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PODCAST

The Content Byte

Rachel Smith and Lynne Testoni

Hosts Rachel Smith (from Rachel"s List) and journalist and content writer Lynne Testoni are serving up weekly short bites of advice, tips and strategies, plus special guests, for freelancers who make a living from using their words. We"re shooting for 15-minute episodes, but can"t promise anything because we can both talk the leg off a chair.

business careers

All Episodes

23:31

Things that hold you back as a freelancer

The Content Byte ·

2026/03/01

This week, Rachel and Lynne are without a guest, as they share six small, actionable things they wish they'd done sooner in their respective freelance businesses, to become more visible, win better work, and run their businesses better. They discuss: How investing in professional headshots boosted Rachel's confidence and credibility How Lynne benefited from switching from a free Gmail address to a custom domain email Why Rachel put practical systems in place using tools like templates, trackers,

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37:27

Moving from publishing to a comms role - with Jo Butler

The Content Byte ·

2026/02/22

This week, Rachel and Lynne chat with Jo Butler about switching careers from book publishing to marketing and communications at the University of Sydney. Jo shares her journey of nearly 30 years as a book editor, publisher and literary agent, and explains why she wanted a new challenge, as well as the appeal of more stable income and working with colleagues again. She discusses: • how publishing has changed over the decades • what she misses about editing • what she wishes authors understood

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38:45

Breaking the freelance stress cycle - with Sabina Read

The Content Byte ·

2026/02/15

This week Rachel and Lynne chat with psychologist Sabina Read about catastrophising, perfectionism and the freelance stress spiral. Sabina explains catastrophising as a cognitive distortion where we jump to the worst-case scenario and treat thoughts as facts, and why it can show up more in freelancing due to a lack of workplace "guardrails" such as regular income and employer support. They discuss: the difference between genuine, evidence-based concerns (like fewer jobs or more competition) and

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32:33

How to reinvent yourself, with Phoebe Hartley

The Content Byte ·

2026/02/08

This week on the podcast, Rachel and Lynne talk to Phoebe Hartley about her creative journey from filmmaking to journalism, and now to launching her own print magazine, Billy. Phoebe shares insights on: the challenges of career reinvention transitioning from film to journalism launching and running a local magazine balancing work and family life in a rural setting and the value of community support and collaboration Listen in for tips on creative flexibility, managing imposter syndrome, and

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31:59

Self-publishing and book coaching with Anna Featherstone

The Content Byte ·

2026/02/01

In our first episode for 2026, Rachel and Lynne discuss self-publishing and book coaching with guest Anna Featherstone. Anna, a mentor, book coach, editor, and author of five nonfiction books, shares insights about the self-publishing process, including the importance of producing a quality product, effective marketing strategies, and the realities of the publishing industry. Key topics include: how to approach book cover design understanding the difference between traditional and indie publishing

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48:38

BEST OF 2025: Using ChatGPT as your marketing brain,...

The Content Byte ·

2026/01/26

This week is the last of our Best of 2025 series and in this episode podcast, Rachel and Lynne discuss the impact of AI on freelance writing and marketing with guest Steven Lewis. Steven, a seasoned journalist and copywriter, offers a deep dive into using AI, specifically custom GPTs, to streamline marketing tasks for freelancers. He explains: • the practical steps to creating a custom GPT • how it can maintain consistent client communication • how it can give feedback on your copy to ensure it

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39:46

BEST OF 2025: Helen Dehen on investing in your...

The Content Byte ·

2026/01/19

In another of our podcast summer series, we revisit a great episode with communications consultant and writer Helen Dehen, talking about her commitment to upskilling herself and the many courses she has done - which have helped to drive her business and profitability. During our chat, Helen talks about her early career in TV journalism and her move to freelancing when her twins were born. She shares some of the courses she did in the the early days and how they positioned her to build a strong and

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41:30

BEST OF 2025: Lucie Robazza on 5 micro-habits to...

The Content Byte ·

2026/01/11

In the last of our summer series of the podcast, featuring our most popular episodes of 2025, Rachel and Lynne discuss essential health habits for freelancers with guest Lucie Robazza. Lucie, a certified health coach and personal trainer, shares practical tips on: • Incorporating simple exercise routines • The importance of protein-rich diets • How to maintain good posture for productivity and long-term health • How good health can make you more efficient - and make more money • Quick and healthy

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55:20

BEST OF 2025: Conquering LinkedIn and finding clients...

The Content Byte ·

2026/01/04

Continuing our summer series of our most popular episodes of the last year, we are sharing a great chat from early 2025 with content strategist and LinkedIn mentor Rebecca Cofrancesco. Beck talks about how to make LinkedIn work for you, how to find clients and why she started a local business meet-up group. During our chat, we talk about: • Why she started freelancing • Her new LinkedIn newsletter and why she started it • How her newsletter has informed (and changed) her LinkedIn strategy • Why she

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51:14

Best of 2025: Treasa Edmond on offering content...

The Content Byte ·

2025/12/28

Have we got a treat for you! This episode with content strategist, business coach and consultant Treasa Edmond was one of our most popular episodes in 2025. It is full of gold for any freelancer wanting to move up the value chain and secure more high-paying clients. In our wide-ranging chat, Treasa talks about: • The different between offering content strategy and strategic consulting • Which one is an entry point for high-paying work • How strategy can open the gates to providing more effective

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30:51

The 2025 Wrap-up with Rachel and Lynne

The Content Byte ·

2025/12/21

It's the end of 2025, so Rachel and Lynne take a reflective look back at the year, delving into both the good times and bad. We are both big believers in a little self-reflection, so it makes sense to look back at what was certainly a tumultuous year in the world of freelancing. We share tips and lessons learned, new tools we've explored, and our biggest professional and personal achievements, using prompts from YearCompass. We talk about: The risks we took and decisions we made during the

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38:36

The Content Trends We Need To Talk About – with...

The Content Byte ·

2025/12/14

This week, Rachel and Lynne are chatting with Maria Izvestkina, a multidisciplinary creative leader from Canva. They discuss the importance of protecting creative energy, the impact of AI on design, trend spotting, and how to live a creative life. Maria shares insights on: The evolving role of AI in creative work How to harness social media for creative expression Effective use of Canva features and templates Developing a playful and experimental mindset to fuel creativity Practical tools and

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40:08

Living a career around books and reviewing, with...

The Content Byte ·

2025/12/07

This week, Rachel and Lynne dive into the art of books and book reviewing with guest Nicole Abadee, a book reviewer for the Sydney Morning Herald's Good Weekend. Nicole discusses her transition from barrister to reviewer, the surprising way she scored the reviewing gig, and the influence of social media on book marketing. She also offers valuable tips for authors seeking reviews and shares her methods for selecting standout books. There's so much gold here, as Nicole talks about: The challenges of

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52:24

How to Stop Gaslighting Yourself – with Mark Jones

The Content Byte ·

2025/11/30

This week Rachel and Lynne discuss whether you are your own worst enemy, with a thoughtful look at improving your business and personal mindset with guest Mark Jones, an author and mindset strategist, who explores the concept of gaslighting yourself and the psychological impacts of negative self-talk. He shares tips on: Why it is important to be kind to yourself How to rewrite these internal narratives The importance of self-belief Different techniques to foster a healthier mindset It's all

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01:03:07

What you can do to protect yourself from AI - with...

The Content Byte ·

2025/11/23

This week it's all about AI. Rachel and Lynne discuss the impacts of AI on freelance writing and marketing with Joe Pulizzi, founder of the Content Marketing Institute and The Tilt. During a fascinating (and positive) conversation, Joe offers insights on how to stay relevant in a rapidly changing media and marketing landscape, including: • The importance of niching down and building expertise • Leveraging AI tools for efficiency • Creating and maintaining owned assets like newsletters and

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41:09

Big-Biz Strategies Solo Operators Can Steal, with...

The Content Byte ·

2025/11/16

This week, Rachel and Lynne are chatting with Ashley Cisneros Mejia, a freelance communication strategist and host of the 'Talk Freelance to Me' podcast. Ashley shares her journey from agency owner to solo freelancer, highlighting the processes and systems she brought into her current business from larger agencies. We also explore: The value of community and networking for maintaining creativity and client relationships The evolving freelance market Integration of AI in business operations The

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41:30

Lucie Robazza on 5 micro-habits to prioritise your...

The Content Byte ·

2025/11/09

This week, Rachel Smith and Lynne discuss essential health habits for freelancers with guest Lucie Robazza. Lucie, a certified health coach and personal trainer, shares practical tips on: Incorporating simple exercise routines The importance of protein-rich diets How to maintain good posture for productivity and long-term health How good health can make you more efficient - and make more money Quick and healthy snack ideas The episode covers habit-building techniques, such as micro habits, and

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39:00

Marketing without shouting, with Mia Fileman

The Content Byte ·

2025/11/02

This week Rachel and Lynne are chatting with marketing expert Mia Fileman about marketing strategies for freelancers. We talk about: The concept of the 'trust recession' Mia's 'Honest Marketing Method' that emphasises transparency, connection, creativity, and conversation Effective community engagement Unconventional collaborations The importance of one-on-one client interactions, which help freelancers build genuine trust and stand out in a crowded market The episode also provides an overview of

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42:17

Ilise Benun on how to use AI to find clients

The Content Byte ·

2025/10/26

This week Rachel and Lynne talk about how to find clients using AI with their guest, Ilise Benun, a business coach for creatives. In a practical and inspiring chat, Ilise takes us through (step-by-step) how to utilise AI for client acquisition, showing how to find your perfect clients and then how you can reach out. It's a great conversation, talking about: Why you still need to build relationships in real life Identifying target markets with AI Crafting effective AI prompts Approaching new

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01:08:27

Perfecting a creative flow as a freelancer – with...

The Content Byte ·

2025/10/19

This week Rachel and Lynne discuss productivity, creativity, and the concept of flow states with guest Steven Puri, the founder and CEO of the Sukha Company. Steven shares his career journey, from working on visual effects for blockbuster movies to developing an app that helps knowledge workers focus and minimise distractions. We chat about: Why it is important to find your "flow state" and practical tips to achieve it Understanding how you work best The importance of a structured routine The

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299 results

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