Beyond The Brand

Nicky Saunders is the voice of content branding. Creator strategist, AI educator, and founder of Lions Behavior, she built her entire brand on one thing: being exactly who she is, everywhere she shows up.

Heard me mention Build Your Brand University in this convo? It's grown up since then. It's now House of Brand, my community for building a brand you actually own. Join us: https://community.rodbrinson.com

In this conversation we get into why your reputation is your currency, how introverts can build loud brands without burning out, the AI tools she actually keeps in her tech stack, and why she'd rather have a community-driven brand than a numbers brand. If you're building a brand and you're tired of pretending, this one is for you.

SUBSCRIBE for more conversations like this.

Follow Nicky Saunders:
YouTube: @nickysaunders
Instagram: @thisisnickys

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 The person behind the brand matters most
02:09 Nicky Saunders joins the live
02:25 Same person on every platform, every stage
04:07 Introvert advice: build a world that feels safe
06:06 Everything is an experiment
07:00 Tonight's topic: your reputation is your currency
08:03 Character over reputation
11:47 How being herself opened every door
16:19 When your metrics don't match your effort
19:19 Every platform speaks its own language
21:20 What people get wrong about Nicky
23:44 Taking things personal that aren't
25:04 Her daily routine: journal, Bible, prayer, meditation
27:35 Journaling when you're not a writer
30:46 Her AI tech stack: the playground vs the staples
34:22 Keeping your humanness while using AI
36:00 Learn the foundation, then add your swag
38:28 Be the change: stop complaining about AI content
40:53 Master one thing at a time on YouTube
43:29 How she finds topics her audience actually wants
46:50 Community-driven brand vs numbers brand
48:30 Create for your audience, not your ego
53:03 The story behind Lions Behavior and the hat
59:53 Final word: stop caring, start building

This conversation goes past success stories and surface-level wins. It’s about what endures.

I sit down with Thomie Venisee to talk about legacy, faith, discomfort, and the unseen work that shapes a life, a career, and a family that can stand the test of time. From corporate boardrooms to real estate, from personal loss to rebuilding vision, this episode explores the difference between being pushed by circumstance and being pulled by purpose.

We talk about confidence that includes fear, why graduation always comes before the next level, and how one step, one person, and one question can quietly change everything.

This is for the person who feels stuck in survival mode but knows there’s more on the other side of “anyway.”

If you’re trying to build something that outlives you, this one’s for you.

In Episode 6 of the podcast, I sit down with Ryan Wilson, CEO and Co-Founder of The Gathering Spot, to talk about something every entrepreneur needs to hear: your network matters more than you think.

We go beyond surface-level advice and get into the real:
• Why being in the room isn’t enough
• How to build meaningful relationships without being fake
• The difference between transactional networking and transformational community
• Why introverts might actually have the advantage
• And how to stop playing small just because you’re afraid of connection

Whether you’re building a brand, launching a business, or just trying to find your lane—this conversation will challenge how you show up and who you surround yourself with. For more on branding, visit rodbrinson.com

👉🏽 Subscribe for more weekly convos like this.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you stream.

#RodBrinson #RyanWilson #TheGatheringSpot #Entrepreneurship #Networking #CommunityBuilding #BusinessGrowth #podcast

In this episode, I sat down with my good friend and image consultant Jonathan M. Hall to talk about one of the most slept-on parts of your brand: how you show up.

And no—we’re not just talking about clothes. We’re talking about presence. Energy. How people experience you before you ever say a word.

You can post every day and say all the right things, but if your image doesn’t match your message, people will feel the disconnect. Jonathan and I dug into how your appearance, posture, grooming, and even your mindset are shaping your brand—whether you realize it or not.

We talked about:

• The psychology behind first impressions (and how fast they happen)
• Why what you wear does matter—and how to still be you
• The difference between authenticity and unawareness
• How to command a room without saying a word
• The biggest things people get wrong about personal style and branding
• Why investing in your image is not a luxury—it’s a strategy

If you’ve ever felt like your content is solid but your brand still isn’t breaking through, this is probably the episode you needed.

Let me know what stood out in the comments. And if this helped you think differently about your image—share it with someone still stuck in “play clothes” mode.

🔗 Connect with Jonathan: jonathanmhall.com
🧠 Follow me for more unfiltered conversations like this: rodbrinson.com

#BeyondTheBrand #RodBrinson #JonathanMHall #ImageMatters #PersonalBranding #StyleAndSubstance #AuthenticityOverAesthetics

In this episode, I sat down with clarity coach and brand strategist Precious Azuree to talk about the real reason people stay stuck—and how most folks confuse indecision for confusion.

This isn’t about branding colors or Canva templates. It’s about alignment. Identity. And having the courage to finally make a decision about who you are and what you want.

Precious and I broke down how clarity shows up (or doesn’t) in your business, your brand, and your belief systems—and why most people never build anything that lasts because they’re avoiding the hard part: the mirror.

We talked about:

• Why indecision is more dangerous than failure
• The trap of chasing goals without defining your vision
• What happens when your brand is out of alignment with your identity
• How to separate your past experiences from your present calling
• Why your brand is really your legacy—not your logo

If you’re tired of feeling lost and ready to actually do the work—this conversation is a wake-up call.

Let me know what hit hardest in the comments. And if it blessed you, share it with someone who’s still waiting for clarity to knock.

🔗 Connect with Precious: @preciousazuree
🧠 Tap in with me for more unfiltered convos like this: rodbrinson.com

#BeyondTheBrand #ClarityCoach #RodBrinson #BrandStrategy #IdentityWork #FaithAndBusiness #DecisionMaking #PurposeDriven

Entrepreneurship isn’t always glamorous. In this real, unfiltered episode of Beyond the Brand, Rod Brinson sits down with Carmen Jones, the powerhouse behind The Black Girl Social Club, to break down what it really takes to build a business that lasts.

From missed paychecks to last-minute event disasters, Carmen opens up about the emotional, financial, and mental toll of being a Black woman in leadership — and why she never gave up. They talk payroll panic, team meltdowns, solopreneur stress, and the myth of the “hustle” mentality.

If you've ever wondered what the real cost of entrepreneurship is, or why your mission has to be bigger than your bottom line, this episode is for you.

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes like this: https://www.youtube.com/@rod.brinson
💬 Drop your biggest entrepreneur lesson in the comments!
🎙️ Follow Carmen Jones:
Instagram: @carmen.nicole.jones
Club: @blackgirlsocialclub
Wellness Nonprofit: [@ceounplugged]

👉 Let’s connect:
Follow Rod Brinson: https://www.instagram.com/rod.brinson/
Website: https://rodbrinson.com

#Entrepreneurship #BlackBusiness #Leadership #CarmenJones #BeyondTheBrand #SmallBusinessTips #BusinessGrowth #WomenInBusiness

In this first episode, I sat down with branding strategist Paige Elliott to talk about what personal branding actually means—and why most people are doing it completely wrong.

This conversation isn’t about logos or color schemes. It’s about identity, alignment, and how your real brand is built when no one’s watching. Paige and I dug into the hard truths about building your brand from the inside out, especially when you're juggling a 9–5 and a passion.

We talked about:

• Why your brand is how people feel when you leave the room
• The trap of skipping the self-discovery phase
• How to show up consistently across your life and business
• What it means to manage your “PIE” (Performance, Image, Exposure)
• How to move with integrity—even when no one’s looking

Whether you're building a business, navigating your career, or trying to figure out how to show up more authentically—this episode is your starting point.

Let me know what resonated with you in the comments. And if you got value from this, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

🔗 Connect with Paige: https://www.instagram.com/iampaigeelliott/
 🧠 Follow me for more real convos like this: rodbrinson.com

#PersonalBranding #BrandStrategy #AuthenticBranding #RodBrinson #PaigeElliott #PurposeDriven