Social Media Decoded

Building Community at Scale: Live with Eventbrite CEO Julia Hartz

In this special LIVE edition of Social Media Decoded, host Michelle Thames sits down with Julia Hartz, CEO and co-founder of Eventbrite, for a powerful conversation on the future of events, visibility, and real-world connection. As live experiences make a major comeback, Julia shares why events are no longer a “nice-to-have,” but a core visibility and community-building strategy for creators, entrepreneurs, and brands. Together, Michelle and Julia explore: * How events have evolved as a visibility and growth tool * Why real connection is becoming more valuable than algorithms * The rise of niche, intimate, and under-the-radar experiences * Common mistakes event hosts make — and how to fix them * What great leaders and community builders do differently Julia also gives a sneak peek into Eventbrite’s 2026 trend report, “Social Study: Reset to Real,” highlighting how the most social generation is redefining connection through: * Off-Script Energy — embracing spontaneity and unpredictability * Soft Socializing — connection without pressure * Layers, Not Labels — blending niches, cultures, and interests for richer experiences If you’re building community, hosting events, or looking for new ways to grow your visibility in 2026, this episode is a must-listen. This episode was recorded live and is available in audio and video format on all podcast platforms. ---------------------------------------- KEY TOPICS COVERED * Live events as a visibility strategy * Community-driven growth * Authentic leadership and hosting * Event marketing trends for 2026 * How creators can stand out offline and online ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES MENTIONED * Eventbrite 2026 Trend Report: Social Study: Reset to Real https://www.eventbrite.com/social-study-trends/ [https://www.eventbrite.com/social-study-trends/] * Eventbrite platform for creators & community hosts If this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow entrepreneur or event host and tag us. Let’s keep building community with intention. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Webinars and Live Events Are NOT Dead — You’re Just Doing Them Wrong

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames explains why webinars and live events still convert in today’s marketing landscape and why many businesses believe they no longer work. She breaks down what actually kills conversions, how trust is built in live rooms, and the mindset shift required to turn visibility into real action. WHAT THIS EPISODE COVERS * Why webinars and live events still work when designed with intention * The biggest mistakes that prevent live experiences from converting * How live rooms build trust faster than content alone * The difference between teaching and creating connection * Why clarity and positioning matter more than audience size * How to think about live experiences as trust accelerators * What to do before and after a live event to support conversion WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR * Entrepreneurs hosting webinars or live events * Coaches and consultants struggling with low conversion * Business owners who want deeper trust with their audience * Creators who feel visible but not connected KEY TAKEAWAYS * Live experiences convert when they are built for trust, not performance * Small, intentional rooms often outperform large audiences * Conversion starts before the room opens and continues after it closes * Visibility works best when paired with clarity and direction CALL TO ACTION If you want help creating live experiences that actually convert, explore Visibility Power Hours or join The Collective for ongoing strategy and support. Links are available in the show notes. https://michellethames.com/elevate-and-empower-collective ABOUT THE HOST Michelle Thames is a marketing strategist, speaker, and community builder who helps entrepreneurs turn visibility into real opportunities through intentional strategy and relationship-led marketing. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Grief, Social Media & Visibility: Why You’re Allowed to Pause Without Falling Behind

It’s been a heavy start to 2026. In this real, raw episode, Michelle Thames opens up about navigating deep personal loss while running a business and showing up online. After losing her stepfather, cousin, and a childhood friend within days, Michelle reflects on how grief collides with the pressure to stay visible on social media. This episode explores the social media side of grief—why algorithms don’t pause when life hits, how burnout accelerates when we force content through pain, and what it really means to take a break without guilt or shame. Michelle shares both personal insight and expert perspective on sustainable visibility, rest, and long-term brand integrity. If you’re grieving, overwhelmed, or feeling pressure to “keep going” online when your heart needs space, this conversation is for you. ---------------------------------------- WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE * How grief shows up in a social media–driven world * Why “rest is not a failure of consistency” * The hidden cost of forcing content during emotional exhaustion * How to pause, scale back, or shift visibility without losing momentum * What presence looks like when perfection isn’t possible * Permission to grieve without performing online ---------------------------------------- KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED * Grief and social media * Rest and visibility as a business owner * Burnout prevention for entrepreneurs * Sustainable content creation * Mental health and online presence * Taking breaks without losing your audience * Human-centered leadership and brand longevity This episode is for: * Entrepreneurs navigating grief or emotional burnout * Content creators feeling pressure to stay visible * Business owners who want sustainable visibility * Anyone grieving a loss while still showing up for others ---------------------------------------- POWERFUL QUOTES FROM THE EPISODE * “Grief doesn’t move at the speed of content.” * “Rest is not a failure of consistency. It’s a strategy for longevity.” * “Your audience doesn’t need perfection. They need presence.” * “You are not behind. You are not lazy. You are not failing.” ---------------------------------------- LISTENER TAKEAWAY You are allowed to pause. You are allowed to grieve. And your voice will still matter when you return. ---------------------------------------- Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why Your Lead Magnet Isn’t Working (and the Relationship Strategy That Converts) with Lauren Najar

If you’ve been posting consistently but still wondering “Why aren’t my lead magnets converting?” or “Where are my aligned clients?” — this episode is a must-listen. In today’s conversation, Michelle Thames is joined by Lauren Najar, a business coach and lead strategist who helps women entrepreneurs turn visibility into real revenue — without burnout, constant posting, or chasing algorithms. This episode breaks down what’s actually working in 2025 when it comes to lead generation, intentional visibility, and building a sales ecosystem rooted in relationships. Lauren shares why most entrepreneurs already have leads (they just aren’t tracking them), why content alone isn’t enough anymore, and how simple conversations can turn into consistent clients. ---------------------------------------- IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER: * Why “not having leads” is usually a tracking problem, not a visibility problem * How to use Instagram intentionally as a top-of-funnel tool * Why follower count does not equal income * The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make relying on content alone * What intentional visibility really looks like in 2025 * How to build a lead ecosystem that fits your business model * The truth about lead magnets — and why most PDFs don’t convert * What types of lead magnets actually work right now * The most underrated lead generation strategy: DM relationships ---------------------------------------- KEY TAKEAWAY: You don’t need more content — you need more intentional conversations and better systems to track and nurture the leads you already have. ---------------------------------------- CONNECT WITH LAUREN: * Instagram: @laurennajar * Website: laurennajar.com * Free Resource: 30-Day Sales & Visibility Challenge ---------------------------------------- If you enjoyed this episode, tag @michellelthames and @socialmediadecodedpod on Instagram and let us know your biggest takeaway. Stay visible and stay empowered. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Instagram Audits Are the Fastest Way to Fix Your Visibility (Here’s Why)

this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames explains why Instagram audits are one of the fastest and most effective ways to fix visibility issues. Instead of guessing what to post or chasing content hacks, Michelle breaks down how audits create clarity, improve positioning, and lead to more meaningful engagement and conversion. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: * Why most people struggle with Instagram visibility because they guess instead of audit * What an Instagram audit actually reveals about your brand and messaging * The first things Michelle looks for when reviewing an Instagram account * Why clarity and positioning matter more than posting frequency * How connection and consistency impact trust and conversion * Why feedback accelerates visibility faster than trends or hacks * How Instagram audits fit into long-term, sustainable visibility strategy KEY TOPICS COVERED: * Instagram audits for business growth * Visibility strategy for entrepreneurs * Personal brand positioning on Instagram * Community and connection over metrics * Content clarity and consistency * Sustainable social media marketing * Fixing low engagement and conversion WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR: * Entrepreneurs who feel visible but not effective * Creators tired of guessing what to post * Business owners struggling with low engagement or conversion * Anyone who wants clearer direction for their Instagram strategy MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: * Why content hacks don’t fix foundational visibility issues * How audits uncover blind spots you can’t see on your own * The importance of having a clear next step for your audience DM the word AUDIT on Instagram for a free Instagram audit, and explore Michelle’s Collective for ongoing support, strategy, and community. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.