Social Proof Podcast

In this solo episode, David breaks down the 10 essential pillars that determine whether you will succeed or fail when you try to build something of your own. He digs into the mindset shift required to bet on yourself, why so many people quit out of fear, and what it really takes to survive the early stages of business when nothing seems to be working.

He explains why ideas do not matter without execution, how to spot real problems i...

Usher got burned after loaning $1.7M for a building that was never purchased and the fallout teaches every entrepreneur a major lesson. In this Social Proof episode, David Shands and Donni Wiggins break down the real mistakes behind failed partnerships and the 5 lessons that can protect your money, your relationships, and your business.

👥 Join The Social Proof Community:

🚀 The Morning Meetup: http://themorningmeetup.com

📈 Actio...

Eddie Wilson, entrepreneur, investor, and creator of the Empire Operating System, sits down with Social Proof to break down the blueprint behind scaling, buying, and exiting companies at the highest level.

In this episode, he reveals:

• How he sold 76 companies in a single year

• The Empire Operating System phases: Startup, Perseverance, Viability, Scale, Succession

• How he...

In this powerful Social Proof episode, host David Shands sits down with Kim Lewis, founder and CEO of CurlMix, the Black-owned natural hair care brand that nearly went bankrupt after raising over $10 million and generating $40 million in lifetime sales.

Kim opens up about how she reached a breaking point — with –$18,000 in her account, investors backing away, and a community of loyal customers who’d been with her ...

Millions of Americans are panicking right now as EBT and food stamp benefits are being delayed or cut during the government shutdown.

If you’re wondering “how am I supposed to feed my family?” this episode is the answer you’ve been looking for.

In this honest and powerful conversation, Donni Wiggins and David Shands share real stories, real numbers, and practical strategies for surviving when the system stops working.

From food st...

From 2 Chainz to $500K in Donations — Charlie Jabaley “Delusional” Blueprint for Miracles

Before the cameras even started rolling, Charlie Jabaley told David Shands something unforgettable:

“Something huge is going to happen today.”

That moment set the tone for a conversation about faith, delusion, and undeniable action.

Charlie breaks down how he manifested a half-million-dolla...

Entrepreneurs are obsessed with “working hard”… but what if effort isn’t the problem? What if the real issue is ineffective effort? 💭

In this episode of the Social Proof Podcast, David Shands and Donni Wiggins break down the 10 habits that actually make you successful, not the ones social media keeps feeding you. From discipline and delayed gratification to metrics, mindset, and mastering discomfort, they unpack why so many peo...

The dating industry has been monetizing human connection for centuries — from arranged marriages to Tinder swipes. 💸

In this episode of The Social Proof Podcast, David Shands breaks down the $3.5 billion dating app economy and reveals what entrepreneurs can learn from it: how every era found a way to profit from human emotion — and why the best businesses solve timeless problems.

👀 You’ll learn:

It started with Ayesha Curry — but it’s not about her.It’s about anyone who’s ever supported someone else’s dream while feeling unseen.

In this episode of The Social Proof Podcast, David Shands and Donni Wiggins dive deep into what happens when one person gets the spotlight — in marriage, business, or friendship — and the other plays the background.

You’ll hear:💬 The real meaning behind Ayesha Curry’s...

Most entrepreneurs are building with grind, not leverage.

In this episode, we break down how to use business credit the right way to access funding, scale faster, and stop relying solely on your cash flow.

You’ll learn:

How to structure your business for credit approvals

Steps to qualify for $50K–$100K in funding without a personal guarantee

The difference between consumer and business credit (and how to protect both)

How to turn credit ...

Most fans think artists make millions from sold-out arenas—but the truth is, the music industry is built on cuts, fees, and middlemen. Chris Brown flipped the script with a bold $1,000 meet & greet play that turned photos into $4.5M in pure profit.

In this video, we break down:

🔥 Why most artists don’t make as much as you think from touring

🔥 How Chris Brown built a direct-to-consumer...

David Shands and Donni Wiggins get raw about the highs and lows of their business partnership.

From planning My First Million Live to debating whether dropping $200,000 into an event is smart, the two unpack:

The challenges of mixing money with friendship

Why partnerships succeed (or fail)

Their real feelings about public criticism

How they navigate conflict without...

Can entrepreneurs really say what they want… or does every opinion come with a price? 🤔

In Episode #541 of the Social Proof Podcast, David Shands and Donni Wiggins break down the fine line between freedom of speech and freedom from consequences. From a viral post about gratitude that sparked outrage to debates about cancel culture, they unpack how speaking your truth online can grow — or damage — your brand.

💡 In this episode you’l...

In this solo episode of the Social Proof Podcast, David Shands opens up about the biggest pivot of his entrepreneurial journey.

He explains why he intentionally cut his income, shut down parts of his business, and even started “bleeding money” in order to build something scalable—a company with the potential to exit for $100 million.

This is a transparent look at entrepreneurial maturity, sacrifice, and what it takes to think beyond ...

Stormi Banks shares how she turned a $50,000 loss into a grant-writing empire that’s secured millions for businesses. In this powerful interview, she breaks down how to win grants, scale debt-free, and unlock funding most entrepreneurs don’t even know exists.

If you’re serious about business growth, this is the playbook.

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David Shands and Donni Wiggins sit down to challenge the way entrepreneurs think about startups, evolution, and solving problems. They share personal stories, practical frameworks, and global examples of innovation that prove real success comes from tackling big problems—not chasing trends.

This episode covers:

• The truth about “founders” vs “entrepreneurs”
• Why your business evolution is a strength, not hypocrisy
• Real-world lessons ...

Ever met someone who claims they “run ads”… but really, they just shoot videos? 🎥💸

In this Hot Seat Episode David Shands exposes the brutal truth about what separates a real digital marketer from a terrible one.

👉 Are you actually running ads — or just wasting money?

Watch as we break down:

• Why most videographers fail when they call themselves “marketers”
• The difference between creating content vs. creating conversions
• The REAL wa...

To every struggling entrepreneur… this one’s for you.

You’re calling it a business, but the truth is you might just need to get a job. That’s not failure. That’s survival. Are you chasing the dream or is it time to face reality? Comment below and let’s talk truth.

Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE if you’ve ever turned hate into motivation.

Subscribe to the Social Proof Pod...

At Podcast Summit 2025, Ace Metaphor sits down for a fireside chat with David Shands to reveal the raw truth about touring, collaborations, and building an ecosystem around your brand.

From the hidden costs of live events to creating multiple revenue streams beyond ticket sales, Ace breaks down how he scaled Tonight’s Conversation into a powerful movement.

🔥 What you’ll learn in this chat: