KJ Blattenbauer spent years doing world-class PR work for major brands—while remaining completely invisible herself. Her realization sparked a mission: helping women step into the spotlight with authenticity, strategy, and clarity about their own narrative.
Visibility is a currency in today's professional world, yet many capable women remain hidden. They do excellent work, drive meaningful results, and create real impact, but no one outside their immediate circle knows their name. For some, invisibility feels safe. For others, it's simply the default they inherited after years of working behind the scenes.
In this grounded episode of the Influential Women Podcast, host Jodie O'Brien speaks with KJ Blattenbauer, PR expert, author, and founder of Hearsay PR, about visibility, personal branding, and being seen without performing.
KJ's awakening came after years in major PR agencies. She was doing exceptional work—her fingerprints were on successful campaigns everywhere. But when she looked around, she realized her own expertise remained unknown. That moment forced a critical realization: the most important story she wasn't telling was her own.
This episode isn't about becoming a self-promotion expert or building a massive following. It's about strategic visibility, showing up where it matters, with a clear message, delivered authentically. KJ explores what real thought leadership looks like (hint: it's not the performance many imagine), why visibility builds credibility, and how storytelling helps you show up online without burnout or inauthenticity.
Key insights include:
- What real thought leadership looks like versus the performative version
- Why visibility builds credibility in professional contexts
- How storytelling helps you show up authentically online
- Choosing the right platform for your message and audience
- Building consistency without burnout or oversharing
- The difference between personal branding and being yourself publicly
The conversation also addresses a critical tension: How do you be visible without constantly performing? How do you share your work without oversaturating? How do you build a personal brand that feels authentic rather than curated?
This episode is valuable for:
- Professionals hesitant to build personal visibility
- Women struggling with personal branding or self-promotion
- Thought leaders who want a clearer strategy
- Anyone feeling overwhelmed by social media expectations
- Leaders ready to share their expertise with confidence
If you've hesitated to be visible, struggled with personal branding, or wanted to share your work with more intention and less anxiety, KJ's practical wisdom will guide you toward visibility that feels right for you.
