Episode 46 - Marketing in 2026 Feels Completely Different… Here’s Why

Episode 46 - Marketing in 2026 Feels Completely Different… Here’s Why

Marketing feels like it's changing every five minutes. In Episode 46, Kassie sits down with Michelle Carroll, President of One Stop Marketing Solutions and incoming President of SFIMA, to discuss what's actually changing in marketing halfway through 2026—and what brands need to pay attention to moving forward. From AI-powered search and declining consumer trust to the growing importance of community, authenticity, and human connection, Michelle shares insights from nearly two decades in digital marketing. Together, they explore why attention is becoming the most valuable currency online, how AI is reshaping search and content discovery, and why the brands winning today are building communities instead of simply chasing followers. Whether you're a marketer, business owner, or content creator, this episode offers practical insights into where the industry is headed and how to adapt your strategy for what's next. This episode is a reminder that while technology continues to evolve, trust, storytelling, and genuine human connection remain at the heart of great marketing. 🎙 Subscribe and follow @youherditherepodcast for more conversations around social media, digital marketing, AI, and the future of business. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a marketer, entrepreneur, or business owner navigating today's rapidly changing digital landscape. 🔗 Connect with Michelle Carroll: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellecarroll/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellecarroll/] One Stop Marketing Solutions: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1-stop-marketing-solutions/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/1-stop-marketing-solutions/] SFIMA (South Florida Interactive Marketing Association): https://www.linkedin.com/company/south-florida-interactive-marketing-association [https://www.linkedin.com/company/south-florida-interactive-marketing-association]

Episode 45 - 5 New Social Media Updates You Need to Know Right Now

Social media platforms are changing faster than most marketers can keep up with. And the biggest updates aren't just cosmetic—they're impacting visibility, engagement, discoverability, and overall strategy. In Episode 45, Kassie and Sofia break down five of the biggest social media updates marketers need to know right now and what they actually mean moving forward. From Instagram's testing of captions on every carousel slide to Threads becoming more personality-driven, YouTube's push toward deeper viewer immersion, and LinkedIn's increasing reliance on AI-powered content recommendations, this episode explores how platforms are evolving and what brands should be paying attention to. Together, Kassie and Sofia unpack why social media is becoming increasingly searchable, contextual, and AI-driven. They discuss how keywords, captions, content structure, watch time, and audience retention are playing a larger role than ever before in determining what gets seen and what gets ignored. The conversation also explores the growing shift away from follower counts and toward content discovery, recommendation systems, and authority-based visibility. From stronger video hooks and educational content to thought leadership and community engagement, the rules of social media are continuing to evolve. Whether you're a marketer, business owner, content creator, or simply trying to keep up with platform changes, this episode offers practical insights into where social media is heading and how to adapt your strategy accordingly. This episode is a reminder that the future of social media isn't just about creating content—it's about creating content platforms can understand, recommend, and trust. 🎙 Subscribe and follow @youherditherepodcast for more conversations around social media, digital behavior, content strategy, and the future of marketing. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a marketer, business owner, or creator who wants to stay ahead of the latest platform updates.

Episode 44 - From Followers to Real Friendships

Social media gets blamed for a lot—comparison, burnout, loneliness, endless scrolling. But what if it’s also helping people find real friendships, real community, and meaningful connection again? In Episode 44, Kassie sits down with Amy Castignetti-Keating, City Owner of The Beauty Boost Fort Lauderdale, to explore how social media can be a powerful tool for bringing people together offline. From wellness events and networking mixers to women showing up solo and leaving with lifelong friendships, Amy shares how The Beauty Boost has become a thriving community built around connection, confidence, and shared experiences. Together, Kassie and Amy discuss why making friends as an adult feels harder than ever, how remote work and changing lifestyles have impacted community, and why so many people are actively searching for connection in today's digital world. They also dive into the positive side of social media—how platforms like Instagram can act as a bridge to real-life relationships, inspire people to get out of their comfort zones, and help communities grow. From the power of authentic content and real stories to the role of FOMO, Reels, and user-generated experiences, this conversation highlights what truly resonates online. Amy shares her personal journey of attending a Beauty Boost event alone and how that single decision ultimately changed her life. Together, they unpack the rise of solo attendance, why growth happens outside your comfort zone, and how one event, conversation, or connection can completely change someone's social life. This episode is a reminder that social media doesn't have to replace real connection—it can be the tool that helps people find it. 🎙 Subscribe and follow @youherditherepodcast for more conversations at the intersection of social media, digital behavior, community building, and real-world impact. 🔗 Connect with Amy Castignetti-Keating & The Beauty Boost Fort Lauderdale: LinkedIn (Amy Castignetti-Keating): https://www.linkedin.com/in/amycastignetti/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amycastignetti/] The Beauty Boost Fort Lauderdale: https://www.thebeautyboost.net/fort-lauderdale [https://www.thebeautyboost.net/fort-lauderdale] Instagram (The Beauty Boost Fort Lauderdale): @thebeautyboostfortlauderdal [https://www.instagram.com/#]e If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who's looking to build community, make new connections, or simply needs a reminder that they're not the only one showing up alone.

Episode 43 - The AI Authenticity Epidemic: Can You Trust Brands Online Anymore?

AI is making it easier than ever to manufacture authenticity online and most consumers can’t tell the difference anymore. In Episode 43, Kassie and Sofia unpack the rise of AI-generated trust and what it means for brands, creators, marketers, and consumers navigating today’s internet. From fake founder stories and AI-generated testimonials to emotionally engineered marketing and automated brand personalities, this episode explores how authenticity itself is becoming scalable. They discuss why social media rewards emotional relatability, how audiences are becoming more skeptical online, and where the ethical line exists between using AI as a creative tool versus replacing genuine human connection entirely. Kassie and Sofia also share why unpolished, transparent, and human-centered content is standing out more than ever and why brands that prioritize trust over manipulation will have the biggest advantage moving forward. 🎙 Follow @youherditherepodcast for more conversations on social media, strategy, culture, and what’s next.

Episode 42 - Why the Arts Still Matter in a Scroll-First World

We spend so much of our lives consuming content online, scrolling short clips, jumping between platforms, and constantly moving onto the next thing. But despite living in a digital first world, people are craving connection, community, and experiences that feel real. In Episode 42, Kassie sits down with actor, director, producer, and Tim Davis to explore why the arts still matter in a scroll first world and why live experiences may be more important now than ever before. As the Producing Artistic Director of New City Players, Tim shares how theater creates empathy, authentic dialogue, and human connection in ways social media simply can’t replicate. From the rise of the “experience economy” to the impact of shrinking attention spans, this conversation dives into how technology is changing the way we interact with art, storytelling, and each other. They also unpack the realities of social media for nonprofits and arts organizations, from algorithm changes and content burnout to what actually connects with audiences online. Tim shares why showing real people matters more than polished graphics, how video content can build community, and why authenticity always outperforms chasing trends. This episode is a reminder that while digital platforms continue to evolve, shared experiences, storytelling, and human connection remain timeless. 🎙 Subscribe and follow @youherditherepodcast for more conversations at the intersection of social media, digital behavior, and real-world impact. 🔗 Connect with New City Players & Tim Davis: Instagram (New City Players): https://www.instagram.com/newcityplayers/ [https://www.instagram.com/newcityplayers/] Instagram (Tim Davis): https://www.instagram.com/timothymarkdavis/ [https://www.instagram.com/timothymarkdavis/] If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who could use a reminder to unplug and reconnect.