The Social Complex

Joining us today to discuss her latest article in The Atlantic, we have Kate Lindsay. Kate is the co-founder of Embedded, a newsletter about Internet culture. She also writes for The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Verge, and Vulture. In this episode, we are diving into the phenomenon of social media babies becoming aware of their social media presence online, some of the dangers and pitfalls th...

Performance marketing is a career that did not exist 10 years ago, but today it is one of the most sought-after positions in digital marketing. Why? Because it is a converter of sales. And today we are going to be talking about what the landscape of performance marketing looks like as well as how performance marketing really fits into bigger-picture brand initiatives, including how organizations a...

The creator economy is a new one and an interesting one, to say the least. With so many of these content creators popping up in all facets of life, what is it that makes one stand out? What's the difference between an influencer and a content creator? And how can these content creators help unlock the potential for brands to scale content in a quality way and at speed?  Today, we are talking w...

There is no question about the importance, impact, and influence of social media in our political sphere. Each election season since 2008 has had a hallmark reputation regarding how media influenced said presidential election. And we're heading into what may very well be our most dramatic political season yet in 2024. So, what's that going to look like? And what can we learn from past elec...

Today we are going to be chatting about Reddit, that sneaky little platform that is building communities and having meaningful discussions that are also self-regulated. The people on Reddit are voting up and voting down anything that they do not want to see or do want to see. It is entirely run by moderators and communities themselves. Within this platform, there is so much data that brands can ta...

Will it or won't it? That is the question on everyone's mind: the fate of TikTok in the United States. With questions looming around privacy concerns, battled and combated by the issues of free speech and accessibility, TikTok finds itself at the center of the debate. TikTok is a fan-favorite app among many young users and happens to be one of the hottest topics on the Hill. The main point...

In today's episode, we are talking with social media coach, expert educator, and just all-around badass, Jera Foster-Fell. Also known as Jera. Bean. Jera is a TikTok expert, an in-demand speaker, and a seasoned content creator. She leans into her extensive background in content creation and strategy to help teach people and brands how to harness the power of their secret sauce and show up auth...

Today we are going to be chatting all about demand generation in B2B. Amanda and I get into the nitty-gritty on what it means to be creative in B2B, how to stand out among the competition, how to structure and organize lean teams where budgets are not always a flow in, and how to be really strategic about getting your message out there in the world and prioritizing customer experience to get the r...

We're diving into the potential TikTok ban in the US and the latest ruling in Montana. In this episode, we explore the legal, social, and economic implications of the ban, and what it means for TikTok users and brands. From national security concerns to the app's impact on pop culture and content creator marketing, TikTok has made headlines for the last 3 years. The app has been adopted by...

Alexa, play Happy Birthday because we've got a one-year-old in the house, and that one-year-old is The Social Complex podcast. Guys, we are turning one. That's crazy! This time last year, I was walking the floors of the Austin Convention Center, listening to the best of the best from South by Southwest and launching this podcast. It's bananas to do a launch when you're at an event...

Let's talk about the buzz around Chat GPT and AI. Artificial intelligence has been around for a long time. What has changed is that now we have Chat GPT. It is accessible, powerful, and an indicator of what is to come in the world of artificial intelligence. And Rachel Woods is here to tell us about what that impact is going to look like for the past, present, and future of our world. Rachel W...

Today we are going to be talking about why humor in branding works magic – humor that is rooted in the science of how people connect communicate and ultimately trust one another. We all love comedy shows, TikTok clips, and witty banter back and forth from brands on Twitter to connect with their audiences. But why does humor resonate more than other forms of branding? There is no one better to get...

On social media, there are so many sub-cultures and niche groups. That’s the beauty of it - we all have a space where we can find others that share similar interests, values, and stories. One of those groups that has always fascinated me is one that paints a picture of the dream - van lifers. And today, I am honored to be joined by Noami Grevemberg. Noami Grevemberg is a van life OG, avid outdoori...

We're talking about the past present and future of the social media industry. While organizations were once comfortable with a single social media intern, we've transformed into full social media teams as the norm. And to help us understand the market, we're bringing in someone responsible for the hiring of top-shelf talent in the industry. Kelly Gordon is a principal marketing agent f...

Building a creative business is a journey. Building one rooted in purpose and inclusivity? That's the next level. Today's conversation is for our business owners who are on the path to growing and scaling. We're talking all about early-stage entrepreneurship, finding where your passion meets your purpose, and how the power of creativity can unlock new levels of visibility for your bran...

Celebrity culture has been around for a long time - from royals to movie stars, gossip magazines and red carpets have been filled with mystery and intrigue into the lives of those that society put on a pedestal. But Bennifer walked so Alix Earle could run - thanks to new generations, evolved technology, and a rapidly shifting social environment, the celebrities of our modern world are changing. In...

Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who has delivered keynotes across the globe to organizations including American Express and the United Nations. She has worked with some of the world’s biggest brands and entertainers, including Walmart, Disney, Katy Perry, and Dolly Parton. She founded and scaled an entertainment startup to eight figures befo...

Are you familiar with the potato filter that captured the hearts of millions across the world? Well, the mastermind behind that and many of your other favorite Snapchat filters is here on the Social Complex Pod today to talk all about the wild world of AR - Phil Walton. Phil Walton is Snap AR Creator Ambassador, whose work was featured on the Super Bowl, Saturday Night Live, Nickelodeon, Late Nigh...

We are joined by all-star entrepreneur Bridgett Price to discuss the unsteady path of entrepreneurship, how to harness your unique gift and why mentorship matters.  Bridgett Price is a Cleaning Guru and Co-Owner of Maideasy, a maid service company based in Phoenix, Arizona. She holds a Master of Management from the University of Phoenix, specializing in digital and traditional marketing, and made...

If you're not using social media as a pillar of your recruitment strategy, you're missing out. Not only are your applicants online - they are looking for the opportunities your company is providing! Here's what the data shows: 96% of job seekers use social media when conducting a job search ( CareerArc ) 49% of professionals follow companies on social media to stay aware of job opportu...

Dr. Anna Lembke is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. She is Medical Director of Stanford Addiction Medicine, Program Director for the Stanford Addiction Medicine Fellowship, and Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic.  She is the author of the New York Times Best Selling book, “ Dopamine Nation: Fi...

The cannabis industry is a nuanced one. With regulations that differ country by country, state by state, and even county by county, businesses bringing cannabis products to market are faced with uncertainty that changes by the day. But with legalization growing in popularity, more companies are opening up with the prospect of bringing their products to market. What are the rules and regulations th...

We're reviewing the top 3 social media stories circulating the news cycle for August 2022. These stories include: Facebook and Doordash partnering up to make Facebook Marketplace local deliveries accessible across the country. Facebook losing steam on its long-standing place in the US Apple Store Top 10 Apps. YouTube Shorts entering the short form video content race with the addition of waterm...

Sarah Boland is the founder of the content app Life Lapse, a stop motion app that makes creating stop motion videos simple & easy. With more than 10,000 five-star reviews, it’s a must-have app for all creators. Sarah is a serial entrepreneur, creating businesses to solve problems she runs into in her real life. This includes the business Famtography, which delivers prompts and tips to families...

Ready or not, the 2022 holiday season is coming up fast. Today we're discussing the buyer behavior experts are expecting to see this winter. With a recession looming, inflation rising and the last two holidays uprooted from the pandemic, buyers are shopping earlier for the holidays this year compared to previous years. In this episode, Hillary will share some expert insights on what to expect...