The D'Ascenzo Zone

Viral TikTok Snack Influencer: How I Built 200K Followers

How do you go viral on TikTok in 2026? And can content creation actually become a full-time career?In this episode of the TDZ Podcast, Mike sits down with a viral TikTok snack influencer Dre Pao, who has built an audience of over 200,000 followers by reinventing everyday foods into creative, scroll-stopping content.We talk about the real strategy behind viral TikTok videos, how consistency and originality drive growth, and what it takes to turn content creation into a sustainable income stream. We also discuss dealing with negative comments, building brand partnerships, and staying authentic while growing fast on social media.Whether you're an aspiring content creator, influencer, entrepreneur, or just curious how TikTok creators actually grow, this conversation breaks down the mindset and tactics behind viral success.We talk about: • How he built 200K followers on TikTok• The strategy behind viral content• How creators make money online• Dealing with hate comments and criticism• Turning content creation into a full-time career• Working with brands as an influencer• Consistency vs creativity in content creation• And much moreFollow Dre PaoIG: DrePaoOfficialYT:  @DrePaoOfficial  TikTok: @DrePaoOfficial Website: www.drepao.com_____________________________________________________________The D'Ascenzo Zone: ◼︎Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCphk_rom3ggaW9qhFlIDrag?sub_confirmation=1◼︎ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7FMIr4zzMZMgQhd3SBUYqz?si=vg_AaJS5QdO6cCQffTIFYw◼︎ Check out my children's book: https://www.amazon.ca/Tiffy-Spiffy-Mr-Michael-DAscenzo/dp/B0CKGVFP72 ◼︎Mike's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikedascenz/?hl=en◼︎TDZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedascenzozone/◼︎Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@thedascenzozone◼︎For Business Inquiries: dascenzozone@gmail.com________________________________________________________________TDZ Episode - 024 Dre Pao00:00 Introduction 00:32 Journey to Becoming a Social Media Influencer01:13 Favorite Childhood Candy & Nostalgic Snacks02:57 Chocolate Paella – Dessert Innovation03:04 Kit Kat Paella Creation & Reaction05:00 First Snack Influencer Video & Early TikTok Growth06:24 Moving to Spain – New Content Inspiration07:02 Balancing Childlike & Mature Candy Content08:28 Daily Posting During COVID – Burnout Risk09:33 Building Followers & Income Through TikTok11:04 Advice for New TikTok Creators & Hooks12:33 Finding Personal Fit for Content Creation16:25 Helping Brands & Monetization Strategy19:26 Mike's Journey As a Young TV Actor36:14 Investing in People & Networking 39:36 Declining Brand Deals & Staying Authentic42:31 Dealing with Criticism & Online Negativity58:50 Commitment to Consistent Content & Podcasting#podcast #tdz #tiktok #snack #snacks #podcasting

From Homeless Alcoholic to Millionaire Recovery Expert (With a 98% Recovery Rate!)

Dr. Robb Kelly is has a double PHD and is an addiction and recovery expert who has spent over 20 years helping people beat addictions and rebuild their lives. His approach focuses on beating the root cause of addiction, combining neuroscience, behavioural research and his lived experience, recovering from alcoholism himself. In this episode, we talk about: • His journey from homeless alcoholic to recovery expert• Understanding addictions and his approach to overcoming them.• The role of trauma and subconscious patterns in addiction and much more...Follow Dr. Robb KellyIG: @addiction_doctorWebsite: www.robbkelly.comThe D'Ascenzo Zone: ◼︎Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCphk_rom3ggaW9qhFlIDrag?sub_confirmation=1◼︎ If you prefer to listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7FMIr4zzMZMgQhd3SBUYqz?si=vg_AaJS5QdO6cCQffTIFYw◼︎ TDZ Podcast Clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WZMSfDSoSI&list=PLr66TOUAOapLRR2rSvB5h3bgZns9tSexp◼︎ Check out my children's book: https://www.amazon.ca/Tiffy-Spiffy-Mr-Michael-DAscenzo/dp/B0CKGVFP72 ◼︎Mike's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikedascenz/?hl=en◼︎TDZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedascenzozone/◼︎Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@thedascenzozone◼︎For Business Inquiries: dascenzozone@gmail.comTDZ Episode 023 - Dr. Robb Kelly#podcast #tdz #wellness #health #addictionrecovery #addictionawareness #addictiontreatment #alcohol #alcoholfree

He Co-Created Detentionaire, Won an Emmy & Became a Private Eye

Charles Johnston is an Emmy Award winning screenwriter, co-creator of the cult hit Detentionaire, filmmaker, critic, licensed private investigator and the author of the psychological thriller "Sleep Walk". In this episode, we talk about: • His journey & the craft of screenwriting• Co-Creating Detentionaire• Writing his debut novel and more_____________________________________________________________Follow Charles JohnstonWebsite: https://charlesjohnston.ca/Buy his book "Sleep Walk" here: https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000579327535_____________________________________________________________The D'Ascenzo Zone: ◼︎Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCphk_rom3ggaW9qhFlIDrag?sub_confirmation=1◼︎ If you prefer to listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7FMIr4zzMZMgQhd3SBUYqz?si=vg_AaJS5QdO6cCQffTIFYw◼︎ TDZ Podcast Clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WZMSfDSoSI&list=PLr66TOUAOapLRR2rSvB5h3bgZns9tSexp◼︎TDZ Comedy Shorts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzcC9ZcYotg&list=PLr66TOUAOapIT-m-6YqQl2c7xViPLVLeK◼︎ Check out my children's book: https://www.amazon.ca/Tiffy-Spiffy-Mr-Michael-DAscenzo/dp/B0CKGVFP72 ◼︎Mike's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikedascenz/?hl=en◼︎TDZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedascenzozone/◼︎Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@thedascenzozone◼︎For Business Inquiries: dascenzozone@gmail.com_____________________________________________________________TDZ Episode 022 - Charles Johnston#podcast #tdz #writer #creativity #creative #novel #writer

You Don’t Need Better Ideas... You Need More Bad Ones

Most people think creativity is about finding the perfect idea.But what if the real secret is producing a lot of bad ones first?In this TDZ Solocast, I do a deep dive into the psychology of creativity and explain why quantity often leads to quality. Drawing on research, real-world examples, and my own experience, we explore why iteration beats perfection and how producing more work is the fastest way to improve.In this episode:• The famous creativity experiment from Art & Fear that proves quantity beats perfection• The psychology research behind why more reps lead to better ideas• A simple 7-day system you can use to generate better ideas starting today________________________________________________________________The D'Ascenzo Zone: ◼︎Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCphk_rom3ggaW9qhFlIDrag?sub_confirmation=1◼︎ If you prefer to listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7FMIr4zzMZMgQhd3SBUYqz?si=vg_AaJS5QdO6cCQffTIFYw◼︎ TDZ Podcast Clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WZMSfDSoSI&list=PLr66TOUAOapLRR2rSvB5h3bgZns9tSexp◼︎TDZ Comedy Shorts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzcC9ZcYotg&list=PLr66TOUAOapIT-m-6YqQl2c7xViPLVLeK◼︎ Check out my children's book: https://www.amazon.ca/Tiffy-Spiffy-Mr-Michael-DAscenzo/dp/B0CKGVFP72 ◼︎Mike's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikedascenz/?hl=en◼︎TDZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedascenzozone/◼︎Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@thedascenzozone◼︎For Business Inquiries: dascenzozone@gmail.comTDZ Episode 021 - Solocast #podcast #creative #ideas

He Went From Disney & Family Channel Actor… to Top Acting Coach

Jacob Kraemer is an award-winning actor who starred in Family / Disney Channel shows like Naturally Sadie and Overruled, as well as guest starring in a number of other shows like What We Do in the Shadows and Designated Survivor. He's also a longtime acting coach at the esteemed Lewis Baumander Acting Studio in Toronto. In this episode, we talk about: • His journey into becoming an actor• The craft of acting and coaching• Industry insights & the impact of ai... and much more.___________________________________________________________________Join the LB Acting Studio: https://www.lbactingstudio.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopbvHKHEEVwvuWViXoSHXw8r-JJbwXhd-OfOu7rCLEWoKPqgpTL________________________________________________________________The D'Ascenzo Zone: ◼︎Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCphk_rom3ggaW9qhFlIDrag?sub_confirmation=1◼︎ If you prefer to listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7FMIr4zzMZMgQhd3SBUYqz?si=vg_AaJS5QdO6cCQffTIFYw◼︎ TDZ Podcast Clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WZMSfDSoSI&list=PLr66TOUAOapLRR2rSvB5h3bgZns9tSexp◼︎TDZ Comedy Shorts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzcC9ZcYotg&list=PLr66TOUAOapIT-m-6YqQl2c7xViPLVLeK◼︎ Check out my children's book: https://www.amazon.ca/Tiffy-Spiffy-Mr-Michael-DAscenzo/dp/B0CKGVFP72 ◼︎Mike's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikedascenz/?hl=en◼︎TDZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedascenzozone/◼︎Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@thedascenzozone◼︎For Business Inquiries: dascenzozone@gmail.com_____________________________________________________________TDZ Episode 020 - Jacob Kraemer#podcast #tdz #acting #actor #tdzpodcast #actingcoach #disneychannel #familychannel