The Community Experience

Warren Carlyle’s Thriving OctoNation and the 7 C’s Feb 21, 2023

#076 The uncharted waters of online communities have claimed many a landlubber. But, with the right step-by-step plan, we can weather any storm. In this episode, Warren Carlyle shares the 7 C's of building a fanatical community. He is a strategist who has helped thousands of individuals build highly engaged followings. Warren is also the man behind OctoNation, a massive community that inspires wonder of the ocean by educating the world about octopuses! So how do you find your sea legs and start growing a community around your passion, even if you're not an expert? Warren shares his treasure map with us today. He and host Jillian discuss everything from finding a perfect audience to community monetization. This chat covers content creation, time management, team building, and much more. So join us to stop treading water and start creating and managing a profitable membership today! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx076.

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Slow, Intentional Community-Building with Lisa Barroca of Cultivate Feb 14, 2023

#075 How many new members do you need each month to build a thriving community business? The number is smaller than you think. But are you focused on the right metrics to take full advantage of a slow growth strategy? In this episode, Lisa Barroca of Cultivate joins us to share her best-performing tactics for sustainable membership scaling. Lisa is all about looking past vanity numbers and zeroing in on the practices that make a difference. So what are the pros and cons of slow growth? How do you determine your community health status and take action in the right direction? What does your member lifecycle look like, and how do you optimize it for maximum impact? We tackle all this today with Lisa. She and our host Jillian also discuss choosing the best community platform, building a user experience in the shadow of Facebook, and the vital importance of onboarding and introduction spaces! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx075.

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Noele Flowers and the Evolution of Community Feb 07, 2023

#074 We'd all like to create bustling communities that seduce members into multiple daily logins. But isn't that just taking a page out of the social media addiction book? In this episode, we take a step back and reconsider the essentials of running a thriving digital space. Joining our endeavor is Noele Flowers, an expert strategic community consultant. So how do you optimize a community for the metrics that impact your bottom line? With no get-rich-quick schemes to abuse, how do you identify and focus on the programs that will transform your business? This is what we tackle in today's conversation with Noele. We also explore community consulting as a career option and learn how she leverages her influential newsletter to serve her audience. Don't even think about missing this chat because Noele's next-level knowledge is vital for anyone looking to earn a living in community! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx074.

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Foundations of Trust With Author Ingrid Christensen Jan 31, 2023

#073 Ever had a joke fall flat online? Robbed of many of the senses we rely on for communication, saying what we mean through text alone is tricky. But how do we cultivate trust as community leaders? How do we create a digital environment where assuming best intent is our member's default reaction? With Ingrid Christensen joining us in this episode, we discuss the powerful tools community managers can leverage to prevent many a misguided internet argument. Ingrid is an entrepreneur, a business leader, and the author of The Language of Trust. She is also the President and Founder of INGCO International, a company that provides translation services in over 200 languages. So how do we take on the responsibility of building trust and start using community-focused techniques to craft better experiences for our members? Listen in to get Ingrid's expert insights! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx073.

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Failure to Launch, Pushing past Blocks with Mindy Peters Jan 24, 2023

#072 At SPI, we are betting big on community-powered courses with our new All-Access Pass. But there's someone on our team for whom the sheer thought of community management on top of course creation is the stuff of nightmares. In this episode, we tackle her concerns head-on! In her role as Senior Solutions Manager, Mindy Peters is the glue that holds our operation together. She also runs MindySolves.com, where her first online course launch has brought her community hesitancy into sharp focus. Mindy has witnessed the power of group learning first-hand at SPI. She wants to provide her students with the same level of support, but is that too much work for a solopreneur to take on? Is there a way to run a course community without waving goodbye to her free time? Listen in on this fun conversation between Mindy and our host Jillian to discover the tactics that can change the game for overwhelmed entrepreneurs! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx072.

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HR for Communities with Sara Jane Hess, SPHR Jan 17, 2023

#071 Should finishing schools for digital etiquette be a thing? Your answer might be a resounding yes if you've been running communities for any length of time. But, for now, what are the best strategies to manage your member's worst impulses and curb bad behavior online? In this episode, we talk shop with SPI Director of Operations and HR sensation Sara Jane Hess. We cover everything from managing community volunteers and contractors to writing terms of service that can protect you in court. So when is the right time to bring in contractors or new employees, and how much should you pay them? Where can you find professional legal support for community managers? How do you set expectations and enforce membership guidelines effectively? These are just a few of the questions we tackle today. This conversation is jam-packed with actionable tips, so listen in and enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx071.

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Casey Hill and the Simple Way to Make a Big Impact Jan 10, 2023

#070 Churn is one of the biggest issues we hear about from other community builders. Many of us have even come to accept it as part of the cost of doing business. But what are the simple tools and strategies that can increase engagement and retention in powerful ways? This is part of what we explore today in this interview with Casey Hill. He is the Head of Growth at Bonjoro, where they help brands create personalized videos for their leads and customers to help them stand out, build trust, and make more sales. So how do you leverage quick, personal videos within your community? How do you avoid "churn cliffs" and create a welcoming experience? When are the specific times when reaching out to individual members makes all the difference? Listen in to find out because this a game-changing chat! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx070.

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[Winter Break Bonus] Looking Past the Default With Dr. Evelyn R. Carter Jan 03, 2023

We're taking a break from recording for the end of the year (week two of two), so here's another one of Jillian's favorites from 2022! Enjoy, and Happy Holidays!

#063 What is the best way to guide online discourse toward compassion and inclusivity? Research shows that it does not matter what you say or how you say it. When discussions go awry, what matters is that you say something. Today’s guest, Dr. Evelyn R. Carter, runs cutting-edge studies on detecting and discussing racial bias. She is a social psychologist and president of Paradigm, a platform for building diverse, equitable, and inclusive organizations. In this episode, Dr. Carter shares the steps for planting the seeds of empathy in others and the gold standard approach for changing undesirable behavior within a community. She and Jillian, our host, chat about using research to inform and shape company policy, how stereotype threat theory affects us, self-regulating your bias, and leading with firm kindness. This is a fun and enlightening conversation that reveals the science-backed tools we can use at work and in our personal lives to reshape the culture around us. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx063.

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[Winter Break Bonus] The Freemium Model Doesn't Work in Community with Tatiana Figueiredo Dec 27, 2022

We're taking a break from recording for the end of the year, so here's one of Jillian's favorites from 2022! Enjoy, and Happy Holidays!

#043 Connecting people is valuable. So why are community builders burning out and not making enough money to get by? Today’s guest, Tatiana Figueiredo, teaches people how to scale communities into profitable, sustainable businesses while avoiding burnout and sleazy sales tactics. This conversation was a blast and we covered a lot of ground. You’ll learn about the three levels of connection you need in a community and how to balance them out. We put our psychoanalyst hats on and talk about childhood experiences and how they might lead to an interest in bringing people together. We also dissect the freemium model for communities and why, most of the time, it fails. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx043.

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How Terry Rice Doubled His Revenue during the Pandemic Dec 20, 2022

#069 What would it take for you to double your revenue next year? When asked this question, many of us default to the standard hustle culture fare. But is "grinding" really the most effective way to grow a community business? In this episode, we explore the alternatives with Terry Rice. He is a business development consultant, an Entrepreneur magazine staff writer, and host of the Launch Your Business podcast. On the show today, Terry shares his tactics for earning more and saving time while running a thriving community. We talk about transitioning from traditional jobs to freelancing, consulting, and all the way to creating a business. Terry and co-hosts Jillian and Matt go all out with strategies for pricing, networking, and building expertise. We also look at the evolution of online communities and uncover the best ways to meet the increasing demand for high-quality and meaningful online connections. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx069.

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Community-Powered Courses (CPCs) with Jordan Godbey Dec 13, 2022

#068 Here at SPI, we're going all in on community as a business model. Now, we're taking our commitment to a new level! Our brand new All-Access Pass, a community-powered education experience, is the ultimate way to learn from every single one of our courses at your own pace while connecting with fellow entrepreneurs on the same path. All for an insane bargain! But what exactly are community-powered courses, and how do they work? In this episode, Jordan Godbey of GrowthCommunity.co gives us the low-down on leveraging connection for better student outcomes. Jordan is a Circle Expert and a digital membership wiz. He helps his clients create community-powered learning experiences that change lives and generate millions in revenue. Today, Jordan and our host Jillian dive into the pros and cons of CPCs, the value of accountability for skill acquisition, pricing, monthly versus annual subscriptions, and much more! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx068.

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Brand Partnership Wizardry with Justin Moore Dec 06, 2022

#067 Brand deals are a great way to enhance your membership and generate more revenue, but there's a catch. You see, the key to successful sponsorships is that they're win-win-win relationships. Our guest today, Justin Moore, explains that and shares his blueprint for attracting lucrative partnerships that benefit you, your members, and the brands you partner with. Justin is the founder of Creator Wizard. Having run an influencer marketing agency, he now has access to insider knowledge about why big brands choose to work with some creators and pass on others. So how do you get sponsors even if you don't have a massive community? What are the steps to crafting an irresistible pitch that gets companies excited to work with you? How do you incorporate brand collaborations into your community without sleazy marketing tactics? Join us for this epic conversation with Justin to find out! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx067.

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The 7 Steps Tatiana Figueiredo Used to Make $100K Revenue in 12 Months Nov 29, 2022

#066 How do you create a digital experience worthy of a high subscription cost? Who are the people most likely to sign up, and how do you find them? What are the common mistakes you should avoid in your first year? In this episode, Tatiana Figueiredo returns to the show to answer these questions. She shares her blueprint for running thriving communities and generating $100K in revenue within the first year. Tatiana has made it her business to teach people how to create engaging and profitable memberships while avoiding burnout. If you haven't already, be sure to also listen in on our previous chat with her in episode 43! Today, we do a deep dive into the incredible 7-step method Tatiana uses to go from idea to income-generating community. She and our host Jillian discuss interviewing your target audience, paid beta launches, leveraging community-adjacent content, and much more. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx066.

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How Butter’s Anamaria Dorgo Leads Collaborative Communities Nov 22, 2022

#065 The responsibility of building and managing online communities can be overwhelming. Many of us feel the need to control every aspect of the experience. But the reality is that micromanaging stops us from empowering our members to have a positive role in shaping the space. Today we talk about harnessing the power of collaboration and co-creation with Anamaria Dorgo. She is the Head of Community at Butter. In this episode, Anamaria shares her tips for facilitation, setting expectations, and why readiness to be surprised is essential when working with others. We dive into how members can inform and improve community and product strategy. SPI CEO Matt Gartland is co-hosting this episode with Jillian for an extra dose of fun and actionable insights. To top it off, you can get Butter Pro free for 14 days plus 30% off your subscription for three months at SmartPassiveIncome.com/butter. Enjoy! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx065.

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Hot Takes on the State of Community with Matt Gartland of Team SPI Nov 15, 2022

#064 Entrepreneurs are scrambling to jump on the community-powered course bandwagon that’s taking digital learning by storm. But what are CPCs, exactly? Are they the right fit for you? And how do you create experiences that actually enhance student outcomes? SPI CEO Matt Garland joins our host Jillian to answer all of that. Today, we go all in on how community is reshaping educational content. We dive into the benefits but also steer course creators away from trendy methods that don’t make sense for most brands. You’ll also get a sneak peek at SPI’s All Access Pass. This brand-new community-powered education experience is the ultimate way to take on all of our courses at your own pace and connect with fellow entrepreneurs. Listen in on this episode to get a look at the inner workings of our business and learn how to implement the latest tactics for maximum success. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx064.

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Looking Past the Default With Dr. Evelyn R. Carter Nov 08, 2022

#063 What is the best way to guide online discourse toward compassion and inclusivity? Research shows that it does not matter what you say or how you say it. When discussions go awry, what matters is that you say something. Today’s guest, Dr. Evelyn R. Carter, runs cutting-edge studies on detecting and discussing racial bias. She is a social psychologist and president of Paradigm, a platform for building diverse, equitable, and inclusive organizations. In this episode, Dr. Carter shares the steps for planting the seeds of empathy in others and the gold standard approach for changing undesirable behavior within a community. She and Jillian, our host, chat about using research to inform and shape company policy, how stereotype threat theory affects us, self-regulating your bias, and leading with firm kindness. This is a fun and enlightening conversation that reveals the science-backed tools we can use at work and in our personal lives to reshape the culture around us. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx063.

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Communicating Community Value with Erica Kuhl and Brian Oblinger of In Before The Lock Nov 01, 2022

#062 Does the work you put into community actually have an impact on your business? How do you connect the dots between what you do and the bottom line? How do you tell a compelling story that illustrates the value you provide? We tackle all that and more with our special guests, Erica Kuhl and Brian Oblinger of the In Before The Lock podcast. If you’re familiar with Salesforce’s Trailblazers, that’s Erica’s baby. Brian’s background is equally impressive, with leadership roles in community starting in the early '90s. This episode is jam-packed with strategies for community builders and managers at any level. We discuss the value of business acumen and why starting a membership without a budget is ideal. Erica and Brian also share tips for building strong relationships online and caution us against some of the top mistakes big brands make. You’re not going to want to miss this one! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx062.

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Co-creating Leaders in Your Community with Reina Pomeroy of Good Inside Oct 25, 2022

#061 Running a thriving online community is no picnic. We often talk about tools and platforms that can help, but what if the answer is empowering your members to manage themselves? Today’s guest, Reina Pomeroy, runs the Good Inside parenting community for Dr. Becky. She has been active at the intersection of marketing, brand, and community for many years and is here to let us in on some of her top strategies. In this episode, we talk all about leadership programs and sharing moderation privileges with VIPs in your community. By leveraging existing dynamics within your membership, you can shine a light on top contributors and phase out time-consuming tasks. Reina and our host Jillian also dive into digital etiquette, oversharing, and boundaries. They explore and zero in on essential tips for community builders at every level. So how does a leadership program actually work? Listen in on today’s chat to find out! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx061.

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Harness the Power of Community: Free Live Seminar Tuesday 10/25! Oct 21, 2022

The Business of Community Summit is a one-day virtual summit focused exclusively on the business thinking, decisions, and strategies needed to reach the economic potential of community for your business. You'll walk away with a clear roadmap for launching your own community this year! Visit SmartPassiveIncome.com/BCS to register for free.

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Leveraging Newsletters with Dylan Redekop of Growth Currency Oct 18, 2022

#060 Newsletters are having a moment right now. In fact, people are going wild over the weekly tips, tools, and advice we deliver through Unstuck. But does publishing a newsletter make sense for community builders? Can you use it to grow your membership and drive engagement? Can you do it in a way that’s quick and effective? We ask Dylan Redekop of Growth Currency to share his expertise with us. His incredible weekly emails teach his subscribers how to start newsletters, get people to sign up, and earn an income. Dylan talks about all of that today. For busy community managers, we uncover the easiest way to source content and reap the benefits of a weekly newsletter. We also chat about finding the voice that connects with your members, leveraging multiple platforms, attracting sponsors, and monetization opportunities. Listen in on this wide-ranging discussion to find out about the possibilities! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx060.

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The Smartest Way to Run Your Community with Mathilde Leo, Head of Community at Circle Oct 11, 2022

#059 What happens if you stop participating in your community for a few days? Do your members step up in your absence? This is the ultimate way to test the environment you’re creating. If no one misses you, that’s the sign of a job well done! Although, you might need a good, ugly cry to get over it. Today’s guest, Mathilde Leo, is the Head of Community at Circle. She has made it her mission to equip creators with the most effective tactics for building thriving private groups. Mathilde and our host Jillian dive straight into crafting unique strategies tailored to your ideal members. They discuss metrics, events, managing time zones, and setting boundaries. This is also a great conversation for the community-curious out there. If you haven’t started yet, listen in to learn more about the easiest ways to add a profitable membership element to your business. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx059.

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Community for Community Builders with Rebecca Marshburn of Common Room Oct 04, 2022

#058 Are you bad at your job? Many community managers struggle to measure the true impact of their work. But that’s changing! New tools and resources designed with online memberships in mind are finally coming out. Common Room is a community intelligence platform that helps you measure and deliver next-level experiences for your members. Rebecca Marshburn, Head of Community at Common Room, joins us today to share a behind-the-scenes look at the company and the game-changing tools they’ve developed. We dive into analytics, the best ways to measure membership success, and the value of using the right tools for the job. Rebecca gives us an inside look at Uncommon, a newsletter that has evolved into a private space where community builders come together to share their expertise. We also look at how SPI Pro has grown and changed and the elements that have made it successful. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx058.

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A Roundtable on Sobriety Communities with Molly Ruggere, Robbie Shaw, and Sam Diminich Sep 27, 2022

#057 Is no one drinking anymore? Mocktails are on the rise, and sobriety is quickly becoming more mainstream. Even major corporations are jumping at the chance to offer high-margin no- and low-alcohol beverages. Imagine that! But is a sober dance party any fun? And what’s there to do in an online membership for people looking to change their relationship with drinking? In this episode, we discuss sober and sober curious communities with Molly Ruggere of Counterculture Club, Sam Diminich of Your Farms Your Table, and Robbie Shaw of the Champagne Problems Podcast and Eventide Recovery. For many people, the pandemic shed light on unhealthy drinking habits. With much of the in-person substance abuse support moving online, global digital communities now exist to aid in the journey to recovery. This is a fun and enlightening conversation that illustrates the power of online communities in bringing people together and forming life-changing bonds. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx057.

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The Ever-Evolving Community with Richard Millington, Founder of FeverBee Sep 20, 2022

#056 What are the kinds of behaviors that drive engagement in your community? How do you guide each member through the activities that keep them coming back? Analytic tools are the answer to questions like these, but the metrics you get with most platforms are not that great. Our guest today is one of the true OGs of digital communities. Richard Millington is the massively influential author of Buzzing Communities and the founder of FeverBee, where they take the guesswork out of community management and use a data-driven approach to deliver next-level experiences. So why do people join your community, and why do some leave? How do you increase participation? What is the return on investment of your membership? We get into all of that with Richard today. We also discuss paid versus free communities, member surveys, guidelines, and leadership. So listen in on this chat to learn about the game-changing tactics used at companies like Apple and Facebook that you can apply to your membership at any level. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx056.

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Collaborative Memberships Are On-Trend with Geraldine Wharry of Trend Atelier Sep 13, 2022

#055 How do you provide your online community with value? You get paid to do it, so you might think you have to be at the center of every activity. But what would happen if you got out of the way and allowed your members to collaborate and build something from scratch? Geraldine Wharry is a fashion futurist who runs The Trend Atelier community. In this episode, we find out all about Geraldine’s work and the collaborative project that has propelled her membership to the next level. She and Jillian discuss beta launches, events, pricing models, analytic tools, member surveys, and online communities with a mission. In keeping with the theme of futurism, this chat is a deep dive into a novel approach that points at how communities could evolve in the coming years. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx055.

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A Behind-The-Scenes Look at How SPI Launched Another Paid Community Sep 06, 2022

What do you do if you want to provide your audience members with the value of community, but they're not all at the same level in their journey? We needed to come up with a solution for this at SPI, and by gosh, we’ve done it! Jillian is joined by two special guests today to talk about the launch of our brand new Learner Community. Matt Gartland is the CEO of SPI Media, and Mindy Peters is our Senior Solutions Manager. Together they’ll give you an inside look at how we’re now providing beginner entrepreneurs with the same level of support our SPI Pro members enjoy. This episode is a deep dive into the SPI community strategy. We talk about why we decided to create separate communities instead of having multiple tiers inside a single membership. We share what we've learned about migrating platforms, payment solutions, and enrollment options. Jillian, Matt, and Mindy also go through the tools and integrations we use to ensure our members have a fantastic experience. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx054.

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Pandemic Communities Gone Bust with Jillian Aug 30, 2022

#053 Sometimes tough love is the best kind of love, and it might be just what you need if your community is struggling right now. It’s not unusual to see activity slowing down during summer, but what are the hard questions you should ask yourself if your members don’t see the value in coming back? A lone rider for this episode, Jillian shares the steps you need to take if your online community is slowly becoming a ghost town. Now that things are opening back up in real life, memberships are dwindling, and the virtual tumbleweeds are rolling. So what should you do? Give up! Just kidding, but we do discuss the other opportunities available if you don't enjoy running your community anymore. Jillian also goes into the one-size-fits-most strategy you could use to get your community back on track and the exact recommendations she'd make as an outside consultant. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx053.

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[Bonus Episode!] Community First, Workout Second with Kelly Roberts of Badass Lady Gang Aug 23, 2022

We're taking a break this week (week two of two), so we decided to pull up one of our favorites from the back catalog. This is episode 016 with Kelly Roberts of Badass Lady Gang and you won't want to miss it! Here are the show notes:

Have you ever wanted to join a club but never felt like you fit in? Like, there's an in-crowd, outfits, and a lingo you don't know? Maybe the members of the group even exhibit an intimidating level of physical fitness? That sort of thing could make a person feel unwelcome—but what if you took that feeling and used it as an opportunity to create something new and different? And along the way, you found that there were lots of other people just like you? That is exactly what Kelly Roberts did with the Badass Lady Gang, a running community for ladies who don't identify as runners. Kelly has intentionally designed her community as, well, a community first and a workout second—one that's confronting the constricting stereotypes of what a "runner" should be. Come for Tony's yoga studio story, and stay for the badass-ness that is Kelly and her awesome community.

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[Bonus Episode!] How to Run a Successful Community (And What to Put Inside) Aug 16, 2022

We're taking a little summer break for the next two weeks, so this week we're running Jillian's appearance on session 495 The Smart Passive Income Podcast with Pat Flynn! Here are Pat's show notes for the episode:

The future of business is about community and connection. And, it's more than just creating Facebook or LinkedIn groups—now your entire business can be run like a membership site. That's exactly what we're going to be talking about today with Jillian Benbow, the manager of our membership community, SPI Pro. Jillian and I cover what it takes to create a thriving community where members feel welcomed and excited to engage and grow together. She's a pro at fostering connection and managing all the different facets of running a community of diverse people with all kinds of businesses and goals. We talk meetups, networking, AMAs, gamification, and much more—it's a wealth of information on how to manage a community, so don't miss it. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session495.

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The Legal Liabilities of Community with Wesley Henderson of Drafted Legal Aug 09, 2022

#052 What is your biggest risk as a community builder? You might not have given this much thought, but how people treat each other on your membership site might become your number one liability. So how do you write the terms of service and guidelines that protect you in court and create a safe space for your members? Today’s episode is all about the legalities you need to consider in your business and community. To help you get started, we’re interviewing Wesley Henderson of DraftedLegal.com and Henderson & Henderson in Charleston, South Carolina. We get into everything from how to set up a new business to moderating your community. Wesley even shares his fantastic cheat sheet for handling the poor behavior often disguised as “freedom of speech” online. Also, if you need an easy way to handle all the legal stuff without hiring a lawyer, our listeners get 25% off at Drafted Legal with the code SPI25. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx052.

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Thoughtful Inclusion with Elisabeth Tuttass of Grid110 Aug 02, 2022

#051 Do you ever think about how childhood impacts your interests as an adult? Many community builders grew up feeling like outsiders, but seeing the world through a different lens can often lead to a passion for bringing people together. Our guest today, Elisabeth Tuttass, is half Korean and half German. She moved to the US as a teenager, not speaking any English. Like Jillian, she credits her childhood for her interest in diversity, inclusion, and building communities. Elisabeth is now the Head of Community at Grid110, a startup accelerator and nonprofit that supports underrepresented entrepreneurs. This is a fascinating interview. We get into everything from using feedback loops that guide community strategy to understanding engagement styles and connecting with your members on their terms. Elisabeth and Jillian also discuss Zoom alternatives, making online meetings more engaging, and transitioning from in-person communities to fully remote. Listen in for a great new perspective on community! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx051.

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Connecting on a Human Level with Willa Tellekson-Flash Jul 26, 2022

#050 Today’s episode is a behind-the-scenes look at a massive online community success story. We’re very excited to have Willa Tellekson-Flash joining us to discuss Public.com. Willa is the Director of Community at Public, an investing platform valued at $1.2 billion with a community of over one million members. She even made the Forbes 30 Under 30 in Marketing list as a result of her amazing work! We talk all about creating safe spaces that encourage conversation around touchy subjects, outlining effective community guidelines, and empowering a small team to enforce the rules and manage a diverse user base. Willa and Jillian also discuss attracting and onboarding new members the smart way and working closely with other departments to shape company strategy. We know you’ll enjoy this one, so listen in for some great tips and tactics you can apply to any growing community. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx050.

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Art Will Save the World with Alex Bryant Jul 19, 2022

#049 Are you creating with authenticity? Many of us lose track of what lights us up when we focus on engaging with and providing value for others. But work without a personal touch is often seen as bland and has less impact. So how do you explore your creativity and learn to connect with your audience more effectively? Your local community might have an answer: art parks. Our guest today is Alex Bryant, the Executive Director of the Ix Art Park Foundation in Charlottesville. The Foundation manages a free mural and sculpture park and several community-driven series including weekly markets supporting entrepreneurs and creative empowerment programs. In this episode, we look at creativity as a tool that can enhance our lives and help us expand our reach digitally and locally. Alex and Jillian discuss forming online communities around local institutions, bringing different people together, healing division with art, and providing safe creative outlets for your community members. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx049.

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À la Carte Community with Tim Salau Jul 12, 2022

#048 Here’s an understatement: There’s a lot going on in the world right now. In this episode, we allow ourselves to take it all in and come out on the other end surprisingly full of hope. So, how do we navigate challenging times as community leaders? We have tips aplenty! Our guest today is Tim Salau. Tim is the co-founder of Guide, a SaaS learning and talent development platform. He is also a keynote speaker shaping the discussion on the future of work and leadership. We start the interview with some fantastic examples of brands doing community the right way. Tim and Jillian go into a deep dive on the support community style and debate whether there's value in every brand having a social media presence. Tim is a pragmatic optimist whose audience members are digital nomads, so we get some excellent advice for community leaders on how to think globally and act locally. Despite tackling a few heavy topics today, this chat was a blast! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx048.

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The Workplace Community and Being Enough with Adam Smiley Poswolsky Jul 05, 2022

#047 “Disruptive” companies are “growth hacking” their way to “changing the world” left and right. Their offices have the free kombucha to prove it! But is that what employees actually want? If you were to ask them, you might hear more about, you know, childcare. In this episode, we talk about workplace communities with keynote speaker and best-selling author Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky. We tackle the future of work, corporate culture, and why belonging is the secret to engaging your community members. Our chat starts with the “quarter-life crisis” and breakthrough that lead to Smiley’s search for meaningful work. We then talk about human connection, loneliness, giving people permission to be playful, and how friendship can save lives. Also, Jillian makes a surprising confession today. It turns out she's been spreading her message of kindness through vandalism! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx047.

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From Burned Out Teacher to CEO with Daphne Gomez Jun 28, 2022

#046 We’ve seen many people quit their jobs and start new careers recently. But, when it’s teachers looking for opportunities outside the classroom, there’s a stigma attached to it. This means that support and resources are in short supply and many people end up staying in jobs that affect their health. Today’s guest, Daphne Gomez, left the classroom to work for an Edtech company. She talked to a lot of struggling teachers as part of her new role, and she just knew she had to create a safe space for them. In this episode, we get an inside look at how the Teacher Career Coach community works and how it’s changing lives. We also learn how Daphne’s course and podcast fit into the business. You’ll be happy to find out about the Teacher Career Coach Jobs Board. It's how we found our newest community manager at SPI! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx046.

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Your Enemies Are Not Your Enemies with Dr. David McMillan Jun 21, 2022

#045 “Our fears imagine our enemies. Most of the time our enemies are not our enemies, and we create ill will when oftentimes there's goodwill.” Today, on one of our most quotable episodes, we explore the dark side of community. Things get scary as we discuss cults, tribalism, and division. Dr. McMillan, a national leader in the theory of sense of community, gives us the tools we can use in our personal relationships, communities, and society at large to heal division and find ways to work together. We start with the experience of living in a commune and dive deep into the science to learn about mirror neurons and digital communities from a clinical perspective. We also talk about celebrating differences, valuing opposition, and the dangers of shutting down debate. Dr. McMillan describes himself as grumpy, but we have a lot of fun in this episode. Have you accidentally started a cult? Listen in to find out! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx045.

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Productivity Propaganda Is Toxic; Build Your Business around Your Needs with Sarah K Peck Jun 13, 2022

#044 “Hustle! Crush it!” We’ve all heard the productivity propaganda. But what if you’re a new parent and you’re still being told that you can have everything without giving anything up? That's all that today's guest, Sarah K Peck, heard as a new mom working at a tech startup. Wanting to document her real experience and meet people going through the same thing, Sarah did a series of interviews. The resulting podcast raised $30,000 before it even launched and, by accident, a business was born. In this episode we tackle the future of work, rejecting hustle culture, and being a woman in business. We also go deep on community. We discuss everything from onboarding and setting expectations to pricing and the three things you need to do to run fantastic online events. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx044

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The Freemium Model Doesn’t Work in Community with Tatiana Figueiredo Jun 06, 2022

#043 Connecting people is valuable. So why are community builders burning out and not making enough money to get by? Today’s guest, Tatiana Figueiredo, teaches people how to scale communities into profitable, sustainable businesses while avoiding burnout and sleazy sales tactics. This conversation was a blast and we covered a lot of ground. You’ll learn about the three levels of connection you need in a community and how to balance them out. We put our psychoanalyst hats on and talk about childhood experiences and how they might lead to an interest in bringing people together. We also dissect the freemium model for communities and why, most of the time, it fails. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx043.

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Virtual Events That Are Actually Fun with Jan Keck, Facilitator, Trainer & Experience Designer May 31, 2022

#042 If you’ve attended any virtual events you’ve definitely seen it… Hosts ask harmless questions and immediately find themselves face to face with a yawning chasm of awkward silence and not much else. So, how do you go from “crickets” to online events that are as powerful as anything you’d attend in person? Jan Keck, our guest today, is a virtual events facilitator and just the right person to talk to us about creating deeper connections online. You’ll learn how to build trust through micro-engagements that allow virtual event attendees to safely open up. Jan’s tips will turn Zoom into an opportunity instead of an obstacle that leaves you feeling drained at the end of the day. You’ll also find out more about Jan’s fabled “ice-melters” that create magical moments online. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx042.

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Neurodivergent Considerations in Community with Rach Idowu of Adulting with ADHD May 24, 2022

#041 Rach Idowu is a young woman living in London who was diagnosed with ADHD later in life than we often expect. And she's made it her mission to raise awareness of neurodivergence and help other adults understand if their struggles with attention may be the result of undiagnosed ADHD. So, if you're a community builder, why should you care? Because, well, people are different, and they have different needs when it comes to learning and interacting. It's crucial for us to understand where our members are coming from, what they struggle with, and what makes it easier for them to participate in our communities. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx041.

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Accelerating Friendship through Shared Experience with Kyle Hagge of MorningBrew May 17, 2022

#040 Is there anything Kyle Hagge hasn't done? (Okay, there's at least one thing, as you'll learn in today's lightning round.) Kyle is an action-oriented community leader. He talks the talk, and he's walked the walk for organizations like Marquette University, the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, AmeriCorps, Ballot Ready, College Possible, and Morning Brew. He's a treasure trove of knowledge on topics as varied as the importance of local activism, relationship building as a precursor to learning, the power of cohort-based programming, and the utility of discomfort in facilitating human bonding. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx040.

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Aligning Your Membership Fee with your Community's Value with Pat Flynn May 10, 2022

#039 You may recognize today's guest—the one and only Pat Flynn. He's our first repeat guest, in fact, and he's here to talk about overcaffeination, maple syrup, and how many copies of the LEGO DeLorean he just bought. Oh, and some exciting things coming in the world of SPI Pro. Including a price increase. We're all about transparency here, and SPI Pro is still a screaming deal, even once prices go up on May 17. Jill and Pat talk about why we decided to increase prices, why Pro is still very much worth it, and why you need to align the price of your community (and anything you're selling) with its true value. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx039.

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Trust Starts with Listening with Zahra Ebrahim, Co-founder of Monumental Projects May 03, 2022

#037 “When we talk about community and belonging, who are we talking about belonging with? What are we belonging to?” That's just one of the thought-provoking ideas posed today by Zahra Ebrahim, a Toronto-based public interest designer and strategist who's focused on deep, community-led approaches to policy, infrastructure, and service design. Together, Zahra, Jillian, and SPI's co-CEO Matt Gartland explore the differences and commonalities between digital communities and on-the-ground activism and community building. They discover some juicy points of intersection—including how to create communities that aren't static, and what it means to be "together." Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx037.

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Bonus Episode: Making the World a Kinder Place with Valerie Hamaker of Generation Xhausted May 02, 2022

Lead host Jillian Benbow recently chatted with Valerie Hamaker on her podcast, Generation Xhausted, and we wanted to share!

In this chat, Valerie shares her experience in SPI Pro (the community Jillian runs) and support communities, and the two discuss the profound power of digital communities, finding wholeness and healing, and more.

Find out more about Valerie and her work at ExhaustedGen.com

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Communication through Demonstration with Kat Gordon of The 3% Movement Apr 26, 2022

#037 What does it mean to be an advocate? How can leaders set an example when it comes to mental health and self-care? How do we fairly distribute the gains and burdens of a rapidly evolving work culture? How much should we even be working?

These are some of the massive questions Kat Gordon is taking on as the visionary behind The 3% Movement, an organization she founded after recognizing that only—yep—3% of creative directors were women, and very few were people of color.

Kat has done and is doing some amazing things—and SPI's Director of Operations, Sara Jane Hess, joins Jillian today to soak up Kat's wisdom and share some of her own insights on building a better, more inclusive machine wherever you work.

Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx037

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Connecting Through Shared Loss with Mary Horn of The Dinner Party Apr 19, 2022

#036 In community building, it's easy to fall into the trap of building something for everyone. It's sometimes essential to create a community for a specific type of person going through a specific thing. As a young adult, Mary Horn lost her mother to ALS, and her grief led her to The Dinner Party, an organization that provides community and connection for younger people who often lack grief support options. As a staff member and eventually director of community experience, Mary has helped guide the development of a community—really a community of smaller communities—where people can find support and build relationships, where they can listen and be listened to, and feel less alone. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx036.

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Failure Is Your Friend with Carlos Zimbrón of F***up Nights Apr 12, 2022

#035 For Carlos Zimbrón, founder of F***up Nights, getting up on stage and sharing the story of your biggest failure is something more people should be doing. Because the act of sharing our darkest moments with others can have surprising, even amazing effects. Today you'll learn the story of an organization built around a… unique event model, and how Carlos and the other founders went from attracting five people at their first event, to expanding to thirty-five locations within a year, to losing some of those locations as they tried to monetize. But as you'll also learn, peaks and valleys like that are baked into the ethos of F***up Nights. The through-line of this episode is that any community can benefit from creating space for its members to share their challenges and failures. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx035.

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The Sweet Sounds of Well-Run Musical Gatherings with Rafe Offer of Sofar Sounds Apr 05, 2022

#034 There's just something about live music. Something that can't be replaced by any other experience. Sofar Sounds is a global network of chapters of small intimate gatherings, where people get together and listen to music. The plot twist is that they usually don't know who they're going to be listening to until it happens, and the venue is not your typical music venue. It could be a home, or a church basement, or a carpet store. Rafe Offer is the man behind Sofar, and he's here today to share the Sofar origin story, how to create a cohesive, intimate community experience in more than 300 chapters across the globe, and the time he gave someone hilariously unnecessary professional advice. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx034.

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When Free Community Is Good Business with Mac Reddin of Commsor Mar 29, 2022

#033 Mac Reddin runs a company called Commsor, which builds software for community teams, and runs a community for community builders called the Community Club. They're showing community leaders how to “flip the script,” to build communities at the core of the business rather than in service of the business or the product. And their software helps put community data in one place so it's easier to work with. They're even using NFTs in ways that help people feel like more valued members of the community. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx033.

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The Life-Changing Role of the Super Member with Whitney Hess Mar 22, 2022

#032 Every community member is special, of course. But some are extra special. Today Tony is flying solo, and he's going to be talking about a very special type of member in every community: the super member, the one at the very center of your community culture. To explore that topic, he's bringing in a close friend and former member of the community he ran in NYC, New Work City: Whitney Hess. Whitney started out as a community experience designer, and has now become a renowned executive coach. Whitney shares a bit about her experience as a member of New Work City, and what made it possible for her to step into that space as a super member. You'll hear about how community leaders can operate in a “power-with” paradigm of community leadership and management and nurture their own super members. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx032.

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25 Lessons From Our First 25 Episodes Mar 15, 2022

#031 It's hard to believe The Community Experience is more than 30 episodes old! Today, Jill and Tony are taking a look back at the first “quarter-century” of episodes of the show. They'll be taking turns going through the first 25 episodes of the CX Podcast and sharing their key takeaways. And to keep things exciting, they'll be limiting themselves to one minute per episode. No spoilers, so just sit back and enjoy the show! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx031.

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Fundamentals of Community Resilience with Bart Campolo of the Humanize Me Podcast Mar 08, 2022

#030 Is our society, our infrastructure, built to last? What if it's not? And what can we do, together, to prepare for that possibility? Bart Campolo is the son of famous Baptist evangelist Tony Campolo, and he's now a secular humanist who's hopeful but not optimistic about the future of humanity. So he's trying to get people thinking about how to cultivate resilient, loving communities that can withstand the challenges of the years ahead—communities that aren't necessarily bound together by beliefs. This is a super interesting—and challenging—episode. There's some swearing, too, so grab those headphones or keep the kids out of the room. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx030.

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Finding Great Members by Being a Great Member with Dan Bennett, AKA The Antipreneur Mar 01, 2022

#029 Dan Bennett went into the woods for 10 days and came back the Antipreneur. After losing everything and filing for bankruptcy, Dan hopped in a camper van and took it to the woods of Michigan. When he emerged, he had an epiphany to take his business helping people record video in their home offices online and scale it. Since then, he's become a go-to expert who helps people tell better stories and look better with their video content. Now, he has a small stable of one-on-one clients, and both DIY and done-with-you offerings. Oh, and a community he's built by becoming a member of other communities and learning the balance between taking and giving, asking and serving—the importance of reciprocity. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx029.

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Do Things That Don’t Scale with Demetrios Brinkmann of MLOps Community Feb 22, 2022

#028 Demetrios Brinkmann has built his niche online community for machine learning operations (MLOps) pros in a really interesting way. He's managed to foster a sustainable space where people are excited about connecting and sharing value, where sponsors have a place (but spam is kept to the sidelines!), and—oh yeah—it's free to join. In today's episode, you'll learn how Demetrios balances multiple tools to pull his community together without creating overwhelm or confusion, the nifty onboarding sequence Demetrios created that helps keep spammers in check, and how he landed on just the right monetization scheme. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx028.

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Gathering Nomads through Tapas Hopping and More with Chris Reynolds Feb 15, 2022

#027 For Chris Reynolds, the digital entrepreneurship dream came somewhat easily. He took the manifesto of Tim Ferriss' 4-Hour Workweek and made it reality, traveling the globe as a location-independent entrepreneur. But something was missing—the people he'd left behind. So he made it his mission to bring entrepreneurs together. That could mean tapas hopping in Barcelona, hang gliding in Brazil, or climbing the tallest mountain in Costa Rica to raise money for charity. Through it all, he's aligned his own needs and desires with his work as a community builder. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx027.

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Creating Virtual Worlds to Hang Out In with Brooke Daily of Topia.io Feb 08, 2022

#026 By now, two years into the pandemic, we're all well acquainted (and probably a little exhausted) with online video meeting platforms like Zoom. Enter: proximity chat. Proximity chat platforms overlay video teleconferencing software on a virtual world environment, so users can "walk" around and interact with people and objects in that environment. It's like Legend of Zelda meets, well, Zoom. It's early for proximity chat, but there's so much potential—and we're going to scratch the surface of that potential today with Brooke Daily, the community manager at Topia, a browser-based proximity chat platform that's creating exciting opportunities for connection and play. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx026.

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(Don’t) Do the Hustle: From Hospitalized to Sustainable Community with Tom Ross Feb 01, 2022

#025 What does success in community look like? Is it getting hundreds and thousands of customers and working your socks off? Today's guest, Tom Ross, went there. At one point, he was the only full-time staff member running his seven-figure business. He burned out—badly—and ended up in the hospital. Thankfully, Tom rebounded to do some amazing things. This episode is special because we cover so much ground around what it means to be working sustainably, both personally and in the way you grow and manage a community. We tackle what it looks like to not burn yourself—or your members!—out building a community. You'll learn how to capitalize on and cater to the different personalities, styles, preferences, moods, and seasons in your community. And we hit on why many community founders run aground—and why you need to validate your community idea like a business before jumping in. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx025.

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Unlocking Exceptional Engagement through Self Inquiry with Phil and Krista Franks of Owl and Key Jan 25, 2022

#24 Have you ever found that you've been living your life a certain way for a while—and then you start to feel like it's not what you want anymore? But you're not sure exactly how or what needs to change? Our guests today, Phil and Krista Franks, run an organization called Owl and Key that's all about helping you create meaningful change by finding your authentic self. Phil and Krista work with a lot of people who've checked all the boxes—house, job, family… But they're feeling empty, and they don't know what's next. These struggles are the gateway to the work Phil and Krista do. They help people understand and deconstruct the assumptions they were brought up with that have guided them so far, and invite them into a new, creative phase where they can unlearn and take back the reins. Phil and Krista recently launched a community for folks who are learning how to claim their authentic selves, and they're here today to tell us a little bit about how to do that for ourselves and our communities. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx024.

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The Pandora’s Box of Customer Experience with Nick Glimsdahl Jan 18, 2022

#23 Quiz time: What does customer service have to do with community experience? A whole lot, actually. It's people stuff, ya dig?

Nick Glimsdahl knows a thing or twenty about making customers and employees feel happy, and he joins us today to help weave together the worlds of customer experience and community experience.

In today's conversation, Jillian and Tony press "1" to pick Nick's brain on all things customer service, and how they relate to community experience—especially when people are unhappy. At the root of all of it—not surprisingly—is what Nick calls "tactical empathy": hearing people out and meeting them where they're at so you have a starting point to solve their problems. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx023

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Dismantling the System (and Having Fun!) with Moira Were Jan 12, 2022

#022 “Be the change you want to see in the world,” is a quote often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, and someone who's living this principle is today's guest, Moira Were of the Hen House Co-op. Through grassroots organizing to end the gender investment gap, Moira has curated a growing group of people who want to make big changes by focusing on their local community. Moira is not shy about challenging the status quo or ruffling feathers, and she knows how to approach things in a way that invites people to find some common ground. If you're running a community (or part of one, or want to start one…) that wants to change the status quo, Moira's work can provide a template for what that might look like. Regardless of your political leanings, we think you'll find a lot of value in how Moira and an organization like Hen House Co-op are doing the work they do. We all have a lot to learn from each other. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx022.

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Let Your Members Steer Your Community with Danielle Maveal Jan 04, 2022

#021 Danielle Maveal believes "there's a better way to build technology, and there's a better way to serve people." Danielle is chief community officer of Burb.co, a company that's building tools for creators with communities. Today we're plugging Danielle's expertise and exploring some intriguing questions about making our communities better places for all their members. How can community leaders facilitate connection by mashing up social media with their online community platforms? How can we lean on the power of the small group to help build our communities? In a time when in-person contact is hard to come by, how can we "hack" our tech to make it easier to listen and connect and care for each other online? And with community leaders overstretched with the "flood of community energy" happening all around us, how can they be better supported so they don't, you know, burn out? Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx021.

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Using Data to Design Sustainable Communities with Gina Bianchini Dec 28, 2021

#020 Why do so many communities fail to take off? Because they weren't designed to be the greatest party you've ever attended. So says Gina Bianchini, CEO and founder of Mighty Networks, one of the first platforms that allowed people to create standalone, branded communities.

If you've ever thought about starting a community but you don't know where to start, today's episode will give you the Cliff's Notes on how to accomplish just that. As Gina says, the challenge is, "How do you create a highly engaged community mastering something interesting or important together?"

Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx020

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Codes of Conduct and Community Safety with Queer Design Club Dec 21, 2021

#019 When it comes to community, safety is key. Creating an environment where people feel welcome, around people they can trust. In order to do that, you need guidelines. Great guidelines. John Voss and Rebecca (Becks) Brooker are queer designers who met online and quickly realized they had a shared vision for a community that brought together queer designers from all over the globe. And Queer Design Club (QDC) was born. QDC started as a Slack channel that quickly became something much greater. Along the way, the two have used their design background to, well, design a community that's effective and inclusive. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx019.

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How Big Brands Approach Community with Jenny Weigle Dec 14, 2021

#018: In the beautiful pond of community, what can the big fish learn from the little fish, and vice versa? Jenny Weigle is a community strategy consultant who's created or guided community strategy for a ton of big brands—we're talking Google, Airbnb, that kind of big. She's here to tell us what it's like working with these behemoths on their community strategy, and how anybody running a community for a smaller brand can learn from her experience. If you're just getting started building your community—or thinking of becoming a community strategist yourself—this episode will help light your path. You might even consider working with someone like Jenny, who, as you'll learn today, is the Katie Couric of community professionals. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx018.

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Avatars, Safety, and the “Paradox Sandwich” of Community Building with Marianna Martinelli Dec 07, 2021

#017 When you're building a community, there can be merit in just winging it: go do something, and whoever shows up, shows up. But sometimes, if you want to build something sustainable, you're going to need a bit more of a plan. Marianna Martinelli is a community builder and strategist who has experience running community for coworking spaces in New York City. She's learned a whole lot about how to build community and create an environment that's welcoming and accepting. Today she's going to tell us how to identify the avatars of your ideal community member and how to make sure that they feel safe. She's also going to talk about how to measure your outcomes so you know what success looks like, which is hugely important for community building (and a bit elusive).

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Community First, Workout Second with Kelly Roberts of Badass Lady Gang Nov 30, 2021

#016 Have you ever wanted to join a club but never felt like you fit in? Like, there's an in crowd, outfits, and a lingo you don't know? Maybe the members of the group even exhibit an intimidating level of physical fitness? That sort of thing could make a person feel unwelcome—but what if you took that feeling and used it as an opportunity to create something new and different? And along the way, you found that there were lots of other people just like you? That is exactly what Kelly Roberts did with the Badass Lady Gang, a running community for ladies who don't identify as runners. Kelly has intentionally designed her community as, well, a community first and a workout second—one that's confronting the constricting stereotypes of what a "runner" should be. Come for Tony's yoga studio story, and stay for the badass-ness that is Kelly and her awesome community.

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An Evidence-Based Approach to the Loneliness Epidemic with Nathaan Demers, Psy.D. Nov 23, 2021

#015 Loneliness is an epidemic, but what does the research say about loneliness? What is actually working when it comes to heading off serious loneliness problems before they morph into larger issues, particularly amongst college-aged kids? Our guest today, Nathaan Demers, looks at connection from a research perspective and designs solutions based on evidence. Some of the highlights in today's episode include Nathaan's work with the social app Nod, what the loneliest living generation is, some of the stats and research Nathaan works with, and even tips for folks (like community-builders) who are on the front lines of facilitating connection. There's a ton of great info in this one — don't skip it! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx015

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Online Communication in the Age of the Emoji with Mignon Fogarty (aka Grammar Girl) Nov 16, 2021

#014 Knowing how to talk to your community goes way beyond where you put your commas and semicolons. It's about knowing the language your specific community uses: the memes, the gifs, the emojis. Mignon Fogarty—Grammar Girl herself—is hopping on the program today to give her take on all things communication, including some truly invaluable insights into some of the conundrums she faces as the face of a very popular internet brand. Internet tone is truly an art these days and knowing what to say and when (like in the midst of a crisis) can be crucial. This may not be the most grammatically correct podcast ever, but we can bet you'll come away from this episode with some important nuances regarding the role of language and communication in community work. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx014

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Building More Inclusive Communities with Daniel Oppong Nov 09, 2021

#013 If you want to foster a rich, rewarding community experience for folks then you probably want a community that's as welcoming and diverse as possible. But a lot of communities are grounded in unconscious "centering:" designing the experience for folks of a certain class, gender, ethnicity, etc. So how do we ensure that our communities are as inclusive and diverse as possible? How do we know that we're doing the (ongoing) work of creating more welcoming communities for as many folks as possible?

Today's guest has quite a lot to say about all that. Daniel Oppong is the founder of The Courage Collective, a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion consultancy. We're getting deep in the weeds with Daniel today so that we can all learn how to do the work: how to take the next few crucial steps towards un-centering our communities, learning and unlearning, and embracing the tension inherent in communities.

Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx013

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Burnout Management for Community Leaders: a Roundtable Chat Nov 02, 2021

#012 Today we're talking about a major hurdle almost all community leaders will face at some point: burnout.

What starts as a "refrigerator hum of anxiety" (as one of our roundtable participants puts it) can quickly turn into a total lack of joy, general irritability . . . even forgetting why you're involved with your community at all. Learning better energy management skills, boundary-setting, recognizing the "danger zone" — these are all strategies that can help anyone involved in community to better mitigate burnout. (Which is ultimately great for everyone involved. Whether you work with a community directly, are thinking of starting one of your own, or are just curious — managing burnout is critical, so this episode of The Community Experience is critical listening. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx012

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Falling in Friendship and Analog Connection with Kat Vellos Oct 26, 2021

#011 Kat Vellos helps people forge better friendships through fresh, thoughtful, new (and classic) mediums. By using her roots in design thinking — not to mention her incredible book, We Should Get Together — she's tackling the loneliness epidemic head-on. And if you want to know how to make friends as an adult, or how to facilitate that experience for others, this episode is a must-listen. She's got a bunch of advice and knowledge in this department — from "intimish" events to platonic speed dating — plus some wonderful alternatives to overused conversation starters. (Can we please stop defaulting to "how are you?")

Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx011

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How Matt Sonnenberg Leads His Community (without Actually Leading It) Oct 19, 2021

#010 Great leadership is only one component of what makes a community truly thrive: a community needs influence and energy from more than its actual leadership or membership base to stay healthy.

Matt Sonnenberg is on the show today to speak to his experience becoming well-regarded in the niche community of the Skylanders games, some of the first collectibles in the "toys to life" gaming genre. We get into all kinds of interesting questions like this today: like the pros and cons of participating in a community under an alias and how to successfully enter or re-enter a niche community. Not everyone has to lead a community to be massively influential in it, and Matt's story is full of great takeaways on doing exactly that.

Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx010

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TikTok and Troll-Wrangling with Keenya Kelly Oct 12, 2021

#009 TikTok can be a powerful platform for building a community, a brand, and a following. Yet it's often plagued by many of the same issues as other social media platforms — trolling, for example. Fortunately, Keenya Kelly is on the show today, someone who embodies all the best of what TikTok can be. She has built an incredible audience on TikTok by being vulnerable, helpful, and entertaining.

How do we jump into the world of TikTok? How do we handle trolls and haters, call out comments effectively, and become radically authentic while doing all of that? Keenya's the woman to talk to, so press play, and let's get going! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveincome.com/cx009

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Protecting Yourself with Boundaries and a Healthy Mindset with Espree Devora Oct 05, 2021

#008 Espree Devora, our guest today, has been prominent in the Los Angeles tech scene for a while now — she's the founder of WeAreLATech. But her drive to build a vibrant community has also challenged her to find balance, something community leaders are all too familiar with. Heading off community overload before it becomes a problem is the name of the game, and Espree knows how to play it very well.

Today you'll get to hear all sorts of insights from Espree: her advice on creating flow, finding that equilibrium between generosity and not burning out, changing your mindset around transactions as a community builder, and much more. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx008

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The Unique Potential of Online Summits — a Roundtable feat. Rob Gelb Sep 28, 2021

#007 Online conferences aren't a brand-new concept; they're just more prominent now than they ever have been.

Today, we'll be talking with Robert Gelb, CEO of HeySummit. His platform makes it easier to run big events online. When should you run an online summit, why, how do you pick your topic — we're getting into all of it today. And in case you haven't heard, we're hosting our very own online summit with Team SPI: Audience Driven. So to that end, we're also tagging in our very own Matthew Gartland, SPI Media's COO, CFO, and head of innovation.

Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx007

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MRR (Monthly Recurring Relationships) with Rosie Sherry Sep 21, 2021

#006 MRR, or "monthly recurring revenue" is a common, critical metric that businesses key into. Well, today's guest, Rosie Sherry, says that for community-builders that's better expressed as "monthly recurring relationships." In this episode, she offers an array of sound advice. Here's how she came to specialize in community, her approach to transitioning a community to new leadership, and why you should consider using data to better understand your community. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx006

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Pandemic Remote, Real Remote, and Rejecting Hustle Culture with Marissa Goldberg Sep 14, 2021

#005 When it comes to helping companies understand remote work, Marissa Goldberg is the person to talk to. And with remote work now fundamentally altering the way many of us work, there's no better time to have this conversation.

For a lot of us, our sense of identity is or has been closely tied with work. Well, Marissa says that's all changing (and about time, too). We get into a lot of best practices for remote work today, as well as waxing poetic on all that remote work can do for all kinds of different folks. We also talk about the new community Marissa's designing to reject hustle culture, the power of introverts in digital communities, architecting a community to avoid burnout, and a lot more. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx005

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So a Rabbi Walks Into a Pandemic ... with Esther Lederman Sep 07, 2021

One of the most fascinating types of communities to observe and learn from recently have been religious communities, particularly in pandemic times. How have these communities — which are often fundamentally in-person groups — adapted to multi-access engagement? How have they shifted (or not) as the demands of congregants have shifted?

Here to give us a powerful example of how to pivot a community in the face of unprecedented change — and benefit massively from it — is Rabbi Esther Lederman. There's a ton to learn from the way that Esther's congregation accelerated digital adaptation in the wake of the pandemic and how the future of multi-access for Reformed Jews is being reimagined as a result. Plus, learn how the pandemic has helped leaders in the community hone in on what they're best at and increase creative collaboration. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx004

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Navigating the Business of Belonging with David Spinks Aug 31, 2021

#003 How do you reconcile community-building with the metric-driven goals of CEOs or shareholders? Even if you're building a community that's not tied to a business, how do you make that community financially sustainable?

David Spinks has been at the forefront of the community movement since he was 14, and he's here with a wealth of advice for community-builders everywhere who want to design successful communities holistically.

How do you approach community building the right way? What platform should you use? We talk through these questions, common mistakes community-builders make off the bat, effective strategies like identifying "super members" early on, the importance of ritual in modern community settings, and how some companies are able to run massive communities with only a few people at the helm. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx003

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Unboxing Community in the Pokemon Card Niche with Pat Flynn Aug 31, 2021

#002 Our guest today is none other than the mastermind behind SPI himself, Pat Flynn! But Pat's on the show to talk about something kind of unusual today ... his Pokemon card-collecting YouTube channel.

What started out as a hobby for Pat turned into an experiment: building a YouTube channel and community completely from scratch. A lot of the strategies and mindsets Pat carried into his new YouTube channel are similar to the approach that helped him stake a claim in the online business world back in 2008. Those strategies are as relevant as ever. At the time of this recording, Deep Pocket Monster was approaching 50,000 subscribers on YouTube, and that's within the first six months! If you want to learn some practical approaches for breaking into a niche community or building a successful community through YouTube, this is the episode for you. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx002

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Ending the Loneliness Epidemic with Jillian Richardson Aug 31, 2021

#001 Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Community Experience!

For episode 001 Tony and Jillian are hanging out with a different Jillian, Jillian Richardson, a woman on a quest to cure the world of its loneliness epidemic. Through her popular newsletter, the Joy List, and her book, Unlonely Planet, Jillian is doing remarkable work.

We invited her onto the show to try to understand why community is such a hot topic right now. How can you integrate community into what you’re building and keep it authentic? Whether you hope to find a new community or want to build a more impactful community yourself, there's something here for you.

Let us know what you thought of episode 001! Reach out to us @TeamSPI on Twitter. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx001. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

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Welcome to the Community Experience! Aug 03, 2021

Belonging. It’s right in the middle of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, just after physical safety. As a social species, community is essential to our wellbeing. There’s still a huge need for real, meaningful community, and we want to help you learn how to find it and how to build it. That’s why we created the Community Experience podcast, hosted by two seasoned community experts: Jillian, the outdoorsy one with the digital community background, and Tony, the karaoke nerd who got his chops running unconferences and building Manhattan’s first coworking space. Together, they bring over 24 years of combined experience to the community space.

Tune in each week as Tony and Jillian distill the ingredients in the secret sauce that makes communities thrive, featuring interviews with remarkable leaders and deep-dive roundtable discussions on major topics. Whether you’re an organizer a community leader looking to be a part of the conversation or a creator looking to launch something new, this show tackles what actually matters to you.

Tune into new episodes every Tuesday, and head over to SmartPassiveIncome.com/listen to learn more.

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