Built in Public

Courtney Johnson
  • 5.0 (17)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Built in Public is a personal brand podcast hosted by Courtney Johnson. Each week, Courtney sits down with founders, creators, and operators to unpack how they turn expertise into authority, visibility into opportunity, and content into long-term leverage. We talk positioning, audience building, thought leadership, and what it actually takes to show up before you feel ready. If you want to build it in public, this show is for you.

  1. 3D AGO

    Why Personal Brands Are the Ultimate Career Leverage, with Danielle Canty

    If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t really know what a personal brand is” or “how do I even start a personal brand???”, this episode is for you.Today I’m joined by Danielle Canty, former co-founder of Bossbabe, to break down one of the biggest misconceptions about personal branding:You don’t start a personal brand. 
You ALREADY have one.Danielle shares how she went from working in the medical field to co-founding BossBabe, one of the most recognizable online business brands of the last decade, and how she now thinks about personal brands as leverage. Not the business itself, but the thing that opens doors, builds trust, and compounds opportunities over time.We also talk about the mindset blocks that stop people from showing up online, why perfect content actually hurts engagement, and how building community matters far more than going viral.Mentioned in this episode:📘 Career Cheat Codes (Pre-Order)
My new book Career Cheat Codes is now available for pre-order. It’s a practical guide to building career leverage, growing your visibility, and turning your expertise into real opportunities.Pre-order → penguinrandomhouse.com/books/807588/career-cheat-codes-by-courtney-johnson/👩‍💻 Holly Maglin — Early Career Recruiting StrategyIf you're a founder or startup team hiring Gen Z talent, check out Holly Madeline. She helps companies modernize how they recruit early-career candidates.Connect on LinkedIn → Holly Maglin02:30 You already have a personal brand09:34 The truth about reputation and online presence13:31 Why personal brands create leverage16:41 The cultural excuses people make about showing up online17:17 “You are what you say you are”19:41 How mindset shapes growth and motivation36:05 Perfect content hurts engagement37:45 The power of imperfection in building trustAbout Danielle Danielle Canty is an entrepreneur and the former co-founder of BossBabe, the online education brand that grew into an eight-figure business supporting hundreds of thousands of women entrepreneurs worldwide.Since exiting the company in 2023, Danielle focuses on helping founders turn ideas into scalable businesses through clear systems, predictable revenue, and strategic simplicity.She has generated $35M+ in online revenue, built multiple seven-figure businesses, and her work has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Elle, and Success Magazine.Connect with Danielle📲 Instagram: @daniellecanty💼 LinkedIn: Danielle Canty🔗 Website: danielle-canty.com/Stay connected with me📧 Contact: courtney@smoothmedia.co👍 Instagram: @builtinpublicpod👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson

    59 min

  2. MAR 3

    How to Build Your Personal Brand in Public

    Welcome to the first official episode of Built In Public! If you’ve ever felt stuck choosing a niche… frustrated with low engagement… or unsure how to turn content into actual conversations and clients, this one’s for you. In this episode, I’m breaking down the philosophy behind building in public (the authentic and awkward version) I break down the biggest engagement mistakes I see creators making, why faces and formatting matter more than most people realize, and how to use your audience’s exact words to sharpen your messaging so they reach out. And we get into the thing nobody wants to hear, but everyone needs to: consistency will always matter more than trying to game the algorithm. 00:00 Why I rebranded to Built In Public05:15 How to actually find your niche (without forcing it)10:19 The messaging strategy that makes people reach out to you21:04 Why your content isn’t getting engagement23:12 Formatting mistakes that kill performance29:30 Consistency algorithm hacks If this episode helped you think differently about your personal brand, leave a review and let me know what hit. We’re just getting started. Stay connected with me! courtney@smoothmedia.coIG @courtlynnjohnson LK @Courtney JohnsonTIKTOK @courtney..johnson

    30 min

  3. FEB 3

    This Mindset Turned a Personal Brand Into $1M Business, with Andrew Kroeze

    In this week’s episode of Slay The Gatekeeper, I sit down with Andrew Kroeze for a conversation about the mindset that shapes everything we build on the outside: our work, our businesses, and our lives.Andrew shares his story with a lot of honesty, starting with the years he spent feeling stuck and disconnected, and the moment he realized that no one was coming to save him. From there, we talk about how a single 90-day commitment changed his relationship with himself, his habits, and eventually the way he approached business.We also get into the business side of things, why ads don’t fix misaligned offers, why organic growth comes first, and how personal brand becomes a form of leverage when it’s built on trust and clarity instead of performance. Andrew walks through how he moved from doing everything himself to building systems and teams that allowed his business to scale past seven figures and eventually become something he could step away from.What stood out to me most in this conversation is how practical it is. There’s no pretending growth is linear or easy. Just a clear look at how internal decisions shape external outcomes, and why action usually comes before confidence, not the other way around.If you’re building something and starting to sense that effort alone isn’t the issue, this episode will give you a different lens to look through.05:50 Identity as the foundation of every result08:40 The moment he reclaimed his sense of agency10:05 Why environment matters more than motivation12:15 How proximity normalizes higher standards14:45 “Pay for your friends” and choosing better rooms16:55 Why ads don’t fix broken offers18:30 Ads as accelerants, not lifelines20:40 Product-market fit before scale25:15 Personal brand as leverage, not ego27:45 Systems, teams, and building something you can step away fromAbout Andrew Andrew Kroeze has built five 7-figure+ online businesses in the coaching and agency space. He now helps other founders do the same by systemizing their operations using tools like Airtable and GoHighLevel, supported by lean teams of A-players.Connect with Andrew📲 Instagram: @kaptainkroeze💼 LinkedIn: Andrew Kroeze🎙️YouTube: Andrew KroezeStay connected with me📧 Contact: courtney@smoothmedia.co👍 Instagram: @slaythegatekeeper👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson 💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson

    27 min

  4. JAN 27

    How Social Media Makes You Money

    In this week’s episode, I’m answering your questions and digging into something that comes up over and over again in my work: why social media feels so uncomfortable for so many people, and why that discomfort is often the very thing that leads to growth, opportunity, and money.At its core, this episode is about visibility. But not in the “post more” or “just be confident” way it’s usually framed. We talk about visibility as a lived experience, the fear of being misunderstood, the pressure of being seen, the cringe that shows up right before momentum, and the internal resistance that makes people want to stop posting right when things are about to work.One of my favorite parts of this episode is talking about how action creates clarity, not the other way around, and why most people stay stuck waiting for certainty instead of moving while things still feel messy. We also touch on creativity, procrastination, and the role your environment and community play in how safe it feels to show up.02:45 Why visibility feels uncomfortable before it feels rewarding06:18 Being misunderstood as a sign of growth09:33 Why attention leads to opportunity (and money)14:37 Speed, momentum, and moving before you feel ready18:55 Fear, cringe, and staying in the game23:40 Why most people stop right before things work29:10 Consistency, identity, and long-term expansionStay connected with me📧 Contact: courtney@smoothmedia.co👍 Instagram: @slaythegatekeeper👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson 💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson

    56 min

  5. JAN 20

    Why Visibility Matters More Than Talent for Women at Work, with Lauren Douglas

    In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Lauren Douglas, founder, strategist, and creative leader, for a conversation that cuts straight through some of the most persistent myths women face in business.At its core, this episode is about visibility. But not in the “be louder” or “be more confident” way we usually hear it framed, but as a real, practical skill women have to learn if we want to move forward in business, leadership, or creative work. We talk about why women are still promoted on proof, why staying quiet about your work has an expensive cost, and how the idea that “good work speaks for itself” keeps so many women stuck.One of my favorite moments is when we talk about creativity coming back online through the body, not the brain, including one of my go-to cheat codes: putting on music from your middle school years and letting yourself move without overthinking. It’s simple, it’s human, and it works!04:12 Why Women Are Promoted on Proof08:35 The Real Cost of Staying Quiet About Your Work12:01 Personal Brand Without Ego17:48 Owning Mindshare and Mental Real Estate18:55 Fear, Creativity, and Original Work21:00 Play, Music, and Reconnecting With Creative Instincts29:10 Purpose, Courage, and Career SeasonsAbout Lauren Lauren is a founder, marketing and PR strategist, and creative thinker focused on helping leaders communicate with clarity and intention. Her work sits at the intersection of visibility, leadership, creativity, and modern career strategy. Through her agency and advisory work, she helps individuals and organizations articulate their voice, build trust, and create long-term impact.Connect with Lauren📲 Instagram: @laurentheseekerStay connected with me📧 Contact: courtney@smoothmedia.co👍 Instagram: @slaythegatekeeper👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson 💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson

    46 min

  6. JAN 13

    The Transformational Psychedelic Medicine Powerful People Are Using Privately, with Whitney Lasseter

    In this week's episode, I sit down with Whitney Lasseter, Founder and Visionary of ATMA Church, for one of the most expansive, honest, and nuanced conversations we’ve had on the show.Whitney is a Bufo facilitator, ceremonial leader, and spiritual guide who works at the intersection of sacred medicine, trauma healing, and integration. Together, we ungatekeep a modality that is often misunderstood, quietly used, and rarely spoken about publicly, despite its profound impact on people’s lives.We talk openly about why certain psychedelic and entheogenic medicines remain gatekept, especially among influential and high-profile individuals, and what happens when people step into this work with intention, preparation, and integrity. Whitney shares her personal journey, from a near-death experience and years of heartbreak to a deep spiritual awakening, and how her relationship with God, leadership, and service was completely reshaped along the way.We also explore some of the most sensitive and important questions around this work, sobriety, addiction, legality, public perception, and the future of psychedelic therapy, without sensationalism or shortcuts. This episode is about depth, discernment, and why some of the most powerful tools for healing are still kept quiet.If you’re curious about plant and psychedelic medicine, spiritual awakening beyond religion, or what conscious leadership actually looks like when no one’s watching, this episode is for you.02:32 Why Bufo Is Quietly Used by Influential People03:45 Letting a Journalist Inside Sacred Ceremony06:10 Choosing Integrity Over Safety08:45 The Near-Death Experience That Started Everything09:45 “The Most Profound Experience of My Life”10:31 Redefining God Outside of Religion13:06 Why the Experience Is Fast—but the Work Isn’t16:24 Facilitating Bufo for Her Own Mother17:20 “This Is of God”29:07 How This Medicine Changes Addiction and SobrietyAbout Whitney Whitney Lasseter is the Founder and Visionary of ĀTMA Church: All Tribes Medicine Assembly in Austin Texas, where she facilitates sacred medicine ceremonies and retreats focused on deep healing, spiritual awakening, and integration. With +7 years of experience guiding individuals through trauma, sobriety, and transformation, Whitney is known for her grounded leadership, integrity, and heart-led approach to this work. Connect with Whitney📲 Instagram: @whitneyofatma💼 LinkedIn: Whitney Lasseter🌐 atma.churchStay connected with me📧 Contact: courtney@smoothmedia.co👍 Instagram: @slaythegatekeeper👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson 💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson

    37 min

  7. JAN 6

    The ONE Thing That Creates Change (It’s Not Trauma Healing), with Kassidy Warren

    There’s a moment most people reach where they’re no longer confused, uninformed, or unprepared; they’re just hesitant. This episode lives right in that moment.In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Kassidy Warren, and we go deep into why so many people stay stuck under the idea of “I’m in the process of healing.” We unpack how healing language, self-work, and “doing the inner work” can quietly become a place to stall, especially when real action would require discomfort, risk, or a genuine shift in identity.Kassidy breaks down why accountability tends to disappear in adulthood, why athletes and high performers understand stakes differently, and how your environment can either stretch you forward or keep you small. We explore the difference between playing it safe and turning pro, why proximity matters more than motivation, and how most people are already standing at the edge of the decision they keep postponing.If you’ve been telling yourself you’re “working on it,” but nothing in your life has materially changed, this conversation may help you see what’s really going on.02:30 Why athletes understand accountability differently04:20 What happens when accountability disappears in adulthood07:15 Why real change requires stakes08:45 Investing before results show up10:40 How your environment shapes your standards14:45 Why growth often means outgrowing familiar spaces15:30 The “bucket of crabs” effect and being dragged down19:38 Spending money to accelerate growth22:45 Turning pro vs playing it safe23:40 “What am I pretending not to know?”About KassidyKassidy Warren is a real estate investor and coach who helps people buy properties that reduce their tax burden, build equity, and create long-term freedom. He previously worked in engineering and IT before leaving corporate life due to burnout. After living in a van with his wife and rebuilding their careers through consulting, they built a portfolio of short-term rentals. Kassidy now leads a mastermind called Escape Velocity, where he supports members through real estate education, community, and mindset work.Connect with Kassidy📲 Instagram: @kassidy.warren💼 LinkedIn: Kassidy Warren🌐 kassidywarren.comStay connected with me📧 Contact: courtney@smoothmedia.co👍 Instagram: @slaythegatekeeper👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson 💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson

    49 min

  8. 12/30/2025

    How to Deal With Trolls, Haters, and Negative Comments

    Hi friends! I’m back with a solo episode to close out the year, and I wanted to talk about something almost every creator faces the moment their visibility starts to grow: trolls, haters, and negative comments, and why they’re not something to fear, delete, or avoid (at all).If you’ve ever opened your comments and felt your stomach drop, questioned whether you should post again, or wondered if being more visible is even worth it, this episode is for you. I walk through why trolls are often a signal that your content is actually working, how neutrality will keep you invisible forever, and why trying to be liked by everyone is the fastest way to stall your growth.I also share how I personally deal with trolls, how I reframe negative comments so they don’t derail me emotionally, and why learning to embrace polarity has been one of the biggest drivers of my growth online.If you’re building a personal brand, creating content more consistently, or feeling called to show up more boldly, this episode is a reminder that relevance requires courage, and that being disliked is often a sign you’re on the right path.02:10 My first mindset shift around trolls04:45 Why 50% love and 50% hate is the goal07:30 How algorithms actually interpret engagement10:40 Why controversy drives virality13:15 How I bait trolls in my hooks16:05 How I stop taking negative comments personally18:40 The biggest mistakes creators make with trolls21:30 Why people-pleasing makes you forgettable24:10 Trolls as a rite of passage26:50 Final thoughts on showing up boldly onlineStay connected with me📧 Contact: courtney@smoothmedia.co👍 Instagram: @slaythegatekeeper👍 Instagram: @courtlynnjohnson 💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Johnson🎶 TikTok: @courtney..johnson

    18 min
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5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Built in Public is a personal brand podcast hosted by Courtney Johnson. Each week, Courtney sits down with founders, creators, and operators to unpack how they turn expertise into authority, visibility into opportunity, and content into long-term leverage. We talk positioning, audience building, thought leadership, and what it actually takes to show up before you feel ready. If you want to build it in public, this show is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Courtney Johnson
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    84
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Courtney Johnson
  • Show Website
    Built in Public

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