From Marion to Capitol Hill: Daniel James II on Media, Power & Building a Voice

What does it look like to come from a small town… and still end up shaping national conversations?In Episode 5 of Echo Untethered, I sit down with Daniel James II — a strategic communications and media professional from Marion, South Carolina, who’s built a path from Cornell to global leadership as a Schwarzman Scholar at Tsinghua University, and into public service roles spanning NTIA (U.S. Department of Commerce) and the U.S. House as a Digital Communications Fellow supporting the Congressional Progressive Caucus.This conversation is about voice — how it’s built, how it’s protected, and how it’s used to serve people who rarely get the mic.In this episode, we get into:* How his upbringing shaped his urgency and purpose* The real work behind “communications” in government and culture* Why storytelling can become strategy — and strategy can become impact* Building confidence, credibility, and community when you’re the exception* The responsibility that comes with influence — and the cost of carrying a messageComment below: What’s one story from your life you KNOW could help somebody else—if you told it?Subscribe for more conversations on building life and legacy through faith, family, business, and purpose.Connect + Resources👉 Connect with Daniel James II: [Insert links]👉 Work with Echo Marketing & Consulting: [Your Link] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit echothepodcast.substack.com