Jayo went from being a substitute teacher to one of the most viral TikTok creators in music, pulling 40 million views a week and selling out tours across the country. In this episode of Clout Nine, he tells the full story.

We're talking about how he accidentally got on TikTok, how a comedy skit account turned into a real music career, and how "Worst Case Scenario" became one of the biggest independent artist breakout moments on social media. Jayo breaks down how he learned to blow up on TikTok without a label, without a manager, and without a plan.

He also gets real about the dark side: the mental health toll of going viral, losing views overnight, financial stress at 1 million followers, and what it actually takes to build a fanbase that shows up in real life and not just the comments.

If you're an independent artist trying to figure out how to turn content into a career, or you just want to hear one of the wildest creator origin stories we've had on the podcast, this one's for you.

Jayo debut album "Antidepressants" and his first headline tour are both dropping soon. You heard some of it here first.

🎧 Listen to Clout Nine on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Follow Jayo on all platforms:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1kBx4RzRD8An5pUEDBGZQ9?si=JJVjbCyxRtqb7ZtZv8PH7Q

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jayo/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jayo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/jayo2

He was the most-watched creator on TikTok in 2020 with 10 billion views and 16 million followers. Then he vanished.

In this episode, Evan Alberto ("@theguy ") breaks down exactly how he blew up, why he stepped away, and what he's doing now with his agency Content Autopilot, helping entrepreneurs scale with short-form content.

We talk about:
✅ How his first magic trick video got 18 million views
✅ The one social media secret that changed everything
✅ Why he dropped out of college making only $1K/month
✅ The Instagram Story hack that got him 10,000 DMs
✅ Why authenticity is the only hedge against AI
✅ Tips for creators just starting out (and why low views don't matter)

🔗 Learn more about DRAX Social: https://draxsocial.com

Follow Evan:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/theguy/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theguy.99

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@theguy.99

She throws wine in people's faces, pushes pregnant women down stairs, and steals werewolf sperm for a living. Sarah Moliski is one of the biggest names in vertical soap operas, the micro-dramas blowing up on TikTok and Instagram that you've probably watched at 2am and don't want to admit it.

Two years ago, actors wouldn't even put these on their résumés. Sarah's own representation told her not to do it. She did it anyway. Now she's one of the most sought-after actresses AND casting directors in the vertical drama space, a lane she essentially built for herself.

In this episode, she gets real about all of it:

✅ What vertical soap operas are and why they're addicting

✅ How much "vertical legends" actually make

✅ The insane production pace (30 pages a day)

✅ Why Disney and Hollywood are investing in this space

✅ Behind-the-scenes drama, hookups, and egos

✅ Her philosophy: "Be cringey until it works"

Clout Nine sits down with orthodontist-turned-satirical creator Brad Podray (formerly Scumbag Dad) to tear apart the dark side of influencer culture, fake pranks, and AI-driven content.

Brad breaks down how content aggregators steal from creators, why “prank” creators are exploiting workers and vulnerable people, and how meta glasses + AI are pushing us into a creepier, dumber content era.

He also shares how being financially independent (thanks to his orthodontics career) lets him say what most creators are too scared to admit about brand deals, burnout, and the pressure to stay “relevant” online.

If you care about influencer ethics, creator mental health, or the future of AI content creation, this episode is a must-watch.

Follow Brad Podray on all social platforms:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/brad_podray/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brad_podray?lang=en
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@brad_podray

If you’re a content creator, influencer, or brand trying to grow without selling your soul, this episode will completely reframe how you think about social media.

Listen to more Clout Nine for real, unfiltered conversations!

I hired a master hypnotist to reprogram my brain and the results were UNBELIEVABLE. In this episode of Clout Nine, I'm sitting down with Zach Paul, a high-performance master hypnotist who helps CEOs and successful entrepreneurs unlock their full potential by rewiring their subconscious minds.

Zach shares his incredible journey from brain injury recovery to becoming one of the most sought-after hypnotists for high-performers. You'll hear real stories of clients who saw hockey-stick growth in their businesses after just one session, why traditional therapy is surface-level nonsense, and how your brain runs on autopilot programming that keeps you stuck.

What We Cover:

• How hypnosis actually reprograms your subconscious mind

• Why successful CEOs are hiring hypnotists

• Rapid transformation vs. years of therapy (spoiler: hypnosis wins)

• Breaking through limiting beliefs that sabotage your success

• Why authenticity will dominate in 2026 as AI makes everything "perfect"

👍 Like if you're ready to reprogram your brain. Subscribe to Clout Nine for unfiltered conversations with creators, entrepreneurs, and anyone building a life online.

Follow Zach on socials:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamzachpaul/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/zachdavidpaul/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachdavidpaul/

Is Snapchat the most underrated platform for creators in 2026? In this episode, we sit down with David "The Magic Crasher" (6M+ followers) to break down exactly how he built a multi-platform empire and why he prioritizes Snapchat over TikTok for monetization.

David reveals his "Saved Story" strategy that doubled his views overnight, the specific posting schedule that prevents burnout, and why "gatekeeping" your secrets is actually hurting your growth. If you are a brand or creator looking to break the internet, this is the blueprint you’ve been waiting for.

🚀 IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

• The Snapchat Goldmine: Why saved stories are paying out like YouTube long-form (and how David got 48M extra views from one feature).

• Platform Arbitrage: The specific hierarchy of which apps pay the most right now.
• The "In-App" Editing Hack: Why the Head of Instagram says you must use their native tools for reach.

• Creator Protections: Why joining unions like SAG-AFTRA is the next step for professional creators.
• The 90-Day Viral Challenge: David’s exact homework for anyone starting from zero today.

🔗 CONNECT WITH DAVID:

TikTok: The Magic Crasher on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themagiccrasher

Instagram: David Bonfadini | TMC (@themagiccrasher) https://www.instagram.com/themagiccrasher/

Snapchat: THE MAGIC CRASHER on Snapchathttps://www.snapchat.com/@themagiccrasher

👋 ABOUT DRAX SOCIAL: We help brands and creators go viral with short-form and long-form content. Whether you're looking to break the internet or build a sustainable media engine, we have the blueprint. 👉 Work with us: https://draxsocial.com

How do you get 1 billion views on a single YouTube Short? In this episode of Clout Nine, we sit down with Nathan Kessel, the opera singer turned viral powerhouse with over 25 million followers.

Nathan didn’t just get lucky. He mastered the science of retention, pattern recognition, and algorithmic triggers to become one of the most viewed creators on the planet. If you are trying to grow on YouTube Shorts or TikTok, this is the blueprint you've been looking for.🚀

In this episode, we cover:

- The 1 Billion View Strategy: Breaking down exactly how one video crossed the billion-view mark.- Opera to Influencer: How Nathan pivoted from classical music to becoming a content giant.

- The Science of Retention: Why 100% retention isn't enough and how to hold attention.

- Platform Wars: Why Nathan believes YouTube Shorts is currently the most powerful platform online.

- The Money Reality: The truth about creator income instability and how to diversify.

Whether you're a brand or a creator, Nathan’s approach to treating his content like a TV network will change how you post.

Follow NathanIG: https://www.instagram.com/kessel_nathan/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kessel_nathan_official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kessel_nathan

They went from recording in a parked car to reaching millions of views. In this episode of Clout Nine, meet Francesca and Nic Piazza (The Saucy Sibz), the duo who risked homelessness to build a media business from scratch.

Most people think "going viral" solves all your problems. But what happens when you have no home, no job, and only a podcast mic? Francesca and Nic reveal the brutal, unpolished truth about the creator economy that no one talks about.🔥

In this episode, we cover:

- The Origin Story: How health struggles and burnout led to living in a car in Colorado.

- The Turning Point: How a single TikTok video changed their lives overnight.

- Meme Marketing: How Francesca became a "meme lord" and grew a massive Instagram following organically.

- Creator Economics: The terrifying instability of influencer income and how to survive it.

- Authenticity vs. Perfection: Why "cringe" and honest content is beating polished aesthetic videos.

If you're feeling lost in your creator journey or think you need a perfect studio to start, this conversation proves that your story is your most valuable asset.

🎧 Listen now and welcome back to Clout Nine.

Follow the Saucy Sibz:

Saucy Sibz IG: https://www.instagram.com/saucysibz/

Nic: https://www.instagram.com/nicodemuspiazza/

Francesca: https://www.instagram.com/thefrancescapiazza/

Saucy Sibz Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1J141elKHqiU48lyGTi1lo?si=f64df9790fd84a19

In this episode of Clout Nine, Alex Drachnik sits down with actor and TikTok shop live host Jess Adams for an honest conversation about navigating the entertainment industry, social media visibility, and what it really means to build a career in the public eye.

Jess shares her perspective on growing up in entertainment, transitioning between acting and hosting, and learning how to show up as herself in an industry that constantly tries to put people in boxes. Together, they talk about identity, confidence, internet perception, and the pressure creators face when their lives are viewed through a screen.

This episode explores the emotional side of being online, the reality behind “overnight success,” and the personal growth that comes from learning how to protect your energy while still chasing big goals.

If you’ve ever felt misunderstood, questioned your path, or wondered what life looks like behind the highlight reel, this conversation will resonate.

Follow Jess on all social media platforms:

Instagram: https://heyor.ca/ntpwd9

TikTok: https://heyor.ca/eActYC

YouTube: https://heyor.ca/NV4i44

In this episode of Clout Nine, Alex sits down with Jay Starrett to unpack the real journey behind reality TV fame, content creation, and finding yourself when the cameras turn off.

Jay Starrett is best known for his appearances on Survivor, The Challenge, and Ex on the Beach, where he competed in some of the most physically and mentally demanding reality shows on television. But there’s a lot more to Jay than what viewers see on screen.

In this conversation, Jay opens up about how he got his start making Jackass-style videos as a kid, why Vine shaped his sense of storytelling, and how reality TV completely changed his relationship with discipline, gratitude, and identity. He shares what it’s really like living without a phone for weeks at a time, the mental toll of competition shows, and why coming off a season can leave you questioning who you are outside of the game.

The episode also dives deep into Jay’s evolution as a content creator, his rise as an emo-nostalgia voice on social media, and how authenticity, not chasing trends, helped him build a loyal fanbase. From Survivor survival tactics to beating Challenge legends, to the pressure of staying grounded with a growing audience, Jay gets candid about ego checks, burnout, and staying true to yourself in an industry built on attention.

If you’ve ever wondered:

- What reality TV actually does to your mental health

- How to balance fame, identity, and real life

- Why nostalgia and emo culture are making such a huge comeback

- Or how creators build content while disappearing from the internet for month

This episode is for you!

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to Clout Nine for unfiltered conversations about social media, identity, and what happens when the clout fades.

Jay Starrett Socials:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jqskim/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jqskim

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jqskim

Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/@jqskim