Aggressively Human: Online Business in the Age of AI, Algorithms & Automations

What happens when your content calendar makes you want to set your business on fire?In this episode, Megan Dowd joins Aggressively Human to talk about what it actually looks like to build a business that respects your creative cycles—and what happens when you don’t. From the pressure to always be visible to the collapse that can follow, we explore what it’s like to build a business while also being a human with a nervous system.We talk about the performance trap of “consistent content,” what to do when you’re no longer interested in your own work, and when and how to use data and systems to support you.This is a conversation about honoring your capacity without disappearing, how to say no to content you resent, and why creative rest is not a threat to your business—but often the reason you stay in it at all.* What it really means to have a “human-first” business (hint: it’s not about the right font)* The burnout that comes from forcing content for the algorithm* Navigating visibility after a performance hangover* When to blow up your content calendar for the thing you’re excited about — and when not to* Choosing the work that feels good, even when it doesn’t scale* The myth of “consistency” and what your audience actually needs from you* The identity whiplash of letting go of “known” offers to create something new* How Megan is reshaping what success looks like in her next chapterAbout our GuestMegan DowdConnect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com

We often talk about launches as big, flashy events. But what happens behind the scenes when you’re not just releasing something new—but becoming someone new in the process?In this episode, Meg takes us inside the creation and launch of Findable Everywhere—not as a polished “launch debrief,” but as a real-time reflection on what it means to declare a new chapter in your work. We dig into the decisions along the way: how a paused summit talk became a test run, how she built a course that worked for beginners and advanced folks (and the complications that come with that), and how teaching this material sharpened her clarity and authority. Plus: the real numbers, the behind-the-scenes updates, and the emotional roller coaster of launching while also changing.But even more, Jessica and Meg get into the behind-the-scenes decisions, pivots, and identity upgrades that can only come from publicly claiming your voice—even if you’re still figuring out what it sounds like now.* Why this angle simmered for over a year before it became an offer* How a “focus group” (aka an old summit talk) helped clarify the direction* What shifted in Meg’s identity and voice as shifted from AI as separate to AI as integral to client results* Why Meg built Findable Everywhere for both beginners and seasoned marketers—and what that complicated* The emotional roller coaster of launching something that feels deeply personal* The real numbers, real process, and real moments of “do I even want to do this?”* Why launches aren’t just marketing events—they’re identity markers* How teaching the material shaped Meg’s own authority* The difference between planning a pivot and living one in real timeWant to get access to the challenge and a YEAR of implementation support?Join the Content Love Lab and be on your way to be Findable Everywhere.Live Trainings begin October 7, and you can get twice a month check-in on your content!Join the Content Love LabContent Love LabConnect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com

Let’s be honest, we started this podcast as AI skeptics — skeptical of AI to write and sound like us without falling into language homogeny, AI pitch slaps in the DMs, and using AI to replace our thinking.But how are business owners using AI in creative ways that honor the voice of our businesses while being more effective?Enter Prerna Malik and Content Bistro. Prerna caught our eye with the Skeptic Buyer Bot—a tool that actually helps creators pressure-test their sales pages and offers through an AI-powered lens. (Yes, Jessica used it. Yes, she has thoughts.)We dig into how Prerna is using AI to amplify human work, not replace it. How her agency turns real voice-of-customer data into conversion gold. And why the best sales copy isn’t about cleverness—it’s about clarity, empathy, and making decisions easier for your buyer.* What makes a good AI tool (hint: it’s not a clone of you)* How Prerna uses the frameworks behind the Skeptic Buyer Bot to improve sales pages (because not every buyer is the same)* Why real customer data is your best copy asset* What makes a good voice-of-customer process (and what doesn’t)* Why AI should make your thinking better—not do it for you* When to not listen to best practices and trust your voice instead* Why thoughtful critique is one of the most valuable services you can sell“You need to remember, you are the superior brain. You need to look at the facts. You need to check everything. You just cannot ever take what. LLM chat, Claude or anyone else is giving you as the truth.” - PrernaAbout our GuestContent BistroSkeptic Buyer BotConnect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com

What happens after you leave a business you built? How do you relate to work, money, systems, and your nervous system when your entire identity has changed?In Part 2 of our conversation with Erika Tebbens, we go deeper—into the murky middle of business ethics, entrepreneurship under capitalism, and how we’re operating in the political climate of 2025.We talk about the ethics of selling transformation, why systems don’t always equal support, and what Erika has learned about nervous system safety outside the online business bubble. This episode is full of those “I’ve been thinking this but no one’s saying it” moments, plus a little bit of righteous rage and some gentle reminders that you’re allowed to do things differently.Whether you’re reimagining your business, your systems, or your relationship to capitalism itself, this episode will give you plenty to think about—and maybe even a little relief.In this episode:* What happens to your identity after entrepreneurship* How to design systems that support your actual nervous system (not just your productivity)* The uncomfortable truth about selling transformation online* Why the ethics of business can’t be separated from capitalism* What real resourcing looks like—beyond time freedom or self-employment* Why Erika feels more supported working in an organization than she did soloAbout our GuestErika Tebbens | Book — You've Got This: A Counterintuitive Guide to Powerful Inevitable Change-MakingConnect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com

What does it take to walk away from something that’s “working”—even if it’s not working for you anymore?In this episode, Erika Tebbens joins us to talk about her career pivot out of entrepreneurship and into employment. After years of running a successful, values-driven consulting business, Erika realized that being her own boss no longer served her well. So she made a bold move: she got a job, at a dream company, in a field she deeply cares about. And how Erika’s move back into farming and farm systems so perfectly aligns with the Aggressively Human ethos.This isn’t your typical “how to change careers” episode. We talk about the real emotional rollercoaster of identity shifts, why online business doesn’t always deliver on its promises, and how to reimagine freedom when you're no longer selling yourself online.In this episode:* Why Erika walked away from her consulting business (even though it was “working”)* The grief and relief of leaving behind entrepreneurship* How she landed a job she loves in this economy (and it’s not about hundreds of applications to the LinkedIn black hole)* What it’s like to re-enter the workforce after 20 years of being the boss (and the feeling of only having one job, instead of having 15 jobs as a solopreneur doing it all)* How to tell the difference between real freedom and the illusion of controlAbout our GuestErika Tebbens | Book — You've Got This: A Counterintuitive Guide to Powerful Inevitable Change-MakingConnect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com

When you're building something with a co-founder or even partners (like, say this podcast), it’s not just your business that needs tending—your relationship is the business.In this episode, we talk with psychologist and leadership coach Dr. Matthew Jones to talk about the often-overlooked emotional labor of working in partnership. We explore the dynamics that make co-founding relationships thrive (or fail), and what it looks like to prioritize care, communication, and clarity in a space that’s often full of pressure, ambition, and high stakes.We also talk about how to navigate conflict before it turns into resentment, how to separate identity from performance, and why leading with someone else requires emotional maturity—not just shared goals.Whether you’re co-leading a business, collaborating on a big project, or just trying to make it work with a fellow human in your orbit, this episode is a reminder: the relationship is the container.* Why your co-founder relationship is the most important “system” in your business* How to name the power dynamics that exist—and move through them with care* The three languages present in co-founder communication - and why overindexing on “goals” might be counterproductive* Building routines that strengthen the relationship, not just the company (think “date nights”, but for co-founders)* How we can (and can’t) use AI to help us communicate with our co-founder* Why emotional fluency is core to shared leadership* Matt’s journey of self-publishingAbout our GuestDr. Matthew JonesThe Cofounder Effect: How to Diagnose, Fix, and Scale Healthy Communication for Startup SuccessMentioned ResourcesJohn and Julie GottmanImago TherapyNoam Wasserman’s The Founder’s DilemmaConnect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com

Instead of the polished Meta ads and the seamless email sequences, get the real behind the scenes of our businesses over the summer: the good, the hard, and the realities of summers in our businesses.* Why Jessica is running Meta ads and why she feels she’s doing it wrong* How Meg has leaned into retainer work this summer and it’s been exactly what she needed* The soothing activities of repeatable, even some kind of boring work* Confronting business model realities (“it can be easy to sell or easy to deliver but it cannot be both”)* Meg’s fall challenge: Findable Everywhere (because even though how we search might be changing, the fundamentals of showing up in AI and SEO are even more critical). * Jessica’s summer program debrief, and how it went from 9 prompts to 6 videos, 30+ prompts, and 10 detailed resources.* Jessica’s fall, including the Define Your Foundations business building cohort and the book launch.Join us this Fall:* Findable Everywhere: A 5-Day Challenge to Show Up on Google, ChatGPT, And Wherever Your Dream Clients are Searching* Define Your Foundations: Escape the “Tactics Trap” and start building real business foundations.Connect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com

“It's not, you know, oh, ‘I was working with these clients and then I was in the shower and while I was washing my hair, I had this great idea and I made a website.’ Like it's never that way, but that's how it looks on the outside.” - MegWe always see the polished outcome of change.The business owner who goes on sabbatical… to emerge with newly-refined offers and a perfect website.The offer idea that emerged in the shower… and is immediately birthed into a pristine sales page (with seemingly no revisions needed!).But what happens in the middle? And why does so much of the work happen after the first draft of any change in the editing and remixing process?We talk with Samantha K Pollack from Indie Copy Studio about what it means to remix your business through her journey from a launch copywriter behind-the-scenes of big brands to her new business model. We talk about the slow, murky, and very real process of business change: how shifts actually unfold, how you know something’s no longer aligned, and how hard it can be to hold the tension while you figure out what’s next.And we talk about editing: the power of an editor, why learning the craft of editing and writing is so important, when you need a copywriter (and when you don’t), and why editing is for your business, not just your writing.* The honest, behind-the-scenes look at a business in transition* The specific kind of stuckness that shows up when you're evolving* Why actually doing the work you want to do comes before the website, not afterwards* How Sam approaches editing as a craft, and why it matters* Why you need to learn your own rhythms to avoid sounding like generic AI (and why editing is safe from this generation of generative AI)* Why learning to edit your own copy helps you make better business decisions* The awkward truth that your website will never fully keep up“And when you look at someone else's writing and you're like, ‘this really spoke to me, like I really loved this little line right here. And then here's a place where I felt like I didn't really understand what you were talking about anymore.’ You're developing your own critical eye for writing and then you can apply that to your own writing.” - SamanthaAbout our GuestSamantha Pollack - and join the “Get the Mixtape” newsletterThe Craft small group writing workshopSubstack: https://substack.com/@indiecopystudioConnect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com

Entrepreneurship is hard. And it’s even harder when your nervous system is stuck in a mode that’s not serving you.In this episode, we sit down with The Entrepreneurs’s Therapist Shulamit Ber Levtov to talk about the nervous system realities of entrepreneurship—especially for those who didn’t become entrepreneurs by opportunity but by necessity.We talk about what it means to choose our nervous system activities, how to understand what’s in (and out of) our control, and the unique paradox of entrepreneurship: you get freedom… and also you’re the one holding the whole thing together.As Shula says, “Entrepreneurship and mental health are inseparable. We write business plans, marketing plans, financial forecasts, but where’s the mental health plan?”Whether you’re burned out or just bracing for what’s next, this episode offers frameworks and honest permission to put real nervous system management at the center of your business.* Why your nervous system is a business asset* How to distinguish between societal pressures, industry pressures, and our own decisions impacting our nervous systems* The paradox of entrepreneurship: control and uncertainty at the same time* Why some of us didn’t “choose” entrepreneurship—and why that matters* The role of locus of control and how it helps you manage business stress* When to phone a friend versus make a business decision in the moment* How to build a personalized nervous system toolkit (without another productivity checklist)“And then there's the very basic individual nervous system reaction to response running your own business. Business success equals survival. Intellectually, I'm not gonna starve and die if my business fails. I mean, it's gonna be stressful, it's gonna be hard. I may have very heightened circumstances. I may lose my house. A lot of really bad sh*t can happen, but it's survivable stuff if your business fails. But this is intellectual knowledge, not nervous system level stuff.” - ShulamitAbout our GuestShulamit Ber LevtovConnect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com

“Do you want to show up in those AI search results? Because AI is searching the internet now. AI is a search engine and it's looking at all those same things that Google is. So if you're not doing the [content] work, then you're being left out of that search.” - MegWhat role does content play in our businesses? And how does that shift over time?We may not have consciously chosen this as a duo, but Meg and Jessica are moving in two different directions in their business.Jessica, being just 5 years in, is moving from less content (and a few longer-term, higher-touch clients) to even more content and leveraged offers, and Meg, farther along on her business timeline, is moving in the opposite direction.But in both of our businesses, content (and the act of creating content) is still very important in our businesses, but in different ways. From content as teaching assets, to being found in AI, to helping us define our signature linguistic styles, we explore how we create content, why we create content, and how we use it throughout the entire customer journey. Hear why Meg produces detailed content for her community, why Jessica’s McKinsey training has made her slide presentations wildly too dense, and what we’re working on doing with our content during an AI-slop onslaught.* How our businesses have shifted since we started the podcast* The stages of building a foundational body of work* How the role content shifts when your business moves from broadcast and higher-volume to inbound and lower-volume* How can you be found in AI searches (and why the principles of SEO and good content matters even more now)* Proactive versus reactive content development, and the power of content that’s not meant for wide distribution* Why creating intellectual property is different than feeding an algorithm* What going more broad with your content does to your nervous system* How we think about lead magnets, content libraries, and reusing what still works* The questions we’re asking before we create anything new“But I think also creating content is a way to develop your signature phrases, the things that you're known for, the words that you use on the regular, what your client's parrot back to you and every time I've asked AI it comes up with snappy phrases, but it doesn't come up with my phrases.But I think the only way I can come up with my phrases and my shapes and my symbols and things like that is by creating the content myself.” - JessicaResources Mentioned:Diann Wingert: https://www.diannwingertcoaching.com/adhd-ish-podcastRyan Trahan’s 50 states in 50 days video: https://youtu.be/KTYbvU-aSf4?si=fCaJ3rZogru3hifUConnect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com

Everyone has been in bad meetings—and for many of you, being trapped in terrible meetings is one reason you became an entrepreneur in the first place.But what if meetings, and workplace culture generally, didn’t have to be awful? What if we could bring energy and collaboration, like the kind we get from a well-facilitated workshop, into our day-to-day culture?In this episode, Alison Coward joins Aggressively Human to show what it really means to lead through a facilitative and collaborative lens—not just to make meetings more efficient, but to make collaboration more human. We explore the difference between participation and true engagement, and why a good facilitator doesn’t just run the meeting—they make space for decisions, disagreement, and trust.And we also confront the realities of AI in the workplace. Because AI can craft the agenda and synthesize the notes… but can it feel the charge of conversation? And what do we lose when we outsource the hard conversations to software that avoids conflict and resilience building?* What “workshop culture” really means—and why it’s not just for facilitators* Why great collaboration isn’t about airtime, it’s about alignment* How to lead across generations when work expectations aren’t the same* The role of facilitation in navigating polarized teams and hard topics* Why AI can’t replace the discomfort, nuance, and trust-building of real conversation* The hidden labor of designing meetings that actually lead to decisions* Why clarity isn’t always the goal—sometimes it’s about making space for complexity* How to tell when your team needs a better process (not another tool)“When we default to using those tools, we're robbing ourselves of the chance to build those very human skills that enable us to relate to each other more effectively. Conversations are difficult. They're meant to be, that's why they're called difficult conversations. And sometimes the process of going through that difficult conversation hones and smooths the edges off. It's almost like a process that we go through that doesn't feel uncomfortable when we get to the other side. We've learned something new and perhaps we've built a connection with someone else. And the thing is, is that those kinds of difficult conversations or those situations are the very thing that people are like, oh, AI can do that for me now because they wanna avoid that uncomfortable feeling.”About our GuestAlison Coward and NewsletterLinkedInWorkshop Culture: buy directly from www.practicalinspiration.com or indiepubs for US customers and use code WRKCULT30 for 30% discountConnect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com

Jessica goes to conferences a lot, especially more now that she’s not employed full time. This is her eighth creator conference (4 World Domination Summits, 2 Craft and Commerces, 1 Neurodiversion summit, The Lab Offline, and a number of small mastermind and coaching retreats).So today’s episode is both a debrief on going to conferences and also a recap of the 4 takeaways from Craft and Commerce that are informing our year ahead.We dig into conferences:* Why putting yourself in the position to meet people can help you meet your internet heroes… and can also help you sell more things. (Shoutout to former guest Jeremy Enns here).* How does one maintain relationships with people so that the next years of the conference just get better and better?* Why presentation-heavy conferences miss the point, especially for more seasoned attendees (and how to think about the composition of the audience).And then, we dig into the four takeaways from the conference itself.* We’re entering into an AI content doom loop.* What’s your “use and refuse” AI strategy?.* Storytelling reigns supreme.* There is no “overnight success”.“If they don't exist, they will in the next six months is a tool that if you list a number of the influencers you wanna follow and comment on their post… and so you just feed it into an AI tool and that AI tool will come up with an AI generated comment. So you don't even have to log into LinkedIn. If this doesn't exist, I guarantee it will in like the next six months. You wouldn't even have to log in to see what your favorite influencer posted and the AI comments on their stuff so that your stuff feeds goes into the feed.And, some AI tool is gonna go into your library of content that you've created already, and it's gonna snip out something, drop it on LinkedIn, some other bot is gonna comment on it, and then there's no human involved in some of that stuff, period.” - JessicaMentioned ResourcesPamela SlimJeremy Enns’s Content Strategy SchematicNeurodiversion ConferenceShe’s so Lucky with Les AlfredConnect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com

Partnerships are everywhere in small business: business partners, project collaborators, behind-the-scenes co-creators, podcast co-hosts (hear our origin story!). But we don’t talk enough about what makes them actually work. If managing yourself is hard, imagine navigating the commitment (and the scheduling tetris) of two people.Emma Whittard (mindset coach) and Karen Worthy (executive career transition coach) had their “business meet cute” in one of Jessica’s classes. What started as simple client referrals turned into collaborations, a shared offer, and even Emma supporting Karen’s business behind the scenes. From the first casual chat to co-creating paid offers, sharing clients, and navigating logistics (like money, time zones, and email volume), we talk about how they built trust without a contract, how they make decisions, and what it means to do good work together.We talk about the emotional labor of collaboration, the unspoken agreements, and what it takes to prioritize relationship over revenue in a world that teaches us to keep everything transactional.Before teaming up with someone, listen to the foundation of what makes this collaboration work.* How a casual class connection became a long-term collaboration* Why their “Base Camp” offer came after the referrals, not before* What they’ve learned about setting boundaries, expectations, and pricing* The value of emotional support, operational partnership, and sounding boards* Navigating logistics: scheduling, tech, shared values—and the messy middle* Why trust (not contracts) is what makes these kinds of partnerships work“We also both said upfront that our relationship was more important than the business together. So the relationship first. That means that hopefully we won't get into a situation where there's something icky happening and we can't address it, or it sort of ruins things. So again, it is back to values and priorities again.” - Emma WhittardAbout our GuestsEmma Whittard | LinkedInKaren Worthy | LinkedInBase Camp OfferConnect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com

In this episode, we dig into the realities of running a relationship-led business in a market that’s no longer in beginner mode. Michelle Warner joins us to talk about what’s changed (and what hasn’t) in a world where quick wins and easy opportunities are drying up, and why now more than ever, the boring stuff—fundamentals, relationships, offers that fit—really matters.We cover how to adapt to a maturing market, where the “growth hacks” of the past aren’t working like they used to. Michelle shares why most client issues aren’t massive strategy problems but small, foundational misalignments—and why fixing them starts with a return to the basics.This is an episode for anyone feeling like what used to work just… doesn’t anymore. And for those ready to stop chasing the next big trick and return to the very unsexy, very effective roots of sustainable business.* Why the market isn’t broken—it’s just finally maturing (and your tactics need to, too)* The real reason your sales aren’t working (hint: it’s not because you’re not posting enough)* The problem with marketing arbitrage plays (Substack, LinkedIn newsletters, bundles—you name it)* Why your offer math might be the real problem behind your revenue plateau* How AI is making everyone sound the same—and how to stand out by being specific* Why the boring fundamentals are the most effective thing you can do right now* What to do instead of panic-posting when leads slow down“That's the key to relationships. The specificity and the “because statements” allow you to also build sticky relationships. So a lot of times when we're networking a, we don't know why we're networking with people, so we end up just meeting people and then trying to force square pegs into round holes, and b. so then you get stuck in these small talk traps.” - Michelle WarnerAbout our GuestMichelle WarnerSequence over Strategy podcastConnect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com

This week, we're doing something a little different. Instead of our usual dialogue, we’re sharing two short solo segments originally recorded for the Evidence of Humanity audio summit, hosted by Michelle Pontvert. This means we get a break from recording and editing but you still get a fresh episode. While because as Meg says, “Jessica loves a cadence”, taking breaks and thoughtful repurposing of content lets us take breaks and be aggressively human!First, Jessica shares how running free monthly workshops—starting with just four people—has become one of the most grounding, trust-building practices in her business. Not because they’re optimized for conversion, but because they create real-time space to test ideas, teach generously, and build actual relationships.Then, Meg takes the mic to talk about the surprising overlap between SEO strategy and romance novels. Drawing from her writing practice and deep love of story, she maps the early stages of the hero’s journey onto the buyer journey—and shows how thoughtful content meets people where they are, not where your funnel wants them to be.Let us know: do you like some shorter, solo episodes in your feed?We’ll be back next week with more dialogue!Connect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com

How do we build businesses and community inside a broken system—without replicating that system in our own work?By leading through an intersectional, feminist, and collective lens.In this episode, we talk with Becky Mollenkamp about what it means to build and lead this way: grounded in shared power, mutual care, and collective growth. Becky shares how her work as a coach and podcaster has evolved over the years, why she’s no longer trying to “go it alone,” and how building in community has been the most liberating move of all. We also talk about what it really means to earn money ethically, challenge systems without burning out, and keep showing up (even in the chaos of summer).We also get into the behind-the-scenes of launching multiple podcasts, navigating Substack and social media with ethics intact, and the real tension of building a business when you care deeply about people and want to pay your bills without selling your soul.This is a conversation for anyone trying to build something different in a world that rewards “the one right way to build.”* How Becky’s proximity to the Ferguson uprising catalyzed a shift in her perspective* The real difference between commerce and capitalism (and why most pricing models get this wrong)* What it means to build a business rooted in mutuality, not hierarchy* What the hell to do with Substack, Meta, and other imperfect tools* The behind-the-scenes of stewarding multiple podcasts, and the choice to have a co-host or not* The problem with trying to do it all alone—and how Becky’s moving toward collective action over solo growth* Why podcasting might just be the most human way to have the conversations we actually want to have“Yeah, I can come up with lots of ideas, but they're always richer when it's done in collective with these other women who have different lived experiences than me. And then, yeah, I'll move the ball forward. I love moving the ball forward, but I'm more excited now. I'm moving the ball forward with these ideas that are so much more richer.” - BeckyAbout our GuestBecky MollenkampFeminist Podcasters CollectiveFeminist FoundersMessy LiberationAssigned ReadingMentioned ResourcesTema Okun’s EssaySacred Economics by Charles EisensteinThe Soul of Money by Lynne Twist“The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House” — Audre LordeConnect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com

Most business advice assumes you're wired like everyone else. What if you're not?In this episode, we sit down with Diann Wingert—former therapist, business coach, and host of the ADHD-ish podcast—to talk about what it really means to build a business that works with your brain, not against it.We unpack the myths around ADHD, how to radically accept your own wiring, and what happens when you finally stop trying to “fix” yourself and start designing systems that fit you.Jessica and Meg share their own neurodiverse workarounds (including why their assistants actually manage them), and Diann breaks down how she flipped her brand, rethought her support systems, and uses tools like Claude.ai as external executive function—not a replacement for her brain, but a co-pilot for organizing all the genius.This one’s for the quirky kids, the not-quite-diagnosed, and anyone who’s ever tried to follow business advice that wasn't designed for their brain. * Why Diann rebranded her podcast and business to center ADHD-ish, not as a niche but as a reality* How radical self-acceptance (not self-awareness) is the real first step to change* The business systems that work because they’re nontraditional (like letting your assistant be the boss)* Why “It depends” is the real ADHD business motto* How tools like Claude and Notion help organize brilliance without replacing your voice* Why standard business advice falls apart when your brain doesn't fit the mold* What Diann learned from neurodivergent-friendly spaces (hello, marching band at a conference) and how to bring that into your own business model* The role of AI in organizing, not empathizing—and why therapy still needs a human touch“Human beings, by and large, are damaged through relationships, abuse, neglect, trauma. Most of the things that bring people to a therapist happened as a result of some failure of human nature. And so the whole transformation of therapy is that it is using the professional use of self. We are harmed by humans. We are healed by humans. It’s one of the most intimate and powerful ways of working. And I loved it.” - DiannAbout Our GuestADHD-ish PodcastMastering Your Entrepreneurial ADHDDiann Wingert’s LinkedIn NewsletterConnect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com

What does it really mean to “stay solo” in a world that won’t stop telling you to scale? That’s the question we explore with Maggie Patterson, whose new book Staying Solo challenges the endless drumbeat of “bigger is better.”In this episode, we dive into Maggie’s journey from agency owner to solo business advocate, the messy parts of writing (and marketing) a book without turning it into a performative launch, and the very real tension between wanting to build a sustainable business—while feeling pressure to do it in a way that exploits your time or other people’s labor. (Thanks, online business influencers).We also talk about typos in print books, sticker packs as marketing tools, and why self-publishing may outperform traditional publishing as a soloist. Whether you’re a solopreneur, a micro-agency owner, or just someone wondering if you have to scale to be legit, Maggie’s perspective offers a breath of fresh air—and a permission slip to do it your way.* Why Staying Solo matters—especially when the default advice is always to “scale”* The tension between running an agency and telling others not to build one* How Maggie’s book journey came out of years of blog posts and a poolside conversation* The ethics of pricing, paying others well, and not replicating exploitative business practices* The weird relief (and panic) of finding typos in a printed book you can’t easily fix* How to stay human while promoting a book (sticker packs, handwritten notes, book tours)* Book marketing vs. book selling—why Maggie chose self-publishing and what surprised her most* The privilege of staying solo—and how to be clear about who you want to serve* Most importantly, the 5 book names for Maggie’s book themed birdhouse.About our GuestMaggie PattersonStaying SoloConnect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com

In this riffy, delightfully unstructured episode, Jessica and Meg ditch the outlines, frameworks, and “polished” content in favor of a real-life check-in, some AI trivia, and a sneak peek at Jessica’s summer program, Relationship Rhythms.We talk about how building relationships is about more than just dropping into people’s inboxes—and how Relationship Rhythms is designed to bring playfulness (and prizes!) back into the process. Jessica shares why she’s finally running an asynchronous offer and how Relationship Rhythms is different from her usual programs, plus what happens when you go from dreaming to launching.We also get real about our own partnership: the messy business of joint ventures, what happens when your business is in a different gear than your friend’s, and how to talk about money and collaboration in a way that feels human.And because she couldn’t resist, Meg quizzes Jessica on AI trivia—highlighting the joys, the contradictions, and the occasional panic about what AI knows, what it doesn’t, and how we’re using (and refusing) it in our own businesses.If you’ve ever felt like your business friendships are an ever-evolving dance—or wondered how to balance AI curiosity with human connections—listen in. 🍊PS. If you made it to the end of this episode, drop our Easter Egg word on Substack as a comment to let us know you’re here for the rambles, not just the frameworks.* Jessica’s summer program, Relationship Rhythms, and how it’s ushering in a more experimental vibe.* How Relationship Rhythms uses gamified accountability (yes, with prizes) to make relationship building fun* Why Jessica and Meg decided not to monetize the Substack—yet—and the honest convo about splitting podcast revenue* The challenges of co-hosting a podcast when your businesses are in different seasons (and speeds)* The messy beauty of relationship building: why some outreach grows instantly while others marinate for months* Meg’s AI trivia quiz: from radiologists to Reddit, from ChatGPT’s energy usage to recipes with random ground beef* Why learning how to learn will still be a critical skill, no matter about AI’s capabilitiesBloom’s TaxonomyJoin Relationship RhythmsSign up for the waitlist or join the program (opens June 9).Connect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com

Have you ever sat through a slide deck that felt like death-by-bullet-point? Or tried to sound like a LinkedIn thought leader only to bore yourself?Have you ever struggled to consider yourself “interesting” when you haven’t gone to space or climbed a mountain?Most importantly, how can you tell a story that AI cannot replace?Story coach and speaker whisperer Mike Ganino joins us to talk about how to actually connect with other humans through storytelling, public speaking, and intentional presence. We talk about what’s missing when AI writes your copy, how to make your keynote more than just a case study, and why the most aggressively human thing you can do is show up—with your voice, your weirdness, and your body and breath. We talk about what job AI can’t do, why “tell your story” is often the worst advice, and how the most impactful stories usually come from Tuesdays, not TED Talks.* How to pull stories from your actual life (even if they happened on a random Tuesday)* What ChatGPT can and can’t do—and why public speaking is still a human-only activity* Breaking free from the drip of consumption and embracing the interiority within us and around us.* How to find your “inner interesting”, and how to transform extraordinary tales into relatable, personable stories.* Why “tell your story” is terrible advice—and what to do instead* How book marketing breaks your nervous system and what our favorite GIFs reveal about usAbout our Guest:Mike GaninoMake A Scene: Storytelling, Stage Presence, and The Art of Being Unforgettable in Every SpotlightConnect with UsListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meg and JessicaMeg CaseboltJessica Lackey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aggressivelyhuman.substack.com