ViralBrand with Rick Schirmer

In this episode of ViralBrand, Rick Schirmer sits down with Pastor Paul Taylor for a meaningful conversation about faith, leadership, and navigating life's wilderness seasons with purpose and perseverance. Drawing from his own personal journey and the principles behind The Wilderness Way, Pastor Paul explains how seasons of uncertainty, waiting, and discomfort can become the very places where...

In this episode of ViralBrand , Rick Schirmer sits down with entrepreneur, investor, educator, and innovation leader Molly Lavik for a fascinating conversation about emerging technology, entrepreneurship, and the future of human connection through spatial AI. A former professor and mentor to Rick during his time at Pepperdine University, Molly has spent her career helping organizations and entrepr...

In this insightful episode of ViralBrand , Rick Schirmer sits down with brand storytelling pioneer Luanne Dietz to explore how the most successful brands build meaningful connections through authentic stories and community-driven marketing. Luanne shares her unique career journey from photojournalism to becoming an early innovator in branded content and brand storytelling. During her time at CNN,...

Amy Caldwell joins Rick Schirmer for an insightful conversation on what it truly means to build a viral brand in today’s digital world. More than a single viral moment, Amy explains that sustainable brand growth comes from creating something that is inherently shareable, a brand fueled by authentic advocacy, community trust, and meaningful storytelling. Drawing from her journey of building Boundle...

In this episode of ViralBrand TV , Rick Schirmer sits down with Chuck Bradford, a leader whose career spans Delta Airlines, Chick-fil-A, and now his own fintech startup, Cord Analytics. Chuck shares insights from over forty years of experience on what makes a brand go viral, emphasizing alignment, adaptation, and adding value. He discusses fan-driven advocacy, the importance of operational excelle...

In this episode of ViralBrand TV , Rick Schirmer sits down with Emmy-winning producer and author Maria Baltazzi, one of the original producers of Survivor. From shaping a cultural phenomenon on national television to creating her #1 Amazon bestseller, Take a Shot at Happiness, Maria shares her journey of discovering purpose, resilience, and well-being. She discusses the creative methods she teache...

In this episode of ViralBrand TV , Rick Schirmer sits down with entertainment marketing legend Stephan Manpearl, whose career spans over four decades and more than 600 feature films, including Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Trek, and Airplane. Stephan shares his journey from consumer product marketing to Paramount Studios, where he revolutionized film marketing and helped launch Entertainment Tonig...

In this episode of ViralBrand TV , Rick Schirmer sits down with powerhouse publicist Kate Morgan, whose clients span beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and beyond. Kate shares her journey from arriving in America with just $300 to running a globally recognized boutique PR firm. She reveals the strategies behind earning editorial placements in Vogue, GQ, Oprah, and more, and explains why a strong PR stra...

In this episode of ViralBrand TV, Rick Schirmer sits down with his wife, entrepreneur and visionary Rachel McCord, hailed as the “mastermind of all time.” Together, they dive into the strategies that make products and ideas go viral, emphasizing the power of creating movements rather than just building brands. Rachel shares actionable advice for entrepreneurs: focus on solving real problems, tap i...

On this episode of ViralBrand TV , Rick Schirmer sits down with marketing strategist Kenji Claudio to explore the explosive influence of South Korean culture on the global stage. From K-pop to K-beauty, Kenji shares his insider perspective on how Korea has become the “Capital of Cool” and a powerhouse of cultural exports. Drawing from 15 years of experience in marketing, PR, and TV with brands lik...

In this high-energy episode of ViralBrand TV, host Rick Schirmer sits down with actor, creator, and viral strategist Eric McClellan. With a background in entertainment, tech, and nonprofit fundraising, Eric has mastered the art of making content explode online — from his first TikTok videos in 2019 to orchestrating viral campaigns for major brands. Eric breaks down the mechanics behind viral video...

In this episode of ViralBrand TV , host Rick Schirmer sits down with marketing and e-commerce expert Steve Morales to explore the evolving landscape of brand growth, emotional connection, and viral marketing. They share stories from their early careers — from grassroots campaigns at Disney and music labels to navigating the dawn of social media on platforms like MySpace. Steve emphasizes that whil...