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…
In this eye-opening episode, hosts Karen Swim, APR and Michelle Kane tackle the disturbing trend of "rage farms" and the growing industry of disinformation-as-a-service. Stemming from a recent article by Mark Schaefer, they explore how coordinated, anonymous online attacks are manufactured to create controversy, manipulate public opinion, and inflict real-world…
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. Episode Highlights (01:05) - Why PR pros often have…
Jess Sato helps people find their "big idea" and leverage that for thought leadership, but what is a big idea? Jess explains that it's not as complicated as we think.
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,…
PR people have professional superpowers but sometimes the things that bring success in business do not translate to joy off the clock! Meet Rhonda and see if you relate! And to get the whole scoop watch Episode 309 of That Solo Life podcast!
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…
In this episode, Karen Swim, APR and Michelle Kane discuss the concerning trend of media outlets caving to influence and pressure from the current administration in the United States. They express concerns about the erosion of a free and independent press, which they view as critical to maintaining a healthy…
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.
There is nothing tame about social media in 2025. In Episode 306 of That Solo Life podcast, Karen and Michelle discuss the problematic platforms and where we all go from here.
This podcast episode discusses the challenges and considerations PR professionals face in navigating the evolving social media landscape. The hosts share their perspectives on the pros and cons of maintaining a presence on various social media platforms, acknowledging the need to reach audiences where they are while also being mindful…
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…
The Powerful Insights Learned from Going Back to School with Veleisa Patton Burrell | That Solo Life Podcast 🎙️ Join us on That Solo Life as hosts Karen Swim and Michelle Kane welcome the remarkable Veleisa Patton Burrell! With 20 years of experience in PR and communications, Veleisa shares her…
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.
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…
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…
In Episode 302, Karen and Michele discuss the differences between working in a corporate environment versus being a solo entrepreneur. The key points covered are: As a solo professional, the speakers find that some processes and bureaucracy in corporate America are more inefficient compared to their own streamlined operations. However,…
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.
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, and…
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, and…
In episode 300 of That Solo Life, hosts, Karen Swim, APR and Michelle Kane discuss the joy they have found in producing the podcast over the years and their hopes for continuing it. They then dive into the topic of "sticky situations" that PR professionals often face with clients, such…
Karen Swim, APR and Michelle Kane dive into the topic of ”sticky situations” that PR professionals often face with clients, such as when a client behaves inappropriately at an event or makes unscripted comments in an interview.
Karen Swim, APR, of Solo PR Pro, and Michelle Kane of VoiceMatters, discuss key findings from the USC Annenberg Global Communication Report for 2025, focusing on Gen Z’s growing presence in the workforce and what that means for public relations professionals.
The hosts, Karen Swim, APR, of Solo PR Pro, and Michelle Kane of VoiceMatters, discuss key findings from the USC Annenberg Global Communication Report for 2025, focusing on Gen Z’s growing presence in the workforce and what that means for public relations professionals.