The Evolution of Social Media and Our Focus Moving Forward

Our relationship with social media has continually evolved. Over the past year, two significant shifts have reshaped the landscape.

First, feeds are no longer primarily driven by user follows. Instead, algorithms now prioritize “for you” content based on user behavior. As a result, many of your followers may not see your posts, depending on the platform.

Second, social media business models have diversified. Subscription-based services and political influences have altered user bases across platforms. Where most users once engaged with two or three major platforms, new apps emerge constantly, demanding attention.

For The Billy Dees Podcast, podcast listens have increased across platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, and Goodpods. We attribute this to digital media consumers actively searching for content on dedicated podcast platforms. With a well-established 10-year presence, we benefit from this shift, driven by the decline of legacy media, particularly cable news.

Our priority remains creating high-quality content for our loyal listeners rather than chasing social media followers. The connection between social media engagement and podcast listens is not as strong as it once was.

That said, we still value a social media presence but are refining our approach. Moving forward, we will focus on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). Facebook allows for more detailed discussions, while X keeps us engaged with real-time trends—this combination feels right for 2025.

Meanwhile, platforms like TikTok, Bluesky, and Clapper will take a backseat. Managing multiple platforms demands significant resources, and our audience shouldn’t have to monitor too many.

If you’d like to follow us on social media, Facebook and X @BillyDees are the best places. More importantly, we encourage you to subscribe to The Billy Dees Podcast on your favorite podcast platform—it’s free, and you won’t miss an episode.

Thank you for listening!

Billy Dees

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How Do You Listen to Podcasts?

Mobile devices are certainly popular, but they aren’t the only technology supporting the podcast medium. Stand-alone streaming devices like Sonos and Amazon speakers are increasingly common in homes. Many cars now come with built-in smart technology or at least allow you to connect your mobile devices to the audio system.

If you use Spotify, Audible, or Amazon Music through a streaming device to enjoy music or audiobooks, you can easily listen to the Billy Dees Podcast in the same way.

Just ask, and you’re ready to go!

Anna Matson Talks Politics as it is During 2024

Subject: Get the Inside Scoop on Politics in 2024 with Anna Matson!

Are you curious about the current political landscape in 2024? Want to dive deep into the world of local politics and uncover the insights of a true political analyst? Well, we have an interesting episode on tap!

Anna Matson

In this episode of the “Billy Dees Podcast,” our special guest, Anna Matson, shares her experiences running as a candidate for village president and delves into the issues and potential of her town. From high taxes to community involvement, Anna brings a fresh perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing local government.

Discover how Anna’s background in business and accounting is shaping her campaign and why she believes voters need to focus on what truly matters when selecting their representatives. With engaging commentary and thought-provoking insights, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in politics and community leadership.

Don’t miss out on this enlightening conversation with Anna Matson. Tune in to the “Billy Dees Podcast” now and gain a deeper understanding of the political landscape in 2024. Get ready to be informed, inspired, and empowered to make a difference in your own community!

Listen to the episode “Anna Matson Talks Politics as it is During 2024” on your favorite podcast platform.

Here is a sample:

You can find Anna on X Twitter @AnnaRMatson

The videocast version of this podcast is on Rumble.

The Billy Dees Podcast is available on all the major podcasting platform including Spotify.

Live with Rachel Thompson, Author, Survivor, & Biz Owner

Do you ever wonder what resilience, advocacy, and entrepreneurship look like in the face of adversity?

Rachel Thompson – Bad Red Head Media

In this episode, we had the incredible Rachel Thompson, author, survivor, and business owner, sharing her inspiring journey of overcoming childhood sexual abuse and trauma. Rachel’s story is not only powerful but also a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

One of the key takeaways from the episode was how Rachel highlighted the importance of finding coping mechanisms and healing strategies for survivors of trauma. Through her advocacy work, she sheds light on the realities and challenges faced by survivors and offers a message of hope and support to those in need.

Plus, Rachel dives into the role of writing as a form of therapy and self-expression, discussing how sharing her story has been a cathartic experience for her. Her insights into the power of storytelling and advocacy are truly inspiring!

Whether you’re a survivor, an advocate, or simply looking for some motivation and empowerment in your life, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we dive deep into Rachel’s story and uncover the strength and resilience that lies within us all.

Follow @BillyDees on X to keep up on the exciting guests and thought-provoking conversations on the Billy Dees Podcast.

You can follow Rachel Thompson on X @RachelintheOC

The podcast as featured on Spotify and Rumble are below.

Stephanie’s Story – How a Drunk Driver Changed Her Life Forever

In the latest episode of the Billy Dees Podcast, we bring you “Stephanie’s Story – How a Drunk Driver Changed Her Life Forever.” Join us in listening to Stephanie’s powerful account of surviving a devastating accident caused by a drunk driver.

Stephanie Ronan

Picture a warm night in North Carolina, September 29, 2018. Stephanie was on her way home when her life literally took an unexpected turn. Struggling to recall the events, she woke up in the ICU, only to learn that she had to be cut out of her vehicle by the jaws of life and airlifted to a trauma center. Her injuries were extensive, including broken ribs, femur, tibia, and neck.

Stephanie shares her journey of recovery, the emotional toll of understanding she was hit by a drunk driver, and her newfound mission to raise awareness and advocate for stricter DUI laws. Her inspiring resilience and dedication to making a difference will leave you moved and motivated.

Stephanie was lucky to survive the first night.

Join Billy Dees in this poignant episode as we dive into Stephanie’s story of trauma, healing, and advocacy. Tune in to gain insight, perspective, and perhaps a renewed sense of responsibility towards ending drunk driving.

Don’t miss out on this impactful episode. Together, let’s raise our voices and work towards a safer road for everyone.

Catch the episode on your favorite platform and follow us on X (Twitter) @BillyDees for more engaging content. Your support means the world to us.

This episode was produced in-studio Friday August 30th, 2024, during Labor Day Weekend. This weekend punctuates what is often referred to as the “100 Deadliest Days” for impaired drivers.

You can find Stephanie on TikTok therapywithstephanie1 and Instagram therapywith.stephanie

The Billy Dees Podcast is available on all major podcast platforms and apps.

For your convenience the full podcast interview is below on Spotify and the webcam version is available on Rumble.

Preview:

Branding Candidates for 2024 – Do You Like Coke or Pepsi?

In this episode, we dive into the Biden-Trump debate and the RFK Jr. campaign, focusing on the branding and marketing aspects rather than the debate content itself. We contrast Biden’s weaker brand with Trump’s stronger one, underscoring the critical role branding plays in politics.

We also explore the candidacy of RFK Jr. as a new and revitalized contender, highlighting the necessity of a robust brand to captivate voters. RFK Jr. has the opportunity to leverage dissatisfaction with both Biden and Trump to enhance his brand and attract support.

Our discussion emphasizes the importance of branding in politics and the need for candidates to market themselves effectively to voters. Produced in the aftermath of the Biden-Trump debate, this episode examines the implications of branding on political campaigns.

Here is a 2 minute sizzler video. The full episode is available on your favorite podcasting platform and below for your convenience. The video version is also available on Rumble.

HOPress – Ed Friedman “I Will Not Be Ignored” Podcast Interview

Our guest on this episode is Ed Friedman who is the author of, “I Will Not Be Ignored.”

I Will Not Be Ignored combines fiction, non-fiction, and opinion to create a humorous take on three aspects of the author’s thinking: his outlook on the proliferation of “current wisdom” so plentiful in the internet age; his imaginings, providing multiple answers to different versions of “what if?”, and his personal experience in navigating his own shortcomings, failures, and fears.

During our conversation, Ed Friedman discusses his background growing up in the Bronx and his journey into the arts. We also talk about his inspiration for writing, particularly focusing on humor as a coping mechanism and its impact on readers. Interestingly, Ed also talks his involvement in founding a nonprofit which promotes arts education for older adults. The importance of community engagement and creative aging is highlighted throughout the interview.

You can find the Billy Dees Podcast on all the major podcasting platforms. For your convenience, a Spotify player is below in this post. Additionally, there is a YouTube link for the video version of the podcast. As always, a big thank you and shout out to Donna Cavanagh from HumorOutcasts for arranging the interview.