The Social Complex

When we think of crisis communications, we often envision the worst-case scenarios portrayed on the internet and in our news cycles. However, crises don't solely occur on digital platforms. While digital media can exacerbate them, the concept of crisis is rooted in a more scientific framework that determines what constitutes a crisis and how it can be resolved by the company or individual at its center. In today's episode, we delve into the intricate nature of crisis communications in our digitally savvy and interconnected world with professional crisis readiness expert and leader, Melissa Agnes. Globally recognized as an expert thought leader and visionary in crisis management, Melissa Agnes has collaborated with major players including NATO, The Pentagon, ministries of foreign affairs and defense, financial firms, technology companies, healthcare organizations, cities and municipalities, law enforcement agencies, aviation organizations, and many other industries. In 2020, Melissa founded the Crisis Ready Institute, offering training and certification programs to professionals to better protect people, brands, the environment, and the economy during times of crisis, while also encouraging organizations and leaders to invest in effective crisis readiness. Melissa is the author of Crisis Ready: Building an Invincible Brand in an Uncertain World, a book that is taught in dozens of universities worldwide, including Harvard University. It is also ranked among the leading crisis management books of all time by Book Authority and was named one of the top 10 business books of 2018 by Forbes. To connect with Melissa, click here. For more information on the Crisis Ready Institute, click here and here. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

We've all seen the level of impact that technology has on the way that we live our lives, do business, and communicate with one another. One of those advancements in technology that has swept the news cycle is artificial intelligence. And if you're anything like me, it has blown your mind. It's truly transformative. And as a marketer, I have seen the impact that it is having on my industry and the experts who have been working in the space. On this episode, we talk to Zachary Lipton, Chief Technologist & Scientific Officer at Pittsburgh-based Abridge whose generative AI solutions have pioneered the automatic drafting of after-visit clinical documentation. Their technology is already deployed at hospital systems across the nation, where it is helping to combat the physician burnout crisis. Zack is also a widely published AI expert and an Assistant Professor of Machine Learning at Carnegie Mellon, where he directs the ACMI lab, whose research focuses include the theoretical and engineering foundations of robust and adaptive machine learning algorithms, applications to both prediction and decision-making problems in clinical medicine, natural language processing, and the impact of machine learning systems on society. As a subject matter expert, Zach does not hold back and is more than willing to share his knowledge with us here today. Read more about Zachary here and here. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

When's the last time that you bought something online? Was it something that you needed? Or something that you saw and you liked? Our ability to shop online has transformed drastically over the last two decades. Even the ads that we are targeted with today are vastly different than they were five years ago. And as a consumer, the way in which we shop and the access that we have at our fingertips has never been more abundant than it is today. But how has this transformation in this space happened so rapidly? And where is it going next? So to dive into this topic, we had to bring on an expert. Kurt Elster is a senior e-commerce consultant who helps Shopify merchants like Jay Leno's Garage uncover hidden profits in their website through his e-commerce agency, EtherCycle. With two million downloads, Kurt is best known for hosting the unofficial Shopify podcast. Today, Kurt and I talk all about e -commerce, his background in the field, and where the first integration between social and shopping actually happened. To connect with Kurt, click here. Read more about Kurt here. Listen to The Unofficial SHopify Podcast here. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

In this episode, we discuss employee advocacy and its significance in social media marketing, an area that many companies overlook despite its potential to support growth. Employee networks are a valuable asset, acting as advocates and promoters who can enhance a brand's presence through their interactions and online networks. We're chatting with Brayden Cohen, who has extensive experience in developing social media, content, influencer, and employee advocacy programs. Brayden has worked with both startups and large companies, including 1Password, Hootsuite, TransLink, Duer, and Lojel. His work focuses on developing social media, content, influencer, and employee advocacy campaigns for disruptive brands to scale and level up their marketing strategies. Our conversation covers what employee advocacy is, why it matters in the digital age, and how companies can create a culture that supports it. Brayden shares insights on the involvement needed from leadership, the tools and platforms that can help, and the risks and challenges that companies need to consider. This episode offers practical advice for anyone looking to understand or implement an employee advocacy program. Learn more about Brayden here. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Social media is all around us, and it's all-consuming. Whether you have one platform, multiple platforms, a Finsta, or you're managing it for brands, it is everywhere. Have you ever felt so inclined to take a step back or feel like you're in need of a little bit of detox? Taking time away from social media usage has become increasingly popular over the last few years, and much of this is actually stemming from younger generations. Gen Z and Millennials are really starting to lead the charge on responsible usage of social media platforms, from how many hours a day you're spending on platforms to even taking multiple days off, stepping away from the technology that we hold near and dear to us. One organization that is helping to lead the charge in growing awareness and social consciousness of how people are using these platforms is a group called the Log Off Movement, headed by our guest today, Emma Lembke. Emma is a 20-year-old youth digital advocate seeking to spread digital consciousness and integrate youth voices in conversations regarding tech. In addition to her advocacy efforts, Lembke is a third-year rising political science major at Washington University in St. Louis. She is the founder of Log Off, a youth movement founded in 2020 to uplift and empower youth to tackle the complexities of social media and its impact on younger generations. As a youth-led movement, Log Off provides an often overlooked and critical perspective on social media by leveraging and empowering the underrepresented experts in the field: Generation Z. Today, Emma and I talk all about the implications of social media usage, how going completely cold turkey online is not only unreasonable for a lot of people but unrealistic, and tools and tips that anyone and everyone can use to help build a safer, smarter, and more intentional relationship with social and digital media. Check out the Log Off Movement here. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

The concept of harassment and bullying is not a new one. However, once the internet came into play, it completely changed the dynamic. In today's episode, I am chatting with Emily Vogels of Pew Research Center to talk about the studies that they have completed on cyberbullying, harassment, and online behaviors when it comes to interconnectivity and conflict online. Emily Vogels is a research associate working on internet and technology research at Pew Research Center. Much of her recent work has been focused on teens' digital lives, the tone, and tenor of online discourse, and the digital divide. Join us as we talk about the studies that have been produced around teen usage of digital media and that of adults as well. Let's get into it. Check out Pew Research here. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Joining us today to discuss her latest article in The Atlantic, we have Kate Lindsay. Kate is the co-founder of Embedded, a newsletter about Internet culture. She also writes for The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Verge, and Vulture. In this episode, we are diving into the phenomenon of social media babies becoming aware of their social media presence online, some of the dangers and pitfalls that are associated with it, the legality behind whether or not your child has the right to delete their social presence once they turn 18, and the laws that are following that sentiment. Also, monetization of kids and whether or not they are entitled to compensation and the difference between doing it for the likes and doing it for the connection. Read Kates's article here. Check out the Embedded newsletter here. Connect with Kate here. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Performance marketing is a career that did not exist 10 years ago, but today it is one of the most sought-after positions in digital marketing. Why? Because it is a converter of sales. And today we are going to be talking about what the landscape of performance marketing looks like as well as how performance marketing really fits into bigger-picture brand initiatives, including how organizations are utilizing performance marketing data to help drive smarter decision-making when it comes to their brand creative. And there is no one better to join me for this conversation than Katie Almas. Katie's journey began in traditional sales but quickly evolved as she sought out innovation. She made a bold move into the world of e-commerce, assisting major consumer packaged goods companies in developing their online shopping experiences with the customer at the center of it all. Through this experience, Katie developed a passion for working with direct-to-consumer startups and B2B digital products. Her expertise lies in helping teams build effective strategies that prioritize lean approaches, rapid learning, and customer-centricity. Join us today as we talk all about Katie's story exploring her unique career path and valuable insights that she has gained along the way. Find Katie on LinkedIn here. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

The creator economy is a new one and an interesting one, to say the least. With so many of these content creators popping up in all facets of life, what is it that makes one stand out? What's the difference between an influencer and a content creator? And how can these content creators help unlock the potential for brands to scale content in a quality way and at speed? Today, we are talking with Madison Long. Madison is joining us from Clutch, where she drives the company's vision of building a world where authentic, engaging work supports a more sustainable, equitable lifestyle. Her passion for entrepreneurship and helping the next generation thrive began in childhood including spending her high school summers creating a math mania programmatic instruction class for middle school students in need and working with youth advocacy programs in college. Prior to Clutch, Madison was a program development and analytics lead at Lean In, where she led multiple initiatives, including the foundation's 2020 Women in the Workplace Report along with their first project focused on empowering youth girls. Madison's overall goal is to create opportunities for the next generation to thrive in life and work. In today's conversation, we cover the gamut when it comes to content creation. From the business side of becoming a content creator, how organizations are scaling their content creation efforts, and also some of the safety concerns around programs, platforms, and the next generation of content creators. We talk a bit about what is out there with regulations, kids communicating online, and how we can keep their safety front and center. We get into a lot of different areas and categories that are fascinating to me, and I hope they are fascinating to you as well. Let's get into it. Learn more about Clutch here. Check out Madison on LinkedIn here. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

There is no question about the importance, impact, and influence of social media in our political sphere. Each election season since 2008 has had a hallmark reputation regarding how media influenced said presidential election. And we're heading into what may very well be our most dramatic political season yet in 2024. So, what's that going to look like? And what can we learn from past election seasons to get a better idea of what we're getting into? There is no one better to join me for this conversation than the man behind Barack Obama's Twitter, Caleb Gardner. His career has been driven by curiosity and focused on change. Caleb led one of the largest digital programs in existence, including the most followed Twitter account in the world, @BarackObama. But his decades of experience in change leadership, digital innovation, and social impact don't just include work in government and politics. Now, as the co-founder and managing partner of 18 Coffees, an innovation consulting firm, Caleb helps businesses with a mission to get a foothold in the future, using his professional experience to solve impossible problems and bring new ideas to life. His new book, "No Point B: Rules for Leading Change in the New Hyper-Connected, Radically Conscious Economy," is available in all major bookstores. Caleb and I had a blast today. We delved into many philosophical questions about the nature of social media and its implications when it comes to political climates. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did. I firmly believe that, regardless of which side of the political spectrum you are on, there is a ton of value in this episode and a lot of introspection to be had. Check out Caleb’s website here. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Today we are going to be chatting about Reddit, that sneaky little platform that is building communities and having meaningful discussions that are also self-regulated. The people on Reddit are voting up and voting down anything that they do not want to see or do want to see. It is entirely run by moderators and communities themselves. Within this platform, there is so much data that brands can tap into and can use to understand their consumers and ultimately their decision-making habits. Joining us today is the founder of GummySearch, an audience research tool for Reddit. His name is Fed Folio, and Fed has founded not just GummySearch, but also Hive Index, which is a catalog for a variety of topics and various communities within Reddit to help you find communities that matter most to you and your interests. Fed and I get into some nitty-gritty topics specifically around the culture that is found on Reddit, how brands have continued to struggle to find their footing in the Reddit communities, how founders can show up authentically, and how organizations can tap into the endless amount of qualitative and quantitative data that their customers are sharing about their brand, about their industry, and about their world today. Buckle up and let's get into it. Check out the Gummy Search platform here. Follow Fed on Twitter here. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Will it or won't it? That is the question on everyone's mind: the fate of TikTok in the United States. With questions looming around privacy concerns, battled and combated by the issues of free speech and accessibility, TikTok finds itself at the center of the debate. TikTok is a fan-favorite app among many young users and happens to be one of the hottest topics on the Hill. The main point of contention is whether TikTok's close relationship with China, through its parent company ByteDance, poses privacy concerns. The concern initially arose in 2020 during the Trump administration, and today we are joined by journalist Paige Leskin, who closely covered that period. Paige Leskin specializes in writing about online communication, the culture of internet users, and the businesses behind social platforms. Her work has been featured in publications such as Business Insider, USA Today, Inverse.com, and PIX11 News. During our discussion, we delve into various aspects of TikTok, exploring the potential for a ban and the implications it would have on not just TikTok itself and social media but also on the future of technology, the global economy of data sharing, data privacy, and ultimately, how we connect with one another and our communities. There is much to unpack, so, as I like to say, let's get into it Check out Paige’s website here. Follow Paige on Twitter here. Follow Paige on LinkedIn here. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

In today's episode, we are talking with social media coach, expert educator, and just all-around badass, Jera Foster-Fell. Also known as Jera.Bean. Jera is a TikTok expert, an in-demand speaker, and a seasoned content creator. She leans into her extensive background in content creation and strategy to help teach people and brands how to harness the power of their secret sauce and show up authentically on social, helping them generate engaging content that converts followers and fans into customers and clients. When she's on stage, she brings an unparalleled level of energy and engagement while breaking big concepts down in actionable and bite-sized ways. Jera has created bespoke education sessions and led training for well-known brands such as Estee Lauder, Adobe, AT&T, and TikTok, while also educating and empowering brand ambassadors for businesses in the beauty and lifestyle industries. As a content creator, Jera has grown her TikTok following to 1.5 million followers, and her Instagram community to 187,000 followers. First, we're gonna talk about the early days of the workout bean that Jera was and how I found her back in 2015. She also opens up and shares about her journey from fitness influencer, content creator, and brand ambassador, to education. We're also talking about the crossover between creative content in brands and also that of brand ambassadors, how organizations can tap into their brand ambassadors even better, and actionable ways to make social media content more engaging, higher converting, and all-around more you. Jera is incredible and her career thus far is inspiring, to say the least. Everything that she has accomplished and all that she is sharing on the podcast today is just an example of how much of a professional badass she is in this space. So there's a lot to unpack here. I hope you buckle up, tune in and enjoy the episode. Check out these freebies from Jera - Transform your social media with these 10 evergreen video ideas Learn how to trendy editFollow Jera on social: Instagram | TikTok Learn more about Jera here. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Today we are going to be chatting all about demand generation in B2B. Amanda and I get into the nitty-gritty on what it means to be creative in B2B, how to stand out among the competition, how to structure and organize lean teams where budgets are not always a flow in, and how to be really strategic about getting your message out there in the world and prioritizing customer experience to get the results that you are looking for with those more complex B2B sales. Amanda DePaul is the founder of Mythodical, a consulting agency helping B2B companies modernize demand gen to more closely align with today's buying process. She is passionate about ditching old-school lead gen tactics in favor of developing creative acquisition strategies and delightful customer experiences along with measurement techniques to match. In this conversation, we talk about the transition of DemandGen in a technologically booming world, what it means to retire the third-party data cookies that are coming down the line and how organizations are going to be marketing in light of that shift, and the importance of moving away from a downloadable funnel cycle into an experiential customer serving mentality. Learn more about Amanda’s Agency, Mythodical here. Connect w/ Amanda on LinkedIn here. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

We're diving into the potential TikTok ban in the US and the latest ruling in Montana. In this episode, we explore the legal, social, and economic implications of the ban, and what it means for TikTok users and brands. From national security concerns to the app's impact on pop culture and content creator marketing, TikTok has made headlines for the last 3 years. The app has been adopted by over 150 million US users, but has faced scrutiny about its ties with Chinese government and concerns on the collection and sharing of American data in an increasingly tense geopolitical climate. In April 2023, Montana because the first American state to proceed with a bill that would ban TikTok in the state, which if endorsed by Governor Gianforte, would wipe the app from Montana users phones by January 1, 2024. What is the real impact of a ban of an app like TikTok? Will it actually be removed from US app stores and cut off from users? If so, what are the implications for users, brands, creators and other apps? How will marketing teams view the viability of social media - and how should they? Lots to cover in this episode. Let's get into it. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Alexa, play Happy Birthday because we've got a one-year-old in the house, and that one-year-old is The Social Complex podcast. Guys, we are turning one. That's crazy! This time last year, I was walking the floors of the Austin Convention Center, listening to the best of the best from South by Southwest and launching this podcast. It's bananas to do a launch when you're at an event that is taking up all of your time, energy, and soul. But it's been a wild ride. And it has been a big learning curve. I have loved recording this podcast and hosting the guests. I have loved connecting with you all virtually. And I cannot thank you enough for inviting me into your cleaning sessions, into your workout sessions, into your driving sessions, wherever you are listening to this podcast and enjoying these episodes. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! On today's episode, I’m reminiscing and sharing an exciting announcement about the Social HQ brand. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Let's talk about the buzz around Chat GPT and AI. Artificial intelligence has been around for a long time. What has changed is that now we have Chat GPT. It is accessible, powerful, and an indicator of what is to come in the world of artificial intelligence. And Rachel Woods is here to tell us about what that impact is going to look like for the past, present, and future of our world. Rachel Woods is a leading voice on applying AI in practical and useful business applications. Her expertise spans large-scale systems from her time as a research data scientist at Meta, to applying AI in the most niche of spaces from her journey founding and building an AI-enabled e-commerce platform for artisan wineries. Now, Rachel is building The AI Exchange with the mission of helping people use AI to its fullest in their work, products, and life. In this episode, we are exploring the impact of AI on our world, our society, and our workforce. We are exploring how the industry was before the current hype, discussing the ways that AI is changing the way we search for and discover information online, and examining how jobs will be impacted by this technology. As AI continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, its important to understand its potential implications for society. Will AI completely change the role of traditional search engines? What does the future of the workforce look like with AI in the mix? These are just a few of the questions that we are gonna be answering on today's podcast. Let's get into it. Join Rachel's Free Newsletter here. Become a Member here. Get 50% off your first month with code: SOCIALCOMPLEX50 Follow Rachel on TikTok here. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

Today we are going to be talking about why humor in branding works magic – humor that is rooted in the science of how people connect communicate and ultimately trust one another. We all love comedy shows, TikTok clips, and witty banter back and forth from brands on Twitter to connect with their audiences. But why does humor resonate more than other forms of branding? There is no one better to get into the nerdy ooey gooey stuff of why humor and branding work so well than Allie LeFevere. Allie is a branding expert in the co-founder of Obedient, an agency that specializes in humor to connect brands with its audiences. With a background in advertising and a passion for comedy, Allie brings a unique perspective to the world of branding, helping companies develop their voice and create content that resonates with their audience. She shares her experience with the science of humor and the power of storytelling to drive engagement and build brand loyalty. She has been featured in a variety of media outlets including Forbes, Inc., Adweek, and Fast Company, and is a frequent guest on a handful of industry podcasts. With a witty and irreverent style, Allie is known for her ability to make complex branding concepts accessible and entertaining. She helps brands harness the power of humor to create meaningful connections with their audience and drive long-term success. Allie does not hold back on sharing her incredible knowledge and a robust amount of experience in the space in this episode and we are so grateful for it. Let's get into it. To connect with Allie, click here. Check out Obedient Agency here. To stalk the Fangasm Podcast, click here. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

On social media, there are so many sub-cultures and niche groups. That’s the beauty of it - we all have a space where we can find others that share similar interests, values, and stories. One of those groups that has always fascinated me is one that paints a picture of the dream - van lifers. And today, I am honored to be joined by Noami Grevemberg. Noami Grevemberg is a van life OG, avid outdoorist, digital nomad and dog mom, living on the road in her classic Volkswagen Vanagon since 2016. She’s the founder of the Diversify Vanlife community organization author of the upcoming book, Living the Vanlife. In this episode, Noami and I discuss the decision to take life to the road, her transformation from marine biologist to content creator, and how social media has supported community building for other road warriors like herself. We talk about how the van life community has evolved since pre-2020, with an influx of remote workers hitting the road, and how diversity on the road has shifted over the last few years. We speak about how road life is portrayed online versus the reality, examining how social media is great for promoting various ways to live your life, but sometimes can be a highlight reel rather than a realistic data point. Noami brings a fresh perspective to the community of van life and her community within Diversify Vanlife that she’s building, and they’re just getting started. Let’s get into it. To connect with Noami, click here. To follow @Diversify.Vanlife, click here. To learn more about "Living the Vanlife" Book, click here. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.

We're talking about the past present and future of the social media industry. While organizations were once comfortable with a single social media intern, we've transformed into full social media teams as the norm. And to help us understand the market, we're bringing in someone responsible for the hiring of top-shelf talent in the industry. Kelly Gordon is a principal marketing agent for Creative People, a human-first recruiting firm for both clients and talent to help build best-in-class product, design, and marketing teams for the world's most disruptive startups. With over 38k followers on LinkedIn, Kelly brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to candidates and hiring managers in the social market to keep an eye on how this fast-paced industry is shifting, and what roles need to be filled to stay ahead of the curve. Before finding her dream job at Creative People, she tried her hand in Creative Services through Agency Life and Fashion, and dipped her toes into the startup world. It took her a bit of time to figure out what she loves doing, but she now gets to work with incredibly talented Brand, Content, and Social marketers to help them find their dream jobs at some of the most disruptive companies in the country. Kelly and I get into the nuts and bolts of how organizations are staffing and structuring social media teams, the diverse portfolio of roles out in the market, how social media in organizations has shifted since 2020, and what the future holds for candidates and brands in the business. To connect with Kelly, click here. To learn about Creative People, click here. To connect with Hillary, click here. Read more about Digital HQ here. For more episodes, go to SOCIALCOMPLEXPOD.COM Produced by You Lucky Dog Productions.