Podcast Summary: "Authenticity Is Authority: How to Build Real Influence with Jen Gottlieb"

Podcast: Right About Now – Legendary Business Advice
Host: Ryan Alford (Radcast Network)
Guest: Jen Gottlieb, Co-Founder, Super Connector Media
Date: February 17, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ryan Alford sits down with Jen Gottlieb, co-founder of Super Connector Media, to explore how living authentically creates genuine authority and influence in business. Jen shares her journey from Broadway and VH1’s "That Metal Show" to becoming a media entrepreneur, highlighting the power of embracing one’s true self, overcoming imposter syndrome, and building resilient business skills. The conversation is rich with practical insights for entrepreneurs, content creators, and anyone seeking real influence—minus the B.S.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking Into Media: The Authenticity Lesson

[01:12–04:33]

• Jen’s early acting gigs: Trained for musical theater, landed a dream role in "The Wedding Singer" national tour.

• Accidental break on VH1: Auditioned for "That Metal Show" with little knowledge of heavy metal music. Jen’s “Britney Spears” impression, a spontaneous and authentic moment, secured her the role.

• First major insight:

  "Being my most authentic self is always what's going to get people to lean in and pay attention."
  (Jen Gottlieb, 02:41)

• Struggle with authenticity: Jen felt compelled to play a persona (“Heavy Metal Jen”), leading to a period of internal conflict and feeling out of alignment.

• Universality of imposter syndrome:

  "Even the biggest rock stars in the world have imposter syndrome. ... They would come backstage and ask me, 'Did I do OK? Was that good enough?' ... It's a human condition."
  (Jen Gottlieb, 03:41)

2. The Illusion of the Highlight Reel

[04:33–06:26]

• Social media vs. real life: The curated nature of social content creates a false perception of others’ lives.

• Jen cautions against comparing your reality to others’ “chapter 20.”

  "Don't compare your real life to somebody else's highlight reel on social media."
  (Jen Gottlieb, 05:05)

• Everyone starts somewhere: Reminds listeners not to be intimidated by others’ success—persistence and starting from scratch is universal.

3. Redefining “Dreams” and Success

[06:26–09:24]

• Broadway aspirations: Childhood dream to be on stage—eventually fulfilled, but in a different, more meaningful way as a speaker and entrepreneur.

  "Sometimes it's what you want, but sometimes it's so much better than you could have even imagined."
  (Jen Gottlieb, 07:49)

• Message for dreamers: Don’t be constrained by a narrow definition of your dream or success; be open to new forms of fulfillment.

4. Entrepreneurial Resilience: Lessons from Showbiz

[09:24–12:11]

• Becoming resilient: Jen’s acting experience meant constant rejection; this built her persistence muscle for entrepreneurship.

  "I got really, really good at hearing no ... Now, when I was building my business ... I got heard no all the time ... But I was resilient and persistent and I didn't stop until I got the yes."
  (Jen Gottlieb, 09:55)

• Healthy response to setbacks: Allow yourself to feel disappointment but “put your pity party in a container,” reflect, and move forward.

  "Give yourself a container. ... Be upset, then be like, okay, I'm done. ... Now I'm moving forward."
  (Jen Gottlieb, 11:31)

• Letting go: Holding onto resentment only hurts the individual, not those who rejected you.

5. Reinvention Through PR and Media

[12:11–14:49]

• Unexpected transition: Sudden life upheaval (breakup and job loss) forced Jen to choose entrepreneurship over waiting for others’ approval.
• From “rock chick” to fitness expert: Used PR skills to rebrand and get featured in media, shifting her image.
• Birth of Super Connector Media: Meeting husband Chris, and merging their expertise to teach entrepreneurs not only how to gain media, but to conquer imposter syndrome and self-doubt as well.

  "Let's build Super Connector Media and let's do PR differently. Let's lead with the mindset piece. Let's teach people how to share their real version of who they are. Because I spent a long time just sharing the fake version of who I was."
  (Jen Gottlieb, 13:45)

6. Building Real Equity: Owning Your Relationships

[14:49–16:11]

• Empowering clients: Mastermind members who learned to build and own their media relationships outperformed those who didn’t.

  "They owned the information and they owned the relationships ... and that's real equity in yourself and in your company."
  (Jen Gottlieb, 15:16)

• Pivoting the business: Decided to focus on events, training, and masterminds—helping people help themselves—to amplify impact and personal fulfillment.

  "Many people would say, don't fix what's not broken. ... We're like, this doesn't fill our cup. It doesn't make us happy."
  (Jen Gottlieb, 15:53)

7. Where to Find Jen Gottlieb

[16:21–16:31]

• Jen directs listeners to her Instagram (link tree for everything: podcast, Super Connector Media, etc.).

  "Just go to my Instagram. Everything's there on my link tree."
  (Jen Gottlieb, 16:21)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On authenticity and opportunity:
  "It was when I finally let myself shine that actually got me the gig." (02:26)
• On overcoming comparisons:
  "We compare our chapter one to someone else's chapter 20." (05:33)
• On persistence:
  "One of the most powerful tools that you can own while building a business is being best friends with the word no." (09:55)
• On emotional resilience:
  "Holding resentment ... that's like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies." (11:31)
• On transformation and self-ownership:
  "Now you've got the power ... they own that equity, they own that knowledge, and they're getting unbelievable results." (15:16)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jen’s VH1 audition & authenticity lesson: [01:21–03:56]
• Comparing real life to social media: [05:05–06:26]
• Redefining and realizing dreams: [06:26–08:13]
• Resilience built through rejection: [09:24–11:03]
• Healthy ways to respond to setbacks: [11:20–12:11]
• Rebranding and starting Super Connector Media: [12:11–13:45]
• Owning relationships and scaling impact: [14:49–16:11]
• Jen’s contact info: [16:21]

Tone and Takeaways

This episode embodies tough love, humor, and actionable wisdom. Jen Gottlieb’s journey illustrates that influence comes from authenticity, resilience against rejection, and owning both your story and your relationships. For entrepreneurs and creators, it’s a call to ditch perfection, normalize setbacks, and unapologetically show up as your real self—because that’s the only way to lasting authority and joy.

For more, connect with Jen Gottlieb on Instagram and Ryan Alford on social platforms.