Vinnie Potestivo on Identity, Belonging & Personal Development
In this episode, Emmy Award–winning media advisor and former MTV talent developer Vinnie Potestivo takes us inside the personal development journey that shaped the person — and leader — he is today.
Long before he was helping launch the careers of Mandy Moore, Nick Cannon, Christina Aguilera, Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Simpson, and so many others, Vinnie was a young gay man trying to make sense of identity, belonging, and the internal pressure of growing up in a world that didn’t always make space for authenticity.
Vinnie shares how navigating early family dynamics, changing the spelling of his own name, finding safe spaces in tech and community, and stepping into leadership roles helped him build emotional resilience and a deep understanding of people. Those same tools later became the foundation for his work in talent and leadership development — and for the way he now helps others step into who they’re meant to be.
This conversation centers on identity, connection, boundaries, and the universal journey of becoming who you needed when you were younger — especially when the world is sending you mixed messages about who you should be.
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What You’ll Learn
- How Vinnie’s early experiences as a young gay man shaped his sense of identity, safety, and belonging.
- The story behind changing the spelling of his name — and why our names and “fingerprints” matter so much in how we show up in the world.
- How chat rooms, early internet communities, theatre, and computers became safe spaces when offline spaces didn’t always feel safe.
- What “being mid” meant for him growing up — and how staying out of extreme highs and lows became a survival strategy.
- How growing up as the oldest sibling, with instability at home, influenced his drive, leadership, and people-pleasing tendencies.
- Why he eventually stopped letting rooms change him and instead focused on “changing the air in the room” with his presence and values.
- How self-confidence and boundaries helped him navigate the realities of MTV, reality television, and the entertainment industry’s pressures.
- His reflections on representation of queer stories in media, and why nuance and integrity matter.
- How he thinks about content consumption, social media, and what’s most concerning and hopeful for teens today.
- What he wants anyone listening — especially those hiding parts of themselves or unsure where they fit — to know right now.
Guest Spotlight: Vinnie Potestivo
Vinnie Potestivo is an Emmy Award–winning media advisor, talent developer, and creator economy strategist. As a former MTV casting executive, he helped discover and develop on-screen talent and pop culture moments that defined a generation — working on projects that featured Mandy Moore, Nick Cannon, Christina Aguilera, Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Simpson, Kelly Osbourne, the Osbournes, and more.
Today, Vinnie partners with leaders, founders, and creatives to help them amplify their voice, grow their visibility, and build sustainable, values-aligned careers through storytelling, podcasting, and strategic media. He hosts I Have A Podcast®, where he highlights the people behind the shows and stories we love, and he generously shares tools to help creators and brands stand out in a noisy media landscape.
In this episode, Vinnie steps away from the résumé and talks about the personal journey behind it: identity, self-confidence, family, community, and the internal work that made all of it possible.
Key Quotes
Resources & Next Steps
- Connect with Vinnie:
- Explore your own story: Use this episode as a journaling prompt. Ask yourself: What did belonging look like when I was younger? What did I learn to hide? What parts of me feel ready to be seen now?
- Have a conversation: Share this episode with someone you trust and talk about times you’ve felt out of place, or when you’ve had to decide who you want to be in a room.
- Visit Glow For Hope: Find more conversations, resources, and upcoming events at the Glow For Hope website.
Next Episode
In our next episode, we’ll continue exploring real, human stories around mental health, connection, and community. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it — and if there’s a topic you’d love us to cover, reach out and let us know.
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Glow For Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness for mental health and suicide prevention through conversation, community, and engaging events. If this episode encouraged you, there are a few simple ways to support our work:
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Crisis Resources
If you or someone you love is struggling, you are not alone — and support is available.
- United States: Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or use the chat feature at 988lifeline.org.
- Emergency: If you are in immediate danger, please call 911 or your local emergency number.
- Outside the U.S.: Visit findahelpline.com to locate free, confidential support lines in your country.
- For ongoing support, consider reaching out to a licensed mental health professional, primary care provider, or local community organization.
Disclaimer
The conversations shared on Glow For Hope are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment. Our guests speak from their own experiences and perspectives; their views are their own and may not reflect those of Glow For Hope or its board. If you have questions about your mental or physical health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
If you are in crisis, thinking about suicide, or worried about someone else, please use the crisis resources above to get immediate help.
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