From Obscurity to Influence: Rory Vaden on the Path to Becoming Wealthy and Well-Known
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
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The Pain That Prepared Our Purpose: The Untold Story Behind “Wealthy and Well-Known”
In this milestone 600th episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, Rory sits down with his co-author, business partner, and wife—AJ Vaden—for her first-ever author interview. But this isn’t just a book promo. This is the raw, behind-the-scenes story of how Brand Builders Group was born in the ashes of unexpected loss, career heartbreak, and spiritual refinement. AJ vulnerably opens up about being fired from the company she helped build, the moment she realized her identity was misplaced, and the childhood trauma that shaped her purpose. You’ll hear about the divine timing of a single phone call from Lewis Howes, the quiet miracle of provision during crisis, and how a stranger’s words unlocked a lifelong belief about her worth. This episode is a masterclass in personal transformation—what it means to rebuild, to be refined, and to serve others from your story’s deepest wounds. Whether you're an entrepreneur, author, coach, or just someone trying to figure out who you really are… this episode will meet you there. 🎧 Listen to discover: Why identity—not strategy—is the foundation of personal branding The spiritual side of starting over How Brand Builders Group rose from rock bottom What “Wealthy and Well-Known” truly means—and why peace is the new profit The one phrase that may reframe your entire past 🔥 Plus: Get the audiobook free at FreeBrandAudiobook.com/podcast
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3 Hacks to Help You Persevere Through Trials
Why do some people give up while others rise and keep going? In this episode, Rory Vaden shares three battle-tested mindset hacks that the world’s top achievers use to overcome the impossible—and keep showing up long after others quit. You’ll hear: The #1 mindset shift that ultra-successful people share Why falling in love with the daily grind is the real secret to growth How to turn hard moments into long-term competitive advantage The “Law of the Moat” and how your toughest trials become your greatest protection A behind-the-scenes reflection on Rory’s interview with $700M+ entrepreneurs Mike and Kass Lazerow Whether you're building a business, chasing a dream, or just trying to stay afloat, this episode is your reminder: Perseverance is the goal. No matter how hard it gets, the people who win are the ones who stay in the fight. This is how they do it.
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Scaling 8 and 9 Figure Businesses with Mike and Kass Lazerow
What’s the difference between influencers who look successful… and entrepreneurs who actually are? In this riveting episode, Rory sits down with Mike and Kass Lazerow, the powerhouse husband-and-wife duo behind multiple high-impact businesses—including Buddy Media, which they sold to Salesforce for $745 million. They’ve helped scale companies like Scopely ($5B exit) and Liquid Death, advised countless founders, and now they’re opening up like never before about what it really takes to build a business that lasts. From burning out on the way to $50M in ARR in just three years, to rebuilding after failed exits and learning how to balance marriage, money, mission, and meaning—this conversation is a raw, honest, and deeply insightful masterclass in entrepreneurship. You’ll learn: Why going viral isn’t the same as building enterprise value The “swamp” that traps 7-figure personal brands—and how to escape it How to scale without breaking your marriage or your soul Why building systems beats hiring saviors The cheat code they wish they’d used sooner (and how you can now) Why “shoveling the crap” is the real secret to success Plus, hear their take on personal branding, reputation, and why real impact doesn’t always trend on TikTok—but it changes lives. If you’re serious about entrepreneurship, leadership, or building something that outlasts you, this is a must-listen. 🎧 Grab their new book — Shoveling Bleep: A Love Story About the Entrepreneur’s Messy Path to Success
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Why More Is Not Always Better: The Truth About Vanity Metrics vs. Real Growth
We live in a world obsessed with more—more followers, more likes, more views, more subscribers, more clients, more money. But what if more isn’t what you need? What if more is actually costing you peace, clarity, focus… and real results? In this powerful solo episode, AJ Vaden flips the script on one of the most deeply ingrained assumptions in marketing and entrepreneurship: that bigger is always better. Drawing from a recent conversation with long-time friend and marketing leader Lee Pepper, AJ dives deep into the difference between vanity metrics and real growth indicators—and why chasing the wrong metrics could be the very thing holding you back. If you've ever found yourself: Feeling pressure to "go viral" without knowing why Posting endlessly but getting no real traction Confused about what social media metrics actually matter Burnt out trying to “scale” a business you’re not equipped to handle Overwhelmed by more noise, more platforms, and more expectations …this episode is your wake-up call. You'll learn: ✅ Why “more” often brings more pressure, not more peace ✅ The hidden cost of chasing likes, followers, and superficial numbers ✅ The core real metrics that actually grow your personal brand and business ✅ How to turn existing engagement into real conversions and paying clients ✅ A simple mindset shift that could transform your marketing strategy overnight ✅ Why focusing on fewer platforms can generate more impact and income ✅ How doing less with intention outperforms doing more without purpose AJ reminds us that true influence isn’t measured by impressions—it’s measured by impact. And in this episode, she’ll help you reclaim your time, focus, and revenue by aligning your metrics with your mission. 🎧 Whether you're just starting your personal brand or scaling into your next level of influence, this is an episode you'll want to revisit again and again. 👉 Listen now and discover why being better is always more important than being bigger.
Build and monetize your personal brand. This show is full of some of the best marketing tips for (aspiring) influencers, entrepreneurs, speakers, authors, coaches, executives, and anyone who wants to get their message out to more people. You’ll learn the strategies and tactics that any service-minded messenger can use to find their uniqueness and separate from all the noise to create more impact, influence, and income. Each episode is hosted by New York Times bestselling author and Hall of Fame Speaker Rory Vaden, and his wife, business partner and CEO of Brand Builders Group, AJ Vaden. Brand Builders Group is trusted by people like Lewis Howes (School of Greatness Podcast), Julie Solomon (The Influencer Podcast), and Chalene Johnson (Build Your Tribe Podcast) to provide personal branding expertise for themselves and/or their audiences.
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