Why I Social

For the first time in Why I Social history, this week's podcast features not one, but two guests! Cody and Katie Stevenson.

The pair is a married couple who I've had the pleasure of getting to know (as well as host at my house for a BBQ earlier this summer). They're perhaps best known for some of their great travel stories which caught my attention early on. Both are proficient in social media as a relationship building platform. Most recently, Cody launched his own podcast (Big Rigs and Pancakes) which focuses on conversations and getting to know people. It's the anti-social, Why I Social, and it's fantastic.

This Week On Why I Social, Cody, Katie and I talk about:

• Starting a podcast
• Traveling across the country
• ...and of course, how they met.

• Twitter:
  • @TheCodyVision (Cody)
  • @KatieS914 (Katie)
  • @brppodcast (Podcast)

As always, share YOUR thoughts on the latest episode using #WhyISocial. Of course, you're also invited to subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio if you'd like to get updates when the latest episode is live.

You can also follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhyISocial. Thank you to BenjoBeats (@BenjoBeats) and Jeff Januszek (@JeffJanuszek) for their contributions (music and voiceover) to the podcast.

• iTunes (Direct Link)
• Stitcher Radio (Direct Link)

Albert Qian (@albertqian) is Global Marketing and Communications Manager at Ingram Micro located in Silicon Valley. His list of experiences and jobs showcase his unique set of skills and his networking capabilities. I first encountered Albert while being a guest on MCEOTalk (on the same episode as him) and immediately found myself fascinated by what he was doing.

His work, in particular on a project called Albert's List, truly put other people first. It was an innovative use of social media that deserved attention. Quite frankly, I wanted to learn more. On this episode of Why I Social, you'll learn more along with me.

• How failure led to success
• Living in the Silicon Valley
• Albert's List

• Twitter: @albertqian

As always, share YOUR thoughts on the latest episode using #WhyISocial. Of course, you're also invited to subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio if you'd like to get updates when the latest episode is live.

You can also follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhyISocial. Thank you to BenjoBeats (@BenjoBeats) and Jeff Januszek (@JeffJanuszek) for their contributions (music and voiceover) to the podcast.

Amanda Pensack (@RoxyDigital) is marketing director at ECM Solutions in North Carolina. Her career includes stints as a social media and digital producer for WSOC-TV as well as founder of Roxy Digital - to name a few. She's a real go-getter who's career focus should take her a long way. Perhaps what interested me most about Amanda is her involvement with Social Roadtrip - which was also mentioned on episode 29 with Joel Renner - and her passion for connecting people. Her energy and interest in helping others build relationship immediately drew my attention.

• Improv acting
• Being a millennial
• Social Roadtrip

As always, share YOUR thoughts on the latest episode using #WhyISocial. Of course, you're also invited to subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio if you'd like to get updates when the latest episode is live.

You can also follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhyISocial. Thank you to BenjoBeats (@BenjoBeats) and Jeff Januszek (@JeffJanuszek) for their contributions (music and voiceover) to the podcast.

A few weeks ago, I began asking you, the listener to tell me your favorite #WhyISocial moment. Just three weeks later, I've put together a collection of all the moments you included (or as many of them as I could).

It wasn't enough, however, to include just your favorite moments. I wanted to include YOU. Each moment is introduced to you by the person whom suggested it so you'll hear first-hand why it's been recommended!

So, sit back and enjoy YOUR favorite moments and if yours isn't included take a moment to use #WhyISocial to share it after the podcast is over.

• Casie Shimansky
• Carlos Gil
• Tim McDonald
• Ted Rubin

As always, share YOUR thoughts on the latest episode using #WhyISocial. Of course, you're also invited to subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio if you'd like to get updates when the latest episode is live.

You can also follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhyISocial. Thank you to BenjoBeats (@BenjoBeats) and Jeff Januszek (@JeffJanuszek) for their contributions (music and voiceover) to the podcast.

Working in career services can offer a range of challenges. Just because you work in career services, however, doesn't mean you work on resumes all day. Joel Renner is Manager, Digital Strategy and Career Services at George Washington University.

Joel has managed social media for some time, but did not have his own personal account until recently. When he began to tweet, I notice him almost immediately. In particular, his methodology of growing his personal brand while starting his personal Twitter account was unique and has been highly successful.

Additionally, he has spent the bulk of his career in higher education, but on the podcast he shares his insights into his world which includes cooking, soccer and his passion for connecting people

• Living in Alaska
• Working in higher education and career services
• His Twitter connection process
• And much, much more...

• Twitter (Personal): @JoelRRenner

As always, share YOUR thoughts on the latest episode using #WhyISocial. Of course, you're also invited to subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio if you'd like to get updates when the latest episode is live.

You can also follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhyISocial. Thank you to BenjoBeats (@BenjoBeats) and Jeff Januszek (@JeffJanuszek) for their contributions (music and voiceover) to the podcast.

When you think of the social media terminology "Human to Human", you think of Bryan Kramer. Bryan is the author of "There is No B2B or B2C: It's Human to Human #H2H" and "Shareology".

I've had the pleasure of chatting with Bryan here or there in the past two years on Twitter. My conversation with him on this week's episode was further proof that Bryan is a CEO who practices what he preaches.

From TED Talks to Keynote address, Bryan has established himself as a leader in the science of sharing. To be honest, he's quite frankly just a fun guy to talk with.

• How one prepares for a TED Talk
• The difference between writing your first and second book
• ...and much much more

• Twitter (Personal): @bryankramer
• Bryan's Blog: http://www.bryankramer.com/
• Amazon Author Page

As always, share YOUR thoughts on the latest episode using #WhyISocial. Of course, you're also invited to subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio if you'd like to get updates when the latest episode is live.

You can also follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhyISocial. Thank you to BenjoBeats (@BenjoBeats) and Jeff Januszek (@JeffJanuszek) for their contributions (music and voiceover) to the podcast.

Video has been a popular topic as of late. With the rise of streaming video, it seems like you can't avoid the topic. Amy Schmittauer knows video and runs Savvy Sexy Social with the goal of empowering brands to embrace their personality and share it with the world! Her insights on branding, marketing and social media caught my attention following an episode of #MCEOTalk.

Get to know Amy as we discuss the challenges of running an event, creating a great video and memes!

Connect with Amy

• Twitter (Personal): @schmittastic
• Twitter (YouTube Channel): @savvysexysocial
• YouTube: SavvySexySocial

As always, share YOUR thoughts on the latest episode using #WhyISocial. Of course, you're also invited to subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio if you'd like to get updates when the latest episode is live. You can also follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhyISocial.

Thank you to BenjoBeats (@BenjoBeats) and Jeff Januszek (@JeffJanuszek) for their contributions (music and voiceover) to the podcast.

Sometimes you connect with someone on social media and instantly connect. That was the case when I met Casie (that's Kay-Cee) Shimansky. It could have been our shared fandom of comics. It may have been our passion for social media. It is possibly the fact that we both support many of the same causes. Here's what else you should know. Casie has worked in social media for most of her career. She's an empowered individual who is making a difference in the world. In particular, her work with the St. Baldrick's Foundation is inspiring.

Get to know Casie as we discuss working in theme parks, Social Shake-up 2015 and girl geekdom. Note: We also discuss pizza because she's from New Jersey originally and by audience request are required to continue the New York versus Chicago pizza debate.

Connect with Casie

• Twitter: @TheNameIsCasie

As always, share YOUR thoughts on the latest episode using #WhyISocial. Of course, you're also invited to subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio if you'd like to get updates when the latest episode is live. You can also follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhyISocial.

Thank you to BenjoBeats (@BenjoBeats) and Jeff Januszek (@JeffJanuszek) for their contributions (music and voiceover) to the podcast.

You name the industry and there's a good chance Gary J. Nix has worked in it. After 18+ years in traditional and digital marketing, he's currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer for bdot. My first opportunity to finally meet Gary in person came at this year's Social Media Week in New York City. He's a member of Social Media United Nations (much like previous guests Sid Hassim and Amy Vernon) and all-around good guy (with a side of snark).

Get to know Gary as we discuss buzzwords, sports logos and the growth of Social Media Week.

Connect with Gary

• Twitter: @Mr_McFly

As always, share YOUR thoughts on the latest episode using #WhyISocial. Of course, you're also invited to subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio if you'd like to get updates when the latest episode is live. You can also follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhyISocial.

Thank you to BenjoBeats (@BenjoBeats) and Jeff Januszek (@JeffJanuszek) for their contributions (music and voiceover) to the podcast.

A few weeks ago when I initially recorded this episode, Sherrie Rohde had just started a new job as Magento's Community Manager. This week, she just completed her move for that same position. It's truly an honor to help celebrate her success by sharing it with the Why I Social community. Sherrie first caught my attention through her amazing work with My Community Manager and #CMGRHangout (every Friday on Twitter and Google Hangouts).

Get to know Sherrie as we discuss Myers-Briggs, My Community Manager and tabletop gaming!

Connect with Sherrie

• Twitter: @SherrieRohde

As always, share YOUR thoughts on the latest episode using #WhyISocial. Of course, you're also invited to subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio if you'd like to get updates when the latest episode is live. You can also follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhyISocial.

Thank you to BenjoBeats (@BenjoBeats) and Jeff Januszek (@JeffJanuszek) for their contributions (music and voiceover) to the podcast.