
Growth In Reverse (Newsletter Growth & Email Marketing)
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.
Latest episodes

34 snips
Feb 10, 2025 • 22min
He Built a 6-Figure Empire Teaching Google Sheets: Ben Collins Deep Dive
Discover the inspiring journey of a former forensic accountant who turned into a six-figure entrepreneur by teaching Google Sheets. Explore his strategies for niche specialization and community engagement that contributed to his success. Learn how he effectively leverages free content and organic search to build a sustainable audience. This discussion highlights the importance of reliable traffic sources like Google and YouTube over the unpredictable realm of social media, paving the way for innovative idea generation and feedback.

50 snips
Feb 5, 2025 • 45min
Small changes that could 10x your newsletter.
Discover how small tweaks can lead to major newsletter success! Learn about minimalist landing pages that boost conversions and creative welcome emails that spark engagement. Find out how to make the most of 'almost there' pages and referral programs. Dive into cross-promotion strategies to grow your audience without the hassle. Unlock the secrets of effective subject lines for better open rates. Plus, get tips on crafting impactful newsletters that keep subscribers coming back for more!

67 snips
Jan 29, 2025 • 48min
Scaling to 150k: The Secrets to More Paid Subscribers with Aakash Gupta (#010)
Aakash Gupta, creator of the Product Growth newsletter with over 150k subscribers, shares his secrets to audience expansion. He emphasizes that collaborations aren't optional for growth, offering insights from Twitch creators. Aakash discusses the importance of optimizing for internal shares and reveals his strategies to balance high-quality content with increased publication frequency. He also shares the benefits of launching a podcast simultaneously and how SEO tactics enhance content discoverability. Plus, he guarantees a 10x ROI for his paid newsletter!

17 snips
Jan 27, 2025 • 18min
$624k/Year From a Newsletter - How Aakash Gupta Grew His Newsletter From 0 to 105k in 3 Years. (#009)
Discover how Aakash Gupta transformed his newsletter from zero to generating $624,000 annually in just three years. He shares powerful strategies like leveraging social media and subscription pricing to attract over 105,000 followers. Learn the importance of niche content, collaborations, and viral marketing in growing a loyal subscriber base. Plus, hear how analytics and relationship-building play crucial roles in sustaining long-term success. Aakash's journey is a masterclass in entrepreneurship and effective audience engagement!

27 snips
Jan 22, 2025 • 52min
Turn Your Newsletter Into a Sponsor Magnet - with Justin Moore (#008)
Justin Moore, founder of Creator Wizard and author of "Sponsor Magnet," shares his journey from YouTube husband to sponsorship expert. He discusses how he lost 97% of his email list and the unscalable yet effective tactics of personalized outreach. Justin emphasizes the power of niching down and reveals his secret to long-term newsletter growth. Learn about his A.R.C. framework for creative sponsorship packages and how he secured a $2,000 sponsorship with only 3k subscribers, transforming newsletter challenges into opportunities.

35 snips
Jan 15, 2025 • 36min
7 of the Best Newsletter Growth Strategies of 2024 (#007)
Discover unique growth strategies for newsletters in 2024! Learn how lead magnets can be cleverly disguised and find out about a game-changing growth hack. Hear about a creator who skyrocketed to 69k subscribers using short-form content. Dive into the concept of exclusivity and how it drives engagement and loyalty. Plus, tips on personalized social media interactions and the importance of flexibility in publishing schedules. Creative storytelling and authentic connections take center stage in this insightful discussion!

42 snips
Jan 8, 2025 • 52min
Spicy Newsletter Takes: Should You Really Do This? (#006)
Dive into the debate over lead magnets: are they essential or overrated? Tackle the double opt-in dilemma and discover a fresh approach to boost engagement. Unravel the pros and cons of including full articles in newsletters versus redirecting to websites. Learn the art of A/B testing for subject lines and how it can elevate your email strategy. Explore whether ads in newsletters are a friend or foe, and weigh the effectiveness of referral programs versus genuine subscriber growth. Tune in for spicy insights!

54 snips
Dec 30, 2024 • 44min
Grow Your Newsletter WITHOUT Social Media (#005)
Discover innovative ways to grow your newsletter without relying on social media. Learn about the power of SEO and real-life success stories from popular newsletters. Delve into strategies like minimum viable content and effective cross-promotion for subscriber growth. Explore creative approaches such as cold outreach and partnerships. Gain insights into how testimonials can elevate your newsletter's credibility. Plus, hear about engaging referral programs that encourage audience expansion. It's all about quality connections and smart tactics!

41 snips
Dec 23, 2024 • 43min
What I’d Change If I Started Over (#004)
Reflecting on her journey to 40,000 subscribers, Chenell shares what she'd do differently if starting from scratch. She emphasizes the importance of curiosity and passion in content creation. Strategic social media engagement, especially on Twitter, played a key role in her growth. Avoiding burnout and pacing oneself is crucial. She discusses the complexities of monetization, her experience with sponsorships, and the potential benefits of hiring help earlier to scale efficiently. Relationships proved vital for long-term success.

30 snips
Dec 18, 2024 • 54min
Building His Newsletter to 75k Subscribers with Eddie Shleyner of Very Good Copy (#003)
In this conversation, Eddie Shleyner, creator of Very Good Copy, shares his journey from personal writing to building a thriving newsletter with 68,000 subscribers. He reveals how a single article transformed his growth and discusses his innovative system for capturing ideas. Eddie emphasizes the importance of testimonials and why he takes sabbaticals to enhance his creativity. He also dives into clever marketing strategies, like leveraging LinkedIn for audience engagement and repurposing content to alleviate burnout.