What if one DM… one cease-and-desist… or one copyright flag could shut down everything you’ve built online?

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle sits down with Kailey Jacomet, founder of Brand Law Boutique, to break down the real legal risks creators, influencers, and online business owners face—often without even realizing it.

If you post, sell, collaborate, or build community online, this episode is a must-listen.

• Why one Instagram report or DM from a lawyer can shut down your business overnight
• The #1 trademark mistake entrepreneurs make before launching a brand
• The real difference between and (and why it matters more than you think)
• A 60-second name search checklist to avoid expensive rebrands
• How creators unknowingly cross copyright lines with reels, audios, and reposts
• Why “fair use” doesn’t always protect you on platforms like Instagram or TikTok
• What brands can legally do with your name, image, and content if your contract is weak
• The non-negotiable clauses every influencer and creator should look for (or demand)

• The one legal template every online business should invest in first

• How to protect your brand before it scales
• How to avoid being bullied by bigger companies
• How to collaborate confidently without signing your rights away

• How to stay visible, profitable, and legally protected

• Contract templates + website policies
• Trademark education + legal planning tools

• Exclusive listener discount (code in episode description)

If this episode saved you from a future legal headache (or a five-figure mistake), screenshot it, share it, and tag @michellelthames + @kaileyjacomet with your biggest takeaway.

Post proudly. Sell smart. Protect your brand at all costs.

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 breaks down the rise of ragebait content and asks the real question most marketers avoid: does it actually build brands, or just inflate engagement? Drawing from years of experience in marketing, visibility, and personal brand strategy, Michelle explains why ragebait works, when it hurts your credibility, and who should avoid it altogether.

This episode helps entrepreneurs, creators, and business owners understand how to stand out without sacrificing trust, authority, or long-term growth.

• What ragebait content actually is
• Why ragebait performs well on social media platforms
• The psychology behind outrage and engagement
• When ragebait damages brand trust and credibility
• The difference between thought leadership and clickbait
• Who ragebait works for and who it hurts
• How to build visibility without relying on controversy

• Why clarity and positioning matter more than attention

• Ragebait drives engagement, but not always conversion
• Attention without trust does not lead to clients
• Decision-makers buy clarity, not chaos
• Thought leadership challenges ideas without eroding credibility

• Strategic visibility outperforms short-term virality

• Entrepreneurs building personal brands
• Creators who want authority, not just engagement
• Business owners tired of chasing algorithms
• Coaches, consultants, and service providers

• Brands focused on long-term growth and trust

If you want support building visibility that attracts aligned clients instead of just attention, join the Collective for ongoing strategy, feedback, and proximity. https://michellethames.com/elevate-and-empower-collective

Follow Social Media Decoded for daily conversations on marketing, visibility, and brand growth.

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 breaks down the real difference between a social media manager and a social media strategist — and why confusing the two can cost businesses time, money, and momentum. Michelle explains how strategy and execution serve different purposes, the most common hiring mistakes business owners make, and how choosing the right support at the right time can dramatically change results.

This episode is essential listening for entrepreneurs, founders, and brands deciding how to invest in their marketing and visibility in 2026.

• The difference between social media management and social media strategy
• Posting content vs planning a visibility ecosystem
• Why execution without strategy leads to wasted effort
• How strategy saves money long-term
• Common hiring mistakes business owners make
• When to hire a strategist vs when to hire a manager
• How clarity impacts content, growth, and conversion

• Why roles, timing, and expectations matter

• A social media manager executes content, a strategist designs the plan
• Posting consistently does not equal strategic growth
• Strategy provides direction, focus, and measurable outcomes
• Hiring the wrong role at the wrong time creates frustration

• Clear strategy makes execution more effective and efficient

• Business owners hiring marketing support
• Entrepreneurs confused about social media roles
• Brands struggling with inconsistent results
• Founders preparing to scale visibility in 2026

• Creators transitioning from DIY to professional support

If you need clarity before hiring or scaling your marketing, explore working with Michelle’s agency for strategic support. www.thamesmediasolutions.com

For ongoing proximity, feedback, and visibility guidance, join the Collective. https://michellethames.com/elevate-and-empower-collective

Michelle Thames is a marketing strategist, podcast host, and community builder with over 15 years of experience helping brands and entrepreneurs build visibility systems that convert. She specializes in strategy-first marketing, community-led growth, and sustainable brand ecosystems.

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 breaks down the marketing trends that will actually matter in 2026 and the ones she’s intentionally ignoring. Drawing from 15+ years of experience in marketing, community building, and visibility strategy, Michelle explains why fundamentals still outperform hype and how brands can build longevity instead of chasing short-term momentum.

This episode is for entrepreneurs, creators, and business owners who want sustainable visibility, stronger relationships, and marketing strategies that work across every season of business.

• Why most marketing trends don’t last
• The difference between momentum and longevity
• Community-led marketing and why it’s the future
• Thought leadership vs performance-based content
• Why owned audiences matter more than algorithms
• Trends Michelle is intentionally ignoring in 2026
• Why virality does not equal business growth
• How clarity, consistency, and trust still win

• Building a visibility ecosystem instead of chasing platforms

• Trends are loud, but foundations compound quietly
• Community creates trust, referrals, and long-term growth
• Decision-makers buy clarity, not aesthetics
• Owned audiences protect your business from platform shifts
• Mastery on one platform beats being everywhere

• Fundamentals never go out of style

• Entrepreneurs planning for 2026 growth
• Creators tired of chasing trends and burning out
• Business owners focused on long-term visibility
• Brands ready to build community, not just content

• Leaders who want marketing strategies that last

If you want support building a sustainable visibility strategy and community-led ecosystem, join the Collective for ongoing proximity, strategy, and feedback.

Make sure to follow Social Media Decoded so you don’t miss future episodes on visibility, marketing, and brand growth.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if slowing down isn’t a setback — but a signal?

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, marketing strategist and community builder Michelle Thames shares a real-time reflection after hosting her Elevate & Align retreat, where she unexpectedly lost her voice and was forced to pause, reschedule brand deals, and listen to what her body was communicating.

This short but powerful episode explores the connection between visibility, leadership, alignment, and sustainability, especially for entrepreneurs who feel pressure to constantly show up online.

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, burned out, or disconnected from your visibility, this conversation will help you reframe momentum and lead with clarity instead of hustle.

• What it means when your body forces you to slow down
• How alignment shows up physically, not just mentally
• The relationship between sustainable visibility and leadership
• Why constant output doesn’t equal long-term success

• How slowing down can create clearer direction and momentum

• Entrepreneurs navigating burnout or exhaustion
• Creators struggling with consistency and visibility
• Business owners leading teams, brands, or communities

• Anyone feeling pressure to “do more” to stay relevant

Sustainable visibility isn’t about pushing harder — it’s about listening sooner.
Slowing down can be the most strategic leadership move you make.

Social Media Decoded breaks down what actually works in social media, branding, visibility, and community-led growth — without burnout culture or empty marketing trends.

Hosted by marketing strategist Michelle Thames, the show covers leadership, digital marketing strategy, visibility, content, and building brands that last.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs permission to slow down and lead differently.

Check out the collective: 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.

If you feel like Instagram isn’t working anymore, this episode will change how you think about visibility.

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames breaks down why the Instagram algorithm isn’t the real problem — and how unclear strategy, weak positioning, and misaligned content are what actually block reach, engagement, and conversions.

Michelle explains what Instagram truly rewards, why chasing trends leads to burnout, and how clarity consistently outperforms creativity. This episode is for entrepreneurs and creators who want sustainable visibility, not viral luck.

If you are tired of guessing, posting more without results, or blaming the algorithm, this conversation will help you see Instagram through a strategic lens and move forward with confidence.

Want honest feedback on what’s blocking your Instagram visibility?
DM AUDIT on Instagram to request an Instagram audit.

For ongoing strategy, proximity, and visibility support, explore Michelle’s community, the 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 special LIVE edition of Social Media Decoded, host Michelle Thames sits down with Julia Hartz, CEO and co-founder of Eventbrite, for a powerful conversation on the future of events, visibility, and real-world connection.

As live experiences make a major comeback, Julia shares why events are no longer a “nice-to-have,” but a core visibility and community-building strategy for creators, entrepreneurs, and brands.

Together, Michelle and Julia explore:

• How events have evolved as a visibility and growth tool
• Why real connection is becoming more valuable than algorithms
• The rise of niche, intimate, and under-the-radar experiences
• Common mistakes event hosts make — and how to fix them

• What great leaders and community builders do differently

Julia also gives a sneak peek into Eventbrite’s 2026 trend report, “Social Study: Reset to Real,” highlighting how the most social generation is redefining connection through:

• Off-Script Energy — embracing spontaneity and unpredictability
• Soft Socializing — connection without pressure

• Layers, Not Labels — blending niches, cultures, and interests for richer experiences

If you’re building community, hosting events, or looking for new ways to grow your visibility in 2026, this episode is a must-listen.

This episode was recorded live and is available in audio and video format on all podcast platforms.

• Live events as a visibility strategy
• Community-driven growth
• Authentic leadership and hosting
• Event marketing trends for 2026

• How creators can stand out offline and online

• Eventbrite 2026 Trend Report: Social Study: Reset to Real https://www.eventbrite.com/social-study-trends/
• Eventbrite platform for creators & community hosts

If this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow entrepreneur or event host and tag us. Let’s keep building community with intention.

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 explains why webinars and live events still convert in today’s marketing landscape and why many businesses believe they no longer work. She breaks down what actually kills conversions, how trust is built in live rooms, and the mindset shift required to turn visibility into real action.

• Why webinars and live events still work when designed with intention
• The biggest mistakes that prevent live experiences from converting
• How live rooms build trust faster than content alone
• The difference between teaching and creating connection
• Why clarity and positioning matter more than audience size
• How to think about live experiences as trust accelerators

• What to do before and after a live event to support conversion

• Entrepreneurs hosting webinars or live events
• Coaches and consultants struggling with low conversion
• Business owners who want deeper trust with their audience

• Creators who feel visible but not connected

• Live experiences convert when they are built for trust, not performance
• Small, intentional rooms often outperform large audiences
• Conversion starts before the room opens and continues after it closes

• Visibility works best when paired with clarity and direction

If you want help creating live experiences that actually convert, explore Visibility Power Hours or join The Collective for ongoing strategy and support. Links are available in the show notes.

Michelle Thames is a marketing strategist, speaker, and community builder who helps entrepreneurs turn visibility into real opportunities through intentional strategy and relationship-led marketing.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.