Royally Unhinged THE Podcast

Trader Joe’s doesn’t follow the normal rules of retail — and that might be exactly why people love it. We’re breaking down how Trader Joe’s built a brand people are borderline obsessed with, why their marketing feels so different, and what businesses can learn from a company that wins by doing things its own way. We get into brand loyalty, customer experience, standing out in a crowded market, and...

Some of the best marketing doesn’t look like marketing at all. What starts as something simple… random… even a little ridiculous… can turn into something brilliant when brands lean into it the right way. In this episode, we’re breaking down a few unexpected campaigns that prove you don’t need a massive production or complicated strategy to stand out—you just need to pay attention and move. We talk...

What if everything marketers have worshipped about branding is shifting right in front of us? During a conference, Tarah heard a piece of info from a marketer and it’s stirring the pot: “Brands don’t matter anymore.” With AI changing how people search, discover, and make decisions, is brand loyalty dying… or just evolving? We get into the real question behind the controversy:Are people still buyin...

Gary Vee that hits a nerve for a lot of business owners: you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to get attention anymore. With social media, notoriety isn’t something you have to buy — it’s something you build. We talk about: • Why consistency beats ad spend • How people are overcomplicating marketing • The real reason some brands grow while others stay invisible • And why the internet still...

Would you choose candy… or a potato? 🥔🍬 A house offered trick-or-treaters a choice: candy OR a potato. And by the end of the night? They were completely out of potatoes. Why? That weird little Halloween experiment shows something about marketing, differentiation, and standing out in a sea of sameness. If everyone is handing out candy, maybe your business needs to be the potato. If you’ve been tr...

The Brightness Hack Nobody Asked For Have you noticed some Facebook videos looking… brighter? Flashier? Slightly strobe-y compared to the rest of your feed? Yeah. So have we. In this episode, we break down the weird juju happening inside the Facebook feed — videos that seem to pop brighter than everything else, almost like they’re engineered to hijack your attention. We talk about: • Whether this...

What if everything we preach about digital marketing… isn’t the only way? It’s the Amish — yes, the Amish — and how they’re building thriving businesses without websites, without ads, without social media, and without chasing algorithms. Paula shares some firsthand experiences visiting Amish communities, and we unpack what modern entrepreneurs can learn from a business model rooted in reputation,...

What if trying to appeal to everyone is actually the thing holding your brand back? In this episode, we break down the story of Vans and how they didn’t try to dominate every market — they went all-in on one community. Skateboarders. Culture. Identity. And by doing that, they built a brand that outlasted trends, competitors, and copycats. We talk about: • Why niche focus beats mass appeal every ti...

Ever scroll past a logo, ad, or campaign and think… haven’t I seen this before? Yeah. Same. We’re diving into the rise of copy-paste branding — from logos that feel a little too familiar to marketing campaigns that look like they came straight from someone else’s mood board. We talk about where inspiration crosses the line into imitation, why originality actually matters more than ever, and how br...

Networking can be powerful or a complete waste of time. And knowing the difference matters more than people like to admit. In this episode, we’re talking about networking red flags, real networking success stories, and how to tell whether a group is actually aligned with your goals… or just draining your energy, time, and wallet. Not every room is the right room. Not every group deserves your comm...

There’s a trend going around where designers walk up to businesses, film their signage, logos, or storefronts, and publicly “fix” their branding for content. And we’re gonna say it plainly: we hate it. In this episode, we talk about why these drive-by brand critiques are rude, entitled, and completely miss the point of what branding actually is. You don’t know the story. You don’t know the audienc...

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT ⚠️If you haven’t read or watched the Harry Potter series… this is your warning. In this episode, Paula comes in hot with questions — and Tarah does her best to defend the entire Harry Potter universe under what can only be described as a full wizarding-world interrogation. From plot holes and character motivations to “wait, WHY did that happen?” moments, we break down the series i...

Since it’s the holidays, we’re bringing back one of our all-time favorite episodes…and honestly, it’s even better the second time around. In this episode, we break down why the Savannah Bananas aren’t just a baseball team… they’re a masterclass in branding, fan experience, and doing business differently. From packed stadiums to viral moments, they’ve proven that when you prioritize fun, connection...

It’s Christmas Eve, so we’re revisiting the episode that started everything…Go listen to Season 2, Episode 10 first. Trust us. This replay hits harder once you hear how the story evolved. In this original episode, we unpack why Meta stopped working the way it used to…declining organic reach, ads replacing connection, and the growing sense that creators and businesses were being quietly pushed out....

If going viral were actually easy, we’d all be millionaires with ring lights and blue checkmarks. Yet somehow, “How do I go viral?” remains the internet’s favorite question. In this episode, we talk about the obsession with virality, the pressure to chase views instead of value, and why one viral moment doesn’t magically turn into a sustainable business. We spiral (a little), laugh (a lot), and un...

It’s the annual debate that divides households, ruptures friendships, and causes mild emotional damage: How early is too early to put up holiday decorations? 🎄🎁This week, we spiral (in a festive way) into the chaos of early Christmas trees, aggressively cheerful inflatables, and the neighbor who turns on their lights November 1st like it’s a competitive sport. But because we’re us… we can’t stop...

What do you get when a struggling restaurant chain accidentally stumbles into the most authentic marketing strategy ever? A comeback story worthy of its own episode…with chips, salsa, and a side of nostalgia. This week, we’re talking about how Chili’s went from “barely hanging on” to “viral sensation” thanks to one woman ordering a secret-menu-style item, recording it, and posting it online. Chili...

If you’ve ever heard the joke that a woman would rather fight a bear than be alone in a room with a man… well, we took that idea and ran with it straight into the world of business, leadership, expectations, and the never-ending circus women navigate every day. In this episode, we get real about what it means to be a woman in business right now…the pressure to be strong but not too strong, confide...

Tired of working from home… in the same sweatpants… staring at the same wall… pretending your kitchen table is “ergonomic”? Same. In this episode, we went LIVE at KPT Collaborative in Hudson, Wisconsin to talk about why coworking spaces are the productivity cheat code no one is talking about. From better lighting (literally) to human interaction (yes, the bar is low), coworking may be exactly what...

Ever watch Thursday Night Football and suddenly question reality? Tarah did…and it all started with three little letters: TNF.In this episode, we tackle the branding fumble that sparked a full-blown conversation about how critical recognition, consistency, and visual identity are, whether you’re the NFL or a small business trying to stand out in a crowded feed. We’re talking: • When branding disap...

Let us all channel our inner Gary Vee energy: no fluff, no filler, just relentless truth & marketing moves. What’s going to happen 2026, are you stop chasing followers and start commanding attention? From content strategy glitches to the “you-need-that” hustle myth, we’re tearing it all down and rebuilding with purpose. Expect bold takes on:🎩 Attention vs. Audience and what really matters tod...

Grab your goblet and tighten your corset, because we’re diving into the magical world of the Renaissance Festival! 🏰🛡️Let’s break down how Ren Fests have built one of the most loyal (and delightfully eccentric) followings…without traditional marketing. From immersive storytelling to selling the fantasy, these faires prove that experience is the brand.- Why people spend big for authenticity and ad...

Facebook’s at it again…and this time, it’s personal. 👀 From auto-liking posts to private groups that just started inviting people on their own, Meta’s officially lost the plot. We’re talking about the algorithm, how social media management platforms work, and why your feed might be creeping on you. So buckle up, because Facebook’s “community” vibes are starting to feel more like Big Brother. 🎧 L...

Welcome to our Season 2 Era of Royally Unhinged: The Life of a Showgirl/Biz Owner! ✨We’re kicking off our new era talking about one of the trickiest tightropes business owners walk…saying no to “great exposure.” From being asked to work for free to balancing passion with profit, we’re spilling the glitter (and the tea) on what it really takes to value your worth. In this season…we’re not doing “f...

Think becoming a best seller is all strategy and sales funnels? Think again…We’re spilling the secret sauce! From food truck taste tests to marketing truth bombs. 💥 In this episode, we dish on what it really takes to stand out authentically, build trust, and make your mark (maybe without selling your soul). Episode sponsored by Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce and Women in Business organizations...