Local Media HQ

TJ Larkin welcomes Rae Lambert, founder of DNNR, to discuss the rapid growth of her social dining platform. The episode explores how local creators and newsletter owners are using DNNR to facilitate six-person "hostless" dinners that help strangers become friends while generating significant monthly revenue. Rae shares how the platform has scaled to 70 active communities, providing creators with a hands-off way to build local GDP and strengthen their personal brands without the exhaustion of traditional event planning.

The conversation dives into the mechanics of the "white-labeled" engine, where creators set the dates and select neighborhoods while the platform handles matching, reservations, and follow-ups. Rae highlights success stories like Troy Farkas of Seacoast Stories, who integrates sponsors into his DNNR clubs and utilizes after-party bars to converge multiple tables for a larger social experience. They also discuss the surprising effectiveness of using Meta ads for DNNR clubs as a high-ROI alternative to traditional subscriber growth campaigns.

Viewers will gain insights into the "personal brand moat," learning why authentic, unpolished content often outperforms glossy, faceless media brands. Rae also details her use of "OpenClaw" and AI bots to automate financial analysis, content drafting, and creator reminders, effectively acting as mid-level analysts for her team. The episode concludes with a look at why being a "big fish in a small pond" in tier-two cities offers more sustainable business value than chasing a global, faceless audience.

Guest Contact Information:

Website: dnnr.io 

Twitter/X: @rae_lambert 

Instagram: @rae_lambert 

LinkedIn: Rae Lambert

Build your own local media business:

https://localmediahq.com/  

https://lightbreak.ai/

Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:

https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe 

Join the Community (Discord):

Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community

👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/

Follow My Journey

Twitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 

Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ 

Work With Me

For brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:

[email protected]  

#LocalMedia #CreatorEconomy #SocialDining #CommunityBuilding #NewsletterGrowth #PersonalBranding #AIAutomation #DigitalMarketing #InPersonEvents #Entrepreneurship

Mitko from Cincy Scoop joins the show to discuss the rapid growth of his local media brand, which has amassed 75,000 Instagram followers and 12,000 newsletter subscribers since launching in 2023. The conversation explores the transition from traditional publication styles to a "new age" media format that focuses on high-quality visual content and community engagement. Mitko explains how he and his wife Sarah combined their backgrounds in remote work newsletters and Instagram marketing to build a dominant local presence in Cincinnati.

The episode dives deep into their unique monetization strategy, moving away from low-cost "mom and pop" ad sales in favor of high-level partnerships with national brands like IKEA and Red Bull. Mitko shares the details of their "Cincy Battles" product, a monthly pass that uses a dedicated app to drive foot traffic to local restaurants while providing businesses with valuable customer data. They also discuss the "Venture Studio" approach, where the audience acts as a launchpad for new services, events, and physical activations.

Viewers will learn actionable strategies for growing an Instagram account, including the importance of "Quantity Breeds Quality" and the use of ManyChat lead magnets to convert followers into newsletter subscribers. Mitko emphasizes the value of local collaboration over competition and why building trust is the ultimate currency for any local figure. Whether you are a creator or a local business owner, this episode provides a roadmap for building a modern media engine that adds genuine value to a community.

Guest Contact Information:

Website: cincyscoop.com 

Instagram: @cincy_scoop 

Personal Instagram: @mitkoka

Build your own local media business:

https://localmediahq.com/  

https://lightbreak.ai/

Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:

https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe 

Join the Community (Discord):

Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community

👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/

Follow My Journey

Twitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 

Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ 

Work With Me

For brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:

[email protected]  

#LocalMedia #Cincinnati #InstagramGrowth #NewsletterStrategy #CommunityBuilding #CincyScoop #DigitalMarketing #Hyperlocal #Entrepreneurship #ContentCreator

Landon from Wichita Life returns to the show to share how he has significantly scaled his local media brand over the last several months. The conversation covers his impressive growth to nearly 38,000 email subscribers and how he leverages tools like ManyChat and Facebook ads to maintain steady momentum. Landon breaks down the business model behind his highly successful monthly dinner clubs, which regularly attract over 100 attendees seeking genuine community connection in Wichita.

The episode delves into the diversification of Wichita Life through physical products, specifically the creation of a custom Wichita-themed puzzle that has sold hundreds of units. Landon shares insights on hiring a social media manager to tap into younger trends and how he uses creative memes to drive massive engagement on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. He also discusses his approach to ad sales, emphasizing the importance of keeping a full pipeline even when inventory is sold out.

Viewers will gain actionable advice on applying the principles of "Unreasonable Hospitality" to digital products by focusing on the "moments between the moments," such as a well-crafted welcome email sequence. Landon also explores the potential of recurring revenue through paid programs and future events like lectures on tap. This episode is a masterclass for anyone looking to turn a local passion project into a thriving, multi-faceted media business.

Guest Contact Information:

Social Media: Wichita Life (on all platforms)

Email Newsletter: Wichita Life Update

Twitter/X: Landon Heuslig (@LandonHeuslig)

Build your own local media business:

https://localmediahq.com/  

https://lightbreak.ai/

Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:

https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe 

Join the Community (Discord):

Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community

👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/

Follow My Journey

Twitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 

Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ 

Work With Me

For brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:

[email protected]  

#WichitaLife #LocalMedia #NewsletterGrowth #CommunityBuilding #Entrepreneurship #SocialMediaStrategy #WichitaKansas #DigitalMarketing #EventPlanning #SmallBusinessTips

Uriah Kaiser has been covering Northern Virginia through Potomac Local News since 2010 — longer than most people in this space have been paying attention to it. In this episode, he and TJ Larkin dig into what it takes to build a sustainable, multi-revenue local media business over the long haul.

From paywall strategy to AI adoption to YouTube growth, Uriah pulls back the curtain on what's actually working right now. Key takeaways include: start with free content to build brand before adding a paywall; use email capture walls strategically to grow your list fast; feed AI accurate inputs (like meeting transcripts) to get high-quality content out; build your YouTube channel around consistent topics so the algorithm can place your content; and get physically present in your community if you want to close ad deals. 

Uriah's model blends hard journalism with community content, and it's a useful roadmap for anyone building a local newsletter or media brand today.

Connect with Uriah Kaiser: 

Website: PotomacLocal.com 

X: @PotomacLocal | @UriahKaiser

Build your own local media business:

https://localmediahq.com/  

https://lightbreak.ai/

Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:

https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe 

Join the Community (Discord):

Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community

👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/

Follow My Journey

Twitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 

Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ 

Work With Me

For brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:

[email protected]  

#LocalNewsletter #LocalJournalism #NewsletterBusiness #CreatorEconomy #LocalMedia #NewsletterGrowth #AIForCreators #HyperlocalNews #ContentCreatorTips #NewsletterMonetization

Justin Gordon quit his job at a venture firm to start a newsletter. Nine months later, he crossed $100K in revenue.

In this episode, Justin breaks down exactly how he built the LA Grind and SF Grind into real businesses. Not just newsletters. Businesses with events, sponsorships, and a paid membership that grows every single month.

We get into the specifics: how he closes $5K event sponsors like JustWorks and Citizens Private Bank, how he hosted a 250-person event with a 280-person waitlist, and the exact funnel that turns free newsletter subscribers into paying members at $59/month.

Justin also talks about selling his previous newsletter (Just Go Grind) through Acquire.com and why he went all-in on local over national.

If you're building a newsletter, running events, or trying to figure out how to actually make money in local media, this one is packed.

What we cover:

Crossing $100K revenue in 9 months with the LA Grind

Launching a second newsletter (SF Grind) and hitting 2,000 subscribers fast

How to get enterprise sponsors for local events

Building a paid membership alongside a free newsletter

Selling a newsletter and why focus matters

The content expansion plan: deal flow, founder profiles, and startup news

Why local beats national for newsletter monetization

Connect with Justin:

The LA Grind: https://thelagrind.com/

The SF Grind: https://thesfgrind.com/

Build your own local media business:

https://localmediahq.com/  

https://lightbreak.ai/

Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:

https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe 

Join the Community (Discord):

Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community

👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/

Follow My Journey

Twitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 

Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ 

Work With Me

For brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:

[email protected]  

#LocalNewsletter #NewsletterBusiness #StartupCommunity #EventSponsorship #NewsletterMonetization #CommunityBuilding #LocalMedia #FounderEvents #NewsletterGrowth #PaidMembership

Michelle Rueda shares how she grew What's Weird ATX to nearly 5,000 subscribers without spending a single dollar on advertising. As an engineer with over 16 years of experience, she built Social Radar, an iOS app that notifies her whenever someone on Reddit asks questions relevant to her Austin events newsletter. Instead of spending hours searching Reddit manually, the tool alerts her to opportunities where she can authentically engage and provide value. Her approach has generated as much as 1,000 subscribers from a single comment.

The key to Michelle's success is maintaining authentic, human responses rather than using AI-generated content. She emphasizes the importance of genuinely answering specific questions and building trust through real engagement. By focusing on providing value first and mentioning her newsletter naturally when relevant, she's built strong brand recognition in the Austin community. Michelle also discusses the importance of building Reddit karma before actively promoting, ensuring your account has credibility within the community before engaging in promotional activities.

In this conversation, Michelle and TJ explore the future of local newsletters, the role of AI-assisted creator brands, and how maintaining human authenticity while leveraging technology creates sustainable growth. Michelle is currently working on expanding Social Radar into a managed service and developing an events tool for major metro areas, helping other newsletter operators grow their audiences organically.

Michelle Rueda runs What's Weird ATX newsletter at whatsgoodatx.beehiiv.com. Learn more about Social Radar at trysocialradar.com. If you're interested in the events tool for major metro areas, reach out through the Social Radar website.

Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:

https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe 

Join the Community (Discord):

Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community

👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/

Follow My Journey

Twitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 

Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ 

Work With Me

For brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:

[email protected]  

#NewsletterGrowth #RedditMarketing #LocalNewsletter #OrganicGrowth #ContentMarketing #CommunityBuilding #AustinTech #NewsletterStrategy #SocialRadar #MediaBusiness

Tad Moore runs NWA Daily, a 41,500-subscriber local newsletter in Northwest Arkansas with a 54% open rate and 7% click-through. What started as a content writing gig in 2020 evolved into Director of Operations and eventually Strategic Advisor as they expanded beyond the newsletter into real estate and consulting. Most growth came organically through social media, collaborations, and giveaways rather than Meta ads. They're part of Around Town Media, operating newsletters across multiple cities including Kansas City.

The conversation reveals their creative referral strategy: donating $1 to local nonprofits for every referred subscriber instead of traditional discounts. Tad explains how they maintain healthy relationships with "competing" newsletters in the same region, sharing ideas freely because local focus eliminates real competition. They've since launched Skipstone, a real estate brokerage, and Skipstone Group, which helps others start local newsletters. The episode dives into the challenges of building custom newsletter platforms versus using established providers, with honest takes on AI tools and email deliverability.

Check out NWA Daily at nwadaily.com, Skipstone Group at skipstonegroup.com, or connect with Tad Moore on LinkedIn.

Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:

https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe 

Join the Community (Discord):

Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community

👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/

Follow My Journey

Twitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 

Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ 

Work With Me

For brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:

[email protected]  

#LocalNewsletter #NewsletterBusiness #NWADaily #EmailMarketing #ContentCreation #BeehiveNewsletter #LocalMedia #CommunityJournalism #NewsletterGrowth #AroundTownMedia

Book a demo at lightbreak.ai to see our newsletter software in action!

Shane Brady joins TJ Larkin to discuss the current state of local newsletters and media businesses. Shane operates multiple newsletters with approximately 32,000 total subscribers, with his largest newsletter reaching 12,000 subscribers. They cover the surprising interest from legacy media companies looking to acquire newsletter businesses, including Shane's recent conversations with an established local media company exploring potential acquisition.

The discussion reveals how traditional publishers are becoming aware of the creator-led newsletter movement and the strategies being used to grow subscriber bases through Meta advertising.

The conversation dives into practical growth strategies, including Meta ad acquisition costs, three-times-weekly publishing schedules, and monetization through local business advertising. Shane and TJ discuss why legacy media companies have mastered monetization but struggle with modern growth tactics, while independent newsletter operators have figured out subscriber acquisition but often face monetization challenges. They explore the hesitation legacy media has toward using Meta ads, both because they view Meta as a competitor for local advertising dollars and due to philosophical resistance to paying for audience growth.

Key insights include the importance of time management for newsletter operators, focusing on efficiency over perfection, and understanding your core business goals, whether that's direct revenue, building a personal brand for political aspirations, or leveraging newsletter expertise to launch a digital marketing agency. Shane and TJ also introduce their new partnership on lightbreak, newsletter software designed for local publishers, and announce their upcoming podcast "Media Creates Leverage" focused on how media brands create business opportunities beyond advertising.

Shane Brady Contact: Lightbreak.ai for newsletter software demos and partnerships. Follow Shane's work with local newsletters and connect regarding Media Creates Leverage podcast through TJ Larkin's channels.

Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:

https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe 

Join the Community (Discord):

Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community

👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/

Follow My Journey

Twitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 

Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ 

Work With Me

For brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:

[email protected]  

#LocalNewsletters #NewsletterBusiness #MetaAds #LocalMedia #NewsletterMonetization #CreatorEconomy #MediaBusiness #DigitalPublishing #NewsletterGrowth #EntrepreneurPodcast

Keith Pepper, owner of Rough Draft Atlanta, shares how he acquired a legacy print media company during the height of the pandemic and transformed it into a profitable, digital-first local media brand. The conversation explores the realities of owning and operating a modern community news business.

Keith explains why print still represents more than 70 percent of Rough Draft’s revenue, how saturation mail distribution changes advertiser value, and why weekly and monthly print products can still thrive. He also breaks down the role newsletters play as the “new morning paper” for local audiences.

The episode dives into ad sales strategy, sponsored content, newsletter monetization, and why focusing on high-value advertisers is critical. Keith also discusses scaling cautiously, acquiring complementary publications, and building sustainable local journalism without venture capital pressure.

Guest contact information:

Website: https://roughdraft.news/

LinkedIn: Keith Pepper

Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:

https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe 

Join the Community (Discord):

Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community

👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/

Follow My Journey

Twitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 

Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ 

Work With Me

For brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:

[email protected]  

#LocalMedia

#Newsletters

#MediaBusiness

#DigitalPublishing

#PrintMedia

#CommunityNews

#AdSales

#MediaEntrepreneur

#LocalJournalism

#RoughDraftAtlanta

Social media has become the fastest and most effective way to build a local media brand, and Jacob Espinoza is proving it. In this episode, TJ Larkin and Jacob walk through how creators are replacing newspapers and local TV by delivering timely, trusted information directly on Instagram.

Jacob shares lessons from growing What’s Happening Salem to tens of thousands of followers, including the content formats that perform best, how to stay consistent without burning out, and why social proof matters when working with local businesses. They also explore monetization strategies, from sponsored posts to content creation for partners.

The episode wraps with a forward-looking discussion on AI, trust, and why being visibly local is becoming more valuable, not less. If you’re early in local media or considering launching a city-focused brand, this conversation provides a realistic roadmap.

Guest Contact Information:

Jacob Espinoza

Community: The Local Social Club

Website: https://school.com/thelocalsocialclub

Instagram: @whatshappeningsalem

Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:

https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe 

Join the Community (Discord):

Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community

👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/

Follow My Journey

Twitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 

Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ 

Work With Me

For brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:

[email protected]  

#LocalMedia

#SocialMediaStrategy

#LocalNews

#InstagramGrowth

#CommunityBuilding

#ContentCreators

#DigitalMedia

#LocalBusinessMarketing

#CreatorEconomy

#LocalSocialClub