As Told by Zink

Hosted by Samantha Zink

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Episodes

207

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

As Told By Zink takes you inside the world of influencer marketing with Samantha Zink, Founder & CEO of Zink Talent, one of the pioneering talent management agencies to enter the influencer marketing space nearly a decade ago. With a front-row seat to the evolution of the creator economy, Samantha sits down with influencers, founders, celebrities, and industry leaders to uncover what really goes into building influence, growing a personal brand, landing brand partnerships, and creating a successful career in today’s digital landscape. From behind-the-scenes industry insights and what brands really look for when casting talent to entrepreneurship, wellness, spirituality, and the realities of life in the public eye, Samantha brings candid conversations and an insider’s perspective to the people and trends shaping the creator economy. As Told By Zink is where influence meets the stories, strategies, and people behind it.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 12, 2026Episode 20840 min

++ episode 208: life after college, influencer burnout & finding your way feat Mia Holland

What happens when you graduate college, move to LA, and realize you have no idea what's next? This week, I sit down with content creator Mia Holland to talk about navigating your 20s, the ebbs and flows of being a content creator, and figuring out life after college. After eight years of creating content, Mia opens up about the realities of being a full time influencer, dealing with burnout, navigating a changing audience, and the pressure to constantly stay relevant. We discuss rebranding after college, the importance of authenticity, and why having a traditional 9 to 5 might not be such a bad idea after all. From career uncertainty to finding your purpose, this episode is a reminder that you don't need to have it all figured out in your 20s! Mia Holland // IG , TikTok

October 5, 202647 min

++ episode 207: how to balance Harvard, content creation & going viral feat Jenny Ng

This week I sat down with Harvard student and content creator Jenny Ng to talk about balancing college life with building a career online. Jenny shares how she grew her platform through relatable college, food, lifestyle, and study content, what it’s really like creating while attending Harvard, and how she turned everyday moments into content people actually want to watch. We get into finding your niche without boxing yourself in, balancing school with brand deals and content creation, dealing with the pressure to constantly post, and what she’s learned about growing an audience while still figuring out what comes next. Whether you’re a college creator, trying to grow on TikTok, or wondering how to turn your everyday life into content, this episode is for you. Jenny Ng // TikTok

September 28, 2026Episode 20656 min

++ episode 206: the secrets to landing brand deals feat Morgan Lee [influencer marketing]

Ever wonder what brands and agencies are actually looking for from creators? This week I’m joined by Morgan Lee who has 8+ years in influencer marketing to break down the influencer industry from the brand and agency perspective. We chat about how to build real relationships that lead to brand deals, how to stand out at events, why Q4 isn’t always the money maker creators think it is, and the biggest mistakes that can hurt your reputation with brands. We also get into why having management doesn’t replace building your own relationships, the shift from generic lifestyle content to intentional niches, how agencies are approaching bundle deals, and where AI fits into the future of influencer marketing. Whether you’re trying to land your first brand deal or take your creator business to the next level, this episode is PACKED with insight on how to become the creator brands actually want to work with. Morgan Lee // TikTok

September 21, 2026Episode 20553 min

++ episode 205: how to actually make it as a beauty creator, preparing for holiday and tips on how to get started in the space feat Kilee Kearns

This episode is PACKED with everything you need to know to break into the beauty creator space -or take your career to the next level. Kilee and I chat all things becoming a successful beauty creator: how to stand out, make money, avoid burnout, prep for holiday campaigns, and what to do if you’re just getting started. Whether you’re trying to turn your content into a career or already in the space and ready to grow, this episode is for you! Kilee Kearns // TikTok , IG

September 14, 2026Episode 20415 min

++ episode 204: why I launched a creator growth program and who it’s for

I saw another gap in the market: creators who have strong, high-quality content but have no idea how to monetize, attract brand deals, pitch themselves or set their rates. So, I launched a new division within Zink Volt where I personally work with creators through a growth program designed to turn their content and passion into a real business within the influencer industry. From positioning and pitching to rates, brand partnerships and strategy, the goal is to get creators to the point where they are ready for top-notch management.

September 7, 2026Episode 20348 min

++ episode 203: expanding across the beauty niche, behind the scenes of being a content creator and how you know you're ready for management feat Haley Konopka

Haley Konopka started creating content in college during the pandemic, sharing what she loved and eventually finding her niche in beauty and skincare. After opening up about her struggles with acne, she quickly built a loyal community of people who connected with her honesty and content. Several years later, Haley has turned her platform into a full-time career and reached a place where management made sense for her business. We chat about what really goes on behind the scenes of being a content creator, what it’s like working with management, our advice for brands and creators, and why strong relationships are so important for long-term success. Haley Konopka // TikTok

August 31, 2026Episode 20250 min

++ episode 202: monetizing socials in college and why college creators arent doing socials full time post grad feat Camryn Faulkner

I sat down with Camryn Faulkner, University of Alabama student and content creator, to chat about what it’s really like building a platform while still in school. We get into starting social media in high school, navigating sorority life, balancing content creation with classes and a social life, and why so many creators are choosing not to pursue social media full-time after graduation. We also talk about what the future of influencing looks like for Gen Z and how Camryn is thinking about life beyond college. Camryn Faulkner // IG , TikTok

August 24, 2026Episode 20136 min

++ episode 201: how manifestation, meditation and prayer changed my life and why I am coming back to them

I manifested my company back in 2017/2018, and it was a wild experience watching something I had envisioned actually come to life. It showed me how powerful our thoughts and intentions can be when they're paired with a lot of hard work. But as I became more successful and settled into a life I was happy with, both personally and professionally, my spiritual practices slowly took a back seat. I think part of me felt like I didn't need them anymore. The past few years have tested me, my resilience, and what I believe in. And this year, I went through a personal experience that had me praying to a God I wasn't even sure I believed in anymore. Coming back to my faith, manifestation, meditation, and the practices I once relied on has started changing my life all over again. Except this time, I'm not using spirituality just to manifest the life I want. I'm learning how to use it to surrender, find peace, and trust what's meant for me. This is a vulnerable one. Let's get into it!

August 17, 2026Episode 20047 min

++ episode 200: a chat with the ALDO team: how to land a brand partnership, build a full scale campaign, and break into influencer marketing

I know you all would love to work with ALDO on their next campaign, so I sat down with Amanda Amar, VP of Global Brand Strategy, PR + Social Media, and Ellen Molina, Influencer Campaign Lead, to get the inside scoop. We dive into their roles at ALDO, what they look for when casting influencers, how to land a long term partnership with the brand, and why it’s so important to treat your socials like a business. I also pick their brains on how they decide who to hire for internal roles, what makes a creator stand out, and what working in Influencer Marketing actually looks like. If you’ve ever wondered what’s happening on the brand side of an influencer campaign or how to get your foot in the door, this episode is for you. Aldo // IG Amanda Amar // IG Ellen Molina // IG

August 10, 2026Episode 19946 min

++ episode 199: how meditation creates clarity & why divine timing is always working feat Aditi Shah of Peloton

What if the opportunities meant for you are already on their way? In this episode, I sit down with Peloton instructor Aditi Shah to talk about the unexpected path that led her to launch Peloton's yoga and meditation programming in 2018 and how one Instagram DM changed everything. We dive into the power of divine timing, trusting your intuition, and why meditation isn't just about sitting in silence. It's a practice that can help you navigate heartbreak, uncertainty, career changes, and the moments when life feels completely unclear. We also discuss how Aditi is building her personal brand beyond Peloton, redefining what wellness looks like, and proving that you don't have to make wellness your entire personality to live a grounded, meaningful life. If you've been searching for more clarity, peace, or trust in your own path, this conversation is for you. In this episode, we cover: • How Aditi helped build Peloton's yoga and meditation programs • The Instagram DM that changed her career • Divine timing and trusting unexpected opportunities • Meditation practices for anxiety, heartbreak, and major life transitions • How to find clarity through mindfulness • Building a wellness brand while staying authentic • Why wellness can complement your life instead of defining it Aditi Shah // IG , TikTok

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