You don’t need perfection to build trust—you need clarity, confidence, and connection.

In Episode 29, Kassie sits down with Noelle Barnes, who works in marketing within the modern matchmaking space, to unpack what swiping culture can teach us about social media strategy, elimination psychology, and long-term brand growth.

From instant gratification and comparison culture to authenticity, storytelling, and why hesitation kills both chemistry and conversion, this conversation breaks down what it really takes to build relationships—online and off. If you’re building a brand, refining your messaging, or trying to stand out without sounding like everyone else, this episode is your reminder that it’s not about impressing. It’s about not getting eliminated.

🎙 Subscribe & follow @youherditherepodcast for more real conversations at the intersection of social media, behavior, and brand-building. If this episode resonated, leave a review and share it with a founder who needs to hear it.

➡️ Connect with Noelle for more insights on modern dating and digital behavior. https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelleebarnes/

In Episode 28 of You Herd It Here, Kassie and Sofia unpack the truth about influencer marketing in 2026 and why bigger followings don’t automatically mean better results. From micro-influencers to macro-creators—and even choosing no influencers at all—this episode resets how brands should think about influence today.

From influencer fatigue and trust erosion to why follower count is no longer the primary success metric, this conversation explores how relatability, engagement, and connection now outperform reach. You’ll learn when micro-influencers drive real action, when macro still makes sense, and why influencers can’t fix unclear messaging, weak funnels, or broken strategy.

If you’re questioning whether influencer marketing is actually worth the investment—or wondering why past campaigns didn’t convert—this episode will help you decide when to use influencers, how to use them wisely, and when to focus on owned content instead.

If this episode changes how you think about influence, share it to your stories and tag @youherditherepodcast—because influence isn’t about being seen by everyone, it’s about being trusted by the right people.

You don’t need hype or virality to build a beauty brand that lasts—you need intention, education, and trust. In Episode 27, Kassie sits down with Zach Dishinger, founder of Formula Z Cosmetics, to talk about launching a beauty brand at 15, growing up alongside your business, and using social media as a long-term brand-building tool.

From early experimentation and founder-led credibility to transparency, boundaries, and avoiding burnout, this conversation breaks down what it really looks like to scale with purpose in one of the most saturated industries online. If you’re building a brand, creating content, or navigating social media as a founder, this episode is your reminder that longevity always beats likes.

🎙 Subscribe & follow @youherditherepodcast for more real conversations at the intersection of social media, business, and brand-building. If this episode resonated, leave a review and share it with a founder who needs to hear it.

➡️ Connect with Zach and explore Formula Z by following @formulazcosmetics and @zachdishinger