Podcast appearances and mentions of sasha fierce

The Black Mamba, Sasha Fierce, Primetime. Just a few of the many altered egos that we have been able to witness from some of our greats in there perspective industries showing us why it's not only important but necessary to identify and tap into our EGO's. We discussed how being your whole self is what's required to reach your peak in your life! Don't erase it, embrace it!

In today's episode, Saranne, the founder of the Comedy Cures Foundation, shares a heartwarming story about a nurse who found a unique way to navigate her cancer treatment while continuing to work. Saranne also draws inspiration from Beyonce's alter ego, Sasha Fierce, and reflects on a personal encounter with the superstar. Join Saranne as she explores the power of adopting different personas and strategies to face the challenges of cancer.The #1 Rated Cancer Survivor Podcast by FeedSpot and Ranked the Top 5 Best Cancer Podcasts by CancerCare News, Beating Cancer Daily is listened to in more than 105 countries on seven continents and has over 350 original daily episodes hosted by Stage IV survivor Saranne Rothberg!   To learn more about Host Saranne Rothberg and The ComedyCures Foundation:https://www.comedycures.org/ To write to Saranne or a guest:https://www.comedycures.org/contact-8 To record a message to Saranne or a guest:https://www.speakpipe.com/BCD_Comments_Suggestions To sign up for the free Health Builder Series live on Zoom with Saranne and Jacqui, go to The ComedyCures Foundation's homepage:https://www.comedycures.org/ Please support the creation of more original episodes of Beating Cancer Daily and other free ComedyCures Foundation programs with a tax-deductible contribution:http://bit.ly/ComedyCuresDonate THANK YOU! Please tell a friend who we may help, and please support us with a beautiful review. Have a blessed day! Saranne 

In this episode, former BBC news anchor Louisa Preston shares powerful strategies to communicate with confidence, clarity, and impact—whether in the boardroom, on stage, or in everyday business conversations.

In this episode, former BBC news anchor Louisa Preston shares powerful strategies to communicate with confidence, clarity, and impact—whether in the boardroom, on stage, or in everyday business conversations.

Your words were found and I ate them

Sasha Fierce drama?

Episode 35: The Fear Of Being Seen And Heard In this premiere episode of The Wholeness Podcast, Mandy dives deep into the pervasive fear of being seen and heard. She discusses its roots in childhood rejection, how it manifests in people-pleasing or missed opportunities, and why sharing your unique gifts is essential for personal growth and the collective good. Mandy offers practical tips—ranging from small social challenges to mindset shifts and nervous system regulation tools—to help you break free from the fear of rejection.Whether you struggle with public speaking, voicing your needs in relationships, or simply showing up as your authentic self, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you build confidence, heal from the past, and step into your wholeness.Timestamps0:00 – Welcome & Episode IntroductionMandy kicks off the first episode, addressing how the fear of being seen can hold us back and why she chose this topic to start the newly rebranded podcast.0:14 – New Podcast & GratitudeA special shout-out to everyone transitioning from her previous show (Pay Your Paradise) to The Wholeness Podcast. Mandy shares her excitement and gratitude.0:46 – Fear of Being Seen: What It Is & Where It Comes FromMandy explains that fear of rejection often stems from childhood experiences and is tied to primal survival mechanisms.5:00 – The Vicious Cycle & Impact on RelationshipsHow not speaking up or expressing needs leads to unmet needs—and the self-sabotaging cycle that follows.8:21 – Embracing Your Unique GiftMandy highlights the importance of recognizing your one-of-a-kind talents, and why withholding them from the world is a true loss for everyone.9:26 – Sponsor Shout-Out: Positivi-TeaMandy introduces the episode's sponsor, Positivi-Tea, and discusses how different tea blends can support energy, detox, and stress relief.10:00 – Body Image & Self-WorthMandy opens up about body dysmorphia and how a lack of self-confidence can hinder us from taking opportunities or sharing our gifts.13:51 – Confronting Your Fears with ActionPractical exercises to break out of your comfort zone: saying hello to strangers, wearing something bold, and practicing “Sasha Fierce” alter-ego confidence.15:46 – Building the Confidence MuscleMandy's “hot girl walks,” daily rituals, and how tiny repetitive actions can significantly elevate your confidence.20:14 – Nervous System Regulation TechniquesBreathwork, grounding, EFT tapping, and meditation tips for those anxiety-heavy moments—before a speech, tough conversation, or going on camera.21:58 – Mirror Work & PreparationHow rehearsing in front of a mirror or talking things out loud can ease public speaking jitters and help you express yourself authentically.25:00 – Final Thoughts & EncouragementMandy offers understanding and compassion for listeners struggling with this fear, emphasizing that you can overcome it through consistent practice and self-belief.25:38 – Wrap-Up & Call to ActionMandy thanks listeners, invites reviews, and encourages everyone to follow The Wholeness Podcast and her social channels for future episodes and updates.Resources & MentionsSponsor: Positivi-TeaEnergizer Bunny Blend: For sustained energy and focus.Slim-Sational You: Aids in detox and cleansing.Sereni-Tea: Helps reduce stress and promotes inner peace.Follow Mandy:Instagram/TikTok/X/Facebook/LinkedIn: @MandyJRossPodcast IG: @WholenessPodcastWatch and subscribe to this episode on YouTube:www.YouTube.com/mandyjrossFor all guest and sponsorship inquiries please email mandy@mandyjross.com

He is the Chief Operating Officer and Partner at Diamond Academy, bringing a wealth of expertise shaped by over 20 years of leadership in Loss Prevention, Operations, and Retail Management across Canada. Renowned for his strategic acumen and commitment to excellence, he has been instrumental in driving operational efficiencies and fostering a culture of continuous growth.A champion of personal and professional development, he exemplifies a relentless pursuit of improvement, inspiring those around him to strive for greatness. His leadership is marked by a results-driven approach, innovation, and a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of education and self-awareness to create lasting success.Joining me on this episode of The MindShare Podcast  to talk about ' Unleashing Your Alter Ego: How to Crush Fear, Build Confidence, and Achieve Big Goals in 2025 ' is – Special Guest - COO – Chris Cameron5:20 *Can you walk us through your personal experience with alter egos? How did you first realize the power of this concept?10:01 *Some people might think having an alter ego sounds "fake" or "inauthentic." How would you respond to that? What's the difference between an alter ego and 'faking it till you make it'?10:23 *Can you give us some well-known examples of successful people who have embraced alter egos (like Kobe Bryant's 'Black Mamba' or Beyoncé's 'Sasha Fierce')? Why did it work so well for them?15:56 *You've spoken about mindset and goals before. How does the alter ego concept tie into achieving our goals? Why is this concept so important for anyone aiming for a big 2025?19:44 *A lot of people struggle with fear — fear of making calls, fear of being on video, fear of rejection. How does an alter ego help us push past those fears?23:06 *Some people listening may feel like they're already disciplined. Why would someone who's already successful need an alter ego? Isn't "discipline" enough?26:41 *How do you make your "ceiling your floor" with an alter ego? Can you give us an example of what that means in practice?30:34 *Where do we even start? What's the first step in creating an alter ego? Should we focus on qualities, traits, or something else?34:48 *Is it important to give our alter ego a name, like 'Black Mamba' or 'Sasha Fierce'? How does having a name change the way we see ourselves?37:41 *If I'm not sure what traits I need for my alter ego, how do I figure that out? Should I look at people I admire, or think about my fears and weaknesses?39:07 *What do you say to people who feel silly or embarrassed about this concept? How do we get over that mental block?47:57 *How do I know if my alter ego is working? Should I expect instant results, or is it something I have to practice over time?51:18 *What happens if my alter ego "stops working"? How do I know if I need to evolve it, change it, or create a new one?Thanks for tuning in to this episode of The MindShare PodCast with our special guest - COO - Chris Cameron, as we talked about ' Unleashing Your Alter Ego: How to Crush Fear, Build Confidence, and Achieve Big Goals in 2025'Get your FREE gift on my homepage at www.mindshare101.com just for tuning in!I'd also be really grateful if you could take a quick second to go www.ratethispodcast.com/mindshare101 to rate the show for me.And we haven't connected yet, send me a message!Facebook: facebook.com/mindshare101 Instagram: instagram.com/davidgreenspan101Youtube: youtube.com/@DavidGreenspanLinkedin: linkedin.com/in/mindshare101

Today I speak with IFBB Bikini Pro Bree Burton, a mother, wife, & business owner. She is a licensed massage therapist, NASM certified personal trainer & NASM physique & bodybuilding coach, who also offers posing. She first started competing in 2021 and earned her Pro card at her 9th show and first national show at 2023 USAs. After taking a long improvement season, she is looking ahead to her Pro debut in 2025!   TOPICS COVERED -being self-coached -dealing with emotions from a first prep to now -Sasha Fierce moment -her husband almost dying after her Pro card win -Is it me or is it prep? -balancing your physique -helping women have more confidence -bodybuilding and motherhood -bootcamps for competitors   CONNECT WITH CELESTE: Website: http://www.celestial.fit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestial_fit/ All Links: http://www.celestial.fit/links.html   CONNECT WITH BREE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breeburton_ifbbpro/ Website: www.breezefitcpt.com   TIME STAMPS 1:00 introduction 5:38 deciding to go for a Pro card 7:13 show day disaster 17:30 growth from almost losing her husband 24:43 her relationship with her husband 31:31 getting married after prep 37:24 working on feedback from USAs 41:08 previous athletic experience  43:58 learning about the body 45:40 being inspired to help other women 51:09 balancing competing, working, motherhood 56:17 goals for the future 63:05 advice for competitors   CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE FOOD RELATIONSHIP COACHING SERIES   CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE POST SHOW BLUES COACHING SERIES   LEARN MORE AND APPLY FOR MY 5 WEEK FOOD RELATIONSHIP HEALING & DISCOVERY COACHING PROGRAM   FOR OTHER FREE RESOURCES, LIVE EVENTS, AND WAYS TO WORK WITH CELESTE CLICK HERE

In this empowering episode, Lisa dives into the transformative process of stepping into your full potential through the creation of an alter ego. Inspired by Todd Herman's The Alter Ego Effect, Lisa shares how tapping into the power of choice has changed her life and her growth journey. This episode is all about using your inner power to embody the person you truly want to become. KEY HIGHLIGHTS: Creating Your Alter Ego for Transformation: Lisa introduces her alter ego, Tylere, a version of herself who is confident, proud of her achievements, and unafraid to shine. Tylere represents the qualities Lisa once struggled to embrace, such as self-confidence and being comfortable in the spotlight. Modeling Success After Those You Admire: Learn how adopting qualities from role models, like Beyoncé's alter ego Sasha Fierce, can accelerate your transformation. Lisa discusses the impact of identifying these traits to shape a new vision for yourself. Overcoming Personal Hurdles: Hear Lisa share her personal story of learning to receive appreciation, balancing giving and receiving, and setting healthy boundaries. She opens up about her growth in areas like business confidence, finances, and aligning with her core values—integrity, community, and generosity. Balancing Masculine and Feminine Energies: Lisa emphasizes the importance of harmonizing both energies to prevent burnout and increase effectiveness in life and business. Learn how embracing the feminine energy of slowing down can help you find balance and peace. Harnessing the Power of Your Words and Thoughts: Words and thoughts shape your reality. Lisa encourages listeners to redefine their vision by focusing on empowering words and mindset. Tools like her alter ego document can help you take control of your story and start living with intention. Personal Narratives and Stories of Growth: Lisa reflects on her journey from overcoming doubt and embracing intuition to her success in balancing work and rest. She opens up about personal life transformations, including leaving her marriage, creating a family that aligns with her values, and finding peace in her life and business. Resources and Tools: Todd Herman's The Alter Ego Effect Lisa's own Alter-Ego document to help guide you in creating your own alter-ego. Final Thoughts: Lisa wraps up the episode by reminding listeners that their power to choose who they want to become is in their hands. By tapping into this power and embracing their unique gifts, they can create the life they've always desired. Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Let's continue to explore the power within us all.

Découvrez l'histoire fascinante derrière le hit Halo de Beyoncé ! Cet épisode vous plonge dans les coulisses de la création de ce titre emblématique, tiré de l'album I Am... Sasha Fierce.Vous apprendrez comment le chanteur de One Republic, Ryan Tedder, a écrit cette mélodie envoûtante alors qu'il était alité, se remettant d'une blessure. Beyoncé a été séduite par cette maquette et a fait de Halo l'un des plus grands succès de son album, récompensé d'un Grammy Award en 2010.Laissez-vous captiver par les anecdotes surprenantes qui ont entouré la naissance de ce titre devenu culte. Découvrez les secrets de fabrication d'un morceau qui a marqué l'histoire de la pop music. Un épisode incontournable pour tous les fans de la reine Bey !Notre équipe a utilisé un outil d'Intelligence artificielle via les technologies d'Audiomeans© pour accompagner la création de ce contenu écrit.

Luis Herrero repasa la trayectoria de la cantante y actriz con la ayuda de Felipe Couselo.

We put out a call for our audience's most unpopular pop opinions: hot takes you have that no one else seems to agree with but you know in your heart to be true. And boy, did we get some! Rolling Stone's Larisha Paul joins Louie and Russ to field unpopular pop opinions about I Am... Sasha Fierce, Charli XCX, Glee Cast Versions, Speak Now, Britney's talents, Ed Sheeran and so much more. And in the process, they each reveal some fairly unpopular pop opinions of their own... Join Pop Pantheon: All Access, Our Patreon Channel, for Exclusive Content and MoreShop Merch in Pop Pantheon's StoreCome to Gorgeous Gorgeous Halloween in both Los Angeles (10/25) and NYC (11/1)Follow DJ Louie XIV on InstagramFollow DJ Louie XIV on TwitterFollow Pop Pantheon on Instagram

In today's episode, Saranne, the founder of the Comedy Cures Foundation, shares a heartwarming story about a nurse who found a unique way to navigate her cancer treatment while continuing to work. Saranne also draws inspiration from Beyonce's alter ego, Sasha Fierce, and reflects on a personal encounter with the superstar. Join Saranne as she explores the power of adopting different personas and strategies to face the challenges of cancer.The #1 Rated Cancer Survivor Podcast by FeedSpot and Ranked the Top 5 Best Cancer Podcast by CancerCare News, Beating Cancer Daily is listened to in more than 91 countries on 6 continents and has over 300 original daily episodes hosted by stage IV survivor Saranne Rothberg!   Are you wondering How You Can Support Beating Cancer Daily and ComedyCures.org? By becoming a supporter of ComedyCures.org, you'll help us continue our essential programs and research. Your generosity will significantly impact cancer patients, caregivers, doctors, nurses, and researchers worldwide. Choose your level of support: • Supporter: $50 (or $5 per month)• Friend: $150 (or $15 per month)• Champion: $500 (or $50 per month)• VIP: $5,000 annually Donate Herehttps://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=GDPQCM8PHJT   

About Our Guest: Pearlé is a seasoned professional in the trust and safety space, currently residing in London. She has a diverse background, having lived and worked in multiple countries including Nigeria, California (Bay Area), and Ireland. With a robust educational foundation from UC Berkeley and an extensive career in tech policy, Pearlé has established herself as a prominent figure in the intersection of technology, user rights, and safety. She's also known for embodying her alter ego, the "Yoncé of Tech Policy," showcasing her dynamic personality and commitment to her profession. Lexi B welcomes Pearlé, a prominent figure in the trust and safety space, to explore the intriguing concept of building an alter ego for professional development. The episode kicks off with a warm exchange, highlighting their mutual admiration and the impactful work done in tech policy. Pearlé shares her journey from Nigeria to various global cities and her career evolution in tech. She emphasizes the importance of community and mentorship, mentioning how Lexi B's initiatives have been a significant source of support. As the conversation deepens, Pearlé elaborates on how she constructed her alter ego—the "Yoncé of Tech Policy"—to navigate professional challenges and boost her confidence. She draws inspiration from iconic figures like Beyoncé and Kobe Bryant, explaining how their alter egos (Sasha Fierce and Black Mamba) motivate her. Pearlé provides actionable steps for listeners to develop their own alter egos, emphasizing the importance of defining one's purpose, understanding one's backstory, and continuously practicing and refining this heightened persona. The episode also touches on broader themes of personal growth, societal expectations, and the power of self-acceptance. Defining Purpose: Understand your "why" and let it guide the creation of your alter ego. Inspiration from Icons: Drawing inspiration from influential figures can help shape a powerful alter ego. Building Confidence: An alter ego can serve as a confidence booster to overcome challenges like imposter syndrome. Practicing Persona: Regularly practicing and reinforcing your alter ego helps it become a natural part of you. Embracing Multifaceted Identities: Recognize and celebrate the different layers of your identity, including your alter ego, to live a fulfilling life. "I need to embody a character that would make me feel more confident in terms of going into this new space, this new role, this new country." -  Pearlé Nwaezeigwe "Your alter ego is protecting you and also pushing you through things like imposter syndrome." - Lexi B  "The goal of an alter ego is to eventually become the alter ego." - Pearlé Nwaezeigwe Linkedin

In this episode of The Music in Me, we dive into the fascinating world of Beyoncé. From her early days in Destiny's Child to her record-breaking achievements, alter ego Sasha Fierce, and humanitarian work, we'll uncover some fun facts about Queen Bey that even her biggest fans might not know.DESTINY'S CHILD SONGS MENTIONED...I'm a SurvivorSay My NameBootyliciousBEYONCE SONGS MENTIONED...HaloSingle Ladies (Put a Ring on it)Run the World (Girls)FormationListen from DreamgirlsSpirit from The Lion King (Live Action 2019)Love on TopWhat did you think of this episode? Support the showKeep listening, keep grooving, and let the music in you continue to shine. Thank you, and see you soon!CONTACT TERI:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terirosborg/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teri.rosborgYouTube: The Music in MeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@terirosborgPodcast Facebook Page: The Music in Me Podcast Facebook pageTHEME SONG BY: Hayley GremardINTRODUCTION BY: Gavin Bruno

Send us a Text Message.Greetings PE Nation,Ever wondered how the 80s shaped my obsession with music trivia and my admiration for Bono and U2? Join me as I recount a recent 80s music trivia challenge on a cruise, where my near-perfect score was just the tip of the iceberg. Get ready for a trip down memory lane, where I relive my teenage years emulating Bono's style, complete with tales of his alter ego, "The Fly." You'll also get a fascinating look at how Beyonce channeled her inner Sasha Fierce to showcase a more confident, bolder side of herself. Together, we'll explore the magic of alter egos and how they enable artists to express different facets of their personalities. Anyone know what Justin Jefferson's alter-ego is?Looking to stay ahead in the world of Physical Education? You'll love our new segment, "Five Boomer Friday," launching every other Friday. This chapter is packed with practical PE tips, strategies, book recommendations, and documentary suggestions that have caught my eye over the past couple of weeks. Make sure to sign up for our mailing list to stay in the loop. A huge shoutout to PE Nation for their unwavering support—let's keep advancing our profession together!Take care,DaveWebsite for the book: https://www.teacherchefhockeyplayerbook.com/

In today's episode, Saranne, the founder of the Comedy Cures Foundation, shares a heartwarming story about a nurse who found a unique way to navigate her cancer treatment while continuing to work. Saranne also draws inspiration from Beyonce's alter ego, Sasha Fierce, and reflects on a personal encounter with the superstar. Join Saranne as she explores the power of adopting different personas and strategies to face the challenges of cancer.The #1 Rated Cancer Survivor Podcast by FeedSpot and Ranked the Top 5 Best Cancer Podcast by CancerCare News, Beating Cancer Daily is listened to in more than 85 countries on 6 continents and has over 290 original daily episodes hosted by stage IV survivor Saranne Rothberg!   In 1999, Saranne launched The ComedyCures Foundation from her chemo chair with a "Chemo Comedy Party." Now cancer-free, she's dedicated her life to helping others find strength, courage, and laughter in their fight against cancer. As a healthcare thought leader, speaker, patient advocate, and health and happiness expert, Saranne's work has garnered recognition and support from prestigious organizations like the NIH/NCI, the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and numerous universities and cancer societies. Saranne's transformative strategies, research findings, fun, practical tips, and comic insights can be found in the "Beating Cancer Daily" podcast and the BCD Membership Circle, where she helps listeners navigate their treatment and survivorship with humor and resilience. Are you wondering How You Can Support Beating Cancer Daily and ComedyCures.org?By becoming a supporter of ComedyCures.org, you'll help us continue our essential programs and research. Your generosity will significantly impact cancer patients, caregivers, doctors, nurses, and researchers worldwide. Choose your level of support:• Supporter: $50 (or $5 per month)• Friend: $150 (or $15 per month)• Champion: $500 (or $50 per month)• VIP: $5,000 annually Donate Herehttps://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=GDPQCM8PHJT We Share the Laughter with Beating Cancer Daily Podcast Do you love the podcast? Please share it with a friend and spread the laughter!  

Enrollment is open for my 6-month small group mastermind, Organized to Profit. Learn more and apply here. This is a safe place and a very small group (2-4 people) where we focus on the goals you set in your business that will make you money. In this episode of the Organized Coach Podcast, we are unpacking the concept of the alter ego as a tool to help you become more organized in your personal and professional life.   We will unlock your inner organized self with the power of the alter ego.   First, I explain what an alter ego is; then, I share the example of Beyonce's Sasha Fierce and the comic book character Superman.   I provide practical tips for creating and stepping into your own organized alter ego, the one you can make today that fits you, your way of thinking, and your stage of life.   Even if you think, "But I really don't have any organizing skills, Tracy." or "No one has ever taught me...I feel like I don't even know how to imagine what an organized person would do," try this! This concept can be just as helpful for those with ADHD or missing organizational skills.   Tune in to learn how to make it fun! Use your creativity and routines to activate your organized self and make strides in managing your business or home efficiently.   Click here for the full transcript, notes, links, and more.   Ready to organize your business and digital files? Watch my free on-demand training to learn the ONLY 5 files you need!    

E:8 This episode explores the concept of the alter ego as a tool for  transformation, especially post-divorce. Quinn explains how our self-identity is shaped by the stories we tell ourselves and introduces the theory of narrative identity by Dr. Dan McAdams. Highlighting examples like Beyonce's Sasha Fierce and client stories of Sarah, Lisa, and Emily, the video demonstrates how creating an alter ego can help access different parts of oneself, overcome limiting beliefs, and embrace new opportunities. It provides steps to create and embody an alter ego, encouraging viewers to intentionally craft a new narrative to enhance their lives.00:00 Introduction: Discovering Your Alter Ego01:41 Understanding the Self and Narrative Identity02:38 The Power of Rewriting Your Story06:41 Embracing the Alter Ego Concept08:21 Client Success Stories: Transformations Through Alter Egos14:29 Steps to Create Your Own Alter Ego20:17 Conclusion: Embrace Your New Narrative

In this episode of The New New, writer and digital content creator Lola Kolade talks about the stories we tell ourselves, embracing main character syndrome, and the power of entering your Sasha Fierce era (ie, inventing an alter ego.) follow the pod: instagram & tiktokfollow me for additional clownery: instagram & tiktokread the newsletter here.

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It's a special meeting of two podcasts on this episode! Melissa Dudek of Signature Witch & Kim Douglas, host of Bold Like Her sit down to chat about their meeting at a yoga retreat in Tulum, Mexico and their instant bond! The chat includes just what it's like go on a retreat, some of the things they did including not just yoga but excursions and other health & wellness experiences.  The ladies chat witches, Sasha Fierce, Rachel Hollis, the power of intuition and more!

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot take the show out of the recording studio and into the karaoke bar as they share some of their favorite karaoke tracks. They'll also hear selections from production staff and listeners. Plus, the hosts review new music from Grandaddy and bid farewell to the late rockabilly musician Dexter Romweber.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Carly Rae Jepsen, "Call Me Maybe," Kiss, 604, 2012The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Grandaddy, "Blu Wav," Blu Wav, Dangerbird, 2024Grandaddy, "You're Going to Be Fine and I'm Going to Hell," Blu Wav, Dangerbird, 2024Grandaddy, "Jukebox App," Blu Wav, Dangerbird, 2024Grandaddy, "Ducky, Boris and Dart," Blu Wav, Dangerbird, 2024Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, "Jackson," Carryin' On with Johnny Cash & June Carter, Columbia, 1967*NSYNC, "It Makes Me Ill," No Strings Attached, Jive, 2000Shania Twain, "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!," Come On Over, Mercury, 1997Donny Osmond & Chorus, "I'll Make a Man Out of You," Mulan: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack, Walt Disney, 1998Art Brut, "Formed a Band," Bang Bang Rock & Roll, Fierce Panda, 2005Joey Scarbury, "Theme from The Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not)," America's Greatest Hero, Elektra, 1981The 5th Dimension, "Wedding Bell Blues," The Age of Aquarius, Soul City, 1969Kenny Rogers, "Islands In the Stream (duet with Dolly Parton)," Eyes That See in the Dark, RCA Victor, 1983The Rocky Horror Picture Show Original Cast , "Rose Tint My World (feat. Richard O'Brien)," The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Ode, 1975Regulo Caro, "En Estos Días," En Estos Días, Del, 2018Beyoncé, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," I Am...Sasha Fierce, Columbia, 2008Radiohead, "Creep," Pablo Honey, Parlophone, 1992Backstreet Boys, "I Want it That Way," Millennium, Jive, 1999Prince, "When Doves Cry," Purple Rain, Warner Bros., 1984Flat Duo Jets, "Frog Went a Courtin'," Go Go Harlem Baby, Sky, 1991Flat Duo Jets, "Riot In Cell Block Number Nine," In Stereo, Dolphin, 1985The Roots, "You Got Me (feat. Erykah Badu & Eve)," Things Fall Apart, MCA, 1999See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey queens! This week we're heading to Denmark, where Katy and Nathan the second to last tsarina of Russia, Dagmar of Denmark, aka Maria Feodorovna. Yes, we love those Romanov's but for most of this episode we'll be in Copenhagen. The episode delves into the Danish princess' remarkable early life, family background, deep bond with her sister Alexandra, her education, and her relationships with her family. Some other players are Queen Victoria and Sasha Fierce! Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction, cocktail recipe & Patreon shout outs 03:41 The Early Life of Dagmar of Denmark 08:01 Dagmar's Family and Their Unexpected Rise to Royalty 20:07 Dagmar's Potential Suitors and Introduction to Russian Royalty 22:47 The Perfect Crown Prince 23:54 The Proposal and Learning Languages for Love 24:22 Family Bonds and the In-Laws 28:18 The Tragic News and the Journey to Nice 31:36 Death and an engagement 34:32 Meet Sasha Fierce 42:24 The Extravagant Russian Nobility and the Wedding Sources: https://www.creativehistorian.co.uk/blog/read_200275/almost-kings-nixa-of-russia.html  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOGjEw9Gr04 https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/tsesarevich-nicholas-alexandrovich-of-russia/  https://www.historyofroyalwomen.com/dagmar-of-denmark-2/empress-maria-feodorovna-part-one-life-princess/ -------- Thank you Hello Fresh so much for your support. And if our listeners want to give it a try Go to HelloFresh.com/50baddest and use code 50baddest for 50% off plus 15% off your next 2 months! Queens podcast is part of Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Want more Queens? Head to our Patreon, check out our merch store and follow us on Instagram! Our awesome new intro music is thanks to @1touchproduction ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If there's one thing this season has taught us so far, it's that life can get a little stale. At least Julia is doing something spicier than jogging! That's right, she's having her “Sasha Fierce” moment – decorator by day, sultry lounge singer by night.  We'll sidebar in the middle on beauty tips thanks to what we're calling Charlene's “hands up” beauty routine. Then come back Thursday for a bit of a potpourri “Extra Sugar” – we're talking about this whole double life concept. How is it different from a hobby? What is a doppelgänger exactly? And is it time for us to claim our own alter ego?? Fall down the rabbit hole with us, y'all. 

There's nothing this ep CAN'T do. This installment of Las Cultch gives you fresh Oscar nomination reactions! What has Matt and Bow excited? And what snubs stung their little asses? Also: Traitors talk. Parvati vs. Phaedra! The international implications that this show is having! And is Sandra getting a winners edit? All this, and the beginning of the new Cultural Excavation segment as the year 2009 is exhumed and examined. Lady Gaga! Obama! "Sasha Fierce"! Kings of Leon! B.E.P.! And so so so much more. Next stop, 2017!   This bonus episode is available early for subscribers to Big Money Players Diamond on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/lasculturistasSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sasha Fierce? Queen Bey? Whatever you call her, one thing is certain: Beyoncé Knowles is an entertainment icon. In the summer of 2023, she played five sold-out nights in London to a staggering 240,000 people as part of her Renaissance World Tour. So how does an American superstar like Beyoncé arrange to work legally in the UK? Join Rekha and Shai as they host Vialto's Lily Malekyazdi and Kelly Terrington to explore Mrs. Carter's many options. 

On the latest episode of Discover Your SecondAct Podcast, we have a special guest, Meg Niman. They are the founder and facilitator of the Alter Ego Project.From Beyoncé's Sasha Fierce to Eminem's Slim Shady, Alter Egos—the alternative personality that exists with us—has supported artists to delve deeper into the untapped realms of their potential and creativity.What if we tell you that normal people can also build alter egos to nourish the quality of their lives?Through the Alter Ego Project, Meg has been committed to guiding people in constructing their alter egos, which pushes them to step out of their comfort zone, improve their problem-solving skills, and boost their confidence to lead a happier life.In the conversation, we talked about Meg leaving Silicon Valley, the significance of Alter Egos, healing the inner child, mental health in the 40s, and their Second Act.Our SecondAct Learnings:✅ Being selfish for one's happiness empowers others to be the same.✅ Complacency is the worst disservice you can do to the gift of life.✅ We are all multidimensional beings; we must practice to exhibit it.✅ Acknowledge the change your wellbeing demands from you.Need to start your own podcast? SecondAct Studio is the right place for you. For inquiries, DM us atInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iiact/LinkedIn:  https://bit.ly/3Qz9LmS Website: https://thesecondact.in/#DiscoverYourSecondAct

Presente no TOP 5 de artistas mais premiados da história do Billboard Music Award, Beyoncé pode considerar que sofreu um grande boicote nas últimas edições do prêmio! Com um hiato de 4 anos, o BMA deixou de fora das paradas dois dos principais trabalho da nossa Queen, os álbuns B'day e I'am Sasha Fierce, que poderiam ser muito premiados caso houvessem as edições em seus anos de lançamento. Instagram do podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@podbeycast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@beyoncebrasil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@beyoncebrasilcom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beyoncé Brasil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@beyoncebrasilcom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beyoncé Brasil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Site: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠beyoncebrasil.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contato: equipe@beyoncebrasil.com Direção/Produção: Thiago Souza ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thixverso

Join me on this riveting journey of self-discovery as we unravel life outside the bounds of being a parent, partner, or entrepreneur. In this captivating episode, I bring Aisha from Ever-Unfolding Minds onboard to explore the mystic world of tarot cards. Continuing our exploration, we delve into the intriguing realm of attachment styles and how they shape our relationships. We shed light on how early relationships impact our attachment styles, leading to secure, anxious, or avoidant behavior. I share my personal experiences, drawing attention to how understanding my attachment styles has been instrumental in cultivating healthier relationships on a lighter note tune in to hear my audacious goals and bucket list ideas, from jumping off a plane to expanding my brand and owning multiple businesses. This episode is an invitation to journey together on a path of self-discovery and personal growth, which promises to transform your understanding of yourself and your relationships. (01:45) Try it with Tiff: Tarot Card Reading Insights and Surprises (15:19: Reality or Reddit?? (17:39) Girl Talk: Love, Sex Clubs, and BIG TIP ENERGY  (36:19) Therapy with Tiff: Attachment Styles: (59:00) Real Hot Girl Tip!  Check out the visuals on my Youtube Channel Just Tiffany La'ryn  My family channel (let's get us to 1 Million Subscribers!) Follow me on Instagram @Tiffany_laryn Connect with my guests: Aisha: @everunfoldingmindsllc  Lambo: lemonade_lambo Mac Stanely Cazeau: @talk2macstanley  

When Martell DeRouen was found dead in his apartment on January 26th, 2021, it didn't take long for police to identify their principal suspect. But when they questioned her about his death, her story kept changing. Was Martell brutally murdered after a domestic dispute, or was he the unintended victim of a horrible accident? It would all come down to which of her stories was actually the truth…  Written by Angela Jorgensen, Executive Produced by Michael Ojibway.    Support Our Sponsors:  Fabric by Gerber Life: Protect your family today with Fabric by Gerber Life by applying at https://www.meetfabric.com/invisible Squarespace: Go to https://www.squarespace.com/choir for a free trial, and when you're ready to launch, use offer code “CHOIR” to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain!  Microdose: To learn more about microdosing THC go to https://www.Microdose.com and use code: (CHOIR) to get free shipping & 30% off your first order. BetterHelp: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/invisiblechoir and get on your way to being your best self. EveryPlate: Get started with EveryPlate for just $1.49 per meal by going to https://www.everyplate.com/podcast and entering code “49invisible”    Visit Invisible Choir on the web:  Patreon - Invisible Choir Premium:  https://www.patreon.com/InvisibleChoir  Website:  https://www.invisiblechoir.com/  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/InvisibleChoirPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisiblechoir/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/InvisibleChoir   Written/Audio Sources:  Sasha Skare sentenced to 55 years in murder of San Antonio rapper at upscale La Cantera apartment | kens5.com Murder verdict: Sasha Skare guilty for killing rapper Kardone Sasha Skare trial: What to know ahead of opening statements, including the Beyoncé connection Trial underway for woman charged with killing Beyoncé's cousin San Antonio-based rapper related to Beyoncé fatally shot, murder suspect arrested Manhunt Underway After Martell Derouen, Rapper Cousin Of Beyoncé, Found Shot Dead In Texas Open Court: The trial of Sasha Skare San Antonio murder suspect is aspiring rapper also charged in deadly Austin shooting Lover testifies she shot Beyoncé's cousin by accident after fight Beyoncé's 34-year-old rapper cousin fatally shot in his apartment Martell 'Kardone' Derouen, Beyoncé's rapper 'cousin,' shot dead at 34 Rapper, Identified as Beyoncé's Cousin, Fatally Shot in His Texas Home and Woman, 21, Is a Suspect Police arrest woman accused of killing San Antonio rapper in his La Cantera-area apartment Slain San Antonio rapper remembered as ‘humble, quiet' by peers 'This story is not over,' Mother believes a suspected murderer should still be behind bars | WOAI Grand jury charges rapper with murder in shooting at La Cantera apartment complex Jury finds Sasha Skare guilty of killing San Antonio rapper Trial underway for woman charged with killing Beyoncé's cousin San Antonio woman faces sentencing for murder of Beyonce's cousin | WOAI Obituary | Martell "Kardone" Lord DeRouen of San Antonio, Texas | Fountain Memorial Funeral Home & Cemetery Martell DeRouen (@lamkardone) • Instagram photos and videos Trial begins for woman accused in fatal shooting of San Antonio rapper, Beyoncé's cousin  Texas woman sentenced in murder of rapper, cousin of Beyoncé Difference Between Manslaughter & Murder In Texas Austin Police searching for woman in connection to deadly drug deal gone bad APD: Two people shot, one dead in N Austin | KEYE Austin police offering $1,000 in search for woman linked to deadly drug deal   LIVE: Sasha Skare murder trial, Day 1 WATCH LIVE: Sasha Skare murder trial, Day 2  LIVE: Sasha Skare Murder Trial, Day 3 LIVE: Sasha Skare Murder Trial, Day 4 Sasha Skare testifies in her own defense    Music & Sound Effect Sources Opening Track: “Your Memories 1” by August Wilhelmsson Closing Track: “ASTRO” by ROONIN   Music & Sound Effect Sources All music and sound effects used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound ® and SoundStripe ®.  Individual sources are available via request at info@invisiblechoir.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join CRUSH YOUR CONTENT and learn how to exactly how to Make Money from Social Media, and create content that you are obsessed with! Join NOW and START CRUSHING CONTENT TODAYConnect with Sam on Instagram or TikTokI'm diving into the intriguing world of alter egos, inspired by a recent chat with an amazing client. We had a heart-to-heart about fully embracing her "doctor" title and her incredible work. It got me thinking about my own video content journey, where I transformed into an alter ego mix of Samantha Parker, Beyoncé, and Sasha Fierce. I'll spill the glitter on how channeling this alter ego's confidence on camera can work wonders. It's not always easy, but I'll encourage you to let your own alter ego shine. Picture that bold energy and watch your video content soar with expertise and unique baddie style.Grab your FREE Monthly THE STATE OF SOCIAL MEDIA Report HERECheck out all the CONTENT CREATION + SOCIAL MEDIA resources I have at THEGLITTER.ME

In today's episode, Saranne, the founder of the Comedy Cures Foundation, shares a heartwarming story about a nurse who found a unique way to navigate her cancer treatment while continuing to work. Saranne also draws inspiration from Beyonce's alter ego, Sasha Fierce, and reflects on a personal encounter with the superstar. Join Saranne as she explores the power of adopting different personas and strategies to face the challenges of cancer.Welcome to the Beating Cancer Daily Podcast from ComedyCures.org, a charity that brings laughter, hope, and healing to millions of people affected by cancer worldwide. Founded by Saranne Rothberg, a stage IV cancer survivor, our mission is to help you rediscover your funny bone, mojo, and purpose. We've already uplifted and empowered over one million individuals through groundbreaking studies, live and digital events, and the "Beating Cancer Daily" podcast. And now, we're inviting you to join us and make a difference in the lives of those battling cancer. Meet Saranne Rothberg: Cancer Survivor and Laughter AdvocateIn 1999, Saranne launched The ComedyCures Foundation from her chemo chair with a "Chemo Comedy Party." Now cancer-free, she's dedicated her life to helping others find strength, courage, and laughter in their fight against cancer. As a healthcare thought leader, speaker, patient advocate, and health and happiness expert, Saranne's work has garnered recognition and support from prestigious organizations like the NIH/NCI, United Nations, World Health Organization, and numerous universities and cancer societies.Saranne's transformative strategies, research findings, fun, practical tips, and comic insights can be found in the "Beating Cancer Daily" podcast and the BCD Membership Circle, where she helps listeners navigate their treatment and survivorship with humor and resilience. Wondering How You Can Support the Beating Cancer Daily and ComedyCures.org?By becoming a supporter of ComedyCures.org, you'll help us continue our essential programs and research. Your generosity will significantly impact cancer patients, caregivers, doctors, nurses, and researchers worldwide. Choose your level of support:Supporter: $50 (or $5 per month)Friend: $150 (or $15 per month)Champion: $500 (or $50 per month)VIP: $5,000 annually [Click Here to DONATE]    Share the Laughter with Beating Cancer Daily PodcastLove the podcast? Share it with a friend and spread the laughter! Your support and word-of-mouth recommendations are invaluable in helping us reach more people who need a little humor and hope during their cancer journey. And we really want to hear from you. Click Here to Record a Voice Mail or Write a Note and let us know how the Beating Cancer Daily strategies are going for you. Need a Chuckle Between Episodes?Call the ComedyCures LaughLine®, our free 24/7 joke hotline.Dial (888) Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha 888-424-2424 Press 1 to hear a professional comedian, 2 to hear an amateur joke teller, or 3 to record your jokes and laughter. Over 100 comedians have participated in our interactive LaughLine, and you can find them on the Comedians' page. ComedyCures: More Than Just a PodcastOur Beating Cancer Daily Podcast is just the beginning. We're conducting innovative studies and research, such as the eight-week Mindset and Metastatic Research Study, which uses artificial intelligence to investigate personalized stress reduction strategies for women living with advanced cancer. The American Association for Cancer Research recognized this pioneering study as "Leading Discoveries." [Click Here to DOWNLOAD THE 2021 STUDY] Your support is crucial to our ongoing mission to help people survive cancer with humor, hope, and healing. By donating to ComedyCures.org, you're not just contributing to a podcast; you're providing vital resources for groundbreaking studies, live and digital events, and ongoing support for cancer patients and their families.Join us today in our quest to bring laughter and hope to those who need it most. Make a donation, share our podcast, and help us spread the word about the incredible power of comedy in curing cancer.[Click Here to DONATE NOW] 

Listen to Erika L. Sanchez and the No Chingues crew talk about all of the day's chingaderas:  Immigrant Parent Benefits, Lies, & Mispronunciations The Caucasian Allergy Myth We're Not Erika's Therapist Mexicans Take Nothing Seriously SQUEEZE YOUR OWN CLAMS! History of Murdered and Ignored BIPOC Women Black History Only 28 Days?  Incrementalism is a Scam Friend Break-Up Advice Jorge's Quarterly Friends  “Try That In a Small Town” Controversy Roddy's Sasha Fierce  Fighting Capitalism By Doing Nothing Greg Abbott Orders The Murder of Migrants (Allegedly) Ving Rhames, The Best Hat Wearer of All Time Announcement: We Declare Quesadilla Kid To Be Officially Mexican Shaquille O'Neal We have no idea what we're doing... but we're keeping it moving with the unearned confidence of a mediocre White man! ¯_(ツ)_/¯ Listen, subscribe, share, and leave a five star review! (or go to hell). Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nochingues/message

A woman of many names. Bey, Muva, Mrs. Carter, Yonce, Queen B, Sasha Fierce, Juju, Slayonce, Ms Knowles-it All, Houston's Finest, Blue Mama, or Greatest of All-Time. Beyoncé is the name Ms Tina gave her and she deserves all the flowers.    All Beyonce, Stans, fans, family and friends, this episode is for you. Josh & Bryan invited friend of the podcast Chancey (IG: @fashiondriven21) to the living room to give a synopsis of his Renaissance Tour experience and to discuss the impact of the Renaissance album almost a year after it's release.  Also, we have a listener letter you definitely want to hear.    Song of the Week: America Has A Problem - Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar   Bless Up: Kevon & Kamari Chilsom  - Junior Wallstreeters    Tap in to your favorite Casanegros by writing them or following them on social media using the information below:   askthejigsaw@gmail.com   IG: @thejigsawpodcast | @iamjoshrodgers | iambryanhaire

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot pay tribute to the late Cynthia Weil, one half of the songwriting duo Mann & Weil, famous for writing tracks like “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” and “You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling.” Jim and Greg revisit their 2011 conversation. The hosts also talk to Ryan Tedder of One Republic about writing songs for himself, Beyoncé, Adele and more. Plus, a review of the new album from rapper Killer Mike. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah  Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops   Featured Songs: The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Capitol, 1967Killer Mike, "SLUMMER," MICHAEL, Loma Vista, 2023Killer Mike, "MOTHERLESS," MICHAEL, Loma Vista, 2023Killer Mike, "DOWN BY LAW," MICHAEL, Loma Vista, 2023Killer Mike, "SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS (feat. Future & Eryn Allen Kane)," MICHAEL, Loma Vista, 2023Cass Elliot, "Make Your Own Kind of Music," Bubblegum, Lemonade &... Something for Mama, Dunhill, 1969Barry Mann, "Who Put the Bomp (in the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp)," Who Put The Bomp, ABC-Paramount, 1961Bobby Vee, "Take Good Care of My Baby," Devil or Angel, Weton, 1960The Drifters, "Saturday Night at the Movies," The Good Life With The Drifters, Atlantic, 1963Tony Orlando, "Happy Times Are Here to Stay," Bless You and 11 Other Great Hits, Epic, 1961The Righteous Brothers, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'," You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin', Philles, 1964The Crystals, "Uptown," Twist Uptown, Philles, 1962Eydie Gormé, "Blame It on the Bossa Nova," Blame It on the Bossa Nova, Columbia, 1963The Cookies, "On Broadway," The Complete Cookies, Sequel, 1963The Drifters, "On Broadway," Under The Boardwalk, Atlantic, 1963Barry Mann, "Soul and Inspiration," Soul and Inspiration (Single), Unreleased, 1966Barry Mann, "We Gotta Get Out of This Place [Original Demo]," Red Bird Story, Snapper UK, 2011The Animals, "We Gotta Get Out of This Place ," Animal Tracks, EMI, 1965Dolly Parton, "Here You Come Again," Here You Come Again, RCA, 1977OneRepublic, "Love Runs Out," Native, Interscope, 2013Timbaland (feat. OneRepublic), "Apologize," Shock Value, Blackground, 2007Leona Lewis, "Bleeding Love," Spirit, Syco, 2007Beyoncé, "Halo," I Am... Sasha Fierce, Columbia, 2008Adele, "Turning Tables," 21, Columbia, 2011Taylor Swift, "Welcome to New York," 1989, Big Machine, 2014OneRepublic, "Counting Stars," Native, Interscope, 2013Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, "Miles," Weathervanes, Southeastern, 2023Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinionsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join CRUSH YOUR CONTENT and learn how to exactly how to Make Money from Social Media, and create content that you are obsessed with! Join NOW and START CRUSHING CONTENT TODAYConnect with Sam on Instagram or TikTokLet's talk about embracing your alter ego on social media. Like Beyoncé's Sasha Fierce, we all have that powerhouse version of ourselves waiting to shine. Discover how to transform your content creation game by showing up as your alter ego. It's time to unleash your boss babe energy and make a splash on social media. Grab a pen and paper because this episode is packed with glittery wisdom. Let's see your alter ego over on Instagram!Check out all the CONTENT CREATION + SOCIAL MEDIA resources I have at THEGLITTER.ME

Even by today's standards, Ice Spice's meteoric rise is something else. She first hit it big in August 2022 with the viral release of “Munch.” Since then, Ice Spice has the most top 5 hits on the Billboard 100 in 2023 and guest appeared on Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.How did we get here? Her aura, her music, her cinnamon-colored curls, and more have helped her stand out in an oversaturated industry.To explain how Ice Spice's star was born and where it could go next, I brought on friend of the pod, Denisha Kuhlor. Here's what we covered:[2:07] The People's Princess [4:11] Ice Spice's success by the numbers [6:23] “Always shipping” has kept Ice Spice's momentum [7:26] Performing on Taylor Swift's Eras Tour[09:49] What makes Ice Spice unique? [13:24] Artists' relatability factor[20:27] Cultivating the Munchkins fanbase[24:00] What is a music global superstar in 2023?[31:39] Sexist dialogue around female rappers[35:56] How female rappers stand out[42:03] Ice Spice's intentionsListen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSSHost: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.coGuests: Denisha Kuhlor, @denishakuhlorThis episode is sponsored by DICE. Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fmEnjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapitalTrapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital's free memo.TRANSCRIPT[00:00:00] Denisha Kuhlor: What is interesting about, Ice Spice is they feel like everyone's learning in real time, and they feel like they get to be a part of it. So in some ways, I do think that her fan base is interesting because it's like they're co-creating a bit, in a way that hasn't that other artists, maybe they've wanted to, but like the true actual product and creation to a product process hasn't been as interactive as, hasn't been as interactive as before.There's no wall the way with other artists. There's Really no wall. It feels like the conversations or the quote tweets that she's having on Twitter really feel like conversations amongst friends from how they crack jokes to the colloquialisms that are there. [00:00:45] Dan Runcie Audio Intro: Hey, welcome to the Trapital Podcast. I'm your host and the founder of Trapital, Dan Runcie. This podcast is your place to gain insights from executives in music, media, entertainment, and more who are taking hip hop culture to the next level.[00:01:13] Dan Runcie Guest Intro: Two years ago. Ice Spice was a college student at SUNY Purchase doing her thing, like most college students do today. She's had one of the most Meteoric rises, especially in the past year. Everything that's happened in ice spices career since she dropped Munch last summer.It has been very fascinating to watch how a star blows up in 2023. In 2023 in this era that we're in now. And today's episode is a breakdown on that. What does it all mean? How did she get here? What did Ice Spice do differently that other artists right now haven't been able to do to reach the levels that she has?And how do we make sense of it all with what to expect with her career moving forward? If you ask the people on her team, whether that's the record labels, the management, the folks that she's working with, they think they have the next global superstar on their hands, but what does that term even mean, and what does that term mean today in an era where it's harder than ever for today's bright young stars to reach the same levels that the past global superstars have reached, especially for an artist from the us.To break it all down, we're joined by friend of the show, Denisha Kuhlor, who's the founder of Stan. She does great work in analyzing artist strategies and looking at Ice Spice and the Munchkins was a great opportunity for us to dive in. So here's our deep dive on Ice Spice. Hope you enjoy it.[00:02:35] Dan Runcie: All right, today we are back and we're gonna talk about the Princess Diana of hip hop, herself Ice Spice. It's only right and we're gonna talk about it and break it all down with someone who has written about her and does studies on fan bases as well. So you were the perfect person to have on Denisha Kuhlor, welcome back. Hi. Thanks for having me back. Ice Spice is so fascinating in a lot of ways because. go back to just two years ago. We weren't necessarily having conversations about her. She had released a few singles back then. Some were in collaboration with her dad, who is also a rapper.But things really blew up last summer. She puts out Munch, it becomes a drill anthem, a New York anthem. And then we just see this meteoric rise and you look at where she is now. Here are a few stats just to level set this conversation. She has 36 million monthly Spotify listeners that puts her above people like Jay-Z, Tyler the creator, Jack Harlow, the Beatles.So she's in pretty high company there and she's continued to stay in that area. And just for some context here, Spotify says that this is from their most recent loud and clear report. Spotify says that 130 artist catalogs on their platform are generating at least 5 million annually. So the artist catalogs themselves.Obviously the splits can be different, so if you use those numbers, and you said that I is currently 81st. In terms of all artists there, she's clearly in that lane. Obviously, you have to be able to maintain that for a year, but if you also assume that Spotify itself is roughly a quarter of the. Recorded music revenue that comes through, that's over 20 million dollars that we're seeing there.So we are clearly seeing that she has things from a stream perspective and she just came out for three nights of Taylor Swift's show in the Meadowlands at MetLife Stadium. So how do you make sense of this all? Where do you think about Ice spice and the rise and where she is right now in her career?[00:04:39] Denisha Kuhlor: Yeah, I think our space has been so fun to watch. It feels like every few years there's a people's champ, and they always seem to tend to originate from New York. and so seeing her do what she's done with in some ways what feels like, her back against the wall, when Munch came out, it was a lot of critical, critical takes, and the reception wasn't necessarily all positive. So to see how she's kind of, flipped this moment and the light shining on her into a real, you know, bonafide career based off the statue just mentioned is really exciting.[00:05:12] Dan Runcie: I think it highlights. What's possible now, today we've seen artists blow up and become household names in a short amount of time that isn't relatively new. If anything, you can honestly say it's harder to do now, just given the fact that it does take even more work and more time to develop a true superstar.And I do think that's a word that gets thrown around quite a bit. The thing with ice spice though, is that. He's also someone we've seen continue to maintain momentum. Yeah. In an era where someone could be hot for a few months and then you just don't necessarily have that moment again. Yeah. As back early, back as eight years ago, Fetty Wap had that one summer in 2015 where he just had hit after hit.Yeah. And they went consistently with it. That story and the challenges there have been told endless times, but that wasn't a long-lived experience either. And Ice Spice is clearly been able to even expand that from that perspective. I do think that I've heard a few people talk about how fame and talent are things that have had a very symbiotic relationship for years in music, just given how it was very hard to separate the two, especially if you were an artist that rose to the top. Yeah. you had to have a full package at least to be able to be in the conversation. I spice though, as someone who's continued to rise in, I think she has had songs that people liked, songs that people didn't like, people criticizing her flow, people criticizing this, and even some of her performances and things like that.But she's continued to build and grow in public, and it hasn't necessarily knocked her in any type of way. [00:06:51] Denisha Kuhlor: Yeah, I think she wins because she takes like a startup approach in the sense that she's always shipping, while, you know, Munch had its audience and its fan base. Her follow-ups definitely one introduced her to new audiences, but allowed her to keep shipping and testing and iterating on what works. She definitely takes an approach or it feels like just when you think like, okay, like this moment is done, or, you know, the time has lapsed. she's coming out with something new and something that's not expected, and frankly, something that just continues to place her even bigger on the world stage, right?She went from remixes that felt like a true collaboration amongst peers with Pink Panthers and boys a liar to. Getting to work with greats like Nikki or, Taylor Swift, where it feels like now they're saying, Hey, we like this girl. We're embracing her. and we wanna take her to the next step in the industry.So with each time she ships, it feels like it just keeps getting bigger and bigger.[00:07:54] Dan Runcie: Let's talk a bit about Taylor Swift, because you mentioned that there. This performance got a lot of buzz because Taylor Swift really hasn't brought many people out on the tour that she has. This tour may go down as one of the highest grossing tours that we've seen, and she's coming out and saying that I spice is the future, and we're seeing everyone from, whether it's her record labels and folks that she worked with more.Granted, we expect them to, that's their job to promote the folks that they have there, but from a live performance perspective, it wasn't always like this because she did get some critical comments from more recent performances that she did up to this point, and we've seen those types of things derail artists.Yeah. And be challenging to them. Can you talk a bit about that? [00:08:39] Denisha Kuhlor: Yeah, so I think, you know, Taylor Swift, bringing out and embracing, ice Spice was really interesting. ice Spice definitely has this dynamic of, you know, the people's champ and as she continues to, as she continues to grow people, people rooting for her.And so just from like, What that moment meant, I think for people to see someone who hadn't had any music, who barely had a Spotify profile probably two years ago or three years ago. to be an on a stage in a filled out arena nonetheless, was awesome. But I also think it's very much a testament to her ability and kind of the consumer's ability to, be forgetful.And when I say that, she obviously looked a lot more comfortable on stage, but the rolling loud performance, I think brought a lot of critique, right? it was just the novice fan on platforms like Shade Room or Instagram, talking about her performance. to folks in the industry talking more about the need for, you know, artist development and, a and r I feel like a lot of people could have come out of that moment very differently.or in some ways been so effect, offended that. It hurt their career but in even, you know, reading Ice Space's, last interview with Billboard, she talks a lot about her desire to exercise has solely been fueled by her wanting to improve her breath work on stage. and so you see a real commitment.I even noticed it seeing the clips from her wireless performance, just looking more comfortable on stage thinking through her set list. I think you see a real commitment. Two on, on her part. two, want to improve her craft and become a better performer. [00:10:17] Dan Runcie: So you mentioned a few things that definitely contributed to her rise. She definitely has the investment. The team behind her at Capital and others wanna see this happen. The thing is though, record labels are always making investments in everyone. They always try to put money behind new talent, and it made me think what is unique about her.Some people feel like there is a visual aspect to this. Not even in just the aspect of her being attractive, but having the distinct look, right? That like cinnamon afro, you know, it this like very striking from a visual perspective or just like, well who is that? Because that doesn't look like someone that we've seen before. Not necessarily in this overt stunt way. Yeah. But just someone that's being themselves and doing their thing. In a similar dynamic to the way that when Billy Eilish had first came out, she wasn't dressing the same way that Pop Stars did. And she was, had this whole vibe, and it was around this time that people were trying to understand Gen Z as this broad consumer, and then he or she comes very antithetical to what people have.And I think that look at that vibe attributed it to that way. So I think that's one factor that works in her favor. So you have that. You have the fact that New York has always had this pulse on whoever the next person up is and what they tell you about, whether it's what we saw with Cardi B. Now when she blew up, what you know, six, seven years ago, whether you saw it with pop smoke a couple years after.So New York has always had its finger on the pulse from that perspective. So I think that's part of it too. I also think though, that there's this aspect of. Dominating conversation in social media and with that type of discourse, but without just becoming someone who lives in social media, if that makes sense.The analogy I often think about is, Ben Affleck. This is a, bit of unique comparison, but I have to think about how Ben Affleck would talk about back when him and J Lo were going through their breakup when they were together in the two thousands, he was saying, you know, I could sell all of the US weekly magazines in the world.Yeah. But, I can't sell a movie ticket. Yeah. That is the thing that's tough for me to be able to sell. And I think that sometimes artists can struggle with that too, where their names can always be trending and they can always be the trending topic on Twitter, or they could always be the topic of discussion on Shade Room or whatever the aggregator site is, but they don't necessarily drive that into streams. They don't drive that into hard ticket sales. And that's the stuff that true fan base development comes. And a lot of that stuff does take years that it's a natural funnel, right? Your social media and your followers should always be larger and then leading there, but it has to lead somewhere.But Ice Spice, at least from where she is, from a monthly stream perspective and how that stayed consistent. People clearly are listening and tuning into the music and then additionally, the biggest artist in the world is bringing her out on stage to do that. And those are some of the things we saw with Post Malone early in his career and how he would go out on stage with different people, even people that were of different genres and trying to see what that playbook looked like.So yeah, that's the piece of it that I think is different from her relative to even. Other artists we've seen come out, other female artists we've seen come out. Other black female artists in hiphop that we've seen come out, that I think is a bit unique about why I think she's been distinct in this way.[00:13:52] Denisha Kuhlor: I agree. I agree. I think she's. Immerse herself in culture in a way that's so authentic to her. and as a result, she's able to show up as the digitally native person that, that she is, Ice Spice and how she interacts even on social media when you look, is a lot less like an influencer.Which is what I would say, Cardi B kind of had when she was coming up, and maybe some other stars that really got fame. And while they definitely have mastered authenticity and they do it well, Ice Spice in some ways is just her, like, I feel like she's almost, And she's almost like, like that girl in school that's relatable, but you feel like, oh, I can't pull that off.So when it comes to the things that she's doing, it feels relatable enough. but it doesn't also encourage you to get out there and do it herself. And I think it's a, difference maybe nuance to the authenticity that we've, that we've seen in the past. which people can really appreciate.I would probably even argue now that people are better, consumers are more savvy when it comes to what feels like manufactured authenticity, right? Whether it's a Get Ready with Me video, but you're selling all these makeup products as a result or a day in my life, but you're really promoting the new product to target. Like consumers have become a lot more savvy. And as a result, they praise her for doing what they want, which is just that genuine authenticity when it comes to Princess Diana. And she mentioned this in the Billboard, article or the interview that she did, her cover story.She thought it was so weird that people were calling her that name and she didn't get it. but she felt like all she could do was embrace it, right? and embrace that title. and I think that's just another great example of how. You watch her into real time, like develop the ebbs and flows of coming this fame while still recognizing there's so much that she doesn't know.And I feel like people really appreciate that. Whereas unfortunately, and maybe this is just a. A privilege that comes to the new artist. Drake talks about this in his rap radar interview where he says There's a period as an artist much to what you were, referring to with the Post Malone, you know, example in terms of being prod out, like there's a period as a new artist for. Around maybe, probably six to 18 months where everyone is just discovering you and the, process of discovering you, right? A person getting their first iPhone or this process of discovery and experiencing this new thing for the first time feels really great.and I think she's found a way to really revel in it and capitalize in it, capitalize on it in a way that seems to have longevity, versus other artists. [00:16:39] Dan Runcie: I wanna talk about that first piece you mentioned about the relatability. You said something along the lines of she makes it so you may not wanna necessarily replicate what she's doing, but there's something in it that seems attainable and relatable.In a way. Do you think that that's rare when it comes to artists? Like is there anyone that comes to mind that, let's say is a popular artist that you don't think that necessarily applies to? [00:17:05] Denisha Kuhlor: Hmm. You know, I guess I can give the best examples as watching these artists sometimes what feels like making leaps and bounds to continue to remain relatable.obviously you look at like a Drake, and I think he does that really well, right? He goes to these places because you know, as much as it's helping, the artists. It's also giving him that currency of relatability. I mean, we have the piece on, Cho with Cardi B. she's about to do a song with Lato, and everyone's talking about now the conversation is how much Cardi B like mints a track and the co-sign she gives to a track, but it also keeps her relatable, and pushes her brand in a very specific, in a very specific way.and so I almost feel like, relatability is becoming a bit played, if that makes sense. people and labels are forcing it, [00:18:00] Dan Runcie: Yeah. Like, would you say that Nicki Minaj is relatable in this way? [00:18:03] Denisha Kuhlor: Oh, interesting. No, no, I wouldn't. I think that once an artist hits a certain amount of success that they inherently become unrelatable.As much as they tried [00:18:12] Dan Runcie: Was like, was beat me up, Scotty Era, Nicki Minaj, relatable?. [00:18:17] Denisha Kuhlor: Very much so. I think because and it sounds a little crazy, but I think the only part in that distinction at that time of the artist is fans are just supporting them, but it still somewhat feels like a peer-to-peer relationship, or there's less of a wall up, right? Their support, their appreciation feels more like a, bilateral conversation. Whereas once an artist hits a certain point you're getting none of that. and that's where I think it comes from.[00:18:45] Dan Runcie: It's interesting I asked about Nicki Minaj because I think that part of the relatability thing with Ice Spice is it reminds me of, it reminds me of Steph Curry in a way where someone like him can seem. He has other worldly talent, in my opinion but I do think that because of his size, because of his stature, he isn't this six foot nine LeBron figure that does things where it's like, I could never do that.Yeah. Right. But there's this thought of like, okay, well if I do my 10,000 shots just like Steph did or spent my 10,000 hours in the gym, yeah. I could get there. Yeah. And I feel like Ice Spice, at least from a flow in a Italian, in an image perspective. Yeah, there's a bit of that. Oh, she's your friend from high school or she was someone that was like part of that crew from that perspective.And you know, she has a unique flow and there's a aspect of it. But I asked the Nikki question because I was wondering, you have Nikki doing a verse like Monster, which was one of her big breakouts there. This was 2010 on Kanye's song. Does a verse like that almost make her unrelatable in a way where it's this talent is then shown to be like, oh wow, like can I do that? And it almost puts you into this Revere era, which is still a valuable place for an artist to be. But I wonder if that's a very different way with how someone like Ice Spice is looked at. [00:20:03] Denisha Kuhlor: Yeah. I think in the point you made about like, Voice and flow, right? One of the most, memorable things about, Ice Spice's the cadence in which she raps.It literally feels like you're kind of around your friend who's like rapping to a beat and, knows they can rap. But is not overdoing it. whereas with an artist like a Nicki Minaj, there's definitely a level of animation, that can approach the music, right. And I think that's a great thing, right?It's helped build a fan base, it adds a different level of maybe production to her and how she performs and kind of everything associated with her artistry. But it makes it very different from a relatability standpoint because anyone can feel like they can kind of maybe like kick a verse like Ice Spice. I don't know how many people are attempting to, go up against what she did. On what? Nick Minaj on Monster. [00:20:56] Dan Runcie: Right. And I think that's part of the distinction there and I think this spans across a few heel, but that's one thing that can work in her, can work in her favor, especially as coming up now is very different than Nikki coming up in the blog era.It's just, yeah, a different dynamic of how artists come up and how you get, how you break through. And one of the things that I think is a bit more unique now is the importance of cultivating fan bases early and having that dynamic where, you know, Nikki could talk about, you know, charging 50K for a versatile album out in her days of, I think in a lot of ways that reflected where things were just from, especially that era coming up.Like with the mixtapes, I spice granted she could probably command more just given, you know, inflation and all the other things related to music. I do think that her cultivating a fan base is something that likely came earlier though, because I think it probably took a couple of years for the Barbs to really materialize and become how they were, you know, well after Nikki's first album.But the Munchkins or the Spice cabinet, as some people call them, I Spice Spice fan base is already here and is reflective of how artists are thinking about cultivating and growing things now, because you need to do this stuff earlier. We have the tools available in a way that weren't necessarily available to someone like Nicki or someone like Drake or J. Cole in the late two thousands when all of them were coming up in that wave.Is there anything you've noticed from her from that perspective that stands out that is unique? Yeah, that is something that [00:22:31] Denisha Kuhlor: You know what's interesting or what feels interesting? I feel like the fan base, or the audience still feels like it's very much defined or it's being defined. And the reason I say that is because there does also seem to be a trend of drop off when it comes to artists who have fan bases around, or largely off being the people's champ. Only because the bigger they get, it feels like there's less of a need to root for them because they're gonna be okay, right? They've hit a certain inflection point in which they will be.Okay. I think What is interesting about, Ice Spice is they feel like everyone's learning in real time, and they feel like they get to be a part of it. So in some ways, I do think that her fan base is interesting because it's like they're co-creating a bit, in a way that hasn't that other artists, maybe they've wanted to, but like the true actual product and creation to a product process hasn't been as interactive as, hasn't been as interactive as before.There's no, wall the way with other artists. It's like, oh, okay, I can, you know, the artist is doing this and that. There's really no wall, it feels like the conversations or the quote tweets that she's having on Twitter really feel like conversations amongst friends from how they crack jokes to the colloquialisms that are there.And I think the way she chooses to use her extra resources are done in a way that only continues to build a fan base. And like when you think about, her record with, Pink Panthers, they could have shot that video anywhere. They chose to do it on top of a building in the Bronx. And so, I look at it and I can only see more and more how those fans that maybe came because they were rooting for her as the people's champ, feel like they can stay because the relatability hasn't disappeared.[00:24:27] Dan Runcie: It's making me think of a few things I think. I think the co-creating thing, especially with how she interacts with fans on social media, there is a aspect of that is her feedback loop. That's how she's getting a vibe for what works and what doesn't, and in many ways they can be so, protective isn't the right word, but they can be so clear about their emotions and they don't hold anything back and they're gonna say things that even people in Ice Spice's circle probably wouldn't feel comfortable to say, but you can see all of that.Exactly. Some of that is, but once you're able to weed out the extremes, both from the haters and the people that are, you know, so unapologetic, they're blind to any type of, you know, constructive criticism that could support her career. There's good value that I think comes from that. The piece I want to talk about is the team that she has around her, because I read that same billboard article you wrote, and there are multiple entities that she's working with that have called her.A global superstar and thinks that she is the next one that is on that way, whether it's capital records or 10 K projects or, her manager or even some of the others. What is the word? What does global superstar mean to you? [00:25:37] Denisha Kuhlor: Yeah, I mean, I think that's definitely an interesting, interesting term. as someone who thinks about just how global the music industry has become, I think of global superstars as, The examples I would give are probably like a Bad Bunny or a Burna Boy.in some ways, they're really able to command or pull tickets in, in any market. I mean, I got the opportunity to see Burna Boy in Paris recently, and I was like shocked, but not surprised in the sense that. Like he can do hard tickets anywhere. Bad Bunny seems to have that same effect.Now, I do think that, and something I've just learned over time is it's a tricky designation because. The world knows a lot about the United States. the world knows a lot about New York when you think about how many shows or, you know, how many things are covered about New York, the world knows. So it's easy to feel like you have an understanding or an affinity to music about something that you know a lot about now, does it necessarily resonate the same way? I think of like the little baby in his documentary saying once he started traveling, he realized there were hoods all around the world. but I think that. there's obviously, definitely the potential to be, but I don't know if I could necessarily, say that just yet, because right now, to me, global Superstar feels defined a lot by touring.[00:27:07] Dan Runcie: I do think that is a threshold there, that's something I look at and I know it's something that's fluid and I think I have a higher bar than a lot of people, at least from a peer numbers perspective. Granted, these things can fluctuate, but I wanna see someone that can at least headline an arena tour, at least.Either on a nationwide perspective, at least in the US or can span beyond that. I wanna see someone that can at least sell 250K units. Yeah. At least in the US in their first week if they are a US, if they are, you know, side to a US-based record label. I think it can change elsewhere, but I wanna be able to see that. I also wanna be able to see some type of,I also wanna be able to see some type of reach that spans beyond just those metrics as well. If you are able to ask someone that is outside of the circles of paying attention to this stuff, can they name you a few unique things or something identifiable like, oh, that's so-and-so with this. It doesn't need to be extreme as, does your mom know who so-and-so is?But I wanna be able to at least yeah. See that and at least things from. Being able to create moments. Yeah. Of there's something that you do that does create moments there. The challenge that I think that definition and those terms can have, I know it could be a bit rigid, and even if I'm using those thresholds as well, there's maybe less than.Maybe around 20 or so people in all of pop music, in popular music, not just like Pop is in genre, but like all of popular contemporary music right now, they're probably fitting in. Yeah, that category of what I just said in less than 10 in hip hop. If we're saying overall, because I do think these six Fletcher, you can come and go there, but I do think that.That sometimes gets a bit missings because we do throw these terms around liberally. The thing is though, if you're a record label, you're in the business of trying to admit these people. Yeah. And for many of the reports that we've seen, it's becoming harder and harder. Yeah. To do that especially for a western-based English speaking artist.Exactly. The market saturated, the names you just mentioned, it's no surprise that two of the more recent superstars that we've had at that level, Burna Boy and bad Bunny, are not primarily English speaking artists from the music that they put out and they emerge from different parts of the world that are not the United States or you know, the UK and Western Europe, right?Yeah. Like those things are not coincidences. All those things fall in line. So it's one of these things where it makes sense if you're going to put the machine behind someone. Yeah, it does make sense to put it behind someone like Ice Spice because that's what you have. You wanna be able to put things out there.And this is an industry driven by media and PR, so. Anything, even like that Ice Spice article that we saw on Billboard, very intentional just given the relationship that the major publications in music have with their major record labels themselves. So once you think about those things a bit deeply, It's great that someone like Ice Spice is getting that push to have everything behind her as well.You just wanna make sure that we're not necessarily putting a carpet for the horse, or even putting expectations that may seem a bit too strong on someone that. We've even seen in the past couple months continuing to develop their career in a natural way. Someone that's 23 years old, she did one festival performance, got some mixed reviews from that, and then now she's on stage with the biggest arts in the world, and that's gonna continue to develop.Like these things take time, but I just don't know if this era has the patience to be able to. Wait that out and see how these exist. [00:30:46] Denisha Kuhlor: I completely agree. And I also think, you know, like you said, the market is saturated and consumers have more access to music that maybe matches their local appetite, right? We've seen the rise of, drill music, obviously, you know, starting from Chicago to doing what it's done in New York to UK drill right. To Parisian or even, you know, French drill, right? So I think it, it makes it difficult because, as she continues to excel, right? There are people or artists that can also, hit the market and use certain elements of the framework, to reach maybe a small but core audience in a market, that she's not fully built, dominance yet. I mean, it's been a trend in, tech, whether it's replicating Airbnb for other markets or other companies. And so I think that it's definitely a hard feat right now because, People are very unapologetic before, and rap, right? Felt like there could only be one at a time, or this concept of first ladies, in rap groups.Yeah. Especially for women. Exactly. And now you don't even, I mean, female rappers really, frankly, an outdated term. and, very much so. So you just think, oh, there's, you know, go's doing her thing. Lato, Cardi e everyone, the industry is thriving, but as a result, maybe the dominance of one has definitely decreased,[00:32:06] Dan Runcie: And I think that fragmentation, the fact that there can be more than one, the fact that we see multiple people being able to succeed is good. It also makes me think of some of the critiques and some of the responses that we've seen from some of the releases, and I feel like we've seen this pattern. I've noticed it, I think we've talked about this as well, this pattern that frankly is rooted in sexism, where every couple of months there is a woman, there's a woman in hip hop that releases an album or a mixtape, or they announce a tour, something that has some, they do something that is further down their funnel in terms of either hard tickets or trying to get some hard album sales to put things out.And the numbers may not necessarily be as high as people would think. Yeah. And this is a artist that would have at this point, Tens of millions of followers on all the social channels combined. They're often in the discussion. They have plenty of co-signs. They're assigned to some of the strongest record labels in the game, but then there's always someone that says, oh, well, how did so-and-so not even be able to sell 20,000 units in a week?How does so-and-so not even be able to sell out this tour? Or they can't do this? It's frustrating in a lot of ways. But it's always women that we see this discourse happen with. It makes me think of a few things. I think there's a bit of a disconnect in terms of understanding what numbers mean. Yeah. And what they don't.But there's also people just conflating followers with fans and not necessarily understanding that dynamic and how that dynamic is often different for women because of how the industry wants to portray certain people, what they're selling and what platforms sell and What you put on a platform can be very different for an artist just because that artist is a man and those things, I think it's frustrating to see, and I don't want that to happen too, Ice Spice, but we've seen it happen to so many of the names that you mentioned as well earlier.Yeah. Is that just the way, is that just the dynamic? How do we Yeah. Break out? I, I think, and not that you have the answers too, but this is something I want. [00:34:13] Denisha Kuhlor: Very true. Very true. I think, you know, it's interesting, even in those names that I've mentioned, I think the only one, and she's embraced this dynamic really well, that's kind of been like, you know, I don't really know how I got here.I don't feel like I'm supposed to be here. It's been like a gorilla and she's been, you know, very vocal about kind of maybe talking about some of the dynamics or pressures in the industry. I think it's, obviously a multifaceted approach, but what I will say is that, media and music sometimes can feel so combined.And when you look at what the media wants to push out and how they, portray certain stories and what they choose to cover, right? When it comes to everything from interviews to, even cover stories of, of these artists, I think unfortunately, it puts some of these women or some of these artists in a tough position based off what they wanna focus on or how they're portrayed.This sounds a little crazy, but I think, you know, the person who could probably, if they ever wanted a side project to maybe change some of that narrative is actually a Kris Jenner. I mean, we've seen what she's done with her daughters, but I think she's been very brilliant. I mean, I think to my knowledge, two of her daughters, you know, have done the Forbes cover, but I think she's been very thoughtful around shifting a specific type of narrative.Whereas the attention could have been garnered from, you know, beauty and, societal expectations around beauty. Very much shifting that into the conversion of things that lead to real dollars, whether it's Kylie with her Lip Kits or Kim now with Skims who used Ice Spice, um, in an effort for relatability.So, I unfortunately think that so early when an artist starts to blow, it's the team around you is calling a lot of the shots and getting things done. And it's hard to realize maybe until you see it for years, until years later, maybe how some of the small nuances in how you were portrayed or some of the opportunities you took, impacted your ability to, be taken seriously as a, decades long artist.[00:36:23] Dan Runcie: Yeah. I think part of the dynamic too, and this especially applies with women in hip hop, is that the teams around them and them themselves, some of their social posts or some of the things that they put out that they're selling sex. Yeah. They're doing the glam shots. Yeah. They're being out there.which is good. They should feel empowered. They have a platform and so many people then feel empowered just seeing them be bold that themselves. The thing is though, because based on these platforms, the way they work and the algorithms, people are gonna follow you some or a portion of people are gonna follow you just because of that.They are attracted, they're entertained. Yeah. And they wanna see that. And there's nothing wrong with that. Yeah. But that's going to attract a certain number of followers in a way that Kendrick Lamar or J. Cole, who barely tweeted and have never been positioned as male sex symbols in that way, yeah. Aren't going to attract that.So when you look at the, if there's a way to segment. Looking at Instagram, okay. Who follows you and why do they follow you? It's very different. Yeah. And that's why it's no surprise that the most followed art, the most followed hip hop artist on Instagram is Nicki Minaj, and it isn't even close. Yeah. And a lot of it is because of that and.This is also someone in Nicki Minaj. If you then took that same look and you look at, okay, who are the artists that are selling the most, whether it's streams or it's albums, it's different. So I think sometimes people forget that, that's not necessarily a bad thing. I'm glad you brought up the Kris Jenner piece of this, because one of the things that she obviously has done well is finding, okay, based on the audience that we've cultivated, Where is that product market fit based on who they're reaching on Instagram, based on who they're reaching from this?Exactly. And I think sometimes that's part of the challenge with a woman artist and specifically a woman artist in hip hop. If some of the posts may lean a bit more towards that, but it's one of those things where it shouldn't be that way because you should be able to post, you know, a sexy image and it isn't doing that.But the concept that you put out, lines up with word people see, so there's always a bit of that challenge. There's always a bit of that dynamic there. And I see Ice Spice as well, someone that is attractive, someone that does have a lot of followers cuz people are bought into her look and. I don't want that to be the same necessarily.[00:38:35] Denisha Kuhlor: You look at an artist like No name, who I love. I'm a huge no name fan. And she, you know, wraps with a soft spoken voice as well. and you know, I would argue no name fans wanna talk to her about books cuz she has a book club and, they, you know, so I think maybe the. The way you can also combat that is having like true pillars maybe of your personality or that you include as part of the narrative that aren't just visual.Because if you teach people to be visual creatures or approach you visually, that is what they will see. That is what they will, that is what they will default to. And from an artist awareness perspective, you're getting the, visual part of artist awareness. But when it comes to the deeper part of, you know, the artist's story and what you represent, you're not capturing that as well.And that's the difference between maybe a casual fan, a listener's turn casual fan cuz they follow you and they like you. They like your vibe to a truly engaged and deep-rooted fan. [00:39:34] Dan Runcie: This is something that I think a Cardi B also is able to do well, just I think back to during the 2020 presidential election and she's sitting down with Bernie Sanders.Yeah. There was nothing related to music or related to, you know, selling sex or anything like that. She's been talking about her interest in that, or whether it's her interest in FDR or other things. There was something else there that I think had people brought in. I think which I think has always helped with her in that perspective.Yeah. Another person I think I feel a bit bad for in this regard was Megan Stallion because I look at the rise and the narrative and the things that she was talking about pre-the Tory Lanez shooting. And so much of it, you heard so much more then about, you know, her own goals, graduating college Yeah.And actually wanted to start the healthcare facilities. Yeah. And the hotties and, you know, driving the boat. all of the stuff that she was able to pull off there. And I think since then, not only was she much more selective about the media things that she did, yeah. Almost every media appearance that she's had, to some extent is addressing Yes.Something related to the Tory Lanez' shooting. Yeah. And of course it's a very traumatic thing, but you just think about how impactful that was. Yeah. When everything was going in the direction that it was Yeah, yeah. For her career. So I look at that in just another case where granted, she's still doing quite well for herself from a career perspective, but things definitely changed after that. [00:41:01] Denisha Kuhlor: Yeah, Cardi B is a great one. and even, even me, I would say somewhere probably between casual fan or in that range, I can very much remember all the things Cardi B does, whether it's her love of civics and politics to, there was a tweet and she was talking about the rise of grocery prices and someone was like, why are you talking about this?And she was like, I very much care about, you know, the day-to-day life of the average American because. I've done well, but I support families, I support my family, all of that. And then I thought it was brilliance. She either did, I don't wanna get it wrong. but did either eve near essence of black publication, and the family shoot, right? With Offset having a blended family, the challenges and, that they've went through there. And I think that, yeah, she's so brilliantly done that By just being herself. It does feel like the industry has like a one track or fixed mind, sometimes in that once this is what you are known for.It feels hard to break away from that. And what's interesting is I do think in, Meg's case that the way she's navigating it now, whether it's just taking some time off, saying that she'll be back when she's ready, Gives her the space to maybe come back out with a bit of a reinvention.and so I'm excited to see what that would look like. And in the way Beyonce came back out as Sasha Fierce, like what does it look like to, for hope for her to hopefully have that opportunity to reinvent herself back into whatever artist she wants to be. [00:42:31] Dan Runcie: And I think that's the key thing. There is so much that they still have going. All these artists are still young. I mean most of them are still under 30. Yeah. I actually forget how old Cardi B is, but I think she still is. There's still plenty of runway. There's still plenty of this. Cardi B still hasn't released another album since the debut album that she had. Meg, her others still haven't gone on tour, even Nikki hasn't gone on tour in a while. Yeah, and we haven't seen a true album come out from her since Queen, which was almost five years ago at this point. And we're still waiting for Ice Spices debut album. So excited to see where it comes. I think there's a lot of opportunity.I think we talked about some of the challenges that are there and some of the headwinds, but before we close things out, any other thoughts on Ice Spice? [00:43:14] Denisha Kuhlor: Lastly, and to the point you've made. I think maybe some of it comes down to, intentions or even our desires. I think COVID, it really continued to be a hard look at the daily lives we live and what work-life balance looks like.And as so many of us go through that as individuals and human beings, artists are going through that, artists are going through that as well. And Ice Spice this case, I think with some of the business and partner decisions she's made, signing a capital, having the distribution network that comes with, World Star and World Star's Media Network, it gives her the privilege to release a song and know that distribution is already built in and not maybe have to do those 50 radio stops. It gives her that sort of privilege and I think we're going to see a world with artists. And Cardi is interesting to that point too, where they might never tour. They can sustain a lifestyle that they want to live doing just enough. [00:44:14] Dan Runcie: Cardi is on that private tour gig. She's on that Lionel Richie ship. [00:44:17] Denisha Kuhlor: Exactly, doing just enough. And I think that's really attractive. And so, you know, when you think about the attitudes that Gen Z brings towards the workplace. It's really interesting to see how, she will, you know, releasing a six song, six songs, right? For an initial body of an initial body of work before we used to 10 to 12.[00:44:39] Dan Runcie: A multimillionaire giggle. [00:44:41] Denisha Kuhlor: Exactly. Yeah. So it'll be interesting to see kind of what maybe what does the new era of a global superstar look like? Maybe it looks like a lot less tour dates and a lot less music, and a lot more brand partnerships and other streams of income. And, as a result, we'll get the artists, but in a way that makes it feel worth their while for a long time. [00:45:06] Dan Runcie: Agreed. And I think that's a good point to end on. So Ice Spice and team. If you're listening, we wish you all the best of luck with this and we'll be following, we'll be following along. Denisha pleasure as always.[00:45:17] Denisha Kuhlor: Thank you so much for having me. [00:45:18] Dan Runcie Audio Outro: If you enjoyed this podcast, go ahead and share it with a friend. Copy the link, text it to a friend. Post it in your group chat. Post it in your Slack groups. Wherever you and your people talk, spread the word. That's how travel continues to grow and continues to reach the right people. While you're at it, if you use Apple Podcast, Go ahead. Rate the podcast, give it a high rating, and leave a review. Tell people why you like the podcast. That helps more people discover the show. Thank you in advance. Talk to you next week.

It's never been easier for brands to push their message out. But building true connections is  in today's fragmented landscape.Dr. Marcus Collins has advice for cutting through the noise. His new book, “For The Culture”, is full of insights. Marcus has worked with Beyonce, Apple, Nike and more. He's the Head of Strategy at Wieden+Kennedy, and a marketing professor at the Michigan Ross School of Business (Go Blue!).Marcus believes people use brands to express who they are. To win now and in the future, the most successful brands will have to double down on identity, not on value proposition. Here's everything we covered:[3:20] How media fragmentation is affecting community-building [5:35] Brands have to activate people, not algorithms  [8:45] Ideology creates cultural consumption[10:44] Brand ideology transcends industries[19:18] How non-visible companies can use tangibility to brand build[20:04] Effective market research goes beyond just data[23:57] Great marketing taps into the moment[30:04] Why Marcus wrote this book[31:30] How to reach MarcusListen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSSHost: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.coGuests: Marcus Collins, @marctothecThis episode is sponsored by DICE. Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fmThis episode is also brought to you in collaboration with Primary Wave. James Brown would have turned 90 this month. Let's revisit his cultural legacy and check out his greatest hits. Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapitalTrapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital's free memo.TRANSCRIPT[00:00:00] Marcus Collins: The hope for me personally, is to scale my impact like I believe that reasonable, my ideology, my belief, my conviction is that we're put in this world to serve God, and serve each other. That's what I believe, and the way I serve is by helping people realize the best version themselves operate the highest fidelity. So the book is a way to scale my impact.[00:00:21] Dan Runcie Intro: Hey, welcome to the Trapital Podcast. I'm your host and the founder of Trapital, Dan Runcie. This podcast is your place to gain insights from executives in music, media, entertainment, and more who are taking hip hop culture to the next level.[00:00:45] Dan Runcie Guest Intro: Today's episode is all about culture, culture's ability to drive the decisions we make in business, in society and more. And our guest is the one and only Dr. Marcus Collins. He is an award-winning marketer. He's a professor at the Ross School of Businesses, university of Michigan, go blue. And he has done a number of impressive things in his career, working on campaigns like Apple Music, Budweiser, made in America's Festival, Bud Light Platinum, Beyonce and her digital work, especially in the Sasha Fierce era. He's also worked with Matthew Knowles, Steve Stout, and many others in the industry today, and he is the author of a new book that just came out called For the Culture. So in this episode we talked a lot about brands reaching that ideology level, which Marcus describes as that top tier that a brand could reach in terms of how it connects and identifies with people and in communities.So we talk about what that looks like. We also talk about Marcus' goals for this book, how that shapes his viewpoints and some of the challenges that brands can face. With regards to branding and reaching that ideology level, whether certain industries are more or less disposed to being able to get there and more.I give Marcus a ton of credit, him and I had met over a decade ago, back when I was in business school at Michigan as well, and seeing his career path and a lot of the decisions that he was able to make a transition into doing something he truly loves and is one of the best people in the world at what he does, gave me inspiration to not only see that there were plenty of other non-traditional career paths after going to business school, but I think a lot of that also informed the type of work that I now do at Trapital today and how I try to continue myself on the path that makes most sense for me.So really great conversation, always great to have him on a second time on the podcast. So here's my conversation with Marcus. Hope you enjoy it.[00:02:41] Dan Runcie: All right. We are joined today by the one and only Dr. Marcus Collins, author of For the Culture, an award-winning marketer and a Ross alum. Go Blue. Welcome back, man.[00:02:51] Marcus Collins: That's right. Thanks man. Thanks for having me, doc. Always a pleasure to be with[00:02:55] Dan Runcie: Likewise and your book. Great job on it. Great job on the release too. You got a bunch of heavy hitters giving support for this. And one of the things that I wanna start with, you've talked about this before, the ideology hierarchy that brands go through and that journey. So for the listeners, can you first explain what that is and then an example of a brand that you think has gotten there and done A good example of that.[00:03:20] Marcus Collins: Yeah, so we think about ideology, it's about the way the brand sees the world, like the point of view that the brand has it's conviction. Some call it as purpose. It's really the driving belief that dictates where the brand goes, what it says, what it does, and with whom. it shows up in the world.And we all think about strong brands as brands that people know. Oh, I know that brand. we're strong. Where a lot of brands that we know that we don't consume from, right? Like Sears, we know that brand Blockbuster, we know that brand, but clearly people weren't showing up. So awareness isn't enough. One step up, we go, well there's, I know that brand and it has good quality, right?Oh, that's awesome. I know the brand has has good quality. It's a stronger brand. But to go one step higher is to know the brand. Strong, good quality, but it's also considered a leader in the space, right? So you've got like a Hulu and a Netflix and a Tubly. Which one is more trusted? Well, definitely ain't Tubly, right?Because they're not considered anywhere close to being a leader in the space. A step up from that is trust and confidence. I trust the brand. Not only do I know it, it has, good products. it's a leader in the category, but I also trust it. I have confidence in it. We think about, the headphones that we know to be the most trusted headphones in the market.We'll say, oh, that's Bose, right? Bose is demonstratively, a leader in the category and the most trusted headphones. Think about audio quality, sonic quality. However, Bose is bested in the market by Beats by Dre. Why is that? Because Beats by Dre operates at a higher level still. It's association and relevance that the brand, it's relevant for someone like me and the association, the imagery I have that's associated to the brand makes it seem cooler, right?Which is why Beats by Dre owned like 48% of the market when they were before AirPods came out, right when it came to the headphone market. But then it's one step higher than that. And the most strongest brands operate at this zenith, this pinnacle of brand strength. And that's ideology. They transcend the value propositions of the product.My razor sharper, my battery last longer, my car goes faster, and they operate at a place of conviction. And this is so strong for brands because people consume those brands, not just cuz of what they are and what they do, but because who these people are. And the brand becomes an extension of my identity.of Who I am, a Patagonia fleece is just as warm as a Columbia fleece, however, where in Patagonia says something about who I am, my identity, that I believe in mitigating our impact on the environment, and that's massively powerful.[00:06:01] Dan Runcie: This is relevant for musicians and artists as well, because I think they have some of those ideological brands too. I've been looking at the trends, especially with vinyl sales. More than half of the people that are buying vinyl don't have players. They're buying them to put them on display to showcase them.It is an extension of them. I want you to think that I am the type of person that listens to Drake, that listens to Tyler the creator. That's that zenith that we're talking about. it[00:06:29] Marcus Collins: It was so cool, and I fully agree with you. A few years ago, Fruit of the Loom, they do partnerships with musical acts like, Metallica, Kiss, Aerosmith, Seal's t-shirts. People got metallic on their, shirts. That's a licensing deal between fruit, the loos, and those musical acts.And a few years back, fruit looms. Were looking at their book of business to see which. brand, likeness which artists l likeness was doing better than the others. So they can re-up those licenses and they found that the Ramones was outperforming Kiss, Metallica, Aerosmith. They're like, what's going on The Ramones little small little band.Then they had like two albums out in the seventies, like, what's happening here? So they asked those fans, they said, you know, you must be a really big fan of the Ramones that you bought this t-shirt. They were like, Nah, I don't even know they're music. But the Ramones mean punk rock, and they want to be seen as punk rock, the meaning associated with the brand, that vessel of meaning that is brand.People use it as an identity mark, not because of what it is, but because of who they are. I mean, the biggest brands that we know, the biggest artists that we know, they all transcend what they do and operate at a level of why they do it. In the words of Simon Sinek,[00:07:43] Dan Runcie: This reminds me of those Iron Maiden t-shirts. You remember that era? Maybe it was like five, seven years ago when everybody was wearing Iron Maiden t-shirts. I don't know if they were really listened to the music, but I think it's that thing as well where they just wanna be seen like the type of person that would identify with that[00:07:58] Marcus Collins: Of course not. Of course not. I mean, people are wearing, Red Bull t-shirts. That was a thing, is a way of signaling something about yourself. NASA t-shirts. Exactly. Like just signaling something about yourself. And really, that's all we're trying to do to try to peacock our way through the world signal who we are in hopes that we can find people who are like ourselves and we find connection because that's what we are, we're social animals by nature.[00:08:21] Dan Runcie: And a lot of this, at least what we talked about so far, are consumer brands. This applies at the enterprise level as well. I think a company like McKinsey aligns perfectly. There is a status that you're able to send both internally within the organization and externally by hiring that firm, spending the seven figures for them to come and work on your project because of what you want to be able to say.[00:08:45] Marcus Collins: To say, McKenzie is our agency, that's who does our strategy work, McKenzie, and we know this from being in business school, that people want McKenzie on their resume. Because of what McKenzie means, what it signifies, you know, there's a sociologist named Pierre Perdue, who talks about this idea of cultural capital that our consumption, the more conspicuous it is, the more we align, value from it.There is embodied cultural capital. That is our skills, our knowledge, what we know, like, you know, if you go to the opera and, you know, the literature, you know, the Odyssey, you know the Homer, you know all that stuff. Then you have a amount of, value, of capital, of cultural capital.And the idea is that if you were an equestrian growing up, that signals that you've come from wealth and your friends who were equestrians growing up signals that they come from wealth and who fr what friends, do you have friends like those and those friends open up doors for you for jobs? VC funding and the alike, right?So that cultural capital that embodied cultural capital turns into financial capital. The same thing goes with objectified cultural capital, the things that we buy, the clothes that we wear, the cars that we drive. This a way of signaling who we are in the world in an effort to meet other people like ourselves, that open up door for financial capital.The same thing goes for institutional cultural capital where I go to school, where I work, what fraternity I joined, whether I was in Jack and Jill, like these things signal who we are in the world that open up more financial economic opportunities for ourselves. So you're right. So it's not just, B2C as we typically think about it.These are all the many ways that we signal who we are in the world, the companies we work for, the schools we went to, the institutions that we frequent. These are all consumption behavior to signal our identity. So that we might find people like ourselves that create more social and financial opportunities for ourselves.[00:10:44] Dan Runcie: Are there certain industries or sectors that hitting that ideological level is extremely difficult or it's almost impossible? I think back to my own career experience. I've had internships at cable companies and airlines, and I think that there's challenges, especially just given the nature of their businesses, how consumers interact with them.But even I think about companies in waste management and areas like that. Companies that could have strong brands and business businesses, but is there a ceiling of how high certain companies and certain industries can go because of the industry dynamics?[00:11:19] Marcus Collins: I think that if a company defines itself by what it does, then yes, there is a ceiling. But if a company defines itself by what it believes, I think the possibilities are endless. Cuz even as you name off those companies, we look at them through the lens of their industry, their category. And they are defined by their category.Oh, you have waste management services. So you are in waste management. You have an airline. So you are in the airline industry. you make microprocessors, so you're the micro processing industry. When you only define yourself by the product services or product goods you bring to the world, then that's the only opportunity you have.But when you elevate beyond that, you say, we believe this. We just so happened to provide waste management services. Imagine if we said this is arbitrarily speaking. Imagine we said that we believe that a clean environment makes for. a better life. Let's just say that. I'm just make that up, right.A clean environment makes for a better life, and that's why we have sanitation services, waste management services. Then we go, well, what else could be better if it were clean? Well, what if we cleaned up the oceans? We're no longer in the waste management business. We are in the cleaning oceans business.Or, well, what if we cleaned up the internet? Mm. What if we went through the internet and found all the smut, all the whatever, the things that aren't as savory. Maybe for kids and we're going to clean the internet up. We're gonna create products to do that. We just so happen to do waste management.We still happen to clean up oceans. We still happen to create software that cleans up the internet. But what we do that because we believe that a clean environment creates for better solutions. Again, I just riff that but the idea is that if you operate at that level, you are not defined by your category and what you do.You're defined by your conviction and why you do it, and that is just Superman powerful. And then you bring in people who see the road the way you do.[00:13:12] Dan Runcie: I think we just gave an entire industry. A market class and a playbook that they can use moving forward.[00:13:19] Marcus Collins: That's right. We should of held onto that one.[00:13:21] Dan Runcie: But you're right, because it also makes me think of insurance, and I know you worked with translation and one of their big accounts has been State Farm, and if you look at the product itself, the features of that product don't necessarily align on the surface of what you would think could be something that is something you would advertise in that way, but we look at the benefits. That's how you can think more broadly. We can get to Chris Paul versus Cliff Paul, and so many of the other memorable campaigns we've seen from State Farm.[00:13:50] Marcus Collins: What's actually quite interesting about that and you're spot on, is that I don't think there's very many industries as commoditized as the insurance industry. They all use the same actuaries. All of them use the exact same actuaries, just some of them are more conservative than others, and they're willing to charge you a premium for their product.And I suppose the way they, you know, get it, the job done at the end of the day is better than others. But according to the research, from when I was working in insurance, people only report their collisions, their calamities 25 to 35% of the time. So 65% of the time, at best, people aren't even reporting the accidents.So the brand, the company never comes in to actually make good on their promise, right? We're just really hanging on there based on what this brand is all about. And State Farm exists because they believe that people should live life more confidently every day to help people live life more confidently every day.This will happen to have 18,000 agents across the country to help people make better decisions. This will happen to have to cover your stuff and help provide financial services, but why they do it? To help people live life more confidently every day. And now you say, okay, so how might we do that?Well, What does that mean for basketball? The NBA, one of their sponsorships? Where is actual statistic for helping people in the n NBA called the assist? Let's go after that. Now you have a creative platform to be a part of this institution that we call the NBA, but also another way of demonstrating why you exist, not what you do.[00:15:26] Dan Runcie: Makes sense. Makes sense. Yeah. I mean, I think that's applicable for a number of industries here, and we're getting into insights and just how you perceive people. And one of the things that we're talking about is who are the best market researchers. You have this piece in the book, and you've talked about this before, about why comedians are actually some of the best market researchers out there.Could you talk a little bit more about that?[00:15:49] Marcus Collins: Yeah. Comedians are phenomenal because they just observe people. They observe us humans as the social actors that we are, as we navigate the phenomenal world that we live in, and they look at people and go, that's odd. You see what she did? Oh, and he did it too. And they did it. And they did it. Okay. This is a thing, and as they observe people act, they apply theory to describe what they saw, right?They use theory to describe the socially phenomenal world that we live in, and then they say, okay, this is why it's happening. This is the underlying physics of why these people act the way they do, and then they tell it with a slant. They find an interesting way to communicate it such a way that when they get on stage and go, every time we go to the mall, you notice that you do this, we all go, oh my goodness, that's so me.I totally do that. Of course you do, because they have used what we know is to be the best description of human behavior. Theory and applied it to something empirical that happens. The phenomenon that we take on, the chances of us understanding people are far higher when those two things are together and the chances of us saying something that's meaningful to them is far greater when we tell it with a slant.And that's what good marketers do, mark, especially advertisers do. But market research, no one does it better than comedians. Full stop.[00:17:12] Dan Runcie: And this gets at something else. I know you've talked about comedians are able to get at that intimacy level. They're actually interacting with people. They're seeing things, and they're not mistaking that for information. And I think that's one of the challenges. I know you've talked about how we have so much data.There's so many companies that can easily just turn on Facebook ads, turn on Google ads, so you could see the profiles, but that doesn't necessarily give you that deep engagement to be able to understand beyond, and I feel like that's becoming a bit more and more of a challenge.[00:17:44] Marcus Collins: Exactly, that's the paradox. More information, very little intimacy and comedians are, have always been intimate and marketers used to be intimate, but as we get more. Information, more data. We go, oh, I don't need to go spend time with people. I don't need to go talk to people because I have their search history.I have their click history, I have their downloads. I have what they watch and what they listen to that describes who they are. It describes what they do. To get to who they are, we have to get closer. We need greater proximity to understand the underlying physics that govern, why they listen to trap music and why they watch, Succession, and why they consume what they consume, why they're going back into the nineties for fashion inspiration.Why is that happening? We can observe it and say, oh, cool, that's a thing. That's a trend spotting, but you don't know what's going on until you get close to people. And this is what we have to do as marketers. And I would even argue that maybe this is what we need to be doing as a society. Just get a little closer to people and it's easy to look at someone and go, oh, they're crazy.Because they operate by a different meaning system than we do, than different cultural characteristics than we do. But if we understand that the way we see the world is subjective, not objective, we go, oh, well my truth isn't, their truth doesn't mean that they're wrong. It just means it's just a little different.And the closer I get to understanding how these people make, meaning, how they navigate the world. The more connected I probably feel to them, but as a marketer, the more likely I am to interact with them, to engage them, to get them to adopt behavior, which is the core function of our gig.[00:19:18] Dan Runcie: This reminds me of Tyler Perry and what he's done with Tyler Perry Studios too. Of course, we all know the backstory. He was doing his plays. His plays were able to gain great traction. He ended up moving that into movies and his TV shows and everything he's done since. But even through all that success, he still was doing the plays.That was his opportunity to be in front of the actual audiences, see how they reacted. He would make jokes different in the north versus the south versus the Midwest, and that's his way of, although he may not be a traditional comedian, he's still wearing all the hats and he's still providing humor through his content.So I think that's one of the things that doesn't get talked about as much, about why he's been able to build this billion dollar empire.[00:20:05] Marcus Collins: That's right and the best set up comedians, they still go to the Laugh factory. They still go to the hole in the wall to try new bits to sign, try new material. Oh, they laughed at that one, not this one. Okay. That one got in. Okay, cool. They build their set by workshopping it iteratively, right?But marketers, that we hold onto it. We concoct it in the walls of our offices and then we release it to the world, prayerfully, hopefully in Shallah that it's gonna connect with someone. And it's like, well, yeah, there's some randomness that we can't control. Sure, we can't predict everything, but we can certainly increase the likelihood of connecting by just getting closer.And the challenge is that there are perverse incentives that make getting closer a challenge. In that it takes time. It takes effort to build relationships, to talk to people, to see the world through their lenses. Where I've had, I got one quarter to turn my business around, man, whatever's the most efficient.And that's what we rely on. And we wonder why we don't have strong relationships with our consumers because we look at consumers as machines, eat messages and crap cash, as opposed to real life human beings who navigate the world through their cultural lenses.[00:21:18] Dan Runcie: Do you think this got worse since the pandemic?[00:21:21] Marcus Collins: I would say in some ways, yes, in some ways, no. I think that there was a level of elasticity that when the pandemic hit, people were emailing everyone in their database saying, We care about. You we're thinking about you and then someone made that film where it took all the ads from all the marketers and they were saying all the same things.And you go, this is nonsense. And marketers went, oh, they're right. So let's like be a little bit more human. And people got human like, like the murder of George Floyd. People were like, oh, there's a world that exists beyond my own. there are lenses that are translating the world that aren't my own.Let me go see the world through other people's eyes. And for a moment, therefore, a brief moment we were getting in like some humanity in the world. But then once we got back to some normality, some normalcy, we snapped back into place. All right, cool. Let's use the data. Tells us, let's use it, this news to that.I thought that the pandemic was an interesting time because people just became a bit more empathetic, right? We saw companies treat their employees a little bit differently. They're like, hey, gives people some grace. People need time. People need space. like people's needs. And then once we went back to quote unquote normal, assuming we're back to some kinda normality, get back to work, get back in the office, gonna razor sharper.My battery lasts longer, my car goes faster. You aren't human, kind of a sad situation. and you would think that kind of inogen shock to the system will wake us up a little bit more. But unfortunately I think that there's some return to status quo a bit.[00:22:53] Dan Runcie: Part of the challenge seemed like there was so much growth that so many software and tech companies had during the pandemic, given the nature of the services they offered, and because the pandemic and lockdowns limited, then from the in-person interactions, it could be very easy to think, okay, well we don't need to spend the money on those focus groups.We don't need to spend the money on having our leadership team be out in the field to interact with people. Look at what we're able to do in the current ecosystem and we saw that there was just so much growth, especially from March, 2020 up until November, 2021. Things were booming, but then. World started to open back up and I feel like we're starting to see it more.We're seeing more flexibility with what certain companies are doing in terms of their policies, whether they are letting people work from home. But I'm also seeing people wanting more in-person events, more engagement. There is an appetite for this, which I think should hopefully translate to an appetite to getting in-person time and more inpe intimacy with the people you're actually trying to serve.[00:23:57] Marcus Collins: Well, what I think is awesome. Is that the technologies help facilitate ways to get closer, even if you can't in person, right? So, you know, we typically use ethnographic research for, when we're trying to study culture, right? Go into people's cultural contexts, observe them, interact with them, don't be, you know, sort of a tourist, be a part of the community.But then there's netnographic research, which is the same thing in ethnography, just in online spaces. In fact, all of my academic work. All my academic research is typically done on Reddit like I'm observing these communities in their cultural contexts, practice their cultural subscription, and the beautiful part about Reddit, truly.Now, I'm about to just nerd out for a moment here cause we could do that. Dan, is that Reddit has moderators that actually clinging the data for you. The moderators, they remove content that's not within the cultural conventions of the community, and then they'll get rid of people who post things that are outside of the norms of the community.They are cleaning the data for us to observe this community operate and abide by its cultural characteristics for a researcher goodnight. It doesn't get any better than that. And we get to observe these people make meaning through their discourse in an unobtrusive way. And not only that, we get over the hurdle that people have about qualitative research, that the sample size is so small that we can see this in massive, massive, massive, occasions in my dissertation work, I had over 12 million lines of text. I'm watching people engage. And like I'm going through it and looking at how they make meaning, the language they use, the memes that they use, all these different texts that they use in an effort to communicate, to help make meaning, negotiate, construct meaning.That's superman powerful. And if nothing else, this creates great opportunity for us, right? You could do interviews via Zoom. We did some ethnographic work, with folks in China when mainland China wasn't letting anyone in or out, so we couldn't even go be in the field. So we used Zoom. That was helpful, right?The technology is meant to extend our human behaviors, right? It means to extend where we have human limitations. And if we don't take advantage of that, what are we doing really?[00:26:15] Dan Runcie: I love that you mentioned Reddit there because it is a great lens into all of these subreddit. Each of them is a community that provides a reflection on what that broader community may be thinking, what they if, how they evaluate things and how they interact with each other. How do you, from an audience segmentation perspective, how do you look at the conversations that may happen within those communities and.Get an idea of how that may extend to a broader community, knowing that Reddit itself does attract, maybe a more analytical or a deeper type of thought that may be slightly different in terms of the broader subreddit community represents.[00:26:53] Marcus Collins: Sure. So, yeah, it makes a lot of sense. So when we're going out in the field to Stu to study, see, I wanna study cost players. I'm gonna go to Comic-Con where the hardcore cost players are, because these are the people that are abiding by the cultural characteristics of what it means to be a cost player, right?I'm gonna implant myself where they are and engage with them because oftentimes these are people that are like a part that are leading the construction of an a negotiation of meaning among the community. So Reddit, to your point, these are people who are hardcore into it. And maybe there's some bias in the fact that they're more inclined to be there than others, but they're representative of the community.And what we do in all research truly, is that we look at a sample of the market and then we try to generalize the learnings, right? So we, we look at, social phenomenon and try to find generalizability of it. So my research, particularly my dissertation, I looked at how brands of branded products spread within a cultural context.And I chose hip hop because hip hop's tentacles are. I mean, I'm talking to the guy who wrote the book on this, and you know this very well, how widespread hip hop's impact is in like, almost every industry. You could think of jewelry, high fashion, high tech, auto, sneakers, beauty, pharmaceuticals, everything, hip hiphop touches almost every single thing.So I studied, how brands and branded products spread in hiphop culture. Specifically, this community looked at the mechanisms by which they make meaning and they evaluate and legitimate products as they spread, throughout, throughout the community. And then generalized that broadly on how communities make meaning.Now, there'll be nuances that'll be different for rock climbers versus pickle ballers versus runners. But at its core, these are the processes by which things spread. So we try to get at some generalizability, especially when we have a wide swath of data to analyze.[00:28:56] Dan Runcie: Makes sense, and I know we've talked about that dissertation before. it's powerful. I mean, and that's so much of what attracted me to this work as well. We see how hip hop is so pervasive in every corner that it touches. And that's only going to continue even if they may not call it hip hop in the future.We still know where the origins come from, I say that because of just some trends I'm seeing in terms of how certain songs have been categorized and they've been talking about hip hop's decline. But we know what's there when we hear general music themes. This is the origination place. This is where it is, and this culture is now about to celebrate its 50th year in a few months, so it's just great.[00:29:34] Marcus Collins: I mean, which is why Trapital is so important, man. Like it's, you need, cultural producers to preach the gospel and to quantify its impact on commerce in the economy, which is you're doing the good work.[00:29:46] Dan Runcie: Thank you. Appreciate that. So before we close things out, let's talk a bit more about for the culture itself. You've been doing so much work in this space, you already had a great platform. What was the value add for you with this book, putting it out there, what does it do for you moving forward and how is that process?[00:30:04] Marcus Collins: The hope for me personally, is to scale my impact like I believe that reasonable, my ideology, my belief, my conviction is that we're put in this world to serve God, and serve each other. That's what I believe, and the way I serve is by helping people realize the best version themselves operate the highest fidelity.So the book is a way to scale my impact. As opposed to if you can't be in a Michigan classroom and you can't be a client at Widen Kennedy, or you can't be on my team at Widen Kennedy, here's a way to get some of, some of the thought leadership, right? But the other part, it's to helpfully raise, the industry that if we are using different language, A better Rosetta Stone talk about culture that will be better practitioners of culture and bear some responsibility to what we do. So we're not conquesting people's culture to sell more widgets, but we're actually contributing to it, realizing, that when we're using other people's cultural markers, we run the risk of what we know is appropriation.If we do that without understanding the meaning that it's associated to those things. And once we understand that, we go, oh, okay. We're not just gonna pimp their thing out, we're gonna contribute to the community that actually has made this thing a thing. And the hope is that, the residuals from that, the reverberation from that, will make a little dent in the world and would've I would've done my part.if that happens.[00:31:30] Dan Runcie: Makes sense. Love it. Well, for people that are listening along and wanna get a copy of further culture themselves, where can they get it and where can they follow you?[00:31:38] Marcus Collins: the book for the cultures available where all books are sold, particularly Amazon. you could find me at @marctothec, m a r c t o t h e c at all the social places, and marctothec.com/.[00:31:50] Dan Runcie: Love it. Dr. Marcus Collins. Thank you.[00:31:53] Dan Runcie Episode Outro: Thanks for watching Trapital on YouTube. If you want more where that came from, please subscribe to our YouTube channel so you can get all the latest updates. Or if you wanna hear the latest episodes, go ahead. Subscribe to the Trapital podcast. That's Trapital wherever you get podcasts. And if you wanna stay up to date with the latest insights, go ahead and subscribe to the Trapital newsletter.That's Tapital.co And sign up there. Thanks so much.[00:32:19] Dan Runcie Outro: If you enjoyed this podcast, go ahead and share it with a friend. Copy the link, text it to a friend. Post it in your group chat. Post it in your Slack groups. Wherever you and your people talk, spread the word. That's how travel continues to grow and continues to reach the right people. While you're at it, if you use Apple Podcast, Go ahead.Rate the podcast, give it a high rating, and leave a review. Tell people why you like the podcast. That helps more people discover the show. Thank you in advance. Talk to you next week.

Fitting that while being in the business of transforming subconscious stories, Kimberly Spencer's Crown Yourself Podcast, formerly known as "The Princess and the B" Podcast would undergo its' own transformation. The first official episode of the newly titled Crown Yourself podcast, introduces the new name and concept of the podcast, based in the 7+ years of being a part of the CrownYourself.com brand. Kimberly emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility, owning one's power, and stepping into one's reign as a sovereign being. She shares her own experiences of facing challenges and growing into the "queen" she is today. The podcast will focus on manifesting and claiming power over one's subconscious mind and co-creating a reality by design. Kimberly encourages listeners to take ownership of their choices and make conscious decisions that align with their soul's purpose. She is excited to support and champion her listeners on their journey towards their purpose and power. TWEETABLES: "Your power is your untapped potential." - Kimberly Spencer "it is your choice which is where your power lies to choose whether to apply that to your life or to not that is where your autonomy is and your agency is". ~ Kimberly Spencer "The more responsibility you accept, the more power you obtain." ~ Kimberly Spencer "You are not a prisoner of your past nor a victim of your circumstances. You are the creator consciously with the universe to co-create a reality and you have that power within you right now." ~ Kimberly Spencer SHOWNOTES: Welcome to the Crown Yourself Podcast [00:00:07]Kimberly introduces the new name and concept of the podcast, explaining the reason behind the rebranding and the importance of personal responsibility. Initiation into the Queen [00:01:21]Kimberly talks about the challenges she faced in the past year and how they have helped her grow into the queen she is today. The Power of Personal Responsibility [00:09:08]Kimberly discusses the power of the subconscious mind to manifest what you desire and the importance of personal responsibility in owning one's power. Introduction of the Crown Yourself podcast [00:00:00]Kimberly explains the rebranding of her podcast and introduces the concept of personal responsibility, owning one's power, and stepping into one's reign as a sovereign being. The power of leaning into one's desires [00:12:14]Kimberly talks about the importance of leaning into one's desires and going forth to conquer them, regardless of circumstance. The ethos of Crown Yourself [00:19:08]Kimberly explains the ethos of Crown Yourself, which is about looking inside oneself for guidance and taking ownership of one's choices and personal responsibility. Personal Responsibility [00:21:12]Kimberly explains the importance of personal responsibility and how it leads to obtaining more power. She encourages listeners to accept responsibility for their experiences and choices, both positive and negative. Unapologetic Authenticity [00:23:14]Kimberly talks about the importance of owning one's authenticity, both positive and negative, and accepting where one is in life. She emphasizes the need to move forward and make informed decisions based on the information received. Crown Yourself [00:27:18]Kimberly introduces the new name and concept of the podcast, Crown Yourself, which is about stepping into one's reign as a sovereign being. She talks about the transformation from princess to queen, the importance of leadership, and the journey of personal growth. Introduction of the Crown Yourself Podcast [00:00:00]Kimberly explains the reason behind the rebranding and introduces the new name and concept of the podcast. Importance of personal responsibility and stepping into one's reign [00:31:39]Kimberly talks about the importance of personal responsibility, owning one's power, and stepping into one's reign as a sovereign being. Conclusion and call to action [00:33:16]Kimberly thanks the listeners for tuning in and encourages them to subscribe, share, and create a royal ripple to support more people in their sovereign. TRANSCRIPT: BOUNDARIES ARE EVERYTHING TO PROTECTING YOUR ENERGY, SO PLEASE NOTE SOME LEGAL BOUNDARIES BEFORE WE DIVE INTO THE : Crown Yourself LLC and Kimberly Spencer owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of the Crown Yourself podcast, with all rights reserved, as well as ouright of publicity. WHAT YOU'RE WELCOME TO DO: You are welcome to share the below transcript (up to 500 words but not more) in media articles (e.g., Forbes, The New York Times, CNBC The Guardian), on your personal website, in a non-commercial article or blog post (e.g., Medium), and/or on a personal social media account for non-commercial purposes, provided that you include attribution to the “Crown Yourself Podcast” and link back to crownyoutself.com/podcast URL For the sake of clarity, media outlets with advertising models are permitted to use excerpts from the transcript per the above. WHAT IS NOT ALLOWED: No one is authorized to copy any portion of the podcast content or use to use Kimberly Spencer's name, image or likeness for any commercial purpose or use, including without limitation inclusion in any books, e-books, book summaries or synopses, or on a commercial website or social media site (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) that offers or promotes your or another's products or services, except without explicit consent in writing, from Crown Yourself LLC. For the sake of clarity, media outlets are permitted to use photos of Kimberly Spencer from the Media Room at crownyourself.com/media or (obviously) licensed photos of Kimberly Spencer from Getty Images, etc. We good? Great. Let's get to the goods. ___________ Kimberly Spencer (00:00:07) - Welcome to the Crown Yourself Podcast. We're together, we build your empire and transform your subconscious stories about what's possible for your business, body, and life. I'm your host, Kimberly Spencer, founder of crown yourself.com, and I'm a master mindset coach, bestselling author, TEDx speaker, known to my clients as a game changer. Each week you get the conscious leadership strategies you need to help you reign with courage, clarity, and confidence so that you too can make the income and impact you deserve. Imagine this podcast as your royal invitation to step into your full potential and reign in your divine purpose. Your sovereign starts here and your rain is now. Hello. Hello my fellow sovereigns and welcome to the Crown Yourself Podcast, formerly known as the Princess and the Bee. But we went through a little rebrand and not a little. I mean, if you've had a podcast that's gone over 150 episodes and I think this is 180, you know that a rebrand means you're rebranding all 180 episodes. Kimberly Spencer (00:01:21) - So this isn't just, you know, a willy-nilly fly by night choice. This was a very calculated, strategically planned, thoughtful decision on my part as a business owner to change the name and the branding to align with the brand of Crown Yourself as it's always been. And I think there was a part of me, if I'm being truly honest, that was still in the space of growing into that queen. And now she's here, she's been inaugurated, she's gone through the gauntlet, she's been initiated. I mean if 2022 was not an initiation, I don't know what is between losing three family members in the span of one year moving countries, having a child between 2021 and 2022, that was an initiation of epic proportions coming back to this place where now we literally manifested our dream home. We trusted, we put all faith in, we went all in on our dream, and we are literally living in a space that feels so peaceful. Kimberly Spencer (00:02:46) - It feels like a sigh, it feels like a palace. And so I'd have to say that the queen has been initiated and whether these past few years have been an initiation of some sorts for you to prepare you to have the resilience and the grit and the fortitude to face what it is that you're going to face as you create what it is in this world that you're going to create. I am so glad you're here. I am so glad we're here together. Queens to queens, Queens to kings, sovereign to sovereign. And that was really the heart and soul behind this rebrand to where it's no longer a cute little title that I have other podcasters, you know, say, oh that's you know, cute and oh what's it about? And where it's for me crown yourself as embodying from a the intimacy level of a podcast. Kimberly Spencer (00:03:47) - It's embodying the full being of the sovereign that we each are individually as we rise into our reign, as we create what we are put on this planet to create as we fulfill that divinely inspired, divinely guided destiny purpose mission that we are here on this planet to do. And so that's the reason why a rebrand, that's the reason why this is now the Crown Yourself Podcast because there ain't no room for petty princess bullshit up in here. There's no spoiled princesses. There's no more entitlement if there ever is was any but there was any, there's no room for it anymore. There is only room for execution. And I don't mean like in the medieval sense of execution like we're everyone's heads are staying rightly on their bodies, but there is only room for the results that come from full embodied ownership and personal responsibility that comes with the great power that you have and that I have as leaders of our lives and our businesses and our destinies as we are choosing to lean in, step in and stru in babe strut in like work like Beyonce and Sasha Fierce walking into a room kind of strutting into our destinies because that's who we are. Kimberly Spencer (00:05:21) - Because we are unapologetic, because we are the queens, the kings cuz I know there's some man who listened to this podcast and I love you so much for doing that, my amazing conscious warriors. And that is the beauty of crown yourself is that it is all encompassing. It is embracing of all genders, it is embracing of that divine destiny that is you leaning into your purpose, the reason why you woke up another day on this planet breathing and I have such a fury and a fire coming through me to a instill that fire within you and pass that along and like light the wick in your inspirational candle with of course appropriate strategy and step-by-step systems and everything you need to keep that fire, a flame beyond this podcast so that you take what you learn here and move it into your day-to-day life. And that it's not just listening for consumption for consumption's sake because we have enough of that consumerism. Kimberly Spencer (00:06:31) - This is true, applicable embodiment of a challenge and a quantum shift in your energy and how you be and how you move through your day. It is shifting how you rise into your reign on a daily basis. How you take command of a room, how you choose to lean into that which is your destiny, your purpose, that thing that was placed on your heart that many people have probably said is crazy or obscene or unrealistic, my favorite word on the planet. And that is your choice to lean into that and you are consciously choosing as the queen or king that you are to reign and rule in that space and to lean into that desire no matter how many naysayers there are in the world. Because I promise you I will be here as your champion and your cheerleader as you move forward into that arena. Kimberly Spencer (00:07:27) - And if need be, I will get down in the dirt in that arena with you because this world needs more warriors for possibility because as I said in my Ted Talk, your life is a testimony for what is possible. And the more I see my kids growing up, the more I see this necessity for the world to have more sovereign beings, more queens, more kings, more sovereign, personally responsible, ownership infused individuals who understand that with great power comes great responsibility. That doesn't mean reactionary, it means you respond to what is called forth from you and for you and of you in the moment. And so it is with that that I bring you Crown yourself and the Crown Yourself podcast, which really is as it should have been all along. But as you know, I don't like shoulds, I don't like shoulding. And I think that this evolution was absolutely necessary not only for the podcast growth as its own entity, but for my own growth as its leader and for the growth of my company and for the growth of what we are creating and for the growth of the mission beyond the company and and the values that we want to instill of ownership, period, personal, personal responsibility, being able to understand that you know, that great idiom that with great power comes great responsibility and what is that power like what truly is that power? Kimberly Spencer(00:09:08) - And that is what we're gonna dive into on this podcast because your power is your untapped potential. Your power is the power of your subconscious mind to manifest that what you desire. And when you have that skillset to be able to manifest that what you desire and go through the gauntlet and prove yourself and in those initiations without the egoic and by prove yourself, I do not mean the egoic principle of you have to prove yourself to others for validation, but it's the proving yourself to yourself that you can and are the queen or king that is meant to rule your life. That is what I mean. And it is with this podcast that I am so excited to lean into a completely deeper realm of conversation with those who are manifesting and claiming their power over their subconscious mind, over their ability to co-create a reality that is by design. Kimberly Spencer(00:10:09) - Like I am so excited for the guests that we're gonna be bringing you for the amazing conversations that we're gonna have with some extraordinary humans. Because this world needs you to step into your extraordinary and your excellence and your cleanliness or your kindliness and and to really own your sovereign as an individual and thus as an individual you support the collective good to be able to support your fellow sisters and brothers who are rising into their reign to champion them and cheer them on. Because I do not meet you like a queen trying to tower over you or Lord over my opinions as I was telling a 19 year old client of mine. I will never tell you to do with your life. I'll give you guidance, I'll give you tools, I'll give you tips, I'll give you what worked for me, but I'm not gonna tell you exactly specifically what you should do. Kimberly Spencer (00:11:13) - I'll give you step by step systems and strategies that have worked for me or have worked for my clients. And it is your choice, which is where your power lies, to choose whether to apply that to your life or to not. That is where your autonomy is and your agency is. And I look forward to inspiring you to have the autonomy and the agency and the ownership of your choices on a daily basis, on a conscious level so that you are not reacting to the bullshit of life and how circumstances pulls you this way and that way. But you are choosing to consciously lean into that which is pulling you from within regardless of circumstance. Which is why I am here literally half naked out of a shower recording a podcast because I felt so compelled and pulled and could not leave this episode for another day. Kimberly Spencer (00:12:14) - Like literally could not leave it. It was stirring in my soul. I, if I had left it, I would've woken up at 2:00 AM 3:00 AM in the morning being with like the universe, being like, Hey, wake up sleepy head and cold record that dang episode. So that is the power of leaning into that which you are pulled to do that, that which is your divine birthright to lean into and go forth and conquer those desires that you have in your heart. And maybe you don't have the clarity on what those are yet. Maybe you just know you're meant to be here for some big purpose and you're just not clear with this amorphous purpose of belonging or desire is, and that's okay too. The choice is yours that you're choosing to lean in, leaning in to making an impact, to being congruent with how you show up in your day and to commanding your own presence in the room and owning your experience, your value, your worth, your enoughness for. Kimberly Spencer (00:13:21) - That is what it truly means to be queen, to be sovereign. It's not coming at it from a place of pride or ego because that's, that's all like insecure as I will say, as you'll hear me say very often, little e ego versus big E ego. And I can explain that difference on another podcast episode. But the little e ego is that insecure little voice that swings that pendulum from not enoughness worthless, et cetera, to I'm so amazing, I'm hot shit, look at me and yet feeling like I'm not enough, I'm worthless, et cetera. And so it's that constant pendulum swing and that is exhausting quite frankly. And as a sovereign being, we can be done with that bullshit. Can, can I get an amen on a Wednesday night ? At least that's what it is here for me as I'm here at the podcast Evolutions conference in Vegas recording this for you because I literally could not not record and I've had all the stirrings on my heart to change this brand to change and transform and rise because I feel, as I have felt from you, every single listener, every single audience member of Crown Yourself, every single person on my email list, I have seen you, I have seen how you have struggled and been challenged and sometimes quit gloriously that which was not aligned. Kimberly Spencer (00:14:54) - I have seen how you have chosen new paths, paths that were new and scary and different and completely crazy at times to the outside world. And yet to me I know that if you say that they are aligned with your soul and with what you believe you need to be doing in this world. I got your back babe. And that that is what this podcast is here for you to be that voice of guidance, ideally to be that voice of mentorship, of strategy, of step-by-step systems and to also bring you those voices who have achieved far more than I have and who are doing amazing things in their life, in their career to show you what's possible. Because what does it really mean to crown yourself? And that's, that's the big thing that I, I mean I looked it up on the internet and you know there's many things espousing because I came up with term crown yourself in 2014 while leaping off the couch in Airbnb in the northern Italian Riviera after way too many espressos on my honeymoon while I was brainstorming with my husband. Kimberly Spencer (00:16:12) - Like what do I do when I get back from my honeymoon? Because if you know my story, I had three weeks prior to getting married to my husband, I had signed a bio agreement with my e-commerce company and had lost this company that I had worked two years of my life for and at and with and in and didn't know what I was doing. And I compiled all of these pieces of like the things that I loved and I had been a beauty pageant queen and I'd been miscon congeniality and I'd written movies and I'd you know, won awards in different areas from health to screenwriting to um, you know, charity to nonprofit work to you know, done I'd healed My body image literally healed from a 10 year battle with bulimia with no psychological or medical intervention by the way. And I've healed from years of toxic relationships and relationships that were just not good for me and found the love of my life who is phenomenal and currently watching our two amazing boys and supporting my mother as well. Kimberly Spencer (00:17:26) - And I was there in Italy brainstorming with Spike and thinking of like how do I combine all these passions from health and fitness and relationships and the body and creative pursuits and entrepreneurship and all of that. And I leaped off the couch and I said, crown yourself. And my husband's like, what's that? And I was like, that's the name of my company, . And he was like, but what do you do? And so as you know, if you've heard my story, like I went on a year and a half sojourned to try to figure out what it was that Crown Yourself was doing, but it was less about what Crown yourself was doing and about what Crown yourself was doing for me. Because Crown yourself is beyond a business name. You can look on Instagram and there's other businesses called Crown yourself, but none are in the coaching space for one. Kimberly Spencer (00:18:18) - And Crown Yourself means many things to many different people. So let me clarify what it means for this business, for this space, for this podcast so that you know that you're in the right space, queen. Cuz I wanna make sure that like when you feel that you are here, you know that you're home, like you're in a kingdom that sees you queen to Queen k, queen to king, sovereign to sovereign and that we made each other as equals. Not as like I'm gonna Lord over you and dictate to you as to how you should live your life. I don't know how you should live your life. What an egoic statement that is. I just know what's worked for me. I know what's worked for others, I know some strategies and some things that have been of benefit and I know that, I mean if you wanna live your life miserable and sad and by your circumstances, then great, that's your choice. Kimberly Spencer (00:19:08) - Like that is fully a conscious choice. Just please, like by all means, please do it consciously and make that conscious choice. Don't be a victim of your circumstances and just be reactionary to it. And if you choose to be in this space, we take full ownership of our choices. And that is a huge piece. Like that was one of the biggest things that Crown Yourself actually had to mold within me was my own ownership and my own personal responsibility of my circumstances. And so what Crown yourself really is and the ethos of Crown Yourself, it comes from no longer choosing to look outside yourself for guidance. I will give you every tool, every tip, every strategy, every you know, thing that I use out of my arsenal so that you can look inside yourself and make the best, most aligned decision for you. Because the greatest detriment to most people's progress, especially leaders, is not, you know, not having enough information, it's not making decisions fast enough, it's not making decisions fully embodied in their choice to step into that which they choose. Kimberly Spencer (00:20:24) - Which is why, like I said, like eventually a decision will just kind of like, it'll tug at you so hard that it's gonna wake you up and it's gonna be like you gotta record, like you gotta do this. And that's what this podcast episode was for me. It was like, you gotta record, yeah, you're half naked and so what like go. So the beautiful thing is that a podcast you can don't necessarily require T-shirts and B, whatever that desire is for you, whether it is podcasting, maybe it is starting a business, which by the way, as long as you're not on a zoom, you could pretty much do some good things if you like, you know, living life and you feel very comfortable in your body as I do living life like a tree Sprite fairy just roaming about, I don't do this at home all the time. Kimberly Spencer (00:21:12) - So that's why it's quite liberating being in a hotel room by myself without any children to walk in on me. So the beautiful thing is though the crown yourself really it is an ethos of personal responsibility, which is not always the sexiest thing. Yes, I understand, but the more responsibility you accept, the more power you obtain. And I know many people in this audience are not seeking power, but sometimes our power can come in, the can come with the belief that we're gonna receive external validation. And I know many people in this audience who have been loyal listeners have wanted to have in some way their experience, their work, their purpose validated externally. And there's nothing wrong with that. It feels good to receive that acknowledgement and that validation and when your true power comes from inside you, when your true power comes from the fact that you know your worth, that yes people telling you is great, but it is only a reflection of what you already know within. Kimberly Spencer (00:22:19) - It's not you're need, you're not needing their validation or their acknowledgement to fill your cup. Your cup is already filled, you have the golet filled and is flowing and overflowing and just, it's just being noticed by others. It's not even, it's not from a place of lack or scarcity and what crown yourself really is about, it's standing in your ownership of where you are, of how you are. It's which ownership to me means full acceptance. Doesn't mean you have to stay there though. It doesn't mean you get to sit there and have like cry and have a pity party. You can totally cry like crying is fully welcome. Feel your feelings babe. The experience of like, let me just cry and sit and have a little pity party. Yeah, you own your experience but you also accept what got you there and the choices that got you to that point, positive and negative. Kimberly Spencer (00:23:14) - And from that space of ownership though comes the ability to actually move forward in the race of what it is that you actually want. And I say race because, well I'm currently training for the LA Marathon and that's been a sojourn in, in and of itself and I'm probably using Sojourn in the wrong way, but journey, that's been a journey in and of itself. And in the training process you really clearly learn that you just have to start like there's no sh there's accepting of where your body is and then you just do the dang thing. Like you just have to get in your miles, you just have to get in your reps and some of your runs are gonna suck and they're gonna hurt and you just have to get in your reps to prepare you to run 26.2 miles. It's a, it's a beast. Kimberly Spencer (00:24:04) - And so with that being said, knowing that that is the, the peace you have to accept where you are first you shoulding cutting wooding, that doesn't even put you in the race. You're not even at the starting line when you're shooting yourself. You are only at the starting line when you accept full responsibility for where you are, where your body is, where your business is, where your finances are at. And then you can move forward the past, the past happened, it's done and you can only move forward from here. The second piece of Crown yourself is just absolutely unapologetic authenticity and it's truly owning that which you are that which has made you that which has contributed to your success both positive and negative because we cannot go around blaming the negative for where we're at when, where we're at, we're still alive, we're still breathing. Kimberly Spencer (00:25:00) - No matter where you're at, at least you got that like you're still alive, you're still here. That's a huge feat for some people and I know that authenticity, it comes from both within and what's received cuz it's like an infinity symbol. So as you put things out into the world and you feel how they're received, yes you'll see and receive feedback, some positive, some negative, and you may choose to adapt how you show up in that space that's fully okay. For example, I chose because I felt from what was being reflected back to me in my own authenticity that the Princess and the Bee was no longer an appropriate title for this podcast. I was seeing so many amazing queens rise into their reign. Catherine, I see you Colla, I see you Meredith, I see you Joanne, I see you, my goodness the transformation. And just from that, like the amazing listeners Vicky, I see you and that's just a few, that's just a handful. Kimberly Spencer (00:26:15) - Francesca, I see you, you all are just dazzling me with your transformations. And because of that I was like, this is, this ain't a podcast about princess's seeking guidance. Like no, we're not, we're not there anymore. These are queens who are seeking ambassadors, mentors, guidance queens still seek guidance. I mean Queen Elizabeth, if you watch The Crown, obviously I'm basing it off of a fictional show, but I didn't know her personally, but sought guidance, you seek guidance from your prime minister, you seek information from other people who are in other positions to, to make informed best decisions to so that you can make the best decision. The president isn't making decisions just willy-nilly by himself, no leader of a country is they make informed decisions based off of the information that other guides and people in other positions are giving them based off of their knowledge, their inside, their experience. Kimberly Spencer (00:27:18) - And that space is, is crucial. It's, it's crucial for your growth between you know, the the princess phase and to the queen phase. But beyond that it's essential for you to be able to, to make those informed decisions at the speed that you need to make them. Because the greatest differentiator that I have seen in people's success is the speed of implementation in which they actually take the information, embody it, choose to digest it, and then make an informed decision where they cut off all other possibilities and say this is what we're going with, let's go and here we are. And so because of that, I could not leave this podcast to have princess in the title quite frankly it had to be Crown Yourself because I have seen so many women and men over the years, I have seen you crown yourselves, I have seen you step into greater positions of leadership. Kimberly Spencer (00:28:13) - I have seen you choose not always the easy path because it's a path that you have to look at. The unsexy mirror , it's not sexy to look at ownership, sometimes it hurts. You gotta look at your shadow and your inner child and those are all pieces that will dive into how to look at those pieces of you with love and compassion and acknowledgement and also to move through those. But to be able to choose to see those pieces and say, I am enough as I am, I'm gonna keep going. I have a mission on this planet. End of story. Like end of story. Like the story is not done until that mission is fulfilled. Let's go, let's keep going. We are in the business of transforming people's stories from victim to Victor, from challenged to champion. I never cared growing up about the stories of princesses who just had to lose a shoe or get kissed to become queen. Kimberly Spencer (00:29:18) - In fact, pretty much all of my stories growing up, quite frankly were stories of like the princess would have to be exiled cuz she did made a mistake. And then, you know, I was a little hard on myself as a kid, so she made a mistake. And so she would have to be exiled and then she would've to learn from her, her mistake, grow from her mistake. Typically she would meet a gathering of friends, compadres, mentors, guides along the journey who then would groom her, train her, prepare her to to take back the throne from the evil queen who had cast her out but cast her out for a righteous purpose. And maybe the evil queen wasn't fully evil, she just was not maybe the best leader. And the princess turning into a queen had to rise into her range. She had to become the embodied version of the queen archetype, the queen who is benevolent and yet a warrior for possibility and who will fight for that which which she believes in and for and will hold standards and boundaries and understands her values. Kimberly Spencer (00:30:32) - And all of these pieces we are gonna dive deeper into on this podcast. So I hope you're here for it. I'm so excited for this next evolution of Crown Yourself. I am so excited to support you in your journey to continue cheering and championing you on Beyond, beyond the podcast. And if in any way this podcast, whether it's you know, in its past iteration as the princess and the Bee are moving forward as, as Crown Yourself impacts you, challenges you, allows you to see things in a new perspective, changes your mind about a belief that maybe you had held fast to in the past that no longer is serving for where you wanna go. If you are able to change your perspective and see your power, your true power, not from a neg egoic place again, but like truly from that place of your own divine power and the birthright that is your purpose that you are here to claim, then I am all for it. Kimberly Spencer (00:31:39) - Queen, I am here for you. We are in this together and let's freaking go. And if you have been served by this podcast in the past and in the future, leave a review, share, spread the word because the beautiful thing is, is that by you sharing in your benevolence as the queen or king of your life, you are allowing another human, another individual to rise and to his or her reign. And that is one of the greatest gifts that you can give, is stripping someone of the plagiarized programming that they are not, that they're a vic, is stripping yourself of the plagiar, is help, is helping strip them of the plagiarized programming that they are a victim of their circumstances. You absolutely are not. You are not a prisoner of your past nor a victim of your circumstances. You are the creator consciously with the universe to co-create a reality. And you have that power within you right now, a fricking men. So by sharing this, you allow somebody to embody their own power. And what a gift, what a gift you are giving them. I am so honored to be here with you. I thank you, queen to queen, queen to king, sovereign to sovereign because on the Crown Yourself Podcast, your sovereign starts here. Your reign is now. Kimberly Spencer (00:33:16) - Thank you so much for tuning in today. If what you heard resonated with you, be sure to subscribe and start creating a bigger impact now by sharing this with a friend, just by doing that one simple act of kindness, you are creating a royal ripple to support more people in their sovereign. And if you're not already following on social media, connect with me everywhere @crownyourself.now for more inspiration. I am so excited to connect with you in the next episode. And in the meantime, go out there and create a body business and life that rules because today you crown yourself.

Have you ever had a client who is timid about going into mediation because they believe their spouse or co-parent will over-power or try to dominate them? Perhaps they don't feel like they have the confidence to advocate for themselves? Today we're talking about the concept of psychological power and that's where we can look to Sasha Fierce for inspiration to help clients prepare to go into that mediation room with confidence.For those of you who may not know who Sasha Fierce is, she is Beyoncé's alter ego. She created Sasha Fierce to help her separate her confident on-stage persona from her more timid at-home personality. And if you've ever seen Beyoncé perform, you may be wondering…timid???? There is nothing timid about her performances; they are bold, sexy, and confident. Well, that's thanks to Sasha Fierce.As divorce coaches, we can help our clients create their own alter ego and embody a temporary sense of power when they are preparing to mediate. Research has shown that being powerful and feeling powerful have essentially the same impact in negotiations. So whether your client channels Oprah, the Dalai Lama, Batman, or their best friend, the point is that they can increase their perceived psychological power.Next time you watch a Beyoncé video, think about that. Is she timid or is she Sasha Fierce?TED Talk on ConfidenceYou can learn more about DCA™ or find out about any of the classes or events mentioned in this episode at the links below:Website: www.divorcecoachesacademy.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/divorcecoachesacademyLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/divorce-coaches-academyEmail: DCA@divorcecoachesacademy.com

Beyonce created Sasha Fierce as her stage presence and then put her to rest in 2010 because she didn't need her anymore, she felt that she'd grown enough to be able to merge the two. If you're not Beyonce but you wish you had your very own Sasha Fierce, listen-up. We invite you to explore how to create your own archetype, goddess, fierce being, strong person, by alchemizing your best traits with the traits you wished you had from legends and myth.

Special guest Frankie Grande joins EW's Quick Drag to spill all the tea on his latest appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race. Then, Malaysia Babydoll Foxx joins us to discuss her elimination after lip-syncing against Salina instead of Mistress as she expected, shares her opinion on Sasha Colby's claim to have maybe inspired Beyoncé's Sasha Fierce alter ego, gushes over Sugar and Spice, and let's us in on the secret of why she wouldn't play Rock, Paper, Scissors to end Metalgate.

Listen in as Amy gives us the tools to create our best self characters for every part of our lives! She also gives us an example of a Queen who uses this very method to overcome her fears to perform on the greatest of stages! Find out why we need to identify the following in order to create our best self characters:Who does your best self look like?What are the habits and traits of the person you want to become?What does your anti self look like? How do thay behave?What are the habits and traits of your anti self, the person you not want to be? References from this episode:The Alter Ego Effect: The Power of Secret Identities to Transform Your Life by Todd HermanBest Self: Be You, Only Better by Mike Bayer Sign up here to do the 5 for 50 challenge with us! If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating  and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser and Castbox. Sign up for the next Follow-Through Challenge Follow me on Social Media:Amy on IGAmy on FacebookCheck out the Amy Ledin WebsiteJoin the Follow-Through Challenge offered every 6 weeksAmy Ledin's 16-week Fat Loss Academy Resources:Lean Bodies Consulting (LBC)Follow LBC on IGCheck out the LBC Community on FBLBC University#5for50 #5for50FamilyEdition #AmyLedin #AmyLedin.com #ErikLedin #LeanBodiesConsulting #LBC #Kamele #KamelePerez  

BECOME UNSTOPPABLE! Listen as Amy talks about building confidence and making real change in your life. She also revisits some past episodes to help us on our journey to real, long lasting changes in our lives.Books and episodes linked below. Episodes referenced:Ep 37 - Core Values - This Is Where You StartEp 49 - Creating A Health CharacterEp 4 - Changing your State Through Anchoring with Ed MylettEP 25 - You're The Average Of The Five People You Spend The Most Time WithEp 17 - You Are What You Wear? Enclothed Cognition and Its PowerEp 9 - What Is In Your Filter?Ep 28 - The Key to Confidence Pt 1, Ep 29 - The Key to Confidence Pt 2Ep 78 - 700 Wins - The Best Gift I've Given Myself, And You Should Too Books Referenced in this episode:Atomic Habits by James ClearTiny Habits by BJ FoggBadass Habits by Jenn Sincero  Sign up here to do the 5 for 50 challenge with us! If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating  and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser and Castbox. Sign up for the next Follow-Through Challenge Follow me on Social Media:Amy on IGAmy on FacebookCheck out the Amy Ledin WebsiteJoin the Follow-Through Challenge offered every 6 weeksAmy Ledin's 16-week Fat Loss Academy Resources:Lean Bodies Consulting (LBC)Follow LBC on IGCheck out the LBC Community on FBLBC University#5for50 #5for50FamilyEdition #AmyLedin #AmyLedin.com #ErikLedin #LeanBodiesConsulting #LBC #Kamele #KamelePerez

Happy Black History Month! It would not be a new run of That Can't Be Right episodes without an episode about Beyoncé. Come for the rants on new music, a brief existential crisis when I realize I Am...Sasha Fierce was released 15 years ago, stay for me mispronouncing Muni Long! Thanks again to Lesley Gwam for indulging me being myself. We need a longer month!  Reference tracks/episodes: Why are the GRAMMYs so mean to my friend Beyoncé? with Dr. John Vilanova Has Beyoncé ever released an R&B album? with Lesley Gwam Follow along on the internet: https://www.instagram.com/tcbrpod/  https://twitter.com/TCBRpod  Follow Rhian on the internet: https://twitter.com/RhiansHope  https://www.instagram.com/rhianshope/ 

I went to high school with a girl who grew up in a Christian home singing at church. Eventually, that talented singer became more well-known and started singing on bigger stages. She felt shy about unleashing her “sensual” side and needed a way to overcome her trepidation of performing sexy dance moves. So she created an alter ego, Sasha Fierce, to bring out her more assertive side. Every time she stepped on stage she stepped INTO Sasha Fierce so she could fully express herself like the performer she wanted to be. Several years later, Beyonce released her album I am Sasha Fierce. The transformation was complete - she had BECOME Sasha. There was no longer a separation between her and her alter ego. Whether she realized it or not, Beyonce was using the power of “enclothed cognition”, the term in psychology which refers to the influence that clothes have on the wearer's psychological processes. There's also “embodied cognition”, the influence our physical shape (posture, pose) has on our consciousness. This is why we take the shape of warriors and birds in yoga class - so we can embody the qualities of strength, freedom and courage. That's also why it's so fun to dress up for Halloween. And why so many women LOVE to wear sexy outfits - so they can give themselves full permission to be the sensual, attractive and magnetic person they long to be. Enclothed and embodied cognition are just a few of the “hacks” we can use to transform our identity to become our desired future selves. The more we understand the invisible forces that shape our lives, the more we can use them to create the changes we want. I've been studying the science of change for the last 10 years (not counting a psychology degree before that). I'm bringing together the most effective tools and practices for becoming the person who is LIVING your dream in The Pleasure Project Program. You'll spend the first 6 months of 2023 learning, practising and mastering the concepts and tools to change your brain, unstuck yourself and build better habits. Then with my help, you'll design a 3 month Pleasure Project to create the change you most want to make. After 90 days you WILL be a different person. YOUR version of Sasha Fierce. Because the funny thing is, Beyonce was ALWAYS Sasha Fierce. She just hadn't yet developed the confidence and courage to be her most authentic self. Maybe you haven't either. Think what would be possible if you let your real self shine. Join The Pleasure Project Program and discover what's possible. 2023 can be YOUR breakthrough year.

Become an elite Poopinati! www.themidnighttrainpodcast.com   The Illuminati   So, you're standing amongst the council, being tried by a jury of a higher order. Your crime; Being the most dangerous person across the multiverse. You look shockingly at Mordo, Richards, and the other members of this definitive group of beings as you defend your alleged crimes, for you are facing the… Illuminati!   Or some shit like that.   We are exploring the super, double extra wannabe cult or the underground rulers of everything evil, depending on your take after today, the "Real Illuminati." At first, we'll dive into what they SAY IS THE REAL STORY OF THE ILLUMINATI Wink Wink! (Be we all know the truth) and then we're going to jump right in to what mainstream media (which is controlled by the illuminati) says are “conspiracies”. Strap on your tinfoil hats, Passengers! We're going for a ride!!   The term "Illuminati" refers to several genuine and imagined organizations. However, the term historically refers to the Bavarian Illuminati, a secret society from the Age of Enlightenment that was established on May 1, 1776, in Bavaria, which is now a part of Germany and that has the most delicious cream donuts. The association aimed to combat abuses of governmental authority, superstition, obscurantism (intentionally providing information in a vague or complex way to prevent further investigation and understanding or, simply, spewing a bunch of word vomit to confuse people), and religious influence in public life. In its general laws, they stated that controlling the perpetrators without conquering them was the "rule of the day."    Later, the term "Illuminati" was used to describe many groups that are said to represent a continuation of the original Bavarian Illuminati (even though these links have not been proven). To obtain political power and influence and create a "New World Order," these organizations have frequently been charged with plotting to manipulate events and install operatives inside of governments and companies. The Illuminati are portrayed as lurking in the shadows and manipulating the strings and levers of power. They play a crucial role in some of the most well-known and intricate conspiracy theories. This interpretation of the Illuminati has found its way into popular culture, appearing in various books, movies, T.V. episodes, comic books, video games, and music videos.   At the University of Ingolstadt, Adam Weishaupt (1748–1830) started teaching canon law and practical philosophy in 1773. (Canon Law, according to Wikipedia, is "how the Church organizes and governs herself." It is the system of laws and religious legal principles made and enforced by the hierarchical authorities of the Catholic Church to regulate its external organization and government and to order and direct the activities of Catholics toward the mission of the Church.) He taught in a school-sponsored by Jesuits, whose order Pope Clement XIV (14th) had suppressed in 1773, and was the only non-clerical professor there. The university's finances and some authority, which they continued to see as belonging to them, were still in the hands of the Ingolstadt Jesuits. When course content featured anything they deemed liberal or Protestant, they made constant attempts to frustrate and discredit non-clerical employees, especially in those instances. Weishaupt had a strong anti-clerical stance and decided to use a covert organization of like-minded people to propagate the Aufklärung (Enlightenment) beliefs. The word clerical in this sense means "referring to anything to do with the clergy — those ordained for religious work, usually in the Christian faith."   He said "screw it" and established his own society, which was to have a ranking or grading system modeled after Freemasonry, but with his own goals because he felt Freemasonry was too costly and not open to his ideas. Bund der Perfektibilisten, or Covenant of Perfectibility (Perfectibilists), was the new order's initial name and a horrible one, to boot. Still, it was later modified since it sounded like some pretentious bullshit. Weishaupt established the Perfectibilists on May 1, 1776, choosing the Owl of Minerva as their emblem. The Owl of Minerva is often called the "owl of Athena." It has been a symbol of knowledge and wisdom throughout the Western world. The members were to use aliases within the society. Weishaupt became Spartacus. Law students Massenhausen, Bauhof, Merz, and Sutor, became Ajax, Agathon, Tiberius, and Erasmus Roterodamus. Logan would have been dubbed Hasentus Everseenamovieus, whereas I would have been known as Dopus Asfuckasus. Weishaupt later booted Sutor for being a lazy turd.    In April 1778, the order became the Illuminatenorden, or Order of Illuminati, after Weishaupt seriously considered calling it the "Bee order." Massenhausen was the first to step up and be most engaged in advancing society. Significantly, he hired Xavier von Zwack, a former pupil of Weishaupt who was just beginning his distinguished administrative career while studying at Munich not long after the order started. He was the head of the Bavarian National Lottery at the time, where if you won, you got all the donuts. And, of course, that's not true, but it should be.  Weishaupt quickly viewed Massenhausen's "go get em attitude" as a liability because it frequently led to attempts to hire the wrong people. Later, his unpredictable love life caused him to become careless. As Weishaupt turned over the leadership of the Munich group to Zwack, it was discovered that Massenhausen had stolen subscription money and read Weishaupt and Zwack's communications. After earning his degree in 1778, Massenhausen accepted a position outside Bavaria and lost interest in the order. The order had nominally twelve members at this point.   After Massenhausen left, Zwack put all his effort into finding more responsible and significant recruits. This included Hertel, a canon of the Munich Frauenkirche and a childhood friend of Weishaupt, who was considered a hell of a guy. By the end of the summer of 1778, the order had five territories: Munich (Athens), Ingolstadt (Eleusis), Ravensberg (Sparta), Freysingen (Thebes), and Eichstaedt, with a total of 27 members (including Massenhausen).   The order had three membership levels at the time—novice, minerval, and illuminated minerval—but only the minerval level required a problematic ceremony. In this, a password and code were supplied to the candidate. Weishaupt was kept informed on the actions and personalities of his members through a system of mutual espionage, with his favorites joining the Areopagus, the ruling council. Some newbies were allowed to join the army and become insinuates. Jews, pagans, women, monks, and members of other secret societies were told to fuck off, but upright Christians were what they wanted. Favored candidates were wealthy, submissive, eager to learn, and between 18 and 30.   After unsuccessfully trying to stop some of his followers from becoming Freemasons, Weishaupt decided to join them to gather resources for developing his own ritual. Early in February 1777, he was accepted into lodge "Prudence" of the Rite of Strict Observance. He learned nothing about the more advanced degrees of "blue lodge" masonry as he excelled through its three degrees. Still, the following year, a priest by the name of Abbé Marotti told Zwack that these deeper secrets depended on an understanding of the earlier religion and the primitive Church. Weishaupt was persuaded by Zwack that their own order should establish cordial ties with Freemasonry and acquire permission to develop their own lodge. At this stage (December 1778), adding the first three degrees of Freemasonry was considered a secondary project.   Quickly, a warrant was obtained from the Grand Lodge of Prussia called the Royal York for Friendship. The new lodge was named Theodore of the Good Council to flatter Charles Theodore, Elector of Bavaria. It was founded in Munich on March 21, 1779, and quickly packed with Illuminati. However, the first master, Radl, was persuaded to return home to Baden and ran the lodge by July, per Weishaupt's order.   The next step involved independence from their Grand Lodge. By establishing masonic relations with the Union lodge in Frankfurt, affiliated to the Premier Grand Lodge of England, lodge Theodore became independently recognized and able to declare its independence. As a new mother lodge, it could now spawn its own lodges. The recruiting drive amongst the Frankfurt masons also obtained the allegiance of Adolph Freiherr Knigge.   Knigge was recruited late in 1780 at a convention of the Rite of Strict Observance by Costanzo Marchese di Costanzo, an infantry captain in the Bavarian army and a fellow Freemason. As he was still in his twenties, Knigge had already reached the highest initiatory grades of his order and had arrived with his own grand plans for reform. Disappointed that his plan found no support, Knigge was immediately intrigued when Costanzo informed him that the order he sought to create already existed. Knigge and three of his friends expressed a strong interest in learning more of this order, and Costanzo showed them material relating to the Minerval grade. The teaching material for the stage was "liberal" literature which was banned in Bavaria but common knowledge in the Protestant German states.   Knigge's three colleagues lost interest in Costanzo after becoming disillusioned and extremely confused, like the rest of us. Still, he persisted and was rewarded in November 1780 with a letter from Weishaupt. Knigge was a perfect candidate because of his ties inside and outside Freemasonry. For his part, Knigge was charmed by the attention and drawn to the order's proclaimed goals of educating people and shielding them against oppression. Moreover, Weishaupt recognized Knigge's interest in alchemy and the "higher sciences" and promised to promote them. In response to Weishaupt, Knigge laid out his ideas for reforming Freemasonry when the Strict Observance was beginning to doubt its history.   Before he could be admitted to the higher ranks of the order, Weishaupt put Knigge in charge of recruitment. Knigge agreed, but with the stipulation that he be given the freedom to select the recruitment locations. Many additional masons joined the Illuminati's Minerval grade after finding Knigge's depiction of the new masonic order appealing. At this point, Knigge seemed to respect the "Most Serene Superiors" Weishaupt said he served. To delay providing any assistance, Weishaupt assigned him an additional duty despite his embarrassing failure to explain anything about the upper degrees of the order. Because he was full of shit.   Knigge then created pamphlets documenting the actions of the illegal Jesuits, claiming to show how they continued to thrive and recruit, particularly in Bavaria, using material provided by Weishaupt. Finally, Knigge wrote to Weishaupt that his position was becoming damn near impossible because he couldn't offer his recruits any real answers to their question about the higher grades. Weishaupt finally broke down and admitted in January 1781 that his superiors and the purported antiquity of the order were bullshit and that the higher degrees had not yet been created as he faced the possibility of losing Knigge and his masonic recruits.   Knigge was unusually composed in response to Weishaupt's admittance, even though he was looking forward to learning the promised intricate Freemasonry secrets found in the upper degrees of the Illuminati. Weishaupt pledged to give Knigge complete creative control over the development of the higher degrees and to send him his own notes. Knigge, for his part, enjoyed the chance to express himself through the order. He asserted that his new strategy would increase the appeal of the Illuminati to potential members in Germany's Protestant counties. Knigge received a 50 florins advance from the Areopagus in November 1781 to travel to Bavaria, where he met and partied with fellow Illuminati members.   The order had now developed extensive internal divisions. In July 1780, the Eichstaedt command had formed an autonomous province, and a rift was growing between Weishaupt and the Areopagus. They found him stubborn, dictatorial, inconsistent, and obviously full of shit. As a result, Knigge was constantly thrown into the role of peacemaker.   In discussions with the Areopagus and Weishaupt, Knigge identified two problematic areas. First, Weishaupt's emphasis on recruiting university students meant that young men with little practical experience often had to fill senior positions in the order. Secondly, the anti-Jesuit ethos of the order at its inception had generally become anti-religious. Knigge knew it would be a problem recruiting the senior Freemasons that the order was looking to bring in. Knigge felt the stifling grip of conservative Catholicism in Bavaria and understood the anti-religious feelings that this produced in the liberal Illuminati. Still, he also saw the negative impression these feelings would provide in Protestant states, making the spread of the order in greater Germany much more difficult. The Areopagus and Weishaupt felt powerless to do anything less than give Knigge a free hand. He had the contacts within and outside of Freemasonry that they needed, and he had the skill as a ritualist to build their projected grade structure, where they had ground to a halt at Illuminatus Minor, with only the Minerval grade below and the merest sketches of higher grades. The only restrictions imposed were the need to discuss the inner secrets of the highest degrees and the necessity of submitting his new grades for approval.   Meanwhile, the scheme to propagate Illuminatism as a legitimate branch of Freemasonry had farted out. While Lodge Theodore was now in their control, a chapter of "Elect Masters" attached to it only had one member from the order and still had a constitutional superiority to the craft lodge controlled by the Illuminati. The chapter would be difficult to persuade to submit to the Areopagus and formed a real barrier to Lodge Theodore becoming the first mother-lodge of a new Illuminated Freemasonry. A treaty of alliance was signed between the order and the chapter, and by the end of January 1781, four daughter lodges had been created, but independence was not on the chapter's agenda.   Costanza wrote to the Royal York, pointing out the discrepancy between the fees dispatched to their new Grand Lodge and the returned service they had received. The Royal York, unwilling to lose the money they were bringing in, offered to confer Freemasonry's "higher" secrets on a representative that their Munich brethren would dispatch to Berlin. Accordingly, Costanza set off for Prussia on April 4, 1780, with instructions to negotiate a reduction in Theodore's fees while he was there. On the way, he argued with a Frenchman about a lady with whom they shared a carriage. The Frenchman sent a message ahead to the king sometime before they reached Berlin, calling Costanza a spy and having him arrested. He was only freed from prison with the help of the Grand Master of Royal York and was kicked out of Prussia, having accomplished fuck all.   Knigge's recruitment from German Freemasonry was far from random. He targeted the masters and wardens, the men who ran the lodges and were often able to place the entire club at the disposal of the Illuminati. For example, Baron de Witte, master of Constancy lodge in Aachen, caused every member to join the order. This way, the order expanded rapidly in central and southern Germany and obtained a foothold in Austria. Moving into the Spring of 1782, the handful of students who had started the order had swelled to about 300 members, with only 20 new recruits being students. In Munich, the first half of 1782 saw considerable changes in the government of Lodge Theodore. In February, Weishaupt had offered to split the lodge, with the Illuminati going their own way and the chapter taking any remaining traditionalists into their continuation of Theodore. At this point, the chapter unexpectedly surrendered, and the Illuminati had complete control of the lodge and chapter. In June, both club and chapter sent letters severing relations with Royal York, citing their faithfulness in paying for their recognition and Royal York's failure to provide any instruction in the higher grades. Their neglect of Costanza, and inability to defend him from negative charges or prevent his expulsion from Prussia, were also brought up. They had made no effort to provide Costanza with the promised secrets, and the Munich masons now suspected that their brethren in Berlin relied on the mystical French higher grades which they sought to avoid. Lodge Theodore was now independent.   The Rite of Strict Observance was now in a critical state. Its leader was Prince Carl of Södermanland (later Charles XIII (13th) of Sweden), openly suspected of trying to absorb the rite into the Swedish Rite, which he already controlled. The German lodges looked to Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel for leadership. However, suspicion turned to open contempt when Carl regarded the Stuart heir to the British throne as the true GrandMaster, and the lodges of the Strict Observance all but ignored their Grand Master. This bullshit led to the Convent of Wilhelmsbad.   The last Strict Observance convention, postponed since October 15, 1781, eventually began on July 16, 1782, at the spa town of Wilhelmsbad, which is located outside of (and now a part of) Hanau. The 35 participants in a discussion about the future of the order knew that the Strict Observance in its current form was doomed. Also, the Convent of Wilhelmsbad would be a battle over the pieces between the Martinists, led by Jean-Baptiste Willermoz, and the German mystics, led by Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel and their host Prince Charles of Hesse-Kassel. Only Franz Dietrich von Ditfurth, and Johann Joachim Christoph Bode, objected to mystical higher grades. Ditfurth actively advocated for a return to the fundamental three degrees of Freemasonry, which was the convention's least likely choice. The mystics had previously developed logical replacement plans for the higher degrees.   (Martinism is a type of arcane Christianity and Christian mysticism that is focused on the fall of the first man, his material seclusion from his spiritual source, and the process of his return, known as "Reintegration.")   The Illuminati were able to promote themselves as a viable option since there wasn't an effective alternative to the two schools of mysticism. Knigge, who now had complete authority to speak for the order, encouraged and helped Ditfurth, who took on the role of their spokesperson. Weishaupt rejected Knigge's initial proposal to form an alliance between the two orders because he didn't see the benefit of working with a dying order. His new strategy was to enlist the masons opposed to the higher degree of "Templar" Strict Observance.   At the convent, Ditfurth prevented Willermoz and Hesse from introducing their own higher grades by demanding that the delegates be informed in full of such degrees. Due to their frustration, the German mystics enrolled Count Kollowrat in the Illuminati as a later affiliate. With no claims to additional masonic revelations, Ditfurth's goal was to replace all higher degrees with a single fourth degree. He left the convent early after finding no support for his proposal and reported to the Areopagus that he had no hopes for the gathering.   In an attempt to satisfy everybody, the Convent of Wilhelmsbad didn't achieve shit. They renounced the Templar origins of their ritual while retaining the Templar titles, trappings, and administrative structure. Charles of Hesse and Ferdinand of Brunswick remained at the head of the order, but the lodges were almost independent in practice. The Germans adopted the name of the French order of Willermoz, Les Chevaliers Bienfaisants de la Cité Sainte (Good Knights of the Holy City). Some Martinist mysticism was imported into the first three degrees, now the only essential degrees of Freemasonry. Crucially, individual lodges of the order were now allowed to mingle with clubs of other systems. The new "Scottish Grade" introduced with the Lyon ritual of Willermoz was not mandatory. Each province and prefecture was free to decide what, if anything, happened after the three craft degrees. Finally, the convent regulated etiquette, titles, and a new numbering for the provinces to show that something had been achieved.   The Strict Observance was ended by the Convent of Wilhelmsbad. Along with the higher degrees that bound its most significant and influential members, it rejected its founding tale. It eliminated the rigorous regulations that had maintained the order's cohesion and alienated many Germans who did not trust Martinism. Martinism repulsed Bode, who immediately began negotiating with Knigge before joining the Illuminati in January 1783. The following month, Charles of Hesse joined.   Knigge's first efforts at an alliance with the intact German Grand Lodges failed, but Weishaupt persisted. He proposed a new federation where all German lodges would practice an agreed, unified system in the essential three degrees of Freemasonry and be left to their own devices as to which, if any, system of higher degrees they wished to pursue. This would be a federation of Grand Lodges, and members would be free to visit any of the "blue" lodges in any jurisdiction. All lodge masters would be elected, and no fees would be paid to any central authority. Groups of lodges would be subject to a "Scottish Directorate" composed of members delegated by lodges to audit finances, settle disputes and authorize new lodges. These, in turn, would elect Provincial Directorates, who would elect inspectors, who would elect the national director. This system would correct the current imbalance in German Freemasonry, where masonic ideals of equality were preserved only in the lower three "symbolic" degrees. The various methods of higher degrees were dominated by the elite who could afford research in alchemy and mysticism. To Weishaupt and Knigge, the proposed federation was also a vehicle to propagate Illuminism throughout German Freemasonry. Their intention was to use their new union, with its emphasis on the fundamental degrees, to remove all allegiance to Strict Observance, allowing the "eclectic" system of the Illuminati to take its place.   The newsletter announcing the new federation outlined the faults of German Freemasonry; unsuitable men with money were often admitted based on their wealth, and the corruption of civil society had infected the lodges. Having advocated the deregulation of the higher grades of the German lodges, the Illuminati now announced their own from their "unknown Superiors." Lodge Theodore, newly independent from Royal York, set itself up as a provincial Grand Lodge. In a letter to all the Royal York lodges, Knigge now accused the Grand Lodge of corruption. Their Freemasonry had allegedly been corrupted by the Jesuits. Strict Observance was now attacked as a creation of the Stuarts, devoid of all moral virtue. The Zinnendorf rite of the Grand Landlodge of the Freemasons of Germany was suspect because its author was in league with the Swedes. This direct attack had the opposite effect to that intended by Weishaupt. It offended many of its readers. The Grand Lodge of the Grand Orient of Warsaw, which controlled Freemasonry in Poland and Lithuania, was happy to participate in the federation only as far as the first three degrees. Their insistence on independence had kept them from the Strict Observance and would now keep them from the Illuminati, whose plan to annex Freemasonry rested on their own higher degrees. By the end of January 1783, the Illuminati's masonic party had seven lodges.   It wasn't just the clumsy appeal of the Illuminati that left the federation short of members. Lodge Theodore was recently formed and did not command respect like the older lodges. Most of all, the Freemasons most likely to be attracted to the federation, saw the Illuminati as an ally against the mystics and Martinists. Moreover, they valued their freedom too highly to be caught in another restrictive organization. Even Ditfurth, the supposed representative of the Illuminati at Wilhelmsbad, had pursued his own agenda at the convent.   The non-mystical Frankfurt lodges created an "Eclectic Alliance," was almost indistinguishable in structure from the Illuminati's federation. Far from seeing this as a threat, the Illuminati lodges joined the new alliance after some discussion. Three Illuminati now sat on the committee that wrote the new masonic statutes. Aside from strengthening relations between their three lodges, the Illuminati seem to have gained no advantage from this maneuver. Ditfurth, having founded a masonic organization that worked towards his ambitions for Freemasonry, took little interest in the Illuminati after he adhered to the Eclectic Alliance. In reality, the Eclectic Alliance's creation undermined the Illuminati's plans to spread their own ideologies through Freemasonry.   The final decline of the Illuminati was brought about by the indiscretions of their own Minervals in Bavaria, and especially in Munich. Despite efforts by their superiors to curb loose talk, politically dangerous boasts of power and criticism of monarchy caused the "secret" order's existence to become common knowledge, along with the names of many important members. The presence of the Illuminati in positions of power now led to some public unease. There were Illuminati in many civic and state governing bodies. Despite their small number, there were claims that success in a legal dispute depended on the person's standing with the order. In addition, the Illuminati were blamed for several anti-religious publications appearing in Bavaria. Much of this criticism sprang from vindictiveness and jealousy, but it is clear that many Illuminati court officials gave preferential treatment to their brethren. In Bavaria, the energy of their two members of the Ecclesiastical Council had one of them elected treasurer. Their opposition to Jesuits resulted in the banned order losing key academic and Church positions. In Ingolstadt, the Jesuit heads of departments were replaced by Illuminati.   Alarmed, Charles Theodore and his government banned all secret societies, including the Illuminati. A government mandate dated March 2, 1785, "seems to have been a deathblow to the Illuminati in Bavaria." Weishaupt had fled. Documents and internal correspondence, seized in 1786 and 1787, were then published by the government in 1787. In addition, von Zwack's home was searched, and much of the group's literature was disclosed.   So, that was exhausting and supposedly all about the "real Illuminati," right? But, according to the www.illuminatiofficial.org website, this may not be the case.   "Since the formation of the Illuminati, many citizens have inaccurately portrayed our organization in a negative manner. These misconceptions have been perpetuated for centuries through videos, photos, articles, books, and unofficial online resources claiming to understand our mission and members. In creating this online destination, we strive to alleviate the concerns voiced by the people of this planet and provide insight into our goals and operations."   "Their Purpose"   "Ensuring the survival of over 7 billion humans is a daunting task. Our duty to this planet has spanned across centuries and survived even the most established government entities. To continue functioning throughout societal and generational changes, The Illuminati's operations often require anonymity for both our members and our work. In 2013, the Illuminati authorized the formation of the Department Of Citizen Outreach. Through various initiatives and campaigns, including this website, the modern Illuminati has committed itself to furthering our relationship with our citizens.You may not find us praised in any history book or document. However, the Illuminati has helped with every major movement on this planet since the first human government was established. Our work is often marked by distinct symbols as a means of tracing our influence through history for those wishing to investigate. With gentle guidance from our organization, the human species is allowed to function in their natural order while playing the part of gears in a machine for the betterment of the world."   Also, according to their website, they discuss the symbols of their cult… I mean organization.    "THE PYRAMID   In popular culture, a great amount of focus is placed on the Illuminati's belief that money is not evil. Some view our encouragement of work and wealth as a promotion of selfishness – overlooking the true meaning of the Pyramid and its underlying messages that motivate our diligence. In the tenets of the Illuminati, wealth is not simply a means of personal enrichment. Instead, money is a tool that can be used to fulfill each person's duty to the advancement of the human species. The selfish pursuit of money is a hollow goal, but the pursuit of the goodness that money can create is one of humanity's greatest responsibilities. The more money a person owns, the more ability they have to positively change the lives of those who are in need. If you are poor and of good heart, and your friend's house is burned in a fire, you will remain a good person but have no ability to help them with what they need the most. If the same house burns but you are rich, you can give your friend a place to stay and a new home because you have more than enough for yourself and anyone around you who needs it. Money has no feeling, no voice, and no soul – its choice between good or evil is decided by those who use it. Though it is not wrong to be poor, the celebration of poverty is rooted in selfishness. A person who is poor can save a life, but a person who is rich can build a hospital and save ten thousand. The poor can do little to help the poor, but the rich can help as many as they are able. If a person is rich, they have the opportunity to do good, but if they are poor they are unable to help anyone but themselves. Those with little can still do much. Money is merely paper and numbers that are traded for a person's time and effort. Therefore if a person does not have money, they can instead use their time and efforts to further the advancement of humanity – positive actions that are of equal value to any charitable donations. The greater a person's fortune, the greater their responsibility to their fellow humans. Like the Pyramid, those with the greatest power can do the greatest good for the largest number of those below them."   "THE EYE We Are Always Watching Out For You   The human species is guarded and preserved by a coalition of its most elite members called the Illuminati. Since our origination, Illuminati members have guided Earth's most dominant creature through periods of interpersonal chaos, environmental outbreaks, and other mass attacks that threaten humanity with extinction. The human has made itself this planet's most dominant and advanced species. Even the weakest human is born master of the strongest of all other species on Earth. Through natural selection, every human generation is made of a genetic structure that is stronger and more advanced than the previous. Living humans evolve at a rapid pace, and can continue to advance in ability through study, practice, and a commitment to self-improvement. As a human absorbs knowledge and wisdom, some will experience their Awakening: a pivotal moment when their minds evolve to a level of understanding that is higher than the majority. They begin to see themselves as strings in a universal tapestry with a duty to uplift their fellow humans, and quickly understand the inner workings of wealth, power, and authority. Those who have experienced their Awakening often describe it as the moment their Eye was opened. The Illuminati is made of individuals who have reached this Awakening. Leaders, innovators, and other influential members of this planet have joined together to shape the face of human society and guide its masses into finding their own individual place in the Universal Design. To create a better world, unique beings with unique objectives and beliefs must forgo their differences and work together for the good of all. Progress requires cooperation. Humans must suppress their natural defensive selfishness and aid others who appear, believe, or act in ways that are different from themselves. Unfortunately, many humans are only concerned with their own wellbeing and thus cannot understand the positive intentions of a higher authority. Many would rather this planet remain in turmoil instead of following the directions that will lead them to happiness. Historically, the greatest enemies of human progression have been humans themselves. For this reason, those who have experienced their Awakening understand the need for it to remain secret – for their own safety and the ultimate good of a humanity that often does not know what is best for it. It is the Illuminati's responsibility to ensure the ongoing survival and advancement of the human species, so that all people, in all places, can live in Abundance."   "THE LIGHT Follow The Light   Every human is guided by an inner compass that points toward the Light, revealing truth and direction when facing decisions. Given many names by spiritual leaders and unexplainable by science, the Light is an invisible guide that many believe has led them to joy, success, and lives of Abundance. It communicates directly to every human, urging them to strive for goodness and forgo their natural selfishness. All human religions and spiritual beliefs ultimately seek the Light in ways differing only in form and function. Some religions refer to the Light with a name, such as God or Elohim. The core of every religion is founded on the human species' innate desire to understand this invisible force. Even without a formal religious affiliation, every human is naturally drawn to the Light. Individual members of the Illuminati adhere to every variety of personal spiritual beliefs –– but by recognizing that all of our paths lead to the same destination, we find that the Light brings all people into an ultimate unity. There is no proof that a God exists but there is also no proof that a God does not. The Illuminati's spiritual foundation is based upon this universal conundrum of faith and doubt. Our organization does not question whether a god does or does not exist but instead focuses on the betterment of the humans living on this planet. Though the human mind in its physical form is not capable of fully understanding the Light, conscious thought and intention reveal many of its inner workings and effects. By studying the wisdom of this planet's greatest minds, humans can discover ways to increase the Light's powerful influence in their lives. The Light, under many names, has been attributed to supernatural changes in the physical realm, including increases in wealth, power, prestige, health, and happiness. Miracles, attraction, and the belief in unseen powers that can alter the physical world have some basis in truth. Though scientific advancements have explored both this planet's environment and the inner workings of the human mind, there are still countless mysteries that remain unsolved. Thus many occurrences that are attributed to the supernatural are merely the result of the human mind processing a concept it cannot explain naturally. Some humans attempt to form a deeper connection with the Light through rituals that have been passed down for centuries. Though these ceremonies often involve complicated steps and requirements, their true effect is not found in their directions or decorations but rather in the state of mind that results within its participants. Many of the Illuminati's traditions include rituals and oaths designed to explain higher concepts, and use the power of focused repetition to strengthen the ability of the human consciousness. The Illuminati prohibits rituals that include human or animal sacrifice. Learn More. A desire to understand the Light is an integral part of the path to illumination. By rising through the levels of illumination, Illuminati members discover more about their world and the true power that hides within their minds. Whatever you seek, whatever you dream, whatever you hope: all is possible if you follow the Light."   "THE ETERNAL CIRCLE Every human is one part of a larger, eternal design – individual gears in a clock that has no end.   Your actions have the power to alter the future of the entire world. Though you may not fully understand your purpose, your part is just as important as the greatest kings and queens of this planet. Some feel as though their temporary lack of wealth or influence makes them powerless to create change. But does a clockmaker favor the larger gears over the smaller? Does the hour hand become jealous of the minutes because it turns slower? Every part has a role in the functioning of a timepiece. Every part supports those around it in ways it may never see. Your absence would undo the order of our universe, even if you do not realize your importance. The world began before you and will continue after you, but it will be different because of the decisions you made. Every generation inherits the world left by the one before it, just as a king inherits the crown of his father. Your pursuit of wisdom and goodness could lay the foundation for your great-great-grandchild's rise into power – the same descendant who might steer a country from war and save lives by the millions. Did the ancestors of Aristotle or Alexander The Great know who their actions would create? Though you will never understand the full influence of your actions, the results of your dedication to humanity are still yours to claim. As you climb the great Pyramid seeking the Light at its top, you will look down and see that you are an integral part of our universe's most intricate mechanism. Though our human members may perish and fade into the annals of time, the Illuminati will continue to stand into eternity."   Why a secret society? "Freedom is an idol of the human species. The Illuminati operates in defense of you and all humans, in all places, and of all generations. Our duty to this planet has spanned across centuries and survived even the most established government entities. But the cultivation of trillions of human lives is a daunting responsibility, and while the human would not exist today without our protection, many uninformed masses mistake our guidance for a restriction of liberty. Every human desires to be free of oppression, free of hardship, free of poverty, free of hunger, free of rules and laws — but as you understand, the nature of your species leaves true freedom impossible. Are you free to murder? Are you free to steal? Are others free to murder and steal from you? Or are there certain freedoms that must be given up for the benefit of all? For happiness, the human desires freedom; for prosperity, the human requires leadership. This is the reason behind our anonymity. To continue functioning throughout societal changes and generational differences, the Illuminati must remain behind the curtain — an outsider, belonging to none and loyal to all. You may never understand how your life can be free while guided by our organization. You may never fully comprehend our purpose and why you are safest and happiest with us. Simply open your mind and release your apprehensions, and you will find the relief of truth. We will never take your hand and pull you down the path like a slave to our whims. You must find and travel the road on your own. But your quality of life is our greatest concern, and the reason our symbols are placed in your society as a map for you to follow if you desire."   What about the modern-day "Illuminati" or "New World Order?"   According to an article from theweek.co.uk, In a 2017 interview with the BBC, David Bramwell, "a man who has dedicated himself to documenting the origins of the myth," said the modern-day Illuminati legend was influenced not by Weishaupt but rather by LSD, the 1960s counter-culture, and specifically a text called Principia Discordia. The book praised an alternative belief system – Discordianism – which preached a form of anarchism and gave birth to the Discordian movement, which ultimately wished to cause civil disobedience through practical jokes and hoaxes. One of the leading proponents of this new ideology was a writer called Robert Anton Wilson, who wanted to bring chaos back into society by "disseminating misinformation through all portals – through counter-culture, through the mainstream media," claims Bramwell. He did this by sending fake letters to the men's magazine Playboy, where he worked, attributing cover-ups and conspiracy theories, such as the JFK assassination, to a secret elite organization called the Illuminati. Wilson turned these theories into a book, The Illuminatus Trilogy, which became a surprise cult success and was even made into a stage play in Liverpool, launching the careers of British actors Bill Nighy and Jim Broadbent. What is the New World Order? The idea of a powerful modern Illuminati conspiring to rule the world remained a niche belief a handful of enthusiasts upheld until the 1990s.   The internet changed all that, giving conspiracy theorists a global platform to perpetuate their beliefs and present their evidence to a massive audience. Theories about how the New World Order operates run from relatively straightforward ideas to the outright bizarre. Conspiracy theorists obsessively analyze public events for "evidence" of Illuminati influence. The symbols most associated with the Illuminati include triangles, pentagrams, goats, the all-seeing eye – such as the one that appears on U.S. banknotes - and the number 666. This has led to claims some of the American Founding Fathers were members, with Thomas Jefferson accused in the aftermath of the War of Independence. Another commonly cited Illuminati symbol, which appears on U.S. currency, is the so-called Eye of Providence, which is said to represent the omniscience of God watching over humanity. According to a 2013 survey by Public Policy Polling, 28% of U.S. voters believe that a secretive power elite with a globalist agenda is conspiring to eventually rule the world through an authoritarian global government. In addition, it found that 34% of Republicans and 35% of independents believe in the New World Order threat compared to just 15% of Democrats. Who is supposedly a member? As well as being king and queen of the charts, Beyonce and Jay-Z are frequently depicted as lords of the New World Order. Beyonce's immense fame and popularity have long made her a favorite target for conspiracy theorists. Illuminati "experts" seized upon her half-time performance at the 2013 Super Bowl as an example of her "devil-worshipping" choreography, even accusing her on-stage alter ego Sasha Fierce of being a "demonic entity." However, some musicians enjoy deliberately playing with symbols connected to secret societies. For instance, Rihanna frequently incorporates Illuminati images into her music videos and even joked about the theories in the video for S&M, which featured a fake newspaper with a headline declaring her "Princess of the Illuminati." Jay Z has also been accused of hiding secret symbols such as goat imagery and devil horns in his music videos. But, most damningly, the logo for his music label, Roc-A-Fella Records, is a pyramid – one of the most well-known Illuminati logos. Rob Brotherton, a professor at Barnard College and author of Suspicious Minds: Why We Believe in Conspiracy Theories, explains that real-life government conspiracies targeting black people in America, such as FBI infiltration of the Civil Rights movement in the 1950s and 60s, planted the seeds for Illuminati theory's popularity among hip-hop artists and fans.   Speaking to Complex, he said: "Hip-hop served as this [soapbox] for people to talk about issues that were relevant to them, things like discrimination, poverty, the criminal justice system, which are often seemingly slanted against African-Americans". "It's a short leap to go from noticing some kind of injustice to thinking about whether there's something behind it. Hip-hop was just a good candidate to revive this myth," he says. What do celebrities have to say about the theories? Katy Perry told Rolling Stone in 2014 that the theory was the preserve of "weird people on the internet" but admitted she was flattered to be named among the supposed members: "I guess you've kind of made it when they think you're in the Illuminati!" However, she added she was tolerant of people who wanted to believe in the theory because: "I believe in aliens." On the other hand, Madonna might just be a believer – all the more interesting given that she has frequently been accused of being a member herself. Speaking to Rolling Stone, she hinted that she had secret knowledge of the group. The claim is not so shocking given that she released a single titled 'Illuminati.' She said: "People often accuse me of being a member of the Illuminati, but the thing is, I know who the real Illuminati are." In 2016, Beyonce thrilled her fans by unexpectedly releasing a new single, Formation, in February ­– but conspiracy theorists were excited for another reason. The very first line of the track acknowledged the rumors: "Y'all haters corny with that Illuminati mess." When Prince died suddenly of an accidental overdose in April of the same year, a small but vocal corner of the internet accused the Illuminati of killing the singer-songwriter, who was famous for fiercely protecting his copyrights and artistic freedom from industry interference. "The Illuminati talk won't stop coming and what doesn't help is that Prince himself seems to have been genuinely convinced that the organisation existed," reports one gossip website. In 2009, the singer appeared on T.V. to warn of influential mystery figures controlling the world through "chemtrails" – chemicals pumped into the air via jet planes to manipulate human behavior.   Some other conspiracies are . The Illuminati killed Paul Walker. After starring in 7 films in the Fast and Furious franchise, Paul Walker fans were shocked by his ironic death in 2013. He was the passenger in a Porsche that careened out of control and crashed into a pole — or so the media said. But if you ask conspiracy theorists, the Illuminati is actually to blame. According to the YouTuber known as Shane, the Illuminati murdered Walker after he threatened to expose the group. The story goes that Walker was involved in charity work when he came across a bunch of wrongdoings like embezzlement behind the scenes that he wanted to go public with. But, of course, the Illuminati couldn't let that happen and took him out via drone strike.   The Illuminati killed JFK. History buffs know JFK died after being shot twice by Lee Harvey Oswald, but many people aren't convinced. According to TIME, 70% of Americans believe the assassination is part of something way bigger… So did the Illuminati have something to do with it? According to The Conspiracy Zone, the answer is ABSO FUCKIN LUTELY. Their evidence is fascinating: JFK was shot in a triangle. ‘John Kennedy' has 11 letters in it. The assassination date (11/22/63) includes multiples of 11. His limo was traveling 11 miles an hour… the list goes on.  Why would the Illuminati want JFK dead? Apparently, JFK planned on bringing U.S. troops home from Vietnam and wanted to end the Federal Reserve to end the national debt, which would take away the Illuminati's control over the country. He was killed just days after replacing Federal Reserve Notes. Conspiracy theorists have pointed to audio from the day of his assassination that proves there was more than one shooter, as well as a bullet trajectory that doesn't match that of Oswald's position.   Kesha's song ‘Die Young' is an Illuminati anthem.   Theorists say Kesha's music also addresses the secret society, whose symbols abound in her early music videos. Take, for example, the video for ‘Die Young:  The Illuminati symbolism is so blatant that even Billboard called it out, referencing the numerous triangles, an upside-down cross, and all-seeing one eye. The video even begins with a flashing skull and crossbones. According to conspiracy theorist The Vigilant Citizen, “Illuminati symbols are becoming more prevalent because that was the plan all along: To gradually make them part of popular culture.” Oh boy.   Lady Gaga is an “Illuminati puppet.” Lady Gaga is another pop star rumored to be part of the Illuminati. Again, theorists call out the overt symbolism in her videos and persona, calling it a “tribute to mind control.” They say her stage name ‘Gaga' refers to being totally absent-minded, which can be achieved through mind control. Furthermore, in her early days, many of her videos were rife with triangles and all-seeing eye symbolism. However, some say her newest project proves that she's broken free from the Illuminati. After a little hiatus, she boasts a more subdued, realistic image and more meaningful, artistic music. So, then, why didn't they just kill her? In an appearance at Harvard, Gaga talked about how unhappy she was in the entertainment industry. She calls herself a ‘Stefanie/Gaga hybrid,' which Illuminati theorists saw as proof that she became an alternate, demonic personality under Illuminati control. She also says she disliked “being used to make people money,” another potential dig as being an “Illuminati puppet.”   Donald Trump is an Illuminati mind controller.   If all of these stars are under Illuminati mind control, who's doing the controlling? Aside from alleged Illuminati king Jay-Z, Donald Trump's hand signals reveal his status as a top Illuminati member. While using your hands when you talk is normal, conspiracy theorists say Trump's rather odd gestures are secret messages. The classic “a-ok” symbol apparently means the devil's number ‘666.' However, he also frequently makes the triangle symbol with his hands when he's at ease — which could be the same Illuminati gesture Jay-Z always makes or a reference to the vagina.    The Kanye West/Kim Kardashian/Taylor Swift feud was fabricated by the Illuminati. Apparently, when West humiliated Swift on stage at the 2009 VMAs, he welcomed her to the Illuminati.   As we know, they've managed to keep the feud in the media for years. While most people have begun to agree that anything these people do is just for publicity, according to The Vigilant Citizen, it's actually an Illuminati “psychological operation” aimed at kids “to precondition them to start believing in fabricated events.”   OK, lastly, let's talk about the lizard Illuminati. David Icke, the nut job conspiracy theorist, is the leading proponent of this theory.  This should explain it from an article on Time.com,    They are among us. Blood-drinking, flesh-eating, shape-shifting extraterrestrial reptilian humanoids with only one objective in their cold-blooded little heads: to enslave the human race. They are our leaders, corporate executives, beloved Oscar-winning actors, and Grammy-winning singers. They're responsible for the Holocaust, the Oklahoma City bombings, and the 9/11 attacks ... at least according to former BBC sports reporter David Icke, who became the poster human for the theory in 1998 after publishing his first book, The Biggest Secret, which contained interviews with two Brits who claimed members of the royal family are nothing more than reptiles with crowns. (Picture Dracula meets Swamp Thing).  The conspiracy theorist and New Age philosopher, who wore only turquoise for a time and insisted on being called Son of God-Head, says these "Annunaki" (the reptiles) have controlled humankind since ancient times; they count among their number Queen Elizabeth, George W. Bush, Henry Kissinger, Bill and Hillary Clinton and Bob Hope. Encroaching other conspiracy theorists' territory, Icke even claims that the lizards are behind secret societies like the Freemasons and the Illuminati. Since earning the dubious title of "paranoid of the decade" in the late 1990s, Icke has written several books on the topic, including his latest work, The David Icke Guide to the Global Conspiracy, while operating his own website — complete with merchandise and advertisements. The Top Ten Illuminati Movies https://www.imdb.com/search/keyword/?keywords=illuminati&sort=moviemeter,asc&mode=detail&page=1

Comedian, writer & actor Caleb Hearon joins Fran & Rose to talk about his favorite murderer John Wayne Gacy and other fictional and real gay killers This opens the door to tangents about everything from Garth Brooks' Sasha Fierce-esque alter ego to Lorena Bobbitt's ex-husband's porno to The Silence of the Lambs Caleb actually would rather have talked about Julia Roberts This podcast is hosted by a gay murderer You DMed us the tea on All-Stars' glaring constructive criticism void This week, Rose watched Down with Love & Fran watched the 1996 101 Dalmatians The Kate Bushaissance tag our finsta @likeavirgin42069See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.