latest success story from Netflix’s “Love Is Blind.” Taylor, a GI nurse, and Daniel, a sales account executive, bonded over shared values, a love of Christmas, and a leap of faith—becoming the only couple to marry from their season. Now living in Minneapolis, they’re navigating newlywed life, sudden fame, and the balance between careers and social media influence. In th...

Meet Zaina, a content creator and entrepreneur with a passion for fitness, wellness, and self-care. She shares her journey of personal transformation, from building a thriving creator community to finding resilience after heartbreak. In this episode, Zaina opens up about her public breakup after season 3 of “The Ultimatum,” the power of releasing negative energy, and why tough moments often lead t...

Meet Yanina Oyarzo, a Venezuelan-American powerhouse who's made her mark as a host, producer, brand consultant, and model. From partnering with global giants like Adidas and Uber to creating impactful content for women, Yanina's journey embodies the power of believing in yourself. In this episode, Yanina opens up about the art of resourcefulness, the importance of embracing your culture,...

Join us for a conversation with Rudi Riekstins, entrepreneur and transformational coach whose work has influenced leaders from startup founders to billionaire CEOs. Recognized as a top coach by Thrive Global and honored by Business Insider as a Top 20 Thought Leader in 2021, Rudi brings over two decades of expertise as co-founder of InPower University and the InPowered Life Podcast. In this episod...

Meet Bobby and Jasmine Johnson, whose fairy-tale romance blossomed on Love is Blind UK into a powerful partnership in life and business. Their journey from reality TV contestants to successful entrepreneurs showcases how authentic connections can transform into meaningful impact. In this episode, we explore their journey from reality TV to purposeful influence, as they share insights on building t...

This week, we sit down with Brett Brown, public figure, artist and design director at Nike. While many may know him from Netflix’s “Love is Blind,” Brett’s story goes far beyond reality TV.   In this episode, we discuss Brett’s humble beginnings in Wilmington, North Carolina and how he overcame adversity to become a self-taught design success. Brett shares how to trust your creative instincts, tak...

Join us this week as we sit down with Sara Pollack, VP and Global Head of Consumer Marketing at Pinterest. With impressive career-spanning roles at Google, YouTube, and Pinterest, Sara has been at the forefront of social media’s evolution and its impact on society. In this episode, we dive into Sara’s journey from creative film executive to marketing leader at some of the world’s most influential...

Meet Gabby Beckford, a dynamic content creator who transformed her background in data quality engineering into a thriving social media career. With over 500k followers across her platforms and features in publications like the New York Times and National Geographic, Gabby is redefining what it means to be a modern creator. In this episode, we explore Gabby's remarkable journey from writing $1...

Meet Nick Dorka, a former All-American kicker turned real estate agent and influencer. Nick rose to prominence as a fan favorite on “Love is Blind” season 7, where his youthful personality shone despite the challenges he faced on the show. In this episode, Nick shares his journey from reality TV to navigating his newfound stardom, doubling down on his real estate career, and building an online com...

This week, we sit down with Ryan Alford, a serial entrepreneur and the host of the popular marketing podcast “Right About Now.” Ryan’s journey is a testament to resilience—from humble beginnings to building an industry-leading brand, he’s achieved success by earning and leveraging influence. As a former junior account executive turned powerhouse marketer, Ryan has honed his expertise in marketing,...

Meet Louis Levanti, the internet's brutally honest best friend, a lover of dogs, a huge foodie, and if he had to define his niche, he would say "I am my niche." Louis started his content career as a digital producer for Paramount and has worked with brands like MTV, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon.  He has now garnered an audience of 4M+ followers across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram,...

Join us this week as we chat with Dani Stacy, a singer-songwriter who made her national debut this year on “The Voice.” Her memorable cover of “I Will Survive” turned all four coaches’ chairs and was a key turning point in her music career. Dani has blended her musical aspirations and social media growth, mixing current trends with promoting her music. Tune in as we discuss Dani’s experience on “T...

Meet Evan Wray, CEO and co-founder of Mavely, and a driving force in the world of social commerce.  In this episode, we chat with Evan about how Mavely was founded (and how entrepreneurial stay-at-home moms were behind much of Mavely’s success in the early days). Evan has revolutionized brand-audience engagement through Everyday Influencers®, or content creators who authentically engage with audie...