You’re talented. Strategic. Capable. You’ve done the work, built the thing, and yet… it still feels like you’re running uphill in a windstorm with a laptop strapped to your back.

Sound familiar?

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the real reason your business feels harder than it should—because you’ve been building it alone. From decision fatigue to creative burnout, we’re unpacking the invisible costs of the solo gr...

Your offers sound good—but they’re not selling. Here’s why.

You know your client’s problem. You’ve done the work. You’ve mapped the pain points. But somehow, when it comes time to sell your offer, people hesitate. They say, “Let me think about it…” and vanish into inbox purgatory. Sound familiar?

In this episode, I’m sharing the 3-part framework that transformed my own flopped launches into fully booked offers—the Problem, Promise, a...

Your service packages aren't selling—but it's probably not what you think.

This week, I'm sharing the story of an incredibly talented OBM who had beautiful, professional-looking packages that nobody was buying. Not because she wasn't good at what she did. Not because her pricing was off. But because she was solving Problem A when her clients desperately needed help with Problem Z.

If you've ever had people say "that sounds g...

Your service packages aren't selling—but it's probably not what you think.

This week, I'm sharing the story of an incredibly talented OBM who had beautiful, professional-looking packages that nobody was buying. Not because she wasn't good at what she did. Not because her pricing was off. But because she was solving Problem A when her clients desperately needed help with Problem Z.

If you've ever had people say "that sounds great!" an...

Is your course secretly setting your students up to fail? In this episode of Your Community Strategist, I unpack why most courses are still designed for 2020—and how that’s leaving 85% of your students feeling overwhelmed, guilty, and disconnected.

🎯 The reality check: binge-worthy content might work for Netflix, but it’s silently killing your course completion rates. What your students really need is a shift from content del...

Is your community losing members before they even get started? In this episode of Community @ Heart, I share the jaw-dropping onboarding story from John Deere that completely changed how I think about first impressions in community building.

🎯 The reality check: Most new members are mentally checking out within their first 72 hours—not because your content isn't good, but because their first experience feels like wandering in...

Let’s be real—Pinterest might still have a reputation for wedding inspo and midlife kitchen renos, but if that’s all you think it’s good for, you’re missing out on a seriously powerful marketing machine.

To help us dust off the glitter glue and turn Pinterest into a traffic-driving, lead-generating engine, I’m joined by Megan Williamson, founder of Pin Potential Inc. and Pinterest’s unofficial (but very official) queen bee. Wi...

Let's be real—hosting a summit is a ton of work, but the real magic (and money) happens after it's over. Yet this is exactly when most hosts drop the ball, feeling relieved it's done instead of capitalizing on all the momentum they've built.

To help us unlock the post-summit goldmine, I'm joined by Julie C. Butler, known as the Summit Queen. Julie is a virtual summit coach who specializes in helping coaches confidently host their fi...

Is your community stuck on shuffle? You might be delivering all the right content, but if the rhythm is off, engagement falls flat. In this episode of Community at Heart, I share a fresh take on community design inspired by… a disastrous 5:30 AM workout playlist.

🎶 Enter: The Playlist Principle — a simple framework to help you sync your community rhythms with the natural flow of your members’ lives.

You’ll learn:

▸ How to use daily,...

Discover the "Popsicle Hotline" strategy that's revolutionizing how successful communities retain members! In this episode of Community at Heart, I reveals how creating memorable moments transforms ordinary memberships into unforgettable experiences.

You'll learn:

• Why content alone isn't enough to keep members engaged
• The psychology behind memorable moments (backed by research)
• 3 simple, zero-cost strategies you can implement TODAY
• ...

Let's be real—if you're still the one creating all the content, answering all the questions, and trying to keep the energy up, it's no wonder you're exhausted. But here's the thing: your members want to contribute—they just don't know how. And that's where a solid contributor system comes in.

To help us break this down, I'm joined by Candice Grobler, founder of Candid Collab. Candice is a powerhouse when it comes to building systems...

Ever wonder why some challenges get 327 sign-ups with a tiny email list and zero ad spend, while others struggle to fill seats? The secret isn't a massive audience or marketing genius—it's strategic promotion before your challenge and intentional follow-through after it ends.

In this final episode of our gamification series, I'm revealing the complete framework for turning your challenge into a business-building powerhouse. From the...

Ever wonder why some challenges get abandoned halfway through while others keep participants obsessively engaged until the very end? The secret isn't just great content—it's strategic gamification that transforms ordinary tasks into an irresistible experience.

In this episode, I'm revealing the psychology behind what makes challenges addictive (in the best way possible!) and sharing the exact elements that doubled engagement rates i...

Ready to transform your community with a challenge that actually drives engagement? In this tactical episode of Your Community Strategist, I'm breaking down the perfect anatomy of a successful community challenge.

Discover why 5-7 days is the engagement sweet spot, the essential components every challenge day needs, and the critical "challenge arc" that keeps participants motivated from start to finish. I'll walk you through common ...

In this episode, I explore how simple challenges can transform community engagement and completely revitalize a quiet space. From breaking down the psychology behind effective gamification to sharing real-world success stories, I'll give you the tools to create challenges that captivate your community and turn passive members into active participants.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction: Emma's Engagement Transformation

01:22&...

Ever opened an email notification while on vacation and felt that familiar pang of guilt? In this episode, I'm sharing the exact system I used to take a real vacation (as I'm enjoying Baltimore with my family right now!), and how you can do the same without your community falling apart.

We'll explore why stepping away is not just possible but necessary, plus practical systems to keep things running smoothly in your absence. If the t...

In this eye-opening episode, I break down why you're probably doing too much in your community management – and what to focus on instead. I'll show you how to identify the vital 20% of activities that generate 80% of your results, so you can eliminate busywork and concentrate on what truly drives engagement.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: The Exhaustion of Community Management

00:58 Meet Rachel Starr: Your Community Strateg...

In this episode, I'll show you how to transform your online community from forgettable to unforgettable by defining your unique brand personality through popular TV shows. I break down why generic communities fail and how adopting the right TV show personality—whether it's The Office's relatability, Ted Lasso's optimism, or Succession's ambition—can dramatically increase engagement and member loyalty.

I'll walk you through identifyi...

In this episode, I dive into one of the most critical aspects of community building: onboarding new members. I'll show you why most new members vanish within their first week, and walk you through my step-by-step system to create an onboarding experience that keeps them engaged, connected, and excited to participate.

Timestamps:

• 01:02 The Importance of Community Building
• 01:18 Weekly Dive into Community Essentials
• 02:04&n...