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Start the year with a bold recalibration. Trade shiny optics for a strong heartbeat.

In this solo episode, Megan returns to the mic to share the real story behind BNL’s biggest year yet. It wasn’t built by posting more, but by rebuilding from the inside out. The focus is energy, team safety, rooted systems, and a founder voice that refuses to be automated.

The truth?

AI can churn content at scale, but it can’t feel your season, know your nervous system, or honour your values. That gap, that sacred pause, is where human strategy lives. 🦄

We walk through the parts most leaders edit out: choosing stability over spectacle, ending misaligned dynamics, receiving support without shame, and trusting the quiet work that powers real profit. Megan unpacks what “consistency” really means when it’s redefined as inner alignment, team coherence, and intuitive leadership, not just a content calendar.

This episode is a blueprint for the entrepreneur who’s done with performance and ready for presence. You’ll hear how documenting instinct created freedom, why community, not dashboards, is the engine of our growth, and how social media can be a space for real resonance, not just reach.

Looking forward, BNL Media Consulting is scaling through connection, not dilution.

Expect:
→ A spacious podcast cadence
→ Conversations that come from timing, not pressure
→ A path to 7 figures built on depth, clarity, and soul

Because in the age of AI, being human is your edge.
Let’s grow like that.

And if you are interested in learning more about Living In Balance Seminars, which was given a shout out in today's episode, check out -> www.libseminars.com ⬅️

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with someone recalibrating, and leave a quick review to help other heart-led leaders find their way back to center. 💞

For more social media and business conversations from yours truly (Megan Shallow) you can find me over on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn. 🦩

And of course if you ever need support with your social media presence you can find all the things at BNL Media Consulting. 🦄

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The hottest lights, the quietest mind. We talk about the exact moment a speaker freezes on the red dot and how to turn that panic into poise. With TEDx speaker and coach Stefano Casalter, we unpack the journey from first Toastmasters steps to delivering ideas that actually change people, not just rooms. This is a candid look at setbacks, mentorship, and the frameworks that make audiences lean in instead of tune out.

We start with the origin story. A business loss that led to a speaking breakthrough, a first humiliating Table Topics silence, and the mentor who reframed failure as practice. From there, Stefano takes us inside a great Toastmasters meeting. Prepared speeches, sharp evaluations, and impromptu drills that show how structure builds confidence fast. Megan also reflects on her own TEDx experience with TEDx West Vancouver and asks the question so many speakers quietly carry. Was that intensity normal? And how do you actually prepare for the pressure, not just the talk. Stefano breaks down what most people do not expect and what truly gets you ready for the power of a TEDx stage.

We go deeper into the TEDx process with open honesty. Why many events ban slides, how to internalize a talk word for word while keeping it alive, and what to do when your brain goes blank under hot lights. Spoiler alert, preparation and state control beat perfection, and edits are kinder than you think.

If you are building your voice as a founder, creator, or leader, you will leave with tools you can use right away. Learn the Story Vault method to bank one meaningful moment every day so future keynotes almost write themselves. Train impromptu speaking with two minute prompts that strengthen the connection between memory and message. Craft a through line that makes your big idea concise, useful, and unmistakably yours. The kind curators love and audiences repeat.

We also dig into what separates good from great. Story architecture with real stakes, humor that releases tension, and the small habits that signal calm and credibility before you ever say a word.

Ready to turn fear into fuel and stories into impact? Hit play, then share your biggest public speaking win or wobble. We are cheering you on. If this conversation helps, follow the show, send it to a friend who is TEDx curious, and leave a quick review so more voices find the mic.

Connect with Stefano through these channels:

Website: https://stefanocossalter.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cossalterstefano/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefano-cossalter-29388137/

For more social media and business conversations from yours truly (Megan Shallow) you can find me over on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn. 🦩

And of course if you ever need support with your social media presence you can find all the things at BNL Media Consulting. 🦄

Send us a text

Want to rank for “near me,” earn reviews that actually move the needle, and turn social content into search visibility without lighting your budget on fire? Megan sits down with SEO strategist Tiana Mamalick of SMB Marketing School to unpack a clear, human-first playbook for small businesses that want sustainable growth.

We start where most wins begin: Google Business Profile. Tiana explains how the Map Pack works, what categories and service areas to pick, and why precise, location-rich reviews beat clever branding every time. From there, we bridge into social media as a search engine: how bios, captions, and on-screen text now surface on Google, why short videos on your key pages lift trust and time on site, and how local businesses and e‑commerce brands should structure pages differently to capture intent.

AI shows up as a powerful helper, not a crutch. You’ll hear how to use ChatGPT or Claude for outlines, keywords, and meta details then edit ruthlessly to add case studies, specific examples, and your voice. We talk image alt text, neighborhood service pages, and the magic of pairing a two-minute summary video with each important article.

Then we get practical about paid media: the real ROAS ranges to expect today, how to avoid paying for empty clicks, and why tracking conversions, logging leads, and responding fast can save thousands. Tiana shares red flags to watch for when hiring an ads partner and a simple spreadsheet system that reveals long sales cycles you might miss.

Finally, we look ahead: generative engine optimization, voice search, flatter service pages that AI tools can go through, and the enduring power of referrals and community to boost everything online. If you’re ready to be findable, trustworthy, and consistent and let ads amplify what already works then this conversation hands you the steps.

Enjoyed the episode?

Follow, share the link to this episode with a friend who runs a small business, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Your feedback shapes future episodes and topics you want us to unpack next.

For more social media and business conversations from yours truly (Megan Shallow) you can find me over on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn. 🦩

And of course if you ever need support with your social media presence you can find all the things at BNL Media Consulting. 🦄