Useful Not Famous

MAVEN
  • 5.0 (2)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about their bank account than their ego. Hosted by Jeff Sarris and Amara Andrew.

  1. 6H AGO

    Do you see me?

    Not everybody wants to be looked at, but everybody wants to be seen—and that fear shows up fast online, especially when friends and family might judge us. In this episode we also discover that we fall into a new category: “all bite, no bark”—doing real work without talking about it—and why success often needs both strong work and smart marketing. 00:00 Not Looked At, But Seen: The Quote That Sets the Tone00:42 Looking vs Seeing: Why Visibility Feels So Scary Online02:15 Art History Lens: The Active Work of ‘Seeing’03:40 Amanda Palmer & The Art of Asking (Plus How We Save Quotes)04:59 All Bite, No Bark: Doing the Work Without Talking About It08:03 Bark vs Bite in the Real World: Billionaires, Brands, and Balance11:34 Useful Not Famous: Why Fame-First Usually Fails12:59 The Iron Law of Stardom: The 3-Year Fame Window15:43 Turn Fame Into a Business: What Actually Sells18:09 Proof in the Age of AI: Real Humans, Real Trust, Better Output22:07 AI as a 10x Team: Scaling Creative Output Without Hiring23:23 Beyond “AI Slop”: Taste, Intentionality, and the Dead Internet Problem25:09 Proof You’re Real: Why Authentic Local Presence Matters More Now27:02 Human Slop & Trend Chasing: Why Copycat Content Builds Nothing27:54 The Influencer Money Myth: Views, Burnout, and the Hamster Wheel30:19 Own Your Audience: Escaping Algorithm Dependence with an Ecosystem33:22 All Bark vs All Bite: Start, Keep Going, and Manage Your Time37:39 No Magic Pills: Temporary Fixes, Root Causes, and Getting to Work39:41 Resulting & “Thinking in Bets”: Luck, Variables, and Long-Term Compounding43:10 Closing + How to Support the Show --- Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about making money than getting likes and subscribers. Join our useful family at usefulnotfamous.com to get one actionable tip delivered to your inbox every Monday morning. Follow us! Jeff Sarris | Amara Andrew Support the ShowReadwise is the way to get the most out of what you read and is the only subscription that we find so valuable that we can imagine keeping it until the end of time.  Sign up for Readwise using our special link, readwise.io/maven/, and get 60 days free!

    44 min

  2. FEB 9

    It's time to make time your superpower

    Trust the process. Time is the essential ingredient of success. Use it to your advantage. In this episode, we start with Kevin Kelly and Robert Greene, discuss the value of enduring the slow process of mastery, and emphasize why having the right focus in a hyperlocal market is crucial. We also share our personal struggles with content creation (despite running a video marketing agency), the paradox of choice, and the importance of transformation in storytelling and business. 00:00 Introduction and Quotes00:54 Exploring Daily Meditations01:54 Patience and Process03:51 Social Media and Attention Span07:34 Hyperlocal Platform Strategy18:19 Link Trees and Online Presence23:36 Client Collaboration and Decision Fatigue24:24 Hyperlocal Platform Explained25:15 Personal Content Challenges26:35 Content Creation Strategies28:04 Paradox of Choice in Content Creation30:47 Exploring Video Concepts37:11 Importance of Storytelling and Transformation41:27 Sales and Transformation in Business42:53 Conclusion and Upcoming Plans --- Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about making money than getting likes and subscribers. Join our useful family at usefulnotfamous.com to get one actionable tip delivered to your inbox every Monday morning. Follow Jeff SarrisInstagram | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok Follow Amara AndrewInstagram | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok

    43 min

  3. FEB 2

    Don't listen to this if you wanna be like everyone else

    You get no competitive edge from consuming the same things as everyone else. Join us as we dive into the importance of storytelling, why unique hobbies matter, the nuances of live streaming, and unconventional sales strategies. Small shifts that lead to big changes. 00:00 Introduction00:35 The Importance of Unique Consumption01:33 Exploring New Interests and Hobbies02:18 The Concept of Derive and Mental Breaks03:37 The Value of Hobbies and Relaxation07:42 Social Media and Content Consumption14:21 Live Streaming and Personal Content Creation19:59 Nostalgic TV Shows and Music Distractions20:53 The Art of Storytelling in Screenwriting22:02 The Importance of Character Transformation23:19 Challenges of Teaching and Performing24:47 The Struggle of Self-Promotion25:40 Unique Sales Techniques27:30 The Aggressive Sales Experience30:11 MAVEN's Approach to Marketing33:00 Creative Ideas for Conferences --- Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about making money than getting likes and subscribers. Join our useful family at usefulnotfamous.com to get one actionable tip delivered to your inbox every Monday morning. Follow Jeff SarrisInstagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok Follow Amara AndrewInstagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok

    39 min

  4. JAN 26

    We're done teaching what we know

    We've been doing it all wrong. And we had no idea. 00:00 Introduction and New Rule00:29 Personal Reflections on Teaching03:13 The Shift to Storytelling06:04 Navigating Negativity and Positivity11:56 Exploring Storytelling Techniques16:09 Balancing Creativity and Analysis19:55 The Intersection of Art and Science20:32 Elon Musk: Analytical and Creative21:30 The Balance of Creativity and Practicality22:25 Defining Art and Creativity27:50 The Role of Storytelling in Human Connection34:11 The Underdog Phenomenon39:22 Football Analogies and Lessons42:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts --- Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about making money than getting likes and subscribers. Join our useful family at usefulnotfamous.com to get one actionable tip delivered to your inbox every Monday morning. Follow Jeff SarrisInstagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok Follow Amara AndrewInstagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok

    42 min

  5. JAN 19

    You're not forgetful, just stupid

    Have you ever walked into a room and immediately forgotten why you went there? It’s not just you—scientists have found that crossing through doorways can actually make you forget what you were thinking. This phenomenon is called the “doorway effect,” and it can affect everything from daily tasks to content creation. 00:00 Introduction to Memory and Boundaries00:55 The Concept of Boundaries in Memory01:11 Practical Examples of Boundaries02:27 Boundaries in Media and Content Creation04:44 Screenwriting and Successful TV Shows15:51 Familiarity and Inside Jokes in Media23:39 Lip Gloss Mishap23:42 Soundtracks and Familiarity24:07 Comfort in Familiar Spaces26:51 Social Media and Notifications27:26 Effective Use of Phones29:45 Email Marketing Insights32:53 Recording Content Tips41:02 The Mandela Effect49:45 Concluding Thoughts --- Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about making money than getting likes and subscribers. Join our useful family at usefulnotfamous.com to get one actionable tip delivered to your inbox every Monday morning. Follow Jeff SarrisInstagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok Follow Amara AndrewInstagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok

    51 min

  6. JAN 12

    Can there be happiness without ambition?

    Are you struggling to find happiness? You may be stuck with shallow happiness, when you need to focus on deep happiness. Jeff Sarris and Amara Andrew explore the difference between shallow happiness and deep happiness. They discuss how being present-focused can lead to instant joy but might prevent long-term achievements. They reference Derek Sivers' philosophy of 'Hell Yeah or No,' emphasizing doing things that truly excite you. The hosts also share personal experiences with balancing short-term joy and long-term goals, highlighting the importance of building a brand over time rather than seeking instant fame. They conclude with insights on ambition, objectives, and the value of consistent effort in achieving true happiness. 00:00 Introduction to Shallow vs. Deep Happiness00:35 Meet the Hosts: Amara and Jeff01:13 The Philosophy of 'Hell Yeah or No'03:08 Conferences and Business Networking05:00 Balancing Short-Term and Long-Term Happiness07:11 Ambition vs. Objectives14:01 Living in the Moment vs. Planning for the Future23:51 Driving Exotic Cars24:06 The Fascination with Ferrari25:42 The Joy of Anticipation26:33 Wrestling and Viral Moments29:54 The Pitfalls of Chasing Virality32:38 Building a Sustainable Brand33:48 The Importance of Hyperlocal Content37:48 Consistency Over Virality48:05 Celebrating Small Wins --- Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about making money than getting likes and subscribers. Join our useful family at usefulnotfamous.com to get one actionable tip delivered to your inbox every Monday morning. Follow Jeff SarrisInstagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok Follow Amara AndrewInstagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok

    49 min

  7. JAN 5

    Have we ever actually been happy

    In this episode of Useful Not Famous, Amara and Jeff explore the concept of desire and how it ties to unhappiness. They discuss whether happiness truly exists or is just a state of contentment and joy. They delve into how setting no specific objectives can lead to unexpected and fulfilling paths, using examples like Robert Greene's journey to writing 'The 48 Laws of Power.' They also touch on the importance of continuous learning, especially through reading non-fiction, and how it can lead to personal and professional growth. Tune in to find out how exploring can lead to significant and unexpected successes! 00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:23 Meet the Hosts: Amara and Jeff00:49 Exploring the Concept of Desire02:54 The Three Types of Fun04:45 The Nature of Happiness10:40 Desire and Unhappiness12:23 Personal Reflections on Desire and Career14:41 The Joy of Unexpected Freedom15:51 Embracing the Unknown16:10 The Power of Learning and Exploration17:43 Introducing Hive: A New Framework19:55 The Journey of Robert Green25:49 The Importance of Continuous Learning32:44 Final Thoughts and Encouragement --- Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about making money than getting likes and subscribers. Join our useful family at usefulnotfamous.com to get one actionable tip delivered to your inbox every Monday morning. Follow Jeff SarrisInstagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok Follow Amara AndrewInstagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok

    34 min

  8. 12/29/2025

    You'll never be world class unless you do this

    In this episode of Useful Not Famous, Amara Andrew and Jeff Sarris delve into the concept of becoming the best in the world at what you do, drawing inspiration from The Almanack of Naval Ravikant. They discuss the importance of continuous improvement, redefining your goals, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. The conversation covers a range of topics, including the necessity of hard work, competing with yourself, the satisfaction that comes from doing what you love, and learning from notable examples like Michael Jordan and Taylor Swift. They also touch on the broader idea that everyone has a unique form of genius, which can be harnessed by focusing on what truly fulfills you. Join them as they explore the mindset and strategies needed to achieve greatness in whatever you do. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back00:30 Discussing Naval Ravikant's Wisdom00:57 Reflecting on Past Podcast Episodes01:24 The Journey to Becoming the Best02:44 Competing with Yourself05:07 The Importance of Hard Work11:21 Focusing on the Right Questions14:22 Living in the Present18:52 Finding Fulfillment in Non-Work Activities20:25 Redefining Creativity and Artistic Identity23:04 Different Types of Genius24:08 The Importance of Passion in Avoiding Burnout26:48 The Role of Hard Work and Practice in Success28:36 Taylor Swift: A Case Study in Reinvention30:39 Balancing Passion and Practicality37:08 The Magic of Mastery and Practice40:36 Podcast Updates and Future Plans --- Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about making money than getting likes and subscribers. Join our useful family at usefulnotfamous.com to get one actionable tip delivered to your inbox every Monday morning. Follow Jeff SarrisInstagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok Follow Amara AndrewInstagram | X | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok

    41 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Useful Not Famous is the podcast for people who care more about their bank account than their ego. Hosted by Jeff Sarris and Amara Andrew.

Information

  • Creator
    MAVEN
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    ©2025 MAVEN
  • Show Website
    Useful Not Famous