Podcast guesting can be a powerful way to build trust, reach new audiences, and grow your business. But getting invited onto the right shows takes more than sending a generic pitch and hoping someone says yes.

In this episode, I’m joined by Alex Sanfilippo, founder of PodMatch, to talk about how business owners can approach podcast guesting with more intention. Alex shares what makes a podcast pitch stand out, why choosing the right shows matters more than chasing the biggest audiences, and how to prepare for an interview that genuinely serves the listener.

We also get into the part many business owners miss: what happens after the interview. Alex shares how to create a clear call to action, turn each appearance into an evergreen marketing asset, and build meaningful relationships with podcast hosts over time.

We talk about:

• Why podcasts build trust differently than quick-scroll content
• How to decide which shows are a strong fit for your business
• The pitch elements that help you sound like a real human
• What successful podcast guests do before the interview begins
• How to mention your business without making the conversation feel salesy
• The importance of choosing one clear next step for listeners
• Ways to reuse podcast interviews through content and relationship-building
• How Alex manages connections from more than 700 podcast appearances

Whether you’re preparing for your first guest interview or ready to make podcast guesting a more intentional part of your marketing, this conversation will help you approach the opportunity with clarity and confidence.

About Alex Sanfilippo

Alex Sanfilippo is the founder of PodMatch, a platform that connects podcast hosts with podcast guests. After appearing on more than 700 podcasts, Alex has developed a practical approach to finding the right shows, pitching thoughtfully, preparing well, and turning podcast conversations into long-term business opportunities.

This Episode is Sponsored By Riverside

If you’re recording a podcast, interviews, or any kind of video content, Riverside is what I use to get high-quality audio and video without the tech headaches.

 Try it here:
https://onlinedrea.com/riverside

Links and Resources

Get Alex’s free resource:
Nine ideas to help you improve as a podcast guest:
podmatch.com/free

Join me for Social Media Day:
If social media is doing the absolute most right now, join me for the third annual Social Media Day Summit, happening live and free on June 30. It’s a reset for busy business owners who want a smarter, more sustainable marketing strategy.
onlinedrea.com/SMD

Pinterest has changed a lot over the years, and if you still think of it as the place where people save wedding inspo and recipes, it may be time for a little refresh.

In this episode, I’m joined by Kate Ahl of Simple Pin Media to talk about what’s actually working on Pinterest in 2026. We get into why Pinterest is still one of the best platforms for cold traffic, how users are searching and saving content right now, and what business owners need to know before adding Pinterest to their marketing strategy.

Kate breaks down why Pinterest is a slower-moving platform, what metrics matter most, and how to think about images, keywords, video, and ads without turning this into a full-time job. Bless.

We also talk about the AI situation on Pinterest, including AI-generated images, Pinterest’s AI labels and filters, and how AI is being used more thoughtfully inside ad tools and product visuals. Plus, Kate shares how she’s using AI in her own agency while still protecting the human strategy, creative judgment, and experience that make her work valuable.

In this episode, we talk about:

Why Pinterest is a strong cold traffic platform in 2026

How Pinterest users behave differently from Instagram and TikTok users

The two Pinterest metrics Kate recommends watching closely

What makes a strong Pinterest image today

How often business owners should actually be pinning

Where keywords matter on Pinterest

The current role of video on Pinterest

How Pinterest is handling AI-generated content

What to know about Pinterest ads and Performance Plus

How Kate is marketing her own business through Google, YouTube, Pinterest, email, and podcasting

What marketers can learn from choosing the platforms that match their energy

Kate’s quick action step is a good one: open the Pinterest app on your phone and use it like an actual person. Notice what catches your attention, what annoys you, what makes you click, and what makes you immediately back away from a website because there are approximately 175 pop-ups trying to ruin your day.

Because yes, sometimes the best marketing research is remembering that real humans are on the other side of the screen.

I went into April wanting one thing in particular: more engagement. Not more pressure. Not more posting just to say I posted. I wanted to get out of autopilot, pay closer attention to what was actually connecting, and see what I could learn by creating inside a smaller, more intentional container.

I’m breaking down what worked, what flopped, what surprised me, and what the data confirmed. I’m also talking about the energetic side of the experiment, because the truth is, content does not happen in a vacuum. Life, capacity, creativity, travel, stress, and real human energy all affect how we show up online.

In this episode, I talk about:

• what I was actually trying to measure in this experiment
• why short-form video stayed my preference
• what happened when I dropped the day numbers from the challenge
• the kinds of content that performed best
• why “just post more” is not a strategy
• how energy and real life affected the experiment
• what I’m keeping, what I’m dropping, and what I’m still testing

And if this hits a little close to home, come join us inside the Mindful Marketing Lab for my class Imperfect Motion: How to Experiment Without Spiraling. Inside the session, we’re talking about how to test ideas with more intention, less pressure, and way fewer unnecessary identity crises.

Join the Lab: onlinedrea.com/lab

AI has changed a lot in the past year… and so have my thoughts on it.

In this episode, I’m sharing my 2026 perspective on AI in marketing—what I’m using more, what I’m using way less, and why I think business owners need to stop outsourcing their voice, strategy, and judgment to tools that are really, really good at sounding confident… while also sometimes making things up.

We’re talking about:

• AI as a shortcut (not a strategy)
• Why your standards need to get higher as AI gets better
• Where AI actually saves time—and where it quietly makes things worse
• Why your voice matters more now than ever
• And how to use AI inside a mindful marketing approach without turning your content into robot soup

If you’ve been feeling a little “wait… is this helping or hurting?” about AI lately, this one’s for you.

✨ Free AI Audio Series + ChatGPT Starter Pack

Short, practical episodes on how I actually use AI in my business (without sounding like a robot)

You’ll learn:

• How I write captions with AI (without the cringe)
• My “vibe check” editing process
• What I don’t use AI for—and why
• How I turn testimonials into better copy

👉 Grab it here:
onlinedrea.com/ai

🎧 This Episode is Sponsored By Riverside

If you’re recording a podcast, interviews, or any kind of video content, Riverside is what I use to get high-quality audio and video without the tech headaches.

👉 Try it here:
onlinedrea.com/riverside

Staring at a blank page wondering what to post next? You’re not alone.

In this episode, I’m joined by Fope Nkwocha, a marketing coach who helps service providers simplify their content strategy and focus on what actually drives clients. We talk about why content often starts to feel overwhelming and how to create a system that turns everyday client conversations into meaningful marketing.

If content creation has started to feel like busy work instead of business growth, this conversation will help you rethink your approach.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why content overwhelm happens and how to simplify your strategy
• How to turn real client questions into powerful content ideas
• A framework for building trust with your audience through your content
• How to create content that connects directly to your offers
• Ways to prevent burnout while staying consistent with your marketing

This Episode Was Made Possible By:

Riverside All-in-One Podcast & Video Platform
Visit Riverside and use the code DREA to get 15% off any Riverside individual plan. We use it to record all our podcast interviews!

About the Guest:

Fope Nkwocha (Fopsy) is a business coach, educator, and speaker who helps service providers overcome the “execution gap” and build predictable revenue. With over a decade of experience across Google, startups, and the provincial government, she combines corporate-level strategy with hands-on execution.

At Google Canada, she co-led a partnership that brought 50,000 small businesses online and drove triple-digit adoption growth. Today, she translates those systems into her 1:1 coaching program, Money-Making Priorities™, helping service providers make more in 12 weeks than they have all year.

Fope’s journey spans entrepreneurship, academia, and community leadership—running multiple ventures, teaching business at Conestoga and Mohawk Colleges, and serving on nonprofit boards. She hosts two podcasts, Money-Making Priorities and Dear Fopsy, and is the author of Situationship: How to Stop Breaking Your Own Heart. Her work blends business strategy with practical lessons on resilience, helping clients succeed in both business and life.

Website
LinkedIn
Instagram

Resources Mentioned:

Join Fopsy's FREE Lead Sprint: Get 100 Qualified Leads in 5 Days

The episode discusses the 'Only Parks' trend, its origin, and why it's working. It explores the psychological impact, the shift in content creation, and the global events influencing the trend. It also delves into applying the trend to business marketing, the foundation of perspective, the importance of new angles, borrowing momentum, lowering the production bar, and commitment to the trend, highlighting the lightness of marketing.

Takeaways

• Pattern interruption and emotional activation drive engagement
• Businesses can benefit from low-lift, low-pressure content creation

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the Only Parks Trend
• 05:31 The Psychological Impact of the Trend
• 12:20 Applying the Trend to Business Marketing
• 19:54 Commitment to the Trend

Selling more doesn't have to mean piling more onto your plate. 

In this episode, I'm joined by Prerna Malik to talk about low-lift launch strategies, better client experiences, and how to create more sales without adding more stress to your business. We get into how she's using AI in practical, strategic ways behind the scenes, how she validates ideas before launching them, and why thoughtful customer experience matters just as much after the sale as it does before it. 

This conversation is packed with smart ideas for online business owners who want a simpler, more intentional approach to marketing and sales.

In this episode of the podcast, we talk about:

• What low-lift launch strategies can look like in 2026
• How Prerna uses AI to test and strengthen offers
• Why waitlists, nurture sequences, and non-buyer follow-up still matter
• How to improve the customer experience before and after the sale
• Small but meaningful ways to make onboarding feel more personal

…And More!

This Episode Was Made Possible By:

Riverside All-in-One Podcast & Video Platform

Visit Riverside and use the code DREA to get 15% off any Riverside individual plan. We use it to record all our podcast interviews: https://onlinedrea.com/riverside 

About the Guest:

Prerna Malik is an AI strategist, sales expert, and conversion copywriter for creative entrepreneurs, course creators, and traditional businesses who want a people-first, profit-rich sales system. 

She is the co-founder of Content Bistro (soon to be Profitably Yours) and is known for blending AI, buyer psychology and conversion science to help businesses use AI as a strategic, sales-focused team member instead of an unhelpful "brainstorming buddy."

She's the strategic mastermind and copywriter behind multiple 7-figure launches and evergreen funnels and a client roster that includes industry leaders like Pat Flynn, Amy Porterfield, Copyhackers, School of Traditional Skills, and over 800 others.  

When she's not helping creative businesses increase profitability and intentional AI adoption, you'll find her with her nose in a book, baking up a storm, or exploring new corners of the world with her husband and co-founder, Mayank, and their daughter, Manini.

Website: https://contentbistro.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contentbistro/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prernamalik/ 

Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/402 

What happens when a niche Instagram account turns into a six-figure business? 

In this episode, I'm joined by Ashley Neidert to talk about the very real strategy behind pet creator brands, what actually helps niche content grow, and why being "too niche" might be the very thing that helps you stand out. 

We also dig into what creators can learn from their data, how monetization really works for pet influencers, and why authentic storytelling matters more than polished content right now.

This one is especially worth a listen if you've ever wondered whether your niche is too small to grow.

In this episode of the podcast, we talk about:

• How Ashley turned her cat's account into a real business
• What creators should actually look for in their analytics
• The biggest monetization opportunities for pet influencers
• Why affiliate-only partnerships are often frustrating for creators
• What makes content feel unique, emotional, and worth following

…And More!

This Episode Was Made Possible By:

Riverside All-in-One Podcast & Video Platform

Visit Riverside and use the code DREA to get 15% off any Riverside individual plan. We use it to record all our podcast interviews: https://onlinedrea.com/riverside 

About the Guest:

Ashley Neidert is the founder of Petfluencer Secrets, a coaching platform dedicated to helping pet creators grow strategically and monetize with confidence. After building multiple viral cat brands and scaling a seven figure audience across platforms, she shifted her focus to teaching the systems behind sustainable growth, strong storytelling, and brand partnerships that actually convert. 

With over seven years in the industry, Ashley blends real world creator experience with marketing psychology to help pet influencers turn attention into income and build long term, freedom based businesses.

Website: https://petfluencersecrets.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@petfluencersecrets
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petfluencersecrets/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@petfluencersecrets

Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/401

It's hard to believe, but we've officially hit 400 episodes of the Mindful Marketing Podcast! To celebrate, I'm doing something a little different.

In this episode, I'm answering listener questions sent in through my hotline and diving into some of the biggest marketing questions I hear from business owners right now. From starting a podcast in today's landscape to figuring out whether your strategy actually needs to change, we're covering the real conversations happening behind the scenes in marketing.

We also get into visibility, boundaries on the internet, what to prioritize when you only have a few hours a week for marketing, and where marketing is headed next as AI continues to reshape the industry.

In this episode of the podcast, I talk about:

• What I'd recommend if you're starting a podcast today
• How to tell if your marketing strategy actually needs a refresh
• How to experiment with new strategies without starting from scratch
• Ways to show personality online while protecting your boundaries
• Why community and experiences are becoming the future of marketing

…And More!

This Episode Was Made Possible By:

Riverside All-in-One Podcast & Video Platform

Visit Riverside and use the code DREA to get 15% off any Riverside individual plan. We use it to record all our podcast interviews: https://onlinedrea.com/riverside 

Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/400

Should you build your business under your personal brand or your company brand?

In this episode, I'm unpacking a question that came up live on a panel recently, and I knew immediately it needed to become a podcast episode. Because this question is rarely just about branding. It's usually about money, capacity, visibility, growth, and what kind of business you actually want to build.

I break down the pros and cons of personal brands, company brands, and hybrid approaches, plus how to think about this decision through the lens of simplicity, sustainability, and what will actually work for your business.

In this episode of the podcast, I talk about:

• the real question behind personal brand vs company brand
• when a personal brand makes the most sense
• when a company brand creates more room to grow
• why a hybrid approach might be the sweet spot
• how to think about this as a business model decision, not just a branding one
• why complexity is expensive

…And More!

This Episode Was Made Possible By:

Riverside All-in-One Podcast & Video Platform

Visit Riverside and use the code DREA to get 15% off any Riverside individual plan. We use it to record all our podcast interviews: https://onlinedrea.com/riverside

Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/399

Email marketing is still one of my favorite ways to market my business, but your list only works if the right people are on it.

In this episode, I'm joined by Jennie Wright to talk about what's actually working for email list growth and lead generation as we head into 2026. We cover everything from AI and smarter lead magnet strategy to segmentation, self-selection, and why most people are missing the real opportunity in their follow-up sequences.

If you've been wondering whether your lead magnet is pulling its weight, this conversation will help you rethink your approach.

In this episode of the podcast, we talk about:

• How AI is changing lead generation
• What actually makes a strong lead magnet
• Free versus paid lead magnets
• The power of self-selection and segmentation
• How to connect your lead magnet to your core offer
• Why metrics matter more than intuition

…And More!

This Episode Was Made Possible By:

Riverside All-in-One Podcast & Video Platform

Visit Riverside and use the code DREA to get 15% off any Riverside individual plan. We use it to record all our podcast interviews: https://onlinedrea.com/riverside 

About the Guest:

Jennie Wright is an expert in email list growth and lead generation with over a decade of experience helping business owners achieve their marketing goals. She is the creator of The List Injection Method™, a system that uses inbound attraction and permission marketing to help clients and audiences generate leads.

With a track record of building over 400+ list builds, Jennie has a deep understanding of the essential steps to creating events that not only attract ready buyers, but also build trust and engagement with audiences.

Jennie's mission is to empower business owners with intelligent and authentic marketing, lead generation, and business growth strategies that drive bottom-line results. She is a sought-after speaker, consultant and fractional CMO who inspires audiences and clients with her expertise, passion, and practical advice.

Website: http://jenniewright.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniewrightjlw/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennielwright/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennie.wright.50

Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/398