Pneuma

Connecting deserving brands with their next customers 

3rd Fastest Growing Company in the Rocky Mountain Region
16th Fastest Growing Marketing Agency in the US
170th Fastest Growing Company in the US

Founder

Cancer Treatment Centers of America (acquired by City of Hope)

Management Consultant

TEDx

Working with TEDxWabashCollege has truly been a blessing.

I've had the chance to test my leadership and management skills with a group of 30 students across Wabash College's campus, and also learn more about Event Planning and Marketing.

Our event has seen much success over it's four years, growing from 100 attendees to over 350 attendees, and selling out Wabash College's largest event venue.

We've also seen much professional growth, as our NPS Score has reached a new high of 78 over our 2018-2019 year.

If you're interested in sponsoring TEDxWabashCollege, or speaking at our next event, please contact me directly!

Event Organizer

My first position with TEDxWabashCollege was in the role of a curator.

For our 2018 event, I researched prominent topics on the TED platform, as well as topics that would be prominent to our local community.

With this information, I moved forward and contacted individuals that I believed would be powerful speakers to have at our event.

Once I decided on the three speakers I would like to bring to the event, I worked with these speakers to outline and develop their talks in the TED format. 

Then, it was the day of the event! I prepped each speaker on professional speaker techniques derived from TED to ensure their talk reached its potential.

Curator

Eli Lilly and Company

Corporate Financial Reporting

Founder, Pneuma Media | I turn $1 into $8.12 with a content-first SEO Strategy | DM Me for a Free SEO Audit | John 3:30

At Pneuma, we’re more than a marketing agency - we’re your long-term growth partner in The Search Economy.

Every day, billions of people search for answers, solutions, and opportunities online. We help businesses show up, stand out, and become the clear choice when it matters most, regardless of where people are searching. Through specific Paid, SEO, and Website tactics, we build sustainable systems designed for measurable growth - not quick wins or fleeting spikes.

But what sets us apart isn’t just our expertise—it’s our commitment to partnership. We treat your business like our own because your growth is our growth. That means aligning with your goals, investing in your long-term success, and showing up with care, clarity, and consistency every step of the way.

We’re not here to deliver just "campaigns" and "deliverables"; we’re here to build something meaningful, sustainable, and worth celebrating—together.

David W. Riggs

Hate is a strong word, but it might be the only one to describe how I feel about "traditional" 1:1s

Nothing got under my skin more than to wake up 30 mins early on a tuesday morning to tell my manager about my to-do list, so they could feel productive.

So, when I started Pneuma, I did my best to spin that model on it's head. 

1:1s shouldn't be about work. And if you're talking about a task list for more than 5 minutes, you're doing it wrong. 

Some thoughts below :)

What’s Happening In My World I used to think no one cared about what I was actually doing day to day. I assumed subscribers (you) only wanted the clea

Open article: Building people > building companies by David W. Riggs • 4 min read

Today would be a great day to ask yourself why you have notifications on

4 years into building Pneuma...

Plenty of reasons to have slack and email notifications on...

... and not a single one of them have changed my mind

I've done this for so long I assumed everyone else does it as well, but I don't think that's the case

I'll jump on a meeting with a vendor, and during the meeting the individual sharing the screen has to swipe away notifications every few minutes.

Why? What's the point?

Schedule time to check your notifications, or notifications will end up scheduling your entire day

PS - Use an app like Opal to block socials from your phone to not get distracted

PPS - Use Apple's DND mode to simply turn off everything.

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Hala Taha

Young and Profiting Podcast 🚀 CEO & Founder 💁🏻‍♀️ YAP Media Network - #1 Business Podcast Network 🚀 The Podcast Princess 👸🏻 YAP Media - #1 Linkedin Marketing Agency 💁🏻‍♀️ LISTEN. LEARN. PROFIT 🤓💕🔥🚀

Hala Taha, known as “The Podcast Princess,” is the host of Young and Profiting (YAP) Podcast, a #1 Entrepreneurship podcast with over 30 million downloads. A Top 100 podcast globally, YAP features star-studded guests like Matthew McConaughey, Gary Vee, Alex Hormozi, Deepak Chopra, Daymond John, Mel Robbins, and countless others. The show was recognized as a 2022 Webby Honoree, and Hala graced the cover of Podcast Magazine in January 2021.

Hala is also the Founder and CEO of YAP Media, an award-winning, premier white-glove social media and podcast production agency for CEOs, celebrities, and top podcasters. With nearly 60 employees and a dozen high-profile clients, YAP Media was named the #1 LinkedIn Marketing Agency and voted Best Podcast Agency of 2022.

In 2022, Hala launched the YAP Media Network, a podcast network that helps top podcasts land sponsorship deals with major brands like LinkedIn, Airbnb, and Shopify. YAP Media is pacing to hit 8-figures in 2025, and represents some of the most popular business podcasters in the world including Jenna Kutcher, Russell Brunson, Neil Patel, and John Lee Dumas. 

Hala is well-known for her engaged following and influence on Linkedin, leading to the creation of YAP Academy. Her first two-day LinkedIn Secret Masterclass has had 9 cohorts with hundreds of new influencers following Hala’s expertise to achieve successful LinkedIn growth and monetization. The next YAP Academy Masterclass is currently in the works with a focus on podcast creation, growth and monetization.

Hala is a 2025 Real Leaders Top 50 Keynote Speaker, sharing her expertise in podcasting, LinkedIn, social media, personal branding, sales and entrepreneurship through in-person keynotes and panels such as Funnel Hacking Live 10 and IAB Upfronts.

Hala has had a knack for inventing successful products and motivating teams since a young age. She began her career in radio production while in college, working at HOT97 on The Angie Martinez Show. In her senior year of college she founded The Sorority of Hip Hop, building a community of 50 female bloggers who hosted a popular blog, events, concerts, and radio shows. When the blog boom slowed down, she got her MBA, graduating #1 in her class with a 4.0 gpa, and spent the next 6 years in various corporate marketing roles at Hewlett Packard and Disney Streaming Services.

Host of Young and Profiting Podcast

Host and Producer of #1 Education Podcast, Young and Profiting.

Pretty privilege IS real.

But it’s also a disadvantage.

I recently had a conversation with another girlboss babe, Emma Hernan, on Young and Profiting – and she totally agrees with me.

(Catch our full conversation here: https://yap.show/ehonyt)

The perks are pretty obvious…

But the curse?
 👉🏼 People underestimate you.
 👉🏼 Your success gets credited to who you “know.”
 👉🏼 Some women won’t take you seriously.
 👉🏼 Some men will, but for the wrong reasons. 🙄

Emma told me that in the beginning of her career, some people literally REFUSED to meet with her:
🗣️ “Too pretty to be serious.”
🗣️ “Why does she dress like that?”

I’ve been through that too.

It’s almost like people think the only thing you’re good for is looking good!

But here’s the TEA:

When people underestimate you based on your looks, it’s honestly a superpower. 💡

They don’t see you coming. They’re not prepared for your intelligence, your execution or your results.

And when you prove them wrong? It’s PRICELESS. 🔥

I didn’t build an 8-figure company because of how I look.

I built it because I can:
 ✅ Execute under pressure
 ✅ Deliver results
 ✅ Lead teams that perform
 ✅ Create value that lasts

Pretty privilege might open the door,

But only substance keeps you in the room. 💯

Because betting against pretty AND smart?

That's just stupid. 😉

Ever been underestimated because of how you look? Tell me about it 👇🏼

“You're so full of yourself.”

You're right. I am.

Not in the arrogant, self-absorbed way.

But in the…
👉🏼 I know my worth.
👉🏼 I’ve earned my seat.
👉🏼 I’ve done the hard work.
Kind of way.

I started a media company from scratch with a team of volunteers that’s now on track to make 8-figures this year. 

I’m a Top 10 entrepreneurship podcaster that’s interviewed some of the most powerful names in the world.

I’ve spoken in front of crowds of thousands and was named a 2025 Real Leaders Top 50 Keynote Speaker.

And I’ve done it ALL without waiting for permission. 💯

But it always wasn’t like this.

I grew up thinking that I had to make myself small so others felt more comfortable. Not anymore.

🫵🏼 If you’re not full of YOURSELF – your skills, your voice, your power… 

Then who will be?

Take up space.
Share your wins.
Be unapologetically YOU.

And if that makes some people uncomfortable…

Just let them squirm. 🤷🏻‍♀️

LinkedIn's reach has tanked this year. 📉

And 99% of creators haven't pivoted yet.

I've been posting on LinkedIn for 7 years.

Back then? This platform was gold for real connections and industry insights.

But now?

📉 Median impressions are down 65% below the 2023 peak
📉 Growth for the average creator is down 20% since Q2
📉 Median impressions are down 18% since Q3 2024

According to the The Q3 State of the LinkedIn Algorithm Report from Chris Donnelly and Will McTighe ☝🏼 

But while everyone's complaining about the algorithm shifts...

I'm doubling down on what actually works:

✅ Using powerful visuals that grab attention.
✅ Educational and actionable content that solves real problems.
✅ Sharing stories only I can tell from my experience.
✅ Writing about controversial topics to encourage conversation.
✅ Consistently learning, adapting and pushing out quality content.

LinkedIn wants to be the next creator platform.

Fine by me.

Because the creators who win? 

They're the ones who stay ahead.

When I first started Young and Profiting… 

I sacrificed EVERYTHING. 

It was ALL work and no play:
👉🏼 I was the one always saying “no” to parties.
👉🏼 I was the one skipping birthdays and girls’ nights.
👉🏼 I was the one canceling family gatherings.

And you know what?

Everyone thought I was crazy. 🤯

But I wouldn’t change a thing. 

Those sacrifices back THEN are the reason why I’m NOW running a multi-million dollar company. 

Now I can work hard and play hard - whenever I want to, in whatever I want to!

All thanks to Revolve 🤗

Revolve has been my secret weapon for every moment that matters – whether I’m crushing it on stage or celebrating with my friends and family. 

And now I’m sharing it with you 🫵🏼 

You can shop my fall faves from Revolve here: https://lnkd.in/eH4PZzDc

(Use code PROFITING for 15% OFF for your first order!)

Because when you work hard and play hard…

You deserve to look and feel amazing doing BOTH.

Hiring is HARD ‼️

But here’s my secret to finding the best candidates… 

Because if you've ever built a team, you know exactly what I mean.

I manage a team of 50+ people across 5 continents, and finding the right hires?

It’s one of the toughest (but most rewarding) parts of scaling.

You spend hours reviewing resumes…
Weeks scheduling interviews…
And even after all that, you’re crossing your fingers that they’re the right fit. 🤞🏼

That's why I LOVE what Indeed is doing for business owners:
(Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at https://lnkd.in/ekByQKcW)

✅ Smart matching connects you with candidates who actually fit the role
✅ Screening tools help you filter for skills and experience
✅ Built-in assessments save you from costly hiring mistakes

I’ve found some of my BEST employees on Indeed ‼️

And it’s not just me:
👉🏼 93% of employers agree Indeed delivers the highest quality matches
👉🏼 Indeed delivers 4x more hires than all other job sites COMBINED
👉🏼 Over 3.5 million businesses worldwide trust Indeed to find their next superstar

I’ve built my team from ZERO.

And here’s what I know for sure:

Your business is only as strong as the people you hire. 🔥

Stop letting the hiring process drain your energy.

Start building the team that’ll take you to the next level with Indeed ☝🏼

Kim Perell: 5 Execution Traits That Transform Ideas Into a $100M Business

📈 Success isn’t about luck… it’s about EXECUTION ‼️

This week on YAP, I sat down with award-winning entrepreneur and angel investor, Kim Perell, who built a $100 million business from scratch and now helps founders do the same! 💰

During the interview, Kim broke down her FIVE traits of execution 👇🏼
1️⃣ Vision
2️⃣ Passion
3️⃣ Action
4️⃣ Resilience
5️⃣ Relationships

She explains that these are the traits that separate dreamers from doers, and Kim made it clear that when you master these, you can massively increase your odds of winning in business and in life. 

If you’re building a business and need a sign to finally start… 

Watch the full episode whenever you want on Youtube: https://lnkd.in/e6AfJ2ze

Dean Graziosi: Golden Age Is Here! How First-Time Entrepreneurs Are Winnin

🧠 You think it’s too risky to start a business? Think again! 🤔

This week on YAPClassic, I’m joined by New York Times bestselling author and entrepreneur, Dean Graziosi, where he reveals how AI and technology have made entrepreneurship more accessible to any entrepreneur than ever before! 💯

After nearly three decades of building and scaling businesses, Dean shares with us how anyone can turn their knowledge, skill, or passion into a profitable and scalable business…

NO massive capital. NO fancy degree required. JUST YOU! 🫵🏼

So if you’ve been waiting for the right time to launch your business… this is your sign!

Watch the full episode whenever you want on Youtube: https://lnkd.in/eYabjabs

SECURE YOUR SPOT NOW: https://lnkd.in/esvhAteX

View event: Finding Your Working Genius to End Career Burnout with Patrick Lencioni

Finding Your Working Genius to End Career Burnout with Patrick Lencioni

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The Battle

David W. Riggs

Hala Taha

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreDavid W. Riggs's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreHala Taha's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

David W. Riggs

Hala Taha

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}David W. Riggs's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreHala Taha's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreDavid W. Riggs's LinkedIn Performance