In this episode, we go behind the scenes with one of the internets most powerful personal brands, Cody Sanchez. Join us as we interview Tanner Walter, the operator who helped scale it from 3M to 9M+ followers and 100M+ views.
Tanner shares the exact systems, team structure, and content strategy that turned Cody’s content machine into an 8-figure empire. From building a high-output video team to managing a remote crew and optimizing platform growth, this is the ultimate blueprint for creators, founders, and CMOs who want to turn content into serious revenue.
✅ How Tanner structured Cody’s content team
✅ The YouTube + newsletter strategy that drove exponential growth
✅ Repurposing frameworks for omnichannel distribution
✅ Monetization through ads, courses, and community
✅ His "content Chipotle" framework for scalable creation
✅ The real role of a Head of Content or Creative Director
✅ Why the "creator’s dilemma" is killing growth—and how to solve it
Whether you're building a media business or trying to scale your brand presence, this episode is packed with creator economy insights, real-world examples, and tactical playbooks you can steal.
00:00 - Codie’s Content Empire: The Strategy Behind the Growth
01:32 - From Aerospace Dreams to Media Operator
02:28 - Finding Purpose Through Creative Work
05:02 - Breaking into Content: The First Big Break
08:12 - Lessons from Joe Rogan, Aubrey Marcus, and Early Content Models
08:46 - How Tanner Joined Codie’s Team
10:41 - The First Pitch: What Got Him the Role
12:57 - Codie’s Mission and Why It Mattered for Content
14:22 - Creating a Mission That Drives Your Team
15:27 - Platform Strategy: YouTube, Newsletter & More
17:03 - Cross-Pollinating Content Across Channels
18:14 - What Content Formats Perform Best
19:13 - Going Viral: What Drove 100M+ Views
21:07 - Shorts vs Long-Form: How They Work Together
22:50 - Inside Codie’s Team Structure
24:33 - How the Machine Makes Money
26:04 - Top Monetization Mistakes Creators Make
27:14 - Getting Started: What Founders Should Focus On
28:57 - Picking a Niche: Passion, Demand, or Trend?
30:12 - Hook - Value - Avatar: The Framework Explained
31:31 - Why Omnipresence is a Must in 2025
33:18 - The Role of AI in Scaling Creators
34:52 - Choosing the Right Platform for Your Skills
36:29 - Setting Content Goals That Actually Work
38:01 - Building a Real Viewer Avatar
39:41 - Walk With Your Viewer, Don’t Talk at Them
41:06 - The Staircase to Scaling a Creator Business
42:34 - When to Hire & How to Structure Your Team
44:09 - Backend Systems That Power High Output
45:37 - Repurposing: The Hardest but Most Critical Step
47:24 - How the Talent Balances Business + Content
48:56 - What Creative Directors Really Get Paid
50:24 - Content is a Sales Engine — Here's Why
52:06 - Getting Through the Cringe Stage
53:50 - Influencer vs Leader: Why the Difference Matters
55:23 - Creator or Curator: Which One Wins?
56:37 - Rare Air Story: The Power of Collaboration
58:29 - The “Content Chipotle” System Explained
01:00:00 - Emotional vs Logical vs Entertaining Triggers
01:01:24 - Building Content That Gets Shared
01:02:54 - The Creator’s Dilemma
01:04:35 - Affiliate Networks: The Underrated Growth Lever
01:06:20 - Why Tanner’s Going Public With His Own Brand
01:07:48 - Why YouTube is the Platform of Choice
01:09:12 - The Simple Content Strategy That Prints Money
01:10:41 - How to Work With Tanner
01:12:28 - Where to Find Tanner Online
01:13:39 - Who Tanner Thinks Should Be on This Podcast Next
01:15:00 - Final Reflections: Vision, Systems, and What's Next
01:17:30 - Real Talk: Burnout, Balance & Long-Term Creativity
01:20:15 - How to Build Resilient Media Systems That Last
01:23:10 - Why Content Is Still the Best Sales Tool
01:26:45 - Tactical Advice for Scaling Without Burnout
01:30:00 - Founder Branding vs Founder Replacement
01:34:22 - Growing a Media Team Without Losing Control
01:37:08 - Why Content Strategy Is More Important Than Ever
01:39:00 - Closing Thoughts + Final Takeaways
01:41:00 - Where Tanner Is Heading Next