Social Currency with Sammi Cohen

 Buy now, pay later is everywhere. Maybe you've seen it when you were buying a Sephora haul, or deciding that you deserve to splurge on your DoorDash delivery, but what’s the truth behind the trend? Today, Sammi answers the question: is BNPL just a shiny new version of the old school layaway, gamified for the TikTok generation? Or is it more dangerous? Follow Sammi on Instagram here Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter here Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 The Allure of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) 01:00 How BNPL Works 01:42 The Popularity… and Risks 06:40 Economic and Social Implications of BNPL 09:11 The Financial Realities of BNPL 12:42 BNPL and Your Credit Score 15:55 Pros, Cons and the Future of Payments All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC.  *APY as of 6/30/25, offered by Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Rate subject to change. See terms of IRA Match Program here: public.com/disclosures/ira-match. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ankur Jain, Founder and CEO of Bilt Rewards, discusses his innovative approach to transforming rent into rewards, making homeownership more attainable for younger generations. He shares insights on navigating regulatory challenges and successfully raising $250 million to fund his vision. Ankur reflects on his time at Tinder and explores the unique financial behaviors of Gen Z and Millennials. Plus, he recounts the extraordinary experience of hosting his wedding at the Great Pyramids of Giza, blending romance with adventure.

Mel Robbins didn’t invent self-help—but she might’ve made it viral. From courtroom stress to content queen, Mel turned panic attacks into a personal brand empire, built on bite-sized truths like the Five Second Rule and Let Them. Her strategy? Simplicity that scales, relentless experimentation, and showing up as exactly herself. In today’s episode, Sammi breaks down how Mel went from anonymous anxiety to global influence—and what her journey teaches us about brand-building in the era of oversharing. Whether you want to grow your platform or just get your butt out of bed, Mel’s story is full of real, replicable takeaways. Follow Sammi on Instagram here Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter here Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 The Power of Bite-Sized Wisdom 00:30 Who Is Mel Robbins (and Why Is She Everywhere)? 05:10 The Five Second Rule: TikTok Therapy in Disguise 07:24 Let Them: Simplicity as a Business Strategy 10:07 The Mel Media Machine: How She Experiments Her Way to the Top 11:54 Lessons in Authenticity, Attention, and Algorithms 13:27 What You Can Steal From Mel’s Playbook All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Cryptocurrency trading services are offered by Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC (NMLS ID 1890144), which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYSDFS. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative, involves a high degree of risk, and has the potential for loss of the entire amount of an investment. Cryptocurrency holdings are not protected by the FDIC or SIPC.  *APY as of 6/30/25, offered by Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Rate subject to change. See terms of IRA Match Program here: public.com/disclosures/ira-match. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if freezing your eggs didn’t have to feel out of reach, financially or emotionally? Lauren Makler, co-founder and CEO of Cofertility, is reimagining how we think about egg donation and preservation. Lauren’s company helps women freeze their eggs for free— in exchange for donating half— breaking down financial barriers while fostering a more transparent, human-first approach to fertility. In this conversation, Lauren tells Sammi about the wake-up call that sparked her mission, the challenges of innovating in healthcare, and how she balances operational complexity with a deeply personal, purpose-driven vision. Here’s what Sammi covers with Lauren: 00:00 Lauren Makler’s Social Currency 01:45 From Uber Health to Women’s Health: Lauren’s Career Journey 04:56 The Personal Story Behind Cofertility 09:36 Rethinking the Business of Fertility 16:26 How Co-Fertility’s Model Works 19:57 Making Egg Donation More Transparent 22:01 Fundraising in FemTech 23:00 Testing the Concept and Winning Over Investors 27:01 Navigating Operational Challenges 29:22 Building Trust Through Partnerships and Brand 32:50 Consumerizing Healthcare Without Losing the Human Touch 38:49 Advice for Founders Pivoting into Women’s Health 42:11 How to Support the Show Follow Sammi on Instagram here Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter here Follow Cofertility here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nearly 60% of Gen Z wants to be a creator—but how do you actually turn posting into profit? In this episode, Sammi pulls back the curtain on the creator economy and shares the real business model behind full-time content creation. From brand partnerships to your own storefront, affiliate links to equity deals, Sammi breaks down all the ways creators monetize (and the pitfalls to watch out for). Plus, she shares her own behind-the-scenes journey: how she priced her first brand deal, the mistakes she learned the hard way, and her big vision for Social Currency as a platform and a business. Whether you’re dreaming of becoming a creator yourself, already building your side hustle, or just curious about how the influencer sausage gets made—this episode will give you a roadmap to stand out, stay authentic, and actually make money online. Follow Sammi on Instagram here Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter here Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 Why the creator economy is just getting started 02:15 The myth of saturation—and how to stand out 03:44 The brand partnership playbook (and how to price yourself) 11:09 Owning your storefront: products, courses, and merch 15:07 Platform payouts, affiliate links, and even equity deals 16:33 The realities of creator cash flow and mental load 20:55  How to show Social Currency some love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Augustus Doricko, Founder and CEO of Rainmaker, is on a bold mission to modify weather through cloud seeding, aiming to combat drought and enhance ecosystems. He shares the challenges of engineering high-tech solutions and the transformative potential of his work. With a fascinating path to becoming a Peter Thiel fellow, Augustus discusses the unique company culture at Rainmaker, where their motto hints at a fearless approach to innovation. Plus, he dives into the emerging hard tech scene in El Segundo and how his technology could revolutionize water scarcity solutions.

Trader Joe’s has no loyalty programs. No flashy ads. Stores that look like they time-traveled in from the '70s. And yet… Trader Joe’s generates more sales per square foot than almost any other grocery store in America. Why?  Today, Sammi unpacks the genius of Trader Joe’s—how a company that breaks every retail rule has built one of the most beloved (and profitable) grocery brands in the country. From decision paralysis and private-label domination to its anti-corporate vibe, cult-like fanbase, and German ownership, Trader Joe’s is proof that sometimes the most radical business model  is the simplest one done exceptionally well. Plus: Sammi explains the psychology behind limited-time products, how mystery breeds loyalty, and why treating your employees right isn’t just good karma—it’s good business. Follow Sammi on Instagram here Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter here Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 The Retail Rule-Breaker Nobody Saw Coming 01:35 How Trader Joe’s Was Built for the Over-Educated and Underpaid 04:02 From Flashlights to Fearless Flyers: The Early Days 06:18 Why Fewer Choices = More Sales 09:15 The Power of Private Label and the Two-Buck Chuck Strategy 12:50 The Real Reason You Love Their Packaging 14:07 How Trader Joe’s Built a Culture—Not Just a Store 16:34 The Anti-Influencer Marketing Model That Actually Works 19:15 Cult Products, Secrecy, and Brand Mythology 23:02 The German Empire Behind America’s Favorite Grocer 25:44 What You Can Learn From Trader Joe’s Playbook 27:10 How to Support the Show + Stay in the Loop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to build a luxury beauty brand that’s as cool as it is strategic? Cassandra Grey has the answer. She’s the force behind Violet Grey—the ultra-curated beauty platform that has become a tastemaker in Hollywood and beyond. Cassandra’s playbook is not the usual one: she launched her brand, grew a cult following for nearly a decade, sold the company in 2022, and then bought it back in 2024. Today, she shares what she learned from every milestone. Cassandra explains what selling her brand taught her about business, insights from her early meetings with Anna Wintour and Gwyneth Paltrow, and how to find your aesthetic as a brand.   Here’s what Sammi covers with Cassandra: 00:00 Meet Cassandra Grey 01:30 Cassandra’s Introduction to Glamour and an Unusual Childhood 04:06 The Violet Grey Origin Story 05:20 Crafting a Business Plan Without an MBA 12:29 The Violet Code 17:31 THE Gwyneth Paltrow Phone Call 19:40 Acquisition by Farfetch 24:04 Why Delusion is Good in Business 25:56 Buying Back Violet Gray 28:02 Incubating Brands with Violet Labs 30:29 The Push into Retail 37:26 Hiring for Your Weaknesses 40:31 Actionable Tips for Finding Your Brand’s Look 44:34 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Follow Sammi on Instagram here Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter hereFollow Violet Grey here Follow Cassandra here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Away wasn’t just luggage—it was millennial wanderlust personified. Backed by $150 million in funding and powered by influencer buzz, Away rocketed to unicorn status in four years. But behind the minimalist branding and Instagrammable carry-ons was a workplace culture scandal, a global travel shutdown, and the hard truth that they were never a tech company… they were just selling suitcases. Today, Sammi unpacks the stunning rise and near-collapse of Away: the Slack surveillance, the CEO whiplash, the overfunding problem, and the brutal reality check of pandemic-era travel. Plus, what happens when your brand is built on vibes… and the vibes shift? Follow Sammi on Instagram here Subscribe to the Social Currency newsletter here Here’s what Sammi covers today: 00:00 Away: A Millennial Success Story 01:04 The Broken Luggage Origin Story to Unicorn Status 03:33 The Marketing Magic of Creating a Must-Have Brand 04:56 Rocket Ship Growth and Market Competition 06:08 Toxic Culture and the Beginning of the End 07:54 … and Then There’s COVID 09:06 Post-Pandemic Strategies 12:43 Lessons From The Rise and Fall of Away 13:50 How to Show Social Currency Some Love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant LaFontaine, co-founder and CEO of Whatnot, shares insights into revolutionizing online shopping through live streams. He discusses the significance of Y Combinator in shaping his entrepreneurial journey and emphasizes the importance of user feedback in product evolution. Grant dives into the unique customer interactions that make Whatnot stand out, the challenges of scaling while maintaining quality, and the potential future of social commerce. He even highlights how a little paranoia can be a powerful asset for founders.