Press & Media · Aaron Smalls · Curiously Talented LLC
FOR MEDIA, JOURNALISTS, AND PRODUCERS.
Aaron Smalls is one of the most compelling stories in live entertainment. Everything you need is right here: bios, story angles, publications, television credits, and the pitch your audience hasn’t heard yet.
Press inquiries, interview requests, and podcast bookings: contact@aaronsmalls.com · 929.328.9929
The Story
THE ENGINEER WHO BECAME THE ENERGY ARCHITECT.
Aaron Smalls was two and a half years into a mechanical engineering degree at the University of Central Florida when a fraternity brother who worked as a stage manager for Universal Studios and Disney stopped him and said four words: “You’re curiously talented.” He asked Aaron to audition for a Nickelodeon show. Aaron booked it. The engineering career ended before it started. A 20-year career in live entertainment began.
Today, Aaron Smalls is an Entertainment Energy Architect, Memory Architect, live event host, open-format DJ, keynote speaker, and creator of the Charismatic Advantage®: The Art of Social Energy. He has performed for audiences of 50 to 50,000 across NFL stadiums, network television, luxury brand activations, and corporate stages worldwide. His work has been featured in Maxim, The Village Voice, The Good Men Project, Tech Times, Digital Journal, and Benzinga.
His framework is backed by Dr. Kim Cameron (University of Michigan) and Dr. Emma Seppälä (Yale), whose Harvard Business Review research established positive relational energy as the single greatest predictor of leadership success. Aaron is the live performance practitioner their science describes. No producer has heard this story before.
From Nickelodeon to the NFL. From the Virgin Islands to 30 Rock. The only person in this space who performs at this level and teaches the system behind it.
Ready-to-Use Bios
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One Line
Aaron Smalls is an Entertainment Energy Architect, live event host, open-format DJ, keynote speaker, and creator of the Charismatic Advantage®: The Art of Social Energy, based in New York City.
50 Words
Aaron Smalls is an Entertainment Energy Architect, live event host, open-format DJ, and creator of the Charismatic Advantage®: The Art of Social Energy. Born in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, he launched his career at Nickelodeon in 2005 and has performed as the Audience Warm-Up Host for the Emmy-winning Kelly Clarkson Show through its final season, the NFL, and luxury brand activations worldwide. He is based in New York City.
150 Words
Aaron Smalls is an Entertainment Energy Architect, Memory Architect, live event host, open-format DJ, and keynote speaker based in New York City. Born in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, the grandson of a Calypso orchestra musician, he traded mechanical engineering for a business degree at the University of Central Florida, then launched his career at Nickelodeon Studios in 2005. Over the past 20 years he has performed for audiences of 50 to 50,000: seven Super Bowls for the NFL, two FIFA tournaments including the 2026 World Cup through the quarterfinal round, and brand work for Disney, T-Mobile, Visa, Coca-Cola, and Mercedes-Benz. He was the Audience Warm-Up Host for the Emmy-winning Kelly Clarkson Show through its final season. He is the creator of Charismatic Advantage®: The Art of Social Energy, a framework grounded in research on positive relational energy and built from two decades on live stages. Curiously talented since 2005.
Story Angles for Producers
Six conversation-ready angles for podcast hosts, journalists, and media producers.
01 — The Engineer Who Became the Energy Architect
From mechanical engineering at UCF to warming up 50,000 people at the Super Bowl. The pivot, the mentor, and the four words that changed everything.
02 — The Science of Charisma: What Harvard and the NFL Have in Common
Harvard Business Review says positive relational energy is the greatest predictor of leadership success. Aaron Smalls is the live performance practitioner who proves it every week.
03 — It Ain’t About You: The Counter-Intuitive Principle Behind Every Great Communicator
The moment Aaron stopped thinking about his own performance and started thinking about what the audience needed, the room changed. That shift is teachable.
04 — What a DJ Knows About Leadership That MBAs Don’t
Reading 50,000 people. Adapting in real time. Aligning the energy of performer, music, and audience. The skills that make a great DJ make a great leader.
05 — The Memory Architect: Why Your Event Is Being Forgotten by Tuesday
Most events are designed beautifully and felt by nobody. The case for inside-out event design and the A.L.I.V.E.™ methodology that changes what people carry home.
06 — INQS: I’m Not Status Quo and the Case for Being Unmistakably Yourself
In a world of sameness, your most powerful competitive advantage is being unapologetically you. The philosophy, the science, and what it actually looks like in a room.
Publications
Maxim
The Energy Architect: How Aaron Smalls Is Redefining Leadership
Feature on the Charismatic Advantage® and the science of social energy in modern leadership.
The Village Voice
Finding Your Live Voice in a Screen-First Era
On the communication gap between digital fluency and live presence, and how to bridge it.
The Good Men Project
How Aaron Smalls Helps Leaders Unlock Their Charismatic Advantage®
On the role of positive relational energy in leadership presence and authentic communication.
Also featured inTech Times · Digital Journal · Benzinga · and others
Podcast & Media Appearances
Daily Influence · Episode 661 · February 2026
The Charismatic Advantage: Designing Connection Through Social Energy and Presence — Hosted by Gregg-Brooke Koleno.
The Official Concept · April 2026
Episode: Aaron Smalls — Hosted by Allan Campbell.
Into the Unknown · EP119 · September 2025
He Walked Away From Engineering. Now He Hosts At 30 Rock & Coaches Celebs. Here’s How.
Doing Business with a Servant’s Heart · Episode 822
Aaron Smalls: Unleashing Your Invisible Energy — Hosted by Steve Ramona. Also listed as: Spotlight Shift in Conversations.
ProCast by Proscenium Events · Episode 11
How DJs Energize Corporate Events — Featuring Aaron Smalls (DJ Smalls) and William Smith (William Lifestyle).
The Kelly Williams Show · Video Interview
Aaron Smalls on Stage Presence, Energy, and the Charismatic Advantage® — Watch on YouTube
What the Hosts Are Saying
“Aaron Smalls brought the kind of energy that changes a room — even through a microphone. His story of taking risks, trusting his instincts, and choosing momentum over perfection is one of those rare conversations that sticks with you long after it ends.”
Jeremy Swick — Host, Into the Unknown
“I had Aaron Smalls on my show and it was an amazing show. We talked about energy and energy exchange, and I hadn’t thought about it from that perspective before, but Aaron really made it come alive for me. He did a couple of things really well. He made big ideas simple enough to walk away with, and he was transparent, telling real stories about himself and his experience. It was an absolutely fantastic show. I’m going back to watch it again, and I’m checking out his newsletter too. Check out Aaron Smalls. I think you’ll really enjoy speaking with him.”
Rick Meekins, Host, The Relentless Pursuit of Winning podcast
“Aaron Smalls brought exceptional energy, charisma, and authenticity to The Official Concept. What struck me most was his ability to connect deeply with the audience while making every insight feel immediately useful — not theoretical. I would recommend him without hesitation to any producer looking for a guest who delivers on every level.”
Allan Campbell — Owner, The Official Concept
“Aaron was a phenomenal guest on the Doing Business with a Servant’s Heart podcast. He didn’t just show up — he delivered. My audience responded immediately, garnering many views and great responses. He inspired, motivated, and left people wanting more. A must-have on any podcast, stage, or TV show.”
Steve Ramona — Host, Doing Business with a Servant’s Heart
“WOW. This wasn’t just an interview — it was an experience. Aaron Smalls brought the energy, the honesty, and the realness that my audience craves. Honest, knowledgeable, and completely himself from the first minute to the last. I absolutely loved every minute of it. Cannot wait to have him back.”
Kelly Williams — Host, The Kelly Williams Show
“Aaron is the kind of guest every podcast host hopes to book. He brings thoughtful insights, engaging stories, and a contagious energy that elevates the entire conversation. His ability to blend practical wisdom with genuine authenticity creates an experience that is both memorable and impactful for audiences.”
Gregg-Brooke Koleno — Host, The Daily Influence Podcast
2026 FIFA World Cup
When the World Cup came to America in 2026, FIFA put Aaron on the mic and the decks at Boston Stadium, DJing and emceeing matches through the quarterfinal round. The biggest sporting event on Earth, and Aaron was the energy in the building.
2026 FIFA World Cup — Boston Stadium
Television Credits
Networks & Acting
ABC · NBC · FOX · TBS Nickelodeon · Food Network · National Geographic · Hulu · Marvel
Audience Warm-Up Host
The Kelly Clarkson Show (incl. final season) · America’s Got Talent · So You Think You Can Dance · I Can See Your Voice · Bachelor · All New Double Dare
Seen With
Notable Events and Highlights
Super Bowl LIII through Super Bowl LIX
Coca-Cola at the Formula 1 US Grand Prix · Austin, TX
T-Mobile IN Crowd Tour · Multi-city (2016–2022)
New York City Wine & Food Festival
Disney American Idol Experience
FIFA World Cup & Club World Cup · New York City
Experiential Marketing Summit · Las Vegas
US FinTech Awards · New York City
Chase Sapphire: Sapphire Sundays
Private dinner for UBS with Chef Tom Colicchio · NYC
Press Assets
The work is real. So are the assets. Here's what's available.
High-resolution headshots, EPK, and brand assets available on request. Reach out to contact@aaronsmalls.com with your publication name and deadline.
Headshots
Hi-res available on request
EPK 2026
Available on request
Brand Assets
Logos and marks on request
Media Inquiries
THE STORY NO PRODUCER HAS HEARD YET. LET'S CHANGE THAT.
For interview requests, podcast bookings, feature pitches, and press asset requests, reach out directly. Response within 48 hours.
contact@aaronsmalls.com · 929.328.9929 · @TheAaronSmalls