Paid To Travel: The UGC Podcast

What if one of the most controversial UGC trends right now could actually help you make money as a creator? Canvas UGC has been blowing up across TikTok and creator communities, but opinions are all over the place. Some creators swear by it. Others think it's ruining the UGC industry. So what's the truth? In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what Canvas UGC is, how it works, w...

What happens when you stick with UGC long enough to let it actually work? Today's episode is a special one because Jess is back on the podcast for a one-year update, and honestly... so much has changed. When Jess first came on the podcast (Episode 13), she had made about $5,000 total from UGC and was averaging around $1,000/month. She was still working as a massage therapist, trying to balanc...

Feeling like your UGC business isn't working? This episode is your sign to keep going. If you're in the first few months of building your UGC business and questioning whether you're cut out for this, I need you to hear this: Don't quit yet. I know it feels frustrating when you're putting in the work, sending pitches, building your portfolio, creating content, and not seein...

If taxes make you want to close your laptop and pretend your bank account doesn’t exist… this episode is for you .  In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Tommy from Prime to break down all things taxes for UGC creators, freelancers, and content creators in a way that actually makes sense. We’re talking LLCs, write-offs, travel deductions, gifted collaborations, how much money you should actual...

Today  I’m talking about why obsessing over viral hooks, viral hooks for Instagram, and how to go viral is actually hurting so many creators. Because honestly? A crazy good hook means nothing if the rest of your content falls flat. And I see this all the time — especially in the UGC creator space. I’m breaking down why focusing only on hooks is basically the same thing as love bombing in dating, h...

I just got back from hosting my first-ever travel UGC retreat in Mexico , and it shifted a lot for me not just in my business, but in how I see myself and what I want next. Being in a room with women who get it who are building their UGC businesses, chasing freedom, and thinking differently was such a powerful reminder of how important it is to surround yourself with people on the same path. We cr...

🏔 Ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months?  Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% OFF your membership:  https://app.heartbeat.chat/ugcmastermind/invitation?code=4AFJA2&promo_code=SAVE25#landing-page Today we’re getting real about what’s actually working right now when it comes to cold pitching, landing brand deals, and monetization as a content creator . I’m recording th...

🏔 Ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months?  Sign Up For UGC Basecamp—podcast listeners get 25% OFF your membership:  https://app.heartbeat.chat/ugcmastermind/invitation?code=4AFJA2&promo_code=SAVE25#landing-page Today we’re getting real about what actually went down in Q1 of my UGC journey—and the mindset shift that kept me from spiraling. If you’re trying to land paid brand deals, b...

🏔 Ready to start hitting consistent 4-figure months?  Sign Up For UGC Basecamp— podcast listeners get 25% OFF your membership:  https://app.heartbeat.chat/ugcmastermind/invitation?code=4AFJA2&promo_code=SAVE25#landing-page In today’s episode, I’m breaking down my full Q1 income as a content creator—every deal, every brand, where it came from, and how much I charged. And the best part? I did th...

If you’ve ever wondered how the hell creators actually make money without having 100K followers and are able to do this full time?  This episode is your cheat code.  Today is a episode swap with Laura Haley from the Travel Creator Podcast to talk about monetization as a content creator — UGC, affiliate, influencer partnerships, group trips, digital products… all of it. And she’s here to tell you e...

Want a super simple way to increase your income as a UGC creator and land bigger brand deals?  In this quick tip episode, I share a powerful strategy for creators who are already booking work and want to scale their UGC business, make more per client, and move toward becoming a full time creator. If your goal is to land paid brand deals, get paid to travel, and grow your creator income, this one s...

Join UGC Basecamp as a founding member (discount code in episode!!)  Ever see a creator say they made $3K–$5K in a month with UGC and immediately think… what am I doing wrong?   If you’re trying to grow as a UGC creator , land consistent brand deals , or build a sustainable content creation business (especially in Travel UGC ), this episode is your reminder that there is no magic hack — but there...

Want to get paid to travel and lock in free Airbnb stays or free hotel stays by this summer without being an influencer? Today, I’m giving you the exact 5-step method I use as a content creator to travel for free . We are talking about the  5 steps to get a free vacation with UGC and content creation.  I’m walking you through the exact system I use to land free stays — and this is the same strateg...

Join the waitlist for Pando -  a high-quality UGC marketplace designed for both brands and creators. If you’re a UGC creator wondering whether this can actually turn into a real business… this one’s for you. Six months ago, Goldie was capping at $2K months.  Last February? She made $1,350. This February? She’s sitting at $9,890. Same creator. Same niche.  Different systems. Different boundaries. D...

If you want to get paid to travel, land consistent paid brand deals, and scale your income as a content creator, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down the five real shifts that took me (and my students) from inconsistent $2K months to consistent $10K months with UGC. These aren’t hacks — these are the strategic moves that actually grow your business. We talk about how to build a portfolio tha...

Today I’m doing something I’ve never done before: a group interview with three of my past students who are actively building real, sustainable UGC businesses. We’re pulling back the curtain on what the UGC journey actually looks like — the wins, the dry spells, the imposter syndrome, the “is this even working?” moments… and the breakthroughs that happen when you don’t quit. If you’re a content cre...

Today is a mindset episode.  I’m breaking down why pitching feels so scary for so many UGC creators , what your subconscious is doing behind the scenes, and how to finally move past the fear that’s keeping you stuck. If you’re a content creator, travel influencer, or aspiring UGC creator who wants to start pitching brands confidently, this one’s a must-listen. In this episode, we get into: Why fea...

If getting paid to travel as a UGC creator has been sitting on your vision board but you don’t actually know what to do month by month… this episode is your roadmap. Today I’m breaking down exactly what to focus on from now through the end of the year to become a full-time content creator — without burnout, overwhelm, or guessing what comes next. In this super practical episode, I’m walking you th...

Today I’m answering your most-asked UGC questions as we head into the next year — everything from getting comfortable on camera, landing hotel and Airbnb deals, andwhether AI is coming for our jobs. Let’s get into it. ✨ What We’re Covering How to stop feeling awkward on camera (without sounding like a robot) The easiest way to practice UGC when you’re brand new How content creators and UGC creato...

Manifestation without a plan is just a wish.  If you’re serious about your 2026 goal setting, especially as a UGC creator, this episode will help you turn big dreams into actionable steps you can actually follow through on. If you’re someone who loves short-term wins but struggles with long-term planning (sameeee), this episode is for you. I’m sharing the goal-setting method I personally use to br...

Today we are sharing our most POPULAR episode of 2025 with Emma—Airbnb content creator and social media manager—who went from free stays to fully booked and fully paid … all without a massive following or photography degree.  If you're ready to land paid stays , build your travel creator portfolio, and break into the UGC (user-generated content) world—this one’s PACKED with actionable tips.  ...

Everyone wants to be paid to travel ( that is why you listen to this podcast)… but no one talks about what it actually costs you. Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on travel UGC, burnout, and why I stopped chasing free hotel stays (even though I still make money as a content creator.) If you’ve ever scrolled Instagram thinking, “I want that life,” this episode is for you. Today I’m getting very...

I met up with 9 top UGC creators in Nashville and that weekend changed the way I see the UGC industry, and today I’m spilling everything. Welcome back to the Paid to Travel Podcast, where we talk all things content creation, getting paid to travel, and building a freedom-first life as a UGC creator. Let’s dive into what really went down at the Nashville UGC meetup… and the biggest lessons YOU can...

If you’ve been grinding so hard in your UGC or content creation journey that you can’t tell the difference between hustle and full-body burnout … this episode is your permission slip to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and build a business that doesn’t drain your soul. Today, I’m sitting down with my friend Jordan Flynn — a life transformation coach and somatic practitioner — to talk about the...

November was one of my biggest months ever . Today I want to show you how I made $14k in one month in UGC so you can too while working an average of just 20 hours a week.  We’re diving into:  ✨ The exact breakdown of every deal  ✨ Where each client came from (inbound, returning, or Bento cold pitch)  ✨ How I crossed my Q4 goal early with $22,150 earned so far ✨ What this means for YOU as a new...