Jen Gottlieb - Turning Fear Into Freedom and Dreams Into Reality
- Brainz Magazine
- Aug 27
- 4 min read
Brainz Magazine Exclusive Interview
Jen Gottlieb’s story is one of courage, transformation, and the power of visibility. A performer at heart, she built a career on some of the world’s biggest stages—first as an actress and TV host, then as an entrepreneur helping others step into the spotlight. At seven years old, Jen declared on stage, “When I grow up, I want to be a Broadway star.” She achieved that dream, earning a coveted role in a Broadway national tour before transitioning to television, where she hosted VH1’s top-rated music show and interviewed rock legends. But beyond the glamour, Jen realized her true passion was empowering others to share their voices and stories.
Today, Jen is a powerhouse in personal branding and visibility strategy. As the bestselling author of BE SEEN, the host of The Jen Gottlieb Show, and the co-founder of Super Connector Media, she’s been named a Top 50 Keynote Speaker by Real Leaders Magazine and honored as Speaker of the Year by Epic Talks. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, and beyond, establishing her as a leading voice in brand building and authentic influence.
Her mission is clear: to help people overcome fear, embrace authenticity, and find the courage to be seen.
From Broadway to VH1 to entrepreneurship, your path has taken some major turns. How have these different chapters influenced the way you help others step into the spotlight and build their personal brands?
One of my favorite quotes is from Steve Jobs: “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.” My journey from Broadway to VH1 to entrepreneurship has been full of pivots, but each chapter plays a role in how I now help others. I use my own story to show people that the messy, seemingly unrelated parts of their lives are actually what make them magnetic. Your mess is your message. Your start is your story. And today, your evolution is your content. That’s what makes your personal brand truly unique.
You co-founded Super Connector Media, then made the bold move to sell it and shift into mentorship and live experiences. What drove that decision, and how has your work evolved since then?
We started our PR agency unintentionally. Our community kept asking for it, so we built it. But it was never our true passion. What we really love is empowering people with the knowledge and confidence to create their own impact. So we made the bold decision to sell the agency and go all in on live events and mentorship. It’s been the most aligned and fulfilling shift we’ve made.
Your book, BE SEEN, struck a chord with so many people. What inspired you to write it, and what’s the core message you hope readers carry with them?
BE SEEN is for the person with a story, product, or service that could change lives but who isn’t putting themselves out there because they’re paralyzed by fear or self-doubt. I wrote it to remind them that the world needs what they have, and every day they hide is a day someone might hire someone else who might not care as much or deliver the same value. My mission is to help people overcome that fear and shine in full authenticity.
Hosting The Jen Gottlieb Show gives you a chance to have real, honest conversations about growth and visibility. What has creating this platform taught you about connection and showing up authentically?
What I love most about hosting the show is the relationships it helps me build. It’s a platform where I can support and spotlight people I admire. It's also allowed me to connect deeply with incredible guests and even form real friendships. More than anything, it’s shown me the power of authenticity and service-driven visibility.
You recently launched Stage Leaders, a program to help entrepreneurs become confident speakers. What led you to create it, and why do you think speaking is such a powerful tool for building a brand today?
Stage Leaders might be my favorite thing I’ve ever created. After building a 7-figure speaking career in just a few years, people kept asking me how I did it so I finally created the program they’d been waiting for. It’s not your typical speaker training. I teach the exact strategies I used to get booked and paid, even before I had a big platform. It’s already helping students land stages and grow their brands in a big way.
You went live on Instagram every single day for over three years, a level of consistency most people can’t imagine. What did that experience teach you about visibility, vulnerability, and building real connections online?
Going live every day was one of the hardest and most rewarding things I’ve ever done. It built my confidence, sharpened my ability to speak off the cuff, and created a space where my community could come together daily. It’s not just about building an audience. It’s about building trust. And if you want to improve your speaking, connect deeply, and show up more authentically, I can’t recommend it enough.
As someone who’s spoken on stages across industries and been named one of Real Leaders Magazine’s Top 50 Speakers, what are the key themes you bring to audiences to help them take action and show up fully?
My keynote is all about The Courage to BE SEEN. Most people don’t struggle with strategy. They struggle with fear. Fear of judgment, rejection, haters, failure. I use storytelling, humor, and real-life examples to break through that fear and empower people to take bold action even when they don’t feel ready. Because the truth is, the people who win aren’t always the most prepared. They’re just the most willing to show up.
“Most people don’t struggle with strategy. They struggle with fear.”
At seven years old, Jen Gottlieb stood on a brightly lit stage during a school play, stepped forward, and declared to the audience, “Hi, I’m Jenny Gottlieb, and when I grow up, I want to be a Broadway star.”
She’s been stepping into the spotlight ever since—and now, she’s helping others do the same.
