The Social Complex

This episode is all about creators and digital influencers. We’re joined by TikTok creator Victoria Jameson (@victoria on TikTok with nearly 1M followers and over 23M likes) to talk all about life as a creator, the ups, downs, and the all-arounds, including the creator economy, mental health breaks, how to navigate comparison, and shine in your own unique way. Victoria is a hair and makeup artist...

Customer service is always important. There is nothing more rewarding than a pleasant conversation with a customer service rep that turns a wrong into a right, and there is nothing more frustrating than feeling ignored. Social media is an organization’s first line of defense when it comes to customer relationships. It offers visibility into your company’s offers and services, provides a forum for...

Linda Charmaraman, Ph. D., is a senior research scientist at the Wellesley Centers for Women and director of the  Youth, Media & Wellbeing Research Lab . Her research interests include technology and adolescent health, digital citizenship, innovative research methods to include overlooked and hidden populations, and how social identities like gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and pol...

BeReal is the latest social media app to take over the internet, igniting high praise from Gen Z. But what makes this app interesting, how does it work, and will it stick around for the long haul? We discuss how BeReal is standing out among the competition by leaning into authentic connection, minimal design, and tight community. We also talk about the pros, cons, and market influences that will e...

Are consumers adopting TikTok at a rapid pace? Is it time to ditch Facebook for brands? Let’s discuss. We’re diving into the Sprout Social Index Report XVIII this episode. Sprout Social releases this research every summer, filled with reports, research and insights intended to shed a light on the complex world of social media. Hillary walks through insights that stand out to her, some that may be...

We all know about influencers, but have you ever come across a pet influencer? Of course, these influential animals are not writing their own captions or crafting their own content, but these cute creatures bring their personalities online via their owners.  Today we’re sitting down with Jacqueline Keidel Martinez (Jak), who is the dog mom of Rey the Pitbull @reythepitbull. Jak started Rey’s Insta...

Memorial Day has taken on a new association in the modern world - it has become the “start of summer” with long weekends, pool parties, and vacations. And over time, people who are not directly tied to the military may overlook the true purpose of the day, which is to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by US military members.  And for those who are tied to the day, whether it be through a love...

Curious about what it takes to be a social media manager? We're spilling the tea in this episode to give you an inside scoop on what it takes to make a career in social media. And don't be fooled - this career track isn't for the faint of heart. If you’re just starting out, have been interested in pivoting into social media as a career, or are just generally curious about the various p...

Facebook and Instagram have disabled AR filters for users in Texas and Illinois as of May 2022. The decision came a day after a separate settlement happened between Clearview AI and civil rights group ACLU, which was brought forth in May 2020. The suit was originally filed in Illinois which had strong regulations that limit the usage of facial images, fingerprints, voiceprints, and other identifyi...

What do dinosaurs in tutus have to do with cookies? According to Wunderkeks, a lot.  Wunderkeks is an Austin-based baked goods company specializing in cookies and brownies. Led by Guatemalan owners Luis Gramajo and Hans Schrei , Wunderkeks has evolved from a business that served “everything to everyone” to finding their niche, voice, and brand. "The purpose of our product is to bring joy and t...

Unless you live under a rock, you've heard of Elon Musk's offer to buy Twitter and take the social media giant private. The story of how this deal came to fruition is fascinating. Not only is it a massive deal for one of the most popular social media networks in the world, but it also took place on such a public scale that the world got a front-row seat to a slice of how the deal shook out...

Millennials are entitled, Gen X is cynical, Baby Boomers are technophobes, Gen Z is addicted to their phones. We’ve all heard stereotypes about different generational groups, maybe even believed them ourselves.  Millennials were both the last generation that grew up without the internet and the first digitally native generation. Generation Z consists of the first connected kids who never knew the...

It’s speculation we’ve been hearing for a decade: Facebook is dying. And in spite of perception, Facebook has continued to grow in revenue, scale, and monthly active users. In 2022, we’re starting to see slowed growth - but it’s still growing. So, is it dying? Sure. But not as quickly as you may think. In this episode, we discuss the rise of the platform, the evolution of its holding company (Meta...

Get ready to pop some tags and grab the twenty dollars in your pocket. We’re diving into the wild world of thrift shopping on social media with Bree Wolver of the popular Instagram page, @thatgirlthrifts. Bree brings a unique experience as a digital marketer in big tech with a side hustle as an online thrift shopper. Her weekends are spent hunting for treasure in thrift shops and reselling them on...

Trigger Warning: Suicide, CyberBullying In this solo episode, Hillary snorkels through the various anonymous social media platforms, which are specified as “content or information posted that is not connected with particular online identities or profiles,” according to the good ol’ Wikipedia. We explore the history of anonymous social, the rise and fall of Ask. FM, the data that tells whether it&#...

LinkedIn is the top professional networking site in the world. With nearly 800 million members in more than 200 countries, it’s a powerhouse platform for those in the workforce who are looking to make connections and elevate their careers. Jasmine King is a LinkedIn creator, among many other things. Hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, Jasmine is a recent University of Kansas graduate who studied mar...

Influencers have been around since the beginning of time. Now, the term “influencer” has become amplified and democratized now because of social media.  Think about your community growing up; a local pastor, a teacher with a strong reputation in your small town, a beloved mayor. All of those people had influence over the community and impacted behaviors, beliefs, and actions. Take that, give them...

If you’re interested to hear what it's like being a social media manager by trade, this is the episode for you. Maddie Lydon is a social media strategist with some incredible brand experience. She started her career in sales and pivoted into social media, never looking back. We discuss various times in social media history that have changed the game, including political elections, algorithms i...

Huy Nguyen joins us on today’s episode. He’s a creator, social media executive and entrepreneur. We bond over being psych major dropouts, using film and photography to pay the bills, and what is more important than brands being “authentic”.  We talk about his life growing up as a Vietnamese American, how he got into video editing thanks to YouTube skateboarding videos, and what it’s like to live i...

Sarah Kleist isn’t your typical web designer. A performing artist by trade, Sarah’s world came to a halt when Covid-19 stopped all live events and shut down New York City. With time on her hands and a skill for design, Sarah took to designing websites for some friends and ultimately, turned this skill into a full blown freelance business.  Her story includes stumbling into success on TikTok, build...

Welcome to the Social Complex Podcast! Hosted by Hillary Applegate , this podcast explores the good, the bad, and the complex impact that social media has on our world. From connections to criticisms, clout chasers and crazy stories, we’re diving into the variety of social experiences that make the space what it is.  Subscribe to hear unique perspectives from brand managers, creators, influencers,...