Social Media News Live: Discussing the latest social media tools, tips, and tactics with industry experts, innovators, creators, and storytellers

If you’ve ever tried to build something on the side while working a full-time job, you know how quickly things can get overwhelming.

In this episode, Sean “Tater” Roberson, the creator behind But Mostly Disney, shares how he’s been able to grow his brand while still balancing a full-time career. We get into how he works within the limits of his schedule, how he approaches creating content consistently, and most importantly, about managing expectations. 

He shares his take on what growth really looks like when you’re not doing this full-time, and how to keep showing up even when progress feels slow. This is a practical look at building something sust...

If you’ve been wondering whether Facebook is still worth your time as a creator… this episode answers that pretty clearly.

Paul Gowder breaks down exactly how Facebook monetization works right now, including what’s actually paying, what’s changed, and who actually gets those elusive bonuses ($30,000??!) everyone keeps talking about.

Topics Covered

Who This Episode Is For

AI can write your captions, generate your images, and even help script your videos. So where does that leave you?

That’s exactly what I explored in this episode with Ryan Koral.

Ryan has spent years helping creators, filmmakers, and business owners tell better stories. And what came up again and again in our conversation is this simple truth: the thing that actually connects with people is the one thing AI can’t replicate… your story.

We talked about why so many creators struggle to share their story, how AI fits into the process without replacing you, and what it really takes to create content that people care abo...

What happens when you stop learning alone and start building alongside other creators who actually get it?

Business growth, accountability, friendship… the list goes on.

That’s exactly what I’ve experienced in my weekly meetings with fellow solopreneurs Paul Gowder, Rich Watts, Jim Fuhs, Kira Pogge Brewka, and Amy Kehs, where we talk through what’s actually working, what’s not, and where we’re stuck in our businesses.

And what is this mystical council of creatives called, you may be asking?

A mastermind.

But instead of just talking abou...

What books actually change the way you think?

In this episode, Conor Brown and I share ten books that have shaped how we approach business, creativity, and life. We each brought our top picks, a mix of fiction and nonfiction, and talked about why these stories and ideas stuck with us long after we finished reading them.

From leadership and creativity to storytelling and personal growth, these books have influenced how we make decisions, solve problems, and think about the world around us. If you’re always on the lookout for your next great read, th...

Monetizing content is something a lot of creators talk about, but not everyone actually figures out how to do it without burning out or chasing every new trend that pops up. In this episode, we sit down with Lou Mongello, the creator behind the award-winning WDW Radio podcast, to talk about what sustainable monetization actually looks like when you build a brand around community, trust, and long-term relationships.

Lou shares how he transformed a passion project into a thriving business that includes podcasting, live events, memberships, books, and more. Instead of relying on quick wins or platform...

Everyone says you should build an email list. Fewer people can tell you how to actually grow one.

In this episode, we sit down with Chenell Basilio, founder of Growth in Reverse, to talk about what’s really working right now when it comes to newsletter growth. Chenell studies fast-growing newsletters for a living, and what she shares isn’t theory. It’s patterns she sees over and over again across creators who are adding thousands of subscribers without massive audiences.

If you’ve been sending emails but not seeing growth, this episode breaks down what act...

If you’ve ever thought, “I just need to make more money, and everything will be fine,” this episode might surprise you. I sat down with licensed accountant, Ralph Estep Jr. to talk about why most creators struggle financially, and why the issue usually isn’t taxes, write-offs, or some secret loophole they’re missing.

Ralph explains that the real challenge for creators is often mindset, structure, and clarity around cash flow. We get into why inconsistent income makes planning harder, why mixing personal and business money creates stress, and how a lack of simple systems can make even...

A lot of creators think writing a book is something you do after you’ve “made it.” In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Vassallo to talk about why that mindset is backwards, and why a book can still be one of the most powerful credibility tools a content creator can have. We get into how books build authority, open doors, and help people take you seriously long before you have a massive audience.

Lauren also breaks down how AI is changing the publishing process, not by replacing writers, but by lowering the friction that stops most p...

If you’ve ever thought, “We’re doing good work… so why is nobody paying attention?” this episode is going to hit close to home. I sat down with Amy Kehs, who’s spent decades helping museums, including the Smithsonian, go from overlooked to deeply loved. And while her background is in museums, everything we talk about applies directly to creators, solopreneurs, and small businesses.

We dig into why marketing alone isn’t cutting it anymore, especially in a world where people are overwhelmed with messages all day long. Amy breaks down the real difference between marketing, advertising, a...

There’s a lot of noise right now about AI replacing creators, automating everything, and turning content into something fast, polished, and forgettable. In this episode, I sit down with Paul Gowder to talk about why the opposite shift is happening, creators are leaning more human, more personal, and more real, not less.

Paul has spent decades building community online, long before algorithms and AI tools were part of the conversation. We talk about why raw content is starting to outperform polished feeds, why people are craving connection over perfection, and how things like live video, email, an...

A lot of content creators talk about monetization, but very few explain what it actually looks like. In this episode, we chat with Billy Thorpe, who’s built a real business around brand deals, shoppable videos, and live selling without relying on a massive audience or viral hits.

Billy breaks down why most creators misunderstand brand deals, especially the idea that you need big follower counts to get paid. We dig into what brands really care about: usable content, clear demos, reliability, and why systems matter more than motivation. He also shares how volume, when done with re...

If design has ever felt overwhelming, especially with AI tools popping up every five minutes, you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by Maliha Khan, founder of Khanect the Dots, to talk about what’s really happening at the intersection of AI, Canva, and modern design workflows, and how creators can use these tools without spiraling into chaos.

Maliha has a great way of describing where many creators get stuck, the “messy middle” between strategy and execution. We dig into how AI can either help you move faster or push you straight into tactical overload...

If you’ve noticed your content isn’t getting found the way it used to, you’re not imagining things. Search is changing fast, and AI is right in the middle of it. This week, I’m joined by my friend Rich Brooks, digital marketing veteran, agency owner, and host of the Agents of Change podcast, to break down what’s actually happening behind the scenes with search and what creators need to do next.

We talk about why informational SEO is taking a hit, how AI overviews and answer engines are changing traffic patterns, and why fewer visi...

If you’ve ever wondered why your YouTube channel seems stuck (fewer views, flat growth, confused analytics), you’re not alone. In this episode, Jerry Potter joins us to break down what’s actually changed inside YouTube’s ecosystem in 2025 and why creators who “used to do everything right” are now struggling. Jerry has grown multiple successful channels and now teaches business owners how to build a thriving YouTube presence in just 90 minutes a week, without burnout.

Jerry explains the shift from keyword-based discovery to AI-driven understanding. YouTube is no longer relying on tags and titles alone; it can inter...

If you’ve ever wondered why some podcasters seem to attract clients effortlessly while others feel like they’re shouting into the void, this conversation with Katie Brinkley is the one you want in your earbuds. Katie has been helping business owners turn podcasts into strategic assets for years, and in this episode she breaks down how you can use your show to build trust, shorten your sales cycle, and stop treating your podcast like a hobby that’s supposed to magically “go viral.”

We dig into why intention beats volume, why a clear “why” for your show changes e...

If you’ve ever felt like podcasting is equal parts joy and chaos, you’re in good company. In this episode, I sit down with Darrell Darnell, the founder of Pro Podcast Solutions, to talk about what it actually takes to build a show that lasts. Darrell’s been producing podcasts since the early days, and he’s seen just about every possible mistake, burnout cycle, and “why am I doing this?” moment creators run into.

What I love about Darrell is that he’s built his entire career around making podcasting sustainable, not stressful. From fan-driven shows like Fri...

Search is changing fast. We’re no longer just writing for algorithms; we’re writing for AI. This week, I’m joined by Brian Piper, co-author of Epic Content Marketing and Director of Content Strategy at the University of Rochester, to talk about how discoverability works in the age of AI.

Brian breaks down how search results are shifting toward AI answers and virtual assistants, what “AEO” (Answer Engine Optimization) means for creators, and why the days of relying solely on keywords and backlinks are behind us. We dig into how brands and creators can build real authority...

Bad audio is one of the fastest ways to lose an audience, no matter how great your content is. But sounding better doesn’t have to mean buying piles of gear or learning how to mix audio like a pro. This week, I’m joined by Laura Clapp Davidson, musician, content creator, and market development manager at Shure, who knows exactly how to make creators sound their best.

Laura explains how to simplify your setup, fix common mistakes, and pick the right mic for your space and budget. We talk about everything from the basics of guest audi...

Let’s be honest, most of us aren’t designers. But in today’s feed, visuals can make or break whether your content gets noticed. This week, I’m joined by Jim MacLeod, creative director, marketing strategist, and author of The Visual Marketer: The Marketer's Crash Course for Creating Memorable and Effective Visuals, to talk about how creators can craft scroll-stopping visuals without needing a design degree. 

Jim shares how to build a consistent, recognizable brand identity across platforms, why color and typography matter more than trends, and how to use AI and design tools to simplify the creat...

Conferences can be pricey, but are they worth it for creators? Paul Gowder joins me to share how in-person events can transform your business, your network, and your confidence.

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If you’ve ever stared at the price tag for a conference ticket and thought, “Do I really need to go?”, this episode’s for you. Between the travel, hotel, and time away from work, it’s a big investment, but one that might just change your business.

This week, I’m joined by Paul Gowder, founder of PowWows.com, who’s spent over 25 years...

We’ve all heard about the exciting side of AI: new tools, faster workflows, and creative possibilities that seem endless. But there’s another side of this technology that doesn’t always make the headlines. The one that’s darker, riskier, and potentially dangerous for small businesses and creators like us.

This week, I’m joined by Ramon Ray, speaker, entrepreneur, and Bitdefender’s Small Business Ambassador. Ramon’s spent years helping entrepreneurs protect their businesses while building powerful personal brands. In this episode, we unpack what’s really going on behind the scenes with AI development, from the rise of...

Ever gone live and wondered if anyone was actually watching? Or maybe you’ve been showing up week after week and thinking, “Okay… but how do I turn this into real leads and clients?”

This week, I’m joined by my friend Tanya Smith, video strategist, business coach, and creator of the Stream Like a Boss framework. Tanya knows exactly how to turn your live streams into steady, sustainable revenue, and she does it without losing the fun or authenticity that makes live video so powerful.

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at an empty chat w...

This week’s episode is a little different. A couple of weeks ago, I hosted a four-part live training series called 'Social Media for Video People' with my friends over at Ecamm. We spent an entire week breaking down how creators can save time, use smarter tools, and show up with confidence on video. And since this last workshop fell right on my normal Friday slot, I decided to bring you along for the ride.

In this session, we tackled one of the biggest questions creators wrestle with: where should I be posting my videos, and how can...

Everywhere you turn, creators are talking about AI. Should you be leaning into tools that save you time, churn out content, and help with workflows? Or should your energy go into building real relationships and community that lasts? That’s the big question Conor and I tackled this week with our friend Paul Gowder of PowWows.com.

Paul has been building thriving online communities since before AI was even on the radar, and he’s quick to point out that the smartest path forward is learning how to use both together. In this conversation, we wrestle with the...

Ever buy a “miracle app” that promised to automate your business, write your copy, and maybe even walk the dog… only to have it end up collecting dust in a folder called Someday? Same here. That’s why this week Conor and I are comparing notes on the AI tools that actually stuck. These are the ones we’ve folded into our real workflows, the tools saving us time and keeping us sane when the content calendar feels relentless.

From editing podcasts into social clips to spinning up client portals in minutes, these five tools are pulling serious we...

Join us for a high-impact conversation with Amanda Robinson, Meta Certified Lead Trainer and founder of The Digital Gal, as we break down what’s working, and what still needs a human touch, in Facebook advertising for 2025.

Amanda shares how Meta’s AI-powered Advantage+ tools are reshaping the way small businesses run ads, from generating creative variations to expanding targeting. She explains where these features help level the playing field and where advertisers still need to step in and babysit campaigns.

We also explore how to structure budgets, when boosting a post makes sense, and how...

In this episode, Conor Brown joins me to share the biggest lessons we pulled from two impactful business books that tackle burnout, balance, and what it really means to build lasting success.

We break down the key takeaways from Lean Learning by Pat Flynn and The 5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom, exploring how creators and entrepreneurs can shift their mindset, set priorities, and focus on what really matters. From the dangers of information overload to the importance of defining wealth beyond money, these books offer a roadmap to help you create with purpose and avoid burnout.<...

Join us for a thoughtful conversation with Katie Fawkes, Director of Marketing at Ecamm, as we explore how creators can make the most of networking opportunities, whether at large industry conferences or intimate local meetups.

Katie shares how being intentional with your time, energy, and goals can transform any event into a meaningful connection-building experience. From navigating the overwhelming pace of mega conferences to embracing the relationship-focused nature of smaller gatherings, she offers practical advice for choosing the right events and showing up prepared.

We also unpack the importance of following up after meeting someone...

Today, AI consultant and creative tech specialist Ian Anderson Gray shares how to make AI workflows practical, approachable, and downright fun. Ian shares how his unique background as a professional classical singer led him to help entrepreneurs and teams adopt human-centered AI with confidence.

We cover everything from voice-powered prompting to automation tools that connect your favorite platforms, plus coding without the headache using emerging “vibe coding” methods. Ian walks through real examples from his work, like building calendar assistants, streamlining podcast production, and using AI as a “second brain” to organize ideas.

He also shares h...

Join us for a practical and inspiring conversation with Paul Gowder, founder of PowWows.com, as he shares proven strategies to grow your email list and keep subscribers engaged. Paul walks through the essential steps for creating irresistible opt-ins, building trust with your audience, and sending emails that people actually look forward to opening.

He explains how to approach list growth with a mix of creativity and consistency, including why you should focus on quality subscribers over quantity. Paul also shares how segmentation, clear calls to action, and smart automation can help you nurture leads into loyal...

In this episode, live video strategist and Cast Ahead founder Chris Stone shares six game-changing secrets for producing professional-quality video without draining your budget or your time.

Chris walks us through how to plan content that connects, choose gear that works for your goals, and keep production smooth from start to finish. He reveals how to build a system that saves time while keeping the creative spark alive, plus why knowing your audience’s needs should drive every production decision.

We also explore strategies for working smarter, from batching content and repurposing clips to building re...

Join us for a high-impact conversation with Paul Gowder, founder of PowWows.com and veteran digital community builder, as we explore how email marketing continues to be one of the most powerful tools in a creator’s toolkit.

With more than two decades of experience and over 100,000 email subscribers, Paul walks us through his proven approach to list-building, audience engagement, and authentic communication. He shares how to start with a welcome sequence, what to send after it, and how to craft emails that feel personal and valuable without getting stuck in perfectionism.

Paul also sheds li...

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Jason Goff, Senior Community & Support Specialist for Social Media Examiner, as we explore why strong, engaged communities are the ultimate way to cut through the noise and outlast shifting algorithms.

Jason shares how building authentic connections with your audience not only creates loyalty but also provides a safety net when social platforms change their rules. He breaks down the strategies that keep people coming back, delivering consistent value, hosting meaningful conversations, and fostering a sense of belonging.

We discuss the importance of owning your audience through platforms like...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jill Roberts, Ecamm’s community manager and a powerhouse content creator with over 30,000 YouTube subscribers. In this episode, Jill breaks down simple, repeatable video strategies that actually work for busy entrepreneurs, no film school required.

Jill shares how she built her content habit by recording quick videos immediately after helping someone solve a problem. Her approach? If it helped one person, chances are it’ll help more. With a background in education and communications, she emphasizes how staying in a helpful mindset makes it easier to show up consistently on vide...

Ever wanted to peek behind the curtain and see how creators really use AI day to day? In this special AMA edition, co-hosts Conor Brown and Jeff Sieh answer community questions about the tools, workflows, and smart shortcuts they use to create more content, faster—and with a lot less stress.

From writing scripts and planning podcast segments to generating thumbnails and training AI on your brand voice, this episode is packed with practical tips and creative ways to streamline your process. Conor shares how he uses AI to brainstorm with clients and create podcast rundowns, while Je...

Trying to keep up with AI while running a business? You’re not alone. In this episode of Social Media News Live, we’re joined by Phil Pallen, branding strategist, keynote speaker, and author of AI for Small Business, to talk about how solopreneurs and small teams can use AI to boost productivity without losing the personal touch.

Phil shares his practical framework for using AI in ways that actually make sense for your business, starting with tracking your time and identifying the tasks you should keep, delegate, or automate. He also walks us through how to trai...

Ever wonder why some content sparks nonstop conversation while yours falls flat? In this episode, Brooke Sellas returns to break down the neuroscience behind engagement and how to build what she calls a “dopamine machine” for your brand. Spoiler: it’s not about pushing more content, it’s about triggering emotion.

Brooke, CEO of B Squared Media and author of Conversations That Connect, explains how our brains are wired for feel-good interactions, and why your social content needs to do more than inform; it needs to spark connection. We explore the shift from content-first to conversation-first strategy, how bran...

Can a $27 product really transform your business? In this week’s episode, we sit down with Allie Bjerk, the marketing strategist behind the wildly successful Tiny Offer® method. Allie shares how she turned a simple, time-saving product into a multi-seven-figure business—and how you can use her playbook to create low-ticket offers that convert cold traffic into loyal buyers.

We unpack what makes tiny offers different from traditional tripwires, how to structure bonuses to overcome buyer objections, and how to build a profitable funnel—even with rising ad costs. Allie also discusses how AI tools are helping entrepr...

What makes a community truly thrive, and why are so many memberships failing to deliver? In this episode, we’re joined by Vincent Pugliese, founder of Membership Freedom and author of The Wealth of Connection, to rethink how we approach online communities in 2025.

Vincent shares his philosophy of leading with connection instead of content, why smaller groups outperform larger ones, and how entrepreneurs can build communities that grow and last. He breaks down the mindset shifts needed for successful recurring revenue, how to build a membership people actually want to stay in, and why the most important st...