Change the Reel

Monique & Piper

Representation Starts Here- LGBTQ Minority and women identified business owners talk about how they have changed the real circumstance of life by Changing the REEL.

  1. APR 13

    Video as Financial Infrastructure - How Video Supports Your Bottom Line

    S3 E5 Video as Financial Infrastructure - How Video Supports Your Bottom Line Change the Reel website What if the most valuable video your organization creates this year is never posted on social media? Monique Velasquez and Piper Kessler break down how the smartest organizations aren't using video for just marketing—they're using it to reduce costs, increase trust, and improve the way their teams operate. When that happens, video stops being a marketing expense and starts becoming financial infrastructure. In This Episode You'll Learn: Why video is a cost-saving tool (operational efficiency you're overlooking)How companies using video for training reduce training time by up to 60%Why people retain 75% of information from video vs. 10% from text manualsThe hidden cost of repeating the same information over and over (training, onboarding, processes)How 89% of people say video convinced them to buy a product or serviceWhy trust directly affects whether people work with you, support you, or join your organizationHow 82% of companies say video improves internal communications (and why long emails get skipped)The shocking gap: email read rates (20-30%) vs. internal video completion rates (70-85%)How one story video can serve fundraising, outreach, grants, annual reports, and recruitmentWhy 93% of marketers say video delivers positive ROI (it keeps working after it's created)How to turn video from expense into asset with strategic planning Key Timestamps:02:28 - Video as a cost-saving tool: Operational efficiency 03:33 - Training stats: 60% reduced training time, 75% retention vs. 10% from text 05:02 - 94% say video improves employee training and standardization 08:24 - Trust: 89% say video convinced them to buy (applies to donors, clients, associations) 11:03 - Miscommunication costs: How video improves internal communications 14:16 - The engagement gap: Email 20-30% read rate vs. video 70-85% completion 17:37 - Video as long-term asset: 93% of marketers say positive ROI 18:40 - Strategic planning: One shoot creates multiple assets for multiple departments 20:31 - Three simple steps: Message list, milestones, video calendar The Financial Reality:Video isn't just marketing. When strategically aligned with business goals, it becomes financial infrastructure: Operational Efficiency: Companies reduce training time by 60% with video (Association for Talent Development)People retain 75% from video vs. 10% from text (Foresight research)94% of organizations say video improves employee training and developmentStop repeating the same information: training, onboarding, processes, FAQs Trust Building: 89% say watching video convinced them to buy a product or service (Wyzowl)Applies to nonprofit donors, therapy clients, professional associations—not just commercialPeople want to see the humans behind the missionOne story video serves fundraising, community outreach, grant presentations, annual reports, recruitment Internal Communications: 82% of companies say video improves internal communications (Cultura)Email full read rates: 20-30% vs. internal video completion: 70-85%3-minute video = 3-4x more employees fully absorb information vs. equivalent emailReduces confusion, duplicated work, extra questions, mistakes, and gossip Long-Term Asset: 93% of marketers say video delivers positive ROI (Wyzowl)Video is reusable: website, donor presentations, conferences, social media, recruitmentOne production day creates content for multiple departments (not just marketing)Strategic planning: Design one shoot to create story video, shorter clips, training content, recruitment material The Stats That Matter:60% reduction in training time when companies use video (Association for Talent Development)75% information retention from video vs. 10% from text manuals (Foresight)94% of organizations say video improves employee training89% say video convinced them to buy product/service (Wyzowl)82% of companies say video improves internal communications (Cultura)20-30% email full read rates vs. 70-85% internal video completion rates93% of marketers say video delivers positive ROI (Wyzowl)96% rely on video for product/service insight instead of reading manuals50% of B2B purchasers rely on video when making purchasing decisions Three Steps to Get Started:1. Build a Message List What key ideas does your organization repeat over and over? Training topics, program explanations, mission stories, onboarding information for volunteers. You'll come up with things specific to your business that no one else would think of. 2. Identify Video Milestones Tied to Business Goals Fundraising campaigns, annual reports, recruitment cycles, program launches. How will you measure success? Views, calls, website visitors, applications, submissions. You need to know before you make the video—it factors into how you do it. 3. Create a Video Calendar for the Year Map video production to real business goals. When you do this, it becomes easier to justify the budget. Video stops being an expense and starts being infrastructure. Key Takeaway:"Video stops being a marketing expense and starts becoming financial infrastructure when it's aligned with business goals. It reduces costs through operational efficiency, builds trust that affects whether people work with you, eliminates miscommunication that costs organizations enormous money, and keeps working long after it's created." Ready to Plan Your Video Strategy?VIP Day Session: A focused day where we help organizations plan and produce videos that support their most important goals. Because the right video strategy doesn't just create content—it creates momentum. Work with Velasquez Media: velasquezmedia.com | hello@velasquezmedia.com Production: Velasquez Media - 20+ years helping mission-driven organizations create video strategies that work #VideoROI, #VideoStrategy, #BusinessInfrastructure, #OperationalEfficiency, #InternalCommunications, #VideoMarketing, #NonprofitVideo, #CostSaving, #VideoTraining, #FinancialImpact CHANGE THE REEL with Piper and Monique a...

    23 min
  2. MAR 9

    Content Creation Burnout? Find Your Natural Visibility Identity

    S3 E3 Content Creation Burnout? Find Your Natural Visibility Identity Identity Quiz - Here is the short quiz to find out your natural identity for communication. Change the Reel website Season 3, Episode 3: "Content Creation Burnout? Find Your Natural Visibility Identity" Why does posting feel like emotional CrossFit? You know your craft. You've built a career on this. You have the receipts. And yet showing up online feels utterly exhausting. Here's the uncomfortable truth: You're performing the wrong identity. You're trying to educate when you're actually an advocate. You're trying to coach when you're a curator. You're trying to inspire when you're an expert. And that mismatch is draining you. Why This Matters Now The World Health Organization recognizes burnout as an occupational phenomenon linked to unmanaged stress. And performing an unnatural identity online? That's unmanaged stress. You don't have a visibility problem. You have an identity clarity problem. When you're misaligned, you get burned out. Your messages get muddy. You start questioning your expertise. You either overperform or shrink back and disappear entirely. But here's what changes when you align with your natural visibility identity: Decision fatigue decreases. Performance anxiety drops. Content becomes lighter. Ethics become clearer. Consistency becomes sustainable. Key Insights: The 8 Natural Visibility Identities These aren't marketing tactics—they're expression styles, how you naturally communicate when you stop forcing it. The Educator breaks things down, clarifies complexity, and loves frameworks. You're driven by accuracy, not ego. Research from Edelman shows 63% of people trust experts more than brands. If this is you, that trust is your currency. You show up with whiteboards, slides with voiceover, and calm explanations filled with stats and citations. You teach concepts without claiming "this works for everybody." Watch the shadow behavior: condescension. Don't oversimplify just to go viral. The Advocate speaks up, challenges systems, and protects people. You connect identity and lived experience to your work. You show up with direct-to-camera conviction and cultural commentary from your perspective—not as the voice of an entire group. Your guardrails: responsibility over outrage, avoid performative activism, provide pathways not just criticism, don't exploit trauma for engagement. Shadow behavior: outrage addiction. The Reporter/Curator connects the dots, shares trends, and highlights voices. You round up experts and say, "Here's what research shows—and here's who should tell you about it." You show up through interviews and expert roundups. You cite sources, give credit generously, and vouch for others' expertise while owning your own voice. Always verify and don't sensationalize statistics. The Expert goes deep into details and history. You specialize—this is your lane. You show up through myth-busting and strategy breakdowns, explaining exactly how to use something, when to use it, and why it works in one situation but not another. Stay inside your credentials. Be transparent when something isn't your expertise. Shadow behavior: elitism. Practice humility over dominance. The Coach/Consultant guides, reframes, and asks powerful questions. You have boundaries—you're not the savior or their guru. You show up with reflective prompts and a gentler tone, supporting the system not just the individual. Avoid emotional manipulation and creating dependency. Shadow behavior: dependency creation. The Cheerleader is energetic, enthusiastic, and affirming. You believe in people before they believe in themselves. You show up with high-energy messaging and visual excitement. Your critical guardrail: honesty over hype. They need to believe you. Shadow behavior: toxic positivity. The Questioner provokes thought, sparks reflection, and challenges assumptions. You're the natural moderator asking questions that get others thinking. Your approach comes from genuine curiosity. Explore, don't corner. The Integrator synthesizes across disciplines, blending strategy, emotion, and data. You connect seemingly unrelated concepts in ways that create new insights. Be clear about what you're integrating versus what you're claiming expertise in. Making It Work You have a primary and a supporting identity. One is dominant—you probably felt "that's me" when you read it. Take this quick assessment: When you see misinformation online, do you correct it with facts, call it out, or share a better source? When a client struggles, do you ask reflective questions, teach a framework, or encourage them emotionally? When preparing content, do you get excited about research, impact, or insight? Mostly A answers indicate Educator/Expert. Mostly B suggests Advocate/Questioner. Mostly C points to Coach/Cheerleader. Mixed patterns reveal Integrator/Curator. When you lead with your authentic self and live in those strengths, creating content gets easier. The stress disappears. It stops feeling like performance and starts feeling like "I get to do what I love." Remember: visibility without ethics is just manipulation. Every identity has shadow behaviors to watch for. Ethics isn't a separate module—it's the operating system where we lean into our true identities. Your identity is not a performance. It's a pattern. Want the full assessment with scoring depth and shadow analysis? We'll break down your results and help you align your content strategy with who you actually are. Email us: hello@velasquezmedia.com #ContentCreation #Burnout #AuthenticMarketing #VideoStrategy #BusinessIdentity CHANGE THE REEL with Piper and Monique LinkedIn: Apple Podcast: Spotify Youtube Executive Producers: Monique Velasquez and Piper Kessler Producer: Arielle Morten Director/Editor: Simon Beery/Meredith Sause Copyright 2026 Monique & Piper

    29 min
  3. Build a Business on YOUR Strengths, Not Cookie-Cutter Advice - Guest Arielle Morten

    FEB 23

    Build a Business on YOUR Strengths, Not Cookie-Cutter Advice - Guest Arielle Morten

    S3E2 Build a Business on YOUR Strengths, Not Cookie-Cutter Advice - Guest Arielle Morten Helping Women Build Strength-Powered Businesses - Connect or work with Arielle Change the Reel website 80% of women-owned businesses don't exceed $100K in revenue—even when they're doing everything "right." Business growth strategist Arielle Morton knows why, and she's not holding back. In this episode of Change the Reel, Arielle breaks down why cookie-cutter marketing fails marginalized communities, how to build a business around YOUR strengths (not someone else's playbook), and why showing up authentically on video is the fastest way to attract your people and repel the ones you don't want. About Arielle Morten: Arielle is a business growth strategist who helps women entrepreneurs move from inconsistent income and overwhelm to sustainable, confident growth. After being laid off during maternity leave (yes, really), she built a thriving coaching practice focused on strengths-based strategies and real-world marketing—no hustle culture, no bro marketing, no one-size-fits-all BS. She's a certified Hello Seven coach and co-hosts the podcast "Behind the Buzzwords." What You'll Learn: → Why traditional marketing advice doesn't work for underrepresented entrepreneurs → How to identify your strengths and build a business model around them → The real cost of code-switching and hiding your authentic self online → Why video is critical for overcoming barriers to trust (especially for BIPOC/LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs) → How Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show modeled authentic representation → The biggest mistake women make when trying to scale past $100K → When to show up authentically vs. when fear is holding you back TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Cold Open: "I'm angry enough to slap someone" [01:07] Introduction to Arielle Morton [02:04] How they met: Hello Seven certification in Puerto Rico [03:04] Giving credit where it's due: Who shaped Arielle's journey? [03:21] Laid off during maternity leave during the pandemic [03:50] The "get rich quick schemes" phase (we've all been there) [04:36] Winning a year of coaching after finding Lauren Golden online [05:32] "I couldn't see it for myself" - The 8 years of experience she didn't recognize [06:07] Why women of color entrepreneurs face different barriers [07:15] The heart of the work: Client wins and what keeps her going [07:53] "I got into law school" - The text that changed everything [10:00] CLIP: Strengths-based coaching explained [11:18] "If someone tells you there's only one way, they're lying. Run." [12:13] When representation was missing and she stepped up [12:33] Serving the women who served her during postpartum [14:32] THE TURNING POINT: "I got pissed off" [14:52] "We're doing all the things... why aren't we getting paid?" [15:36] Finding people "just as pissed" and getting certified [16:25] Monique on changing the reel about what success means [17:21] The 80% revenue blockade for women-owned businesses [18:21] Why inclusion and representation in media matters [19:38] "So that little girl or little boy isn't feeling excluded" [20:04] When writers call Latino photography "not edgy enough" [21:15] The 2050 tipping point: Majority/minority demographics shifting [22:09] What good representation looks like: Owning the stage unapologetically [23:38] Shoutout #1: Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show [24:21] Authentic representation from Puerto Rican streets to global stage [24:51] Shoutout #2: Leslie Dean, local wellness coach [26:24] The challenge of weaving inclusion into business [26:47] "Your ignorance can be extremely detrimental" [27:18] Educate yourself: Open a book, turn on a TV screen [28:14] The fear of showing up authentically online [28:33] "You're doing a disservice when you fit into a whitewashed box" [29:15] How to talk to clients about using video authentically [29:28] Confusing fear and strengths: "Do it scared anyway" [30:47] "It shows real quick on video how inauthentic you're being" [31:22] Examining who told you that story about being less than [32:14] Attract what you want, repel what you don't [32:42] "Writing online, you can be a bot" [33:27] Working with Velasquez Media on authentic marketing [34:15] Piper: "You were like, no, don't pretend to be that person" [35:25] How to work with Arielle [35:38] StrengthsPowered.com and LinkedIn [35:58] Who Arielle wants to work with: Purpose-driven women entrepreneurs [37:01] Outro CHANGE THE REEL with Piper and Monique LinkedIn: Apple Podcast: Spotify Youtube Executive Producers: Monique Velasquez and Piper Kessler Producer: Arielle Morten Director/Editor: Simon Beery/Meredith Sause Copyright 2026 Monique & Piper

    37 min
  4. Why Video Quality Actually Matters

    FEB 9

    Why Video Quality Actually Matters

    S3 E1 Why Video Quality Actually Matters Change the Reel website Over 50% of YouTube watch time now happens on TV screens—which means that selfie video you shot in your car is being displayed on a 55-inch monitor in someone's living room. And the algorithm knows it. In this episode of Change the Reel, Monique Velasquez and Piper Kessler break down why video quality has become a barrier to entry in 2025, what "high quality" actually means (hint: it's not about expensive cameras), and what you can do about it—even if you're DIYing on a budget. What You'll Learn: Why the algorithm is actively burying low-quality contentHow 62% of customers lose interest in brands after watching poor-quality videosThe 4 pillars of high-quality video (resolution, audio, lighting, editing)Why "I can fix it in post" is the biggest lie in video productionPractical upgrades you can make for under $300When it's time to bring in professionals vs. DIY Key Stats Covered: • 50%+ of YouTube watch time happens on TV screens • 62% of customers write off brands after watching low-quality videos (HubSpot) • 73% say video quality impacts brand perception (Brightcove) • 62% higher engagement for professional-quality videos (Wistia) • Viewers drop off 60% faster on low-quality content (YouTube) [00:00] Cold Open: The algorithm is burying your car videos [00:36] Introduction to Change the Reel podcast [01:27] The audio frustration that drives viewers away [03:12] Why video quality actually matters [04:03] Defining "high quality video" (not Mr. Beast budgets) [05:18] Video resolution & compression explained [06:33] Why audio matters more than video quality [07:12] USC study: Bad audio exhausts your brain [08:00] Consistent volume levels & proximity explained [09:03] Lighting: Kitchen vs. professional look [09:48] Editing: Where DIY content falls apart [11:21] The bar for "good quality" video [11:51] Why this matters NOW more than before [12:00] 50%+ of YouTube watch time is on TV screens [13:12] Your car video on a 55-inch screen [14:09] YouTube prioritizing high-resolution content [15:33] Wistia stat: 62% higher engagement [16:42] THE CLIP: "The algorithm is burying your car videos" [18:06] What low-quality video costs your business [18:09] HubSpot: 62% of customers write you off [18:33] Brightcove: 73% judge brands on video quality [19:00] Multi-million dollar companies with bad audio [19:36] Why Spanish versions deserve quality too [20:57] YouTube data: 60% faster drop-off rate [21:45] Myth #1: People only care about content, not quality [22:51] Myth #2: My phone is good enough [24:09] Myth #3: I can fix it in post (biggest lie) [25:00] Myth #4: Professional video is too expensive [26:15] What to actually DO with this information [26:33] Start with audio: Best upgrade under $300 [27:18] Use a tripod (stop the motion sickness) [27:42] When to bring in professionals [28:18] Batch content creation strategy [28:45] Bottom line: Quality matters for algorithms & audiences [29:00] Why this matters for minorities, women, LGBTQ+ creators [29:48] Velasquez Media studio info & safe space positioning [30:24] Outro & call to action CHANGE THE REEL with Piper and Monique LinkedIn: Apple Podcast: Spotify Youtube Executive Producers: Monique Velasquez and Piper Kessler Producer: Arielle Morten Director/Editor: Simon Beery/Meredith Sause Copyright 2026 Monique & Piper #VideoProductionTips #YouTubeStrategy #ContentStrategy #SmallBusiness #VideoMarketing #DIYVideo #ProfessionalVideo #ContentCreators #YouTubeTips #VideoQuality #AlgorithmUpdate #VideoForBusiness #MissionDrivenBusiness #InclusiveMedia #RepresentationMatters

    31 min
  5. Live Streaming Costs Explained: What You Actually Need to Budget

    12/29/2025

    Live Streaming Costs Explained: What You Actually Need to Budget

    E2 E10 Live Streaming Costs Explained: What You Actually Need to Budget Join hosts Monique Velasquez and Piper Kessler as they break down exactly what it costs to run professional live streams for your business—from bandwidth to tech support, and everything in between. In This Episode You'll Learn: What live streaming actually is (and why it's different from posting a selfie video)The business scenarios that benefit most from live streaming eventsWhy 80% of people prefer watching a brand's live stream over reading their blogThe four budget categories you MUST plan for (most people forget #4)How to calculate if live streaming makes sense for YOUR business goalsDIY approaches that work (and the shortcuts that backfire)The technical glitches that make you look unprofessional—and how to avoid themWhy 50% of viewers leave in 90 seconds if your stream quality is low Key Timestamps: 00:00 - What is live streaming and why it matters for business01:42 - Business scenarios that benefit from live events04:22 - Platforms explained: YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Zoom06:36 - YouTube is now competing with Netflix on big screens07:20 - Types of live stream events: meetings, conferences, Q&As, webinars, demos11:10 - The stats: 82% prefer live streams over social media posts12:11 - Compelling live streaming statistics for businesses14:00 - Twitch personalities are making REAL money (not just YouTubers)14:38 - The live streaming market will hit $223.98 BILLION by 202819:11 - The four budget categories you need to plan for22:21 - Why 43% of live stream viewers buy premium products22:50 - Budget Breakdown #1: Bandwidth & internet costs ($30+/month)23:25 - Budget Breakdown #2: Streaming platform fees (Free - $30/month)24:29 - Budget Breakdown #3: Equipment & production costs (The wild card)26:23 - Budget Breakdown #4: Tech support during the event (Most people forget this!)27:30 - The 90-second rule: Why stream quality determines bounce rate28:03 - Copyright warning: Music, images, and footage you CAN'T use29:09 - The cons of live streaming (technical glitches, trolls, and unpredictability)30:30 - Why negative comments and Zoom-bombing are real risks32:36 - Your action plan: How to decide if live streaming fits your budget The Budget Reality: Live streaming isn't just "hit record on your phone." Professional live streams require: Bandwidth ($30+/month for reliable internet/cellular data)Platform fees ($0-$30/month depending on features, audience size, quality)Equipment & expertise (The wild card—in-house staff, contractors, or VAs)Tech support (Monitoring chat, troubleshooting, managing Q&A in real-time) The Stats That Matter: 80% would rather watch a live stream than read a blog from the same brand82% prefer live streams over social media posts67% who watched a live event bought tickets to similar future events43% of engaged live stream viewers buy premium products50% of users leave in 90 seconds if video quality is lowEvery 6-second delay = 6% viewer bounce rate Key Takeaway: "Live streaming is powerful and it's growing fast. It can absolutely elevate your brand when you understand what goes into doing it well. The costs add up depending on how polished and interactive you want your event to be—so plan your message, know your goals, and understand what level of support you need." Ready to Plan Your Live Stream? Book a call with Velasquez Media: velasquezmedia.com We'll review your live stream plans and help you budget for success—whether you're hosting a webinar, Q&A session, product demo, or virtual event. Production: Velasquez Media - 20+ years helping mission-driven organizations create video strategies that work #LiveStreaming #VideoBudget #LiveStreamCosts #VideoStrategy #Webinars #VirtualEvents #VideoProduction #SmallBusiness Change the Reel website CHANGE THE REEL with Piper and Monique LinkedIn: Apple Podcast: Spotify Youtube Executive Producers: Monique Velasquez and Piper Kessler Producer: Arielle Morten Director/Editor: Simon Beery/Meredith Sause Copyright 2026 Monique & Piper

    35 min
  6. If AI Doesn't Learn Our Stories, We're Erased from the Future | Shaunelle Curry

    12/22/2025

    If AI Doesn't Learn Our Stories, We're Erased from the Future | Shaunelle Curry

    Join hosts Monique Velasquez and Piper Kessler for an inspiring conversation with Shaunelle Curry—educator, author, and founder of Media Done Responsibly. From starting her first nonprofit at age 6 to teaching 20,000+ youth about media literacy and digital wellbeing, Shaunelle shares why preserving marginalized stories isn't just about history—it's about our future in an AI-driven world. In This Episode: The "Trash Picker Uppers": How a 6-year-old's nonprofit shaped a lifetime of activism Why representation in media is a human rights issue, not just diversity checkbox The shocking radio incident that sparked a nationwide movement How young people are leading the charge for ethical AI and digital wellness The urgent need to preserve marginalized stories before AI learns without them Creating safe spaces for difficult conversations across cultural divides Key Timestamps: 01:21 - Introduction to Shaunelle Curry 04:45 - The Trash Picker Uppers story 08:40 - What is HELP (Hello Elevated Life Purpose)? 17:06 - The "nappy headed" incident that changed everything 27:07 - Why inclusion matters systemically 37:13 - Connecting people across ideologies through storytelling 46:03 - What young people face that we never did 48:18 - The AI warning: "We're not only erasing history, we're erasing our future" Powerful Quote: "If AI learns off of public records that we are now deleting and erasing, we are not only erasing history, we are erasing our future." About Our Guest: Shaunelle Curry is the founder of Media Done Responsibly and professor of journalism, TV, film, and media studies. Creator of "Shattered Glass" and author of "Shairi's Journey Through Darkness Into Light," she's equipped over 20,000 underestimated youth with media literacy rooted in justice and care. Connect with Shaunelle: Website: shaunellecurry.com Organization: Media Done Responsibly App: MDR Hub and Innovation Lab Production: Velasquez Media - LGBTQ women-owned, Latino-led video production #MediaLiteracy #RepresentationMatters #DigitalWellbeing #AIEthics #StorytellingForChange #SocialEntrepreneur #MediaDoneResponsibly #YouthEmpowerment #DigitalJustice #DiversityInMedia #CulturalPreservation #WomenInMedia #ChangeTheReel #VelasquezMedia #AuthenticVoices

    43 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Representation Starts Here- LGBTQ Minority and women identified business owners talk about how they have changed the real circumstance of life by Changing the REEL.