From Fired to Fired Up: Meet Influencer Nikki Sapiro-Vinckier

Alaina and Chris meet Nikki Sapiro-Vinckier, an Instagram and TikTok influencer who shares her journey from being fired after standing up for her values, to becoming a full time content creator, influencer, movement-maker and soon to be, published author. 
 
 Her story will inspire you while also give you a behind the scenes, realistic view of what it’s like to take a bold stand. Nikki emphasizes the importance of combining activism with personal life and offers advice for those looking to take a stand for their beliefs. 

Connect with Nikki Sapiro-Vinckier

Follow Nikki on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nikkivinck/?hl=en

Follow Nikki on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/nikki-sapiro-vinckier
Follow Nikki on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nsvinckier/

Nikki’s Website: https://www.nikkivinck.com/

Connect with Alaina & Chris:
 
 Follow Alaina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alainashearer/
Follow Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophervogel/

Hire Alaina & Chris for branding or marketing: http://www.goodisnow.com
Join one of Alaina’s Find Your Voice Cohort: https://www.goodisnow.com/classes

Takeaways

• Nikki found her voice through her experiences in reproductive healthcare.
• The Roe v. Wade decision had a profound impact on Nikki's advocacy work.
• Grassroots activism can start from personal experiences and community engagement.
• Nikki's journey illustrates the challenges of speaking out in a professional setting.
• Being fired led Nikki to pivot into full-time activism and content creation.
• Combining family life with activism can create a more fulfilling experience.
• Nikki emphasizes the importance of accurate information in reproductive health.
• Activism can be a way to empower others and create community.
• Nikki's story shows that personal growth often comes from adversity.
• The need for rebels in the fight for reproductive rights is crucial.

Sound Bites

• "I filed for an LLC."
• "I wish I didn't care."
• "We need rebels."

Chapters

00:00

Introduction to Nikki Sapiro-Vink

01:21

Nikki's Journey in Reproductive Healthcare

03:06

Activism Sparks: Roe v. Wade and Personal Experience

04:37

Grassroots Campaigning: The Kamala Harris Lawn Sign Initiative

08:55

Facing Professional Backlash: The Consequences of Advocacy

14:15

The Aftermath of Being Fired: Reflections and New Beginnings

16:59

Building a Platform: Transitioning to Content Creation

21:17

Navigating Uncertainty: Campaigning and Activism in a Swing State

23:33

Navigating Professional Disappointment

27:40

The Birth of Take Back Trust

29:47

Building a Community and Revenue Stream

32:43

The Journey of a Reproductive Rights Advocate

35:43

Balancing Activism and Personal Life

39:33

Finding Strength in Solidarity

In this episode of Citizen Rebel, hosts Chris Vogel and Good Now explore the evolving symbolism of the American flag, discussing its historical significance, cultural perceptions, and the impact of political movements like MAGA on its identity. 

They delve into personal experiences and societal changes that have led to an identity crisis surrounding the flag, and brainstorm ideas for reclaiming its meaning in a more inclusive way.

Connect with Alaina and Chris at http://www.goodisnow.com

00:00
Introduction to the American Flag's Symbolism

02:29
Cultural Perceptions of the American Flag

05:23
The American Flag in Pop Culture

08:24
Historical Context and Education on the Flag

11:29
The Flag's Role Post-9/11

14:28
The Flag's Identity Crisis in Modern Politics

17:29
Branding and the American Flag in Political Campaigns

19:02
The American Flag: A Symbol of Identity

23:17
Cultural Reflections on Patriotism

27:57
Reclaiming the Flag: A Call for Unity

34:09
Designing a New Symbol of Inclusivity

Veteran trial lawyer Mitch Jackson joins Citizen Rebel to share how he's using Substack and AI to amplify truth and inspire action. In a time he calls a pivotal inflection point in history, Mitch unpacks the role of citizen journalism, the power of personal storytelling, and why now—more than ever—is the moment to speak up. From courtrooms to content creation, Mitch’s journey is driven by a deep desire to right wrongs and leave a legacy of courage for future generations.

Follow Mitch on Substack https://substack.com/@mitchthelawyer
Follow Mitch on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchjackson/

In 2020, Alaina ran for Congress. This episode unpacks all of the torrid and surprising details on what it's like to run for public office when you're a leader in the private sector. 

In this episode of Citizen Rebel, hosts Alaina Shearer and Chris Vogel discuss Alaina's journey running for U.S. Congress in 2020, the challenges she faced, and the importance of community engagement in politics. She holds nothing back and hopes this episode gives others an insider perspective on what it's really like to run for office. 

They explore the dynamics of fundraising, campaign strategies, and the need for more individuals from the private sector to enter public service. The conversation emphasizes the significance of grassroots movements and the necessity for change in the political system.

“The most pleasant thing that has happened since I started talking out about this administration on LinkedIn is that I can live with myself.”

In this episode, we talk with Parry Headrick, founder of Crackle PR, about what it means to speak truth to power on LinkedIn. We’ll also dig into his advice for Comms teams within Corporate America. 

Parry shares how he went from keeping politics off his profile to becoming one of LinkedIn’s boldest voices against MAGA. He opens up about navigating backlash, finding his moral compass, and how speaking out hasn’t hurt his business.  He also offers candid advice for business leaders on the fence about joining the conversation: why policy is a safe entry point, and how authenticity builds more than just brand loyalty—it builds a loyal following. 

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(01:04) Facing the MAGA trolls

(02:54) Turning negativity into positivity

(05:55) Parry’s political awakening

(07:56) The Associated Press and press freedom

(09:10) Viral post comparing Trump to a hire

(10:38) When business values meet political stance

(12:18) The impact of political content on business

(13:41) Balancing authenticity with client risk

(15:48) Advice for corporate PR teams

(18:00) Why more leaders should speak out

(21:14) The most unexpected pleasant outcome

(22:37) The daily toll of online trolls

(24:28) Why his voice hits a nerve

Connect with our guest:
Parry Headrick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parryheadrick/
Learn more about Crackle PR: https://cracklepr.com/

Connect with us:
Take a Find Your Voice Cohort Class: https://www.goodisnow.com/classes
Visit Good Now for Marketing and Branding: http://www.goodisnow.com
Alaina Shearer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alainashearer/
Chris Vogel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophervogel/
Follow Citizen Rebel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citizenrebelpodcast/#
Learn more about Good Now: https://www.goodisnow.com/

In this episode, Alaina Shearer and Chris Vogel, the team behind the purpose-driven agency Good Now, unpack how brand archetypes shape messaging, identity, and the way brands take a stand.

Together, they break down what archetypes are, why they matter, and how to use them to create values-aligned content that resonates - without losing your voice. From McDonald’s as the Innocent to Greenpeace as the Hero, this conversation is full of examples and insights for marketers and founders navigating how to speak out, stay consistent, and connect with their audience.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(01:01) Brand archetypes explained

(02:31) Finding your voice and overcoming challenges

(12:23) Examples of archetypes in branding

(19:00) Rebel vs. Hero: Key differences

(21:09) Exploring Hero brands

(23:31) The Innocent archetype in branding

(29:29) LinkedIn marketing strategies

Connect with us:

Alaina Shearer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alainashearer/

Chris Vogel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophervogel/

Follow Citizen Rebel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citizenrebelpodcast/#

Learn more about Good Now: https://www.goodisnow.com/

“If love hasn’t won—it’s not the end.”

In this episode, we talk with Trevor Silva, co-founder of My Cluck Hut, a Nashville-based eco-friendly bath and body brand. By taking a stand against MAGA, Trevor’s sales are skyrocketing. 

Trevor shares how a deeply personal breaking point turned into a business mission, why he and his wife decided to speak out against MAGA, and how a viral reel led to a $43,000 in sales in one day. He also talks about why creating safe spaces is more than just good business—it’s a revolution.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(00:59) The viral post that changed everything

(07:58) Facing backlash and going viral again

(15:17) Creating a safe space

(19:59) The ramifications of speaking up

(25:27) Laughing in the face of adversity

(33:27) Standing up for your values

Connect with our guest:
Trevor Silva on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-silva-7405b6278/

Follow My Cluck Hut on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mycluckhut/

Learn more about My Cluck Hut: https://mycluckhut.com/

Connect with us:

Alaina Shearer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alainashearer/

Chris Vogel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophervogel/

Follow Citizen Rebel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citizenrebelpodcast/#

Learn more about Good Now: https://www.goodisnow.com/

Citizen Rebel is a podcast dedicated to featuring brands who are taking a stand against MAGA.

In this kickoff episode, hosts Alaina Shearer and Chris Vogel share the impetus behind this show, discuss the dangers of brands staying silent, and how small businesses might hold the key to fighting rising authoritarianism.

Alaina and Chris open up about their personal ties to this fight, from family history to political activism, and lay the groundwork for what Citizen Rebel will stand for in a divided America.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Meet Alaina and Chris

(00:49) The purpose of Citizen Rebel

(04:02) The role of media and brands

(07:33) Consumer activism and brand decisions

(14:15) The tipping point where brands will have to speak up

Connect with us:

Alaina Shearer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alainashearer/

Chris Vogel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophervogel/

Follow Citizen Rebel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citizenrebelpodcast/#

Learn more about Good Now: https://www.goodisnow.com/

This is the podcast for founders, small business owners, and bold influencers who refuse to stay silent. In a world where democracy, equality, and the planet itself are under threat, CitizenRebel shares the stories of those who use their brands—and their voices—to push back.

Co-Hosts & Brand Strategists Chris Vogel and Alaina Shearer of Good Now go behind the scenes with entrepreneurs and content creators who are risking it all to take a stand, challenge extremism, and build something better. Because in times like these, staying neutral isn’t an option—and the bravest brands know it.

Listen to learn how you, too, can take a stand.

Connect with us:

Alaina Shearer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alainashearer/

Chris Vogel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophervogel/

Follow Citizen Rebel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citizenrebelpodcast/#

Learn more about Good Now: https://www.goodisnow.com/