KJ Blattenbauer shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
KJ, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
A recent moment that made me both laugh and feel proud was standing on stage in front of a large group of women at a conference. I remember thinking, “Wow—twenty-something me would’ve been hiding in the back row, not headlining this thing.” Seeing so many women nodding, taking notes, and even laughing at my “PR confessions” reminded me how far I’ve come—from pitching behind the scenes to now helping others find the confidence to take the mic themselves. It was equal parts surreal and deeply satisfying.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m KJ Blattenbauer, a publicist, author, and unapologetic advocate for experts who are tired of being overlooked. For nearly three decades, I’ve helped creative founders, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders transform from best-kept secrets into headline news, earning coverage everywhere from Forbes to Architectural Digest.
Through my agency, Hearsay PR, I help cool people and bold brands build credibility, visibility, and authority without burnout or gimmicks. I believe the right story, told well, can change everything—your career, your confidence, even your revenue.
Right now, I’m most excited about my upcoming book, Pitchworthy (out January 2026), which distills everything I’ve learned from nearly thirty years in PR into a modern playbook for visibility that sells. It’s for the experts ready to stop waiting for permission and start acting like the big deal they already are.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was in second grade, sitting at a wobbly desk in a small North Dakota classroom, reading a story I’d written out loud. I can still remember the smell of pencil shavings and chalk dust and the quiet that fell when I started speaking. The room went still, and for the first time, I felt what it was like to hold people’s attention with nothing but my words.
It wasn’t about being the loudest kid in the room; it was about realizing that words could move people. That what I said could make someone laugh, think, or see the world differently. That moment stuck with me. It’s the same spark that drives my work in PR today: helping others find their voice, tell their story, and feel that same quiet power when the world finally leans in to listen.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell her, “You don’t have to earn your right to take up space.”
All that striving to be perfect, to be liked, to be “ready” before you speak… it’s unnecessary. The magic was never in fitting in; it’s always been in standing out. Every detour, every doubt, every late night wondering if you’re enough will someday become the very proof that you are. You don’t need to hustle for your worth. Just show up, as you are. That’s where the power starts.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. The public version of me is the real me, just with better lighting and clearer boundaries.
What people see on stage or online is the same person my clients get in a strategy session: direct, encouraging, and a little bit witty. But the truth is, that version of me also knows when to pause, recharge, and protect her energy. I’ve learned that authenticity doesn’t mean full access—it means alignment. The work I do requires showing up as myself, not a persona. And that’s the freedom I wish more women in business would give themselves, to be fully real, but also thoughtfully curated. Because being visible doesn’t mean being exposed.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I made them feel seen and capable. That I helped them believe their story was worth telling, and gave them the tools to tell it well.
I don’t need to be remembered for the press hits or the stages. I’d rather be remembered as the person who reminded others that visibility isn’t vanity, it’s leadership. That showing up as yourself, unapologetically and with purpose, can change everything.
If the story they tell is that I helped them find their voice and the courage to use it, then I did my job.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hearsaypr.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/hearsaypr www.instagram.com/kjblattenbauer
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kjblattenbauer/
- Other: https://www.threads.com/@kjblattenbauerhttps://hearsaypr.mykajabi.com/book-waitlist
Image Credits
Katie Rosebraugh
