Growth In Reverse is the must-listen podcast for anyone serious about growing an email list and turning a newsletter into a thriving business. Hosted by Chenell Basilio and Dylan Redekop, two leading voices in the newsletter space, this show pulls back the curtain on how today’s top newsletter operators actually grow and make money. Episodes include deep-dive teardowns of the strategies behind the most successful newsletters. You’ll hear how creators like Justin Welsh, Codie Sanchez, Sahil B ...
…
continue reading
David Sparks and Mike Schmitz are not nearly as productive as they’d like to be. Join these fellow travelers (and a bunch of special guests) as they share the best ways to get focused, and talk through their successes and failures along the way. Hosted by David Sparks and Mike Schmitz.
…
continue reading
Learn how to grow and monetize your newsletter! We interview the best newsletter operators, founders, and creators on how they grow their audiences and make money. Hosted by Matt McGarry and Ryan Carr.
…
continue reading
On this podcast, Chris Savage, Wistia's CEO and loudest talker, turns up the volume on insightful conversations with other SaaS founders, tech. leaders, marketers, and creators about what it takes to build businesses, top-notch products, and unforgettable brands.
…
continue reading

1
Chenell Basilio: How To Get Your First 50,000 Email Subscribers
50:19
50:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:19Chenell Basilio is the founder of Growth in Reverse, a newsletter and podcast that reverse engineers how top creators grow their audiences to 50,000+ subscribers. Want more content like this? Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com Work with Ryan's agency Tailwind Work wi…
…
continue reading

1
Organic Audience Growth is Getting Harder -- Here's What's Working Now
50:26
50:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:26Matt and Ryan share strategies for growing on LinkedIn, converting engagement into email subscribers, and building long-term content engines. They also explore video content, email optimization, and rebranding the podcast. Want more content like this? Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: New…
…
continue reading

1
Talking Too Loud Mini: We're At the Wistia Offsite, Back Next Week
4:01
4:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:01No full episode this week (we're at the Wistia offsite). But we wanted to say a quick hello, talk too loud about snorkeling, and Harry Potter, and let you know we'll be back to our regular programming next week. Follow Savage on LinkedIn Subscribe to Talking Too Loud on Wistia Watch on YouTube Follow Talking Too Loud on Instagram Follow Talking Too…
…
continue reading

1
Should your newsletter have a podcast? (Our take after 6 months of episodes)
47:52
47:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:52"Podcasting isn’t a shortcut to growth—but it’s a hell of a way to deepen relationships." – Chenell Basilio What can happen when you commit to a weekly podcast for six straight months? You're about to find out. Chenell & Dylan pull back the curtain on the Growth In Reverse podcast—sharing the behind-the-scenes of what’s worked, what hasn’t, and wha…
…
continue reading

1
Creators Are Flocking to Substack—but Should You Join Them?
39:21
39:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:21“You can pretty much do anything on Substack—which is good and also makes me nervous.” – Chenell Basilio We've seen a wave of creators flocking to Substack over the last month and couldn’t help but wonder... what’s really going on here? In this episode, Chenell & Dylan unpack the why we believe this migration is happening. Are creators just chasing…
…
continue reading

1
231: Overwhelm, AI, and Life's Balancing Acts
1:07:44
1:07:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:07:44In this feedback episode, David & Mike tackle listener questions about their use of AI, reset rituals, quitting books, and a variety of other focus-related topics. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. TRMNL: Clarity, at a glance. Get $15 off for 1 week only…
…
continue reading
If you’re running a “newsletter business” the way most people do, you’re doomed to fail. To explain why and what to do now, I’ll break down the history of newsletters and why founders and publishers must pivot to what I call newsletters 3.0. Want help building a media brand? Get in touch here: GrowLetter.com…
…
continue reading

1
5 Content Business Ideas You Can Start This Weekend (With $0)
33:33
33:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:33Matt and Ryan discuss newsletter-first business ideas—from niche media brands to local community stories—sharing insights on engagement, monetization, and building with purpose. Want more content like this? Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com Work with Ryan's agency T…
…
continue reading

1
30 Creators. 30 Days. 3,700+ Subscribers: How She Did It
42:03
42:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:03"I thought this would grow my list. It did—but the real win was something else entirely." — Chenell Basilio on her 30 Days of Growth experiment. In this special episode of Growth In Reverse, Chenell & Dylan break down the whirlwind that was Chenell's 30 Days of Growth experiment. What started as a simple idea to improve my cross-promotions quickly …
…
continue reading

1
Why We're Hosting a Founders Retreat (Behind The Scenes Look at Audience Camp)
24:01
24:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:01Apply to attend: Audience.Camp Matt and Ahrif give you a behind-the-scenes look into Audience Camp, a new event for founders and creators in Asheville, North Carolina, this fall.By Matt McGarry and Ryan Carr
…
continue reading

1
Marketing in 2025: What the End of Traffic Means for You with Rand Fishkin
37:27
37:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:27What’s really happening in digital marketing today? On the latest episode of Talking Too Loud, Savage and Sylvie bring in Rand Fishkin—legendary strategist, founder of SparkToro, and indie game creator—for an unfiltered reality check. From the steep decline of web traffic and the end of easy SEO wins, to the explosive rise of AI-driven answers and …
…
continue reading

1
The Little-Known Way Creators Are Building BILLION Dollar Businesses
11:39
11:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
11:39Matt McGarry discusses the concept of Negative CAC—how smart companies turn marketing into profit. He shares real-world examples from media and SaaS, showing how digital products and media can fuel growth and long-term profitability. Learn more about negative CAC: https://www.newsletteroperator.com/p/negative-cac Want more content like this? Join N…
…
continue reading

1
Why Legacy Media Doesn't Understand Newsletters, The Best Type of Lead Magnet, and More
47:17
47:17
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:17Matt and Ryan discuss the digital transformation challenges facing legacy media, from shifting to subscription models to embracing email marketing. They explore innovative newsletter growth tactics, AI’s role in democratizing software development, and evolving strategies for software acquisition. They also share how tools can serve as lead magnets,…
…
continue reading

1
How He Turned a Free Google Doc into $1.2M + 18,000 Newsletter Subscribers
50:29
50:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:29Get 30 proven newsletter strategies to grow and optimize your email list FREE >> "There is a strong, undeniable correlation between the number of emails you send and the amount of money you make." — Olly Richards In this episode, Chenell & Dylan chat with Olly Richards — the founder of Storylearning.com and now a fast-growing personal brand — about…
…
continue reading

1
230: Journaling & Intention, with Joe Moyer
1:19:48
1:19:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:19:48Journaling Guide Joe Moyer joins us to talk getting started with journaling, navigating major life transitions, and the power of a regular reflection practice. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc.…
…
continue reading

1
5 Ways To Get Your First 1,000 Newsletter Subscribers (From Scratch)
21:06
21:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:06Matt shares actionable strategies for launching and growing a successful newsletter from the ground up. Get the first 1,000 subscribers guide: https://www.newsletteroperator.com/p/first-1000-newsletter-subscribers Want more content like this? Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOp…
…
continue reading

1
How I'm Growing My Newsletter to 100k+ Subscribers and $5M+ Revenue
24:30
24:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:30Matt shares how he plans to double his email list from 50K to 100K and boost revenue in the process. Want more content like this? Join Newsletter Operator for more strategies on how to grow and monetize your newsletter here: NewsletterOperator.com Episode Topics & Timestamps 00:00 Growing the Email List: Strategies and Goals 08:06 Navigating Social…
…
continue reading

1
From Confusion to Clarity: How to Fix an Overwhelming Newsletter
31:12
31:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:12Get 30 proven newsletter strategies to grow and optimize your email list FREE >> "Faceless brands are forgettable. Put your name on it. Make it human." In this episode, Dylan and Chenell are back for another Newsletter Roast! Get out your marshmallows 🔥 This week we're roasting a newsletter all about podcast discovery. The Find That Pod newsletter …
…
continue reading

1
Subscribing On Purpose: Creating Sticky Newsletters with Chenell Basilio
40:07
40:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:07Can you really grow a successful newsletter with just 600 subscribers? Chenell Basilio, founder of Growth in Reverse, joins Talking Too Loud to bust list-size myths, unpack the secrets behind engaging content, and explain why passion and community beat flashy growth hacks every time. Links to Learn More: Follow Chenell Basilio on LinkedIn Follow Sa…
…
continue reading
Matt discusses his top strategies for launching and growing a successful newsletter. He covers why starting with a weekly send builds consistency, how to use social media to grow your list, and ways to convert followers into subscribers. He also dives into lead magnets, monetization through ads, and the power of optimized profiles and direct messag…
…
continue reading

1
How To Build Your Email List with $20 Per Day
12:43
12:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:43Matt discusses how to grow and monetize a newsletter on just $20 a day. He shares how to use Meta ads for lead generation, structure campaigns that convert, and the importance of testing creative. Matt also dives into smart monetization tactics—like paid recommendations—to cover ad spend and start earning fast. Want more content like this? Join New…
…
continue reading

1
Behind the Scenes of a Free 30-Day Newsletter Growth Sprint
35:15
35:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
35:15Get 30 proven strategies to grow and optimize your email list FREE >> "This might be the most fun I've had growing my newsletter." — Chenell And here's how Chenell's doing it. We're giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how 30 Days of Growth is going—and how we’re planning to make the most of the final stretch! With over 2,600 signups already and …
…
continue reading
David & Mike revisit some old workflows (time blocking, weekly review, reading, and writing) and talk about what's changed. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% …
…
continue reading

1
Steal These 5 Newsletter Growth Levers You Can Start Today
38:44
38:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:44Get 30 proven strategies to grow and optimize your email list FREE >> In this episode, we’re unpacking five high-performing newsletter growth levers that creators are using right now to grow smarter—not harder. Each tactic comes straight from Chenell's 30 Days of Growth series, where creators shared the exact strategies that helped them attract tho…
…
continue reading

1
How to Win with Video Marketing in 2025 with Wistia’s Head of Content, Sam Balter
38:13
38:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:13Curious about what’s actually working in video marketing right now? On the latest episode of Talking Too Loud, Savage and Sylvie get the inside scoop from Sam Balter, Wistia’s head of content, and the data mastermind behind this year’s State of Video Report. From high-performing formats and the rise of interactive features, to smarter production wo…
…
continue reading
Matt and Ryan discuss how AI is transforming marketing, with a focus on content creation, advertising, and newsletter strategy. They also explore building effective newsletter funnels, increasing engagement and conversions, and adapting to new monetization models beyond conventional ad-based approaches. Want more content like this? Join Newsletter …
…
continue reading

1
The Cross-Promo Playbook: Strategies That Actually Work (Without Wasting Time)
48:04
48:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:04Get 30 proven strategies to grow and optimize your email list FREE >> We're diving into one of the most underrated growth strategies out there: collaborations and cross-promotions. Whether you're building a newsletter, launching a podcast, or growing a YouTube channel, collabs are one of the most high-leverage plays you can run — and we break down …
…
continue reading

1
228: Time Surfing, with Paul Loomans
1:12:19
1:12:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:12:19Author Paul Loomans joins us to talk about time surfing, a zen approach to keeping time on your side. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Guest Starring: Paul Loomans Links and …
…
continue reading

1
The #1 Thing These 3 Newsletters Got Wrong (and How to Fix It) — Newsletter Roasts Vol. 2
41:19
41:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
41:19Get 30 proven strategies to grow and optimize your email list FREE >> Three roasts are better than one! Our first Newsletter Roast was last month, and we only roasted ONE newsletter. Today we're bringing back the heat—but roasting THREE newsletters instead of just one. These newsletters are all in different phases of their journey but all share one…
…
continue reading

1
The Fractional CMO Who Lives In A Zoo with Peter Murphy Lewis
41:11
41:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
41:11Peter Murphy Lewis has lived many lives: TV host, travel brand founder, documentary filmmaker, and now fractional CMO. On the latest episode of Talking Too Loud, the founder of Strategic Pete joins Chris and Sylvie to get loud about the importance of facing discomfort, the power of curiosity, and how his entrepreneurial journey led to living in a z…
…
continue reading

1
How “IV Content” Fuels the Fastest-Growing Newsletters—to 50k and Beyond (NMS Talk)
25:43
25:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:43Get 30 proven strategies to grow and optimize your email list FREE >> This special edition of the Growth In Reverse podcast is the full live talk I gave at the Newsletter Marketing Summit in Austin TX this past February. Over the past two years, I’ve studied the growth of the most successful newsletters in the world—those who’ve hit 50,000+ subscri…
…
continue reading
David & Mike discuss their quarterly planning processes and share their intentions for the next quarter. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content. The Focused Calendar How …
…
continue reading

1
From 40 Followers to $1m: Dave & Marsden Kline Built a Creator Business in 3.5 Years
45:33
45:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:33Get 30 proven strategies to grow and optimize your email list FREE >> "Quantity leads to quality, but when you find a winner, you have to double down." — Dave Kline, MGMT Playbook Dave Kline went from leading teams at Bridgewater to building a million-dollar creator business—with zero prior experience on social media. But the real secret behind the…
…
continue reading

1
Building Your Personal Brand and Being Proudly Unhinged on LinkedIn with Bridget Poetker
49:23
49:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:23Brand mascots are fun, webinars need to step it up, and B2B content doesn’t have to be boring! These are just some of the loud takes that marketer extraordinaire Bridget Poetker shares on the latest episode of Talking Too Loud. This week, Savage and Sylvie step into a world where unfiltered personality drives creative inspiration and brand voice. T…
…
continue reading

1
One man. One newsletter. One Million subscribers: How Lenny Rachitsky did it.
44:15
44:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:15Get 30 proven strategies to grow and optimize your email list FREE >> Lenny Rachitsky just crossed 1 million subscribers with his Substack newsletter, aptly named Lenny's Newsletter. Chenell has written a few deep dives on Lenny (How he reached 377k subscribers, and how he got 18k paid subscribers). So we thought it would be interesting to see what…
…
continue reading
David & Mike discuss the power of review and reflection in your focused productivity system. This episode of Focused is sponsored by: Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast. Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free. Links and Show Notes: Deep Focus: Extended ad-fr…
…
continue reading

1
Brutally Honest Newsletter Roast: What Works, What Doesn't, and What to Fix
34:41
34:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:41Get 30 proven strategies to grow and optimize your email list FREE >> “The easiest way to lose potential subscribers is to make them work too hard to understand what they’re signing up for.” (Watch this episode on YouTube -->) We sent out the call to get your newsletter roasted. Over 20 listeners submitted their newsletters. And today we're roastin…
…
continue reading

1
Social Media Risks and Rewards with CeraVe's Sydney Raiff
45:36
45:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:36On the latest episode of Talking Too Loud, Chris Sylvie Lubow dive into the world of social media strategy with Sydney Raiff, a video producer at CeraVe. The conversation explores Sydney's success in transforming CeraVe’s TikTok strategy from a million paid views to a million organic views, and provides a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to …
…
continue reading