Hot Girls Build Cults

How NARU Reinvents Community Building for Impact and Connection | Ep. 12

In this insightful episode Michelle, CEO and founder of NARU, shares her innovative approach to community building focused on impact, accountability, and genuine connection. Discover how her platform fosters vulnerability, habit formation, and meaningful engagement beyond traditional social media. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to NARU and Its Purpose 01:20 The Unique Approach of NARU 04:15 The Importance of Accountability in Community 07:00 Building Habits and Identity Through Community 09:36 How NARU Facilitates Accountability 12:32 The Social Component of NARU 15:09 Creating Meaningful Connections in Communities 17:57 The Role of Structure in Community Success 20:17 Transformative Experiences and Community Impact 23:16 The Future of Online Communities and Loneliness 29:39 The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health 30:52 The Evolution of Dating Apps 32:19 Technology's Profit Motive vs. User Well-being 34:04 AI's Role in Human Connection 36:23 The Importance of Authentic Human Interaction 39:00 Building Trust in Community Engagement 40:45 Creating Safe Spaces for Youth 47:33 NARU's Community Programs and Their Impact Resources NARU Official Website - https://www.naru.com.au/ [https://www.naru.com.au/] Michelle's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-ew [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-ew/] Megan's Linkedin -https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/] keywords community building, impact, accountability, belonging, habit formation, online communities, NARU, social platforms, mental health, connection

How Rossy Burgos Built a Thriving Pop up Wellness Community from Scratch | Ep. 11

In this episode, I sit down with Rossy Burgos, a community builder and wellness entrepreneur, to explore her journey of creating impactful wellness events, building community, and navigating the business side of hosting social clubs. Rossy shares insights on sustainability, authenticity, and the power of intentional community building. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Upleveled Wellness 06:17 Event Structure and Themes 12:21 Navigating Partnerships and Venues 18:16 Sustainability in Event Planning 24:10 Managing Growth and Opportunities 30:16 Differentiation in a Crowded Market 37:38 Understanding Event Goals and Community Impact 44:04 Building a Sustainable Community and Business 51:38 Facing Fears and Expectations in Business 57:11 Self-Discovery Through Community Building 01:04:02 Advice for Aspiring Community Leaders Connect with Rossy https://www.instagram.com/rossy.upleveled/ [https://www.instagram.com/rossy.upleveled/] https://www.instagram.com/upleveled.wellness/ [https://www.instagram.com/upleveled.wellness/] Connect with Megan https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/] https://www.instagram.com/megan.liken/ [https://www.instagram.com/megan.liken/] https://www.instagram.com/hotgirlsbuildcults/ [https://www.instagram.com/hotgirlsbuildcults/] keywords community building, wellness events, entrepreneurship, sustainability, social clubs, women entrepreneurs, event planning, business strategy, authentic community, wellness community

How CEO Besties Empowers Women Entrepreneurs Through Community| Ep. 10

In this episode, I sit down with Natalie Bernacchi and Emily Collins of CEO Besties to dive into how intentional community and focused execution can elevate ambitious women entrepreneurs. Together, they unpack the power of surrounding yourself with the right people, cultivating a resilient mindset, and building a business that grows sustainably. You’ll hear about: * Creating powerful, supportive communities for women entrepreneurs * Why focus and prioritization are the real drivers of business growth Chapters 00:00 Introduction to CEO Besties 00:45 The Birth of CEO Besties 05:14 The Evolution of Community Needs 07:06 Understanding Overwhelm in Entrepreneurship 09:18 The Power of Connection and Support 12:10 Breakthroughs in Community 15:09 Curating the Right Community 17:59 The Difference Between Community and Mastermind 18:59 Building Community: The Importance of Connection 20:04 Learning from Experience: Failures as Growth Opportunities 22:48 The Power of Focus: Momentum in Business 24:44 Engagement Strategies: Keeping Members Active 26:36 Surprising Transformations: The Impact of Community 28:27 Personal Growth: Lessons from Leading a Community 31:17 The Evolution of Business: Adapting to Change 33:10 Future Aspirations: Growing the CEO Besties Community 35:24 NEWCHAPTER Connect with us CEO Besties on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theceobesties/ [https://www.instagram.com/theceobesties/] CEO Besties Website - https://ceobesties.com [https://ceobesties.com] Connect with Megan -https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/] https://www.instagram.com/megan.liken/ [https://www.instagram.com/megan.liken/] keywords women entrepreneurs, community building, CEO Besties, mindset, business growth, women supporting women, mastermind, virtual community, in-person retreats, entrepreneurial success

Community building vs fan clubs vs cult brands with Ari McDaniel | Ep. 9

In this week's episode I sat down with Ari McDaniel an award-winning leader in startup and tech PR, known for turning under-the-radar founders into cultural movements people can’t help but join. She’s the creator of Cult Communications, a PR framework behind today’s most magnetic brands, and the founder of Cult Worthy, a network dedicated to scaling community-driven companies. We discussed her unique approach to building cult brands through community and narrative. Discover how PR can be a powerful tool for startups to create obsession, loyalty, and meaningful engagement in the modern digital landscape. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Cult Communications and PR for Startups 03:08 Understanding Cult Brands and Their Unique Characteristics 06:03 The Role of Community vs. Fan Clubs in Brand Loyalty 09:02 The Importance of a Strong Brand Narrative 11:59 Thought Leadership and Founder Visibility 14:59 Innovative Community Building in Tech and AI 17:57 Strategies for Deepening Brand Loyalty 20:58 Cult Communications: Blending PR and Community Building 23:58 Challenges in B2B Cult Branding 27:24 The Human Element in Brand Communities 28:56 Common Mistakes in Building Fan Communities 30:15 Strategies for Engaging Fan Clubs 32:08 The Rise of Software Influencers 34:05 The Impact of AI on Cult Brands 36:50 Evolving Communication in Tech 38:01 The Full Scope of PR Beyond Media Relations 41:31 Exclusivity and Belonging in Brand Communities 44:29 The Irreplaceable Nature of Community in the AI Era 48:45 The Future of PR and Community Building Cultworthy Substack [https://cultworthy.substack.com/] Connect with Ari on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ari-kill/] Connect with Megan on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/] keywords Cult brands, community building, PR strategy, startup growth, brand loyalty, narrative, social media, AI, brand storytelling, community engagement

Evolution of community strategies in coaching with Johanna Adriaansen | Ep 8

In this episode I sit down with Johanna, a somatic therapist and coach with over seven years of experience in trauma healing, nervous system regulation, attachment theory, and inner child work. Johanna shares why she shifted from selling standalone courses to building Becoming Secure, a membership community designed to help women build self-trust and create more secure, grounded relationships. We talk about what wasn’t working with the traditional course model, what makes a community emotionally “sticky,” and how creators can design spaces where real transformation happens. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Johanna and Her Work 01:00 The Journey to Somatic Therapy and Healing 03:41 Evolution of Coaching Offers 06:32 Building Community and Membership Dynamics 09:07 Onboarding and Member Experience 11:57 Creating Emotional Stickiness in Community 14:44 Surveying and Understanding Community Needs 17:01 Community as a Product vs. Support 17:27 Fostering Community Engagement 19:36 Building Meaningful Communities 22:22 The Coaching Industry Landscape 28:35 Creating Content and Community 31:36 Evolving Coaching Models 35:50 Facilitating Connection and Transformation Johanna's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/johhhannamaria/] Healing Anxious Attachment Podcast [https://www.becomingsecurecommunity.com/podcast] Connect with Megan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/] keywords community building, coaching memberships, community software, engagement strategies, nervous system healing, attachment theory, somatic therapy, coaching industry