‘Jordan The Stallion,’ Jenny Hoyos, Misha Brown, V Spehar, Ziad Ahmed, Shira Lazar, and companies like Liquid Death, LTK, Boobie, Smosh, NFL all have one thing in common – It’s No Fluke they found success.
Each week, we unpack the highs, lows, and untold stories of culture and creativity with top creators, brands, agencies and thought leaders.
New episodes drop every Tuesday and Thursday. Stay tuned!
Got feedback or a guest idea? Reach out via email, LinkedIn or Instagram.
A Shorty Award winner and Real Time Academy member, Jeff Barrett works with major influencers and brands like Adobe, Experian, Oracle, FIS and more on communications and influencer strategy. He spent three years traveling to almost every state in the country writing about startup ecosystems for Inc and Entrepreneur. After years of talking for a living, he's ready to listen and amplify the voices of amazing people, stories and ideas.
Tina Maher is the SVP of Client Services & Branded Franchise Management at Hartbeat — the global, multi-platform entertainment company creating content and experiences at the intersection of comedy and culture. With a mission to keep the world laughing together, Hartbeat finances, develops, and produces content across platforms; connects with audiences worldwide through its expansive distribution network; and partners with leading brands to co-create award-winning IP.
Tina is one of the key figures behind Hartbeat’s long-standing partnership with P&G and Old Spice/Gillette for Cold As Balls, Kevin Hart’s hit athlete interview series which recently wrapped its 12th season. Shot in front of a live audience, the season featured conversations with some of today’s biggest sports stars, including Tom Brady, Victor Wembanyama, CeeDee Lamb, CM Punk, and Ja’Marr Chase.
With more than 2 billion views to date — and P&G/Old Spice remaining the presenting sponsor since day one — Cold As Balls is a signature example of Tina and Hartbeat’s ability to bring an entertainment-first approach to brand storytelling.
As a Hollywood screenwriter Michael Ashley sold the hit Halloween movie Girl Vs Monster to Disney—which launched a successful kids’ toy line. Before this, he worked in development for the head of the literary department at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the biggest talent agency in the world. Pivoting to literary publishing, he now owns and operates a creative content agency, turning his clients thought leaders by writing their books, articles, and speeches.
Michael has co-written 5 books on AI, including Own the AI Revolution, published by McGraw Hill and Neuromined: Triumphing Over Tyranny, named best technology book of the year by Indie Awards. The creator of The AI Philosopher podcast/Substack, Michael serves as a Forbes columnist on AI. His writing has been featured in Fox Sports, Entertainment Weekly, the United Nations' ITU News, and Yahoo! Finance. Michael also helps companies make the leap to AI by providing hands-on integration.
If you want to literally touch grass we mention Travis Johnson's company in this episode:
https://www.northwestsurvivalschool.com/
Sarah Crow is a brand marketer turned creator-strategy leader with nearly a decade of experience in DTC. As the first hire at ALOHA Collection, she helped grow the brand from zero to a multi-million-dollar lifestyle business over five years. She later shifted into the influencer-marketing software world, where she has advised hundreds of brands on creator programs, 360 marketing, and performance strategy.
Today, Sarah leads Creator Strategy at Superfiliate, partnering with brands and shaping product direction to ensure influencer marketers have the tools they actually need, not the ones the industry thinks they need.
Rudi Anggono is the Global Head of Creative at Snap and previously the Head of Creative Innovation at the LEGO Group, leading its integrated creative team within Product and Marketing Development and collaborating with Creative Play Lab on new product ideas. With a career spanning advertising, product design, and research, he has shaped iconic global brands and experiences. Formerly Global Executive Creative Director at Beyond X and Google Commerce UX, his patented design work influenced Google Travel and sustainability initiatives recognized by Sundar Pichai at the UN. Previously Head of Creative at Google ZOO and Executive Creative Director at TBWA\Paris for Nissan Europe, Rudi’s award-winning work includes Cannes Lions, EFFIEs, and an Emmy Award.
Kirsten Ludwig is a brand builder, cultural curator and thought leader. She is the Founder of IN GOOD CO, a global brand consultancy igniting challenger brands with fearless positioning.
She built her reputation as an influential creative in the fashion and retail space. Leading brands Ralph Lauren, Anthropologie, American Eagle Outfitters, Fred Segal, Stella and Dot and others to stand out.
Kirsten is the co-host of GOOD THINKING podcast, a top trend, brand and marketing Substack and Lit From Within, a high vibrational podcast (complete with the woo-woo).
She’s been featured in Forbes, judged Cannes Lions, is a frequent speaker stages including, SXSW, Brands & Culture, Worthy Women and Creative Week and is a bold voice on LinkedIn. She Co-Hosts Breakfast Club LA and is a member of invite-only communities, THE BOARD, Sunday Dinner and Intro.
A lover of life, constant optimist and wellness nut. She lives in LA like every ex-New Yorker as a thriving single mom with two kids, Hudson and Sailor.
Greg Swan, Senior Partner, FINN Partners, fuses insight, culture, and tech to help brands tell stories that stick. At FINN Partners he leads digital and creative strategy across social, content, PR, AI, and emerging platforms. He also writes the weekly newsletter Social Signals and is co-host of The Cave Project podcast, exploring the tensions of tech, culture, and life as they intersect. Ask him about his fax machine. Or just fax him: 316-854-0132.
Ryann Carr is the founder of RiseWave Media, a creative growth agency built for the new era of digital storytelling. She’s worked alongside some of the most influential creators in the world and brings that same high-level perspective to every project, whether guiding an emerging voice finding their footing or helping an established brand refine its edge.
She doesn’t just study trends; she lives them, shaping strategies and brand identities that resonate across platforms and audiences. From the spark of an idea to the systems that carry it forward, she has built a company that does it all: talent sourcing, content optimization, social strategy, and full-scale brand development.
Based in Georgia with her three boys, Ryann is building both a company and a life rooted in creativity, resilience, and vision. Through RiseWave Media, she continues to shape the future of digital influence, helping creators not just rise but lead.
Lewis Williams is an accomplished Creative Director and Brand Storyteller who’s enjoyed great success at two of Chicago’s most iconic agencies—Leo Burnett and Burrell Communications, where he served as Chief Creative Officer. Most recently, Lewis had expanded his skillset even further as the EVP, Head of Brand Impact for global PR giant Weber Shandwick.
Across 3 decades of his Total Market and Multicultural consumer marketing experience, Lewis has partnered with CMO’s of some of the world’s best-known brands. Toyota, McDonald’s, Walt Disney World, The Coca-Cola Company, Google, The U.S. Army, Disney, American Airlines and Procter and Gamble to name a few. And Lewis has continually brought his client partners strategically driven, award-winning creative that’s enabled great brands to establish and maintain strong emotional bonds with their customers.
Lewis’ work has been recognized by virtually every creative award show on the planet. And his opinion is so respected that he serves on the Creative Review Committee for The Ad Council. He’s also served on the prestigious Cannes Lion Jury—including as a member of Cannes Lions 70—Glass: The Lion for Change.
Most recently Lewis launched the podcast series OGs AND AUNTIES. The series highlights Advertising Legends that have shaped culture, shifted narratives and launched movements.
Christine Göös is a marketing leader and B2B creator who lives at the intersection of brand, culture, and the internet. She’s helped tech and creative agencies tell stories that drive growth, working with companies like Smartly, Celtra, Billion Dollar Boy, and more. She currently runs US marketing for Croud, an independent media, data, and creative agency group.
A two-time Young Lions contestant turned LinkedIn creator, Christine co-hosts House of Content, a podcast exploring the creator economy, viral marketing, and internet culture. Her work has been recognized by Cannes Lions, The One Show, and Top Women in Marketing, and she’s part of the Hero100 Creator List and AWNewYork Big Creator Challenge shortlist.
Hafu Go started as a college student with nothing but curiosity and a camera. Today, his platform reaches over 15 million followers and 5 billion views, making him one of the most influential Asian voices in digital media.
He has redefined the edutainment genre by blending spectacle with substance. Through bold experiments, unforgettable storytelling, and partnerships with global brands to showcase innovation, he inspires millions. Hafu Go reminds the world that learning doesn’t stop at graduation.
