Social Media Decoded

What if the thing slowing down your marketing success… is you?

If you’ve ever felt stuck spinning your wheels—trying to post consistently, show up on all the platforms, and still hearing crickets—this episode is for you.
You don’t need to start from scratch or build a complicated funnel.
You need clarity, simplicity, and a strategy that fits your life and your season.

In this episode, I’m walking you through the 10-minute marketing audit I’ve used with my private clients to help them clean up their message, tighten their content strategy, and book dream clients without burnout.

You’ll walk away with:

Friend, you don’t need more content. You need a better container for your message.
Let’s fix that today—together.

Grab my FREE 7-Day Visibility Challenge and start showing up strategically so your dream clients can finally find you:
michellelthames.com/challenge

🎧 Want the full playbook? Download my $17 audio course that teaches you how to build visibility and convert followers into paying clients with ease:
Check it out here

📲 Let’s stay connected! Come hang out with me on Instagram, where I share daily tips, wins, and real talk:
@michellelthames

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In this episode of Social Media Decoded, host Michelle Thames sits down with Johnathan Grzybowski, co-founder of Penji, a creative-as-a-service platform that helps businesses access top-tier design talent through a simple subscription model.

Johnathan shares how he bootstrapped Penji from the ground up—with no investors and no safety net—scaling it into an Inc. 5000 company that has served thousands of clients worldwide.

If you're a startup founder, creative entrepreneur, or small business owner looking for bootstrapping tips, branding advice, or scalable business models, this conversation is packed with value.

How Johnathan scaled Penji without outside funding

The biggest challenges of bootstrapping a business (and how he overcame them)

What makes customer experience a true differentiator in today’s digital world

How subscription-based services are shaping the future of creative work

Lessons from managing a high-performing creative team and building long-term client trust

💻 Penji Website: https://penji.co
📲 Follow Penji on Instagram: @penji.co
🎙️ Dear Dads Podcast: Listen Here
💡 Free Ideas Daily: https://freeideas.io

how to bootstrap a startup

bootstrapped business success stories

customer experience strategy

building a creative agency

subscription business model tips

how to start a service-based business

creative team management

small business branding and marketing

🌐 Website: www.michellethames.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
📲 Instagram: @michellelthames

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

Feeling like you’re showing up online but not seeing results?

You’re not alone—and the issue isn’t just “post more.” In this episode, I’m breaking down the 3 types of content you need to attract visibility and aligned clients consistently.

If you’re tired of throwing content at the wall and hoping it sticks, this episode is your blueprint. I’m walking you through the content system I teach inside my $17 audio course, Visible & Booked™, and sharing how to build a visibility rhythm that works—even if you’re not posting every day.

✨ You’ll learn:

The 3 content types you need to turn followers into clients

Why engagement ≠ visibility (and what actually matters)

The #1 mindset shift to stop overthinking your content

How to create consistent visibility without burnout

🎧 Whether you're a coach, service provider, or multi-passionate entrepreneur—this episode will give you a real strategy you can use today.

Join my FREE 7-Day Visibility Challenge and learn how to confidently show up, attract aligned clients, and build a brand that gets remembered (without posting 24/7).
→ JOIN HERE

My $17 audio course, Visible & Booked™, teaches you how to create a simple, sustainable content rhythm that turns your ideas into income.
→ Grab it now here

You’ll walk away with:
✅ A weekly content plan that works for your life
✅ Plug-and-play visibility strategy
✅ Confidence to show up like the expert you are

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe + leave a review if this episode gave you clarity!

Let’s keep you visible & paid,
—Michelle Thames
@michellelthames | Host of the Social Media Decoded podcast

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 shares her signature content system for growing on Instagram without being glued to your phone. She walks you through how to batch, plan, and repurpose content so you can stay visible and consistent—even with a busy schedule. Learn how to use ChatGPT, automation, and intentional content themes to grow smarter (not harder) and avoid burnout.

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

In this powerhouse episode of Social Media Decoded, host Michelle Thames sits down with viral sensation and powerhouse momager Kia J. Brooks—the brilliant strategist behind daughter Flau’jae Johnson’s explosive growth in both sports and entertainment.

Kia pulls back the curtain on how she generated 42 million views on Facebook in just one month, turned that attention into real revenue, and built a thriving personal and professional brand while managing motherhood, business, and fame.

Whether you're a content creator, manager, or entrepreneur looking to turn your platform into profit, this episode delivers real strategy, no fluff.

How Kia reached 42M views on Facebook and the exact strategy behind her viral content

Tips for monetizing content through platform tools, brand partnerships, and organic growth

How she built Flau’jae’s brand from grassroots to global recognition in sports and music

Why storytelling and authenticity are key to building a strong digital presence

Time management and mindset shifts for mompreneurs and multi-hyphenate women

How to protect your peace while managing fame and brand growth online

What every creator needs to know about turning attention into income

Kia J. Brooks is a businesswoman, motivational speaker, digital strategist, and mother of 7—best known as the mom and manager of Flau’jae Johnson, rapper and LSU women’s basketball star. She is the definition of “momager to mogul,” using her experience to help others grow, monetize, and lead with purpose.

Instagram: @kiajbrooks

Facebook: Kia J. Brooks

Watch Flau’jae: @flaujae

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

In this honest and empowering episode, Michelle Thames challenges the idea that multi-passionate entrepreneurs need to "niche down" to succeed. Instead, she explains why clarity—not restriction—is the key to building a powerful brand that converts. Learn how to streamline your message, structure your content, and market your multiple passions without overwhelming your audience.

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, host Michelle Thames sits down with Dr. Shadé Y. Adu, award-winning digital brand strategist, international speaker, and bestselling author, to uncover the secrets behind building a magnetic personal brand and launching profitable online courses.

Dr. Shadé shares her inspiring journey of starting her business over a decade ago in Kazakhstan, how she scaled it into a global brand, and the exact framework she uses to help women entrepreneurs grow their income, influence, and impact.

If you're looking for expert insights on digital branding, online course creation, or how to build a brand that stands out in a crowded online space, this episode is a must-listen!

How Dr. Shadé started her brand in Kazakhstan and scaled it globally

The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make in digital branding

Her 3-step formula for income, influence, and impact

How to create and launch a successful online course—even with a small audience

Unique ways to stand out in a saturated digital space

Why personal branding is key to building generational wealth

Tools, mindset shifts, and strategies for scaling online

🌐 Website: https://www.shadeyadu.com
📸 Instagram: @heydrshade

Learn more about Michelle’s free 7-Day Visibility Challenge 

Want help launching your podcast? Work with Michelle → email me [email protected]

Loved this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us reach more amazing entrepreneurs like you!

🎧 Listen to more episodes of 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.

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames breaks down the three visibility shifts she would make if she were starting her business from scratch in 2025. After 15+ years in marketing and building a multiple six-figure personal brand, Michelle shares the key things she’d do differently to build momentum faster, attract aligned clients, and grow with intention. This episode is packed with strategy, personal examples, and actionable tips for entrepreneurs who are ready to get visible and paid.

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 sets the record straight—Instagram isn’t dead, but many of the strategies people are still using? Definitely are. From outdated engagement pods to overused hashtags, Michelle breaks down what’s no longer working in 2024 and what you need to do instead to grow organically and turn followers into clients. If you’re tired of spinning your wheels and want to use Instagram strategically, this episode is for you.

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 shares how she built a six-figure brand without ever going viral. If you're tired of chasing trends, obsessed with views, and wondering why your content isn’t converting—this episode gives you the truth. Michelle unpacks why virality isn’t a real business strategy and shares the three sustainable marketing strategies she used to grow her personal brand, consistently attract clients, and scale with confidence.

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