The Brands On Brands Podcast

Latest Episodes:

How Shawn Nelson Built Lovesac Into a Public Company (Founder Branding Lessons) | Ep. 343 Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

Shawn David Nelson didn't just build a furniture company — he built a brand.

In this episode, I sit down with the Founder & CEO of Lovesac to talk about what it really takes to build a business from a college side hustle into a publicly traded company.

We cover:

• How Shawn turned a giant beanbag into a billion-dollar brand • The power of founder branding in today's media landscape • What most entrepreneurs get wrong about growth • Lessons from going public (Nasdaq) • Why personal brand still matters — even for large companies • Maintaining "top ambition with infinite patience"

Shawn shares candid stories about early fame, business failures, scaling retail, celebrity partnerships, and what it takes to stay relevant in a fast-moving world.

If you're building a personal brand, launching a company, or trying to grow beyond your current ceiling, this conversation is packed with insight.

Learn more about Shawn David Nelson and Lovesac at: 🌐 https://www.shawndnelson.com

00:50 Founder-Led Branding Is Back (and Maybe Unavoidable)

05:15 Richard Branson's 'Rebel Billionaire': The Call That Changed Everything

10:38 The Hard-to-Measure Value of PR, Podcasts, and Personal Brand

16:35 Being Weird on Purpose: Why Lovesac Never Played the Furniture Playbook

23:48 Going All-In on DTC: Purging SKUs, Tesla-Inspired Stores & Scaling Ads

28:02 Fame as a Tool: Founder Brand, Purpose, and the Cost of Staying Visible

33:28 Why the Book & Podcast: CEO Priorities, Grinding for Compounding Results

This is the Brands On Brands Podcast with Brandon Birkmeyer

www.brandsonbrands.com

Don't forget to get your own personal branding scorecard at:

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/scorecard

CONNECT WITH ME

Connect with me on social media:

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/mylinks

READ MY BOOK - FRONT & CENTER LEADERSHIP

I launched a new book and author website. Check it out here.

https://www.brandonbirkmeyer.com/fcl

CHECK OUT MY COURSES

Get tactical trainings and access to one-on-one coaching!

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/courses

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER

Get the latest news and trends on all things personal branding and the creator economy.

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/newsletter

How People Judge You in the First 30 Seconds (And What to Do About It) | Ep. 342 Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

In today's episode, we explore how first impressions are formed within the first 30 seconds of meeting someone. Through a real-life example from a content creator's meetup, we discuss the subtle behaviors that influence how we perceive others.

Key takeaways include understanding that people decide how they feel before they decide what they think, and that initial interactions should prioritize making others feel at ease.

00:00 Introduction: The Power of First Impressions

00:29 Real-Life Example: Content Creator Meetup

01:40 The Subtlety of First Impressions

03:19 The Aha Moment: Group Introductions

05:11 Key Takeaways: Letting the Moment Breathe

05:36 Conclusion: The Feeling You Create

This is the Brands On Brands Podcast with Brandon Birkmeyer

www.brandsonbrands.com

Don't forget to get your own personal branding scorecard at:

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/scorecard

CONNECT WITH ME

Connect with me on social media:

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/mylinks

READ MY BOOK - FRONT & CENTER LEADERSHIP

I launched a new book and author website. Check it out here.

https://www.brandonbirkmeyer.com/fcl

CHECK OUT MY COURSES

Get tactical trainings and access to one-on-one coaching!

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/courses

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER

Get the latest news and trends on all things personal branding and the creator economy.

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/newsletter

How Jean-Michel Basquiat Became a $100M Icon (The Real Story) | Ep. 341 Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

Understanding the Iconic Personal Brand of Jean-Michel Basquiat with Doug Woodham.

In this episode, Brandon sits down with Doug Woodham, author of 'Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Making of an Icon,' to delve into the fascinating life and lasting cultural impact of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

From his early struggles as a homeless teenager to becoming one of the most valuable artists in history, Basquiat's journey is explored in depth. Woodham discusses the pivotal moments and relationships that shaped Basquiat's career, his bold and enigmatic art, and the strategic decisions that cemented his posthumous fame.

00:50 Introduction to Basquiat's Cultural Impact

04:06 The 2017 Sale and Its Global Impact

05:41 Licensing and Pop Culture Integration

10:48 Basquiat's Artistic Style and Influence

15:41 The Neo-Expressionism Movement

21:21 Early Struggles and Key Relationships

26:22 Navigating the Art World

32:43 Celebrity Endorsements and Market Resurgence

This is the Brands On Brands Podcast with Brandon Birkmeyer

www.brandsonbrands.com

Don't forget to get your own personal branding scorecard at:

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/scorecard

CONNECT WITH ME

Connect with me on social media:

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/mylinks

READ MY BOOK - FRONT & CENTER LEADERSHIP

I launched a new book and author website. Check it out here.

https://www.brandonbirkmeyer.com/fcl

CHECK OUT MY COURSES

Get tactical trainings and access to one-on-one coaching!

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/courses

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER

Get the latest news and trends on all things personal branding and the creator economy.

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/newsletter

The 10-Day Visibility Sprint (Build a Personal Brand Fast) | Ep. 340 Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

10-Day Visibility Sprint: Fast-Track Your Personal Brand.

In this episode, learn how to build your personal brand in just 10 days with a step-by-step visibility sprint.

Instead of overthinking and perfecting, the focus is on taking bold, actionable steps to gain immediate momentum and visibility. From defining your core message and optimizing profiles to sharing stories, engaging in conversations, and reflecting on outcomes, this guide offers a practical approach to becoming seen and building confidence.

Join the sprint and start showing up boldly to grow your credibility and career.

00:31 The 10-Day Visibility Sprint Overview

01:19 Day 1: Define Your Message

01:44 Day 2: Optimize Your First Impression

01:57 Day 3: Post Your Why Story

02:13 Day 4: Show Proof of Value

02:25 Day 5: Join the Conversation

02:45 Day 6: Teach What You Know

03:01 Day 7: Show Your Personality

03:17 Day 8: Collaborate for Greater Reach

03:44 Day 9: Record a Mini Talk or Go Live

04:03 Day 10: Reflect and Repeat

04:27 Conclusion: Take Action and Get Visible

This is the Brands On Brands Podcast with Brandon Birkmeyer

www.brandsonbrands.com

Don't forget to get your own personal branding scorecard at:

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/scorecard

CONNECT WITH ME

Connect with me on social media:

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/mylinks

READ MY BOOK - FRONT & CENTER LEADERSHIP

I launched a new book and author website. Check it out here.

https://www.brandonbirkmeyer.com/fcl

CHECK OUT MY COURSES

Get tactical trainings and access to one-on-one coaching!

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/courses

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER

Get the latest news and trends on all things personal branding and the creator economy.

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/newsletter

Unlocking Virality: The Secrets to Going Viral with Austin Armstrong | Ep. 339 Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

Unlocking Virality: The Secrets to Going Viral with Austin Armstrong.

In this episode, Austin Armstrong, creator, strategist, and author of 'Virality: Your Playbook for How to Use AI and Social Media Marketing to Go Viral and Get Paid,' shares insights on creating content that garners massive engagement.

He discusses strategies for generating intrigue through titles, the importance of broad content, and constructing a successful content funnel. Armstrong delves into the concept of 'ethical clickbait,' the importance of authenticity, and how leveraging AI tools can enhance content creation. He also emphasizes the significance of using new forms of lead magnets like micro SaaS tools.

00:27 Meet Austin Armstrong: The Viral Content Expert

01:00 Secrets to Going Viral: Intrigue and Broad Appeal

04:06 The Power of Broad Content and Funnels

07:10 Crafting Content Strategies: Testing and Iteration

11:22 The Importance of Hooks and Curiosity Gaps

15:00 Balancing Authenticity and Strategy

20:35 Choosing the Right Social Media Platform

23:34 Leveraging AI for Content Strategy

31:09 The Future of Lead Magnets: Micro SaaS

37:26 Final Thoughts and Inspirations

This is the Brands On Brands Podcast with Brandon Birkmeyer

www.brandsonbrands.com

Don't forget to get your own personal branding scorecard at:

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/scorecard

CONNECT WITH ME

Connect with me on social media:

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/mylinks

READ MY BOOK - FRONT & CENTER LEADERSHIP

I launched a new book and author website. Check it out here.

https://www.brandonbirkmeyer.com/fcl

CHECK OUT MY COURSES

Get tactical trainings and access to one-on-one coaching!

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/courses

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER

Get the latest news and trends on all things personal branding and the creator economy.

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/newsletter

How to Create a Coaching Framework (Rebroadcast) | Ep. 338 Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

Building a Coaching Framework to Transform Your Personal Brand.

In this episode of Brands On Brands, host Brandon Birkmeyer delves into the concept of building a robust coaching framework to enhance your personal brand. Brandon outlines his personal branding approach through three key components: message, community, and impact.

He stresses the importance of creating your own unique coaching framework, testing and optimizing it, and ensuring it offers repeatable success for your clients. This episode is packed with actionable insights on developing a system that can consistently help others achieve their goals while also solidifying your expertise in your field.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:29 The Three Pillars of Personal Branding

01:52 Building Your Coaching Framework

02:54 Creating Your Unique Model

06:38 Testing and Optimizing Your Framework

07:57 Ensuring Consistent and Repeatable Success

15:36 Scaling Your Coaching Business

16:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This is the Brands On Brands Podcast with Brandon Birkmeyer

www.brandsonbrands.com

Don't forget to get your own personal branding scorecard at:

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/scorecard

CONNECT WITH ME

Connect with me on social media:

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/mylinks

READ MY BOOK - FRONT & CENTER LEADERSHIP

I launched a new book and author website. Check it out here.

https://www.brandonbirkmeyer.com/fcl

CHECK OUT MY COURSES

Get tactical trainings and access to one-on-one coaching!

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/courses

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER

Get the latest news and trends on all things personal branding and the creator economy.

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/newsletter

If I Had to Rebuild My Brand from Zero, I'd Do This | Ep. 337 Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

If I had to rebuild my personal brand from zero today, this is exactly what I'd do.

In this solo episode, I break down the core principles, decisions, and habits that matter most when starting a personal brand from scratch—without an audience, without momentum, and without overcomplicating it.

This isn't about platforms, hacks, or going viral. It's about clarity, consistency, and building credibility the right way from day one.

00:00 Starting from Zero: The Ultimate Personal Brand Rebuild

00:49 The Foundation: Clarity Over Niche

01:31 Building Proof: Helping and Documenting

02:25 Choosing Your Stage: Where to Showcase Your Value

03:35 Automation and Consistency: Creating a System

04:13 Collaboration: Leveraging Other Platforms

05:06 Final Thoughts: Visibility Over Virality

This is the Brands On Brands Podcast with Brandon Birkmeyer

Don't forget to get your own personal branding scorecard at:

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/scorecard

CONNECT WITH ME

Connect with me on social media:

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/mylinks

READ MY BOOK - FRONT & CENTER LEADERSHIP

I launched a new book and author website. Check it out here.

https://www.brandonbirkmeyer.com/fcl

CHECK OUT MY COURSES

Get tactical trainings and access to one-on-one coaching!

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/courses

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER

Get the latest news and trends on all things personal branding and the creator economy.

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/newsletter

How to Own Your Story Online with Kristi Piehl | Ep. 336 Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

Unlocking Digital Leadership: Embracing Your Online Presence with Kristi Piehl.

In this episode, featuring Emmy Award-winning journalist and CEO of Media Minefield, Kristi Piehl, we delve into the critical importance of digital leadership in today's world. Kristi discusses how modern leaders need to be as comfortable with online platforms and social media as past leaders were with traditional communication methods.

This engaging conversation covers the importance of owning your story, overcoming the fear of posting, and using social media as a force for good. Kristi also shares personal anecdotes and practical examples from her book, 'Flip Your Script,' providing a comprehensive guide to building an authentic and impactful digital presence.

01:30 The Importance of Digital Leadership

03:29 Personal Branding and Storytelling

05:24 Creating Authentic Content

09:28 The Power of Vulnerability and Authenticity

16:25 Leveraging Social Media for Good

31:00 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

This is the Brands On Brands Podcast with Brandon Birkmeyer

www.brandsonbrands.com

Don't forget to get your own personal branding scorecard at:

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/scorecard

CONNECT WITH ME

Connect with me on social media:

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/mylinks

READ MY BOOK - FRONT & CENTER LEADERSHIP

I launched a new book and author website. Check it out here.

https://www.brandonbirkmeyer.com/fcl

CHECK OUT MY COURSES

Get tactical trainings and access to one-on-one coaching!

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/courses

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER

Get the latest news and trends on all things personal branding and the creator economy.

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/newsletter

The 3 Minute Daily Habit That Will Change Your Personal Brand Forever | Ep. 335 Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

Transform Your Personal Brand with a 3-Minute Daily Reflection. In this video, we explore a transformative three-minute daily reflection habit that can help you grow your personal brand without needing a complex content strategy or additional time.

By taking just three minutes each morning to reflect on your day and capture your thoughts, you can generate authentic content that connects with your audience. This habit involves three steps: reflect, record, and reuse.

Utilizing tools like AI for transcription, you can easily turn your reflections into various forms of content. Over time, this consistent practice not only builds a wealth of content ideas but also enhances your credibility and visibility.

Start today to see the impact of intentional reflection on your personal brand.

00:18 The Power of Reflection

01:13 The Three-Step Reflection Process

02:12 Turning Reflections into Content

03:12 The Long-Term Benefits

04:00 Final Thoughts

This is the Brands On Brands Podcast with Brandon Birkmeyer

Don't forget to get your own personal branding scorecard at:

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/scorecard

CONNECT WITH ME

Connect with me on social media:

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/mylinks

READ MY BOOK - FRONT & CENTER LEADERSHIP

I launched a new book and author website. Check it out here.

https://www.brandonbirkmeyer.com/fcl

CHECK OUT MY COURSES

Get tactical trainings and access to one-on-one coaching!

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/courses

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER

Get the latest news and trends on all things personal branding and the creator economy.

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/newsletter

Think Blink: Build Instant Emotional Connections for Your Brand with Jean-Pierre Lacroix | Ep. 334 Dec 03, 2025

Show notes

The Critical Role of Emotional Branding with Jean-Pierre Lacroix - Discover the Think Blink Manifesto.

In this episode of Brands on Brands, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, president of SLD Global Branding and Design Agency, discusses the importance of emotional branding and the impact of split-second connections.

Jean Pierre delves into the concept of defining emotional equity, the significance of empathy in branding, and strategies to build deep emotional connections with audiences. He also introduces his latest book, 'The Think Blink Manifesto,' which provides a roadmap for brands to foster lasting emotional connections.

01:04 Understanding Emotional Branding

03:37 Strategies for Building Emotional Connections

05:23 Creating Empathy and Eliminating Friction

15:54 The Importance of Visual Memories

22:47 Building Your Brand Through Personal Stories

32:52 Future-Proofing Your Brand

35:25 The Trust Ladder: Steps to Building Credibility

40:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This is the Brands On Brands Podcast with Brandon Birkmeyer

www.brandsonbrands.com

Don't forget to get your own personal branding scorecard at:

https://www.brandsonbrands.com/scorecard