Off The Grid: Leaving Social Media - podcast cover

Off The Grid: Leaving Social Media

Softer Soundsoffthegrid.fun
Off The Grid is a podcast for artists, writers & creative business owners who want to leave social media without losing all their income. ✌️ Our host, Amelia Hruby PhD, shares stories, strategies & experiments for growing your business with radical generosity & energetic sovereignty. 🌐 Get the FREE Leaving Social Media Toolkit at offthegrid.fun/toolkit
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Episodes

✊ Make the Movement Irresistible — Quiet Quitting Social Media with Edgar Fabián Frías

Edgar Fabián Frías is an artist, therapist, educator, curator, witch and so much more. Today, they join me on the podcast to talk about the decision they made to quiet quit Instagram at the start of 2025 . Together, we explore: The works of art that changed our lives & nonlinear psychic collaboration Being impersonated on Instagram & how that can impact your business What happens when Meta starts suspending queer artists How Edgar blended career paths & built new channels away from s...

Apr 30, 20251 hr 5 minSeason 6Ep. 102

📢 Amplifying Attention for Under-Recognized Voices (Including Yourself!) — with Cher Hale

Cher Hale is one of my favorite people on the internet, and her newsletter Doing It For the Attention has taught me SO MUCH about getting my work in front of new people in a way that aligns with my body AND my business. In this conversation, we dive deep into the roots of attention and all the ways we can build community around our work — including how to amplify attention for ourselves and others. Tune in to hear Cher’s wisdom and advice on: How to be comfortable asking for attention Ways to ge...

Apr 23, 20251 hr 1 minSeason 6Ep. 101

🙅‍♂️ How to Stop Feeling Stuck on Social Media — with Deanna deBara

Come on down for the 100th episode of Off the Grid!!! 🎉 To celebrate this milestone, we're returning to our roots with a fresh conversation about how to leave social media (if you so choose). Today Deanna deBara from Season of Stuck podcast joins me to explore: 🫣 why we get stuck on social media 🥸 how to stop doomscrolling & feeling trapped on the apps 🤠 & ways to decide what YOUR next best step is online or offline If you're feeling stuck in any aspect of your business, marketing or...

Apr 16, 202553 minSeason 6Ep. 100

💏 You CAN Make Friends Without Social Media — with Caitlin Metz & Rebekah Taussig

OMG CROSSOVER EPISODE! 🫶 Today on the show, I'm celebrating our 99th episode (and my four-years-off-social-media anniversary!) by sharing a conversation I had with Rebekah Taussig and Caitlin Metz for their podcast Scratch That. We get into things I've NEVER talked about publicly before, including: How my three-year-old self picked my present-day career path The four-minute version of my leaving-social-media story What Instagram has meant to Rebekah as a space to share her life & disability...

Apr 09, 20251 hr 7 minSeason 6Ep. 99

💭 Radical Imagination in Hard Times — with Sarah Arantza Amador

How do we imagine new possibilities when it feels like our well has gone dry? This week I'm joined by author, tarotist, and Jungian creativity coach Sarah Arantza Amador of Hawthorn Mountain Tarot . Together we explore: The lineage of radical imagination How to move through creative blocks in your business Ways to (re)connect with imagination even when the world is on fire Why collaboration might be the answer to everything How to bend toward change + embrace new ways of working Refusing to trea...

Apr 02, 202557 minSeason 6Ep. 98

🫂 Escaping the Social Media Trance — Community + Agency with Elise Granata

ESCAPE THE TRANCE ⁕ REMEMBER YOUR AGENCY ⁕ BUILD COMMUNITY Today on the pod we have a very special guest — Elise Granata of GROUP HUG! Elise is here to chat with me about how social media erodes our agency + community building efforts — even if these platforms started as supportive relational hubs. Join us as we wind through our teen years on Tumblr, how we dissociate on the apps, what inspires us to get offline, the dangers of optimized communities , adjusting our aesthetic expectations, "sweat...

Mar 26, 20251 hr 7 minSeason 6Ep. 97

🖌️ Copywriting, Pain Point Marketing & 3 Easy Ways to Improve Your Sales Pages — with Nicole Cloutier

What if selling didn't have to feel sleazy? And the words on your website could cast a magical spell for your ideal clients/customers instead? Today, I'm joined by copywriter and podcaster Nicole Cloutier to talk about how to be more specific in our messaging and simple tips to write better sales pages. Tune in to hear about: Nicole's journey from poetry MFA to copywriter Pain point marketing + if it's (un)ethical? How asking "so what?" can turn boring writing into compelling copy Ways that bett...

Mar 19, 20251 hr 1 minSeason 6Ep. 96

🌊 What Really Happens When You Leave Social Media — with Leah Kern

Leaving social media isn’t always the most profitable decision… but maybe it taps into something even more lucrative? In this episode, I’m joined by Leah Kern , an anti-diet dietitian who left social media a year ago and has experienced ups and downs in her business since. For the first half of our conversation, we explore Leah’s path onto and off of social media, including how she used to get clients on Instagram and how she finds clients now. Then in the second half of our chat, we discuss how...

Mar 12, 20251 hr 9 minSeason 6Ep. 95

🧿 Visibility & the Joy/Grief of an Online Life — with Lisa Olivera

Today I’m joined by writer, therapist, and creative Lisa Olivera to talk about how her work and life have shifted as her Instagram platform's grown to over 400,000 followers. Together, we dive into: Two reasons Lisa joined Instagram + how it felt as her account grew The allure of online business + what we’re “supposed to do” when we have a big platform Unpacking the rise of the “instagram therapist” + the content-ification of therapy Why Lisa started her Substack newsletter + how it’s supported ...

Mar 05, 20251 hrSeason 6Ep. 94

⏱️ Making Time: Creativity over Productivity — with Maria Bowler

How do we stay creative — when there’s so much to do and so much at stake? Today I’m joined by writer, coach, and retreat leader Maria Bowler for a practical and philosophical conversation about: The difference between productivity & creativity Why we don’t want to focus on “being efficient” or “maximizing ROI” How to actually be present (without feeling like you’re just being told to “be present”) The pain of alienation & how it permeates our daily lives Distinguishing between creative ...

Feb 26, 202556 minSeason 6Ep. 93

🌀 The Reality of Being an Artist-Influencer in 2025 — with Arielle Estoria

It’s 2025 and everyone’s sick of social media… so what do we do now? Today we’re kicking off season six with a conversation with poet, author, actor, and model Arielle Estoria . Over the past decade, Arielle has cultivated a multi-faceted creative career while growing her Instagram following to over 100K people. In this vulnerable conversation, we explore: Arielle’s work as an artist & how social media turned her into an influencer What happened for Arielle when supporting Black creators was...

Feb 19, 202558 minSeason 6Ep. 92

🔒 The Tyranny of the Niche

This is a free preview of a paid episode — where I answer a few questions that have been coming my way a lot lately, including: 🤔 Should I niche down? 🧐 Does my business need a signature offer? 🙃 Will I be more successful if I just do one thing? I have … a lot of feelings … about the advice that every business needs a super specific niche. So if you’ve ever felt like you were doing “too much” or “people just don’t get it” or “maybe I need to scrap all this and commit to one thing,” then pleas...

Jan 27, 20257 min

🪦 Grieving Social Media — How to Process Your Feelings About TikTok, Meta & Everything Else [BEST OF]

TikTok's been banned (for a minute). Meta's removed fact-checking (for good?). 2025 has already been a big year in social media news, and if you're having some big feelings about it, this episode is for you. Today we’re grieving social media together, so we can remember what we loved, recognize what we miss, and prepare ourselves to step into what’s next. So whether you were abruptly kicked off TikTok or you've been inching away from social media for a while, tune in to this Best Of episode (wit...

Jan 19, 202532 min

🍒 What's Next? 2025 Marketing Trends with Amanda Laird

Let's put the cherry on top of your 2025 marketing toolkit with a long-form episode on 2025 Marketing Trends! To do that, I'm joined by communications strategist Amanda Laird to chat about four things she's forecasting for the year ahead, including: AI operations & optimization — plus the need to disclose how we're using AI in our work 🤖 Big shifts in the social media landscape — including the fall of X, the rise of Bluesky, "free speech" on Facebook & more 🪨 Substack's slow & stea...

Jan 10, 20251 hr 19 minSeason 5Ep. 91

💞 Relationship Marketing 101 with Michelle Warner [BEST OF]

Today we're revealing the third tool in your 2025 marketing toolkit, and I'm resharing our BEST OF episode where Michelle Warner teaches us all about relationship marketing! With an MBA from one of the world’s top business schools and 15+ years experience growing small businesses, Michelle designs tiny companies that are built to last. She’s also the creator of Networking That Pays, the introvert-friendly connection system that brings in reliable leads, consistent referrals and meaningful connec...

Jan 09, 202551 minSeason 5Ep. 90

🎙️ Podcast Guesting for Business Growth with Taylor Elyse Morrison

At long last, we’ve got an episode exploring all things podcast guesting! And to do that I’m joined by return guest, portfolio career expert, and founder of Inner Workout, Taylor Elyse Morrison . Together we get into: What podcast guesting is (and what it isn’t) How to know if you should start a podcast or focus on podcast guesting A pep talk for boosting your confidence on the mic 3 things to do before you focus on podcast guesting Examples of how to develop pitch topics for a few different typ...

Jan 08, 202551 minSeason 5Ep. 89

📮 All Things Email Marketing with Allea Grummert of Duett

Welcome to our 2025 Marketing Toolkit! Today on the pod, we’re talking all things email marketing with Allea Grummert of Duett . Tune in to learn: 5 reasons email might be the best marketing channel for your business What a welcome sequence is + why it’s different than a nurture sequence How to find the right email platform for you Why email segments + tags help you be your best, most multi-passionate self How Allea solves Amelia’s biggest email problem in 2 minutes Intermediate + advanced email...

Jan 07, 20251 hr 10 minSeason 5Ep. 88

🪩 Your 2025 Marketing Toolkit!

Happy New Year & welcome to season five of Off the Grid! Today we're kicking off this year-in-biz with a fun new format — five episodes in five days! Press play to hear all about it, and tune in this week to learn: Our top 3 marketing strategies for 2025 Need-to-know advice for email marketing beginners & pros How to be a better guest on better podcasts Why relationships always matter & What trends will grab extra attention in the year ahead! You'll hear from amazing guests like Alle...

Jan 06, 202512 min

🫶 How to Feel Seen Off Social Media [BEST OF]

In this BEST OF episode, we dive deep what it means to feel seen and how social media is messing with our sense of self-worth and community connection. Tune in to hear me break down: What it means to "feel seen" online & offline Why visibility ≠ connection (or $ales) Ways to find connection in your work & life without being on the apps And if you're thinking of stepping back from social media, go ahead & download our FREE Leaving Social Media Toolkit today ! 🩵 ⛰️ Ditch your wifi con...

Dec 05, 202431 min

👋 The 5 Stages of Life After Social Media [BEST OF]

Today we’re diving into the emotional depths of what happens after you break up with social media. Because it turns out that logging off the apps is only the first step... Tune in to this BEST OF episode to hear more about: The stages of grieving that come before the stages of leaving Everything that comes up after you leave social media AKA burn out, creation, return to human pace, loving it + relationship renewal The magic that can happen when the space currently filled with social media is fr...

Dec 04, 202432 min

✌️ Why I Left Instagram & a 5-Step Plan So You Can Too [BEST OF]

Welcome new friends from We Can Do Hard Things! In this BEST OF episode, I'm sharing the story of why I spent a decade investing my time, money & energy into Instagram...and how I eventually decided to leave all social media in April 2021. Tune in to hear about— Why I spent ten years investing in social media How Instagram makes us anxiously-attached & codependent My #1 rule for leaving social media & where to get your 5-step plan for exiting any social platform I'll be sharing two m...

Dec 03, 202430 min

🪦 Permission to Change — Why Endings Are Messy with Amy Kuretsky

Welcome to the season four finale of Off the Grid! Today I'm joined by acupuncturist, herbalist, breathwork facilitator, + clinic co-owner Amy Kuretsky to talk about everything creative small business. In this conversation, Amy walks us through how she built a successful brick and mortar business AND a successful online business over the past decade. Then she explains what led her to wind down + close her online business a little over a year ago — including how endings can be messy, no matter ho...

Nov 20, 20241 hr 33 minSeason 4Ep. 87

🔒 Is TikTok Wrecking Taste?

This is a free preview of a paid episode — where I am joined by Taylor Elyse Morrison to talk about what it means that Tiktok is publishing print books now — and why we both got the ick upon reading the announcement. Together we unpack: The craftsmanship of creating a book + why it’s a community effort How fast Tiktok curates taste + colonizes our attention The dangers of data-optimizing art Books vs movies vs music in the age of algorithms The power of taking back our attention To hear the whol...

Nov 18, 202413 min

📌 How to Quit Social Media in 5 Steps or Less

If Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook or X are giving you the ick... please let me offer this 5-step plan for leaving social media — without impacting your income! Tune in to learn all five steps in under ten minutes. Then grab our FREE Leaving Social Media Toolkit to make your plan for what comes next in your work, biz + life. XOXO, Amelia

Nov 15, 20249 min

🧩 Decolonize Your Systems & Yourself — Neurodivergence & Notion with Podge Thomas

"These were very colonized institutions that I feel brainwashed me. And they brainwash a lot of people. So now as a business owner, creative & Notion consultant, what I get to do is decolonize my business and help my clients look at their own businesses through a decolonization lens. " Today I’m joined by Podge Thomas for a reflective conversation about why being self-employed invites (and requires) decolonizing how we learn, how we communicate, how we operate, and how we relate to others. P...

Nov 13, 202452 minSeason 4Ep. 86

💠 Let Me Be Crystal Clear...

Dropping in off-schedule with a reflection/reminder/rallying-cry that we have power as small business owners, and we can stand against everything Trump is + represents — especially if we do it together. Tune in for gentle provocations and a special invitation to join me at a free event Wednesday, November 20 @ 12pm CT . I hope to see you there. 🩵

Nov 08, 202416 min

🎢 What To Do When Nothing’s Working — with Jenny Blake

I’ve admired Jenny Blake ’s work from afar for years. First for her seemingly endless success with book deals, big-name podcast guests, and six-figure corporate contracts. And now for her incredibly honest accounting of how her business dissolved during the pandemic and hasn’t rebounded since. So in today’s episode, Jenny joins us to share the highs and lows of her 13 years of self-employment. And together we go deep into all the practical, intuitive, and creative things she’s tried to keep her ...

Nov 06, 202453 minSeason 4Ep. 85

🪄 3 Magical Rituals to Transform Your Business — with Brigitte, Cecily Sailor & Ash Canty

Happy Halloween, business witches! 🧙 While I typically keep things pretty practical here at Off the Grid, this week I wanted to lean into the mystical, magical and alchemical aspects of creative business. To do that, I invited three brilliant practitioners to each share a unique and powerful biz magic ritual with us! ✨ Brigitte starts us off with some practical magic as she shares her opening + closing rituals for each workday and workweek. [9:00] ✨ Then Cecily Sailer offers a tarot spread and ...

Oct 30, 202456 minSeason 4Ep. 84

🧿 How to Cultivate Creative Resilience — with Pascale Coté

Often when business isn’t going well, we think that we can fix it with a new marketing strategy or growth tactic. We look to new courses, fancy platforms, or expensive mentors to “save” us … but in my experience, what we actually need in these times is to tend to our inner reserves in deeper and more nuanced ways. So today I’m joined by Pascale Coté of Dear Creative Mind to teach us how to cultivate creative resilience in our artistic, marketing and business practices. If you’ve ever had an unex...

Oct 23, 20241 hr 1 minSeason 4Ep. 83

🔑 Social Media Boundaries & Success on Substack — with Dacy Gillespie

This one goes out to all our listeners who are still trying to make it work on social media! Today I’m joined by Dacy Gillespie , a weight inclusive, anti-diet personal stylist who has grown her business online over the past decade and is now navigating a major shift from Instagram to Substack. Together, we talk about: The high-stress worlds of music, teaching, arts admin & academia Why Dacy started working in fashion — even though she felt like a total outsider The role that Instagram plays...

Oct 16, 20241 hr 5 minSeason 4Ep. 82
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