Brand Unmuted Podcast

Joanna Moss & Dianna Robicheau
  • 5.0 (23)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

The Brand Unmuted Podcast, hosted by web designer Joanna Moss and copywriter Dianna Robicheau, empowers you to build a business that works FOR you–not the other way around–through honest conversations about being in the real middle of entrepreneurship. New episodes drop every Tuesday.

  1. 6d ago

    S2 - E6: Get More Clients by Tapping Into Your Indirect Competition

    What if one of the best ways to grow your business had nothing to do with more ads, more content, or more hustle, and everything to do with an unlikely partner you haven't thought of yet? Today we're talking about indirect competition and why it might be the most underused growth strategy for creative entrepreneurs right now. Once you understand what it is, you're going to have a major aha moment, and probably start seeing collaboration opportunities everywhere! Topics We Cover The only two ways to make more money in your businessWhat direct competition is and why it's not what we're talking about todayWhat indirect competition actually means and how it's completely differentWhy indirect competitors are your greatest untapped opportunity (not your enemy)How collaborating with indirect competitors puts you in front of a warm audience instead of a cold oneThe concept of borrowed trust and why it worksHow to figure out who your indirect competitors actually areStarting with your past clients and reverse engineering the path they took to find youWhat your client needs to believe or have before they're ready to hire youIndustry examples broken down: web designers, copywriters, brand photographers, and business coachesHow Joanna and Dianna's own collaboration is a perfect example of this concept in actionWhy competition is not a bad wordCommunity over competition — and how indirect competition is a practical application of that mindsetThe people who grow the fastest are the most generous with their connectionsYour one action item from this episode: Make a list of your indirect competitors, pick one, and send them a genuine message this week. Start a real conversation (no pitching) and see where it goes! Time Stamps 05:20 – Introducing today's topic: indirect competition 06:12 – The only two ways to make more money in your business 06:29 – Other ways to expand your audience 06:55 – What is direct competition? 07:32 – What makes indirect competition different? 08:42 – Examples of indirect competition (car company and road trip app) 09:15 – Dianna's example: at-home sauna vs. Pilates app 09:28 – How indirect competitors don't even know they're competing for the same clients 09:48 – How identifying indirect competitors becomes a growth opportunity 10:31 – The concept of borrowed trust 11:11 – How this is different from collaborating with direct competitors 12:30 – How to figure out who your indirect competitors are 13:35 – Example: web and brand designers 14:45 – Example: copywriters and AI tools 16:51 – Example: brand photographers 17:34 – Example: business coaches 17:44 – The key: get creative and catch clients at a different part of their journey 17:56 – Reframing how we think about competition 18:14 – Community over competition 18:23 – When you stop seeing people as threats and start seeing them as collaborators 18:39 – There's enough room for everyone 19:11 – Your one action item this week 19:50 – Random question: If you could swap lives with anyone, who would it be? Links & Resources Mentioned Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

  2. Sep 29

    S2 - E5: How Motherhood Can Reshape Your Business

    We’re getting personal today! As a brand new mom (and at the time of this recording, soon-to-be mom), Dianna is asking Joanna for her best advice on running a business while being a mom. We’re chatting about every season–from when they’re newborns to school-age, and how each new stage presents new challenges and opportunities for your business. If you're a business owner who is pregnant, thinking about having kids, or just navigating what it looks like to build something while raising tiny humans, then this episode is for you. Topics We Cover What Joanna's business looked like before she had kids and what changed when she found out she was pregnantWhat she thought running a business with a baby would look like versus the realityWhat a realistic work schedule looks like in those first few monthsWorking with a nursing pillow on your lapWhy Joanna pivoted from web design to photography after her first baby — and how motherhood drove that decisionManaging client expectations during maternity leaveThe only expectations that really matter when you have a newbornWhat Joanna wishes someone had told her before going into that seasonWhy work-life balance is complete b******t (especially with a newborn)The importance of communication with your partnerDoing things in early stages of motherhood you'd find unreasonable at any other timeHow the approach to work shifts as kids get older and more independentThe dreaded mom guilt: where it comes from, whether it goes away, and how it changes at every stageWhat Joanna would go back and tell herself in that first yearPreparing for maternity leave as a self-employed person vs. an employeeThe pros and cons of entrepreneurial maternity leaveHow having systems in place made all the difference between her first and second maternity leaveWhether having kids ever cost her business momentum, and how she got it backAdapting your business model to whatever season you're inDianna's plan for her own maternity leave and retainer clientsTop advice for anyone about to have their first baby and wondering how to planJournaling your priorities before the baby arrives (and why it helps)Cutting yourself some slack and remembering you're not behind — just in a different seasonRandom question: What's something about parenting that would be funny for a minute but unreasonable in the long run? Time Stamps 09:47 – Introducing today's topic: business and motherhood 10:24 – What Joanna's business looked like before kids 11:27 – What changed when she found out she was pregnant 11:58 – What she thought it would look like vs. reality 12:45 – The nursing pillow work setup 13:41 – The first major business pivot that motherhood drove 14:04 – Dianna's plan for splitting childcare with her self-employed husband 15:16 – What a realistic work schedule looked like in the newborn stage 17:01 – Managing client expectations during maternity leave 18:33 – The only expectations that matter 19:10 – What Joanna wishes someone had told her 20:23 – Doing things as a new mom you'd never normally do 21:02 – How work shifts as they get older 22:33 – Work-life balance — or the lack thereof 24:15 – Where mom guilt comes from 28:30 – Whether there was ever a shift in how she felt about it 29:18 – What she'd go back and tell herself in that first year 30:26 – The luxury of having a choice (an important acknowledgment) 32:36 – Dianna on preparing for maternity leave as self-employed 34:50 – Advice on keeping the business going during leave 36:26 – Systems and her two very different maternity leave experiences 36:54 – Did having kids ever cost her momentum? 38:04 – How the business model changed through the seasons of motherhood 39:05 – The most important advice for anyone about to have their first baby 41:49 – If regret were not a thing — what would she have done differently? 43:20 – Random question: funny parenting things that would be unreasonable long term Links & Resources Mentioned Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com Episodes Referenced: Work-Life Balance episodeRetainer clients episode

  3. Sep 22

    S2 - E4: How Getting Our Brand Messaging Right Finally Made Our Income Feel Predictable

    Most business owners don't reach out to a copywriter because they think they have a messaging problem. They come saying they're not getting enough inquiries, or the inquiries they are getting aren't the right fit, or they want to raise their prices and attract better clients. But believe it or not, underneath all of those problems is almost always a messaging issue. In this episode, we're getting into why better messaging leads to more consistent income, as well as what inconsistent messaging actually looks like in a real business, where it shows up most, and what to do about it. Topics We Cover Why most people don't realize they have a messaging problem until someone points it outWhat inconsistent messaging actually looks like in a small business, and why it's so commonThe signs that messaging is the reason you're not getting leads from your websiteWhy "the work speaks for itself" is not a marketing strategyHow to tell if your messaging has evolved but your marketing hasn't caught up yetWhere inconsistent messaging shows up most: website, social media, email marketing, and networkingWhy the sale doesn't actually happen on the discovery call, and what that means for your websiteWhat changes first when your messaging finally gets clearWhen inconsistent messaging is actually a symptom of something deeper in your businessThe difference between needing a messaging fix and needing a full business auditWhere to start if you think messaging might be the gap in your businessDianna's Brand Messaging Blueprint freebie and messaging masterclassJoanna's Next 90 Method group program Time Stamps 04:00 – What Joanna sees as the reasons for inconsistent income in her coaching clients 04:33 – Why most people don't realize messaging is the problem when they come to Dianna 05:32 – What inconsistent messaging actually looks like in a small business 06:49 – How messaging problems show up on your website and social media 07:17 – The signs that messaging is the reason your website isn't generating leads 08:29 – Why "the work speaks for itself" is not enough — you need copy too 09:26 – How messaging evolves but marketing rarely catches up 09:54 – Why most people never stop to formalize their messaging strategy 12:18 – Where to start fixing your messaging 12:28 – Dianna's Brand Messaging Blueprint and messaging masterclass 13:28 – What shifts first when a client's messaging gets clear 14:36 – Why clear messaging makes content creation easier going forward 15:00 – The sale doesn't actually happen on the discovery call 16:17 – How clear messaging leads to more predictable income 16:35 – When inconsistent messaging is a symptom of something deeper 17:25 – What Joanna sees with coaching clients when business direction is unclear 17:57 – Who this tends to affect most: business owners who are ready for the next level 18:35 – When a website project isn't actually the right first step 19:23 – Where to start if you think messaging might be your gap 20:56 – How your income and your messaging are directly connected Links & Resources Mentioned Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — showit websites and business strategy for women in business: joannamoss.com Dianna's Resources Mentioned: The Brand Messaging Blueprint — A free guide to defining your messaging strategyThe Messaging Masterclass — A mini course walking you through how to develop your messaging strategyWebsite Copy AuditsDianna's newsletter, The First Light Letter — Weekly copy and messaging tips Joanna's Resources Mentioned: Next 90 Method — A group coaching program for business owners ready to audit and align their business

  4. Sep 15

    S2 - E3: How To Live With Intention in Business & Life with Ashley Strong Smith

    We have a really special episode today–our very first guest interview!! Ashley Strong Smith is a multi-passionate entrepreneur, coach, writer, podcast host, ceremony-grade cacao facilitator, retreat host, and photographer who has spent years learning what it really means to slow down, honor the season you're in, and build a life that actually reflects your values. Her message couldn't feel more timely, and this is a conversation we think a lot of you will want to hear right now too. We talk about the pressure women and entrepreneurs feel to constantly produce and grow, what it actually looks like to honor a slower season without feeling like you're falling behind, the difference between habits, routines, and rituals, and how small intentional daily actions compound into massive transformation over time. About Ashley Strong Smith Ashley Strong Smith is a deeply curious soul who believes that although this life is finite, we are infinite in our capacity to grow, heal, create, and become. A multi-passionate entrepreneur, coach, writer, podcast host, ceremony-grade cacao facilitator, retreat host, and photographer, Ashley supports women in remembering who they are, reconnecting with their hearts, and creating lives that feel deeply aligned, intentional, and truly their own. Through her work, she helps women understand the why behind their thoughts, actions, feelings, and truths, so they can live more intentionally, authentically, and in alignment with their soul's truth. Topics We Cover How Joanna and Ashley met through a mastermind and a shared Nashville hotel roomWhy Ashley made the decision to end her podcast after almost four yearsWhat it means to honor the season you're in versus forcing yourself into the season you think you should be inAshley's powerful personal story of her life imploding across every category at once and what it taught herThe difference between slowing down and being intentional (and why you can't have one without the other)How to trust a slower season as an entrepreneur without feeling like you're losing momentumTips for new moms trying to balance business and presence in those early monthsMoving through the senses as a practice for being more present in everyday momentsHow guilt shows up for women whether or not they have kids and what to do about itAshley's weekly schedule broken down by day type: content creation days, meeting days, and writing daysWhy holistic lifestyle habits like sleep, movement, and nourishment support your creative outputHabit stacking and why adding habits to existing habits works better than building new ones from scratchHow rituals bring intention and presence to the things you're already doingAshley's heart-centered foundation: eight questions to reconnect with your values and your whyWhere to start if you want to live more intentionally but have no idea where to beginThe power of pausing between the doing Time Stamps 00:23 – How Joanna and Ashley met: mastermind, Nashville, and a shared hotel room 01:12 – Ashley's philosophy on clothing as a reflection of internal truth 06:25 – Why this conversation matters for entrepreneurs who are used to pushing and producing 07:25 – What it means to honor the season you're in 08:00 – Why Ashley made the decision to end her podcast after almost four years 11:24 – Is it more about slowing down or being intentional? (The answer: both) 12:10 – How to trust a slower season without feeling like you're falling behind 12:27 – Ashley's powerful personal story: when her life imploded across every category at once 15:44 – What she learned from being brought down to her bones 16:40 – One small adjustment to start creating more stillness in your life 17:09 – Dianna's personal share: ignoring nudges while preparing to become a mom for the first time 17:36 – Tips for new moms trying to balance business and presence in those early months 19:07 – Moving through the senses as a practice for being more present in everyday moments 21:10 – How guilt shows up for women whether or not they have kids 22:41 – How presence softens guilt 23:36 – When one thing is succeeding, another thing is failing — and why that's okay 24:54 – How to continue nurturing your dreams while honoring your current capacity 25:30 – Ashley's holistic approach to structuring her days 27:00 – Ashley's weekly schedule broken down: content creation days, meeting days, and writing days 30:37 – Why this schedule took three years of finessing to get right 31:00 – Small intentional daily action compounds into major change 32:03 – Habit stacking: why adding to existing habits works better than building new ones 33:57 – The difference between habits, routines, and rituals 35:10 – How rituals bring intention and presence to the things you're already doing 36:57 – Where to start if you want to live more intentionally 37:27 – The power of pausing between the doing 38:10 – Ashley's heart-centered foundation: eight questions to reconnect with your values and your why 39:44 – Where to find Ashley and her free Heart-Centered Foundation Guide 40:48 – Random question: If you could only eat from one fast food restaurant for the rest of your life, what would it be? Where to Find Ashley Instagram: @ashleystrongsmith_ Website: ashleystrongsmith.com Podcast: Living an Intentional Life Free resource: Creating a Heart-Centered Foundation Guide Links & Resources Mentioned Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

  5. Sep 8

    S2 - E2: How To Get More Email Subscribers Using Freebies

    Everyone tells you to utilize email marketing. Grow your list, get more subscribers. But, how?? With an irresistible freebie, that's how! And as it turns out, freebies are one of the most underused strategies in small business marketing. In this episode, we're breaking down exactly how freebies can work for your business: what makes a good one, what formats to consider, how to come up with ideas, and how to actually get it out into the world without the whole thing taking over your life. We're also talking about why your email list is one of the most valuable assets in your business (hint: you own it, unlike your social media following) and how a well-placed freebie is one of the most natural, low-pressure ways to start building it. Topics We Cover What a freebie actually is and what it does for your businessWhy giving something away for free doesn't devalue what you sell, in fact it does the oppositeHow a freebie connects to getting actual paid clientsWhat makes a really effective freebie (and what makes a forgettable one)The 80-page freebie mistake and why less is always moreWhy your freebie needs to solve one specific problemHow your freebie should naturally lead to your paid offerHow to get started: begin with your call to action and working backwardsReal examples of freebies that are working right nowThe most common freebie formats: PDFs, checklists, quizzes, Canva templates, webinars, challenges, discount codes, audio and video contentWhy quizzes have the highest opt-in rates of any freebie typeHow to come up with your freebie ideaWhere to look for inspiration (past discovery calls, client objections, top-performing social content)Using AI to brainstorm freebie ideas (without letting it write the whole thing)The KISS rule: keep it simple, keep it short, keep it specificTools to create your freebie: Google Docs, Canva, Notion, PDFsWhere to put your freebie signup form on your websiteWhy you need a dedicated landing page for each freebieEmail platforms: Flodesk, Mailerlite, Mailchimp — how to choose and why switching later is a painWhy your email list is the one part of your online presence you actually own Time Stamps 04:25 – What is a freebie and what does it do for your business? 06:37 – How a freebie connects to getting paid clients 08:05 – What makes a really effective freebie? 10:36 – The 80-page freebie mistake 11:42 – How specific does your freebie need to be? 13:41 – Starting with your CTA and working backwards 15:53 – Joanna's freebie example: website project prep guide 16:31 – Dianna's freebie example: brand messaging blueprint 17:17 – The most common and effective freebie formats 18:33 – Why quizzes have the highest opt-in rates 19:00 – How to decide which format is right for you 19:45 – Just pick one and start 20:25 – Their first freebies ever 22:58 – How to come up with your freebie idea 24:10 – Using AI to brainstorm ideas 25:23 – The KISS rule for freebies 25:55 – Tools to create your freebie 27:20 – Where to put your signup form on your website 28:35 – Why you need a dedicated landing page for each freebie 29:35 – Email platforms and how to choose one 31:36 – Why switching email marketing platforms later is harder than you think 33:15 – Your email list is yours…protect it 33:23 – Random question: houseboat or bad acoustic guitar? Links & Resources Mentioned Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com Joanna's Freebies Mentioned: Website project prep guide for Showit Dianna's Freebies Mentioned: Brand Messaging Blueprint Tools & Platforms Mentioned: Flodesk (email marketing)Mailerlite (email marketing)Mailchimp (email marketing)Canva (freebie design)Google Docs (freebie creation)Notion (freebie creation)Dropbox (freebie delivery) Episodes Referenced: Perfectionism episode (done is better than perfect)

  6. Sep 1

    S2 - E1: What the Gilmore Girls Taught Us About Entrepreneurship

    We've been threatening to do this episode for a while…and today is finally the day! We're taking a full break from business strategy to talk about something much more important: the Gilmore Girls. But because we can't fully turn off our entrepreneur brains, we are tying it back to business and chatting all about what Rory, Lorelai, and the rest of the Stars Hollow cast of characters have taught us about entrepreneurship And! Before we dive in, Joanna is sharing an exciting update on what she's been building behind the scenes: her new group coaching program, the Next 90 Method, which is a 90-day framework designed to help creative entrepreneurs audit their business and create a plan for growing their business without burning out. Applications for the beta cohort are open now! What We Cover Joanna's new group coaching program: the Next 90 MethodDianna's overall verdict on Gilmore Girls (first time watching!)Does Stars Hollow actually feel like the real New England?Favorite and least favorite charactersIs Lorelai a selfish character or just misunderstood?Lorelai as a business owner: her resilience, drive, and figuring it out as she goesSuki as a business partner: is she a creative genius or financial liability?Luke's diner: he has no website, no social media, yet it’s always full. What gives?Taylor Doose: serial entrepreneur, town monopoly, or both?Mrs. Kim: the strongest personal brand in Stars HollowIf you lived in Stars Hollow, which festival would you attend? Time Stamps 00:47 – Joanna's Next 90 Method group coaching program 05:35 – Today's episode: all Gilmore Girls, all the time 06:03 – Dianna's overall verdict on the show 10:14 – Does it actually feel like New England? 12:30 – What hooked Dianna the second time around 14:31 – Favorite characters: Jess, Rory, and Logan's character arc 17:00 – Least favorite characters: the Lorelai and Emily debate 22:25 – Tying it to business: the entrepreneurs of Stars Hollow 22:41 – Lorelai as a business owner 25:36 – Suki: creative genius or financial liability? 29:09 – Luke: brand loyalty without a website 30:17 – Taylor Doose: serial entrepreneur 33:40 – Mrs. Kim: the strongest personal brand in Stars Hollow 36:40 – If you lived in Stars Hollow, which festival would you attend? 39:19 – Random question: social rules that need to go Links & Resources Mentioned Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com Joanna's New Program: The Next 90 Method — a 90-day group coaching program for creative entrepreneurs. Applications for the beta cohort are open now: join the waitlist here. The Gilmore Girls podcast hosted by Scott Patterson: I Am All In with Scott Patterson

  7. Jul 7

    29: Season Finale - Summer Is In Session.

    We’re checking in with a short and sweet episode today to share about our decision to take a break for the summer. Joanna is traveling, Dianna’s having a baby, so we decided to take our own advice and prioritize rest for July and August! We’ll be back on September 8th with Season 2. We’ve already been planning new episodes (some GOOD ones are coming), AND we’re sharing some exciting news today about what you can expect next season! Time Stamps 00:23 – Six months of Brand Unmuted! 01:05 – Joanna's son finishing middle school 03:14 – Baby watch update 05:52 – Why we're taking a summer break 07:12 – Transitioning to a seasonal format 09:13 – Season Two lineup preview 10:39 – Guest experts coming in the fall 11:44 – What we're each doing this summer 12:13 – Random question: Favorite ice cream flavor? Links & Resources Mentioned Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com Ice Cream Shops Mentioned: Dianna’s favorite in Kennebunk, Maine: Rococo Ice CreamJoanna's favorites in Vancouver:Vashti Rose In-House Made Ice CreamLa Casa Gelato

  8. Jun 30

    28: It’s Our Birthday! And We’re Celebrating On-Air

    We have some big news AND it's our birthday, so we're doing something a little different today and doing a just-for-fun episode. First things first: Dianna has an announcement: baby boy is on the way, due at the end of August. We are so excited! And if that wasn't enough, we recently found out that our birthdays are only one day apart — Dianna's is June 28th and Joanna's is June 29th — and we had absolutely no idea until it came up in conversation recently. So naturally, we decided to dedicate an entire episode to celebrating! We’re not talking strategy today, and instead just sharing some fun birthday stories and having a good time. Topics We Cover Dianna's big baby announcement (it's a boy!)How we found out our birthdays are one day apartDo we believe in the universe putting the right people in your path?Astrology chit-chatAre you a big birthday person or not?The best birthday each of us has ever hadBirthday disaster stories Kid birthdays vs. adult birthdaysGifts vs. experiencesBirthday this or that: fancy dinner vs. takeout, trip vs. staycation, balloons vs. flowers, Happy Birthday sung at the restaurant or absolutely not Time Stamps 00:23 – Dianna's baby announcement 03:08 – Our birthdays are one day apart 04:42 – Do you believe in the universe putting people in your path? 05:28 – Astrology and cancer compatibility 06:30 – Baby's due in August — Leo or Virgo? 07:07 – Are you a big birthday person? 09:08 – Diana's best birthday: surprise party at 16 12:19 – Joanna's best birthday: Hawaii 13:23 – Birthday disaster stories 18:24 – Kid birthdays vs. adult birthdays 20:52 – Gifts vs. experiences 23:18 – Birthday this or that 26:43 – Random question: First movie in the theater Links & Resources Mentioned Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

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About

The Brand Unmuted Podcast, hosted by web designer Joanna Moss and copywriter Dianna Robicheau, empowers you to build a business that works FOR you–not the other way around–through honest conversations about being in the real middle of entrepreneurship. New episodes drop every Tuesday.

Information

  • Creator
    Joanna Moss & Dianna Robicheau
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Joanna Moss & Dianna Robicheau
  • Show Website
    Brand Unmuted Podcast

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