Jonathan Baillie Strong: Community Enabler and Podcast Producer

Dec 17, 2025

Jonathan Baillie Strong, a podcast producer and media entrepreneur, shares his inspiring journey from corporate life to community enabler. He reflects on his isolated upbringing in rural Belgium and its influence on his dedication to connection. Discover how he founded the Jackson Heights Insider newsletter to foster local engagement and vibrant community events. Jonathan discusses the strategic approach his agency, Spotlight Podcasting, takes in working with mission-driven organizations. He emphasizes the value of community involvement while sharing the delightful experiments with communal dinners.

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INSIGHT

Build A Flywheel Of Interlinked Assets

Jonathan frames multiple projects as interlinked "flywheel" assets rather than distractions to chase one thing.
He uses email, a creative directory, and local events to make complementary media and community products.

ANECDOTE

Early Big-Show Experience Shaped His Career

Jonathan Baillie Strong described working on early major shows like The Tim Ferriss Show and Lewis Howes' School of Greatness as formative experiences.
He credits those projects with teaching production, hiring, and attracting talent even if his role was limited.

INSIGHT

Social Capital Can Outweigh Pure Revenue

Jonathan values social capital and community impact over pure financial metrics.
He cites Jonathan Forgash's pandemic fundraising for restaurants as the kind of meaningful success he admires.

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In this conversation, we hear about how Jonathan transitioned from a corporate career, through digital nomading, to becoming a podcast producer and community enabler. We hear about how his somewhat isolated upbringing as a foreign in rural Belgium created a lifelong desire for connection and being in contact with the wider community.

We hear about the impact of having worked on the Tim Ferriss podcast if only in a minor role, impacted his later business, and he shares lessons learned along the way.

We hear how and why Jonathan set up the Jackson Heights Insider newsletter
• a “new in-town meetup for newcomers in Jackson Heights”,

his focus on community engagement and local events.

experimental communal dinners using the Dnnr platform, and how he explores potential collaborations with local businesses and community leaders to enhance the newsletter's reach and impact.
He tells us about his agency, Spotlight Podcasting, which focuses on business podcasting for mission-driven organizations.
• He emphasizes the importance of strategy in podcast production, differentiating from competitors who focus solely on execution.
• Jonathan shares insights on client acquisition, including cold outreach and the Dream 100 client approach.

Jonathan closes with words of appreciation to his family, and reflects on the importance and value of getting involved in community events,
He is not just benefiting from other community activities but building and contributing. He is a living example of someone who is enjoying the journey of entrepreneurship.
Jonathan Baillie Strong https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonbstrong

Spotlight Podcasting http://www.spotlightpodcasting.com

Jackson Heights Insider https://jacksonheightsinsider.com

“New in the hood” coffee meetups https://luma.com/trkl4j1f?tk=4MKuBC

Jackson Heights Insider Dinner Club https://jacksonheightsinsider.dnnr.io

Adrian Cepeda https://www.theworldsboroughbookshop.com/

Rob Simmelkjaer New York Runners https://www.nyrr.org/
Jonathan Forgash http://queenstogether.org
Louis Howes School of Greatness podcast https://lewishowes.com/
Charlie Hoehn ... Recession-Proof Graduate https://www.charliehoehn.com/

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