Eric L. Payne is a storyteller, podcaster, and thought leader known for his vulnerable explorations of reinvention and resilience. A Cornell and Binghamton University graduate, Eric has spent over 20 years in marketing and communications leadership with some of the world’s most recognizable brands. In 2008, he launched MakesMeWannaHoller.com, a popular and award-winning fatherhood and marriage blog, which opened the door for him to become the first staff writer for BlackandMarriedwithKids.com, where he penned the infamous article, My Wife is (Not) My Friend on Facebook. As a result of his writings, he graced several conference stages to discuss fatherhood and marriage and was a regular contributor to Headline News as a fatherhood expert. In 2019, he launched his most creative venture to date, The Dating After Divorce Survival Guide —a serial podcast about the aftermath of getting divorced and beginning again as a man in his mid-forties. The podcast is listened to in over 100 countries and has provided humor and comfort to both men and women navigating the waters of post-divorce life. In 2025, Eric launched The Bounceback, a newsletter that explores the intersection of loss, reinvention, and joy.

Named a 2023 ADCOLOR Leader for his human-centric storytelling in advertising, Eric has cultivated a devoted following eager for his eloquent and empathetic reflections on the things that impact us the most, our day-to-day existence, and the people we encounter along the way. He has an active following on LinkedIn, where he challenges people not to compartmentalize and show up authentically in every room they enter.

Through his podcast, speaking engagements, and long-form essays, Eric challenges the cultural silence surrounding male emotional vulnerability—particularly among Black men—and provides a roadmap for what healing and love can look, sound, and feel like.