

Built in Public
Courtney Johnson
Built in Public is a personal brand podcast hosted by Courtney Johnson.
Each week, Courtney sits down with founders, creators, and operators to unpack how they turn expertise into authority, visibility into opportunity, and content into long-term leverage.
We talk positioning, audience building, thought leadership, and what it actually takes to show up before you feel ready.
If you want to build it in public, this show is for you.
Each week, Courtney sits down with founders, creators, and operators to unpack how they turn expertise into authority, visibility into opportunity, and content into long-term leverage.
We talk positioning, audience building, thought leadership, and what it actually takes to show up before you feel ready.
If you want to build it in public, this show is for you.
Episodes
Mentioned books

10 snips
Nov 5, 2024 • 43min
Un-Gatekeeping Personal Brand with Donavan Barrett
Donavan Barrett, a content creator and expert in audience building, shares his insights on crafting engaging content. He explains how to break free from the fear of being seen and encourages experimentation in content creation. A key point is the importance of understanding your audience rather than obsessing over algorithms. Donavan highlights tactics for leveraging other brands and advocates for creating authentic connections through personal storytelling, helping listeners enhance their personal brands effectively.

Oct 29, 2024 • 51min
Un-Gatekeeping Influencer Marketing
Unlock the secrets of influencer marketing with expert tips to boost your brand partnerships. Discover the importance of authenticity, emotional intelligence, and cold outreach in negotiations. Learn how to optimize your social media presence and engage audiences creatively, even with unconventional themes. Delve into the significance of building networks and valuing your worth in a competitive landscape. Uncover diverse partnership opportunities across various industries, proving success doesn’t depend on follower count.

Oct 22, 2024 • 38min
Un-Gatekeeping Fame with Whitney Uland
Listen up! Fame is a resource. It can get you attention, opportunities, and options– but you have to be willing to embrace it and be seen as your authentic self to cultivate it.
And I get it. That can be hard, which is why I’ve got Whitney Uland here with me today to walk through her five best cheat codes on how to create fame for yourself and overcome some of the mindset blocks that keep us from being seen.
If you’re ready to be seen and make waves, this is an episode you can’t miss. Let’s dive in!
What’s in this episode:
[00:00] Intro
[00:20] Why you need to join Intuition University
[03:18] How to get over your fear of being seen and step into the identity of a celebrity
[10:10] How to show up more authentically online
[19:33] How to create boundaries and feel safe being seen
[30:01] Why you need to be triggering to get seen (but maybe not in the way you think)
Get in on Intuition University before the doors close on Oct 31!
My next LinkedIn cohort starts on Oct 28! If you’re ready to level up on LinkedIn, you can’t miss this.
Connect with Whitney
Follow Whitney on TikTok
Follow Whitney on Instagram
Work with Whitney
Connect with Courtney
Courses
Newsletter
TikTok
Linkedin
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube

Oct 15, 2024 • 36min
Un-Gatekeeping the Unspoken Rules of Success
Here’s some tough love today: You don’t find success through jealousy. You won’t find success by giving your time away for free. And you won’t find it scrolling mindlessly through your phone.
And that’s not just my opinion. Today, you’re hearing it straight from Nadine, creator of The Stanza. She’s sharing her cheat codes for success, including how to ask the right questions, how to check your subconscious, and how to use your feminine intuition to find success in the professional world.
If you’re ready to embrace success, this is an episode you can’t miss. Let’s dive in!
What’s in this episode:
[00:00] Intro
[00:20] Why you need to join Intuition University
[02:49] Nadine breaks down the art of asking good questions
[09:24] Nadine explains what it means to ruthlessly edit your subconscious… and why it might be time to check your social media usage
[14:41] An easy game to check your content consumption
[17:22] Nadine’s hot take on checking your criticism of wealth
[23:57] Leaning in to the unique feminine skills that can benefit women in professional fields
[27:49] Why you have to protect your time to find success
Get in on Intuition University before the doors close on Oct 31!
Connect with Nadine
Follow Nadine on TikTok
Follow Nadine on Instagram
Join Nadine’s Substack
Connect with Courtney
Courses
Newsletter
TikTok
Linkedin
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube

Oct 8, 2024 • 39min
Un-Gatekeeping Personal Style with The Curated Tastemaker
Dive into a world where personal style reigns supreme! Discover how to let go of your fear of expression and explore creativity through playful thrifting games. Learn cheat codes for curating your unique wardrobe without spending a dime. It's all about self-love and reflection in fashion. The guest’s family history adds a fascinating layer, showcasing the importance of personal growth through style. Unleash your individuality and redefine what fashion means to you!

Oct 1, 2024 • 22min
Un-Gatekeeping Professional Cheerleading & How I Launched My Career with My Cleavage
Success isn't just about talent; sometimes it's about a little delusion and unwavering self-belief. The journey to becoming a professional cheerleader reveals how confidence can open doors even when you don't seem qualified. Discover the key lessons from this high-energy career, including vital insights into personal branding and the true drivers of success. Plus, learn why the most gifted individuals often don't make it to the top, while others with determination do. Tune in for an inspiring and entertaining story!

Sep 24, 2024 • 14min
Un-Gatekeeping Problematic Career Cheat Codes Pt. 2
It’s time for PART TWO of one of my most popular series from social media: problematic career cheat codes! Problematic, because some of them might not be like 100% ethical, but they’re cheat codes because they work! And let’s be real: everyone who’s getting ahead is already doing this.
In this episode, we’re covering when you should find yourself a (fake) assistant ASAP, why you need to share ALL of your wins (even the little ones), why it’s still worth it to send direct messages on LinkedIn, and why you need to become a strategist ASAP.
If you’re looking for a job right now, you need this episode.
What’s in this episode:
[00:00] Intro
[00:25] Why you should be really good at a few things (instead of the best at one)
[02:55] Why you should hire a (fake) assistant
[06:22] How you can use your current employer cover courses that can advance your career
[09:42] When your memorable and weird stories are going to come in handy
[13:09] When you should start moving from the doer to the strategist
Hang out with me and get access to everything you need to crush it in your career on my Patreon. Join now for access to dozens of tutorials, tips, resources, and subscriber-only podcasts for only $10 a month!
Links
Join the next LinkedIn cohort!
Get my Free LinkedIn profile guide!
Get my LinkedIn Training Course!

Sep 17, 2024 • 17min
Un-Gatekeeping Problematic Career Cheat Codes Pt. 1
I’m bringing one of my most popular series from social media to the podcast: problematic career cheat codes! Problematic, because some of them might not be like 100% ethical, but they’re cheat codes because they work! And let’s be real: everyone who’s getting ahead is already doing this.
In this episode, we’re covering when you should fib about your age, why it’s okay to do a little exaggerating about some things, and how to use your favorite candy to get ahead.
If you’re looking for a job right now, you need this episode.
What’s in this episode:
[00:00] Intro
[01:13] What you should fib about when applying for jobs
[04:00] Why you should exaggerate your previous salary
[08:15] Why you should keep a list of your wins, even if they’re seemingly small
[12:39] How to use your calendar to your advantage
[15:00] When you SHOULDN’T ask questions
Hang out with me and get access to everything you need to crush it in your career on my Patreon. Join now for access to dozens of tutorials, tips, resources, and subscriber-only podcasts for only $10 a month!
Links
Join the next LinkedIn cohort!
Get my Free LinkedIn profile guide!
Get my LinkedIn Training Course!

Sep 10, 2024 • 45min
Un-Gatekeeping Adult Friendships
In this engaging conversation, Eleanor Lee, a master friend-maker and advocate for adult relationships, shares her secrets to forging connections. She discusses how to navigate rejection and the importance of adjusting expectations around friendships. Eleanor highlights hosting as a fun way to meet new people and emphasizes sharing knowledge as a friendship starter. Plus, she offers essential tips for brand building in business. This chat is packed with inspiration for building a supportive friend network and launching your creative ventures!

Sep 3, 2024 • 43min
Un-Gatekeeping My Backstory
When it comes to building a personal brand, we have to portray ourselves in a particular way: expert, authentic, personal, energetic, etc.
But this sometimes leaves out the stickier details: what we struggle with, difficulties we had to face, all the moments we questioned ourselves.
So today, I’m pulling back the curtain. I’m laying out my backstory for you, good, bad, and uncomfortable. I’m covering a cheerleading career, my mental breakdown, my yoga mat business, and the way I eventually had to re-evaluate some of my strongest held beliefs.
I’m not holding back, and I hope it’s encouraging that you can both achieve your goals no matter how crazy it seems, and that you can overcome huge setbacks even when they challenge everything you thought you knew. Let’s dive in!
What’s in this episode:
[00:00] Intro
[01:08] Courtney’s early life and moves from Minnesota to Texas
[05:36] Courtney’s cheerleading ambitions and her life as she strived to reach her goals
[14:54] The crisis that forced Courtney to step back from cheerleading
[19:00] How Courtney started her pivot toward marketing and the corporate jobs she worked
[23:09] Courtney’s first foray into owning her own business
[29:00] How Courtney continued to branch out in her businesses through AirBnB and consulting
[31:58] How Courtney started building her personal brand on TikTok
[34:50] Why (and how) Courtney started her online business
[40:03] What’s next for Courtney
Hang out with me and get access to everything you need to crush it in your career on my Patreon. Join now for access to dozens of tutorials, tips, resources, and subscriber-only podcasts for only $10 a month!
Links
Join the next LinkedIn cohort!
Get my Free LinkedIn profile guide!
Get my LinkedIn Training Course!


