I’m back with another edition of my “In the Spotlight” series. Today, I’m interviewing podcast host Brandi Sims, host of The Brandinc PR Podcast. Be sure to listen to her show before reading our Q&A.
I’m so excited to chat with her about her podcast. Everyone, let’s welcome Brandi!
Nicole: How did you come by your podcast name?
Brandi: The name was a natural extension of the brand — Brandinc PR is my agency, and the podcast became a way to extend that voice and platform. It felt right to keep it connected to the Brandinc PR brand so listeners immediately understood the space we were coming from: public relations, marketing, and brand building.
Nicole: I think making your podcast an extension of your own personal brand is a phenomenal approach. So, why did you decide to start your podcast?
Brandi: I wanted to create a space for authentic, behind-the-scenes conversations that you don’t always see in polished media coverage. There’s so much wisdom in the PR and marketing world that doesn’t get shared, and I wanted to give founders, publicists, and industry leaders a platform to share theirs.
Nicole: I love that kind of behind-the-scenes coverage. What have you learned about yourself (and/or others) through your podcast?
Brandi: I’ve learned that everyone — no matter how successful they appear — has a story of pivoting, rebuilding, or figuring it out as they go. That’s been incredibly grounding. I’ve also learned that I really love the conversation format. It brings out a side of storytelling that written content just can’t capture.
Nicole: I completely agree on how everyone has a rebuilding and pivoting story! How has your podcast evolved since you first started?
Brandi: We’ve gotten more intentional about the types of guests we bring on and the topics we explore. Early on it was broad — now we’re focused on conversations that directly serve founders and brand builders who want to understand how PR and media strategy actually work in practice.
Nicole: I love that! What’s been the biggest surprise or challenge you’ve experienced while podcasting?
Brandi: The biggest surprise is how much the podcast has deepened existing relationships and opened new ones. The biggest challenge is honestly the production side — coordinating schedules, editing, and the promotional push around each episode takes real effort!
Nicole: I can only imagine! What has been your most memorable episode(s) and why?
Brandi: Every guest brings something unique, but the episodes I find most memorable are the ones where the conversation goes somewhere unexpected — when a guest gets really candid about failure or pivoting. Larry Namer, Ryan McCormick and Nikki Adeyibi are the first that come to mind but also Peter Woolfolk and Dayna Edelman. Those honest moments are what listeners connect with most.
Nicole: I love candor. How do you prepare for each episode?
Brandi: I research each guest thoroughly — their background, recent work, media presence — and I think about what question or angle might bring out something the audience hasn’t already heard in other interviews. I want every conversation to feel fresh.
Nicole: I love it! If you could have a dream guest on your podcast, who would it be and what would you talk about?
Brandi: Rihanna. Between Fenty Beauty, Savage X Fenty, and her overall approach to branding and culture — I’d want to dig into how she thinks about PR and brand building, and what it means to build a business that’s truly an extension of who you are.
Nicole: She would be an amazing guest! What major accomplishment or milestone have you been most proud of through your podcast?
Brandi: Being recognized by Blavity as a Top Black Digital Marketing Agency, and having that work tie back to the visibility the podcast has helped create. Every guest and episode builds on that foundation.
Nicole: That is an amazing accomplishment! Would you like to nominate another podcaster for me to feature in an upcoming interview?
Brandi: I’d love to nominate Marcus of Flow Forward Media — he’s doing incredible work in the athlete branding and sports marketing space. His perspective on building media businesses around athletes is really unique and I think your audience would find him fascinating.
Nicole: Thank you so much! Marcus, you are welcome any time.
Everyone, make sure to listen to the The Brandinc PR Podcast. It’s a fantastic show to watch if you want to stay on top of what’s going on in the PR and marketing world. Check out her website for additional resources or if you need PR help yourself.
