Have you ever felt like you were layering someone else’s process over your own dream… only to find your message diluted and your efforts shouting into a void?

Norma Frahn knows that feeling all too well.

In this powerful conversation with Kristi Mitchell, Norma shares her raw story of moving from corporate America into health coaching, only to get caught in the swirl of “guruing”, the one-size-fits-all advice, the promised shortcuts to millionaire status, and the endless funnels and frameworks that didn’t fithervision

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You’ll hear how embracing clarity, values-alignment, and intentionality became the turning point for Norma, leading her to pivot decisively into HR consulting and build a business on her own terms. Together, they unpack the danger of buying into cookie-cutter solutions and offer a blueprint for tuning into whatfeelsright for you, not just what’s trendy.

This episode is packed with real talk about:

• The cost of trying to force someone else’s playbook onto your business
• Why “gurued” marketing dilutes your authentic message and repels your true audience
• The power of intentional choices: what to keep, what to discard, and when to pivot
• Recognizing and resisting pressure tactics in selling that don’t align with your values
• How clarity on your vision and values are critical foundations before marketing strategy
• Why being selective about your influences can unlock real breakthroughs

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, misaligned, or frustrated in your marketing journey, Norma’s story will resonate deeply and inspire you to reclaim your own path and voice.

Connect with Norma Frahn:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/norma-frahn

Visit: On Demand HR Solutions website via Norma’s LinkedIn profile for resources and services

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Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

Feeling uncertain about your business marketing budget in 2025?

You’re not alone.

Kristi Mitchell pulls back the curtain in this raw and candid solo episode, exploring how today’s turbulent economic and political landscape is shaping business owners’ marketing decisions.

From the lingering effects of the pandemic to the swirling concerns over recession and market instability, Kristi shines a light on why so many entrepreneurs feel the knee-jerk urge to cut marketing first… and why that might actually cost you more in the long run.

With years of experience helping clients through downturns, Kristi reminds us thatmeeting clients where they areis more important than ever. She shares strategic perspectives on adjusting your messaging authentically to resonate amid chaos and how digital marketing is no longer an option but a necessity for thriving businesses.

This episode invites you to reframe how you think about marketing spend—not as discretionary fluff but as a crucial investment in your future. You’ll hear why consistency, strategic pivots, and understanding your audience’s shifting mindset can set you up to emerge from uncertainty stronger and more connected.

What you’ll learn:

• Why marketing is often the first budget to get cut—and the danger in that
• How to meet your clients where they are emotionally and practically today
• Practical shifts in messaging and marketing channels to stay relevant
• The power of digital marketing in uncertain times: email, social, SEO, and video
• How to weigh the cost of inaction against the investment in staying connected

If you want to stop letting uncertainty stall your growth and instead lean in with confidence and clarity, this episode is packed with real talk and strategic wisdom you can apply right now.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

Do you feel stuck spinning your wheels on the next “big thing” to invest in for your business?

You’re not alone.

In this candid and refreshingly real conversation, marketing strategist Christy Mitchell dives deep with copywriter and storytelling coach Toby Miles about the tricky art of knowingwhenandwhereto invest your time, money, and energy as a growing entrepreneur.

Toby shares her personal journey from early hesitations with small investments, like a $200 copywriting course, to pushing the edges with bigger commitments—and the valuable lessons learned when those investments didn’t go as planned. They discuss the importance of clarity around expectations, knowing what you truly need help with, and the pivotal moment of realizing that sometimes, it’s not aboutcanyou afford to invest, butshouldyou.

You’ll hear actionable advice on how to navigate discovery calls without pressure, recognize authentic help versus sales pitches, and the power of keeping a “business wish list” so you’re ready when the right investment opportunity comes along. Plus, they unpack the mindset shift of conditioning yourself to spend on your business and embrace consistent marketing efforts—even when results feel invisible.

If you want to stop second-guessing your marketing moves and start making investments that truly move the needle, this episode is your blueprint. Tune in for honest stories, practical wisdom, and encouragement to keep investing in yourself without the self-doubt.

What you’ll learn:

• How to identify therightinvestment for where your business is today
• Why clarity and setting expectations can make or break coaching relationships
• The mindset shift from affordability to strategic spending
• Tips to spot genuine offers during discovery or networking calls
• Why consistency in marketing matters even when you’re flying under the radar

Connect with Toby Miles:

Find Toby on LinkedIn.

Join her email list for storytelling tips and updates attobymiles.com

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

In this episode, Kristi Mitchell sits down with content strategist and writer Alison Ver Halen to unpack a marketing misstep many entrepreneurs will relate to: giving in to the pressure to show up on Instagram… even when it doesn’t feel right.

Alison shares her journey of trying to make Instagram work for her B2B content marketing business—why she resisted it at first, how she committed fully, and ultimately why she decided to walk away. Together, Kristi and Alison discuss the importance of knowing your audience, trusting your gut, and choosing marketing tactics that align with your strengths, your goals, and your bandwidth.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing a marketing tactic just because others say you “should,” this episode will give you permission to rethink that.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Not every platform is for every business. And that’s okay.
• Consistency > frequency when it comes to content and posting.
• Your audience should always be front and center—go where they are, not where everyone else is.
• Ask your clients directly where they hang out online before diving into a new platform.
• Don’t ignore your gut. If something feels off or draining, it probably is.

🧠 Who This Episode Is For:

• Business owners feeling overwhelmed by social media expectations
• Marketers struggling to see ROI from Instagram or other platforms
• Anyone looking for permission to not be everywhere online

👥 Connect with Alison Ver Halen:

• 💼 LinkedIn

• 🌐 avwritingservices.com

• 📺 YouTube: Alison Ver Halen Content Marketer

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

In this episode of Unfudge Your Marketing, Kristi Mitchell welcomes Dr. Kaitlyn Rios, physical therapist, nonprofit founder, and all-around powerhouse, for a refreshingly candid chat about launching virtual events… and what happens when nobody shows up.

Kaitlyn shares her journey of building her nonprofit, Faced with Grace, and the hard marketing lessons she’s learning along the way. From zero-attendance events to refining her messaging and trusting the process, this episode dives into:

• Why marketing must start before your offer is even ready
• The mindset shift around “overpromoting” and how to ditch the fear
• Real-world DM strategies that build genuine connections
• How vulnerability became a powerful tool for Kaitlyn’s brand
• Streamlining, simplifying, and learning to pivot when things don’t go as planned

Whether you’re building something new or recovering from a marketing misstep, this episode will inspire you to keep showing up.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

In this episode, Kristi sits down with Brad Mendel, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Vitalytics, to discuss marketing from the ground up. From bootstrapping strategies to outsourcing insights, Brad shares his journey of trial, error, and ultimate marketing clarity. If you’re a business owner or marketing leader who’s ever felt overwhelmed by all the moving parts, this episode is your permission slip to simplify, systematize, and scale smart.

🔑 Topics Covered:

• How Brad went from trying to do it all himself to realizing the power of bringing in marketing experts
• The importance of content repurposing and consistent messaging across platforms
• Why software can’t replace strategy, and how Brad learned this the hard way
• Lessons from launching Vitalytics and attracting clients without big-budget campaigns
• Navigating the decision to outsource marketing and what to look for in a marketing partner

🧠 Key Insights:

• “You can’t see the label from inside the jar.” — Brad on the value of outside marketing perspective
• Done-for-you marketing only works when you’ve already clarified your brand and goals
• DIY marketing has limits—especially when you’re the bottleneck

💥 Actionable Takeaways:

• Evaluate your current marketing tools… are they empowering you or creating more work?
• Document your brand messaging to ensure consistency across channels
• Know when to shift from generalists to specialists as your business grows
• Don’t wait for perfection before launching… optimize as you go

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

In this episode, Kristi is joined by marketing expert Joe Raasch to tackle the biggest mistakes holding businesses back. They share no-fluff strategies to simplify your marketing, clarify your messaging, and boost your impact, particularly on LinkedIn.

Key Takeaways:

• Clarity Over Cleverness: Why clear messaging always wins.
• Stop Overcomplicating: Simplify your strategies for better results.
• Consistency = Trust: How regular, reliable marketing builds credibility.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

In this episode, Mark Harbeke and Kristi Mitchell share their combined expertise on building strategic marketing systems that drive consistent growth. They dive into how small and mid-sized businesses can leverage data, content strategy, and marketing automation to increase their impact. Together, they offer practical tips on aligning marketing with sales goals, measuring the right metrics, and balancing content creation with distribution strategies.

Key Takeaways:

✅ The role of fractional CMOs in scaling businesses effectively.

✅ Creating marketing systems that generate sustainable leads.

✅ Aligning marketing efforts with sales objectives for maximum ROI.

✅ Using data-driven insights to optimize campaigns.

✅ Striking the right balance between content creation and distribution.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

In this solo episode of Unfudge Your Marketing, host Kristi Mitchell dives into the challenges of marketing in uncertain times. With 2025 kicking off amid political and economic instability, Kristi shares insights from recent conversations with business owners who are struggling to navigate these complexities.

Topics include:

✅ How to communicate with clients feeling uncertain about the future

✅ Leveraging third-party resources to stay relevant without the pressure

✅ When to pivot your marketing strategy vs. sticking to your plan

✅ The power of being a trusted resource and thought leader during chaotic times

Kristi encourages business owners to assess whether they are truly meeting their audience where they are—or simply following the easy path. Marketing is messy, but building real relationships is what makes the difference.

👉 Have thoughts on this episode? Connect with Kristi on LinkedIn or via email at kristi@kristimitchell.com.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com