Powerful Personal Brand

Hosted by Claire Bahn

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Have you ever wondered why certain people in your industry seem to attract all the attention — from media interviews to speaking opportunities — while others with equal talent stay under the radar? On this podcast, Claire Bahn, renowned personal brand strategist and CEO of the Claire Bahn Group, reveals the strategies behind building powerful visibility and lasting influence. Claire shares actionable insights to help you position yourself as the go-to expert in your field — and features candid conversations with top industry leaders who’ve built standout reputations that open doors to press, partnerships, and purpose-driven success. Each episode dives into themes like: • Becoming a thought leader and recognized authority in your space • Using your personal brand to accelerate your career or business growth • Positioning yourself for high-value opportunities — jobs, promotions, and speaking engagements • Leveraging your visibility to positively impact your industry and community • How a leader’s personal brand shapes their company’s success Our audience includes ambitious founders, executives, and professionals who want real, actionable strategies for building a brand that commands attention and creates opportunity. You’re being invited because of the exceptional visibility and reputation you’ve built in your industry. Together, we’ll explore the defining moments, lessons, and mindset shifts that helped you build influence — in a free-flowing, conversational format that highlights your authentic story and insights.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 3, 202627 min

What is going to happen in PR and Personal Branding in 2026?

This episode of the Powerful Personal Brand Podcast was inspired by a PR horror story. After seeing a discussion about a startup that spent heavily on PR and had nothing to show for it, my co-founder, Gordon Gooch, and I just had to talk about it. During our discussion, we unpack what is going to happen in 2026 when traditional PR falls short. Especially when PR efforts aren’t paired with brand strategy, executive visibility, and audience curation. The fact is, PR can’t sell a story that doesn’t exist. We discuss what has shifted in PR over the last ten years. Press coverage no longer defines credibility. How modern journalists judge sources. Why crafting your own narrative matters more than ever. Before the first PR pitch ever goes out, you need to have differentiated yourself and your message from everyone else in your space.You’ll learn:Why PR alone is no longer enough to build credibilityWhy your network no longer works like it used toHow come media companies are thinking like startupsWhy founders misunderstand PR todayWhat is the new entry ticket for media coverageIf you’re a founder or startup leader considering PR, this episode will help you understand what needs to be in place first and why building your brand may be the difference between a pitch that gets ignored and a story that earns attention.#PublicRelations #BrandStrategy #PowerfulPersonalBrandPodcast

April 22, 202627 min

Why CEOs Need Talent Agents

Most CEOs are visible, but that doesn’t mean they build trust, authority, or real market influence. In this episode of the Powerful Personal Brand Podcast, I explain why executive branding is an important lever for CEOs and executives today.I’m Claire Bahn, CEO of Claire Bahn Group, and I’ve spent over 15 years helping executives, founders, and leaders build authority, influence, and visibility in competitive markets.Gordon Gooch, co-founder and COO of Claire Bahn Group, and I discuss why leaders need more than company promotion for their message to land. We explore why audience understanding matters, how positioning shapes perception, and why strong executive branding is about clarity, trust, and authenticity rather than performing like a celebrity CEO.In this conversation, we also explore the difference between simply posting content and building an executive brand that supports the business, strengthens credibility, and creates more opportunity over time.If you are a CEO, founder, or executive trying to show up more effectively, this episode will help you think about executive branding in a more strategic way.We cover:Why CEOs need a brand separate from their companyWhat effective executive branding actually looks likeWhy so much CEO content feels flat or inauthenticHow audience perception shapes authority and trustWhat leaders often miss when they try to position themselves online

April 15, 202634 min

What the Psychology of Leadership Can Teach Us About Personal Brands

Great leadership isn’t just about experience or expertise.It’s about how you build trust, how you communicate your perspective, and how you show up in a way people actually believe.In this episode, I’m joined by Sébastien Page, Head of Global Multi-Asset and Chief Investment Officer at T. Rowe Price, and author of The Psychology of Leadership.We talk about what leadership looks like today, and how it directly impacts the way you build credibility and your personal brand.We get into:Leadership skills beyond expertise: what actually builds trustPersonal branding for executives and leaders in today’s environmentHow vulnerability in leadership (“I was wrong,” “I don’t know”) builds credibilityExecutive presence and how leaders communicate vision effectivelyThe relationship between personal brand and company brandIf you’re a CEO, founder, executive, or emerging leader, this conversation will give you a clearer way to think about leadership, trust, and personal branding.

April 1, 202629 min

How to Build a Personal Brand Without Becoming an Influencer

People want to build a personal brand, they want to be known, they want more visibility, but they don’t want to be an influencer.And they think those two things are the same.They’re not.In this episode of the Powerful Personal Brand Podcast, I’m joined by Sarah Boyd, co-CEO and CRO of The Digital Department, to unpack the difference between personal branding, thought leadership, and influencer culture. Sarah brings a unique perspective from the creator economy and talent management world, helping clarify where these worlds overlap, where they do not, and why that distinction matters for executives, founders, and professionals trying to build visibility with intention.In this episode, you’ll learn:The difference between a personal brand, a thought leader, and an influencerWhy social presence now functions as part of your professional reputationHow to identify your audience and create content that actually serves themWhy niche communities often matter more than large follower countsWhat executives and aspiring leaders can do to start building visibility from scratchIf you’re a CEO or founder who wants to build a stronger personal brand without losing credibility, this episode will help you think more clearly about how to show up.

March 25, 202633 min

The Value of Original Thinking in the AI Era

AI can support your content process. It can’t replace your perspective.In this episode of the Powerful Personal Brand Podcast, I’m joined by Claire Bahn Group co-founder Gordon Gooch to discuss why thought leadership matters more than ever in the AI era. We disarm the growing temptation to let AI generate executive content, highlighting why that approach weakens credibility and what leaders risk when they outsource the very thinking that should distinguish them.We also dive into what authentic thought leadership actually requires, from sharing lived experience and original perspective to showing up on video in a way that builds trust. If executives want speaking opportunities, media placements, stronger visibility, or long-term career resilience, generic AI-generated content is not the path.You’ll learn:Why AI-generated content cannot replace real executive thought leadershipWhat makes an original perspective more valuable in an increasingly automated content landscapeHow storytelling, experience, and specificity separate credible leaders from generic noiseWhy video remains one of the strongest ways to build trust and visibilityHow executives can use AI as a tool without letting it dilute their voiceIf you’re a CEO, founder, or executive using content to build authority, this episode will help you think more carefully about how you’re communicating and why authentic thought leadership is becoming more important than ever.

March 18, 202633 min

The Invisible Executive Problem: Why Today’s Leaders Can’t Stay Hidden

Executive visibility is no longer optional. It’s an integral part of how trust, credibility, and leadership are evaluated.In this episode of the Powerful Personal Brand Podcast, I’m joined by Claire Bahn Group co-founder Gordon Gooch to unpack why executives can no longer afford to stay invisible. We explore what has changed in the digital landscape, why personal branding has become a business imperative, and where many leaders still get it wrong, especially when they confuse executive visibility with influencer culture or treat a CEO’s brand like just another sales channel.You’ll learn:Why executive visibility now shapes trust, opportunity, and business perceptionThe difference between a strategic executive brand and an influencer-style presenceHow visible leadership creates a halo effect for the company itselfWhy storytelling and selective humanity matter more than corporate talking pointsWhat executives should focus on first if they want to build a credible brandIf you’re a CEO, founder, or public-facing leader who has been hesitant to show up more visibly, this episode will help you better understand what effective personal branding looks like for executives and why staying silent may now carry more risk than showing up strategically.

March 11, 202626 min

Why Founders Need a Personal Brand (Not Just a Company Brand)

For a long time, founders could rely on a strong company brand and traditional media to build visibility. But the formula has changed.In this episode of the Powerful Personal Brand Podcast, I sit down with jewelry PR expert Yael Fraynd, founder of YaYa Publicity, to talk about why personal branding has become essential in today’s digital-first world.We discuss how PR and marketing have evolved, why founders can’t rely on traditional media alone anymore, and how showing up authentically online builds stronger relationships with customers.Yael also shares why networking still matters, how social media can be a powerful (and free) marketing tool, and why you have to take the shot if you want the opportunity.In this episode, we cover:• Why founders need a personal brand, not just a company brand • How personal branding has changed in a digital-first world • Why authenticity matters when building a personal brand • How networking and relationships grow your brand visibility • How to overcome the fear of putting yourself out thereIf you're building a business and wondering how personal branding fits into your strategy, this episode will challenge the way you think about visibility and growth.

March 4, 202636 min

The Personal Branding Shift from Craft to Visibility

Personal branding is not about self-promotion. It is about having the courage to be seen.I’m Claire Bahn, host of the Powerful Personal Brand Podcast, and in this episode, I sit down with Greg Brewer, award-winning winemaker and 2020 Wine Enthusiast Winemaker of the Year, to explore what it truly takes to build a lasting reputation. From starting Brewer Clifton with just $12,000 to becoming the face of a globally respected wine label, Greg shares how personal branding evolves from quiet craftsmanship to bold visibility.We talk about the tension between mastery and exposure and why doing exceptional work is only half the equation. In today’s world, personal branding requires conviction, clarity, and the willingness to be vulnerable. Greg opens up about the risk of putting yourself front and center, the danger of chasing trends, and why relevance comes from commitment rather than perfection.In a space increasingly shaped by automation and AI, we discuss why authenticity is becoming the ultimate differentiator. When everything can be polished, filtered, and optimized, the brands that stand out are the ones that feel human. Greg shares how embracing imperfection, holding a clear point of view, and refusing to dilute your voice can create momentum that lasts decades.You’ll learn:How to balance craft and visibility in your personal brandingWhy confidence and commitment create long-term momentumHow to stand out without chasing every trendWhy imperfection can strengthen your personal brandHow to build relevance that lasts for decades, not just a seasonIf you are building a business, leading a brand, or stepping into thought leadership, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you show up and how boldly you are willing to be seen.

February 25, 202627 min

The 3 C’s of Trust in Personal Branding

Personal branding isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being trusted and delivering real results.In this episode of the Powerful Personal Brand Podcast, I sit down with Tim Berney, CEO of VI Marketing and Branding, to explore why personal branding is built on the same foundation as successful corporate branding: clarity, consistency, and credibility. We dig into how trust is earned in today’s digital environment and why visibility online is now a leadership responsibility, especially in B2B.You’ll learn:What personal branding and corporate branding truly have in commonWhy trust always outperforms tactics in the long runHow authenticity impacts your influence and thought leadershipWhy being consistently visible matters more than being perfectly polishedHow clarity, proof, and ROI shape long-term brand valueIf you're a CEO, founder, executive, or expert trying to make your expertise visible (and profitable), this episode will shift how you think about personal branding and the role trust plays in building a brand that drives ROI.

February 18, 202632 min

How Storytelling Transforms Your Personal Brand (From a four-time Emmy Award Winner!)

If no one notices you, your personal brand can’t do its job.In this episode of the Powerful Personal Brand Podcast, I’m joined by Jacques Spitzer, a four-time Emmy Award–winning creative entrepreneur and founder of Raindrop Agency, to explore what it really takes to build a personal brand that captures attention without compromising trust.We dive into the psychology behind attention, why being great at what you do isn’t enough, and how to avoid building an audience that doesn’t convert. Jacques also shares his “Green Lamborghini Effect” framework and how it applies directly to personal branding that supports real business outcomes, not vanity metrics.You’ll learn:Why attention is the gateway to trust in personal brandingHow to stand out online without relying on gimmicksWhat separates attention from influenceHow to use storytelling as a pattern interruptWhy consistency beats virality for sustainable growthThis episode is packed with practical insights for founders, creators, coaches, and professionals who want their personal branding to align with their goals, not distract from them. If you're tired of chasing trends and want a more strategic, authentic way to get noticed, this conversation will change how you approach your brand.STAY CONNECTED WITH JACQUES SPITZER:https://www.jacquesspitzer.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jspitzer5/https://raindrop.agency/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marketing-people-love/id1642420328https://open.spotify.com/show/0aNKwx2fVdoNxprI7p8PBfhttps://www.tiktok.com/@jacquesspitzerhttps://www.instagram.com/jacquesspitzerhttps://x.com/JacquesDrophttps://www.amazon.com/People-Turkey-Sandwiches-Jacques-Spitzer/dp/0692104321/https://www.amazon.com/Think-Better-J-Jeffrey-Campbell/dp/1639721649/