Listen Again: Finding your friends in college

The Story Behind the Story, with guest Benji Rosenzweig

Welcome to the very first episode of our new series, Great Big Client Conversations, a new series within The Social Dialogue Podcast where Shane sits down with clients of Big Voice Social to talk business, branding, storytelling, and why outsourcing social media can make all the difference. First up is Benji Rosenzweig, creator of Storied [https://www.storiedshow.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] — the wildly fascinating live show and recorded podcast uncovering the untold Jewish stories behind your favorite music. Benji shares how his lifelong love of music, storytelling, and Jewish identity collided after October 7th to create Storied. What started as a search for positive Jewish narratives evolved into a powerful platform spotlighting the Jewish contributors behind artists and genres like The Beatles, the grunge movement, reggae, and more. Shane and Benji talk about: * The emotional inspiration behind Storied * How music videos helped Benji’s special needs daughter communicate emotionally * The hidden Jewish connections behind iconic bands and artists * Why nostalgia and storytelling create powerful community * The challenge of building an authentic social media presence in a noisy online world * What  pushed Benji to outsource social media support to Big Voice Social * Why relatable, human content matters more than “viral” * Touring Storied live shows across North America Benji also shares stories about interviewing guests like Jonah Platt, Judy Gold, and John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting, plus how the newest Storied production highlighting Jewish women in music came together. This conversation is part business discussion, part social media strategy talk, and part deep dive into the power of storytelling and identity. If you love music history, behind-the-scenes stories, Jewish culture, entrepreneurship, or authentic conversations about content creation and branding, this episode is for you. Listen to Storied wherever you get your podcasts and follow along on social for upcoming live shows and tour announcements. NOTE: We mention in the episode about live shows happening outside of the Detroit area and that they weren't yet public (we recorded this in late April). Well that's changed! If you're in Windsor, Ontario, the Storied live show is coming to you Thursday, June 4th. Details are here:  https://jewishwindsor.org/event/storied-concert/ Follow Storied Show and connect with us:  https://www.instagram.com/storiedshow/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578011007290 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCocGagsPJFjlC8Uvic02aig https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/storied-the-untold-jewish-stories-behind-your/id1837473877 Keywords: Jewish stories, music history podcast, Storied podcast, Benji Rosenzweig, Beatles history, Jewish contributions to music, social media marketing, Big Voice Social, storytelling podcast, Jewish culture, music documentaries, grunge history, reggae history, podcast marketing, entrepreneurship Looking to up your social media marketing efforts? Reach out to Big Voice Social at bigvoicesocial.com  Need help with your company's social media? Reach out at bigvoicesocial.com.

The OG Chat GPT, with guest Lisi Metzger

Shane and Jenna are joined by social media strategist and L Studio Media founder Lisi Metzger for a conversation that feels like catching up with an old friend… if that friend also happens to be a walking brainstorm machine. From the moment the episode starts, things go off the rails in the best way possible as Shane and Jenna battle over one very important question before Jenna’s move to New York City: should she hire a Task Rabbit to assemble her furniture, or is building it yourself a rite of passage? The debate quickly turns into a hilarious generational standoff about independence, convenience, and surviving IKEA-level stress in a tiny NYC apartment. But underneath the laughs is a fascinating conversation about creativity, entrepreneurship, social media, and how Lisi built her business, L Studio Media. Lisi shares her unconventional path from blogging in the early days of the internet to becoming a sought-after social media strategist helping brands find their “it factor” online. Jenna officially crowns Lisi “The OG Chat GPT” after Shane describes how she’s the person you call when you need ideas, recommendations, strategy, or instant creative problem-solving. Long before AI existed, Lisi was already the human version of it — generating content ideas, marketing angles, and big-picture strategy on demand. The conversation also dives into: *  How social media marketing has evolved over the years  *  Why short-form video is still dominating Instagram  *  The pressure creators feel to constantly adapt to platform changes  *  The difference between followers and real engagement  *  Why saves, shares, and DMs matter more than follower counts  *  The changing behavior of Gen Z users online  *  Building a business during the pandemic  *  Why authenticity still matters on social media  It’s a funny, insightful, and very real conversation about creativity, career pivots, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and surviving social media in 2026. Keywords: social media strategy, Instagram trends, Gen Z, Gen X, NYC move, Task Rabbit, entrepreneurship, women in business, content creation, creator economy, social media marketing, podcast, marketing strategy, small business, video content, influencer marketing, L Studio Media, The Social Dialogue Podcast. Connect with and follow Lisi at https://www.instagram.com/lstudiomedia/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisi-metzger-82aa613/  Looking to up your social media marketing efforts? Reach out to Big Voice Social at bigvoicesocial.com  Need help with your company's social media? Reach out at bigvoicesocial.com.

The Truth About Job Hunting Today, with guest Nicki Perchik

Two generations, one conversation… well, almost. This week, it’s just Shane - because Jenna is officially in graduation chaos mode (finals, celebrations, moving to NYC… all of it). But the timing couldn’t be more perfect for this conversation. Shane sits down with recruiter, career coach, and author Nicki Perchik to talk about what’s actually happening in today’s job market - and what Gen Z (and honestly, all of us) are getting wrong about getting hired. Nicki has spent years helping companies hire top talent and coaching professionals at every level. And lately, she’s been working closely with college students and recent grads navigating that frustrating “you need experience to get experience” cycle.  This episode is packed with straight talk and practical advice—no fluff. What we cover: *  Why the job market isn’t as hopeless as it feels (and what to do instead of panicking)  *  The biggest mistakes candidates make in interviews (this one is big)  *  Why networking still beats everything else—yes, still  *  What actually matters more than your degree  *  How to stand out when you have little to no experience  *  The truth about your first job (and why it’s not supposed to be perfect)  *  How social media can quietly cost you a job offer  *  The skills that will matter most in an AI-driven world  Nicki also shares what she tells her own kids—and it’s the kind of advice every parent and graduating senior needs to hear right now. If you have a college student, a recent grad, or you’re navigating your own career shift, this is one to send, save, and come back to. 🔗 Connect with Nicki 📘 Book: The Recruiter’s Truly Simple Guide to Job Searching, Interviewing & Getting Hired 👉 https://www.amazon.com/Recruiters-Truly-Simple-Searching-Interviewing/dp/B0D48193JB [https://www.amazon.com/Recruiters-Truly-Simple-Searching-Interviewing/dp/B0D48193JB] 📧 Email: nikki@thenlpgroup.net  🌐 Company: The NLP Group (Executive Search + Career Coaching) Looking to up your social media marketing efforts? Reach out to Big Voice Social at bigvoicesocial.com  Need help with your company's social media? Reach out at bigvoicesocial.com.

Listen Again: Finding your friends in college

Two generations - one converation, and this one feels full circle. In our very first episode of The Social Dialogue Podcast, we talked about something every college student (and every parent) struggles with… finding your people. Jenna was a freshman, in the thick of it. The uncertainty, the friend groups that didn’t stick, the feeling of being left out, and the question everyone quietly asks themselves… will I find my friends? Now, as Jenna prepares to graduate from college in early May, we’re rerunning this episode with a completely different perspective. Because she did. She found her people. Real friendships. The kind that last beyond college. The kind she searched for her entire childhood.  In this episode, Jenna shares what those early days were really like, how she navigated the ups and downs of friendships in college, and what helped her ultimately find the right circle. Her advice for current college freshmen is honest, practical, and reassuring. Shane brings in the parent perspective, talking about how hard it is to let go, what parents get wrong during that first year, and why stepping back is often the best thing you can do. If you’re a college student trying to figure out where you fit in, or a parent watching your child go through it, this conversation will hit home.  Because finding your people takes time. But when you do, it’s everything. Leave us a review and congratulate Jenna!  Keywords: college friendships, finding friends in college, college freshman advice, Gen Z college experience, parenting college students, letting go as a parent, mother daughter podcast, Gen X Gen Z podcast, social media podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesocialdialoguepodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socialdialoguepodcast Tik Tok (we aren't there that often): @the.social.dialogue Or find us on LinkedIn:  Jenna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-shaps-59b1a9234/ Shane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-shaps/  Looking to up your social media marketing efforts? Reach out to Big Voice Social at bigvoicesocial.com  Need help with your company's social media? Reach out at bigvoicesocial.com.

Marketing Yourself as a Marketer, with guest Amy Fair

Two generations, one conversation—and this one hits at exactly the right time. In this episode of The Social Dialogue Podcast, Shane and Jenna sit down with content strategist and marketer Amy Fair to talk about something that’s very real for both Gen Z and Gen X right now: the job search. Jenna is preparing to graduate college and step into the workforce. Amy is navigating her next opportunity after a contract role. Different stages, same challenges - and a lot of honest insight in between. Amy shares what it actually looks like to job hunt in today’s market, from building a standout portfolio to showing up online in a way that attracts opportunities. Jenna brings the perspective of a soon-to-be graduate trying to break through the noise. And Shane does what she does best - connecting the dots, asking the questions, and (yes) helping open doors. This episode covers the real stuff: *  Why portfolios matter more than resumes in marketing and creative fields  *  How to stand out when “everyone has experience”  *  What to post (and what not to post) on LinkedIn during a job search  *  The importance of networking - and how to do it without being transactional  *  Using your connections (yes, even your parents) the right way  *  How to quickly learn a brand voice when you start a new role  *  Why consistency and personal branding are a long game, not a quick fix  Amy also shares her own experience navigating a long job search, how she stayed visible and positive online, and the small actions that made a big difference along the way.  If you’re a college student, recent graduate, parent of one, or honestly anyone thinking about their next move, this episode will feel very familiar—and hopefully a little bit helpful. Keywords: job search tips, entry level jobs, marketing careers, Gen Z careers, Gen X perspective, mother daughter podcast, social media careers, portfolio tips, LinkedIn networking, personal branding, content marketing careers, job search advice Looking to up your social media marketing efforts? Reach out to Big Voice Social at bigvoicesocial.com  Need help with your company's social media? Reach out at bigvoicesocial.com.