Informed: the podcast for LinkedIn® users
John Espirian
"Informed" is for you if you'd like to understand more about how LinkedIn works so that you can be an effective user of the platform.
It's hard to know whom to believe with so many self-appointed gurus out there telling you the latest hacks for going viral and earning 7-figure deals. And even LinkedIn's own publications often don't speak to the reality of using the platform.
But for those who see past superficial promises and sanitised reports, this podcast provides evidence and thoughtful opinion. With a track record of more than 10 years of sensible, no-nonsense advice about honest best practice for LinkedIn, Informed is a trusted source of insight by many thousands of regular listeners.
The show was created by Mark Williams, who's affectionately known as "Mr LinkedIn". Mark retired in late 2025 and handed over the reins of the show to John Espirian, the relentlessly helpful® LinkedIn nerd. John is a LinkedIn trainer and consultant, the founder of the Espresso+ community, the creator of the UpLift Live conference (the UK's original event dedicated to LinkedIn best practice), and the author of the personal branding handbook Content DNA.
John's reputation is for getting to the point and for not being a salesy douche canoe, so you can expect short, sharp episodes with zero ads or sponsored slots. This also is NOT an interview show, so if you've read this far then please don't pitch yourself for a guest appearance. However, you're welcome to get in touch if you have a LinkedIn question you'd like John to cover on the show. (To do that, search for the "Informed podcast" company page on LinkedIn and send a message.)
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by the LinkedIn® corporation. John Espirian is an independent trainer and does not work for LinkedIn® – while it would be great to have LinkedIn's endorsement, the show's independence from the corporation means you, the listener, are never fed an airbrushed political spiel.
It's hard to know whom to believe with so many self-appointed gurus out there telling you the latest hacks for going viral and earning 7-figure deals. And even LinkedIn's own publications often don't speak to the reality of using the platform.
But for those who see past superficial promises and sanitised reports, this podcast provides evidence and thoughtful opinion. With a track record of more than 10 years of sensible, no-nonsense advice about honest best practice for LinkedIn, Informed is a trusted source of insight by many thousands of regular listeners.
The show was created by Mark Williams, who's affectionately known as "Mr LinkedIn". Mark retired in late 2025 and handed over the reins of the show to John Espirian, the relentlessly helpful® LinkedIn nerd. John is a LinkedIn trainer and consultant, the founder of the Espresso+ community, the creator of the UpLift Live conference (the UK's original event dedicated to LinkedIn best practice), and the author of the personal branding handbook Content DNA.
John's reputation is for getting to the point and for not being a salesy douche canoe, so you can expect short, sharp episodes with zero ads or sponsored slots. This also is NOT an interview show, so if you've read this far then please don't pitch yourself for a guest appearance. However, you're welcome to get in touch if you have a LinkedIn question you'd like John to cover on the show. (To do that, search for the "Informed podcast" company page on LinkedIn and send a message.)
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by the LinkedIn® corporation. John Espirian is an independent trainer and does not work for LinkedIn® – while it would be great to have LinkedIn's endorsement, the show's independence from the corporation means you, the listener, are never fed an airbrushed political spiel.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 11, 2021 • 58min
Notifications Complications
A fantastic new notification feature was introduced this week but does this now require us to look more closely at our notification settings?Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Dec 4, 2021 • 56min
The First CAP Class
LinkedIn have announced the first cohort of 100 creators to benefit from funding and guidance support. I take a look at who they have selected and whether they are deserving of this support or not!Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Nov 20, 2021 • 1h 3min
The Case For Two Feeds
“Why should I bother creating awesome content, when it is arbitrarily limited by my connection network and not the quality of the content?” I saw this comment in a thread this week and do you know what, it’s a really good point! …I think LinkedIn needs another feed, a feed where content is purely there because the algorithm thinks we will be interested - connecting, following and relevance do not count - just the quality and subject of the content.Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Nov 13, 2021 • 53min
The ‘Relationship’ of Followers & Connections
Do you want followers or connections? Is a connection more valuable than a follower and can you build relationships with followers without the need to connect? This week I deep dive into this and explore the relationship between followers and connectionsMentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Nov 6, 2021 • 52min
Employee Verification!
I have been calling for employee verification on LinkedIn for years and LinkedIn have finally implemented it for company page admins…Unfortunately, they have done it for completely the wrong reasons and it doesn’t help at all!Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Oct 23, 2021 • 49min
Take your LinkedIn hat off!
It takes a leap of faith to be authentic on LinkedIn. More than that, it takes real courage! But the benefits are massive... it's time to take that hat off!Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Oct 16, 2021 • 1h 5min
InPay Opportunities
With the rumored introduction of a LinkedIn digital wallet and the announcement that Events will the first feature likely to utilize it. I take a look at what features of LinkedIn could be monetized by users and explore whether this would be a good thing for the platform.Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Oct 2, 2021 • 1h 11min
LinkedIn Creators
LinkedIns new initiative to support creators is now in full swing. Is it any good?Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Sep 25, 2021 • 1h 8min
Does The CAP Fit?
LinkedIn are putting their money where their mouth is regarding their initiative to support creators with the announcement that they are offering $15,000 (c£11,000) grants plus other support to 100 creators in the US. I take a deeper look into what this means and how it might be used in practice.Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Sep 11, 2021 • 1h 9min
The Fear of Engagement & Posting
Welcome to LinkedInformed 336. This week I chat with fellow LinkedIn Trainer Teddy Burris about the challenges we all face with the posting and engaging…the fear factor! What stops us from engaging more on LinkedIn? Is it really a time thing, or is it for normally more complex and deeper reasons.Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
