Would you choose candy… or a potato? 🥔🍬

A house offered trick-or-treaters a choice: candy OR a potato. And by the end of the night? They were completely out of potatoes.

Why?

That weird little Halloween experiment shows something about marketing, differentiation, and standing out in a sea of sameness. If everyone is handing out candy, maybe your business needs to be the potato.

If you’ve been trying to compete by doing what everyone else is doing… this one’s for you.

Be bold. Be different. Maybe be the potato. 👑

Listen here:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC57zPgo9waf-wKY1Ax-jmow?sub_confirmation=1

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6oFcqQdcAjmvVazynOpeMD

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/royally-unhinged-the-podcast/id1796596698

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f6c0297-0d5b-4b15-b47f-4eb391ca6f90/royally-unhinged

iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-royally-unhinged-the-podca-278210632/

The Brightness Hack Nobody Asked For

Have you noticed some Facebook videos looking… brighter? Flashier? Slightly strobe-y compared to the rest of your feed?

Yeah. So have we.

In this episode, we break down the weird juju happening inside the Facebook feed — videos that seem to pop brighter than everything else, almost like they’re engineered to hijack your attention.

We talk about:

• Whether this is a glitch or a growth tactic

• If advertisers are intentionally manipulating contrast and brightness

• What happens when sponsored content starts feeling… aggressive

• Our quick deep dive into user reports (spoiler: we weren’t crazy)

• The ethics of standing out vs. manipulating attention

Because there’s a difference between smart marketing… and playing visual mind games.

And yes, we also tested marketplace ads while spiraling slightly.

Welcome to Royally Unhinged — where marketing, networking, and mild conspiracy collide.

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🎧 Listen & Watch Here:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@royallyunhinged

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6yE1r0pTPZJ6zY4dzJzX2K

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/royally-unhinged/id1730932901

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f6c0297-0d5b-4b15-b47f-4eb391ca6f90/royally-unhinged

iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-royally-unhinged-153601185/

What if everything we preach about digital marketing… isn’t the only way?

It’s the Amish — yes, the Amish — and how they’re building thriving businesses without websites, without ads, without social media, and without chasing algorithms.

Paula shares some firsthand experiences visiting Amish communities, and we unpack what modern entrepreneurs can learn from a business model rooted in reputation, craftsmanship, community, and word of mouth.

This isn’t anti-marketing. It’s perspective.

Because maybe success isn’t about being everywhere.

Maybe it’s about being known somewhere.

Listen & watch here:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@royallyunhinged

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6yE1r0pTPZJ6zY4dzJzX2K

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/royally-unhinged/id1730932901

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f6c0297-0d5b-4b15-b47f-4eb391ca6f90/royally-unhinged

iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-royally-unhinged-153601185/

What if trying to appeal to everyone is actually the thing holding your brand back?

In this episode, we break down the story of Vans and how they didn’t try to dominate every market — they went all-in on one community. Skateboarders. Culture. Identity. And by doing that, they built a brand that outlasted trends, competitors, and copycats.

We talk about:

• Why niche focus beats mass appeal every time

• How Vans chose soul over scale — and won

• What happens when brands chase “everyone” and lose anyone

• How your business can grow faster by narrowing your lane instead of widening it

If your brand feels stretched, diluted, or stuck trying to please too many people… this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen & watch here:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@royallyunhinged

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6yE1r0pTPZJ6zY4dzJzX2K

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/royally-unhinged/id1730932901

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f6c0297-0d5b-4b15-b47f-4eb391ca6f90/royally-unhinged

iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-royally-unhinged-153601185/

Ever scroll past a logo, ad, or campaign and think… haven’t I seen this before?

Yeah. Same.

We’re diving into the rise of copy-paste branding — from logos that feel a little too familiar to marketing campaigns that look like they came straight from someone else’s mood board. We talk about where inspiration crosses the line into imitation, why originality actually matters more than ever, and how brands can stand out without chasing what’s trending this week.

If you’ve ever wondered:

•Is this brand inspired… or just copying?

•Why does everything suddenly look the same?

•How do you build something recognizable without blending in?

This one’s for you.

🎧 Listen to Royally Unhinged here:

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@royallyunhinged

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/6yE1r0pTPZJ6zY4dzJzX2K

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/royally-unhinged/id1730932901

Amazon Music:

https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f6c0297-0d5b-4b15-b47f-4eb391ca6f90/royally-unhinged

iHeartRadio:

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-royally-unhinged-153601185/

✨ New episodes weekly. Marketing, networking, branding… and a little wizardry.

Networking can be powerful or a complete waste of time. And knowing the difference matters more than people like to admit.

In this episode, we’re talking about networking red flags, real networking success stories, and how to tell whether a group is actually aligned with your goals… or just draining your energy, time, and wallet.

Not every room is the right room.

Not every group deserves your commitment.

And forcing yourself to stay in the wrong networking space helps no one.

Let’s chitty chat about:

• Why some groups fuel growth while others stall it

• Real stories of networking that actually worked

• When it’s okay to leave and why that’s not failure

If networking has ever made you feel awkward, stuck, or frustrated… this episode will help you trust your instincts and choose better rooms.

Because the right networking group doesn’t feel forced.

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🎧 Listen or Watch the Episode

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@royallyunhinged

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6yE1r0pTPZJ6zY4dzJzX2K

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/royally-unhinged/id1730932901

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f6c0297-0d5b-4b15-b47f-4eb391ca6f90/royally-unhinged

iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-royally-unhinged-153601185/

There’s a trend going around where designers walk up to businesses, film their signage, logos, or storefronts, and publicly “fix” their branding for content.

And we’re gonna say it plainly: we hate it.

In this episode, we talk about why these drive-by brand critiques are rude, entitled, and completely miss the point of what branding actually is. You don’t know the story. You don’t know the audience. You don’t know the why. So what makes someone think they’re qualified to publicly tear it apart for views?

Branding isn’t just a logo.

It’s history, intention, context, and people.

We unpack:

• Why public brand callouts hurt small businesses

• The difference between critique and clout-chasing

• Why “fixing branding” without context is meaningless

• And whatever else we drop in there

If you’re a business owner who’s ever felt judged, exposed, or talked down to by “experts” online — this episode is for you.

And if you’re a designer?

Consider this your reminder that branding is not a drive-by opinion.

Listen or Watch the Episode

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@royallyunhinged

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6yE1r0pTPZJ6zY4dzJzX2K

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/royally-unhinged/id1730932901

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f6c0297-0d5b-4b15-b47f-4eb391ca6f90/royally-unhinged

iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-royally-unhinged-153601185/

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT ⚠️If you haven’t read or watched the Harry Potter series… this is your warning.In this episode, Paula comes in hot with questions — and Tarah does her best to defend the entire Harry Potter universe under what can only be described as a full wizarding-world interrogation.From plot holes and character motivations to “wait, WHY did that happen?” moments, we break down the series in real time, with equal parts passion, confusion, laughter, and mild unhinged behavior.This episode is part fandom love letter, part chaos, and part “how did we get here?”Inside This Episode:• Paula’s biggest Harry Potter questions• Tarah’s very serious wizarding defenses• Plot points that still don’t make sense• Things the fandom accepts without question• A lot of laughing, side quests, and spoilers• Proof that loving something doesn’t mean it’s perfectIf you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll laugh.If you’re not… you might leave with more questions than answers.Marketing. Networking. Wizardry.This episode has all three.⚠️ SPOILERS AHEAD — YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. ⚠️⸻Listen or Watch the EpisodeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@royallyunhingedSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6yE1r0pTPZJ6zY4dzJzX2KApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/royally-unhinged/id1730932901Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f6c0297-0d5b-4b15-b47f-4eb391ca6f90/royally-unhingediHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-royally-unhinged-153601185/

Since it’s the holidays, we’re bringing back one of our all-time favorite episodes…and honestly, it’s even better the second time around.In this episode, we break down why the Savannah Bananas aren’t just a baseball team… they’re a masterclass in branding, fan experience, and doing business differently. From packed stadiums to viral moments, they’ve proven that when you prioritize fun, connection, and people-first thinking, everything else follows.And yes — bonus full-circle moment — Tarah actually got to meet Jesse Cole, the mastermind behind the Bananas, which made this replay hit even harder.We talk about what businesses of any size can learn from their approach:• How creating an experience builds loyalty• Why selling fun isn’t a gimmick — it’s a strategy• What happens when you stop marketing at people and start creating with them• And why being memorable matters more than being traditionalIf you’re tired of boring marketing, stale strategies, and “this is how it’s always been done” thinking — this episode is your permission slip to go a little more… bananas.Think of this as a holiday replay with fresh perspective and extra excitement.

It’s Christmas Eve, so we’re revisiting the episode that started everything…Go listen to Season 2, Episode 10 first.Trust us. This replay hits harder once you hear how the story evolved.In this original episode, we unpack why Meta stopped working the way it used to…declining organic reach, ads replacing connection, and the growing sense that creators and businesses were being quietly pushed out.At the time, we just knew something felt off.Now? We know exactly what was happening.This replay is the before to Season 2’s after. The moment we realized the algorithm wasn’t broken… it just wasn’t built for us anymore.🎄 A little nostalgia.🎧 A lot of clarity.🔥 Zero regrets.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@royallyunhingedSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6yE1r0pTPZJ6zY4dzJzX2KApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/royally-unhinged/id1730932901Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f6c0297-0d5b-4b15-b47f-4eb391ca6f90/royally-unhingediHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-royally-unhinged-153601185/