What does it really take to cut through the digital noise and own your voice in today’s content-saturated world? In this episode, Brandi Sims sits down with Joe Massa, CEO of Podtopia Network, longtime media pro, and host of the Podcast Accelerator, to break down the power of storytelling, podcasting as PR, and how brands can use their voice to scale real influence.

We’re talking:

• The future of podcasting (yes, it’s still growing!)

• Why every brand should think like a media company

• How to launch a show that doesn’t flop at episode 3

• Joe’s biggest wins—and missteps—building a media empire

If you’ve ever said, “I should start a podcast,” this is your sign. Hit play and let’s talk impact, strategy, and owning your lane—one mic at a time.

🎧 Follow @brandincpr and @podtopianetwork for more behind-the-scenes gems.

RESOURCES + LINKS

Get Brandi’s AI-Powered Tool For Pitching Media ⁠Right Here⁠.

Revamp Your Business Foundation with Our Exact Automation Tool That Streamlines Our Communications From Prospects to Media Bookings in Minutes. ⁠Start For Free⁠.

⁠Sign Up for Our Free Weekly Newsletter⁠ & Get Insights From Brandi Bi-Weekly On All Things Brand Strategy, PR, Business Trends + More. 

Drop Us A Review and We’ll Send You ⁠Our 5 Things You Must Have to Be A Media Magnet⁠ FREE (Value $297).

What happens when a top-tier UK journalist-turned-media-trainer drops 30+ years of press wisdom on the mic? You press record—and take notes.

This week on The Brandinc PR Podcast, Brandi Sims chats with Guy Clapperton, host of one of the top 15 futurist podcasts worldwide (yes, number nine), PR industry legend, and a voice of reason for anyone who's ever blanked during a media interview. With roots in Croydon and a résumé that includes coaching executives since 2002, Guy brings a sharp, non-American perspective to how we present ourselves in interviews, from strategy to delivery.

We talk interview disasters (and how to dodge them), American vs. British media personalities, and what your future self needs to know about press prep in 2030.

Tea is optional—but media training tips? Absolutely not.

🎙️ Listen, laugh, and level up your media game.

RESOURCES + LINKS

Get Brandi’s AI-Powered Tool For Pitching Media ⁠Right Here⁠.

Revamp Your Business Foundation with Our Exact Automation Tool That Streamlines Our Communications From Prospects to Media Bookings in Minutes. ⁠Start For Free⁠.

⁠Sign Up for Our Free Weekly Newsletter⁠ & Get Insights From Brandi Bi-Weekly On All Things Brand Strategy, PR, Business Trends + More. 

Drop Us A Review and We’ll Send You ⁠Our 5 Things You Must Have to Be A Media Magnet⁠ FREE (Value $297).

Who really makes the magic happen on tour? Spoiler alert: it’s not just the people on stage.

In this episode of the Brandinc PR Podcast, host Brandi Sims chats with the creator of This Is DeLaCruz, the media platform and YouTube channel giving long-overdue flowers to the touring crew—the front-of-house engineers, techs, and tour managers powering the world’s biggest shows.

We dive into how they built a niche brand from scratch using organic storytelling, real-deal credibility, and strategic partnerships with major names like Guitar Center and Insta360. Plus: how they’re amplifying female professionals through Women on Tour, what it really takes to align with sponsors without selling out, and the unfiltered truth about growing a platform while staying true to your voice.

RESOURCES + LINKS

Get Brandi’s AI-Powered Tool For Pitching Media ⁠Right Here⁠.

Revamp Your Business Foundation with Our Exact Automation Tool That Streamlines Our Communications From Prospects to Media Bookings in Minutes. ⁠Start For Free⁠.

⁠Sign Up for Our Free Weekly Newsletter⁠ & Get Insights From Brandi Bi-Weekly On All Things Brand Strategy, PR, Business Trends + More. 

Drop Us A Review and We’ll Send You Our 5 Things You Must Have to Be A Media Magnet FREE (Value $297).

What does it take to turn a simple idea—like drinking out of a baseball bat—into a multi-million dollar brand? This week on The Brandinc PR Podcast, host Brandi Sims sits down with Kris Dehnert, the powerhouse CEO and co-founder of Dugout Mugs, to talk strategy, sales, and staying grounded while scaling big.

With over $50 million in sales, partnerships with Major League Baseball, and a social media audience of over 3 million followers, Dugout Mugs is far more than a novelty—it’s a case study in brand credibility, social proof, and disruptive marketing done right.

But Kris doesn’t just drop numbers—he drops truth. In this candid conversation, he opens up about:

• Launching Dugout Mugs and the product-market fit that changed everything

• Why social proof (like 60K+ reviews) is more powerful than any pitch

• What he learned from burnout and how it changed his leadership style

• Balancing fatherhood and founder life in the middle of fast-paced growth

• The future of eComm branding and what’s next for his empire

Whether you're a small business owner, startup founder, or brand strategist, this episode is packed with actionable insights on building trust, scaling smart, and staying human in the hustle.

How do you lead when you’re the first — and often the only one — in the room?

In this powerful episode of the Brandinc PR Podcast, Brandi Sims sits down with the incomparable Monique A.J. Smith, a pioneering force in athletics administration and leadership coaching. With over 30 years in the game, Monique has built a dynamic brand across podcasting, publishing, education, and executive training — and she’s just getting started.

Together, they dive into:

• Breaking barriers as one of the first Black women in athletic leadership

• Building a brand that spans generations, platforms, and institutions

• Her mission to elevate Black women’s voices in sports through her podcast and magazine

• Real talk on confidence, visibility, and owning your voice in male-dominated spaces

• Why legacy is not just what you leave behind — it’s what you build now

Whether you’re in sports, PR, or leadership, Monique’s wisdom will leave you fired up and ready to lead louder, bolder, and more unapologetically than ever.

This episode of the Brandinc PR Podcast features a conversation with Aquila Mendez-Valdez, Founder and CEO of Haute in Texas, the award-winning PR and marketing agency behind collaborations with brands like Vogue, Prada, Neiman Marcus, and Orangetheory.

Brandi and Aquila dive into the real, raw, and rewarding sides of entrepreneurship—how Aquila scaled her business to six figures, built a franchise model for other women to launch their own agencies, and juggles motherhood and media with undeniable grace (and grit).

Expect laughs, lessons, and bold truths about building a brand, managing a team, navigating media wins and mishaps, and staying true to your mission in the fast-paced world of PR.

Perfect for anyone growing their brand, dreaming of agency life, or needing that extra push to go all in.

What do presidential campaigns, power ballads, and wedding speeches have in common? Brian Franklin.

In this episode, Brandi chats with the multi-hyphenate co-founder of Vows & Speeches—a wildly creative, award-winning biz that helps people say the right words when it matters most. From advising politicians to helping couples express their vows without sounding like AI, Brian brings the receipts on building a niche brand that actually connects.

We dig into how he went from backstage passes and ballot initiatives to landing press in the New York Times, what it's like building a business with your spouse, and why the best stories are the ones that sound like you.

This one’s for the brand builders, speech givers, and creative pivoteers who believe your voice can be your biggest asset.

The red carpet was hot, the performances were 🔥—but the real story? How the American Music Awards are changing the PR game. In this episode, Brandi breaks down how award shows like the AMAs are no longer just entertainment—they're strategic visibility goldmines.

🎯 From CBS + Paramount+ streaming strategy to red carpet brand collabs and viral TikTok moments, this is your playbook for turning events into PR power moves. Whether your client is on stage or in the crowd, you’ll want to take notes.

Is AI the new PR assistant we never knew we needed… or the reason journalists are ghosting your pitches? In this bold mini-episode, Brandi Sims breaks down the real impact of AI on public relations—from smarter strategy to overdone spam. We’re talking robot-written press releases, fake thought leaders, and what you actually need to know to stay ahead without losing your human touch.

🔥 Whether you love ChatGPT or low-key fear it, this episode is your 15-minute reset on how to keep your PR real in a world of bots.

Tired of feeling like your brand’s playing hide and seek with success? This week, we’re chopping it up with THEGresham “Gresh” Harkless Jr.—the genius behind CBNation and Blue 16 Media. He’s not just preaching visibility, he’s handing out the whole strategy playbook for CEOs, entrepreneurs, and creatives who are ready to shine loud and proud.

From building your biz like a media company (yes, you are the media) to spicy truths about SEO, branding, and web design — we cover it all. Oh, and we even get into the guilty pleasures and marketing buzzwords Gresh thinks deserve early retirement.

Tune in if you’re ready to go from “Who’s that?” to “Book them now.”

🔥 Highlights:

• Why visibility isn’t optional anymore
• The real marketing strategy most people skip
• Client glow-up stories you’ll want to steal
• A mic-drop message every entrepreneur needs to hear

Let’s get into this bold, no-fluff convo with one of the brightest minds in digital media.