Hits And Misses Of The Hot Mess Summer Of 2025 (Ep. 311)

Hits And Misses Of The Hot Mess Summer Of 2025 (Ep. 311) Episode Summary

This week on That Solo Life, hosts Karen Swim, APR, and Michelle Kane unpack this“Hot Mess Summer”—the surprising, cringey, and cautionary moments that shaped the season for PR and communications pros. From return-to-office whiplash and AI overpromises to social media pile-ons, brand missteps, and the pursuit of excellence in a rush-first culture, they offer candid insights and practical takeaways for solo practitioners navigating constant change.

Episode Highlights

• 00:12–01:08 | Welcome back: Setting up the “Hot Mess Summer” theme for PR and marketing pros 
• 01:29–02:32 | The world of work: RTO mandates, hiring freezes, and overestimating AI’s impact 
• 02:33–03:41 | Planning in uncertainty: How economic jitters ripple through day-to-day comms work 
• 03:53–05:04 | Social media fatigue: Declining nuance, instant outrage, and what it means for brands 
• 05:04–06:22 | The vigilante effect: Why some users treat negativity as a hobby—and how to respond 
• 06:32–07:17 | Slowing down to get it right: Replying with care in a rush-first culture 
• 07:48–09:10 | Over-curation vs. authenticity: Balancing audience feedback with sound business decisions 
• 09:16–10:12 | People-pleasing pitfalls: You can’t please everyone—stay true to mission and values 
• 09:31–10:11 | Event aesthetics vs. meaning: Designing for impact, not just Instagram 
• 10:12–11:05 | Community pile-ons: Why “take it to the business first” matters 
• 11:05–12:08 | Complication creep: Tech, AI, and unnecessary hurdles for communicators 
• 11:46–12:46 | Excellence still matters: How quality elevates audience experience 
• 12:47–14:05 | Brand name changes gone sideways: Lessons from high-profile rebrands 
• 14:39–15:53 | Risk hygiene: The case against bringing blankets to the movies (and other practical worries) 
• 16:00–16:22 | Looking ahead: Manifesting a calmer, more prosperous fall for solos 
• 16:19–16:35 | Join the convo: How to share your Hot Mess Summer stories

Related Episodes & Additional Information

• Episode 300: How To Manage Sticky Situations In PR
• Entrepreneur: How to Set Boundaries With Your Clients Without Losing Business

Host & Show Info

That Solo Life is a podcast created for public relations, communication, and marketing professionals who work as independent and small practitioners. Hosted by Karen Swim, APR, founder of Words For Hire and President of Solo PR, and Michelle Kane, Principal of Voice Matters, the show delivers expert insights, encouragement, and advice for solo PR pros navigating today’s dynamic professional landscape.

Share and Subscribe!

If this episode made you nod, laugh, or rethink your approach, don’t keep it to yourself—follow That Solo Life in your favorite podcast app, leave a 5-star review to help other solo pros find us, and share Episode 311 with a colleague. Got your own “Hot Mess Summer” story or a topic you want us to tackle? Send it to us at soloprpro.com. Your story might be featured in an upcoming episode!