BOLOTOR Podcast

Kory Tams is the founder of Braven.app, a bootstrapped startup dedicated to helping brand owners uncover valuable conversations about their products happening beyond traditional platforms—like Reddit, Twitter, and online forums. ⁣ With a passion for actionable data, Kory built Braven to deliver clear, weekly insights that highlight hidden issues, growth opportunities, and overlooked areas of a brand's online presence. ⁣ His mission is to equip businesses with the tools they need to stay informed, fix what's leaking, and confidently push forward.

Jerry Lin is the energetic EVP of a California-based company specializing in barbecue and portable outdoor cooking gear. Known as the "fun guy" and voice of the brand, Jerry brings charisma and creativity to the team, helping lead the charge in product innovation and market expansion. ⁣ Bruce G serves as the company's hands-on manager, focused on operations and trade show execution. With a calm and serious demeanor, Bruce takes the lead in showcasing their versatile, foldable gear designed for van-lifers and outdoor enthusiasts. ⁣ Together, Jerry and Bruce combine over 20 years of experience, having built partnerships with major retailers like Costco and Home Depot while championing the concept of "affordable luxury."

Michael Rose is the face behind NeverFlame, a groundbreaking flameless cooking system born from his family's inventive legacy. ⁣ Inspired by his 84-year-old uncle—an accomplished battery expert and inventor of the electronic cash register—Michael now carries the torch, sharing a portable, eco-friendly solution for cooking without open flames. ⁣ Designed for adventurers, van-lifers, and rescue teams, NeverFlame combines instant heat, solar power, and smart design to transform how people cook off-grid.

Holly Jones is a passionate content creator rooted in the world of fly fishing and outdoor lifestyle. With a keen eye for storytelling and a camera always in hand, she travels to events like Outdoor Retailer to spotlight innovative products, connect with brands, and share authentic experiences with her growing audience. ⁣ Since the pandemic, Holly has observed and embraced the rise of accessible outdoor activities like birdwatching and fly fishing—particularly among women—as key growth areas in the industry. ⁣ Ambitious, insightful, and always tuned into industry trends, Holly is set on turning her passion into a legacy—possibly with her own booth one day. Keep an eye on her journey; this multi-millionaire-in-the-making is just getting started.

Blake Hilton is a high-energy marketing strategist and the Director of Business Development at Piranha, a full-service advertising agency specializing in Amazon and TikTok channels. Born and raised in Frisco, Texas, Blake brings Southern charm, relentless hustle, and sharp e-commerce instincts to the table. ⁣ With over five years of industry experience, he's helped scale powerhouse brands like Feastables, Hugh Chocolate, C4, and Sh!tty Coolers—10X-ing results through smart strategy, strong partnerships, and full-funnel execution. ⁣ At Piranha, Blake leads revenue generation and client growth initiatives, often serving as the bridge between big brand ambitions and high-performing campaigns. The agency has supported over 40 brand exits ranging from six to nine figures, proving their ability to deliver real impact.

Dustin Smith is a passionate advocate for marine life and wildlife conservation, whose early experiences growing up in Florida shaped his lifelong commitment to protecting the natural world. From scooping seaweed to care for seahorses as a child to working at an aquarium feeding injured sea turtles, Dustin's love for the ocean runs deep. ⁣ Today, he channels that passion into an innovative bracelet product that allows users to track real animals via an interactive app. This project—founded by Carter and DJ, two friends from North Carolina—was created to help people build emotional connections with wildlife while supporting conservation efforts. By partnering with established research organizations, the company uses humane tracking methods and turns animal data into educational, engaging experiences for users of all ages. ⁣ Dustin plays a key role in growing the impact of this mission, ensuring the technology continues to raise funds, spread awareness, and inspire a global community of supporters. Whether it's through launching plush animal trackers for kids or building a loyal fanbase called "the herd," Dustin is driven by a bigger vision: to blend innovation with purpose and help protect the planet's most vulnerable species for generations to come.

James Harris and Jared Bronstein are the Toronto-based duo behind How to Survive, a fast-growing YouTube series that blends science, storytelling, and survival. James, the show's creator and a former science writer with a personal history of overcoming medical and outdoor challenges, brings a grounded, research-driven perspective. Jared, a seasoned host and entertainer, adds humor and relatability as the show's on-screen guide. Together, they explore both real and hypothetical life-or-death scenarios—from nuclear disasters to exotic animal escapes—with the goal of educating and captivating global audiences. Their work has expanded across 12+ languages, with plans to grow the series into a documentary-style TV show and podcast.

Emily Pennington is an adventure writer, photographer, and author of Feral: Losing Myself and Finding My Way in America's National Parks. A former Hollywood assistant turned full-time explorer, she's best known for visiting all 63 U.S. national parks and documenting the journey in a popular column for Outside Magazine. Originally from suburban Houston, Emily now lives in Colorado and writes for outlets like Backpacker and The Wall Street Journal, covering everything from gear reviews to global rewilding efforts. With a passion for solo travel, van life, and immersive outdoor experiences, she's explored all seven continents and uses storytelling to inspire deeper curiosity and resilience in the face of the unknown.

Kate and James Hixson are adventurous storytellers, parents, and social media entrepreneurs currently based in Southwest Florida. Originally from Ohio, they met at Ohio University, where their relationship blossomed through shared outdoor passions like hiking and rafting. After exploring life in cities across the U.S.—from New York to Denver—they spent over a decade soaking up mountain life in Colorado before relocating to Florida for family support and warmer weather. ⁣ Blending Kate's background in journalism and James' talents in art and photography, they launched Sunshine Fam Guide, a brand rooted in real-life family adventures. With two young children in tow, they share the highs, lows, and hilarity of raising kids while embracing an outdoor lifestyle. Their unfiltered, honest content—complete with meltdowns, messy moments, and magical discoveries—has resonated with a growing audience hungry for authenticity in an age of curated feeds and AI-generated imagery. ⁣ Kate and James see themselves not as influencers, but as documentarians of intentional living. From camping chaos to peaceful forest walks, they focus on building resilience, curiosity, and a love for nature in their kids. They balance freelance work with monthly travels and micro-adventures near their home in Venice, Florida, all while championing screen-free, presence-focused parenting.