Community at Heart is a strategy-first podcast for creators, educators, and entrepreneurs who are ready to build, grow, and monetize a paid membership community—and turn community into a true growth engine for their business.
Hosted by Rachel Starr, Circle Certified Partner and founder of coCreator Society, this podcast delivers practical strategies, real-world insights, and proven frameworks for designing, launching, and scaling membership communities inside Circle (and beyond). Rachel breaks down what actually works when it comes to engagement, retention, pricing, and sustainable recurring revenue—without sacrificing the human connection that makes communities thrive.
If you’re feeling stuck with a free community that won’t convert, overwhelmed by running a membership, or unsure how to grow without burning yourself out, Community at Heart meets you where you are. Each episode helps you move from “community as a nice add-on” to community as a core business asset.
Community at Heart is for community builders who believe growth flows more naturally—and business feels lighter and more fun—when we build together.
From onboarding to engagement, systems to storytelling, this is your space to learn how to build smarter—not solo—and keep your community’s heart front and center.
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Why I'm Using a Challenge to Launch (And Why You Might Want To, Too)
Season 2 · Episode 69
Thursday, January 22, 2026 • Duration 19:39
I'm doing a podcast episode about why I'm using a challenge to launch my next intensive... while actively running that challenge.
Yeah, it's meta. But here's why I wanted to talk about it:
Challenges are one of the most misunderstood tools in online business. People either think they're gimmicky and salesy, or they think they're this huge, complicated thing that requires a massive audience and a million-dollar tech stack.
Neither of those things is true.
In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on why I chose to use a challenge to launch my next Society intensive, what makes a challenge actually work, and why this format might be one of the smartest moves you could make in your business this year.
In This Episode:
What a challenge actually is (and what it's not)
Why challenges work better than webinars, email sequences, or "just posting about it"
The five things that make a challenge actually effective (most people get at least three of these wrong)
How challenges filter the right people in—without being salesy or manipulative
Why I'm running this specific challenge for the second time (and what I learned the first time)
How to know if a challenge makes sense for your business
Action Steps:
Ask yourself: Is there one transformation I could guide people through in 5 days?
Think about what your audience keeps asking you—could that become a challenge?
Consider whether a challenge could help you validate an idea before building the full offer
Challenges aren't just for big launches or people with huge audiences. They're for anyone who wants to build trust, create real engagement, and give people an actual experience of what it's like to work with you.
Course Creators: Stop Adding Modules and Start Doing This
Season 2 · Episode 59
Thursday, October 23, 2025 • Duration 18:04
Your service packages aren't selling—but it's probably not what you think.
This week, I'm sharing the story of an incredibly talented OBM who had beautiful, professional-looking packages that nobody was buying. Not because she wasn't good at what she did. Not because her pricing was off. But because she was solving Problem A when her clients desperately needed help with Problem Z.
If you've ever had people say "that sounds great!" and then disappear... or if you're spending half your discovery calls explaining what you do... or if clients sign up then ghost after a month—this episode is for you.
In This Episode:
Why building offers based on your skills (instead of their problems) keeps you stuck
The 4 red flags that your offer isn't landing
How to discover what problems your ideal clients are ACTUALLY struggling with
The reframe that doubled one strategist's booking rate
Why you should price for value, not time
A practical 3-step plan you can do this week
Key Quotes
"Nobody wakes up thinking, 'You know what I need today? A brand messaging framework.' They wake up thinking, 'I have no idea how to explain what I do without completely confusing people.'"
"People don't hire you to deliver services. They hire you to solve problems."
"When you're solving the right problem—one that's painful, urgent, expensive if left unfixed—people don't haggle."
"You're not charging for your time. You're charging for the value of the problem being solved."
Action Steps
Have 3 conversations this week with people who fit your ideal client profile
Ask: "What's the biggest challenge you're dealing with right now?" and write down their exact words
Review past clients who got the best results—what problem were they trying to solve?
Compare what you learned to your current offer—does it match?
About coCreator Society
If you want to work through this with other entrepreneurs who are figuring it out too, join us in coCreator Society. We're kicking off a sprint in November where we're doing exactly this work together—identifying the real problems your clients are facing, repositioning your offers, and making sure your messaging actually lands.
Your Offer Isn't Selling Because You're Solving the Wrong Problem
Season 2 · Episode 58
Thursday, October 16, 2025 • Duration 14:34
Your service packages aren't selling—but it's probably not what you think.
This week, I'm sharing the story of an incredibly talented OBM who had beautiful, professional-looking packages that nobody was buying. Not because she wasn't good at what she did. Not because her pricing was off. But because she was solving Problem A when her clients desperately needed help with Problem Z.
If you've ever had people say "that sounds great!" and then disappear... or if you're spending half your discovery calls explaining what you do... or if clients sign up then ghost after a month—this episode is for you.
In This Episode:
Why building offers based on your skills (instead of their problems) keeps you stuck
The 4 red flags that your offer isn't landing
How to discover what problems your ideal clients are ACTUALLY struggling with
The reframe that doubled one strategist's booking rate
Why you should price for value, not time
A practical 3-step plan you can do this week
The bottom line: Your offer isn't broken. It's just solving the wrong problem. And when you fix that? Everything clicks into place.
Key Quotes
"Nobody wakes up thinking, 'You know what I need today? A brand messaging framework.' They wake up thinking, 'I have no idea how to explain what I do without completely confusing people.'"
"People don't hire you to deliver services. They hire you to solve problems."
"When you're solving the right problem—one that's painful, urgent, expensive if left unfixed—people don't haggle."
"You're not charging for your time. You're charging for the value of the problem being solved."
Action Steps
Have 3 conversations this week with people who fit your ideal client profile
Is your course secretly setting your students up to fail? In this episode of Your Community Strategist, I unpack why most courses are still designed for 2020—and how that’s leaving 85% of your students feeling overwhelmed, guilty, and disconnected.
🎯 The reality check: binge-worthy content might work for Netflix, but it’s silently killing your course completion rates. What your students really need is a shift from content delivery to community-integrated learning.
You’ll discover:
▸ Why course completion rates are stuck at 15% (and how to flip that number on its head)
▸ The five elements of community-integrated learning that transform content into actual results
▸ Why transformation doesn’t happen in isolation—and how to design for connection from day one
▸ Simple ways to build accountability, support, and celebration into your course (without burning out)
▸ How shorter, more focused lessons paired with community application can skyrocket engagement
Whether you’re a course creator, membership leader, or summit host—this episode shows you how to create experiences your students actually finish (and rave about). Because in 2025, it’s not about polished modules, it’s about building courses that truly change lives.
Why Your New Members Are Secretly Planning Their Exit (And How to Stop Them)
Season 2 · Episode 56
Friday, June 6, 2025 • Duration 13:33
Is your community losing members before they even get started? In this episode of Community @ Heart, I share the jaw-dropping onboarding story from John Deere that completely changed how I think about first impressions in community building.
🎯 The reality check: Most new members are mentally checking out within their first 72 hours—not because your content isn't good, but because their first experience feels like wandering into a crowded party where nobody knows their name.
You'll discover:
▸ Why the "welcome email + hope for the best" approach is silently killing your retention
▸ The John Deere onboarding masterclass that costs almost nothing but creates lifelong loyalty
▸ How to design intentional "belonging moments" that make new members think "I matter here"
▸ Simple tweaks that transform confusion into connection (no fancy tech required)
▸ The difference between generic welcomes and personalized experiences that stick
Whether you're a course creator, membership leader, or summit host—this episode reveals why your best content means nothing if people feel invisible on day one.
🎁 NEWFREE RESOURCE: The New Member Journey Mini-Course with Notion and Google Doc Templates
Discover why new members secretly plan their exit in their first 72 hours (and exactly how to stop them).
What you get:
✅ 3 Strategic Mini-Videos - Step-by-step walkthroughs from a community strategist who's transformed onboarding for hundreds of creators
The Pinterest Advantage: Actionable Strategies Most Businesses Are Missing with Meagan Williamson
Season 2 · Episode 55
Thursday, May 22, 2025 • Duration 39:54
Let’s be real—Pinterest might still have a reputation for wedding inspo and midlife kitchen renos, but if that’s all you think it’s good for, you’re missing out on a seriously powerful marketing machine.
To help us dust off the glitter glue and turn Pinterest into a traffic-driving, lead-generating engine, I’m joined by Megan Williamson, founder of Pin Potential Inc. and Pinterest’s unofficial (but very official) queen bee. With over a decade of hands-on experience and a seal of approval from Pinterest itself, Megan has helped thousands of business owners go from pinning recipes to pinning down real revenue.
Today, we’re diving into the truth about Pinterest as a long-game strategy, why it outperforms social for discoverability, and how you can start getting results with the content you already have. If you’re a course creator, podcaster, or community builder who’s tired of shouting into the Instagram void—this one’s for you.
🎯 HERE ARE 3 JUICY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:
1️⃣ Repurpose With Purpose – Learn Megan’s easy system for turning your top-performing content into Pinterest traffic magnets (spoiler: you already have everything you need).
2️⃣ The Pinterest Snowball Effect – Discover how to start small, gain momentum, and create evergreen content that keeps working for you long after you post it.
3️⃣ Don’t Just Pin It—Convert It – Find out why your high-traffic pins might be flopping when it comes to opt-ins, and what to do differently to actually convert cold Pinterest traffic into warm leads.
So if you're ready to turn those pins into profits and finally make Pinterest part of your marketing strategy without needing to post every day, grab your coffee and hit play. This episode might just change the way you do content forever.
Fresh Perspectives on Summit Strategy: A Conversation with The Summit Queen, Julie C. Butler
Season 2 · Episode 54
Thursday, May 15, 2025 • Duration 44:05
Let's be real—hosting a summit is a ton of work, but the real magic (and money) happens after it's over. Yet this is exactly when most hosts drop the ball, feeling relieved it's done instead of capitalizing on all the momentum they've built.
To help us unlock the post-summit goldmine, I'm joined by Julie C. Butler, known as the Summit Queen. Julie is a virtual summit coach who specializes in helping coaches confidently host their first summit to expand their email list, increase visibility, and boost revenue. With over 15 years of business experience and having grown her own list by 1,500+ people through summits, she knows exactly how to turn summit attendees into loyal customers.
Today, we're diving into what happens after your summit ends, the innovative approaches to speaker networking, and how to stand out in an increasingly crowded summit space.
HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:
1️⃣ Nurture Your New Audience - Learn why 42% of Julie's income comes directly from summit attendees and how to properly nurture these warm leads after your event ends.
2️⃣ Build Meaningful Connections - Discover how to create valuable relationships with speakers through pre-recordings and dedicated networking opportunities that lead to future collaborations.
3️⃣ Focus on Quality Over Quantity - Understand why having 500 of the right attendees is more valuable than 2,000 random ones, and how to attract your ideal audience through strategic speaker selection.
So, if you've been thinking about hosting a summit or want to get more from the ones you already run, grab your notebook—this episode is packed with practical strategies you can implement immediately.
CONNECT WITH JULIE:
Julie C Butler, Owner of Julie C Butler and Host of The Business Brilliance Growth Podcast, is a Virtual Summit Coach and an Amazon best-selling author with over 15 years of experience in business. She helps coaches on the other side of 40 confidently host their first virtual summit—so they can blow up their email list, 10x their visibility, grow their authority, and make more money.
The Playlist Principle: How Creating Community Rhythms Keeps Members Coming Back
Season 2 · Episode 53
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 • Duration 14:36
Is your community stuck on shuffle? You might be delivering all the right content, but if the rhythm is off, engagement falls flat. In this episode of Community at Heart, I share a fresh take on community design inspired by… a disastrous 5:30 AM workout playlist.
🎶 Enter: The Playlist Principle — a simple framework to help you sync your community rhythms with the natural flow of your members’ lives.
You’ll learn:
▸ How to use daily, weekly, and monthly rhythms to increase engagement
▸ What most community builders get wrong about consistency
▸ Why more programming = less participation
▸ The secret to creating momentum without burnout (spoiler: fewer Zoom calls, more alignment)
Whether you're a course creator, membership leader, or summit host—this episode will help you build better beats so your community feels more like a vibe and less like a chore.
👟 BONUS: Learn how to run your own rhythm audit to fine-tune your programming without overwhelming yourself or your members.
The Popsicle Hotline Secret: How One Small Gesture Can Transform Your Online Community
Season 2 · Episode 52
Friday, May 9, 2025 • Duration 11:37
Discover the "Popsicle Hotline" strategy that's revolutionizing how successful communities retain members! In this episode of Community at Heart, I reveals how creating memorable moments transforms ordinary memberships into unforgettable experiences.
You'll learn:
Why content alone isn't enough to keep members engaged
The psychology behind memorable moments (backed by research)
3 simple, zero-cost strategies you can implement TODAY
Real examples of how tiny gestures create massive impact
This isn't just theory—these are proven tactics from my experience building thriving communities where people don't just show up, they BELONG.
✨ SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: The main podcast now features weekly interviews with community-building experts! Don't miss what's coming this month...
Discover bite-sized, big-hearted community strategies every week on Community @ Heart—your go-to YouTube playlist for building connection that actually sticks.
If you want to work through this with other entrepreneurs who are figuring it out too, join us in coCreator Society. We're kicking off a sprint in November where we're doing exactly this work together—identifying the real problems your clients are facing, repositioning your offers, and making sure your messaging actually lands.
Discover bite-sized, big-hearted community strategies every week on Community @ Heart—your go-to YouTube playlist for building connection that actually sticks.
If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more community builders who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Your Community Strategist! See you next week for the final episode in our challenge series!
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Welcome Back and Exciting Announcements
01:02 The Importance of Community Building
03:01 Adapting Course Strategies for 2025
05:18 Understanding Student Needs in 2025
09:35 Introducing Community Integrated Learning
10:12 The Five Core Elements of Effective Learning
18:16 Practical Steps to Implement Community Learning
23:00 The Co-Creator Growth Summit
24:14 Final Thoughts and Challenge
✅ Complete Onboarding Audit Template (Notion + Google Docs) - Map your current member journey and spot exactly where people get lost
✅ "John Deere Moments" Framework - Create those belonging experiences that turn members into raving fans
✅ Quick-Win Implementation Guide - Changes you can make this week (no tech skills required)
Perfect for course creators, summit hosts, and membership leaders who are tired of watching engaged people disappear after joining.
Discover bite-sized, big-hearted community strategies every week on Community @ Heart—your go-to YouTube playlist for building connection that actually sticks.
If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more community builders who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Your Community Strategist! See you next week for the final episode in our challenge series!
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
01:27 The John Deere First Day Experience
05:18 Applying the John Deere Experience to Your Community
09:40 Creating an Intentional Onboarding Process
12:04 Conclusion and Call to Action
CONNECT WITH MEAGAN:
Meagan Williamson is a trusted Pinterest expert and educator recognized by Pinterest for her innovative strategies. With a passion for growth marketing, Meagan empowers entrepreneurs and businesses to leverage Pinterest as a powerful discovery platform to attract, engage, and convert their ideal audience. Through her proven frameworks and data-driven approach, she simplifies Pinterest marketing, making it accessible and effective for businesses of all sizes. Meagan has helped countless clients achieve measurable results, from driving website traffic to scaling online sales. Known for her expertise, clarity, and actionable insights, she’s a go-to resource for anyone looking to unlock Pinterest’s full potential for business growth
Discover bite-sized, big-hearted community strategies every week on Community @ Heart—your go-to YouTube playlist for building connection that actually sticks.
If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more community builders who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Your Community Strategist! See you next week for the final episode in our challenge series!
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction to Pinterest Marketing
00:20 Meet Megan Williamson: Pinterest Expert
01:13 The Power of Community Building
02:36 Diving into Pinterest Strategies
03:31 Getting Started with Pinterest
05:39 Pinterest as a Business Strategy
09:20 Practical Tips for Pinterest Success
11:24 Repurposing Content for Pinterest
15:01 Pinterest vs. Other Social Media Platforms
21:57 Navigating the Challenges of Marketing and Content Creation
22:22 Leveraging Pinterest for Different Content Types
23:33 Maintaining Momentum and Scaling on Pinterest
24:44 Content Strategy and Audience Engagement
27:00 Optimizing Funnels and Conversions
30:05 Refining Marketing Messages for Better Conversion
32:58 The Importance of Patience and Long-Term Strategy
37:46 Conclusion and Where to Find More Information
She’s here to guide you every step of the way, making sure you share your expertise with the world, create lasting impact, and accelerate your business success—without the overwhelm!
Discover bite-sized, big-hearted community strategies every week on Community @ Heart—your go-to YouTube playlist for building connection that actually sticks.
If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more community builders who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Your Community Strategist! See you next week for the final episode in our challenge series!
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction to Virtual Summits
00:24 Meet Julie C. Butler, The Summit Queen
03:06 Julie’s Journey to Becoming a Summit Coach
04:06 The Birth of Julie’s Online Business
04:53 Hosting Successful Summits
07:52 Post-Summit Strategies and Nurturing Your Audience
14:14 Frequency and Planning of Summits
22:40 Leveraging Your Audience Post-Summit
23:39 Introduction to Private Communities
24:02 Nurturing Your Community Post-Summit
25:48 Choosing the Right Platform for Your Community
27:59 The Benefits of Speaking at Summits
31:31 Building Relationships Through Summits
34:25 Innovative Summit Strategies
37:36 The Future of Summits
42:00 Conclusion and Where to Find More Information
Discover bite-sized, big-hearted community strategies every week on Community @ Heart—your go-to YouTube playlist for building connection that actually sticks.
If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more community builders who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Your Community Strategist! See you next week for the final episode in our challenge series!
If you found value in this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more community builders who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to Your Community Strategist! See you next week for the final episode in our challenge series!
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction and Exciting Announcements
02:00 The Power of Moments: Popsicle Hotline
03:34 Creating Memorable Member Experiences
05:34 Practical Tips for Member Engagement
10:21 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
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