The Creator Spotlight Podcast

Colin Rocker, a creator dedicated to educating first-generation professionals, shares his inspiring transition from corporate skepticism to thriving on TikTok. He discusses the vital skills for creators, the importance of authenticity, and how he built a personal brand. Colin emphasizes diversifying platforms like Instagram and TikTok, managing time effectively as a full-time creator, and ethically monetizing an audience. He also highlights the value of community-building and the changing demographics of his followers, showcasing the broad appeal of his content.

Chico Felitti, an award-winning journalist and podcaster from Brazil, dives into the fascinating world of podcasting with his experience transitioning from traditional journalism to influencer culture. He discusses the unique challenges of adapting Brazilian narratives for American audiences and the ethics surrounding influencing as a journalist. The conversation touches on how AI dubbing can bridge cultural gaps and the vibrant, engaging nature of Brazilian social media. Chico shares insights on storytelling's transformative power and his journey to success in both Brazil and the U.S.

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. __ Adam's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-bidd/ Adam's X/Twitter: https://x.com/Adam_Bidd Mindstream: https://www.mindstream.news __ 00:00 Introducing Adam and Mindstream 01:48 Adam's first business in the music industry 06:38 The creator/entrepreneur spectrum 10:34 Getting started in the newsletter world 15:13 The first 1k subscribers and early investments 20:51 The skill of identifying an opportunity 27:31 Monetizing strategies following rapid growth 31:57 The value of using LinkedIn as a creator entrepreneur 37:56 How to prepare for acquisition 49:06 The three types of exits in business 52:20 The biggest opportunities in the creator economy right now #podcast #creatoreconomy #newsletter

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 #creatoreconomy #podcast #newsletter