338. Stop Killing Your Authority and Leverage the Edutainer Effect In Your Content

Why the most powerful voices today are not choosing between being an educator or an entertainer — they’re learning how to be both. She introduces the concept of the edutainer: a leader who teaches through lived experience, storytelling, and embodiment. This episode is a deep dive into why purely educational content hits a visibility ceiling, why personality and story matter more than ever in the age of AI, and how to blend value with authenticity in a way that builds trust, connection, and long-term influence.If you’re a podcaster, thought leader, or brand-builder who feels torn between being “professional” and being yourself — this episode is your permission slip.Key Topics Discussed & TakeawaysEducation without story is forgettable — story without substance doesn’t lastTrust is built when listeners feel seen, not talked atYour lived experience is not extra — it’s essentialAuthority comes from embodiment, not perfectionYou don’t need to be louder — you need to be truerThe most magnetic content is anchored in identity, not performanceConnect with Sam / Voice and VisibilityWebsite: www.voiceandvisibility.comNewsletter: https://voiceandvisibility.myflodesk.com/optinFollow Samantha on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesamanthawarrenFollow Samantha on Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/voiceandvisibilityBeing an edutainer isn’t about oversharing or chasing attention.It’s about owning your voice, your perspective, and your story — and letting those lead.When you blend teaching with truth, expertise with experience, and value with humanity, people don’t just listen… they stay.Edutainer identity, thought leadership, storytelling in business, podcast growth strategy, authentic personal branding, content that converts, audience connection, visibility without burnout, leadership through embodiment, creator economy 2026, podcasting as influence, sustainable brand building, emotional resonance in media, owning your voice, educator vs entertainer, voice-led business, Own It podcast, Samantha Warren

Publicity doesn’t belong to celebrities, massive brands, or people with $40K/month retainers. It belongs to people with something to say.In this episode, Samantha sits down with KJ Blattenbauer—bestselling author of Pitchworthy and in-house publicist for Voice & Visibility—for a raw, practical, and deeply human conversation about PR, visibility, leadership, and what it actually takes to stop playing small.Together, they dismantle the myth that PR is “pay to play,” explore why visibility is a leadership skill (not vanity), and walk through how to build authority, refine your message, and expand your capacity as your brand grows. This conversation goes far beyond press hits—it’s about identity, courage, nervous system regulation, and acting like the big deal you already are.If you’ve ever felt called to go bigger but unsure how to be seen without burning out or betraying yourself, this episode is your permission slip.Key Topics Discussed & TakeawaysPR is not pay-to-play. Public relations is about teaching people how to talk about your work when you’re not in the room—and you can learn to do it yourself.Visibility is a leadership skill. Being seen isn’t vanity. If you built something to help others, it’s your responsibility to talk about it.Refinement beats noise. If you’re speaking to everyone, you’re speaking to no one. Clarity accelerates growth.Fear doesn’t mean stop. You’re already at “no” if you don’t try. Every pitch, ask, or post is movement forward.Success requires capacity. As your brand grows, your nervous system has to grow with it—systems, support, and boundaries matter.Your people matter more than metrics. A small, aligned audience will always outperform a large, disconnected one.Authenticity is the shortcut. Being who you actually are is easier—and far more effective—than pretending to be someone else.Connect with Sam / Voice and VisabilityWebsite: www.voiceandvisibility.comNewsletter: https://voiceandvisibility.myflodesk.com/optinFollow Samantha on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesamanthawarrenFollow Samantha on Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/voiceandvisibilityConnect with KJ BlattenbauerAuthor of Pitch Worthy and PR strategistBuy Pitch Worthy here! https://www.hearsaypr.com/buy-my-bookInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kjblattenbauer/Work with KJ: https://www.hearsaypr.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kjblattenbauer/ You don’t need permission to take up space. You don’t need to wait until you’re “ready.” And you don’t need to be quieter, smaller, or more palatable to be successful.Visibility is not about ego—it’s about impact. You’re already the big deal. Now act like it.🎧 Tune in, take notes, and start owning your voice.PR myths vs. reality, how publicity actually works, building visibility without big retainers, pitching yourself with confidence, refining your message and positioning, identifying your true audience, overcoming fear of rejection and success, nervous system capacity as you grow, asking for support from your inner circle, authentic personal branding, storytelling as a marketing tool, setting clear PR goals, book launches and media strategy, leadership through visibility, handling criticism and haters, creating sustainable success without selling out.

Most people think midlife is about loss, decline, or crisis… but what if it’s actually an invitation—to stop performing, stop abandoning yourself, and finally listen to the quiet truths you’ve been avoiding?In this episode, Samantha sits down with Dr. Amy Lindsey—host of Welcome to Your B-Side—for an unscripted, deeply human conversation about identity, secret desires, shame, purpose, and the courage it takes to follow the nudge when there’s no clear plan. Together, they explore podcasting as modern storytelling, midlife as a spiritual awakening, and why authenticity isn’t just personal—it’s physiological.This isn’t a conversation about “fixing” your life.It’s about flipping the record over, honoring your B-side, and trusting the next step—even when you can’t see the full map.Because fulfillment doesn’t come from playing the hits.It comes from telling the truth.Key Topics Discussed:Midlife as an awakening rather than a breakdown or crisisThe concept of “secret thoughts” (desire vs. shame) and why they matterHow self-abandonment impacts mental, emotional, and physical healthPodcasting as modern campfire storytelling and real connectionWhy authenticity is the currency of the futureThe danger of living through your “representative” instead of your true selfPurpose, surrender, and following the nudge one step at a timeConnect with Sam / Voice and VisibilityWebsite: www.voiceandvisibility.comNewsletter: https://voiceandvisibility.myflodesk.com/optinFollow Samantha on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesamanthawarrenFollow Samantha on Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/voiceandvisibilityConnect with Dr. Amy LindseyPodcast: Welcome to Your B-Side with Dr. Amy LindseyYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@dramylindseySpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1bEr0H0QjFDW5qdYmD66pdApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/welcome-to-your-b-side-midlife-metamorphosis/id1849468127Website: https://dramylindsey.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dramylindsey/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-amy-lindsey-nd-00a1236/Own It with Samantha Warren, midlife awakening, secret thoughts journaling, identity work podcast, purpose and authenticity, B-side of life, midlife transformation, spiritual awakening midlife, self-concept and health, authenticity and mental health, podcasting as storytelling, leadership identity, surrender and purpose, stop self-abandonment, personal truth and growth, spiritual entrepreneur podcast, inner voice and intuition, identity evolution, authentic living, thought leadership podcast

Most people just want more downloads.. but what if you’re chasing the wrong metric?In this episode, Samantha sits down with Eric Singer—Creative Director and Partner at Coupe Studios—to unpack what actually makes a podcast work: sound, storytelling, trust, and respect for the listener.This isn’t about chasing downloads, viral clips, or overnight monetization. It’s about understanding podcasting as an intimate, neurological medium—and why authenticity, production choices, and identity alignment matter more than polish or reach.Because podcasting isn’t about being everywhere, it’s about resonance, storytelling and connection to the listener.🧠 Key Topics DiscussedWhy sound bypasses logic and goes straight to the nervous systemPodcasting as the most intimate form of modern storytellingRaw vs. polished audio—and what actually builds trustWhy authenticity matters more than production levelThe myth of instant monetization and vanity metricsRespecting your listener’s time as a leadership practiceWhy aligned audiences outperform large onesConnect with Sam + Voice and VisibilityWebsite: www.voiceandvisibility.comNewsletter: https://voiceandvisibility.myflodesk.com/optinFollow Samantha on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesamanthawarrenFollow Samantha on Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/voiceandvisibilityConnect with Eric + Coupe Studios:Connect with Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-singer-audioCoupe Studios in Boulder Colorado: https://coupestudios.com/Own It with Samantha Warren, podcasting strategy, personal brand podcast, podcast authenticity, sound design podcasting, storytelling in business, trust-based branding, podcast production strategy, respecting the listener, podcast monetization mindset, identity-based marketing, resonance over reach, long-form content strategy, thought leadership podcast, brand voice development, audio storytelling, podcast visibility, entrepreneur podcasting, podcast growth without burnout, alignment before strategy, trust and credibility in business, podcasting as leadership, content strategy for founders, authenticity in marketing, podcasting for personal brands

We’re not doing the usual “new year, new you” nonsense. Samantha lays out a radically practical (and deeply spiritual) approach to creating a year of focus, clarity, and momentum: start with identity, not goals.After hosting two in-person VIP Days—whiteboard sessions where clients map everything from vision and leadership identity to team hires, fires, and brand ecosystems—Samantha noticed the same pattern: most people try to “do” their way into results… without ever becoming the person who can hold those results.In this episode, you’ll learn how to define the identity you’re stepping into, run a 2025 Reality Check using your calendar and camera roll, and use the Be–Do–Have framework to change your self-concept so your habits (and results) stop collapsing like a cheap lawn chair.If you want 2026 to reward you, it’s going to require discernment, discipline, and the guts to cut what drains you—even if it’s profitable. KEY TOPICS:Why 2026 will reward leaders who are self-led, focused, and radically clearThe real meaning of “clear your channel, change your life”What Samantha does inside a VIP Day (identity, vision, ecosystem, team, systems)How to define your next-level identity (sensory + embodied, not vague)The trap of “I want a million dollars/downloads” without identity alignmentThe 2025 Reality Check: using your Google Calendar + camera roll as dataThe green/red method: what energized you vs. what drained youWhy you must stop keeping work just because it makes money“Pruning” your life without making it dramatic: letting things fall awayBe–Do–Have: why behavior change fails without self-concept changeHow identity creates consistency (and why “motivation” is overrated)Samantha’s athlete story: “I became an athlete before I looked like one”Treating your energy like a business resource—and protecting it accordinglyWebsite: www.voiceandvisibility.comNewsletter: https://voiceandvisibility.myflodesk.com/optinFollow Samantha on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesamanthawarrenFollow Samantha on Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/voiceandvisibilityOwn It with Samantha Warren, identity work 2026, goal setting mindset, how to change your identity, be do have method, self-concept transformation, leadership identity, discipline and consistency, protect your energy, focus and clarity, annual review exercise, reality check exercise, Google Calendar audit, personal growth strategy, entrepreneur mindset, spiritual entrepreneur, thought leader strategy, visibility and impact, habits vs identity, stop self-sabotage, manifestation and identity

This is the final episode of Own It for 2025 and Samantha isn’t wrapping the year with a tidy bow… she’s calling you out and calling you forward.This episode is about outgrowing who you used to be—and having the courage to admit it. Not intellectually. Not conceptually. But operationally. In your business. In your leadership. In your identity.Samantha breaks down why your past isn’t something to escape—it’s data. Data that shows you exactly where you’ve been capping yourself, over-functioning, or playing a role that no longer fits. She shares personal examples of stepping out of being “everything to everyone” and into the real work of CEO-level leadership, along with client stories that expose the cost of staying stuck in outdated roles.If you’ve been feeling burned out, restless, plateaued, or quietly resentful of the business or life you built—this episode is your permission slip to stop forcing it and promote yourself.Because leadership isn’t about doing more.It’s about becoming different.🧠 Key Topics DiscussedWhy true leadership starts with identity, not actionUsing your past as strategic data instead of emotional baggageThe danger of staying in a role you’ve outgrownVisionary vs. integrator roles (and why most leaders need both)Why doing it all alone is not noble—it’s inefficientHow over-responsibility leads to burnout and stagnationGiving yourself the promotion no one else will give youAligning visibility, leadership, and business strategy with your next identityWhy your business can only grow as much as you do📚 Resources MentionedDr. Ben Hardy – 10x Is Easier Than 2x, Be Your Future Self NowRocket Fuel – Understanding visionary vs. integrator roles💥 Connect with Sam & Voice and Visibilitywww.voiceandvisibility.comNewsletter: https://voiceandvisibility.myflodesk.com/optinFollow Samantha on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesamanthawarrenFollow Samantha on Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/voiceandvisibility

🥳 RESOURCES + LINKSWork with Voice and Visibility: www.voiceandvisibility.comJoin The Newsletter: ⁠https://voiceandvisibility.myflodesk.com/optin⁠Follow Samantha on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠www.instagram.com/thesamanthawarren⁠Follow Samantha on ⁠Tiktok⁠: ⁠www.tiktok.com/voiceandvisibility⁠Most people don’t need a new funnel. They need to stop pretending. In this episode, Sam breaks down what “getting paid to be yourself” actually means—beyond the fluffy Instagram quote version. If you’re an educator, expert, speaker, podcast host, founder, or thought leader who’s been trying to be more polished, more credible, more “professional”… this is your permission slip to burn the mask and cash the check.Samantha shares how her perfectionism (and her former life as an architect) shaped the early version of her identity—and how real wealth, visibility, and impact came after she stopped overproducing herself. You’ll hear stories from clients who scaled from survival money to real revenue when they finally owned the “taboo” parts of their brand: the intuitive gifts, the unconventional healing work, the weird quirks, the real story.Because here’s the truth: energy doesn’t lie. People don’t want perfection. They want resonance. And resonance only happens when you stop abandoning yourself to be palatable.If you’ve been stuck in overthinking, hiding, constant rebranding, or draining yeses—this episode is a direct hit: trust your gut, protect your energy, let joy lead, and let support in. Your people can’t find you if you’re wearing someone else’s face.What “getting paid to be yourself” means in real-world business termsWhy perfectionism is usually a self-worth strategy in a cute outfitLeaving the “credible” path (architecture, credentials, expectations) to follow purposeHow authenticity creates visibility, partnership opportunities, and moneyOwning the “taboo” parts of your story (spiritual gifts, plant medicine, trauma-to-healing)Why joy is the most sustainable business strategy (and the highest frequency)The dog-video client story: when the “illogical” move becomes the growth engineYour gut knows faster than your mind—how to actually hear intuition againEnergy hygiene: cutting out what drains you so you can access your channelWhy constant rebrands are often a symptom of identity instabilityThe cost of self-abandonment (and why you can’t build a brand on betrayal)Collaboration, support, and the end of “doing it alone” as the new leadership eraUsing podcasting as thought leadership architecture to build legacy and resonanceBecoming a lighthouse: being more you so your people can finally find you🥳 RESOURCES + LINKSWork with Sam @ Voice and Visibility: www.voiceandvisibility.comJoin My Newsletter: https://voiceandvisibility.myflodesk.com/optinFollow Samantha on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesamanthawarrenFollow Samantha on Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/voiceandvisibilitygetting paid to be yourself, personal brand authenticity, thought leadership podcast, podcasting for entrepreneurs, intuitive business strategy, authenticity marketing, stop people pleasing in business, energy hygiene, self-worth and success, purpose-driven business, brand voice confidence, build a magnetic personal brand, content strategy for coaches, spiritual entrepreneur branding, leadership identity work, visibility mindset, stop overthinking business, trusting your intuition, collaboration in business, plant medicine integration

This episode is a switch-up: Samantha is the one in the hot seat, interviewed by her dear friend Dr. Onalee Makam, for a grounded, honest conversation about relationships—and what it actually takes to call in a true life partner.If you’ve ever said, “Love has been hard,” or “There aren’t any good men,” or “No one can handle me,” this is your gentle (but firm) reality check. Samantha pulls back the curtain on the real process behind meeting her husband, Kurt: the mindset rewiring, the nervous system work, the identity shift, and the practical action that gets skipped when people reduce love to “just make a list.”You’ll hear why healthy relationship examples matter, how Samantha’s “ask hot guys out” era helped her expose anxious attachment patterns, and why your relationship won’t thrive if your partner is your only source of emotional oxygen. This is a conversation about safety, self-respect, magnetism, and building a life so full you’re not begging love to complete it.If you want a relationship that feels like two best friends on the same team—this one will expand what you believe is possible.RESOURCES + LINKSWork with Sam @ Voice and Visibility: www.voiceandvisibility.comJoin My Newsletter: https://voiceandvisibility.myflodesk.com/optinFollow Samantha on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesamanthawarrenFollow Samantha on Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/voiceandvisibilitySubscribe on Youtube healthy relationship dynamics, how to find a life partner, calling in your soulmate, manifestation and relationships, anxious attachment healing, codependency in relationships, feminine energy and magnetism, how to be more feminine in relationship, dating to marry, how to know you’re in the right relationship, relationship green flags, hyper independence healing, healing relationship with the masculine, self worth and love, relationship advice for high achieving women, surrender and trust in relationships, building a secure relationship, how to keep spark alive in marriage

Has your nervous system been saying, “Ma’am, we are at capacity” ?On today’s episode, Sam talks candidly about hitting her upper limits in real time: leading a rapidly growing podcast company, holding big vision with God, navigating marriage and support with Kurt, and realizing her biggest challenge isn’t more… it’s learning how to hold more. From full-body meltdowns to bath-time cries to realizing she still struggles to ask for help, Samantha walks you through how she’s navigating this season instead of pretending she has the polished three-step solution.Using fitness, ultra-running, and lifting as metaphors, she breaks down how growth actually works: your “muscles” tear first, then you rebuild stronger. You’ll hear how she’s zooming out to make smarter decisions, building team and systems, and learning to trust herself, God, and her capacity — while reminding you that your limit is probably a lot higher than you think.If you’re in a season of rapid expansion, big opportunities, and “good problems” that still feel like a lot, this one will feel like a deep exhale and a firm hand on your back saying: You’re not crazy, you’re just growing.Key Topics DiscussedWhat it really feels like to hit your max capacity as a founder and leaderThe difference between wanting more and being resourced to hold moreNervous system tools, regulation, and why your body “freaks out” when things explodePreparing your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual body for a bigger missionA birthday honey roast, a long speaker day, and the bathtub breakdown that cracked things openLearning to fully receive support from a partner (without guilt or flinching)The deeper challenge of asking for help when you don’t even know what you needBeing the “go-to” friend… and realizing you also get to lean on your peopleIn the business vs. on the business: zooming out to strategize, hire, and systematizeThe isolating side of “everything is working” and the pressure of holding fast growthOperating from your “next level” identity and bringing her into your current realityWhy your perceived capacity is usually way lower than your actual capacityFitness and ultra-running as a mirror for business resilience and self-trustOvercommitting, rescheduling, and releasing the shame of moving things on your calendarLearning to batch, build systems, and create white space to thinkDifferentiating between energy faucets (what fills you) and drains (what leaks you)The slingshot effect: pulling back to reset so you can break through the next ceilingShare this episode with your overachiever friends. Know a founder, leader, or creator who’s quietly drowning in “good problems”? Text them this episode so they know they’re not the only one maxing out and moving through it.Reflect on your real capacity. Grab a journal and ask: What’s actually draining me? What’s truly filling me? Where am I underestimating my ability to hold more? Use this as a starting point to adjust your commitments, support, and systems.Audit your support systems. Ask yourself: Where am I resisting help? Who could I lean on more — partner, friends, team, God? Then actually send the text or have the conversation you’ve been avoiding.If you’re ready to build a podcast that matches your voice and vision… You can explore working with Samantha and her company, Voice & Visibility, to launch or grow a podcast that becomes a real asset to your brand — not just another content chore. www.voiceandvisibility.comTag Sam on social with your aha moment Screenshot this episode, share your biggest takeaway, and tag Samantha so she can see what landed and cheer you on in your own expansion season.Join My Newsletter: https://voiceandvisibility.myflodesk.com/optinFollow Samantha on InstagramFollow Samantha on TiktokSubscribe on Youtube

→ ⁠Apply to the Thought Leader Accelerator You’re not invisible because you’re underqualified. You’re simply under-expressed. Samantha pulls back the curtain on why high-achieving women (and plenty of men) stay stuck in “best-kept secret” mode, tracing the sabotage back to childhood patterns of peace-keeping, perfectionism, and staying small.Samantha breaks down the emotional and strategic roots of visibility—why your business keeps hitting a glass ceiling, why your boldest ideas stay stuck in drafts, and why your public presence doesn’t yet match your private brilliance. You’ll learn how internalized humility becomes a brand problem, why visibility is a practiced skill (not a personality trait), and what it takes to step into true thought leadership with clarity, conviction, and volume.If you’re ready to stop hiding, start leading, and build a brand around your voice—not your fears—this episode hands you the first moves.KEY TOPICS DISCUSSEDThe hidden childhood patterns sabotaging adult visibilityWhy experts aren’t overlooked—they’re under-expressedThe emotional cost of being respected privately but unknown publiclyHow “humility conditioning” blocks brand growthVisibility as a practiced skill, not an innate personality traitThe difference between being unqualified vs. under-expressedWhy thought leadership begins with message clarity, not more certificationsHow internal conflict creates plateaus in business, brand, and leadershipRebuilding your voice as an identity—not a marketing tacticThe sneaky ways fear shows up as overthinking, procrastination, or perfectionismThe power of building a brand around your voice, not a scattershot offer suiteWhat to expect inside Samantha’s 90-Day Thought Leader Accelerator→ Apply to the Thought Leader AcceleratorReady to go from best-kept secret to visible thought leader? Join Samantha’s immersive 90-day accelerator designed to extract your message, refine your identity, and build a brand around your voice. Details here.→ Share this episode with a friend who’s playing smallIf you know someone who’s brilliant but hiding, send this their way.→ Leave a review for Own It With Samantha WarrenIf this episode cracked something open for you, let Samantha know—your review helps amplify the message.thought leadership coaching, visibility strategy for entrepreneurs, personal brand development, female founders leadership, how to be more visible online, overcoming fear of visibility, brand messaging clarity, expert positioning, imposter syndrome for entrepreneurs, building a brand around your voice, business identity work, confidence for creators, Samantha Warren podcast, Own It podcast