Will it or won't it? That is the question on everyone's mind: the fate of TikTok in the United States. With questions looming around privacy concerns, battled and combated by the issues of free speech and accessibility, TikTok finds itself at the center of the debate. TikTok is a fan-favorite app among many young users and happens to be one of the hottest topics on the Hill. The main point of contention is whether TikTok's close relationship with China, through its parent company ByteDance, pose...
May 23, 2023•38 min
In today's episode, we are talking with social media coach, expert educator, and just all-around badass, Jera Foster-Fell. Also known as Jera.Bean. Jera is a TikTok expert, an in-demand speaker, and a seasoned content creator. She leans into her extensive background in content creation and strategy to help teach people and brands how to harness the power of their secret sauce and show up authentically on social, helping them generate engaging content that converts followers and fans into custome...
May 09, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Today we are going to be chatting all about demand generation in B2B. Amanda and I get into the nitty-gritty on what it means to be creative in B2B, how to stand out among the competition, how to structure and organize lean teams where budgets are not always a flow in, and how to be really strategic about getting your message out there in the world and prioritizing customer experience to get the results that you are looking for with those more complex B2B sales. Amanda DePaul is the founder of M...
Apr 25, 2023•48 min
We're diving into the potential TikTok ban in the US and the latest ruling in Montana. In this episode, we explore the legal, social, and economic implications of the ban, and what it means for TikTok users and brands. From national security concerns to the app's impact on pop culture and content creator marketing, TikTok has made headlines for the last 3 years. The app has been adopted by over 150 million US users, but has faced scrutiny about its ties with Chinese government and concerns on th...
Apr 18, 2023•14 min
Alexa, play Happy Birthday because we've got a one-year-old in the house, and that one-year-old is The Social Complex podcast. Guys, we are turning one. That's crazy! This time last year, I was walking the floors of the Austin Convention Center, listening to the best of the best from South by Southwest and launching this podcast. It's bananas to do a launch when you're at an event that is taking up all of your time, energy, and soul. But it's been a wild ride. And it has been a big learning curv...
Apr 11, 2023•18 min
Let's talk about the buzz around Chat GPT and AI. Artificial intelligence has been around for a long time. What has changed is that now we have Chat GPT. It is accessible, powerful, and an indicator of what is to come in the world of artificial intelligence. And Rachel Woods is here to tell us about what that impact is going to look like for the past, present, and future of our world. Rachel Woods is a leading voice on applying AI in practical and useful business applications. Her expertise span...
Mar 28, 2023•37 min
Today we are going to be talking about why humor in branding works magic – humor that is rooted in the science of how people connect communicate and ultimately trust one another. We all love comedy shows, TikTok clips, and witty banter back and forth from brands on Twitter to connect with their audiences. But why does humor resonate more than other forms of branding? There is no one better to get into the nerdy ooey gooey stuff of why humor and branding work so well than Allie LeFevere. Allie is...
Mar 21, 2023•53 min
On social media, there are so many sub-cultures and niche groups. That’s the beauty of it - we all have a space where we can find others that share similar interests, values, and stories. One of those groups that has always fascinated me is one that paints a picture of the dream - van lifers. And today, I am honored to be joined by Noami Grevemberg. Noami Grevemberg is a van life OG, avid outdoorist, digital nomad and dog mom, living on the road in her classic Volkswagen Vanagon since 2016. She’...
Mar 07, 2023•48 min
We're talking about the past present and future of the social media industry. While organizations were once comfortable with a single social media intern, we've transformed into full social media teams as the norm. And to help us understand the market, we're bringing in someone responsible for the hiring of top-shelf talent in the industry. Kelly Gordon is a principal marketing agent for Creative People, a human-first recruiting firm for both clients and talent to help build best-in-class produc...
Feb 16, 2023•52 min
Building a creative business is a journey. Building one rooted in purpose and inclusivity? That's the next level. Today's conversation is for our business owners who are on the path to growing and scaling. We're talking all about early-stage entrepreneurship, finding where your passion meets your purpose, and how the power of creativity can unlock new levels of visibility for your brand. Neysa and Tabari join us in today's episode to show the power of developing creative with purpose. The husban...
Jan 24, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Celebrity culture has been around for a long time - from royals to movie stars, gossip magazines and red carpets have been filled with mystery and intrigue into the lives of those that society put on a pedestal. But Bennifer walked so Alix Earle could run - thanks to new generations, evolved technology, and a rapidly shifting social environment, the celebrities of our modern world are changing. In this episode, I'm joined by Affiliate Marketing Extraordinaire Andy Hohl, who managed Brand Partner...
Jan 17, 2023•51 min
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who has delivered keynotes across the globe to organizations including American Express and the United Nations. She has worked with some of the world’s biggest brands and entertainers, including Walmart, Disney, Katy Perry, and Dolly Parton. She founded and scaled an entertainment startup to eight figures before exiting, and she is the former Chief Experience Officer of Experience.com. Forbes said of her deb...
Jan 10, 2023•58 min
Are you familiar with the potato filter that captured the hearts of millions across the world? Well, the mastermind behind that and many of your other favorite Snapchat filters is here on the Social Complex Pod today to talk all about the wild world of AR - Phil Walton. Phil Walton is Snap AR Creator Ambassador, whose work was featured on the Super Bowl, Saturday Night Live, Nickelodeon, Late Night Talk Shows, Viral Tweets, and Japanese Music Videos. His creations have been enjoyed around the wo...
Jan 03, 2023•47 min
We are joined by all-star entrepreneur Bridgett Price to discuss the unsteady path of entrepreneurship, how to harness your unique gift and why mentorship matters. Bridgett Price is a Cleaning Guru and Co-Owner of Maideasy, a maid service company based in Phoenix, Arizona. She holds a Master of Management from the University of Phoenix, specializing in digital and traditional marketing, and made the pivot into Maid Easy after years in Corporate America. She is also the podcast co-host for Entrep...
Oct 18, 2022•1 hr 3 min
If you're not using social media as a pillar of your recruitment strategy, you're missing out. Not only are your applicants online - they are looking for the opportunities your company is providing! Here's what the data shows: 96% of job seekers use social media when conducting a job search ( CareerArc ) 49% of professionals follow companies on social media to stay aware of job opportunities ( LinkedIn ) 81% of jobseekers want to see job opportunities posted to Facebook ( Link Humans ) 78% of re...
Oct 04, 2022•20 min
Dr. Anna Lembke is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. She is Medical Director of Stanford Addiction Medicine, Program Director for the Stanford Addiction Medicine Fellowship, and Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. She is the author of the New York Times Best Selling book, “ Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence ” where she explores the problem of compulsive overconsumption...
Sep 13, 2022•49 min
The cannabis industry is a nuanced one. With regulations that differ country by country, state by state, and even county by county, businesses bringing cannabis products to market are faced with uncertainty that changes by the day. But with legalization growing in popularity, more companies are opening up with the prospect of bringing their products to market. What are the rules and regulations they need to know? How can influencers protect themselves when partnering with cannabinoid products? I...
Aug 30, 2022•53 min
We're reviewing the top 3 social media stories circulating the news cycle for August 2022. These stories include: Facebook and Doordash partnering up to make Facebook Marketplace local deliveries accessible across the country. Facebook losing steam on its long-standing place in the US Apple Store Top 10 Apps. YouTube Shorts entering the short form video content race with the addition of watermarks on downloaded videos. We're discussing each story, its impact on apps today, and what implications ...
Aug 23, 2022•14 min
Sarah Boland is the founder of the content app Life Lapse, a stop motion app that makes creating stop motion videos simple & easy. With more than 10,000 five-star reviews, it’s a must-have app for all creators. Sarah is a serial entrepreneur, creating businesses to solve problems she runs into in her real life. This includes the business Famtography, which delivers prompts and tips to families that notoriously forget to get pictures of each other in a way that captures more memories and less...
Aug 16, 2022•47 min
Ready or not, the 2022 holiday season is coming up fast. Today we're discussing the buyer behavior experts are expecting to see this winter. With a recession looming, inflation rising and the last two holidays uprooted from the pandemic, buyers are shopping earlier for the holidays this year compared to previous years. In this episode, Hillary will share some expert insights on what to expect for the holiday season and how brands can get ahead of the seasonal madness. We'll be exploring various ...
Aug 09, 2022•11 min
This episode is all about creators and digital influencers. We’re joined by TikTok creator Victoria Jameson (@victoria on TikTok with nearly 1M followers and over 23M likes) to talk all about life as a creator, the ups, downs, and the all-arounds, including the creator economy, mental health breaks, how to navigate comparison, and shine in your own unique way. Victoria is a hair and makeup artist who started creating content years ago under the app Musical.ly, which is now known as TikTok. Victo...
Aug 02, 2022•1 hr 16 min
Customer service is always important. There is nothing more rewarding than a pleasant conversation with a customer service rep that turns a wrong into a right, and there is nothing more frustrating than feeling ignored. Social media is an organization’s first line of defense when it comes to customer relationships. It offers visibility into your company’s offers and services, provides a forum for discussion, and attracts feedback publicly and privately. And if you’re not actively approaching soc...
Jul 26, 2022•21 min
Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., is a senior research scientist at the Wellesley Centers for Women and director of the Youth, Media & Wellbeing Research Lab . Her research interests include technology and adolescent health, digital citizenship, innovative research methods to include overlooked and hidden populations, and how social identities like gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and political affiliation, affect wellbeing. She is currently conducting a three-year study funded by the Nat...
Jul 19, 2022•47 min
BeReal is the latest social media app to take over the internet, igniting high praise from Gen Z. But what makes this app interesting, how does it work, and will it stick around for the long haul? We discuss how BeReal is standing out among the competition by leaning into authentic connection, minimal design, and tight community. We also talk about the pros, cons, and market influences that will either make or break this platform. Hillary also shares her thoughts on how consumer behavior today m...
Jul 12, 2022•14 min
Are consumers adopting TikTok at a rapid pace? Is it time to ditch Facebook for brands? Let’s discuss. We’re diving into the Sprout Social Index Report XVIII this episode. Sprout Social releases this research every summer, filled with reports, research and insights intended to shed a light on the complex world of social media. Hillary walks through insights that stand out to her, some that may be worded better than others, and her overall takeaway from the state of social media. Thanks to Sprout...
Jun 14, 2022•38 min
We all know about influencers, but have you ever come across a pet influencer? Of course, these influential animals are not writing their own captions or crafting their own content, but these cute creatures bring their personalities online via their owners. Today we’re sitting down with Jacqueline Keidel Martinez (Jak), who is the dog mom of Rey the Pitbull @reythepitbull. Jak started Rey’s Instagram account 6 years ago and has steadily grown the page to nearly 60,000 followers through sharing a...
Jun 07, 2022•57 min
Memorial Day has taken on a new association in the modern world - it has become the “start of summer” with long weekends, pool parties, and vacations. And over time, people who are not directly tied to the military may overlook the true purpose of the day, which is to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by US military members. And for those who are tied to the day, whether it be through a loved one who was killed while on duty, or a family history deeply rooted in past wars, it can be an incr...
May 31, 2022•13 min
Curious about what it takes to be a social media manager? We're spilling the tea in this episode to give you an inside scoop on what it takes to make a career in social media. And don't be fooled - this career track isn't for the faint of heart. If you’re just starting out, have been interested in pivoting into social media as a career, or are just generally curious about the various paths in the profession, this episode is for you. We’re going to be talking about: The history of the social medi...
May 24, 2022•39 min
Facebook and Instagram have disabled AR filters for users in Texas and Illinois as of May 2022. The decision came a day after a separate settlement happened between Clearview AI and civil rights group ACLU, which was brought forth in May 2020. The suit was originally filed in Illinois which had strong regulations that limit the usage of facial images, fingerprints, voiceprints, and other identifying biometric information that can be collected shared, and stored. In this episode, we explore what ...
May 17, 2022•12 min
What do dinosaurs in tutus have to do with cookies? According to Wunderkeks, a lot. Wunderkeks is an Austin-based baked goods company specializing in cookies and brownies. Led by Guatemalan owners Luis Gramajo and Hans Schrei , Wunderkeks has evolved from a business that served “everything to everyone” to finding their niche, voice, and brand. "The purpose of our product is to bring joy and to make people feel like kids again," Schrei says. "This is implicitly baked into the DNA of the brand--no...
May 10, 2022•1 hr 12 min
