Podcast Summary: Mick Unplugged

Episode: Beyond Comfort: Personal Growth and Brand Authority with Ty Schmidt
Host: Mick Hunt
Guest: Ty Schmidt
Date: February 20, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Mick Unplugged dives deep into the power of personal storytelling, authentic brand-building, and what it truly means to discover your “because”—the force deeper than your “why.” Brand strategist Ty Schmidt opens up about transformative life events, lessons from fear, and the immense value in showing up authentically online. The conversation is both personal and highly practical, offering actionable tips for leaders, authors, and entrepreneurs looking to stand out in a noisy digital world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Roots of Storytelling & Brand Purpose

• Ty’s Journey from Journalism to Branding
  • Early experience as a reporter for Gumbo Teen Magazine shaped her appreciation for stories as the core of authentic branding.
  • “When I think about branding, I really think... of it more as storytelling.” — Ty Schmidt (03:15)
  • Intentionally leaves different aspects of her story across various platforms to encourage engagement and provide value.

2. Finding Your ‘Because’—A Deeper Purpose

• Personal Loss and Resilience

  • Ty’s drive to help people stemmed from her father’s battle with bipolar disorder and his passing (06:09).
  • Struggled with grief and substance misuse, which was a “wake-up call” when she eventually required intensive medical care.
  • “I want to empower people to build their unreal life from the ground up... so they can remember who they are while they're building who they're becoming.” — Ty Schmidt (09:31)

• Motherhood and the Roller Coaster Metaphor

  • Her two sons taught her to embrace fear and venture outside her comfort zone.
  • Overcame personal fears by riding 50 roller coasters in two years: “Growth happens outside your comfort zone.” — Ty Schmidt (07:38)

3. From Psychology to Brand Strategy

• Transition to Brand Building via Little Big Media

  • Leveraged a psychology background to relate branding to audience psychology: “Psychology and branding go hand in hand...” — Ty Schmidt (15:52)
  • Little Big Media was founded as a continuation of her storytelling mission, named after her “little and big”—her sons— and as a pivot from journalism to entrepreneurship.

• Services and Approach

  • Focuses on helping individuals and businesses tell their story via social media, especially nonfiction authors.
  • Shares her proprietary “HSA Framework”: Hook – Story – Action as the formula for engaging content (18:29).
  • "You need to put that little nugget ... at the beginning. That's the hook. ... Then you tell the story, and then you give the call to action." — Ty Schmidt (19:15)

4. Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

• Mistake #1: Making Content Too Self-Focused
  • “You're making it too much about you. ... The biggest thing I would say is serve. You serve, serve, serve, and then you sell.” — Ty Schmidt (25:12)
  • Authenticity, relatability, and value for the audience always come first.
• Mistake #2: Overthinking and Not Getting Started
  • Many, especially C-suite leaders, overthink their brand and avoid putting themselves out there.
  • “The most important thing that they can do is just start and just be themselves.” — Ty Schmidt (32:25)
  • Vulnerability (being willing to seek help, admit learning curves) is an asset, not a flaw.

5. The Power of Third-Party Validation

• Testimonials and Social Proof
  • “Your reputation is your currency and people speaking about you matters more than you speaking about you.” — Ty Schmidt (30:12)
  • Peer and audience validation has greater impact than self-promotion.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Ty Schmidt on Her Calling:
  “It just felt, again, almost like a calling. Like, I just felt like, you know, this empathy for him ... but also for everybody that has something heavy or has something that they're carrying behind the scenes. Because breaking news, everybody does, right?” (10:40)

• On Embracing the “Fangirl” Mentality:
  “I've decided to embrace it as a superpower because I think being a fangirl ... it’s almost like your job. ... You need to share that.” — Ty Schmidt (22:19)

• On Roller Coasters and Facing Fear:
  Ty recounts her son’s reaction on the Mako rollercoaster:
  “My son goes, ‘I'm dead. I'm dead. I'm dead. I'm done. Wait, no, I'm alive.’ ... the coolest demonstration of fear and excitement being the same chemical in your brain and you getting the choice to pick which one you're feeling.” (38:58)

• On Impact:
  When asked the one word she’d want to define her legacy:
  “Impact.” — Ty Schmidt (39:58)

Actionable Takeaways

• Start with Authenticity (32:25)
  • Whether building a personal or professional brand, begin by showing up as your real self, flaws and all.
• Serve Before You Sell (25:12)
  • Flip your content strategy: focus on the value you provide, not just your story.
• Leverage Social Proof (30:12)
  • Amplify your testimonials and third-party accolades; let others do the talking for you.
• Framework for Content: HSA—Hook, Story, Action (19:15)
  • Open with a hook, share your authentic story, and end with a clear call to action.
• Don't Wait—Just Start (24:24; 32:25)
  • Don’t let imposter syndrome or over-preparation stall your progress; it's better to begin imperfectly than never start at all.

Key Timestamps

• 02:36 – Ty’s background in journalism and storytelling
• 05:48 – The evolution of her “because”
• 08:44 – Ty’s health struggle and how it shaped her mission
• 15:52 – The connection between psychology and branding
• 18:29 – HSA Framework for authors and storytellers
• 25:12 – The most common mistake in branding: making it all about you
• 30:06 – Power of testimonials/third-party validation
• 32:25 – Advice for C-suite leaders: Just start and be authentic
• 34:35 – Where to find Ty online and about her new podcast
• 38:58 – Favorite roller coaster story as a metaphor for fear and growth
• 39:58 – The one word Ty wants to define her: “Impact”

Ty Schmidt’s Social & Projects

• TikTok: @tyschmitty (behind-the-scenes “diary” format)
• Instagram: @tylertschmidt (personal snapshots, branding insights)
• Substack & Podcast: Quick Before You Forget (new podcast focused on storytelling and lessons learned)
• Little Big Media: Storytelling, branding, and strategy firm

Closing Thought

Mick closes by reminding listeners:
“Your ‘because’ is your superpower. Go unleash it.”

This episode combines deep vulnerability with high-level strategy, offering both inspiration and actionable branding insights for anyone serious about purposeful personal and professional growth.