Earfluence: Amplify Your Expertise with Podcasting

The Fundraising Lie VCs Don't Tell You: Why Most Deals Never Close

Earfluence, Inc. — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0500

On Mulligans & Mishaps, we hit the golf course with business leaders to talk about their biggest mistakes—and the decisions they wish they could take a mulligan on.

🎤 This time, we’re teeing it up with venture capitalist Timothy McLoughlin, Managing Partner at Cofounders Capital. 🎤

Tim has heard thousands of startup pitches. He’s made big bets, passed on some winners, and learned the hard way that trust issues in investing can be costly. Oh, and there’s also that one company he passed on… that went on to sell just a few months later for a massive payday. 😬

💰 What happens when investors get it wrong? How do founders know when it’s time to fold? And what’s Tim’s biggest personal mulligan?

Mulligans & Mishaps is produced by Earfluence and hosted by Jason Gillikin.

Thank you to Wildwood Green in North Raleigh.

Earfluence Podcast Production - https://www.earfluence.com
Tim McLoughlin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcloughlintimothy/
Cofounders Capital - https://www.cofounderscapital.com/
Wildwood Green Golf Club - https://www.wildwoodgreen.com/

Best experience is on Youtube, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5xE6vUSSWM&list=PLGB9e2IoluMyeCrf4X26ynbxZj1Net0Pl

We Ran Out of Money: The Business Mistake a Sales Leader Wishes He'd Avoided

Earfluence, Inc. — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 11:13:43 -0500

Mulligans & Mishaps is here! We’re hitting the golf course with business leaders to talk about their biggest mistakes—and the decisions they wish they could take a mulligan on.

🎤 Kicking off Episode 1, we’re with the one and only Larry Long Jr.

You’ve seen him lighting up global stages as a keynote speaker and bringing the 🔥 energy to his Midday Midweek Motivational Minute on LinkedIn. But like all of us, Larry’s had his share of missteps in his career. And he’s not afraid to talk about them.

More episodes coming soon from the golf course (huge shoutout to ⛳ Wildwood Green in North Raleigh!) and even the mini-golf course (big thanks to ParTee Shack!).

📺 Stay tuned—this is going to be a fun ride!

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Earfluence Podcast Production - https://www.earfluence.com
Larry Long Jr - https://larrylongjr.com/
Larry's Book, JOLT! - https://larrylongjr.com/jolt/
Wildwood Green Golf Club - https://www.wildwoodgreen.com/

Best experience is on Youtube, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5xE6vUSSWM&list=PLGB9e2IoluMyeCrf4X26ynbxZj1Net0Pl

The Leadership Trap Costing Companies Their Best People, with 2 Executive Coaches

Earfluence, Inc. — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 10:25:10 -0400

Abha Bowers has a lot going on. As the CEO of Walk West, a fitness and nutrition coach, and mom to two young kids, she was feeling the pressure of doing all the things. So she made a choice - it was time to step down from Walk West.

She scheduled a meeting with Chairman Donald Thompson and handed him her resignation letter.

But he wouldn't accept it.

Today, Donald and Abha talk about that interaction, lessons learned about empathetic leadership, and the reality of work/life balance.

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(00:00:07) Embracing Challenges for Leadership Growth and Change
(00:06:59) "I assumed that I had to resign one role to do another."

(00:17:02) "Being a high performer is about the skills, the aptitude and attitudes that you take. And those things are mobile with you. So don't let your performance be dictated by your current environment."
(00:24:04) Empathy-Driven Leadership for Team Success

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Today's episode is hosted by Jason Gillikin, and produced by Earfluence.

Why Most Entrepreneurs Resist Coaching — And What It Costs Them

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Nichole Lowe was happy enough at her corporate job, but then a life-threatening event happened where she decided it was time to reprioritize. She realized life was short, and she wanted more.

Long before the coaching boom, she became a nutrition coach, and absolutely loved it. But with coaching, she discovered a huge challenge - while anyone could be a coach, no one was helping these coaches run their businesses.

So she founded Zoee.

Today, Nichole talks about the growth of Zoee and the reasons WHY coaching in entrepreneurship is so valuable to growth.

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(00:02:50) "In that moment, the hospital wanted to do open heart surgery."

(00:08:14) "I'm excited. I've got this great training, but on graduation, I have no idea what to do. I don't know where to start. I've got to figure out billing and scheduling and CRM and et cetera, et cetera. And it's just chaotic out there. So that's when I thought, you know what? There's got to be a better way. I had my shark tank moment."
(00:10:21) Finding the Streamlined Solution for Coach Business Management

(00:29:18) Why the User Base Doubled

(00:36:11) "A coach isn't going to provide advice to you. She's just going to help you find that answer within you."

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Today's episode is hosted by Jason Gillikin, and produced by Earfluence.

From $0 to a Top 5% Podcast: The Strategy Behind Earfluence

Earfluence, Inc. — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

5 years ago, Donald Thompson invested in our company Earfluence because he saw an untapped opportunity to leverage podcasting to amplify your expertise. But this isn't about the growth of the business Earfluence - this is about the rise of "Earfluence" as a concept.

Through his work as an executive coach, his leadership with The Diversity Movement, and through hosting his own podcast High Octane Leadership, Don has seen the influence podcasting in overall business strategy.

He sees podcasting as a dual-faceted tool: creating your own podcast to establish your voice and brand, and participating as a guest on others' shows to gain third-party credibility and reach new audiences. With an emphasis on content reuse, Don knows the power of podcasting to offer consistent, impactful communication, making it a low-cost, high-impact platform for building personal brands and business relationships.

In a world where just about everyone doubts the marketing messages they receive - podcasting is viewed as authentic content that can bridge trust gaps and open doors to significant business opportunities, just like it has for Don.

Let's find out how.

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(00:00:35) Authentic Storytelling for Business Growth

(00:06:05) Podcast Repurposing for Marketing Success

(00:09:37) Strategic Brand Building Through Podcast Guesting

(00:15:40) Podcasting: Establishing Trust and Credibility

(00:19:07) Leveraging Individual Customers for Business Growth

(00:23:19) AI's Role in Enhancing Podcast Content

(00:31:24) Transformative Journey: Overcoming Fear in Podcasting

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Today's episode is hosted by Jason Gillikin, and produced by Earfluence.

The Saboteur Mindset a Psychotherapist Says Is Quietly Destroying Your Business

Earfluence, Inc. — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

As a psychotherapist turned entrepreneur coach, Kelly Ruta has seen what holds her clients back in growing their businesses. Oftentimes, that's their Money Mindset.

Today on the show, Kelly talks about:

How to price your services
The importance of understanding your own worth
External judgments and doubts that influence pricing decisions

Through her Invisible Business Saboteur Quiz, Kelly helps uncover subconscious beliefs that can sabotage business success, encouraging self-awareness and understanding to overcome these barriers.

By fostering a team culture that embraces mistakes as learning opportunities and emphasizing the importance of self-care, Kelly provides a holistic approach to achieving entrepreneurial success and preventing burnout.

If you're an entrepreneur, this is a must listen!

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Today's episode is hosted by Jason Gillikin, and produced by Earfluence.

The Conference Mistake Most Business Owners Make (And Why It's Wasting Their Budget)

Earfluence, Inc. — Tue, 28 May 2024 02:00:00 -0400

How do you think of conferences as part of your overall marketing strategy? As an agency, we have so many options for marketing - paid ads, social media, podcasting, and yes, conferences. But where should we be spending our time and resources?

Earlier this year, we had the opportunity to sponsor the PrideLife Expo from Harmony, the North Carolina LGBTQ+ Allied Chamber of Commerce. We’ve been a member of the chamber for a couple of years, and when we heard about the expo, we jumped at the chance to be one of the vendors.

But honestly, I wasn’t sure about our strategy at the event. So we brought our microphones and asked some of the attendees what they think about conferences and the best way to leverage them.

Big thank you to Deanna Jones, Brian Castle from Parklife Communications, and Jamie Ousterout from The Diversity Movement. Also, if you're interested in Harmony NC or next year's PrideLife Expo, visit HarmonyNC.org.

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Today's episode is hosted by Cee Cee Huffman, and produced by Earfluence.

Stop Being Salesy: The $0 Business Development Strategy Most Pros Overlook

Earfluence, Inc. — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Whether we like it or not, we're all in business development, aka sales. But unfortunately, that word - "sales" - might make you cringe because you think of the used car salesman, or scenes from the movie Boiler Room, or all those dang calls you get from numbers that should have been flagged as "Scam Likely"!

But sales doesn't have to be like that at all. In fact, according to Jed Byrne, sales is "helping people you like get what they want."

Today, Jed joins us to share some of his tips for scrappy business development.

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Jed Byrne is the host of the Dirt NC Podcast, editor of The Top Five Newsletter, and Business Development Representative at WithersRavenel.

Today's episode is hosted by Jason Gillikin, and filmed at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Earfluence⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Studio in Downtown Raleigh at ⁠The Commons⁠.

Why Busy Professionals Waste Hours on Social Media — And What a Professor Says to Do Instead

Earfluence, Inc. — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Building an audience through social media can be pretty overwhelming for everyone, especially all of us who are busy and didn't exactly grow up with social media.

Many of us just don't want to have to learn and spend time on one more thing. But at the same time, we want to know how to build an audience for our businesses and personal brands.

So how can we do it?

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Chris Leithe and Dr. Aaron Dinin have created Audience Acceleration Labs, where students can Join the Video Course: Social Media Training for Busy Business Professionals, plus Join The 7 Day LinkedIn Accelerator Course.

Today's episode is hosted by Jason Gillikin, and filmed at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Earfluence⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Studio in Downtown Raleigh at ⁠The Commons⁠.

🎙️Introducing the Podcast Ally Podcast! 🎙️

Earfluence — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:03:46 -0500

The Podcast Ally Podcast is hosted by Dr. Sarah Glova, who's on a mission to find out how to be the best podcast guest. This is episode 1 of season 2! (Subscribe)

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As the Founder and CEO of LawPods, Robert Ingalls has seen thousands of guest pitches - and they're mostly a complete waste of his time. The potential guest or their publicist meant well, but too often the pitches are spray-and-pray, copy-and-paste, and TL;DR.
So how can podcast guests create pitches that get podcast hosts' attention and get them booked?
Let's find out!
Podcast Ally is hosted by Dr. Sarah Glova and is produced by Earfluence.

The Personal Branding Mistake Killing Your LinkedIn Reach

Earfluence — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 03:38:00 -0500

When you think about personal branding, does your chest tighten up a little bit because it means you have to be performative on the approximately 6.7M platforms out there? YouTube, Reels, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitch, X, newsletters, blog posts, podcasts...and the list goes on.

Personal branding can feel intimidating, but according to Ashia Skye, it doesn't have to be that way - personal branding can be as simple as showing up authentically to that next networking event.

Today, Ashia guides us through the personal branding playbook.

Ashia Skye is an On-Air Personality at Urban One Inc's K97.5 & Host At HipHopDX.

Today's episode is hosted by Jason Gillikin, and filmed at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Earfluence⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Studio in Downtown Raleigh at ⁠The Commons⁠.

Building Business Partnerships that Matter, with Matt Sheehan and Dean Sackett

Earfluence — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 11:26:14 -0500

It's easy to approach another business owner and say "Hey if we can refer you, we get X% of the revenue, and vice versa."

But those relationships rarely work, because it's not YOUR job to sell for the other company, and it's not THEIR job to sell for yours. Both parties need to focus on what they do best.

So how can we create business partnerships that truly matter?

Let's find out from two CEOs who recently started a partnership that could change the trajectory of their businesses - Matt Sheehan from Exhale and Dean Sackett from Homestead Building Company.

Today's episode is hosted by Jason Gillikin, and filmed at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Earfluence⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Studio in Downtown Raleigh at The Commons.

Why Influencer Marketing Fails Most Brands — And the Fix a Travel Creator Uses

Earfluence — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 12:56:25 -0500

With NC Tripping, Christina Riley and her husband Carl Hedinger make a living - and provide for their two kids - through influencer marketing. Today, Christina answers some of the tough questions like "How do brands quantify ROI?" and "How do you even start a brand relationship?", and she unveils some of her secrets to success.

Today's episode is hosted by Cee Cee Huffman, and filmed at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Earfluence⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Studio in Downtown Durham.

The Biggest Marketing Waste Startups Make When They Can't Afford to Lose $1

Earfluence — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 09:36:08 -0400

As a startup investor at Primordial, Jenn Summe is the queen of getting coffee with founders. And in many of those conversations, the question she gets asked is, "How can I market my startup when every dollar (and every minute) is critical?"

Let's find out!

Today's episode is hosted by Cee Cee Huffman, and filmed at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Earfluence⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Studio in Downtown Durham.

Why 90% of Business Video Content Gets Ignored (And the Strategy That Doesn't)

Earfluence — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 13:52:00 -0400

In a digital world flooded with videos, how can any business or personal brand get noticed?

Today we're joined by Aaron Lympany, founder of Rhymes Video, who shares his insight into creating the perfect balance between creativity and strategy, how to tell compelling stories through videos, and understanding the ever-changing algorithms and platforms.

Today's episode is hosted by Cee Cee Huffman and Carson Barclay, and filmed at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Earfluence⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Studio in Downtown Raleigh.

The Growth Strategy Behind the World's Fastest-Growing PR Firm

Earfluence — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Are you ready for some next-level storytelling from French/West/Vaughan CEO Rick French? Buckle up!

How about the time TSA wouldn't let him through with the original cowbell from "Don't Fear the Reaper"?

Or when he had Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson ready to play the lead in a movie he was producing, only to bail at the last minute? (But then something better with "The Rock" would come along years later)

Or why Rick and Melissa Etheridge will be shutting down Broadway in October?

We hear about all of that in this episode, plus Rick shares how French/West/Vaughan became the #1 PR firm in the world.

Rick French on ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Not Without Hope, by Nick Schuyler

Dwayne 'The Rock’ Johnson to produce documentary about USF football players lost at sea

Josh Duhamel Joins Joe Carnahan’s Survival Thriller ‘Not Without Hope'(EXCLUSIVE)

Raleigh-based production company behind new survival-at-sea thriller

French/West/Vaughan Chairman & CEO Rick French Recognized as Ambassador of Rock

Today's episode is hosted by Jason Gillikin and filmed at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Earfluence⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Studio in Downtown Raleigh.

Why Most Enterprise Podcasts Die After 10 Episodes, According to a Fortune 500 Podcast Producer

Earfluence — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 12:00:00 -0400

As the Senior Writer and Producer of Red Hat podcasts, Kim Huang's team has produced some of the most iconic podcasts for enterprise organizations. At that level, there's a lot of pressure to be excellent, there are many stakeholders, and there's even company politics to navigate.

So how does she do it? And how can any marketing agency (not just podcast agencies) work best with Fortune 500 companies?

Let's find out!

Kim Huang on LinkedIn

Red Hat Podcasts | Code Comments | Compiler | Command Line Heroes

Today's episode is filmed at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Earfluence⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Studio in Downtown Raleigh.

The Hospitality Standard Turning 1-Time Clients Into Lifelong Fans

Earfluence — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400

In the book Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara shares the story of how Eleven Madison Park leveraged legendary experiences to become recognized as one of the best restaurants in the world.

Today, Dustin Prescott and Jason Gillikin discuss how ANY industry can create Unreasonable Hospitality, both for clients and team members.

Dustin Prescott on LinkedIn

Aldridge Electric Website | Linkedin

Today's episode is filmed at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Earfluence⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Studio in Downtown Raleigh.

The Coworking Mistake Killing Your Networking ROI, with a Coworking CEO

Earfluence — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Today we dig into the world of coworking with DeShawn Brown, CEO of Coworks, and discover how businesses and personal brands can harness the power of coworking spaces to amplify their expertise, connections, and partnerships.

Coworking spaces are becoming hubs for collaboration, innovation, and community engagement - and you don't have to be a member to be involved.

Coworks on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠

Today's episode is filmed at the ⁠⁠⁠Earfluence⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Studio in Downtown Raleigh.

Podcast Raleigh Share: Theatre Raleigh's Lauren Kennedy Brady

Earfluence — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 13:58:56 -0400

Podcast Raleigh has partnered with Earfluence, and we're excited to share Hayes & Ashton's first video podcast!

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Today, Lauren Kennedy Brady shares her journey from a successful Broadway career to making great theater in her hometown. Hear her touching memories of growing up in Raleigh, filled with shows, Broadway weekends, and the magic of theater. Tune in to find out about Theatre Raleigh's new state-of-the-art facility and exciting future programming - including an announcement of a Broadway actress that had Ashton and Hayes jumping out of their seats!
Subscribe to Podcast Raleigh on your favorite podcast sites so you never miss an episode, and if you enjoy it we'd love for you to rate or leave a comment:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-raleigh/id1458907220
Google: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Inzk5woxrsjwf3zhd5vv3av4yei
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6b3dVvLJfO0EqvDGQaFTAP
Or follow on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcast_raleigh/
twitter: https://twitter.com/podcast_raleigh
Today's episode is hosted by Ashton Fisher and Hayes Permar, and is produced by Earfluence.

Stop Posting Short-Form Video Until You Understand This Strategy

Earfluence — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

"The best time to start was probably in 2020 or 2021. The next best time to start is today is yesterday, is tomorrow, is as soon as possible. Go and record and hit post - and just start."

Let’s discuss the power of TikTok as a marketing tool. Today, Samantha Lenger shares her expertise as a social media consultant for startups, emphasizing the importance of building organic communities online. She reveals some common mistakes businesses make on social media and offers valuable tips for success. Whether you're a social media pro or just starting out, this episode will inspire you to harness the potential of short-form video and create engaging content for your brand.

Sam on TikTok | LinkedIn | Instagram

Today's episode is filmed at the ⁠⁠Earfluence⁠⁠ Podcast Studio in Downtown Raleigh.

Why Radio Is Not Dead: How a Regional Media President Reaches Millions in a Streaming World

Earfluence — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 06:22:37 -0400

As President of iHeartRadio Raleigh, Michael Burger works with clients to find the right sponsorship fit on iHeart's radio channels and over 1,000 podcasts. But that's just a small part of what iHeart offers - and it all starts with understanding a company's goals.

Today, Michael delves into the challenges of capturing consumer attention in a fast-paced digital landscape, offering strategic insights on emotionally engaging branding and finding the right audience. Whether it's working with global enterprises or local businesses, Michael and his team are dedicated to delivering creative solutions and helping brands tell their stories effectively. Today's episode is filmed at the ⁠Earfluence⁠ Podcast Studio in Downtown Raleigh.

The Social Media System Most Businesses Are Too Lazy to Build

Earfluence — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 06:23:37 -0400

Jeb Burt has found success by repurposing video content over many different platforms, especially Snapchat. Yes, Snapchat! Today, Jeb joins us to share his tricks for short-form-videos, leveraging social media, and finding your right audience.

Jeb is the CEO of Burt Media, a creative media company built for now.

Today's episode is filmed at the Earfluence Podcast Studio in Downtown Raleigh.

5 Finance Mistakes Killing Startups Before Year 3, According to a CFO

Earfluence — Wed, 31 May 2023 12:51:41 -0400

Throughout her career, Hayley Rogers is usually the first financial person hired at a startup. And when she gets there, things can be a little messy. Find out what mistakes she sees founders making, and what all businesses can be doing better in knowing their numbers to make strategic moves.

Hayley Rogers is the VP of Finance at VisionPoint Marketing.

Today's episode is filmed at the Earfluence Podcast Studio in Downtown Raleigh.

The 3 Fundraising Stages Where Most Startups Lose the Deal, According to a VC

Earfluence — Sun, 28 May 2023 13:07:10 -0400

If you're a founder thinking of raising capital, you can view it in 3 stages - getting connected to the investor, making the pitch, and doing your due diligence. As managing partner of Cofounders Capital⁠, Tim McLoughlin has seen thousands of pitches and invested in dozens of companies, and today he's giving you advice on how to elevate your capital-raising strategy.

Today's episode is filmed at the Earfluence Podcast Studio in Downtown Raleigh.

Why Most Startups Pick the Wrong Investors — And How a Serial Entrepreneur Fixed It

Earfluence — Thu, 25 May 2023 16:46:49 -0400

David Shaner's first job was the company he founded, Offline. Over the last 11 years, David has raised millions and pivoted the company several times, learning some hard lessons along the way. Hear his story and his advice for finding the RIGHT investors to partner with on today's episode.

You can sign up to join Offline Restaurant Club (currently in Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Nashville, and Tampa Bay) at LetsGetOffline.com.

Today's episode is filmed at the Earfluence Podcast Studio in Downtown Raleigh.

Why Startup PR Fails Without These 3 Moves, According to a PR Strategist

Earfluence — Thu, 25 May 2023 13:25:14 -0400

Startup founders typically don't have a whole lot of time or money, but they need to get the word out about their product or service. So how can they do that with limited resources?

Mikaya Thurmond on LinkedIn | Instagram | VSC PR

Today's episode is filmed at the Earfluence Podcast Studio in Downtown Raleigh.

Riches to Rags and Getting Back Up Again, with Marques Ogden

Earfluence — Wed, 24 May 2023 09:18:02 -0400

Failure in business and in life is inevitable. But how do we get back up again and learn from our mistakes. Former NFL player Marques Ogden joins us to share his riches-to-rags-to-riches-to-rags story, and what he's doing now to rebuild.

Listen to Marques on his podcast, Get Authentic with Marques Ogden

Today's episode is filmed at the Earfluence Podcast Studio in Downtown Raleigh.

A Place at the Table: Community Cafe where All are Welcome

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0400

When Maggie Kane started telling people about her dream of opening a pay-what-you-can cafe in the heart of downtown Raleigh, most people thought she was a little loony. But others believed in her vision, and they were willing to do what it took to make her vision a reality. They donated money, equipment, and their time to build not only a restaurant, but a community cafe where all are welcome.

A Place at the Table is located at 300 W. Hargett St in Raleigh North Carolina.

Today's episode of Charity Champions is hosted by Terrance Ruth and is a production of Earfluence.

Easterseals UCP: Helping thousands living with disabilities & mental health conditions live their best life

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Easterseals UCP is serving thousands of people in this community - people with disabilities, Autism, and other behavioral challenges. With 2,300 employees, the depth of work and support they provide is as impressive as it is heart-warming. Today, we hear from two of those team members, Laurie Nederveen and Marta Quintana, as they share both their whys for joining Easterseals UCP and some of the programs they're focused on.

Donate to Easterseals UCP
Easterseals UCP events including Kendra Scott Gives Back Event Decmeber 3, 2022

Today's episode of Charity Champions is hosted by Donald Thompson (CEO of The Diversity Movement, host of High Octane Leadership, and author of Underestimated) and is a production of Earfluence.

Habitat for Humanity: Building Affordable Homeownership and a Path to Equity, with Jennifer Player

Earfluence, Inc. — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 12:45:45 -0400

You've probably heard of Habitat for Humanity, but there are so many common misconceptions about what Habitat is all about. For example, Habitat does NOT give away homes - it provides a path for affordable homeownership and building equity. Today, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County President and CEO Jennifer Player talks to Marcus Ginyard about the mission and the exciting new community in Chapel Hill, Weaver's Grove.

Race and Housing in Orange County

Volunteer

Today's episode of Charity Champions is hosted by Marcus Ginyard (former UNC basketball captain and national champion, VP of Medalist Capital) and is a production of Earfluence.

The Charity Power Couple: Thorne (Band Together) and Nesha Daubenspeck (1ofUs)

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Thorne Daubenspeck is the Executive Director at Band Together. Since 2001, Band Together has used the power of live music to donate over $11 million to Triangle area nonprofit organizations. Nesha Daubenspeck is the Community Outreach Director for 1ofUs, which provides assistance that directly impacts the lives of patients with breast and other gynecological cancers. Together, this power couple is impacting thousands of lives in the Triangle area.

Band Together Mighty Giveback featuring the Turnpike Troubadours, October 28th, 2022, at the Red Hat Ampitheater.

Join the 1ofUs 11th Annual Pink Tie Affair, November 5th, 2022.

Today's episode of Charity Champions is hosted by Tim McLoughlin (Cofounders Capital, First Check Podcast) and is a production of Earfluence.

The Joel Fund: Reconnecting Veterans to Life at Home

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Brooke Dickhart's dad (Joel) was a 20-year Navy Seal, who passed away tragically after a battle with PTSD and all the demons that come along with it. Brooke saw how much her dad struggled when coming back into life at home, and she wanted to help other veterans in any way she could - so in 2015, she founded The Joel Fund.

Today's episode of Charity Champions is hosted by Jes Averhart (The Reinvention Road Map) and is a production of Earfluence.

Introducing Inside Impact from Unity Web Agency

Earfluence, Inc. — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0400

We have been taking a break from this podcast to work on a new podcast coming out soon called Charity Champions, where we feature charities in our community who are doing amazing things. We don’t do enough, so learning more about the people behind these causes and how we can get involved has been awesome, and we can’t wait to share with you.

But until then, check out one of the new podcasts we launched recently. This one is called Inside Impact, which is hosted by Alisa Herr, founder and CEO of Unity Web Agency. On this podcast, Alisa takes you on a behind the scenes peek at how organizations can create positive change in their communities.

One of those change makers is Johnny Hackett Jr, and we hope you enjoy this episode recorded from the Earfluence Podcast Studio at American Underground!

Introducing For the Love of the Game, with Soccer Coaching Legends Ralph Perez and Ray Reid

Earfluence, Inc. — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0400

But until then, check out one of the new podcasts we launched recently. This one is called For the Love of the Game, with Ralph Perez and Ray Reid.

These legendary college soccer coaches have a combined 81 years of coaching college athletes, nearly 900 career wins, five national championships, and approximately 17,546 names in their contacts lists—and they're still in the game. On this podcast, they grab some of those names and talk about what's going on in the soccer world today.

So we hope you enjoy this episode with another legend who just retired, Carli Lloyd.

For the Love of the Game is edited and produced by Earfluence.

Introducing Equity Raise: Leveling the Landscape for Diverse Founders and their VCs

Earfluence, Inc. — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 12:48:17 -0400

But until then, check out one of the new podcasts we launched recently. This one is called Equity Raise: Leveling the Landscape for Diverse Founders and their VCs. Each year, less than 3% of venture capital funding is invested in startups led by founders of color and women. On this podcast, we share the stories of underrepresented founders who did find investment.

It’s hosted by Naya Fela Powell, presented by American Underground, sponsored by The Diversity Movement, and produced by Earfluence.

From terrified to top 5% podcast: How Jackie Ferguson overcame her fears

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 05 May 2022 10:49:36 -0400

As someone who worked behind-the-scenes her whole career, Jackie Ferguson was beyond nervous to host a podcast. But she was in a season of "yes" in her life, and she wouldn't let being afraid get in the way of her growth.

"People don't take those steps toward what their purpose could be because they're afraid. And it's hard when you're afraid. But in doing that and continuing to say yes, I've been able to really reach a lot of people. And that's been an amazing journey."

Jackie Ferguson is the co-founder and head of content and programming at The Diversity Movement and host of the Diversity: Beyond the Checkbox podcast. She's also the co-author of The Inclusive Language Handbook, now available for pre-order.

The Earfluence Podcast is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman and is produced by Earfluence.

How to cultivate an innovative mindset, with Reify Media's Sarah Glova

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0400

When you hear the word innovation, what do you feel? Do you still get that jolting, first-time feeling of excitement you used to? Sarah Glova isn't upset with you if you don't, since we talk about it so often in the business world these days. In this episode, Jason and Sarah talk about how you can get some of that excitement back.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

How to become confident on camera, with BetterOn's Ryan Carey

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Whether we like it or not, we all spend a lot of time on camera nowadays. And, if you find yourself not liking it, that's where today's guest can help! Ryan Carey is the founder of BetterOn, which provides coaching for individuals to help them become more comfortable on screen. In this episode, Jason and Ryan talk about some of those tips that can help create a comfortable video podcast.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Building a podcast community, with Buddy Ruski's Justin Laidlaw

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Justin Laidlaw's podcast journey started in 2014, with a podcast that discussed the Durham community. In this episode, Jason and Justin talk about how those 15 episodes led him to create the Buddy Ruski Show, where he talks with interesting people in the Bull City.

Check out the Buddy Ruski website!

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

The Bull City Summit...and its new podcast! with BCS co-founder Parag Bhandari

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0500

The Bull City Summit will combine music, art, science and technology in Durham, N.C. this March 23 through 26. So, obviously, there's a lot to talk about. In this episode, Cee Cee talks with BCS co-founder and executive producer Parag Bhandari about the event and it's new podcast, produced by Earfluence.

Check out the first episode of the show, where Cee Cee talks music with MirIAm!

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Overcoming your fear of public speaking by podcasting, with Walk West's Mike Manganillo

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0500

To put it simply, Mike Manganillo was afraid. The anxiety of an upcoming presentation would raise his heart rate weeks before it even took place. He wondered if he should continue in his advertising role or give up ... until he started a podcast.

In this episode, Jason and Cee Cee talk with Mike, VP of marketing at Walk West, about how podcasting helped him get over his fear of public speaking.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

We have a new podcast studio at American Underground (Durham, NC)

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Oops, we did it again. We have another new studio! We're excited to become an official part of the Durham community as partners of the American Underground coworking space in downtown Durham. In this episode, Jason is talking with Tim Scales about how the new studio will help benefit creative entrepreneurs at AU.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

An engineering matchmaker's approach to finding love, from STEMedia

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Valdon Johnson is certified with the matchmaking Institute of New York, has a background in electrical engineering and brings an engineering approach to dating and relationships in an effort to improve the dating landscape and help eligible men and women find each other.

Hear more episodes of STEMedia!

Podcasting for higher education, with NC State Poole College's Jenny Hammond

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500

The chief marketing officer at NC State's Poole College of Management, Jenny Hammond knew she would be the best host for their new Poole Podcast—but she was nervous. After one season of the show, it has been a helpful marketing tool for the college and Jenny has learned a lot about what it takes to build a podcast. In this episode, Cee Cee and Jenny talk about her podcasting journey and why podcasting is helpful for higher education.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Why you should be a guest on a podcast, with Mark A. Herschberg

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Having been on over 200 podcasts in the last year, Mark A. Herschberg is a serial podcast guest. Why would he take the time to be on so many shows without even having his own? In this episode, Jason and Cee Cee talk with Mark about how being a guest on a podcast can help you market your latest endeavor.

Mark Herschberg is a 20-year MIT professor and author of the book “The Career Toolkit." To learn more lessons from Mark, you can purchase the book on Amazon.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

How to market your podcast, with Tink Media's Lauren Passell

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500

The work isn't over after you press "upload" on your latest podcast episode. Marketing your podcast is essential to growing your show's listenership, and Tink Media shares out-of-the-box marketing and PR solutions with its clients. In this episode, Jason and Cee Cee talk with the company's founder, Lauren Passell, to learn some Tink's tips!

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Best Podcasts of 2021: Building a DEI Culture, with The Diversity Movement's Jackie Ferguson

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500

"If you're not intentional about the culture you're creating, it will create itself." Jackie Ferguson is the co-founder of The Diversity Movement, and she's seen companies want to build a culture that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. But sayig so in a press release is one thing - how do corporations truly make lasting change happen? And then for smaller companies, how do they get started from the ground up?

The Executive Women’s Day event, where leaders of today and tomorrow gathered to engage in meaningful dialogue, was held on October 12, 2021. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is proud to share insights from the keynote speakers and panelists on business perspectives, best practices, and the inclusion and empowerment of women in the workplace.

The Executive Women's Day Podcast is (today) hosted by serial entrepreneur Megan Gillikin (Weddings for Real, The Planner's Vault, A Southern Soiree), and is produced by Earfluence.

Best Podcasts of 2021: The Stress of Being Black and Pregnant, with Karen Sheffield-Abdullah

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Black women have twice the rate of preterm birth compared to white women, and that has persisted despite decades of research, despite differences in socioeconomic status, maternal education, access to prenatal care. When you pair or look at a Black woman and a white woman who are pregnant, the Black woman will have their baby early at twice the rate of white women. Nurse midwife, mindfulness teacher, and adjunct professor Karen Sheffield-Abdullah is trying to figure out why.

Today's episode is hosted by Dr. Kristin Tully, co-chair of the MHLIC Innovation Support Core, and researcher at UNC Chapel Hill.

Learn more about us, explore our resource center and find support for all maternal health professionals at MaternalHealthLearning.org.

Maternal Health Innovation is a product of the Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center and is produced by Earfluence.

Music provided by Graham Makes.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U7CMC33636 State Maternal Health Innovation Support and Implementation Program Cooperative Agreement. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Best Podcasts of 2021: Sophomore Syndrome and that Successful Feeling, with Jess Ekstrom

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500

This month, Jason and Cee Cee are sharing their favorite podcasts they've produced this year. This week, it's this episode of the Hustle + Gather podcast with Jess Ekstrom, streamed live from the Earfluence studio at Raleigh Founded.

Jess Ekstrom started Headbands of Hope back in college, and the demand was more than she could have ever imagined. With the success of her first business comes expectations for her follow-up chapters. So how has she responded? Plus, Jess talks about why everyone should create 100-year goals and why you should celebrate the parts of the business you dread.

Watch the full uncut episode, in-person and in-studio.

Chasing the Bright Side, by Jess Ekstrom
Bright Pages (use the code 'gather' for one month free)
Mic Drop Academy

Hustle and Gather is hosted by Courtney Hopper and Dana Kadwell, and is produced by Earfluence. Courtney and Dana's hustles include C&D Events, Hustle and Gather, and The Bradford Wedding Venue.

Best Podcasts of 2021: Growth and Fundraising, with Coworks' DeShawn Brown

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500

To wind down the year, Jason and Cee Cee are sharing some of their favorite episodes they've produced in 2021. First up? This episode of Raleigh Founded's Founded Connect with Deshawn Brown!

On today's Spotlight Series, presented by Wyrick Robbins, we spotlight another member of Raleigh Founded while digging into a specific topic relevant to founders. Today's topic is Growth and Fundraising, two challenges facing so many founders. Today's founder DeShawn Brown has seen growth as CEO of two companies - Lithios Apps and Coworks. And with Coworks, he recently helped raise a cool $1 million. Also in the conversation is Ford Eubanks, corporate attorney at Wyrick Robbins; Jason Gillikin, CEO of Earfluence; and Jess Porta, Executive Director of Raleigh Founded.

Yes you CAN monetize your podcast without 10K downloads / episode, with Squadcast.fm's Arielle Nissenblatt

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0500

We've all heard the classic podcast ads: HelloFresh, MeUndies, Express VPN. It might feel like you need to be Joe Rogan to find sponsors for your podcast, but there are ways to monetize your show no matter how big or small. This week, Jason and Cee Cee talk with Squadcast.fm's Arielle Nissenblatt about different ways you can do just that.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Introducing the Innovate Raleigh podcast!

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Welcome to the Innovate Raleigh Podcast, where we share conversations from the Innovate Raleigh Summit, held October 29th at the Raleigh Convention Center. With this podcast, we are highlighting inspiring stories while exploring the vision for the future of our community and creative, innovative ways to meet our challenges.

Subscribe now!

How to create a podcast from a live event

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Sure, we've been busy in the studio, but we've also been taking the studio to others. In the last month, the Earfluence team has attended two live events and created podcasts there! In this episode, Jason and Cee Cee talk about how they did it and why it's valuable.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Podcast software and gear, with Earfluence's Mark Meyer

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0400

The Earfluence team is growing! Meet Mark Meyer, audio engineer and podcast editor at Earfluence. In this episode, Jason and Cee Cee talk with Mark about what led him to join the team, what got him interested in audio and how he makes our podcasts sound so good.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Introducing the Executive Women's Day Podcast, from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Association of Junior Leagues International CEO Patsy Doerr delivered the keynote speech at Executive Women's Day presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina at the SAS Championship, sharing her three-pronged approach to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Today, Patsy unpacks the keynote and discusses some of the challenges of DEIB.

Listen to the Executive Women's Day Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Listen to the Executive Women's Day Podcast on Spotify

The Executive Women's Day Podcast is hosted by The Diversity Movement co-founder Jackie Ferguson and is produced by Earfluence.

Podcast PR, with Melinda Jackson PR's Melinda Jackson

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Melinda Jackson takes a unique approach to public relations, and she's seen the value that podcasting can have for her clients. In this episode, Jason and Cee Cee talk with Melinda about how her 10 years of PR in Los Angeles prepared her to serve her clients back in N.C. and how podcasting is a part of it.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Should guests pay to be on your podcast?

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0400

How much is too much to charge a guest to be on your podcast? Should you pay to be on someone else's show? For Jason and Cee Cee, the answer is simpler than you'd think.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

How video can grow your podcast, with Ang H. Studio's Angela Hollowell

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0400

With podcasting being an audio format, incorporating video might seem counter-intuitive. But, leveraging video is a great way to grow your podcast. In this episode, Jason and Cee Cee talk with Ang H. Studio's Angela Hollowell to discuss the best ways to incorporate video into your podcast.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Building a business from content creation, with This is Raleigh's Caroline and Craig Makepeace

Earfluence, Inc. — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 15:00:00 -0400

Caroline and Craig Makepeace have lived in five countries and traveled through over 50, and, after years of hard work, they made it their job. The couple created y Travel Blog, where they documented their family's global experiences to show that it's possible to make a life moving through the world—even with two kids. Recently, the Makepeace's settled down in their favorite place: Raleigh, N.C. Hear how they're documenting their Triangle explorations on This is Raleigh and how they made living their career.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

10 life-changing podcast episodes, with Raleigh Founded's Danielle Mayber

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Given that it's Jason and Cee Cee's careers, podcasting has obviously changed their lives. But, some specific podcast episodes have changed our lives. In this episode, Raleigh Founded's Danielle Mayber joins Jason and Cee Cee to talk about some of those special episodes.

Check out the episodes we talked about!

Danielle:
- Terry Crews — How to Have, Do and Be All You Want | The Tim Ferriss Show
- Tim Ferriss Goes to Maximum Security Prison | The Tim Ferriss Show
- How to Navigate Confusing Emotions with Olivia | Over it And On With It
- The Psychology of Success: Tony Robbins and X-Prize founder Peter Diamandis talk with Joe Polish about what it takes to achieve true wealth and fulfillment | The Tony Robbins Podcast
- [A-96] Stawić czoła kryzysowi (Ameryka 2020) | Świat / The World

Jason:
- How I Built This, with Jim Koch

- Weddings for Real, with Ginny Corbett

- Pretend Podcast, Word of Faith Fellowship

- Beyond the Obituary, The Pilot

- Donald Thompson Podcast (which at the time was Hustle Unlimited), Diversity and Inclusion at Work

Cee Cee:
- What's a Penny Worth? | Planet Money
- Ear Biscuits
- Mel Robbins: The 5 Second Rule to Change Your Life | The School of Greatness Hall of Fame

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Learning from podcast analytics, with Jay Nachlis

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 11:17:17 -0400

Podcasting is a creative endeavor, but there's a lot of data that can help you grow and improve your podcast. In this episode, Jason and Cee Cee talk with Jay Nachlis, associate consultant and marketing director at Coleman Insights, about what they're learning through strategic research to help podcasters create better content.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Oh, the places you'll go...with podcasting! With Too Much Scrolling's Chip Hessenflow

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0400

We often say that podcasting is the new golf: instead of building new relationships on the green, we're doing it in the studio. Too Much Scrolling's Chip Hessenflow is no exception. After nearly 10 years of podcasting, he's had conversations with some very interesting people. In this episode, he shares with Jason and Cee Cee just a few of those stories.

This episode was broadcast live on LinkedIn! Don't miss the next one, follow our LinkedIn.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Reaching your creative goal, with Raleigh Magazine's Melissa Howsam

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0400

As a student at NC State, Melissa Howsam dreamt of being editor of a Raleigh Magazine, which didn't exist at the time. After years of hustling in different cities, she returned to Raleigh, where she's now the editor of THE Raleigh Magazine. In this episode, hear how she achieved this goal and what the magazine is doing to tell authentic stories about our community.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

How to tell great stories, with Sharon Delaney McCloud

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 10:30:14 -0400

Stories are everywhere, and they're key in creating an engaging podcast. In this episode—recorded live in our Raleigh Founded studio during our podcast marathon—Walk West's Sharon Delaney McCloud shares tips on telling great stories and tells some of her own along the way.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Connecting with community media, with RALtoday's Carly Delengowski and Laura Brummett

Earfluence, Inc. — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 12:22:48 -0400

Podcasters want to tell interesting and important stories about their communities, and so do print media organizations. In this episode, Jason and Cee Cee talk with RALtoday's Carly Delengowski and Laura Brummett about how podcasters and writers can connect and share content that matters.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

We have a podcast studio at Raleigh Founded!, with RF's Jason Widen and Jess Porta

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 15:10:21 -0400

Yep, you read that right. Earfluence has partnered with Raleigh Founded to create a new podcast studio in the Warehouse District location as a part of its new creative studio. In this episode, Jason and Cee Cee talk with RF Co-founder Jason Widen and Executive Director Jess Porta about why they're so excited about this partnership and what RF has done to support the Triangle's startup community.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Creating a DEI Culture in Startups: Introducing the Winning with Diversity Podcast

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 27 May 2021 12:08:34 -0400

New Podcast, Winning with Diversity! Apple Podcasts | Spotify

How can you build a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture from the ground up? The Diversity Movement's Head of Content Jackie Ferguson discusses hiring practices, resume review, and when culture veers in the wrong direction.

JOIN THE DEI FOR STARTUPS WEBINAR, Thursday June 3rd at 12PM EST, presented by The Diversity Movement, with Donald Thompson, Shelley Willingham, and Lister Delgado. And please donate any amount to the Thurgood Marshall College Scholarship Fund.

Winning with Diversity is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by VP of Business Strategy Shelley Willingham, and is a production of Earfluence.

Apple Podcasts vs. Spotify: which new subscription service is better?

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 13 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Apple Podcasts and Spotify have both released paid subscription services where podcasters can provide their subscribers with exclusive content. But how do they work, and which one is better? In this episode, Jason and Cee Cee break down how they work and how podcasters can use them to their advantage.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

10 things they don't teach you in podcasting school, with Javier Leiva

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0400

You might know how to recording, edit and upload, but there's a lot they don't teach you in podcasting school. In this episode, Pretend Podcast and Criminal Conduct's Javier Leiva joins Jason and Cee Cee to talk about the 10 things they don't teach you in podcasting school! And with Javier's over 2 million downloads and Jason and Cee Cee's over 500 podcasts produced, the three have learned a thing or two along the way.

Listen to the Pretend Podcast or Criminal Conduct.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

SEO for podcasts

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Search engine optimization can have a major impact on your podcast's listenership. From alt text to transcripts to titles and even YouTube videos, Jason and Cee Cee share tips and tricks for getting your expertise to show up in Google search results!

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

How to find podcast guests, with Podmatch's Alex Sanfilippo

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Alex Sanfillipo walked around a convention center floor, asking podcasters what they wish would be easier about their job. He found they all had trouble finding the perfect podcast guests, so he co-founded PodMatch, the Match.com for podcasts guests and hosts to connect simply and quickly. Gone are the days of sending out a million one-sheets after spending hours searching for the right email addresses—Podmatch is here to help. Jason and Cee Cee have used the platform, so, in this episode of the Earfluence Podcast, Alex shares how it got started, where it's going and what it can do for you.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Building a Community for DEI Leaders, with The Diversity Movement's Kurt Merriweather

Earfluence, Inc. — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 12:55:45 -0400

Part of our mission is to celebrate and amplify diverse voices, and we want to create a culture that’s inclusive and where everyone feels welcome and valued. But as a startup with a handful of employees, now do we do that? And when we become a larger orginazation, how do we evaluate DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives so that everyone in the organization is on the same page?

One of our clients is The Diversity Movement, and we produce their podcast, Diversity Beyond the Checkbox. They have built a DEI Community to reach tens of thousands of companies and millions of people all around the world - so everyone can have the DEI education they need and a support community around the questions they need answers to.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

How to sound your best on a podcast, with VO Superhero Bonnie Williams

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 06:13:12 -0500

VO Superhero Bonnie Williams is a professional voiceover artist, so it's safe to say she knows a thing or two about what can make—or break—a great voice. On this episode, Jason and Cee Cee talk with Bonnie about tips and tricks for the best vocal quality on a podcast recording.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Introducing the Quacks and Hypochondriacs Podcast

Earfluence, Inc. — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 22:31:28 -0500

Introducing the Quacks and Hypochondriacs Podcast with Dr Bill Ferro and Erin O'Hearn.

From episode 2, The Skinny on Skincare, with Molecular Biologist Sudhir Shah:

What you're putting on your face and the rest of your body is probably full of harmful chemicals that don't really work. Sudhir Shah is a scientist, molecular biologist, social entrepreneur, and Ayurvedic practitioner, and he's here to tell you why you should consider all-natural skin care products.

For the skincare products that Dr Shah recommends, visit https://store.betrhealth.com/collections/om-botanicals.

Article: What Does Gut Health Have to do with Skincare?

Quacks and Hypochondriacs is hosted by Dr Bill Ferro and Erin O'Hearn, and is produced by Earfluence.

What you need to know about podcast ads

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 14:46:09 -0500

Companies spent $782 million on podcast advertisements in 2020. So, how do you get an ad on your podcast, and how much will you make from it? Learn the basics and beyond in this episode of the Earfluence Podcast.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

How to prepare for a podcast

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Recording a podcast episode requires more than just sitting down and pressing record, but every host has a different approach. In this episode, Jason and Cee Cee talk about how they prepare for themselves and their guests for an episode and share tricks with you, too!

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

How Clubhouse can promote your podcast

Earfluence, Inc. — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 16:06:33 -0500

Some say that Clubhouse could kill your podcast, but Jason and Cee Cee know how it can grow it. The audio-based iOS application is still invite-only, but its growing user base is active and ready to talk. So how do you use Clubhouse to your advantage? Listen to find out!

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Our 2020 podcast recap and predictions for 2021

Earfluence, Inc. — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0500

This year was crazy ... and it's over! In this episode, Jason and Cee Cee talk about the biggest moments for podcasting in 2020. Plus, hear their predictions for 2021!

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

How to be a great podcast guest, with Weddings for Real's Megan Gillikin

Earfluence, Inc. — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 15:56:47 -0500

You have something great to share, and you've found the perfect podcast to share it. How do you become a great podcast guest? Weddings for Real's Megan Gillikin joins Jason and Cee Cee to talk about the dos don'ts of pitching to the podcast host, technical equipment, the recording and beyond.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Holidays and Politics: Dealing with relatives who just don’t get it, with The Diversity Movement's Jamie Ousterout

Earfluence, Inc. — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 17:48:27 -0500

The election is wrapping up, and the holidays are approaching. How do you talk to the family members you love who have opinions you don't? The Diversity Movement's Jamie Ousterout says you can find some answers in the upcoming webinar "Holiday Headaches: Dealing with Relatives Who Just Don't Get It."

Click here to sign up for the webinar being held Thursday, Nov. 19 at 12 p.m. EST.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and is hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

The Beyond the Obituary Podcast: What Goes on in a Crematory?

Earfluence, Inc. — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 12:47:53 -0400

This is a different kind of podcast. It’s called Beyond the Obituary, and it’s from Renaissance Funeral Home in Raleigh North Carolina.

In season 1, we interviewed family members of loved ones who had passed on, because a life is so much more than a one page obituary, and it was so heart warming to hear the stories, even when many of them had to deal with tragic deaths.

But in season 2, we’re changing things up a bit and getting more into the business of death because it’s a super interesting topic that many of us are afraid to talk about. Like on this episode that we’re sharing with you today, I interview Joe Smolenski and Heather Hill from Renaissance about life in the funeral home, and what happens in a crematory. How hot does it get? Are ashes mixed up? What happens when family members disagree on what to do with a body? Do the funeral directors talk to the bodies?

So check it out, and be sure to subscribe to Beyond the Obituary wherever you get your podcasts.

Beyond the Obituary on Spotify -> https://open.spotify.com/show/5wXYJMrO1vTTKT26kzFa5e
Beyond the Obituary on Apple Podcasts -> https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-obituary/id1454700198

Beyond the Obituary (and the Earfluence Podcast) are productions of Earfluence.

Entrepreneurship, mental health and Transistor, with Transistor.fm co-founder Justin Jackson

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Justin Jackson dreamt of launching a product in a market big and hungry enough that, if he could swim out and catch that wave, it would be bigger than any wave he'd caught before ... then his friend told him about the podcast hosting software he was working on. In 2017, the two partnered to become co-founders and co-CEOs of Transistor.fm, the same host used to upload this episode! On this episode, Jason and Cee Cee talk industry with Justin and hear the stories that started it all.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Introducing the Founder Shares Podcast with Trevor Schmidt

Earfluence, Inc. — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 11:59:04 -0400

Today we're sharing another podcast that we produce, Founder Shares from Hutchison PLLC in Raleigh North Carolina. Hutchison works with startup entrepreneurs, and the host Trevor Schmidt is a partner who wanted to share their stories. Not just the triumphs and big exits, but the real story as well – the struggles, the grind, the failures. On the episode that we’re sharing today, Trevor talks to both Fred Hutchison, the founder of Hutchison PLLC, and Robbie Hardy, founder of xElle Ventures, an angel investor network that invests in female entrepreneurs. Robbie and Fred were involved in a startup together back in the mid-90s, and the story of the exit there – well, your jaw will be on the floor like mine was the first time I heard it.

Founder Shares on Spotify -> https://open.spotify.com/show/7y8e1Jwg3Eq9sJ1rz0I5Rt
Founder Shares on Apple Podcasts -> https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/founder-shares/id1526357098

Founder Shares (and the Earfluence Podcast) are productions of Earfluence.

The Social Dilemma

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0400

So, maybe it's not about podcasting, but it's important! Jason and Cee Cee watched Netflix's new documentary, "The Social Dilemma," and it left them thinking about the ways they interact with their friends, family and clients online. Hear them talk about their film critiques, why they see what they see online and the power social media has over our lives.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Just do it! Why you should start podcasting, with sexologist Dr. Laurie Watson

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 09:33:50 -0400

Dr. Laurie Watson is a podcaster, author and sexologist. She started her podcast, Foreplay Radio, in Feb. of 2016, and she now has 249 episodes and 4.3 million total downloads. In this episode of The Earfluence Podcast, Jason and Cee Cee talk with Dr. Laurie about how she got her start, why she couldn't enjoy Hamilton the Musical and how podcasting has improved her business, Awakenings counseling.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Help! Who's in my audience and how do I find them?

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 10:01:10 -0400

Finding your audience is tough, but they're one of the most important pieces of your podcast. In this episode of The Earfluence Podcast, Jason and Cee Cee talk through how to identify, find and engage with your followers on social media and beyond.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence and hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Lessons from 200 episodes, with Joe Bunn

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0400

When Joe Bunn started ‎The PhDJ Podcast, he thought he would only make 10 episodes. Almost four years later, he and his cohost Mike Walter have made almost 200 episodes! Jason and Cee Cee talk with Joe about Bunn DJ Company, coming up with episode ideas and the celebrity wedding he'd like to DJ most.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence Media and hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

Podcasting Through COVID-19

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 20:34:04 -0400

How has COVID-19 and quarantine life affected podcasting? For starters, it's much easier because everyone is comfortable on Zoom and recording is just one click away. But what can you do to make your podcast the best that it can be, even when you can't be with your guests in person? Jason and Cee Cee give tips on what you can do today for better recordings.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence and hosted by Jason Gillikin and Cee Cee Huffman.

How to Host a Solo Podcast: Tips from Kinsey Roberts from the She Creates Business Podcast

Earfluence, Inc. — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 22:20:00 -0400

Hosting a solo podcast episode is really freaking hard. You have no one to talk to, no questions to ask, no feedback to give, no conversation at all. And yet some people can absolutely dominate a solo episode with what seems like complete comfort. One of those people is Kinsey Roberts from the She Creates Business Podcast, and she comes on the show today to give her tips on how to produce an interesting and engaging solo episode.

At the top of the show, we mentioned some of the podcasts we're working on at Earfluence AND an audiobook that just came out. You won't want to miss these.

The Startup Stage Podcast
Ask a Black Guy / Ask a White Guy on the Diversity Beyond the Checkbox Podcast
100th Episode Extravaganza from Weddings for Real
Authenticity is Contagious, episodes coming soon
"The Startup Hats: Master the Many Roles of the Entrpereneur", now on Audiobook

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence and hosted by Jason Gillikin.

How to Be a Better Storyteller in Podcasting, with Criminal Conduct's Javier Leiva

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 07:35:00 -0400

Javier Leiva is the producer and host of the Criminal Conduct and Pretend Podcasts, and he is an absolute master of storytelling. Today he comes on the Earfluence Podcast to share tips on how you can be a better storyteller in podcasts - what you can learn from watching reality TV and documentaries like Tiger King, what podcasts you should be listening to to learn, interviewing tricks and what he's learned from his co-host, and how to create a storytelling arc. If you're a podcaster, you won't want to miss this!

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence and hosted by Jason Gillikin.

How to Start a Podcast, Part 4: Marketing Tips to Cut Through the Noise of 1M Podcasts

Earfluence, Inc. — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 21:20:00 -0400

This week, we are launching our first 4 episodes of the show, and they will be about how to create a podcast. It’s not just about the technical details, although we will be covering that. It’s also about how to conceptualize your show, how to plan everything, how to reach out to guests, how to prep, how to publish, and eventually how to market the podcast so that YOU can reach the right audience.

With the quarantine, you are probably in a situation where you are spending less time commuting, spending less time in meetings, and even spending less time with friends – so now is the time for you to produce. Now is the time for you to start communicating effectively to your team by coming up with that internal podcast. Now is the time for you to create evergreen audio content that can be repurposed on many platforms. Now is the time to have those conversations with leaders in your space who are also stuck at home so you can develop a fruitful relationship.

Now is the time to start a podcast. And in this 4-episode series, we’re going to show you exactly how to do that.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence (who could have guessed?!?) and hosted by Jason Gillikin.

How to Start a Podcast, Part 3: The Technical Details

Earfluence, Inc. — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 16:10:00 -0400

Now is the time to start a podcast. And in this 4-episode series, we’re going to show you exactly how to do that.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence (who could have guessed?!?) and hosted by Jason Gillikin.

How to Start a Podcast, Part 2: Record Drunk, Edit Sober (and Other Preparation Tips)

Earfluence, Inc. — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 14:45:00 -0400

Now is the time to start a podcast. And in this 4-episode series, we’re going to show you exactly how to do that.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence (who could have guessed?!?) and hosted by Jason Gillikin.

How to Start a Podcast, Part 1: What's Your Goal?

Earfluence, Inc. — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 20:35:00 -0400

Now is the time to start a podcast. And in this 4-episode series, we’re going to show you exactly how to do that.

The Earfluence Podcast is a production of Earfluence (who could have guessed?!?) and hosted by Jason Gillikin.