Forbes Top Creators Show

How do you go from juggling soccer balls on Britain's Got Talent to generating 10 billion views a year as a comedy duo? Welcome to the Forbes Top Creator Show! This week, host Steven Bertoni sits down with Paul "Woody" Wood, one half of the legendary UK creator duo, Woody & Kleiny, recorded live from the World Government Summit in Dubai. In this episode, Woody breaks down their 13-year journey from the early days of Instagram to building an audience of 50 million followers. He shares the brutal reality of their come-up—working day jobs and filming until 1 AM for five years before making a single penny. He also reveals why they turned down their first lucrative brand deals to strategically pivot away from sports content and into mainstream comedy. Expect a masterclass in virality as Woody explains their "T.H.I.S. A.E." framework (Trends, Humor, Inspiration, Surprise, Adventure, Emotion) and how they use the "Disney Effect" to craft compelling narratives in short-form video. Finally, Woody gives a behind-the-scenes look at their content house, their high-volume production schedule, and their upcoming 140-lesson social media course. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you go from stand-up comedy and nannying on the Upper East Side to becoming a millionaire "finfluencer" and author? Welcome to the Forbes Top Creator Show! This week, host Steven Bertoni sits down with Haley Sacks, the financial expert and media mogul better known as Mrs. Dow Jones. In this episode, Haley shares her hilarious origin story, including her pivot from a film and comedy background to pitching a "Finance is Cool" segment to CNBC. She opens up about the wakeup call she had while working for SNL creator Lorne Michaels, realizing she knew nothing about 401(k)s or health insurance, and how getting laid off pushed her to build her own brand. Haley breaks down how she makes investing aspirational—turning a Roth IRA into the ultimate "flex" instead of a Birkin bag. She also dives into the business of being a "finfluencer," her strategy behind using a viral Blue Ivy moment to teach custodial IRAs, and the real reason her generation is facing "financial nihilism." Finally, Haley shares the inspiration behind her new book, Future Rich Person, her top three finance book recommendations, and the biggest financial mistake of her life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does a star of global hits like The Vampire Diaries and H2O: Just Add Water transition from playing iconic supernatural characters to becoming a full-time creator with a social media following built on vulnerability and authenticity? On this episode of the Forbes Top Creator Show, host Steven Bertoni sits down with actress turned entrepreneur Claire Holt to deconstruct her "reverse trajectory": moving from the rigid schedules of traditional Hollywood to reclaiming autonomy as a powerhouse digital creator. Claire opens up about the terrifying but life-changing decision to stop hiding behind the characters she played and share her personal experiences online, and how a post with 40,000+ comments fundamentally shifted her relationship with her audience, transforming 13 million casual fans into a deeply connected community that acts as the primary engine for her business. Beyond content creation, Claire reveals the mechanics behind her new fashion brand, Saint Sirène, co-founded with Madeline Simmer. She explains why she refused outside capital to solve the elusive "perfect white tee" problem, and how she manages a high-velocity schedule that often starts with a 3:30 AM run. Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?sub_confirmation=1 0:19 From Australian Mermaid to Hollywood 3:19 The Power of Supernatural Fandoms 6:19 Using Twitter to Book Acting Gigs 11:43 Quitting Hollywood for Motherhood & Freedom 13:28 The Reality of Being Completely Exposed Online 22:49 The Post That Changed Everything 25:19 The 3:30 AM Routine & AI Scheduling 31:47 Crowdsourcing the Perfect White T-Shirt 38:38 Bootstrapping Saint Sirène 40:47 Why Creators Are the New Hollywood Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more: https://account.forbes.com/membership/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=growth_non-sub_paid_subscribe_ytdescript Stay Connected Forbes newsletters: https://newsletters.editorial.forbes.com Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbes Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbes More From Forbes: http://forbes.com Forbes covers the intersection of entrepreneurship, wealth, technology, business and lifestyle with a focus on people and success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you go from eating dollar store food and sharing one bathroom with ten guys to building an 8,000-square-foot production studio and trash-talking Barack Obama on the basketball court? Welcome to the Forbes Top Creator Show! This week, host Steven Bertoni sits down with Zach Justice, a creator, comedian, and podcast host who has mastered the art of hacking the internet’s attention span. Zach breaks down his incredible origin story, from teaching himself graphic design to landing his first big $50,000 podcast check—only to have it stolen. Zach dives into the business of bridging digital and traditional media, why he built his own massive LA studio, how he funded his hit reality show Vybes Villa entirely through a savvy brand partnership, and his future plans to launch CPG products and apps for his highly engaged community. Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?sub_confirmation=1 0:00 Introduction 1:20 Humble Beginnings: 10 Guys & One Bathroom 3:12 Breaking into Digital 5:19 The Snowball Effect 7:07 The '1,000 Clips A Week' Method 8:45 Followers Are Vanity: The New Metric of Stardom 12:35 Inside the 8,000 Sq Ft Studio 15:08 Vybes Villa: Leveraging Brand Dollars for Reality TV 19:15 What's Next For Zach Justice? 21:33 The 5-Year Goal: Building a Mini-Hollywood Studio Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more: https://account.forbes.com/membership/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=growth_non-sub_paid_subscribe_ytdescript Stay Connected Forbes newsletters: https://newsletters.editorial.forbes.com Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbes Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbes More From Forbes: http://forbes.com Forbes covers the intersection of entrepreneurship, wealth, technology, business and lifestyle with a focus on people and success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From an unemployed linguistics student to running a commercial film agency, Grace Wells (@gracewellsphoto) turned pandemic boredom into a massive creator business. On this week's episode of the Forbes Top Creators Show, host Steven Bertoni sits down with Grace, a self-taught commercial filmmaker who built a massive audience creating "epic commercial content" for random household objects, and it all started with a simple fork. Grace breaks down how that viral fork video evolved into national broadcast ads and partnerships with brands like Celsius, Samsonite, and Maybelline. She details the evolution of her business, Product Film School, into Product Film Studio, a full-service agency where she represents her own students for brand deals. She also reveals her strategy of pairing high-production client ads with "lo-fi" behind-the-scenes content on social, the growing audience rebellion against "AI slop," and her belief that the industry’s future lies in bridging digital communities through real-life connection. 0:00 Meet Grace Wells, the "Random Objects" Icon 1:54 COVID Creativity: Turning Forks and Socks Into Epic Ads 4:47 The First Branded Deal 12:37 Inside Product Film School 14:33 Product Film Studio: Building a Student-Talent Agency 16:09 The Right Gear: Sony Mirrorless vs. iPhone 18:15 AI Slop vs. Analog 22:10 Building Community IRL 24:39 Building a Brand with Longevity Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more: Stay Connected Forbes newsletters: https://newsletters.editorial.forbes.com Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbes Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbes More From Forbes: http://forbes.com Forbes covers the intersection of entrepreneurship, wealth, technology, business and lifestyle with a focus on people and success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you go from taking corporate consulting calls on a laptop in the back of an Uber to signing a 7-figure deal with Pepsi and throwing a $1.5 million live food festival? In this episode of the Forbes Top Creator Show, host Steven Bertoni sits down with Jack Goldburg and Liam Henning, the masterminds behind the viral food channel Jack's Dining Room and its parent company, The Yes Chef Group. Jack and Liam share the hilarious story of how they faked their way into their first restaurant shoot by pretending Jack was an "international food superstar." They break down their rapid rise to millions of followers, explaining the authentic storytelling secrets that earned Liam the title of the "Christopher Nolan of short-form" content. Beyond the viral views, the duo offers a transparent look into the creator economy business model, breaking down their revenue streams and explaining the P&L behind their sold-out Yes Chef Food Fest. For Jack and Liam, the ultimate flex isn't just going viral—it's proving that getting 10,000 people to physically show up to an event is far more powerful than getting 1 million passive views online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Miranda McKeon (@miranda.mckeon / @mirandamckeon) didn't set out to become a global health advocate. She was a professional actor best known for playing the "schoolhouse mean girl" Josie Pye in Anne with an E. While studying communications and entrepreneurship at USC—with plans for a corporate marketing career—a "one-in-a-million" Stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis arrived during her sophomore year. At age 19, her life took a radical turn that transformed her social media presence into a purpose-driven business. In this episode of the Forbes Top Creator Show, Steven Bertoni sits down with the New York-based creator to discuss the "radical transparency" she practiced while navigating chemotherapy and hair loss in the middle of a college campus. Miranda opens up about the missteps she made early on while building a six-figure business tackling taboo health topics head on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Creator Kate Mackz sits with Forbes assistant managing editor Steven Bertoni and opens up on the origins, viral success and business secrets behind her hit running interview show. Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?sub_confirmation=1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kennedy Eurich joins Steven Bertoni on the Forbes Top Creators Show. She shares her strategies for dealing with online backlash and the pressures of living a public life online, and unveils her roadmap for winning in the creator economy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Devon Rodriguez started by sketching strangers on the New York subway—now he’s a global creator with 65 million followers. In this episode of Forbes Top Creator Show, Devon reveals how he went from graffiti in the Bronx to portrait commissions, viral TikToks, and interviews with icons like Oprah Winfrey. He walks us through his breakthrough moment, the algorithm hacks he studied, and how he built a sustainable business around his art. Devon shares how he blends storytelling, emotional connection, and visual talent to create viral content—while staying grounded in his passion for art. Whether he's filming in New York or Japan, Devon’s mission is the same: capture real people, share their stories, and make the world a little more connected. His journey is proof that even traditional artists can thrive in the digital age. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Haley Kalil went from studying biomedical science to walking the runway for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit—then became one of the most successful digital creators in the world. In this episode of Forbes Top Creators Show, she shares how a single apartment tour video went viral and launched a career now followed by over 30 million people across platforms. Haley opens up about building her brand from scratch, battling internet hate, and posting five videos a day to stay ahead of trends. She explains how her analytical mindset and love for "brain rot" culture help her thrive in an ever-shifting creator economy. We also dive into the business of content creation—from brand deals to equity and everything in between. Plus, Haley shares her dreams of acting, launching her own product, and why she thinks traditional media should embrace creators. This is one of the most honest and insightful interviews we've had—don’t miss it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Evangelina Petrakis (@evange) made the bold decision not to attend college after finishing high school. Instead, she went all in on growing her then-budding social media business. On this episode of the Forbes Top Creators Show, assistant managing editor Steven Bertoni delves deep in Evange Petrakis' career, and growing business. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Forbes Top Creators Show, assistant managing editor Steven Bertoni sits down with Rebecca Zamolo to hear about how she was able to translate early success on Musical.ly a YouTube empire, and how she's leveraging her influence to launch new line of prenatal supplements. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Forbes Top Creators Show, assistant managing editor Steve Bertoni sits down with Kareem Rahma (@kareemrahma), host of  @SubwayTakes  and @keepthemeterrunning, to hear about how how his hit show went from humble beginnings to booking Cate Blanchett, Kamala Harris, and Tim Walz. We also dive into his past career, and how it influenced his success today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Forbes Top Creators Show, assistant managing editor Steven Bertoni sits down with Claudia Oshry (@girlwithnojob), host of The Toast, for a deep dive into how her daily show comes life, and how she's been able to leverage her deeply loyal audience to find financial success. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shawn Ryan, a former Navy Seal, has built a YouTube channel with more than 4 million fans with content focusing on military veterans, security, and defense. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After being bullied in high school, Rickey Thompson got his own sweet revenge posting over-the-top comedic videos on Vine and later, Instagram. The North Carolina native, who now has 3 million followers on TikTok, has made sponsored content for brands like YSL Beauty, Moncler, Marc Jacobs. He also has an exclusive deal with Spotify for his "We Said What We Said" podcast and is starring in his first feature film "Good Mourning" with Machine Gun Kelly, Megan Fox and Dove Cameron. Thompson was ranked No. 33 on the inaugural Forbes Top Creators List in 2022. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justine Ezarik began her social media career in 2007, back when influencers were known as lifecasters. Over the years, she's built a tech-savvy brand by reviewing new gadgets and gear from Apple, Google, and Tesla. Her 7 million YouTube subscribers tune in to her Tech Tuesday videos to watch her review the latest smartphones, headphones, and EVs. Beyond reviews and unboxing, iJustine interviews the most prominent tech leaders. Her guests have included Apple's Tim Cook, Alphabet's Sunday Pichai, and Spotify's Daniel Ek. She has inked brand partnerships with Microsoft, Amazon, and BMW. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Moss is a creator of surreal worlds. The filmmaker shoots videos in a style she calls "fever dreams," using jump cuts, strange props, and wild costumes to build eerie and entertaining scenes. "I studied forensic psychology in college. I loved all things scary but didn't know what to do with it. When I started TikTok, I eventually found my niche." For Moss, scary is a family affair: her two sisters help shoot and edit each short film. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Boggs has built an 18 million subscriber channel on YouTube with comedic skits, challenges, and TikTok reviews. Says Boggs: “With TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, we can create short, condensed versions of movies that people can easily watch and consume.” The former National Geographic photographer has partnered with top streamers including Netflix, Google, Hulu, FX, and Prime Video. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vivian Tu mixes funny with money. The former J.P. Morgan equity trader brings financial knowledge to social media with her irreverent and straight-talking videos that teach her followers (2.4 million on TikTok, 1.8 million on Instagram) how to build an investment portfolio, manage their careers, and negotiate a raise. Her relatable lessons, think honest big sister giving tough-love money advice, have scored Tu lucrative partnerships with companies like Marshalls and SoFi. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Waheed is a comedy actor and filmmaker who delivers skits to 55 million fans across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. In 2024, Waheed’s funny takes on everyday events—like Googling symptoms when sick and using a public restroom—have attracted 10 billion views across his social media platforms. He’s collaborated with celebs including Kevin Hart, Will Smith, and Paris Hilton. Brand partnerships include Old Spice, The NFL, and Paramount Pictures. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Austin has turned content covering fashion, family, and faith into a social media juggernaut. The Dallas native began posting on YouTube in 2012 and now has over 3 million followers across her accounts. Meanwhile, her haircare brand Divi offers serums, shampoos, and conditioners to combat hair loss. Other brand deals include Stanley, Walmart, Abercrombie, and QVC. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brownlee is social media's gadget guru. Nearly 21 million folks subscribe to his YouTube channel to watch his reviews on all things tech: the latest iPhone, Tesla, or VW's new electric bus. The New Jersey native began making YouTube videos in high school and now attracts 750 million views annually. "It was steady growth. I think it's a good thing that no one video propelled the whole thing. I think going viral is overrated. It's the best thing that never happened to me." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This podcast phenom started creating content with one goal: to make money. Althoff tested countless angles, including life as a nanny and house cleaning videos, before embarking on the style that would ultimately skyrocket her to success: parody videos about being a "bad mom." In 2021 she posted her first viral video on TikTok, where she joked about naming her daughter Richard because she wanted a son. She hit 3 million followers in early 2023 (she now counts 13 million) and that same year launched "The Really Good Podcast," which became known for her deadpan and sarcastic interviews with folks such as Mark Cuban, Shaquille O'Neal and Jason Derulo. In 2024, Althoff signed a year-long deal with Studio71, a Beverly Hills-based content shop that helps digital creators sell ads and otherwise monetize their output. Over the 12 months ending in August 2024, she earned approximately $2.9 million between this deal and brand partnerships. "I don't know how it keeps working for me," she says. "I'm just taking it one interview at a time." 0:00 Intro 0:52 Bobbi’s Podcast Recording Setup 1:38 On Being The Interviewee 3:30 Bobbi’s Interviewing Technique 4:30 On Media Training 5:35 Prepping For An Interview6:53 Bobbi’s Dream Interview 8:10 How Bobbi Became A Creator 12:00 Bobbi’s First Viral TikToks 14:34 The Evolution From TikTok To Podcast 16:18 Bobbi’s First Podcast Idea 20:08 The Drake Interview 22:25 How The Drake Interview Changed Her Business 24:08 Advice You’d Give Your Younger Self 24:28 Future Plans 26:00 Balancing Family & Work Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Known for her offbeat laugh and women-focused content, TikTok creator Afualo earned an estimated $2.9 million last year from a mix of brand deals and her two podcasts: The Comment Section, a weekly show on which guests like actor Rainn Wilson and singer-songwriter Kehlani talk about how to deal with internet hate, and Two Idiot Girls, where she and her sister, Deison, share embarrassing stories and funny life experiences. With a 9 million strong audience consisting mostly of women under 35, Afualo's social platforms appeal to sponsors like Elf Cosmetics and the NBA. In April 2023, she signed a two-year deal with Spotify, which Forbes estimates earns her $450,000 a year. Fresh off the success of LOUD, her best-selling memoir, Afualo is setting her focus on mainstream media. "Traditional Hollywood now must be a lot more open to the idea of including internet people," she says. "TV and movies-that's my new venture." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices