YES, BRAND with Hersh Rephun

Hersh Rephun
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YES, BRAND is a live - and lively - conversation about what happens right before an idea starts to spread. Not after it’s built. Not once it’s polished. Right at the point where it’s still being understood, misread, or shaped in real time. Each episode engages with founders, operators, creatives, and public thinkers who are actively putting something into motion — and looks at how it’s actually landing. Because the difference between traction and friction usually isn’t the idea. It’s what people think it is. Hosted by Hersh Rephun, Chief Coherence Officer, working at the point where perception gets set.

  1. Taqua Malik on Gulf Business Culture, Hidden Signals, and Why Deals Fail Quietly

    4D AGO

    Taqua Malik on Gulf Business Culture, Hidden Signals, and Why Deals Fail Quietly

    In this episode of YES, BRAND, Hersh Rephun sits down with Taqua Malik, founder and CEO of FreedomVisory, to explore the hidden cultural dynamics behind business, trust, and communication in the Gulf region. Based in Dubai, Taqua helps founders, executives, and global organizations navigate the unwritten rules of Arabic business culture across the GCC, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait. Her work combines cultural intelligence, legal understanding, language, and relationship strategy to help businesses avoid costly misunderstandings and build lasting trust. Hersh’s conversation with Taqua goes far beyond etiquette or surface-level cultural advice. Together, they unpack what it actually means to enter a market with respect, awareness, and long-term intention. They explore: Why business in the Gulf is built on relationships, not transactionsThe “language behind the language” in high-context culturesHow subtle cultural missteps quietly damage dealsWhy trust and belonging matter more than speedThe challenge of building a startup rooted in education and serviceAnd how generosity and patience create long-term business success Taqua also shares her personal journey from growing up in Saudi Arabia to working inside international law firms translating GCC legal systems and cultural nuance for global clients, eventually leading to the creation of FreedomVisory and her fast-growing newsletter, The Souk Secrets. Insightful, thoughtful, and deeply grounded, this episode is a masterclass in understanding people before trying to win business from them. -- Hersh's new book, SELLING THE TRUTH: A ‘Semoir’ with Insights for Life & Business is a semi memoir drawing on his adventures as an Authority Advisor and Standup Comedian. It is part business book, part happiness formula for life, and an amuseful read, whether you’re building a business or burnishing your self-image. You can kickstart your own messaging evolution with a one-on-one 5-Minute Fix. Take the 60-second Get Off Your Assets Quiz, and find other resources here: https://www.hershrephun.com/selling-the-truth/

    31 min
  2. Nicole Powell: Why Throwing Money at Marketing Doesn’t Build a Brand

    MAY 12

    Nicole Powell: Why Throwing Money at Marketing Doesn’t Build a Brand

    In this episode of YES, BRAND, Hersh Rephun sits down with certified brand strategist and neuromarketing expert Nicole Powell, founder of Halcon Marketing Solutions, to talk about what’s broken in modern marketing and why brand strategy still matters. Born in Manila and raised in the Bronx before eventually settling in St. Louis, Nicole brings a unique blend of big-brand experience and entrepreneurial perspective. After working with powerhouse companies like Viacom, ESPN, and Fox, she shifted her focus toward helping small and midsize businesses build brands with actual substance, not just visibility. Hersh’s conversation with Nicole explores the disconnect between marketing tactics and meaningful messaging, and why too many businesses mistake ads, logos, and social media for brand identity. They dive into: Why marketing without strategy burns money instead of building trustThe gap between “having a logo” and actually having a brandHow big brands create consistency across every touchpointWhy burnout and pressure culture hurt creativityThe role of neuroscience and psychology in brandingAnd how motherhood reshaped Nicole’s definition of success Nicole also opens up about her own winding career path, from on-camera work in Los Angeles to building an agency rooted in values, partnership, and long-term brand development. Grounded, insightful, and refreshingly honest, this episode is a reminder that the strongest brands aren’t built from tactics first. They’re built from clarity. -- Hersh's new book, SELLING THE TRUTH: A ‘Semoir’ with Insights for Life & Business is a semi memoir drawing on his adventures as an Authority Advisor and Standup Comedian. It is part business book, part happiness formula for life, and an amuseful read, whether you’re building a business or burnishing your self-image. You can kickstart your own messaging evolution with a one-on-one 5-Minute Fix. Take the 60-second Get Off Your Assets Quiz, and find other resources here: https://www.hershrephun.com/selling-the-truth/

    28 min
  3. Daniel Trujillo: What You Wear Carries More Than Style

    MAY 8

    Daniel Trujillo: What You Wear Carries More Than Style

    We don't buy products. We buy what they represent. In this episode, Hersh sits down with Daniel Trujillo, founder of Miami Links, to talk about what it actually means to build something that carries weight beyond the surface. Dan grew up in a first-generation Cuban family in Miami, where Cuban link chains weren’t just accessories. They marked milestones. They held stories. They got passed down. After serving as a Marine, he came back to Miami and turned that legacy into a business. Not by chasing trends, but by staying close to what mattered in the first place. We get into: The difference between something that looks good and something that means somethingWhy sentiment beats price every timeHow his grandfather’s bracelet became the spark behind the entire brandWhat it really takes to build a business online when no one knows who you are yetWhy most brands miss the emotional layer that actually drives decisionsHow confidence, identity, and style all tie together in ways people don’t talk about This isn’t a conversation about jewelry. It’s about what people hold onto—and why. Here’s more information about Dan: Website: https://miamilinks.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamilinks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamilinks/ -- Hersh's new book, SELLING THE TRUTH: A ‘Semoir’ with Insights for Life & Business is a semi memoir drawing on his adventures as an Authority Advisor and Standup Comedian. It is part business book, part happiness formula for life, and an amuseful read, whether you’re building a business or burnishing your self-image. You can kickstart your own messaging evolution with a one-on-one 5-Minute Fix. Take the 60-second Get Off Your Assets Quiz, and find other resources here: https://www.hershrephun.com/selling-the-truth/

    30 min
  4. You Don’t Have a Customer: Zac Stucki on the ‘Wallet on Legs’ Mistake Killing Growth

    MAY 7

    You Don’t Have a Customer: Zac Stucki on the ‘Wallet on Legs’ Mistake Killing Growth

    In this episode of YES, BRAND, Hersh Rephun sits down with Zac Stucki, founder of IgnitionPoint Strategies, to unpack a fundamental flaw in how businesses think about their customers. What starts with a hilarious grocery store story quickly turns into a powerful framework. Zac challenges the idea that “the customer” is a single person, introducing a three-part ecosystem: the payer, the decider, and the user. Most companies, he explains, are talking to the wrong one and burning time, money, and momentum as a result. Hersh’s conversation with Zac digs into how this misunderstanding stalls growth, why companies plateau between two and five million, and how early adopters are often mistaken for scalable markets. Zac shares real-world examples, including how shifting focus in a struggling medical practice led to 40% year-over-year growth. If your sales feel slow, your messaging isn’t landing, or your growth has stalled, this episode will challenge how you think about your audience and show you exactly where things are breaking down. More about Zac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-stucki/ -- Hersh's new book, SELLING THE TRUTH: A ‘Semoir’ with Insights for Life & Business is a semi memoir drawing on his adventures as an Authority Advisor and Standup Comedian. It is part business book, part happiness formula for life, and an amuseful read, whether you’re building a business or burnishing your self-image. You can kickstart your own messaging evolution with a one-on-one 5-Minute Fix. Take the 60-second Get Off Your Assets Quiz, and find other resources here: https://www.hershrephun.com/selling-the-truth/

    26 min
  5. Stop Wearing Every Hat: Kirsten Graham on VAs, Visibility, and Actually Making Money

    MAY 6

    Stop Wearing Every Hat: Kirsten Graham on VAs, Visibility, and Actually Making Money

    In this episode of YES, BRAND, Hersh Rephun sits down with Kirsten Graham, a business strategist who helps entrepreneurs reclaim their time, sharpen their visibility, and finally stop trying to do everything themselves. Kirsten shares how her journey from running a mortgage company led to building systems that combine strategic marketing, podcasting, and specialized virtual assistants to help business owners grow without burning out. The conversation dives into the myth of the “do-it-all entrepreneur,” the dangers of hiring generalists instead of specialists, and why so many founders struggle with finances simply because they avoid them. Hersh and Kirsten also explore the deeper mindset blocks around money, delegation, and control, and why clarity in your brand and messaging should come before launching things like podcasts or content channels. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all the hats you’re wearing or wondered why your business isn’t scaling the way you expected, this episode is a wake-up call and a roadmap. check out Kirsten’s masterclass here: http://lessmathmoremoney.com/ we would love to invite you to become an affiliate. Together we can help more entrepreneurs gain clarity around their finances and build stronger businesses. Here is the link if you’d like to learn more: https://loveyourprofit.com/join-lyp-affiliate If you’re not already connected with Kirsten on LinkedIn, here’s her profile. -- Hersh's new book, SELLING THE TRUTH: A ‘Semoir’ with Insights for Life & Business is a semi memoir drawing on his adventures as an Authority Advisor and Standup Comedian. It is part business book, part happiness formula for life, and an amuseful read, whether you’re building a business or burnishing your self-image. You can kickstart your own messaging evolution with a one-on-one 5-Minute Fix. Take the 60-second Get Off Your Assets Quiz, and find other resources here: https://www.hershrephun.com/selling-the-truth/

    28 min
  6. Christian Hansen: Why People Don’t Choose You (And How to Change That)

    MAY 1

    Christian Hansen: Why People Don’t Choose You (And How to Change That)

    In this episode of YES, BRAND, Hersh Rephun sits down with bestselling author and influence expert Christian Hansen to unpack a question that sits at the heart of every brand: why do some people get chosen… while others get overlooked? Drawing from years spent in university admissions, corporate environments, and high-stakes decision-making rooms, Christian has studied what actually moves people to say “yes.” And the answer isn’t what most people think. Hersh’s conversation with Christian explores the subtle but powerful shift from trying to prove your value… to shaping how that value is perceived. They dive into: Why people don’t choose you—they choose their perception of youThe hidden role of language in shaping influenceHow relatability beats “being impressive” every timeThe difference between confidence in yourself vs. confidence in othersAnd why insight is far more valuable than experience Christian also shares practical frameworks from The Influence Mindset, including simple ways to reframe conversations so they actually resonate with how people think and decide. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right but still not getting chosen, this episode will challenge how you communicate, position, and show up. https://www.thechristianhansen.com/ -- Hersh's new book, SELLING THE TRUTH: A ‘Semoir’ with Insights for Life & Business is a semi memoir drawing on his adventures as an Authority Advisor and Standup Comedian. It is part business book, part happiness formula for life, and an amuseful read, whether you’re building a business or burnishing your self-image. You can kickstart your own messaging evolution with a one-on-one 5-Minute Fix. Take the 60-second Get Off Your Assets Quiz, and find other resources here: https://www.hershrephun.com/selling-the-truth/

    28 min
  7. Lori Asbury: Why Most Businesses Don’t Need a CMO… They Need This Instead

    APR 30

    Lori Asbury: Why Most Businesses Don’t Need a CMO… They Need This Instead

    In this episode of YES, BRAND, Hersh Rephun sits down with Lori Asbury, founder of CMO Co, to talk about what it really takes to build, scale, and sustain a marketing agency in a constantly shifting landscape. With over 25 years in media, branding, and marketing leadership, including senior roles at HGTV, Lori brings a rare blend of corporate experience and entrepreneurial grit. But her journey wasn’t linear. After a corporate reorganization forced her out of a high-level role, she made a pivotal decision to stay rooted for her family and build something on her own terms. Hersh’s conversation with Lori dives into that transition, from leading large internal teams at billion-dollar brands to creating a fractional CMO model that gives growing businesses high-level strategy without the full-time overhead. They explore: The evolution from corporate leadership to entrepreneurshipWhy most companies misunderstand what marketing actually requiresThe gap between strategy and execution and how to close itHow CMO Co became both a strategic partner and execution engineAnd why even marketing experts need to step back and brand themselves Lori also shares candid insights on growth, adaptability, and the importance of staying relentlessly committed to your craft, even when the plan changes. For founders, marketers, and agency owners, this episode is a grounded look at building something sustainable, scalable, and actually effective. https://cmoco.com -- Hersh's new book, SELLING THE TRUTH: A ‘Semoir’ with Insights for Life & Business is a semi memoir drawing on his adventures as an Authority Advisor and Standup Comedian. It is part business book, part happiness formula for life, and an amuseful read, whether you’re building a business or burnishing your self-image. You can kickstart your own messaging evolution with a one-on-one 5-Minute Fix. Take the 60-second Get Off Your Assets Quiz, and find other resources here: https://www.hershrephun.com/selling-the-truth/

    29 min
  8. Aaron Ryan on Writing 40 Books, Sci-Fi Storytelling, and Why Creativity Beats Validation

    APR 29

    Aaron Ryan on Writing 40 Books, Sci-Fi Storytelling, and Why Creativity Beats Validation

    Award-winning and bestselling author Aaron Ryan joins YES, BRAND to talk storytelling, creativity, and the imagination behind his prolific body of work. Based in Washington with his wife, two sons, and a lively mix of pets, Aaron has written nearly 40 books across genres, from sci-fi thrillers and dystopian sagas to children’s stories and faith-driven narratives. His titles include the bestselling Dissonance alien invasion series, the Christian dystopian saga The End, and standalones like Forecast, The Phoenix Experiment, and The Slide. But the story behind the stories starts much earlier. Aaron’s creative journey began in second grade with a short story called The Electric Boy, a spark that turned into a lifelong calling. Since then, he’s built a multifaceted creative life as an author, musician, voiceover artist, performer, and producer, all rooted in a deep curiosity about the human experience. In this conversation, Hersh and Aaron explore: How ideas evolve from simple sparks into expansive story worldsWhy the best stories balance imagination with human truthThe difference between planning a story and discovering it as you goHow faith and creativity intersect in meaningful waysAnd why validation has nothing to do with creative momentum Aaron also shares how his “organic” approach to writing led to building entire universes, including the ever-expanding Dissonance saga, and why storytelling, at its core, is about more than plot. It’s about connection, meaning, and the courage to create without waiting for permission. For anyone building a creative brand or trying to stay true to their voice, this episode is both grounding and energizing. https://authoraaronryan.com/ -- Hersh's new book, SELLING THE TRUTH: A ‘Semoir’ with Insights for Life & Business is a semi memoir drawing on his adventures as an Authority Advisor and Standup Comedian. It is part business book, part happiness formula for life, and an amuseful read, whether you’re building a business or burnishing your self-image. You can kickstart your own messaging evolution with a one-on-one 5-Minute Fix. Take the 60-second Get Off Your Assets Quiz, and find other resources here: https://www.hershrephun.com/selling-the-truth/

    30 min
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5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

YES, BRAND is a live - and lively - conversation about what happens right before an idea starts to spread. Not after it’s built. Not once it’s polished. Right at the point where it’s still being understood, misread, or shaped in real time. Each episode engages with founders, operators, creatives, and public thinkers who are actively putting something into motion — and looks at how it’s actually landing. Because the difference between traction and friction usually isn’t the idea. It’s what people think it is. Hosted by Hersh Rephun, Chief Coherence Officer, working at the point where perception gets set.

Information

  • Creator
    Hersh Rephun
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    153
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 YES, BRAND with Hersh Rephun
  • Show Website
    YES, BRAND with Hersh Rephun