Community Highlights: Meet Gillean Barkyoumb, MS, RDN and Kristen Carli, MS, RDN of Expert with Influence

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gillean Barkyoumb, MS, RDN and Kristen Carli, MS, RDN.

Hi Gillean and Kristen, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our story started with a shared frustration. As two dietitians who had both navigated the confusing, often gatekept world of media work, we met and immediately clicked over how hard it was to break into the space. There was so little transparency—around pricing, contacts, pitching, and what actually worked—and we knew other health pros felt the same way.

We craved more collaboration and less competition. So, we decided to create the kind of community we wished we had when we were starting out—one built on sharing, support, and real behind-the-scenes guidance.

It all began with a free webinar called How to Become a Media Dietitian. We thought maybe a few dozen people would show up—and we had 600 signups. That’s when we realized how needed this was.

Since then, Expert with Influence has evolved into a 12-week Media Mentorship program with weekly group calls, expert guest speakers, and a step-by-step roadmap to help dietitians confidently step into media work—whether that’s TV segments, brand partnerships, content creation, or beyond. It’s been incredible to watch our community grow and see so many RDs land their first features, brand deals, and TV appearances. It’s a full-circle moment every time. We also have the Business Bestie podcast and will be hosting our first ever in-person retreat in 2026!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges has been reaching the right audience. We knew we had something valuable to share, but getting it in front of the dietitians and health pros who would benefit most took time, trial and error, and a lot of relationship-building.

We’ve also had to be flexible and open to change. We’ve launched trainings and offers that didn’t stick, and others that really took off. A lot of our growth has come from listening closely to our community and being willing to pivot based on what they actually need—not just what we think they need.

Another big piece has been supporting our mentees emotionally. Media work can be tough—there’s a lot of ghosting, rejection, and unanswered pitches, and that can be discouraging. We spend a lot of time helping our community stay positive and focused because we’ve seen it happen time and again: once you get that first “yes,” things start to snowball. It’s about playing the long game and showing up consistently, even when it feels quiet.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Expert with Influence is a mentorship program designed to help dietitians and health professionals confidently step into media work—whether that’s landing TV segments, working with brands, becoming a go-to expert in the press, or creating content that actually gets noticed.

What we do is teach the strategy, tools, and mindset it takes to build a personal brand and get visible. What we’re known for is pulling back the curtain on an industry that can often feel exclusive or overwhelming. We’re big believers in transparency—around pricing, pitching, and what actually works—and we hold nothing back. No gatekeeping here.

Our signature offering is a 12-week Media Mentorship, which includes weekly group calls, expert guest speakers, and personalized feedback to help our members grow their influence and impact. We’re proud to have supported hundreds of RDs and health pros in landing their first TV features, brand partnerships, and press placements—and just as importantly, in feeling confident putting themselves out there.

What sets us apart is our real-world experience and our commitment to community over competition. We’re not just teaching from theory—we’re actively doing the work ourselves, and we bring that lived experience into everything we offer.

If there’s one thing we want readers to know about Expert with Influence, it’s this: you don’t need to wait for someone else to “discover” you. You have a voice and expertise that deserves to be heard—and we’re here to help you amplify it.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One of the most important lessons we’ve learned on this journey is the power of persistence. Media work—and really, building any kind of personal brand—can feel slow at first. There’s rejection, ghosting, and a lot of silence before the wins start rolling in. But if you keep showing up, the momentum will build.

A quote that’s really stuck with us came from one of our guest speakers, DJ Blatner, who said, “Opportunities find you when you are enthusiastically doing the work.” That perfectly captures what we try to teach and embody at Expert with Influence. It’s not about chasing every shiny object or waiting for permission—it’s about consistently putting yourself out there with energy, authenticity, and purpose. That’s when things start to click.

We’ve seen it again and again with our mentees: the ones who stay the course, even when it feels quiet, are the ones who end up landing the biggest opportunities. Persistence really is the secret sauce.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.expertwithinfluence.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expertwithinfluence/?hl=en
• Other: Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-business-bestie-podcast/id1771071163

Image Credits
Angela Schoening Photography (not the podcast pictures, just the in-studio shots)