That Solo Life: The Solo PR Pro Podcast
That Solo Life: Co-hosted by Karen Swim, founder of Words for Hire, LLC and owner of Solo PR Pro and Michelle Kane, founder of VoiceMatters, LLC, we keep it real and talk about the topics that affect solo business owners in PR and Marketing and beyond. Learn more about Solo PR Pro: www.SoloPRPro.com
Episodes
In this episode of That Solo Life, hosts Karen Swim, APR, and Michelle Kane dive into the unique challenges PR professionals face when their exceptional skills at work start to interfere with their personal lives. From overthinking to overworking, they explore how these traits, while beneficial in the professional realm, can hinder personal growth and enjoyment. Karen and Michelle share personal stories, practical a...
Tune in to this powerful episode of That Solo Life featuring Melissa Vela-Williamson, APR, Fellow PRSA, CDP, an accomplished PR strategist, author, and advocate for inclusivity in communication. Hosts Karen Swim, APR, and Michelle Kane sit down for an intimate chat with Melissa, discussing her inspiring career and suc...
In this episode of That Solo Life, hosts Karen Swim, APR, and Michelle Kane tackle the significant and timely topic of "Media Under the Influence." Together, they explore how modern-day pressures, including governmental interference and financial constraints, are impacting media integrity. They examine the implications for public relations, the importance of pr...
Social media platforms have changed dramatically, leaving many public relations and marketing professionals questioning their next steps. On this episode of That Solo Life, co-hosts Karen Swim, APR, and Michelle Kane explore the current state of social media and offer practical advice for staying relevant and strategic. They discuss the platforms w...
Join hosts Karen Swim, APR and Michelle Kane as they welcome Veleisa Patton Burrell, an accomplished PR professional and educator. Together they explore the twists and turns of Veleisa's career—from solo entrepreneurship to agency life, and now as an adjunct professor guiding the next generation of communicators. This candid conversa...
That Solo Life, Episode 303: The Folly of AI First Strategies
Episode Summary:
In this episode of That Solo Life, co-hosts Karen Swim, APR of Solo PR Pro and Michelle Kane of Voice Matters explore the growing trend of adopting an “AI-first” strategy in business and marketing. While artificial intelligence has proven to be a valuable tool, Michelle and Karen argue for a balanced approach that prioritizes human expertise and th...
Episode Summary: What’s it really like to hop the fence between corporate life and solo entrepreneurship? Join co-hosts Michelle Kane of Voice Matters and Karen Swim of Solo PR Pro in this lively discussion about the contrasts between these two worlds. From navigating corporate protocols to enjoying the streamlined, impactful decision-making as a solo pro, they explore the lessons learned, the unique challenges, and the joys of cre...
Podcast Hosts: Karen Swim, APR & Michelle Kane
Release Schedule: New episodes every Monday
Episode Summary:In this thought-provoking episode of That Solo Life, Karen and Michelle take a critical look at the current state of social media and the challenges of thoughtful engagement in a world dominated by clickbait culture. They discuss how the drive for ...
How To Manage Sticky Situations In PR
Episode SummaryWelcome to the 300th episode of That Solo Life! 🎉 Karen Swim, APR, and Michelle Kane reflect on their podcasting milestone before tackling a topic every PR professional can relate to – dealing with "sticky situations." From unscripted comments in interviews to inappropriate client behavior at events, Karen and Michelle share e...
The Can Do Spirit of PR Practitioners Crosses Generations
Episode SummaryThe hosts, Karen Swim, APR, of Solo PR Pro, and Michelle Kane of VoiceMatters, discuss key findings from the USC Annenberg Global Communication Report for 2025, focusing on Gen Z’s growing presence in the workforce and what that means for public relations professionals.
Key takeaways include:
- Read more
That Solo Life, Episode 298: PR Potpourri: A Look Back at Q1 2025
This podcast episode explores the challenges that PR professionals face in the current media and communication landscape. The discussion covers several key topics:
- The struggles with PR tools and technologies, which often fail to keep up with the rapidly changing industry. This leaves PR practitioners having to "hack together" soluti...
This episode of That Solo Life dives deep into the world of business growth, messaging, and creating meaningful impact. Co-hosts Karen Swim, APR of Solo PR Pro, and Michelle Kane of Voice Matters are joined by special guest Jess Sato, a business growth and visibility strategist. Jess shares powerful insights on how purpose-driven entrepreneurs and thought le...
In This Episode
What exactly do Solo PR Pros do, and how do companies find and engage with them? Many businesses are on the lookout for talented professionals to help with marketing, communications, and PR, but they often don’t know where to start. This week, Karen and Michelle unpack how Solo PR Pros can make themselves more visible and connect with companies that need their services. From networking tips to leveraging LinkedIn an...
That Solo Life, Episode 294: National Days and Awareness Months and How to Manage in 2025
Summary:
This podcast episode discusses the abundance of "national days" and how PR professionals and marketers should approach aligning their client initiatives with these events. The key points are:
- There is an overwhelming number of these "national days" which can become diluted and ignored by the public....
That Solo Life, Episode 293: Why It's Time to Advance AI Discussions in PR
In This Episode
Join Karen Swim, APR and Michelle Kane as they discuss how PR professionals can leverage AI to enhance productivity while maintaining ethical practices. From practical applications for tasks like research and content creation to addressing AI's challenges, this episode offers valuable insights into how professionals can integrate AI tools t...
That Solo Life, Episode 292: Utilizing Zero Click Content for Better Engagement
In This Episode
In this episode of That Solo Life, co-hosts Karen Swim, APR and Michelle Karen discuss zero click content, a concept that is gaining traction in digital marketing and public relations.
As the hosts explore zero click content, they discuss how this approach shifts the focus from merely driving clicks to fostering genuine engagement with ...
Episode Summary:
Cybercrime is advancing at an alarming rate, impacting both personal lives and professional industries—including public relations. Karen Swim, APR of Solo PR Pro and Michelle Kane of Voice Matters explore the latest tactics scammers are using, from phishing emails to fraudulent links, and how PR professionals can protect themselves and their clients in this evolving digital landscape.
What You’ll Learn:
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Words have power, and as PR pros and marketers, we know just how to wield them. But what happens when wordplay goes awry? Join Michelle Kane and Karen Swim in this enlightening and entertaining episode as they break down the dos and don'ts of clever messaging. Discover how the right wordplay can resonate with your audience, when it’s best avoided, and how intention matters more than you might think.
Key Takeaways:That Solo Life, Episode 289: The New Challenges in Managing Brand Reputation
Summary
This episode of "That Solo Life" podcast explores the challenges PR professionals manage when brands are faced with crises, particularly serious situations like allegations of child abuse. The hosts, Karen Swim, APR and Michelle Kane discuss the importance of building trust with audiences, maintaining authenticity and integrity, and providing nuanc...
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