In this episode of Slay the Gatekeeper, host Courtney Johnson sits down with Dr. Talaya Waller, a pioneering personal branding consultant and founder of Valuables®, the first AI platform designed to measure executive brand equity as a financial variable. Backed by Techstars, JP Morgan, and Oracle NetSuite, Valuables helps investors evaluate how public-facing leaders impact valuation, trust, and risk before capital is deployed.

Dr. Waller shares her journey from entering the world of personal branding in 2009 to her bold vision of transforming Valuables into a billion-dollar company. Along the way, she opens up about what it means to build a human-centric brand in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Drawing from her experience advising global institutions like the United Nations, Amazon, Google, Merck, and the U.S. Air Force, she breaks down how executive and corporate brand strategies can drive tangible business outcomes.

Together, Courtney and Dr. Waller explore personal branding as a powerful, often underestimated tool for shaping professional legacy, leadership, and enterprise value. The conversation dives into how leaders can manage their personal brand with the precision of a professional athlete—balancing authenticity, consistency, and storytelling to build lasting influence.

Dr. Waller’s insights—rooted in both cutting-edge AI innovation and timeless marketing principles—offer listeners a roadmap for strategically leveraging their unique story. Her work, including her book Personal Brand Management: Marketing Human Value (held in over 300 university libraries worldwide), emphasizes radical clarity, brand equity as a measurable asset, and the importance of aligning one’s personal narrative with business goals.

A special focus on long-term brand resilience and executive presence rounds out the episode, offering listeners a compelling invitation to own their value, lead with intention, and position themselves for sustainable impact.

CJ Socials:

• Insta: @courtlynnjohnson

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/

• Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7oaV8L7rOBd878nlwydJrj

• Tiktok: @courtney..johnson

• Newsletter: https://artisanal-originator-6888.kit.com/0e038bf26a

CJ Offerings:

• Maven: https://maven.com/courtneyjohnson/personalbrand

• VIP Intensive Workshop: https://www.thecourtneyjohnson.com/vip

Gumroad: https://courtneyjohnson.gumroad.com/

In this episode of Slay the Gatekeeper, host Courtney Johnson sits down with Austin West, a certified psychedelic medicine practitioner and founder of Entheos Holistics, to explore how intentional psychedelic use can help transcend personal limitations. Austin shares his journey from high-stress burnout to embodied purpose, revealing how microdosing and deep self-inquiry helped him overcome panic attacks and reclaim his life.

Together, they discuss psychedelics as powerful, often gatekept tools for enhancing creativity, improving relationships, and managing anxiety and depression. The conversation also delves into the historical and cultural significance of plant medicine, the need to confront fear, and how self-narratives shape our reality.

Austin’s work—through one-on-one guidance, retreats, and his nutraceutical company—focuses on helping men break free from conditioned patterns and realign with their truth. His unique approach blends ancient wisdom with modern science to support radical responsibility, emotional presence, and genuine transformation.

A special emphasis on male embodiment rounds out the episode, offering listeners a powerful invitation to live with more freedom, purpose, and self-awareness.

CJ Socials:

• Insta: @courtlynnjohnson

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/

• Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7oaV8L7rOBd878nlwydJrj

• Tiktok: @courtney..johnson

• Newsletter: https://artisanal-originator-6888.kit.com/0e038bf26a

CJ Offerings:

• Maven: https://maven.com/courtneyjohnson/personalbrand

• VIP Intensive Workshop: https://www.thecourtneyjohnson.com/vip

• Gumroad: https://courtneyjohnson.gumroad.com/

In this episode of 'Slay the Gatekeeper,' host Courtney Johnson welcomes Kaylin Pyles to discuss overcoming hustle culture and tapping into feminine energy. Kaylin shares her transition from burnout in her first wellness business to founding Rested Rituals, a THC-infused beverage company. The conversation dives deep into the importance of avoiding hustle culture, tuning into intuition, managing energy drainers, and the impact of aligning with seasonal energies. They also explore the benefits of intentional substance use and creative insights, along with practical tools like chat GPT for personal growth. Lastly, Kaylin emphasizes the value of building a personal brand and shares her exciting developments with Rested Rituals.

CJ Socials:

• Insta: @courtlynnjohnson

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/

• Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7oaV8L7rOBd878nlwydJrj

• Tiktok: @courtney..johnson

• Newsletter: https://artisanal-originator-6888.kit.com/0e038bf26a

CJ Offerings:

• Maven: https://maven.com/courtneyjohnson/personalbrand

• VIP Intensive Workshop: https://www.thecourtneyjohnson.com/vip

• Gumroad: https://courtneyjohnson.gumroad.com/

In this episode of 'Slay the Gatekeeper,' host Courtney Johnson welcomes Rashina, an expert in overcoming limiting beliefs. Rashina shares her journey of working with women entrepreneurs worldwide, helping them break through mental blocks in both business and personal life. They discuss the concept of 'inner glass ceilings,' the origins of limiting beliefs from childhood experiences, and how these beliefs impact various aspects of life, including financial growth and relationships. Rashina also offers practical strategies and 'cheat codes' for identifying, releasing, and reprogramming limiting beliefs, emphasizing the power of embodiment and community in making these transformations. The episode is rich with actionable advice on leveraging journaling, understanding subconscious fears, and creating supportive environments to foster personal growth and achieve desired outcomes.

CJ Socials:

• Insta: @courtlynnjohnson

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/

• Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7oaV8L7rOBd878nlwydJrj

• Tiktok: @courtney..johnson

• Newsletter: https://artisanal-originator-6888.kit.com/0e038bf26a

CJ Offerings:

• Maven: https://maven.com/courtneyjohnson/personalbrand

• VIP Intensive Workshop: https://www.thecourtneyjohnson.com/vip

• Gumroad: https://courtneyjohnson.gumroad.com/

In this episode of Slay the Gatekeeper, host Courtney Johnson sits down with Paul Austin, a leading advocate for responsible psychedelic use, to explore the often gatekept world of microdosing.

Paul shares how psychedelics, particularly microdosing, can enhance mental health, boost creativity, and improve productivity. He also discusses the legal challenges and societal stigma surrounding these substances, offering insights into the shifting landscape of psychedelic therapy.

Courtney and Paul dive into the historical context of psychedelics, the growing movement toward legalization, and how these substances may one day replace conventional psychiatric medications. Paul also provides practical advice for those curious about microdosing, emphasizing education, safe practices, and the importance of building a supportive community.

This conversation sheds light on the transformative potential of psychedelics and what the future holds for their integration into mainstream wellness.

CJ Socials:

• Insta: @courtlynnjohnson

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/

• Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7oaV8L7rOBd878nlwydJrj

• Tiktok: @courtney..johnson

• Newsletter: https://artisanal-originator-6888.kit.com/0e038bf26a

CJ Offerings:

• Maven: https://maven.com/courtneyjohnson/personalbrand

• VIP Intensive Workshop: https://www.thecourtneyjohnson.com/vip

• Gumroad: https://courtneyjohnson.gumroad.com/

In this episode of Slay the Gatekeeper, host Courtney Johnson sits down with Steph Mui, founder of PIN (Power in Numbers), to explore key strategies for building wealth and achieving success.

Steph shares her journey of launching PIN, a platform that empowers retail investors to form their own funds and invest in startups. She breaks down her top "cheat codes" for wealth, including the power of building assets, how incremental self-improvement compounds over time, the importance of taking smart, manageable risks, and leveraging interview biases to gain an edge.

Courtney and Steph also dive into personal branding, the unexpected value of selfies with influential people, and why surrounding yourself with ambitious, supportive individuals is a game-changer.

This episode is packed with insights, strategies, and real-world tips to help you take control of your financial future and professional growth.

Connect with Steph Mui on LinkedIn or learn more about PIN.

CJ Socials:

• Insta: @courtlynnjohnson

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/

• Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7oaV8L7rOBd878nlwydJrj

• Tiktok: @courtney..johnson

• Newsletter: https://artisanal-originator-6888.kit.com/0e038bf26a

CJ Offerings:

• Maven: https://maven.com/courtneyjohnson/personalbrand

• VIP Intensive Workshop: https://www.thecourtneyjohnson.com/vip

Gumroad: https://courtneyjohnson.gumroad.com/

AJ Eckstein joins host Courtney Johnson to uncover the untapped potential of LinkedIn for content creators, professionals, and brands. As the founder of Creator Match, AJ specializes in helping creators monetize on LinkedIn while brands leverage influencer marketing in the B2B space.

He breaks down why LinkedIn is the last content-deficient platform, how to navigate brand deals, and why video is the future of LinkedIn. AJ also shares insights on networking, personal branding, and how professionals can use LinkedIn to land new career opportunities.

AJ and Courtney dive into practical strategies for leveraging LinkedIn’s unique audience, including how to optimize your profile, attract brand partnerships, and create content that stands out. They also discuss the importance of personal branding, why professionals should start posting now, and how to network effectively without being spammy.

Whether you’re a creator looking to monetize, a brand exploring influencer marketing, or a professional hoping to level up your career, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you succeed.

Connect with AJ Eckstein:

• Follow AJ on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aj-eckstein

• Learn more about Creator Match: CreatorMatch.com

CJ Socials:

• Insta: @courtlynnjohnson

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/

• Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7oaV8L7rOBd878nlwydJrj

• Tiktok: @courtney..johnson

• Newsletter: https://artisanal-originator-6888.kit.com/0e038bf26a

CJ Offerings:

• Maven: https://maven.com/courtneyjohnson/personalbrand

• VIP Intensive Workshop: https://www.thecourtneyjohnson.com/vip

• Gumroad: https://courtneyjohnson.gumroad.com/
  

Alex Alburo joins host Courtney Johnson on this episode of Slay the Gatekeeper to share powerful strategies for lead generation and client acquisition. As an expert in outbound marketing, Alex reveals the exact methods he uses to build high-quality lead lists, automate outreach, and book more sales calls.

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• He breaks down how to scrape leads from social media, why cold outreach works best when done from a personal account, and the surprising reason why skipping rapport-building can lead to higher conversions. Alex also explains how businesses of any size—whether agencies, consultants, or personal brands—can leverage these techniques to increase revenue and close more deals.

  Tune in for a deep dive into practical, data-driven outreach strategies that can transform how you attract and convert leads.

  Connect with Alex on LinkedIn: Alex Alburo

  CJ Socials:

  • Insta: @courtlynnjohnson

  • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/

  • Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7oaV8L7rOBd878nlwydJrj

  • Tiktok: @courtney..johnson

  • Newsletter: https://artisanal-originator-6888.kit.com/0e038bf26a

  CJ Offerings:

  • Maven: https://maven.com/courtneyjohnson/personalbrand

  • VIP Intensive Workshop: https://www.thecourtneyjohnson.com/vip

  Gumroad: https://courtneyjohnson.gumroad.com/