Social Media Decoded

By Michelle ThamesBusiness Entrepreneurship Education Marketing Courses

Social Media Decoded episodes

July 19The Biggest Business Decision I Made This Year (Hint: It Wasn't Social Media)
Have you ever felt like you're doing everything you're "supposed" to do in your business—creating content, growing your audience, chasing the algorithm—but something still feels off?
In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames shares the biggest business decision she made this year and why it completely changed the direction of her business. Instead of focusing on creating more content, she made the intentional decision to build community—and it has led to more opportunities, stronger relationships, speaking engagements, partnerships, and meaningful business growth.
Michelle takes you behind the scenes of why she's investing in local businesses, hosting Coffee & Connections, organizing intimate networking dinners, and creating Connected & Paid Live. She explains why relationships have become her most valuable marketing strategy and why building a community will always outperform chasing followers.
If you're an entrepreneur, content creator, or business owner wondering how to build a brand that lasts, this episode will challenge the way you think about marketing, networking, and business growth.
In This Episode You'll Learn:
Why building community is more valuable than creating endless content

The biggest business decision Michelle made this year

How relationships create opportunities that algorithms never can

Why local community building has become part of Michelle's business strategy

The difference between building an audience and building a community

How networking events can become relationship accelerators

Why saying "no" creates space for bigger opportunities

How to build a business that aligns with your values instead of trends
DM Michelle the word "COMMUNITY" on Instagram if this episode resonated with you and share what you're building.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
9 min
July 18What I'm Really Building: Why I Chose Community Over Content | CEO Diary
Have you ever felt like your business was evolving, but no one understood the vision?
In this first CEO Diary episode of Social Media Decoded, I'm taking you behind the scenes of my business to share what I'm really building—and why I've shifted my focus from creating more content to building meaningful community.
I talk about why relationships have become my greatest business strategy, how Coffee & Connections, my Hidden Gem series, and Connected & Paid Live all fit together, and why I believe the future belongs to entrepreneurs who create ecosystems instead of chasing algorithms.
If you're a business owner, creator, or entrepreneur looking to build a brand that's rooted in connection, visibility, and long-term impact, this episode is for you.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why I stopped chasing followers and started building community

The difference between creating content and creating connection

How networking events became relationship accelerators

Why community is the future of business growth

How partnerships and sponsorships fit into a long-term brand strategy

The vision behind Connected & Paid Live

Why every entrepreneur should build a visibility ecosystem instead of relying on one platform
If this episode resonates with you, send me a DM on Instagram with the word EVENT to learn more about Connected & Paid Live.
Resources Mentioned
Connected & Paid Live

Coffee, Content & Connections

Connected & Paid Collective
Connect with Michelle:
Instagram: @michellelthames
Website: https://michellethames.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
9 min
July 13Why I Stopped Trying to Build an Audience | The Power of Community Over Followers
What if the goal isn't to build a bigger audience—but to build meaningful relationships?
In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames shares the mindset shift that completely changed how she approaches social media, networking, and business growth. After years of chasing followers and viral moments, she realized the real opportunities weren't coming from her follower count—they were coming from the rooms she was creating.
From visiting local hidden gems and hosting Coffee & Connections to intimate networking dinners, retreats, and her upcoming Connected & Paid event, Michelle explains why authentic community is becoming the most valuable marketing strategy in today's digital world.
If you're an entrepreneur, content creator, coach, or small business owner wondering how to grow your business beyond social media, this episode will inspire you to focus on relationships that lead to collaborations, referrals, sponsorships, and lasting impact.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why building community is more valuable than chasing followers

How networking events create real business opportunities

The difference between building an audience and building relationships

Why local visibility can transform your business

How to create experiences that turn followers into clients and collaborators

Why community builders are the new influencers

The marketing strategy that algorithms can't replace
Key Takeaway:
Followers don't become your sponsors. Followers don't become your collaborators. People do.
If this episode inspired you, send Michelle a DM with the word ROOM and share the kind of community you're building.
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another entrepreneur who believes relationships are the future of business.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
8 min
July 09The Hidden Cost of Visibility: Why Your Business Needs Systems Before More Followers
Everyone tells you to get more visible.
Post more content.
Start the podcast.
Book the speaking engagement.
Land the collaborations.
But what happens after the visibility?
In this episode of Social Media Decoded, I'm joined by Annie Mossbacher, Chief Growth Officer at Dubsado, for an honest conversation about what happens when your business starts growing faster than your systems can support.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed after signing new clients, struggled to keep up with emails and proposals, or wondered why success suddenly feels exhausting, this episode is for you.
We talk about founder burnout, client experience, sustainable growth, and why systems aren't boring—they're freedom.
In this episode you'll learn:
Why visibility exposes broken business systems

The hidden reason founders burn out after growth

How to create a client experience people never forget

The first system every service provider should implement

Why doing everything yourself is costing you money

How to stop overdelivering at the expense of your health

What sustainable growth actually looks like

Why authenticity is becoming your greatest marketing advantage
Memorable Quotes
"Visibility without systems will burn you out."
"Growth isn't about doing more. It's about becoming ruthless with your priorities."
"The business you prayed for shouldn't become the business that breaks you."
Connect with Annie
Instagram: @anniemossbacher
Learn more about Dubsado: dubsado.com/?c=michellethames
Resources Mentioned
Dubsado

Client Experience

Business Systems

Founder Burnout

Service-Based Business Growth
If You Enjoyed This Episode...
Share it with another entrepreneur who is building a business behind the scenes.
If this episode helped you rethink how you're growing your business, take 30 seconds to leave a review. Your reviews help more entrepreneurs discover the show.
Want to support the podcast?
Buy Me a Coffee and help us continue creating free content for entrepreneurs.
Follow Michelle:
Instagram: @michellelthames
Thanks for listening to Social Media Decoded!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
36 min
July 06My Visibility Stack: The 4 Business Tools I Use Every Week to Grow My Brand
What tools does Michelle Thames actually use to run her business every week?
In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle takes you behind the scenes of her visibility stack and shares the four platforms that power her podcast, email marketing, client management, and website. From creating content to automating workflows and building stronger customer relationships, these are the tools she relies on every single day.
If you're an entrepreneur looking to simplify your business, save time, and create more opportunities through visibility, this episode is for you.
In This Episode
Why systems are just as important as visibility

How Michelle uses Riverside to turn one recording into weeks of content

Why KIT is the foundation of her email marketing strategy

How Dubsado automates client onboarding and saves hours every week

Why ShinePages is changing the way she thinks about websites and online presence

The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make when choosing software

How to build a visibility ecosystem instead of relying on social media alone
Resources Mentioned
Want my complete Visibility Stack?
DM TOOLS on Instagram to receive the exact platforms Michelle uses to run her business, along with her favorite resources and affiliate links.
Connect with Michelle
Instagram: @michellelthames
Threads: @michellelthames
Website: michellethames.com
Love the Show?
If this episode helped you, please leave a review and share it with another entrepreneur. Your support helps more business owners discover the podcast and learn how to build a brand that creates real opportunities.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
11 min
July 02Why Opportunities Keep Finding Me (And How You Can Make Them Find You Too)
What if your next client, speaking engagement, sponsorship, or brand partnership isn’t waiting for another cold pitch—but for you to become more visible?
In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames takes you behind the scenes of how her recent local business videos, community events, speaking opportunities, and brand partnerships are creating momentum in her business. She shares why visibility is about so much more than followers and explains how showing up consistently can open doors you never expected.
If you’ve been posting consistently but feel like the opportunities just aren’t coming, this episode will change the way you think about your content—and your business.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why visibility creates opportunities long before someone reaches out

How Michelle’s viral local business videos led to new conversations and partnerships

The mindset shift that’s helping her attract speaking engagements and sponsorship opportunities

Why every piece of content should be treated as a business asset

How to position yourself so clients, brands, and event organizers think of you first

The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make when creating content

How Michelle evaluates businesses and spots marketing opportunities everywhere she goes
Key Takeaways
Opportunities are created long before they’re received.
Visibility is an investment—not an expense.
Every piece of content is either building trust or being forgotten.
The right people can’t hire you if they don’t know you exist.
Ready to Become More Visible?
Michelle is now offering her $199 Visibility Intensive, a one-on-one strategy session designed to help you identify what’s holding your brand back and create a visibility plan that leads to real opportunities.
DM Michelle the word “VISIBLE” on Instagram
Connect with Michelle Thames
Instagram: @michellelthames
Threads: @michellelthames
Website: michellethames.com
Listen to more episodes of Social Media Decoded for weekly strategies on visibility, personal branding, content marketing, and building a business that attracts opportunities.
Love the Show?
If this episode inspired you, please leave a review and share it with another entrepreneur. Your support helps more business owners discover the podcast and learn how to build a brand that stands out.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
11 min
July 01Community Is the New Competitive Advantage: Why Relationships Matter More Than Followers
Is community the new competitive advantage?
In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames shares why she’s shifting her focus from simply creating content to intentionally building community. After hosting her intimate Summer in the South Suburbs dinner, responding to hundreds of social media comments, and watching her local business videos spark real-world conversations, she realized something powerful:
People aren’t starving for more content—they’re starving for connection.
Michelle shares why authentic relationships are becoming more valuable than algorithms, why networking is evolving into community building, and how creating meaningful spaces can transform your business and your life.
If you’ve been feeling like you’re building your business alone, this episode is your reminder that the right room, the right conversation, and the right relationships can change everything.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
Why community is becoming the biggest competitive advantage in business

How Michelle’s viral local content is creating real-world connections

Why responding to every comment still matters

The difference between building an audience and building a community

How relationships lead to referrals, collaborations, and new opportunities

Why entrepreneurs are craving genuine connection now more than ever

The vision behind the Connected & Paid Collective and Michelle’s upcoming November event
Key Takeaways
Visibility gets people to notice you.
Community gives them a reason to stay.
Relationships create opportunities that algorithms never can.
Business doesn’t have to be built alone.
Resources & Links
Join the Connected & Paid Collective
Send Michelle a DM with the word COMMUNITY on Instagram to learn more.
Support the Podcast
Love the show? Support future episodes through Buy Me a Coffee.
Send Michelle a DM with the word COFFEE for the link, or check the links below.
Book Michelle for your next event, workshop, or conference:
https://michellethames.com/contact
️ Listen to more episodes:
https://bleav.com/shows/social-media-decoded/
Join Michelle’s email community:
https://michellethames.kit.com/7daychallenge
Connect with Michelle Thames
Instagram: @michellelthames
Threads: @michellelthames
LinkedIn: Michelle Thames
Website: https://michellethames.com
If You Enjoyed This Episode…
Please leave a review and share this episode with a friend or fellow entrepreneur. Your support helps more people discover the show and allows us to continue creating free content that helps entrepreneurs become more visible, build meaningful relationships, and grow thriving businesses.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
11 min
June 24 Why Most People Are Using AI Wrong (And What I’m Doing Instead)
Everyone is talking about AI.
But most creators, entrepreneurs, and business owners are making one major mistake: they’re asking AI for personalized business advice without giving it access to the information it actually needs.
In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames breaks down one of the most exciting announcements from the KIT Craft + Commerce conference: MCP (Model Context Protocol) and what it means for creators, marketers, and business owners.
Don’t worry—this isn’t a technical episode.
Michelle explains MCP in plain English and shares how connecting tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini directly to your email marketing platform could completely change the way you make business decisions.
Instead of generic AI answers, imagine getting insights based on your actual audience, subscribers, and business data.
From identifying your most engaged subscribers to creating smarter email campaigns and automations, this episode explores how AI is becoming more useful, more personalized, and more actionable for creators.
If you’ve ever wondered how AI can help you grow your audience, email list, and business without feeling overwhelmed by technology, this episode is for you.
In This Episode
• What MCP is and why creators should care
• Why most people are using AI incorrectly
• How AI becomes more powerful when connected to your business data
• The difference between generic AI advice and personalized insights
• Why email marketing still matters in the age of AI
• How creators can use AI to better understand their audience
• Why your email list is one of the most valuable assets you own
• The future of AI-powered marketing for entrepreneurs and creators
Key Takeaways
Followers are borrowed. Subscribers are owned.
Better data leads to better decisions.
AI isn’t replacing great marketers—it’s helping them make smarter decisions faster.
The future belongs to creators who own their audience.
Connect With Michelle
Instagram: @MichelleLThames
If this episode was helpful, send Michelle a DM with the word KIT and let her know your biggest takeaway.
Affiliate Link For KIT: https://partners.kit.com/9agthn08tlmq-mcp
Resources Mentioned
• Kit Email Marketing Platform
• ChatGPT
• Claude
• Gemini
• KIT Craft + Commerce Conference

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
8 min
June 22 Why Community Builders Will Win the Next Decade
What if the most valuable skill of the next decade isn’t content creation, AI, or automation?
What if it’s community building?
In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames explores why community builders are uniquely positioned to thrive in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, automation, and digital connection. While technology continues to evolve, one thing remains true: people still crave belonging, trust, relationships, and meaningful human connection.
Michelle shares what she’s learning through building Coffee & Connections, community walks, curated dinner experiences, The Collective, and her upcoming Connected & Paid event. She explains why the future belongs to those who know how to bring people together and why relationship capital may become one of the most valuable assets you can build.
If you’re a creator, entrepreneur, leader, or business owner looking to build something that lasts, this episode is for you.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why AI and automation are increasing the value of human connection
• The growing loneliness epidemic and what it means for business
• The difference between building an audience and building a community
• Why relationship capital matters more than ever
• Lessons from Coffee & Connections, The Walk, and The Dinner Series
• How community creates opportunities that content alone cannot
• Why community leaders are becoming the most influential people in business
Key Quote:
“Community leaders are the new influencers.”
Connect with Michelle:
Instagram: @MichelleLThames
DM the word COMMUNITY to continue the conversation.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
11 min
June 16 What Going to the KIT Conference Actually Taught Me About Visibility
I almost didn’t go to the KIT Craft + Commerce conference.
Before the trip, I was overwhelmed, anxious, questioning everything, and honestly wondering if I should stay home and work instead. But what happened after I got in the room reminded me of something I deeply believe:
Visibility is bigger than social media.
In this episode of Social Media Decoded, I’m sharing the real lessons I learned at the KIT Conference in Boise—from meeting creators in real life, hearing powerful talks from leaders like James Clear and Jay Papasan, giving James Clear my book (!), and realizing that the biggest opportunities often happen outside of social media and inside real conversations.
Because here’s the truth:
At a certain level, opportunities don’t come from algorithms. They come from relationships.
In this episode, we’re talking about:
Why I almost skipped the conference
Anxiety, overwhelm, and showing up anyway
What happened when I gave James Clear my book
My biggest takeaway from Jay Papasan’s talk
Why relationships matter more than follower count
The power of getting in the right rooms
Why proximity is one of the most underrated visibility strategies
How real conversations lead to partnerships, referrals, and opportunities
Key takeaway from this episode:
“The biggest shift wasn’t what I learned on stage. It was what happened in the conversations.”
If you’ve been feeling stuck in business, overwhelmed with content creation, or wondering why visibility isn’t translating into opportunities—this episode is for you.
Because sometimes your next level isn’t another strategy.
Sometimes it’s the room.
Connect with Michelle:
DM the word ROOM on Instagram @MichelleLThames

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

About Social Media Decoded

From the publisher's feed

Social Media Decoded is your go-to podcast for marketing, visibility, and monetization strategies to grow your business online. Hosted by marketing expert Michelle Thames, this show breaks down social…