What if hustle was hurting your growth, not helping it? Stephen Scoggins built a nine-figure company, sold it, and now teaches entrepreneurs how to stop being the bottleneck in their own businesses. In this episode, he unpacks the inner friction that keeps even the smartest leaders stuck and the surprising shift that unlocks scale, peace, and purpose. He also gets real about the 5 invisible constraints that quietly hold leaders hostage and how to shift from proving yourself to building something...
Jul 22, 2025•59 min•Ep. 604
Rory Vaden unpacks one of the most important mindset shifts he’s ever made: peace is the new profit. After working with some of the world’s most recognized personal brands — including billionaires, bestselling authors, and global influencers — Rory shares a sobering truth: money and fame don’t create peace. God does. Whether you’re chasing influence, building a business, or simply trying to find fulfillment, this episode will challenge the very definitions of wealth and success you’ve been taugh...
Jul 15, 2025•47 min•Ep. 603
Most authors stop at writing the book. But what if the book is just the beginning? In this episode, AJ Vaden sits down with Nick Hutchison, founder of BookThinkers, to reveal the real work that starts after your book is published. Whether you're a seasoned author or launching your first title, this conversation will show you why being best-written means nothing if you're not also best-selling . They break down: Why small podcasts outperform big shows for book sales The 3 content formats that act...
Jul 08, 2025•57 min•Ep. 602
In this powerhouse episode of Build , host Stephen Scoggins sits down with Rory Vaden—New York Times bestselling author, co-founder of Brand Builders Group, and a leading voice in the personal brand world—for a raw, in-depth conversation on what it really takes to be wealthy, well-known, and fulfilled. From clarifying your unique message to building a brand on trust instead of trends, Rory unpacks the exact steps mission-driven messengers must take to break through the noise—without selling out....
Jul 01, 2025•54 min•Ep. 601
In this milestone 600th episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, Rory sits down with his co-author, business partner, and wife—AJ Vaden—for her first-ever author interview. But this isn’t just a book promo. This is the raw, behind-the-scenes story of how Brand Builders Group was born in the ashes of unexpected loss, career heartbreak, and spiritual refinement. AJ vulnerably opens up about being fired from the company she helped build, the moment she realized her identity was misplaced,...
Jun 24, 2025•57 min•Ep. 600
Why do some people give up while others rise and keep going? In this episode, Rory Vaden shares three battle-tested mindset hacks that the world’s top achievers use to overcome the impossible—and keep showing up long after others quit. You’ll hear: The #1 mindset shift that ultra-successful people share Why falling in love with the daily grind is the real secret to growth How to turn hard moments into long-term competitive advantage The “Law of the Moat” and how your toughest trials become your ...
Jun 20, 2025•11 min•Ep. 599
What’s the difference between influencers who look successful… and entrepreneurs who actually are ? In this riveting episode, Rory sits down with Mike and Kass Lazerow, the powerhouse husband-and-wife duo behind multiple high-impact businesses—including Buddy Media, which they sold to Salesforce for $745 million. They’ve helped scale companies like Scopely ($5B exit) and Liquid Death, advised countless founders, and now they’re opening up like never before about what it really takes to build a b...
Jun 17, 2025•42 min•Ep. 598
We live in a world obsessed with more—more followers, more likes, more views, more subscribers, more clients, more money. But what if more isn’t what you need? What if more is actually costing you peace, clarity, focus… and real results? In this powerful solo episode, AJ Vaden flips the script on one of the most deeply ingrained assumptions in marketing and entrepreneurship: that bigger is always better. Drawing from a recent conversation with long-time friend and marketing leader Lee Pepper, AJ...
Jun 13, 2025•10 min•Ep. 597
In this powerhouse episode, AJ welcomes longtime friend and marketing strategist Lee Pepper to unpack what most brands miss—real strategy. From leading marketing for a private equity-backed company that scaled 60X to writing a leadership playbook rooted in military mental models, Lee brings the kind of clarity most execs never get. The conversation dives deep into: Why most marketing fails (spoiler: it’s not the tactics) How military frameworks like “Commander’s Intent” translate to corporate in...
Jun 10, 2025•44 min•Ep. 596
In this episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, Rory sits down with the unstoppable JJ Virgin, a four-time New York Times bestselling author, podcast host with over 20 million downloads, and one of the most recognized names in the health and nutrition world. JJ pulls back the curtain on her incredible journey of resilience, from reclaiming her personal brand after a turbulent business exit to rebuilding her company and even saving her son’s life after a tragic accident. She shares the...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 595
What if the systems that make your business thrive could also save your marriage? 💡 In this candid and empowering solo episode, AJ Vaden shares 10 game-changing habits that have helped her and husband Rory Vaden build a business and a marriage that lasts. Drawing from 15 years of lessons in love, leadership, and laundry (yes, really), AJ reveals the practical frameworks they’ve implemented at home—from weekly meetings and shared calendars to house manuals and sex coupons. 💬 Whether you're a hi...
May 30, 2025•18 min•Ep. 594
May 27, 2025•53 min•Ep. 593
If You Don’t Know Your Numbers, You Don’t Own a Business Too many entrepreneurs are flying blind when it comes to their finances—and it’s costing them big time. In this powerful recap episode, AJ Vaden breaks down the most important lessons from her interview with CPA and bestselling author Greg Crabtree ( Simple Numbers ) to help you take control of your business with clarity and confidence. You’ll learn: The 3 numbers every business owner must track monthly Why you must separate business and p...
May 23, 2025•11 min•Ep. 592
Most entrepreneurs think they understand their numbers — until reality hits. In this eye-opening episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast , AJ Vaden sits down with Greg Crabtree, CPA, author of Simple Numbers and Simple Numbers 2.0 , and one of the most trusted financial voices in the Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO). Greg breaks down the two most important—and misunderstood—metrics for business owners: Labor Efficiency Ratio (LER) and Contribution Margin. You'll learn how to: Use data,...
May 20, 2025•56 min•Ep. 591
May 13, 2025•51 min•Ep. 589
How Nick Built a Million Followers by Leading with Heart (Not Hype) In a world obsessed with algorithms, trends, and viral hacks, Nick (aka Nicholas John) proves that authenticity still wins. In this raw and inspiring episode, Rory sits down with the content creator, former model, and self-proclaimed bookworm who went from filming solo in front of a window to building a loyal audience of over a million people—without a single brand deal and without selling out. Nick shares: How he overcame impos...
May 06, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 588
In this episode, AJ Vaden recaps the podcast with Vincent Phamvan that flips the script on typical marketing strategy. While the world obsesses over what to post and where to show up online, Vincent makes a bold case for a “Who First” strategy—focusing on the person you’re trying to serve before anything else. If you're a personal brand, content creator, or mission-driven entrepreneur, this episode will reframe how you think about your audience, your message, and your impact. Learn why platforms...
May 02, 2025•8 min•Ep. 587
In this episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, AJ Vaden sits down with entrepreneur and tech innovator Vincent Phamvan, founder and CEO of Vyten Apps. Together, they dive deep into the biggest shifts happening right now in marketing, technology, and personal branding — and what you must know to stay ahead. You'll learn: Why technology is evolving faster than ever—and how to keep up How personal brands are being built differently in the digital economy The major impact of AI on market...
Apr 29, 2025•56 min•Ep. 586
Apr 25, 2025•12 min•Ep. 585
How to BOOST Your Brain Power, Prevent Dementia & Beat Brain Fog (For Good) | Dr. Helena Popovic What if the key to your long-term success, energy, and clarity isn’t more productivity hacks—but better brain health? In this episode of the Influential Personal Brand podcast, AJ Vaden sits down with Dr. Helena Popovic, a leading authority on brain health, dementia prevention, and positive aging. This isn’t just a conversation about the science of the brain—it’s a practical guide to reclaiming y...
Apr 22, 2025•57 min•Ep. 584
What if the life you're living right now is being shaped by the words you speak every day—especially the ones you say to yourself? In this video, I break down what I call the Creation Principle of Integrity from my book Take the Stairs: 👉 You think it. You speak it. You act. Then it happens. From the chair you're sitting in to the goals you're chasing, everything begins the moment you speak it into existence. But here's the real challenge: What are you telling yourself about yourself? Most of u...
Apr 18, 2025•6 min•Ep. 583
What if you could transform your toughest experiences into a powerful way to connect with potential clients and build a thriving business? Today, we welcome one of our first Brand Builders Group clients; speaker, coach, sales expert, and Founder and CEO of Untap Your Sales Potential, Ian Koniak. Four years into his business, Ian hit an impressive $3 million in revenue! In this episode, he shares his incredible journey, from his career and personal struggles to how he met AJ and Rory. He opens up...
Apr 15, 2025•35 min•Ep. 582
Choose Your Hard — A Life-Changing Mindset Shift with Rory Vaden In this episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, AJ Vaden delivers a powerful message that will transform how you approach life’s challenges. Whether it's in your health, relationships, finances, or personal growth, everything in life is hard — but you get to choose your hard. AJ dives deep into: Why hard choices lead to greater satisfaction and growth Real-life examples that highlight the power of intentional decision-ma...
Apr 11, 2025•6 min•Ep. 581
Struggling with clarity in your business? Feeling stuck in transition or unsure how to pivot your brand or purpose? In this powerful and heartfelt episode of the Influential Personal Brand podcast, AJ Vaden sits down with Jamal Miller—founder of Miller Media Group and a purpose-driven entrepreneur who went from food stamps to leading a $3M launch in just 30 days. Together, they unpack the raw, behind-the-scenes journey of what it really looks like to chase purpose over profit, build a thriving b...
Apr 07, 2025•59 min•Ep. 580
The great irony of personal branding is this: it’s not actually about you. We are back with another special recap episode of the podcast, and today we are diving into why the strongest personal brands are built on service, not self. True personal branding begins when you focus on who you can help, what you can teach, and how you can add value to others. Tune in to learn what makes a great personal brand, why a focus on service leads to real wins, the key question you need to answer, and how havi...
Apr 04, 2025•9 min•Ep. 579
How do you build a thriving business around a niche audience? In this episode, we sit down with Remington Ramsey to unpack how he built a business around curating top real estate professionals. Remington is an influential author, speaker, and entrepreneur renowned for his significant contributions to the real estate industry. He is the creator of Real Producers, a popular media platform that includes a magazine connecting top real estate agents and industry leaders across markets nationwide. In ...
Apr 01, 2025•36 min•Ep. 578
Failure is a prerequisite for success! Do you want to know what the number one thing is that’s holding you back from what you want most? In this special recap of our conversation with Jason Stacy, we discuss the one thing that holds us all back from success, fear! Most of us live in a fictional fear-filled world inside our own brains. It’s not rooted in reality and yet it is the thing preventing us all from achieving our dreams. In this conversation, you’ll hear all about the power and importanc...
Mar 28, 2025•13 min•Ep. 577
We can all build resilience by learning about how to manage our emotions, energy, and environment, which is imperative to sustain true, long-term success. This episode is all about how to succeed in life – it’s one of those universal conversations that will help you no matter who you are, where you are in life, and what you do! Joining us today is Jason Stacy, owner of The Coaching Sweet Spot, to discuss how to manage your emotions, energy, and environment to achieve success. Tune in to hear all...
Mar 25, 2025•54 min•Ep. 576
It’s not just talent, knowledge, or luck that separates the truly successful from the rest. It’s a set of habits and mindsets that are often overlooked. In this special recap episode of The Influential Personal Brand Podcast, Rory breaks down three essential traits that drive lasting success. Drawing from the journeys of top entrepreneurs and personal brands, as well as our own experiences here at Brand Builders Group, you’ll discover the mindset shifts you need to make to reach the next level. ...
Mar 21, 2025•25 min•Ep. 575
Do you feel frustrated and overwhelmed by digital clutter, lost files, or chaotic inboxes? In this episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, we sit down with Shawn Lemon, founder of The Digital Organizer, to explore expert strategies for decluttering your digital life. Join us as Shawn offers practical tips for managing emails, passwords, files, and tasks efficiently, all while reducing stress and boosting creativity and productivity. From taming your inbox to mastering project manageme...
Mar 18, 2025•45 min•Ep. 574
