Newsletter & Email Growth: Growth In Reverse
Chenell Basilio and Dylan Redekop
Growth In Reverse is the must-listen podcast for anyone serious about growing an email list and turning a newsletter into a thriving business. Hosted by Chenell Basilio and Dylan Redekop, two leading voices in the newsletter space, this show pulls back the curtain on how today’s top newsletter operators actually grow and make money.
Episodes include deep-dive teardowns of the strategies behind the most successful newsletters. You’ll hear how creators like Justin Welsh, Codie Sanchez, Sahil Bloom, and other creator founders are building loyal audiences and turning subscribers into revenue. Learn how they attract traffic, increase conversions, boost retention, and scale without burning out.
Whether you're launching your first newsletter or refining your growth engine, Growth In Reverse gives you proven tactics you can use right away. From onboarding systems and referral programs to sponsorships and paid products, this podcast helps you grow faster and smarter. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start applying what works, tune in and learn how the best are building newsletters that last.
Episodes include deep-dive teardowns of the strategies behind the most successful newsletters. You’ll hear how creators like Justin Welsh, Codie Sanchez, Sahil Bloom, and other creator founders are building loyal audiences and turning subscribers into revenue. Learn how they attract traffic, increase conversions, boost retention, and scale without burning out.
Whether you're launching your first newsletter or refining your growth engine, Growth In Reverse gives you proven tactics you can use right away. From onboarding systems and referral programs to sponsorships and paid products, this podcast helps you grow faster and smarter. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start applying what works, tune in and learn how the best are building newsletters that last.
Episodes
Mentioned books
12 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 41min
The Top 6 Newsletter Tips from 2025
Join industry experts Sam VanderWielen, a digital marketing strategist, and Nathan May, founder of The Feed Media, as they share game-changing newsletter insights. Sam reveals how to convert Instagram viewers into subscribers using ManyChat. Nathan dives into his successful invite-only newsletter strategy, illustrating how it generated $1M ARR by targeting decision-makers. Caitlin Bourgoin also offers clever tips on using incentivized polls to boost engagement and sales, rounding out a treasure trove of practical tactics for newsletter growth.
52 snips
Nov 12, 2025 • 51min
The "Elite" Newsletter Growth Flywheel (25k subs in 4 months)
Milly Tamati, founder of Generalist World and creator of the popular Generalist quiz, shares her savvy strategies for newsletter growth. She reveals how a single TikTok video skyrocketed her subscribers, utilizing quiz funnels to attract her target audience. Milly discusses the unique purposes of TikTok and LinkedIn in her growth approach, the transition to a lifetime membership model, and how community events fuel engagement. Her insights on effective messaging and sponsorship tactics provide actionable tips for aspiring newsletter creators.
66 snips
Nov 5, 2025 • 51min
Lessons From Building a $100M Newsletter Empire—with Sean Griffey of Industry Dive
In this engaging chat, Sean Griffey, co-founder of Industry Dive, shares insights on scaling a B2B newsletter empire that grew from five publications to a $500 million sale. He discusses the importance of organic audience growth over paid strategies and reveals how initial failures turned into pivotal successes. Sean emphasizes hiring the right editorial talent, leveraging LinkedIn groups for early growth, and the significance of quality first-party data. He remains optimistic about the future of newsletters, highlighting AI's potential to enhance community-focused products.
44 snips
Oct 29, 2025 • 56min
How To Save Time While Doing More: Automations with Joe Casabona
Joe Casabona, an automations expert and systems coach, shares his journey to reclaiming time through creative workflows. He simplifies the concept of automation, reinforcing that it doesn’t have to be daunting. Discover his three-step method for identifying tasks to automate, and learn how to implement personalized welcomes and follow-ups without being intrusive. Plus, Joe breaks down essential components for effective automations and introduces useful tools to streamline your newsletter and business processes.
22 snips
Oct 22, 2025 • 38min
14k+ Followers in 30 Days: Recapping the GIR Growth Challenge
Explore the thrilling outcomes of a 30-day social growth challenge, revealing an impressive total follower increase of over 14,000. Participants share epic wins, like securing $2 million in investor interest from a single post. Discover the hidden ROI of consistent posting and the benefits of a focused content strategy. Learn about the balance between daily posting and mental burnout, and see how a 12-week content flywheel can save creators from exhaustion. Join in on the conversation about future challenges and the value of small wins!
31 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 27min
This Newsletter Sold For $150m (And Why It Matters)
This discussion kicks off with Bari Weiss's jaw-dropping $150M newsletter sale, shedding light on the evolving landscape of digital media. Discover how newsletters can act as impressive career portfolios, potentially leading to enticing job offers. Gamification takes center stage with The Assist's innovative engagement game, plus insights on leveraging LinkedIn's competitive features. The hosts dive into effective referral strategies and the importance of mastering one of the Big 3 media platforms. Finally, they explore how video content can dramatically enhance reach for creators.
47 snips
Oct 8, 2025 • 43min
9 Things Beginners Should Ignore When Starting a Newsletter
Kicking off with the essentials for newsletter success, hosts Chenell and Dylan debunk common mistakes beginners make. Forget perfecting the launch—just start publishing! They argue against spending time on intricate tools and automations, highlighting the importance of engaging with initial subscribers personally. Skipping the fancy landing pages and focusing on content over analytics can accelerate growth. Plus, they discuss why chasing virality too soon could backfire, urging creators to prioritize a strong idea and unique delivery over technical setups.
53 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 44min
The #1 Newsletter Metric You Need To Pay More Attention To
Explore why replies should be the top metric for newsletter creators, surpassing opens and clicks. Discover how increased replies enhance deliverability and boost creator mental health. Learn tips for crafting engaging welcome emails and using emotions to inspire responses. Dive into pattern-interrupt strategies that can lead to hundreds of replies overnight. Unpack gamification techniques with riddles and polls to elevate engagement. Plus, hear about personal storytelling as a way to deepen connections and drive reader interaction.
32 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 41min
3 Steps To A Perfect Subscriber Onboarding
Discover the vital elements of effective subscriber onboarding. Learn about the three C's for high-converting landing pages: clear, credible, and compelling. Explore the importance of the Almost-There page in boosting engagement and avoiding dead-ends. Gain insights into using 'sniper links' to drive inbox opens and the critical role of well-crafted welcome emails. Understand why encouraging replies can improve deliverability and how to collect valuable audience data through surveys. Finally, uncover the benefits of a comprehensive 5-step onboarding flow.
35 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 39min
7 Ways To Make a 'Good' Newsletter GREAT
Explore strategies to elevate a newsletter from good to great! Discover how simplifying design can enhance reader focus and engagement. Learn about effective subscription management and the importance of personalized emails. The episode dives into boosting newsletter visuals for better credibility and audience connection. Plus, hear about unique monetization angles and leveraging social media to grow your subscriber base. It's all about making the content resonate and stand out in a crowded niche!
