You can write the best mission statement in the world.
Design the perfect deck. Nail the speech.

And still — no one moves.
Because people don’t follow words.
They follow evidence — the kind they can feel.

If you’ve been following this series, you know the equation:
Influence = Attention + Trust

Attention might open the door.
But trust is the multiplier.
It’s what moves people to act.

And the clearest signal of trust?
Not charisma. Not clarity. Not even credibility.
It’s time.

A Case You Should Study

A mid-sized B2B company. Revenue tanking. Attrition spiking.One team lost 80% of its people in a year.Burnout had calcified into apathy.The culture? The walking dead.

Then came a new CEO.

Not loud. Not glossy. No all-hands declarations.He just started showing up.

Not in boardrooms — in living rooms.

He got in a car and visited employees. Warehouse staff. Junior admins. Custodial crew.Played with toddlers. Met aging parents. Sat on fraying couches. Drank bad coffee. Stayed for more than five minutes.

“He knew my daughter’s name before my manager did.”

“He listened to my father talk about immigrating to America.”

Nothing changed on the P&L that quarter.But everything changed in the building.

Because trust doesn’t start with a slide —It starts when people feel you.

Why Time Is the Ultimate Trust Signal

You can’t fake time.
You can’t scale it. You can’t automate it.
And once it’s gone — it’s gone.

That’s what makes it so powerful.

When leaders spend time — not as theater, but as truth — it sends a signal louder than any keynote:

“I’m here. With you. When I don’t have to be.”

That’s what accelerates trust.
And trust is what makes influence real.

What Real Leaders Spend Time On

• A hospital administrator pulled night shifts with nurses during COVID — not to fix anything, but to understand.

• A VP spent hours coaching underperformers others had written off — because development wasn’t a reward, it was the job.

• That CEO? He didn’t outsource empathy. He embodied it.

Leadership isn’t about scale.

It’s about signal.
“I choose to be here.”

This Episode Goes Deeper: The Quiet Move That Makes Influence Inevitable

You can be the smartest person in the room.

But if no one feels you?

They won’t follow you.

🟣A Soft Challenge This Week

Give someone your time.
Not a tweet. Not a comment.

Actual time.

Because that’s where trust begins.

And when trust is real —

influence is inevitable.

📚 ABOUT THE SERIES: This is Episode 5 of The Influence Equation—a framework for building authentic influence without faking it. We’ve covered trust and influence. Now we’re diving into the foundation: trust.

Previous episodes: Episode 4- The Hidden Power of Being Underestimated.
Amanda’s Playbook is a weekly insight series for ambitious professionals and influential thinkers.

p.s. I would love to hear your experience and perspectives

Leave a comment

Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Share

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There’s a certain kind of moment you don’t forget.

Mine happened in a sleek conference room at one of the top business schools in the world—right as I was stepping into a leadership role for a new MBA program.

Big moment. Bigger opportunity.

One of the senior faculty members looked across the table and said,

“We weren’t sure how to prepare for this meeting… should we have done jumping jacks before you arrived?”

That wasn’t curiosity. That was condescension.

To him, I was the “YouTube workout girl.”

Just a label — and a reductive one.

They Labeled Me Wrong. Here’s What I Did Next.

What he didn’t know was the backstory:

• That the business he was referencing started as my MBA thesis.

• That it became one of the first paid fitness subscription platforms for women.

• That it grew into a digital agency, eventually acquired by a PE firm.

• That I’d already built and taught curriculum at another top-tier school.

But none of that mattered if the room couldn’t see it.

And that’s when I realized something I wish someone had told me earlier:

When someone underestimates you, you don’t win by explaining harder.

You win by speaking a language they already trust.

The Room Wasn’t Ready for Me — But I Was

What shifted that room wasn’t confidence. It was context.

• Not defensiveness.

• Not overcompensation.

• Just a quiet, grounded translation of value — from my lens into theirs.

DON’T EXPLAIN YOURSELF

TRANSLATE YOURSELF

“Validation” gets a bad rap in the empowerment era.

But when done strategically, it’s not about seeking approval.

It’s about meeting someone in the logic system they already live in — so you can shift it, from the inside.

This Week’s Real Playbook

🟣 When someone doubts you, don’t panic — pause.
What’s the lens they’re using? What do they already respect? Start there.

🟣 Borrow trust, but translate it.
Not to perform, but to bridge. The goal isn’t to impress — it’s to connect.

🟣 Resist the urge to “prove.”
Often, the more you explain, the more fragile it sounds.
Let the substance speak through the right signal.

Because when someone reduces you to a label, your job isn’t to argue the label.
It’s to reveal the layers behind it — in a language they can actually hear.

📚 ABOUT THE SERIES: This is Episode 4 of The Influence Equation—a framework for building authentic influence without faking it. We’ve covered trust and influence. Now we’re diving into the foundation: trust.

Previous episodes: Episode 3- Trusted Voices Win.
Amanda’s Playbook is a weekly insight series for ambitious professionals and influential thinkers.

Leave a comment

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I learned this the hard way. Early in my career, I assumed that working harder, knowing more, and delivering results would automatically earn trust. People respected my competence, but they didn't always follow me. They didn't open up. And sometimes, they didn't stay.

That's because trust isn't built on expertise alone. It's built on three layers—and the most powerful one is the one nobody talks about.

In this episode of Amanda's Playbook, I break down:

✓ Competence – Why being smart gets you admired, but not always trusted
✓ Character – How consistency (not perfection) builds believability
✓ Clarity – Why confusion kills trust, even when your ideas are genius
✓ Benevolence – The overlooked layer that overrides credentials every time

Chapters:
0:00 – Intro: When Being Smart Isn't Enough
0:39 – Level 1: Competence (Do You Know What You're Doing?)
1:05 – Level 2: Character (Who are you as a person?)
1:34 – Level 3: Clarity
2:15 – 3 Layers of Trust Explained

The truth: People don't just need to know you're capable. They need to believe you have their best interests at heart. That's relationship capital—and it's the real engine of influence.

Whether you're building a personal brand, leading a team, or trying to earn trust in a new space, this framework will change how you show up.

🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

→ How to signal competence without over-explaining
→ How to demonstrate character in high-stakes moments
→ How to build trust when you haven't earned it yet (borrow trust, admit the gap, offer value anyway)
→ Why benevolence beats credentials in the trust equation

📚 ABOUT THE SERIES:

This is Episode 3 of The Influence Equation—a framework for building authentic influence without faking it. We've covered charisma and influence. Now we're diving into the foundation: trust.

Previous episodes:
Episode 1: Charisma → https://youtu.be/51s6DczcSjo?si=vWN0e2ZCJ3Ti9by9
Episode 2: Influence → https://youtu.be/lTlVW3sfNTs?si=z5KcfS79ocAGb6eT

Next up: Episode 4 explores "Hero’s Journey for Thought Leaders".

👤 ABOUT AMANDA RUSSELL:

I'm a faculty member at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, where I co-direct the world's first accredited influencer marketing program. I'm also a 2x founder and exit CEO, author of The Influencer Code, and board advisor to Lamborghini and the Andy Roddick Foundation.

I built my career at the intersection of academia and entrepreneurship—teaching what actually works because I've built it first.

🔗 CONNECT WITH ME:

Website: https://www.amandarussell.co
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/profamandarussell
Instagram: @amandarussellfss
Book: The Influencer Code – https://www.amandarussell.co/the-influencer-code/

💬 LET'S TALK:

Drop a comment: Who's someone you admire but don't fully trust? (And why do you think that is?)

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for weekly insights on influence, leadership, and authentic brand-building.

Charisma gets attention. Trust gets loyalty. Let's build both.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Last week, we split the atom between charisma and influence — how one gets you in the room, but the other moves it.

This week, we go deeper. Because when someone calls a person “charismatic,” they rarely ask: what kind?

Charisma isn’t a personality. It’s a lever — and there’s more than one way to pull it.

In this episode, Amanda breaks down the five types of charisma that show up across industries and leaders — plus how to identify which one you naturally use, and when to switch gears.

 You’ll learn:

• The difference between High Conviction and Authentic charisma

• Why Disarming Humor works better than trying to be funny

• How Empathetic charisma drives influence one conversation at a time

• What makes Energetic charisma contagious (and what kills it)

• How to use charisma as a channel — not a mask

🕒 Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: Charisma vs Influence
01:32 – The myth of “born charisma”
02:40 – Type 1: High Conviction
04:25 – Type 2: Authentic
06:00 – Type 3: Disarming Humor
07:40 – Type 4: Empathetic
09:10 – Type 5: Energetic
11:00 – How to use your charisma intentionally
12:30 – The Unspoken Layer: From performance to power
13:30 – Coming Next: The Trust Gap — Why Being Smart Isn’t Enough

📩 Subscribe to Amanda’s Playbook:
https://www.amandarussell.co/newsletter/— for weekly strategy and insight drops.

📺 Watch the full video version:
https://youtu.be/lTlVW3sfNTs?si=Q44hFDLrxePAFvGm

🧠 Read the full blog post:
https://www.amandarussell.co/the-5-types-of-charisma-and-how-to-use-yours-without-losing-yourself/

💬 Share this episode:
Send it to someone who leads, teaches, or builds things.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Here’s the truth: busy ≠ successful. The people I bet on aren’t performing overwhelm — they’re the ones who follow through, keep their word, and close loops without making chaos everyone else’s problem.

In this video, I break down:
📌 Why “busy” is the biggest liability in business
📌 The 48-hour rule that separates leaders from pretenders
📌 Why trust and consistency are the ultimate competitive advantage

Your response patterns aren’t about your calendar. They’re about your character. If you want to build influence, don’t get busier. Get reliable.

Because trust compounds faster than attention. And follow-through? That’s the real flex.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This summer in Sotogrande, Spain — one of the world capitals of polo — I witnessed how brands engineer desire without a single ad, hashtag, or ticket link.

The most talked-about spot at the Gold Cup wasn’t on the program, and you couldn’t find it online. From the outside? Just a plain white tent. From the inside? The only place everyone wanted to be.

In this episode of Amanda’s Playbook, I break down:
-How exclusivity fuels influence
-Why the best experiences aren’t advertised — they’re whispered about
-Multi-sensory branding that makes you remember a brand long after the event

Brands that master this don’t just get attention — they become unforgettable.

🔔 Subscribe for more weekly episodes on marketing, influence, and building brands people can’t stop talking about.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Here’s the truth: what most people call “influencer marketing” is just advertising in a social media costume. Follower counts. Engagement rates. Cost-per-post. None of that is real influence.

Real influence is the ability to cause action.
It’s awareness + ability.
It’s Oprah’s Book Club sticker, Sequoia’s stamp, Michelin’s stars.

The smartest brands don’t buy followers.
They build proximity to trust.

In this episode, I’ll break down the big misconception about influence, why brands are wasting millions chasing the wrong thing, and how to shift from transactions to relationship architecture.

If you want to stop chasing metrics and start creating gravity, this one’s for you.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The strongest communities I’ve ever seen weren’t bought. They were built through shared effort, trust, and time. In this episode, I share the story of how a 5 a.m. cycling group changed the trajectory of my career—and why the same principle applies to any brand trying to cut through the noise.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Amanda’s Playbook, I’m sharing 3 strategies to grow your reach without becoming a full-time creator:
1️⃣ Brand the Background – Turn your space into visual storytelling that naturally integrates your brand.
2️⃣ Incentivize Mentions – Reward the organic tags and shoutouts you’re already getting.
3️⃣ Co-Produce for Control – Collaborate with creators so your brand gets high-quality, on-message content—without you doing all the work.

Forget trying to outpost your competitors.
This is about out-positioning them—so your brand stays visible without burning out.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Amanda’s Playbook, I’m flipping the script on what visibility really requires in 2025. If you’re exhausted by the content treadmill—and secretly allergic to hustle culture—this one's for you.

Inside, you’ll learn:

Why “just post more” is not a strategy—it’s a burnout spiral

How to borrow visibility instead of building it from scratch

The #1 reason most content isn’t converting

3 plug-and-play ways to turn your physical space into a content magnet
(Yes, even if it’s a boring B2B office or that spare room in your house)

You’ll walk away with tangible strategies to amplify your brand—without filming a single video, writing a single caption, or syncing to stock audio.

👇 Drop a comment or DM me a photo of your office space and I’ll help you brainstorm how to make it work for you.

🔔 Subscribe to Amanda’s Playbook for more brand strategies that feel less like rocket science and more like cheating on a test.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode is about how the world’s most iconic brands create desire—on purpose.

Not through ads. Through identity engineering.

You’ll see how:
– Rolex broke $10B not by selling accuracy—but achievement
– Hermès made waiting the luxury
– De Beers scripted scarcity into “forever”

These brands don’t just price high. They build meaning.
They make you feel like you earned it.

So if you're building something premium—ask yourself:

What does owning it say about someone?
And how do you make that message feel deserved?

Because people don’t buy with their wallets.
They buy with identity.

— Amanda

#AmandasPlaybook #InfluenceByDesign #BrandStrategy #LuxuryMarketing #StatusSignals #Rolex #Hermès #birkinbag #DeBeers #PsychologyOfDesire #MarketingThatMoves

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Back in 2008, with no budget and no celebrity backing, Daniel Koch and his brother Derek launched a brunch party in New York City.
They didn’t build hype.
They built feeling.

What started as Day & Night became something more:
– A curated crowd, not a pay-to-play model
– Word-of-mouth as the north star metric
– Emotional design that made people feel chosen

The real luxury?
Wasn’t access.
It was memory.

Today, that same emotional architecture is being used to build modern members clubs, high-trust spaces, and brands that feel magnetic—not because of what they charge, but because of how they land.

Watch the full conversation to see how exclusivity is evolving—
And what it looks like to build something people never stop talking about.

#Exclusivity #EmotionalDesign #AmandaNorenWest #DanielKoch #BrandBuilding #CulturalStrategy #Amanda’sPlaybook

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

More than you think.

In this episode of Amanda’s Playbook, I break down two surprisingly simple studies that reveal how price shapes perception, how it influences expectation, and why this matters more than ever for anyone building a premium brand, product, or service.

You’ll learn:
✔️ Why pricing isn't just financial—it's emotional
✔️ The psychological principle behind “premium perception”
✔️ How to use price as a storytelling tool, not just a revenue lever
✔️ What happens when your experience doesn’t match your price
✔️ How to build trust and desire through intentional pricing

If you're a creator, founder, marketer, or service provider who wants to raise your rates without losing trust, this one's for you.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a comment (I LOVE responding to comments) if this shifted something for you.

#pricingstrategy #luxurybranding #influence #marketingpsychology #brandstorytelling #amandasplaybook

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on Amanda’s Playbook, I’m sharing a story I’ll never forget — one that completely changed how I think about leadership, influence, and solving real-world problems.

It’s about Gloria Steinem.
A village in Zambia.
And the unexpected solution that stopped sex trafficking:
👉 An electric fence.

Not education.
Not policy.
A fence — because families were starving, and girls were leaving just to survive.

This episode is a masterclass in relationship capital — how real influence isn’t about showing up with answers… it’s about showing up with empathy.

Inside, we’ll break down:
🔹 Why expertise alone can blind you
🔹 The shift from telling to listening with intent
🔹 How co-creation leads to lasting change

If you lead a team, build a brand, or want to have greater impact — this story is for you.

👇 I’d love to hear your thoughts — drop a comment and let me know:
What’s one question you need to ask before trying to solve the problem in front of you?

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I’m not buying it.
And I’m definitely not waking up early for it.

This week on Amanda’s Playbook, I’m breaking down the Cold Plunge Lies—the performative routines we’ve started worshipping as gospel. I share my own obsessive history with extreme discipline, how it held me back more than it helped, and what actually drives long-term results: reliability, clarity, and resonance.

This one’s for anyone tired of pretending their morning routine is a spiritual awakening.
Let’s cut through the noise and build lives that work—not just look good on camera.

👇 Watch + let me know in the comments: what’s one “should” you’re ready to stop doing?

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

But in reality? It’s built (and lost) in silence.

In this episode of Amanda’s Playbook, I share a story that’s more common than we want to admit: a warm intro, a missed moment, and a reputation quietly eroded by lack of follow-through.

If you’ve ever been ghosted after putting in the effort—or worse, accidentally ghosted someone yourself—this is your reminder:

Communication is your business.

💬 Leave a comment if you’ve had something like this happen to you. I read every one.

➤ Subscribe for more episodes like this:    / @amandarussell  

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this short episode, I share the simple (but powerful) tactic that earned me a meeting with OG YouTube star  @shaycarl  —and turned a cold message into a real collaboration.

This isn’t about being sneaky—it’s about showing up with relevance.

👉 Try this strategy and let us know how it goes—we just might feature your story next.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this week’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on why your brilliance might still be overlooked — and how to stop playing a rigged game.

If you’re tired of working hard with nothing to show for it...
If you’re done being invisible...
If you’re ready to shift from being excellent to being seen...

This one’s for you.

👇 Want the free 5-Step Starter Guide to Strategic Influence?

Comment “INFLUENCE” below and I’ll send it directly to you.
No pitch. No pretty bow. Just what actually works.

—

#StrategicInfluence#InfluenceOverExcellence#VisibilityMatters#InvisibleBrilliance#RiggedGame#InfluenceIsStrategy#ThoughtLeadership#PersonalBranding#ModernMarketing#ContentThatConverts

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, the most magnetic brands understand one thing: real luxury is about experience. It's not about white tablecloths and bow ties — it's about how you make someone feel.

In this episode of Amanda’s Playbook, we explore how smart operators are rethinking exclusivity, experience design, and emotional connection — and why the brands that embrace this shift are winning.

What You'll learn:
– Why traditional luxury is becoming irrelevant
– How modern consumers define premium experiences
– What it takes to build connection-driven brand loyalty

Tell me in the comments: What’s a brand that felt like luxury to you — even if it wasn’t the most expensive?

Subscribe for more strategy, insight, and weekly deep dives at Amanda’s Playbook.

#LuxuryRedefined #BrandExperience #ModernLuxury #MarketingStrategy #BusinessStrategy #AmandasPlaybook

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Amanda’s Playbook, I’m breaking down one of the smartest plays in the game — and why it has nothing to do with acting and everything to do with how you use your influence.

It’s not about celebrity.
It’s not about followers.
It’s about leverage.
And if you get this right, it can change the entire way you grow a brand, close a deal, or build long-term wealth.

This one’s personal — because I’ve done this (without even realizing it at first). And you might have too.

🎯 Watch 'til the end — I’ll leave you with a question that might change how you look at your next opportunity.

👇 Let’s keep the convo going — drop your thoughts in the comments. I read every one.

🎬 Subscribe for weekly drops
📱 Follow @amandasplaybook on all platforms

#MarkWahlberg #InfluenceStrategy #BrandEquity #AmandasPlaybook

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

But what if the real power lies in flipping that script?

In this episode, I’m sharing a personal story that completely shifted how I think about building influence, relationships, and opportunity. It starts with one book, a bold email, and ends in an unexpected real-world connection.

Let’s talk about creating your own momentum—and why that’s what draws people in.

👇 What’s one connection in your life that started unexpectedly but made a lasting impact?

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – Create the Job. Create the Moment.
00:22 – A Book That Sparked It All
00:53 – Why Influence Has No Direct ROI
01:21 – The Full-Circle Email That Led to Coffee
01:57 – What I Asked (and What I Learned)
02:38 – How to Leapfrog Into Board Roles
03:18 – My First "Keynote" Was in a Basement
03:52 – The Truth About Energy and Influence
04:30 – Become the Person of Influence

#amandasplaybook #ConnectionCurrency #Influence #BuildYourOwnStage #RelationshipCapital #CreateTheRoom

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is the fatal flaw in marketing today: we're still defining audiences by who they appear to be instead of what they actually need.

In this episode, I break down:
✅ Why demographic targeting is misleading
✅ The rise of needs-based marketing
✅ How to truly understand who your real audience is

Whether you're running a global brand or building a personal one, this shift could change everything.

See you back here next week,
— Amanda

💬 Share in the comments: Have you ever realized your “ideal customer” wasn’t the one buying?
📩 Get deeper dives weekly: https://amandasplaybook.substack.com/
🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday

Music I Use: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos
License code: R3TGE3XX7RG2KZYW

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Empathy isn’t dumping your trauma on the table and calling it connection. Real empathy — the kind that moves people and builds brands — is presence. It’s making space. It’s being so attuned to the moment that someone else feels seen, not overshadowed.

In this episode, I share the story of one of the most quietly powerful CMOs I’ve ever met — a woman who launched a super sports SUV and redefined what influence really looks like. She didn’t lead with stats, features, or even her incredible personal story. She led with curiosity.

If you want to understand the actual art of influence — the kind that doesn’t just sell products, but earns loyalty — this is where we start.

In this episode:
-The real difference between sharing and showing up
-Why performance vulnerability is killing connection
-A behind-the-scenes look at how one woman built a brand movement without saying a word about herself
-And why empathy — actual empathy — might be the most misunderstood power move in modern leadership

Let’s be honest — have you ever shared something thinking it was empathy, but later realized you made it about you? I have. We all have. Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let’s have a real conversation.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We dive into how top-tier brands are facing challenges in reaching the next generation of affluent consumers and what they can do to regain their influence. From traditional wealth management firms to luxury fashion, the shift from simply selling products to creating experiences is real—and it’s something every brand needs to understand.

Join the conversation: What are some of the luxury or elite brands you’ve remained loyal to, even when cheaper alternatives were available? Why do you choose them? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When I launched this community experiment, I wasn’t just testing engagement. I was testing a principle I’ve spent years exploring: real influence isn’t about followers or flashy credentials—it’s about meaningful connection and lasting impact.

And you proved it beautifully.

Our experiment revealed something powerful that goes against what most marketing “experts” preach. The most influential voices weren’t the first to comment, the most credentialed, or the loudest. They were the ones who created value that transcended the algorithm.

They did it through:

-Thoughtful vulnerability in sharing real challenges

-Genuine generosity in offering perspective to others

-Resonant connection that amplified everyone’s understanding

This is what I call the Value-Connection Matrix of influence—where the quality of your contribution meets the depth of your engagement.

Let me introduce our Three Strong Members who embodied this kind of influence:

🥇 Erin @erinbreitenbach4362 — You didn’t try to have all the answers. You asked better questions. Your presence invited deeper exploration and elevated our conversations.

🥈 Kana @kanalivolsi7124 — You named the tension between performance and authenticity in a way that gave voice to what so many of us feel. Your words created clarity and connection.

🥉 Allan @allanlxn1— You modeled influence as evolution, not perfection. Your willingness to refine your thinking publicly made a lasting impact.

Real influence isn’t about performance. It’s about presence.

If you've ever questioned your impact in the noise of social media—this is for you. This isn't just content. It’s a learning lab in motion. And you’re a crucial part of it.

Join the next chapter:

1. Share a moment from your week when something or someone influenced your thinking or decision.

2. Offer perspective on two other community members' experiences.

The real masterpiece isn’t what we build online—it’s how we create value for each other.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I've spent years navigating the tension between what we're told influence is and what actually moves people to action. What I've discovered challenges everything we've been conditioned to measure and celebrate.

There's a deceptively simple truth about influence that changed everything for me—a missing piece that explains why some voices cut through while others, equally qualified, go unheard.

We're not the purely logical beings we pretend to be in boardrooms and strategy sessions. This isn't just theory—it's the difference between campaigns that look successful on paper but fail to drive action, and those quieter moments that create seismic shifts in behavior.

Watch to discover the equation that will transform how you build influence in business and life.

#AmandasPlaybook #Influence #TrustBuilding #AuthenticLeadership

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The truth? The ambiguity isn't a failure—it's intentional.

In this episode, I reveal:

-Why established success paradoxically makes us MORE risk-averse at the precise moment we should be innovating

-How my journey from competitive runner to fitness entrepreneur to academic taught me the danger of "first place paralysis"

-The unexpected reason I returned to YouTube after years in academia and corporate consulting

-Why learning together creates stronger connections than presenting perfectly polished ideas

JOIN THIS WEEK'S EXPERIMENT:

Make your way over to my YouTube video and comment your biggest influence challenge (personal or professional), then respond to at least two other community members.

Next week, I'll highlight the three most influential contributors who share meaningful challenges and thoughtful responses.

This isn't just content to consume—it's an invitation to build something together.

Amanda's Playbook is a living laboratory where we'll test what actually works now, not what worked years ago.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly experiments, strategies, and insights on building real influence in 2025 and beyond.

#TheStatusParadox #BuildingInfluence #AmandaRussell #MarketingStrategy #LeadershipChallenge #InfluencerMarketing #CommunityBuilding

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

My journey since those early fitness videos has transformed me in ways I never anticipated. It's led me through building subscription businesses, selling a production company, publishing a book, and ultimately into the halls of prestigious business schools who’s mission is to “shape how business and marketing is taught to future leaders”.

But something profound happened that compelled me to break my "never returning to YouTube" promise.

This isn't just another comeback story or content creation venture—it's a response to a critical disconnect I've witnessed firsthand, one that affects anyone trying to build something meaningful in today's digital landscape.

Each week, I'll be sharing a revolving mix of insights, examples & real-time experiments that bridge the gap between theory and implementation. This isn't just content for you to consume—you're essential to the process as we discover what actually works in 2025 (not 2010).

To my original fitness community who've witnessed every pivot of this journey—thank you for your unwavering support. The authenticity we built together remains at the heart of this new chapter.

Watch or listen to discover why I believe we need to revolutionize marketing education and how we'll do it together.

📍 New episodes weekly

📍 Join the community testing real strategies in real-time

📍 First experiment launches next week

📍 Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more! @amandasplaybook

#AmandasPlaybook #MarketingRevolution #MarketingEducation #TheoryToPractice #DigitalMarketing #RealTimeMarketing #MarketingCommunity #2025Marketing

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I reveal the three key principles behind YETI's massive success:

Identity Over Innovation- Why YETI sells who you become, not what you buy

Community Over Commodity- How they created an exclusive club people pay to join

Movement Over Marketing- The genius of having customers pay to advertise for you

As someone who's built a career studying influence and developed MBA curriculum at institutions like Kellogg School of Management and Bocconi University, I share practical insights on what makes brands truly influential.

YETI didn't try to stand out from the crowd - they became the crowd everyone wanted to stand in.

Learn the difference between attention and true influence, and why emotional connection trumps rational features every time. Whether you're a marketer, entrepreneur, or just curious about brand influence, this case study offers valuable lessons on creating movements instead of just marketing products.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Sandra Long on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/longsandra/
•LinkedIn for Personal Branding on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/LinkedIn-Personal-Branding-Ultimate-Guide/dp/B08VCQWRQ8/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Donnetta Campbell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnettacampbell
•The Social Architects: www.TheSocialArchitects.co
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Timothy Hughes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothyhughessocialselling/
•DLA ignite: https://dlaignite.com/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Chronicle: https://www.chronicle.io/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Onalytica: https://onalytica.com
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Darrah Brustein: https://darrah.co/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Dan Gingiss: https://dangingiss.com
•The Experience Maker: https://dangingiss.com/the-experience-maker-book/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Dr. Curtis Crane: https://cranects.com/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Roger Dooley: https://rogerdooley.com
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How do you win investors with no beauty-brand experience?

How do you get on the shelves of conglomerates like Target in one of the most hyper competitive industries?

Nyakio Grieco not only founded and sold the award winning skincare brand, Nyakio Beauty, with all but no resources and experiences, but she hustled her way to the top and is now leading a movement to give influence and expertise to other founders. This is the story of true influence and how to leverage it to build an empire and a movement for the greater good of the world.

For more information:

•Nyakio Beauty: https://www.nyakio.com/us/en
•Thirteen Lune: https://thirteenlune.com/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

He has also been on every 'top of the top' list worth mentioning in our industry including Ad Age 40 Under 40, AMA 4 Under 40, Ad People of the Year, Forbes 30 Under 30, and Forbes Under 30 All-Star Alumni. This conversation literally takes all the guess work out of the future of marketing. He's one of the smartest and influential people among the neuromarketing industry, so having him on the show to learn from is a big pleasure!

For more information:

•Neuro-Insight: https://www.neuro-insight.com/
•Pranav Yadav on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pranavyadavpy
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Kronologie Agency: https://www.kronologieagency.com/
•That's Total Mom Sense Podcast: https://kanikachaddagupta.com/podcast/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Add to that, the company has been featured in many notable media outlets, such as Vanity Fair, Allure, and Marie Claire, and has won over 30 beauty awards, including multiple Allure "Best of Beauty" awards.

Neal and Amanda catch up with Divya to dig deep into how she did it, from launch to retention. This 20 minutes packs so much wisdom, you will want to grab a pen and paper to take notes!

For more information:

•Divya Gugnani on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/divya-gugnani-6ba98
•Wander Beauty: https://wanderbeauty.com
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Roger Wakefield on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGIMKh92vaL0_Yc0u4GYhHA
•The Trades Academy: https://www.thetradesacademy.com/gittnow
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Carla Johnson: https://carlajohnson.co
•RE:Think INNOVATION on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3hPmW31 (affiliate)
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Joe Pulizzi: https://thetilt.com
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Brandon Steiner: https://brandonsteiner.com/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Caroline Pearce on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinepearce/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Jezlan Moyet's Moyet Rose Wine: https://blendtique.com/moyetrose/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Dr. Allan Mishra's Dare to Be Vital: http://daretobevital.com/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Fanvestor: https://www.fanvestor.com/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Ann Handley: https://annhandley.com
•MarketingProfs: https://marketingprofs.com
•Ann Handley's Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Handley/e/B003OSWOGS
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Shep Ogden [Offbeat Media Group]: https://www.omg.media/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

But having had a talent manager myself back when I (Amanda Russell) was in the fitness world, the power of a great one can be a game changer for both the brands and the influencer . It doesn't necessarily mean the influencer is going to cost you a fortune, or that you cannot form a real and personal relationship, quite the opposite is true. The key comes to navigating how to get through what I like to call the golden gatekeeper. To do this you need to understand their role and how to connect with them first.

Johanna Voss represents a number of highly successful influencers ranging in categories from lifestyle to finance, and she gives perspective on how to navigate the waters of managers and agents, and what marketers need to know about working with them.

For more information:

•Johanna Voss: https://www.johannavoss.com/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Miri Rodriguez: https://mirirod.com/en/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•Dave Kerpen: https://davekerpen.com/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more information:

•SparkToro: https://sparktoro.com
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group: https://www.beverlyhillsplasticsurgerygroup.com/johnlayke/
Beverly Hills MD: https://beverlyhillsmd.com/
Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Women In Influencer Marketing: https://iamwiim.com/
Jessy Grossman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessygrossman/
Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reference Links

•The Common Path to Uncommon Success on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3csHfAC (affiliate)
•John Lee Dumas Website: https://www.eofire.com/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Joey shares how Barry's Bootcamp changed the game for fitness and created a cult-like following with an audience that includes Hollywood's top A-list celebrities flocking to them and bragging about it. Not an easy feat, but Joey reveals exactly how they did it, starting with building the infrastructure.

Reference Links

•Connect with Joey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gonzalezjoey
•Join Barry's Bootcamp! https://www.barrys.com/country-select/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

•Connect with Shane on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaneforan1/
•Shop Vitaly Design! https://www.vitalydesign.com/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reference Links

•Jen Groover's The More Method: https://amzn.to/2NrsYv7 (affiliate)
•Jen Groover's Website: https://jengroover.com/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reference Links

• Nigel Barker: http://www.nigelbarker.tv/
• Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
• Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reference Links

• Mark Rampolla: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksrampolla
• Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
• Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reference Links

• Katia Bassi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katia-bassi-6692655/
• Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
• Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reference Links

• Jessie Itzler: https://jesseitzler.com
• Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
• Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reference Links

•Andy Roddick Foundation: https://www.arfoundation.org/
•Amanda Russell: https://amandarussell.co
•Neal Schaffer: https://nealschaffer.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.