Why I Social

In this episode of the Why I Social podcast, host Chris Barrows sits down with Matthew Makak, a licensed mental health counselor. Makak originally began his career with the desire to be an actor before making a shift in his career to become a mental health professional. Today, he operates his own solo private practice. He also spent more than five years as a content creator on YouTube, where he ra...

In this episode of the Why I Social podcast, host Chris Barrows sits down with Steven Puri, CEO and Founder of The Sukha Company . Steven's career bridges engineering and storytelling. Drawing on his computer engineering background and creative communication skills, he moved into the film industry through digital visual effects, contributing to films like Independence Day , before taking on studio...

In this episode of the Why I Social podcast, host Chris Barrows sits down with Nicole Rodriquez, Senior Manager (Marketing and Communications) at The American Epilepsy Society.  At the American Epilepsy Society, Nicole leads as a strategic marketing and communications leader responsible for advancing the organization's mission, elevating brand visibility, and driving stakeholder engagement through...

In this episode of the Why I Social podcast, host Chris Barrows sits down with Jenn, Vice President of Customer Advocacy at PeoplePath, to explore how an unconventional career path through entertainment, international education, and community management shaped a unique approach to customer advocacy and social media strategy. Jenn's journey reveals how diverse professional experiences compound into...

In this episode of the Why I Social podcast, host Chris Barrows sits down with Blake Mischley (co-founder of Meet Your Class) to break down the creation of Meet Your Class to serve the Higher Education industry, including the launch of a new social media platform, Reach - designed with the unique aspects of the industry in mind.  Blake breaks down his transition from student community manager to e...

In this episode of the Why I Social podcast, host Chris Barrows sits down with Joshua Altman, Managing Director of beltway.media, to unpack what "social first" really means for small and medium-sized businesses. Joshua breaks down what it means to operate as a fractional Chief Communications Officer, taking the day-to-day communications burden off founders and technical teams. Also, find out why "...

On this episode of Why I Social, Chris is joined by Derek Hales, founder and editor-in-chief of NapLab.com, who brings a background in SEO, social strategy, and content marketing, shaped early on by agency experience working with Fortune 100 clients. Derek shares the origin story of NapLab, born out of a frustrating and expensive in-store mattress shopping trip with his wife back in 2014, and how...

On this episode of Why I Social, Chris is joined by Eric Carlson, founder of Loon's Eye Digital, who has spent his career in the world of digital marketing, building digital strategies that have included SEO, conversion rate optimization, email campaign strategy, and social strategy. His recent webinar with the National Institute for Social Media covered the topic of  how marketers can create tech...

On this week's episode, Chris is joined by Dex Polizzi (Owner of Sidewalk Savers) who began his career in the agency world, specializing in public relations and digital marketing. His professional history includes working with technical industries, such as cybersecurity and tech infrastructure, as well as organizations close to the federal government .  He has since started his own business locall...

On this week's episode, Chris is joined by Eli Igra Serfaty (Co-Founder and CEO, MAIA Digital), whose career winds from military service through venture capital before landing in the world of LinkedIn strategy. Founded in 2019, MAIA Digital specializes in LinkedIn profile optimization, company page management, and immersive workshops that pull back the curtain on the platform. Fun fact: The name c...

On this week's episode, Chris is joined by Marley Molkentin (Communications Specialist at Eidos LGBTQ+ Health Initiative), who helps tell stories that makes an impact. She has her Master of Arts from Columbia College Chicago, which made an incredible impact on her career and where she is today.  Hot Topic for This Week's Episode: Creating Media and Content That Makes A Difference  And of course, l...

On this week's episode, Chris is joined by Kaila Vander Horn (Head of Content at Speedwork) for a discussion about B2B content on LinkedIn. Kaila has more than a decade of experience in social media and digital marketing and we explore how she advanced professionally to where she is today, earning the trust of businesses and c-suite executives.  Hot Topic for This Week's Episode: B2B Content and L...

On this week's episode, Chris has a conversation with Jason Schemmel (Get Social Done) who helps organizations operationalize AI across marketing, sales, and operations. His expansive background in social media and digital marketing opened the door for conversation across a variety of important topics not excluding the impact of AI on the newest members of the professional workforce.   Key Highlig...

On this week's episode, Chris has a conversation with A.J. Vitiello (Producer for Drew Binksy). From the origins of his role with Drew (thanks to Instagram) to YouTube tips and insights, Vitiello discusses what it's like to work as a content creator in the creator economy (YouTube specific).  Key Highlights How global travel and Instagram led to his role with Drew  Why there is more to a YouTube H...

On this week's episode of Why I Social, Chris sits down with Lexi Croisdale (Director of Global Content Marketing, Varonis). Lexi is also one of the recently announced National Institute for Social Media Advisory Board Members.  Key Highlights How her early career experiences including internships, impacted her career success Why she leads by example with LinkedIn  Why working in diverse industrie...

On this week's episode of Why I Social, Chris sits down with Matt Bailey (Digital Marketing Instructor, Trainer - SiteLogic Marketing) to discuss digital content creation and training.  Key Highlights How understanding software engineering benefited his career and the importance of "balance"  Slowing down to think through the best way to execute our content Setting clear goals and considering anal...

On this week's episode of Why I Social, Chris sits down with Mark S Babbitt (Co-Author of "Good Comes First" and "A World Gone Social").  Key Highlights Discussing writing "A World Gone Social" and "Good Comes First" The evolution of his experience as an author and the "why" behind "Good Comes First" Stories and lessons for executive leadership  Why workplace culture remains an important topic Hot...

On this week's episode of Why I Social, Chris sits down with Mike Evans (Founder, Fan Day Nation). Mike breaks down how he's tackled leading a start-up in Fan Day Nation and the way his military background has played a criticial part in his role as a leader. He also discusses the greatest challenges and rewards of working in a start-up.  Key Highlights The role his time in the military has played...

On this week's episode of Why I Social, Chris sits down with Carrie Meconis (Leadership Coach and Staff at New York University). From a career that began in theatre both on the stage and as a stage manager to her journey to becoming a leadership coach, Carrie offers invaluable insights to take you into 2026 and beyond.  Key Highlights The connection between stage management and organizational skil...

On this week's episode of Why I Social, Chris sits down with Lasheen Williams (Tchallasheen, IG - Cosplayer). Lasheen recounts his journey to becoming a cosplayer. You'll also learn how he has created a community of content creation opportunities from his experience as a cosplayer - and the opportunities cosplay has since afforded him.  Key Highlights What is a cosplayer, and how did he got starte...

On this week's episode of Why I Social, Chris sits down with Chris Porter (Creative Director and Board Game Designer/Publisher for Chris Couch Games). Porter breaks down his journey to becoming a Creative Director and finding the best way for him - including his experience from both corporate to entreprenurial settings.  Key Highlights How he began his path to a career of a creative designer  Beco...

On this week's episode of Why I Social, Chris sits down with Chris Alexander, Senior Director of Digital Communications at NYU School of Global Public Health. Chris has spent more than a decade in higher education and has experience as a podcaster, content creator and integrated marketer.  Key Highlights The role internships play in finding what you want (or don't want to) do  What it's like to ex...

On this week's episode of Why I Social, Chris sits down with Nikki Sunstrum, CCMP—a globally recognized leader who has developed and leveraged communications and engagement to create significant impact in both government and higher education.  Key Highlights How her experience in government (including as an elected city council person for the city of Portland) impacted her professional perspective...

In a very special episode of Why I Social, we explore the Power of AI. In three previous episodes, guests Theresa Portratz, Michael Katz and Maria Duran discussed their own unique perspectives and insights on the impact of AI.  Please take a listen to their full episodes at the links below (Spotify) Theresa Potratz Michael Katz  Maria Duron Links (LinkedIn Profiles) Theresa Potratz Michael Katz Ma...

On this week's episode of Why I Social, Chris has a conversation with Celeste Russell (SMS), who serves as social media manager for the National Institute for Social Media and OMCP. Russell has worked her way from intern to her current role at the organization and even has the opportunity to work with the current class of interns in her present role.  [Editorial Note: The previous episode left in...