This is Not Content Podcast

Does pretty privilege really exist? Does the way you dress affect how people treat you? And do you really need designer clothes to look expensive?This week on This Is Not Content, I'm joined by fashion, beauty, and lifestyle creator Helecia Will (@heleciawill), also known as the queen of giving a look, for a conversation about personal style, luxury fashion, confidence, and the reality of being a content creator.We're getting into everything from looking expensive on a budget and shopping at Ross to designer dupes, fashion trends, and why first impressions matter more than people want to admit.Helecia also shares her journey from natural hair YouTuber to fashion and lifestyle creator, how she developed her signature personal style, and what years of creating content have taught her about social media, AI, and building a career online.In this episode, we're talking about:Pretty privilege and how appearance influences the way people treat youHow to look expensive without spending designer moneyLuxury fashion versus designer dupesFinding your personal style instead of following every trendRewearing outfits and why there's nothing wrong with itThe rise of natural hair and the knotless braid obsessionWhy highly produced content doesn't always perform on social mediaThe truth about working as a full-time content creatorAI influencers, digital privacy, and relationships offlineWhether you love fashion, beauty, lifestyle conversations, or just a good hot take, there's something in this episode for you.Now I want to know: Do you think people treat you differently based on how you look? Let's talk about it in the comments. 👀Make sure you're subscribed to This Is Not Content for new conversations about life, social media, relationships, culture, and everything that happens when the cameras aren't rolling.🎙️ Watch and listen on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thisisnotcontentpodFollow our guest: @heleciawillFollow your host: @ebonyk.thomas

What does it really mean to be THAT girl? From luxury travel and dating standards to building a business and living life on your own terms, we're getting into all of it.This week on This Is Not Content, I'm joined by Jakhia G, lifestyle creator and co-founder of PEAQ, an event planning agency specializing in creating unforgettable experiences.We're talking about the reality behind the luxury lifestyle you see on social media, why some men feel intimidated by confident women, and what it takes to turn your vision into a business.In this episode, we're getting into:- Luxury travel, girls' trips, and why everybody isn't your travel buddy- Dating standards and recognizing men who try to humble successful women- Building PEAQ and the real cost of planning luxury events- The pressure to look perfect and maintain a certain lifestyle online- Designer fashion, African designers, and developing your personal style- Why luxury isn't always about how much money you spend- Entrepreneurship, business partnerships, and building your dream life- Why Jakhia refuses to post the men she's datingWhether you're building a business, entering your it girl era, or just figuring out what you want out of life, this conversation is for you.ABOUT THIS IS NOT CONTENTThis Is Not Content is a video podcast hosted by Ebony K. Thomas, where we talk about the parts of life and building in public that don't always make it online. From relationships and lifestyle to entrepreneurship, social media, and everything in between, we're having the conversations worth having.Subscribe so you don't miss the next episode!CONNECT WITH JAKHIA GInstagram: @_jakhiagTikTok: @_jakhiagCONNECT WITH EBONYInstagram: @ebonyk.thomasTikTok: @ebonyk.thomasFOLLOW THIS IS NOT CONTENTInstagram: @thisisnotcontentpodListen and subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

What does it really take to build a career as a content creator? In this episode of This Is Not Content, Ebony sits down with Houston lifestyle creator Crystal for an honest conversation about brand deals, networking, pivoting your niche, creator burnout, influencer income, and why everything doesn't belong on social media.

They discuss:

• Why networking creates bigger opportunities than content alone
• The truth about food creator brand deals
• Pivoting from one niche to lifestyle content
• Saying no to brands that don't align
• Why creators shouldn't accept every partnership
• Balancing a corporate career with content creation
• The pressure behind paid collaborations
• Why some parts of life should stay offline

If you're a creator, entrepreneur, or aspiring influencer looking to grow your brand while staying authentic, this conversation is for you.

Subscribe for new episodes of This Is Not Content, where creators, founders, and entrepreneurs share the stories that never make it to Instagram.

What does it really look like to build a career as a content creator while working a full-time job?

In this episode of This Is Not Content, Ebony sits down with lifestyle creator and Pilates instructor Micah for an honest conversation about balancing Corporate America, content creation, beauty standards, wellness, entrepreneurship, and the pressure to "have it all."

Together they talk about:

• Why most creators still work 9–5 jobs
• The truth about social media and comparison
• Creator burnout and productivity
• Beauty standards and wellness culture
• Building a personal brand while working full-time
• Why faith, routines, and boundaries matter
• The reality behind becoming a full-time creator

If you've ever wondered how creators balance everything—or you're trying to build your own dream while keeping your day job—this conversation is for you.

Subscribe for weekly conversations about the parts of building in public that nobody posts online.

What does it actually take to build a career as a content creator? In this episode of This Is Not Content, Ebony Thomas sits down with Houston creator Ania to talk about the realities of building a brand online—from sponsored content and brand partnerships to SEO, algorithms, creator burnout, and the business behind social media.We discuss:• How creators get brand deals• The truth about sponsored posts• Should creators post negative reviews?• Going viral (and why it isn't always a good thing)• Getting paid as a creator• Late brand payments and creator contracts• TikTok SEO tips for growing your audience• Recording content in public• Creator burnout and protecting your peace• Why creators have to keep pivotingWhether you're an aspiring influencer, content creator, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the creator economy, this conversation offers an honest look at what happens behind the scenes.🎙️ Subscribe for weekly conversations about the parts of content people don't usually post online.

Everyone says to "get in the room," but no one talks about what happens once you're actually there.In this episode of This Is Not Content, Ebony sits down with lifestyle creator @itslifewithgiana to talk about why people are craving real-life connection again. From networking events and creator culture to building community, personal branding, and navigating life online, this conversation explores what social media can't replace.They discuss:- Why influence isn't the same as access- The reality of networking as a creator- Building meaningful community online and offline- Personal branding beyond social media- The importance of authentic relationships- Why everyone is prioritizing in-person experiences- Finding your place in new cities- Creating spaces where people genuinely connectIf you're building your career, your brand, or your life in public, this episode is for you.Subscribe for honest conversations about the reality of building in public and everything that comes with it

What really happens after reality TV? The cameras stop rolling but the expectations don't.In this episode of This Is Not Content, Ebony sits down with Jadejha, known for her appearance on Netflix's The Circle, for an honest conversation about the hidden side of reality TV fame. From parasocial relationships and internet entitlement to protecting her marriage, navigating corporate America, and setting boundaries online, Jadejha shares the parts of her story that never made it to social media.They discuss:What life is really like after reality TVThe hidden cost of becoming a public figureWhy Jadejha keeps her marriage privateParasocial relationships and fan expectationsBeing asked "Where's your husband?" on every postWhy women are often reduced to marriage and motherhoodBalancing a career in tech with a public platformThe pressure to share everything onlineProtecting your peace while building in publicIf you've ever wondered what happens after the cameras stop rolling or questioned how much access audiences should have to creators and public figures this conversation is for you.About This Is Not ContentThis Is Not Content is a podcast about the reality of building in public and the parts of success, creativity, and life that don't make it onto social media. Hosted by Ebony, each episode features honest conversations with creators, entrepreneurs, and public figures about what happens behind the posts✨ Subscribe for new episodes every week.

In this episode of This Is Not Content, we break down the reality of the creator economy including what it really takes to be a content creator, the burnout no one talks about, and why viral content doesn’t always equal income.We talk about:- Why viral content doesn’t pay the bills- The truth behind the creator economy- Burnout in content creation and social media marketing- Why creators don’t always get credit for their work- The blurred lines between content creators, strategists, and social media managers- What it really looks like building a career onlineThis conversation pulls back the curtain on what it really means to build a career in the digital space—and why so many creators are rethinking how they work, create, and sustain themselves.If you’re a content creator, entrepreneur, or interested in the social media industry, this episode is for you.Subscribe to *This Is Not Content* for unfiltered conversations about content, business, and the creator economy.

In this episode of This Is Not Content, Ebony sits down with creator Asia to discuss the rise of faith-based creators, Christian TikTok, and the pressure to turn every personal experience into content.Together, they explore performative Christianity, creator burnout, oversharing, identity, and why not everything God reveals is meant to be shared online.In this episode:- Has Christianity become a trend?- Private obedience vs public ministry- Christian TikTok and social media culture- Why everyone wants a platform- Creator burnout and identity- Oversharing and authenticity online- Why some things should stay private- Protecting your peace as a creatorThis Is Not Content is a podcast about the parts of content people don't post online.Subscribe for new episodes every week.

In this episode of This Is Not Content, we sit down with an aesthetic nurse practitioner to unpack the reality of Botox, fillers, and the growing pressure around beauty in today’s social media-driven world.From clients hiding treatments from their partners, to conversations about whether beauty has become part of entrepreneurship, this discussion gets honest about what’s really happening behind the scenes of the aesthetics industry.We also break down:- The difference between Botox and fillers- Why people get cosmetic treatments- Social media’s impact on beauty standards- When aesthetic enhancements go too far- The ethics of working in the beauty industryThis is a real conversation about beauty, identity, and the pressure to “look the part” online.If you’re interested in aesthetics, social media culture, or the intersection of beauty and business, this episode will give you a perspective you haven’t heard before.Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about content, culture, and modern identity.

Follow @thisisnotcontentpod on Instagram.