Today I’m beginning a public task study. For the next several days, I’ll be documenting what I’m actually working on. Not to optimize performance, but to observe patterns around task switching, decision-making, and cognitive load.

One of my absolute favorite podcast conversations to date. I'm a total info junkie and science is one of my favorite rabbit holes to dive down. This conversation with Jeff, which explores the real-world benefits possible when inviting gamers to the problem-solving table.

Smiling at 5:30 a.m. after a 3 a.m. strategy session because…community doesn’t build itself. We mapped member structure, designed onboarding, and made hitting milestones fun. Now debating: Is bean dip breakfast? And how many coffees until I'm human again? #OnlineCommunity

Some trends are too much fun to skip...

I just recorded the trailer for Find Your Freaks and I’m freaking out (in the best way). If you’ve ever felt like you don’t quite fit in... If you’ve ever built something because nothing else made sense... This show is for you. #FindYourFreaks #IndiePodcast #BelongingStartsHere

What makes you weird? Not quirky. Not random. The real thing that sets you apart. 👇 I’m all ears.

If “doing it right” feels wrong, you're not alone. 🎙️ Find Your Freaks is for the people building something bold, something better… their way. Trailer drops soon: findyourfreaks.com

Want to instantly boost your profitability? Track your time. Here's why: https://everydayeffectiveness.com/podcast/achieve-maximum-profit-without-maxing-out/

You did the research, asked your audience, and built exactly what they said they wanted… so why isn’t it selling?

These Authory stats show what makes social media interesting. Lay out thoughtful perspective on human-to-human connection? Meh. Mention recipes for watercress soup and kale soup on a podcast? Immediate interaction. Not viral but fun to observe.

Want a vibrant online community but worried about burnout? You CAN create spaces where your people feel seen, supported, and inspired without feeling chained to your screen. Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2423323/episodes/16741616

Having built communities since before social media existed, I've learned something crucial: truly safe online spaces come from intentional leadership, not distant algorithmic enforcement. 

How I'm serving my audience this year: Writing thoughtful articles answering common questions about hiring community managers, managing online conflict, figuring out engagement rates and evaluating popular community platforms.

Sick of social? Join me this week for a fireside chat and panel discussion with some of my favorite Playhouse experts! We'll discuss all the ways to grow your business independent of this platform and its competitors. Details: https://jointheplayhouse.com/events

Gwen Bortner and I are on The Playhouse Friends podcast today! Find out how I save $ by keeping my bougie kids OUT of the grocery store, my favorite emotional support beverages, and why I think people are fleeing oversized communities in favor of smaller spaces that feel safer and more honest.

Another insight from Sprout Social's 2025 Social Index Report: 91% of people worldwide are still on Facebook in 2024. Wild, considering how many times we've all heard Facebook is dead! Lesson learned from 17+ years in community strategy: Watch what people DO, not what they SAY they'll do

Here's a tidbit from Sprout Social's 2025 Social Index Report worth your attention: 73% of users will SWITCH to a competitor if a brand doesn’t respond to their social DMs (h/t @mattnavarra.com ).

Who says you have to disappear to rebrand your business? I'm doing mine in public, bringing my community along for the journey. Here's why (and how you can too) ➡️

A beautiful reminder...

If you're looking to move your community from Facebook, examine its true value first. How much revenue can you tie to it? And how much are you spending to earn that revenue?

Why do so many communities that leave Facebook end up going back? Two observations: 1. The drop-off difference is wild: • Facebook → anywhere else: ~50% loss • Other platforms → other platforms: ~15-20% 2. Facebook is already part of people's daily routine; new habits are hard to establish.

So happy to see #BookSky trending

For the community leaders seeking alternatives to Facebook Groups, this guide offers 13 suggestions and factors to consider.

Context: Image of Zoom's AI summarizing a conversation between Brian and Abby while I was setting up the livestream for my FB group. Reality: Brian was bitten by a student at work. Abby was worried he'd get rabies. He was explaining how EMTs evaluated and treated the bite.

First Meta services go down. Now ChatGPT. Is this what my astrology friends mean when they tell me Mercury retrograde messes with tech?

Is this where we go now when Meta is down?

Nine fewer videos than 2023, despite a 60-day test of Zoom Clips. My love of Loom is everlasting.

Today, during a live call for Clutter Free Academy, every member said they thought they were the only ones who couldn't manage the stuff in their homes - until they joined the community and found 15K others just like them. I wonder how many other people in the world feel that kind of loneliness.

1/4 - This is a screenshot of a San Francisco Chronicle article listing all California laws taking effect in 2025. In my line of work, I get hired often to solve the issue of online membership churn.

Community management is a wild ride. In the midst of the Clutter Free for Life membership sale this week...I've facilitated 2 livestreams, 1 networking event, met with 2 DEI specialists to discuss inclusivity/accessibility in virtual events, and taught on the ethical use of AI for writers.

Messages like this are 😍 Screenshots from a Clutter Free for Life member who started the year calling herself names I wouldn't tolerate from anyone. Clutter is a liar and thief, robbing people of their time, energy, relationships and more importantly, their peace.

Elizabeth Goddard bought my 2025 Community Content Calendar and I squealed like a Swiftie in the middle of Target on Black Friday. I entered Lizzy's ecosystem in 2018 to learn Voxer coaching. My CMO on Call offer follows that framework. Never considered I'd one day have a product she'd want to buy.

I don't know who originally said it, but a client of mine used to say "best practices" really = "common practices" and innovation never came from doing what was common.

Best SaaS or tech deals happening today or this weekend?

Finished my 7-day task study and found: 1. Context switching and ping-ponging between tasks of variable complexity monopolize my days. 2. No two days are the same. 3. I spend a lot of time extinguishing fires I didn't set. I learned a lot. Now, to apply it.

We love our local library. Beyond the books, they host a variety of events for all ages. We've taken the kids to craft nights, enjoyed game nights, and even a few public lectures.

Until this week's task study, I didn't realize how much time I spend consuming industry news. Not sure if that's a positive or a negative, but it's something.

It's podcast recording day! On tap are 2 episodes for The Business You Really Want, and 2 (maybe 3) episodes for Clutter Free Academy

Back to report that my task study was, indeed, a ghost town today. I'm not saying nobody looked, but I see no evidence to the contrary.

1/6 - This question popped up in a community: How do you engage your teams in hybrid meetings, particularly those who join remotely? After several years of managing the community side of virtual and hybrid events, I have strong opinions here.

Doing a task study this week and invited my email subscribers to follow along. How many do you think said yes? 🧵

AI won't fix loneliness. humans will. 🤖➡️👥

I've wondered the same thing myself. I spent a long time waiting for the ability to join Bluesky, only to get quickly distracted by Threads. The difference for me is that my friends all jumped onto Threads at the same time but still couldn't access Bluesky.

It's so nice a peaceful here.