Hustle & Flowchart: Mastering Business & Enjoying the Journey Joe Fier, host of Hustle & Flowchart

Today's guest is Brandon LaVorgna, a seasoned media expert and entrepreneur, who delves into the evolution of the media landscape, effective pitching strategies for gaining media exposure, and the critical role of entrepreneurship in driving personal and professional growth. If you've ever wondered how to make your mark in today's fast-paced media world or how to thrive in entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories.
Local News Dynamics Brandon begins by sharing his experiences working in local news across various states, including Wyoming, Georgia, and the Carolinas. He discusses how local newsrooms operate, often broadcasting from central hubs like Cheyenne, with anchors located in other regions such as Casper. The conversation sheds light on the challenges local news faces, such as financial instability and shrinking news teams, which affect how news is reported and distributed.
Changes in the Media Industry We delve into the broad shifts in the media landscape, particularly how digital platforms like podcasts and blogs are becoming important news sources alongside traditional media. Brandon emphasizes that despite these changes, the fundamentals of storytelling and audience engagement remain key to successful media communication. He highlights the movement towards more sensational news as teams become smaller and resources scarcer.
Pitching to News Outlets One of the most enlightening segments of our chat involves Brandon’s strategies for effectively pitching news stories. He details the importance of persistence and creativity in communication with news outlets, especially in a time when newsrooms receive countless pitches daily. His top tips include:
Always follow up on news releases with a phone call. Be prepared for same-day coverage by having a detailed media plan. Keep a media kit ready for quick access by news teams. Building Connections and Relationships A significant part of gaining media attention, Brandon notes, is building lasting relationships with reporters and newsmakers. This process involves understanding the needs and schedules of newsrooms and being strategic about outreach efforts. He suggests direct communication paths like email and social media platforms to establish connections.
Entrepreneurship and Personal Motivation Brandon shares his personal journey from being a news professional to launching his own digital consulting firm, Superbloom. He discusses the hurdles he faced, including ADHD and maintaining energy levels, and how finding his "why" was crucial for his motivation and success. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to "do the damn thing," emphasizing the importance of taking action and not waiting for the perfect moment.
Closing Thoughts Today's conversation with Brandon LaVorgna on the Hustle & Flowchart podcast is packed with invaluable insights for anyone looking to understand the evolving media industry or navigate the challenging yet rewarding world of entrepreneurship. Whether you are planning to pitch your next big idea to the media or contemplating starting your own business, Brandon’s experiences and tips provide a wealth of knowledge and motivation. Remember to keep your storytelling compelling, your plans flexible, and your relationships strong in whatever endeavors you pursue. Until next time, keep hustling and keep flowing!
Two Other Episodes You Should Check Out You Are The Media: Secrets to Success Through Podcasting with Joe Fier
Reinvent Faster: Winning Strategies for Business and Politics with Kurt & Kristen Luidhardt
Resources From Episode Accelerate growth with HubSpot's Sales Hub Check out other podcasts on the HubSpot Podcast Network Grab a 30-Day Trial of Kartra See the latest from Brandon at SUPERBLOOM Digital Consulting Connect with Brandon on LinkedIn Connect with Joe on LinkedIn and Instagram Subscribe to the YouTube Channel Contact Joe: joe@hustleandflowchart.com Thanks for tuning into this episod

Creating content consistently can feel like an uphill battle. From brainstorming ideas to distributing the final piece, the entire process can be daunting. However, with the advent of AI tools, content creators now have the ability to streamline their workflow and enhance their creative processes. In this episode, we explore a variety of AI tools that are revolutionizing the way we create, edit, and distribute content across various platforms. Whether you're a solo creator or part of a larger team, these insights will help you produce content more efficiently and effectively.
A Simple Framework for Content Creation Creating content involves several steps — planning, creation, and distribution, each with its own set of challenges. Many creators struggle with coming up with fresh ideas, organizing their thoughts, and ensuring their content reaches the intended audience effectively. This episode outlines a straightforward three-step framework to address these challenges using powerful AI tools, making the process more manageable and less time-consuming.
The Planning Phase In the planning phase, AI can offer tremendous help in organizing thoughts and generating new content ideas. Tools like ChatGPT and Oasis can transform random thoughts into structured outlines, while other tools can gather audience insights which can inform content topics. Useful links include:
Capturing thoughts and ideas
- Chat GPT app (https://chat.openai.com/)
- Oasis app (https://www.theoasis.com/)
- Cast Magic app (iOS and Android)
Sourcing information from the audience
- Speak Pipe (https://www.speakpipe.com/hustleandflowchart)
- Google Forms (https://hustleandflowchart.com/onething)
The Creation Phase During the creation phase, the emphasis shifts to using tools that can help produce audiovisual content from text scripts. Descript and Screen Studio enhance podcast and video production, while Wondercraft and HeyGen introduce innovative ways to convert text into high-quality audio and lifelike avatars. Tools that were highlighted in this discussion:
Capturing and editing audio/video
- Descript (https://www.descript.com/)
- Screen Studio (https://screen.studio/)
Creating audio from text
- Wonder Craft AI (https://www.wondercraft.ai/)
Creating video from text
- Heygen (https://www.heygen.com/)
Creating music from text
- Suno (https://www.suno.com/)
Creating videos with text prompts
- InVideo (https://invideo.io/)
The Distribution and Marketing Phase For the distribution phase, there are tools designed to optimize the reach and engagement of content across various platforms. Opus can identify engaging clips from videos for social media sharing, and Cast Magic assists in repurposing content into blog posts, emails, and other formats to maximize visibility and engagement. Important resources mentioned:
 Identifying engaging clips and automating social media posting
- Opus Pro (https://opus.pro/)
Generating written content from audio/video
- CastMagic (https://hustleandflowchart.com/castmagic) use code “Hustle100” for yourself and get a FREE Month
Concluding Thoughts AI tools are not just about automation; they are about enhancing creativity and efficiency, allowing creators to produce more meaningful and impactful content. This episode has provided a practical framework encompassing various AI tools that can tackle the common challenges faced during each phase of the content creation process. By incorporating some or all of these tools into your workflow, you can substantially improve the quality of your content and the efficiency of your content production, ultimately leading residents to a more engaged and growing audience. Remember, the key is not just creating content but creating content that resonates and connects with your audience. Happy creating!
Two Other Episodes You Should Check Out Unleashing the Power of AI in Content Creation with Ramon Berrios
Maximize Your Content: Kick Your Content Creation Into Overd

Welcome back to the Hustle & Flowchart podcast! On today's incredible journey, I had the pleasure of reuniting with Chris Martinez, who offered his sharp and critical insights into some of the systemic issues we face in both the entrepreneurial world and the wider society. This episode isn't just business as usual; we took a deep dive into the discussion of racism -- a topic that's often deemed too sensitive or taboo, but one that we believe is vital for growth, awareness, and change.
The Systemic Nature of Racism in the Film Industry Chris Martinez shed light on the systemic racism within the film industry, revealing that financial stakes often lead to casting predominantly white leads. This isn't always due to overt racism but instead a reliance on "safe" patterns to secure box office success. These decisions contribute to the significant underrepresentation of Asian Americans and African Americans in films. Our takeaway here is that systemic problems require systemic solutions – it's not merely a series of isolated incidents but a broader pattern that needs to be addressed.
Embracing Diversity for Innovation and Growth Our discussion also branched into the necessity of diversifying our workforce. Chris pointed out how tapping into a broader range of talents can present untapped opportunities and aid in a business's growth. The world's demographics are shifting, and companies that embrace this change will be better positioned to succeed.
Breaking Barriers in Communication and Culture We emphasized how technology and communication are crucial in breaking down the barriers between cultures. Both Chris and I agreed that an open mind and the readiness to overcome personal biases could lead to a more equitable and inclusive society, fostering personal and collective growth. We also discussed the "Agency Freedom Live" event aiming to promote these very values in the entrepreneurial space.
The Scientific Approach to Understanding Racism Chris suggested recording an intro about what racism means. By defining racism and its manifestations, like assumed stereotypes, we can approach the issue scientifically. He encouraged business owners to objectively assess each individual's skills without letting biases interfere, advocating for a level playing field for all..
Overcoming Biases for Minority Entrepreneurs Chris shared personal experiences dealing with discrimination and bias, highlighting that minority entrepreneurs often need to work twice as hard to be recognized for their success. It highlighted the issue of credibility and how audience biases tend to favor white individuals, illustrating the need for greater diversity in speaking opportunities.
Institutional Racism and Its Long-Term Impacts The episode also tackled institutional and systemic racism, particularly in the context of housing inequality for African Americans. We discussed how this has affected their ability to build wealth and pass on entrepreneurial knowledge, serving as a stark example of the pervasive challenges that minorities face.
Resources from Chris Chris brings a unique voice to a commonly overlooked conversation in the industry. Beyond the podcast, Dude Agencystands as a testament to Chris's commitment to not just discussing change but actively fostering it. This is especially evident in the excitement around the upcoming "Agency Freedom Live" event—an innovative summit set to take place this August in San Diego. Tailored for forward-thinking entrepreneurs, the event pledges to offer a vibrant mix of educational sessions, leadership development, and engaging networking opportunities.
This episode with Chris Martinez was a profound one. We delved into some uncomfortable realities about racism and representation, but it was a necessary conversation for growth and understanding. Our key takeaways involve recognizing the systemic and institutional nature of racism and the need to be proactive in fostering diversity and inclusivity in all spaces—

In the recent episode of Hustle and Flowchart, I, Joe Fier, dive into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to vastly increase entrepreneurship efficiency and productivity. If you’re an entrepreneur who often feels overwhelmed by mundane tasks and wish there were more hours in the day, this episode is designed to help you leverage AI in innovative ways, which can redefine how you approach your work and improve earnings per hour.
Repetition Filter Model The Repetition Filter Model is centered around identifying and automating repetitive tasks using AI. I discussed how tasks that are performed frequently are perfect candidates for AI automation. Examples include customer service inquiries, scheduling social media content, and managing email communications. By tracking these repetitive tasks over a week, entrepreneurs can spot patterns and opportunities for automation, thereby saving time and reducing manual effort.
Time to Value Ratio Model Next, the Time to Value Ratio Model helps you assess the impact of various tasks based on the time they consume versus the value they deliver. This mental model encourages entrepreneurs to calculate the efficiency of tasks by dividing the time spent by the value output. High-value tasks might require more personalized attention, whereas low-value, time-intensive tasks are perfect for AI automation or delegation.
Creativity Spectrum Model The Creativity Spectrum Model involves using AI to enhance creativity in content creation and problem-solving. This model uses AI tools to generate ideas, help outline content structures, and provide insights that would typically require significant human brainstorming. By merging AI-generated concepts with personal creativity, entrepreneurs can produce original and impactful business content and solutions.
Grab Your FREE AI Resource Visit Digital Cafe for a free digital copy of Mike Koenigs’ new book, featuring user-customizable AI tools for business productivity.
This episode of Hustle and Flowchart serves as a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs eager to harness the capabilities of AI to uplift their business practices. By employing the Repetition Filter, Time to Value Ratio, and Creativity Spectrum models, you can significantly enhance your productivity, allowing for more strategic use of your time and resources. Remember, AI is here not just to support but to revolutionize how we approach work, making now the perfect time to integrate these tools and mental models into your daily entrepreneurial endeavors. Be sure to grab your copy of the book mentioned and start on the path to smarter, more efficient business management today!
Two Other Episodes You Should Check Out Triple Your Teams Productivity by Mastering AI with Mike Koenigs
How to 10X The Effectiveness of Every Meeting with Joe Fier
Resources From Episode Accelerate growth with HubSpot's Sales Hub Check out other podcasts on the HubSpot Podcast Network Grab a 30-Day Trial of Kartra Connect with Joe on LinkedIn and Instagram Subscribe to the YouTube Channel Contact Joe: joe@hustleandflowchart.com Thanks for tuning into this episode of the Hustle & Flowchart Podcast!
If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please head over to iTunes (or wherever you listen), subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review.
Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

In a riveting session of "Hustle and Flowchart," hosts Joe Fier and special guest Stacey Lauren dive deep into the realms of personal growth and clear communication. Their discussion weaves through several essences of professional and personal evolvement, stressing the significance of vocalizing thoughts for enhanced understanding while surrounding oneself with like-minded motivators. Here's a glance into how they unfold these elements, encouraging listeners to 'do the thing' and shift perspectives when urgency clouds judgment.
Vocalizing Thoughts for Clarity During their talk, Joe shares how articulating his thoughts has transformed his approach to concepts and strategies, leading to a crystal-clear understanding. They delve into a tool called The Oasis that facilitates this process by organizing spoken thoughts and generating outputs, emphasizing the liberation found in 'throwing up' thoughts to clear mental space.
Stacey Lauren's "I'm Game" Formula Stacey imparts her potent "I'm game" formula composed of recognizing excuses, injecting fun into endeavors, establishing draft goals, and commitment. She highlights the exhilaration of growth aligned with accountability and the support of a goal-shared community.
The Importance of Like-Minded Community Both Joe and Stacey stress the vital role of finding and being part of a supportive community. Sharing similar goals with others provides a robust backdrop of motivation and innovation, accentuating the importance of group interaction for progressing individually and collectively.
The Evolution of "Do the Thing" They discuss how "do the thing" has evolved to prioritize discovering one's unique voice. Their conversation prompts listeners to embark on the "find your voice" challenge which advocates recording oneself to aid comfort with self-expression and to stretch personal boundaries progressively.
From Feeling Overwhelmed to Taking Breaks Conversations advance to tackling the stress of constant drive and the necessity to embrace breaks for a refreshed viewpoint. Stacey divulges her past experiences and the lessons on the imperative to step back for broader, innovative perspectives.
Unlocking Potential with Incremental Steps The act of unlocking one's potential through modest, consistent actions is a passion for Stacey. She shares the palpable impacts of her system and encourages the embracement of micro-actions coupled with perpetual learning for never-ending self-improvement.
Monetizing Passion and Educational Growth A pivotal aspect of their dialogue covers the journey of transforming a passion project into a thriving business venture. Both hosts discuss "educational" endeavors, embodying both the absorption and dissemination of knowledge among like-minded individuals.
Stacey Lauren's Personal and Professional Journey From operating a staffing company to navigating recessions and a global pandemic, Stacey's traverse in the business world has been eventful. This journey informed her subsequent ventures, including the crafting of her book and the launch of her "Do the Thing Podcast."
Finding One's Voice and Joy in Small Steps The theme of identifying and taking pleasure in one’s unique voice pulses through the session. Stacey's coaching approach is about propelling individuals through accessible actions and ensuring the path they carve is as enjoyable as it is fruitful.
Resources from Stacey Check out Stacey's Facebook Group, "Do the Thing Community" where she challenges the group to identify their passions and are gives a treasure trove of strategies for personal and professional growth. For listeners aiming to dive deeper into Stacey's techniques or join her community, her podcast "Do the Thing Podcast" is available on platforms such as Apple and Spotify. This session encapsulates the essence of entrepreneurship through the lens of constant learning, community building, and finding joy in the journey. It's a clarion call to listeners to courageously chart their ow

Hello, everyone, we are back with another exciting episode of Hustle & Flowchart. This time, we have a unique focus on supercharging the efficiency of our meetings – a universal experience that can often be unproductive and dreary. In this episode, I, Joe Fier, share insightful techniques to amplify the usefulness of every meeting, thus enabling us to work smarter, not harder. From client encounters to team huddles, you'll discover how to retain and utilize the goldmine of data that every meeting can provide.
Recording Meetings & Tools to Use Recording your meetings turns every conversation into an opportunity to reference and build upon. We talk about utilizing tools like Fathom and Otter.ai, that not only record your meetings for free but also quickly provide transcriptions. This doesn't just help in keeping a record but sets the stage for deeper analysis and follow-up actions.
Maximizing Team Performance & Personal Reflections Meetings should culminate in tangible outcomes that propel projects forward. That's why team meetings aren’t just for updates, they're for defining responsibilities and identifying actionable tasks. Personal reflections have their place too. By recording and revisiting your musings, you can glean insights that guide your future decisions.
Using AI for Meeting Analysis Artificial Intelligence has reached a point where it can astutely summarize your conversations, suggesting action points and even highlighting nuances you might have missed. We delve into how tools like ChatGPT and Claude.ai can process your meeting transcriptions to pull out key notes and to-dos, saving hours of manual labor and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
Takeaway Prompts & Action Steps Besides discussing these tools, I provide specific prompts that you can utilize with these AI tools to fish out vital pieces of information from your meetings. The action steps provided are designed to turn every meeting's transcript into a strategic plan, ready for immediate implementation.
Prompt Guide for Actionable Insights from Transcriptions
1. Client Meetings Prompt: "Review the attached transcription of a client meeting and identify key action items, decisions made, and any follow-up tasks needed."
2. Sales Calls Prompt: "Analyze this sales call transcript to highlight successful negotiation points, client objections, and agreed next steps."
3. Team Meetings Prompt: "From this team meeting transcript, extract important deadlines, project updates, and assigned responsibilities."
4. Personal Reflections Prompt: "Summarize this personal reflection recording by identifying main insights, future goals, and areas for improvement noted."
5. Mixed Meeting Types (Generic) Prompt: "Read through the transcription of this meeting. Identify and list all actionable tasks, key discussion points, and any urgent matters requiring immediate attention."
These prompts should help leverage AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude.ai to analyze meeting transcriptions effectively and efficiently, turning spoken content into structured and useful outputs.
Conclusion In conclusion, the breadth of today's discussion on the Hustle & Flowchart spans from the initial process of recording meetings to the strategic application of AI for data mining valuable insights post-meeting. We explored the power of free tools that log every word for you – a tremendous asset for tracing commitments, aligning goals, and ensuring accountability. AI is our friend here, not something to fear. With these tools and prompts at your fingertips, you’ll turn every meeting from a mundane gathering into a fountain of actionable steps that spur you and your team to peak performance. 
Two Other Episodes You Should Check Out Triple Your Teams Productivity by Mastering AI with Mike Koenigs
Maximize Your Content: Kick Your Content Creation Into Overdrive with Joe Fier
Resources From Episode Accelerate growth with HubSpot's Sales Hub Check out other podcasts on the