Social Soup

Phil Gerbyshak returns! He is the writer of the Happy AF newsletter and host of The Happiness Practices podcast. Michelle and Phil explore the key elements of building long-term resilience and navigating mental health needs. They break down simple yet effective strategies to thrive during tough times, including looking at self-compassion and breathing techniques.  They also look at the importance...

Feeling stuck? Wondering if you’re on the right path? This episode dives deep into the power of choice, trust, and navigating life’s curveballs.  Our wonderful guest Shayla Locklear shares stories about building her own life, discovering her true power, and exploring the complexities between wealth and mental health. We explore the intersection of spirituality and religion, making conscious choice...

In this episode of Social Soup, we talk with the incredible Lynne Dixon-Speller, Academic Dean at Edessa School of Fashion in Milwaukee.  Lynne and Michelle discuss the significance of Black History Month and Women’s History Month. Lynne shares insights on the legacies of Black leaders and pioneering women who have shaped our world. They discuss misconceptions behind DEI efforts, ongoing challenge...

Michelle chats with Courtney Stone, co-founder of the Spotlight app, a platform for modern giving and advocacy. Spotlight aims to create a space where people can contribute to causes and feel heard, valued, and engaged. The two discuss contributing to the greater good, highs and lows of startup life as women entrepreneurs, hidden discrimination in business, and the power of community. They dive in...

Michelle chats with longtime friend Chris Kann, owner of CSK marketing and Chris Kann Coaching. Chris is a market research expert, coach, and business leader with endless insights on leadership, marketing, and more! The question isn’t what Michelle and Chris discuss—it’s what *don’t* they discuss! They explore the power of listening, both in business and in life. Chris shares how truly hearing peo...

We’re joined by Nyles Breecher, Lead Game Designer and Product Manager at PerBlue Entertainment. Nyles has a mathematics PhD and a published board game called Word Heist! Michelle and Nyles discuss what goes into designing games and optimizing user experience. They cover why good UX is critical not just for games, but for any customer experiences with a business: the website, customer service proc...

Michelle is joined again by sōsh team member Maggie Golden to talk about how brands can build strong relationships with customers. They also discuss breaking up with bad marketing tactics—things businesses should ditch this year to do better for the customer relationship.  Customers are like your Valentine's Day dates. You’ve gotta wine them and dine them to pique their interests. But to win t...

It’s all been a LOT lately. Michelle talks about what’s going on in her life and the world, and how she navigates stressful times. She gives tips about how to stay centered when things are chaotic, and shares why it’s crucial to not let outrage take over.   Michelle’s recommendation: Watch The Social Dilemma on Netflix, and research “shock event” and “tribalism.” When you’re hurting, take a deep b...

We’ve said we’d go deep, so here’s a deep ladle episode! Michelle opens up about the realities of being an entrepreneur, a parent—a person—navigating the double black diamond ski slopes of life. For Michelle this week, that meant facing deadlines, family medical issues, and a podcast to record. She shares a raw and unfiltered look at the pressures of owning a small business. Michelle reflects on r...

Social media has turned on its head once again, and we’ve barely started 2025. Michelle and sōsh team member Maggie Golden talk about what happened with the short-lived TikTok ban, the recent Instagram grid update, and more.  They also dive into discussing the dangers of social media and how it’s important to understand how we interact with it and what that means.  Michelle and Maggie tackle other...

Life is full of disruptors: holidays, family emergencies, anxiety. How do we reset and get back on track with our routines? Or, even establish a routine in the first place? Michelle explores the importance of healthy routines, and ways to get back to routines when we get derailed. Work to find your rhythm and routine—it’s worth it! Find what matters most to you. Work toward it and give yourself gr...

Let's get digital! Michelle shares tips for keeping your digital accounts safe. Tune in for important advice about password protection, avoiding scams, and maintaining digital privacy. It’s all about protecting data and peace of mind. What’s your digital resolution this year? We’d love to hear it! If you dig our flavors, be sure to subscribe and share. That helps us out!  Connect with Michelle on...

In the spirit of Social Soup, we’re continuing to keep it real. Michelle gets vulnerable and reflects on something often swept under the rug this time of year: Sometimes, holidays are not joyful. Stresses in life often follow us during the holidays, and can be amplified even more as a result.  Michelle explores how we can show up when life gets exhausting, the importance of staying connected and h...

Today, Michelle muses about the influence of marketing on us—both in what we buy and what we believe. How do psychology, persuasion, and business intersect? Michelle dives into how certain marketing methods hit us on a deep level…and what that all means. She explores tactics like leveraging nostalgia, scarcity, social proof, and storytelling. When does marketing cross the line into manipulation? W...

December has been a LOT, which reminds us how important is it to unplug. This Morsels episode highlights our guest Kevin Mann discussing the importance of unplugging. He also shares what success looks like and his favorite quotes. Is Social Soup slurp-worthy? Then be sure to share it and subscribe! Check out Kevin’s website, Campdesign: campdesign.net Dive into Kevin’s mental health campaign, Unf*...

It’s another team sesh! This time, Michelle and sōsh’s creative lead Maggie Golden share their predictions for 2025 about business, marketing, and life! Michelle and Maggie discuss the biggest takeaways from 2024, and dust off the crystal ball to get a glimpse at what 2025 has in store. They also share their guesses for the 2025 Pantone Color of the Year! Whether you’re tickled pink or feeling a l...

We’re back with another Flashback Friday episode! Michelle talks with Beth Ridley, Founder and CEO of the Ridley Consulting Group and an expert in workplace culture. She and Michelle discuss whether or not DEI is still relevant, and why billionaires like Elon Musk shouldn’t be weighing in on the matter. Beth answers sensitive questions about ethnicity and culture, too.  Tell others about Social So...

“It’s gonna be messy, but it’s gonna be okay.” - Jill Baake Flashback Friday time! We’re revisiting an episode we’ve been craving after a tough couple of weeks. Michelle chats with Jill Baake, a leader of coaching and strategy at Northwestern Mutual. They dive deep into personal journeys and growth, and times of change in life. Jill shares insights on how to navigate through difficult times—and co...

We’re joined by Phil Gerbyshak, the mind behind the Happy AF newsletter and host of The Happiness Practices podcast!  Phil and Michelle discuss how to find positivity in times of darkness. They open up about the divided nation after the recent election, and how we move forward. Phil poses questions like, “Can we still be friendly without being friends?” and “How do we thoughtfully respond rather t...

Michelle gives a quick rundown of marketing essentials in 2025. She digs into best practices for websites and social media, audience segments, artificial intelligence, social impact marketing, and authenticity. What’s YOUR take on marketing in 2025? Let us know! Loving Social Soup? Ladle the love by subscribing, rating, and sharing it with people you know. That helps us keep the batches coming. Co...

Today we’re joined by Lynne Dixon-Speller, mastermind behind the Edessa School of Fashion in Milwaukee, and Michelle’s friend of 20+ years. Lynne shares the history of Edessa, the first designated four-year fashion college in the USA with global majority (black) leadership.  Edessa School of Fashion is named after Lynne’s grandmother, Edessa Meek Dixon. She taught Lynne how to sew, sparking her lo...

Michelle founded her marketing agency sōsh 25 years ago today in 1999. On sōsh’s golden birthday AND silver jubilee, Michelle talks about the early days of sōsh and shares 11 lessons she has learned as an entrepreneur. And lots of bonus lessons sprinkled in! When sōsh started, social media wasn’t even a thing. We were all panicking about Y2K disasters instead of A.I. ruling the world. Marketing ha...

Everyone has a story, and then there’s John Graham, a self-proclaimed “badass granddad” who has ENDLESS stories! John has heard the call to adventure from a young age, joining a freighter boat crew as a teenager. He has seen war first-hand, worked for the United Nations, escaped a burning ship during a typhoon, and climbed treacherous mountains…that’s just a sample. We’re not sure what he *hasn’t*...

Today we chat with Gordon Coopman, owner of St_rong (“Saint Wrong”) Training. Gordon has a background in both physical fitness and psychology. He focuses on personal training for his clients, and goes deeper into long-term impacts we have on our bodies and minds. Michelle and Gordon explore questions like…How are the mind and body tied together, and how do we motivate ourselves both mentally and p...

Victor Varnado joins us today—owner of a tech and media company called Supreme Robot. He’s also a comedian, performer, game designer, and cartoonist for The New Yorker! Victor opens us up to the realm of gamification in business! He created a service called High Score Host that allows businesses to gamify email collection. Victor also creates custom promotional games for different companies that f...