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
104 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 1h 1min
$9M with 50k subscribers: Sam Vander Wielen's 7-figure newsletter funnel.
Sam Vander Wielen, a lawyer-turned-creator, shares her inspiring journey of generating over $9M in revenue through a well-crafted newsletter with just 50k subscribers. She emphasizes the critical role of email lists as the backbone of her business. Discover how she transformed her approach to content by prioritizing storytelling, customer engagement, and a streamlined email funnel. Sam also discusses her insights on legal protections and the importance of balancing authenticity with audience expectations. Get ready to elevate your email marketing strategies!
30 snips
Sep 3, 2025 • 44min
Recapping CEX 2025: Un-hyping AI, Community Moats, and the Future of Newsletters
Dive into the latest insights from the Content Entrepreneur Expo, where speakers unpack the evolving creator economy. Discover why slowing down and letting ideas marinate beats the rush to AI-first content. Explore the rising importance of community as a shield against content sameness, and the shift from discovery platforms to deeper relationship building. Learn how quality interactions in email and social media can outweigh mere numbers, and why a strategic blend of digital and physical content is making a comeback.
34 snips
Aug 27, 2025 • 1h
His private newsletter with 1.5k subs earns $1M ARR
Nathan May, founder of The Feed Media, reveals how he transformed a small newsletter into a $1M ARR powerhouse within a year. He discusses the significance of niche communities in building trust and driving growth, as well as his unique revenue models before attracting sponsors. Nathan shares innovative monetization strategies, including the intriguing 'media mullet' concept, and emphasizes the importance of engaged subscribers over sheer numbers. His insights offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to elevate their newsletter game.
57 snips
Aug 20, 2025 • 39min
How Chenell Got 11k Subs in 6 Months
This conversation dives into the journey of building a newsletter that skyrocketed to 11,000 subscribers in just six months. Key strategies include creating valuable content and consistently engaging on Twitter. Chenell emphasizes that authenticity in social media interactions fosters genuine relationships and boosts growth. A 30-day LinkedIn challenge is introduced to enhance visibility and accountability. The discussion also touches on overcoming content creation hurdles and the importance of treating social profiles like landing pages.
64 snips
Aug 13, 2025 • 42min
5 Newsletter Growth Lessons From 2.5 Years of Publishing
Darrell Vesterfelt, VP of Growth at Mighty Networks, joins Chenell to share invaluable insights from his newsletter journey. He discusses the underappreciated power of passion in choosing a newsletter topic and highlights how to leverage content-led growth effectively. Their conversation touches on the importance of building strong community connections, treating social profiles as landing pages, and using curiosity-driven teasers. Darrell also shares his experience with sponsorships and emphasizes the balance between high-quality content and marketing strategies.
36 snips
Aug 6, 2025 • 54min
How CJ Gustafson Grew Mostly Metrics to 60k+ Subscribers & Multi‑Six‑Figures in Revenue
CJ Gustafson, a former tech CFO turned full-time creator, shares his insightful journey in building Mostly Metrics and Looking For Leverage, both successful newsletters. He discusses how he replaced his CFO salary with revenue from his content, revealing the role of humor and personal anecdotes in making finance more engaging. CJ also dives into strategies for newsletter growth, innovative monetization techniques, and the evolving landscape of podcast guest acquisition. His unique blend of expertise and entertainment keeps subscribers coming back for more!
32 snips
Jul 30, 2025 • 1h 1min
Turning a Niche Newsletter of 30k Subs Into a Full-Time Business
Matt Johansen, the creative mind behind the Vulnerable U newsletter, shares his journey from cybersecurity expert to content creator, amassing nearly 30,000 subscribers in under two years. He discusses the power of storytelling in connecting with audiences and how he has skillfully turned social media engagement into newsletter subscriptions. Matt emphasizes the importance of strategic sponsorships for revenue growth and reveals his approach to balancing high-quality content with monetization. His insights are invaluable for anyone looking to thrive in a niche market.
105 snips
Jul 23, 2025 • 36min
How to Turn 1 Subscriber into 10: Get More Referrals With These Tactics
Discover how to leverage referrals to turn one subscriber into ten! Learn why the welcome sequence is the perfect moment to request shares and how subtle tweaks can ignite word-of-mouth growth. Explore creative email tactics that simplify sharing and enhance engagement. Delve into the psychology of value exchange to encourage subscribers to promote your newsletter. Plus, uncover innovative strategies for generating sharable content, engaging audiences, and maximizing your reach without heavy tech investments.
36 snips
Jul 16, 2025 • 49min
His Paid Newsletter Launch Drove $50k+ (and 500+ paid subs)
Tom Orbach, the mastermind behind MarketingIdeas.com, shares his impressive strategies for launching a successful paid newsletter that generated over $50k and 500+ subscribers in just days. He delves into the importance of waiting to monetize, how his full-time job feeds his content, and the psychology behind an effective launch. Listeners will discover his thoughts on domain selection, the thrill of publishing to a waitlist, and the role of community engagement in fostering growth. Get ready for insights that can elevate any newsletter!
54 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 43min
Newsletter Coaching Session: Scaling Deep Dives Into a Newsletter Growth Engine
Matt Gira, creator of The Quarter, dives into the secrets behind scaling bootstrapped businesses to $250K. He shares how this milestone transforms growth strategies and reveals his approach to building a newsletter with 1,200+ subscribers without chasing virality. Gira discusses the surprising potential of collaboration and live events as growth levers, as well as his innovative strategies like content swaps and data licensing. His insights on leveraging YouTube and networking in the entrepreneurial space offer valuable takeaways for aspiring creators.
