The Content Goodies Podcast

In this first episode of our Founder Voice series (exciting), Abby sits down with Hans Skilrud (Termageddon). He’s a former agency owner, educator-at-heart, and the rare person who can talk website compliance without making you feel like you’re back in school.

Hans shares the real story behind Termageddon, how they’ve built a brand with actual personality, and why good support is a bigger differentiator than most founders realise.

What we yapped about:

How Hans went from running a web agency to going all-in on TermageddonWhy using AI for legal/policy text can ba...

Duration: 00:37:39

Gen X were “Latchkey Kids”, growing up home alone with MTV, Sesame Street, Madonna, and Nirvana while the Space Shuttle Challenger, the stock market, and the Berlin Wall all came crashing down. These tech-savvy multitaskers are no strangers to political and economic stability, and they’ve learned to question authority, mistrust institutions, and protect a healthy work-life balance at all costs as a result. So how can we reach them as marketing pros?

Mia says:

Demonstrate competence, skills, and resultsBe direct – but not bossy!Prep for skepticismConvenience is keyMake strong peer-to-peer connections

Latchkey Kids aren’t a...

Duration: 00:06:16

The Body Shop built its name on sustainability, ethical beauty, and doing things the right way. So how did it end up surrounded by so much controversy?

We’re pulling back the curtain on The Body Shop, shining a light on the times that made people pause and rethink the brand’s squeaky-clean image.

You’ll hear about:

Why taking the moral high ground only works if you can back it upHow leaning on borrowed ideas instead of true innovation comes back to biteWhy the truth tends to surface, no matter how po...

Duration: 00:13:17

Baby Boomers grew up balancing Barbie, colour TV, the lunar landing, and transistor radio on one hand – and the fight for Civil Rights, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and Watergate on the other. The doors of opportunity were opening left and right, and their ambition drove them forward, even when the stakes were high. But now that they’re retiring, what’s the best way to market to Boomers?

Mia says:

Meet them where they are (keep the online stuff simple)Quality > QuantityAuthority and trust are everything!Add a personal touchSweeten the dealPeer-generated content is GOLD Duration: 00:07:13

If your LinkedIn profile feels… fine, but it’s not really DOING anything, this episode is your new bestie. Ciara, and Riley sit down to talk about what actually makes LinkedIn work for founders and agency owners, and why “posting more” is not the whole strategy (sorry). 

What we yapped about:

Why LinkedIn is still the #1 place for founders to generate leadsThe real reason most profiles don’t convertHow to write a headline that shows your value straight awayThe anatomy of a convincing About section Stealable LinkedIn post ideas for when you’re stuck

Honourable men...

Duration: 00:43:59

Ever wondered how a brand with all the right ingredients can still fall flat?

Today, we’re looking at the wild story of RC Cola – the underdog soda that once went toe-to-toe with Coke and Pepsi but fizzled out of the cola wars before it could properly compete.

In this episode, you’ll hear all about: 

RC Cola’s surprising history and early innovationsIts head-to-head battles with Coke and PepsiThe branding mistakes and misfires that cost them their edgeThe smart strategies that could’ve completely changed the story

Duration: 00:15:49

Ever wondered how a brand with all the right ingredients can still fall flat?

Today, we’re looking at the wild story of RC Cola – the underdog soda that once went toe-to-toe with Coke and Pepsi but fizzled out of the cola wars before it could properly compete.

In this episode, you’ll hear all about: 

RC Cola’s surprising history and early innovationsIts head-to-head battles with Coke and PepsiThe branding mistakes and misfires that cost them their edgeThe smart strategies that could’ve completely changed the story

Duration: 00:00:35

Should the em dash be left behind? Is it truly a red flag of AI writing?

Listen to Mia's take on her beloved em dash and why she believes that no grammar should be left behind!

What do you think, should we be leaving out the em dash or can we keep using it in our content?

Duration: 00:02:07

Do you work from home? How do you find it?

If you find it difficult to work from home then listen to Mia's top tips on how best to work from home. She gives excellent advice on what to do to improve your day and stay focused on your work!

Listen to Mia's tips and learn how to work from home in a healthy and productive way.

Duration: 00:03:22

Want to learn how to write a meta description?

Have a listen to this content bite where Mia talks briefly about how to write a meta description and what the best approach for getting visitors to click are.

Learn what the best tone and tactic is for writing meta details and if you ever have any questions - reach out! We're always here to help with all things content.

Duration: 00:02:53

Today's Content Bite, Mia talks about what archetype she is and what archetypes she wishes she was!

What archetype do you think you are? Not sure, get in touch with our team at The Content Lab and book in for a brand discovery session with us to discover you company's archetype.

Archetypes are perfect for helping businesses and individuals discover how to position themselves better online.

See you next time for more content bites!

Duration: 00:01:22

Mia talks to us about the Pine-Sol and their fantastic social media marketing tactics!

Let us know if you have any favourite pieces of content marketing you've seen recently - we love to hear about fun and out there content.

Join Mia next time for another content bite!

Duration: 00:01:00

If staring at a blank Google Doc makes your brain glitch, this one’s for you. Abby and Ciara break down how to actually start creating online content – without getting lost in perfectionism, keyword stress, or copycat territory.

What we yapped about:

The biggest mistakes newbies make when they sit down to writeThe first piece of content we ever wroteHow to deal with that “everything’s already been said” feelingFree tools for smarter content planningWhen to stop researching and start writingWhat to actually do with content once it’s published

Honourable mentions:

Answer The P...

Duration: 01:03:25

Booked the client, opened Zoom… and now you’re just nodding while they explain their childhood dog’s nickname? Yeah, we’ve been there. Great copy starts with a great conversation – but what happens when your kickoff call goes off the rails? In this episode, Abby, Ciara, and Riley hand out our best tips for running copywriting calls that actually get you what you need.

What we yapped about:

The prep that sets every project up for successHow to get non-marketers to open up (without grilling them)Keeping things on time and gently steering off-topic chatsWhat not to say...

Duration: 01:02:28

Say “well, hello there” to Veronica – Content Lab’s newest writer, certified beach-walker, and recovering teen magazine addict. In this episode, Abby sits down for a proper chat with our resident newbie to talk about breaking into copywriting, finding your writing flow, and why lunch break dance parties (and the occasional shower) are lowkey productivity hacks.

What we yapped about:

The teen mags that made Veronica fall in love with writingHer not-so-straight road to becoming a copywriterRemote work as an introvert – and what helpsWhat her average day looks like as a content writerUnique things she...

Duration: 00:24:12

Ever feel like some marketing is just... manipulative? Fake urgency, guilt trips, fear tactics – yeah, we hate that too. In this episode, Abby and Kelli break down what unethical marketing really looks like, why it’s so common, and how you can grow your business without losing your integrity.

What we yapped about:

What unethical marketing actually looks like (and how to spot it)The fine line between persuasion and manipulationHow personal ethics shape the clients and causes you chooseDo brands have a moral duty to disclose AI-generated content?Ethical selling tips: why good sales is matc...

Duration: 00:53:16

Feeling stuck in a copywriting rut? Abby and Mia have just what you need! In this episode, they sit down to chat about how literary devices can give your copy just the right amount of ‘oomph’. From non-cringeworthy metaphors to dad jokes that actually land, this episode has everything you need to know about spicing up your writing (without going overboard).

What we yapped about:

The 5 Cs of good copywritingWhy we swear by “clarity over cleverness”The importance of knowing your audience and what language they useWhen to sprinkle some personality in – and when to pu...

Duration: 00:51:53

“Best cheap hotels London” doesn’t cut it anymore. Whether someone’s asking Siri, Alexa, or ChatGPT, your content needs to sound natural and answer the damn question. Abby and Ciara walk through what actually works now, how to write like a human (but still rank), and how to make friends with both algorithms and real people.

What we yapped about:

Voice vs. AI vs. classic Google – what’s the diff?

How to rework your keyword strategy for voice and AI

Schema markup (sounds boring, actually v. important)

Local SEO tips for...

Duration: 00:31:35

If you’ve ever been caught in revision hell, had a client ghost mid-project, or found yourself rewriting an entire site because the tone was “just off,” this one’s for you. Abby is joined by our resident “spine” (a.k.a. project manager) Riley Barry to walk through how to run a smooth, drama-free website copy process – from kick-off to sign-off.

What we yapped about:

The must-haves in a good copy briefWhy letting your copywriter chat to the client is keyWhy we always start with the homepage (& you should too)How to give feedback that’s not just “I do...

Duration: 00:39:43

Ever read a company’s mission statement and felt… nothing? Or core values that just fall flat? Us too. That’s why this week, Abby and Ciara are here to help you come up with core values, mission, and vision statements that actually mean something – both to you and the people reading them.

What we yapped about:

Mission, vision, core values – what they are and why you need them.

How to write them, so they don't sound like corporate BS.

The best brand statements we’ve seen – and the absolute worst.

What to d...

Duration: 00:41:34

Ever thought about what it takes to create engaging content every day? Meet Laura Hand – a lover of puns and silly jokes with a passion for writing compelling copy. This week, Abby and Laura sit down to chat about how she went from working for a non-profit to jumping headfirst into the world of copywriting.

What we yapped about:

How she finds creativity when the inspiration well runs dry.

What a copywriter’s typical day looks like.

The books that sparked a lifelong love of reading and writing.

Life and...

Duration: 00:19:44

Want to know what it’s like to create awesome, engaging content every day? Get ready to meet Simone Smith – a certified word nerd with a serious talent for taking tricky topics and breaking them down so anyone can understand. In this episode, Abby chats with Simone about her journey from being a court reporter covering murder trials (yes, really!) to becoming a pro at turning complex ideas into compelling content.

What we yapped about:

What she loves about her day-to-day as a copywriter.

Her best tips for overcoming writer’s block (which may or...

Duration: 00:21:17

Want to get a behind-the-scenes look at the life of an international copywriter? Meet Kelli Cleary—a Texas native with a knack for persuasive copywriting (and an impressive green thumb). In this episode, Abby and Kelli sit down to discuss how Kelli went from working in the non-profit world to crafting beautiful blogs and compelling copy.

What we yapped about:

Her creative tips to overcome writer's block.

Why children’s books should be on every adult’s reading list. 

What an average day looks like, plus some of her fave projects so far...

Duration: 00:23:16

How do you take an okay first draft and turn it into a polished, compelling piece of content? That’s the magic of a talented editor and proofreader at work. This week, Abby sits down with Mia Vance, our very own in-house eagle-eyed editor, to talk about what brought her to our lovely little country, and how she got into editing and general word wizardry.

What we yapped about:

The subtle—but important—differences between proofreading and editing.

Mia’s top 3 self-editing tips if you don’t have an editor handy.

How she fi...

Duration: 00:35:16

Want to know what it’s really like to work as a project manager at a content agency? Get ready to meet Riley Barry—project manager, professional writer, and the person who keeps this content show on the road. This week, Abby chats with Riley about how they got into the wonderful world of copywriting and project management and what they love about working with a team of certified word nerds.

What we yapped about:

Riley’s beautiful beginnings at The Content Lab as Abby’s first full-time hire.

What a day as a busy p...

Duration: 00:23:45

Should your content charm readers or suck up to Google? Trick question—it should do both. Abby and Ciara tackle one of the most common (and confusing) questions in the content world: how to balance writing for humans and algorithms. 

What we yapped about:

Why people-first content beats keyword stuffing every time.

How to write for real humans while optimising for SEO.

Why authenticity—and leaning into your brand voice—are the ultimate SEO hacks.

What’s changing in SEO that writers need to know about.

If you’re ti...

Duration: 00:35:00

Ever wondered what it’s really like to work as a copywriter? Meet Ciara Meagher—Content Lab OG and certified word nerd. In this episode, Abby sits down with Ciara to chat about her journey from scribbling stories as a kid to strategising content for digital agencies and their clients.

What we yapped about:

How Ciara discovered her love of writing—and made it a career.

A peek into her day-to-day as a copywriter, strategist, and content marketer.

Why she loves her job & some of her fave projects (spoiler: DINOSAURS).

Rapi...

Duration: 00:30:22

Meet your new favourite content podcast!

What happens when a group of copywriters get behind a mic?

You get The Content Goodies Podcast, sponsored by The Content Lab!

Part masterclass, part therapy session, this is the must-listen podcast for anyone struggling with content—from strategy and research to writing and editing and beyond. In our 1st episode, host Abby Wood gives you the lowdown on why this podcast exists, who it’s for (spoiler: digital agency owners, web designers, and content creators, we’re looking at you), and why it’s worth your time. <...

Duration: 00:02:08