The Creator Spotlight Podcast

Jazmin Griffith, a social media expert and founder of Que Lo Que, shares her insights on the fascinating world of social listening. With experience at major brands like Sony and Google, she demystifies what social listening really entails. Jazmin discusses how understanding data can shape content strategies and enhance audience engagement. She also explores Gen Z's unique impact on branding and spending habits. Plus, insights on navigating different platforms and maintaining authenticity in content creation make this conversation invaluable for creators.

This week on The Creator Spotlight Podcast we are joined by Adam Biddlecombe, co-founder of Mindstream, a successful AI-focused newsletter which was recently acquired by HubSpot only 17 months after its inception. Adam shares his journey from being a musician to an entrepreneur, the ability to identify and seize an opportunity, and how to prep for acquisition.__AdamLinkedInX/Twitter__Links & ReferencesMindstream__Timestamps00:00 Introducing Adam and Mindstream01:48 Adam's first business in the music industry06:38 The creator/entrepreneur spectrum10:34 Getting started in the newsletter world15:13 The first 1k subscribers and early investments20:51 The skill of identifying an opportunity27:31 Monetizing strategies following rapid growth31:57 The value of using LinkedIn as a creator entrepreneur37:56 How to prepare for acquisition49:06 The three types of exits in business52:20 The biggest opportunities in the creator economy right now

Join Jesse Feister, Executive Director of the Webby Media Group and former Global Head of Creator Marketing at Twitch, as he dives into the creator economy. He shares insights on the evolution of the Webby Awards and the crucial skills creators need for entrepreneurship. Jesse discusses how musicians transitioned to live streaming during the pandemic and the importance of audience engagement. He also highlights the impact of technology on the creative landscape and the delicacy of balancing audience feedback with artistic expression.

This week, Grace Ling, founder of Design Buddies, shares her journey in building a massive online community of over 150,000 designers. She discusses the secret to maintaining a healthy, engaged community while generating $1 million annually. Grace highlights the untapped potential of LinkedIn for growth and explores innovative networking strategies using 'Riz.' The conversation also dives into monetization methods, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections in the creator economy. Tune in for insights on community dynamics and effective revenue diversification!

In this conversation, Amanda McLoughlin, CEO of Multitude and podcasting expert, shares her journey from YouTube vlogger to a successful podcaster. She discusses building a strong community and navigating the evolving podcast landscape over the past decade. Amanda emphasizes the need for creators to diversify their income streams and maintain authenticity with sponsors. She offers insights on saying no to opportunities that don’t align with your brand and highlights that a podcast's value isn't solely measured by profitability. Ultimately, she champions creators as businesses that should prioritize their independence.

Thomas Yeum, a dynamic video-first creator and expert in social media, shares his inspiring shift from software engineering to content creation. He discusses his viral series, '125 days to make $10k/month', revealing the ups and downs of the creator economy. Thomas emphasizes the need for innovative strategies and personal values in achieving success. He also delves into crafting compelling video content, balancing creativity with business acumen, and navigating social media's complex landscape to forge a path for aspiring creators.

Kyle Sheldon, founder and CEO of Name and Number, shares insights from his two-decades-long journey in U.S. soccer. He discusses the evolving marketing landscape and the immense potential for growth in American soccer. Kyle emphasizes the importance of mentorship through his Pathway initiative. He explores the intersection of soccer and fashion, highlighting recent collaborations. The conversation also touches on the shifting power dynamics between creators and traditional media, revealing how creators are reshaping fan engagement ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

This week Francis is joined by award winning financial reporter, Phil Rosen. Last year Phil left his role as Senior Markets Reporter at Business Insider to pursue his independent newsletter-first media company, Opening Bell Daily. His flagship newsletter Opening Bell Daily, now has over 190k subscribers within its first year of operation. Opening Bell Daily: https://www.openingbelldailynews.com Phil's X: https://x.com/philrosenn 00:00 Introducing Phil Rosen and Opening Bell Daily 02:00 Building the foundation of a successful writer 05:27 Independent journalism's rise over established media 13:49 Navigating the business side of journalism 18:22 The freedom of building a new business model 21:40 Phil's ambitions to NOT scale the business 24:32 The death of objectivity in journalism 30:48 The untapped market for valuable growth 33:40 Overcoming the fear of posting video 39:30 Paywalls: The necessary evils of the media business 44:36 Advice for aspiring writers and creators

Leigh Stein, a six-time author and cultural critic, shares her insights on navigating the modern writing landscape. She argues that now is the best time to be a writer, emphasizing the need to view art as a product. Stein discusses the impact of platforms like TikTok and BookTok on the literary world and advocates for destroying the stigma around self-publishing. She also delves into creating shareable content, the evolving dynamics of the creator economy, and offers valuable advice for aspiring writers.

This time, Eric Silver joins the conversation. Eric is a seasoned podcaster and head of development at Multitude, a prominent podcast studio. They delve into podcasting techniques, emphasizing audio storytelling over video. Eric shares insights on crafting a unique interview style and the rise of Actual Play podcasts. The discussion also highlights the ethical considerations in creator businesses and the importance of fresh perspectives in interviews. Listeners gain valuable tips on what makes a great podcast guest and the future of independent media.