

THE 505 PODCAST
Brayden Figueroa & Kostas Garcia
This is a podcast for creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone trying to live outside of society's normal boundaries. We are here to share our experiences, answer questions, and feature impactful guests with incredible insights. We also share our stories and make each other laugh.
Episodes
Mentioned books

72 snips
Oct 30, 2025 • 1h 59min
179. How to Tell Stories so Good Your Brand Sells Itself ft. Brendan Kane
 Brendan Kane, author, speaker, and founder of Hookpoint, has helped brands like Taylor Swift master storytelling. In this chat, he emphasizes storytelling as the essential skill for creators by 2026. Brendan shares techniques for crafting viral content, including the importance of studying formats and using tension in narratives. He discusses how to convert attention into revenue with effective backend strategies and stresses the need for authenticity in communicating with diverse audiences. Dive into practical advice for maximizing engagement and growth! 

51 snips
Oct 23, 2025 • 1h 46min
178. Personal Branding is hard until you do this ft. Adrian Per
 Adrian Per, a content creator and storyteller with a standout personal brand, joins to share insights on authenticity and creativity. He emphasizes the importance of using personal limitations to develop a unique style rather than copying others. Adrian discusses how to balance audience expectations with personal vision, the value of raw storytelling over polished perfection, and why not all views count equally. He also highlights the role of AI as a productive tool, stressing that true creativity can thrive when we embrace imperfection and tell our own stories. 

56 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 1h 56min
177. How to Make Your Brand So Magnetic They Stop Scrolling ft. Erica Mallett
 Erica Mallett, a brand strategist and former national radio host, dives into the secrets behind crafting magnetic personal brands. She emphasizes that clarity trumps consistency and explains the importance of emotional connection over mere attention in today’s digital landscape. Erica introduces concepts like the 'enemy effect' to rally communities and discusses how to package beliefs into engaging content. With actionable insights on differentiation and skill stacking, she provides creators a roadmap to stand out and build loyal audiences. 

45 snips
Oct 9, 2025 • 1h 9min
176. How to Make 10x More Money (as a Small Personal Brand)
 Uncover the truth about making money as a creator beyond brand deals. Learn about seven diverse income streams, from digital products and consulting to high-ticket cohorts and affiliate marketing. Discover how to leverage YouTube ad revenue and the power of merchandise. The hosts share their own journey to over $1M in earnings, stressing the importance of treating your brand like a business and avoiding common pitfalls. Get ready to transform your personal brand into a profitable venture! 

94 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 1h 50min
175. How to Build an Audience That Begs to Buy Anything ft. Sabri Suby
 Sabri Suby, a serial entrepreneur and founder of King Kong, shares his expertise in building brands that captivate customers. He explains how strategies like scarcity and premium positioning create desire and lasting relationships. Discussing lessons from luxury brands, he highlights the importance of delivering a compelling experience and crafting irresistible offers. Sabri emphasizes selling desires over needs, why friction is vital for high-ticket sales, and the power of YouTube for audience engagement and brand building. 

47 snips
Sep 25, 2025 • 1h 33min
174. The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to a $10k/month Personal Brand ft. Modern Millie
 In this enlightening discussion, Camille Adrian, known as Modern Millie, shares her expertise as a personal brand strategist. She unveils her three-phase system—Build, Scale, Profit—catering to creators aiming to earn $10K/month. Millie emphasizes the importance of taking action over waiting for clarity. Listeners learn about diverse monetization options and how to find their unique content style. She also advocates for giving away free value to establish trust and highlighting why small engaged communities often out-earn larger passive followings. 

38 snips
Sep 18, 2025 • 1h 55min
173. How to Make ANY Business Go Viral (even if it's boring) ft. Kolin Jones (Amalfi Jets)
 Kolin Jones, founder and CEO of Amalfi Jets, shares his unconventional journey in scaling the private aviation sector with viral marketing. He reveals how TikTok skits and authentic behind-the-scenes content turned a traditionally conservative industry on its head. Kolin emphasizes that consistency and volume can outperform polished aesthetics, discussing strategies to spark interest even in 'boring' niches. He also covers the importance of building trust through personable branding and effective lead qualification to drive significant revenue. 

76 snips
Sep 11, 2025 • 1h 45min
172. How to Build a Profitable Personal Brand Before It’s Too Late ft. Chris Do
 Chris Do, award-winning designer and founder of The Futur, shares his insights on building a standout personal brand. He discusses why many creators feel invisible online and the importance of authenticity and storytelling in content. Chris emphasizes that value must precede selling and encourages embracing vulnerability for stronger connections. He reveals clever strategies for overcoming digital noise and outlines the significance of personal growth and emotional engagement in brand development, making this a must-listen for aspiring creators. 

48 snips
Sep 3, 2025 • 1h 47min
171. $100M CEO Explains How to 10x Your Brand with Storytelling ft. Heidi Somers
 Heidi Somers, a YouTuber and founder of Buffbunny Collection, shares her journey in building an activewear brand that empowers women globally. She reveals how storytelling transformed her marketing strategy, with heartfelt campaigns that resonate emotionally. Heidi emphasizes the significance of inclusive sizing and listening to user feedback in creating a supportive community. The conversation dives into practical branding tips for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting authenticity, influencer marketing, and innovative approaches in a saturated market. 

16 snips
Aug 28, 2025 • 1h 59min
170. How I Built a $100M Brand from My Parent's House ft. Christian Guzman
 Join Christian Guzman, a fitness YouTuber and entrepreneur behind Alphalete and Alphaland, as he recounts his rise from a struggling gym to building a $100M brand. He shares the hard truths behind revenue chasing, the significance of hiring the right team, and why personal branding is crucial. Delve into the fading effectiveness of influencer marketing and explore strategies for navigating the challenges of launching a clothing brand. Christian emphasizes growth, mindfulness, and the importance of storytelling in entrepreneurship. 


