I’ve been telling you that I’m leveling up this podcast. Today’s episode proves it!

I had the absolute honor of sitting down with Sophie Mazzaro, a world-renowned mural artist, sneaker customizer, and creative force whose journey is anything but ordinary. From her roots as a German exchange student in Texas to painting the now-iconic Kobe Bryant mural on the Venice Beach Pier, Sophie’s story is a masterpiece. Every connection she made along the way contributed to the stunning tapestry of her artistic journey.

As I interview Sophie Mazzaro for The Ripple Effect Podcast, she opens up about her early days growing up in Berlin, her move to LA to chase an acting dream, and how that world led her straight into the life of a full-time artist and entrepreneur. Despite growing up with parents in the IT industry, Sophie went in the opposite direction and pursued the creative route. She’s worked on custom sneakers, tattooed incredible pieces, and painted massive murals, including one from the 72nd floor of the tallest building in LA.

What blew me away was Sophie’s unfiltered honesty about the artistic grind: how she navigates creative burnout and the realities behind the “starving artist” perspective. We talk about the emotional story behind her Kobe Bryant tribute, building a business around her art, and her bold new chapter living in Wyoming, painting breathtaking wildlife pieces inspired by her surroundings.

If you’ve ever wanted to know how to turn art into a business, what it’s like to be a mural artist, or how to make it as a creative, this episode will empower you. This isn’t just another artist interview. This is the story of a woman unapologetically forging her own path, one brushstroke at a time.

Listen and get inspired by one of the most creative and driven artists of our time. This is Sophie Mazzaro, and this is her Ripple Effect.

PS. Wait for the surprising announcement from Sophie Mazzaro in the end!

Ripple with Sophie Mazzaro

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiemazzaroart/

Ripple with Steve Harper

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#sophiemazzaro #rippleeffectpodcast #kobebryantmural #muralartist #femaleartist #streetart #customsneakers #artentrepreneur #creativejourney #artistinterview #artinspiration #wyomingartist #californiasober #fromgermanywithart #artistlife #womeninart #createwithoutlimits #artpodcast #behindtheart

Technology grows and spreads like wildfire. Today, you’re at peace knowing that your business operates through the latest tech and trends. But what about tomorrow?

Are you sure you’re using the right tools to grow your business?

If your mind’s filled with more questions than answers after that intro, then it’s your lucky day. Our special guest for The Ripple Effect Podcast will enlighten us about up-to-date digital marketing tools and strategies.

Our guest is none other than Jen Lehner, an Ohio-based Digital Marketing & System Strategist and the founder of Jen Lehner Media, LLC. Her enthusiasm for adapting to emerging digital marketing tools helps businesses stay relevant in their market and reach customers in the most convenient ways.

Some people may not understand why someone can be so passionate about social media and the digital world, so we will talk about why and how Jen got into digital marketing. She also brought up the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and why it is the next big thing for online marketers. If you’re wondering how AI is transforming digital ad campaigns, how AI is changing the world, and the best AI tools in 2025, you’ve found the right video.

“AI is here to stay.”

Don’t lag! Adapt to rising tech. To get a deeper understanding of AI in a simplified explanation, you can take Jen Lehner’s AI Masterclass here: jenlehner.com/masterclassai

Aside from marketing, we discussed the backstory of The Front Row Podcast for Entrepreneurs and how Jen managed to have Gary Vaynerchuk and James Altucher on her podcast. It’s a light, quirky, and impressive story you shouldn’t miss.

Listen to The Front Row Podcast for Entrepreneurs here: jenlehner.com/podcast

Special thanks to my long-time friend and Rippler Lisa Alongi for introducing me to Jen Lehner. This is definitely a positive Ripple!

If you know someone who does inspiring work and deserves to be on the show, I’m open to introductions. Please email me at info@ripplecentral.com.

I hope you enjoy and learn from this episode as much as I did!

Ripple with Jen Lehner

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jenlehner/

Website: https://jenlehner.com

Ripple with Steve Harper

Instagram: http://instagram.com/rippleon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rippleon

X: https://twitter.com/rippleon

Website: http://www.ripplecentral.com

Stay in the loop by being a part of the Ripple mail list: https://ripplecentral.com/subscribe

Join our ever-growing community of Ripplers in The Pond: https://ripplecentral.com/pond

#therippleeffectpodcast #therippleeffect #steveharper #jenlehner #ai #artificialintelligence #digitalmarketing #marketingstrategy #aitools #contentmarketing #chatgpt #marketingautomation #onlinebusiness #socialmediamarketing #techtrends #futureofmarketing #digitalentrepreneur #podcastinterview #smallbusinessmarketing #growthhacking #aiinmarketing #marketingwithai #personalbranding #femaleentrepreneur

Being a podcaster is easy. You just have to talk nonstop and pour your heart out in front of a mic, right? Wrong.

Welcome to a very real and raw solo episode of The Ripple Effect Podcast. I’m Steve Harper, and today, I’m pulling back the curtain on my podcast journey, from awkward first episodes and painful feedback to moments of personal growth. If you’ve ever started something with zero experience and are unsure if anyone would care, you need to hear this.

Listening to someone else’s stories and experiences is a fantastic way to learn. So, in this episode, I will share how I found my voice as a podcast host and what it means to improve through small, consistent efforts. I’ll serve you truths about embracing authenticity, overcoming the fear of being on camera, and learning how to be a great interviewer, even when I thought I had no clue what I was doing.

For content creators, entrepreneurs, aspiring podcasters, or just someone trying to do meaningful work when nobody’s watching, I hope this solo episode inspires you to keep going!

Podcasting, for me, has become more than just a mic and a message. It became about inspiring people by making them realize their real impact on the world. It’s a Ripple Effect that continues to grow, one authentic conversation at a time.

If you’re new here, welcome to the journey. And if you’ve been riding this wave with me for a while, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Ripple On!!!

Ripple with Steve Harper

Instagram: http://instagram.com/rippleon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rippleon

X: https://twitter.com/rippleon

Website: http://www.ripplecentral.com

Stay in the loop by being a part of the Ripple mail list: https://ripplecentral.com/subscribe

Be a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SteveHarper

Join our ever-growing community of Ripplers in The Pond: https://ripplecentral.com/pond

To inquire about my availability for conference keynotes, corporate training, or performance coaching, please contact info@ripplecentral.com.

#podcastjourney #therippleeffectpodcast #solopodcast #authenticstorytelling #startsmalldreambig #creatorlife #entrepreneurmindset #selfgrowth #contentcreatortips