NRJ Media Group: How Purpose-Driven Storytelling is Shaping the Future of Media

At the intersection of conscious storytelling and emerging technology, NRJ Media Group is shaping a bold new blueprint for purpose-driven media. Founded by former Lucasfilm executive Norma Garcia and entertainment tech visionary Rich J. Reid, the company is behind Energis Podcast, a values-led show amplifying voices across tech, sports, and entertainment. In this exclusive conversation, Norma and Rich share how their mission shapes content strategy, how they’re responding to the rapid rise of AI, and why they believe storytelling remains one of humanity’s most powerful tools for change.

Q1. How does the launch of the Podcast reflect your broader mission to fuse storytelling with purpose and transformation?

Answered by Norma Garcia

The Energis Podcast is a direct expression of our mission at NRJ Media Group: to use storytelling as a catalyst for personal and collective transformation. In a media landscape full of quick takes and surface-level content, we’re building something more intentional. Energis is a platform for meaningful dialogue, personal insight, and bold ideas that move people to action.

For us, purpose and narrative are inseparable. This podcast gives us a dynamic platform to showcase changemakers across sectors who are living proof that meaningful impact begins with intention.

Rich and I created Energis not just to interview accomplished people, but to surface the defining moments that shaped who they are; the doubts, decisions, and turning points. By spotlighting these stories, we’re helping listeners see that transformation is possible for them, too. It’s about democratizing access to inspiration, wisdom, and real-world strategies. We want each episode to be more than content; it should be a spark. That’s how we live our mission: by fusing entertainment with emotional resonance and a clear call to evolve.

Guests have included Pablo Hidalgo (Lucasfilm), Ricky Blair (tech entrepreneur), Shelton Benjamin (professional wrestler), and Kwame Patterson (actor), with upcoming episodes featuring Lyle Workman (musician) and Rob Hollocks (filmmaker), and others.

Energis Podcast is available on major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and YouTube.

Q2. As a storytelling-driven media company, how do you ensure that each content initiative strengthens both its brand equity and its audience impact?

Answered by Rich J. Reid

Everything we create is grounded in values. At NRJ Media Group, we believe storytelling should not only entertain but also elevate. That’s our North Star, and it guides every creative decision: from podcast guest selection to how we partner on TV, film, or live experiences.

We build brand equity by being consistent in the kind of voices we amplify and the values we reflect. If it doesn’t inspire, illuminate, or promote positivity, it doesn’t align with our brand. At the same time, we think deeply about audience resonance. What are people yearning for? What stories help them feel seen, empowered, or equipped to take action? That’s the sweet spot: where mission and impact meet. Our audience trusts us because we never chase trends; we chase meaning.

Q3. Your Podcast highlights voices from diverse sectors including tech, sports, and entertainment. What are the strategic benefits of curating such cross-sector narratives in today’s media landscape?

Answered by Norma Garcia

We live in a time where boundaries between industries are blurring, and that’s where the most interesting conversations live. By bringing in voices from different sectors, we’re not just sharing diverse experiences; we’re revealing common threads of resilience, reinvention, and innovation.

From my background in entertainment technology, I’ve seen firsthand how ideas from one field can completely reframe another. A tech founder might inspire a filmmaker. An athlete’s mindset might resonate with a creative entrepreneur. Our job is to build those unexpected bridges, and when we do, we expand what’s possible for our audience.

Strategically, it also positions Energis as more than an industry podcast. It’s a platform for cross-pollination: a space where purpose-driven leaders connect beyond their silos. That’s what modern storytelling needs.

Q4. How are podcasts selected to align with the show’s mission, and what criteria are used to ensure they represent diverse, actionable perspectives?

Answered by Rich J. Reid

Our selection process is both intuitive and intentional. We look for guests who’ve not only achieved success but have depth—people who’ve had to navigate real obstacles and come out with wisdom worth sharing.

Diversity for us goes beyond optics. It’s about worldviews, lived experience, and the kinds of stories that rarely get mainstream attention. We’re intentional about featuring people from different industries, cultures, and life journeys. But we also ask: Is there a takeaway here that our audience can use? Will this story challenge or energize someone?

We want every episode to offer both insight and inspiration. So when someone listens, they don’t just walk away impressed, they walk away activated.

Q5. What role do you believe purpose-driven media platforms play in redefining public narratives around entrepreneurship, resilience, and reinvention?

Answered by Norma Garcia

Purpose-driven media has the power to reframe what we glorify and what we value in public discourse. For too long, entrepreneurship has been portrayed as overnight success and perfection. At Energis Podcast, we’re spotlighting the real stories where setbacks, pivots, and purpose are part of the journey.

By humanizing success, we normalize resilience and encourage reinvention. These are not just buzzwords for us; they’re the throughlines of every guest we feature. And in doing so, we help reshape the narrative from "winning at all costs" to "growing with intention."

Media that leads with purpose isn’t just reactive; it’s visionary. It asks: How can we raise the collective frequency? How can we tell stories that heal, not just hype? That’s the impact we’re working toward.

Q6. As a media leader, how do you see storytelling evolving over the next five years in terms of creating cultural value and real-world impact?

Answered by Rich J. Reid

We’re entering a renaissance where storytelling is becoming more participatory, more immersive, and more values-driven. The future of storytelling will be co-created, not just by artists, but by communities who demand authenticity and impact.

AI is already out there, and it’s moving fast. It is reshaping the world in real time, changing how we communicate, how we create, and how we connect. At NRJ Media Group, we don’t want to just stand by and watch that transformation happen. We want to help shape it—with intention, integrity, and imagination.

Our commitment is to ensure that as AI evolves, it amplifies human creativity rather than replaces it. That means building tools and platforms that reflect our values, empower self-expression, and serve the greater good.

With the rise of ethical AI comes great responsibility. We believe technology should support storytelling, not override it. That’s why our focus remains on preserving the soul of storytelling while embracing innovation in thoughtful, inclusive ways.

In the next five years, stories will not only entertain; they will mobilize. Whether through cultural shifts, policy conversations, or personal breakthroughs, storytelling will become one of the most powerful forces for meaningful change. That is the future we’re helping to build.