Influencer Impact

People First
  • 5.0 (4)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Influencer Impact is a monthly podcast from People First, exploring influencer and digital strategies for advocacy groups, nonprofits, and campaigns. Hosted by Ryan Davis and Nicole Dunger, the podcast features special guests from the agency and marketing world. Tune in to stay ahead of the latest digital strategies your organization needs to succeed in today's communications lands.

Episodes

  1. FEB 19

    Influencer Impact & Oops! Im an Influencer Featuring Gabriella Zutrau

    In this special crossover episode of Influencer Impact and Oops! I'm an Influencer, we're joined by digital strategist and influencer Gabriella Zutrau. With a background in community organizing and political digital strategy, she breaks down what this next election cycle will look like online — and why creators and internet professionals matter more than ever. We discuss the shifting media landscape and why paid ads alone aren't enough. In 2024, Democrats outspent the GOP on paid media and still lost, while the right has spent years building powerful organic social ecosystems rooted in creator trust and community. That's why Gabriella and other digital strategists are calling for 15% of campaign paid media budgets to be shifted into organic social, creator engagement, and new media infrastructure. If you are interested in this click the link below and add your name to the list! https://bit.ly/theinternetpeople

    42 min

  2. 12/22/2025

    Episode 11: Team People First - Election Guide & 2026 Digital Predictions

    People First's Ryan Davis, Nicole Dunger, & Ryan Long talk about their 2026 influencer election guide and 9 trends shaping digital strategy. Watch the live video: https://people1st.substack.com/p/live-with-team-people-first 2026 Election Guide: Activating Influencers in Politics & Advocacy: https://people1st.substack.com/p/2026-election-guide-activating-influencers 9 Trends Driving Digital Strategy in 2026: https://monthindigital.substack.com/p/9-trends-driving-digital-strategy

    40 min

  3. 11/13/2025

    Episode 10: "Why Fascists Fear Teachers" with Randi Weingarten

    Nicole's conversation with Randi Weingarten gets right to the heart of why teachers are on the frontlines of the fight for democracy. Randi breaks down the real pressures educators are facing and why her book Why Fascists Fear Teachers is both a warning and a call to action.

    23 min

  4. 10/06/2025

    Episode 9: Learning From the Right

    Our latest Influencer Impact podcast episode is live. Nicole Dunger, VP of Growth, and Ryan Long, Digital Strategy Manager, break down the digital strategies Republicans are leaning on this cycle. This is not praise! But rather, an exploration as to why their tactics are gaining traction, how they are capturing attention online, and what lessons progressives can take to sharpen our own digital playbooks.

    21 min

  5. 09/04/2025

    Episode 8: Ryan & Nicole on Netroots Nation and the Democratic Voter Registration Crisis

    On this episode, Ryan and Nicole unpack The New York Times report on the decline in Democratic voter registration and discuss how creators can help turn the tide. Plus, Nicole shares highlights from her recent trip to Netroots Nation!

    15 min

  6. 07/10/2025

    Episode 7 - Lights, Camera, Influence: Oh Mary and the Art of Digital Storytelling

    Episode 7 of Influencer Impact is live! In this month's episode, Ryan and Sit down with Social Media Director Austin Spero of Oh Mary to dive into the impact of digital storytelling on the hit Broadway production.

    33 min

  7. 06/18/2025

    Special Edition: Talking MAHA Microinfluencers and 2028 with Digital Analyst Joe Drymala

    In this special edition of Influencer Impact, Nicole and Ryan sit down with Joe Drymala, political social media analyst and owner of Share of Voice. They discuss how microinfluencers powered RFK Jr.'s MAHA movement—and which 2028 contender is surprisingly popular with young men online.

    23 min

  8. 06/05/2025

    Episode 5 - Hyperlocal Influence: Sparking Change in Their Own Communities

    In this months episode of Influencer Impact, Ryan and Nicole sit down with Sara St. Hilaire and Philip Holmes of Swell Creative Group to explore how local creators helped pass Measure A in LA County. From strategy to storytelling, they unpack how community-rooted influence can power big wins and lasting change. While you're here, make sure to check out and subscribe to our Substack by the same name! Where we break down online discourse and audience behavior to harness social media for meaningful advocacy.

    27 min

  9. 04/30/2025

    Episode 4 - Standing Up: Social Media's Role in Defending Trans Rights

    In this month's episode of Influencer Impact, we're diving into the digital frontlines of trans advocacy with two powerhouse voices from the ACLU: Justin Kipp, Artist & Influencer Engagement Strategist, and Gillian Branstetter, Communications Strategist for the ACLU's LGBTQ & HIV Project. From the viral potential of creator-led campaigns to the stakes of the U.S. v. Skrmetti case, we explore how social media can be a lifeline—and a battleground—for trans rights. Whether you're an advocate, an ally, or a creator looking to speak out, this conversation is a must-listen.

    24 min

  10. 04/02/2025

    Episode 3 - Building Progressive Creator Communities

    In this month's episode, we're joined by Val Cheney, our Director of Organizing, and Jiovanni Carrasquillo, our Senior Digital Relational Organizer, where we discuss how People First builds a vibrant, values-aligned creator community. We dive into how we manage to keep creators engaged, empowered, and ready to share the causes they care about most

    24 min

  11. 03/06/2025

    Episode 2 - The Power of Influencers in Spreading DEI Messages

    For March, Ryan and Nicole sit down with Sophia, an Account Director at Fenton, to explore how organizations approach DEI and why it matters. Tune in for an insightful discussion on how we deploy real people to bring authentic voices to the conversation. Don't miss this must-read resource from Stanford:  https://people1st.substack.com/p/whats-your-creativity-suppression

    23 min

  12. 02/05/2025

    Episode 1 - Leveraging Influencers for Advocacy Organizations

    For February, Ryan and Nicole are joined by Natasha del Amo, Vice President of Paid Media at Precision Strategies. They discuss the role of influencers in nonprofit and corporate advocacy, the best ways to position creators for clients, and what Natasha is most excited about in 2025 marketing.

    21 min
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Influencer Impact is a monthly podcast from People First, exploring influencer and digital strategies for advocacy groups, nonprofits, and campaigns. Hosted by Ryan Davis and Nicole Dunger, the podcast features special guests from the agency and marketing world. Tune in to stay ahead of the latest digital strategies your organization needs to succeed in today's communications lands.

Information

  • Creator
    People First
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Influencer Impact