What happens when a random plane encounter turns into a thriving creative partnership fueled by memes, storytelling, and community connection?

In this lively episode, John and Steven sit down with two creators who turned a shared sense of humor and a knack for capturing attention into something bigger than they imagined. From chance conversations in an exit row to building a meme account that exploded overnight, their journey shows how consistency, vulnerability, and a willingness to take risks can change everything.

You’ll hear about the highs and lows of building an online brand, why memes became their secret weapon for growth, and how they use humor to spark deeper conversations about culture, entrepreneurship, and belonging. Along the way, they reflect on the dopamine rush of likes, the challenges of staying authentic, and the importance of building something real—beyond the algorithms.

Expect laughs, behind-the-scenes lessons from viral posts, and a candid look at how creativity and connection can take you further than you think (sometimes starting at 30,000 feet).

• 00:00 The Story Starts Here
• 05:13 From Travel Photos to Memes That Went Viral Overnight
• 09:10 The Chance Meeting on a Plane That Changed Everything
• 17:06 How Does Rich Stay Funny
• 24:47 The Secret Behind Their Facebook Success
• 28:35 The Content Scheduling Strategy That Works
• 34:10 TrovaTrip Partnership
• 40:24 From Brand Partnerships to Podcasting
• 49:36 Rapid Fire Q&A Round
• 52:22 Advice for People Starting Out Now
• 01:00:08 The Downsides No One Talks About

Want more? https://www.njcontentstudio.com/

What happens when two dynamic entrepreneurs combine community leadership with financial literacy for kids—and aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo?

In this energizing episode, P. Michael and Lenny the Boss, co-founders of the Real Estate & Financial Literacy Academy for Kids, share their mission to empower the next generation through goal-setting, entrepreneurship, and real-world education, all through the lens of a barber chair.

You’ll hear how their backgrounds shaped their bold approach to teaching, what inspired them to blend financial literacy with cultural storytelling, and why they believe the education system needs a serious update (or at least a makeover).

Expect thought-provoking takes on creating generational wealth, designing a life with intention, and reaching underserved communities—plus wild tales from their travels to Africa and what a single pair of clippers taught them about access and opportunity.

From founding a kids' academy to building out their brand and inspiring grown folks along the way, this episode is all about purpose, passion, and doing it your own way.

00:00 The World Needs to Know These Two  09:22 Focus Is the Only Way Forward 18:13 Build Your Own Empire 28:08 Escaping the Rat Race for Good 49:24 Lessons learned about creating and leveraging content 01:06:35 Wearing Their Own Brand 01:14:21 Support and recognition from the community 01:28:06 How the movie “Blue Streak” ties into business success

Ready to be inspired, entertained, and pick up tactical tips? Jump in, this episode is for wedding industry creatives, marketers, and anyone who loves a smart business (and content!) comeback story.

Want more? https://www.njcontentstudio.com/ 

What does it take for a wedding content creator to go from zero to over 50,000 loyal followers—and rack up half a million views on a TikTok video about bridal shower dresses?

In this lively, unscripted episode, Adriana Brauckmann, founder of The Pre-Nup podcast and a seasoned wedding industry insider, dishes on her unfiltered journey from filming solo tips on her iPhone to joining forces with major players like Love Stories TV and David’s Bridal.

Expect surprising confessions about what really works on TikTok, why the best-performing videos sometimes have zero talking, and how authenticity, consistency, and a touch of chaos fuel her content success.

You’ll also hear insider details on how Love Stories TV became the biggest wedding video platform—and why David’s Bridal is betting big by acquiring media brands to build a community, not just sell dresses. If you want practical tips, honest stories, and a behind-the-scenes look at the evolving world of wedding content, this is your episode.

📝 Key Topics Covered 📝 

• 00:00 How "The Pre-Nup" started: wedding industry roots, podcast launch
• 05:09 Building a platform: TikTok beginnings, Instagram hesitations
• 07:25 Viral breakthrough: 500,000+ views for a dress montage
• 10:16 Growing a following: Reaching 10K fans, then 50K+
• 11:06 Production value: Why the shift to pro studio skyrocketed results
• 12:24 Short vs. long form: Why short clips feed podcast growth
• 15:33 Hooks, tactics, and audience-first strategy
• 24:20 David’s Bridal acquisition: Building community & launching Pearl
• 27:49 Content as CRM: Moving audiences through the wedding journey
• 31:32 SEO for creators: Challenges & tips for wedding industry brands
• 35:09 Behind the scenes: Planning, prepping, and the value of guests
• 44:12 Authentic camera setups & DIY production hacks
• 50:24 CapCut, editing, and learning the tools vs. hiring out
• 56:05 Big-picture goals: Building “the go-to” wedding podcast
• 58:32 Fun afterparty: favorite honeymoon spots, cocktails, and hot dog debates

Ready to be inspired, entertained, and pick up tactical tips? Jump in—this episode is for wedding industry creatives, marketers, and anyone who loves a smart business (and content!) comeback story.

🚨 WANT MORE? 🚨

• How to Go Viral on TikTok and YouTube

“And that’s where I met Pablo Escobar. Pablo was sending loads [of weed] so big, he said, ‘That’s it.’ He went to planes and cocaine. And then I went to Jamaica and started doing my own thing. They had weed and nobody to sell it to. That’s the worst thing you could tell me. Because now I want you going after me.”

So begins the jaw-dropping life of George Martorano, the Growfather—a man whose journey took him from teenage weed runs in a ’52 Chevy, to the jungles of Colombia with Escobar, to surviving five years in solitary fighting off rats and Somali pirates. 

In this episode, George and the founders of Little Leaf Labs (Michael Folietta & Christopher Capurso) share tales of smuggling, family secrets, and how a legacy forged in South Philly’s immigrant grit became a legal cannabis empire in New Jersey. 

From near-mythic family legends—like the time his grandfather killed a priest and fled Sicily—to the launch of the Growfather brand, this is the story of redemption, resilience, and reinvention in America’s cannabis industry.

In This Episode:

• 00:00 Episode Teaser: From Medellín, Colombia to Surviving Life Without Parole
• 01:27 Introducing Little Leaf Labs and The Grow Father
• 03:28 George's Early Cannabis Ventures 
• 04:54 Family History and The Grandfather's Legacy
• 14:15 Smuggling Stories and Encounters
• 26:44 The Arrest and Aftermath
• 31:05 Facing Life Without Parole
• 31:25 The Unprecedented Courtroom Drama
• 34:29 Life in Solitary Confinement
• 36:28 Coping Mechanisms and Mental Resilience
• 39:06  The Reentry Program Initiative
• 41:24   Real Life Con Air: Transport Plane Hijacking Incident
• 48:53 Creating a Website from Prison
• 52:58  The Path to Release (with a Presidential Twist!)
• 01:02:40 Adjusting to Life After Prison
• 01:04:31 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

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See even more at NJContentStudio.com

Why do some food reviewers rack up millions of views while others get lost in the digital crowd? In a world where everyone’s filming their dinner, authenticity stands out. 

In this episode, Mike Desmarets of Two Chomp shares how he and his friend Sean went from texting each other wild restaurant finds to building a buzzing YouTube channel-without fancy cameras, staged moments, or sugarcoated reviews.

If you’ve ever wondered how to break into the food content game and actually get noticed, this conversation is your recipe for success.

For more from Mike, check out Part 1 with him, where we talked about how to grow a youtube channel with his tattoo brand Evolve Ink.

In This Episode

• 00:00 Introduction to Food Adventures, Recording Food Videos Raw, and Social Media Platform Preferences
• 01:15 The Inspiration Behind Two Chomp
• 03:37 The Concept and Branding of Two Chomp
• 04:55 Logistics of Filming Food Reviews
• 07:28 Restaurant Collaborations and Honest Reviews
• 09:21 The Impact of Two Chomp on Restaurants (and the story behind their 1.5 million-view video at Middle Child)
• 19:27 The Role of Social Media Algorithms
• 24:09 The Power of Authentic Connections
• 24:31 The Uncertainty of Social Media Platforms
• 25:45 Diversification Beyond Social Media
• 26:40 Email Marketing and Audience Ownership
• 27:52 The Value of Authentic Content
• 31:42 The Impact of Honest Reviews
• 43:35 Collaborations and Growth Strategies
• 45:47 Conclusion and Future Plans

Mike and Sean’s philosophy: “We are not the main characters-the food and restaurant are.” Their slogan: “We’re just a couple of guys that are hungry. Let’s Chomp.”

If you’re a content creator hungry to grow your own channel, Mike’s candid insights and practical tips from the Two Chomp journey are a must-listen.

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See even more at NJContentStudio.com

Want to shortcut years of struggle and finally crack the code on building a real audience--and actually getting paid for it?

In this episode, Mike Desmarets from Evolve Ink reveals how he went from just “posting videos” to dominating his niche with over 200,000 subscribers. 

You’ll hear the real story behind his rebrand, the simple consistency trick that exploded his growth, and the exact monetization strategies he used to turn views into dollars.

If you want to know how to stand out, keep people hooked, and turn your content into a business, don’t miss this. Listen now and steal what’s working-before your competitors do.

Welcome to the first episode of the NJ Content Studio podcast with your hosts John Bertino and Steven Picanza!

In This Episode:

• 00:00 Introduction to Evolve Ink and Mike Desmarets
• 07:12 The Journey of Content Creation
• 19:09 Rebranding and Finding Success
• 23:44 Consistency and Monetization Strategies
• 31:49 Tattoo Reactions and Community Engagement
• 36:30 Transitioning from Live Streams to Short Form Content
• 39:05 Monetization Strategies in Short Form Content
• 46:34 Content Creation Insights and Audience Engagement
• 55:58 Building a Brand Beyond Social Media

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See even more at NJContentStudio.com