

Brand You Personal Branding
Mike Kim
The Brand You Podcast with Mike Kim helps you showcase your unique expertise and build a profitable business around your personal brand. Each episode blends real-world strategy with actionable tips in personal branding, marketing, copywriting, consulting, business, and coaching — so you can attract the right clients, grow your influence, and do more of the work you love.
Mike Kim is the Wall Street Journal best-selling author of You Are the Brand, a proven guidebook that has helped entrepreneurs, consultants, coaches, and creators position themselves as trusted authorities in their field. As a sought-after speaker and marketing strategist, Mike has worked with industry leaders, NYT bestselling authors, and influential organizations to craft messaging that moves people to action.
With years of hands-on experience in branding, direct response marketing, and high-level consulting, Mike distills what he’s learned into clear, practical advice — so you can stop feeling stuck, clarify your message, and build a business that’s unmistakably you.
Mike Kim is the Wall Street Journal best-selling author of You Are the Brand, a proven guidebook that has helped entrepreneurs, consultants, coaches, and creators position themselves as trusted authorities in their field. As a sought-after speaker and marketing strategist, Mike has worked with industry leaders, NYT bestselling authors, and influential organizations to craft messaging that moves people to action.
With years of hands-on experience in branding, direct response marketing, and high-level consulting, Mike distills what he’s learned into clear, practical advice — so you can stop feeling stuck, clarify your message, and build a business that’s unmistakably you.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 26, 2025 • 47min
469 - A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Process of Writing a Book with My Client, Marissa Nehlsen
I sit down with author Marissa Nehlsen to share how we helped her bring her first book, Live Life Rich, to life. You'll learn how the book was conceived and structured, as well as some of the challenges we faced. You can also view this interview in studio on my YouTube channel here. If you've ever wanted to write a book or were curious about how the ghostwriter / client dynamic works, tune in. Get your copy of Live Life Rich » This fall, I'm planning to host an accelerator to help future authors ideate, write, and market their book. If you're interested, get on the waiting list here: mikekim.com/writeyourbook Finally, if you haven't yet done so, register for my You Are the Brand AI Summit where you'll learn from leading experts on how to amplify your personal brand using AI - without losing your authenticy or audience: youarethebrand.ai Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

Aug 20, 2025 • 20min
468 - Rick Rubin, Johnny Cash, and the Secret Power of Taste in a Post-AI World
As AI continues to change how we work, I’ve been paying close attention to the one thing it can’t replicate: taste. In this conversation, I share why I believe cultivating discernment is the real differentiator, how I’m personally practicing it, and what you can do to sharpen yours in business, branding, and creativity. Why I think AI can replicate skills but not intuition—and why that excites me. How Rick Rubin and Johnny Cash helped me see taste in a whole new way. The way I curate my inputs to sharpen my instincts and creativity. Why I’ve learned subtraction is just as important as addition in great work. The feedback loops I rely on to refine my eye and get better over time. Join me at my upcoming (free!) You Are the Brand AI Summit at youarethebrand.ai and learn how to turn your voice into your ultimate competitive edge. Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

Aug 12, 2025 • 14min
467 - The Coming Authenticity Premium - Why Your Voice Is Now Your Most Valuable Asset
Content alone won’t set you apart anymore. AI can create more words, images, and videos than you could in a lifetime—but it can’t replicate your voice, your perspective, or the way you connect with people. That’s why what you say, how you say it, and the stories you share are about to become your most valuable assets. I’ve just spent weeks deep in conversations with some smart entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders I know for my upcoming You Are the Brand AI Summit. One very common theme: the people who win in this next wave will be the ones who double down on authenticity, not automation. A few more shares from this episode: The “authenticity premium” that’s making human connection more valuable than ever Why live, in-person events are exploding right now Why professional speakers aren't afraid of AI (this was cool) Why your unpolished, uncomfortable stories are often your biggest differentiator The summit kicks off August 25—and it’s completely free. When you register, you’ll get my personal field notes from every conversation, plus an exclusive 90-minute live workshop where my team and I will show you exactly how we built the summit using AI (and where we didn’t). Secure your spot now at youarethebrand.ai and learn how to turn your voice into your ultimate competitive edge. Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

Aug 5, 2025 • 60min
466 - The Secrets and Stories I've Kept Hidden for a Decade - Til Eugene Choi Got Me Talking
When my friend Eugene Choi dropped by my place last week, we had one of the rawest conversations I’ve ever had about my business. For the first time, I opened up about the wins I’ve kept quiet, the mistakes that nearly sunk me, and the moments—and people—that altered my path forever. This is the unfiltered backstory I’ve never fully shared, until now. Tune in and, you’ll hear: 1:56 - Why my mastermind is (apparently) an anomaly 6:56 - How my mastermind helped me go full-time 15:09 - Surviving divorce and a big business blunder 19:08 - Ray Edwards' belief 26:11 - Donald Miller's kindness 31:09 - Todd Herman, Mary Valloni, so many others 42:37 - The providence of God 45:45 - My master plan for an IP empire 51:53 - Ann Ahn, an early hero 58:38 - Join me for You Are the Brand AI Summit Episode Resources: You Are the Brand AI Summit » Eugene Choi on Instagram » Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

Jul 2, 2025 • 16min
465 - Starting Over After Losing the Life You Imagined (I'm Back)
The host reflects on personal loss, sharing how grief can fuel ambition and creativity. They discuss the complexities of their relationship with their late father, revealing insights about unfulfilled expectations and family dynamics. The journey of self-discovery shines through, emphasizing the challenges of starting over after significant life changes. Authenticity in content creation is explored, highlighting the importance of staying true to oneself, even amid the pressures of digital engagement. This heartfelt conversation resonates deeply with anyone navigating personal and professional reinvention.

May 29, 2025 • 25min
464 - How I Reconciled My Relationship with My Father, My Past, My Pain
Watch this talk on YouTube » Entrepreneurs and high achievers like to talk a lot about how to rewrite their life story, especially in the context of their external accomplishments. I've found that growth more happens in the unseen moments - the times of pain, heartache, and the decisions we face that require courage, forgiveness, and presence. When I got the call that my dad was dying, I knew I had to share this story—our story. This is a talk I gave at Growth Now Summit Live, and with special permission from host Justin Schenck, I’m sharing it here. It’s about reconciliation, grief, identity, and the raw, often ugly road to healing. Whether or not you’re navigating loss or family conflict, I hope this message invites you to reconnect—with yourself or someone else—before it’s too late. CONNECT WITH ME Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

May 20, 2025 • 5min
A personal update...
There's been a lot going on lately, so I thought I'd pop in and give you an update. Sorry I've been missing my podcasts...

Apr 29, 2025 • 31min
463 - Persuasion for One-Person Brands - Lessons from Fortune 500 Insider Ellin Sidell
Ellin Sidell, a seasoned Fortune 500 leader and the author of The Influence Advantage, shares her insights on mastering persuasion as a solopreneur. She reveals how humor helped her navigate workplace challenges and emphasizes the power of mentorship and sponsorship for personal growth. Ellin discusses the pivotal role of self-leadership in a content-saturated world and reflects on her transformative journey through public speaking and creative strategies. Listeners will gain valuable lessons on how to advocate for themselves and develop their unique brand.

Apr 22, 2025 • 41min
462 - Rich Relationships - How to Create a Million-Dollar Network for Your Business with Selena Soo
Want to build a network that actually works for you — without faking extroversion or burning out? Today, Selena Soo joins me to talk about what it really takes to build a million-dollar network in today’s world. From defining your inner circle to learning how to ask for help, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and hard-won insight. Why introverts can often be great relationship builders—and how Selena leveraged this to create a thriving network The 3-phase framework of building Rich Relationships: Align, Attract, Activate How to sort your network into 6 circles—and why this protects your time, energy, and values The vulnerable story of how Selena ended a million-dollar relationship with a mentor who crossed the line Don’t just listen—put this into action. Get Selena’s free scripts, preview the book, and enter to win $1,000: richrelationshipsbook.com/mikekim Get Selena's book, Rich Relationships, on Amazon here » Connect with Selena: Website - https://www.selenasoo.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selena_soo Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/selenasoo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenasoo

Apr 15, 2025 • 51min
461 - Why Being Nice is Keeping Your Clients from their Best Results with Jay Ferrugia
Jay Ferrugia, a fitness industry pioneer with over 25 years of transformative experience, discusses the real secret to client success. He argues that being excessively nice can actually hinder results and emphasizes the importance of brutal honesty in building trust. Jay reveals what he looks for in clients during their first meeting and how personality fit can drive outcomes. He also shares insights on personal growth, highlighting daily habits like cold showers and authentic communication as keys to success.