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

The Borden Group

At The Borden Group, our purpose is to transform businesses and executives by increasing their reach, impact, and brand marketing effectiveness, turning their brands into a powerful channel for achieving growth and fulfilling their mission.

Founder & CEO

Stealth Startup

Co-Founder 

YOUnifiedAI

YOUnifiedAI helps small to medium-sized enterprises turn disconnected tools and scattered data into one intelligent system, powered by AI. We eliminate complexity, so businesses can work smarter, move faster, and grow without limits.

Advisor

House of Lola

Founder

Forbes Agency Council

Member

Dealer Marketing Magazine

Dealer Expert Panel

Matador.ai

Advisory Board Member

LotLinx, Inc.

Vice President of Marketing

Celebrity Motor Cars, LLC

Marketing Operations Manager

Netsertive

Regional Sales Manager

Visibility isn’t luck — it’s strategy.
I build visible leaders and trusted brands that drive credibility, opportunity, and growth.

Hi, I’m Melanie. 

Not too long ago, everyone around me was losing their job, and I didn’t know where I’d turn if I lost mine.

So, I turned online. I started building my personal brand, opportunities, and business from the ground up.

I’d spent years creating marketing strategies for tech companies, retail brands, and high-growth startups, so I leveraged those same frameworks to build my own.

It worked.
I grew my visibility, reach, and revenue — and discovered that building an executive brand isn’t about vanity. It’s about strategic visibility — becoming the obvious choice in rooms that matter..

Since then, I’ve partnered with executives, founders, nonprofits, and leadership teams across industries — from emerging tech to investor-backed enterprises — to build executive visibility systems that generate measurable business outcomes.

What we do at The Borden Group goes beyond ghostwriting or positioning.
It’s a full-scale visibility and go-to-market strategy — grounded in lived experience — that combines strategy, creative, and execution.

We partner best with teams ready to move fast, stay consistent, and translate brand presence into pipeline results.

Our work helps leaders and organizations:

Sell out conferences and speaking engagements
Build new sales pipelines and accelerate go-to-market traction
Skyrocket executive visibility across tech and business media
Land board seats and advisory roles
Launch books that open doors to thought leadership and revenue
Scale internal marketing systems and content operations
Create new revenue streams aligned with business growth

If you’re a founder, operator, or investor ready to grow your company and your credibility, you’re in the right place.

My upcoming book, Theatre of the Mind, is a playbook for leaders navigating mindset, visibility, and influence.
→ Available for pre-order November 1, 2025.

Connect with me here or at www.humantobrand.com

Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: humantobrand.com/newsletter

Gain actionable insights to elevate your personal brand, amplify influence, and future-proof your leadership impact.

Melanie Borden

Nothing says “powerful female founder” like being emotionally defeated by cell C14.

Anyone else?

Melanie Borden in a patterned cardigan holding a mug with a funny Excel quote, half-hidden behind it, with a chandelier glowing in the background. A candid, relatable snapshot highlighting humor and humanity in work.

My life has taught me something you’ll want to know.

In 2005, I had my real estate license in NYC.

My motivation was driven by: ‘Operation I am never moving back in with my parents’

Back then, B2B was D2D or ‘Door to Door’
Or in my case, 'Book to Book' 

The real estate office had thousands of books for condo and co-op associations, each listing owners and their phone numbers.

So I called. and I called. and I called.
I experienced a lot of “feedback” from potential sellers.

“I’m not selling. I actually like where I live.” click.
“Even if prices go up or down, I’m not moving just to move.” click.
“I am not making a huge life decision with a child.” (I was 21).  
click.
"Hi! This is Melanie Radford"...click.

New Yorkers are a tough crowd. 
It was rough, all the negativity was getting to me. 

But, I had an idea.

I decided to start a marketing campaign: ask other brokers for advice, work their open houses, and partner with anyone who’d let me take on anything. 
Stamp envelopes, get coffee, run packages, pick up dry cleaning. Anything. 

Then part 2: a physical newsletter-turned-mini-magazine and postcards with recipes and design tips, which I mailed before I ever picked up the phone. 

The idea took off. 

I started co-listing with agents on their listings, working with buyers, and then those buyers became sellers.

“Suddenly” I was busy (and popular). 
By the end of that first year, I’d closed a few million in sales.

I WAS a real estate agent, I just didn't believe it myself yet. Until I did.

Your path expands the second you stop waiting for permission and start acting like what you’re building already exists.

The moment I changed how I saw myself everything changed. 

That’s what I now call ‘Theatre of the Mind’ a skill I have learned to hone over the years when everyone says, "How did you do that?"

You can create progress long before anyone else believes it’s possible, even yourself. But once you feel it, it's yours. 

Anything can happen after that mental switch. 😉

And P.S. I never moved back in with my parents. 
P.P.S. This job led to the start of me working in advertising.


2005, Anxiously waiting for that train back into the city.
-

P.S. If this resonated, that’s exactly what my book is about—the mindset and personal brand work that keeps your visibility real, durable, and scalable, no matter where you’re starting.

Preorder coming soon!!


Throwback photo of Melanie Borden in 2005 standing on a New York City train platform with a very “Jersey” early-2000s hairstyle, looking off to the side with a tired, reluctant expression. Captures the early chapter of her reinvention journey—before personal branding, visibility strategy, and Theatre of the Mind shaped her career. A moment that reflects resilience, future-proofing, and learning to market herself long before her executive presence work began

My number one referral source these days isn’t LinkedIn or people...it’s machines.

I didn’t expect that sentence or this story to ever be real, but here we are. 

Four years ago, my marketing strategy was simple:
Show up on LinkedIn. Stay consistent. Build relationships. 
Build a brand strong enough to survive uncertainty.

In hindsight it was a bad strategy to rely on one platform. 

But the strategy worked until it didn’t. That “didn’t” period finally hit me in early 2025.
I remember sitting at my desk thinking, ‘Is this it? Did I break my own brand that I have invested thousands of hours into?’

My number one lead source was failing me, and I was stuck.

So I did what I always do when I’m backed into a corner: I researched. I studied. I had to figure it out. 

Then I found a few problems. The one we are talking about today: I wasn't evolving with the times. 
(and the times are moving fast)

Large language models were finding me, but they couldn’t clearly tell what I do.
So I got to work.

And then something crazy started happening.
On discovery calls and in LINKEDIN DMs, people started telling me the same thing:

“I found you through ChatGPT.”
 “I saw you sourced on Reddit.”
 “You came up in an AI search.”
YESTERDAY: "When I asked ChatGPT to evaluate the strongest PR and visibility partner for my goals, here is the exact recommendation provided:" (I was # 1) 

At first I thought: holy sh*t, maybe it worked.
But then it kept happening.

Your personal brand isn’t just talking to people anymore.
It’s talking to machines and the machines are talking back.

It brought me right back to 2020/2021, when I first started posting on LinkedIn and the inbound trickled in with: “Will you do for me what you did for yourself?”

Only now, it’s happening at scale. 

Visibility has officially entered a different era.
It’s no longer just about who follows you on LinkedIn.
 
It’s about how well machines understand you, categorize you, and recommend you.

Machines don’t refer what you aspire to be.
They refer what you’ve proven over time.

I built those signals long before I understood how AI would use them or even understood what AI is; and now they’re working on my behalf, 24/7.

Your distribution of content helps builds your audience. 
Your consistency with that distribution helps build your reputation. 
But speaking clearly about what you do?

That’s what machines pick up on and amplify.

If you want to future-proof your career: Don’t just show up so people understand you. 

Show up so machines can’t misunderstand you. 

Has AI ever “recommended” a partner to you? 

-
I go much deeper into this in my upcoming book, Theatre of the Mind, in a chapter called “Searchable Leadership.” It’s on the way!!

—with East Coast oysters and a French Burgundy red and white from a few weeks ago (curated by my dinner date, not a machine).

Melanie Borden sits at a white table with a glass of French Burgundy red and white framed by a clean french backdrop that mirrors her minimalist personal brand aesthetic. She looks toward the camera with a calm, confident expression, embodying executive presence and leadership visibility. The visual supports a story about how her number one referral source is no longer LinkedIn or people, but machines and large language models like ChatGPT. This image represents AI-era personal branding, “searchable leadership,” and being discoverable by machines as well as humans. Melanie’s posture and setting suggest a founder in deep strategic work—refining positioning, clarifying her message, and building an AI-ready brand ecosystem that works 24/7. The contrast of the rich red and white wines and a background adds a sophisticated, editorial feel aligned with her Theatre of the Mind book and her work helping leaders future-proof their careers through clarity, consistency, and reinvention.

I’ve watched market-defining leaders, people with decades of wins, freeze over when publishing a newsletter, LinkedIn post, or appearing on a podcast.

Not because they didn’t have anything to say.

But because they couldn’t guarantee how it would "land"

**Enter: The abyss of the unknown.** Imagine the Law & Order ‘DUN-DUN’ right here.

I have been here more than I want to admit, mainly when I worked for someone else.

“Does this sound like me?”
“Is this how people see me?”
“How will this change…?”
“What if…?”

That loop is what keeps a lot of accomplished people invisible online. 

*Especially* the ones who have been successful in their careers without a digital footprint.

Here’s how I’d reframe it for you:

Number 1. The people you lead already see you as influential.

Number 2. The people around you already expect you to have a voice and a perspective, not just a title. 

Number 3.  Your influence doesn’t just come from your decisions; it comes from how you show up.

Number 4. Those who don’t know you are already using your online presence to validate your credibility. 

Last one: there are “guardrails” that you will follow or create for yourself, but don’t restrict yourself SO much that you end up showing up as someone else. 

Most of this is basic in theory, but the moment we have to share our own voice, many times everything shifts, and all of a sudden it's not so straightforward.

The only way to work through it is to go through it.

So, if you were looking for a sign this week, consider this it. 

What’s one post, story, or message you’ve been sitting on because you weren’t sure how it would be received?

Melanie Borden wearing a white blazer and jeans, standing against a clean, neutral backdrop with a calm, reflective expression. The image represents the internal hesitation many high-achieving executives feel when using their voice publicly—publishing a newsletter, a LinkedIn post, or showing up on a podcast. The thoughtful pose mirrors the psychology of visibility: fear of misalignment, worry about perception, and the mental spiral that keeps accomplished leaders silent. This visual supports Melanie’s message about executive presence, personal brand clarity, and learning to show up despite discomfort.


If you haven't seen me a lot lately, know I'm on a call somewhere, improvising.

We make it work and, somehow, it always does.

What’s the thing you’re “making work” this week?

P.S. Random household items will forever be my favorite computer stands.
P.P.S. More book content is on its way…!

Melanie Borden sits at her laptop in a bright, modern workspace, symbolizing the freedom and credibility she’s built through her personal brand. The image reflects the evolution from doubt to proof—five years after being told personal brands weren’t real and remote work was just a phase. The scene conveys confidence, clarity, and momentum, capturing the message that results speak louder than opinions. It reinforces the power of visibility, consistency, and belief in your own path as the foundation of a successful remote personal brand.


Not everyone will understand why you show up on LinkedIn, and that used to bother me.

People around you, even in 2026, still won't understand:

1. why you show up online
2. why you care about your visibility
3. or why you’re investing time in platform(s) “when you have a job”

They won't understand what you’re called to do no matter how much you explain it. 

I lost count years ago on how many conversations I have had on this topic.

Take my word for it, please start, don't stop, and let them watch how you take the lead. 

Also: save this post for the days you need it or share it with someone who needs a reminder. 🤍

What are you building right now that others won’t understand until later?

A bold text graphic about LinkedIn visibility, employee-led content, and trusting your own direction when others question your presence online. The message encourages confidence, clarity, and personal brand growth.

Visibility is the new credibility | Executive Brand & AI Visibility Strategy Leader | GTM Advisor | Author, Theatre of the Mind | Founder @ The Borden Group

A navy-blue tweet-style quote graphic featuring Melanie Borden’s profile photo and handle, @humantobrand. The text reads: “Being famous on LinkedIn is a bit like being rich at monopoly.” The design uses clean, minimalist typography to convey a witty message about personal branding and online influence—reminding professionals that visibility means little without real-world credibility, relationships, and business impact.

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Hala Taha

Melanie Borden

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The Battle

Hala Taha

Melanie Borden

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Posts

Engagements

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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);}Hala Taha's LinkedIn Performance

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