Hot Girls Build Cults

megan liken
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Weekly

Hot Girls Build Cults is a cheeky, smart podcast exploring the art and strategy behind building powerful communities that people actually want to be part of — online, offline, and everywhere in between. Hosted by Megan Liken, the show features conversations with founders, creators, and community builders unpacking how connection turns into influence and impact. We explore the messy, magnetic, and sometimes chaotic realities of bringing people together — the good kind of cult.

  1. 6d ago

    The Art of Circling with Benzi Holler

    In this episode I sit down with Benzi Holler and discuss the practice of circling and authentic relating. We explore the art of circling as a group verbal mindfulness meditation, its impact on building empathy, and the dynamics of facilitating such spaces. Benzi shares insights on the challenges faced in circling, including power dynamics and the importance of maintaining a safe container. Our discussion also touches on the influence of circling on personal relationships and its potential application in corporate environments, emphasizing the value of vulnerability and connection in community building. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Circling and Authentic Relating 03:09 Benzie's Journey into Circling 06:01 The Impact of Circling on Relationships 08:31 Circling's Role in Building Empathy 10:22 Navigating Conflict in Circling 12:33 Online vs. In-Person Circling 15:04 Trust and Dependency in Circling 17:57 The Importance of Staying Present 20:40 Circling's Influence on Daily Life 23:39 Empathy and Conflict Resolution through Circling 26:04 Common Challenges in Circling 28:20 Meeting Edges and Personal Growth 30:40 Power Dynamics in Circling 35:03 Scaling Circling Practices 37:02 Closed vs. Open Circles 39:21 Bringing Circling to Communities and Workplaces Connect with Megan Connect with Benzi Keywords circling, authentic relating, mindfulness, community building, empathy, conflict resolution, vulnerability, personal development, leadership, group dynamics

    42 min

  2. Jun 10

    Picnic Pals: Building Community in Tucson with Emiliya Dale | Ep.13

    In this episode Megan sits down with Emiliya Dale a Tucson local, comedian, and founder of Picnic Pals. What began as a sweet little idea to help young adults make friends and has since become a full-blown social club. From community picnics to comedy shows to interactive dating events like Pitch A Pal, Blind Date, and The Love Operator, she’s helping Tucson get offline, laugh loudly, and maybe fall in love. At the heart of it all, Emiliya is creating the kind of community where showing up alone is brave, normal, and probably the start of a great story. Chapters 00:00 Building Community Through Events 04:10 The Origin of Picnic Pals 07:49 Challenges in Community Building 11:07 The Importance of Passion in Community 14:18 Facilitating Connections in Social Settings 18:38 Favorite Events and Personal Connections 20:43 Rebranding Community Events 21:20 The Unique Experience of Picnic Pals 22:49 Inclusivity in Community Building 24:40 Navigating the Singles Scene 26:25 The Importance of Authenticity 28:25 Advice for Aspiring Community Builders 30:23 Overcoming Competition in Community Spaces 32:07 The Journey of Personal Development 38:58 Connecting with Picnic Pals Connect with Emiliya Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/picnic.palz Website - https://picnicpalz.com/ Connect with Megan Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hotgirlsbuildcults/ Linkedin -https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/ community building, inclusive events, Tucson, Picnic Pals, social clubs, event planning, community engagement, networking, event marketing

    43 min

  3. May 17

    How NARU Reinvents Community Building for Impact and Connection | Ep. 12

    In this insightful episode Michelle, CEO and founder of NARU, shares her innovative approach to community building focused on impact, accountability, and genuine connection. Discover how her platform fosters vulnerability, habit formation, and meaningful engagement beyond traditional social media. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to NARU and Its Purpose 01:20 The Unique Approach of NARU 04:15 The Importance of Accountability in Community 07:00 Building Habits and Identity Through Community 09:36 How NARU Facilitates Accountability 12:32 The Social Component of NARU 15:09 Creating Meaningful Connections in Communities 17:57 The Role of Structure in Community Success 20:17 Transformative Experiences and Community Impact 23:16 The Future of Online Communities and Loneliness 29:39 The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health 30:52 The Evolution of Dating Apps 32:19 Technology's Profit Motive vs. User Well-being 34:04 AI's Role in Human Connection 36:23 The Importance of Authentic Human Interaction 39:00 Building Trust in Community Engagement 40:45 Creating Safe Spaces for Youth 47:33 NARU's Community Programs and Their Impact Resources NARU Official Website - https://www.naru.com.au/ Michelle's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-ew Megan's Linkedin -https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/ keywords community building, impact, accountability, belonging, habit formation, online communities, NARU, social platforms, mental health, connection

    55 min

  4. Apr 21

    How Rossy Burgos Built a Thriving Pop up Wellness Community from Scratch | Ep. 11

    In this episode, I sit down with Rossy Burgos, a community builder and wellness entrepreneur, to explore her journey of creating impactful wellness events, building community, and navigating the business side of hosting social clubs. Rossy shares insights on sustainability, authenticity, and the power of intentional community building. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Upleveled Wellness 06:17 Event Structure and Themes 12:21 Navigating Partnerships and Venues 18:16 Sustainability in Event Planning 24:10 Managing Growth and Opportunities 30:16 Differentiation in a Crowded Market 37:38 Understanding Event Goals and Community Impact 44:04 Building a Sustainable Community and Business 51:38 Facing Fears and Expectations in Business 57:11 Self-Discovery Through Community Building 01:04:02 Advice for Aspiring Community Leaders Connect with Rossy https://www.instagram.com/rossy.upleveled/ https://www.instagram.com/upleveled.wellness/ Connect with Megan https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/ https://www.instagram.com/megan.liken/ https://www.instagram.com/hotgirlsbuildcults/ keywords community building, wellness events, entrepreneurship, sustainability, social clubs, women entrepreneurs, event planning, business strategy, authentic community, wellness community

    1h 7m

  5. Mar 31

    How CEO Besties Empowers Women Entrepreneurs Through Community| Ep. 10

    In this episode, I sit down with Natalie Bernacchi and Emily Collins of CEO Besties to dive into how intentional community and focused execution can elevate ambitious women entrepreneurs. Together, they unpack the power of surrounding yourself with the right people, cultivating a resilient mindset, and building a business that grows sustainably. You’ll hear about: Creating powerful, supportive communities for women entrepreneursWhy focus and prioritization are the real drivers of business growth Chapters 00:00 Introduction to CEO Besties 00:45 The Birth of CEO Besties 05:14 The Evolution of Community Needs 07:06 Understanding Overwhelm in Entrepreneurship 09:18 The Power of Connection and Support 12:10 Breakthroughs in Community 15:09 Curating the Right Community 17:59 The Difference Between Community and Mastermind 18:59 Building Community: The Importance of Connection 20:04 Learning from Experience: Failures as Growth Opportunities 22:48 The Power of Focus: Momentum in Business 24:44 Engagement Strategies: Keeping Members Active 26:36 Surprising Transformations: The Impact of Community 28:27 Personal Growth: Lessons from Leading a Community 31:17 The Evolution of Business: Adapting to Change 33:10 Future Aspirations: Growing the CEO Besties Community 35:24 NEWCHAPTER Connect with us CEO Besties on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theceobesties/ CEO Besties Website - https://ceobesties.com Connect with Megan -https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/ https://www.instagram.com/megan.liken/ keywords women entrepreneurs, community building, CEO Besties, mindset, business growth, women supporting women, mastermind, virtual community, in-person retreats, entrepreneurial success

    36 min

  6. Mar 22

    Community building vs fan clubs vs cult brands with Ari McDaniel | Ep. 9

    In this week's episode I sat down with Ari McDaniel an award-winning leader in startup and tech PR, known for turning under-the-radar founders into cultural movements people can’t help but join. She’s the creator of Cult Communications, a PR framework behind today’s most magnetic brands, and the founder of Cult Worthy, a network dedicated to scaling community-driven companies. We discussed her unique approach to building cult brands through community and narrative. Discover how PR can be a powerful tool for startups to create obsession, loyalty, and meaningful engagement in the modern digital landscape. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Cult Communications and PR for Startups 03:08 Understanding Cult Brands and Their Unique Characteristics 06:03 The Role of Community vs. Fan Clubs in Brand Loyalty 09:02 The Importance of a Strong Brand Narrative 11:59 Thought Leadership and Founder Visibility 14:59 Innovative Community Building in Tech and AI 17:57 Strategies for Deepening Brand Loyalty 20:58 Cult Communications: Blending PR and Community Building 23:58 Challenges in B2B Cult Branding 27:24 The Human Element in Brand Communities 28:56 Common Mistakes in Building Fan Communities 30:15 Strategies for Engaging Fan Clubs 32:08 The Rise of Software Influencers 34:05 The Impact of AI on Cult Brands 36:50 Evolving Communication in Tech 38:01 The Full Scope of PR Beyond Media Relations 41:31 Exclusivity and Belonging in Brand Communities 44:29 The Irreplaceable Nature of Community in the AI Era 48:45 The Future of PR and Community Building Cultworthy Substack Connect with Ari on Linkedin Connect with Megan on Linkedin keywords Cult brands, community building, PR strategy, startup growth, brand loyalty, narrative, social media, AI, brand storytelling, community engagement

    50 min

  7. Mar 16

    Evolution of community strategies in coaching with Johanna Adriaansen | Ep 8

    In this episode I sit down with Johanna, a somatic therapist and coach with over seven years of experience in trauma healing, nervous system regulation, attachment theory, and inner child work. Johanna shares why she shifted from selling standalone courses to building Becoming Secure, a membership community designed to help women build self-trust and create more secure, grounded relationships. We talk about what wasn’t working with the traditional course model, what makes a community emotionally “sticky,” and how creators can design spaces where real transformation happens. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Johanna and Her Work 01:00 The Journey to Somatic Therapy and Healing 03:41 Evolution of Coaching Offers 06:32 Building Community and Membership Dynamics 09:07 Onboarding and Member Experience 11:57 Creating Emotional Stickiness in Community 14:44 Surveying and Understanding Community Needs 17:01 Community as a Product vs. Support 17:27 Fostering Community Engagement 19:36 Building Meaningful Communities 22:22 The Coaching Industry Landscape 28:35 Creating Content and Community 31:36 Evolving Coaching Models 35:50 Facilitating Connection and Transformation Johanna's Instagram Healing Anxious Attachment Podcast Connect with Megan keywords community building, coaching memberships, community software, engagement strategies, nervous system healing, attachment theory, somatic therapy, coaching industry

    47 min

  8. Mar 8

    Building a Successful Mastermind: Megan Reed’s Community-First Approach | Ep. 7

    In this episode, I sit down with Megan Reed who is a Quantum Life + Business Coach, Best-Selling Author, Speaker, and Energy Healer here to help you own your weird and unleash your Main Character Energy. She’s the founder of the Creating Confidence® Society and the Book Baddies mastermind. She's on a mission to help people discover the magic of who they truly are so they can ditch their inner critic, get out of their own way, and unapologetically achieve their wildest dreams. She shares her journey from corporate to coaching, her innovative community-building strategies, and her successful book writing mastermind. Discover how to create engaging communities, support members effectively, and turn your expertise into a bestselling book. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Megan Reed and Her Journey 03:01 Evolution of the Creating Confidence Society 05:58 The Importance of Community in Coaching 08:29 Adapting to Member Needs and Feedback 11:38 Community as a Product vs. Support 14:24 The Role of a Community Leader 17:25 Innovations in Coaching Models 20:18 The Book Baddies Mastermind Concept 22:12 The Birth of Book Baddies 23:38 Inside the Book Baddies Mastermind 26:57 Creating a Supportive Writing Environment 30:22 The Importance of Commitment in Writing 33:27 Overcoming Challenges in the Writing Process 36:33 The Role of Mindset in Writing 38:57 Future Directions and Community Engagement 42:30 NEW CHAPTER Connect with Megan Reed Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heymeganreed/ Website - https://heymeganreed.com/ Connect with Megan Liken -https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/ https://www.instagram.com/megan.liken/ keywords coaching, community building, book writing, mastermind, personal development, online community, entrepreneurship, self-publishing, mindset, leadership

    43 min
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About

Hot Girls Build Cults is a cheeky, smart podcast exploring the art and strategy behind building powerful communities that people actually want to be part of — online, offline, and everywhere in between. Hosted by Megan Liken, the show features conversations with founders, creators, and community builders unpacking how connection turns into influence and impact. We explore the messy, magnetic, and sometimes chaotic realities of bringing people together — the good kind of cult.

Information

  • Creator
    megan liken
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 megan liken
  • Show Website
    Hot Girls Build Cults