Screw The Clout

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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Host: Steve Stanulis · Guest: Ethan Steele · Podcast: Screw The Clout

Topics Covered

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Ethan Steele's background in competitive judo and his ambition to join the police.

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How a friend inspired him to start making comedy content.

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His first viral video and the excitement of reaching millions of viewers.

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Building a following through repeatable comedy and POV videos.

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The reality of being recognized by strangers and connecting with fans.

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His first brand deal and how he got into influencer management.

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Why he turned down certain opportunities instead of chasing quick money.

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How much he has earned from a single sponsored post.

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Advice for creators starting with zero followers.

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Why consistency and originality matter more than waiting for the perfect moment.

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The pressure of monitoring views and comparing video performance.

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How social media can affect confidence and mood.

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Brand partnerships, sponsorship decisions, and staying authentic.

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Ethan's views on cancellation, online relevance, and the reality of influencer lifestyles.

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His plans to expand into long-form YouTube content.

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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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Background & Immigrant Experience

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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.

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Social Media in India: She noted how platforms like Instagram give women in India freedom and financial independence.

Personal Growth & Authenticity

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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).

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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Dealing with Hate Comments: She manages negative comments by maintaining perspective, recognizing that online vitriol often comes from miserable or anonymous accounts.

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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

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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

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Platform Preference: Instagram

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Dream Celebrity to Style: Zendaya

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Dream Brand Collaboration: SKIMS

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Favorite City: Toronto

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Ultimate Bucket List Goal: New York Fashion Week

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Backup Career Plan: Professional Boxing

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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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

• 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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• 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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

• 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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• 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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

• 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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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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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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• 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
• “Fuck 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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•

The addiction to visibility and social media validation

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Why attention can feel powerful — but empty

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The modeling industry and performative identity

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When public attention becomes a liability

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The difference between visibility and value

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Rebranding yourself from image-driven to identity-driven

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Choosing connection over clout

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Building a platform rooted in authenticity

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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Why Kane chose not to follow the college-to-career formula

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Moving to NYC with no safety net to pursue acting

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COVID’s role in reshaping opportunity and mindset

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How TikTok and short-form content changed the game

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Social media fame vs. real leverage and longevity

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Mental presence, discipline, and staying grounded

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Why young creators haven’t “missed the bus”

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The difference between clout and actual career growth

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

•

YouTube vs TikTok: why Justin chooses YouTube

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Short-form vs long-form content — and why storytelling wins

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Why most creators quit right before their breakthrough

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The patience and discipline required to win the long game

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Sobriety, struggle, and how persistence translates to content creation

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Why monetization is more than AdSense

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Selling products directly to your audience

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Building a personal brand people actually trust

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Why authenticity matters more than trends or AI-generated content

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Storytelling as the future of entertainment, education, and influence

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How creators can realistically grow starting from zero

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AI: tool, threat, or advantage for real creators?

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Why fake influencers won’t replace real human connection

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Key Topics Covered:

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Why most healthcare professionals struggle with the idea of “luxury”

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The difference between treating disease vs creating value

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How NHS-style dentistry limits patient experience and growth

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“People buy emotionally and justify financially” — why this matters

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The psychology behind smiles and perceived success

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How branding turns a regular clinic into a high-end experience

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The role of environment, storytelling, and trust in premium services

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Why investing in your brand is not greed — it’s clarity

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Social media’s influence on confidence, perception, and self-worth

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What healthcare professionals get wrong about money and image

Who This Episode Is For:

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Healthcare professionals

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Entrepreneurs building personal brands

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Anyone transitioning from service-based work to premium positioning

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People stuck in underpaid systems who want more control

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Listeners interested in psychology, branding, and value creation

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

(0:00) Hitting almost 1M downloads — staying persistent when quitting felt easier
(0:40) The core topic: building a business vs. chasing clout
(1:00) Myth check — does virality equal money?
(1:20) The call-to-action problem: views with no conversion
(2:25) Personal example: 17M views, zero sales
(3:00) Why most “content creators” aren’t real business builders
(3:50) The trap of buying followers — fake numbers, real costs
(4:40) The treadmill effect: likes, comments, and endless spending
(5:15) Why 100K real followers beat 1M fake ones
(6:00) CEOs with social media syndrome
(7:00) How people now analyze pages and sniff out fraud
(8:00) The power of even 5K true supporters
(8:40) Budgeting: marketing vs. fake engagement
(9:45) Offline business vs. social media flexing
(10:30) Tactical takeaway: product before platform
(11:20) Spotting real wins vs. fake perception
(12:20) What investors and clients actually care about
(13:10) The race between organic builders vs. fake flexers
(13:50) Final punchline: build the business, skip the bullshit
(14:10) Gratitude for the listeners + million download milestone
(14:40) Sign-off: “If you dream, dream out loud.

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In this knockout episode of Screw The Clout, host Steve Stanulis sits down with Lou Esa — former American heavyweight boxer known for his raw power and even rawer truth.

From brutal rounds in the ring to navigating the illusions of fame, Lou opens up like never before. He shares the highs and lows of his boxing career, battles with public perception, and why he’s always lived by principle, not popularity. It’s an unfiltered look at loyalty, betrayal, and surviving both the fight game and the fame game.

With gloves off and guard down, Lou Esa tells the story behind the fighter — the man, the legend, and the message. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.

In this unapologetically raw episode, we dive deep into the liberating mindset of “F*ck It Energy” — the fearless decision to stop playing small, stop people-pleasing, and finally do things your way. Whether it's leaving a toxic job, launching that risky business idea, cutting off fake friends, or embracing who you truly are — this episode is a no-holds-barred celebration of the moments where you stopped caring about the noise… and started trusting your gut.

We explore real stories of transformation, what it really means to let go, and how owning your truth (even if it's messy) can be the most powerful move you make. If you’re at a crossroads, this is your sign to stop overthinking and start moving. F*ck it. Let’s go. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.