Why Most Marketing Fails (And How Military Strategy Fixes It) with Lee Pepper

In this milestone 600th episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, Rory sits down with his co-author, business partner, and wife—AJ Vaden—for her first-ever author interview. But this isn’t just a book promo. This is the raw, behind-the-scenes story of how Brand Builders Group was born in the ashes of unexpected loss, career heartbreak, and spiritual refinement. AJ vulnerably opens up about being fired from the company she helped build, the moment she realized her identity was misplaced, and the childhood trauma that shaped her purpose. You’ll hear about the divine timing of a single phone call from Lewis Howes, the quiet miracle of provision during crisis, and how a stranger’s words unlocked a lifelong belief about her worth. This episode is a masterclass in personal transformation—what it means to rebuild, to be refined, and to serve others from your story’s deepest wounds. Whether you're an entrepreneur, author, coach, or just someone trying to figure out who you really are… this episode will meet you there. 🎧 Listen to discover: Why identity—not strategy—is the foundation of personal branding The spiritual side of starting over How Brand Builders Group rose from rock bottom What “Wealthy and Well-Known” truly means—and why peace is the new profit The one phrase that may reframe your entire past 🔥 Plus: Get the audiobook free at FreeBrandAudiobook.com/podcast

Why do some people give up while others rise and keep going? In this episode, Rory Vaden shares three battle-tested mindset hacks that the world’s top achievers use to overcome the impossible—and keep showing up long after others quit. You’ll hear: The #1 mindset shift that ultra-successful people share Why falling in love with the daily grind is the real secret to growth How to turn hard moments into long-term competitive advantage The “Law of the Moat” and how your toughest trials become your greatest protection A behind-the-scenes reflection on Rory’s interview with $700M+ entrepreneurs Mike and Kass Lazerow Whether you're building a business, chasing a dream, or just trying to stay afloat, this episode is your reminder: Perseverance is the goal. No matter how hard it gets, the people who win are the ones who stay in the fight. This is how they do it.

What’s the difference between influencers who look successful… and entrepreneurs who actually are? In this riveting episode, Rory sits down with Mike and Kass Lazerow, the powerhouse husband-and-wife duo behind multiple high-impact businesses—including Buddy Media, which they sold to Salesforce for $745 million. They’ve helped scale companies like Scopely ($5B exit) and Liquid Death, advised countless founders, and now they’re opening up like never before about what it really takes to build a business that lasts. From burning out on the way to $50M in ARR in just three years, to rebuilding after failed exits and learning how to balance marriage, money, mission, and meaning—this conversation is a raw, honest, and deeply insightful masterclass in entrepreneurship. You’ll learn: Why going viral isn’t the same as building enterprise value The “swamp” that traps 7-figure personal brands—and how to escape it How to scale without breaking your marriage or your soul Why building systems beats hiring saviors The cheat code they wish they’d used sooner (and how you can now) Why “shoveling the crap” is the real secret to success Plus, hear their take on personal branding, reputation, and why real impact doesn’t always trend on TikTok—but it changes lives. If you’re serious about entrepreneurship, leadership, or building something that outlasts you, this is a must-listen. 🎧 Grab their new book — Shoveling Bleep: A Love Story About the Entrepreneur’s Messy Path to Success

We live in a world obsessed with more—more followers, more likes, more views, more subscribers, more clients, more money. But what if more isn’t what you need? What if more is actually costing you peace, clarity, focus… and real results? In this powerful solo episode, AJ Vaden flips the script on one of the most deeply ingrained assumptions in marketing and entrepreneurship: that bigger is always better. Drawing from a recent conversation with long-time friend and marketing leader Lee Pepper, AJ dives deep into the difference between vanity metrics and real growth indicators—and why chasing the wrong metrics could be the very thing holding you back. If you've ever found yourself: Feeling pressure to "go viral" without knowing why Posting endlessly but getting no real traction Confused about what social media metrics actually matter Burnt out trying to “scale” a business you’re not equipped to handle Overwhelmed by more noise, more platforms, and more expectations …this episode is your wake-up call. You'll learn: ✅ Why “more” often brings more pressure, not more peace ✅ The hidden cost of chasing likes, followers, and superficial numbers ✅ The core real metrics that actually grow your personal brand and business ✅ How to turn existing engagement into real conversions and paying clients ✅ A simple mindset shift that could transform your marketing strategy overnight ✅ Why focusing on fewer platforms can generate more impact and income ✅ How doing less with intention outperforms doing more without purpose AJ reminds us that true influence isn’t measured by impressions—it’s measured by impact. And in this episode, she’ll help you reclaim your time, focus, and revenue by aligning your metrics with your mission. 🎧 Whether you're just starting your personal brand or scaling into your next level of influence, this is an episode you'll want to revisit again and again. 👉 Listen now and discover why being better is always more important than being bigger.

In this powerhouse episode, AJ welcomes longtime friend and marketing strategist Lee Pepper to unpack what most brands miss—real strategy. From leading marketing for a private equity-backed company that scaled 60X to writing a leadership playbook rooted in military mental models, Lee brings the kind of clarity most execs never get. The conversation dives deep into: Why most marketing fails (spoiler: it’s not the tactics) How military frameworks like “Commander’s Intent” translate to corporate innovation The overlooked role of marketing in HR, finance, and company-wide leadership Real vs. vanity metrics (and how to stop being "Twitter rich and dollar poor") Whether you're scaling a startup or revamping a marketing team, this episode delivers the insight and strategy you’ve been missing. 🎯 Pre-order Lee’s book Never Outmatched: neveroutmatched.com

In this episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, Rory sits down with the unstoppable JJ Virgin, a four-time New York Times bestselling author, podcast host with over 20 million downloads, and one of the most recognized names in the health and nutrition world. JJ pulls back the curtain on her incredible journey of resilience, from reclaiming her personal brand after a turbulent business exit to rebuilding her company and even saving her son’s life after a tragic accident. She shares the raw truth about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the pivotal mindset shifts that propelled her forward, and the power of stretching outside your comfort zone. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a personal brand enthusiast, or simply someone looking for inspiration, JJ's story will leave you empowered to face your biggest challenges head-on. 🌟 Topics covered: The behind-the-scenes story of how JJ sold her business, lost control of her brand, and bought it back How adversity sharpened her focus and reignited her passion The secrets to standing out in the crowded health and wellness space Why investing in yourself—even when you’re successful—is the key to lasting growth How doing hard physical things trains your mind for resilience and success 🔗 Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will push you to embrace challenges, invest in your growth, and realize that success comes from doing the hard things.

What if the systems that make your business thrive could also save your marriage? 💡 In this candid and empowering solo episode, AJ Vaden shares 10 game-changing habits that have helped her and husband Rory Vaden build a business and a marriage that lasts. Drawing from 15 years of lessons in love, leadership, and laundry (yes, really), AJ reveals the practical frameworks they’ve implemented at home—from weekly meetings and shared calendars to house manuals and sex coupons. 💬 Whether you're a high-performing entrepreneur, a busy parent, or just someone trying to bring more peace into your home, this episode is packed with real talk, tactical tips, and heartfelt encouragement. You’ll learn: ✅ The #1 meeting every couple should have each week ✅ How to create a “house manual” that eliminates chaos ✅ Why a shared family calendar could save your sanity ✅ How outsourcing chores can protect your relationship ✅ The secret “gift” that keeps AJ and Rory connected  This isn’t fluff. It’s the behind-the-scenes blueprint of how to build a marriage and family as intentionally as you build your career. 🎧 Tune in now and steal what works for your family.

If You Don’t Know Your Numbers, You Don’t Own a Business Too many entrepreneurs are flying blind when it comes to their finances—and it’s costing them big time. In this powerful recap episode, AJ Vaden breaks down the most important lessons from her interview with CPA and bestselling author Greg Crabtree (Simple Numbers) to help you take control of your business with clarity and confidence. You’ll learn: The 3 numbers every business owner must track monthly Why you must separate business and personal finances (no matter your revenue) The difference between tax filing and tax planning—and why it matters How to create a simple but powerful system for managing your money Why profit doesn’t happen by accident (and how to actually budget for it) Whether you're just starting or scaling into seven figures, this episode gives you a crash course in real-world financial intelligence—without the jargon. This isn’t about spreadsheets. It’s about survival and success. 🎯 Want to keep your business alive and thriving? Start here.

Most entrepreneurs think they understand their numbers — until reality hits. In this eye-opening episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, AJ Vaden sits down with Greg Crabtree, CPA, author of Simple Numbers and Simple Numbers 2.0, and one of the most trusted financial voices in the Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO). Greg breaks down the two most important—and misunderstood—metrics for business owners: Labor Efficiency Ratio (LER) and Contribution Margin. You'll learn how to: Use data, not gut feelings, to decide when to hire Optimize profitability without scaling expenses Identify toxic productivity killers inside your team Use just a handful of key numbers to guide your business decisions Build a capital-efficient business that’s ready to sell—or ready to scale This conversation turns traditional financial “best practices” upside down and gives you a clear, actionable roadmap to measure what actually matters in your business. Whether you’re a solo operator or a 7-figure founder, this episode will forever change how you think about your numbers. 🎯 Learn more: simplenumberscri.com 📘 Grab the book: Simple Numbers 2.0 🌐 Connect with Greg: gregcrabtree.net