4 influencers you need to know

This man is a top-notch storyteller. I don’t know if all the stories he tells are true, but I don’t care. He delivers stories in a way that makes you believe that he has lived all of these fantastic experiences, from spending all day in an unfamiliar city with his landlord’s mother, who didn’t speak English, to the tale of a friend who spent his birthday recognizing those who had supported him in a time of need.

He employs simplistic shooting and editing for his videos, sometimes purely in black and white, so that the focus is on his message and not him. The words he uses to describe places and activities in each story are carefully chosen, highlighting certain aspects to slowly bring the listener along to the final reveal. You can almost picture each scene as if you were watching a movie!

Many of his stories are about kindness, nuances in communication, and how little things can make an incredible impact on others’ lives. One of my favorites is The Restaurant of Mistaken Orders, where one man in Japan saw an opportunity to bring joy to a group of folks in desperate need. #ImNotCryingYoureCrying

You may not think of Dolly Parton as an “influencer,” but as a singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, she has had an extraordinary impact on the world. Instantly recognizable by her face, voice, and iconic looks, she even has her own brand of “politics.”

It’s the way in which she keeps some opinions close to the vest, while pushing out a broader message that anyone can incorporate into their worldview — and doing so in a manner that “seems very genuine and authentic to a diverse audience, ” says Grace Lager.
Source: Washington Post: Dolly Parton blasts politicians without naming any. Call it ‘Dollitics.’

Dolly is remarkably humble and down to earth, despite her many years of fame. Quick to sing the praises of others, she makes friends wherever she goes. Even if you don’t like her maximalist fashion, you can agree that her personality is one we can all aspire to.

To this day, Dolly still remains involved in several projects, such as recording a (30 track!) Rock & Roll album with legendary artists like, Pat Benatar and Stevie Nicks, and writing fiction with James Patterson (listen to the podcast recording below to learn more). Not to mention her extensive philanthropy work. She claims she is not going to retire any time soon! It’s Dolly’s world, we are just living in it, and that is 100% fine by me.

Vinh Giang is self-described as an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and magician. His videos are educational, like his fantastic communication tips and tricks. He gives real examples that I can apply to my job as a consultant.

There are common threads between the worlds of business and magic. Timing. Practice. Skills. Connection. Momentum. Persuasion. Perspective. Influence. Vinh has made the art of weaving those threads into messages that matter his life’s work.
Source: VinhGiang.com

He also has inspiring content, like his story about transitioning from the job he thought he had to have to a much more fulfilling one. This story hits home because I recently transitioned from a nearly all-consuming job that was taking the joy out of life. I’m still doing many of the same job functions at a company that practices what they preach about work-life balance. I now feel like I’m growing as a whole human instead of operating as a cog in a massive machine.

Vinh’s stories are engaging and fun because he has carefully honed his communication style. He doesn’t just repeat the same old advice you’ve heard before, his ideas are modern and absolutely relateable.

Sohee Carpenter is an evidence-based fitness coach and author. She is not just another fitness influencer with endless physique photos preaching the benefits of unrealistic meal plans and workouts. Stacked with multiple degrees and certifications, Sohee makes it her mission to explain the science of fitness and behavioral change so that people can have a lasting impact on their lives.

Videos like the one below debunk popular fitness myths, make workouts more attainable (especially for women), and provide realistic nutrition recommendations. Sometimes she partners with her husband, Ben Carpenter, to make playful videos battling fear-mongering to provide practical baselines for people just starting their fitness journey. Here is a great one about whether it’s ok to eat “processed” foods (spoiler alert: it’s ok, incremental change for the win!).

Sohee is also transparent about her personal mental health journey and how to work with her ADHD instead of against it. Fitness and weight struggles are often equated to laziness or lack of willpower. Sohee combats this kind of shaming regularly with her content.