Influencer marketing has earned its place in the campaign toolbox, but its greatest opportunity might be in strengthening paid media. Nicole Dunger and Ryan Long sit down with Zachary Adams of VDX (https://www.vdx.tv/) to explore why the lines between television and creator marketing are disappearing, and how campaigns can get more value from creator-led content. They also break down what successful cross-channel strategies look like in today's political landscape.
https://people1st.substack.com/
https://www.vdx.tv/
17 Jun 2026
Activating Impactful Influencer Programs With Tiffany Rivers
This month on Influencer Impact, Nicole sat down with Tiffany Rivers, VP of Emerging Media + Influencer Marketing at Media Cause, to talk about where the influencer industry is headed. From navigating constant change to building programs that create lasting impact, Tiffany shared what teams need to know in today's digital climate.
Tiffany on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tlrivers/
Digital Strategy Summit:
https://www.centerfordigitalstrategy.com/digital-strategy-summit
28 Apr 2026
Don't Talk About Politics With Sarah Stein Lubrano
In this episode of Influencer Impact, Ryan sits down with Sarah Stein Lubrano to unpack her recent book, Don't Talk About Politics: Changing 21st Century Minds, and what the science actually says about persuasion. The conversation moves past the usual "change minds with facts" framing and into what actually works: identity, trust, and social context. They get into how that shows up in real communications work, especially for campaigns and organizations trying to reach fragmented audiences. Creators come into the picture as people already embedded in communities, showing up as authentic voices rather than institutional messengers.
Sarah brings a deep, lived perspective, with a background in feminist and mutual aid organizing, teaching in prisons, and academic training with a PhD from the University of Oxford and a Master's from the University of Cambridge. Her work extends through the Sense and Solidarity Initiative and the Future Narratives Lab, and she's previously served as Head of Content at The School of Life. Follow her on Instagram, Substack, and Bluesky.
https://bookshop.org/p/books/don-t-talk-about-politics-how-to-change-21st-century-minds-sarah-stein-lubrano/e74488cba3ff517f
https://www.instagram.com/sarahsteinlubrano/ (https://www.instagram.com/sarahsteinlubrano/)
https://sarahsteinlubrano.substack.com/
https://bsky.app/profile/sarahsteinlubrano.bsky.social (https://bsky.app/profile/sarahsteinlubrano.bsky.social)
16 Mar 2026
Clare O'Donoghue Velikić: How Progressive Campaigns Can Adapt to Europe's TTPA
This episodes special guest is Clare O'Donoghue Velikić, Founder & Director of ODV Digital, a consultancy that works with progressive campaigns across Europe.
Clare joins us to talk about the EU's new Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising (TTPA) regulations and what they mean for progressive political organizations. We dig into how campaigns can adapt their digital strategies, and explore practical ways both organic and paid programs can continue reaching voters while staying compliant with the new rules.
Clare on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-o-donoghue-velikic/
ODV Digital:
https://odvdigital.com/ (https://odvdigital.com/)
People First:
https://peoplefirst.cc/ (https://peoplefirst.cc/)
19 Feb 2026
Influencer Impact & Oops! Im an Influencer Featuring Gabriella Zutrau
In this special crossover episode of Influencer Impact and Oops! I'm an Influencer, we're joined by digital strategist and influencer Gabriella Zutrau. With a background in community organizing and political digital strategy, she breaks down what this next election cycle will look like online — and why creators and internet professionals matter more than ever.
We discuss the shifting media landscape and why paid ads alone aren't enough. In 2024, Democrats outspent the GOP on paid media and still lost, while the right has spent years building powerful organic social ecosystems rooted in creator trust and community.
That's why Gabriella and other digital strategists are calling for 15% of campaign paid media budgets to be shifted into organic social, creator engagement, and new media infrastructure. If you are interested in this click the link below and add your name to the list!
https://bit.ly/theinternetpeople
22 Dec 2025
Episode 11: Team People First - Election Guide & 2026 Digital Predictions
People First's Ryan Davis, Nicole Dunger, & Ryan Long talk about their 2026 influencer election guide and 9 trends shaping digital strategy.
Watch the live video:
https://people1st.substack.com/p/live-with-team-people-first (https://people1st.substack.com/p/live-with-team-people-first)
2026 Election Guide: Activating Influencers in Politics & Advocacy:
https://people1st.substack.com/p/2026-election-guide-activating-influencers
9 Trends Driving Digital Strategy in 2026:
https://monthindigital.substack.com/p/9-trends-driving-digital-strategy
13 Nov 2025
Episode 10: "Why Fascists Fear Teachers" with Randi Weingarten
Nicole's conversation with Randi Weingarten gets right to the heart of why teachers are on the frontlines of the fight for democracy. Randi breaks down the real pressures educators are facing and why her book Why Fascists Fear Teachers is both a warning and a call to action.
6 Oct 2025
Episode 9: Learning From the Right
Our latest Influencer Impact podcast episode is live. Nicole Dunger, VP of Growth, and Ryan Long, Digital Strategy Manager, break down the digital strategies Republicans are leaning on this cycle. This is not praise! But rather, an exploration as to why their tactics are gaining traction, how they are capturing attention online, and what lessons progressives can take to sharpen our own digital playbooks.
4 Sept 2025
Episode 8: Ryan & Nicole on Netroots Nation and the Democratic Voter Registration Crisis
On this episode, Ryan and Nicole unpack The New York Times report on the decline in Democratic voter registration and discuss how creators can help turn the tide. Plus, Nicole shares highlights from her recent trip to Netroots Nation!
10 Jul 2025
Episode 7 - Lights, Camera, Influence: Oh Mary and the Art of Digital Storytelling
Episode 7 of Influencer Impact is live!
In this month’s episode, Ryan and Sit down with Social Media Director Austin Spero of Oh Mary to dive into the impact of digital storytelling on the hit Broadway production.
18 Jun 2025
Special Edition: Talking MAHA Microinfluencers and 2028 with Digital Analyst Joe Drymala
Digital analyst Joe Drymala explains to hosts Nicole and Ryan how microinfluencers propelled RFK Jr.'s MAHA movement and highlights a surprising 2028 contender popular among young men in this interview.
5 Jun 2025
Episode 5 - Hyperlocal Influence: Sparking Change in Their Own Communities
Sara St. Hilaire and Philip Holmes of Swell Creative Group discuss how hyperlocal influencers drive community change, specifically Los Angeles County's Measure A, in an interview with Ryan and Nicole.
30 Apr 2025
Episode 4 - Standing Up: Social Media’s Role in Defending Trans Rights
In this month’s episode of Influencer Impact, we’re diving into the digital frontlines of trans advocacy with two powerhouse voices from the ACLU: Justin Kipp, Artist & Influencer Engagement Strategist, and Gillian Branstetter, Communications Strategist for the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project. From the viral potential of creator-led campaigns to the stakes of the U.S. v. Skrmetti case, we explore how social media can be a lifeline—and a battleground—for trans rights. Whether you’re an advocate, an ally, or a creator looking to speak out, this conversation is a must-listen.
2 Apr 2025
Episode 3: Building Progressive Creator Communities
In this month’s episode, we’re joined by Val Cheney, our Director of Organizing, and Jiovanni Carrasquillo, our Senior Digital Relational Organizer, where we discuss how People First builds a vibrant, values-aligned creator community. We dive into how we manage to keep creators engaged, empowered, and ready to share the causes they care about most
6 Mar 2025
Episode 2 - The Power of Influencers in Spreading DEI Messages
For March, Ryan and Nicole sit down with Sophia, an Account Director at Fenton, to explore how organizations approach DEI and why it matters. Tune in for an insightful discussion on how we deploy real people to bring authentic voices to the conversation. Don’t miss this must-read resource from Stanford: https://people1st.substack.com/p/whats-your-creativity-suppression
5 Feb 2025
Episode One - Natasha del Amo
For February, Ryan and Nicole are joined by Natasha del Amo, Vice President of Paid Media at Precision Strategies. They discuss the role of influencers in nonprofit and corporate advocacy, the best ways to position creators for clients, and what Natasha is most excited about in 2025 marketing.
Who has been a guest on Influencer Impact
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Joe Drymala
Sara St Hilaire
Philip Holmes
Reach and audience
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 22 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
44
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
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Guest appearances
Books guests
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Questions about Influencer Impact
Who hosts Influencer Impact?
Nicole and Ryan host the show. Published by People First.
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The show publishes monthly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Influencer Impact take guests?
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