Fearlyss & Unfiltered

AI is changing how business owners build their brands...but most are using it wrong. In this episode, Alyssa Olerud and AI strategist Abigail Merrill break down how to use AI strategically without losing your voice, authenticity, or competitive edge. This episode provides a clear, strategic perspective. Alyssa and Abigail go beyond surface-level tips to explore how AI actually works, where bias exists, and how to use these tools responsibly while still building a recognizable, human-centered brand.With a background in revenue operations, marketing, and AI integration, Abigail brings real-world expertise to the conversation. She shares a practical framework that helps business owners adopt AI in a way that drives results without adding complexity or sacrificing brand identity.Episode OverviewWhy business owners—especially women—are slower to adopt AI and how to overcome itThe reality of AI bias and how it can impact your brand and decision-makingHow to use AI as a collaborator while maintaining your authentic voiceA simple 3-step framework to integrate AI into your business operationsPractical ways to use AI for content creation, communication, and productivityHow AI can reduce mental load and give you back time as a business ownerConnect with Abigail here:GrowthUP Partners | AI Consulting in the TriangleAbigail Merrill | LinkedInFollow or subscribe to Fearlyss & Unfiltered for more conversations on mindset, personal branding, and visibility.Share this episode with a business owner or professional who needs to hear it.Connect with Alyssa on social media for more education and real-world insight.Connect with Alyssa hereFollow Fearlyss Media hereFollow Fearlyss & Unfiltered here

What happens when success on paper no longer feels aligned internally?In this episode of Fearlyss & Unfiltered, Alyssa Olerud sits down with former immigration attorney turned mindfulness coach Rashmi Shah to explore burnout, alignment, and conscious leadership. This conversation is for the mother and business owner who want to lead with grounded presence instead of pressure.Rashmi shares the pivotal moment that made her question whether she was truly well, how nervous system regulation became the foundation for her career pivot.In this episode, we cover:Why meaningful career pivots are often a slow burnSigns of high-functioning burnoutA simple 20-minute nervous system regulation practiceWhat alignment really means in business and motherhoodHow to “come home to yourself” and stop performing successRashmi is the founder of The Inner Echo and author of the bestselling children’s book "I Found My Piece" As a working mom of three, she helps women build lives they don’t need to escape from—starting with internal safety.Connect with Rashmi: Instagram: @rashmi.k.shah LinkedIn: Rashmi Kumar ShahGrab a copy of I Found My Piece: https://a.co/d/0iB0bjFsJoin the Retreat in Boone, NC:  Step into Conscious Living Tickets, Friday, Mar 13 at 4 pm to Sunday, Mar 15 at 1 pm | EventbriteFollow or subscribe to Fearlyss & Unfiltered for more conversations on mindset, personal branding, and visibility.Share this episode with a business owner or professional who needs to hear it.Connect with Alyssa on social media for more education and real-world insight.Connect with Alyssa hereFollow Fearlyss Media hereFollow Fearlyss & Unfiltered here

What does it actually take to build to 1M subscribers on YouTube...and keep going for over two decades?In this episode of Fearlyss & Unfiltered, host Alyssa Olerud sits down with creator and professional scooter athlete Jon Reyes, who has spent 23 years building an audience online and grown to 2.5 million followers across platforms. Instead of chasing algorithms or quick wins, Jon built his career by focusing on community, consistency, and creating content he’d make even if no one was watching.This conversation is for creators, founders, and business owners who feel stuck overthinking content, worried about monetization, or burned out trying to “do social media the right way.”You’ll hear:How Jon built to 1M+ on YouTube by treating subscribers like friendsWhy most creators quit too early and what realistic growth actually looks likeHow to post consistently without burning out or forcing contentThe mindset shift that makes brand deals and monetization feel naturalWhy pressing record matters more than hooks, captions, or strategy at the startIf you’re trying to grow on YouTube, Instagram, or any platform without losing yourself in the process, this episode will reset how you think about content, community, and long-term success.Follow Fearlyss & Unfiltered for more honest conversations on building brands, businesses, and careers that actually last.Follow or subscribe to Fearlyss & Unfiltered for more conversations on mindset, personal branding, and visibility.Share this episode with a business owner or professional who needs to hear it.Connect with Alyssa on social media for more education and real-world insight.Connect with Alyssa hereFollow Fearlyss Media hereFollow Fearlyss & Unfiltered here

Your LinkedIn profile is often the first impression someone has of you as a business professional — yet most profiles are under-optimized, outdated, or unclear. In this episode of Fearlyss & Unfiltered, Alyssa Olerud walks through a step-by-step LinkedIn profile optimization audit designed to help business professionals turn their profile into a clear, searchable, and conversion-ready digital storefront.This episode is for any business professional who wants to utilize LinkedIn intentionally... whether you’re a service provider, consultant, entrepreneur, or corporate professional building a personal brand. Alyssa shares the same LinkedIn audit checklist she uses with private clients, breaking down exactly what to update, what to remove, and how to position your profile so the right people immediately understand who you are, what you do, and how to work with you.EPISODE OVERVIEW • How to audit your LinkedIn profile for clarity, visibility, and search • The most common LinkedIn profile mistakes professionals make • How to optimize your headline and About section using keywords • Why your LinkedIn profile should be written for buyers, not peers • How to remove friction so it’s easier for people to contact and work with youKEY TOPICS COVEREDLinkedIn as Your Digital First ImpressionOptimizing Visuals: Header Image and Profile PhotoWriting a Keyword-Driven LinkedIn HeadlineContact Info, Links, and Profile SettingsHow to Write a Strong About SectionUsing Keywords Throughout Your ProfileFeatured Section and Social ProofExperience, Education, and Skills OptimizationRecommendations and Credibility BuildingCheck out Alyssa's preferred link-in-bio tool here: https://pensight.com/?refCode=fearlyssmedia how to optimize your LinkedIn profile LinkedIn profile optimization for business professionals LinkedIn audit checklist personal branding on LinkedIn how to write a LinkedIn headline LinkedIn profile optimization tips how to use LinkedIn for business growthFollow or subscribe to Fearlyss & Unfiltered for more conversations on mindset, personal branding, and visibility.Share this episode with a business owner or professional who needs to hear it.Connect with Alyssa on social media for more education and real-world insight.Connect with Alyssa hereFollow Fearlyss Media hereFollow Fearlyss & Unfiltered here

The psychology of aesthetics shapes how people feel, decide, and buy often before a single word is spoken. In this episode of Fearlyss & Unfiltered, Alyssa Olerud sits down with Dr. Kristi Reid-Partin to explore how design, visual environments, and personal style directly influence perception, confidence, and consumer behavior.This episode is for service-based business owners, personal brand builders, and creatives who want to understand why aesthetics matter far beyond appearance. From the layout of a website or storefront to what you wear on a sales call or podcast interview, these visual cues quietly communicate trust, value, and credibility.Dr. Reid-Partin brings a rare blend of academic research and real-world experience. As a PhD-trained psychologist, university professor, and former boutique and short-term rental owner, she shares practical insights backed by both data and lived results — including how intentional design choices led to six-figure increases in property value and revenue.In this episode, listeners will learn:Why aesthetics are a form of communication, not decorationHow visual complexity, clutter, and spacing impact trust and pricing perceptionThe role design plays in consumer decision-making, both online and in personHow clothing choices influence confidence, performance, and first impressionsWhy authenticity and novelty increase perceived valueHow business owners can align visual branding with their desired positioningThroughout the conversation, Alyssa and Dr. Reid-Partin break down how people form impressions in under a second, often before any conversation begins. From short-term rentals and retail spaces to websites, wardrobes, and personal brands, aesthetics quietly set expectations and influence behavior.The episode also explores the psychology of dress, including how what you wear reinforces the role you’re stepping into. Listeners will gain clarity on the difference between buying for taste versus buying for personal style, and why discomfort in your clothes or environment is often a sign of personal or professional transition.If this episode changed the way you think about design, style, or first impressions, be sure to follow or subscribe to Fearlyss & Unfiltered. Share this episode with a business owner or creative refining their brand and connect with Alyssa and Kristi on social media.https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Kristi.Reid.Partin Instagram@revel_initThe Psychology of Aesthetics & Identity | Dr. Kristi Reid-PartinFollow or subscribe to Fearlyss & Unfiltered for more conversations on mindset, personal branding, and visibility.Share this episode with a business owner or professional who needs to hear it.Connect with Alyssa on social media for more education and real-world insight.Connect with Alyssa hereFollow Fearlyss Media hereFollow Fearlyss & Unfiltered here

There’s a moment many women experience… a quiet internal pull that says, “you’ve outgrown this version of your life or career.” In this episode of Fearlyss & Unfiltered, Alyssa Olerud sits down with ICF-certified career and professional development coach Vanessa Crues to explore how real confidence is built through values alignment, clarity, and intentional decision-making.This conversation is for women navigating career transitions, leaders building confidence, and entrepreneurs whose careers are deeply tied to their identity. Alyssa brings her grounded perspective as a personal branding and content educator, guiding a thoughtful discussion that goes beyond surface-level motivation and into the internal work required to move forward with confidence.Vanessa Crues draws from her experience as an ICF-certified coach, Assistant Director of Career Programs and Engagement at the Thunderbird School of Global Management, author, and psychology graduate student. She blends neuroscience, positive psychology, and practical strategy to help people move from uncertainty into purpose-driven action, especially during seasons of change.Whether you’re building a business, leading a team, or redefining your personal brand, this episode offers grounded insight into how values-led clarity can unlock confidence and direction.Learn more about Vanessa Crues at https://vanessacrues.com/Explore her transformational coaching experience, The Author of What’s Next, beginning January 13: https://vanessacrues.com/the-author-of-whats-nextFollow Vanessa on social media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-crues/ https://www.instagram.com/vanessacrues/Follow or subscribe to Fearlyss & Unfiltered for more conversations on mindset, personal branding, and visibility.Share this episode with a business owner or professional who needs to hear it.Connect with Alyssa on social media for more education and real-world insight.Connect with Alyssa hereFollow Fearlyss Media hereFollow Fearlyss & Unfiltered here

Integrity and consistency aren’t just personal values — they’re the foundation of long-term growth in both life and business. In this episode of Fearlyss & Unfiltered, Alyssa Olerud delivers a grounded, honest reminder of why honoring your commitments (especially the small, unseen ones) directly impacts your confidence, credibility, and personal brand.This episode is for entrepreneurs, creators, and professionals who want to show up more consistently, stop breaking promises to themselves, and build real trust with their audience. Alyssa challenges listeners to move beyond motivation and discipline and instead focus on the identity they are reinforcing every day through their actions.With real-world experience building a personal brand online, Alyssa shares practical insight on consistency, integrity, and the quiet moments of growth that don’t come with applause but matter the most.Episode OverviewIn this episode, you’ll learn:Why breaking small promises to yourself slowly erodes confidence and self-trustHow consistency shapes identity more than motivation ever willThe connection between integrity and long-term personal brand growthWhy “the way you do one thing is the way you do everything” applies to businessHow small daily actions compound into credibility, trust, and successWhy showing up online consistently is essential for audience growthKey Topics CoveredIntegrity as the foundation of trustIntegrity starts internally. Honoring commitments builds trust with yourself before it ever builds trust with others.Consistency over motivationConsistency isn’t about discipline — it’s about identity. Who you are becoming matters more than temporary motivation.Breaking promises and self-confidenceSmall broken commitments quietly damage confidence and self-trust, which directly impacts leadership and growth.Small actions and long-term growthGrowth happens in the quiet moments. The daily actions no one sees are the ones that define success.Personal branding and showing up onlineConsistency online builds credibility and trust, not just visibility or algorithm reach.If this episode resonated, follow Fearlyss & Unfiltered for more honest conversations about growth, branding, and showing up with integrity. Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that the small things matter — and connect with Alyssa to continue building a personal brand rooted in trust and consistency.Follow or subscribe to Fearlyss & Unfiltered for more conversations on mindset, personal branding, and visibility.Share this episode with a business owner or professional who needs to hear it.Connect with Alyssa on social media for more education and real-world insight.Connect with Alyssa hereFollow Fearlyss Media hereFollow Fearlyss & Unfiltered here

Visibility isn’t just about showing up online: it’s about feeling safe, grounded, and confident being seen. In this mini episode of Fearlyss & Unfiltered, Alyssa Olerud shares her personal morning routine for visibility and the mindset practices that help her show up consistently in her business without relying on external validation.This episode is for business owners and professionals who want to strengthen their personal brand, overcome imposter syndrome, and feel more confident with visibility. If being seen online, sharing your voice, or putting your ideas out into the world brings up anxiety or self-doubt, this episode offers practical support.Alyssa Olerud is a personal branding strategist, social media content creator, and podcast host who shows up publicly every day. Drawing from her real-world experience, she breaks down the grounding routines, embodiment practices, and identity work that support long-term confidence and aligned visibility.Episode OverviewIn this episode, you’ll learn:Why visibility often triggers validation and imposter syndromeHow a morning routine supports confidence and emotional regulationMindset shifts that make showing up online feel saferGrounding practices you can do in 15–20 minutesA visibility mantra for business owners and professionalsHow identity work strengthens personal brandingMorning routine for visibilityAlyssa shares the exact structure of her morning routine and how it helps her feel grounded, focused, and confident before showing up in her business.Visibility mindset for business ownersThis episode explores why being visible can feel emotionally heavy and how to release the need for validation.Imposter syndrome and personal brandingAlyssa explains how imposter syndrome often comes from outdated self-identity rather than lack of experience.Embodiment practices for confidenceMovement, affirmations, and presence are used to access confidence without forcing motivation.Millionaire activation mindset journalingA journaling framework designed to help business owners think and act from their highest self.Mantras for feeling safe being seenA powerful visibility mantra is shared to help detach worth from approval.Follow or subscribe to Fearlyss & Unfiltered for more conversations on mindset, personal branding, and visibility.Share this episode with a business owner or professional who needs to hear it.Connect with Alyssa on social media for more education and real-world insight.Connect with Alyssa hereFollow Fearlyss Media hereFollow Fearlyss & Unfiltered here

In this conversation, Alyssa Olerud outlines the Fearlyss FLOW Framework which is her personal appraoch to building a strong and authentic personal brand on social media.Takeaways-Building your foundation is like a personal development exercise. -Your personal brand goes beyond your resume and job title.-Relating to your audience is key-Your offer needs to be clear (not cute)!-You are full of wisdom regardless of where you are within your careerThe Fearlyss FLOW Framework is a downloadable guide that takes you from A to Z when it comes to building your personal brand and creating an effective content strategy on social media.Download the workbook here: Fearlyss FLOW Framework - FEARLYSS MEDIAFollow or subscribe to Fearlyss & Unfiltered for more conversations on mindset, personal branding, and visibility.Share this episode with a business owner or professional who needs to hear it.Connect with Alyssa on social media for more education and real-world insight.Connect with Alyssa hereFollow Fearlyss Media hereFollow Fearlyss & Unfiltered here

In this episode, Alyssa Olerud introduces the concept of fearlessness as a vital trait in business and personal growth. She shares her journey of developing a fearless mindset, emphasizing that fearlessness is not inherent but a muscle that can be trained. Through personal anecdotes, she illustrates pivotal moments that shaped her career and personal life, encouraging listeners to embrace their fears and take bold steps forward. The episode sets the stage for future discussions with various leaders and founders about their experiences with fear and resilience.Takeaways:Fearlessness is a muscle that needs training.Acknowledging fears is the first step to overcoming them.Pivotal moments can change your trajectory.You can be capable without needing permission.Personal experiences shape our understanding of fear.Sometimes, you face fear head-on without a choice.Fear can lead to unexpected opportunities.Aligning your career with your passions is crucial.Future episodes will feature diverse leaders' stories.Embrace fear to take bold actions.Follow or subscribe to Fearlyss & Unfiltered for more conversations on mindset, personal branding, and visibility.Share this episode with a business owner or professional who needs to hear it.Connect with Alyssa on social media for more education and real-world insight.Connect with Alyssa hereFollow Fearlyss Media hereFollow Fearlyss & Unfiltered here

Alyssa Olerud introduces 'Fearlyss and Unfiltered,' a podcast aimed at entrepreneurs and creatives who embrace the challenges of business and personal branding. Alyssa, a social media marketer and personal brand strategist, shares her journey and invites founders and thought leaders to discuss their growth, pivots, and the realities of building bold brands. The podcast encourages listeners to show up boldly and build their personal brands.Keywordsentrepreneurship, personal branding, fearless media, business growth, leadershipTakeawaysReal growth happens in the messy middle.Business is not all highlight reels.Alyssa Olerud is the founder of Fearless Media.Conversations cover growth, pivots, highs, and lows.Subscribe for the first full episode of Fearless and Unfiltered.Follow or subscribe to Fearlyss & Unfiltered for more conversations on mindset, personal branding, and visibility.Share this episode with a business owner or professional who needs to hear it.Connect with Alyssa on social media for more education and real-world insight.Connect with Alyssa hereFollow Fearlyss Media hereFollow Fearlyss & Unfiltered here