What does it mean to live and lead on the edge and what game are you playing? That is the question that framed a compelling episode of the Outliers Edge podcast hosted by transformational coach and speaker Niiamah Ashong, where Data Center POST’s Editor-in-Chief and CEO of iMiller Public Relations, Ilissa Miller, appeared as guest alongside three powerhouse professionals: Christine Campbell Rapin, Dorien (van Dam) Morin, and Brendan Brown. One thing all guests have in common is that they are also hosts of their own Podcasts (more on that later).  The program fostered a candid conversation between the guests, exploring themes related to rooted in authenticity, innovation, and personal truth, where each guest explored what it means to lead and thrive, on the edge.

This special episode, titled Stop Serving Everyone But You | Ilissa Miller, Brendan Brown, Christine Campbell Rapin, Dorien Morin-Van Dam | Ep 787, invited each guest to share the “game” they’re playing in business and life, the values that guide them, and how they continue to evolve in a world that rewards conformity.  Continue reading for an overview and certainly plan to TUNE IN to the episode here or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Highlights from the Podcast

Brendan Brown – Podcast Host of @thedevelopmentpod
A multi-time guest on the program, Brendan is also the youngest person on the panel at  19-years-old.  He is an impressive author, podcaster, and speaker, who shared wisdom beyond his years. His journey through adversity shaped his mission to encourage others—especially those with untold stories. Commenting on his journey, “My story shouldn’t be hidden, it should be spoken,” Brown said. “People who are broken and creative need to know: you’re not underrated, you’re just undiscovered.”

Christine Campbell Rapin – Podcast Host of Amplify Your Marketing Message
New to the Outliers Podcast program, Christine is an expert in client attraction and marketing simplicity, where she shared her philosophy that business should be “elegantly simple.” She rejected the glorification of hustle culture, explaining how she built her first business working just one hour a day. Specifically commenting on this, Campbell Rapin noted: “The difference is not how many hours you work—it’s that I know what game I’m running. You get to choose the speed and stay in motion.”

Ilissa Miller – Podcast Host of NEDAS Live! Where Wireline and Wireless Meet
Also a first time guest on Outliers Podcast, Miller is the Founder and CEO of iMiller Public Relations and Editor-in-Chief of Data Center POST (publisher of this blog!). She brought a distinct voice to the panel, one grounded in experience, emotional intelligence, and a deep commitment to purpose-driven communication. With nearly three decades of experience in digital infrastructure public relations, Miller spoke about the importance of rewriting outdated paradigms. On the program, Miller shared, “I am committed to educating the world about the importance of digital infrastructure so we can do amazing things like this podcast. I look at that as moving infrastructure into the consciousness of people and their souls.”

Dorien Morin-van Dam – Podcast Host of Strategy Talks
Another first-timer on the program, a seasoned social media strategist and keynote speaker, described her current “game” as playing chess in an industry that too often defaults to checkers. Her message centered on adaptability and using tools like AI with intention. “If you’re not playing chess in this environment, you’re going to be left behind,” Morin-van Dam warned. “Marketing is changing every day, and we need to think more strategically.”

Hard Truths and Transformative Growth

One of the most powerful themes of the episode emerged when the guests were asked to share the hardest truth they had to confront in their journey.

For Miller, it was the realization that her worth had become entangled with being of service to others, which challenged her own beliefs of self and well-being, “I thought my entire life was about being the space holder, the problem solver, the protector,” she reflected. “I forgot about me in the process. Letting go of that belief has freed me to blossom for others and myself.”

Christine Campbell Rappin echoed that sentiment, noting that building a business must be rooted in intrinsic desire and not external approval. “It has to be about you,” she said. “It’s the only thing that will sustain you.”

Pushing Boundaries: What’s Next

As the episode wrapped up, each guest shared how they are currently challenging themselves and stepping outside of their comfort zones.

For Miller, that challenge involves reshaping how communities understand and plan for digital infrastructure. Sharing that today, “there’s no real framework to help communities assess digital infrastructure. So I’m working to develop a nationwide overlay framework, a planning tool that helps local governments evaluate what they have, what they need, and how to attract the right kind of investment.”

It’s a bold vision and one that complements Miller’s long-standing work in communications and digital infrastructure industry, educating while addressing a critical gap in how digital infrastructure intersects with public policy and economic development.

Listen, Learn, and Connect

Episode 787 of Outliers Edge is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership. Whether you’re in digital infrastructure, entrepreneurship, or any mission-driven industry, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

Listen to the full episode here: Outliers Edge Podcast

Connect with the Guests: