S2E 11 We are going on Hiatus but before we do

Change the Reel website

CHANGE THE REEL with Piper and Monique

LinkedIn:

Apple Podcast:

Spotify

Youtube

Executive Producers: Monique Velasquez and Piper Kessler

Producer: Arielle Morten

Director/Editor: Simon Beery

Copyright 2026 Monique & Piper

E2 E10 Live Streaming Costs Explained: What You Actually Need to Budget

Join hosts Monique Velasquez and Piper Kessler as they break down exactly what it costs to run professional live streams for your business—from bandwidth to tech support, and everything in between.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

1. What live streaming actually is (and why it's different from posting a selfie video)
2. The business scenarios that benefit most from live streaming events
3. Why 80% of people prefer watching a brand's live stream over reading their blog
4. The four budget categories you MUST plan for (most people forget #4)
5. How to calculate if live streaming makes sense for YOUR business goals
6. DIY approaches that work (and the shortcuts that backfire)
7. The technical glitches that make you look unprofessional—and how to avoid them
8. Why 50% of viewers leave in 90 seconds if your stream quality is low

Key Timestamps:

1. 00:00 - What is live streaming and why it matters for business
2. 01:42 - Business scenarios that benefit from live events
3. 04:22 - Platforms explained: YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Zoom
4. 06:36 - YouTube is now competing with Netflix on big screens
5. 07:20 - Types of live stream events: meetings, conferences, Q&As, webinars, demos
6. 11:10 - The stats: 82% prefer live streams over social media posts
7. 12:11 - Compelling live streaming statistics for businesses
8. 14:00 - Twitch personalities are making REAL money (not just YouTubers)
9. 14:38 - The live streaming market will hit $223.98 BILLION by 2028
10. 19:11 - The four budget categories you need to plan for
11. 22:21 - Why 43% of live stream viewers buy premium products
12. 22:50 - Budget Breakdown #1: Bandwidth & internet costs ($30+/month)
13. 23:25 - Budget Breakdown #2: Streaming platform fees (Free - $30/month)
14. 24:29 - Budget Breakdown #3: Equipment & production costs (The wild card)
15. 26:23 - Budget Breakdown #4: Tech support during the event (Most people forget this!)
16. 27:30 - The 90-second rule: Why...

Join hosts Monique Velasquez and Piper Kessler for an inspiring

conversation with Shaunelle Curry—educator, author, and founder of Media

Done Responsibly. From starting her first nonprofit at age 6 to

teaching 20,000+ youth about media literacy and digital wellbeing,

Shaunelle shares why preserving marginalized stories isn't just about

history—it's about our future in an AI-driven world.

In This Episode:

The "Trash Picker Uppers": How a 6-year-old's nonprofit shaped a

lifetime of activism

Why representation in media is a human rights issue, not just diversity

checkbox

The shocking radio incident that sparked a nationwide movement

How young people are leading the charge for ethical AI and digital

wellness

The urgent need to preserve marginalized stories before AI learns

without them

Creating safe spaces for difficult conversations across cultural divides

Key Timestamps:

01:21 - Introduction to Shaunelle Curry

04:45 - The Trash Picker Uppers story

08:40 - What is HELP (Hello Elevated Life Purpose)?

17:06 - The "nappy headed" incident that changed everything

27:07 - Why inclusion matters systemically

37:13 - Connecting people across ideologies through storytelling

46:03 - What young people face that we never did

48:18 - The AI warning: "We're not only erasing history, we're erasing

our future"

Powerful Quote: "If AI learns off of public records that we are now

deleting and erasing, we are not only erasing history, we are erasing

our future."

About Our Guest: Shaunelle Curry is the founder of Media Done

Responsibly and professor of journalism, TV, film, and media studies.

Creator of "Shattered Glass" and author of "Shairi's Journey Through

Darkness Into Light," she's equipped over 20,000 underestimated youth

with media literacy rooted in justice and care.

Connect with Shaunelle: Website: shaunellecurry.com Organization: Media

Done Responsibly App: MDR Hub and Innovation Lab

Production: Velasquez Media - LGBTQ women-owned, Latino-led video

production

#MediaLiteracy #RepresentationMatters #DigitalWellbeing #AIEthics #StorytellingForChange #SocialEntrepreneur #MediaDoneResponsibly #YouthEmpowerment #DigitalJustice #DiversityInMedia #CulturalPreservation #WomenInMedia #ChangeTheReel #VelasquezMedia #AuthenticVoices

Episode 8: Your Year-Long Video Strategy Without the Burnout

Join hosts Monique Velasquez and Piper Kessler as they break down exactly how to plan an entire year of video content that actually drives business results—without blowing your budget or burning out.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Why 80% of consumer internet traffic is video (and what that means for your visibility)
• The critical difference between video creation and delivery budgets
• How to map 40 strategic videos across four quarters
• Why treating video as a "nice to have" costs you clients
• The exact quarterly breakdown for both small and medium businesses
• How one $15K video investment can generate $100K+ in lifetime client value

Key Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Why video isn't just for marketing anymore
• 02:00 - The two-part video strategy most businesses miss
• 04:44 - Small business quarterly video breakdown
• 11:15 - Medium business video planning framework
• 16:00 - How video supports HR, operations, and leadership
• 20:00 - Calculating true video ROI
• 23:00 - Your 90-day action plan

The Quarter-by-Quarter Framework:

• Q1: Build credibility (8-12 short videos)
• Q2: Establish trust & community
• Q3: Drive engagement (12-15 shorts)
• Q4: Convert and retain (8-10 conversion videos)

Key Takeaway: "Many business owners only budget for the first half [creation], and that's why results feel random."

Your Homework: Map your next 90 days with one hero video and six supporting clips.

Ready to Create Your Video Plan? Book a VIP planning session: velasquezmedia.com

Production: Velasquez Media - 20+ years helping businesses exceed $250K through strategic video

#VideoMarketing #BusinessStrategy #ContentPlanning #VideoProduction #MarketingStrategy #Q4Planning #ContentStrategy #SmallBusinessTips #VideoContent #B2BMarketing #ContentCreation #BusinessGrowth #MarketingBudget #VideoROI #EntrepreneurTips2E8 The $15K Video That Makes $100K: Business Video Planning Secrets

Change the Reel website

TIME STAMPS

CHANGE THE REEL with Piper and Monique

LinkedIn:

Apple Podcast:

Spotify

Youtube

Executive Producers: Monique Velasquez and Piper Kessler

Producer: Arielle Morten

Director/Editor: Simon Beery

Copyright 2026 Monique & Piper

S2E 7 How One Woman Built North Carolina's Latino Media Empire Lizette Cruz Watko is President of Watko Entertainment Inc. and Watko Properties LLC, and founder of the Diamante Arts & Cultural Center. A longtime advocate for North Carolina’s Latino community, she has spent over 30 years creating platforms that foster cultural diversity, communication, and community engagement. She founded the first Spanish-language newspaper in the Carolinas and the Latino Diamante Awards, now in its 30th year. Cruz Watko is a NALAC Fellow, board member emeritus of Diamante, and serves on the boards of the United Arts Council of Wake, Arts NC, and the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation Public Art advisory panel.

Picture this: 1993, North Carolina. The entire state has just 56,000 Latinos. No Spanish TV. Barely any radio. Zero newspapers. Lisette Cruz-Watka moves from Los Angeles to a one-bedroom apartment in Chapel Hill and thinks, "Well, I know a little bit about newspapers and PR, why not start one?" Thirty years later, North Carolina's Latino population has exploded to 1.1 million, and the infrastructure Lisette built from the state's first Spanish-language newspaper to the Latino Diamante Awards is still creating pathways for an entire community.

North Carolina wasn't a border state. It didn't have established Latino enclaves. When Lisette arrived, Latino residents couldn't even identify themselves on voting ballots. The work she did in the 1990s wasn't just about creating media. It was about creating visibility, safety, and economic access. From writing the state's first Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation to helping secure Spanish DMV tests and banking access for people without traditional IDs, Lisette proved that when you build infrastructure, communities can thrive. Her story shows what's possible when someone spots what's missing and simply says, "Sure, why not?"

When Lisette launched North Carolina's first Spanish-language newspaper from her dining room table, she wasn't just distributing information—she was creating a sense of "oh, I'm here too." People started coming out of the woodwork. The newspaper circulated statewide, connecting isolated pockets of Latino families and creating the foundation for organized community action.

"If you're not in the room, nobody's gonna take it under consideration." Lisette served on 10 boards simultaneously—not for power, but for representation. Her strategy? Serve one term, then hand it off: "Hey, I have somebody for you." She built pipelines of Latino leadership rather than monuments to herself.

The cohesive Latino community of the '90s accomplished massive policy changes: Spanish DMV tests, driver's licenses for immigrants, banking access, and official state recognition. These weren't symbolic—they were practical tools that made daily life safer. When people had IDs, banks could serve them. When banks served them, they stopped being robbery targets for keeping cash in mattresses.

From television work to talent scouting to launching festivals to connecting Univision with a station purchase—Lisette's career was built on saying yes to opportunities that aligned with her values. "What's the worst that can happen?" She didn't pursue the limelight; she just did whatever work needed doing.

When Lisette created "Lisette Invita," an English-language cooking show featuring Latino cuisine, she was filling a gap she noticed: "I wasn't seeing anybody that looked like me on HGTV or Food Network." Now movie stars are doing her show concept. But she got there first because she understood: if you don't see yourself on screen, you can't imagine yourself in those spaces.

S2 E6 Smart Video Strategies for Mental Wellness Pros

Change the Reel website

Over 80% of clients say they're more likely to trust a therapist or coach they've seen on video before booking. But here's the kicker! Creating content as a mental wellness professional isn't like being a lifestyle influencer. You've got ethics, confidentiality, and credibility to protect.

WHY THIS MATTERS NOW

Mental wellness professionals face a unique challenge: how do you show up authentically on video while maintaining professional boundaries? Whether you're a therapist, counselor, or coach, video content helps potential clients get to know, like, and trust you—but only when done ethically and strategically.

This episode breaks down how to create impactful long-form and short-form videos that connect with your ideal audience without crossing professional lines.

KEY INSIGHTS

Lead with Education, Not Diagnosis:

Talk about general coping strategies for anxiety, not "how to diagnose anxiety on TikTok." Create a content comfort policy that defines your personal red lines for topics, language, and formats that maintain your boundaries.

Confidentiality Comes First:

Use composites or anonymize any client-related anecdotes. Never share identifying details, and always protect your scope of practice. Be explicit about whether you're a coach, counselor, or therapist in your bio, intros, and descriptions.

Long-Form Video Builds Trust:

Think of these as your "special sauce" videos: explaining what you help with most and who you serve. Structure them like a session by hooking viewers with a relatable problem, delivering psychoeducation value, and posing thought-provoking questions. Batch record 2-3 videos in one sitting for consistency.

Short-Form Video Builds Visibility:

TikTok reels and YouTube shorts are conversation starters. Hook people in the first few seconds (never lead with a graphic), stick to one clear message, and repurpose clips from your long-form content. Caption everything for accessibility since many people scroll without sound.

Live Streaming Expands Your Reach:

Host quarterly Q&A sessions on topics like maternal wellness or veteran support. Use prescribed questions to maintain boundaries, and decide upfront whether you'll engage through chat or on-camera questions. Always record for repurposing, and consider having support staff to manage chat or drop links.

Speak to Transformation, Not Trauma:

Frame your content around how you help clients feel more grounded, not "how to survive abusive relationships." Show the transformation possible, not just the pain point.

MAKING IT WORK

Batch Your Content - Record once a month: 2-3 long-form videos can be sliced into 5+ short clips each. This creates enough content for consistent weekly posting without burning out.

Repurpose Everything - Turn video transcripts into blog posts or captions. Pull key quotes for text posts. Use video snippets across platforms. One long-form video becomes a month's worth of content.

Maintain Ethical Standards - Include disclaimers like "This video is for educational purposes and not a substitute for therapy." Avoid engaging with questions so specific they could be perceived as clinical advice. Set clear community guidelines for live sessions.

Show Up As Yourself - Use storytelling to connect by sharing your "why," your values, and personal insights (without oversharing). If you're LGBTQ+, BIPOC, a veteran, or have lived experience that informs your practice, let that be part of your story. Representation matters.

Consider Production Level - Ask yourself: How do I want to be perceived by my ideal client? A clean background, good lighting, and clear audio signal professionalism. You don't need fancy gear, just...

2 5 The Heart Sell - Building Business Through Authentic Connection with Dora Rankin

• The Heart Sell Book - Get more from Dora Rankin. Order your copy of her book here.
• Dora Rankin - Dreamers & Doers® | LinkedIn - Connect with Dora on LinkedIn

Change the Reel website

From Corporate Banking to Heart-Centered Sales: How This Entrepreneur Ditched the Bro Tactics

What if everything you learned about sales and marketing in corporate America was wrong? Our guest today walked away from a 25-year banking career, fired her PR team mid-book launch, and built a business teaching women entrepreneurs that relationships, not tactics, drive revenue.

Meet Dora Rankin: seasoned banking executive turned business coach, author of The Heart Sell, and the woman who's bringing authenticity back to sales strategy.

Why This Matters Now

Most business owners don't understand the difference between sales and marketing. And that confusion costs them growth. Dora spent decades in corporate banking leadership, worked with high-growth fintech startups, and studied women's entrepreneurship at Cornell. Then she walked away from it all to teach a different approach: one where connection trumps conversion tactics every single time.

The Permission Moment

Dora's sister told her at 42, "Take everything wrapped around your pinky and give it to women." That permission, combined with immediate action, changed everything. She left the "corporate trafficking" of senior leadership roles where she had to filter her authenticity, and created a business where she chooses her clients instead of tolerating them.

Here's what most people miss: having the moment of clarity isn't enough. You have to take action on it. Otherwise, it just becomes another moment that passes.

Why She Fired Her PR Team

Dora published The Heart Sell, intending it as a "vanity play"! A big PR push with national and local agents running campaigns. She found herself at a major NYC event talking about the book, and realized: "I don't like this. I don't like how it feels."

So she fired both PR agents (after paying them serious money) and started teaching the curriculum at small business development centers and women's business centers to founders who couldn't afford $25,000 masterminds. She fell in love with actually teaching the content instead of promoting the book.

The lesson? Your original plan might be completely wrong, and that's okay. The book became a blueprint for teaching rather than a marketing tool.

Sales vs. Marketing: The Confusion Costing You Growth

The foundation of The Heart Sell addresses what most founders get wrong: they don't understand the difference between sales and marketing. Dora lays out the distinction simply and provides strategic roadmaps so you can actually grow your business instead of spinning your wheels.

Her approach isn't about being everywhere on social media or chasing follower counts. She doesn't need 1.5 million followers because she's not an influencer—her business model is one-on-one coaching and enterprise-level corporate curriculum. That requires relationship building as its anchor.

The Intention Behind Your Outreach

Here's where most people fail at authentic connection: their intention is "let me get in there and sell something." Dora's approach? "Let me see if there's really a problem, and I wonder if I'm the right person to solve it. Will they let me talk about that with them?"

When your intention is genuine, people can tell. Some...

Getting DIY Video Right Without the Epic Fails

You've got your ring light, your fancy mic, and you're ready to hit record. So why does your DIY video still look... off? After 20 plus years behind the camera, we've seen every DIY video mistake in the book, and we're here to help you avoid them.

Why This Matters Now

Video marketers get 66% more qualified leads per year, and 83% say video gives them good ROI. But here's the catch: 39% admit production delays hold them back. The fastest way to increase your video output? Smart DIY. But "smart" is the keyword here.

When DIY Actually Works

DIY isn't the enemy; complexity is. If you're going live on your phone to share a quick message, that's perfect. DIY is part of the message. But when you start adding lights, external mics, multiple cameras, and editing software, you've just created a second job. And unless video production is your business, that's a problem.

The Most Common DIY Fails We See

Lighting Nightmares: Your face shouldn't be darker than your background. Put the light source in front of you (not behind). A window or a lamp works fine. Skip the ring light (it creates weird reflections in your eyes). If you're adding production lights…Congratulations, you've just added complexity and potential glasses glare to your to-do list.

Camera Confusion: Your laptop camera or phone works perfectly fine for most DIY content. But the moment you start using external cameras without auto-focus experience, you're asking for trouble. Someone walks behind you? You're out of focus. You lean forward? Out of focus. And unfortunately, the hard truth is you can't fix out-of-focus footage in post.

Sound Disasters: The biggest fail? That $100 mic you bought isn't actually being used. Your computer is still recording from its built-in mic. We see this all the time. The fancy microphone is just a visual prop. Here is a solution: wear headphones and listen to what you're actually recording. Also, audio buzz can ruin otherwise good content. You’ll have to spend time learning how to fix the audio, paying for software you didn’t want, and then put in more time to actually clean it up.

The Authenticity Trap

"I want to DIY because I want to be authentic." We get it. But authenticity doesn't require doing everything yourself. Some of the most "authentic" creators you follow have full crews, but you just don't see them. That CEO who insisted on being "authentic" and winging it without a script? His one-hour shoot turned into an eight-hour nightmare.

Making It Work: The Velasquez Media DIY Rules

1. Keep it simple: One camera, one mic (or none), one message

2. Limit complexity: Every piece of equipment you add is another potential failure point

3. Use headphones: If you're using an external mic, you need to hear what you're recording

4. Light from the front: Windows and lamps are your friends

5. Skip the fake backgrounds: Blurred is better than watching your hand disappear into a faux beach scene

6. One topic per video: Save the complex multi-point presentations for professional productions

7. Know when to get help: If it's for a major launch, event, or revenue-driving content, bring in a crew

The Real Question: What Business Are You In?

You can learn to do your own bookkeeping, mow your own lawn, and produce your own videos. But should you? Every hour you spend troubleshooting why your audio has a mysterious buzz is an hour not spent on your core business.

DIY video works when it's fast, simple, and serves your immediate communication needs. Potential for failure increases when you're trying to create something complex while also being the talent, the crew, and the editor.

Bottom Line

87% of consumers say video quality impacts their trust in a brand. You don't need Hollywood production values, but you do need to avoid the distracting failures that scream "I