Butternomics the Business of Culture

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with Shannon Joyner, VP of Marketing for the Atlanta Falcons, to talk about what it means to build a football brand that reflects a city’s identity. From collabs with Outkast to campaigns rooted in community, Shannon shares how he’s helping the Falcons connect with fans in a way that feels bigger than the game.

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On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with Milton Little, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Atlanta, for a conversation about legacy, leadership, and the work that still needs to be done. Milton shares what it means to lead one of Atlanta’s most impactful nonprofits, how he thinks about equity at scale, and the moments that shaped his approach to change. From his roots in New York&rsq...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, talks with Jhordan Gibbs, co-founder of Milk + Cookies, about building one of Atlanta’s most respected music platforms from the ground up. Jhordan shares how he and his partners booked Kendrick Lamar before the fame, took their festival from the BeltLine to South Africa, and earned the trust of brands by leading with culture first. They break down the real business be...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with attorney Amber Saunders to talk about the most overlooked step in building generational wealth: estate planning. Amber breaks down wills, trusts, life insurance, and why GoFundMe is not a strategy. She shares the real stories behind what happens when families don’t have a plan, and how one house, passed down the right way, can shift everything for the n...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with music executive turned mental health advocate Shanti Das to talk about her journey from hit records to healing. Shanti helped shape the sound of Atlanta, working with Outkast, Usher, TLC, and more, before stepping away from the industry to start something even more personal. She opens up about what pushed her to the edge, how thera...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, talks with Danielle Canada about what it really takes to run one of the most recognizable names in Black digital media. From navigating celebrity mess to protecting culture with integrity, Danielle breaks down the art and pressure of writing for the people—every single day. This episode dives deep into the business of attention, the future of Black media, and how Boss...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with Marlon Williams—founder of Starter Labs and the Atlanta Blockchain Center—to break down why Web3 could be the most important wealth shift of our generation. From starting with no connections in Atlanta to launching two venture-backed platforms, Marlon shares how he built trust, capital, and community in a space most people still don’t unders...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, talks with Pop’N Creative founders Lori Hall and Jessica Lane about turning uncertainty into opportunity. After both were laid off from their corporate roles, they teamed up to build the kind of agency they’d always wanted to work at—one rooted in culture, trust, and real collaboration. They break down the realities of working with friends, what makes thei...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with Peter Kiley to talk about how he’s reshaped what a brewery can represent. Peter shares the Monday Night Brewing origin story, how the team scaled with intention, and why community is the heartbeat of the brand. They dig into the business side of craft brewing—from funding to culture to creativity—and what it takes to stay grounded while grow...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, talks with entrepreneur and attorney Khadijah Robinson about what happens after the deal closes. Khadijah opens up about building Nile List from a spreadsheet to an acquired platform, all while balancing a high-powered legal career. She shares what most people get wrong about acquisitions, why the VC system doesn’t work for most Black founders, and what it really mean...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with Olajuwon Ajanaku, co-founder of Eastside Golf, to break down how an idea born in an apartment turned into a cultural movement. Olajuwon shares how Eastside Golf redefined what golf looks like—and who it’s for—by leading with authenticity, grit, and purpose. From sketching logos by hand to collaborating with Jordan Brand and changing lives th...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with Camaran Burke, founder of Holiday in Atlanta, to talk about what really goes into building a bar that becomes a community hub. Cam shares his journey from physics major to bartender to owner, and how the business of hospitality demands more than most people realize. From grief and burnout to building systems and culture, Cam gets honest about what it takes to...

On this episode of Butternomics, our host, Brandon Butler, sits down with Troop Brand, the creative force behind Trap Sushi. What started as a passion project to find fellow anime lovers turned into a full-on cultural movement—now backed by brand deals with Adult Swim, UTA, and more. Troop shares how he blended nightlife, hip-hop, cosplay, and community into one of the most unique event brands in Atlanta. This episode is full...

On this episode, Butternomics host Brandon Butler sits down with Southside Ken, the mastermind behind Atlanta’s professional party scene, to unpack how he turned a single Facebook post into a movement that reshaped the city’s nightlife. From pitching restaurant owners on the Southside to packing out rooftops and opening his own restaurant, Ken breaks down the power of consistency, the importance of relationships over tr...

On this episode of Butternomics, host Brandon Butler sits down with Kenny Burns to talk about how he became the Lifestyle Specialist before influencers were a thing. They get into building culture, moving brands, and why real influence starts with authenticity. From radio to spirits to the streets of Atlanta, Kenny shares how he turned connection into a career—and why the dream is still real.

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On this episode of Butternomics, we sit down with Atlanta’s own cultural curator and Hip Hop’s official historian, Nuface. From ticket stubs to Grammy-winning studio sessions, Nuface has transformed a passion for hip hop and community into an unmatched legacy of being everywhere culture happens. We dive into how he built relationships that turned a love for music into a thriving business, the...

On this episode, Butternomics host Brandon Butler sits down with powerhouse entrepreneur and media innovator Sherrell Dorsey to break down how she built The Plug into the first Black-owned tech news publication to syndicate with Bloomberg—and why she ultimately decided to sell it. Sherrell shares her  approach to securing corporate sponsorships without chasing vanity metrics, the power of a hyper-engaged audience over a ...

On this episode of Butternomics, host Brandon Butler sits down with Ryan Cameron, the unmistakable Voice of Atlanta, to break down his journey from intern to media legend. He shares how he built a lasting career, stayed relevant, and why Atlanta’s culture thrives on reinvention. We talk betting on yourself, staying present, and the power of collaboration—plus some wild stories from his radio ...