Slay The Gatekeeper

In this episode of 'Slay the Gatekeeper', host Courtney is joined by Lauren Petrowski, a news media expert, to discuss strategies for utilizing local news to amplify business, social media presence, and content creation. They explore who can benefit from local news, the steps to get started, pitching techniques, the importance of being available, and creating compelling content for TV. They also delve into the best practices for preparing for an on-air appearance, emphasizing expertise and visual storytelling. This episode is a must-listen for any small business owner or content creator looking to expand their reach and credibility by leveraging the power of local media.

Stop paying for your stuff! If you’re an influencer, a thought leader, or honestly have any kind of public presence, you could be getting free sh*t left and right. And Nancy Kaatz is here to tell us exactly how we can start. In this episode, Nancy and I dig into what you could be getting, how to link and start affiliate programs, how to contact brands directly, and how to stop overthinking and start posting. Plus, we’re sharing some of the craziest stuff we’ve seen other creators get for free. If you want to start getting free stuff from brands you use every day, this episode is for you. What’s in this episode: [00:00] Intro  [01:48] Why you should be linking literally everything [04:35] Why it’s time for you to apply for Amazon’s affiliate program [09:58] How and where you should be contacting brands [19:43] How to stop being overthinking and just get to creating [24:50] Why you should be tagging any and all brands shown in your content [30:46] Some of the wildest stuff we’ve seen people get for free Sign up for my next LinkedIn Cohort, starting Jan 6 (through Jan 27!) Connect with Nancy Kaatz Follow Nancy on TikTok Join Content Creation 101 Live Follow Nancy on Instagram Connect with Courtney Courses Newsletter TikTok ⁠⁠  Linkedin ⁠  Instagram  Twitter ⁠⁠ YouTube

Alright, if you’ve been around here for a minute, you’ve heard me talk about my Level up on Linkedin Accelerator course.  But today, I’m giving you a full breakdown. I’m going through what this course is for, why I started it, the week by week structure and course outline, and some commonly asked questions about my course. (Plus, some testimonials from former students.)  If you’ve been curious about this course and how it could actually benefit you and your career, this episode was literally made for you. Let’s jump in and I hope to see you in my LinkedIn course in January! What’s in this episode: [00:00] Intro  [00:17] A little background on my LinkedIn cohort [04:16] How my LinkedIn course is structured [07:47] What we cover each week in the course [15:35] Answering some commonly asked questions about my LinkedIn course [19:04] Who this course is for Sign up for my next LinkedIn Cohort, starting Jan 6 (through Jan 27!) Connect with Courtney Courses Newsletter TikTok ⁠⁠  Linkedin ⁠  Instagram  Twitter ⁠⁠ YouTube

How do you unlock the elusive world of venture capital and make sure you’re putting your best foot forward as a founder? It’s more than just having a great idea or a slick pitch deck. It’s about being able to express your authentic self honestly and openly to investors – and yes, having a LinkedIn profile helps. In this episode, Kate McAndrew is here to ungatekeep the VC world, sharing insights on cofounder splits, due diligence, and what funders really want to see. Plus, we get into self-care with high ROI, the power of branding through feminine archetypes, and why it’s sometimes necessary to say “no.” Ready to decode the VC game? Let’s go! What’s in this episode: [00:00] Intro  [01:27] Why cofounders shouldn’t necessarily have equal splits [02:40] What due diligence looks like in VC funding (and how your LinkedIn profile factors in) [08:00] Why refusing to have a LinkedIn profile is an outdated perspective [11:51] What VC funders are actually looking for in a founder [15:00] The Goddess Guide to Branding and the feminine archetypes it lays out for companies and start-ups [25:18] Why self-care is crucial and finding self-care with the best ROI for you [32:51] Reframing and getting comfortable with saying “no” [39:39] Why Kate doesn’t get out of bed for less than a billion dollars Hang out with me and get access to everything you need to crush it in your career on my Patreon. Join now for access to dozens of tutorials, tips, resources, and subscriber-only podcasts for only $10 a month! Connect with Kate McAndrew Connect with Kate on LinkedIn Visit the Baukunst website Get the Goddess Guide to Branding Connect with Courtney Courses Newsletter TikTok ⁠⁠  Linkedin ⁠  Instagram  Twitter ⁠⁠ YouTube

How do you build a business that your customers (not just you or your team) actually feel invested in? It’s not just about having a good product or a great price point. It stems from building community with the people who actually use your product.  And in this episode, Michael Rangel of Novo is here to tell us exactly how he’s done that (along with sharing some of his other awesome career cheat codes.) Michael’s breaking down why transparency matters, why failure is the best teacher, and why you have to put aside your ego when it comes to business. Let’s get into it! What’s in this episode: [00:00] Intro  [00:44] What Novo is and how it helps small businesses [05:42] Do you really need formal education to succeed in business? [09:26] The necessity of rejection and failure in business [12:59] How creating a culture of transparency will transform your business for the better [15:22] Why you have to build community with your customers [20:05] Why you need to leave your ego behind when it comes to business [29:22] What you should prioritize over a paycheck when starting your career Hang out with me and get access to everything you need to crush it in your career on my Patreon. Join now for access to dozens of tutorials, tips, resources, and subscriber-only podcasts for only $10 a month! Connect with Michael Rangel Connect with Michael on LinkedIn Visit the Novo website Connect with Courtney Courses Newsletter TikTok ⁠⁠  Linkedin ⁠  Instagram  Twitter ⁠⁠ YouTube

You have questions, and I’ve got answers! Q&As are my absolute favorite, and I’m holding nothing back today.  I’ve got some hacks for my ADHD girlies out there, how to overcome cringe mountain and show up consistently on social media, a ton of career advice from getting started to making big transitions, PLUS my hot take for this episode: why that lay-off might be the best thing to ever happen to you. Let’s get into it! What’s in this episode: [00:00] Intro  [01:35] How to show up when you’re terrified of cringe mountain [05:30] My best productivity hacks for ADHD girlies [11:15] How to take a step back when you’re making a career changes [16:56] Hacks for showing up and staying consistent on social media [22:15] Why getting laid off could be the best thing for you Hang out with me and get access to everything you need to crush it in your career on my Patreon. Join now for access to dozens of tutorials, tips, resources, and subscriber-only podcasts for only $10 a month! Connect with Courtney Courses Newsletter TikTok ⁠⁠  Linkedin ⁠  Instagram  Twitter ⁠⁠ YouTube

This episode is all about money, baby, and in particular, how to keep and use that money wisely. Because when it comes to using our money mindfully, it’s not about restriction. It’s about saying “yes” to purchases with intention and in a way that brings value to your life. Michela Allocca of Break Your Budget is here to share her top five personal finance cheat codes. From her thoughts on shopping, to where to find high quality (and reasonably priced) products, to her top career tips, this is an episode you can’t miss. What’s in this episode: [00:00] Intro  [01:44] Why shopping is NOT a hobby [06:46] How to curate products and purchases mindfully [11:30] Some of the things you shouldn't spend money on [16:12] The types of things you SHOULD be spending money on (and where you can find those things) [25:16] How to save money on everyday items and routines [33:13] Why you’re wasting your time searching for your dream job [36:57] What task tracking is and how it can catapult you to success Hang out with me and get access to everything you need to crush it in your career on my Patreon. Join now for access to dozens of tutorials, tips, resources, and subscriber-only podcasts for only $10 a month! Connect with Michela Connect with Michela on LinkedIn Follow Michela on Instagram Visit the Break Your Budget website Connect with Courtney Courses Newsletter TikTok ⁠⁠  Linkedin ⁠  Instagram  Twitter ⁠⁠ YouTube

Everyone you know wants to write a book… But how do you actually do that?  In this episode, I’m joined by Ellen Polk to actually break down the pieces of self-publishing (and a little trad publishing too.) We’re covering why you probably have enough content for a draft already, how you can still have a team in self-publishing, why traditional publishing isn’t necessarily a smaller investment, and at the end of the day, how you actually get your ROI from a book you’ve written. Let’s get started! What’s in this episode: [00:00] Intro  [00:20] ⁠⁠Make managing your taxes simpler and less expensive [02:23] An introduction to Ellen and her company, Sage House Editorial [04:39] Why, if you make content, you already have enough material for a book draft [12:35] Why self-publishing doesn’t mean doing everything alone [15:43] Breaking down how self-publishing vs traditional publishing works (including their similarities) [21:09] How to think about the ROI of it all [26:55] How getting clear on the problem you’re solving with your content and your book  Join Collective and make managing and filing your taxes so much simpler (and less expensive!) Connect with Ellen Polk Connect with Ellen on LinkedIn Follow Sage House Publishing on Instagram Visit Sage House Publishing website Connect with Courtney Courses Newsletter TikTok ⁠⁠  Linkedin ⁠  Instagram  Twitter ⁠⁠ YouTube

When it comes to audience building and growing your personal following, it’s all about the content, baby. And if the content’s not good, your personal brand isn’t going to grow. So in this episode, I’m sitting down with Donavan Barrett of Narrative Collective to give you the cheat codes you need to make more engaging content. We’re covering why some of us are afraid of being seen, how to create more interesting (and less preachy) content, and why you don’t have to worry about algorithms. Let’s dive in! What’s in this episode: [00:00] Intro  [00:20] ⁠⁠Make managing your taxes simpler and less expensive [04:27] How to break out of your shell and try new things when it comes to content creation [07:21] Why you have to stop worrying about the algorithm [14:31] Figure out the audience that you want to be speaking to [21:53] One of Donovan’s favorite content creation tactics [30:04] How to leverage other brands and creatives to grow your following Join Collective and make managing and filing your taxes so much simpler (and less expensive!) Connect with Donavan Connect with Donavan on LinkedIn Follow Donavan on Instagram Visit the Narrative Creative website Connect with Courtney Courses Newsletter TikTok ⁠⁠  Linkedin ⁠  Instagram  Twitter ⁠⁠ YouTube

If you’re a relatively new or small content creator, you’re probably in the place I was last year–making a few deals, but not knowing what to charge or where to look for partnerships. Well, look no further, friends, because I’ve got Kelsey of Elizabeth Talent here today to share her top five influencer marketing cheat codes. Her tips are going to help you find better partners, make better content, and make you more money. Let’s dive in! What’s in this episode: [00:00] Intro  [00:20] ⁠⁠Why you need to join Intuition University [02:57] How much money I’ve made through brand deals in 2024 as a content creator (and why I made SO MUCH less in 2023) [07:34] Why you need to be doing brand research outside of Google and other public spaces [17:41] Why you should be creating the kind of content that you like to see [23:11] Why it’s time you for to get comfortable with cold outreach [29:50] How to start thinking about your worth–and charging for it [37:14] Why you need to take a look at your network (but not in the traditional sense) Get in on Intuition University⁠ before the doors close on Oct 31! My next LinkedIn cohort starts on Oct 28! If you’re ready to level up on LinkedIn, you can’t miss this.  Connect with Kelsey Connect with Kelsey on LinkedIn Follow Elizabeth Talent on Instagram Visit the Elizabeth Talent website Connect with Courtney Courses Newsletter TikTok ⁠⁠  Linkedin ⁠  Instagram  Twitter ⁠⁠ YouTube

Listen up! Fame is a resource. It can get you attention, opportunities, and options– but you have to be willing to embrace it and be seen as your authentic self to cultivate it. And I get it. That can be hard, which is why I’ve got Whitney Uland here with me today to walk through her five best cheat codes on how to create fame for yourself and overcome some of the mindset blocks that keep us from being seen. If you’re ready to be seen and make waves, this is an episode you can’t miss. Let’s dive in! What’s in this episode: [00:00] Intro  [00:20] ⁠⁠Why you need to join Intuition University [03:18] How to get over your fear of being seen and step into the identity of a celebrity [10:10] How to show up more authentically online [19:33] How to create boundaries and feel safe being seen [30:01] Why you need to be triggering to get seen (but maybe not in the way you think) Get in on Intuition University⁠ before the doors close on Oct 31! My next LinkedIn cohort starts on Oct 28! If you’re ready to level up on LinkedIn, you can’t miss this.  Connect with Whitney Follow Whitney on TikTok Follow Whitney on Instagram Work with Whitney Connect with Courtney Courses Newsletter TikTok ⁠⁠  Linkedin ⁠  Instagram  Twitter ⁠⁠ YouTube

Here’s some tough love today: You don’t find success through jealousy. You won’t find success by giving your time away for free. And you won’t find it scrolling mindlessly through your phone.  And that’s not just my opinion. Today, you’re hearing it straight from Nadine, creator of ⁠The Stanza⁠. She’s sharing her cheat codes for success, including how to ask the right questions, how to check your subconscious, and how to use your feminine intuition to find success in the professional world.  If you’re ready to embrace success, this is an episode you can’t miss. Let’s dive in! What’s in this episode: [00:00] Intro  [00:20] ⁠Why you need to join Intuition University [02:49] Nadine breaks down the art of asking good questions [09:24] Nadine explains what it means to ruthlessly edit your subconscious… and why it might be time to check your social media usage [14:41] An easy game to check your content consumption [17:22] Nadine’s hot take on checking your criticism of wealth [23:57] Leaning in to the unique feminine skills that can benefit women in professional fields [27:49] Why you have to protect your time to find success Get in on Intuition University before the doors close on Oct 31! Connect with Nadine ⁠Follow Nadine on TikTok⁠ ⁠Follow Nadine on Instagram⁠ ⁠Join Nadine’s Substack⁠ Connect with Courtney ⁠Courses⁠ ⁠Newsletter⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠ ⁠⁠  ⁠Linkedin⁠ ⁠  ⁠Instagram⁠  ⁠Twitter⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠

What you wear matters… but maybe not in the way you think. Today’s guest doesn’t believe in “good style” or “bad taste,” just personal preferences and whether you’re able to express them with your clothes or not. Because your personal style can be an art form just like everything else, so why wouldn’t you want to have fun with it? In this episode, Bari (aka The Curated Tastemaker) shares cheat codes and creativity games that’ll help you discover and explore your personal style. She’s also breaking down the process of finding your personal style within your current wardrobe without buying anything. Plus, we cover the tangible, monetary benefits that can come from personal style. This conversation is going to completely change the way you think about style. Let’s dive in! What’s in this episode: [00:00] Intro  [01:51] Bari’s unique take on personal style and how it’s different from fashion [07:48] How to let go of your fear of expression [09:51] Bari’s creativity games and how they help us unlock our personal style [14:35] Bari’s cheat codes for creating your personal style [22:57] How to start overhauling your wardrobe to express your personal style [26:49] How to start your personal style journey with items you already own [30:30] How the importance of personal style is built into Bari’s family history Hang out with me and get access to everything you need to crush it in your career on my Patreon. Join now for access to dozens of tutorials, tips, resources, and subscriber-only podcasts for only $10 a month! Connect with Bari Visit The Curated Tastemaker website Follow Bari on TikTok Follow Bari on Instagram Join Bari’s Substack Connect with Courtney Courses Newsletter TikTok ⁠⁠  Linkedin ⁠  Instagram  Twitter ⁠⁠ YouTube

You’ve probably got this idea in your head, that the most successful people are the most talented or gifted or something like that. And I’m here to tell you that you are wrong.  If I could sum it up, I think one of the biggest keys to success is delusion: believing that you can do something that might be out of your league or get the job that you’re not technically qualified for or become a professional cheerleading when you couldn’t even make your college team.  In today's episode, I’m sharing my story of using confidence –and some delusion– to launch my pro cheerleading career and the 12 other lessons that experience taught me.  This is one episode you cannot miss. Let’s dive in. What’s in this episode: [00:00] Intro  [00:35] How delusion powered me into a professional cheerleading career [06:15] The #1 piece of advice professional cheerleaders give to each other [10:16] Why you HAVE to believe in yourself to get anywhere [14:40] How learning the business of marketing changed my perspective [18:00] Why the most talented people are not usually the most successful Hang out with me and get access to everything you need to crush it in your career on my Patreon. Join now for access to dozens of tutorials, tips, resources, and subscriber-only podcasts for only $10 a month! Links Join the next LinkedIn cohort! Get my Free LinkedIn profile guide! Get my LinkedIn Training Course!

It’s time for PART TWO of one of my most popular series from social media: problematic career cheat codes! Problematic, because some of them might not be like 100% ethical, but they’re cheat codes because they work! And let’s be real: everyone who’s getting ahead is already doing this. In this episode, we’re covering when you should find yourself a (fake) assistant ASAP, why you need to share ALL of your wins (even the little ones), why it’s still worth it to send direct messages on LinkedIn, and why you need to become a strategist ASAP. If you’re looking for a job right now, you need this episode.  What’s in this episode: [00:00] Intro  [00:25] Why you should be really good at a few things (instead of the best at one) [02:55] Why you should hire a (fake) assistant [06:22] How you can use your current employer cover courses that can advance your career [09:42] When your memorable and weird stories are going to come in handy [13:09] When you should start moving from the doer to the strategist Hang out with me and get access to everything you need to crush it in your career on my Patreon. Join now for access to dozens of tutorials, tips, resources, and subscriber-only podcasts for only $10 a month! Links Join the next LinkedIn cohort! Get my Free LinkedIn profile guide! Get my LinkedIn Training Course!

I’m bringing one of my most popular series from social media to the podcast: problematic career cheat codes! Problematic, because some of them might not be like 100% ethical, but they’re cheat codes because they work! And let’s be real: everyone who’s getting ahead is already doing this. In this episode, we’re covering when you should fib about your age, why it’s okay to do a little exaggerating about some things, and how to use your favorite candy to get ahead. If you’re looking for a job right now, you need this episode.  What’s in this episode: [00:00] Intro  [01:13] What you should fib about when applying for jobs [04:00] Why you should exaggerate your previous salary [08:15] Why you should keep a list of your wins, even if they’re seemingly small [12:39] How to use your calendar to your advantage [15:00] When you SHOULDN’T ask questions Hang out with me and get access to everything you need to crush it in your career on my Patreon. Join now for access to dozens of tutorials, tips, resources, and subscriber-only podcasts for only $10 a month! Links Join the next LinkedIn cohort! Get my Free LinkedIn profile guide! Get my LinkedIn Training Course!

Making friends as an adult is a skill, just anything else. And today on the pod, I have one of my own friends, Eleanor Lee,  who has mastered the art of making friends to give us aaaaaall the cheat codes. Eleanor’s sharing the ins and outs of how and where she finds potential friends, how she sets reasonable expectations for her friendships, and why every girl needs her own set of friends, outside of family and romantic relationships. Plus, she’s also giving us her best brand and business-building cheat codes! This conversation has everything. Let’s dive in! What’s in this episode: [00:00] Intro  [01:51] How Eleanor got comfortable with rejection while making adult friends [06:46] Why hosting is a great way to make friends [12:58] Why you need to adjust your expectations when it comes to making adult friends [24:51] How sharing what you know can be a great way to start friendships [29:36] Eleanor’s top cheat code for starting a business [34:08] Eleanor’s most important advice for building a business brand and a personal brand Hang out with me and get access to everything you need to crush it in your career on my Patreon. Join now for access to dozens of tutorials, tips, resources, and subscriber-only podcasts for only $10 a month! Connect with Eleanor Connect with Eleanor on LinkedIn Follow Eleanor on Instagram Follow Eleanor on Tiktok Visit the Hot Girl Golf website Visit the Meraki Narrative website Connect with Courtney Courses Newsletter TikTok ⁠⁠  Linkedin ⁠  Instagram  Twitter ⁠⁠ YouTube

When it comes to building a personal brand, we have to portray ourselves in a particular way: expert, authentic, personal, energetic, etc.  But this sometimes leaves out the stickier details: what we struggle with, difficulties we had to face, all the moments we questioned ourselves. So today, I’m pulling back the curtain. I’m laying out my backstory for you, good, bad, and uncomfortable. I’m covering a cheerleading career, my mental breakdown, my yoga mat business, and the way I eventually had to re-evaluate some of my strongest held beliefs. I’m not holding back, and I hope it’s encouraging that you can both achieve your goals no matter how crazy it seems, and that you can overcome huge setbacks even when they challenge everything you thought you knew. Let’s dive in! What’s in this episode: [00:00] Intro  [01:08] Courtney’s early life and moves from Minnesota to Texas [05:36] Courtney’s cheerleading ambitions and her life as she strived to reach her goals [14:54] The crisis that forced Courtney to step back from cheerleading [19:00] How Courtney started her pivot toward marketing and the corporate jobs she worked [23:09] Courtney’s first foray into owning her own business [29:00] How Courtney continued to branch out in her businesses through AirBnB and consulting [31:58] How Courtney started building her personal brand on TikTok [34:50] Why (and how) Courtney started her online business [40:03] What’s next for Courtney Hang out with me and get access to everything you need to crush it in your career on my Patreon. Join now for access to dozens of tutorials, tips, resources, and subscriber-only podcasts for only $10 a month! Links Join the next LinkedIn cohort! Get my Free LinkedIn profile guide! Get my LinkedIn Training Course!

Today’s guest calls herself “anti-feminist.” Before you throw your Airpods across the room, stick with me.  This conversation isn’t about denigrating women – it’s the exact opposite. Instead of encouraging women to play the masculine game, Morgan May wants women to embrace their feminine power and use it to their advantage. In this episode, Morgan and I chat about all things feminine power: how to tap into it, what’s keeping us from using it, why society discourages us from using our feminine power, and how all of this can give us a leg up when it comes to business. This is one conversation you cannot miss. Let’s dive in! What’s in this episode: [00:00] Intro  [00:33] The unconventional investment in herself that helped Courtney jumpstart her career [06:00] How leaning into your feminine power can benefit your career [11:57] Why understanding and reclaiming your cycle can help you tap into your feminine energy [15:47] The scientific data that proving how powerful feminine energy can be [22:29] An invitation to take a look at the tools in your life – and consider whether or not they still serve you [29:38] Why it’s time to start thinking about yourself the way you think about your business Hang out with me and get access to everything you need to crush it in your career on my Patreon. Join now for access to dozens of tutorials, tips, resources, and subscriber-only podcasts for only $10 a month! Connect with Morgan Visit Morgan’s website Follow Morgan on TikTok Follow Morgan on Instagram Connect with Courtney Courses Newsletter TikTok ⁠⁠  Linkedin ⁠  Instagram  Twitter ⁠⁠ YouTube

Digital products: they’re overlooked, underappreciated, and if you’re not creating them already, it’s time for you to start. This episode is 1) a little kick in the pants to get you moving, and 2) a how-to guide to create your very first digital product if you haven’t already! The thing is, if you’re any kind of online creator, you have the content you need for a digital product already. You just need to package it up and put it out there. And I’m here to give you all my digital product cheat codes to make it as easy as possible for you! What’s in this episode: [00:00] Intro  [01:46] How much money I’ve actually made from digital products [02:31] How to find your first digital product (you probably already have it!) [05:23] Where to upload your digital product [06:47] How creating a free digital product can benefit your business [08:49] An encouragement to just get started! Hang out with me and get access to everything you need to crush it in your career on my Patreon. Join now for access to dozens of tutorials, tips, resources, and subscriber-only podcasts for only $10 a month! Links Join the next LinkedIn cohort! Get my Free LinkedIn profile guide! Get my LinkedIn Training Course!