Afleveringen
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What does it take to turn years of workplace observations into a published book?
In this episode of Workfluencer, Abi Adamson shares the story behind her debut book, Culture Blooming: Nurturing Workplaces Where People Grow. From witnessing favoritism, discrimination, and toxic leadership to developing her own workplace culture framework, Abi explains how she transformed real-world experiences into a book designed to help leaders create better workplaces.
Abi pulls back the curtain on the publishing process, including how she landed a publisher through LinkedIn, rewrote her entire framework, worked through multiple drafts with her editor, and balanced personal stories with practical advice. She also shares some of the workplace experiences that shaped both her career and the book itself.
Whether you've considered writing a book, building a thought leadership platform, or simply want a deeper understanding of workplace culture, this conversation offers an honest look at what it takes to turn expertise into intellectual property.
What You'll Learn:
How to get your first book deal
Why you do not need a finished manuscript to approach a publisher
What it takes to write a business book that is accessible to people with dyslexia, non-native English speakers, and first-time managers
How to honor creative rest without losing momentum, and why forcing writing produces content that reads like filler
How to balance personal stories with practical workplace advice
Resources Mentioned:
Pre-Order Abi's Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/824116/culture-blooming-by-abi-adamson/
Connect With Us:
Connect with Abi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abiadamson/
Connect with Rhona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce
Want to turn your team into creators?
Visit workfluencermedia.com to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Most creators think they need a massive audience before brands will take them seriously. Chad Sowash says that's nonsense!
In this episode of Workfluencer, Chad shares how he and his co-host, Joel Cheesman, built the Chad & Cheese podcast into a profitable business from day one, why most creators dramatically undervalue themselves, and what brands are actually buying when they sponsor content.
We discuss why niche audiences outperform vanity metrics, how to create sponsorship packages that deliver real value, and why some of Chad's strongest sponsor relationships started after publicly criticizing those companies. Chad also explains how he evaluates HR tech vendors, why creators have a responsibility to vet the products they promote, and the rules he follows to protect audience trust.
If you've been wondering whether it's possible to make money from content without becoming a spokesperson for every brand that waves a checkbook, this conversation is for you.
What You'll Learn:
Why Chad built his podcast as a business from day one
What brands actually want from creator partnerships
The biggest mistake creators make when pricing sponsorships
Why niche audiences are often more valuable than large audiences
How Chad handles disagreements with sponsors
The role creators play in vetting AI and HR tech products
Lessons learned from nearly a decade of podcast monetization
Resources Mentioned:
Listen to the Chad & Cheese Podcast: https://www.chadcheese.com/
Connect with Us:
Connect with Chad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadsowash/
Connect with Rhona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce
Want to turn your team into creators?
Visit workfluencermedia.com to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Strong POV content feels risky for most creators, but Jillian O'Malior built her audience by removing the corporate pleasing filter completely. After being laid off in November 2024, she ran a 90-day experiment leaning into “strategically unhinged” content about layoffs, labor reform, and the dehumanization of workers — and the inbound work, brand deals, and podcast invites started rolling in.
In this episode of Workfluencer, Rhona Pierce sits down with brand strategist and workplace advocate Jillian O'Malior about the moment she dropped corporate Jillian, the dinner-party framework she uses to keep her voice consistent, and the seven-story-plot approach she applies to every post. They cover how to be vulnerable without overexposing yourself, why a strong POV content strategy doubles as a filter, and how to build a personal brand without sounding like a rant.
At its core, this episode is about what happens when you stop optimizing for the broadest possible audience and start saying what only you can say. The professionals who try to please everyone get scrolled past. The ones who plant a stake in the ground get hired.
You'll hear Jillian's exact content framework, the difference between venting and a strong POV, why “strategically unhinged” outperforms safe corporate content, how she handled friends who thought she'd “gone off the deep end,” and the specific advice she gives clients building their personal brand from scratch.
What You'll Learn:
How to build a personal brand after a layoff
Why authentic content outperforms sanitized corporate posting
How to use content as a filter for career opportunities
The difference between vulnerability and unhinged oversharing
How layoffs are reshaping conversations around work
Why AI-generated content is the reason for the loss of originality online
Why having a strong POV online is less risky than people think
How to create content that actually sounds like you
Jillian’s framework for developing a memorable personal brand
The future of work, portfolio careers, and labor reform
Resources Mentioned:
Jillian's Website: https://www.jilliandoesbranding.com/
The Liquidity of Truth Case Study: https://www.jilliandoesbranding.com/showrunner-methodology
Connect With Us:
Connect with Jillian: â https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-omalior
Connect with Rhona: â https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierceâ
Want to turn your team into creators? Visit â workfluencermedia.comâ to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Most conferences focus on information. Anna Morgan focused on belonging.
In this episode of Workfluencer, Anna takes us behind the scenes of building Evolve — a fast-growing HR and recruiting conference brand built around trust, community, and real human connection.
From hosting LinkedIn audio rooms and recruiter communities to executive dinners and a full-scale conference ecosystem, Anna shares how she turned years of relationship-building into one of the most community-driven experiences in the HR space.
We talk about:
How she launched her first conference in just 69 days
Why most networking at conferences feels transactional
The realities of bootstrapping an event business
How she designs experiences people actually want to return to
Why content should extend the life of an event instead of just marketing it
What sponsors really want from conferences in 2026
How Evolve On Demand is expanding the conference beyond the room
If you care about HR events, employer branding, community building, recruiting, or creating experiences people genuinely connect with, this episode is packed with practical insights.
Resources Mentioned:
Join the waitlist for EVOLVE on Demand: https://evolve.short.gy/5EKAv9
Connect With Us:
Connect with Anna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annamorgan-recruiter-careerbff
Connect with Rhona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce
Want to turn your team into creators? Visit workfluencermedia.com to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
What if candidates were lining up before you even posted the job?
In this episode, Rhona sits down with Bradley Clark to break down how his team turned honest, transparent employer branding into a high-performing talent engine.
They get into why most employer branding fails, how transparency filters in the right candidates (and repels the wrong ones), and the exact system behind their “early access” hiring strategy that drives 60% of hires before jobs ever hit job boards.
This is a tactical, behind-the-scenes look at what happens when employer brand is actually aligned to hiring goals—not vanity metrics.
What You’ll Learn:
Why honesty is the most effective employer branding strategy
Why “aspirational” employer branding hurts hiring
How radical transparency improves candidate quality
The early access hiring strategy (and how to copy it)
Why you should close jobs early (and stop collecting resumes)
The 4 content pillars behind a high-performing employer brand
How to use rejection emails as a brand-building tool
Why unpolished content outperforms high-production campaigns
How employer brand should directly support talent strategy
Resources Mentioned:
Visit Article's LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/article.com/
If you've been wanting to post more consistently on LinkedIn, try Stanley for FREE - â â â â https://workfluencerpodcast.com/stanley â â
Subscribe to Rhona's Newsletter: â â â â https://link.rhonapierce.com/newsletter2â
Connect with Us:
Connect with Brad: â https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradmclark/
Connect with Rhona â â â â â â https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/â
Want to turn your team into creators? Visit â â â â workfluencermedia.comâ â â â to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
How do you actually turn content into clients—especially when you’re just starting out?
In this episode, we unpack what it really looks like to build in public and use content as more than just a visibility play. Not polished. Not hindsight. Real-time.
Preston recently left corporate and is building his business from the ground up, documenting the process as he goes. That means sharing what’s working, what’s not, and how his approach to content has shifted from “just posting” to something much more intentional.
We talk about how content evolves from a side project into a true business driver, what “building in public” actually means in practice, and where to draw the line between transparency and oversharing. You’ll also hear what types of content are gaining traction right now, what’s falling flat, and how to connect what you post back to real opportunities—without feeling salesy.
It’s an honest look at figuring things out as you go, including the mental and financial side of making the leap.
If you’ve been showing up online and wondering if it’s ever going to lead to something… this is the episode that connects the dots.
What You'll Learn:
Why waiting until you feel ready to build in public is still delay — and what actually gets you started
How to use memes and infographics to educate your professional niche on LinkedIn without being generic
The financial runway strategy Preston used to safely leave a decade-long corporate career
Why content creation is the cheat code for introverts who hate networking
The difference between posting to educate and posting with a business development strategy
How to be selective with sponsorships in a way that protects your credibility and your audience's trust
What building in public looks like when you're still mid-pivot and haven't nailed your niche yet
Resources Mentioned:
Visit Preston's website: https://www.guidelinetalent.com
If you've been wanting to post more consistently on LinkedIn, try Stanley for FREE - â â â https://workfluencerpodcast.com/stanley â
Subscribe to Rhona's Newsletter: â â â https://link.rhonapierce.com/newsletter2
Connect with Us:
Connect with Preston: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestonsharpston
Connect with Rhona â â â â â https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
Want to turn your team into creators? Visit â â â workfluencermedia.comâ â â to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Most people get laid off and go quiet. Vanita Capobianco did the opposite.
She started creating content, launched a podcast, and began building a personal brand from scratch. No audience. No experience. No roadmap.
In this episode, we break down what actually happens after a layoff—and how to turn that moment into momentum. Vanita shares how she built consistency, found her voice, and created opportunities by showing up online.
We also get into the real side of content creation. Late nights. Self-doubt. Low views. And why none of that matters if you keep going.
If you’ve ever thought about building a personal brand but feel like you’re “not ready,” this episode will challenge that fast.
What You’ll Learn
Why layoffs can be a turning point (if you use them right)
How to start creating content with zero audience
How to promote your content when no one knows you yet
Why consistency beats perfection every time
How to balance a 9–5, kids, and content creation
Resources Mentioned:
Listen to Vanita's Podcast: https://laidofftoliftoff.riverside.com/
If you've been wanting to post more consistently on LinkedIn, try Stanley for FREE - â â https://workfluencerpodcast.com/stanley
Subscribe to Rhona's Newsletter: â â https://link.rhonapierce.com/newsletter2â
Connect With Us:
Connect with Vanita: â https://www.linkedin.com/in/vcapobiancohrtech/
Connect with Rhona â â â â https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/â
Want to turn your team into creators? Visit â â workfluencermedia.comâ â to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
If you’re constantly consuming content but still struggling to come up with ideas… this episode is your reset.
Jeff Harry argues that the problem isn’t a lack of inspiration, it’s too much input.
In this episode, we break down why overconsumption leads to overthinking, how that blocks creativity, and what actually helps you generate better content ideas (hint: it’s not more scrolling).
You’ll learn how to:
Stop relying on inspiration from other creators
Break out of the doomscrolling cycle
Use boredom as a creative advantage
Create content that feels natural, not forced
If you’ve ever thought, “I know I should be creating, but I just can’t get started”—this one’s for you.
Resources Mentioned:
Watch Jeff's TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/Abnzm6czeP4
Visit Jeff's Website: https://www.rediscoveryourplay.com/
Subscribe to Rhona's Newsletter: â https://link.rhonapierce.com/newsletter2
Connect With Us:
Connect with Jeff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffharryplays/
Connect with Rhona â â â https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
Want to turn your team into creators? Visit â workfluencermedia.comâ to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
At Transform 2026, I sat down with Rebecca Taylor to unpack what’s really holding HR and Talent leaders back from showing up online—and why that needs to change.
We get into the real risks, the perceived risks, and the responsibility that comes with having a voice in HR. Because whether you’re posting or not, the narrative is being shaped—with or without you.
Rebecca also shares a deeply personal career story that highlights how power, identity, and early decisions can shape everything that follows.
If you’ve been hesitant to create content—or questioning whether it’s worth it—this conversation will challenge that thinking.
What You'll Learn:
Why most HR leaders think they’re restricted from posting online — and why they’re wrong
How to navigate corporate constraints while building a personal brand in HR or TA
The difference between using AI as a thought partner vs. letting it write your content
Why using personal vs. enterprise AI tools matters when you handle sensitive company data
How to stay consistent on 1–2 content pillars instead of posting on everything and standing for nothing
How HR leaders can lead change initiatives they privately disagree with — and maintain credibility doing it
How to create community space for HR voices that can’t post publicly — and why it matters
Resources Mentioned
If you've been wanting to post more consistently on LinkedIn, try Stanley for FREE - â https://workfluencerpodcast.com/stanley
Listen to Rebecca's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hr-voices/id1833927442
Connect with us
Connect with Rebecca - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccataylor2/
Connect with Rhona â â https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
Want to turn your team into creators? Visit workfluencermedia.com to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent.
personal brand, content creator, HR content creation, thought leadership, creator economy, professional content creator, HR professionals, TA content creation, LinkedIn content strategy, HR tech, employee relations, AI tools for content, content pillars, personal branding HR, HR creator, content creation at work, corporate content creation, B2B content creator, HR community, HR voices podcast, creating content when employed, HR leader content, employee relations platform, all voices, hr thought leadership, workforce content, recruiting content creator
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
I just got back from Transform 2026 and had way too much time before my flight… so I made my own awards show.
This is a fun, unfiltered recap of what stood out. The swag. The activations. The people. The random moments you don’t see in the polished LinkedIn posts.
Some brands nailed it. Some tried. Some just gave out tote bags.
If you were there, this will hit. If you weren’t, this is the version you actually want.
In This Episode
The best swag (yes, it matters)
The activation I couldn’t ignore
A few brands I hadn’t heard of… until now
The people who made the event fun
Completely unnecessary awards I made up
Connect with me:
Find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/newsletter2
Want to turn your team into creators?
Visit workfluencermedia.com to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that drive real results.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Most companies are still relying on employer branding to attract talent, and it’s not landing the way it used to.
In this episode, Tracey Parsons breaks down why traditional employer branding is losing effectiveness, and what’s actually replacing it.
We get into the growing trust gap between companies and candidates, why polished “day in the life” content falls flat, and how employee-driven content is becoming a more powerful way to build credibility, visibility, and influence.
If you’re leading hiring, employer brand, or content strategy, this conversation will challenge how you think about reach, trust, and control.
What You’ll Learn:
Why employer branding alone is no longer enough
The trust gap between brands and people
Why “I love working here” content doesn’t convert
The rise of employee-driven content
What makes content actually useful (and effective)
Why companies struggle to give up control
Where the real distribution power lives now
Resources Mentioned:
Learn more about Flockity: https://www.flockity.com/
Subscribe to Rhona's Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/newsletter2
Connect With Us:
Connect with Tracey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceyparsons/
Connect with Rhona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
Want to turn your team into creators?
Visit workfluencermedia.com to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that drive real results.
employee generated content, employee advocacy, EGC,
recruitment marketing, employer brand, employer branding, employee influencers, creator economy, talent acquisition, recruiting strategy, personal brand, content creator, thought leadership, professional content creator, HR marketing, talent attraction, social recruiting, micro influencers, nano influencers, employee trust, internal influencers, external influencers,
recruitment advertising, recruitment content, candidate experience, employee referral, trust marketing, influencer recruiting, Flockity, Linkity, B2B influencer marketing, HR content strategy, workfluencer
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Most advice about LinkedIn content says the same thing: follow trends, post consistently, and play the algorithm.
But what if that’s exactly why your content isn’t standing out?
In this episode, leadership strategist Julia Rock breaks down how to stand out on LinkedIn without copying trends, chasing viral formats, or sounding like everyone else. She shares what actually drives meaningful engagement, how to build authority through content, and why authenticity matters more than ever in a crowded feed.
You’ll also hear what it really costs to show up online while working a corporate job—including how Julia handled being reported at work for her content.
If you’re trying to grow on LinkedIn, build a personal brand, or create content that actually makes an impact, this episode will change how you think about your strategy.
What You'll Learn:
How to stand out on LinkedIn without following trends
Why most LinkedIn content sounds the same (and how to fix it)
How to create content that builds real authority
The risks of posting content while working a full-time job
How to stay authentic without hurting your career
What actually drives engagement on LinkedIn today
Resources Mentioned:
If you've been wanting to post more consistently on LinkedIn, try Stanley for FREE - https://workfluencerpodcast.com/stanley
Subscribe to Rhona's Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/newsletter2
Connect With Us:
Connect with Julia - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-rock/
Connect with Rhona - â https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/â
Want to turn your team into creators? Visit â â â workfluencermedia.comâ â â to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent.
LinkedIn content, linkedin content strategy, personal branding, content strategy, LinkedIn growth, thought leadership, creating content, professional brand, personal branding for professionals, corporate content creation, workfluencer
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Building a consulting business through content sounds simple. In reality, it requires clarity, conviction, and a willingness to say things others avoid.
In this episode of Workfluencer, talent, culture, and DEI consultant Dani Herrera shares how LinkedIn content became the engine behind her consulting business.
Dani didn’t start posting to become a creator. She started out of necessity while navigating the U.S. immigration system and needing to prove visibility in her field. What began as a practical move eventually turned into a pipeline for clients, speaking opportunities, and workshops.
Together, Rhona and Dani unpack what it actually looks like when content becomes your vetting mechanism for clients. They also discuss the tension between authenticity and strategy, why viral posts don’t matter for consultants, and how speaking openly online can filter out the wrong opportunities before they ever reach your inbox.
What You’ll Learn:
Why LinkedIn content is a powerful client acquisition tool
How consultants can share expertise without “giving everything away”
The difference between posting to an audience vs speaking with your audience
Why small, relevant audiences often outperform viral reach
How Dani turns workplace experiences into daily content
The role of content in pre-qualifying clients and opportunities
Why HR and talent professionals can’t afford to stay silent online
If you’ve been playing it safe with your content, this conversation will challenge how you think about visibility, credibility, and building a personal brand that actually drives work.
Resources Mentioned
If you've been wanting to post more consistently on LinkedIn, try Stanley for FREE - https://stanley.stan.store/?ref=rhonabarnettpierce
Visit Dani’s Website: https://www.deibydani.com
Subscribe to Rhona's Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/newsletter2
Connect with us
Connect with Dani - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielagherrera/
Connect with Rhona - â https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/â
Want to turn your team into creators?
Visit â â â workfluencermedia.comâ â â to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent.
linkedin content strategy, personal branding for consultants, linkedin thought leadership, content marketing for consultants, building a consulting business online, HR content creators, DEI thought leadership, linkedin visibility for consultants, consulting business development, personal brand for HR professionals, workfluencer
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Personal branding for women over 40 who feel invisible is rarely about a lack of expertise. It's about two decades of keeping your head down, taking care of everyone else, and forgetting to tell the world what you know. In this episode, Monica Rivera breaks down what it actually takes to stop hiding and step into the visibility you've already earned.
Together, Rhona Pierce and Monica unpack why experienced women, especially women over 40, feel invisible even after 20 years of building skills, leading teams, and delivering results. They dig into what it actually takes to stop hiding and step into visible leadership.
You'll hear an honest conversation about imposter syndrome, the myth of the career ladder, how to get on stages, and why building a personal brand as a woman over 40 requires a completely different mindset than 'just start posting'.
What You'll Learn
Why your personal brand already exists whether you manage it or not
The real reason experienced women stay invisible despite deep expertise
Three types of stages and how to access all of them without waiting for an invitation
A four-step framework to go from hidden to visible
How 90-day experiments replace the pressure of picking a permanent identity
Why thought leadership requires a distinct perspective, not just having opinions
The mindset shift that makes self-promotion feel like service
Resources Mentioned
Visit Monica's website: https://youwannadowhat.com
Subscribe to Rhona's Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/newsletter2
Connect With Us
Connect with Monica: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamrivera/
Connect with Rhona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
Want to turn your team into creators?
Visit workfluencermedia.com to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent.
personal brand, personal brand for women, personal brand women over 40, personal branding, personal branding over 40, visible leadership, women over 40 career, women in leadership, thought leadership, content creation, professional content creator, corporate content creator, personal branding strategy, career transition, executive presence, professional development women, female entrepreneur, speaker coaching, creator economy, side hustle professional, women 40 plus, career reinvention, workplace visibility, content strategy, building a personal brand, HR leadership development, employer branding, workfluencer
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Content creation burnout is real, and most professionals don’t realize they’re heading toward it until it’s too late.
In this episode, Rhona sits down with internal communications and employee experience consultant Jo Coxhill to talk about content creation burnout, chasing the LinkedIn algorithm, and what happens when that same pressure shows up inside employee advocacy programs.
If you’re building a personal brand while running a business, or leading employee-generated content (EGC) strategy, this conversation will challenge how you think about visibility, consistency, and workplace culture.
What You’ll Learn
Why creator burnout is hard to spot until it’s too late
The mental toll of chasing the algorithm
When “showing up” starts doing real damage
How EGC programs can unintentionally create pressure
The difference between healthy advocacy and forced content
Why culture must come before content
How leaders can build content cultures without burning people out
When to step back instead of pushing through
Resources Mentioned
If you've been wanting to post more consistently on LinkedIn, try Stanley for FREE - https://stanley.stan.store/?ref=rhonabarnettpierce
Connect with us
Connect with Jo - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocoxhill/
Connect with Rhona â https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/â
Want to turn your team into creators?
Visit â â â workfluencermedia.comâ â â to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent.
content creator burnout, creator burnout, LinkedIn burnout, posting on LinkedIn, staying visible at work, employee generated content, EGC programs, employee advocacy, workplace content creation, content creation pressure, creator mental health, burnout at work, internal communications, employer branding, personal branding at work, building in public, content culture, creator economy at work, professional creators, workfluencer
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Starting a podcast while working full-time requires a different strategy than the usual “quit and go all in” advice.
In this episode, Lee Cage Jr. shares how he built and monetized a podcast while working full-time as a Director at BDO, serving in the National Guard, and speaking at conferences.
Together, Rhona and Lee break down what it actually takes to start a podcast while employed — from choosing a short-form format to attracting sponsors without obsessing over download numbers.
This conversation covers podcast monetization, corporate visibility, and how to build influence without compromising your career.
If you’re a corporate professional or side-hustler wondering how to start a podcast while working full-time, this episode offers a practical framework.
What You’ll Learn
How to start a podcast while working full-time
Why short-form podcasting can outperform long-form
What sponsors care about beyond downloads
How to think about podcast monetization strategically
The risks and rewards of building a personal brand while employed
Resources Mentioned:
Listen to 15 min with: https://leecagejr.com/#podcast
Subscribe to Rhona's Newsletter: â https://link.rhonapierce.com/newsletter2â
Connect With Us:
Connect with Lee: â https://www.linkedin.com/in/leecage/
Connect with Rhona: â https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/â
Want to turn your team into creators?
Visitâ â â â â workfluencermedia.comâ â â â â to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent.
starting a podcast while working full-time, how to start a podcast while employed, build a podcast with a full-time job, podcast monetization strategy, podcast sponsorship strategy, short form podcasting, corporate content creator, personal brand while employed, podcast for professionals, side hustle podcast, creative entrepreneur podcast, influencer workplace advice, podcast growth strategy, leadership podcast interview, workfluencer podcast
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
What does it take to build a personal brand as a Black woman in corporate America?
In this episode of Workfluencer, I sit down with Keirsten Greggs, founder of Trap Recruiter, to talk about visibility, authority, and what happens when you stop editing yourself.
We discuss:
Being told not to name her brand “Trap Recruiter” — and building it anyway.
The moment she stopped editing herself to make others comfortable
What happens when your brand starts to eclipse your personal identity
Walking into rooms where people still look for the white man in charge
Why being featured in major outlets doesn’t automatically change how you’re treated
The reality of brand deals that don’t want to pay Black creators
Breaking down jobs reports and layoffs through a data lens most people ignore
This is a conversation about influence, respect, corporate power dynamics, and building authority without shrinking yourself.
If you’re building a personal brand while navigating corporate spaces, this episode is for you.
CONNECT WITH US:
Connect with Keirsten: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traprecruiter/
Connect with Rhona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
Want to turn your team into creators?
Visitâ â â â â workfluencermedia.comâ â â â â to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent.
personal branding for women, building a personal brand, Black women in corporate America, personal branding at work, workplace visibility, building influence at work, women in leadership, corporate power dynamics, professional authority, creator economy professionals, content creation for professionals, navigating corporate America, brand partnerships for creators, jobs report analysis, DEI rollbacks, Workfluencer
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Building a creator career after corporate layoffs comes with pressure most people don’t talk about.
In this episode, Madison Butler breaks down what it really means to build a creator career after corporate when content becomes your income, not your hobby.
Together, Rhona and Madison unpack what happens when professionals—especially Black women—are pushed out of corporate roles and forced to build visibility, stability, and leverage online in real time.
This isn’t about going viral. It’s about survival, grief, monetization, and staying honest when the algorithm doesn’t play fair.
You’ll hear a raw conversation about job loss, biased platforms, parasocial pressure, and why building a creator career after corporate requires a very different mindset than “just post more.”
What You’ll Learn
Why content creation feels different when your income depends on it
The grief that comes with a forced career pivot
How algorithms reward different creators differently
Why a small, loyal audience beats a massive following
The hidden cost of being “authentic” online
How Madison thinks about monetization vs. visibility
Why comparison destroys joy in creator careers
Resources Mentioned:
Buy Madison's Book: https://amzn.to/4rBrUlY
Join The Black Speakers Collection: https://blackspeakersco.com/
Subscribe to Rhona's Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/newsletter2
Connect With Us:
Connect with Madison: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bluehairedunicorn/
Connect with Rhona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
Want to turn your team into creators?
Visitâ â â â workfluencermedia.comâ â â â to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent.
creator career, creator economy, content creation career, career after corporate layoffs, leaving corporate, post layoff career, career pivot, building a creator business, monetizing content, professional creators, creator income, content creation as a career, personal brand after layoff, LinkedIn creators, Black creators, Black women in corporate, workplace inequality, algorithm bias, creator burnout, job loss recovery, creator monetization strategies, thought leadership content, workfluencer
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What do you do when you’re supposed to post… and you just can’t?
In this episode, Rhona Pierce sits down with Jeffrey Fermin for an honest conversation about creating content during moments of exhaustion, fear, and emotional overload. Not burnout. Not strategy hacks. Just real talk about what it feels like to show up online when the world feels heavy and your energy is gone.
This isn’t an episode about forcing consistency. It’s about knowing when to pause, how to protect your energy, and how creators decide what not to post.
What We Talk About
Why creators go quiet even when they “have something to say”
The pressure to post during chaotic news cycles
Choosing silence as self-preservation
Creating while working for a brand
Avoiding performative content
Doomscrolling and creative paralysis
Resetting your algorithm to regain focus
The unseen effort behind “simple” posts
A must-listen for corporate creators, experienced professionals, and anyone navigating visibility when motivation is low.
Resources Mentioned
Dominican Sushi Chef (El Ninja) - https://www.instagram.com/el_ninja21/
Venezuelan Chinese Chef - https://www.instagram.com/elchinovenezolanovnzl/
Jeffrey’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fermintalkswork/
Connect With Us
Connect with Jeffrey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jfermin/
Connect with Rhona - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
Want to turn your team into creators?
Visit â â â workfluencermedia.comâ â â to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent.
content creation, creating content, content consistency, content motivation, creator fatigue, creator mindset, posting on LinkedIn, LinkedIn creators, corporate creators, professional content creation, creator pressure, creative blocks, content during hard times, showing up online, creator honesty, creator mental load, creator identity, HR content creators, workfluencer
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Becoming a TEDx speaker isn’t about a single moment on stage.It’s about the process that comes before it.
In this episode, Bobby McNeil walks through what it actually takes to become a TEDx speaker while working full-time. From deciding to apply, to shaping the idea, to confronting the emotional and time demands most people underestimate.
Bobby shares lessons from his first TEDx experience alongside the parallel journey of writing his first book, Cracking the Code. Not as a playbook. As lived experience.
What You'll Learn:
What happens before you ever get on a TEDx stage
How the TEDx process differs from corporate or conference speaking
Why mindset and identity matter more than performance
The real time and emotional cost of becoming a speaker
What surprised him most about visibility at this level
If you’ve ever thought about applying for a TEDx, or wondered what becoming a speaker actually requires beyond confidence and polish, this episode gives you a grounded look at the reality.
What You’ll Learn
What it actually takes to become a TEDx speaker while working full-time
The biggest differences between a TEDx talk and a normal keynote or panel
How to shape one clear “idea worth sharing” (and cut what doesn’t fit)
Why the TEDx prep process is so rigorous. And what to expect from coaching
How to manage the time and emotional energy it takes to finish the process
The most “unsexy” first step you can take today to get started
Resources Mentioned
Listen to Bobby’s TEDx Talk - https://youtu.be/6FzE0_PeQZU?si=g7mw6yB4ZXtwsWLd
Buy Cracking the Code - https://amzn.to/458j9au
Connect With Us
Connect with Bobby - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmcneil/
Connect with Rhona https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
Want to turn your team into creators?
Visit â â â workfluencermedia.comâ â â to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent.
TEDx speaker, how to become a TEDx speaker, becoming a TEDx speaker, TEDx application process, TEDx talk preparation, public speaking career, professional speaking, thought leadership, personal brand, career visibility, working full time and speaking, content creation while employed, career storytelling, speaking opportunities, first TEDx talk, Workfluencer
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