BusinessEntrepreneurship

The Program Design Podcast

Lauren Monique

Welcome to the Program Design Podcast.

I'm your host, Lauren Monique- teacher and curriculum writer turned program mentor and business strategist for coaches, educators and online experts.

Whether you're looking to create your first ever group coaching program or scale your current offer for more freedom, revenue and consistent income, this is the podcast for you.

Here you'll find practical strategies and encouragement mixed with a bit of manifestation and intuition to help you design and grow a program you love.

encouragement and inspiration Let's dive in!

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S2 · E115
Thursday · 22 min
115 - Is It Time For a Pivot In Your Business?
If you're an online entrepreneur, odds are you've thought about burning down your business or pivoting to a new idea... many times! And I get that. I've officially pivoted my niche twice, burned it down once (and contemplated burning my business down many times!) Now that I'm on the other side and feel very settled in my niche, my offer and my business model, let's dive into some questions to help you know whether it's time for a pivot in your business, or whether you just need to stay the course. In this episode, you'll hear: Why I pivoted my business model from a membership to a signature program Why changing my niche didn't actually solve my problem- and what I had to learn instead 3 main questions to ask yourself if you're contemplating a pivot in your business Resources Mentioned: I'm going to be speaking at the Purpose-Fueled Pivot Summit happening in a few weekw! This free online audio Summit features 20+ founders, speakers and female entrepreneurs. Whether you’re barely considering something new for your future, or you’re fully immersed in a season of change, pivoting, or re-branding (and don’t want to feel alone!), this Summit is for you. Grab your FREE TICKET HERE. Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business
S2 · E114
October 15 · 19 min
114 - Exactly What I'd Do If I Was Creating a Group Program... and Didn't Want to Burn Out
If you know you want to create a more scalable offer to grow your revenue... but you also feel stuck on actually doing it, you might be thinking... "How do I create a program without feeling overwhelmed with notifications?" "What if I can't sustain it?" "What if I want to go on vacation?" If that's you, you're not alone! In this episode we're diving into what to consider when you create your signature program so that it's sustainable for you as the coach long term. In this episode, you'll hear... You take your habits with you: why creating a group program won't necessarily give you more freedom than you have 1:1 How to look at your existing boundaries and beliefs with your current clients, and what might need to shift when you bring in more people- without sacrificing a quality client experience How to think about designing a program so that it works for you and your energy so that it's sustainable long term (and you don't end up overdelivering at your own expense!) Next week on Thursday, October 22nd at 10am PST, I'm running a live, paid workshop called Structured to Sell and Deliver to help you nail your program promise outline and project plan so that you can launch it in Q4. I only have 16 spots available, so grab a spot before they fill up! Join us HERE: https://laurenmonique.mykajabi.com/structured Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business
S2 · E113
October 9 · 32 min
113 - How to Start and Run a Podcast: Team Series with Rebecca (Part 2)
Before I started my podcast, the part that felt like a mystery was how a recording actually ends up on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. It turns out to be a lot closer to publishing a blog post than you might think. In Part 2 of my series with Rebecca, my OBM and podcast editor, we get into the behind the scenes of how we produce the Program Design Podcast each week. Whether you're curious about starting your own podcast or wondering if it's time to hand off the editing, this one is for you. In this episode, you'll hear: What you really need to get started Why a specific podcast name helps the right people find you, and why you can always change it later The tools Rebecca uses to edit a 20 minute episode in less than 45 minutes How to decide between doing it yourself and hiring it out (and why consistency builds trust) Simple SEO and GEO tips, from keywords to links, so people can find you organically If you missed Part 1, where Rebecca and I talk about her journey from VA to OBM and how to build a supportive team, you can listen to it here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2178629/episodes/19888423 Learn more about Rebecca HERE. I'm going to be running a live training called Structured to Sell and Deliver on Thursday, October 22nd at 10am PST to help you nail your program promise, outline and project plan so you can launch it in Q4. Interested in joining us? Register here: https://laurenmonique.mykajabi.com/structured. There's only 20 spots available! Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business
S2 · E112
October 1 · 39 min
112 - Hiring a VA vs. an OBM: Team Series with Rebecca (Part 1)
Most of my clients tell me the same thing... they know they need help, but handing over the first task feels scary. This week, my online business manager (OBM) Rebecca Quirie joins me to pull back the curtain on how we work together. She started as my VA four years ago and has grown into running my marketing, funnels, and ads. We talk about what that looks like behind the scenes, and how you can build a team that supports you (without the boomerang tasks), as well as who does what around here! In this episode, you'll learn: What a VA actually does, and how to decide what to hand off first Why repeatable tasks and clear structure make delegating so much easier Where to find great team members, from word of mouth to your own community How the role shifts from VA to OBM (project management, strategy, and troubleshooting) What helps a team member thrive: SOPs, a home base for tasks, clear deadlines, and knowing the "why" behind the work If you’ve ever wondered how to effectively lead your team or want actionable insights into creating clearer roles in your business, this episode is for you! Tune in next week for Part 2, where we get into creating and running your podcast. Learn more about Rebecca HERE. Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business
S2 · E111
September 24 · 17 min
111 - If You Can't Seem To Narrow Down To Solving One Problem, This Might Be Why (and it's not what you think)
You've likely heard by now that you need to choose a problem your program will solve. Now this might make sense logically, but when you actually go to narrow it down? Especially if you've been working with 1:1 clients with a number of years, and have solved a number of different problems? It can feel way too vague. Like there's this fogginess in the way that you can't clear though. Or the result you're promising people... can feel just way too generic. In this episode, we're diving into: The reason this might be coming up for you, and it's not about being stuck in perfectionism or overthinking How to balance what your clients want... with what you know they need (especially if they feel very different) 3 concrete strategies to help you choose and own the problem you solve Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business
S2 · E110
September 21 · 18 min
110 - You Have a Few Members in Your Group... but You're Meant to Have a Thriving Program
One of the most common challenges I hear from entrepreneurs in my world - It's not that their program doesn't sell. It did! It just didn't sell as well as they wanted it to. The challenge with that is the work level is the same. You can put a ton into a program, make less than you did 1:1, feel completely done in... And fall back to 1:1's. It does not have to be that way! In this episode, you'll hear: Why I deeply believe you're meant to have a thriving group program (and how to borrow that belief for yourself) The 3 main reasons coaches in my world only have a few members in their group... (number 3 is the often most overlooked) And what you can do to shift that Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business
S2 · E109
September 10 · 23 min
109 - I Took 4 Weeks Off with My Kids This Summer (Here's How): Part 2
I took a whole 4 weeks off with my family this summer (mostly)... How did I do? This is Part 2 of a series I started in July when I shared with you that I would be going away with my family to Europe for a month, and how I was prepping the business to do it. You can catch Part 1 here. In this episode, you'll hear how it went, so you can use my lessons in your own business! How I supported clients while I was away- what worked, and what I'd do differently next time How I continued bringing in revenue, and how you can make that work in your business too Why I suddenly worried my business would come crashing down (it didn't!) and what I did to prevent that Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business
S2 · E108
September 3 · 17 min
108 - 3 Reasons Not To Launch the Traditional Way (and What I Do Instead)
If you've been in the online space for a little while and have launched programs before, you likely know there there are... a lot of moving pieces. And a lot of pressure! But if you don't love a traditional launch to sell your program... What can you do instead? That's what we're diving into today! In this episode, you'll hear: What I mean by "traditional launch" and why online programs don't sell themselves (you generally can't just post about it on social media or put it up on your website and make sales) The 3 reasons why I don't do a usual launch, and why I don't recommend traditional launches for my clients How I fill my program instead- and how you can think about filling yours on a more regular basis too Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business
S2 · E107
August 27 · 16 min
107 - Can an Online Program Actually Feel Safe?
One of the challenges I've heard from clients coming from working in person to creating an online program: "Can running a program online feel safe for my clients?" "One of my strengths is helping my clients feel safe and seen. How do I offer that in an online setting?" If you've ever wondered that too, or if you'd just like to add in a few extra tools to encourage that feeling of safety and belonging in your online program, this episode is for you. In this episode, you'll hear: How to create safety through structure and predictability (and specific tools you can use in your program) How to help people feel seen by using a specific community building strategy How to build a strong sense of community in your program so that it's not just you helping your clients feel safe, it's your container too And if you know you want to design a program that genuinely creates that same sense of community and safety for your clients too (without it all depending on you showing up live every week), the waitlist for Signature Program Design is open. DM me WAITLIST on Instagram and you'll be first to know when our next group intake is. Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business
S2 · E106
August 20 · 19 min
106 - The Difference Between a Signature Process, a Signature Framework, and Mini Result Milestones (and Why It Matters for Your Program)
The idea of having your own IP gets thrown around a lot in the online space. It can absolutely set you apart, build trust in potential clients, help you feel more confident in your program... But how do you actually build out that IP? In this episode, you'll hear: The difference between a Signature Process, a Signature Framework, and Mini Result Milestones The mistake people make when using a Signature Framework instead of Mini Result Milestones Which to use in your free content, and which to include in your paid content How to start developing your own Signature Process to use with clients (without overwhelming them... or you!) Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business
S2 · E105
August 13 · 16 min
105 - The Belief that Kept Me Broke (and How to Move Past It)
Your beliefs around money are running the show. They dictate how much you charge, how you invest, what's possible for you in your business. And the wild thing is... We either have no idea they're there, or you have done some work on your money mindset, but there's always more to uncover. In this episode, I'm sharing... The #1 belief that stopped me from making more money for YEARS in my business- it's the same one that stops many of my clients too How to know if it's getting in your way too 3 practical strategies for moving past this block in your business Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business
S2 · E104
August 6 · 21 min
104 - I Almost Became a Therapist - Here's What It Taught Me About Running a Coaching Business
If you've been listening for a while, you likely know I was a teacher, but you may not know I came very close to becoming a therapist. Now I'm glad ended up choosing coaching instead, but I also know that many of my listeners come from a background in therapy- counselling, psychology, dietetics, speech pathology... So if that's you, you may not realize how much it helps you in business as a coach- It's absolutely a strength for you! And if you don't, I'll still be sharing my lessons with you that can support you in your business too. In this episode you'll hear: Why I almost became a therapist... but the universe had other plans The belief I first learned in becoming a therapist that I anchor into with every failure, every setback, every stumble that I know can serve you too The 3 advantages therapists have in sales (that you may not have thought realized) Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business
S2 · E103
July 30 · 22 min
103 - Calm is a Business Strategy (Unpopular Opinion)
Most of us start online businesses for more freedom and of course... more money. Choosing our own schedule, who we work with, and how we spend our time. But the trade off that most people don't talk about- That the "risky" side of entrepreneurship is stressful. You're responsible for revenue in your business. And if your ads suddenly get expensive, or a launch doesn't work the way you hoped it would, or you suddenly have a unusual number of refunds... You're the one dealing with it. Now if you're anything like me, you know what you signed up for, and you know (most of the time) it's worth it. But what if on top of revenue and freedom you also prioritized calm? Having a regulated business? Like having revenue locked in for the next 6+ months so instead of staying in fight or flight, you can project and make safe, calm choices? That's what we're diving into in this week's episode. In this episode you'll hear: Why the very quality that makes you a great entrepreneur is the same one that stops you from scaling, and keeps your business feeling stressful How I prioritized not only a profitable and freedom based business, but a calm business too. How to identify the 1 main shift you need for a calmer business (it's usually either too much of one element, or not enough of 1 specific strategy) Signature Program Design Waitlist If you resonated with this week's episode and you know you want to bring in more calm in your business with a signature program, sign up for the Signature Program Design waitlist. DM Lauren on instagram with the word WAITLIST and you'll be first to know when a spot opens up. Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business
S2 · E102
July 23 · 24 min
102 - My Top Lesson From My Mastermind I Did Not Expect
If you've been following me for a little while now, you might know that I joined my first high ticket mastermind this spring. It definitely felt stretchy, but I wanted to push myself outside my comfort zone and surround myself with entrepreneurs who are further along in business than me- some are at a similar phase as I'm in, and some members are running 7 figure businesses. Today I'm sharing... The 3 conversations I usually hear in coaching programs... That no one is mentioning in this one (and what that means for you) My top 3 takeaways after 6 weeks in the mastermind, and the top lesson I didn't expect Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business
S2 · E101
July 16 · 29 min
101 - How To Fill Your Program Predictably in 2026 (Even If You Don't Have a Big Audience)
One of the biggest fears I hear from my clients (that I know I've worried about in the past too): What if I put all this work into creating my program... and I can't fill it? What if it doesn't work? What if it doesn't sell? And I absolutely get it. It's so much pressure to try to fill all your spots before your program starts. That you only have one shot to make your launch work. But the secret to filling your program without the stress isn't that you need to be a better marketer or you need a bigger audience (or that you're not good enough). It's actually shifting the model. In this episode you'll hear: The biggest mistake I see coaches when they create their group programs, and why it keeps you stuck in high effort, low pay off cycles (and what to do instead) Why traditional big launches are becoming less and less common, and what's working in 2026- especially for women and moms in business Why I went from launching to evergreen, and what it means to run an evergreen program How to set up a repeatable, evergreen sales system to fill your launches consistently Resources: This month I'm running a brand new workshop to help you fill your programs using Repeatable Sales Systems. It takes the pressure off launching, and allows you to actually fill your program consistently, even if you don't have a big audience. You'll walk away with a clear vision for your signature program, the big picture strategy for your sales system, and the right conversion mechanism for you (it's not about pushing people to buy- it's about inviting the right people in!) It's $27, but we only have 20 spots available. Sign up for the Fill Your Program Workshop Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business
S2 · E100
July 9 · 20 min
100 - 10 Lessons After 100 Podcast Episodes
Episode 100! Whether you run your own podcast (or substack!) or are thinking about creating one, I'm sharing 10 lessons after 100 podcast episodes that you can apply to your own business too. In this episode, you'll hear: Why setting up a podcast is actually a lot simpler than you think Why creating a system is key to getting it done weekly (and a lot faster than you might think) How to think of ideas (especially if you're worried you might run out!) that land with your ideal client What to do to make sure your podcast doesn't lead to downloads, but to actual clients too Links mentioned in this episode: Episode 74: What I Would Prepare in Advance If I Was Launching a Program in 2026 Curious about the Fill Your Program Framework masterclass I'm running July 21st? You'll learn how to fill your program without needing a big audience, big launches or big stress. Just DM me FILLED on Instagram @laurenmonique.business and I'll send you the details! Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business
S2 · E99
July 2 · 27 min
99 - Why Your Helping Profession Background is Your Biggest Business Asset
I hate to admit it, but for a while in business I regretted becoming a teacher. Not that I disliked teaching (I still enjoy it as a coach!) but I felt stuck. I had been in business school... Why hadn't I stayed the course? Now "all I could do what help teachers". At least... That was the story I told myself. Not only was it completely untrue, my helping profession background is actually an ASSET as a business owner. I just didn't see it right away. In this episode, you'll hear: Why your helping profession background actually makes you a better marketer (if you do it right) How to use your strengths from your background to make more sales (it's not what you think) Why your helping profession background actually helps you run your business better as an entrepreneur (and gives you a leg up from people coming from corporate) Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business
S2 · E98
June 25 · 26 min
98 - How to Price Your Program When You've Always Undercharged
If you're anything like me, one challenge you may come up against a lot: Undercharging. Friends and coaches might often tell you to raise your prices... But it feels uncomfortable. Or unfair. Or exclusive. Or maybe... You feel good about your price point, but you're not at point yet where your program or service is actually profitable. If that's you, you need to hear this episode. In this episode, we'll dive into... How one product I was charging $30 for 8 years ago eventually went on to make me over $40,000 How to know if you're undercharging, and why you're doing it How to price your program from an energetic standpoint, and also from a strategic one Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business
S2 · E97
June 18 · 18 min
97 - Multiple Program Ideas? Here's How To Choose The Right One
A common challenge that can come up for us when we go from working 1:1 to a more leveraged offer... Is choosing the right idea. Because when we start our businesses, we often think that it's about finding the "right" idea... the right one to be successful, right? But as you continue in business, you've likely noticed you have the opposite problem. It's not about having a great idea. For entrepreneurs... It's about choosing amidst all your possible ideas! So in this episode, you'll hear... Why it's not about finding the "right" idea for your program (but rather, why it's about a good idea, well executed) The mindset shift you need to make to find the right direction for you 3 questions to help you decide which idea to run with Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business
S2 · E96
June 11 · 20 min
96 - I'm Taking 4 Weeks Off with My Kids This Summer (Here's How): Part 1
I'm gonna be honest... Usually I don't actually want to take that much time off with my kids over the summer. I know. That sounds terrible. But not because I didn't want to spend time with them, but because I had always been at home part time with them in some way before they went to school. And kids under 5 are exhausting! I always wanted at least a little bit of childcare in the summer. But now that they're both in school... I wanted to find a way to have 4 weeks with them this summer. If you want to spend more time with your own kids this summer without sacrificing your revenue or supporting your clients, listen in! In this episode, you'll hear... What prompted the 4 weeks (and where we'll be going!) How I'll be supporting my clients while we're gone- and how to make that work in your business too What I'll be doing to continue bringing revenue in the business And what I'll be either prepping ahead of time or letting go of for now in order to make it happen Resources Mentioned In The Episode: We're running a brand new (paid) 90 minute workshop called Structured on June 17th. You'll nail your program promise, outline and project plan so you know exactly what to build before you launch your signature program. Click here to save your spot! https://laurenmonique.mykajabi.com/structured Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one! Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business

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