? Watch & Subscribe on YouTubeIn this episode, I speak with Brandon Birkmeyer, the host of the Brands on Brands podcast and author of "Front and Center Leadership." We dive into the serendipitous way we connected through mutual friends and podcasting events, and how those late-night conversations at conferences often spark the best ideas. Brandon shares his journey from corporate life to becoming a podcast host and author, emphasizing the importance of building a personal brand and the value of genuine relationships in the podcasting community.Brandon opens up about his transition from a corporate career to entrepreneurship, highlighting the challenges and rewards of taking control of his own narrative. We discuss the process of writing his book, the significance of personal branding, and the strategies he uses to secure speaking engagements. Brandon's insights into networking, content creation, and the power of taking initiative are not only inspiring but also practical for anyone looking to make a similar leap.This conversation is packed with valuable lessons and personal anecdotes that will resonate with anyone interested in personal growth and professional development.Episode SponsorFullCast – https://fullcast.co/Key Takeaways0:00 Intro2:37 Transition from Door-to-Door Sales to Podcasting4:00 Brandon's Podcasting Journey6:32 The Impact of Interviews on Content Creation8:24 The Power of Structured Brainstorming13:00 Travis Chappell's Impact on Personal Branding14:19 Realizing the Importance of Networking15:39 Building Authority and Credibility18:54 The Struggles of Job Hunting20:59 Overcoming Reluctance in Professional Settings23:32 Brandon's Cross-Country Move for Love and Career25:24 The Reluctant Author's Journey36:18 Balancing Business and Personal Life38:39 Brandon's Strategy for Securing Speaking Gigs41:04 The Concept of Focusing on Your Genius Zone43:01 Balancing Podcasting and Other Projects47:47 Embracing a Dynamic Personal Brand49:09 The Value of Being a Generalist52:09 Misunderstood Extroversion53:20 Building Deep Connections at ConferencesTweetable Quotes"For me, perspective is power. That was what I was gaining from doing it.""I think there's three pieces to what I think really rounds you out when you're developing your reputation: content creation, networking, and creating impact through value creation.""I realized if I can pay the premium upfront to get the momentum started, then I can figure out how to make this more efficient and save money."Resources MentionedLinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/bbirkmeyerTwitter - https://twitter.com/bbirkmeyerInstagram - https://instagram.com/brandonbirkmeyer/Facebook - https://facebook.com/bbirkmeyerPodcast Junkies Website: podcastjunkies.comPodcast Junkies YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Podcastjunkies/Podcast Junkies Facebook Group: