Badass Empires

Hosted by Rosie McCarthy

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Dec 2025

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About the show

Ready to unlock those 'holy shit' levels of fulfilment, freedom, and financial success? Let's build your Badass Empire together - one brutally honest conversation at a time.I'm Rosie, your no-nonsense business mentor who has scaled multiple online businesses to 7 figures, and I'm joined by my team member & co-host Jenny. Together, we're serving up the strategies, mindset shifts, and reality checks you need to turn your existing knowledge into a purposeful, profitable online personal-brand based

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December 30, 202540 min

The Badass 2026 Business Vision

My word for 2025 was "buffer." My reality? SURVIVAL. I spent six months averaging 20 hours a week. I was sick for four months straight. I moved house. Started a massive renovation. Went to France. Had 15 private clients on the go at any one time. And this business still did $750,000. But here's the thing: I spent the entire year working on everyone else's business but my own. My clients were thriving. My business? Just surviving. So 2025 needed to happen. It was the ultimate kick in the ass. The harsh lesson I needed to learn about what happens when you don't create buffer before life strikes. And now? I'm ready for 2026. In this episode, Jenny and I are pulling back the curtain on our entire business vision for the year ahead. Not just the revenue goals (though yes, we're talking about that too). But the feeling. The word. The projects that fall out of that vision. This is different from our usual format. This is us getting real about what it actually takes to scale, what it means to reach your full potential, and why we're going all in on content mastery across multiple platforms.   This episode is essential listening if: You're setting your vision for 2026 and need a framework You had a tough 2025 and you're ready to do things differently You're wondering how to scale without adding complexity You want to hear the real behind-the-scenes of what we're building You need permission to focus on process goals, not just outputs   We’re covering: Why my word for 2025 was "buffer" but my reality was "survival" The lessons I learnt from working 20 hours a week and still doing $750K My word for 2026 (and the framework I used to choose it) Our big goal: 150 humans inside Empire Era (and why that matters) How we're expanding to YouTube, LinkedIn, and keeping Instagram + podcast Why I'm stripping out all complexity from the backend The turning point I'm waiting for (and why Q1 will still feel foundational) How to set process goals instead of obsessing over outputs Why doing less but doing it really fucking well is the strategy Remember: There's a breakthrough right after the breakdown. 2025 might have been survival. 2026 is about reaching our full potential.   How to Submit Your Questions:   Send us a DM on Instagram @badassempires_ Email us at hello@badassempires.com Bonus points for voice notes - we'll use your actual voice on the podcast!   -------------------- LET’S CONNECT 📷 Find me on Instagram @badassempires_ 🌐 Check out my website   -------------------- SHARE THE LOVE 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 💜 Leave a rating or comment on Spotify Email us a screenshot of your review to hello@badassempires.com and I will send you my 3 hour business training on how to find/refine your business niche (that isn’t available anywhere else!) to say thank you!   -------------------- WORK WITH ME Baddies to the front! Learn more & apply for Empire Era here:  https://www.badassempires.com/era

December 23, 202559 min

Monetising Your Expertise

I'm not special. I haven't done anything interesting. This is what Stephanie told me when I asked about her business ideas. And I'm calling bullshit. Because here's the truth: Every single person on this planet has monetisable expertise. Every. Single. Person. The problem isn't that you don't have skills. The problem is that you either can't see them (because they feel too easy or obvious to you), or you're drowning in so many options you can't choose. In this episode, Jenny and I are breaking down exactly how to identify your monetisable expertise, how to choose between multiple options, and why being "ordinary" is actually your biggest advantage. I'm sharing my own journey of choosing between French culture consulting, YouTube teaching, merch businesses, and career coaching—and the framework I used to finally decide. Plus, we're answering two questions that sit on opposite ends of the spectrum but have more in common than you'd think.   This episode is essential listening if: You think you don't have any monetisable skills (you do) You're drowning in possibilities and can't choose a direction You're discounting your expertise because it feels "too easy" You think you need to be a world-leading expert to teach something You're wondering if your "ordinary" life experiences could actually make you money   We’re covering: The moment I had to choose between 7+ different business directions (and how I decided) Why "earned skills" are more monetisable than natural talents The School of Life exercise that reveals your hidden expertise How to assess market demand without getting overwhelmed Why being several steps ahead is enough (you don't need to be at the finish line) The future-proofing question that saved me from building a business that would become obsolete Real examples: From dick pic photography to baby name consulting (yes, really)   Plus, we’re answering two audience questions: Tami asks: "I'm digging into my superpowers and still have not reached my three niche options because I'm overwhelmed with possibilities. Do I need to decide now?" Stephanie asks: "I'm not special. I haven't done anything interesting. Does EVERYONE really have a business idea inside of them?" Remember: What's easy for you is hard for someone else. That's your business.   How to Submit Your Questions: Send us a DM on Instagram @badassempires_ Email us at hello@badassempires.com Bonus points for voice notes - we'll use your actual voice on the podcast!   -------------------- LET’S CONNECT 📷 Find me on Instagram @badassempires_ 🌐 Check out my website   -------------------- SHARE THE LOVE 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 💜 Leave a rating or comment on Spotify Email us a screenshot of your review to hello@badassempires.com and I will send you my 3 hour business training on how to find/refine your business niche (that isn’t available anywhere else!) to say thank you!   -------------------- WORK WITH ME Baddies to the front! Learn more & apply for Empire Era here:  https://www.badassempires.com/era

December 16, 202549 min

How “Authentic” Do You Really Need to Be?

I spent $15,000 USD on a 12-week coaching experience with one goal: to become more authentic in my content. No materials. No curriculum. No frameworks. Just one conversation per week. And here's what I learned: We're all chasing this concept of "authenticity," and none of us actually know what it looks like. In this episode, Jenny and I are getting real about what authenticity actually means, why the word scares me, and how to show up as yourself without the pressure of being "authentic enough." I'm sharing my journey from corporate Rosie in Paris (polished, professional, hair and makeup done before filming) to the version of me you see today. The unravelling. The therapy. The late ADHD diagnosis. The constant question: Who the fuck am I, actually? And why that question might be too big to answer.   This episode is essential listening if: You feel pressure to be "authentic" but don't know what that means You're masking on different platforms (professional on LinkedIn, casual on Instagram) You feel awkward on camera and it's stopping you from connecting You're trying to figure out which parts of yourself to share publicly You think authenticity means getting personal (it doesn't)   We’re covering: Why the word "authenticity" is associated with pressure, guilt, and overthinking My journey from corporate voice to finding my actual voice (it took years) Why "who am I?" is too big a question (and what to focus on instead) The difference between authentic expression and manufactured authenticity How to be yourself across different platforms without feeling fake Why introversion isn't a weakness (it's your permission slip) The work you actually need to do to get out of your own head on camera Remember: Authenticity isn't a destination. It's getting closer every time you create.   How to Submit Your Questions: Send us a DM on Instagram @badassempires_ Email us at hello@badassempires.com Bonus points for voice notes - we'll use your actual voice on the podcast!   -------------------- LET’S CONNECT 📷 Find me on Instagram @badassempires_ 🌐 Check out my website   -------------------- SHARE THE LOVE 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 💜 Leave a rating or comment on Spotify Email us a screenshot of your review to hello@badassempires.com and I will send you my 3 hour business training on how to find/refine your business niche (that isn’t available anywhere else!) to say thank you!   -------------------- WORK WITH ME Baddies to the front! Learn more & apply for Empire Era here:  https://www.badassempires.com/era

December 9, 20251 hr 18 min

Private vs. Group Coaching vs. Courses

Everyone says you need to "scale" your business. But what does that actually mean? And more importantly, should you? Jenny and I are getting real with you today about the three main business models for coaches and service providers: private 1:1 coaching, group coaching programmes, and self-study courses. But this isn't your typical "here's how to do each one" conversation. This is the real talk about what each model actually costs you in time, energy, sanity, and profit margins. I'm sharing my own journey: the 18 months I spent selling self-study courses at Badass Careers (waking up to $3,000 in sales felt amazing, but the content hamster wheel nearly killed me), why I stopped enrolling private clients this year, and why I'll never do a membership model even though I'm "pretty up there" when it comes to content that sells. Here's what I've learned after building three businesses and trying every model: There's a sweet spot. And it's probably not what you think. This episode is essential listening if: You're drowning in private clients and can't find time to build something scalable You're wondering when (or if) you should transition to group coaching You're tempted to skip straight to courses because they sound "easier" You're stuck in the present and can't build your future You want the real maths on what each model actually pays We’re covering: The three business models: What they are, how they work, and what they actually cost you My Badass Careers experiment: 18 months of self-study courses and what I learned Why I'll never do a membership model (even with my content skills) The sweet spot: Why group coaching is the Goldilocks of business models Real revenue maths: What $30K/month looks like across each model The skills you need for each model (and why group facilitation is harder than you think) How to transition without going broke in the process Why undercharging hurts your clients, not just you Remember: Your business model should serve your life, not the other way around.   How to Submit Your Questions: Send us a DM on Instagram @badassempires_ Email us at hello@badassempires.com Bonus points for voice notes - we'll use your actual voice on the podcast!   -------------------- LET’S CONNECT 📷 Find me on Instagram @badassempires_ 🌐 Check out my website   -------------------- SHARE THE LOVE 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 💜 Leave a rating or comment on Spotify Email us a screenshot of your review to hello@badassempires.com and I will send you my 3 hour business training on how to find/refine your business niche (that isn’t available anywhere else!) to say thank you!   -------------------- WORK WITH ME Baddies to the front! Learn more & apply for Empire Era here:  https://www.badassempires.com/era

December 2, 20251 hr 9 min

Content That Actually Converts (Not Just Gets Likes)

"What content should I be posting to sell?" It's the question we get asked more than any other. And with every platform changing constantly, the algorithm shifting, and AI making "educational content" obsolete, it's no wonder everyone's confused. But here's the truth: While tactics change, the fundamentals of what makes content convert haven't changed at all. In this episode, Jenny and I are breaking down exactly what content actually converts in 2026, not what gets likes, not what goes viral, but what gets DMs, bookings, and most importantly, SALES. We're diving into the 4Rs of conversion content (the framework we teach inside Empire Era), why educational content alone isn't enough anymore, and what's actually working right now across platforms. Plus, we're answering our very first voice note question from Mel, who's just starting her coaching business and is terrified of creating content. If you've ever felt awkward on camera, hated your voice, or wondered "how do I make good content?", this conversation is for you.   This episode is essential listening if: You're posting consistently but not getting DMs, bookings, or sales You're getting likes and engagement but no one's buying You're scared to start creating content (especially video) You're confused about what content actually works in 2026 You're relying too heavily on educational tips and hacks You want to understand the strategy behind content that converts   We're covering: The 4Rs of Conversion Content (Reach, Resonate, Role Model, Revenue) Why educational content alone isn't enough anymore (AI is coming for your tips and hacks) What people actually pay for in 2026 (spoiler: it's not information) The content that gets low engagement but high conversion   How to Submit Your Questions: Send us a DM on Instagram @badassempires_ Email us at hello@badassempires.com Bonus points for voice notes - we'll use your actual voice on the podcast!   -------------------- LET’S CONNECT 📷 Find me on Instagram @badassempires_ 🌐 Check out my website   -------------------- SHARE THE LOVE 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 💜 Leave a rating or comment on Spotify Email us a screenshot of your review to hello@badassempires.com and I will send you my 3 hour business training on how to find/refine your business niche (that isn’t available anywhere else!) to say thank you!   -------------------- WORK WITH ME Baddies to the front! Learn more & apply for Empire Era here:  https://www.badassempires.com/era

November 25, 20251 hr 16 min

Saying No to $35K: When to Fire Clients & Raise Your Rates with Faith Chang

What does it really take to build a personal brand business from scratch? In this episode, I'm sitting down with Faith Chang from Leadership Moxie—a former Badass Empires client who went from juggling three jobs (belly dance instructor, leadership trainer, and expat career coach) to building a focused, profitable coaching business that generated over $80K in just seven months. But this isn't one of those glossy success stories. This is the real, messy, behind-the-scenes truth about what it takes to niche down when you're multi-talented, how to transition from trading time for money to building something scalable, and the gutsy decisions you have to make along the way. Faith shares the moment she fired a $35K client (yes, you read that right), how she finally chose her niche after exploring belly dancing for executives, cross-cultural coaching, and everything in between, and what it's actually like to go from undercharging to premium pricing. If you're a multi-passionate person drowning in possibilities, a hustler who can't seem to say no, or someone who's building a business while trying to protect your energy and your family—this conversation is for you. Connect with Faith: LinkedIn: Faith Chang Business: Leadership Moxie Instagram & TikTok: Coming soon (she's mastering one platform at a time!)   -------------------- LET’S CONNECT 📷 Find me on Instagram @badassempires_ 🌐 Check out my website -------------------- SHARE THE LOVE 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 💜 Leave a rating or comment on Spotify Email us a screenshot of your review to hello@badassempires.com and I will send you my 3 hour business training on how to find/refine your business niche (that isn’t available anywhere else!) to say thank you! -------------------- WORK WITH ME Baddies to the front! Learn more & apply for Empire Era here:  https://www.badassempires.com/era

November 18, 202545 min

Authentic vs. Oversharing: Where to Draw the Line

How much of your soul do you need to sell to build a personal brand? Plot twist: way less than you think. In this game-changing episode, Jenny and I break down exactly how I built three wildly successful personal brand businesses while keeping my actual personal life locked down tighter than Fort Knox. Spoiler alert: my community feels like they know me intimately, but they don't even know what my husband looks like. If you've been told you need to "be vulnerable" and "share your story" but the thought makes you want to hide under a rock, this episode is your permission slip to build a powerful brand without becoming a reality TV show. This episode is essential listening if: You're a private person trying to build a public brand You've been told you need to share more to be "authentic" You're worried about online safety but need to show your face You think personal branding means oversharing  We're covering: The personal branding pyramid (and why most people get it backwards) Brand icons vs. brand rituals - and how to use them strategically What Rosie shares vs. what she keeps sacred  How to build deep connections without deep cuts Safety strategies that actually work Why being "authentic" doesn't mean being an open book Remember: You're building a business, not auditioning for a reality show. How to Submit Your Questions: Send us a DM on Instagram @badassempires_ Email us at hello@badassempires.com Bonus points for voice notes - we'll use your actual voice on the podcast! -------------------- LET’S CONNECT 📷 Find me on Instagram @badassempires_ 🌐 Check out my website -------------------- SHARE THE LOVE 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 💜 Leave a rating or comment on Spotify Email us a screenshot of your review to hello@badassempires.com and I will send you my 3 hour business training on how to find/refine your business niche (that isn’t available anywhere else!) to say thank you! -------------------- WORK WITH ME Baddies to the front! Learn more & apply for Empire Era here:  https://www.badassempires.com/era

November 11, 20251 hr 0 min

What the F*ck Should You Charge? (The Honest Answer)

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: your prices are probably too low. In this brutally honest episode, Rosie's pulling back the curtain on her complete pricing evolution - from charging $150 for hours of work (and feeling grateful for it) to commanding $25K+ for her programs and having clients thank her for the privilege. If you've ever had that sinking feeling that you're undercharging, felt guilty about raising your prices, or wondered how the hell other people have the audacity to charge what they charge - this one's for you. This episode will hit different if: You're working your ass off for peanuts You think you need to add more stuff to justify higher prices You're scared to raise your rates because "people can't afford it" You've been told you're "too expensive" and it made you question everything We're getting real about: Rosie's pricing journey from $150 disaster calls to $25K transformations Why undercharging is actually doing your clients a disservice The psychology behind premium pricing (and why people pay more for less) How to justify prices that make you feel like a fraud The difference between vitamins and painkillers in business Why simple doesn't mean cheap - it means you're a genius Time to stop playing small and start charging like the expert you are. 💸 How to Submit Your Questions: Send us a DM on Instagram @badassempires_ Email us at hello@badassempires.com Bonus points for voice notes - we'll use your actual voice on the podcast! -------------------- LET’S CONNECT 📷 Find me on Instagram @badassempires_ 🌐 Check out my website -------------------- SHARE THE LOVE 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 💜 Leave a rating or comment on Spotify Email us a screenshot of your review to hello@badassempires.com and I will send you my 3 hour business training on how to find/refine your business niche (that isn’t available anywhere else!) to say thank you! -------------------- WORK WITH ME Baddies to the front! Learn more & apply for Empire Era here:  https://www.badassempires.com/era

November 4, 202542 min

The Engagement Emergency: Why Your Content Isn't Connecting

From vanilla to viral - how to make your audience actually care. Feeling like the algorithm has a personal vendetta against you? Same, badass. Same. This week, we are serving up some much-needed reality checks about social media success. Spoiler alert: it's not about the algorithm, and it's definitely not about having a million followers. With our combined experience of building multiple six-figure businesses across every platform you can think of (YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok - you name it, we’ve conquered it), we’re breaking down exactly why your content strategy isn't working and what you need to do instead. This episode is your wake-up call if: You're posting into the void and getting crickets You think you need 100K followers to make 100K dollars You're trying to be everywhere at once and succeeding nowhere You blame the algorithm for everything (we're calling you out, lovingly)   We're diving into: Why the algorithm isn't actually plotting against you The brutal truth about why your content isn't getting engagement How consumer behavior has changed (and why that matters more than any algorithm update) Community building vs. follower chasing - and why one makes you money while the other just strokes your ego The strategic approach to choosing platforms Why vanilla content is the kiss of death in 2026 Time to stop making excuses and start making moves! 🔥 How to Submit Your Questions: Send us a DM on Instagram @badassempires_ Email us at hello@badassempires.com Bonus points for voice notes - we'll use your actual voice on the podcast!   -------------------- LET’S CONNECT 📷 Find me on Instagram @badassempires_ 🌐 Check out my website   -------------------- SHARE THE LOVE 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 💜 Leave a rating or comment on Spotify Email us a screenshot of your review to hello@badassempires.com and I will send you my 3 hour business training on how to find/refine your business niche (that isn’t available anywhere else!) to say thank you!   -------------------- WORK WITH ME Baddies to the front! Learn more & apply for Empire Era here:  https://www.badassempires.com/era

October 28, 20251 hr 3 min

The Badass Empires Comeback Story (And Why Everything's Changing)

Welcome back to the Badass Empires podcast! We're officially back with a brand new format and co-host Jenny joining the conversation. In this relaunch episode, Rosie opens up about why the podcast went on hiatus, the reality of building a business while life happens, and why this year has been the hardest yet most rewarding in her entrepreneurial journey.From trying to run two businesses while nine months pregnant to dealing with constant daycare sickness, we're serving up the messy, unfiltered truth about what it actually takes to build an empire. Plus, we're introducing our game-changing new format where YOU get to be part of the conversation.This episode is for you if: You're tired of perfect entrepreneur highlight reels You need permission to slow down when life gets crazy You want to know what building a business actually looks like behind the scenes You're ready to join a community that keeps it 100% real We're covering: The real reason we went MIA (hint: it wasn't strategic) Why Rosie's "easy" business year was actually her hardest ever The difference between being tired and being burnt out (spoiler: most people have no clue) How entrepreneurship saved Rosie's sanity during the chaos Our exciting new format and how you can be part of the show Ready to join the conversation? We're not just talking AT you anymore - we're talking WITH you. How to Submit Your Questions: Send us a DM on Instagram @badassempires_ Email us at hello@badassempires.com Bonus points for voice notes - we'll use your actual voice on the podcast!   LET’S CONNECT 📷 Find me on Instagram @badassempires_ 🌐 Check out my website   SHARE THE LOVE 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 💜 Leave a rating or comment on Spotify Email us a screenshot of your review to hello@badassempires.com and I will send you my 3 hour business training on how to find/refine your business niche (that isn’t available anywhere else!) to say thank you!   WORK WITH ME Baddies to the front! Learn more & apply for Empire Era here:  https://www.badassempires.com/era