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Beyond Influence

Latest episodes

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Jan 15, 2025 • 1h 14min

Episode 33: Brett Brown - From Self-Taught Designer to Nike Innovator

This week, Brett Brown, a self-taught design genius and Nike's design director, shares his inspiring journey from a challenging childhood in Wilmington, North Carolina, to reality TV fame on 'Love is Blind.' He talks about trusting creative instincts and the transformative LinkedIn post that changed his life. Brett also dives into navigating self-discovery and brand identity, reflecting on the balance between personal goals and parenthood. Plus, he discusses the evolving landscape of financial management for creators, offering valuable insights for anyone in the game.
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Jan 8, 2025 • 57min

Episode 32: Sara Pollack - How Pinterest Predicts Trends

Join us this week as we sit down with Sara Pollack, VP and Global Head of Consumer Marketing at Pinterest. With impressive career-spanning roles at Google, YouTube, and Pinterest, Sara has been at the forefront of social media’s evolution and its impact on society.In this episode, we dive into Sara’s journey from creative film executive to marketing leader at some of the world’s most influential companies. We dig into the story behind Pinterest Predicts, the platform’s data-driven trends report, and get an exclusive preview of what’s in store for 2025. Plus, Sara shares how Pinterest connects creators, brands, and audiences to fuel the creator economy. Follow Sara on LinkedIn @sarapollack
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Dec 18, 2024 • 53min

Episode 31: Gabby Beckford - Packing Light, Living Large

Meet Gabby Beckford, a dynamic content creator who transformed her background in data quality engineering into a thriving social media career. With over 500k followers across her platforms and features in publications like the New York Times and National Geographic, Gabby is redefining what it means to be a modern creator.In this episode, we explore Gabby's remarkable journey from writing $10 blog posts to becoming the 2024 ADColor Creator of the Year. She shares insights on overcoming travel fears and building confidence through self-reassurance. Discover how Gabby leverages her unique blend of technical expertise and creative storytelling to inspire others to step out of their comfort zones and embrace a life of adventure.Follow Gabby on Instagram @PacksLight
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Dec 4, 2024 • 49min

Episode 30: Nick Dorka - From Real Estate to Reality

Meet Nick Dorka, a former All-American kicker turned real estate agent and influencer. Nick rose to prominence as a fan favorite on “Love is Blind” season 7, where his youthful personality shone despite the challenges he faced on the show.In this episode, Nick shares his journey from reality TV to navigating his newfound stardom, doubling down on his real estate career, and building an online community. We dive into the realities of being on “Love is Blind”, tips for leveraging a new platform, and Nick’s aspirations for brand partnerships and collaborations.Follow Nick on Instagram @nicholasdorka
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Nov 21, 2024 • 51min

Episode 29: Ryan Alford - The Power of Influence

This week, we sit down with Ryan Alford, a serial entrepreneur and the host of the popular marketing podcast “Right About Now.” Ryan’s journey is a testament to resilience—from humble beginnings to building an industry-leading brand, he’s achieved success by earning and leveraging influence. As a former junior account executive turned powerhouse marketer, Ryan has honed his expertise in marketing, social culture, and entertainment, creating one of the top 10 marketing podcasts in the process.In this episode, Ryan shares why building a community before a brand is essential, the power of atomizing content, and how staying small at first can fuel long-term growth. Tune in to hear Ryan’s insights on capturing audience attention and the payoff of being known in the industry.Follow Ryan on Instagram @ryanalford
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Nov 13, 2024 • 51min

Episode 28: Louis Levanti - Building Your Brand & Finding Your Niche

Meet Louis Levanti, the internet's brutally honest best friend, a lover of dogs, a huge foodie, and if he had to define his niche, he would say "I am my niche." Louis started his content career as a digital producer for Paramount and has worked with brands like MTV, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon. He has now garnered an audience of 4M+ followers across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat. His videos span from celebrity and pop culture news to LGBTQ relationship content, food and drink, fashion, lifestyle, and so much more. In this episode, we chat with Louis about the basic strategies that helped him get started with his content career, and why he’d rather build his own brand than anybody else’s. Follow Louis on Instagram @louislevanti
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Oct 30, 2024 • 40min

Episode 27: Dani Stacy - Finding Her Voice

Join us this week as we chat with Dani Stacy, a singer-songwriter who made her national debut this year on “The Voice.” Her memorable cover of “I Will Survive” turned all four coaches’ chairs and was a key turning point in her music career. Dani has blended her musical aspirations and social media growth, mixing current trends with promoting her music.Tune in as we discuss Dani’s experience on “The Voice”, where her love for music started, and how she overcame shyness to become the powerhouse performer she is today. Follow Dani on Instagram @dani_stacy
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Oct 22, 2024 • 43min

Episode 26: Evan Wray - The Power of the Everyday Influencer

Meet Evan Wray, CEO and co-founder of Mavely, and a driving force in the world of social commerce. In this episode, we chat with Evan about how Mavely was founded (and how entrepreneurial stay-at-home moms were behind much of Mavely’s success in the early days). Evan has revolutionized brand-audience engagement through Everyday Influencers®, or content creators who authentically engage with audiences. By harnessing the power of affiliate marketing, Evan created a game-changing channel that empowers influencers and retailers to drive performance. Recognized in the 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 list, Evan has continued to make significant contributions that are reshaping the marketing industry.Follow Evan Wray on LinkedIn @evanjwray
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Oct 16, 2024 • 54min

Episode 25: Rome Johnson - Parenting with Purpose

Meet Rome Johnson, a Seattle-based creator who focuses on fatherhood and the millennial parenting journey with authenticity. Rome’s content focuses on being a present father to his two beautiful children, one of whom has a disability. Rome and his wife Falesha use their platforms to highlight life as they navigate the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system — all while raising the next generation and offering advice and inspiration. In this episode, we discuss heartfelt parenting moments, practical advice for families with medical needs, and the importance of finding partnerships that go above and beyond. Follow Rome on Instagram @romejohns
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Oct 8, 2024 • 47min

Episode 24: Sara Uy - Setting Out on Her Own

Ring ring, it’s Sara from Pareto calling! Tune in this week as we chat with Sara Uy, sales director and internet personality known for sharing her live cold calls online.  In this episode, we discuss what inspired Sara to post her cold calls, the importance of buying into what you do, and starting her own business after five years at Pareto.  With the success and marketability she’s gained from her social media presence, Sara’s excited to see what new opportunities her platform can create. Follow Sara on Instagram @saraauyyy

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