Why Hustle Culture Doesn’t Work Anymore

You don’t need to be loud to be effective. In this episode, I sit down with Noah Vertefeuille, founder of Timber Marketing, to talk about email as a quiet but powerful tool for building trust.  We dig into how to make email feel personal, what to send when you’ve gone silent for a while, and why segmentation doesn’t have to be complicated. Noah also shares his approach to weaving in stories so your emails feel more like conversations, and less like sales pitches. This is your reminder: trust builds best when it feels human. In this episode of the podcast, we talk about: Why email marketing works best as a conversation How to re-engage your list after silence Where to start with segmentation (without overwhelm) Story-driven emails that feel more human Why email is the core of your marketing strategy …And More!   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Riverside All-in-One Podcast & Video Platform Visit Riverside and use the code DREA to get 15% off any Riverside individual plan. We use it to record all our podcast interviews: https://onlinedrea.com/riverside    About the Guest: Noah Vertefeuille is the founder of Timberbrook Marketing, a boutique agency helping small businesses grow through strategic, no-fluff marketing. Based in rural North Carolina with his wife and growing family, Noah blends entrepreneurial grit with a heart for service. His work is rooted in faith, family, and a deep belief that marketing done right should feel honest, human, and helpful. When he’s not working with clients, you’ll find him on his homestead, raising animals, chasing kids, and building a life that matters. Website: https://timberbrookmarketing.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/timberbrook-marketing/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCre4ZTDOWQXw9zKNATdzRrA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nvertefeuille/    Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/379  

If Instagram feels like it changes every five minutes, you’re not wrong. In this episode, I break down what’s actually working on Instagram right now—from reels and stories to dark social metrics—and what business owners should focus on heading into 2026.  We’ll talk about Instagram’s latest algorithm updates, the rise of DMs and discoverability, and how to build a strategy that’s sustainable and human. If you’ve felt like you’re constantly catching up with Instagram’s changes, this episode is your reset. In this episode of the podcast, I talk about:  What Instagram’s AI-powered algorithm really looks for The two placements performing best right now How to use DMs and “dark social” to grow trust Why shareability and watch time matter more than likes How to adapt your strategy without burning out   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Riverside All-in-One Podcast & Video Platform Visit Riverside and use the code DREA to get 15% off any Riverside individual plan. We use it to record all our podcast interviews: https://onlinedrea.com/riverside    Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/378

What if YouTube could be your simplest, most effective marketing tool?  In this episode, I sit down with YouTube strategist Jamar Diggs to talk about low-lift marketing content strategies that can bring leads to you without constant posting. Jamar shares how he uses YouTube to attract clients, why live streams are underrated, and how to avoid the “human errors” that make your videos less effective.  This conversation is packed with practical ways to make YouTube (and your content) feel easier. In this episode of the podcast, we talk about: Why long-form YouTube videos convert better than endless shorts What “low-lift marketing” actually looks like The mistakes experts make when creating content How live streams keep you top of mind Why YouTube isn’t slow if you set it up right …And More!   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Riverside All-in-One Podcast & Video Platform Visit Riverside and use the code DREA to get 15% off any Riverside individual plan. We use it to record all our podcast interviews: https://onlinedrea.com/riverside    About the Guest: Jamar Diggs is a YouTube Marketing Strategist for businesses who want to leverage YouTube to create a low-lift marketing strategy so they can make marketing only 10% of their focus. He takes his corporate marketing experience from working in large marketing departments like Homes.com and Forrent.com to help his clients create a content strategy and marketing system that will generate results for years. Website: https://jamardiggs.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JamarDiggs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamardiggs/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jamardiggs   Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/377  

Burnout is not a badge of honor.  In this episode, I share why I’m pushing back on hustle culture, what we can actually learn from creators like Gary Vee and Alex Hormozi, and why doing less often leads to better marketing. Instead of chasing every trend or posting six TikToks a day, I’ll walk you through the framework I use to conserve energy, stay consistent, and still grow my business without sacrificing my sanity. If you’ve been craving consistency without burnout, this framework is for you. In this episode of the podcast, I talk about:  The real cost of nonstop content creation Lessons from Gary Vee, Alex Hormozi, and creator culture Why rest cycles are key to creativity The three pillars of my mindful marketing playground How to use energy budgeting to prevent burnout ...and more!   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Riverside All-in-One Podcast & Video Platform Visit Riverside and use the code DREA to get 15% off any Riverside individual plan. We use it to record all our podcast interviews: https://onlinedrea.com/riverside    Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/376

If you’ve hired social media help but still feel like you’re micromanaging, this episode is for you.  I’m breaking down why most “content problems” are actually systems problems, and how to set up simple processes that help your team succeed without you constantly stepping in. From creating a digital brain to outlining clear content flows, you’ll learn how to move from micromanaging to truly supported. This is your reminder: with the right systems, your team can make your social media shine. In this episode of the podcast, I talk about:  Why most social media struggles aren’t about content The systems that make outsourcing actually work How to create a digital brain for your business What to include in a brand guide (voice + visuals) The habits that make support easier for everyone ...and more!   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Riverside All-in-One Podcast & Video Platform Visit Riverside and use the code DREA to get 15% off any Riverside individual plan. We use it to record all our podcast interviews: https://onlinedrea.com/riverside    Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/375

If holiday marketing makes you want to crawl under a blanket until January, you’re not alone.  In this episode, I’m sharing a calmer, more mindful way to plan your Q4 marketing so it actually works without draining you. I’ll walk you through the exact framework I use, the holidays I prioritize, and how I structure my sales to keep things simple. Plus, you can grab the free 2025 Holiday Marketing Handbook to help you map it all out. If you’ve been dreading Q4, this episode gives you a kinder way to do it. In this episode of the podcast, I talk about:  Why mindful planning beats last-minute chaos The 3-part framework I use for holiday marketing How to choose which holidays to prioritize Why social media sparks curiosity but email closes sales My simple Black Friday sale strategy   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Riverside All-in-One Podcast & Video Platform Visit Riverside and use the code DREA to get 15% off any Riverside individual plan. We use it to record all our podcast interviews: https://onlinedrea.com/riverside    Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/374

What do you do when trolls show up in your comments? After sharing a clip about inclusive marketing, I was hit with racist remarks and negativity.  Instead of letting it derail me, I’m breaking down how I handle comments like these, what boundaries I put in place, and why protecting your energy online matters more than ever. If you’re creating content online and feeling the sting from a hateful comment or just need a reminder that you’re not alone, this one’s for you. In this episode of the podcast, I talk about:  Why negative comments sting (and why it’s not personal) How to set boundaries and spot when they’re crossed Practical steps I take when hate shows up Why your “energy budget” matters as much as your content calendar How to keep creating without letting trolls win   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Riverside All-in-One Podcast & Video Platform Visit Riverside and use the code DREA to get 15% off any Riverside individual plan. We use it to record all our podcast interviews: https://onlinedrea.com/riverside    Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/373

Sometimes growth looks like chasing a million-dollar year. Other times, it looks like letting go of old goals, finding joy in smaller seasons, and rewriting the rules to fit your life now.  In this episode, I’m reflecting on what changed after two babies, selling my agency, and shifting my business model, and why I’m more excited than ever about what’s next. If you’ve ever felt like your business path had to look a certain way, this episode is your reminder that you can redefine success. In this episode of the podcast, I talk about:  What really shifted after baby #2 Why I sold my agency (and how I felt after) The realities of postpartum depression & business The business model that fits my current season What I’m focusing on next—and why it feels good   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Riverside All-in-One Podcast & Video Platform Visit Riverside and use the code DREA to get 15% off any Riverside individual plan. We use it to record all our podcast interviews: https://onlinedrea.com/riverside    Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/372

What if saying “for women” is actually turning away the very people you’d love to work with? In this episode, I’m diving into the nuances of gendered marketing and why I choose not to use gender-specific labels in my business. From real-life examples to practical shifts you can make, we’ll unpack how inclusive marketing doesn’t just feel better, it performs better too. Whether you’re rethinking your own brand messaging or want to be more intentional with your language, this is a powerful starting point. In this episode of the podcast, I talk about:  How gendered marketing can quietly exclude your dream clients Why “marketing can’t be neutral anymore” How inclusive brands like Dove and Fenty get it right The difference between being inclusive for women vs. only for women Practical ways to reflect your values in your marketing   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Riverside All-in-One Podcast & Video Platform Visit Riverside and use the code DREA to get 15% off any Riverside individual plan. We use it to record all our podcast interviews: https://onlinedrea.com/riverside    Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/371

More posts ≠ more progress. I’m sharing exactly what’s working on social media right now—and what’s not—so you can adapt your content to meet your audience where they are (without burning out in the process). We’re covering real shifts in content behavior, algorithm changes, and how smart marketers are showing up differently in 2025. If you're frustrated with lower reach and engagement, this episode will help you understand why and what to do next. In this episode of the podcast, I talk about:  Why the attention economy has shifted (and what it means for your content) Why “educational” posts aren’t hitting like they used to The difference between how-to content and how-I content The “middle tier content” that’s fading fast What “high-concept, low-production” content actually looks like The real reason engagement has dropped (it’s not you)   This Episode Was Made Possible By: Riverside All-in-One Podcast & Video Platform Visit Riverside and use the code DREA to get 15% off any Riverside individual plan. We use it to record all our podcast interviews: https://onlinedrea.com/riverside    Go to the show notes for all the resources mentioned in this episode: https://onlinedrea.com/370