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Listen "Hits And Misses Of The Hot Mess Summer Of 2025 (Ep. 311)"
Episode Synopsis
Hits And Misses Of The Hot Mess Summer Of 2025 (Ep. 311)
Episode Summary
This week on That Solo Life, hosts Karen Swim, APR, and Michelle Kane unpack this“Hot Mess Summer”—the surprising, cringey, and cautionary moments that shaped the season for PR and communications pros. From return-to-office whiplash and AI overpromises to social media pile-ons, brand missteps, and the pursuit of excellence in a rush-first culture, they offer candid insights and practical takeaways for solo practitioners navigating constant change.
Episode Highlights
00:12–01:08 | Welcome back: Setting up the “Hot Mess Summer” theme for PR and marketing pros
01:29–02:32 | The world of work: RTO mandates, hiring freezes, and overestimating AI’s impact
02:33–03:41 | Planning in uncertainty: How economic jitters ripple through day-to-day comms work
03:53–05:04 | Social media fatigue: Declining nuance, instant outrage, and what it means for brands
05:04–06:22 | The vigilante effect: Why some users treat negativity as a hobby—and how to respond
06:32–07:17 | Slowing down to get it right: Replying with care in a rush-first culture
07:48–09:10 | Over-curation vs. authenticity: Balancing audience feedback with sound business decisions
09:16–10:12 | People-pleasing pitfalls: You can’t please everyone—stay true to mission and values
09:31–10:11 | Event aesthetics vs. meaning: Designing for impact, not just Instagram
10:12–11:05 | Community pile-ons: Why “take it to the business first” matters
11:05–12:08 | Complication creep: Tech, AI, and unnecessary hurdles for communicators
11:46–12:46 | Excellence still matters: How quality elevates audience experience
12:47–14:05 | Brand name changes gone sideways: Lessons from high-profile rebrands
14:39–15:53 | Risk hygiene: The case against bringing blankets to the movies (and other practical worries)
16:00–16:22 | Looking ahead: Manifesting a calmer, more prosperous fall for solos
16:19–16:35 | Join the convo: How to share your Hot Mess Summer stories
Related Episodes & Additional Information
Episode 300: How To Manage Sticky Situations In PR
Entrepreneur: How to Set Boundaries With Your Clients Without Losing Business
Host & Show Info
That Solo Life is a podcast created for public relations, communication, and marketing professionals who work as independent and small practitioners. Hosted by Karen Swim, APR, founder of Words For Hire and President of Solo PR, and Michelle Kane, Principal of Voice Matters, the show delivers expert insights, encouragement, and advice for solo PR pros navigating today’s dynamic professional landscape.
Share and Subscribe!
If this episode made you nod, laugh, or rethink your approach, don’t keep it to yourself—follow That Solo Life in your favorite podcast app, leave a 5-star review to help other solo pros find us, and share Episode 311 with a colleague. Got your own “Hot Mess Summer” story or a topic you want us to tackle? Send it to us at soloprpro.com. Your story might be featured in an upcoming episode!
Episode Summary
This week on That Solo Life, hosts Karen Swim, APR, and Michelle Kane unpack this“Hot Mess Summer”—the surprising, cringey, and cautionary moments that shaped the season for PR and communications pros. From return-to-office whiplash and AI overpromises to social media pile-ons, brand missteps, and the pursuit of excellence in a rush-first culture, they offer candid insights and practical takeaways for solo practitioners navigating constant change.
Episode Highlights
00:12–01:08 | Welcome back: Setting up the “Hot Mess Summer” theme for PR and marketing pros
01:29–02:32 | The world of work: RTO mandates, hiring freezes, and overestimating AI’s impact
02:33–03:41 | Planning in uncertainty: How economic jitters ripple through day-to-day comms work
03:53–05:04 | Social media fatigue: Declining nuance, instant outrage, and what it means for brands
05:04–06:22 | The vigilante effect: Why some users treat negativity as a hobby—and how to respond
06:32–07:17 | Slowing down to get it right: Replying with care in a rush-first culture
07:48–09:10 | Over-curation vs. authenticity: Balancing audience feedback with sound business decisions
09:16–10:12 | People-pleasing pitfalls: You can’t please everyone—stay true to mission and values
09:31–10:11 | Event aesthetics vs. meaning: Designing for impact, not just Instagram
10:12–11:05 | Community pile-ons: Why “take it to the business first” matters
11:05–12:08 | Complication creep: Tech, AI, and unnecessary hurdles for communicators
11:46–12:46 | Excellence still matters: How quality elevates audience experience
12:47–14:05 | Brand name changes gone sideways: Lessons from high-profile rebrands
14:39–15:53 | Risk hygiene: The case against bringing blankets to the movies (and other practical worries)
16:00–16:22 | Looking ahead: Manifesting a calmer, more prosperous fall for solos
16:19–16:35 | Join the convo: How to share your Hot Mess Summer stories
Related Episodes & Additional Information
Episode 300: How To Manage Sticky Situations In PR
Entrepreneur: How to Set Boundaries With Your Clients Without Losing Business
Host & Show Info
That Solo Life is a podcast created for public relations, communication, and marketing professionals who work as independent and small practitioners. Hosted by Karen Swim, APR, founder of Words For Hire and President of Solo PR, and Michelle Kane, Principal of Voice Matters, the show delivers expert insights, encouragement, and advice for solo PR pros navigating today’s dynamic professional landscape.
Share and Subscribe!
If this episode made you nod, laugh, or rethink your approach, don’t keep it to yourself—follow That Solo Life in your favorite podcast app, leave a 5-star review to help other solo pros find us, and share Episode 311 with a colleague. Got your own “Hot Mess Summer” story or a topic you want us to tackle? Send it to us at soloprpro.com. Your story might be featured in an upcoming episode!
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