Beyond the Booth: What Ola Miedzynska Taught Me About Real Connection
- Lila Monroe
- Sep 6, 2025
- 4 min read
By Lila Monroe – Only Fans Insider Magazine
When Joseph forwarded me Ola Miedzynska’s LinkedIn post, I was sitting in my Brooklyn apartment, hair still wet from the shower, sipping what was probably my third cold brew of the morning. At first glance, it looked like another trade show recap. But then one line jumped out at me:
“Audiences don’t connect with empty templates or synthetic voices. They follow people because of their unique perspective, style, and energy.”
I read it again. And again.
Because in an industry where the hype machine is always chasing the next big thing—AI, VR, avatars, automation—it was refreshing to see someone cut through the noise with a reminder that felt so simple, yet so powerful: connection is human.
When “AI Magic” Becomes Smoke and Mirrors
Ola’s reflections on XBIZ reminded me of how often we’re sold on “AI magic.” A new tool promises “passive income” while stripping away the one thing creators actually trade in: authenticity.
A cloned voice might sound sleek. An avatar might look futuristic. But none of it replicates the spark of a real creator speaking directly to their audience. Fans don’t pay for automation—they pay for intimacy, originality, and energy.
Ola nailed it: if these so-called innovations don’t strengthen the relationship between creator and fan, they won’t last. What creators actually need are tools that empower them, not gimmicks that dilute their connection.
The Booth Problem: When Knowledge Is Missing
The other part of Ola’s post that stopped me was her frustration with trade show booths staffed by reps who don’t even understand the product.
I’ve seen it myself: gleaming signage, glossy brochures, promises plastered on big LED screens—and then a rep who stumbles when you ask the simplest question. It’s not just disappointing, it’s dangerous. In an industry where trust is everything, a hollow pitch kills credibility instantly.
That’s when Joseph’s voice echoed in my mind. When I showed him Ola’s post, he smiled that knowing smile he gets when something hits too close to home.
Joseph has a long history in trade shows and expos—he’s seen waves of tech fads sweep through: VR booths with headsets that left people dizzy, AR demos that never translated into real business. And yet, the basics of trade shows—registration, networking, relationship-building—are still running on systems that feel like they’re stuck in 2005.
“Tech always wants to jump into the future,” Joseph told me. “But humans don’t move that fast.”
And he’s right. You can’t replace handshakes, conversations, or the trust built over a shared coffee with a headset or hologram.
Why Humans Still Matter
Joseph said something else that stuck with me:
“This industry is still developing a press. Without a voice, a human network, and open communication, tech is simply too far away from the people working day and night to earn money online.”
That’s exactly why Only Fans Insider Magazine exists. Our articles are more than content—they’re a chance for creators to be heard, for fans to connect with their stories, for authenticity to shine beyond a feed or a reel.
And our Local Chapters Program? It’s deliberately old school. In-person. Local. Human. No funnels. No pitches. Just creators gathering monthly, face-to-face, to share experiences. Because no matter how far tech advances, people will always need people.
Outside the Agenda
Ola’s point about the best connections happening outside the scheduled programming rang especially true for me.
I’ve seen it happen in real time. Some of my best conversations with creators don’t happen during the formal interview—they happen after, when the camera is off and the recorder is put away. That’s when someone shares the detail they were too nervous to include on record, or the story that makes their entire journey click into place.
And in our editorial team, those late-night debates with Ryder and Joseph, over greasy pizza and lukewarm coffee, often spark bigger ideas than the ones we planned for. It’s messy, unscripted, and deeply human—and it’s often where the magic happens.
Trade shows, expos, and industry events are the same. The speeches and panels matter, but the life-changing conversations often happen outside the booth, when the scripts are dropped, and authenticity takes over.
Building the Bridge Between Digital and Physical
What Ola, Joseph, and I are all circling around is this: the future isn’t about abandoning human connection for tech. It’s about building bridges between the physical and digital.
Articles can amplify a voice far beyond the reach of an event. But in-person meetups anchor those voices in lived experience. Tech tools can enhance workflows. But trust—real trust—is forged in conversation.
That’s why the creator economy has to resist the temptation to chase shiny promises and instead double down on building systems that honor humanity.
Some Final Reflections
Ola’s post wasn’t just about XBIZ. It was about the future of our industry.
We need tools that empower, not erase. Demos that connect, not confuse. And platforms that amplify, not exploit.
At Only Fans Insider Magazine, I see this lesson every day. The reason people spend 11 minutes reading an article isn’t because of the headlines—it’s because of the human story behind it. The reason our Chapters Program is resonating globally is because creators crave real connection, not just digital noise.
As Joseph said, humans don’t move that fast. And maybe that’s the best news of all. Because while tech keeps rushing ahead, there’s something timeless about sitting across from someone, hearing their story, and realizing you’re both part of building the same future.
And if Ola’s post is any indication, we’re not just building an industry. We’re building a community.
By Lila Monroe – Only Fans Insider Magazine
Learn more about Ola Miedzynska
CEO & Founder | Speaker | Strategist |
Ecosystem Builder in High-Risk & Adult Tech
SXPR
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