Making Good: Small Business Marketing Podcast

Lauren Tilden

Making Good helps you do better marketing so you can make a bigger impact. If you’re a small business owner, you’re ALREADY making an impact. I’m here to help you supercharge that impact using the power of great marketing, because the more effective marketing you do, the better your business results will be, and the bigger impact you'll be able to make. Want to make money, do something you love, AND make the world a better place? You're in the right place.

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335 episodes
Updated March 17

Episodes335

Newest first

March 17 · 13 min
The Pause (spark, life + work, and creating something better) | 322
After over two months away, I'm back — but not in the way you might expect. In this episode, I've got a big update on my business, my membership, and the future of this podcast. If you've ever felt the spark go out and wondered how to find it again, this one's for you. NEXT EPISODE → How I'm Planning My Best Year Yet (2026 Planning Guide) | 321 WHEN YOU'RE READY 🌼 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Making Good Happen 🫶 Browse the Shop CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram 🧵 Threads 💻 LinkedIn SAY THANKS 🍏 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌿 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify
Dec 30, 2025 · 23 min
How I'm Planning My Best Year Yet (2026 Planning Guide) | 321
Welcome to one of my favorite episodes of the year! In this planning workshop-style episode, I walk you through the exact system I’m using to create my best year yet. We’re not talking about vague resolutions or goals that fizzle out—we’re creating a clear, doable plan for 2026 that’s built to last. This step-by-step framework will help you dream big, pick your North Star goal, break it into quarterly focuses, and set up the systems that keep you accountable and energized all year long. Whether you’re planning a big launch, growing your revenue, or carving out more balance in your life, this process will help you get there—with ease and intention. NEXT EPISODE → The Ultimate Year in Review: Your Step-by-Step Guide SHOW NOTES → Learn more about Xero (and get 90% off the next 6 months at the time of this episode's release!) → Join Making Good Happen WHEN YOU'RE READY 🌼 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Making Good Happen 🫶 Browse the Shop CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram 🧵 Threads 💻 LinkedIn SAY THANKS 🍏 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌿 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify
Dec 29, 2025 · 18 min
The Ultimate Year in Review: Your Step-by-Step Guide | 320
In this episode, I’m guiding you through one of my favorite year-end traditions: a deep and meaningful year in review. Whether 2025 was a tough one (like it was for me!) or full of highs, taking the time to pause and reflect can bring clarity, closure, and intention for the year ahead. I walk you through a four-part framework that helps you examine the growth, feelings, impact, and future vision of your business—and life. This isn’t just another task on your to-do list. It’s a gift to yourself and your business. NEXT EPISODE → How I'm Planning My Best Year Yet (2026 Planning Guide) SHOW NOTES → Join Making Good Happen WHEN YOU'RE READY 🌼 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Making Good Happen 🫶 Browse the Shop CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram 🧵 Threads 💻 LinkedIn SAY THANKS 🍏 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌿 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify
Dec 16, 2025 · 55 min
The First Step to Scaling (A Financial Reset for Small Business Owners) with Leah McCool | 319
Avoiding your numbers? This episode is your gentle but honest financial reset. Lauren Tilden sits down with Leah McCool of Orca Accounting to break down bookkeeping basics, common mistakes, and how understanding your numbers can actually feel empowering—not scary. If you want a calmer, clearer, more sustainable business (without drowning in spreadsheets), this is a must-listen. NEXT EPISODE → It’s Time to Pay Yourself | Book Club | ‘Profit First’ by Mike Michalowicz | 109 THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR → Special Xero offer: Get 90% off for 6 months using this link. Terms and conditions apply. SHOW NOTES → 319: The Full Show Notes Page FROM LEAH → The Bookkeeping Starter Pack → Leah's website → Instagram WHEN YOU'RE READY 🌼 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Making Good Happen 🫶 Browse the Shop CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram 🧵 Threads 💻 LinkedIn SAY THANKS 🍏 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌿 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify
Dec 15, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Do This One Thing, Get Huge Results | Book Club | 'The ONE Thing' by Gary Keller + Jay Papasan | 318
You don’t need a better planner, a longer to-do list, or more discipline. You need one thing... and you might just be avoiding it. In this final Making Good Book Club episode with Charelle Griffith, we break down The ONE Thing and talk honestly about why doing less is often the fastest path to real growth. We unpack the lies that keep small business owners busy-but-stuck, the mindset shift that changes everything, and the simple question that can instantly clarify what actually matters. If you’re overwhelmed, juggling too much, or secretly wondering why all your effort isn’t paying off yet—press play. This conversation might be the reset you didn’t know you needed. LISTEN TO NEXT → Feeling Stuck? Try a "Tiny Experiment" | Book Club | 308 SHOW NOTES → Episode 318: The Full Show Notes WHEN YOU'RE READY 🌼 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Making Good Happen 🫶 Browse the Shop CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram 🧵 Threads 💻 LinkedIn SAY THANKS 🍏 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌿 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify
Dec 5, 2025 · 54 min
The Planning Queen on 2026: This is the Framework That Changes Everything | 317
Ready to stop winging it and make 2026 your most focused, calm, and successful year in business? Lauren Tilden sits down with annual-planning queen Charelle Griffith to walk you through her simple 5-step framework for building a plan that actually works (even if 2025 was a tough one). Plus: a big (kinda emotional?!) announcement at the top from someone you know and love—don’t miss this one. NEXT EPISODE → It’s Time to Pay Yourself | Book Club | ‘Profit First’ by Mike Michalowicz | 109 SHOW NOTES → 317: The Full Show Notes Page FROM CHARELLE → Annual Planning Checklist → Annual Reflection Questions → 1:1 Annual Planning Strategy Day → Charelle's website → Instagram → LinkedIn → TikTok WHEN YOU'RE READY 🌼 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Making Good Happen 🫶 Browse the Shop CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram 🧵 Threads 💻 LinkedIn SAY THANKS 🍏 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌿 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify
Nov 25, 2025 · 52 min
You're Learning Too Much (And It's Holding You Back) | Book Club | 'Lean Learning' by Pat Flynn | 316
It's time to stop the overconsumption of information, and start DOING. In this Book Club episode, we’re talking about Lean Learning by Pat Flynn. This book is all about how to learn less, do more, and actually make progress in your business. If you tend to overconsume and underact, this one’s for you. We dive into tools, concepts, and strategies for getting unstuck and taking action—even if it’s imperfect. LISTEN TO NEXT → Feeling Stuck? Try a "Tiny Experiment" | Book Club | 308 SHOW NOTES → You're Learning Too Much (And It's Holding You Back) | Book Club | 'Lean Learning by Pat Flynn | 316 WHEN YOU'RE READY 🌼 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Making Good Happen 🫶 Browse the Shop CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram 🧵 Threads 💻 LinkedIn SAY THANKS 🍏 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌿 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify
Nov 18, 2025 · 14 min
5 Business Mistakes I've Made (So You Don't Have To) | 315
I've been running my business since 2017, and I've made some serious mistakes along the way. Some cost me money. Some cost me time. And one nearly cost me my entire business. Today I'm taking off the rose-colored glasses and sharing 5 mistakes I wish I could go back and warn past-Lauren about – from chasing quick fixes that never materialized, to ignoring my finances until the debt piled up, to saying yes to so many things that I burned out completely. If you've ever felt like you're spinning your wheels, working hard but not gaining traction, or wondering why that strategy that worked for someone else isn't working for you – this episode might just save you years of trial and error. NEXT EPISODE → What I Did to Break Through Burnout SHOW NOTES → Learn more about Xero (and get 90% off the next 6 months at the time of this episode's release!) WHEN YOU'RE READY 🌼 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Making Good Happen 🫶 Browse the Shop CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram 🧵 Threads 💻 LinkedIn SAY THANKS 🍏 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌿 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify
Nov 11, 2025 · 15 min
What I Did to Break Through Burnout | 314
The morning person who couldn't get out of bed. The podcast host who dreaded recording. The marketing lover who felt... nothing. After months of denying my burnout, I finally faced it – and what happened next changed everything. In this vulnerable episode, I'm sharing the exact steps that pulled me through, including an alarm clock hack that forced her to move, the #1 tool that helped me break through, and the hard permission I had to give myself to scale back. If you're feeling stuck, blank, or like you're just going through the motions, this one's for you. NEXT EPISODE → Why I'm in a Funk (and How I'm Climbing Out of It) SHOW NOTES → Learn more about Xero (and get 90% off the next 6 months at the time of this episode's release!) → Get mental health support: NAMI (has a helpline and resource directory) → Psychology Today therapist finder → The alarm clock app: Alarmy → Making Good Happen WHEN YOU'RE READY 🌼 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Making Good Happen 🫶 Browse the Shop CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram 🧵 Threads 💻 LinkedIn SAY THANKS 🍏 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌿 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify
Nov 7, 2025 · 17 min
I Spent 2 Days With 2,400 Small Business Owners. Here’s what I learned. | 313
This episode might completely change how you think about growing your business. I just spent two days surrounded by 2,400 small business owners at what's possibly the largest gathering of entrepreneurs in the world, and I walked away with pages and pages of notes. Here's what you need to know. NEXT EPISODE → 3 Top Small Business Owners on Marketing, Growth, and Making an Impact SHOW NOTES → I Spent 2 Days With 2,400 Small Business Owners. Here’s what I learned. → Learn more and apply for the 10,000 Small Businesses Program WHEN YOU'RE READY 🌼 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Making Good Happen 🫶 Browse the Shop CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram 🧵 Threads 💻 LinkedIn SAY THANKS 🍏 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌿 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify
Nov 5, 2025 · 1 hr 18 min
3 Top Small Business Owners on Marketing, Growth, and Making an Impact | 312
Fair warning: you're probably going to want to take notes. I sat down with three entrepreneurs who've built wildly successful businesses using completely different approaches—from TikTok and marketing funnels to community engagement and literally zero marketing budget to Bloody Marys at barbershops and turning a lawsuit into viral marketing gold. The best part? Their success isn't just measured in revenue—we're talking 60 million bars of soap donated, becoming the "doer" in your community who solves real problems, and a family business that's been going strong for 20 years. You're about to hear the unfiltered, no-fluff truth about what actually works in marketing, straight from people who've done it. SHOW NOTES → I Spent 2 Days With 2,400 Small Business Owners. Here’s what I learned. SHOW NOTES → 3 Top Small Business Owners on Marketing, Growth, and Making an Impact → Learn more and apply for the 10,000 Small Businesses Program → Place your first order with Soapbox and get 25% off with code MAKINGGOOD25 → Try some tasty gluten-free treats at Bake Me Happy (or check out Letha's website) → Try out McClure's Pickles WHEN YOU'RE READY 🌼 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Making Good Happen 🫶 Browse the Shop CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram 🧵 Threads 💻 LinkedIn SAY THANKS 🍏 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌿 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify
Oct 28, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
How to Play the Long Game | Book Club | 'The Long Game' by Dorie Clark | 311
Is your calendar full, but your progress feels... stuck? In this Book Club pick, The Long Game, Dorie Clark teaches us how to create white space, focus on what matters, and build a business that lasts. Tune in for real talk on saying no, playing the long game, and finding your North Star. LISTEN TO NEXT → Feeling Stuck? Try a "Tiny Experiment" | Book Club | 308 SHOW NOTES → How to Play the Long Game | Book Club | 311 WHEN YOU'RE READY 🌼 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Making Good Happen 🫶 Browse the Shop CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram 🧵 Threads 💻 LinkedIn SAY THANKS 🍏 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌿 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify
Oct 15, 2025 · 23 min
The 3 Biggest Drivers of My Email List Growth | 310
BUCKLE UP! Scratchy voice and all, in this episode, I get a little vulnerable and strategic by pulling back the curtain on my own email marketing data. I share why email still holds a special place in my heart (even when my voice is scratchy!), why growing your list matters so much, and the three biggest drivers that have fueled my email list growth over time. If you want actionable insight and a peek behind the scenes of how I build real relationships (and real revenue) via email—this episode is for you. LISTEN TO NEXT → The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Email Marketing SHOW NOTES → The 3 Biggest Drivers of Email List Growth WHEN YOU'RE READY 🌼 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Making Good Happen 🫶 Browse the Shop CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram 🧵 Threads 💻 LinkedIn SAY THANKS 🍏 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌿 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify
Oct 4, 2025 · 26 min
Best. Q4. Ever. Here's how to plan it. | 309
⚡️ Get 90 Days of Magic (with special podcast discount) here. Picture this: You sit down with the best intentions. You write down some goals. Maybe even fill out a calendar. But a few weeks in... you’re off track, overwhelmed, and wondering where all that motivation went. And then—before you know it—another quarter’s gone. And you’re carrying the same goals into the next one. If you’ve ever felt like that, especially heading into Q4—the busiest, most chaotic, most emotional quarter of the year—you’re not alone. And you’re not doing anything wrong. But what if this year could be different? What if you had a simple, life-first plan for the next 90 days—one that makes room for your goals and your actual life? That’s what this episode is all about. I’m sharing the full 7-step planning method I use every single quarter—designed specifically for small business owners who want real results without the burnout. Let’s get into it.
Sep 24, 2025 · 59 min
Feeling Stuck? Try a “Tiny Experiment” | Book Club | 'Tiny Experiments' by Anne-Laure Le Cunff | 308
Feeling stuck, burnt out, or over it with hustle culture? In this episode, we explore Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff—a radically refreshing approach to productivity. Learn how to use curiosity, reflection, and small challenges (aka “pacts”) to make real progress without the pressure. MAKING GOOD SHOW NOTES: https://makinggoodpodcast.com/308 CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/laurentilden GET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!): https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts
Aug 20, 2025 · 53 min
How to Design Your Life (and Business) | Book Club | 'Designing Your Life' by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans | 307
In this episode, Charelle and I share how Designing Your Life reframed career and lifestyle goals through design thinking, energy mapping, and creative experimentation. Learn how to map your values, draft multiple life options, and move forward with curiosity—not perfectionism. Whether you're running a business or reevaluating your path, there’s something here for you. MAKING GOOD SHOW NOTES: https://makinggoodpodcast.com/307 CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/laurentilden GET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!): https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts
Aug 5, 2025 · 19 min
10 Easy Marketing Wins You Can Use Right Now | 306
Feeling overwhelmed by marketing? In this episode, I share 10 real and practical ways to make marketing easier—especially when you're short on time or energy. From foundations to AI tools and everything in between, let’s simplify your strategy and get results. LISTEN TO NEXT → ⁠⁠⁠⁠303: Why I’m In a Funk (And How I’m Climbing Out of It) SHOW NOTES → ⁠⁠⁠⁠306: 10 Easy Marketing Wins You Can Use Right Now WHEN YOU'RE READY 🌼 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Making Good Happen 🫶 Browse the Shop CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram 🧵 Threads 💻 LinkedIn SAY THANKS 🍏 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌿 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a rating on Spotify
Jul 21, 2025 · 57 min
What’s Really Holding You Back | Book Club | 'The Mountain Is You' by Brianna Wiest | 305
In this Book Club episode, we're discussing The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest. We explore self-sabotage, emotional intelligence, and what it really takes to change. From micro shifts to future self visualization, this episode is full of insights to help you get out of your own way and create a more aligned life and business. MAKING GOOD SHOW NOTES: https://makinggoodpodcast.com/302 CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/laurentilden GET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!): https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts
Jul 11, 2025 · 7 min
The One Thing That Could Change Everything
GET YOUR FREE TICKET: https://makinggoodpodcast.com/summit This episode is a little different—because I’m shining the spotlight on something I created just for you: the One Thing Summit! If you've ever stared at a blank screen trying to figure out what to post, or felt overwhelmed by all the conflicting marketing advice out there, this summit is for you. I brought together over 40 of the most generous, wise, and brilliant marketing experts and asked them each one question: What's one thing every small business owner should do to get better results from their marketing? Their answers? Pure gold—and you can access it all for free. In this episode, I’m breaking down what you can expect from the One Thing Summit and why this is a can’t-miss opportunity.
Jul 3, 2025 · 49 min
This Tool Can Transform Your Content Chaos with Colie James | 304
Feel like your content marketing is pure chaos? In this episode, I chat with systems strategist Colie James about how one tool can bring calm, clarity, and serious efficiency to your content workflow. We talk about organizing your ideas, repurposing smartly, and creating systems that give you your time back. This one’s a must-listen for any creative business owner who’s ready to end the chaos and simplify. Want to try the tool? Sign up for a free account here. MAKING GOOD SHOW NOTES: https://makinggoodpodcast.com/304 CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/laurentilden GET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!): https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts