Behind the Influence

Throughout the season, we have had the pleasure of interviewing some incredible trailblazers. We decided to do a mash up of three business founders who started companies that changed the game. Jack Conte, Reed Duchscher, and Ian Hecox are from very different worlds, yet they are all connected by their bravery to innovate. All three have founded very unique brands that have shaped today's world. On this episode, we explore what it t...

Andy Dinh, the founder of TSM, is a pioneer in the world of competitive gaming. If you aren't already familiar, Team SoloMid (TSM) is a professional esports organization that has shaped the industry. On this episode, Andy talks about what it was like starting TSM, the challenges that came with building it, the evolution of the world of Esports, and who he is as a gamer versus as a founder. Andy was very candid about mistakes he mad...

Aton Ben-Horin is the Global Vice President of A&R for Warner Music Group, and is a gatekeeper to a mega-industry of influence. He's also happens to be the sweetest guy ever. On this epsiode, Aton gives us a glimpse into his world, where he filters through 100's of music submissions from aspiring hopefuls every day. Aton talks about what it takes to make it in the music industry, the importance of hustling, and how he got to wh...

Meet Jack Conte: talented artist and founder of Patreon. He's the man who's work has allowed countless influencers to monetize off their creations. Jack sat down with us to talk about why and how he started the platform that changed the game for so many people. We discuss why monetizing is so hard, and how important it is for creators to be able to focus on the art rather than how they are going to survive. You'll also hear about J...

Annie LeBlanc is in the studio! Annie showed up with her entire family for the interview, and couldn’t have been a more lovely person. What you see is what you get with her! At only 15, this girl is not only talented but humble and sweet...she is going to be a huge star. In this episode, Annie talks about how she got her start on YouTube as a gymnast, how their family channel blew up, and transitioning to mainstream media. Annie sh...

In this episode,we get to know Michael Carbonaro of the Carbonaro Effect, appropriately named after the multi faceted Entertainer. We dive deep into the world of magic and comedyand how his love for both led him to success in the world of entertainment. To say I am now a huge fan is a wild understatement. Not only were we all laughing throughout the interview, he gave such raw and real insight into a world most of us cannot even fa...

Since you guys loved the Twitch mashup, we decided to do another one with some favorites of ours from the dance world! During this episode we feature dance phenomenons Kaycee Rice and Sean Lew - bff child prodigys turned industry legends. We talk to the always inspiring Jade Chenowyth, who's unique style and positive attitude have allowed her to take the world of dance by storm. You'll also hear from the one and only Jojo Gomez, wh...

We're officially at midseason, and I thought it would be a good idea to do a recap of some of our favorite episode, but brought together under a common theme. We're calling this a mashup of sorts. This first is one of my favs: Twitch. Not just because I'm biased, but because the whole 'streamer' and 'live video' platform warring going on right now is reaching peak crazy. In this episode we'll feature a creator, a founder, and the g...

Aside from the fact that he is one of the most talented comedians we know, Tehran is also just one of our favorite artists to interview - he's raw, transparent, and really makes us think. If you don't know Tehran already, he is a stand up comic and host at some of the world's most popular venues. Tehran is truly a gatekeeper in the comedy world. Leading the stage at world famous venues like the Laugh Factory and the Comedy Store, h...

Actor and comedian Bobby Lee tells all about coming up in the world of comedy and how he turned his personal struggles into art. When I sat down with Bobby, I knew he would be hilarious, but he was also candid, raw, and totally honest. On this episode, find out how he got his start on MAD TV, stories from behind the scenes, and what’s next.

See omnystudio.com/...

The first time I interviewed Macy Kate, I became an instant fan. As insanely talented as she is, she is equally hard-working. Not only does Macy Kate release highly-produced music videos of her popular cover songs no Youtube, she also creates her own original music...and it's fire. Macy told us all about how her rigurous classical background has shaped her as an artist, how building a following on Youtube changed her career, and th...

JoJo Gomez is fearlessly authentic - from her dance style all the way to her personality - everything about this Dance Influencer is 100% real. During this interview, JoJo shares stories from her big break, to auditions that left her feeling negative towards the dance space which inspired her to pursue choreography.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

A large portion of influencer income comes from merchandise, aka: merch...so it felt like a no-brainer to have the Founder of the top merch brand, Fanjoy, Chris Vaccarino come on the show and break down why this poiece of the puzzle was so relevant. On this episode, you'll learn how Chris turned promoting his brother's band with t-shirts into a mulit-billion dollar merchandise company. Chris also tells us what's next for Fanjoy, an...

You may have seen them on NBC's World of Dance, dancing behind your favorite artist, choreographing Meghan Trainer's latest music video, or scrolling through your Instagram. Ask anyone in the dance world and they will tell you - Kaycee Rice and Sean Lew are child prodegy legends. Not only have they grown into even more talented teenagers, but they have stayed best friends along the way. (And guys, they aren't just Instagram bffs, t...

Reed Duchsher, the ground-breaking manager behind Mr. Beast, sat down to tell us what it's really like to manage the fastest growing Youtuber in 2019. Reed, and his company Night Media, helped Mr. Beast get up to 24 millions subscribers in record time. But what does it take to break into such a highly-saturated industry? Reed tells us the story behind Night Media, why he never wants to represent more than 10 influencers, why he kee...

If you have never heard of Mukbang, you're about to get a crash course. While Mukbang orginally beame popular in Korea, millions of people worldwide are now watching these "eating shows." The concept sounds simple: Mukbangers eat food on camera...and people watch (and listen). But, Hyunee, a top Mukbanger here in the US, will tell you - there is a lot more to Mukbang than that. In this episode, Hyunee shares how she discovered Mukb...

With 2.4 Million followers on Instagram, a stacked resume of TV/Film credits, and live dance performances with the world's top artists, Jade Chynoweth has taken the entertainment world by storm. On this episode, Jade shares her story of leaving everything to move to LA., the sacrifices she and her mom have made for her career, the importance of being true to yourself, and how Instagram changed the game for her dance career. We also...

Cole Cuchna turned his experience as a classically trained composer and adept researcher into a booming podcast career - breaking down game-changing albums from artists like Kendrick Lamar and Kanye West on his viral podcast, Dissect. Dissect happens to be my very favorite podcast (Seriously, I listened to the entire "To Pimp a Butterfly" season in one sitting) - so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to pick Cole's brain. I lov...

Every streamer dreams of being an official Twitch Partner, but how do you become one? Anele Andeshmand, the head of Partnerships (or as he calls himself, the Papa Bear of Partnerships) sat down to talk about what it's like to be a gatekeeper at the number one streaming platform in the world. Anele dropped some serious insider knowledge about the Partner Program at Twitch, what it really takes to become a Partner, and what makes a g...