Social Currency with Sammi Cohen

Dive into the wild tale of Juicero, a startup that raised $120 million to fix a non-existent problem with a $400 juicing machine. Discover founder Doug Evans' ambitious vision and the initial excitement from Silicon Valley investors. But the hype fizzled when a viral video exposed the juicer's unnecessary features. This debacle serves as a lesson in the startup world about the dangers of over-engineering and validating actual consumer needs. It's a cautionary tale wrapped in humor and insight!

Tyler Denk, CEO of Beehiiv and a key player from Morning Brew, shares his journey of building successful newsletters. He discusses growth tactics that emerged from his time at Morning Brew and how he's positioning Beehiiv in the competitive landscape. Tyler reveals the importance of authenticity in content creation and explores the evolving role of AI tools like DinkBot for enhancing reader engagement. He also highlights the advantages of being a single founder and offers insights on monetization avenues for creators in the digital media landscape.

Celebrity brands are everywhere, but why do some soar while others flop? Discover the crucial role of authenticity and trust in building a brand that lasts. From Kim Kardashian's Skims to Hailey Bieber's Rhode, successful ventures share a smart approach to branding. Meanwhile, see why Blake Lively's beauty line and Katy Perry's beverage struggle to gain traction. It's not just celebrity status that matters; the right product and genuine connection with consumers can make all the difference in a saturated market.

Sophia Kianni, the youngest UN advisor in U.S. history and founder of Climate Cardinals, teams up with Phia co-founder Phoebe Gates to explore a revolutionary approach to secondhand shopping. They share their journey from Stanford dorm brainstorming to launching a tech-driven platform aimed at making resale seamless and sustainable. The duo discusses targeting Gen Z shoppers, the importance of radical transparency in fashion, and how their backgrounds empower their mission for a greener planet. Their insights into consumer identity and mindful buying are particularly compelling.

 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.