Sam Hoffman is a multidisciplinary creative with roots in copywriting and content creation for Broadway shows and Fortune 500s. For over a decade, Sam has moonlighted as a part-time high school speech and debate coach with one of the nation's top programs, Ridge High School in New Jersey. He specializes in the competitive categories that allow students to craft a persuasive acting performance geared around subjects they are passionate about. We discuss the creative strategy and seduction of authentic storytelling and storydoing.

Key topics

Sam’s background and journey in corporate advertising, copywriting and content creation, and why he loves chasing eyeballs
Sam's journey as a speech and debate coach, and why speech and debate is a great way to develop one's own voice and values
What Sam means by authentic storytelling with purpose

Detours and Tangents

The evolving social media landscape and why it makes sense to think of social media platforms like cities
The time Sam worked on a promotional campaign for comedian Mike Birbiglia
What it means to have legitimate attention, and the role of competition and coaching in development and growth

Episode Digest
Visit the Grokkist podcast hub for a full digest of this episode including highlights and links to stuff we discussed: https://grokk.ist/stillcuriouspodcast/s3e1-sam-hoffman

Recorded 14 December 2022

Website: grokk.ist/stillcuriouspodcast | Email: podcast@grokk.ist | Socials: @grokkist
Music: Kleptotonic Swing by Tri-Tachyon

Inside Edition for Monday, February 3, 2025