0415 | Taylor Ferber

Hi, I'm Taylor Ferber, host of the Cancel Me Baby podcast. And you are watching EA interviews.

EA interviews, episode 415, inspiration, transformation, success stories and the imperfect action round. Seven days a week. Join Mario Ficini for today's Expert Authority effect interview. Expert Authority World. Have I got a treat for you. Have you wanted to interview someone that is fun and.

Just.

I see you.

So I have one of the coolest guest on the show for today and she has interviewed some of the biggest names in the industry. And.

I think it's cool, I got to be honest, I think it's cool when you see the people she's interviewed. Like one of them is Oprah. And I joke about all the time when I have Oprah on the show and this and that and you know, who's your dream guest and yada, yada, yada. I'm talking all this stuff. She's actually interviewed these people. There's this whole laundry list of over here and I'm not going to try them all because there's hundreds of them. She's the host of the Cancel Me Baby podcast. She does red carpet interviews like nobody's business. But what really caught my attention with Taylor is how she gets so real and raw with people, not only.

Being raw and real with them, with celebrities on the red carpet for stuff you probably would get in trouble saying anywhere else in life, which is all the more reason we're going to say it and turn up that volume and say it louder. I'm excited to bring to you Taylor Ferber right after we thank our sponsor. Every business needs a book, including yours. And that's why I'm launching my new book to help you, regardless of where you think you your current writing abilities are. Visit eapublishingmethodbook.com today to learn the seven steps to publish and promote your nonfiction lead and profit generating business book in eight weeks. Once again, that's EA publishingmethodbook.com Here she is, ladies and gentlemen, the lovely Taylor Ferber. Taylor, how are you feeling today?

I mean after that intro? Mario, I am excited. Mike check 12, let's go. Thank you for that.

Well, I appreciate it. I was trying to do my best. But seriously, you have such an impressive resume with everyone you've talked to. I was like, I'm not gonna try to name even five of them because how many people would you say you even interviewed? It's well over 50 or 100 best.

It has to be well over 100. And it's funny because when I first Started in the business, little naive, wide eyed Taylor. I worked at MTV in Times Square. I thought it would be. It was. It's a sweet idea. Now in hindsight, but I was starting to make a list and the first person I interviewed. You remember the band the Wanted?

Yeah.

Okay. Like a one hit wonder band. I interviewed one of the band members from the Wanted and I was so nervous, I like blocked out a conference room. I made a friend come. It was over the phone. And who would have thunk it that, you know, cut. Two years later it would be, you know, Michael Douglas. And like you said, Oprah. And the list goes on and on. So at at least 100. Yeah. And when people ask me, because it's been such a, like you said, a laundry list, I always say it's like when they're like, who's the best, who's the worst? I always say it's like picking the favorite meal that you have ever had. Right. Like, how could you possibly. Because in your mind they just won together. Yeah.

Like Timothy, shall you make.

Yes, yes.

When you were talking with him, it was like, he's cool. And then I check out something else. It's like, they're cool and then these other people are cool. And there's some people I literally just saw like today getting ready. I'm like, you're kidding me.

Yeah.

So who is your favorite top three?

Top three? Well, I really. Some. One that always sticks out in my mind is who I always. Who I just said is Michael Douglas. So what I did was I was a red carpet correspondent for sites like New York Magazine, Us Weekly, et cetera. And I had the access, but I hated the like bland vanilla questions or the gossip site, tablety questions we had to ask. So I thought, who are you wearing? Ex. Don't even get me started. Like, major gag. So I thought, I have this access. I put my entrepreneurial cap on and I launched my own site and I went out on the red carpet with a selfie stick. Stick. So it was really disarming because it got them. It wasn't that like uptight, polished E News with the microphone and the camera guy with the headphones. No, it was like me with a selfie stick. And they could just totally be. And Michael Douglas was totally caught off guard. He was like, what is happening here? Is this even. Is this a photo? Is this a video? And he literally grabs my nose like your grandpa would at Christmas. And we're. He and I are joking back and forth and he's like, I got your nose. And I said, like, I literally grab his hand. I'm like, I got it back. And just. What a moment. So a brief moment in time, but one that I don't know if another red carpet correspondent has experienced Michael Douglas in this way. So, yes, that's definitely up there. Also top three. I mean, you said it like Oprah. Just because it's Oprah.

Yeah.

I mean, come on. And the funny. We got. We got a story for everything here. Right. For your listeners. So. Because we're going to teach them about how to be. How to do this and how to be really in the moment and get these raw moments right that no one else gets.

So be fearless. Be fearless about it, too.

Be totally fearless, because they'll meet you there. So with Oprah, I interviewed her when she was promoting A Wrinkle in Time, and sitting next to her is Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kali. And I interview them in what's called a junket, which is a very, again, uptight stiff. You're in a dark room with a million publicists and Disney people, entourage, the whole thing. It's very intimidating. And so I sit down across from them, and I didn't realize. You know, I thought I was wearing this cute little skirt, and I didn't realize with the camera sitting view, they kind of give you those director chairs to sit in that I would basically be flashing them. And. And so what do I do? But I acknowledge it, and I sit down with them and I say, I'm sorry, ladies, but I didn't think this outfit through. And basically, I'm flashing you, and it's really funny. Reese Witherspoon is like, that's okay. Oprah's jaw, like, falls on the floor. She doesn't even know what to say. Like, what do you do when you. When Oprah has nothing to say? So it was a pretty funny moment. And again, one that is definitely for the books that I don't know if Disney has recovered since. Would someone go check on them? Yeah.

So I want to ask you before. I mean, you're already given so much good insight. You said something, and I didn't want to interrupt you.

Okay.

But you said Michael Douglas on the red carpet. I was a correspondent. I didn't want to do another interview like everyone else, so I just took my selfie stick and you just waltzed up there.

So I was very savvy about it.

Okay. I was going to say, how. How do you just get on the red carpet with a selfie stick?

Well, first of all, this is A tip, Hollywood or not, that I learned very quickly in the business is no matter what business you are in, like, if you, number one, act like you belong somewhere, nobody is going to f with you. So that's number one. But yes. No, I just. Mario. I just waltz in being like, is this where I park my car and talk to Michael Douglas? No, I would be on a site. Exactly, Exactly. I think I left my sweater here. My mom's sweater vest somewhere. So. Michael. No, but I was a correspondent for sites like Us Weekly and Vulture. And while I kind of double dip. So while I was there for those outlets, I would kind of, like, whip out my selfie, stick with, you know, time to kill, and do my own thing, too. And then once I got to doing it a lot, I was starting to get really, you know, tight with the. The big, you know, the publicists and the people running these events. So then soon enough, I was covering stuff for my own site. So it was a little bit of both. Yeah.

Wow. Okay.

Making lemonade.

Good for you.

Yeah.

You just said it so nonchalantly, like, well, I didn't want to do the official thing, so I just. I'm like, hold on. There's. There's a story in there. But you know what? I can honestly not. You're jogging my memory a little bit. It's been a minute. But I have modeled and acted before, and I remember one of the photos. I've always loved photography and video, and I remember being the model with a model. We were doing a beach shoot, and she came down from Brentwood. I was in town in San Diego, actually. So I was actually managing one thing while I was doing this other thing. And then I guess the third layer would be the photographer was shooting the both of us, but I brought a camera, so then I shot her. So I was like, double booking the shoot that I had double booked for the event that they flew me out for.

So I can. I believe. I believe you can just. It's just been a minute since I did.

But wait a second. Let's see your model face, Mario. I'm trying to see, like. Like what you want.

Blue steel.

Let's see it.

Oh, okay. Zoolander moment over here. No. Yeah. I definitely jerry rigged it in the beginning for sure. I mean, like I said, I started, and I was a editor producer at VH1 and MTV and Times Square when I first started out. And I knew that this is what I wanted to do. But I'm a firm believer that if no one's going to give you your Shot. You have to just do it. So do you know what I did, Mario? And listeners, I straight up took a VH1. I found a microphone, and, like, the cube that goes around it that says VH1 or what E. Whatever it is right exactly to your. Yep. Beautifully displayed here. And I took it literally out of a storage closet, hired, like, my cousin to go on red carpets and just kind of, like, would fake it until I, like, fake it till you make it. And I. Once I moved to la, same thing. I would go out, like, with the one microphone. I kind of told my bosses, like, I'm going to this event with or without you, so let's roll. And. And that's how it started. So I took matters, you know, took it by the balls, took matters into my own hands. So sometimes you gotta just do what you gotta do, you know?

Wow. Good for you.

Thank you.

I've thought about that, getting another one of these for a handheld mic, simply because I wouldn't want to take it on and off because it's too much work. But.

Before I had this one, I had made one. I just got the plastic cube and went to Kinko's and printed something off. And I don't think I've ever publicly said this, but the first either 10, 20, or 30 episodes of the show, it was very similar looking. And no one in 400 plus episodes has been like, oh, I noticed that you switched this. And that was the Kinko's version, and that's the pro version.

You know, it's funny because we get caught up as creatives and producers and hosts, like, we get caught up in these details. Even doing the selfie stick on the red carpet, it was very risky, number one, because of what I was, how I was doing it. It was unlike what anyone was doing. And what I would talk to these people about, like, really pulling back the curtain. But I used to be still even sometimes, because it's so out of the box. Like, I'd be so insecure about it. Like, are they going to think it's crazy? Because I just knew, like, they sometimes would really be into it. But again, we have their entourages and it's all these barriers to breakthrough, right? You have, like, the networks, the event people, like, it's just a line. Like, you think it's just me and Michael Douglas, and really there's a swarm of a million people around, and it was so unlike anything. And so I always, you know, and sometimes I would get slapped on the wrist by publicists afterwards being like, what do you think you are doing. You know, it's a very controlling business too, but sometimes, like, you know, it took work to own it and be like, no, this is what I do. And it's out of the box. And I know it's not the legitimate, you know, Access Hollywood setup, but, you know, take it or leave it. So it took time. It took time to own it for sure.

I find that so refreshing because you had the confidence and courage to just go up there and start doing, but you still had that reservation that everyone has. And right before we started, I was joking with you about there's people that ask me about starting shows or publishing their book or whatever the case is. And I'm like, you just have to at some point decide you're already there and just do it. And so often people think that they're not ready, they're not at the right place, it's not perfect, the planets don't align, whatever they. They put the milk on the wrong side of the bowl for breakfast, whatever the case is.

And they always have this self doubt.

Yeah.

And I was like, why don't you just reach out to the people, you know that are qualified and this and that. It's like, well, what if they say no? I'm like, dude, it's your cousin. You know, you're sharing some of this, but you're talking to. What did I say? Some of the highest not ranking, but most well known people around the world.

What's the difference between them and John Q. Public? And should we be scared of any of them? Oh, that was good.

I mean, in the end. No. And listen, I've been in this business and I've been doing this for 10 years. And since we're all about being raw and honest. Honest here, just making up my own words now. I still sometimes, like, when I shoot down to do a show of my podcast with somebody who's huge, I still get little butterflies. Like, again, it takes work, but I think if you just be right. Exactly. It's like the Oprah skirt thing. Like if you just be exactly where you're at and you don't try to. We're in such a filtered, you know, world and such a. Everyone's trying to construct everything perfectly and look so perfect and it's not real life and so people will match you there. I mean, I never gave you a third favorite, but this example fits perfectly into this. Like, this is exactly what I mean. I'm sure you and your audience have heard of Chris Pratt, right?

Yes.

Okay.

And I wanted to tell You. When I saw your sizzle reel clip, I actually watched the Guardians of the Galaxy clip, and it was like, oh, this is good. And I saw that. I'm like, oh, my gosh. I remember this, like, just seeing it.

So this is what, like, to your point about, okay, this big a list, untouchable celebrity and Joe Schmo, right? In the end, we're all Joe Schmo people. Like, everybody's Joe Schmo. So again, another junket for Avengers. Big deal. At this big, swanky L. A hotel, and I'm sitting, waiting to talk to Chris and Zoe Saldana. They have you kind of, like, it's very awkward, almost like an airport. Like, you're waiting to board. Like, you're sitting there in the waiting room, right? And they call you up, and then you go. And sure enough, right before I go in to sit with them, Chris leaves to take, like, a bathroom break. So he. We all sit down. He comes back, we sit down, and they're like, okay, Taylor, we're rolling. And the first thing I say to Chris is, you know, how is your pee break? Like, you wash your hand. Like, we're good to wash hands. To shake hands, right? Like, you what? We're good. Like, and he totally met me where I was at. He's like, you know, it was good, but I hate it when you're in a stall and you really have to fart and there's someone next to you and you have to hold it in, like, getting all into it. Next thing I know, Zoe Zeldana is like, I know. That's the worst. So it just was hilarious. And he's like, yes, my hands are clean, freshly washed. Like, it just, again, was so hilarious. Ex. Lean into it and stop trying to filter everything, because it doesn't work. People read right through that, you know? So there you go, case in point. You can even get Chris Pratt, one of the biggest Marvel superstars in the world, to talk about, you know, farting in a, you know, bathroom. So there you go.

So for. Let me talk to you about reaching out to them. So you had access before, but you're still in. It sounds like that was a couple years ago.

Yes.

You're still bringing big name people on your show, even recently? Because I checked the last couple of weeks last. How are you doing it now that you're not in la? Congrats again on the move.

Thank you. Yes. New Nashville resident, one weekend. And by the way, this. We were saying this off air, but I normally shoot two, three times a week. It's a little. I've been out of it because I've been out of the move. And this is my very. We are popping the Nashville cherry. This is my first shoot in my new place. So at ea, you know, this is how. This is how we roll. So it's a celebratory moment. No, but.

Well, this is why I was excited to have you on and share. Because whether someone wants to do a big production show or they just don't even. I know people that don't even really want to do a show. They just want to interview a series of five or ten interviews for like a summit or a webinar or just authority building piece for their book or whatever the case is. And I'm like, you're so fantastic at it and you have such a unique perspective at it that it's cool on the red carpet. But what's even more. I don't say more impressive. It's all impressive. But now you're still doing it. And even now you're. You willingly admitted. I move this is my first one back. You're not skipping a beat. And that's the thing. When it's part of you.

Yeah.

It's not like, oh, well, do you want to reschedule? Because I don't know if your energy is high enough. Like, are you kidding me?

You're awesome. No, you know why It's. It goes back to the cubed my VH1 mike out of the storage closet. Same thing goes for reaching out and getting interviews. You have to be aggressive. You have to, because nobody's going to do it for you. Like I always say, if you want something done, you have to do it yourself. So for me, it's a mix. And yes, Mario. Mario has a question for the class. I see his hand.

I do.

How can I find someone to be aggressive so I can just do the.

Fun part when you let me. When you find them, let me know. I will happily. I will give you my beeper carrier pigeon information.

Hey, I say carrier pigeon. You have a beeper.

I wish in my dreams if I would, if I could, I would. But I know it. That's what it is. That's entrepreneurial grind. It's a full time 247 job. So in many ways now. And thank you for saying that. It's more impressive because it's 10 times harder now than it was because then I had. You know, I'm here for Us Weekly. I'm here for thr now. I'm here for myself. I'm representing myself. So you have to work and prove yourself 10 times harder. So say I still am in the loop somewhat. I'll get invites for different. When movie stars are promoting movie, you know, whatever it is. And instead of just submitting a request and going, hey, I'd love to interview them for Us Weekly, I have to go. You know, I formally. I've done this. I'm a former red carpet reporter. Here's why you want this person on my show, because they don't necessarily know. So I have to sell it and go the extra mile and say, here's why, because it's going to be an interview experience like no other. Here are people in my audience, the movers and shakers in the business, and here's who I've had. That's really impressive. So you really have to, you know. And then for times when I don't get those invites, I will find a way. Like I will DM them. I will find their assistant. I pay the yearly IMDb Pro account. Like, I will just do what it takes.

And if you ever use Contact Any Celebrity.

What?

I have you ever used Contact Any Celebrity?

I haven't, but that definitely sounds intriguing.

Okay. Huh. So is there anything else other than IMDb Pro.

Ah.

Or Hero getting to them in any way that you can?

What about Haro?

I've never heard of that.

Help a reporter out.

Oh, that's cool.

Really.

I'm probably putting myself through more hoops than I need to because I'm so old school school, but.

Help a report. Help a reporter. Dot com.

Okay, that's cool.

Yeah. So this isn't. This just got real intriguing to me because there's things I've known about and I don't know, maybe I'm lazy or just scared in the past. I don't know. Pick one. Well, you know, if we could just spin a wheel. It's one of them. Oh, dang it. I shouldn't have done that. So close. What the heck?

Readily available wheel. Love it.

Yep. Spoiler alert for later. But there's things I've known about. But this is what I've said to all my clients for decades. You can know about something, but until you implement it, it's pointless. You've implemented it in two of those three.

Looks like you just learned about. I knew about them. I had a subscription to one. I don't think I reached out to a single person. So my first year of the show, I'm like the first 10 people. I'm like, let's contact Oprah. Probably a little afraid at that point I got past the first year, still haven't reached out to her. But.

Yeah, there's resources you can get subscriptions to other than IMDb that are just cool. I thought you'd really know about haro. The other one is maybe a little bit more marketing industry, but okay, maybe.

Yeah, I kind of just go rogue and like everything else and just kind of, you know, boots on the ground, kind of get in there, find the right person. If I was there, someone I want reach their publicist, their manager can, you know, convince them why they should come on my show. But also, I think a big part of it too is that idea you said before of how so many people get in their head about, is this the right time? I'm not ready. And you literally, if not now, then when? So here's another great story. It was just in like the bulk of the pandemic and I was feeling really down and out. I felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me in L. A. And I was working on my show day after day, being like, nobody's listening. Like what? You know, just on the grind. And I'm in a Starbucks and this guy comes up to me and is looking at my show, not in a creepy way, and he starts looking at my show and he's like, I love this. He's like, have you. And I'm sure a lot of your listeners have heard of David Meltzer, who's a huge. Yes, sports. You know, he was a sports agent, almost like a Tony Robbins self help type figure, right? So he's like, I feel like you and David would really hit it off. So I reached David and David has this rule. It's a five, I think it's a five, ten rule. He does five minute phone calls and I think ten minute interviews, tops. And it's all like, it's like, really that entrepreneurial mindset of maximizing your time. So I was so nervous for this. I was like, how on God's green earth, you know, Again, I'm kind of like down and out. I'm in pandemic funk. I feel like I have to kind of pick myself up and move my career forward. I'm out of practice. How do I convey my message and what I do to this man in five minutes? I was so nervous. And it ended up, we had a call. There's a story there in and of itself. But we ended up forming a friendship. And now, almost a year later, he. He and I are friends. We'll text. He will literally come on my show at the drop of a hat. No joke. He literally was just on my show to talk about Deshaun Watson and the chaos with me too in the NFL. But the story goes just to say you never know and you never know how like the events will unfold and you have to just put yourself out there because again.

What, like what, why? What? What do you have to lose? You know?

Okay, you're right.

For real.

Do you know? Okay, here's another one. I love Barstool Sports. Dave Portnoy. Another one I'm sure figure your your fans and your listeners are familiar with, right? Founder Bar Barstool. You know, very successful. So right when the pandemic started, I pitched my show to Dave Portnoy on Zoom and he. It didn't go well. Let's just say it's not that it went bad, but I was like, I don't think I'm getting a show on barstool. Like it's not going to happen. Never heard from him. I was like crushed, devastated. I thought this was like my ticket on the way out. Cut to a year later, I ended up writing an op ed because he was in the news for me too stuff and I wrote an op ed about it and it caught his attention.

No kidding.

He ends up like DMing me. And in a crazy. It's like David Meltzer 2.0 and something I could have never predicted, he ends up again going for it. I just asked him on dm, I'm like, why don't you come on my show and talk about it? And Mario, I almost did it because I was like, I don't want to be rejected. You know, I didn't even know if he had put two and two together. That he didn't pick up my show a year prior for Barstool. But he said, yeah, let's do it. And it was a result better than what I have had originally wanted. Like Dave Portnoy, who never goes on podcast, came on my show, gave me an hour of his time, promoted the hell out of it. Like I will take that and his respect for my platform than him just like willy nilly picking up a show of mine. So you have. And even for that, the night before I interviewed him, I didn't sleep a wink. I literally didn't sleep. So. But was that going to stop me? No, I had to perform and I had to do it the next day. So you have to just go, go, go, go.

Talk to me about branding because I noticed something. Noticed a couple of things you've done and you're still doing as we speak, literally.

Like what? Mario, I'm curious.

Have you always had Cancel Me Baby podcast?

Have I always had it?

Yes.

So my site talked to me with the selfie interviews that I think turned six. This. This next month. My show is.

It actually started out, it was a different form. I actually had a co host, it had a different name, and then it ended up becoming my own thing, and I rebranded and had a little bit of an overhaul, but I think my show is two years. Don't quote me on this.

Okay, so what I was getting at, and it may have been a little bit more cryptic than it was supposed to be for anyone listening.

Yeah. Geez, I'm sweating.

Yeah. See, I gotta interview the interviewer. If I can't make you a little uncomfortable, then I didn't raise my game enough.

Exactly.

You started off one way on red carpet, and you had said something to me about, I launched my show, but it was a little bit different. So talk to me about the branding, or I should say the rebrand and maybe even the pivot, because I think there's a good amount of people out there that have great content and, like, such great content. Actually, I know there are, because I'm thinking of about a dozen, and there's a couple, two or three that I. They've told multiple times they should do XYZ with their show, their books, their brand marketing stuff. They have such great content, but they're like, I don't know if it'll translate well over here. And they're afraid to, like, just tweak it. Literally. It's just a stupid tweak. It's usually a Photoshop graphic. But when you realized, I'm doing something a little bit different, you went on a different path. And I'll tell everyone who's only listening, check out the website@eainterviews.com for the show notes. There's a live video of this, but you. You got some. You got some merch behind you there that looks pretty good. And that's what I was referring to. The branding that you're literally doing as we speak.

Yeah.

And why are you doing it?

I was like, mar. Is it something that I said? No. So listen, as creatives, I have had so many branding existential crises. I always think of it as like, snake shedding its skin. Because when we get attached to a concept, sometimes we're like, no, no, no, no. We have to see it through. And I've. My brand and my voice, the core of it has Been the same, but it's gone through many evolutions and you have to be willing to be like, if it doesn't feel right, tweak it. Before my site was called Talk to Me Taylor, it was called Stripping Down Celebs. So the whole idea, when I first started the selfie stick, if you go on my old OG videos, you'll see the little stripping down celebs do, do, do, do intro song. And the whole concept of Stripping down celebs was to show celebrities in a way that we wouldn't normally see them and get them to really talk about, like, relationships and sex, all these things. Right. A little bit after time had passed and I was kind of jaded, I realized how superficial the world was and how privileged they were. And I had a branding existential crises. And I thought, why am I dedicating my time to these people? Like, getting to know them more when they already have such huge platforms? Like, they're so out of touch, you know, I have a love hate thing with celebrities, but I'm like, they're so out of touch. Like, why am I devoting my life to hear more about what they think? So it was a real fork in the road because I had put so much work into Stripping down celebs. I was so attached to it. I had the graphics, like, the whole thing. But again, it just didn't feel right in my core. So I had to shape shift and change it. And then that's what became Talk to Me. So the idea. It wasn't too far off, but the idea of Talk to Me was we're going to have these conversations and I'm just going to get celebs in on the fold and get them in on the action. I'm not going to make it about them. I'm going to make it about, like, what we're actually talking about. And they can join in, right.

If they want some.

What's that?

If they want.

Yeah. Which they did. Which they were most.

You're the party. You're inviting them to the conversation.

Exactly. Versus it being like, you know. Versus it being, you know, all about you, Oprah. No, it's like, here's what's going on. You know, Thoughts on that. Right. Instead of all about them. Then obviously, when the pandemic happened in the shutdowns, I had to reinvent myself again and cancel me, baby. Was such a blessing in disguise because I always wanted to get into more controversial and provocative issues with celebrities, but I found so much resistance because of. Again, they're publicists. They're people. So my show was my way of really going to where I always wanted to go. And I thought to myself, I have a voice, I have experience. I don't need them anymore. Same thing. I'll still have them on. If they want to join along for the ride, be my guest. But it's not all about you. So it's. You have to. You have to be willing to, like, roll with the tide. Right? Because we change and we grow as people and as brands, too. Like, nothing is forever. So. And it's only going to make your brand and your, like, what you're doing, your endeavors richer.

I think I have to agree. And, I mean, you had two previous pivots. I don't even like that word. When everyone started using it. Oh, we're going to have a masterclass on how to pivot. You shut your mouth when you're talking to me.

Anyway, we love a Wedding Crashers quote.

Everyone just became a pivoting. Okay, behave.

You did it not once, but twice. And that is a great movie. Have you ever had Vince Vaughn or Owen Wilson on your show?

But I would love that.

Yeah, same here. So let's put this out there. They can come on both and.

We'Ll tag team it.

Done.

Awesome. So people are afraid of changing the first time. Like, what if I have to redo the images, let alone a second time? And it's not that big of a deal. But where do you think that fear comes from? Of I'm gonna lose everything I did? Or what if they don't like the new thing? Or, you know, why do you think there's that reservation about just change in general?

Because we're creatives and we get attached. But here's the thing. Can I. I'm not gonna curse on here. I'm gonna be a lady, but no one gives a crap. Like, even as a creative. And when I pivoted from stripping down to talk to me, I too got caught up in the details. Like, what about this logo, color? What about this photo? Like, if the content is that great, no one cares. They're still gonna pick up what you're putting down. It's basically a roundabout way of saying, don't judge a book by its cover. But it's true, so. And I think that too, being around creatives and people in LA and writers and producers and all kinds of, you know, all kinds of people in this space, I almost. And I know because I've been there, I almost feel like it's a cop out and, like, procrastinating. From getting to the real work. So it's like, oh, this logo. Does this color look okay? And it's sort of like, who cares? And I've changed my logo a million times. Like, in the end, it doesn't change what exactly I was bringing to the table. So don't get caught up in the details because, number one, we're our own worst critics, and really, no one cares. And number two, it'll find its way, you know? And don't procrastinate. Just get to the work.

I love that. It's reminded me of when I had my VIP book launch party. I had a training seminar beforehand and people thought I was joking because sometimes I like to joke. But I had this elaborate thing and all these things going on. This whole place rented out and I threw a pad of paper and pens on the table and I'm like, all right, we're going to make some progress. They're like, what the heck's going on? And I'm like, you don't need all these things to get started. Like, if you want 10 more clients, write down 20 people you want to talk to and let's call them.

Exactly. You can't even. You mentioned my merch. Do you know how many hours I spent pouring into the right font, the right size? And at the end of the day, I've learned to just be like, it will be. Well, it will be. And people will buy it. Or like, if they're into it, they will buy it or they won't. Like, we get so caught up in the deep details, and in the end, it really. I mean, I don't know, I just don't think it really is that.

So you're not against it and neither am I. And I got to put a little caveat on that. Don't judge a book by its cover. Being a publisher, like, don't have a bad looking cover.

Exactly.

Don't wait. Don't wait forever. Like, if it don't have bad content, have the content solid first, but don't spend 10 years doing it. Like, halfway through. I'm looking over at your merch here. I'm trying to figure out what font you did go with. Is that like a Garamond or Helvetica?

Okay, so one of them, because I have a couple variations, like, behind me here, the playoff of the whole journalism writer thing is almost like a typewriter ish font. I also have one to be the bold kind of f you cancel me, baby is the impact. And I have another one that is same thing. Is. Is a kind of almost a marriage between the two. It's a fun kind of typewriter font, so it all. See, it all is cohesive and makes sense. I'm not saying to just go rogue. I'm just saying don't put more emphasis on it than need be. Like, we got a lot to do.

So I'm teasing you just a bit, but I really was when you said I spent a lot of time on the fun. I'm like, I'm trying to see which one you went with. Have you ever considered a custom font like Disney or Coca Cola or any of them?

Oh, you know, I actually haven't, again, because I haven't really gotten too. I'm so focused on the work. I haven't gotten too caught up in the details, but.

Which just goes to prove. You don't need to start with that.

What's that?

You don't need to start with that.

Exactly. So many people. I've seen it happen time and time again. They spend. They literally will just hemorrhage money hiring a person to do their logo, their graphic, because they're like, no, no. Before I write this book, before I shoot the show, before I do this webinar, I have to have the perfect esthetic. And, I mean, I don't know. I think a lot of the times it's a waste of time and money, but that's just me.

Well, I agree with you.

100%.

Mm.

I need to have perfect website and logos before I can get a client. No, all you need is a client. You don't even need that.

Exactly.

Now, at some point, it's gonna help out. But I remember one of my first clients when I went full time, I stepped out of class in college, sold them, walked back in, and then did my work.

Cool.

And then I asked. I asked everyone. I go, all right, how do we build a website? Because I figured I probably have a day or two before they start looking around.

Do you ever notice. Do you want Shark Tank?

All the time.

Okay. Do you ever notice on Shark Tank how, by the way, I'm trying to get Mr. Wonderful on my show because I think that is a cancel me, baby match made in heaven. I'm still working on that. That ship hasn't sailed. But have you ever noticed he was.

In Detroit for a financial thing years ago, and if you want to talk about nervous, there was maybe 60 people in the room with us, and everyone. It was like Q and A time, and I got to ask him a question, and I never want to ask something Stupid. Like, to your point of the. Who are you wearing? Like, really? You have this opportunity and you're going to be like, oh, so what made you get into the.

Oh, I can't stand that. Yeah, yeah.

And it took me a few, but I didn't want to hesitate either. Like, you don't have all the time in the world. But I. I remember he answered me and he goes, that's a very good question. I was like, yeah, it was so. I wish I had his number. I'd definitely introduce you. But again, thank you for mentioning it because.

Yeah, well, that's an example of what you brought up earlier is if you want someone, if they're out of their league, if it's a long shot. I happen because I'm a fan of his. I follow his assistant on Instagram, so I found her email. I'll periodically email her. Like, that's what I mean about just going for it. I don't have a connection to him, you know, But. But anyway, what I was saying about Shark Tank is, have you ever noticed the heartfelt mom and pop? Like, maybe they're not as polished, maybe they're not as huge, but those are the stories that get the sharks, like, crying and investing. And then on the other end of it, you have the brands that are all like, the perfect logo and the perfect thing and they're making no money and they're like, I don't know. Barbara's like, there's holes in this. I don't know. I'm not buying it. Like, something's fishy. Right. And it's that kind of idea. Like, if there's heart in it, who cares what it looks like? No, you should care. Like I said, don't go rogue. But I think that illustrates that, don't you?

100%. And there's people. There's one that came to mind, actually, the first episode I ever saw was with Daisy Cakes.

Okay. Yeah. Yeah.

And again, I just reached out to Kim, so I. I know I've connected with some of the people from the show. The other one that really stands out to me is Johnny Georgeous with the tree teepee.

That one. Okay.

He made this little. It's a tree teepee for the orange bushes in Florida to keep them watered and the irrigation and everything.

John Paul DeJoria. Not sponsored him.

Invested with him.

Oh, yes. Huh.

And he was just so heartfelt and everything. And everyone was telling him no, and they were like, you know. But I think. I think it was Cuban or Mr. Wonderful. One of them was like, we need to be selling this at 20 bucks a piece. And he just wanted to sell them for nine or ten. He was. His price was five or six. And he's like, it just doesn't have enough profit. And he's like, we can't do it. And he's like, why do you have it so, so low? And he was just, like, tearing up. And he's like, because it's to help the farmers. Like, he wasn't thinking, like, how do I make billions of dollars? And, yeah, I reached out to him afterwards, like a private, private message on Facebook through video, because I've done, I've always done video, even in messaging.

I. And we started talking, so. You're absolutely right. Some of these people are so down to earth, and, you know, they're just doing it for all the right reasons. That's. That's who I like to surround myself with.

And sometimes I think that we can get away from that, you know, being. Even doing what I do, being in Hollywood, there have been so many times where I too, found myself getting caught up in, you know, why hasn't this taken off? It's so good. It's so unique. Like, why hasn't it got the attention of this network, of that. And there's so many times, even still, where I'd have to bring it down to earth and go, taylor, why are you doing this? Who are you trying to reach? What are you trying to say? What is your message? And again, we're in a world that I think just.

Almost pulls that out even more because it's all about the display. What I'm putting on social media is it flossy and glossy and perfect and, And I think a lot of the times, you know, we get away from what we're really trying to do. You know.

I agree. And I, I, I, I'm smirking because I have no. What's the word? Penchant. I have a penchant for the theatrics, but I never do anything just to do it. I make sure the core is there, and then I make it pretty, if you will.

Yep, yep.

Because I think there is something to be said. I mean, like, Hollywood movies that, you know, they don't go, oh, we don't need that. I mean, they're doing at the top levels. And there's something. David Meltzer, I saw, he built a whole new studio and everything. Like, you don't need to do that. So I do think it gives people this false. I'm gonna start a podcast. What should I do? Oh, Go buy a building, sir. Ma'. Am. Go invest in a building first. And then my other favorite one is, so how much soundproofing do you think I need for my room?

That's what I mean with the. Exactly.

Maybe get more than a $29 mic. You don't need $3,000 worth of soundproofing. Like, maybe spend $39 on the mic for, like, really?

Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Yep. A pitfall, definitely.

So for someone that is. They're listening to you going, okay, I'm going to reach out to these people. Is there. They're still scared, but they want to reach out. Is there anything you always start with or something similar, like a structure? Do you start with hi, hello, sir or madam? Or do you personalize it? Like, do you have a process that you go through to ensure that maybe you're hitting 70, 80, 90% instead of just, hi, come on my show?

Yes and no. And again, it goes into the evolution thing that I talked about earlier. You kind of have to, like, move and groove depending on what's working. I am the cold pitch queen. I can't wait for the day where I. I don't know if there will ever be a day in this business where I won't have to. But that is my dream, you know, utopia, life of not cold pitching, but sometimes, first of all, keep it short, right? We all have the attention span of an ant, but keep it catchy. Try to keep it funny, short, to the point. And again, if I have sent out a massive amount of pitches for something to. For, you know, someone to come on my show to pick up a clip of somebody saying something really interesting on my show, and I'm not getting any responses. David Meltzer taught me this. Obviously, you are doing something wrong, right? So shape, shift it and change it up a little bit. I remember I was pitching this really cool, unique clip that I had with Dave Portnoy and Girls Gone Wild creator Joe Francis. They didn't come on at the same time, but I had created a really engaging, entertaining clip of them both, respectively, talking about misogyny and women and all this. And it was really fascinating. And I had pitched it everywhere. Being like, someone has to pick this up because we never hear these guys talking like this. And it's really interesting. And no one responded. So I. I changed it up and I made literally. I think the pitch was three sentences, and it was literally something like, you're not going to see a clip like this today. Here's why. You know, check it out. Here it is. Like, that kind of, you know, I had so and so and so and so. They never do podcasts. You know, you're. This is so, you know, you're never going to see something like this. Here it is. And you know, sure enough, more responses came in. So you have to be willing to, like I said, change it up. As annoying as it is. I know because I'm impatient and I, you know, just want it to be done when it's done. So I get it. But yeah.

Now, do you do anything like tracking? If I reach out to 10 people or so, are five of them closing? Eight of them, two of them. Do you track any of that or have an idea of how many attempts it takes to book someone? Like a 3 to 1 ratio, 2 to 1?

I don't. Just because, again, I'm pitching so many different things that I feel like it would be. I. I could. I suppose I could keep a little tally or journal or something.

But I often find too, it's like a crapshoot. It's luck of the draw. It's random. Like, not even with pitching people to come on my show, but pitching op eds. Right. I've written op EDS in USA Today, Today, Huffington Post, Playboy. Same idea. Like, have a concept, pitch it to all these publications. And it's the same sort of thing as getting someone. Someone on your show. I feel like it's very hit or miss. I don't think there's rhyme or reason. So maybe it's not the smartest business strategy. Maybe I should pay a little more attention. But I kind of just go for it and keep at it and keep kind of like drilling away, you know.

All of these strictly through email.

I. When I was. I'm ballsier now than I was.

But I. Yeah, you seem so shy years ago.

Are you being. Is that facetious?

Ooh, that's the acting face. Absolutely. You're like, yeah.

You know, I'm more confident now. Yeah, because you were shy to begin with, right?

Exactly. No, I know. I'm such a wallflower, but it's that thing again. Like I said, I was. I had a little bit of insecurity about being. Representing my own brand with a selfie stick. But I remember I had an initiative going. It was called we are More. And I was having celebrities and people on the street. I was so over the Instagram culture. So I was having everybody write down a word that describes them and that people wouldn't normally know just from their image and take a picture with it. At the time, Selena Gomez had come out with this Whole thing about how Instagram was so destructive and toxic. So I called her publicist, like, every day for a week or something, and sure enough, like, the assistant's always like, you know, I don't even know how I found their number, but the assistant's like, oh, he's busy. Oh, he's in a meeting. Oh, he'll call you back. You know, so that. Yeah, so I went for it then. And even now with the phone thing, I do mostly email, but I should get back on the phone. One that's even ballsier because it's so much more direct, and people have a hard time saying no on the phone.

Okay. I was honestly asking. I wasn't even thinking about the phone. But if you've talked to hundreds of people, you've probably done 2, 300 pitches. Safe to say.

For my show and my site combined for just.

Just all of it, I mean.

Oh, yeah.

I doubt you did 101 and booked 100.

Certainly not. No.

So however many are through email, if you just look in the scent, you could pretty easily go, hey, I sent X amount, and this is how many came through. And go, hey, not bad.

Like, even if you weren't tracking it, I've done that at times because the early stages of my business, it was just like, you know, whatever. I'm gonna go over here. Like, I was in college. I remember. So you can ask my friends. They go. I remember you stepping out of class and skipping lectures to go meet clients. Like, absolutely.

That's cool. Yeah.

I wasn't exactly, like, spearheading Salesforce is like, here's how you use a CRM and articulate everything. Like, if I wrote it down on a nap.

Right.

Good day.

So, I mean, if I had to ballpark, on the whole, I would probably say, out of 10 pitches, maybe you'll find. So this is what's interesting, too, is a response versus a yes. Right. Which we know. But I would say, on the whole.

Maybe two to four out of ten have been successful. I feel like three is the sweet spot. I don't know.

I was gonna give you two to five.

Okay. Yeah.

I was like, I feel like you probably could close 50, 60%. But I know, like, statistically and just getting a hold of people, like, yeah, business in general and this stuff in general, it's like you're working uphill no matter who you are, how good you are.

Yeah.

But I'm like, you have a lot of experience, so I'm like, it's for sure higher than 20%.

I mean, I was Just going to say, Mario, I think attitude, and this is where I talk about the confidence. It sounds cheesy, but I think it's a big part of it. You know, even when I was doing my site, no, I certainly wasn't a wallflower right on the red carpet with celebr. But again, I always felt like I had something to prove because I was the underdog. I wasn't in E. News, I wasn't in Access Hollywood. So I had a little bit of a chip on my shoulder. Whereas now, five years later and how hard I've worked on my show and the momentum and the success and the names I get, I've shifted my attitude, and it's like, my show is the shit. So either not in a cocky way, but, like, it's the shit. So roll with or roll out. Like, I'd love to have you, you know, that idea. And I've noticed even since I've been in Nashville, like, kind of having that attitude, the success rate, I want to say, is literally has been like 80%.

So how much do you not care?

I'm trying to less and less every day.

Roll in or roll out. I love that.

How much do I not care? Mario, I need to. I'm gonna be honest. I've been very honest here, as I am on my show. And again, my show is cancel me, baby. Right? So it's like, I'm gonna say what it is we're all thinking and can't come after me. Cancel me. I dare you. But there's certainly a part of me that cares and that self censors, and that's everything my show is not about. My show is all about, let's hear it. The clothes. Clash of ideas, different ideas, without canceling and getting uptight. Like, let's hear it all. But this culture has made it to where everybody's so uptight, you know? And if you say the wrong thing and you know, you get reprimanded, and that's the point of my show. But I think deep down I'll notice when I navigate tricky issues. I kind of try to cover my basis. You know, I try to, like, see this side and then see this side. And I'm trying to let go of that and really give no Fs even more so. Again, it's a process, but I can appreciate that.

I've said since day one, when people are like, can I say this? And they're like, on the scale of one to ten, they're like a two or a three thing. I'm like, that's not even a concern of mine. But they're so like PC, right? I actually. So I care. I put a lot into this. I don't want to have to jump through 58 more million hoops. However, I've said since day one and I have got kicked off for this multiple times, I really hope this doesn't trigger anything, but I really don't care because I have this triple redundant that if any of the platforms, and I'm not going to name a name, but any of the platforms, it's still recorded and I can still live stream somewhere else. So I've engineered it to give the freedom to be able to say whatever and still keep the show going. And it's one of the things I teach for people. Starting a show or publishing a book is like you can't really release your creativity. And I'm not saying to go out and just be belligerent about God knows what unless that's what you want to do. But I think so many people are creative and they want to share something and there are two out of 10 and they think like, the whole world's gonna fall apart. And I'm like, what a sad state of affairs that you can't even say like, I'm gonna go here for lunch because it's like, well, this is gonna offend someone here. Because if they're, they're pro burger versus anti burger versus oh, you're supporting a restaurant versus local. And then you get someone chiming in, go, why aren't you cooking it yourself? And then even if you do cook it yourself, they're like, well, that's not homegrown vegetables, that's a store bought. And you use the wrong store. And you know, I thought you're a real business owner, why'd you go pick it up if you didn't have it delivered? But the last delivery, it's just like, I am exhausted and I'm still hungry.

They need to come on my show and lighten up and just let it air out. But I think that there's a difference here between caring and caring. And what I mean by that is because you're like, how much do you care? When it comes to caring about my show and my career, my path, it's almost literally besides family, it is all I care about. I wake up thinking about it. I go to bed thinking about it. It is my blood, sweat and tears. It's, I think what I was put here to do. It comes with obstacles that I have to overcome every single day.

And I Can relate to that.

Yes. And you know, I have big goals and big ambitions and in that regard, I care sometimes even a little bit too much. People will be like, immensely. People will say to me, you know, why don't you take a break? Why don't you take a self care day? I'm like, no, no days off. You know, like a little drill. Drill sergeant. The competition is too fierce. Yeah. But then there's the other side of it, is do I care about the actual, like what I'm saying and all that? Right. And I think, you know, of course you have to care, but it's what we're talking about. It's like, I also think you don't have to care because we can't be tippy.

You have to bring the truth though. Otherwise you are just, you know. Yeah, I'm not. I've never been Camp Apple. I have nothing against them, I just haven't. I have an iPhone I bought for Clubhouse. It's the sole reason I bought it.

Okay.

I love what Steve Jobs did in the movies I've watched. And there's one that reminds me of, you know, he goes, I don't want just another me too product. And I can relate to that because it's like if you invented a wheelbarrow and someone else invented a wheelbarrow and someone else, well, they didn't invent it, but you got five wheelbarrow manufacturers and if you, all you're doing is spraying the wheel silver versus blue, it's like you're not innovating, you're not disrupting, you're not adding extra value to it. So I see that a lot with podcasting. It's like people don't even switch the mics and then they get the same guest and they ask the same questions in the same order at the same time. And it's like, okay, there's a difference from modeling to like, here's a framework and I'm going to make it my own 100%.

And I, you know, this is something I live by to this day with my show. It's something that I had in my mind when I was doing my selfie stick interviews. Especially now, there are so many. I mean, we're on overload with streaming and podcasts and all the things. Right. And I always think to myself, why is somebody going to take 40 minutes to listen to what I have to say, say, or to experience this? Like, it has to be. That's what I mean with caring too. Like it, I'm, I, I will be My own worst critic. I'll. It's like Tom Brady watching tape. I'll go back and watch episodes, think about what I can do better, because I'll think to myself, what's going to make someone want to spend an hour with me? Right? It has to be that good. And, you know, that's just so. It's too. It's too competitive. It's too oversaturated not to.

What are a few ways you found to stand out on top of what you've already mentioned? Like, what's something you haven't mentioned that you've consistently done?

Tell us your secret. At least one of them.

I mean, I kind of hinted at this, but constantly, even still going out of my comfort zone. Even still. I was just having this conversation the other day, like, I really started being pop culture connoisseur, everything pop culture related. And I remember as my show evolved and politics were really getting heated and hot and heavy, and I remember sort of like dabbling, being like, oh, I don't know, is that too political for me? I'm not a political expert. And. And all this. And there are so many topics and people and things time and time again, literally up until this day, again. Earlier, I had mentioned the episode I did about Deshaun Watson in the NFL that was out of my comfort zone. Episodes I've done talking about, you know, when it comes to Covid and, you know, race. I've had episodes about race. And I'll tell my guests, I literally will be like, I'm sweating right now. Like, this is not a fun time. Like, we are not having fun. This is. This is out of my comfort zone. Constantly pushing myself, and it's never not been fruitful, and it's never not expanded my skill set. And now I feel like I can talk about all these things, like, with flying colors, like, no big deal at all. You know, abortion. Like, there's so many topics that I really had to step up to the plate. And even before sitting down to shoot, I'll be with my microphone and I'll be like. And then just do it. And sure enough, I feel like those are the ones where I'll have listeners reach me being like, thank you for doing that. Thank you for saying this. Oh, my God, I needed that. So I can't stress enough. Like, really just pushing yourself.

Because you'll figure it out. You know, even to this day, guests I have, I'm like, are they out of my league? Is this thing I'm doing out of my league and just going for it stepping up to the plate, like I said.

I think that's a real good point, because everyone has these different levels of. This makes me nervous. It's outside my comfort zone. Should I do it? I think that's the. What's it called? Syntax, the thought process, whatever you want to call it. And it doesn't matter what the industry is now. I would say by the nature of who you're talking to and what you're talking about, you're, like, so far beyond the norm that no one should even think about it. Because you said the key there. You're doing it respectful. I think everyone should be able to share their opinion, whether you agree with it or not, but in a respectful way to have a discussion. Otherwise, there is no discussion. Nothing gets solved.

Exactly. And putting yourself, I think, in situations that are also out of your comfort zone, even. Here's an example. And this encapsulates everything we talked about today. Pitching, branding yourself, holding your own, creating opportunity, going outside of your comfort zone. I was invited. There's a big wine festival happening here this weekend in Nashville. Okay. Mind you, I haven't slept. I've been running around like crazy. Have been, like, furnishing apartment. An apartment. Don't even know anybody here. Like, it's chaos. And I thought, how do I. I was approached, basically. They were like, do you want to be, like, an influencer type person for this festival? Now, the influencer thing isn't really my thing. Like, I'm a podcast and a journalist first and foremost. Like, my Instagram feed is not flossy and cohesive. It just does what it wants. So I thought, how do I take this opportunity and make it my own? So I ended up getting. I thought, how cool would it be to, like, shoot a show on site from the festival again, something I've never done before. So I ended up getting on a phone call with the creator of the festival, and basically he's giving me my own table and tent this weekend at the festival to shoot my show in, interview people there and influencers there. And that is, I'm nervous about. It's only Tuesday, and I'm nervous about that because I'm like, I have never done it before. Again, I'm not representing a New York magazine or an Us Weekly. I'm representing myself. I have to go. Literally, I created a Cancel Me Baby banner at Office Depot. I have to go pick up, like, it is grassroots. And even though, like, I've been at the Emmys, I've been at the Oscars, like, somehow having My own booth at a festival is more nerve. You know, it's nerve wracking, but it's exciting. So that's.

Congratulations. That is exciting. And I would have to say, having done booths before, it's because it's all on you. Same thing with an event. It's one thing to show up and go, yeah, I'm telling you stuff. All right, enjoy, audience. It's another thing to go, okay, I need to tell you stuff. I need to make sure it's running. The people doing it. There's a lot more going on that you're. You're responsible for. But what just occurred to me is you still get the influencer status, but now they'll be coming to you. So it's actually higher than that.

And from a positioning play, it always is more impressive when you have your own show or book.

Exactly. And do you know how much easier it would have been if I was like, sure, I'll sign up for your influencer program and post about the festival and make a buck and try to sell tickets. But to me, what would be more. What would get more mileage? What would make more sense? What would be better experience? And so this is, again, out of my comfort zone. It's ten times more work. But.

You know, I'm looking forward to it too, so.

Yeah, you should be. You can do any live streaming from there.

I don't know. The live stream situation has not been kind to me in the past. We have a bad. We have a toxic relationship. I feel like when I've tried to do lives, it'll like, freeze and quit and be a hot mess. So I haven't decided quite yet. I might just shoot regularly and post later, so we'll see.

So depending on your phone network, some are more reliable and stronger than others, but you may be able to get access to the WI fi. And if you're doing a run and gun thing, I could tell you about some mics that sound like this, but from your phone.

Okay.

And you've already done selfie stick stuff, so.

Yep, Yep. All one.

It's just one extra button. I tell everyone that's like, I don't know about live streaming. I'm like, it's just. I'm looking at it right now. It's one extra button to go from recording to live.

I know, I know.

I'd like to see it. Selfishly, I'd like for you to live stream it so I can see it this weekend too.

That would be fun. I'm definitely thinking about it for sure. So Stay tuned because either way, it.

Sounds like you're gonna record it.

What's that?

Either way, it sounds like you're gonna do segments and record them, definitely.

So, yeah, bringing Cancel Me Baby to the wine festival, we're gonna see how it goes.

So as far as the name of the show, why did you unapologetically not given to any PC correctness? Is this something you started the last few years, or have you been like this your whole life?

I've always, pretty much have been like this. I always kind of marched to the beat of my own drummer, didn't do things how everyone else was doing them. And again, it was really freeing because I felt like when I worked for all these publications, I always. I try to put myself spin on it the most that I could. This sounds very millennial, but, you know, I always felt like I had to talk in someone else's voice, someone else's vision, what the brand wanted. And with this, it's just wholeheartedly me, like what I wanted to bring to the table and all of that.

So good for you.

Yeah. The name is like the show. It's basically like, pull no punches and what you see is what you get. And originally, coming up with the name was challenging. I was like, is it too. Is it going to put people off? Because the show does. It's very thoughtful and it has a lot of heart. It's not just like pissing people off left and right, but it is politically incorrect, you know, So I thought, what is that? But exactly, literally, what is it? But yeah, I thought, what captures that? What's catchy? I remember when I was conceptualizing, I was thinking of names that was something like a playoff of journalism or being like a blonde who's also really smart. Like that dichotomy, you know, so. But I'm glad that it landed where it did. I think it's. I think it's, you know, gonna be timeless because, you know, Cancel culture just seems to not want to quit. So.

Yeah, and you have catchy, catchy titles on the episodes too. Like the reference you just made, the one I'm thinking of is, does this bikini make my brain look big?

Yes, they're very sassy. And because writing is my very first love, so I try to bring the two, you know, marry the two together. So I try to come up with really sassy, clever, you know, titles and. And descriptions. And again, it's not like what everyone's doing. You talk about the details, right? People always say, like, SEO, optimize and make the. You know, make the episode title like this keyword and this keyword for the algorithm. And I feel like I played that game and I've tried to play the game so many times that at this point I'm like, no, it's going to be a fun, catchy, sassy title and it'll find the right audience, you know?

Yeah, there's. I can relate to that more than, you know. I was just telling one of my author clients, like, for stuff I'm working on, it's like, I want to follow all the rules, but my natural state is not. So I'm somewhere in the middle with you there. Okay, yeah, there's the algorithms, the SEO. There's just so much like, if you just wake up and say, I want to help someone. It's like, okay, now you gotta follow 485 rules to abide by everyone else's platform. It's like, seriously, just call them, email them. It's, I'm here, I can help you with xyz. Do you want help?

Yeah. When I was doing my selfie stick interviews, I was trying to like, play the game and maximize my Instagram. Like, what time of day, what consistency, what should it look like, what should the hashtags be? And I just am like, I'm over that. I'm like, who has. You know, that's like a whole other, you know, thing.

So my favorite years ago was email broadcast. What's the best day to send an email? Tuesday. So then everyone starts sending on Tuesday. And then within about a week or two, it's no longer the best day to send an email because you get 40 of them.

Right, right.

So some of these things I'm glad you're talking about. Just talk, thinking through it, like, what makes best for you, what's congruent? You said multiple times. This was at my core. I had a similar epiphany a week of. Within a week of launch in my show because I launched this daily. But I've been promoting takeoff nights and weekends. Enjoy it with family and friends, you know, for years. What's the point of business if all you're doing is working 247 and have no freedom? And I'm like, yeah, doing daily show, live stream video, all these things in like day six rolls around and I'm like.

No, day seven or eight, because I launched it on a Friday and it was like, I think within three days, as a matter of fact, it was like Saturday, Sunday. I'm like, I feel horrible. Like, I don't want to wake up on Saturday thinking, I have to promote this, but I don't want to not do it justice.

Right.

And not promote it. And then driving home from church on Sunday, I'm like, I really don't want to be emailing you going, oh, you're like, really? Like, you're probably not around doing any business stuff either. And it within three days to a week. I was like, I am not doing this. So I changed it and it works for me.

There you go. Everyone has their thing. Everyone has their strategy.

So for anyone listening before we thank our sponsor.

If they are afraid of doing something, is there any magic trick or anything? Like you said, I have to step outside my comfort zone. Is there some. Let me put on a song to get pumped up or have a cold glass of iced tea or just run around. Is there anything you do to get in, get in the zone?

Couple things. I love having a, like, little boost. I love, like, a coffee. And even still before I shoot shows, whether it's solo or with a guest, I like to kind of, like, map out where I'm going, you know, take my little notes, you know, kind of map it out in my brain and then kind of not think about it. I like to get ready and have my coffee listening to my headphones, listen to, like a fun, upbeat playlist, and then just sit down and do it. And it's kind of that idea, like, you know, how ideas come to you when you're in the shower, when you're driving. It's like, I noticed that sometimes, too, even when I have a hard time coming up with an intro for a show or what the title should be, if I do what I just said, sure enough, it'll come like that when I'm not trying so hard. So anything to kind of get out of your head, give you a little boost.

Just relax, whatever.

Yeah, exactly. Yeah.

Okay. Well, thank you for that. One more quick question before we thank our sponsor. You saw it earlier.

I love the wheel. Wheel. Love.

Whatever. It's the wheel of whatever.

Wheel of whatever. I like that.

So this is. This is an interesting thing. Do you want yellow or black?

Oh, no. Wow. What's that?

Yellow or black?

Yellow.

Oh, good color.

Yeah, I think so. There are a lot of choices, but it's the one I had to go with.

So yellow are the extremely personal questions.

I'm down for it. Hence my show.

Black is all. Black is all business.

Okay, I'm just teasing.

I just made that up. And that is why I was originally going to have, like, topics on there. And I thought you know what.

One, it solves my naming problem because if it's whatever, I don't need to worry about where it lands. Because some people, I've asked them like, where would you travel to? Because I could tell they get nervous if I'm like, do you think the moon landing was a conspiracy? Like, and there's people that have very politely declined stuff until we're off air. But I have a feeling with you.

What are your thoughts? Like, no pressure.

What's that?

Yeah, no, exactly. Oh, no, I was saying like something light like what are your thoughts on crt? No, but they're like sweaty. Yeah.

So you have. I. This is so surreal because there's time one thing that I go to, if I can tell someone's in between, I go, who's someone you'd love to interview? Who's someone you'd love to have on your show? Who's someone you know, whether they're an author or podcast host, You've interviewed a lot of cool people. So I'm not even going to ask you the travel thing. That's interesting. But it seems like you like to travel and you are. I want to ask you. Not even the business, the personal stuff. I was going to. Maybe it's a personal business question. What is something you. Where do you see your business going over the next two years and what's the biggest thing expert authority world could do to help you?

Yg, thank you for that. My gosh, that question just got me excited and I did not nervous.

No. This is what I was saying that I like go to bed thinking about, wake up thinking about. It is a 24 7.

It was supposed to be a little nerve wracking.

Oh.

But I did nonchalantly earlier, I did nonchalantly earlier say, well, tell us a secret you've never said before. And you answered that calmly. But, but honestly, like what are the things that freak you out personally in business? What's your biggest worry and if I had like a magic wand, how. How could we make get rid of it for you?

Well, I really appreciate that. I mean I have like I said, big goals and vision for what I'm doing to really be a taste maker, a thought leader. Right. In culture kind of. Before we hopped on here, I was saying my long term goal is to almost be like a Bill Maher, but you know, with boobs and a little more brain built. No, but that idea and something that is a fear of mine because I'm so on it. I'm a one woman show. I'm an entrepreneur through and through. Sometimes, you know, again, we're in this world of everyone comparing, you know, am I up to par with this person? Oh my God, that person. I've had people say to me, even as of late, I'm looking at your stuff and I feel like crap. And you're so on it. And here I am going, I'm looking at so and so stuff. So sometimes I little, I get a little. And I think this is so normal in business and publishing, whatever endeavors you're doing. To feel like, what if I miss my window? What if somebody else writes that bestseller? But I was writing it first, like, what if? And even still, I've had to kind of bring myself down and say, you know what this is, like, maybe a little hippie, spiritual, whatever. But it'll be how it'll be when it's supposed to, right? Like, you can only control so much and it'll find its way. So what, you know, in what you guys can do is just spreading any help to spread the message of what I'm doing. People who want to be a part of it, people who want to listen, be part of the community, be guests, like anything like that. It's huge because, you know, like I said, it's a full time. It's a full time endeavor with big, long term, you know, vision and goals. So.

Excellent. Well, thank you for sharing that and I'm looking forward to seeing more because I know you're just getting started with all of it.

I feel like that I, while I've been doing it so long and like we were talking about earlier, have reinvented it so many times in a weird way, it feels almost like a new, you know, with the move and all of it and the brand. It feels like a new lease on life, new chapter. Like I said, more confidence and like assurance than ever and, you know, readiness to bring this shiz to the next level, make it extra explode. So I so appreciate that. I feel like that in many ways. Yeah, it's like a new, new chapter, no pun intended, for all the authors. So I like that.

And for anyone listening as far as with business, I've said this time and time again, I feel like I need something new. But it's so applicable when, you know, when I do interviews and speak on stage and people go, when did you start your business? I love going, what time?

When exactly?

Because it's like, did the business start when I got the idea or was it when I screwed up 19 times and decided to keep going the 20th?

Enough said.

And You're a perfect example of that. So this is exciting. This. Is this your first interview for your new starting point?

Yes. That's why I was saying this is a big moment for the EA community. The E, A, G, B T. No, I'm just kidding. No, it's a big deal for us because this is like Mario's eyebrows are flying off.

This whole time I've been fine and I, you know, I, I love everyone.

But I waited until the 11th hour. I know. No, but it is. It's the very first interview in my new digs, my new stomping grounds here in Nashville. So I'm excited about that. Off to a great start. Thanks to you guys. So.

Well, I'm happy to hear that we are going to thank our sponsor and come back for the imperfect action round. You've heard me say every business needs a book, including yours. And it's true. And that's why I'm launching my new book@eapublishingmethodbook.com so you can learn the seven steps to publish and promote your nonfiction lead and profit generating business book in eight weeks. But you know what, don't take my word for it. Take it from a few of my authors like Lori, I went from having.

An idea and a possibility to actually getting my book published.

Or Catherine, thank you for making my.

Mom number one best selling author.

Or Mary Alice, what he got done.

For me in three days regarding my.

Book launch.

Unmanageable John Cody. I've worked with Mario over the phone and online and he's been very helpful in getting me where I needed to go with promoting my books.

Rocio, there's no way in the world I would have been able to do this with somebody else again. I've attempted it in the past. It didn't serve me. As a matter of fact, I ended up more frustrated than anything. So this has been a very seamless process. Adele, if you're looking for an amazing business coach, I highly recommend Mario Ficini or Bill Benner.

I can't make a higher recommendation for than to work with Mario Ficini. He has been great for for me and right now I won't work with anybody else except for Mario. Hey, their words, not mine. Visit eapublishingmethodbook.com to get your copy and I look forward to hearing your transformation as our next video success story. Once again, that's eapublishing method book.com.

And we are back with the imperfect action round. Taylor, are you ready to take in for perfect action? I think so.

All right, I got three questions for you.

Okay?

Rapid fire, 60 second or less, what is the fastest path to the cash?

Doing it. Go. Stop holding yourself back. Stop second guessing. Stop being in your head. Just go do it. Do the thing. Ask the person to be on your show. Ask the people to publish your book. Go, go, go.

Excellent. Number two, what is the biggest problem you see your prospects making and the fastest way for them to fix it?

Like we talked about today, getting in your own way. You're your own biggest critic. I've been there. I'm still there at times. And the only person truly getting in your way is you. And I truly mean this when I say no one cares more like you think everyone's looking with a microscope that they're not there, are busy living their own lives, and everyone these days are narcissists, as we know. So you are the only thing getting in your own way. Again. Just go.

Excellent. And number three, if you had the opportunity to do it all over again, if you had the opportunity to. Am I using my words right? If you had the opportunity to do it all over again, what would you change from the beginning?

Is it cliche to say nothing?

No.

I really think nothing. I think about this a lot. I think all the times when I was down and out, I thought I hit rock bottom. I'd be crying after a bad carpet incident, whatever it is. Or like I said, maybe I wasn't as confident earlier on in my career. Was a little bit insecure about it. All of it led me to the woman and entrepreneur and host. All of it. With the vision that I am today, I wouldn't change any of it for a second.

Good for you. Good for you.

Being a publisher, I always like to ask people about books. Is there one you'd recommend? Expert Authority World.

Oh, man, that's a good one. So.

I actually. So I had him on my show recently, Justin Rezvani. He. I'm not sure how up on the whole, like, crypto web3 space your audience is, but he wrote a book called Unapologetic Freedom, all about. Like I said, he was on my show. Yeah. Okay. So all about the state of all of it, how we communicate and the web and Internet and censorship and our thoughts. Yeah, that's been. That's been interesting and it's current and it's fresh and innovative and again, has vision. So.

Excellent. Well, thank you for that. Where would you like people to learn more?

Okay, learn more. Everybody get in on the action. Like we had said today multiple times, my show is called Cancel me baby. It's everywhere. Joe Rogan, look out. It's on Spotify, YouTube. I heart all the good things. And the selfie stick interviews that Mario's talking about, that's my site, talktometailor.com same thing on YouTube. And if you just google me, you want something of, you know, a fresh point of view. I've written numerous op eds. Like I said, I've done a lot of reporting. So find me there. And I hate to say this on, you know, it's unwilling, but most of my action is over on Instagram. Talk to me Taylor. So come be part of it.

Well, thank you so much for everything you've shared. I definitely enjoyed it and you got me not nervous about any of the questions. But when you're like, you got to do, take the action, do more with it. And I'm like, can I hire someone?

Like, no, Mario, you gotta do it.

I got a lot going on. Like I'm trying to get stuff off my plate, but there are some goals, doors and goals and stuff I'm striving for. But so thank you for that encouragement. It's been a pleasure.

Absolutely. It's been such a pleasure and thank you so much. So appreciate it.

All right, Expert Authority World. We have another great episode here today. I'll see you on the next one. Yes, I got it right. And I'll see you on the next one. Have a great day and God bless.

You're already the expert, but have you transformed your expertise into a tangible asset that will generate qualified leads while increasing profit for you 24 7? And if so, how well are you promoting it? With my new book, the Expert Authority Effect Publishing Method, I take you through my process step by step. Visit eapublishingmethodbook.com today to learn the seven steps to publish and promote your nonfiction, lead and profit generating business book in eight weeks. Visit eapublishingmethodbook.com to get started. Now. Once again, that's eapublishingmethodbook.Com thanks for listening to today's episode. I would love to know what you enjoyed most from it if you haven't done so already. I invite you to connect with me on my new LinkedIn. You can go to it directly at eainterviews.com LinkedIn Once again, that's eainterviews.com LinkedIn lastly, check out the full eainterviews.com site for complete show notes, the full interview video experience, links to the resources we mentioned, and more have a blessed day, and I'll see you on the next one.