Episodes

That Solo Life, Episode 324: Celebrating and Leveraging Your Milestone Moments Episode Summary This special bonus episode of "That Solo Life" features a rebroadcast from the Smart Talk Series, where host Melissa Vela-Williamson interviews our very own Karen Swim. Dive into a powerful conversation about the importance of celebrating personal and professional milestones. Karen shares insights from her unique career journey, which started in healthcare and sales before she found her calling in pub...

That Solo Life, Episode 323: How to Identify, Land, and Retain Sponsorship Deals Episode Summary In this episode, Karen Swim, APR, and Michelle Kane welcome back Anetra Henry, founder of Anetra Henry Consulting. Anetra brings her expertise in nonprofit sponsorships to the table, guiding solo PR pros and communicators through each step of the sponsorship journey. The conversation covers the essentials: identifying aligned sponsors, developing sustainable strategies, managing relationships, and u...

In this episode we explore how coordinated, anonymous online attacks are manufactured to create controversy, manipulate public opinion, and inflict real-world financial and reputational damage on brands.

That Solo Life Episode 321: What We're Reading for Focus, Laughs and Professional Development Episode Summary For busy PR and marketing professionals, finding time to read—whether for professional development or pleasure—can be a challenge. In this episode, hosts Karen Swim and Michelle Kane open up their own "to-be-read" piles to share the books currently on their stacks. They discuss a fascinating mix of titles covering everything from the impact of AI on customer behavior and social media's ...

In this episode, hosts Karen Swim, APR of Solo PR Pro, and Michelle Kane of Voice Matters discuss self-reflection. They explore the growing feeling among communications professionals that something is missing, even if they love their work.

TSL 319: Succeeding at Business Development in a Tough Year Episode Summary In a challenging economic climate, consistent business development is more crucial than ever for solo PR and marketing professionals. Hosts Karen Swim and Michelle Kane dive into practical strategies to refresh your approach and build a strong pipeline for the coming year. This episode moves beyond basic tips, exploring how to leverage AI as a strategic partner, the importance of going back to fundamentals, and the dail...

TSL 318: How the New Era of AI Search Impacts PR Pros Episode Summary The world of search is constantly evolving, with the rise of AI introducing significant changes that communication professionals can't ignore. In this episode, hosts Karen Swim, APR, and Michelle Kane explore the latest shifts in search, focusing on how AI is creating a more personalized—and potentially limited—search experience. They discuss the pros and cons of features like favoriting publishers and how AI can create echo ...

That Solo Life, Episode 317: Navigating the Noise: A PR Pro's Guide to Combating Misinformation Episode Summary In an era where online falsehoods can spread like wildfire, how can communications professionals protect their clients and their own brands? Hosts Karen Swim and Michelle Kane tackle the critical issue of misinformation and disinformation head-on. Triggered by a report revealing that nearly 45% of social media posts about the Cracker Barrel logo controversy were from bots, this episod...

That Solo Life, Episode 316: Gen Alpha's Surprising Influence on Your PR Strategy Episode Summary In this episode, hosts Karen Swim and Michelle Kane dive into a fascinating study about Generation Alpha—today's kids and teens aged 0-15. You might think your target audience is the adults with the wallets, but this new generation is wielding surprising economic power, influencing major family purchases from cars to technology. Karen and Michelle explore what this shift means for PR and communicat...

That Solo Life, Episode 315: Counting the Cost of Transparency in a Rage-Filled World Episode Summary In a world that demands brand transparency, is it possible to be too open? This week, Karen and Michelle discuss the complex landscape of modern communication, where the call for brands to be transparent can sometimes lead to backlash. They explore the challenges PR pros face in a culture lacking nuance, where every statement is scrutinized and outrage is just a click away. Learn how to advise ...

That Solo Life, Episode 314: Communicating in the Era of Everyday is a Crisis Episode Summary In today's highly charged environment, even the most innocent business decision can spark a public relations crisis. For solo PR practitioners, staying ahead of potential firestorms is more crucial than ever. In this episode, hosts Karen Swim and Michelle Kane discuss practical strategies for helping clients navigate the minefields of public perception. They explore why it's essential to be the "little...

That Solo Life Episode 313: Strategies for Securing New PR Business in 2025 Episode Summary Karen and Michelle dive into optimistic data about the global growth of the PR industry and share strategic insights for solo practitioners looking to finish 2025 strong. Drawing from recent industry research, they explore emerging trends, niche specialization opportunities, and practical business development tactics that can help independent PR pros break through current market challenges and position t...

Episode 312: Going Big by Going Small: Hidden Gold for PR Pros Episode Summary In this episode of That Solo Life, hosts Karen Swim, APR and Michelle Kane delve into the untapped potential of three underutilized and niche social media platforms that PR professionals may be overlooking. Drawing parallels to finding forgotten treasures in your closet, they discuss how platforms like Discord, Substack Chat, and other intimate community spaces offer quality engagement over quantity metrics. The host...

Barcelona Principles 2025: What PR Pros Need to Measure Now (Episode 310) Episode Summary In episode 310 of That Solo Life, hosts Karen Swim, APR, and Michelle Kane break down the latest update to the Barcelona Principles and what it means for independent PR and communications pros. They cover the shift toward outcomes that matter to the C-suite, the stronger alignment with AMEC’s Integrated Evaluation Framework, the role of qualitative and quantitative data, and why leveling up in measurement ...

Hits And Misses Of The Hot Mess Summer Of 2025 (Ep. 311) Episode Summary This week on That Solo Life, hosts Karen Swim, APR, and Michelle Kane unpack this“Hot Mess Summer”—the surprising, cringey, and cautionary moments that shaped the season for PR and communications pros. From return-to-office whiplash and AI overpromises to social media pile-ons, brand missteps, and the pursuit of excellence in a rush-first culture, they offer candid insights and practical takeaways for solo practitioners na...

Episode Summary In this episode of That Solo Life, hosts Karen Swim, APR, and Michelle Kane dive into the unique challenges PR professionals face when their exceptional skills at work start to interfere with their personal lives. From overthinking to overworking, they explore how these traits, while beneficial in the professional realm, can hinder personal growth and enjoyment. Karen and Michelle share personal stories, practical advice, and encouragement to help solo PR pros find balance and l...

That Solo Life, Episode 308: Branding, Bravery and Breaking Through with Melissa Vela-Williamson Episode Summary: Tune in to this powerful episode of That Solo Life featuring Melissa Vela-Williamson, APR, Fellow PRSA, CDP, an accomplished PR strategist, author, and advocate for inclusivity in communication. Hosts Karen Swim, APR, and Michelle Kane sit down for an intimate chat with Melissa, discussing her inspiring career and successful personal brand. Melissa shares why it is so important to b...

That Solo Life, Episode 307: Media Under the Influence Episode Summary In this episode of That Solo Life, hosts Karen Swim, APR, and Michelle Kane tackle the significant and timely topic of "Media Under the Influence." Together, they explore how modern-day pressures, including governmental interference and financial constraints, are impacting media integrity. They examine the implications for public relations, the importance of preserving local journalism, and how a free press is integral to ma...

Title: Where the Wild Things Are - Rethinking Social Media in 2025 Episode Summary: Social media platforms have changed dramatically, leaving many public relations and marketing professionals questioning their next steps. On this episode of That Solo Life, co-hosts Karen Swim, APR, and Michelle Kane explore the current state of social media and offer practical advice for staying relevant and strategic. They discuss the platforms worth keeping an eye on, how to align your presence with your clie...

Episode 305: AI and the PR Profession: What You Need to Know to Future Proof Your Career Episode Summary (00:00) Join hosts Karen Swim, APR, and Michelle Kane as they explore the rapidly changing landscape of public relations in the age of artificial intelligence. This episode dives into AI's potential to reshape the PR industry, with insights from the World Economic Forum's "Future of Jobs 2025" report. Karen and Michelle discuss how PR professionals can stay ahead of AI-driven shifts by combin...

That Solo Life Episode 304: The Powerful Insights Learned From Going Back To School Episode Summary Join hosts Karen Swim, APR and Michelle Kane as they welcome Veleisa Patton Burrell, an accomplished PR professional and educator. Together they explore the twists and turns of Veleisa's career—from solo entrepreneurship to agency life, and now as an adjunct professor guiding the next generation of communicators. This candid conversation covers career transitions, the evolving role of PR, the int...

That Solo Life, Episode 303: The Folly of AI First Strategies Episode Summary: In this episode of That Solo Life, co-hosts Karen Swim, APR of Solo PR Pro and Michelle Kane of Voice Matters explore the growing trend of adopting an “AI-first” strategy in business and marketing. While artificial intelligence has proven to be a valuable tool, Michelle and Karen argue for a balanced approach that prioritizes human expertise and thoughtful integration. They discuss examples of companies misusing AI,...

Episode Summary: What’s it really like to hop the fence between corporate life and solo entrepreneurship? Join co-hosts Michelle Kane of Voice Matters and Karen Swim of Solo PR Pro in this lively discussion about the contrasts between these two worlds. From navigating corporate protocols to enjoying the streamlined, impactful decision-making as a solo pro, they explore the lessons learned, the unique challenges, and the joys of creating your own career path. Whether you’re considering becoming ...

Episode 301 - The Need for Thoughtful Engagement in an Age of Clickbait Podcast Hosts: Karen Swim, APR & Michelle Kane Release Schedule: New episodes every Monday Episode Summary: In this thought-provoking episode of That Solo Life, Karen and Michelle take a critical look at the current state of social media and the challenges of thoughtful engagement in a world dominated by clickbait culture. They discuss how the drive for visibility and engagement often leads to misinformation, manipulation...