What if networking isn’t about selling… but simply starting a conversation?

In this week’s Power Hour, I’m joined by networking expert and author Stefan Thomas, and this conversation is such a refreshing reframe on something so many business owners overthink. 😫

From working in a shoe shop in the 80s to writing Business Networking for Dummies, Stefan shares how the most powerful business opportunities don’t come from pitching… they come from simple, human conversations. ❤️

We talk about why networking feels uncomfortable, what people get wrong, and how to approach it in a way that actually builds trust (and leads to real opportunities).

If you’ve ever walked into a networking event thinking “what do I even say?” this episode is for you.

✨ This Week’s Focus:

Networking doesn’t need to feel forced or salesy.
It’s simply the start of a conversation.

• Why the word “networking” can instantly make us uncomfortable
• The real purpose of your 60-second introduction
• Why trying to sell too fast actually pushes people away
• How trust is built over time (not instantly)
• The “half-life of enthusiasm” and why timing matters in follow-up
• How modern tools (like social + automation) support relationship-building

• Networking is the start of a conversation, not a sales pitch
• Your 60-second intro should lead to the next conversation

This episode is such a good reminder that business (and honestly, life) comes back to connection. When you take the pressure off and just focus on being human, everything feels easier and more aligned.

Search The Bubbles Effect Podcast wherever you listen
Connect with Stefan and grab his books on Amazon (including Business Networking for Dummies) here: [email protected]✨ If this resonated, I created a simple playbook to help you take action on what you learn, grab it below.

📄 Get the playbook here: https://nb.marketing/podcast

In today’s episode of The Bubbles Effect, I’m diving into a major story making waves right now, the lawsuit against Meta and YouTube around social media addiction, and what it could mean for the future of platforms, algorithms, and responsibility.

But as always, we don’t stop at marketing.

This episode shifts into a powerful (and unexpected) mindset moment sparked by something simple: cleaning out my inbox. Scrolling back to 2020 brought up memories from the pandemic... the uncertainty, the challenges, and everything in between and it made me pause and ask:

👉 How far have we actually come?

Because when you’re in the day-to-day of running a business and building a life, it’s easy to miss your own growth.

In this episode, I talk about:

• The Meta + YouTube lawsuit and why it matters
• Reflecting on past seasons to recognize growth
• A simple mindset shift you can implement today

If you’ve been moving nonstop, building, juggling, and pushing forward… this is your reminder to take a breath and actually look back for a second.

You might be further than you think.

✨ And don’t forget!! The Bubbles Effect newsletter is going out this weekend with some of the best marketing updates and trends I’ve seen lately.

Make sure you’re on the list: https://nb.marketing/resources

What does it really mean to choose joy… especially when life feels heavy? ❤️

In this episode, I’m joined by Elizabeth Grandinetti, joy coach, connector, and someone who truly embodies what it means to come back to yourself.

We talk about her journey from corporate burnout to building a business centered around helping women rediscover joy, and how becoming a mom completely shifted her perspective on work, life, and what actually matters. ✨

This is one of those conversations that feels like catching up with a friend, but leaves you thinking a little deeper.

We get into:

• What “choosing joy” actually looks like in real life (hint: it’s not just a mindset shift)

• The idea of returning to childlike joy (and why something as simple as blowing bubbles can reset your entire nervous system)
• Balancing business and motherhood and redefining success on your own terms
• The power of in-person connection in a very digital world
• Simple tools like visualization and affirmations (including one app you might want to try 👀)

• Why so many women lose themselves in the roles they carry and how to find your way back

We also talk about grief, growth, and using your life experiences as fuel to step outside your comfort zone and into the next version of yourself.It’s light, it’s honest, and it’s a reminder that joy isn’t something you wait for, it’s something you can start practicing today. So grab a glass and let's chat 🥂

Connect with Elizabeth here: www.elizabeth-grand.com

What if the next level of your life isn’t about doing more… but rebuilding from the inside out?

In this week’s Power Hour, I’m joined by Jen Rulon, a 15-time Ironman athlete turned midlife transformation coach who helps women reclaim their strength, mindset, and purpose in a whole new way. 💪

After decades of endurance training, a major life transition, and rebuilding her life in Costa Rica, Jen realized something powerful: women in midlife don’t need another finish line… they need a new foundation.

In this conversation, we talk about what it actually looks like to shift from constant striving into something more sustainable, aligned, and fulfilling, especially in your 40s and beyond.

Here’s what we get into:

• Why “more goals” isn’t always the answer (and what to focus on instead)
• Jen’s 4-part framework: movement, mindset, metabolism, and meaning
• How strength training impacts confidence, energy, and longevity
• The truth about metabolism, nutrition, and intermittent fasting for women
• How your physical health directly impacts your business, energy, and daily life
• Simple ways to start rebuilding from the inside out, without overwhelm

3 simple takeaways you can start today:

• Start with movement → even 10 minutes counts (walk, dance, just get moving)
• Shift your mindset → try the “mirror exercise” and give yourself one compliment daily

• Create space to process → journaling (or voice notes) to reconnect with yourself

This episode is a reminder that you’re not behind… you’re evolving.
And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is come back to yourself.

✨ If this resonated, I created a simple playbook to help you take action on what you learn, grab it below.
📄 Get the playbook here: https://nb.marketing/podcast

Connect with Jen here: https://jenrulon.com

This week, I’m diving into a few new Instagram updates… and a mindset shift that’s been on my mind.

On the marketing side, I’m talking about what Instagram is testing right now.
They’re experimenting with links in captions (finally 🥳), but there’s a catch... you have to be Meta verified, and you only get a limited number per month.

I’m also hearing (from IG's CEO) that adding music to carousels can help boost reach, and trial Reels are getting pushed pretty heavily right now.

So if you’re creating content, these are a few things I’d start testing this week. 💅

And then on the mindset side, this is something that came to me on a run…

I kept thinking about what actually happens when we show up.

And I’m realizing that it’s kind of both everything and nothing at the same time.

Because yes, people notice, but not in the way we think they do.
Most people aren’t paying as much attention or judging as much as we think… and that’s actually a really freeing place to operate from. 🙌

So if you’ve been holding back or overthinking showing up, this is your reminder to just do it.
Because the growth you’re looking for is on the other side of consistency (and a little bit of fear), not perfection.

That’s what I’ve got for today.
Short, simple, and something you can actually use this week.

I’ll be back on Wednesday with a new Power Hour episode.

And remember… just like bubbles, we rise to the top. 🥂

In this episode of The Bubbles Effect Podcast, I’m sitting down with Kate Hendrickson, and this one feels like the ultimate catch-up moment because we actually went to high school together (we’ll just… not do the math on how long ago that was 😂).

Kate’s career has taken her through so many different lanes, from TV and film to hospitality, corporate consulting, entrepreneurship, and now writing her own books, and we talk all about what it looks like to evolve, pivot, and trust yourself along the way.

This convo really feels like sitting down over a glass of champagne and just talking life, business, and everything in between (because we did 🥂). We chat burnout, entrepreneurship, leadership, and those moments where you realize… okay, something needs to change.

Kate also shares how she left a decade-long consulting career, started her own business, and followed that creative pull to finally write and publish her first book (which is such a fun, feel-good story you’ll want to grab). ❤️

And of course, we mix in all the fun stuff too, brunch, favorite drinks, comfort shows, social media as moms, and travel dreams.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Career pivots and not staying in just one lane
• Trusting your gut (even when it’s scary)
• The real side of entrepreneurship (including the lonely parts)
• Leadership, growth, and common business mistakes
• Writing, publishing, and putting yourself out there
• Brunch, bubbles, and our go-to comfort shows

It was so fun to have a conversation with an old friend! Easy, real, and full of those little moments that make you think.

Pour something bubbly and come hang out with us 🥂

Connect with Kate here: https://www.kate-hendrickson.com

What if your biggest advantage in business right now isn’t "better marketing" … but a clearer, more authentic personal brand?

In this Wednesday Power Hour, I’m joined by Nat Schooler, founder of Monday Influencer and former IBM Futurist, whose career journey spans everything from working in a family wine business to building authority in tech, branding, and AI. 🍷🤖

This conversation really centers around one key idea: in a world where AI can create almost anything, being real and clearly understood is more valuable than ever.

We talk about why personal brands often outperform business brands, how to actually stand out in a crowded space, and why so many entrepreneurs overcomplicate their messaging without even realizing it. 😤

Nat shares simple, practical ways to start building your brand today, along with insights on credibility, consistency, and how to take control of your online presence instead of letting it happen by default.

We also dive into:
• Why simple messaging is one of the most powerful tools you have
• The three things every strong personal brand needs: clarity, differentiation, and credibility
• How authenticity is becoming a competitive advantage in an AI-driven world
• Why you already have a personal brand (whether you’ve built it intentionally or not)
• How to move through imposter syndrome and start showing up with confidence

If you’ve been overthinking your brand, second-guessing how to show up, or feeling like you’re blending in… this is a really helpful reset.

Grab your coffee and join us for this real, practical conversation.

You can learn more about Nat and Monday Influencer at: https://mondayinfluencer.com

👉 Ready to put this into action? Grab this week’s corresponding Power Hour Playbook here: https://nb.marketing/podcast

Hey y'all, it’s Monday, March 16th, and you don't want to miss today's short episode!

I dive into one of the biggest shifts happening in marketing right now: entity-based SEO. If you’ve been hearing that phrase pop up lately, you’re not alone. I shared an article about it in Saturday’s newsletter (which, by the way, goes out bi-weekly if you want in), and it ended up being the most clicked link so clearly this is something we all need to be paying attention to.

Here’s the simple version: SEO is no longer about just using the right keywords, it’s about being understood.

Search engines and AI are now asking:
Who are you?
What do you do?
And how do you connect to everything else online?

I chat about how Google is essentially building a “map of the world” through entities (think: people, brands, ideas), why keywords still matter (but aren’t the whole strategy anymore), and how the future of SEO is really about topic authority, depth, and connection.

If your content still feels like a collection of random posts… this episode is your sign to shift into building a true content ecosystem.

Because the businesses that are going to win?
They’re not the ones using the “right” words.
They’re the ones that become known for something.

Then we shift into a little Monday mindset moment, because, real life.

I’m sharing a very real behind-the-scenes of recording this episode… multiple times… with my microphone off 🙃 and how that kind of perfectly reflects the season I’ve been in lately.

Transitions. Friction. Things not going as planned.

And just a reminder that not every week is going to be perfectly dialed in, but that doesn’t mean you’re completely off track either!

Sometimes it just means you’re in a different season. Or in between seasons.

So this is your reminder to give yourself a little grace, take a breath and remember how strong you are ❤️

As always, if you need someone to talk it out with, marketing or mindset, I’m here!

And I’ve got two really good episodes coming out this Wednesday and Friday, so stay tuned for those.

Thanks for being here, have a great week and I’ll talk to you soon 🥂

Read the full article here: https://neilpatel.com/blog/entity-based-seo

Get the newsletter here: https://nb.marketing/resources

What happens when a recovering attorney becomes a tech founder…and builds a business around celebration? 🥂

In this Friday Bubbly Convo, I’m joined by Jessica Lerner Halperin, founder of Swankey, a party-planning app designed to bring more ease, joy, and calm back to life’s celebrations.

Jessica shares her journey from a lifelong legal career into entrepreneurship after navigating deep grief, the loss of her mother, the pandemic, and a major life pivot she never saw coming. What started as a frustration with how chaotic party planning had become turned into a bigger mission: helping people celebrate the small things, the big things, and everything in between. ❤️

We talk about resilience, building a business later in life, stepping outside your comfort zone, why founders today have to show up online, and how social media and marketing have changed so much in just the last few years. We also get into the emotional side of celebration, why perfection is overrated, and how people remember how you made them feel far more than the napkin color.

Jessica is thoughtful, funny, wildly smart, and yes… she also gave us some unexpectedly helpful “party therapist” legal wisdom along the way.

In this episode, we cover:

• Jessica’s pivot from corporate attorney to tech founder

• How grief and the pandemic reshaped her path

• The story behind Swankey and why she built it

• What founders need to know about marketing today

• Why people want to connect with the face behind the brand

• How to celebrate meaningfully without the pressure of perfection

• A few smart things to keep in mind when working with vendors

This one is for the entrepreneurs, the hosts, the pivots-in-progress, and anyone who could use a reminder to celebrate life while we’re living it.

Connect with Jessica + Swankey here: www.swankey.com

What if the real edge in business, leadership, and life isn’t moving faster… but slowing down?

In this conversation, I’m joined by Morgan Rich, coach and author of The Invitation Beyond: Reclaiming Healthy Masculinity. Morgan’s work focuses on helping people reconnect with what they already know to be true, by stepping out of the noise, building daily practices, and learning how to navigate uncertainty with presence and clarity.

We talk about what he calls “training for the unknown,” and why learning to be present in everyday moments can become one of the most powerful tools for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone trying to navigate a busy, complicated world.

Morgan shares how small daily practices, even just five minutes of quiet reflection or breathwork, can help us regulate our nervous systems, make clearer decisions, and reconnect with the person we actually want to be.

We also dive into:

• Why awareness is the first step to meaningful change

• How simple practices can build resilience in uncertain moments

• The surprising connection between slowing down and better leadership

• Why modern culture makes presence harder, and more important, than ever

• Practical ways to start reconnecting with yourself today

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stretched thin, or like you’re constantly moving but not always aligned with what matters most… this conversation is a powerful reminder that clarity often comes when we pause long enough to listen.

Grab your coffee (or your bubbles 🥂) and join us for this thoughtful, grounding conversation.

You can learn more about Morgan and access his resources at: https://morganrich.com