The "Screw the Clout" podcast, hosted by the dynamic and fearless Steve Stanulis, is a high-energy journey through the realms of entertainment and music industries. In this podcast, you'll find the extraordinary stories and insights of individuals who've dared to break the mold, defy convention, and embrace life without fear. With a captivating lineup of guests from various walks of life, including renowned figures in the entertainment and music industries, influencers, and anyone who has succeeded in their industries "Screw the Clout" offers listeners a glimpse into the lives of risk-takers, rule-breakers, and those who've carved their unique paths to success. Expect 45 minutes filled with entertaining anecdotes, moments of truth, and the kind of fun that's bound to leave you inspired and motivated to take chances in your own life.
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Check latest episodes from Screw The Clout podcast
Maria Jade Reveals the Reality of the Adult Entertainment Industry | Screw The Clout
2026/10/23
Guest
Maria Jade — Adult Entertainment Performer
Host
Steve Stanulis
Podcast
Screw The Clout
Episode Overview
Maria Jade joins Steve Stanulis for a candid discussion about her experience in adult entertainment, her identity as a performer, and the realities of working in an industry often misunderstood by the public.
Key Discussion Points
Maria Jade's identity: How she describes herself as a nonconformist and why individuality matters to her.
Authenticity versus performance: The difference between someone's real personality and the character or role they portray on camera.
Entering the industry: Maria reflects on her career journey and the decisions that led her into adult entertainment.
Improvisation and creativity: How performers use spontaneity, personality, and creativity in their work.
Understanding audience preferences: A discussion about audience interests and the psychology behind recurring viewing habits.
The person behind the persona: How a professional identity can differ from someone's private life.
Mindset and self-awareness: Maria's perspective on being present, understanding yourself, and approaching work with confidence.
Motherhood and career: Maria discusses aspects of her life as a mother alongside her professional experiences.
The business of adult entertainment: Building a career, developing professional opportunities, and creating additional income through education and guidance.
Advice for newcomers: Maria shares how people interested in entering the industry can learn more through her one-on-one educational courses.
Closing Takeaway
Maria's story offers a personal look at adult entertainment beyond the finished product, exploring the balance between performance, individuality, business, and personal identity.
Suggested Audience
Listeners interested in entertainment, creator businesses, unconventional careers, personal branding, and candid conversations about industries that are often misunderstood.
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How Ethan Steele Built a Massive Following Through Comedy | The Reality of Being an Influencer
2026/10/09
Host: Steve Stanulis · Guest: Ethan Steele · Podcast: Screw The Clout
Topics Covered
Ethan Steele's background in competitive judo and his ambition to join the police.
How a friend inspired him to start making comedy content.
His first viral video and the excitement of reaching millions of viewers.
Building a following through repeatable comedy and POV videos.
The reality of being recognized by strangers and connecting with fans.
His first brand deal and how he got into influencer management.
Why he turned down certain opportunities instead of chasing quick money.
How much he has earned from a single sponsored post.
Advice for creators starting with zero followers.
Why consistency and originality matter more than waiting for the perfect moment.
The pressure of monitoring views and comparing video performance.
How social media can affect confidence and mood.
Brand partnerships, sponsorship decisions, and staying authentic.
Ethan's views on cancellation, online relevance, and the reality of influencer lifestyles.
His plans to expand into long-form YouTube content.
Why staying approachable and responding to followers matters.
Episode Timestamps
Timestamps are approximate and based on the supplied transcript.
Timestamp
Topic
00:00
Introduction to Ethan Steele
01:40
From competitive judo to content creation
05:30
Finding his style of comedy content
07:10
Posting his first videos
09:50
The experience of going viral
14:00
Growing an audience and handling attention
17:00
Competition, confidence, and staying focused
24:20
Getting recognized by fans
28:00
Early brand deals and influencer income
30:00
Brand management and choosing partnerships
33:00
Advice for aspiring content creators
36:30
Consistency, views, and the pressure to perform
39:00
Rapid-fire questions about influencer life
40:00
Earnings from a single post
41:00
Brand deals Ethan would refuse
42:25
Cancellation versus becoming irrelevant
43:35
The reality behind influencer lifestyles
44:00
Ethan's future plans and long-form YouTube
46:00
Closing conversation
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Dhawani Chugh – Taking Fashion Trends and Making Them Her Own
2026/09/25
Background & Immigrant Experience
Origins & Relocation: Dhawani moved from India to Edmonton, Canada, at age 12 or 13, experiencing significant culture shock around diversity, food, clothing, and accents before eventually settling in Toronto.
Social Media in India: She noted how platforms like Instagram give women in India freedom and financial independence.
Personal Growth & Authenticity
Overcoming High School Bullying: Dhawani shared that she was bullied in junior high/high school for not fitting conventional beauty norms (e.g., loud clothes, not shaving).
Authenticity as a Brand: Embracing her authentic self and showing unedited, makeup-free, or natural looks ultimately helped her connect deeply with her female audience.
Career Pivot & Viral Breakthrough
The Pivot from Comedy to Fashion: She spent five years creating comedy skits before taking a year-long break to transition into combining fashion with comedic elements.
Breakthrough Content: Her highest-performing video series showcased "hijabi versions" of her outfits, promoting inclusivity and inspiring a trend among other creators.
Creator Strategy & Advice
Consistency Over Algorithms: Dhawani emphasizes that consistency is the most important factor for growth—creators shouldn't get attached to immediate view counts or base their entire career on a single video.
Dealing with Hate Comments: She manages negative comments by maintaining perspective, recognizing that online vitriol often comes from miserable or anonymous accounts.
Monetization & Pitching: She notes that fashion brands often prefer gifting over cash payments initially, and creators must proactively pitch to brands rather than waiting for deals to come to them.
AI & Content Creation
Authenticity vs. AI: Dhawani views AI as a tool for brainstorming and overcoming creative slumps, but believes human authenticity, intuition, and real connection can never be fully replaced.
Rapid-Fire Q&A
Platform Preference: Instagram
Dream Celebrity to Style: Zendaya
Dream Brand Collaboration: SKIMS
Favorite City: Toronto
Ultimate Bucket List Goal: New York Fashion Week
Backup Career Plan: Professional Boxing
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Cherie DeVille: From Physical Therapist to Adult Star, Entrepreneur & 4.5M-Follower Creator
2026/09/11
Cherie DeVille's story begins long before adult entertainment.
She was already a licensed physical therapist with a successful career when she began exploring modeling. She was also a professional swing dancer and participated in 1940s-style pinup modeling.
A photographer introduced her to Model Mayhem, where she began taking modeling work on the weekends. What started as a way to earn some extra money eventually led to an opportunity to travel to Los Angeles and shoot an adult film.
Cherie describes the decision as less of a career move and more of a bucket-list experience. She wanted to be able to look back on her life and know she had taken unusual opportunities rather than wondering what might have happened.
But after her first film, something unexpected happened: she loved it.
The work, the production environment, the people, and the creative side appealed to her personality. What she initially considered an experiment gradually became a legitimate career.
From Performer to Business Owner
One of the most interesting parts of the episode is Cherie's explanation of how the economics of the industry have changed.
When she began, performers largely worked for production companies. Those companies controlled the production, including the crew, wardrobe, makeup, locations, distribution, and marketing.
Today, the barrier to becoming an independent creator is dramatically lower.
Cherie explains that creators can now produce and distribute their own material with minimal equipment and infrastructure. The result is an industry where performers can increasingly operate as their own companies rather than simply working for someone else's production.
How OnlyFans Changed the Game
Cherie believes OnlyFans fundamentally changed the relationship between creators and audiences.
The important innovation wasn't simply selling videos online. It was creating a system where fans could interact directly with performers.
That created a new business model based around content + personal interaction + audience relationships.
Cherie explains that she can earn more through direct fan interaction even while selling more traditional content elsewhere. Custom content and personal communication allow fans to feel much closer to the creator they follow.
The New Creator Economy
Steve asks whether someone starting an OnlyFans account today has already missed the opportunity.
Cherie's answer is no—but with an important qualification.
She argues that modern adult entertainment is increasingly a marketing business.
Building an audience on platforms such as Instagram, Reddit, YouTube, Twitch, or other social platforms can be more important than simply being a talented performer.
In other words:
Build the audience first. Then monetize the attention.
That idea fits directly into the philosophy of Screw the Clout: understanding attention, personal branding, entrepreneurship, and what happens when you turn an audience into a business.
Cherie vs. The Character
Perhaps the biggest misconception about Cherie is that her on-screen personality represents who she is privately.
She explains that “Cherie DeVille” is essentially a brand and character designed around a particular fantasy and audience expectation.
Off camera, she's much more introverted and nerdy than people might expect.
She enjoys:
Video games
Dungeons & Dragons
Puzzles
Books
Tea
Spending time at home
Her cat
That contrast between the public persona and the private individual is one of the most revealing parts of the conversation.
Fame or Money?
During the rapid-fire segment, Cherie chooses money over fame.
Her reasoning is surprisingly practical: money can create security and generational wealth, while excessive fame can eliminate the ability to live a normal life.
She says she would actually prefer maintaining enough anonymity to be able to go grocery shopping without constantly being recognized.
The Final Message
The episode ends with one of Cherie's strongest answers.
When Steve asks what she would say to someone who is ready to quit pursuing their dream, Cherie argues that people shouldn't abandon their passions simply because those passions aren't immediately profitable.
You may need a conventional job to pay the bills, but that doesn't mean you have to stop creating, performing, painting, dancing, making music, doing comedy, or pursuing whatever genuinely gives you purpose.
Her underlying message is simple:
Money is necessary, but passion is necessary too.
And you don't need anyone else's validation to keep pursuing something that matters to you.
Guest
Cherie DeVille
Adult entertainer, creator, entrepreneur, and social-media personality.
Find Cherie
Cherie directs listeners to cheritaville.com, where she says fans can find her writing, blogs, social media, and links to her various creator platforms.
Podcast
Screw the Clout with Steve Stanulis
A podcast about fame, influence, entrepreneurship, personal branding, and the people behind the public image.
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Hope Giselle: Building a Personal Brand Through Authenticity, Advocacy & Purpose | Screw The Clout
2026/08/07
In this episode:
Hope Giselle's journey before social media recognition
Why her first career goal was becoming a professional makeup artist
The unexpected path from beauty to activism
The moment she realized people genuinely cared about her message
Building influence through authenticity rather than trends
The responsibility that comes with a public platform
Creating a personal brand with purpose
Why meaningful conversations matter more than chasing clout
Lessons from public speaking and advocacy
Staying true to yourself while growing an audience
Guest: Hope Giselle
Host: Steve Stanulis
Podcast: Screw The Clout
This episode explores how purpose, authenticity, and finding your voice can build a lasting brand in today's digital world.
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Healing Trauma, Rewiring Wealth & Finding Your Purpose | Lauren Eliz (Lauren of Love) | Screw the Clout
2026/07/24
Lauren's journey from insecurity to self-confidence
Growing up in a traditional Italian family
The impact of childhood trauma on adulthood
Why limiting beliefs keep people stuck
Understanding somatic healing and nervous system regulation
The connection between trauma and financial success
Breaking through "wealth blocks"
Learning to trust your intuition
The importance of slowing down and being present
Cannabis, mindfulness, and authentic conversations
Why silence is essential for personal growth
Advice for anyone at a major crossroads in life
How to reconnect with your true purpose
Lauren's Somatic Wealth Recoding Technique
The mission behind The World Needs Your Medicine podcast
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From Fashion to Business: Marissa Rochè Reveals What It Really Takes to Build a Brand
2026/07/10
Why building a brand is more important than chasing clout
The realities of starting and growing a fashion business
How authenticity creates long-term success
The biggest challenges entrepreneurs face
The importance of consistency and resilience
Lessons learned from building a brand from the ground up
Marketing strategies that focus on longevity instead of trends
How personal branding influences business growth
Balancing creativity with the demands of entrepreneurship
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs entering the fashion and beauty industry
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From Clout to Cash: How Aiesha Beasley Built a Real Business From Social Media | Screw The Clout
2026/06/17
• Aiesha's journey from blogging and Tumblr to becoming a full-time content creator
• How COVID accelerated the creator economy and opened new opportunities for influencers
• Why many creators struggle to monetize their audience despite having large followings
• The difference between going viral and building a sustainable personal brand
• Social media's impact on attention spans, productivity, and mental health
• The business strategy behind successful content creation
• Dating and relationships while living in the public eye
• Recognizing and dealing with "clout chasers"
• Building a strong content strategy and attracting the right audience
• Managing online criticism, negative comments, and public perception
• Unexpected and unusual brand partnership offers
• Why authenticity remains one of the most valuable assets online
• Understanding content pillars versus choosing a single niche
• Actionable advice for aspiring influencers, entrepreneurs, and creators
• Rapid-fire questions covering social media trends, influencer culture, and personal insights
Hosted by Steve Stanulis.
Subscribe to Screw The Clout for candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, influencers, and industry leaders sharing the realities behind success in the digital age.
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From Fitness Icon to Wellness Leader: Karena Dawn’s Journey
2026/06/01
Karena Dawn's journey from fitness enthusiast to successful entrepreneur
Building the Tone It Up community and wellness brand
The importance of mindset in achieving personal and professional goals
Lessons learned through entrepreneurship and business growth
Creating a meaningful impact through health and wellness
The connection between physical fitness and mental well-being
Developing confidence through consistency and self-care
Navigating challenges, setbacks, and personal growth
Finding purpose beyond external success
Building healthy habits that last
The role of community and support in long-term wellness
Balancing career ambitions with personal fulfillment
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and creators
Living authentically in a world driven by social media and external validation
Practical strategies for maintaining motivation and resilience
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From Self-Doubt to World Champion: Siri Lindley on Resilience, Identity & Purpose
2026/05/07
Siri Lindley’s early life experiences and how they shaped her mindset
Navigating self-doubt and building personal confidence
The impact of family challenges and emotional experiences
Overcoming anxiety and developing mental resilience
Embracing identity and choosing authenticity over external expectations
Transition from athlete to world champion despite early struggles
Lessons learned from setbacks, failures, and long-term persistence
The reality behind success vs what people see on the surface
Facing serious health challenges and redefining strength
The importance of purpose, mindset, and personal responsibility
How challenges can build character and long-term growth
Siri’s current mission, including her work helping others and animal rescue initiatives
Advice for anyone pursuing goals despite obstacles
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Lucie Fink on Real Life vs Social Media, Building a Brand Without Selling Out & The Truth About Influencer Success | Screw The Clout
2026/04/29
1. Real Life Should Not Be Public
Lucie shares only around 10% of her life online
90% of life is intentionally private and offline
Boundaries protect mental health and relationships
Audiences often think they know creators fully, but they don’t
2. Marriage & Balance
Married to her high school sweetheart
Husband is private and camera-shy
Opposite personalities create balance
He grounds her in real life while she pushes him outside comfort zones
3. From Creator to Business Owner
Lucie approaches content as a business, not attention-seeking
Long-term sustainability over viral moments
Clean, intentional branding matters more than noise
4. How She First Grew
Former host/producer at Refinery29
Built major YouTube series including challenge content
Helped grow channel massively
Used niche content first, then expanded personal brand later
5. Why She Refuses Certain Brand Deals
Turned down five-figure deals that didn’t fit her lifestyle
Example: kitchen appliance partnership she didn’t actually use
Refuses fake endorsements
Chooses trust over short-term cash
6. Followers Don’t Equal Money
Many creators with more followers earn less
Brands pay for trust, positioning, conversion, and professionalism
Representation and negotiation matter greatly
7. Viral vs Sustainable Growth
Viral moments help
Long-term brand wins
Better to build loyal fans than random followers
8. TikTok, Instagram & YouTube
Lucie says YouTube is strongest for real fans
TikTok feels less community-driven
Short-form hooks people in
Long-form builds loyalty
9. AI & Future of Influencers
AI tools help editing, SEO, captions, clipping content
But real human storytelling still wins
Human connection remains valuable
10. Advice for New Creators Starting From Zero
Social media is not “too late”
Every year people say it’s saturated — they’re wrong
Pick one niche and dominate it first
Post across all platforms
Let audience evolve with you over time
11. Advice For Anyone Ready to Quit
Don’t rely on passion project income too early
Build while stable financially
Let it remain passion during growth phase
Jump full-time only when numbers make sense
12. Definition of Real Success
Designing a life you enjoy daily
Not making money while miserable
Freedom, time, purpose, peace > status
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From Kitchen Startup to Shark Tank Deal… The Reality No One Talks About | Zoya Biglary
2026/04/13
1. Early Beginnings – From Kitchen to Concept
Building the product from scratch at home
Early struggles and limited traction
Why most people would’ve quit at this stage
2. Deciding to Go on Shark Tank
Why she applied despite low numbers
Expectations going in (and why they were low)
What she actually wanted from the experience
3. Behind the Scenes of Shark Tank
The size and setup of the room vs what viewers see
Cameras being hidden and the real environment
The sharks being far more approachable than portrayed
“TV personalities” vs real people
4. The Pressure of the Pitch
Fear of looking unprepared or failing publicly
Handling nerves in a high-stakes environment
Staying composed under scrutiny
5. Landing the Deal
Why she didn’t expect to get one
Choosing the right shark based on values
The difference between what’s agreed on TV vs reality
6. After the Show – The Real Impact
Surge in attention and brand visibility
Increase in product sales
How exposure alone can change a business
7. Lessons Most Founders Get Wrong
You don’t need perfect numbers to take big shots
Exposure vs investment—what matters more
The importance of positioning and storytelling
8. Reality vs Illusion
What people misunderstand about startup success
Why “overnight success” is usually years in the making
The gap between perception and truth
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Say It Anyway — Suzanne Lambert on Hate, Cancel Culture & Blowing Up Online
2026/03/27
How Suzanne Blew Up Online
Started posting consistently around the 2024 election
Went from ~50K to 500K followers in months
Viral moment came from saying what others wouldn’t
Took a risk instead of waiting to be “ready”
Why Most People Never Start
Fear of judgment > desire to succeed
People overthink content instead of posting
Waiting for perfection kills momentum
If hate comments scare you → this path isn’t for you
The Reality of Going Viral
It only takes ONE video — but you can’t predict it
Viral content often comes from authenticity, not strategy
Acting on ideas immediately matters more than planning
Controversy: Growth Tool or Trap?
Algorithms reward conflict, debate, and strong opinions
Controversy builds attention fast
But it locks you into that identity long-term
Don’t chase controversy unless it’s real to you
“F**k It” Energy & Confidence
Confidence comes from action, not validation
You must post without caring about reactions
The more you do it, the easier it becomes
Detachment from outcomes = creative freedom
Hate Comments & Online Criticism
Hate is worse than you expect — accept it early
If someone comments, you’re already in their head
Dedicated haters = hidden fans
You don’t need to win everyone over
Why Influencers Fail
Trying to please the algorithm instead of leading
Overthinking “content pillars” and branding
Copying trends instead of building identity
Lack of consistency and resilience
Stand-Up Comedy vs Social Media
Stand-up is harder than going viral
Immediate feedback vs delayed validation
Bombing builds real confidence
Fearlessness is required in both
Fake Influencer Culture
Many creators curate unrealistic lifestyles
“Day in the life” content is often staged
Authenticity stands out more than perfection
Advice for Beginners
Talk about what you’re obsessed with
Stop waiting — just start posting
Be ready for criticism from day one
If quitting feels wrong deep down → don’t quit
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Attention Is Cheap: Naila Nazer on Rebranding, Identity & Escaping the Clout Trap
2026/02/20
The addiction to visibility and social media validation
Why attention can feel powerful — but empty
The modeling industry and performative identity
When public attention becomes a liability
The difference between visibility and value
Rebranding yourself from image-driven to identity-driven
Choosing connection over clout
Building a platform rooted in authenticity
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Kane Trujillo: Rejecting the Safe Path, Building a Life on His Own Terms
2026/02/13
Why Kane chose not to follow the college-to-career formula
Moving to NYC with no safety net to pursue acting
COVID’s role in reshaping opportunity and mindset
How TikTok and short-form content changed the game
Social media fame vs. real leverage and longevity
Mental presence, discipline, and staying grounded
Why young creators haven’t “missed the bus”
The difference between clout and actual career growth
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Podcast reviews
Read Screw The Clout podcast reviews
5 out of 5
920 reviews
★★★★★
Coach Carter91919 2023/10/30
Wow. Crazy stories!
Great show! I had no idea!!
★★★★★
Justin mateenthedream 2023/10/25
Great
Steve is great. Been following him for a long time. Really enjoy the first episode, especially the insight