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.

Before social media and algorithms, Alison Gary was already shaping the way real women thought about style, confidence, and community. A longtime blogger and digital pioneer, she launched Wardrobe Oxygen in 2005—creating one of the internet’s most enduring independent fashion and lifestyle platforms, built on honesty, accessibility, and radical transparency.
In this episode of Origins of Influence, Alison joins host Dina Fierro to revisit her early days in the blogging world and trace the evolution of a career that’s spanned two decades of seismic change online. From retail manager to full-time creator, Alison shares the story behind her now-iconic blog name, the leap to self-employment, and what it takes to stay relevant—and grounded—when the rules of the internet keep shifting.
Together, they discuss:
From the early days of Blogspot to the ever-shifting present, Alison’s story is a reminder that lasting influence comes from consistency, conviction, and an unwavering sense of self.
More from Alison:
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. Find show notes and exclusive content on Substack. Subscribe on YouTube and follow Origins of Influence on Instagram and TikTok for clips, full-length episodes, BTS and more.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.