Podcast Summary: Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan

Episode: Confidence Classic: Build Confidence on Camera and Grow Your Business with Kim Rittberg
Date: January 7, 2026
Host: Heather Monahan | YAP Media
Guest: Kim Rittberg – Award-winning content strategy expert, video/audio specialist, podcast host, entrepreneur

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the power of video content for business growth and personal branding, featuring media expert Kim Rittberg. Heather and Kim explore strategies for building confidence on camera, developing impactful messaging, and leveraging content creation as a tool for professional visibility and connection. The conversation is rich with actionable advice, stories of personal transformation, and encouragement for professionals (even reluctant ones) to step confidently into the spotlight.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Kim’s Founder Story: Career Epiphany & Transition

• Kim describes her high-stakes media career:
  • Led the Us Weekly video unit, managed a 17-person team, and experienced firsthand the challenges of acquisitions and team turnover while balancing new motherhood (04:00).
• Turning Point in the Hospital:
  • While in labor, Kim found herself working—delegating team roles from her hospital bed.
  • Quote:

    “I'm in the hospital in the labor and delivery room getting fluids, you know, the IVs. And I'm on my phone saying, okay, if John doesn't want the job, then you should offer it to Eliza... And I'm like, what am I doing? I felt like such a caricature of myself.” – Kim (03:29)

• Realization & the Path to Entrepreneurship:
  • Decided to seek a life with more control and fulfillment balancing family and career.
  • The transition was not instantaneous: Kim freelanced, took additional jobs at PopSugar and Netflix, then fully committed to her business (05:00-06:56).

Why Video Content & On-Camera Presence Matter

The Universal Challenge of Video Anxiety

• Camera shyness is the norm:
  • Even experienced speakers and top executives get insecure when filming themselves.
  • Quote:

    “As soon as you put a camera or an iPhone in someone's face... it steals your soul instantly. Everyone’s insecurities, self-doubt... comes out.” – Kim (07:48)

• Reframing video as a business goal:
  • Shifting mindset from “cringe” to “strategic growth tool” makes video more approachable.

Practical Steps to Build Confidence on Camera

• Kim’s on-camera “three things” framework:
  1. Messaging: Know precisely what you’re saying.
  2. Mindset: Use energizing music and positive rituals pre-filming.
  3. Breathing: Combat anxiety and get grounded to project confidence.
• Practice makes natural:
  • Conversational tone and comfort with video grow over time—the first attempts will always feel awkward, but improvement is guaranteed with repetition.
  • Quote:

    “You have to just get into practice. Every single time, it's gonna get a little easier. You gotta feel like you're talking to your friend... It only comes with practice.” – Kim (10:16)

Nailing Your Messaging & Elevator Pitch

Importance of Strategic, Simple Messaging

• Heather’s revelation: It’s easier when you plan—having an off-camera friend asking questions yielded better content than ad-libbing (14:33).
• Kim’s advice:
  • Write your message down, slash unnecessary words, bring energy.
  • The classic elevator pitch: use the A-B-C formula:
    • Accolades up front
    • Business achievements
    • Creative/personal touch
• Practical story: Kim shares being pitched by professionals who buried their key selling points; always lead with what makes you stand out (16:00).

Key Content Pillars from Major Brands & Media

Kim’s “MESSY” Framework for Content Strategy

• Message: Simple and focused (test it on your grandma and your 7-year-old cousin—if they get it, it’s good).
• Easy: Easy to understand.
• Strategy: Never make content without a plan; prioritize for ROI.
• Story: Aim for connection—people want to see real faces, not just graphics or products.
• Why: Stay journalistic, not salesy, even in branded content.
  • Quote:

    “You will never see media outlets and you should never see brands selling... As soon as it sells, everyone's swiping by it. Nobody wants to watch that.” – Kim (21:54)

Revenue & Relationship Building over Direct Selling

• Content should build rapport, not just hawk products.
  • Engage, entertain, inform—then convert.
  • Quote:

    “If all you’re doing is selling, it’s like your mail being full of junk mail... You have to build that relationship.” – Kim (23:19)

The Importance of Founder Visibility and Authentic Storytelling

CEOs and Founders on Camera

• Many leaders hide, letting teams represent the brand on video.
  • Kim advocates for founder stories: “To hide that person away... is doing a disservice to the company, but also the client, because clients can feel that energy” (26:22).
• Authenticity matters more than perfection:
  • Quote:

    “You don't need to be an anchor. You just need to be yourself and the most confident version of yourself... If you believe in what you're talking about and you're knowledgeable, you're teaching people, and if you're funny, then you're entertaining them.” – Kim (27:53)

• Founders’ authentic backstories are assets (not liabilities) in brand-building.
• Heather points to Sarah Blakely (Spanx) as a prime example of a founder whose story fuels brand loyalty (29:35).

Your Story and Relatability: Why It’s Always Worth Sharing

• No story is too basic:
  • “Sometimes the more relatable and you think it's just a basic story... that's what people really connect with” (38:17).
• Frequency and consistency:
  • Your audience won’t tire of your story—remind people who you are and keep pitching yourself.
  • Quote:

    “We feel like, Oh, well, they've heard my story, or, Oh, I'm going to be judged. Or... people are too busy thinking about what they're having for lunch to think about you…” – Kim (35:45)

Where and How to Show Up Online: Platform Strategy

• Start with goals:
  • Not every platform fits every goal. Pick one or two where your audience is and focus energy there (39:15).
  • Don’t sleep on blogs and newsletters—still powerful for SEO and reach (41:00).
• Repurpose your content:
  • Squeeze the “hero” content (e.g., podcast, long video) into smaller clips, posts, quotes—multiply impact with less effort.
• Followers are not the end-goal:
  • Go for engagement and actual business results over large, disengaged followings.
  • Quote:

    “Followers is never a goal. Driving revenue, drawing client leads, driving business. Those are goals. Those are real goals.” – Kim (42:53)

Creativity, Relatability, and Content Ideas

• Use fun, surprising angles in branded content:
  • Example: Swiffer’s campaign for “Most Pampered Pig in America”—fun + product message = high engagement (43:51).
• Final encouragement:
  • Everyone can learn to be on camera and create content that promotes their business (45:14).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I'm in the hospital in the labor and delivery room... And I'm on my phone saying, okay, if John doesn't want the job, then you should offer it to Eliza... And I'm like, what am I doing?” – Kim, on her work “wake-up call” (03:29)

• “As soon as you put a camera or an iPhone in someone's face and you turn that little red or green button on, it steals your soul instantly. Everyone's insecurities, self-doubt… comes out.” – Kim (07:48)

• “You have to feel like you're talking to your friend... It only comes with practice.” – Kim (10:16)

• “People can feel that energy. The person who's most connected, who's most lit up about the message, should absolutely be on camera… It really does a disservice to hide the founder.” – Kim (26:22)

• “Authenticity is the way to go. You don't need to be perfect... Be yourself and the most confident version of yourself.” – Kim (27:53)

• “There are different frequencies; people connect with different people... Your message is worthwhile because of that. No one is going to tell it just like you. No one has your exact unique experience.” – Heather (34:24)

• “Followers is never a goal. Driving revenue, drawing client leads, driving business. Those are goals.” – Kim (42:53)

Actionable Takeaways & Challenges

• Start small, but start—filming yourself is uncomfortable at first, but gets easier.
• Prioritize your message and perfect your elevator pitch (A-B-C: Accolades, Business, Creative).
• Pick one or two platforms, focus efforts, and repurpose content for efficiency.
• Let your story and face lead—people buy from people they know, like, and trust.
• Be vulnerable and relatable—don’t discount your story just because you think it’s “ordinary.”
• Challenge from Heather:

  “Get your phone out, get your video out, and put up at least one piece of video content this week. Make that commitment.” (45:40)

Segment Timestamps

• Kim’s career story and hospital epiphany: 02:47–06:56
• Why video is so hard (& how to get comfortable): 07:47–11:22
• Structuring your message & elevator pitch: 14:33–17:48
• Brand/Media strategy (MESSY framework): 18:08–23:10
• Relationship/content marketing vs. hard selling: 23:10–25:44
• Founder authenticity & telling your story: 25:44–32:36
• Why everyone’s story matters: 34:24–38:33
• Choosing the right platforms & content repurposing: 39:15–43:50
• Creative content ideas and final encouragement: 43:51–46:25

Connect with Kim Rittberg

• Website: kimritberg.com
• Instagram: @kimritberg
• LinkedIn: Kim Ritberg

Final Thought

Heather and Kim’s conversation is a masterclass in breaking through camera-shyness, finding your personal message, and using authentic stories to grow your business. If you’re stalling on video creation or doubt your story matters, this episode provides both practical frameworks and a generous dose of encouragement: show up as yourself—for your business and those you might inspire along the way.