How PlaqueBoyMax Became The First Streamer Nominated For A Grammy

How PlaqueBoyMax Became The First Streamer Nominated For A Grammy

How did PlaqueBoyMax go from making a 30-slide PowerPoint presentation to convince his parents to let him pursue streaming, to entertaining 50,000 live viewers a day and producing Grammy-nominated music?Welcome to the Forbes Top Creator Show! This week, host Steven Bertoni sits down with the multi-hyphenate creator, musician, and streamer, PlaqueBoyMax. Max breaks down his "disruptive" approach to content, blending IRL streaming, comedy, and live music production in ways that haven't been done before. He opens up about the intense reality of entertaining thousands of live viewers, why live streaming creates a community connection that traditional YouTube videos simply cannot replicate, and the mental toll of managing a high-speed live chat for hours on end. Max also discusses how he manages his expanding business team, why he turned down a multi-million dollar gambling sponsorship to protect his younger audience, and how he organically incorporates top brands like Nike and Bose into his streams. Finally, Max reveals the incredible story behind linking up with Fred again.. and Skepta to produce the track "Victory Lap"—a collaboration born on his stream that made history by earning a Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Record. 0:00 Meet PlaqueBoyMax 1:30 "Disruption": Blending Streaming, Music, and IRL Content 5:18 Rage Bait, Smashed Tables, and Live Stream Chaos 7:56 The Mental Toll & Psychology of Streaming 11:07 Why Live Streaming Creates Deeper Connections Than YouTube 15:41 The 30-Slide Presentation to Skip College 20:33 Managing the Creator Economy 25:07 Making Music Live on Stream with Top Artists 33:13 Unpacking the $30,000 IRL Streaming Backpack 36:42 Authentic Brand Deals & Turning Down Millions 43:31 Making History: A Grammy Nomination for "Victory Lap" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

How The Dogist Built A 12+ Million Follower Brand With Squeaky Toys And Knee Pads

How do you go from getting laid off from a brand strategy job in New York City to photographing 50,000 dogs, hitting the New York Times bestseller list, and doing a "panthoot" with Jane Goodall in Central Park? Welcome to the Forbes Top Creator Show! This week, host Steven Bertoni sits down with Elias, the street photographer and creator better known as The Dogist. In this episode, Elias breaks down his 13-year journey of putting on knee pads, carrying squeaky toys, and capturing the joy of dogs in a way no one else had. He shares how his project evolved from a "Sartorialist for dogs" concept into a massive, 7-million-follower media brand that brings joy and profound connection to the internet. Beyond the photos, Elias talks about the power of writing his New York Times best-selling books, what it's like taking dogs into prisons with the Puppies Behind Bars program, and facilitating a heartwarming meeting between a terminally ill dog named Kygo and the actual DJ Kygo. Finally, Elias shares details on his new "Dogs on YouTube" show featuring celebrities like Bill Murray and Zooey Deschanel, and why fostering in-person community meetups is the future of his brand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

The Satire Account Followed By Billionaires: How The Gstaad Guy Built a Luxury Empire

How does a digital creator transition from the Apple Pay growth team to designing a 25-unit, limited-edition Bentley SUV? This week on the Forbes Top Creator Show, host Steven Bertoni sits down with the ultimate lifestyle disruptor: The Gstaad Guy. After a 30-second parody video for a friend’s mother went viral on WhatsApp, the creator walked away from a dream role at Apple to build a multimillion-dollar business centered on the archetypes of the ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individual. In this episode, we explore the "reverse intention" of satire. By poking fun at the absurdities of the global elite, Gstaad Guy successfully inverted the traditional marketing funnel, accidentally causing sales for brands like Loro Piana to skyrocket. He shares the disciplined business logic behind his 20-hour production workflow for a single minute of content and reveals why the industry's obsession with "authenticity" is a failing strategy compared to the cultivation of true credibility. The conversation dives deep into the shifting landscape of 2026 luxury consumption, contrasting the "snobbery" of old European wealth with the hype-driven spending of the American market. From the launch of his jewelry brand, Pubel, to the creation of the "Chalet on Wheels"—a Bentley Bentayga specced to mirror the elegance of a Swiss chalet, the Gstaad Guy explains how fiction and humor can be effective tools for capturing the attention of the world's most exclusive consumers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

How Woody & Kleiny Discovered The 'Formula' For Going Viral

How do you go from juggling soccer balls on Britain's Got Talent to generating 10 billion views a year as a comedy duo? Welcome to the Forbes Top Creator Show! This week, host Steven Bertoni sits down with Paul "Woody" Wood, one half of the legendary UK creator duo, Woody & Kleiny, recorded live from the World Government Summit in Dubai. In this episode, Woody breaks down their 13-year journey from the early days of Instagram to building an audience of 50 million followers. He shares the brutal reality of their come-up—working day jobs and filming until 1 AM for five years before making a single penny. He also reveals why they turned down their first lucrative brand deals to strategically pivot away from sports content and into mainstream comedy. Expect a masterclass in virality as Woody explains their "T.H.I.S. A.E." framework (Trends, Humor, Inspiration, Surprise, Adventure, Emotion) and how they use the "Disney Effect" to craft compelling narratives in short-form video. Finally, Woody gives a behind-the-scenes look at their content house, their high-volume production schedule, and their upcoming 140-lesson social media course. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

How A Stand-Up Comedian Became The Millennial Finance Expert | Mrs. Dow Jones

How do you go from stand-up comedy and nannying on the Upper East Side to becoming a millionaire "finfluencer" and author? Welcome to the Forbes Top Creator Show! This week, host Steven Bertoni sits down with Haley Sacks, the financial expert and media mogul better known as Mrs. Dow Jones. In this episode, Haley shares her hilarious origin story, including her pivot from a film and comedy background to pitching a "Finance is Cool" segment to CNBC. She opens up about the wakeup call she had while working for SNL creator Lorne Michaels, realizing she knew nothing about 401(k)s or health insurance, and how getting laid off pushed her to build her own brand. Haley breaks down how she makes investing aspirational—turning a Roth IRA into the ultimate "flex" instead of a Birkin bag. She also dives into the business of being a "finfluencer," her strategy behind using a viral Blue Ivy moment to teach custodial IRAs, and the real reason her generation is facing "financial nihilism." Finally, Haley shares the inspiration behind her new book, Future Rich Person, her top three finance book recommendations, and the biggest financial mistake of her life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]