Advertise on podcast: Empire Secrets of Digital Marketing with Mariana Henninger

Text me! The other day, a friend of mine urged me to listen to a podcast episode from Nathan Barry (founder of Kit) and Tim Grahl, the CEO of Story Grid. My jaw dropped when I heard him say that, in order to fix his business, he did 600 ICA calls. This massive commitment didn’t just “improve his messaging”… it changed the entire trajectory of his business (and life?).  And hearing that lit a massive fire under me, because it mirrors a shift I’ve been making behind the scenes anyway: radical authenticity. And the cornerstone of this shift has been a hard rule: AI is my now my partner, but does not own my voice. In this Empire Diaries episode, I’m sharing what I’m doing differently in 2026 to shorten the trust timeline – and why I’m done letting anything AI slowly chip away at my muscles and the edge of my REAL ideas. What you’ll hear in this episode: 📌 Why “radical authenticity” is all about conviction (and what that means) 📌 The messaging unlock that happens when you start talking YOUR REAL HUMANS again 📌 And the new layer I’m building into my offer (trust needs traffic). Link mentioned in this episode:  Join my free LIVE training exclusively for coaches who operate with their heart and are impact-driven -- and who are tired of playing the content game, but equally tired of not being seen ➡  brandmagnetic.com/theshift If we haven't yet - let's connect on Instagram! Find me at http://instagram.com/brandmagnetic

Text me! We often misunderstand the role of Virtual Assistants (VAs). Today I chat with self-proclaimed “jill-of-all-trades when it comes to digital marketing and techie skills” Emily Reagan about everything from defining the difference between a general assistant and a specialized marketing VA, all the way to the importance of real-time feedback loops during launches.  We also cover: 📌 Clarifying roles and responsibilities 📌 Specialization over generalization 📌 Onboarding and SOPs 📌 Hiring for the long term, not just the launch 📌 Investing in skilled (vs. low cost) help 📌 Capturing real-time feedback during launches 📌 Post-launch debriefs Emily shares practical advice on avoiding common pitfalls when working with VAs, from setting clear expectations to how to actually build a well-rounded team. She’s the master of all things “finding your unicorn VA” – and my go-to for how to maximize your VA’s potential to boost your business! Links mentioned: 👉 Emily on Instagram: @emilyreaganpr 👉 Hire A Unicorn: https://hireaunicorn.com Grab my Ultimate Cheat Sheet For A Brand Story That Converts: https://brandmagnetic.com/cheatsheet If we haven't yet - let's connect on Instagram! Find me at http://instagram.com/brandmagnetic

Text me! Yesterday I was meal-prepping (new year, new me) with my therapist friend Farya Barlas’ podcast in my ear – and her prompt struck me so hard I had to pause mid-stir: What are the 3 things people always say about you? I kept circling back to “strength”… and then I realized something uncomfortable — I’ve always been tough, but in business I was still operating like it was “just my little thing”… because I didn’t know what I didn’t know. So in this Empire Diaries episode, I’m sharing the real shift I’m making in 2026 — the one that finally feels like the slingshot is pulled back and I’m ready to release: tighter messaging, way more conversations with my people, ruthless ownership of my time, and a bigger focus on paid growth so my sales don’t move at an organic crawl. In this episode, you’ll hear: The past “strength” stories — from sleeping in hostels + rough shoots to the identity shift happening nowWhy I’m actively choosing to use AI less for my content — and what I’m reclaiming insteadThe obsession I’m leaning into: talking to real humans (ICA calls) and letting that shape everythingThe machine I’m building in 2026 — Trust Shift trainings, ads, and a faster path to scaleLinks mentioned: Sign up for The Trust Shift: http://brandmagnetic.com/theshiftSay hi on Instagram: @brandmagneticGrab my Ultimate Cheat Sheet For A Brand Story That Converts: https://brandmagnetic.com/cheatsheet If we haven't yet - let's connect on Instagram! Find me at http://instagram.com/brandmagnetic

Text me! Lauren Shaw was on top of the world, taking an amazing trip in Patagonia... And then she got home, sat down at her computer… and just absolutely couldn’t get herself to do any work. She knew exactly what needed to be done. But something about the WAY she was selling (and her current program) no longer fit her life today. In this episode, Lauren and I talk about what happens when your business is technically “working,” but your energy is whispering (or SCREAMING at you), telling you it’s time for a rebuild.  We unpack how to recognize those signals early — and how to reimagine sales in a way that feels supportive, human, and sustainable, especially in a world where AI is now part of the equation. In this conversation, we cover: 📌 The moment Lauren realized her resistance wasn’t random – it was a signal 📌 How to tell the difference between discipline and misalignment And then we pivot to talk about SALES. 📌 Where AI can support sales (and where it can erode trust fast) 📌 Why forcing yourself to sell harder is usually the wrong move 📌 What it looks like to rebuild a sales process around energy, clarity, and trust If selling has started to feel heavier than it used to — or you’ve found yourself avoiding work you used to enjoy — this conversation will help you understand why… and what to do next!! Links Mentioned 👉 Join Lauren’s workshop (or watch the replay) – the 2026 Sales Call makeover: http://brandmagnetic.com/salescallmakeover Get $200 off Lauren’s sales accelerator program using code MARIANA200  👉 Grab my Ultimate Cheat Sheet for a Brand Story That Converts https://brandmagnetic.com/cheatsheet If we haven't yet - let's connect on Instagram! Find me at http://instagram.com/brandmagnetic

Text me! At the start of this year, I wanted to do something different. I decided to not think about resolutions. I really felt like I was being called to think about WHO I need to become. In this Empire Diaries episode, I’m sharing what’s actually guiding my decisions in 2026. Not a long list of goals, like basically every other year of my life and business. But an actual identity shift that’s changing how I manage my time, my energy, and Brandmagnetic. This episode was inspired by something unexpected: watching an interview with Mel Robbins and learning how many iterations her life and career went through before things really clicked. It was the reminder I needed. Success is never linear! Becoming the right person matters more than getting everything “right” the first time. I’m also taking you behind the scenes of how I’m thinking about this whole year. In this episode, I share: 📌 Why “seven-figure founder” is the identity — not just a revenue goal 📌 The shift from setting goals to becoming the person who naturally achieves them 📌 How managing my time (down to the hour and sometimes the 15-minute block) has completely changed my peace of mind 📌 The tools and habits I’m using to stay focused during a big pivot to an evergreen model 📌 My word of the year — “Multiply” — and what that actually means in daily business decisions 📌 A powerful year-in-review exercise that helped me see patterns, clarity, and momentum I would’ve missed otherwise If you’re entering the new year feeling clear but serious… excited but intentional, this episode will meet you right there. Links Mentioned in This Episode: 👉 The Year-In-Review exercise I mention. So worth it! (Free, no opt in needed)I absolutely love this exercise. https://www.kvaleadership.com/year-in-review 👉 Grab my FREE Ultimate Cheat Sheet for a Brand Story That Converts https://brandmagnetic.com/cheatsheet 👉 Get lifetime access to the Instant YES Machine™ https://brandmagnetic.com/yesmachine If we haven't yet - let's connect on Instagram! Find me at http://instagram.com/brandmagnetic

Text me! A few days ago, I was floating in turquoise water in the Bahamas — completely alone, no noise, no phone — and I said a prayer I’ve said many times before: “God, you’re the CEO of my business. Show me the path.” And one word came through so clearly it stopped me in my tracks. Multiply. Not hustle. Not grind. Not even grit — though I love that word deeply. Multiply. In this Empire Diaries episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of the moment that shifted how I’m thinking about 2026 — from my word of the year, to the simple engine I’m building right now, to the 30-day focus that’s designed to turn clarity into revenue. This isn’t a “set goals and hope” episode.  It’s a this is what I’m actually doing episode. Inside this episode: 📌 The mastermind conversation that sparked my original word of the year — and why it ultimately wasn’t quite right  📌 The beach moment that changed everything (and why “multiply” landed so hard)  📌 The two pillars I’m committing to until I hit consistent seven figures  📌 My exact 30-day focus — what I’m building, what I’m strengthening, and what I’m ignoring  📌 The simple funnel I’m finally locking in (ads → Instant YES Machine → webinar → Brand Video Accelerator)  📌 Why clarity — not complexity — is what’s making this season feel exciting instead of overwhelming If you’re craving momentum, consistency, and a business that compounds instead of exhausts you — this episode will feel like a deep exhale. Links Mentioned 👉 Grab my Ultimate Cheat Sheet for a Brand Story That Converts https://brandmagnetic.com/cheatsheet 👉 Get lifetime access to the Instant YES Machine https://brandmagnetic.com/yesmachine If we haven't yet - let's connect on Instagram! Find me at http://instagram.com/brandmagnetic

Text me! If you’ve ever stared at your own sales page and thought, “Something here feels… off,” you’re going to love this one. In this conversation with sales page specialist Samantha Burmeister, I share the story of touring a house I genuinely liked… right up until the realtor casually repeated one tiny reason other buyers had passed. In an instant, I couldn’t unsee it — and Sam explains how our copy can do the exact same thing to dream clients when we overload the page with the wrong details or way too much pain. We get into: 📌 The two biggest sales page mistakes Sam sees all the time: overcrowded “above the fold” sections and pages that marinate people in pain instead of possibility. 📌 How to structure your hero section using Sam’s simple “why / what / how” model so people know exactly what this is and how to take the next step. 📌 Why aligning with your buyer’s potential (not their problems) changes who you attract — and helps you stop calling in the Eeyores of your niche.  📌 A cleaner way to decide what actually belongs on your sales page (and what can go), based on what your best clients really needed to know to say yes.  📌 Simple tracking + one-question surveys you can use to see what’s working, grab real buyer language, and keep improving your copy over time.  Connect with Sam and her work: Website: nomadcopyagency.com And if you want help telling your own story in a way that builds instant trust and emotional connection, grab my Ultimate Cheat Sheet for a Brand Story That Converts: https://brandmagnetic.com/cheatsheet If we haven't yet - let's connect on Instagram! Find me at http://instagram.com/brandmagnetic

Text me! You know that moment when you finally hire someone… and suddenly your business feels real? Kirsten Graham has watched that happen over and over again. One of her clients told her, “Now that I have a marketing VA 20 hours a week, I feel like a real business owner.” That’s the shift this whole episode is about — moving from “I should be able to do everything myself” to “I’m building something bigger than me, on purpose.” Kirsten has been a business owner for 30+ years (real estate, mortgages, gyms, and now a VA + coaching company), and she’s seen the same pattern with every overwhelmed entrepreneur: we sit in Canva, tweak posts, and call it “working” because it feels safe. In this conversation, she breaks down how to step out of busywork, hire the right kind of virtual assistant, and build a team that actually supports your revenue and your sanity. In this episode, we get into: Why burnout is optional, and why our culture makes it feel required.The three types of VAs her company focuses on (bookkeeping, software/tech, and marketing) and how to know which one you need first.“No unicorns allowed” — why your bookkeeper should not be your content creator, and how to write a clear job description instead.How to hire slowly, fire quickly, and run interviews with “elimination first, hiring second” in mind.The confidence and creativity that unlock when you finally stop trying to do everything yourself.If you’ve been stuck in that loop of “I know I need help, but I don’t even know where to start,” this episode will make delegating feel less scary — and a lot more strategic. Links mentioned: Connect with Kirsten: https://sixfigurebusinesscoaching.comFree resource — Double Your Income with a Marketing VA: https://outsourcingforbosses.comIf you haven’t yet, grab my magical Instant YES Machine™ and take your copy from forgettable to ! https://brandmagnetic.com/yesmachine If we haven't yet - let's connect on Instagram! Find me at http://instagram.com/brandmagnetic

Text me! This is a tiny Thanksgiving love note from my almost-gone voice — because I couldn’t not pop in today and tell you how wildly grateful I am that you’re here, listening, building, still caring this much about your work. I share why I’m choosing to believe that “2026 is already my favorite year ever” even while everyone’s talking about how hard it is to sell right now… and why I’m doubling down on Brand Videos as the bridge between skeptical buyers and real trust. If you’ve been circling my world and wondering when to jump in, this is your personal invitation. In this minisode, I talk about: What I’m most grateful for as I build Brandmagnetic and the kind of humans I’m calling into this communityWhy I only want to work with heart-led, mission-driven entrepreneurs who care deeply about the people they serveHow a single Brand Video can meet your future clients at a soul level — before you ever get on a call with themWhat’s inside Brand Video Accelerator 2.0 (six months of support, my AI ‘dream team’ of bots, coaching, and community) and why the Black Friday 24-hour window is the most affordable way to work with meIf you want to join us inside Brand Video Accelerator 2.0 during Black Friday, you can find all the details here: brandmagnetic.com/BlackFriday Have any questions about the Accelerator? DM me a note: https://instagram.com/brandmagnetic This is the absolute best deal ever for the Accelerator — founding members only. Doors close in 24hs! http://brandmagnetic.com/blackfriday If we haven't yet - let's connect on Instagram! Find me at http://instagram.com/brandmagnetic

Text me! I sat down with my notebook convinced I had to build a big, complicated Black Friday funnel — bonuses, bundles, deadlines, layers… the whole thing. But instead I did something uncharacteristic for Black Friday week: I stopped. I stepped back. And I asked myself the question: “What would feel both mindblowingly generous AND completely aligned?” In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes my Black Friday Deals Week that kicks off on Monday and the unexpectedly easy decision that shaped the whole thing. Inside this episode: The real story behind this year’s BIGGEST offer – and if you’ve been circling my world for a while, you do NOT want to miss this!! 👉 Join NOW: the inner circle waitlist for the biggest sales event of the YEAR!!  https://brandmagnetic.com/blackfridaywaitlist If we haven't yet - let's connect on Instagram! Find me at http://instagram.com/brandmagnetic

Text me! When Allie Bjerk got started, she didn’t wait for the “perfect” offer. She shipped a tiny one — fast. A simple low-ticket product, a clean page, and a clear promise. By breakfast, strangers had bought. By the weekend, she had proof: the idea worked. In this conversation, Allie breaks down how that one small move reshaped everything — from validating ideas in days, to building a buyer journey that turns low-ticket yeses into sustainable scale. We talk timing, trust, and why you don’t need a massive launch to build real momentum — you need an easy first step that actually helps. Inside this episode:  📌 Why a tiny offer is a test — not your final business model.  📌 Self-liquidating ads 101 — how low-ticket covers acquisition while you learn.  📌 Turning one “yes” into many — mapping the next step without being pushy.   Links mentioned 👉 Grab my Instant YES Machine™️so what you say can take strangers from “meh” to “heck yes!”: https://brandmagnetic.com/yesmachine 👉 Learn more about Allie and her work at: https://alliebjerk.com 👉 Follow Allie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliebjerk If we haven't yet - let's connect on Instagram! Find me at http://instagram.com/brandmagnetic

Text me! This week felt like a LEVEL UP week inside the business. I finally got my first Brandmagnetic hoodie — and it instantly shifted something energetically. Like… THIS is happening. This is real. This brand is becoming a world. Then — my first real ads campaign? 7.2 ROAS. 🤯 (And yes… total chaos with tracking… but still. Big moment.) Inside this episode I’m sharing what I’m building for Black Friday, what I’m dialing in for my evergreen machine, and why I’m officially stepping into “content creator energy” instead of hiding behind backend setup. This is the fun part — the part where momentum compounds, identity locks in, and tiny decisions create massive ripple effects. In this solo, I’m walking you through exactly how I’m building my evergreen funnel to flow straight into Black Friday in a Box — the simple choices that reduce friction, the assets I’m stacking (and the ones I’m cutting), and the trust-first tweaks that speed everything up. What’s inside: 📌 The 3 places I tightened the buyer journey so “yes” is easier. 📌 How I’m prepping Black Friday week without turning my life into a launch. 📌 The guardrails I’m using to keep focus high and decision fatigue low. 📌 Where the Instant YES Machine plugs in to lift conversions fast. If you’ve been second-guessing your funnel or dreading Black Friday, this is your calmer way through — practical, doable, and aligned with how you actually want to run your business. 👉 Join Black Friday in a Box: http://brandmagnetic.com/bfiab 👉 Try the Instant YES Machine (and be blown away!): https://brandmagnetic.com/yesmachine 👉 Grab my Ultimate Cheat Sheet For A Brand Story That Converts: https://brandmagnetic.com/cheatsheet If we haven't yet - let's connect on Instagram! Find me at http://instagram.com/brandmagnetic

Text me! Last year, Kelsey Silver watched a client make six figures in a single weekend — and not because she slashed prices. The secret? She treated Black Friday like a strategy, not a scramble. In this conversation, Kelsey breaks down how to approach Black Friday week with intention — from crafting magnetic offers to understanding what your audience actually wants to buy — and how to make it feel aligned instead of exhausting. We talk about what’s working right now, the biggest mistakes she sees course creators and coaches make every November, and why “doing less” often creates the biggest results. Inside this episode: 📌 The difference between a discount and a strategic offer (and why one builds long-term buyers). 📌 How to repackage existing assets for fresh excitement during Black Friday week. 📌 Why clarity beats urgency when selling in a noisy market. 📌 Real stories of what worked — and what completely flopped — in past Black Friday campaigns. If you’re already feeling the pressure to plan, this conversation will calm your nerves and give you a clear roadmap for turning Black Friday into your most profitable — and peaceful — sales week yet. Links mentioned 👉 Grab my Ultimate Cheat Sheet For A Brand Story That Converts: https://brandmagnetic.com/cheatsheet 👉 Explore Kelsey’s favorite analytics tools: foresighthq.app 👉 Learn more about Kelsey’s Metrics System: kelseysilver.com/metrics If we haven't yet - let's connect on Instagram! Find me at http://instagram.com/brandmagnetic

Text me! Last week, I caught myself doing *that* again — endlessly tweaking slides, rewriting emails, and convincing myself the funnel needed one more layer before it could work. But then I stopped. In this Empire Diaries, I’m breaking down exactly what I’m focusing on behind the scenes: the pieces of my new evergreen funnel (and pushing things out before they’re perfect), how I’m setting up my Black Friday Deals Week I’m SO excited about, and the mental reset that got me out of the “what if it’s not ready” loop.  📌 The difference between launch mode and the evergreen mindset — and why both matter for growth.  📌 How I’m structuring my new funnel to work alongside my upcoming Black Friday Deals Week.  📌 The BTS of building my newest AI tool that I’m obsessed with (!) – the Instant YES Machine™.   📌 A simple filter that helps me stay in flow when the pressure kicks in. Whether you’re mapping out your own Black Friday or have plans for an evergreen funnel, here’s your behind-the-scenes look at what I’m doing to build everything!  👉 Grab Black Friday in a Box here: brandmagnetic.com/bfiab  👉 I can’t wait for you to check out the Instant YES Machine™!!  brandmagnetic.com/yesmachine If we haven't yet - let's connect on Instagram! Find me at http://instagram.com/brandmagnetic

Text me! There is so much beige garbage in the online space, and it’s so easy to just produce content that gets lots in that sea of sameness. But years ago, Lucy tossed a simple offer into a Facebook group: “Want help telling your story?” One founder took a chance. Lucy wrote it fast, in her voice, not the internet’s — and the reply landed: “I’ve had people write my story… no one’s ever captured it like this.” That single line became market validation - and the start of Unicorn Messaging: copy that doesn’t try to be everyone, “just unmistakably you”. Lucy is a force when it comes to copywriting that really captures your attention… and honestly just a really great gal! Today, Lucy and I get into the brave middle between beige and try-hard — how to show personality (even to affluent buyers) without turning your brand into a circus, and why speed can be a legitimate differentiator when your clients don’t have eight weeks to wait. What’s inside: 📌 The “dinner-party test” for tone - the easiest way to keep copy bold but believable. 📌 Stop overcomplicating your differentiator - why style + specificity can be enough. 📌 Calibrating wit for premium audiences - playful, not performative. 📌 Using speed as a selling point - how to ship quality copy… fast. If you’ve been watering down your voice to sound “professional,” this one’s your permission slip to sound like the most trusted version of you — and to let that be the thing people that entices people to buy from YOU versus someone else!! 👉 Grab my new Instant YES Machine™️>> https://brandmagnetic.com/yesmachine 👉 Take Lucy’s Superpower Quiz at mywritehandwoman.com  — and find out what makes your messaging truly YOU. If we haven't yet - let's connect on Instagram! Find me at http://instagram.com/brandmagnetic