Workfluencer: Personal Branding & Content Creation

Content creation burnout is real, and most professionals don’t realize they’re heading toward it until it’s too late.

In this episode, Rhona sits down with internal communications and employee experience consultant Jo Coxhill to talk about content creation burnout, chasing the LinkedIn algorithm, and what happens when that same pressure shows up inside employee advocacy programs.

If you’re building a personal brand while running a business, or leading employee-generated content (EGC) strategy,  this conversation will challenge how you think about visibility, consistency, and workplace culture.

What You’ll Learn

W...

Starting a podcast while working full-time requires a different strategy than the usual “quit and go all in” advice.

In this episode, Lee Cage Jr. shares how he built and monetized a podcast while working full-time as a Director at BDO, serving in the National Guard, and speaking at conferences.

Together, Rhona and Lee break down what it actually takes to start a podcast while employed — from choosing a short-form format to attracting sponsors without obsessing over download numbers.

This conversation covers podcast monetization, corporate visibility, and how to build influence without compromising your c...

What does it take to build a personal brand as a Black woman in corporate America?

In this episode of Workfluencer, I sit down with Keirsten Greggs, founder of Trap Recruiter, to talk about visibility, authority, and what happens when you stop editing yourself.

We discuss:

Being told not to name her brand “Trap Recruiter” — and building it anyway.

The moment she stopped editing herself to make others comfortable

What happens when your brand starts to eclipse your personal identity

Walking into rooms where people still look for th...

Building a creator career after corporate layoffs comes with pressure most people don’t talk about.
In this episode, Madison Butler breaks down what it really means to build a creator career after corporate when content becomes your income, not your hobby.

Together, Rhona and Madison unpack what happens when professionals—especially Black women—are pushed out of corporate roles and forced to build visibility, stability, and leverage online in real time.

This isn’t about going viral. It’s about survival, grief, monetization, and staying honest when the algorithm doesn’t play fair.

You’ll...

What do you do when you’re supposed to post… and you just can’t?

In this episode, Rhona Pierce sits down with Jeffrey Fermin for an honest conversation about creating content during moments of exhaustion, fear, and emotional overload. Not burnout. Not strategy hacks. Just real talk about what it feels like to show up online when the world feels heavy and your energy is gone.

This isn’t an episode about forcing consistency. It’s about knowing when to pause, how to protect your energy, and how creators decide what not to post.

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Becoming a TEDx speaker isn’t about a single moment on stage.It’s about the process that comes before it.

In this episode, Bobby McNeil walks through what it actually takes to become a TEDx speaker while working full-time. From deciding to apply, to shaping the idea, to confronting the emotional and time demands most people underestimate.

Bobby shares lessons from his first TEDx experience alongside the parallel journey of writing his first book, Cracking the Code. Not as a playbook. As lived experience.

What You'll Learn:

What happens before you...

What if you could build real industry authority, grow your network, and create long-term leverage — without a team, a budget, or paid promotion?

In this episode, Benjamin Mena breaks down how he built a 600+ person virtual summit completely solo, while still running a full recruiting desk.

You’ll hear how he designed summits that actually attract the right people, why keeping live access free increases trust and engagement, and how curating other experts helped him build influence without putting himself front and center.

This conversation is a practical playbook for anyone who wants to u...

Most internal comms get ignored. Deleted emails. Skimmed Slack posts. Zero follow-through. HR Leader, Lia Seth flipped that script.

In this episode, we break down how she used memes, creator instincts, and vulnerability to get 100% employee open enrollment completed 24 hours early. Yes. Really.

She wasn’t thinking like HR. She was thinking like a content creator.

We get tactical. We get honest. And we talk about when this approach works, and when it absolutely doesn’t.

What You’ll Learn

Why traditional internal comms fail

How memes drive...

Is CEO content building trust, or just embarrassing the brand?

CEOs are posting more than ever. But not all visibility builds trust.

In this Workfluencer Trend Report, Rhona breaks down a recent CNBC article questioning whether CEOs trying to be influencers is smart leadership or pure cringe.

Using real examples of executive backlash, this episode explores why some CEO content backfires, why others work, and how trust has become the most important currency in the AI era.

This isn’t about telling leaders to stop posting. It’s about understanding what audi...

Candidates don’t decide to trust your company when they read a job post. They decide long before that.

In this episode, recruitment advertising veteran Lance Christensen explains how employer content has quietly replaced job descriptions as the real trust signal in hiring.

We dig into how candidates research companies in 2025, why Reddit and AI search amplify reputation gaps, and how content now functions as targeting, not just awareness.

If your job posts sound good but your pipeline says otherwise, this conversation explains exactly why.

What You’ll Learn

Why...

Most people go quiet during a career transition. Laci McKinney did the opposite.

In this episode of the Workfluencer Podcast, Laci breaks down how she used content to make her transferable skills visible, pivot into organizational development, and earn three promotions in three years.

We talk about documenting your learning in public, building a dual personal + professional brand, navigating imposter syndrome, and why content isn’t self-promotion. It’s career leverage.

If you’re considering a pivot, growing influence while employed, or trying to connect content to real career outcomes, this episode is for yo...

Storytelling isn’t a “soft skill” anymore. It’s becoming a core business function.

In this Workfluencer Trend Report, Rhona breaks down why companies are actively hiring for storytelling roles, not as PR rebrands, but as strategic hires tied to trust, hiring, and growth.

From Google and Microsoft to Notion restructuring entire teams around narrative, this episode explains what’s actually driving the demand and why AI has accelerated it, not replaced it.

If you work in employer branding, HR, internal comms, content, or you’ve been building an audience quietly on the side, this t...

Writing a book isn’t just a creative goal. It’s a credibility move.

In this episode of Workfluencer, bestselling author and leadership coach Hady Méndez breaks down the real process of turning lived experience into a book that builds professional authority.

We go behind the scenes of writing Calladita No More. What stories made it in. What she intentionally left out. And how the act of writing forced clarity around voice, boundaries, and visibility at work.

This conversation is for professionals who want to write a book without turning it into a per...

Adam Posner didn’t just build a podcast — he built a revenue engine. With 475+ episodes and 1.8M downloads, his show drives the majority of his recruiting business and lands long-term, five-figure brand deals.

In this episode, we break down how he did it: using his podcast as a Trojan horse for business development, building trust with sponsors, creating event content that brands actually care about, and designing systems that keep the show running even when life forces you to step back.

We also get into the personal side — including how he navigated cancer while running a dual...

Bestselling author and workplace revolutionary Minda Harts joins Rhona Pierce to break down the ideas behind her new book, Talk to Me Nice. She explains why trust keeps collapsing inside modern workplaces, how her Seven Trust Languages help rebuild it, and what she learned while growing from bestselling author to emerging filmmaker.

This conversation goes deep into trust, culture, storytelling, and what it really takes to challenge norms without burning bridges.

If you’re a creator, a leader, or someone trying to rebuild trust at work, this conversation will hit.

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Some people chase content creation outside of work. Others end up building influence inside the walls of their company. Shannon Ogborn is one of the first people in our space to do it at scale.

In this episode, we get into the real story behind becoming a content creator for your employer — the trade-offs, the boundaries, and the benefits no one talks about. You’ll hear how Shannon went from Recruiting Ops to podcast host for Ashby, what it takes to show up authentically when you represent a brand, and how she measures success in a role that...

Maureen Wiley-Clough didn’t set out to become a creator. She simply got tired of being called “a dino” in tech — and decided the silence around ageism needed to end. What started as a vulnerable side project became a top-2% podcast, a thriving community, and a message that resonates with anyone who’s felt “too old” to start something new.

In this episode, we get into how Maureen built confidence, hit publish while working in a youth-obsessed industry, and kept going even when no one was watching. We talk about comparison traps, owning your voice, booking big guests before...

Most employees have no idea what’s really happening inside their own company — and that’s exactly why so many advocacy programs fall flat.

Matt See has spent his career transforming internal comms at massive organizations, and he’s discovered something most leaders miss: employee advocacy doesn’t start with LinkedIn posts or social-media training. It starts inside.

In this episode, Matt and Rhona dig into how internal storytelling can transform culture, inspire authentic advocacy, and turn your employees into your best brand ambassadors — without a single content calendar.

What You’ll Learn...

What happens when your worst bosses plant seeds that turn into your best lessons?

In this episode of Workfluencer, Kat Kibben—author, speaker, and founder of Three Ears Media—joins Rhona to talk about healing work trauma, rebuilding confidence, and writing a book that almost didn’t happen.

Kat opens up about the three-year journey behind The Bounce Back Factor, van life lessons that rewired their approach to leadership, and why editing was harder than writing. You’ll hear the story behind their first flat tire, the imposter syndrome that nearly killed the book, and the hars...

In this episode of The Workfluencer Podcast, Rhona Pierce sits down with Sherehan Ross, VP of Marketing at Modus Planning, to talk about the human side of B2B marketing. From viral LinkedIn rants to the chaos of working moms and motherhood, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to grow a personal brand, lead with marketing authenticity, and avoid burnout while balancing work and family. Sherehan explains how “building in public” turned into her most powerful form of content creation, why she believes revenue isn’t a marketing KPI, and how her “3-6-9 plan” tr...

Before “personal brand” became a buzzword, Hung Lee was already doing it—building Recruiting Brainfood into one of the most trusted communities in the industry.

In this conversation, recorded at RecFest USA 2025, Hung and Rhona dig into what it really takes for recruiters to think like media brands: showing up every week, curating with integrity, and letting transparency replace polish.

He shares how an accidental send from the beach in Lisbon made him realize just how much readers depended on his newsletter. Plus, why he believes quantity beats quality, what h...

Everyone wants to get paid to speak, but few know how to turn it into a real career.

In this episode, Torin Ellis joins Rhona Pierce to break down the business behind the mic — from commanding rooms and carving your niche to staying relevant in a space that changes overnight.

You’ll learn:

How to turn free speaking gigs into paid opportunities

The mindset shift that keeps your message authentic (even when the world isn’t)

When to raise your rates — and how much

The power of relation...

Most recruiters think they’re filling roles. Dave Vu thinks they should be building brands.

In this episode, Rhona Pierce sits down with the co-founder of Ribbon.ai to explore why the future of recruiting belongs to teams who think like marketers. From his early days in talent acquisition to building one of the most talked-about AI interview platforms, Dave shares how empathy, storytelling, and transparency can transform candidate experience — and why bad recruiters should probably be worried about AI.

You’ll learn:

Why recruiting is really just marketing in disguise

How to...

Laurie Ruettimann has spent nearly two decades shaping how we talk about work—from CNN’s “Top Career Advisor” list to her globally recognized Punk Rock HR podcast. But behind the accolades lies a story of confidence, capitalism, and the unpaid labor of influence.

In this episode, Laurie joins Rhona Pierce to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to turn credibility into a career—how she built her platform before influencer culture existed, why “being right” doesn’t always pay, and the emotional toll of being HR famous.

They talk money, mistakes, and the myth of...

What if someone stole your entire career — your résumé, portfolio, headshot, even your home address?

In this Workfluencer Trend Report, Rhona explores the real case of freelance writer Jolissa Skow, who discovered an imposter had been living her professional life since 2023. The impersonator used Jolissa’s identity to land contract work, participate in Slack, attend camera-off meetings, and even get paid — all while colleagues believed they were working with her.

Based on Jolissa’s public LinkedIn posts and reporting by Dr. Janice Gassam Asare, this episode examines how career ide...

Matt Alder, host of Recruiting Future and co-host of The Alder Hour, has spent over 15 years shaping how the recruiting industry talks about work. With nearly 800 episodes published, his podcast is one of the most trusted sources for talent acquisition insights. In this conversation, Rhona and Matt chat about how Recruiting Future became the go-to recruiting podcast and what it really takes to build authority through consistency.

You’ll hear:

Your employees may be your best influencers—but how do you pay them fairly when they start creating content for your brand?

In this episode I sit down with compensation strategist Cynthia Abbott-Kerr, founder of WellPay.ai, to explore how companies can design clear, simple, and fair systems to reward employee content creators. From commission structures and affiliate links to ownership rights and tax considerations,

Cynthia shares practical strategies for building employee-creator programs that actually work.

If you’ve ever wondered whether to pay per post, add stipends, or build commissions tied to stor...

Building a personal brand in today’s job market isn’t about chasing viral posts—it’s about showing up authentically. In this special takeover episode, recruiter-turned-founder Brooke Wheeler flips the mic on Workfluencer creator Rhona Pierce. Together they dive into how to build your personal brand with honesty, how layoffs and career pivots can fuel reinvention, and why companies fail when they try to script employer branding.

If you’ve wondered what to share online, how vulnerable to be, or how to turn career shifts into opportunities, this conversation will give you the playbook f...

It doesn’t get more Gen Z than making a TikTok to get hired at TikTok—and that’s exactly what Jade Walters did. But she didn’t stop there. From landing jobs to landing on the TEDx stage, Jade has used content creation to build a career on her own terms. In this episode, she shares how content became her biggest career tool, what Gen Z really wants from work, and why boundaries at work aren’t red flags—they’re strategy.

CONNECT WITH US:

What happens when employee advocacy moves beyond “posting on LinkedIn” and into creating full-blown branded content? Should those employees be paid like influencers?

In this episode of Workfluencer, employment lawyer and creator Heather Bussing joins Rhona to explore how companies can compensate employee-creators fairly and compliantly.

We dig into:

Why paying employees for branded content builds trust and authenticity

How to classify and compensate employee-creators without missteps

Overtime, equity, and ownership issues every HR team should consider

Lessons from influencer contracts employees can adapt

How HR a...

LinkedIn can be overwhelming, especially for introverts. But what if your quiet approach is actually your superpower?

In this episode, certified career coach and LinkedIn Top Voice Lissa Appiah shares how she built a personal brand that converts—without being loud, posting daily, or faking confidence.

You’ll learn how to:

Build a personal brand on LinkedIn as an introvert

Turn your side hustle into a full-time business

Grow visibility without burning out

Use content strategy that works for quiet creators

Create Link...

Most people think building a community is about finding a niche and hoping people show up. Jeremy Lyons knows better—he’s the man behind the RecOps community. From launching the first RecOps conference to building the widely read RecOps Roundup newsletter, Jeremy has turned a behind-the-scenes role into a movement.

In this episode, we dig into:

The four (sometimes five) pillars of Recruiting Operations—and why employer branding belongs in the mix.

How Jeremy built the RecOps community during a wave of layoffs, and why neutrality became his non-negotiable.

The moment...

Zach Nunn, founder of Living Corporate, pulls back the curtain on what it takes to create authentic content about race and identity in the workplace. From deleting episodes with problematic guests to calling out patronizing DEI storytelling, Zach shares why most corporate diversity content misses the mark and how to create conversations that actually matter.

What You'll Learn:

Tired of recruiter content that chases likes but lacks substance? In this episode, discover how Andrew Lewis grew from 0 to 45K followers by mastering content creation that delivers real value and opens up new career opportunities. As Head of Talent at Worldly, Andrew shares how he carved out his unique voice, built personal branding that stands out, and earned the trust of his audience.

We dive into actionable strategies for recruiters and creators who want to break free from recycled talking points and create original content that builds credibility—not just engagement. Learn how An...

Anessa Fike has led 125+ organizations, pioneered the Fractional HR model in the U.S., and built a career by saying the things most people won’t. In this episode, she joins Rhona to break down what it really costs to speak up in HR—especially when it challenges power, calls out performative allyship, and disrupts the speaker circuit status quo.

Anessa shares how she uses her privilege intentionally, what she’s given up to stay true to her values, and why she keeps going even when the backlash hits. This one’s for every HR leader, content creator...

In this bonus episode, recorded live at SHRM 2025, Rhona Pierce interviews Tara Amaral, a veteran talent acquisition expert. Tara shares practical strategies for building effective recruiting functions, highlighting the importance of simple, repeatable processes, data-driven decision-making, and thoughtful change management. She discusses how organizations of all sizes can optimize hiring, leverage technology and AI wisely, and foster strategic partnerships. Tara emphasizes the enduring value of human expertise in recruitment, offering actionable advice for leaders and recruiters navigating today’s evolving talent landscape.

This episode was brought to you by VirgilHR, The all-in-one SaaS solution that emp...

When two established HR professionals decide to launch a podcast together, what could go wrong? According to Desiree Goldey and Ashley King, co-hosts of the new Talentless podcast, quite a lot – and that's exactly what made their partnership stronger. In this episode of Workfluencer, we dive deep into their journey from recording "absolutely trash" episodes to building a mission-driven show that's already generating buzz in the talent acquisition space.

 If you're considering launching a podcast (solo or with a partner), thinking about content creation as an HR professional, or simply want to understand what it takes to bui...

In this bonus episode, recorded live at SHRM 2025, Rhona Pierce interviews Haggai, co-founder of Bites, a platform revolutionizing training and communication for frontline employees. Haggai explains how Bites transforms existing materials into TikTok-style microlearning videos, integrates with popular messaging apps, and achieves high engagement without users needing corporate email addresses. He discusses the unique challenges of training frontline workers, Bites’ seamless user experience, and their positive journey with SHRM Labs. Haggai also shares future plans to directly link training to business outcomes, making learning both engaging and impactful.

What You’ll Learn:

Can you really master LinkedIn monetization and personal branding without quitting your 9–5? Bonnie Dilber proves it’s possible. As a recruiting manager at Zapier and a recognized LinkedIn content creation expert, Bonnie has built a thriving LinkedIn presence of over 440,000 followers—all while leading a recruiting team and managing high-value brand partnerships.

 In this episode, Bonnie reveals the exact LinkedIn content creation strategies that fueled her growth, the boundaries she sets between her personal brand and her employer, and how she evaluates brand deals and monetization opportunities. Discover how to build authentic thought leadership on LinkedIn, handle workpla...

What happens when a trained playwright enters the corporate world? Tara Turk-Haynes, founder of Equity Activations and former VP of DEI and Talent Acquisition, reveals how theatrical storytelling techniques can revolutionize workplace content, build authentic community, and challenge power dynamics from within the system.

In this episode, Tara shares her unique framework for finding story-worthy moments in everyday workplace situations, the difference between content that gets engagement versus content that creates genuine connection, and how to balance truth-telling with strategic relationship building. Whether you're an HR professional, content creator, or workplace leader, you'll walk away with actionable...