Dads & gallery co-curators Quajay Donnell & Richard Colon are building community & leading by example

Dads & gallery co-curators Quajay Donnell & Richard Colon are building community & leading by example

Years ago, I interviewed both Quajay Donnell and Richard Colon for my passion project, I Heart ROC. We’ve all experienced a lot of life changes since then, and our friendships have grown too, so I was excited to check in five years later for a podcast interview! We talk about how photography has helped them better get to know Rochester, their journey to founding Behind the Glass Gallery, and their experiences as dads. At the end of the day, sometimes you’ve just gotta jump in the bounce house, even if you’re in your 40s and you know your legs will hurt the next day!

Read More

Jon-Stephen Stansel on creativity & humor as a social media pro and dad

Jon-Stephen Stansel on creativity & humor as a social media pro and dad

I’ve followed the work of social media consultant Jon-Stephen Stansel for years, so I was thrilled when he agreed to chat with me for the It’s a Lot podcast. After getting his start doing social media at higher ed institutions and government agencies, his online connections led to him working with brands like Invincible, Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, Hazbin Hotel, Sausage Party: Foodtopia, and Avatar: The Way of Water. In this conversation, we talk about the joys of being creative and funny on social media, how AI lacks taste that’s necessary to succeed as a social media manager, the dark pits of the internet, and more. In the second half of the show, we also explore Jon-Stephen’s life as a dad and the joys he’s finding on his parenthood journey.

Read More

The Rise of Unhinged Marketing on Social Media (& How Your Brand Can Try It)

The Rise of Unhinged Marketing on Social Media (& How Your Brand Can Try It)

This year, things have gotten unhinged on social media. The internet has always been a strange place, but it’s extra unusual lately. Recently, there’s been a shift to brands creating weirder and weirder content. No, I’m not talking about the snarky Wendy’s Twitter from the mid-2010s; I’m talking about the unhinged chaos of brands on TikTok and beyond. Today on the blog I’ll define ‘unhinged,’ explain the origins of the madness (and the rationale behind it), share examples, and offer guidance for when and how to try it. Let’s dive in!

Read More