Why I Social

On this week's episode of the Why I Social Podcast, Chris speaks with Jenny Li Fowler, Director of Social Media Strategy at MIT. Jenny has spent nearly two decades in digital marketing with more than a decade in Higher Education. Her experience in working with organic social media led to her writing "Organic Social Media - How To Build Flourishing Online Communities". Highlights of the discussion include:

• Building a career in Higher Education
• The power of community and organic social media
• The experience of writing and promoting a book
• Why working social media groups - work.

Learn why Jenny socials on this week's episode! Jenny's Links:

• LinkedIn
• Organic Social Media - How To Build Flourishing Online Communities

Join The Why I Social Community Discord: https://discord.gg/GsB6rhHr Read and Subscribe to the latest Why I Social Newsletter [LinkedIn] About our sponsor: The National Institute for Social Media (NISM) empowers marketing professionals to elevate their social media expertise through industry-recognized certification. NISM provides comprehensive training designed to build confidence, credibility, and credentials while fostering a global community of practice and collaboration among social media professionals. Learn more about how you can advance your career at https://nismonline.org/ The Why I Social theme song was created by Benjo Beats and may not be used outside of this podcast.

On this week's episode of the Why I Social Podcast, Chris speaks with Sue Serna, Founder of Serna Social. Sue began her career as a journalist and has since become an expert in social media governance, security, and risk. She also served as the head of global social media at Cargill. With a focus on smart, safer social media - you'll learn more than a few tricks of the trade from Sue. Highlights of the discussion include:

• Recommendations on tools to keep your social media platforms safe
• Insights into experiences as a hiring manager for social media roles
• Why journalism experience translates into effective social media managers

Learn why Sue socials on this week's episode! Sue's Links:

• LinkedIn
• 8 Takeaways from the NISM 2024 Social Media Job Study
• Serna Social Website
• Serna Social Blog

Join The Why I Social Community Discord: https://discord.gg/GsB6rhHr About our sponsor: The National Institute for Social Media (NISM) empowers marketing professionals to elevate their social media expertise through industry-recognized certification. NISM provides comprehensive training designed to build confidence, credibility, and credentials while fostering a global community of practice and collaboration among social media professionals. Learn more about how you can advance your career at https://nismonline.org/ The Why I Social theme song was created by Benjo Beats and may not be used outside of this podcast.

On this week's episode of the Why I Social Podcast, Chris speaks with Alex Hultgren, fractional CMO and author. From Ford's leadership program to his career as a fractional CMO, Hultgren offers a wealth of knowledge that will help inspire others as they look to build their career. His book "The Three Knows" - which came out in January 2025 - distills everything you need to know down to three fundamental questions: do you know your customer, do you know yourself, and do you know your funnel (e.g. your go-to-market execution). Highlights of the discussion include:

• His experience with Ford's leadership program
• Developing his career growth through soft skills and why they matter
• How to transition from contributor to manager
• The benefits of working independently
• The Three "Knows" of Marketing

Learn why Alex socials on this week's episode! Dan's Links:

• LinkedIn
• The Three Knows (Amazon)

Join The Why I Social Community Discord: https://discord.gg/GsB6rhHr About our sponsor: The National Institute for Social Media (NISM) empowers marketing professionals to elevate their social media expertise through industry-recognized certification. NISM provides comprehensive training designed to build confidence, credibility, and credentials while fostering a global community of practice and collaboration among social media professionals. Learn more about how you can advance your career at https://nismonline.org/ The Why I Social theme song was created by Benjo Beats and may not be used outside of this podcast.

On this week's episode of the Why I Social Podcast, Chris speaks with Dan LaToracca, who currently serves as Marketing Director at Zoomph. Dan's previous work includes social and leadership roles with the Carolina Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes. Highlights of the discussion include:

• Building a career in the sports media industry
• What he's learned in his role as an adjunct teacher
• How the sports industry has drastically changed since he began his career
• The expected and unexpected in content preparation
• The importance of data in sport's social media - and how to build multiple pieces of content from major moments

Learn why Dan socials on this week's episode! Dan's Links:

• LinkedIn
• Zoomph

Join The Why I Social Community Discord: https://discord.gg/GsB6rhHr About our sponsor: The National Institute for Social Media (NISM) empowers marketing professionals to elevate their social media expertise through industry-recognized certification. NISM provides comprehensive training designed to build confidence, credibility, and credentials while fostering a global community of practice and collaboration among social media professionals. Learn more about how you can advance your career at https://nismonline.org/ The Why I Social theme song was created by Benjo Beats and may not be used outside of this podcast.

On this week's episode of the Why I Social Podcast, Chris speaks with a three-time guest on the podcast dating back to 2015 as Casie Shimansky returns to podcast. Shimanksky's experience in social media and the digital marketing profession offers a wealth of knowledge. Highlights of the discussion include:

• How to successfully manage a layoff
• A decade worth of social media changes
• How she has raised nearly 200k for childhood cancer research
• and much more...

Learn why Casie socials on this week's episode! Casie's Links:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• St. Baldrick's Foundation (FB)

Join The Why I Social Community Discord: https://discord.gg/PgHcZNfK About our sponsor: The National Institute for Social Media (NISM) empowers marketing professionals to elevate their social media expertise through industry-recognized certification. NISM provides comprehensive training designed to build confidence, credibility, and credentials while fostering a global community of practice and collaboration among social media professionals. Learn more about how you can advance your career at https://nismonline.org/ The Why I Social theme song was created by Benjo Beats and may not be used outside of this podcast.

On this week's episode of the Why I Social Podcast, Chris speaks with healthcare communications practitioner Robbie Schneider, author of "Social Media, Sanity & You." Highlights of the discussion include:

• Her career in Healthcare Communication
• The importance of mental health for social media professionals
• Her book writing journey
• and much more...

Quotable Moment: "Changes happen constantly. When you work in the social media space, it is the biggest game of Tetris you'll ever play."

Learn why Robbie socials on this week's episode! Robbie's Links:

• Purchase your copy of Social Media, Sanity & You today
  • Kindle Edition
  • Paperback Edition

Join The Why I Social Community Discord: https://discord.gg/PgHcZNfK About our sponsor: The National Institute for Social Media (NISM) empowers marketing professionals to elevate their social media expertise through industry-recognized certification. NISM provides comprehensive training designed to build confidence, credibility, and credentials while fostering a global community of practice and collaboration among social media professionals. Learn more about how you can advance your career at https://nismonline.org/ The Why I Social theme song was created by Benjo Beats and may not be used outside of this podcast.

Chris speaks with Callie Goodwin, Founder of Sparks of Joy and Communications Manager at ZeeMee. Callie shares highlights of her career from being a team of one in Higher Education to building a small business on TikTok. Learn why Callie socials on this week's episode! Callie's Links:

• Sparks of Joy
• TikTok (The LoseIt Log)

Join The Why I Social Community Discord: https://discord.gg/PgHcZNfK About our sponsor: The National Institute for Social Media (NISM) empowers marketing professionals to elevate their social media expertise through industry-recognized certification. NISM provides comprehensive training designed to build confidence, credibility, and credentials while fostering a global community of practice and collaboration among social media professionals. Learn more about how you can advance your career at https://nismonline.org/ The Why I Social theme song was created by Benjo Beats and may not be used outside of this podcast.

We're excited to announce the OFFICIAL return of the Why I Social Podcast - with full sponsorship from the National Institute for Social Media. Hear Chris' discussion with Jen Radke, CEO of NISM, as we share what's new and what's the same - and tease the first official episode in two weeks featuring Callie Goodwin. About our sponsor: The National Institute for Social Media (NISM) empowers marketing professionals to elevate their social media expertise through industry-recognized certification. NISM provides comprehensive training designed to build confidence, credibility, and credentials while fostering a global community of practice and collaboration among social media professionals. Learn more about how you can advance your career at https://nismonline.org/ The Why I Social theme song was created by Benjo Beats and may not be used outside of this podcast.

Chris Sully (@CSSully) is Marketing Manager at Funko. He's also the co-owner of Nerd FU. He is the host/co-host of multiple podcasts including Funko's Funkast. His journey to Funko (his number one job) is one that will inspire many to chase their dreams.

[The Why I Social Podcast is sponsored by the National Institute for Social Media (NISM). You can learn more about their programs at nismonline.org.]

Hear his story on this week's episode. And of course, Why Does He Social?!

Share your thoughts on this week's episode with #WhyISocial Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Google or Spotify. Follow at @WhyISocial. Connect with Chris on Twitter Connect With Chris on LinkedIn.

If you know someone who deserves their story told, let me know! Tweet me at @CBarrows or @WhyISocial using #WhyISocialGuest

Alesia Hendley (@TheSmoothFactor on Twitter) is an audio-visual operator and multi-media journalist. She is a co-host for the Social Slice (learn more at socialslice.io) and has a passion for technology (especially audio-visual). Alesia was also recommended to the podcast by alum Brad Parler.

[The Why I Social Podcast is sponsored by the National Institute for Social Media (NISM). You can learn more about their programs at nismonline.org.]

Hear her story on this week's episode. And of course, Why Does She Social?!

Share your thoughts on this week's episode with #WhyISocial Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Google or Spotify. Follow at @WhyISocial. Connect with Amy on Twitter Connect With Amy on LinkedIn.

If you know someone who deserves their story told, let me know! Tweet me at @CBarrows or @WhyISocial using #WhyISocialGuest