Browse Episodes
The Algorithm Hack That Actually Works: Serve Before You Sell | Laine White
Most algorithm hacks work for a while, then stop. In this Localist Lab session, host Carrie Rollwagen welcomes marketing consultant Laine White to explain why. Laine’s answer is simple. Google, Meta, and AI tools all want the same thing: a good experience for real people. The hacks that last are the ones that give people…
How Birmingham’s Greek Festival Grew from Bake Sale to Must-Attend Event
The Birmingham Greek Festival runs for three days, and the people who put it on work on it all year. This week on The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen is doing something a little different. Instead of sitting down with a small business, she talks with Agatha Pihakis, who chairs takeout and drive-through at the festival,…
Battle Republic Is Built to Grow without Breaking
This week on The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen sits down with Leah Drury and Lindsey Miller Neal, the co-founders of Battle Republic. Battle Republic is a fitness boxing studio with locations in Homewood, Hoover, and now Tuscaloosa. Leah played basketball at Alabama and coached in the WNBA. Lindsey spent 14 years at Zoe’s Kitchen, where she…
If You Can Write Instructions, You Can Build an AI Skill (Here’s How) | Localist Lab with Carrie Rollwagen
This is a live recording from Localist Lab, the in-person version of The Localist, where specialists come in to talk to small business owners about the work everyone’s trying to figure out. This month Carrie was the speaker, talking about the thing that finally made AI click for her: using AI well isn’t a tech…
How to Use AI Without the Internet Turning on You
Show Notes How to Use AI Without the Internet Turning on You | Laine White of Uptick Marketing Using AI for social media can save a small business hours every week, and it can also get you dragged in your own comment section. That is the strange spot small business owners are in right now.…
How Personal Styling Builds Confidence (and a Brand)
Show Notes Personal styling for small business owners isn’t just about clothes; it’s about how you show up on camera, at a speaking event, in the coffee shop meeting. In this episode of The Localist podcast, host Carrie Rollwagen sits down with Malissa Davis, founder of Best You Ever, to talk about why personal style…
About the Localist Podcast
@crollwagen on InstagramA conversation with local makers and independent entrepreneurs.
Author and local business advocate Carrie Rollwagen invites mom-and-pops, freelancers, side hustlers, and start-up founders to talk about the ins and outs of how they got their start, the pros and cons of owning your own business, how they handle the hard stuff, and yes, even the mistakes they’ve made along the way. Carrie and her guests get into the nitty-gritty details: staffing, funding, hiring, and inspiring — and everything in between.
First-hand accounts of running a business
As a former small business owner, Carrie knows the struggles and triumphs of owning a business first-hand, and that experience helps her ask questions that are often ignored — questions about failure as well as success, and details about exactly how entrepreneurs face challenges, grow their businesses and work with their staffs.
The Localist Team
Carrie Rollwagen
Host
Carrie produces and hosts the podcast. She’s author of the Localist book, co-founder of Church Street Coffee & Books and VP of Infomedia.
Taylor Davis
Show Runner
Taylor keeps the podcast running and makes sure the rest of us stay on track. She’s also a videographer, photographer and marketing specialist.
Jen Tucker
Outreach Manager
Jen handles booking for the podcast and makes sure guests are prepped and welcomed when they visit our studio.
Alana Harmond
Promotions Manager
Alana manages our YouTube channel and handles show notes, as well as helping concept our promotions strategies.
The Localist Reviews
A Gem! I just discovered this podcast and let me tell you, I’m glad I did! The conversations are natural and easy going but you can also tell that Carrie has put a lot of thought and care in her questions. And I love that she’s also in Alabama!
ChelseaR83
A Must-Listen for Those Who Love Local! So excited to listen to Carrie’s new podcast! Whether you’re a small business owner, freelancer or just looking to get inspired — Carrie offers a wealth of information from the many skills she’s picked up throughout her diverse careers. I can’t wait to hear who she brings on The Localist!
SarahCook323
Great Podcast! I just happened upon this podcast and It is really good. It gives really great tips and I especially liked the newest podcast about maintaining company culture in the current work from home environment.
Fun for a dollar
Carrie has an obvious talent for storytelling and making an interview more of an engaging conversation. I’ve been a listener as well as a podcast guest and I’m in awe of Carrie’s ability to connect her guests’ experiences with something helpful and relevant to a wide range of listeners, whether or not they are local to Birmingham, Alabama. I also strongly suggest her book if you are into localism!
Tacheek
Lovely listen — I loved the “In Search Of The Perfect Storefront.” I found it entertaining, yet super informative. I even took notes, who am I?