Courage, Content, and Connection ft. Elena Ciccotelli

Podcasting, Personal Brands & EV Storytelling

In this energetic and transparent conversation, Kaylee Felio sits down with Elena Ciccotelli, the Founder of EVs for Everyone, a brand that brings the human element to the fast-evolving world of electric vehicles. Elena shares the origin story of her show, built not from a strategic blueprint—but from a creative itch that corporate life couldn’t scratch.

(01:00) Podcast Origins - Elena's journey from corporate life to creating EVs for Everyone

(13:23) Personal Branding Power - Building your unique voice and audience

(40:53) Entrepreneurial Courage - Overcoming fears and developing personal growth through content

(43:25) AI and Content Creation  - Innovative strategies for podcast development and consistency

After years in auto and tech—including an early stint at Lyft and partnerships with Rivian—Elena saw a gap in the market: an EV podcast that told people stories, not just tech specs. So she built it. And now, she’s taking her content on the road—covering conferences, interviewing big names, and growing a profitable brand from the ground up.

The Realities Behind a Successful Podcast

This episode peels back the curtain on what it really takes to make a podcast thrive:

• The early days of podcasting with “janky gear and a dream”
• How consistency (not celebrity) drives momentum
• Monetization myths—and how Elena turned exposure into revenue
• The “biz dev hack” of using podcasts to start real conversations
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Elena also discusses the business therapy that comes with building a brand around your voice. She’s refreshingly honest about burnout, mistakes (like forgetting to hit record during a high-stakes EV interview), and the personal growth required to stick with it.

Corporate vs. Personal Podcasting — A Spicy Take

Elena and Kaylee dive into the debate so many creators face: Who owns the show? Elena doesn’t hold back. She urges companies to let their hosts build personal brands, or risk ending up with “another background podcast with a mic and a car.” It’s a sharp reminder that people don’t follow brands—they follow humans.

Kaylee shares her own crossroads between The Parts Girl and Trailblazer Path, navigating brand clarity while honoring the audience she's built. Together, they validate something many podcast creators feel: it’s okay to do both.

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Takeaways

• Podcast success starts with consistency, not gear.
• Corporate podcasts need a human face and personal brand.
• Monetization requires confidence in your value—and the courage to charge for it.
• Build your podcast around real connection, not corporate talking points.

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Quote

“You only get to be a public figure by trailblazing your own path.” — Elena Ciccotelli

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Connect

Elena Ciccotelli🔗 LinkedIn🎧 EVs for Everyone Podcast

Kaylee Felio🔗 LinkedIn🌐 www.partsedge.com