Social Proof Podcast

Social Proof family, we’ve got special access for you to CultureCon 2026!
$75 Off GA Weekend Passes
Use promo code SOCIALPROOF to receive $75 off your GA Weekend Pass.
Limited Complimentary VIP Weekend Passes
A limited number of complimentary VIP Weekend Passes are also available while supplies last. Use promo code SOCIALPROOF26 at checkout.
Please note: Complimentary VIP passes are extremely limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once all available passes have been claimed, the code will no longer be valid.
How to Redeem:
    1    Visit the CultureCon website and select Buy Tickets.
    2    Choose the appropriate ticket tier:
    ◦    GA Weekend for the $75 discount
    ◦    VIP Weekend for a complimentary VIP pass, while available
    3    Complete the registration questions and select Continue.
    4    Enter the appropriate promo code:
    ◦    SOCIALPROOF — $75 off GA Weekend Passes
    ◦    SOCIALPROOF26 — Complimentary VIP Weekend Pass, while supplies last
    5    Review your order and select RSVP.
    6    You’ll receive a confirmation by text and email with your ticket QR code.
For easy ticket access during the event, we recommend downloading the Posh app in advance.

What does it really take to turn an idea in your living room into a movement that brings thousands of people together?
In this episode of the Social Proof Podcast, David Shands sits down with Imani Ellis, founder and CEO of CultureCon, to unpack how she built one of the most influential spaces for Black creatives.
Imani shares how CultureCon grew from just 10 people in a living room into a massive experience attracting thousands of attendees, major brands, and some of the biggest names in entertainment.
They break down the real business behind large scale events, building relationships with sponsors, attracting major talent, transitioning from a successful career at NBC into entrepreneurship, and why she chose to grow CultureCon without outside investors.
Imani also opens up about burnout, learning to delegate, protecting her time as a CEO, taking calculated risks, and realizing that money isn't the only currency you spend while building a business.
If you're building a brand, community, event, or business while still working your 9 to 5, this conversation is packed with lessons you can apply to your own journey.
Subscribe to the Social Proof Podcast for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, and business leaders building something bigger than themselves.

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Connect with Deija here:
https://deijatheceo.com

Connect with Dion here:
https://dtduniversity.com

Who should really pay the bills in a relationship?
In this episode of Finance on Fridays, the conversation gets real about money, relationships, marriage, and what happens when the woman is the breadwinner.
Should a man contribute to a $5,000 mortgage if his name isn't on the house? Should couples combine their money before marriage? What happens when one person earns significantly more than the other? And does being the breadwinner change the roles inside a relationship?
The conversation also dives into joint accounts, 50/50 relationships, prenups, financial independence, ambition, and why money expectations need to be discussed before marriage.
Everybody's relationship looks different, but avoiding the money conversation can create much bigger problems later.
Who do you think should pay the mortgage? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
Subscribe for more conversations about money, business, relationships, and building wealth.

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What happens when you finally get the money, success, and opportunities you’ve been chasing… and realize they don’t automatically make you happier?
In this episode, David Shands and Donni Wiggins have an honest conversation about success, fulfillment, family, relationships, and learning when enough is enough. From Tyler Perry pulling back to spend more time with his son to the reality of building a successful life while still searching for happiness, this conversation challenges what we’re really working so hard for.
They also discuss the pressure that comes with making more money, prioritizing yourself without abandoning the people you love, finding joy outside of business, and why reaching the goal can sometimes feel different than you imagined.
If you’re an entrepreneur chasing the next level, this episode is a reminder to make sure you’re building a life you actually want to live.
Join the Social Proof Circle at TheSocialProofCircle.com
Subscribe to Social Proof Podcast for more conversations about business, money, entrepreneurship, relationships, and personal growth.

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Dawn Dickson is back on the Social Proof Podcast to break down what really happens when ambition, money, investors, and entrepreneurship collide.
In this conversation, Dawn shares how she raised millions of dollars for PopCom, what happened when a major funding round fell apart, and how she was forced to make some of the hardest decisions of her career. She also opens up about investor relationships, burning through capital, losing money, getting scammed, moving to Africa, and rebuilding with a completely different mindset.
This episode is a real conversation about the side of entrepreneurship people usually leave out. Raising money does not guarantee success, growth can become dangerous, and sometimes the biggest lessons come after everything falls apart.
If you are building a business, raising capital, investing, or trying to figure out how to recover from a major setback, this episode is for you.
Subscribe to Social Proof Podcast for more conversations with entrepreneurs who are building, learning, failing, winning, and sharing the real journey.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Connect with Deija here:
https://deijatheceo.com

Connect with Dion here:
https://dtduniversity.com
Making money is one thing. Keeping it is a completely different skill.
In this episode of Finance on Fridays, David Shands and the crew get transparent about the financial mistakes that can happen once your income starts increasing. From buying six Rolexes to lifestyle pressure, overspending, investing, saving, and learning how to manage money at a higher level, this conversation breaks down what it really takes to keep what you earn.
They share practical principles for building wealth, including creating a fun fund, finding the right financial advisors, avoiding lifestyle inflation, saving up to two years of expenses, investing your money, building a financial team, and staying focused on the business that created your success in the first place.
If you're making more money than you've ever made before or preparing for the day when you will, this is a conversation you need to hear.
The goal isn't just to make money. It's to keep it, grow it, and make smarter decisions with it.
Subscribe for more Finance on Fridays and comment below with the money principle that stood out to you the most.

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