The Smart Passive Income Online Business and Blogging Podcast

#887 Hustle culture was wrong. Entrepreneurship is not about growth at all costs, and it's not about sacrificing your health for the sake of success. In fact, you'll never build a sustainable business if you're always running on fumes! In this episode, my good friend Chris Ducker returns to the show to share a powerful reminder on the dangers of burnout. Depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and adrenal failure, Chris has lived through it all. He is here to discuss the warning signs he ignored and the principles that brought him back to health. We tackle the dos and don'ts of running a business that won't burn you out. Based on Chris's new book, The Long Haul Leader, this deep session is all about slowing down to achieve more and build a legacy. From business relationships to self-care and hobbies, listen in for a perspective on lasting success! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session887.

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#886 What if I told you that someone sharing vocabulary tips gets millions of email opens per month and makes seven figures? How about if I said someone's keto recipes for bodybuilders newsletter just earned them a new house in Malibu? Listen in on this session because a quiet email revolution is happening under the radar. Let's pull back the curtain on what’s working in 2025! First, forget the tactics from five years ago. I aim to share the playbook you can use to turn a basic newsletter into a thriving business in today's online landscape. I'll discuss finding the best hyper-niche topic to focus on, repurposing your newsletter for big growth, pairing the right ad and monetization strategies, the top tools for the job, and more. Onboarding, engagement, and retention are also covered to help you build a long-term income stream around your passion. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session886.

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#885 Social media isn't social anymore, it's just media. This fundamental shift is already having a massive impact on our results as creators and entrepreneurs. So what are the strategies that can help us master these online platforms? While we might be tempted to chase the latest trends and copy what everyone else is doing, that's not the key to success. In fact, it might be holding us back. Listen in on today's episode because I've analyzed and distilled the tactics behind the top creators of 2025. I’ll share the five principles I’ve uncovered and the lessons learned getting billions of views on my content. We’ll cover why precision beats breadth, how to go viral in your niche, and the mistake keeping most entrepreneurs stuck. You’ll learn why treating each platform like an island is key, the secret to crafting powerful hooks, and how to capture value beyond likes and views. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session885.

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#884 How do you build an audience online in a world flooded with AI content? The key to standing out is finding your uniqueness and applying it in the service of others. Information won't set you apart—your story will! In this episode, I’m joined by New York Times bestselling author and personal branding expert, Rory Vaden. He and I explain why your voice, experiences, and struggles are more important than ever in 2025. So, how can authenticity cut through the noise, build trust, and create real connections? Listen in to find out! Rory walks you through his four-part storytelling framework to help you level up your brand and inspire others to take action. From content creation to building communities, we discuss how to leverage AI-powered tools without losing the personal touch that makes all the difference. As Rory says, humanness is the new uniqueness. Join us to learn how emotion can elevate your business! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session884.

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#883 Podcasting is changing fast. From video to new discovery tools, finding and growing an audience can happen quicker than ever. But how do you take advantage of this opportunity and stand out among millions of shows? That's what I'm sharing in today's episode. I'll break down the best strategies for podcasters in 2025 to help you put yourself out there and succeed! I’ll walk you through my top short-form content tips that can put your show in front of new listeners, even if you’re just starting. You’ll hear about the AI tools that make creating and sharing video clips easier than ever and how to repurpose your highlights for every platform, from TikTok to Facebook. Yes, Facebook! I also cover timeless tactics such as podcast guesting and building a community around your brand for a comprehensive look at growing your show. Tune in, and enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session883.

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#882 If you're not paying attention to how YouTube is changing, you should be! Today, I'll share the three algorithm triggers that can make all the difference for your brand in 2025. Many creators aren't taking advantage of these recent updates, so this is your chance to stand out! I’ve built three successful YouTube channels, so these strategies are tried and true. I'll walk you through attracting more return viewers, balancing niche and broad content to go viral while creating a loyal audience, leveraging video series and live streams, and more! This episode is not about basics like optimizing your titles and thumbnails, although I also share some key tricks that can help with that. You see, much of what used to work on YouTube won't move the needle for you nowadays. In fact, some old-school tactics might be doing more harm than good. So tune in for my top dos and don'ts right now! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session882.

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#881 What's stopping you from building your dream life? Often, it's something more subtle than obstacles you can't overcome. The thing that's holding you back is likely a clear path to a lesser goal! So, how do you set your sights on "impossible" achievements for next-level business growth? I'm joined by Dr. Benjamin Hardy, co-author of the incredible 10x Is Easier Than 2x, for today's episode. In this chat, we dive deep into building a massive brand using lessons from Dr. Hardy's new book, The Science of Scaling. This session is a total game-changer. You’ll learn why thinking big can make it easier to grow your business, how compressing your timeline forces better action, and why you should say no to more opportunities. Much of what we discuss today may seem counterintuitive, but listen in to find out why rewiring your mindset is the key to unlocking new growth! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session881.

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#880 In a world of infinite choice, standing out from the crowd is key. While others are chasing algorithms, you can and should build something worth talking about. So, forget the marketing hacks and focus on the one strategy that always works: word of mouth! I just had over five thousand people attend my Card Party Pokémon event in Florida. I spent zero dollars on ads to attract this massive crowd, so listen in to find out what I focused on instead! While traditional marketing is ineffective, going above and beyond for your audience will always get people talking. In this episode, I cover how to get shares, the psychological triggers that drive word of mouth, and the mistakes to avoid. I also explain the easiest way to access and leverage highly targeted audiences with online groups and communities. This method has been working wonders, so don't miss out! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session880.

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#879 It's over. In 2025, courses aren't selling like they used to. So what’s next for online educators? Are we better off giving our knowledge away for free? I’m joined by my friend and business partner Matt Gartland today. Together, we’ve seen tens of thousands of students enroll in our courses over the years. But things are different now. People aren't buying information. Instead, they need help taking action. That's where we come in with a community-powered spin on traditional online learning. But what are the other strategies top creators use to repurpose old course content? Listen in because Matt and I share our thoughts on giving courses away for free to generate leads and build superfans. We also dive into our predictions for the future of online business and suggest areas to focus your energies on. This session is a great look at building sustainable recurring revenue. Tune in! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session879.

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#878 Writing a book is hard, but getting people to buy it is even harder. For those of us who dream big, is it possible to make the best seller lists without gaming the system? What does it take to move copies nowadays? More importantly, is it worth it? In this episode, I'm joined by SPI CEO Caleb Wojcik to talk through the entire process of launching my new book, Lean Learning. We discuss the highs, lows, and everything that led to making the New York Times and USA Today best seller lists! Listen in because I'll share the strategies that worked and the challenges that made me wonder if people even read anymore. You'll hear about my podcast tour, using bonuses to drive sales, bulk orders, and how TikTok is transforming the way people buy books. We also talk about working with a traditional publisher. Tune in to hear my unfiltered thoughts! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session878.

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