In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames breaks down the rise of ragebait content and asks the real question most marketers avoid: does it actually build brands, or just inflate engagement? Drawing from years of experience in marketing, visibility, and personal brand strategy, Michelle explains why ragebait works, when it hurts your credibility, and who should avoid it altogether.

This episode helps entrepreneurs, creators, and business owners understand how to stand out without sacrificing trust, authority, or long-term growth.

Why clarity and positioning matter more than attention

Strategic visibility outperforms short-term virality

Brands focused on long-term growth and trust

If you want support building visibility that attracts aligned clients instead of just attention, join the Collective for ongoing strategy, feedback, and proximity. https://michellethames.com/elevate-and-empower-collective

Follow Social Media Decoded for daily conversations on marketing, visibility, and brand growth.

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In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames breaks down the real difference between a social media manager and a social media strategist — and why confusing the two can cost businesses time, money, and momentum. Michelle explains how strategy and execution serve different purposes, the most common hiring mistakes business owners make, and how choosing the right support at the right time can dramatically change results.

This episode is essential listening for entrepreneurs, founders, and brands deciding how to invest in their marketing and visibility in 2026.

Why roles, timing, and expectations matter

Clear strategy makes execution more effective and efficient

Creators transitioning from DIY to professional support

If you need clarity before hiring or scaling your marketing, explore working with Michelle’s agency for strategic support. www.thamesmediasolutions.com

For ongoing proximity, feedback, and visibility guidance, join the Collective. https://michellethames.com/elevate-and-empower-collective

Michelle Thames is a marketing strategist, podcast host, and community builder with over 15 years of experience helping brands and entrepreneurs build visibility systems that convert. She specializes in strategy-first marketing, community-led growth, and sustainable brand ecosystems.

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In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames breaks down the marketing trends that will actually matter in 2026 and the ones she’s intentionally ignoring. Drawing from 15+ years of experience in marketing, community building, and visibility strategy, Michelle explains why fundamentals still outperform hype and how brands can build longevity instead of chasing short-term momentum.

This episode is for entrepreneurs, creators, and business owners who want sustainable visibility, stronger relationships, and marketing strategies that work across every season of business.

Building a visibility ecosystem instead of chasing platforms

Fundamentals never go out of style

Leaders who want marketing strategies that last

If you want support building a sustainable visibility strategy and community-led ecosystem, join the Collective for ongoing proximity, strategy, and feedback.

Make sure to follow Social Media Decoded so you don’t miss future episodes on visibility, marketing, and brand growth.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if slowing down isn’t a setback — but a signal?

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, marketing strategist and community builder Michelle Thames shares a real-time reflection after hosting her Elevate & Align retreat, where she unexpectedly lost her voice and was forced to pause, reschedule brand deals, and listen to what her body was communicating.

This short but powerful episode explores the connection between visibility, leadership, alignment, and sustainability, especially for entrepreneurs who feel pressure to constantly show up online.

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, burned out, or disconnected from your visibility, this conversation will help you reframe momentum and lead with clarity instead of hustle.

How slowing down can create clearer direction and momentum

Anyone feeling pressure to “do more” to stay relevant

Sustainable visibility isn’t about pushing harder — it’s about listening sooner.
Slowing down can be the most strategic leadership move you make.

Social Media Decoded breaks down what actually works in social media, branding, visibility, and community-led growth — without burnout culture or empty marketing trends.

Hosted by marketing strategist Michelle Thames, the show covers leadership, digital marketing strategy, visibility, content, and building brands that last.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs permission to slow down and lead differently.

Check out the collective: https://michellethames.com/elevate-and-empower-collective

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you feel like Instagram isn’t working anymore, this episode will change how you think about visibility.

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames breaks down why the Instagram algorithm isn’t the real problem — and how unclear strategy, weak positioning, and misaligned content are what actually block reach, engagement, and conversions.

Michelle explains what Instagram truly rewards, why chasing trends leads to burnout, and how clarity consistently outperforms creativity. This episode is for entrepreneurs and creators who want sustainable visibility, not viral luck.

If you are tired of guessing, posting more without results, or blaming the algorithm, this conversation will help you see Instagram through a strategic lens and move forward with confidence.

Want honest feedback on what’s blocking your Instagram visibility?
DM AUDIT on Instagram to request an Instagram audit.

For ongoing strategy, proximity, and visibility support, explore Michelle’s community, the Collective.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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:

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:

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.

How creators can stand out offline and online

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 for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 to do before and after a live event to support conversion

Creators who feel visible but not connected

Visibility works best when paired with clarity and direction

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.

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 for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.

Permission to grieve without performing online

Human-centered leadership and brand longevity

This episode is for:

Anyone grieving a loss while still showing up for others

“You are not behind. You are not lazy. You are not failing.”

You are allowed to pause.
You are allowed to grieve.
And your voice will still matter when you return.

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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.

The most underrated lead generation strategy: DM relationships

You don’t need more content — you need more intentional conversations and better systems to track and nurture the leads you already have.

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.

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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.

How Instagram audits fit into long-term, sustainable visibility strategy

Fixing low engagement and conversion

Anyone who wants clearer direction for their Instagram strategy

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 for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.