As a digital futurist and tech podcast host, Brian Franzo is no stranger to the ever-evolving world of Web3 and AI. His blog iSocialFanz covers a wide range of topics, from social media and marketing to blockchain technology and artificial intelligence.
In this interview, he shares his background story into the industry, how AI will shape the world and NFTs. ADHD has also been a part of Brian's journey, and he talks about how it has been both a challenge and an advantage in his career. This interview shared a unique perspective from an industry leader, and offered valuable insights into the future of Web3 and AI.
Origins Into Web3
When Brian was younger, he never could have imagined the path his life would take. Growing up, he was always involved in sports and had a natural talent for it. But as he got older, his interests started to shift towards technology. This was due to the fact that he met a fraternity brother while shopping for some groceries and that got him into the cyber security industry. Despite struggling with school grades as a child, he excelled in this new role by deploying tech across the world, travelling to 54 countries in four years.
He soon realized that he had a talent of translating techie talk into language that the average person could understand. He took advantage of this skill and started his own blog that we know today as iSocialFanz. So although the industry was different, transferable skills from one job to another are what allowed him to excel at what he does now.
"That's the same thing I do now in my 40s, just being that translator of tech and leaning in on crypto and Web3 and meme coins."
Brian Franzo
ADHD and Facing Challenges In Entrepreneurship
Living with ADHD presents unique challenges and opportunities, especially in the workforce. While some may see it as a disadvantage, others may use their ADHD to their advantage, finding ways to harness their energy and focus on tasks that interest them.
However, it's important for individuals with ADHD to find a balance between taking risks and ensuring stability in their career. Brian admits that he took on a high risk of shifting from his stable security job and becoming a voice for future technology but it was a risk that paid off in the end as he found something that truly sparked his interest.
"At the end of the day, the thing I know more than anything is that I will fail. And I know people always say failure is a necessary step to success.But they don't caveat it correctly in my view. Failure sucks. It hurts.And when you fail, it is not easy."
Brian Franzo
With Brian's NFT project, Shades of ADHD being a defining example of how he harnesses his ADHD as a strength rather than a weakness, it is clear that failure has never stopped him from pursuing his passions. In fact, Brian embraces and learns from his failures, using them to fuel his creativity and innovation. When he was diagnosed as an adult, it made sense to him and he was surprised others didn't catch it earlier in him. Rather than dissolving into shame, he proudly talks about his ADHD, using it as a tool to educate and raise awareness.
Expressing Yourself In The Web3 World
As the conversation continued, it became clear that Brian's ADHD has also played a role in his artistic pursuits. Despite being artistically challenged, he was able to create art for his NFT through AI. His collection was sold out in just about an hour and this proved that AI art was in demand if it was created in an innovative and unique manner that had meaning for a select group of individuals.
Brian credits the fact that he's relatable for his success both as a speaker and internet personality. Rather than presenting himself as just a tech visionary, he shows his personal side such as fatherhood and the aforementioned ADHD. He uses his platform to bring awareness to mental health and how technology can help people with disabilities.
"People would say, Brian, what's your secret? And I was like, I just showed up and talked about who I was online."
Brian Franzo
By encouraging others to put themselves out there, Brian shows that success comes from being authentic and sharing your unique experiences. He also teaches the value of building meaningful connections and relationships in both personal and professional life. His success with Shadows of ADHD proves that anyone participating in the Web3 industry cannot only make a difference, but also have their voice heard and valued.
With that in mind, he recognizes the anonymous nature that many individuals in the Web3 space prefers to maintain and encourages everyone to respect that decision. Each avatar is just another form of self-expression and it shouldn't matter who is behind the screen. Instead, the focus should be on the ideas and contributions being shared.
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The Ups and Downs of Brians' NFT Journey
After jumping into the crypto and tech podcast world, Brian decided to create a series where he would buy an NFT each day. This led to a staggering collection of about $35,000 worth of NFTs but the unsettling feeling that came with it was just the tip of the iceberg. Despite connecting with the community and coming from a cybersecurity background, Brian made some beginner mistakes that led to his wallet getting drained. This was violating but led to some positive insights.
"Fanzo, you're selling? I'm like, I'm not selling it. Like I'm holding every one of these NFTs. And I came back and all of a sudden my wallet's getting drained, right? Nine ETH worth of NFTs immediately and there was nothing I could do.And it was the most violating experience that I had had digitally."
Brian Fanzo
As a content creator, Brian intuitively began recording this experience and was embraced by warmth from the community. If even a cyber-security expert could make the mistake, others that also got hacked could feel relief in their own shame. This community support within the NFT community showcases the strong and supportive culture that has developed around this emerging technology.
Brian summarizes his experience by saying you just gotta keep showing up. Whether your podcast exceeds your personal expectations or you make a mistake that surprised your own cyber-security expertise in the end it's about time. This is because NFTs are a new and rapidly evolving technology, and being part of the community means constantly learning and adapting to changes.
Final Thoughts
Brian Franzo is an interesting voice for the community as his authenticity and passion for podcasting is contagious. He reminds us that there's always room for growth and improvement, especially in a technology as dynamic as NFTs. As the industry continues to evolve and expand, it's important to stay curious and keep showing up with an open mind.
From having his NFTs stolen to embracing ADHD through his own project, Brian's story teaches us to embrace the unpredictable nature of NFTs and find opportunities for growth in unexpected places. We're excited to see where Brian and the rest of the NFT community takes this technology in the future.
