"In-Person Influencer" Might Be the Only Title That Matters

You probably know more about your favorite influencer's morning routine than your next-door neighbor's name. That's not an accident. It's the algorithm doing exactly what it's designed to do. In Episode 3 of The Storytellers Podcast, co-founders Alex Demczak and Will Severns unpack the difference between passive consumption and active proximity, sharing real stories along the way, including a friend who welcomes new neighbors with cookies, the Table Setters community Will co-founded to bring men together without cost or pretense, and their own experience watching "influential" leaders lose it all once the cameras were off. They challenge the listener to rethink what real influence looks like, arguing that some of the best influencers in your life are already in your own network — you just haven't picked up the phone yet. 0:00 Welcome Back & Episode Recap 3:00 What is an Influencer Really? 6:00 Competence Over Confidence 11:00 Tim Tebow, Taylor Swift & Being the Same Person Everywhere 13:00 How Alex Neglected In-Person Community 17:00 Why We Know Influencers Better Than Our Coworkers 22:00 Will's Growing Cynicism With 30 Under 30 Lists 25:00 Passive Consumption vs. Active Proximity 27:00 Tablesetters 31:00 Closing Question: What Does Real Proximity Look Like? Reflection questions from Alex & Will: 1. What does real proximity actually look like in your life, the kind a like or a follow online can't replicate? 2. What's the cost of chasing influence on the world's terms rather than your own? Watch stories from our clients:    • Share Your Story Podcast   Read stories from our clients: https://shareyourstory.com/feature-st... Say hi to the founders on LinkedIn! 👋 Follow Alex:   / alex-demczak-59108179   Follow Will:   / will-severns-59a97268   → If you’re enjoying the Storytellers Podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review. This helps more people discover the show.