In this episode, we’re joined by Jess Connolly—author of over a dozen books, including Breaking Free from Body Shame and Tired of Being Tired, founder of Go + Tell Gals, and lead coach for women building God-centered influence—for an inspiring conversation about calling, clarity, and living out your mission in multiple arenas. 

Jess and her husband, Nick, planted Bright City Church in Charleston, South Carolina, where they live with their four children. She is also the host of The Jess Connolly Podcast, where she inspires women to live missionally, love God deeply, and run their race with endurance. 

With a calling that spans speaking, writing, and coaching, Jess is living proof that you can pursue multiple streams of work while staying anchored to a single heartbeat for your audience and a deep passion for God’s Word. 

If you’ve ever felt the tension of having more than one lane to run in—or wondered how to keep it all connected—this conversation is your roadmap. Jess shares how identifying and staying passionate about her “who” has given her the focus, freedom, and stamina to build a body of work that leaves her generation more in awe of God than she found it. 

We hear it everywhere: “Be authentic.” But what does that actually mean? In this raw and heartfelt episode, AJ Vaden strips away the buzzwords and delivers a truth-bomb definition that will change how you see leadership, trust, and connection forever. Through a deeply personal story—including the lowest point of her life and how she chose her life coach—you’ll learn why your most powerful asset isn’t your highlight reel, but the valleys you’ve walked through. If you’ve ever wondered how to share your story without oversharing, or how to connect with people in a way that makes them lean in and trust you, this conversation will give you the courage—and the clarity—to do it.

Get ready for a masterclass in confidence, storytelling, and presence. Lou Parker—six‑time Emmy‑winning journalist, former Miss USA, and relentless advocate—joins us to reveal how she lifted the crown before she ever held it, pivoted into an unexpected journalism career, and learned the art of thriving under pressure—especially when the mic is live and all eyes are on you.

In this episode, Lou takes us behind the scenes of live television, sharing:

• What “walking into a room with a crown already on your head” really means—and how it built her audacious confidence

• Why forgetting your lines is a gift in disguise—and the subtle power of knowing your story over memorizing every word

• Her funniest on‑air “stretch” moment—and how even catastrophes can become your greatest teaching tools

• Secrets to hitting your point fast in a world glued to short attention spans, from hooks to heartbeats

• The healing power of embracing your imperfect self—beginning with a heartfelt word of “I love you” in the mirror

This conversation isn’t just for media professionals—it’s for anyone chasing their voice and their purpose. Whether you crave better on-camera presence, frictionless self-expression, or the courage to walk into the spotlight, Lou’s journey will embolden your next chapter.

So, grab your mic—whether it’s for Zoom or personal podcast—and step confidently into your light.🌟

What if building a powerful personal brand wasn’t about being seen—but about being true?

In this soul-shifting episode, AJ Vaden sits down with bestselling author and branding powerhouse Jessica Zweig for an unfiltered conversation on what it really takes to build a lasting, meaningful platform. From scaling and failing, to radical reinvention through spiritual alignment, Jessica shares the raw truth behind authentic personal branding—and why your inner work is the key to your outer success.

You’ll learn:

• Why being of service kills ego and attracts your ideal audience

• How to show up online without oversharing or dimming your truth

• The spiritual wake-up call that transformed Jessica’s leadership and lifestyle

• Daily rhythms and mindset shifts to avoid burnout and build sustainable influence

• Why your personal brand is actually your greatest act of empowerment

Whether you’re building a brand or rebuilding your life, this episode is a masterclass in turning your story into service—and your authenticity into impact.

What do you do when your entire business disappears overnight?

In this powerful episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, AJ Vaden sits down with Sarah Robbins—former kindergarten teacher turned billion-dollar network marketing legend—for an unforgettable conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the power of personal branding in direct sales.

Sarah shares her remarkable journey: from passing out skincare samples for $20/hour to building the most successful sales team in the history of her industry. But just one year ago, everything changed. Her company dissolved their sales model, erasing 18 years of work in 60 days.

Now, Sarah is starting over—rebuilding her business from scratch and launching her first book, The Multiply Method, which distills her wisdom into simple, duplicatable systems for social sellers.

You'll hear her biggest lessons on leadership, overcoming setbacks, building momentum, and turning conversations into conversions. Whether you're in direct sales, leadership, or any form of client acquisition—this is the interview you need to hear.

Key takeaways:

• Why "conversations are the new presentations" for modern sales

• How to simplify your systems to scale your team

• What makes a leader worth following (especially when times get tough)

• The mindset shift that helped Sarah go from stuck to unstoppable

If you're navigating a season of uncertainty, loss, or transition, this episode will remind you: your greatest setback can become your greatest setup.

Unlock the hidden power of your brain and break free from burnout, imposter syndrome, and limiting beliefs with Dr. Caroline Leaf—world-renowned neuroscientist, bestselling author, and personal brand powerhouse. In this game-changing episode, Dr. Leaf reveals how mission-driven messengers can manage their minds to overcome anxiety, rewire toxic thinking, and show up powerfully in their purpose.

Discover the truth about mental health and why your emotions aren’t flaws—but signals. Learn how to decode them, shift your mindset in 63 seconds, and reprogram your brain through neuroplasticity. Whether you’re stuck in self-doubt or simply striving to show up as your best self, this conversation offers scientifically backed strategies to help you gain clarity, confidence, and momentum.

This isn’t your typical mental health talk—it's a transformative blend of neuroscience and personal brand strategy you won't hear anywhere else.

What if hustle was hurting your growth, not helping it?

Stephen Scoggins built a nine-figure company, sold it, and now teaches entrepreneurs how to stop being the bottleneck in their own businesses. In this episode, he unpacks the inner friction that keeps even the smartest leaders stuck and the surprising shift that unlocks scale, peace, and purpose.

He also gets real about the 5 invisible constraints that quietly hold leaders hostage and how to shift from proving yourself to building something that actually lasts (with or without you in the room).

If you’re a 6 or 7-figure entrepreneur and wondering what’s next, this episode is for you.

Key Points From This Episode:

Rory Vaden unpacks one of the most important mindset shifts he’s ever made: peace is the new profit. After working with some of the world’s most recognized personal brands — including billionaires, bestselling authors, and global influencers — Rory shares a sobering truth: money and fame don’t create peace. God does.

Whether you’re chasing influence, building a business, or simply trying to find fulfillment, this episode will challenge the very definitions of wealth and success you’ve been taught to believe.

It’s not about getting more. It’s about becoming someone at peace with their purpose.

Most authors stop at writing the book. But what if the book is just the beginning?

In this episode, AJ Vaden sits down with Nick Hutchison, founder of BookThinkers, to reveal the real work that starts after your book is published. Whether you're a seasoned author or launching your first title, this conversation will show you why being best-written means nothing if you're not also best-selling.

They break down:

• Why small podcasts outperform big shows for book sales

• The 3 content formats that actually convert (and how to use them)

• How to structure a 60-second video to sell your book on autopilot

• Why books don’t just share ideas—they start movements

• And the surprising truth about what builds lasting influence

If you're a mission-driven messenger with a book—or a message—you need this episode. And if you're not selling your book, ask yourself: do you really believe in it?

In this powerhouse episode of Build, host Stephen Scoggins sits down with Rory Vaden—New York Times bestselling author, co-founder of Brand Builders Group, and a leading voice in the personal brand world—for a raw, in-depth conversation on what it really takes to be wealthy, well-known, and fulfilled.

From clarifying your unique message to building a brand on trust instead of trends, Rory unpacks the exact steps mission-driven messengers must take to break through the noise—without selling out. They explore how fear often hides behind humility, why personal branding is not about ego, and how surrendering your platform to a higher purpose can radically amplify your impact and income.

You’ll learn:

• The “Sheehan’s Wall” principle that explains why most brands stay stuck

• Why diluted focus = diluted results (and how to fix it)

• The surprising truth about how real wealth is created

• How to monetize deeply without chasing millions of followers

• A simple prayer Rory uses daily to keep his ego in check

If you’ve ever wondered whether your message really matters or if your voice is worthy of being heard—this episode is your permission slip.

🎧 Plus: Grab Rory & AJ Vaden’s free audiobook of Wealthy and Well-Known at

 freebrandaudiobook.com/podcast