If you’re building a brand online (creator, founder, coach, event planner, whatever) you already know this:
You can do everything “right” and still get kneecapped by a platform you don’t control.
You can have followers.
>You can have views.
>You can have a moment.
And then… Google Chrome “unexpectedly quits” mid-sentence like it’s personally offended by your success.
In this episode of Every Day’s a Trainwreck, Marley brought back Adam Torres (Mission Matters) and somehow the conversation went from:
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Coco requesting a Birkin for a $10/day Secret Santa
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to TikTok deciding college choices
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to why podcasts are the last “sticky” attention asset left
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to the LinkedIn newsletter thing that made Marley’s jaw hit the floor
And yes, we’re calling it what it is:
This was a marketing masterclass hiding inside a comedy spiral.
The Real Topic (Even Though Nobody Knew the Topic)
Adam’s new book is called One Billion Podcasts and it exists for one reason:
Because people keep asking him, “Isn’t podcasting saturated?”
And Adam’s point is simple:
If you’re asking that, you don’t understand the business you’re in.
He’s recorded 6,000+ episodes and will crank out 1,500+ more this year. Not because he’s bored. Because he’s building an institution.
And institutions don’t need viral moments.
They need trust.
Why Most Podcasters Quit (And Why That’s Your Opportunity)
There’s a stat floating around that most people quit around 24–26 episodes.
Real number? Fake number? Who cares. The point is correct:
People quit because their expectations are delusional.
They compare a podcast episode to an Instagram Reel like:
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“My reel got 1,000 views!”
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“My podcast got 40 downloads!”
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“So podcasting is failing!”
No, babe. Your math is failing.
Adam breaks it down like this:
40 downloads of a 60-minute episode = 2,400 minutes of attention.
That’s not content.
That’s a relationship.
Social Platforms Aren’t Built to Promote You (They’re Built to Sell Ads)
Marley said it out loud (because she always does):
People think if they have 10,000 followers, those followers see their posts.
LOL.
Adam’s reality check:
Even if someone follows you, a platform might show your content to 10% of them (if you’re lucky).
And then he got his first YouTube strike–for a guest who didn’t even say anything “wrong.” The guest was just blacklisted.
Translation:
You don’t own YouTube.
You’re renting it.
And the landlord can evict you whenever they feel like it.
The Only Asset You Actually Own: Direct Access
Marley nailed the business lesson:
You have to get people off their platform and onto your list.
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phone numbers (SMS)
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emails
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subscriptions you can actually reach
Because if TikTok gets banned, sold, throttled, or wiped out tomorrow, your “audience” disappears.
If you have their contact info?
You still exist.
The LinkedIn Newsletter Twist That Made Marley Lose Her Mind
This is where the episode quietly turned into a strategy goldmine.
Adam started a LinkedIn newsletter to support his new monologue show (Inside My Mind) because it’s personal, opinion-based, and fits LinkedIn’s vibe.
And then this happened:
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1,000+ subscribers basically organically
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AND LinkedIn sends the newsletter out via email
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AND Adam saw 40%+ open rates
Marley’s reaction was the correct one:
“Shut the front door.”
Because LinkedIn is pushing newsletters hard right now.
Which means you can ride the wave until they “flip the switch” and make you pay.
Same story, different decade.
The Most Annoying Truth: The “Easiest” Content Often Wins
Adam’s building an empire and gets the most traction from a silly side project where he rates movies.
Marley’s built 30 years of event expertise and sometimes her best-performing content is:
“If you’re going to the Coldplay concert at the Rose Bowl, you’re F’d. Bring a slicker.”
Pain + usefulness + personality converts.
Not your perfectly curated TED Talk.
What to Do With This If You’re Building a Business
Here’s the takeaway from the chaos:
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Stop chasing views. Chase minutes.
Minutes = trust. Trust = sales. -
Build something sticky.
Podcast, newsletter, YouTube series – pick what you can actually sustain. -
Use platforms as feeders, not foundations.
Instagram is not your business. It’s your billboard. -
Start an email-based channel NOW.
Newsletter, SMS list, community – something you own. -
Have a “carry it with you” asset like Adam.
Bookmark with QR code. Postcard. Card. Link-in-bio. Something that makes it stupid-easy to follow you.
Because “I’ll look you up later” is a lie people tell when they want to leave the conversation.
Work With Us
Want help planning a birthday, Saint Patrick’s Day, or Valentine’s Day party that looks effortless and feels RIDICULOUS in the best way?
Let’s start planning something ridiculous.
We handle the details so you can actually enjoy your own party. Ready to crush it? We are.
Stay Connected
Love parties, pop culture, and behind-the-scenes chaos that somehow turns into magic?
Follow The Party Goddess! for event inspo, business real talk, and plenty of “did-that-just-happen” moments from Marley and the team:
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook
LinkedIn
X (formerly Twitter)
TikTok
And of course, don’t forget the podcast: Every Day’s a Trainwreck.
Because if you’re going to host the holiday, you might as well make it memorable – in a good way.
P.S. Want more tips and tricks? Don’t miss our latest blog on Your Grit Muscle Called. It Wants a RIDICULOUS Comeback!