Paper Napkin Wisdom - Podcast And Blog For Entrepreneurs, Leaders And Difference-makers

In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh Jayaraman welcomes Sam Toles, a digital media pioneer and storyteller with decades of experience building audiences, brands, and communities. Sam is the CEO and co-founder of CiviSocial, a platform designed to transform civic engagement by helping communities and governments create stronger, more transparent conversations online.  Sam’s career has spanned leadership roles at MGM, Vimeo, Bleacher Report, and Warner Bros., and throughout it all he has stayed focused on how creativity, structure, and permission come together to unlock growth. His napkin insight crystallizes this perfectly:  Permission + Structure → Social Media Success    The Power of Permission  In the conversation, Sam reflects on how success in digital media and social platforms doesn’t come from simply telling people what to do — it’s about giving them permission. Staff members, creative teams, and civic leaders need to feel trusted to experiment, share authentically, and make their voices he