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
Apr 1, 2023 • 1h 10min
The beginning of the end for LinkedIn?
"This is probably the worst move LinkedIn have made in the 15 years I've been closely following them!" Sponsoring personal posts might seem like an innocent enough move, possibly even an exciting new feature to some but I see it very differently. Sponsored posts will eventually lead to poor organic reach. Poor organic reach will see LinkedIn decline to just being a job board again. This could be the beginning of the end!Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Mar 18, 2023 • 57min
Can This AI Tool Really Perfect Your LinkedIn Profile?
In the week that everyone is talking about the new Chat GPT4, LinkedIn release a new AI tool that helps you craft the perfect profile...or does it? That is the main topic of this weeks LinkedInformed but I'm also going to cover; 3 new features An update of collaborative articles The LinkedIn podcast academy Post of the week Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Mar 11, 2023 • 55min
Collaborative LinkedIn Articles
LinkedIn are heavily pushing collaborative articles with notifications and prompts pushing us to get involved but what exactly are they and should we be bothering with them? That is the main topic of this weeks LInkedInformed but before I'm also going to cover; LinkedIn soon turns 20! Should LinkedIn position itself as the next Twitter? LinkedIn tests DM's to companies Post of the week Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Mar 4, 2023 • 1h 7min
Revealed: Unlock the Power of LinkedIn with This Simple Engagement Strategy!
Commenting frequently is a LinkedIn superpower. If you did nothing else on LinkedIn, you could still achieve success by commenting on others content. This week, I will explain why and reveal my recommended LinkedIn engagement strategy. Plus several new LinkedIn features. Welcome to the 385th edition of LinkedInformedMentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Feb 18, 2023 • 1h 3min
Like or Comment?
Should you Like (React) a post or comment on it❓ Which is best for you and which is best for the post creator?❓ Do you want others to Like or comment on your posts❓ In this edition of LinkedInformed I will attempt to answer these three questions, plus; LinkedIn are laying off staff The best times to post on LinkedIn Is there a workaround to pinning a top comment on your post? The evil of ChatGPT - misuse of AI is happening already on LinkedIn! The best way to use the new 'Star' inbox feature Post of the week Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Feb 11, 2023 • 56min
'You' vs 'Work You' on LinkedIn
Does your employer encourage you to develop your authentic voice on LinkedIn? Many organisations are starting to understand the benefits of doing so.Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Jan 28, 2023 • 56min
LinkedIn and ChatGPT
As I continue my journey with ChatGPT, I discover why it's called a 'chat' and learn how to utilise it better in LinkedIn posts, articles and profiles. Also, Microsoft results show modest sales growth for Linkedin but they have now reached the 900m member milestone. Plus a couple of new features and a joyous post of the week!Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Jan 21, 2023 • 1h 8min
Authenticity in an AI World
Producing an authentic profile on LinkedIn used to be an advantage...with the growth of ChatGPT it's becoming an essential tool to prove that you are real! That plus; 4 new features/changes to LinkedIn My assessment of Tomer Cohen's recent podcast interview LinkedIn search parameters are unreliable Some interesting LinkedIn stats Do LinkedIn really know a good profile when they see one? Post of the week Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Jan 7, 2023 • 1h 3min
A 2023 Wish List For LinkedIn
Happy New Year! This week I explain my 11 key wishes for LinkedIn this year, some are design/functional changes I want LinkedIn to make, and others are related to how the community behaves and use the platform. PLUS - Post of the year 2022 and of course, the first post of the week for 2023Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
Dec 17, 2022 • 56min
The Highlights of 2022
This week I look back at my disastrous predictions for LinkedIn in 2022 and what actually did happen by highlighting my 10 favourite new features of the year.Mentioned in this episode:This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.
