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The Brand You Podcast with Mike Kim helps you showcase your unique expertise and build a profitable business around your personal brand. Each episode blends real-world strategy with actionable tips in personal branding, marketing, copywriting, consulting, business, and coaching — so you can attract the right clients, grow your influence, and do more of the work you love.
Mike Kim is the Wall Street Journal best-selling author of You Are the Brand, a proven guidebook that has helped entrepreneurs, consultants, coaches, and creators position themselves as trusted authorities in their field. As a sought-after speaker and marketing strategist, Mike has worked with industry leaders, NYT bestselling authors, and influential organizations to craft messaging that moves people to action.
With years of hands-on experience in branding, direct response marketing, and high-level consulting, Mike distills what he's learned into clear, practical advice — so you can stop feeling stuck, clarify your message, and build a business that's unmistakably you.
Mike Kim is the Wall Street Journal best-selling author of You Are the Brand, a proven guidebook that has helped entrepreneurs, consultants, coaches, and creators position themselves as trusted authorities in their field. As a sought-after speaker and marketing strategist, Mike has worked with industry leaders, NYT bestselling authors, and influential organizations to craft messaging that moves people to action.
With years of hands-on experience in branding, direct response marketing, and high-level consulting, Mike distills what he's learned into clear, practical advice — so you can stop feeling stuck, clarify your message, and build a business that's unmistakably you.
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Watch this on YouTube (recommended) » Last week, I hosted a live presentation called "From Expert to Author: The Strategic Blueprint for Writing a Book That Builds Your Business." While writing a book has always been a good idea for experts, I believe it's a non-negotiable in today's world. This is a long presentation, but I believe there's a lot you can learn from it. Check out the timestamps below for the different sections. If you're interested in working with me in Q4 2025 or Q1 2026, go to mikekim.com/writeyourbook 02:44 The Role of a Book in Your Business 08:15 AI Has Shifted How Experts are Perceived 18:54 Crafting a Strong Book Proposal 24:26 Platform Audit and Marketing Strategy 30:05 Comparable Titles and Differentiation 35:35 Leveraging AI for Writing and Proofreading 39:36 Building Demand While Writing Your Book 49:21 Ways to Work Together and Final Q&A CONNECT WITH ME Newsletter Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook
Read this episode: mikekim.com/foundational-frantic Watch this on YouTube » This week's episode is a bit shorter because I'm preparing for a live training later this week on How to Write and Market a Bestselling Book (register below). My thoughts for this week: Just because the work is quiet doesn't mean it's not important. This really just boils down to a fight we all face: foundational vs. frantic. Just like the autumn season here in the Northeast U.S. has a purpose, it's vital to define the purpose of the season you're in. You define it. Take agency over it. My definition for Q4: depth of execution, not volume of activity. You might be in a different season. Good. All I'm saying is: define it. Join the free training on Zoom » LINKS MENTIONED: Join my newsletter » Register for the Creator School AI Summit » CONNECT WITH ME Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook
Read this episode: mikekim.com/book-roi Watch this episode on YouTube » In this behind-the-scenes breakdown, I share the real numbers and lessons from You Are the Brand: how large my email list grew, how the book hit the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller lists, and how I turned one book into $250K+ in coaching and certification offers. You'll hear what it actually takes to hit those lists, what "writing a good book" really requires, and how the process itself rewires your identity and business from the inside out. CONNECT WITH ME Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook
Read this episode: mikekim.com/economy-of-meaning Watch on YouTube here » What if the next great economy isn't about money, content, or attention, but meaning? In this conversation, I unpack every major shift we've lived through—the Industrial, Knowledge, Digital, Creator, and Attention Economies—and why the next frontier for personal brands is the Economy of Meaning. It's a wake-up call for entrepreneurs, coaches, and creators to stop chasing optimization and start embodying integration: to share stories that cost them something, lead with honesty, and build brands that matter because they mean something. I believe this is where personal branding is going in the age of AI. CONNECT WITH ME Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook
Read this episode: mikekim.com/delete-and-replace Watch on YouTube here » Most of us carry stories we didn't consciously choose. Growth usually requires letting go of those stories, but trying to them can feel impossible. In this episode, I share something that has helped me: instead of fighting to delete the file, save over it by creating new experiences in the same spaces. Some stories can only be released when you transmute them into something with material consequence—a book, a body of work, something that makes it all matter. If you've spent years hiding behind other people's frameworks and voices, there comes a moment when what's clawing its way out of you demands to be heard. RESOURCES & LINKS: Waitlist for Book Accelerator: mikekim.com/writeyourbook My new book, Own Your Brand, Own Your Career: » Connect with Kevin Monroe on LinkedIn » CONNECT WITH ME Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook
Read this post: mikekim.com/ip-empire Watch on YouTube here » If your business depends on one market, one trending topic, or one lucky break, you're more vulnerable than you think. I'm breaking down the exact strategy I've used to take the same intellectual property and multiply it across multiple markets—creating an antifragile business that actually gets stronger during downturns. This is the framework that kept my business growing during COVID while others scrambled, and it's built on strategic principles I learned from an ancient Chinese novel and it's videogame counterpart. 0:01 - An overview of what shaped my view of strategy 3:15 - I'm no Sleeping Dragon, but... 4:23 - The IP Empire framework 6:44 - Stop chasing gigs, start building properties 9:05 - Taleb's "Antifragility" RESOURCES & LINKS: Waitlist for Book Accelerator: http://mikekim.com/writeyourbook My new book, Own Your Brand, Own Your Career: » Three Kingdoms book: https://amzn.to/4nAF6Gf Three Kingdoms vid summary: Three Kingdoms - OverSimplified Antifragile book: https://amzn.to/3VP5wYL CONNECT WITH ME Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook
It's common to agonize over decisions, but a few years ago I realized I was asking the wrong question entirely. Instead of "Did I make the right decision?" I started asking "How do I make better decisions faster?" That shift led me to discover and study decision-making frameworks - and these three have that completely changed how I approach business and life. 1:22 - One-way vs. Two-way doors 4:39 - The Lindy Effect 8:28 - The Chick Test 12:49 - Waitlist for writing your book You can watch this episode on YouTube here » RESOURCES & LINKS: Waitlist for Book Accelerator: http://mikekim.com/writeyourbook My new book, Own Your Brand, Own Your Career: » CONNECT WITH ME Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook
I got sick this past week and it made me realize something important about my content strategy - I've been spreading myself way too thin. Sometimes it takes getting "punched in the mouth" (as Mike Tyson would say) to see what's really not working. So, I'm sharing my honest struggle with feeling scattered across multiple platforms and the bold new approach I'm testing for the next six months minimum. I f you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to be everywhere online, this look at simplifying your content might give you the permission you need to focus. Check out my new book with Andy Storch - available now! Get Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on Amazon » This fall, I'm planning to host an accelerator to help future authors ideate, write, and market their book. If you're interested, get on the waiting list here: mikekim.com/writeyourbook Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook
What happens when a hardworking analyst who gets mistaken for a flight attendant discovers she needs more than excellent work to climb the corporate ladder? May Busch's 24-year journey from junior analyst to Chief Operating Officer at Morgan Stanley Europe reveals the uncomfortable truths about executive presence, personal branding, and why your skills alone won't get you promoted. Some key points: The promotion-killing wardrobe mistake that taught May the harsh reality about looking "the part" The secret world of workplace sponsors and how May accidentally earned one of the most difficult managing directors as her champion Why AI won't eliminate all roles but will fundamentally change what companies expect from rising talent in the next 3-5 years The "hand brake" revelation that explains how world-class worriers can still achieve extraordinary success in high-pressure environments Get May's new book, Visible: thevisiblebook.com Connect with May: maybusch.com May on LinkedIn Finally, check out my new book with Andy Storch - available now! Get Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on Amazon » This fall, I'm planning to host an accelerator to help future authors ideate, write, and market their book. If you're interested, get on the waiting list here: mikekim.com/writeyourbook Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook
In this conversation, I team up with my friend Andy Storch to share the behind-the-scenes story of our new book Own Your Brand, Own Your Career. We pull back the curtain on what it's like to co-author a book from scratch, why we chose to self-publish, and how this project bridges my world of solopreneurs with Andy's corporate leadership audience. Beyond the book itself, we dive deep into collaboration, personal branding, and the future of work in the age of AI. Get Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on Amazon » This fall, I'm planning to host an accelerator to help future authors ideate, write, and market their book. If you're interested, get on the waiting list here: mikekim.com/writeyourbook Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook
In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Barry Davis, a collegiate Hall of Fame baseball coach and author of Old Dog, New Tricks: The Power of Leading with Emotional Intelligence. Barry shares how writing books has not only shaped his leadership but also expanded his platform as a consultant, speaker, and facilitator. You'll also get some golden insights on coaching and mentorship. My favorite takeaway? Coach the person, not the position. Get Old Dog, New Tricks on Amazon » This fall, I'm planning to host an accelerator to help future authors ideate, write, and market their book. If you're interested, get on the waiting list here: mikekim.com/writeyourbook Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook
I sit down with author Marissa Nehlsen to share how we helped her bring her first book, Live Life Rich, to life. You'll learn how the book was conceived and structured, as well as some of the challenges we faced. You can also view this interview in studio on my YouTube channel here. If you've ever wanted to write a book or were curious about how the ghostwriter / client dynamic works, tune in. Get your copy of Live Life Rich » This fall, I'm planning to host an accelerator to help future authors ideate, write, and market their book. If you're interested, get on the waiting list here: mikekim.com/writeyourbook Finally, if you haven't yet done so, register for my You Are the Brand AI Summit where you'll learn from leading experts on how to amplify your personal brand using AI - without losing your authenticy or audience: youarethebrand.ai Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook
As AI continues to change how we work, I've been paying close attention to the one thing it can't replicate: taste. In this conversation, I share why I believe cultivating discernment is the real differentiator, how I'm personally practicing it, and what you can do to sharpen yours in business, branding, and creativity. Why I think AI can replicate skills but not intuition—and why that excites me. How Rick Rubin and Johnny Cash helped me see taste in a whole new way. The way I curate my inputs to sharpen my instincts and creativity. Why I've learned subtraction is just as important as addition in great work. The feedback loops I rely on to refine my eye and get better over time. Join me at my upcoming (free!) You Are the Brand AI Summit at youarethebrand.ai and learn how to turn your voice into your ultimate competitive edge. Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook
Content alone won't set you apart anymore. AI can create more words, images, and videos than you could in a lifetime—but it can't replicate your voice, your perspective, or the way you connect with people. That's why what you say, how you say it, and the stories you share are about to become your most valuable assets. I've just spent weeks deep in conversations with some smart entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders I know for my upcoming You Are the Brand AI Summit. One very common theme: the people who win in this next wave will be the ones who double down on authenticity, not automation. A few more shares from this episode: The "authenticity premium" that's making human connection more valuable than ever Why live, in-person events are exploding right now Why professional speakers aren't afraid of AI (this was cool) Why your unpolished, uncomfortable stories are often your biggest differentiator The summit kicks off August 25—and it's completely free. When you register, you'll get my personal field notes from every conversation, plus an exclusive 90-minute live workshop where my team and I will show you exactly how we built the summit using AI (and where we didn't). Secure your spot now at youarethebrand.ai and learn how to turn your voice into your ultimate competitive edge. Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook
When my friend Eugene Choi dropped by my place last week, we had one of the rawest conversations I've ever had about my business. For the first time, I opened up about the wins I've kept quiet, the mistakes that nearly sunk me, and the moments—and people—that altered my path forever. This is the unfiltered backstory I've never fully shared, until now. Tune in and, you'll hear: 1:56 - Why my mastermind is (apparently) an anomaly 6:56 - How my mastermind helped me go full-time 15:09 - Surviving divorce and a big business blunder 19:08 - Ray Edwards' belief 26:11 - Donald Miller's kindness 31:09 - Todd Herman, Mary Valloni, so many others 42:37 - The providence of God 45:45 - My master plan for an IP empire 51:53 - Ann Ahn, an early hero 58:38 - Join me for You Are the Brand AI Summit Episode Resources: You Are the Brand AI Summit » Eugene Choi on Instagram » Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook
As solopreneurs, so much of what we build is deeply personal. Our businesses are often born from the gaps in our own stories. In this solo episode, I reflect on the recent death of my father and the quiet grief that followed for the connection we never fully had. It made me confront how much of my business drive was rooted in fear and pain. This isn't a business episode in the traditional sense, but it's a human one. If you've ever built something to feel safe, seen, or in control, I think you'll find something here. In this episode, I talk about: How grief can show up as ambition, productivity, or perfectionism Why many founders build strong brands from unresolved pain The hidden costs of being self-reliant for too long What it looks like to love someone through action, not nostalgia How to keep creating when the story doesn't end neatly CONNECT WITH ME Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook
Watch this talk on YouTube » Entrepreneurs and high achievers like to talk a lot about how to rewrite their life story, especially in the context of their external accomplishments. I've found that growth more happens in the unseen moments - the times of pain, heartache, and the decisions we face that require courage, forgiveness, and presence. When I got the call that my dad was dying, I knew I had to share this story—our story. This is a talk I gave at Growth Now Summit Live, and with special permission from host Justin Schenck, I'm sharing it here. It's about reconciliation, grief, identity, and the raw, often ugly road to healing. Whether or not you're navigating loss or family conflict, I hope this message invites you to reconnect—with yourself or someone else—before it's too late. CONNECT WITH ME Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook
There's been a lot going on lately, so I thought I'd pop in and give you an update. Sorry I've been missing my podcasts...
If you're a solopreneur, you already wear every hat: marketing, sales, content, client delivery. But there's one skill that ties it all together –– persuasion. In this episode, I sit down with Ellin Sidell, Fortune 500 leader-turned-author of The Influence Advantage. In this episode, you'll discover: Why persuasion is a skill you can master—even if you're introverted or uncomfortable with sales How Ellen got her boss to complete her overdue review using nothing but humor and a fake invoice (true story) What solopreneurs can learn from Costco's grassroots mentorship program and how to replicate it in your brand The difference between mentorship and sponsorship—and why both matter for your growth Why self-leadership is your greatest competitive edge in today's content-heavy world Get Ellin's book, The Influence Advantage » Connect with Ellin: ellinsidell.com LinkedIn YouTube
Want to build a network that actually works for you — without faking extroversion or burning out? Today, Selena Soo joins me to talk about what it really takes to build a million-dollar network in today's world. From defining your inner circle to learning how to ask for help, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and hard-won insight. Why introverts can often be great relationship builders—and how Selena leveraged this to create a thriving network The 3-phase framework of building Rich Relationships: Align, Attract, Activate How to sort your network into 6 circles—and why this protects your time, energy, and values The vulnerable story of how Selena ended a million-dollar relationship with a mentor who crossed the line Don't just listen—put this into action. Get Selena's free scripts, preview the book, and enter to win $1,000: richrelationshipsbook.com/mikekim Get Selena's book, Rich Relationships, on Amazon here » Connect with Selena: Website - https://www.selenasoo.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selena_soo Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/selenasoo LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenasoo
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