Social Media Decoded

It’s been a heavy start to 2026. In this real, raw episode, Michelle Thames opens up about navigating deep personal loss while running a business and showing up online. After losing her stepfather, cousin, and a childhood friend within days, Michelle reflects on how grief collides with the pressure to stay visible on social media. This episode explores the social media side of grief—why algorithms don’t pause when life hits, how burnout accelerates when we force content through pain, and what it really means to take a break without guilt or shame. Michelle shares both personal insight and expert perspective on sustainable visibility, rest, and long-term brand integrity. If you’re grieving, overwhelmed, or feeling pressure to “keep going” online when your heart needs space, this conversation is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How grief shows up in a social media–driven world Why “rest is not a failure of consistency” The hidden cost of forcing content during emotional exhaustion How to pause, scale back, or shift visibility without losing momentum What presence looks like when perfection isn’t possible Permission to grieve without performing online Key Topics Discussed Grief and social media Rest and visibility as a business owner Burnout prevention for entrepreneurs Sustainable content creation Mental health and online presence Taking breaks without losing your audience Human-centered leadership and brand longevity This episode is for: Entrepreneurs navigating grief or emotional burnout Content creators feeling pressure to stay visible Business owners who want sustainable visibility Anyone grieving a loss while still showing up for others Powerful Quotes from the Episode “Grief doesn’t move at the speed of content.” “Rest is not a failure of consistency. It’s a strategy for longevity.” “Your audience doesn’t need perfection. They need presence.” “You are not behind. You are not lazy. You are not failing.” Listener Takeaway You are allowed to pause.You are allowed to grieve.And your voice will still matter when you return. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you’ve been posting consistently but still wondering “Why aren’t my lead magnets converting?” or “Where are my aligned clients?” — this episode is a must-listen. In today’s conversation, Michelle Thames is joined by Lauren Najar, a business coach and lead strategist who helps women entrepreneurs turn visibility into real revenue — without burnout, constant posting, or chasing algorithms. This episode breaks down what’s actually working in 2025 when it comes to lead generation, intentional visibility, and building a sales ecosystem rooted in relationships. Lauren shares why most entrepreneurs already have leads (they just aren’t tracking them), why content alone isn’t enough anymore, and how simple conversations can turn into consistent clients. In This Episode, We Cover: Why “not having leads” is usually a tracking problem, not a visibility problem How to use Instagram intentionally as a top-of-funnel tool Why follower count does not equal income The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make relying on content alone What intentional visibility really looks like in 2025 How to build a lead ecosystem that fits your business model The truth about lead magnets — and why most PDFs don’t convert What types of lead magnets actually work right now The most underrated lead generation strategy: DM relationships Key Takeaway: You don’t need more content — you need more intentional conversations and better systems to track and nurture the leads you already have. Connect with Lauren: Instagram: @laurennajar Website: laurennajar.com Free Resource: 30-Day Sales & Visibility Challenge If you enjoyed this episode, tag @michellelthames and @socialmediadecodedpod on Instagram and let us know your biggest takeaway. Stay visible and stay empowered. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames explains why Instagram audits are one of the fastest and most effective ways to fix visibility issues. Instead of guessing what to post or chasing content hacks, Michelle breaks down how audits create clarity, improve positioning, and lead to more meaningful engagement and conversion. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why most people struggle with Instagram visibility because they guess instead of audit What an Instagram audit actually reveals about your brand and messaging The first things Michelle looks for when reviewing an Instagram account Why clarity and positioning matter more than posting frequency How connection and consistency impact trust and conversion Why feedback accelerates visibility faster than trends or hacks How Instagram audits fit into long-term, sustainable visibility strategy Key Topics Covered: Instagram audits for business growth Visibility strategy for entrepreneurs Personal brand positioning on Instagram Community and connection over metrics Content clarity and consistency Sustainable social media marketing Fixing low engagement and conversion Who This Episode Is For: Entrepreneurs who feel visible but not effective Creators tired of guessing what to post Business owners struggling with low engagement or conversion Anyone who wants clearer direction for their Instagram strategy Mentioned in This Episode: Why content hacks don’t fix foundational visibility issues How audits uncover blind spots you can’t see on your own The importance of having a clear next step for your audience DM the word AUDIT on Instagram for a free Instagram audit, and explore Michelle’s Collective for ongoing support, strategy, and community. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Michelle Thames shares a behind-the-scenes look at the systems and tools that power her six-figure visibility ecosystem — without a big team or burnout. Learn how to think about tools strategically, reduce decision fatigue, and build sustainable visibility that actually converts. Topics Covered: Visibility systems for entrepreneurs How to scale visibility without burnout Email marketing as a visibility foundation Long-form content and podcast leverage Simplifying marketing tools Community-led visibility Sustainable content strategy DM “TOOLS” on Instagram to see Michelle’s exact systems and join The Collective for ongoing visibility support. https://michellethames.com/elevate-and-empower-collective Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames shares a grounded visibility reset for entrepreneurs heading into 2026. Instead of chasing trends or posting more, this conversation focuses on clarity, community, leadership energy, and building a sustainable visibility ecosystem that actually converts. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why visibility in 2026 is less about volume and more about intention The biggest misconceptions about visibility that are leading to burnout How clarity outperforms consistency when it comes to being remembered Why community and relationships matter more than reach and metrics The importance of building a visibility ecosystem instead of relying on one platform How leadership energy changes the way people respond to your brand Why visibility is ultimately an identity decision, not a marketing tactic Key Topics Covered: Visibility strategy for 2026 Community-led marketing Personal brand clarity Sustainable content creation Relationship-driven growth Thought leadership and calm authority Building trust and long-term visibility Marketing alignment and burnout prevention Who This Episode Is For: Entrepreneurs and creators who feel visible but not connected Business owners tired of chasing algorithms and trends Leaders who want clarity, confidence, and sustainable growth Anyone building a personal brand, community, or long-term platform Mentioned In This Episode: Visibility as a long-term strategy, not a quick win Why platforms change but relationships compound How to approach 2026 with intention and leadership Call to Action: If you’re ready for visibility that feels aligned and sustainable, explore Michelle’s Collective for ongoing support, clarity, and community — and follow the podcast for daily conversations on marketing, visibility, and leadership. https://michellethames.com/elevate-and-empower-collective Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.