The Bubbles Effect

What if networking isn’t about selling… but simply starting a conversation?
In this week’s Power Hour, I’m joined by networking expert and author Stefan Thomas, and this conversation is such a refreshing reframe on something so many business owners overthink. 😫
From working in a shoe shop in the 80s to writing Business Networking for Dummies, Stefan shares how the most powerful business opportunities don’t come from pitching… they come from simple, human conversations. ❤️
We talk about why networking feels uncomfortable, what people get wrong, and how to approach it in a way that actually builds trust (and leads to real opportunities).
If you’ve ever walked into a networking event thinking “what do I even say?” this episode is for you.
✨ This Week’s Focus:
Networking doesn’t need to feel forced or salesy.
It’s simply the start of a conversation.
Why the word “networking” can instantly make us uncomfortable
The real purpose of your 60-second introduction
Why trying to sell too fast actually pushes people away
How trust is built over time (not instantly)
The “half-life of enthusiasm” and why timing matters in follow-up
How modern tools (like social + automation) support relationship-building
Networking is the start of a conversation, not a sales pitch
Your 60-second intro should lead to the next conversation
This episode is such a good reminder that business (and honestly, life) comes back to connection. When you take the pressure off and just focus on being human, everything feels easier and more aligned.
Search The Bubbles Effect Podcast wherever you listen
Connect with Stefan and grab his books on Amazon (including Business Networking for Dummies) here: [email protected]✨ If this resonated, I created a simple playbook to help you take action on what you learn, grab it below.

📄 Get the playbook here: https://nb.marketing/podcast

In today’s episode of The Bubbles Effect, I’m diving into a major story making waves right now, the lawsuit against Meta and YouTube around social media addiction, and what it could mean for the future of platforms, algorithms, and responsibility.
But as always, we don’t stop at marketing.
This episode shifts into a powerful (and unexpected) mindset moment sparked by something simple: cleaning out my inbox. Scrolling back to 2020 brought up memories from the pandemic... the uncertainty, the challenges, and everything in between and it made me pause and ask:
👉 How far have we actually come?
Because when you’re in the day-to-day of running a business and building a life, it’s easy to miss your own growth.
In this episode, I talk about:
The Meta + YouTube lawsuit and why it matters
Reflecting on past seasons to recognize growth
A simple mindset shift you can implement today
If you’ve been moving nonstop, building, juggling, and pushing forward… this is your reminder to take a breath and actually look back for a second.
You might be further than you think.
✨ And don’t forget!! The Bubbles Effect newsletter is going out this weekend with some of the best marketing updates and trends I’ve seen lately.
Make sure you’re on the list: https://nb.marketing/resources

What does it really mean to choose joy… especially when life feels heavy? ❤️
In this episode, I’m joined by Elizabeth Grandinetti, joy coach, connector, and someone who truly embodies what it means to come back to yourself.
We talk about her journey from corporate burnout to building a business centered around helping women rediscover joy, and how becoming a mom completely shifted her perspective on work, life, and what actually matters. ✨
This is one of those conversations that feels like catching up with a friend, but leaves you thinking a little deeper.
We get into:
What “choosing joy” actually looks like in real life (hint: it’s not just a mindset shift)
The idea of returning to childlike joy (and why something as simple as blowing bubbles can reset your entire nervous system)
Balancing business and motherhood and redefining success on your own terms
The power of in-person connection in a very digital world
Simple tools like visualization and affirmations (including one app you might want to try 👀)

Why so many women lose themselves in the roles they carry and how to find your way back
We also talk about grief, growth, and using your life experiences as fuel to step outside your comfort zone and into the next version of yourself.It’s light, it’s honest, and it’s a reminder that joy isn’t something you wait for, it’s something you can start practicing today. So grab a glass and let's chat 🥂
Connect with Elizabeth here: www.elizabeth-grand.com

What if the next level of your life isn’t about doing more… but rebuilding from the inside out?
In this week’s Power Hour, I’m joined by Jen Rulon, a 15-time Ironman athlete turned midlife transformation coach who helps women reclaim their strength, mindset, and purpose in a whole new way. 💪
After decades of endurance training, a major life transition, and rebuilding her life in Costa Rica, Jen realized something powerful: women in midlife don’t need another finish line… they need a new foundation.
In this conversation, we talk about what it actually looks like to shift from constant striving into something more sustainable, aligned, and fulfilling, especially in your 40s and beyond.
Here’s what we get into:
Why “more goals” isn’t always the answer (and what to focus on instead)
Jen’s 4-part framework: movement, mindset, metabolism, and meaning
How strength training impacts confidence, energy, and longevity
The truth about metabolism, nutrition, and intermittent fasting for women
How your physical health directly impacts your business, energy, and daily life
Simple ways to start rebuilding from the inside out, without overwhelm
3 simple takeaways you can start today:
Start with movement → even 10 minutes counts (walk, dance, just get moving)
Shift your mindset → try the “mirror exercise” and give yourself one compliment daily
Create space to process → journaling (or voice notes) to reconnect with yourself
This episode is a reminder that you’re not behind… you’re evolving.
And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is come back to yourself.
✨ If this resonated, I created a simple playbook to help you take action on what you learn, grab it below.
📄 Get the playbook here: https://nb.marketing/podcast

Connect with Jen here: https://jenrulon.com

This week, I’m diving into a few new Instagram updates… and a mindset shift that’s been on my mind.
On the marketing side, I’m talking about what Instagram is testing right now.
They’re experimenting with links in captions (finally 🥳), but there’s a catch... you have to be Meta verified, and you only get a limited number per month.
I’m also hearing (from IG's CEO) that adding music to carousels can help boost reach, and trial Reels are getting pushed pretty heavily right now.
So if you’re creating content, these are a few things I’d start testing this week. 💅
And then on the mindset side, this is something that came to me on a run…
I kept thinking about what actually happens when we show up.
And I’m realizing that it’s kind of both everything and nothing at the same time.
Because yes, people notice, but not in the way we think they do.
Most people aren’t paying as much attention or judging as much as we think… and that’s actually a really freeing place to operate from. 🙌
So if you’ve been holding back or overthinking showing up, this is your reminder to just do it.
Because the growth you’re looking for is on the other side of consistency (and a little bit of fear), not perfection.
That’s what I’ve got for today.
Short, simple, and something you can actually use this week.
I’ll be back on Wednesday with a new Power Hour episode.
And remember… just like bubbles, we rise to the top. 🥂