Workfluencer: Personal Branding & Content Creation

Rhona Pierce

Redefining how we talk about work. Hosted by Rhona Pierce, Workfluencer spotlights professionals using content to grow careers, build personal brands, and shape industries. From employee creators reshaping corporate culture to entrepreneurs turning side-hustles into businesses, we explore the real stories and strategies behind blending work, creativity, and influence in today’s world.

  1. Personal Branding as a Black Woman in Corporate America

    3D AGO

    Personal Branding as a Black Woman in Corporate America

    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 the white man in charge Why being featured in major outlets doesn’t automatically change how you’re treated The reality of brand deals that don’t want to pay Black creators Breaking down jobs reports and layoffs through a data lens most people ignore This is a conversation about influence, respect, corporate power dynamics, and building authority without shrinking yourself. If you’re building a personal brand while navigating corporate spaces, this episode is for you. CONNECT WITH US: Connect with Keirsten: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traprecruiter/ Connect with Rhona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/ Want to turn your team into creators? Visit⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠workfluencermedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. personal branding for women, building a personal brand, Black women in corporate America, personal branding at work, workplace visibility, building influence at work, women in leadership, corporate power dynamics, professional authority, creator economy professionals, content creation for professionals, navigating corporate America, brand partnerships for creators, jobs report analysis, DEI rollbacks, Workfluencer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 1m
  2. Building a Creator Career After Corporate Layoffs

    FEB 9

    Building a Creator Career After Corporate Layoffs

    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 hear a raw conversation about job loss, biased platforms, parasocial pressure, and why building a creator career after corporate requires a very different mindset than “just post more.” What You’ll Learn Why content creation feels different when your income depends on it The grief that comes with a forced career pivot How algorithms reward different creators differently Why a small, loyal audience beats a massive following The hidden cost of being “authentic” online How Madison thinks about monetization vs. visibility Why comparison destroys joy in creator careers Resources Mentioned: Buy Madison's Book: https://amzn.to/4rBrUlY Join The Black Speakers Collection: https://blackspeakersco.com/ Subscribe to Rhona's Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/newsletter2 Connect With Us: Connect with Madison: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bluehairedunicorn/ Connect with Rhona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/ Want to turn your team into creators? Visit⁠ ⁠⁠⁠workfluencermedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. creator career, creator economy, content creation career, career after corporate layoffs, leaving corporate, post layoff career, career pivot, building a creator business, monetizing content, professional creators, creator income, content creation as a career, personal brand after layoff, LinkedIn creators, Black creators, Black women in corporate, workplace inequality, algorithm bias, creator burnout, job loss recovery, creator monetization strategies, thought leadership content, workfluencer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min
  3. How to Create Content When You Don’t Feel Like It

    JAN 26

    How to Create Content When You Don’t Feel Like It

    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. What We Talk About Why creators go quiet even when they “have something to say” The pressure to post during chaotic news cycles Choosing silence as self-preservation Creating while working for a brand Avoiding performative content Doomscrolling and creative paralysis Resetting your algorithm to regain focus The unseen effort behind “simple” posts A must-listen for corporate creators, experienced professionals, and anyone navigating visibility when motivation is low. Resources Mentioned Dominican Sushi Chef (El Ninja) - https://www.instagram.com/el_ninja21/ Venezuelan Chinese Chef - https://www.instagram.com/elchinovenezolanovnzl/  Jeffrey’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fermintalkswork/  Connect With Us Connect with  Jeffrey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jfermin/  Connect with Rhona - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/ Want to turn your team into creators? Visit ⁠⁠⁠workfluencermedia.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. content creation, creating content, content consistency, content motivation, creator fatigue, creator mindset, posting on LinkedIn, LinkedIn creators, corporate creators, professional content creation, creator pressure, creative blocks, content during hard times, showing up online, creator honesty, creator mental load, creator identity, HR content creators, workfluencer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    51 min
  4. Becoming a TEDx Speaker with Bobby McNeil

    JAN 19

    Becoming a TEDx Speaker with Bobby McNeil

    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 ever get on a TEDx stage How the TEDx process differs from corporate or conference speaking Why mindset and identity matter more than performance The real time and emotional cost of becoming a speaker What surprised him most about visibility at this level If you’ve ever thought about applying for a TEDx, or wondered what becoming a speaker actually requires beyond confidence and polish, this episode gives you a grounded look at the reality.  What You’ll Learn What it actually takes to become a TEDx speaker while working full-time The biggest differences between a TEDx talk and a normal keynote or panel How to shape one clear “idea worth sharing” (and cut what doesn’t fit) Why the TEDx prep process is so rigorous. And what to expect from coaching How to manage the time and emotional energy it takes to finish the process The most “unsexy” first step you can take today to get started  Resources Mentioned Listen to Bobby’s TEDx Talk - https://youtu.be/6FzE0_PeQZU?si=g7mw6yB4ZXtwsWLd Buy Cracking the Code - https://amzn.to/458j9au Connect With Us Connect with  Bobby - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmcneil/  Connect with Rhona https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/ Want to turn your team into creators? Visit ⁠⁠⁠workfluencermedia.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. TEDx speaker, how to become a TEDx speaker, becoming a TEDx speaker, TEDx application process, TEDx talk preparation, public speaking career, professional speaking, thought leadership, personal brand, career visibility, working full time and speaking, content creation while employed, career storytelling, speaking opportunities, first TEDx talk, Workfluencer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    41 min
  5. How to Build a Virtual Summit With No Team ft. Benjamin Mena

    JAN 12

    How to Build a Virtual Summit With No Team ft. Benjamin Mena

    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 use content to build community, credibility, and inbound opportunities — without burning out or overengineering the process. What You’ll Learn How to use a virtual summit to grow authority in your niche Why “no team” can actually be an advantage How free live events drive higher engagement The systems Benjamin uses to run summits solo How podcasts create warm relationships at scale When community monetization actually makes sense Resources Mentioned: Register for the FREE 2026 Sales & Recruiter Summit - https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ Check out Benjamin's Podcast - https://www.eliterecruiterpodcast.com/ Connect with us Connect with Benjamin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/ Connect with Rhona - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/ Want to turn your team into creators? Visit ⁠⁠workfluencermedia.com⁠⁠ to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. workfluencer, virtual summit, virtual conference, online summit, community building, podcasting strategy, content marketing, audience growth, personal brand, thought leadership, creator economy, building community, podcast growth, authority building, event marketing, online events, no team business, solo creator, bootstrapped growth, recruiting industry, recruiter podcast, HR podcast, B2B podcast, professional creators Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    57 min
  6. What Internal Comms Can Learn From Creators

    JAN 5

    What Internal Comms Can Learn From Creators

    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 real behavior change at work The cadence Lia used to sustain attention How to explain complex benefits simply When not to use humor or memes How vulnerability builds trust internally Accessibility tips for creative comms Tools Lia actually uses to make memes CONNECT WITH US Connect with Lia - https://www.linkedin.com/in/liaseth/ Connect with Rhona - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/ Want to turn your team into creators? Visit ⁠workfluencermedia.com⁠ to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. internal comms, internal communications, employee communication, workplace communication, HR communications, people ops, HR leadership, employee engagement, content strategy, creator mindset, content creators at work, corporate communication, internal messaging, change management, employee experience, modern HR, workplace culture, internal content strategy, communication at work, HR best practices, workfluencer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    45 min
  7. CEO Content: Smart Strategy or Cringe?

    JAN 2 · BONUS

    CEO Content: Smart Strategy or Cringe?

    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 audiences will not tolerate anymore. What You’ll Learn Why CEO personal branding is accelerating, not slowing down The common mistake behind “cringe” executive content The difference between authentic vs unfiltered posting Why trust signals matter more as AI-generated content explodes How companies are operationalizing executive content the right way Connect with Rhona LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/ Substack - https://workfluencer.substack.com/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@RhonaBPierce Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/ ------------------ If you’re a Founder or Executive figuring out this whole Founder-Led Marketing thing, I’ve got an invite-only newsletter where I go deeper on this stuff. Want in? Email me at hello@rhonapierce.com and I’ll add you to the list. ------------------- CEO content, CEO personal branding, executive content strategy, founder led marketing, leadership personal brand, CEO LinkedIn strategy, executive storytelling, CEO influencers, leadership trust, executive visibility, founder branding, thought leadership for CEOs, leadership communication, personal branding at work, Workfluencer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    6 min
  8. Why Employer Content Matters More Than Job Posts

    12/29/2025

    Why Employer Content Matters More Than Job Posts

    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 job posts no longer drive candidate trust How employer content shapes decisions before someone applies What candidates actually research first Why content voids get filled with complaints How AI search changes employer brand risk Where TA and employer brand teams should start fixing trust RESOURCES MENTIONED: Get Lance's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-monday-minute-7018683347497299968/ Get Rhona's Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw CONNECT WITH US: Connect with Lance: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christensenlance/ Connect with Rhona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/ Want to turn your team into creators? Visit workfluencermedia.com to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. workfluencer, employer content, employer branding, recruitment marketing, candidate trust, talent acquisition, hiring strategy, employee generated content, recruiting content, recruitment advertising, EVP, employer reputation, hiring in 2026, content strategy for recruiting, employer brand trust, recruitment trends, talent marketing, employer brand content, candidate experience, hiring content strategy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    40 min

Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Redefining how we talk about work. Hosted by Rhona Pierce, Workfluencer spotlights professionals using content to grow careers, build personal brands, and shape industries. From employee creators reshaping corporate culture to entrepreneurs turning side-hustles into businesses, we explore the real stories and strategies behind blending work, creativity, and influence in today’s world.