Dear Bri: Community Strategy, Fiascos, and Drama

Bri Leever, Community Consultant, Strategist, and Founder at Ember.
  • 5.0 (33)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Dear Bri, an advice column for community conundrums, fiascos, and drama! In each episode, host and community strategist Bri Leever invites a guest community expert to respond to an anonymous letter from a real-life community creator in distress. From online community-building mishaps to community engagement tactics gone awry, this podcast delivers relatable stories and sound community strategy for navigating the chaos of digital communities—all with empathy, expertise, and a touch of drama. The mission? Helping community managers and community creators feel a little less crazy and a lot less alone while building thriving brand communities. You're in the right place if you are... 🐣 Community Curious: Creators or brands exploring the benefits of a community-powered business. Learn the fundamentals of community strategy for online businesses, and discover how to build an online community from scratch. 🐥 Community Hatchlings: Newcomers to community building seeking guidance and support. Get tips on how to grow a paid community, avoid common mistakes in community building, and build trust through smart community roles and responsibilities. 🦅 Senior Community Folks: Seasoned pros facing complex dilemmas. Explore topics like managing community drama, setting boundaries in digital communities, and advanced community retention strategies. Dear Bri combines relatable storytelling with expert community strategy, making it a unique and valuable resource for community managers and creators. Episodes provide the most up-to-date community management practices, common mistakes to avoid in community building, the best community engagement tactics I've seen, tips on setting boundaries and building trust in online communities, and of course, a touch of community drama to keep things interesting and fun! Community creators listening to Dear Bri will feel a little less alone in the important work of community building and a whole lot less crazy as each episode normalizes and provides strategic insights for some of the toughest online community scenarios.  Whether you're curious about building a community, just starting out, or a seasoned professional looking for advanced advice, Dear Bri has something for you. Episodes drop weekly on Tuesday. Hit the follow button so you don't miss out! Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

  1. 22h ago

    Great Community Engagement Starts With Asking a Different Question

    Send us Fan Mail Engagement isn't something that happens organically. It's something you design for. In this episode of Dear Bri, we're diving into one of the most misunderstood topics in community building: engagement. Most community owners focus on tactics, posting more content, creating discussion prompts, or trying to motivate members, but those solutions often miss the real issue. Drawing on BJ Fogg's habit-formation research, I walk you through the two hidden forces that influence member behavior in every online community. You'll learn how both affect participation, why members often stop engaging without realizing why, and how small design decisions can dramatically change community outcomes. Finally, I'll share the three-question Community Engagement Recipe I use to diagnose and improve engagement issues in any community, no matter its size or business model. If you're tired of posting into the void, wondering why your members aren't participating, or looking for a more strategic approach to community engagement, this episode is for you. ⏳ Timestamps 00:00:00 | Why "How do I get engagement?" is the wrong question 00:02:23 | The question you should ask instead 00:02:59 | Why community engagement is a design problem 00:03:42 | BJ Fogg's habit formation model and how that translates into digital community design 00:07:13 | A real community engagement case study 00:11:57 | The Community Engagement Recipe [Framework] 00:15:52 | Full recap 📌 Resources Mentioned S3E1: https://youtu.be/6SvqnZJojTo  4 Types of Community - The Masterclass: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/775267/185716772091987335/share 52 Prompts for Engagement: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/775267/151824965371429968/share Designing for Great Engagement Miniseries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA_cxyCo_r0&list=PLOOwTnL2Q6sY84bv-3McIQWfygPwIpv2r&index=3 Book Your Discovery Call Today Hire a Skilled Community Manager Bri Leever 🖥️ Website 📩 Newsletter 📹 Youtube 📱LinkedIn

  2. Jul 7

    How much should I charge for my membership community? I don’t want to blow it!

    Send us Fan Mail Pricing your community isn’t just about revenue. It shapes the kind of members you attract, how they engage, and whether your community actually creates transformation. In this episode of Dear Bri, I’m breaking down the biggest myths around community pricing and why common strategies like free trials, low-ticket memberships, and tiered entry points often backfire. Because when pricing isn’t aligned with your community strategy, it can quietly erode the energy, retention, and results inside your space. I also walk you through the “pricing compass” framework I use with clients to help them confidently choose a price point that aligns with their business model, their goals, and the transformation they want members to experience. You’ll learn why low prices don’t always lower the barrier to entry, how membership tiers can accidentally create disengaged lurkers, and the one question you should ask before designing any offer or onboarding experience. ⏳ Timestamps 00:00:00 | Why community pricing matters more than you think 00:01:08 | Myth #1: Free trials get people in the door 00:02:29 | Myth #2: A lower price point will be easier to sell 00:03:45 | Myth #3: Start with a lower tier and members will upgrade 00:08:18 | Introducing the “pricing compass” [Framework] 00:12:00 | Monthly vs quarterly vs annual pricing 00:13:32 | The question that changes everything 00:15:37 | Full recap 📌 Resources Mentioned Episode with Diana Davis: https://www.emberconsulting.co/post/17-creating-a-community-that-doesn-t-rely-on-you-with-diana-davis 4 Types of Community - The Masterclass: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/775267/185716772091987335/share Book Your Discovery Call Today Hire a Skilled Community Manager Bri Leever 🖥️ Website 📩 Newsletter 📹 Youtube 📱LinkedIn

  3. Jun 30

    My freemium community isn’t working… Did I do something wrong?

    Send us Fan Mail “Start with a free community, then upsell people into your paid offer.” Sounds smart, right? It’s one of the most common community growth strategies out there, and in this episode of Dear Bri, I’m explaining why it usually backfires. I break down the biggest flaw in the freemium community model, why mixing your audience and alumni in the same space creates confusion instead of connection, and what actually drives engagement inside a paid community. You’ll also hear real client examples, including how one nonprofit community generated 78 paying members in its first two weeks by offering people a “taste” of the experience instead of unlimited free access. If you’ve been wondering whether your community should be free or paid, how to structure your offer ecosystem, or why your community engagement feels flat, this episode will help you rethink your strategy before you build the wrong thing. ⏳ Timestamps 00:00:00 | Why Freemium Communities Rarely Work 00:01:15 | The Problem With Mixing Alumni and Audience 00:04:18 | The Myth: Understanding Good Community Strategy 00:05:14 | Charging for Community Changes Member Behavior 00:07:34 | Replace Your Freemium Strategy with This [Framework] 00:10:37 | Full Recap 📌 Resources Mentioned Join the email list: https://www.emberconsulting.co/newsletter Ligare Case Study: https://www.emberconsulting.co/post/case-study-launching-a-thriving-membership-community-on-heartbeat-from-idea-to-78-members-in 4 Types of Community - The Masterclass: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/775267/185716772091987335/share S3E5 How much should I charge for my membership community? https://www.emberconsulting.co/post/how-to-price-a-paid-community  Season 1 episode with Alli Ball: https://www.emberconsulting.co/post/if-i-build-it-how-do-i-make-sure-they-come-with-alli-ball-founder-ceo-of-food-biz-wiz Book Your Discovery Call Today Hire a Skilled Community Manager Bri Leever 🖥️ Website 📩 Newsletter 📹 Youtube 📱LinkedIn

  4. Jun 23

    What’s the BEST community platform to build my membership in 2026?

    Send us Fan Mail If you’ve ever found yourself deep in the rabbit hole of comparing community platforms, you’re certainly not alone. From feature lists to demos to endless reviews, it feels like the right decision is just one more comparison away. But more research won’t solve your problem, a better strategy will. In this episode of Dear Bri, I break down why so many business owners get stuck in what I call “platform paralysis” and how to finally move forward with confidence. Instead of obsessing over features, I’m sharing the 3 questions I ask every client before we even look at platforms — because choosing the right tool has way more to do with your community model, risk tolerance, and how you like to operate than any “all-in-one” promise. I’ll also give you a simple, honest breakdown of the most popular community platforms (including Circle, Mighty Networks, Heartbeat, and Skool) so you can start to see which direction might actually fit your business. If you’ve been stuck trying to choose a platform or worried about making the wrong decision, this episode will help you take the first step forward. ⏳ Timestamps 00:00:00 | How to choose the right community platform 00:01:59 | The real reason people get stuck (platform paralysis) 00:03:54 | 3 Questions to ask before choosing a platform [Framework] 00:06:24 | The 2 distinct philosophies in the community platform world 00:07:57 | Platform breakdown: Circle, Mighty Networks, Heartbeat, Skool 00:11:49 | Full recap 📌 Resources Mentioned Season 3 Episode 1: What community model is right for my business? Season 3 Episode 2: How do I know a community is right for my business?  Circle vs Heartbeat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnNZ5KZAszM Skool vs Circel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHgJ_3YaZro Community Platform Comparisons Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOOwTnL2Q6sY2nm2p0OdI0nZ0hg9i5AdF Book Your Discovery Call Today Hire a Skilled Community Manager Bri Leever 🖥️ Website 📩 Newsletter 📹 Youtube 📱LinkedIn

  5. Jun 16

    How do I know a community is right for my business?

    Send us Fan Mail Here’s what I know after designing and building 79 online communities in the past 6 years alone… Before you pick a platform, price your offer, or map out your curriculum, there’s one thing you need to do first: have 10 real conversations with potential members. In this episode of Dear Bri, I break down what’s really driving the rise of communities, how to validate your idea before you build anything, and the 3-part framework I use to determine whether a community is right for your business (read: will succeed long-term). If you’ve been feeling pulled toward community but unsure if it’s the right move, this episode will give you clarity. And if you’re asking questions like: Should I start a community for my business? Will people pay to be a part of a community? Or, is it too late to launch a community? Then this episode is for you. ⏳ Timestamps 00:00:00 | Introduction to season 3: Community strategy 00:01:11 | The right time to build a community 00:04:46 | Is a community right for your business? 00:05:15 | The one question NOT to ask 00:08:15 | Real examples of community strategy in action 00:10:57 | How to find your sweet spot [Framework] 📌 Resources Mentioned Tapestry Community Case Study: https://www.emberconsulting.co/post/case-study-how-molly-mahar-and-stratejoy-built-a-thriving-member-led-community-on-heartbeat Discovery Guide: https://calendly.com/bri-15/the-community-audit-clone Season 3 Episode 1: What community model is right for my business?  Book Your Discovery Call Today Hire a Skilled Community Manager Bri Leever 🖥️ Website 📩 Newsletter 📹 Youtube 📱LinkedIn

  6. Jun 9

    What community model is right for my business?

    Send us Fan Mail I know predictable recurring revenue sounds awesome, and a membership community is usually the first idea that comes to mind… But if you’re not familiar with community strategy and design, you can easily spend months (or years!) building the wrong type of community for your business — and then wondering what you’re doing wrong when results don’t follow. Or maybe you’ve past that and now feeling stuck trying to find new members, struggling with engagement, or endlessly planning without launching. In this episode of Dear Bri, we kick off Season 3 with a powerful framework that will completely change how you think about community building. I’m sharing a simple (but game-changing) matrix I spent the past decade refining. It is designed to help you identify the right type of community for your business because most communities don’t fail from lack of effort… they fail from misalignment. You’ll learn why copying someone else’s community model is a fast track to frustration, the key difference between an audience and a community, and the biggest mistake people make when trying to balance education and connection inside a community. If you’re thinking about launching a paid community in 2026, or fixing one that isn’t working, this episode is your starting point. Do not skip it. ⏳ Timestamps 00:00:00 | Introduction to season 3: Community strategy 00:02:19 | The fastest way to build the WRONG community 00:04:17 | Your community vs. your audience 00:05:23 | The community strategy matrix [Framework] 00:07:42 | Imagine your ideal community member 00:08:50 | The one myth I’ll bust right now 00:11:03 | Full recap 📌 Resources Mentioned 4 Types of Community - The Masterclass: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/775267/185716772091987335/share Book Your Discovery Call Today Hire a Skilled Community Manager Bri Leever 🖥️ Website 📩 Newsletter 📹 Youtube 📱LinkedIn

  7. Feb 17

    Community Platform Showdown: Skool vs Circle vs Mighty vs Heartbeat

    Send us Fan Mail Community strategy is hard enough without having to pick between 50 different tools. If you’ve ever stared down the long list of platform options—Circle, Heartbeat, Mighty Networks, Skool, Kajabi, and more—and thought, "How do I even choose?", this episode is your clarity compass. In this special panel format of Dear Bri, we go beyond surface-level platform comparison and get into the real talk. Join four veteran builders—Candice Grobler (Circle), Starlight Mundy (Mighty Networks), Mike Phillips (Heartbeat), and Duncan Rogoff (Skool)—as they share what they love, what drives them bonkers, and how each platform supports (or sabotages) their community management efforts. If you're looking to build a thriving online community but feel stuck at the starting line, this episode delivers honest reviews, platform strategies, and key decision-making tips—direct from experienced community architects who have tried them all. Whether you're craving customization, chasing simplicity, or getting serious about member onboarding, this episode is a must-listen. ⏳ Timestamps: 00:00:00 | Introducing our community builders: Candice, Starlight, Mike, and Duncan 00:07:48 | Which community platform is the best? 00:13:12 | Favorite features: Heartbeat’s AI made Mike mad! 00:36:51 | Is Skool's simplicity a good thing or a bad thing? 00:38:34 | Are Circle and Mighty Networks too complex? 00:44:46 | Community building in the AI era: what are the skills we'll need in the future? 01:03:40 | Member onboarding: How each platform approaches it 01:12:08 | Final words: what real builders wish every community leader knew Resources Mentioned: ▶️ Watch this live panel on YouTube. 🗒️ See a complete resources list here. ✅ Download my complete Community Platform Comparison Guide. 💛Join Ember. The place for go-getter community creators building community-powered businesses. Bri Leever 🖥️ Website 📩 Newsletter 📹 Youtube 📱LinkedIn And before you go… 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts  💚 Leave a review on Spotify That helps the podcast more than you know and I deeply appreciate it. 🙏 Want your story to be next? Submit an anonymous letter about your community conundrum, fiasco, drama, or other dilemma here. *Dear Bri is produced by Ideablossoms.

    Community Platform Showdown: Skool vs Circle vs Mighty vs Heartbeat

  8. 10/07/2025

    How can community repair our polarized politics? With Rebecca Davis, Director & Producer of Join or Die

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re hearing from Walking on Eggshells. Our letter today is from a community builder who wants to know how we can bridge the political gap in our families and communities when it all feels so impossibly polarized. To better help Walking on Eggshells, I invited the director and producer of the documentary Join or Die, Rebecca Davis, as my guest. This feature-length documentary is a commentary on the decline of social capital in the US over the last two decades and its implications for democracy. It can be scary and despairing to bear witness to the quickly growing divides in our society. I don’t need to sit around your Thanksgiving table to know most of our attempts at conversations result in more disconnect than repair. Thankfully, this episode will leave you filled with hope, excitement, and an actual game plan to start bringing us out of these dark times, one small step at a time. So, be sure to tune into this spectacular conversation with one of the few people who has studied it in tremendous depth. In this episode: (03:00) Meet Rebecca Davis and her documentary, Join or Die (04:44) Why the word “community” is absent from the film (07:28) The actual outcome of connection (09:26) The communitea: Walking on Eggshells’ letter (11:25) A counterintuitive solution for healing the political divides (14:04) Why digital spaces and conversations aren't working (17:26) How purely social clubs can easily build power and start creating change (21:05) The very political history of women only book clubs (23:03) How groups both impact and reflect society (24:14) Rebecca's journey from covering worsening symptoms to highlighting the root cause (27:37) How to build a loyal and engaged community instead of just an audience (32:27) Make sure your community tools and design deliver on the community promise (35:11) Is it unethical to charge for community membership? (41:29) The simplest data-backed thing you can start doing now to bridge the gap Resources Mentioned: 🗒️ See a complete resources list here. 📺 Watch the full documentary on Netflix. ❤️ Sign up for Heartbeat. Bri’s recommended all-in-one community platform. 💛Join Ember. The place for go-getter community creators building community-powered businesses. Rebecca Davis 🖥️ Website 📱 LinkedIn Bri Leever 🖥️ Website 📹 Youtube Want your story to be next? Submit an anonymous letter about your community conundrum, fiasco, drama, or other dilemma here. *Dear Bri is produced by Ideablossoms.

    How can community repair our polarized politics? With Rebecca Davis, Director & Producer of Join or Die
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5
out of 5
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About

Welcome to Dear Bri, an advice column for community conundrums, fiascos, and drama! In each episode, host and community strategist Bri Leever invites a guest community expert to respond to an anonymous letter from a real-life community creator in distress. From online community-building mishaps to community engagement tactics gone awry, this podcast delivers relatable stories and sound community strategy for navigating the chaos of digital communities—all with empathy, expertise, and a touch of drama. The mission? Helping community managers and community creators feel a little less crazy and a lot less alone while building thriving brand communities. You're in the right place if you are... 🐣 Community Curious: Creators or brands exploring the benefits of a community-powered business. Learn the fundamentals of community strategy for online businesses, and discover how to build an online community from scratch. 🐥 Community Hatchlings: Newcomers to community building seeking guidance and support. Get tips on how to grow a paid community, avoid common mistakes in community building, and build trust through smart community roles and responsibilities. 🦅 Senior Community Folks: Seasoned pros facing complex dilemmas. Explore topics like managing community drama, setting boundaries in digital communities, and advanced community retention strategies. Dear Bri combines relatable storytelling with expert community strategy, making it a unique and valuable resource for community managers and creators. Episodes provide the most up-to-date community management practices, common mistakes to avoid in community building, the best community engagement tactics I've seen, tips on setting boundaries and building trust in online communities, and of course, a touch of community drama to keep things interesting and fun! Community creators listening to Dear Bri will feel a little less alone in the important work of community building and a whole lot less crazy as each episode normalizes and provides strategic insights for some of the toughest online community scenarios.  Whether you're curious about building a community, just starting out, or a seasoned professional looking for advanced advice, Dear Bri has something for you. Episodes drop weekly on Tuesday. Hit the follow button so you don't miss out! Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Bri Leever, Community Consultant, Strategist, and Founder at Ember.
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dear Bri: Community Strategy, Fiascos, and Drama
  • Show Website
    Dear Bri: Community Strategy, Fiascos, and Drama

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