Origins of Influence is a limited podcast series exploring the untold stories of the internet’s earliest creators. Hosted by marketing leader and onetime blogger Dina Fierro, this series revisits the era before the algorithm—when creators built communities on platforms like Blogger, Tumblr, and LiveJournal.
Through intimate conversations with pioneering influencers, creators and founders, Origins of Influence unpacks the moments that defined their influence, the cultural (and algorithmic) shifts they witnessed, and how they've evolved—online and off.
Together, we’ll explore how they built influence in an unfiltered, pre-algorithm online world—and reflect on what today’s creator economy might learn from this generation of digital trailblazers.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Origins of Influence is a limited podcast series exploring the untold stories of the internet’s earliest creators. Hosted by marketing leader and onetime blogger Dina Fierro, this series revisits the era before the algorithm—when creators built communities on platforms like Blogger, Tumblr, and LiveJournal.
Through intimate conversations with pioneering influencers, creators and founders, Origins of Influence unpacks the moments that defined their influence, the cultural (and algorithmic) shifts they witnessed, and how they've evolved—online and off.
Together, we’ll explore how they built influence in an unfiltered, pre-algorithm online world—and reflect on what today’s creator economy might learn from this generation of digital trailblazers.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Katie Rodgers—formerly known as Paper Fashion—joins Dina for a rich conversation about creative evolution, digital beginnings, and the ongoing dance between art, audience, and authenticity. From posting fashion illustrations on WordPress to collaborating with brands like Coach and Christian Louboutin, Katie was an early pioneer of the art on Instagram movement.
Now based in Santa Fe, she shares how stepping away from social media—and New York City—helped her reconnect with herself and her work. Together, they explore the changing nature of brand partnerships, the artist-gallery dynamic in a post-Instagram world, and why Katie believes fear is often a compass for growth.
In this episode, Katie and Dina discuss:
Whether you're a founder, marketer, or artist rethinking your next chapter, this conversation will leave you inspired to embrace change—and trust your gut.
Discover Katie's work here
Follow Katie on Instagram: @katierodgers
Recommended by Katie in this episode: Ignasi, Jenny Walton
About Origins of Influence
Hosted by longtime fashion and beauty marketer Dina Fierro, Origins of Influence is a limited series exploring the past, present and future of the creator economy through intimate conversations with pioneering influencers, creators and founders. From the days of LiveJournal and Tumblr to the dawn of Instagram, each episode revisits the platforms, posts, and pivotal moments that shaped digital culture — long before the algorithm. New episodes drop weekly. Show notes and exclusive content on Substack.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Before Instagram influencers and TikTok trends, there was Tumblr — and few creators used it more brilliantly than John Jannuzzi. In this episode of Origins of Influence, Dina Fierro is joined by writer and creative director John Jannuzzi to explore the wild, weird, and wonderful internet of the late aughts and early 2010s.
John reflects on his digital beginnings with Textbook, a Tumblr blog that reimagined fictional characters in Fashion Week looks, and To My Wife, the viral romance Tumblr that earned him internet fame, a scathing Jezebel feature, and (almost) a TV deal. He and Dina also revisit the heyday of Fashion Twitter, the genius of the Lucky Style Collective, and the chaotic truth behind the infamous Condé Elevator saga.
Today, John continues to straddle the creative and strategic worlds with his Substack, Browser History, and a varied career that spans creative direction, editorial, graphic design and yes, cookies. This episode is a nostalgic deep dive for anyone who ever reblogged a runway image or live tweeted from the front row.
📸 Instagram: @johnjannuzzi
Recommended by John: Christine McConnell, Collectable Cities
About Origins of Influence
Hosted by longtime fashion and beauty marketer Dina Fierro, Origins of Influence is a limited series exploring the past, present and future of the creator economy through intimate conversations with pioneering influencers, creators and founders. From the days of LiveJournal and Tumblr to the dawn of Instagram, each episode revisits the platforms, posts, and pivotal moments that shaped digital culture — long before the algorithm. New episodes drop weekly. Show notes and exclusive content on Substack.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Origins of Influence, Dina Fierro sits down with Jennine Jacob—fashion blogging pioneer, personal stylist, and founder of the Iconic Style Studio.
Jennine takes us on a journey from her early days launching The Coveted, one of the first fashion blogs, to founding Independent Fashion Bloggers (IFB)—a groundbreaking community that empowered creators long before the term “influencer” entered the mainstream. With raw honesty and refreshing humor, Jennine shares what it was like to build a digital empire, why she left it all behind, and how a single decision at a thrift store rekindled her creativity and visibility.
Today, Jennine helps women—especially those in midlife—reclaim their style, confidence, and voice through personal styling and her vibrant online community. We talk about social media sabbaticals, the power of dressing for yourself, and building a values-aligned business in a consumption-driven culture.
What we cover:
✨ Whether you're a longtime fashion nerd or a woman seeking to feel seen, this episode is a must-listen.
Follow Jennine:
📸 Instagram: @jennine.jacob
🎵 TikTok: @jenninejacob
🎧 Podcast: Closet Philosophy
Recommended by Jennine: @ElysiaBerman, @TheSilverLining_1970
About Origins of Influence
Hosted by longtime fashion and beauty marketer Dina Fierro, Origins of Influence is a limited series exploring the past, present and future of the creator economy through intimate conversations with pioneering influencers, creators and founders. From the days of LiveJournal and Tumblr to the dawn of Instagram, each episode revisits the platforms, posts, and pivotal moments that shaped digital culture — long before the algorithm. New episodes drop weekly. Show notes and exclusive content on Substack.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nicolette Mason’s digital origin story began in the early 2000s, where platforms like LiveJournal and DIY outfit photos laid the foundation for what would become a pioneering career in fashion, media, and brand-building. Today, she’s a writer, strategist, and consultant, known for her trailblazing voice in conversations around size inclusion, queerness, and identity in fashion.
In this episode of Origins of Influence, Nicolette reflects on her journey from anonymous blog posts to bylines at Marie Claire and Vogue Italia Curvy—and the evolution of digital culture, legacy media, and the creator economy along the way. She also shares the story behind launching and ultimately closing Premme, the cult-favorite plus-size fashion brand she co-founded with Gabi Fresh, and the critical lessons that experience taught her.
We discuss:
Resources & Mentions:
About Origins of Influence
Hosted by longtime fashion and beauty marketer Dina Fierro, Origins of Influence is a limited series exploring the past, present and future of the creator economy through intimate conversations with pioneering influencers, creators and founders. From the days of LiveJournal and Tumblr to the dawn of Instagram, each episode revisits the platforms, posts, and pivotal moments that shaped digital culture — long before the algorithm. New episodes drop weekly. Show notes and exclusive content on Substack.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
James Nord’s story begins on Tumblr in 2007, where his cinematic photography earned him one of the largest followings on the platform. But his path from creator to CEO was just beginning. Today, he’s the founder and CEO of Fohr — a leading influencer and ambassador marketing company powering software, services, and strategy for some of the world’s top brands.
In this episode of Origins of Influence, James reflects on the early internet, the turning points that shaped his path, and how his experience as a creator laid the foundation for Fohr. He shares candid insights on the evolution of the creator economy, what marketers still get wrong about influence, and what the future might hold.
We discuss:
Resources & Mentions:
📲 Follow Origins of Influence on Instagram: @originsofinfluence
About Origins of Influence
Hosted by longtime fashion and beauty marketer Dina Fierro, Origins of Influence is a limited series exploring the past, present and future of the creator economy through intimate conversations with pioneering influencers, creators and founders. From the days of LiveJournal and Tumblr to the dawn of Instagram, each episode revisits the platforms, posts, and pivotal moments that shaped digital culture — long before the algorithm. New episodes drop weekly. Show notes and exclusive content on Substack.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Origins of Influence is a limited podcast series exploring the untold stories of the internet’s earliest creators—and what happened next. Hosted by longtime marketer and early fashion blogger Dina Fierro, the show revisits a pre-algorithm era when influence was built through authenticity, community, and creativity on platforms like Blogger, Tumblr, and LiveJournal.
But this isn’t just a nostalgic look back. Through intimate conversations with pioneering influencers, digital creators, and brand founders, Origins of Influence examines how early online visibility became a launchpad—for companies, consultancies, creative reinventions, and cultural impact.
Each guest reflects on the evolution of their digital presence, the shifts they've navigated both online and off, and how they've used social media as a tool to chart their own path—whether through entrepreneurship, advocacy, or advisory work.
Whether you're a creator, marketer, or digital culture enthusiast, this series offers insight into how influence is built—and rebuilt—over time.
🎧 Listen to the trailer and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
📲 Follow along on Instagram: @originsofinfluence
About Origins of Influence
Hosted by longtime fashion and beauty marketer Dina Fierro, Origins of Influence is a limited series exploring the past, present and future of the creator economy through intimate conversations with pioneering influencers, creators and founders. From the days of LiveJournal and Tumblr to the dawn of Instagram, each episode revisits the platforms, posts, and pivotal moments that shaped digital culture — long before the algorithm. New episodes drop weekly. Show notes and exclusive content on Substack.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
