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 …

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…

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) --- 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 w…

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 do…

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 …

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 h…

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 P…

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 platform…

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 …

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 po…

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 Hospi…

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 memb…

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

"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 impo…

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-…

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 Ear…

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 Marketi…

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 capita…

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 …

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. Register to attend the Easterseals UCP …

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 P…

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 restauran…

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 w…

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 …

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 gyn…

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…

Charity Champions is taking over the Earfluence Podcast! In this mini-series, we focus on amplifying our voices for good by featuring some of the amazing charities in the Triangle area of North Carolina. We challenge every one of you listening to go make a difference - whether that's donating, volunteering, or simply sharing these episodes with you…

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 un…

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 un…

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 un…

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 …

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 Po…

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 …

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 Earflue…

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, whe…

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 h…

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 product…

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! Register to attend the Easterseals UCP | Port …

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 Jenn…

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 an…

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 Ear…

"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 fo…

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 rat…

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. W…

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 founde…

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 Earfl…

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! Register …

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 G…

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 Gilli…

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 …