Call Her Creator with Katelyn Rhoades

Episode 118: The Weekly Scroll – Instagram’s Quiet Shifts Changing Growth in 2026 (Most Creators Haven’t Noticed Yet)

Date: January 15, 2026
Host: Katelyn Rhoades

Brief Overview

This episode of Call Her Creator features Katelyn Rhoades delivering her signature “Weekly Scroll,” where she distills key social media updates—focusing heavily on Instagram’s recent (but under-the-radar) shifts impacting creators’ growth strategies as we move into 2026. Katelyn also offers actionable security tips, previews anticipated new features, and shares hands-on advice for increasing Instagram success without burning out.

Table of Contents

1. Instagram Data Security Incident
2. Digital Hygiene Best Practices
3. Rumored “Top 5” Stories Feature
4. Threads Testing Live Community Chats
5. What’s Actually Working on Instagram Right Now
   • Talking Head Reels: Format Breakdown
   • Creative Prompts to Try
6. Katelyn’s Closing Advice and Offers

1. Instagram Data Security Incident

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Timestamps: 02:10 – 09:05

• Overview: Katelyn addresses the recent Instagram data security scare—users reported password reset emails, leading to panic.
• Details:
  • A cybersecurity firm (Malwarebytes) claimed info from 17.5 million Instagram accounts may have been leaked and sold on the dark web.
  • Instagram’s stance: "There was no data breach… An external party figured out how to trigger password reset emails, but accounts are secure."
    — [Katelyn, 03:12]
  • Core uncertainty:

    “I’m wondering who’s telling the truth here… Incidents like this can happen all the time, guys—phishing, it’s so scary.”—Katelyn Rhoades, 04:40

  • Even if not directly impacted, Katelyn tells creators to audit their security habits now.

2. Digital Hygiene Best Practices

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Timestamps: 09:05 – 14:30

• Top Digital Hygiene Tips:
  • Two-Factor Authentication:

    “This is something I turned on immediately when I started treating my Instagram as a business… Don’t wait for tomorrow. Do it today.” —Katelyn, 09:55

    • Explains how 2FA protects your account even if the password leaks.
  • Don’t Click Suspicious Links:
    • Only trust messages from inside the app; verify sender addresses before action; avoid even opening suspicious emails.
  • Monitor Logged-In Devices:

    "Instagram lets you see every device that’s logged into your account. If you see something you don’t recognize—log out, change your password." —Katelyn, 11:12

  • Password Hygiene:
    • Use unique, strong passwords for every platform.
    • Update and secure your email address as well.
    • Don’t reuse passwords across services.
• Mindset Note:
  • Treat your Instagram “like a business” if it drives your brand or income.

3. Rumored “Top 5” Stories Feature

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Timestamps: 14:33 – 18:45

• What’s New:
  • Early reports suggest Instagram is testing a “Top 5” Stories feature.
  • Allows you to share a Story with just 5 specific people (not public or close friends).
  • Pink ring signals it’s extra exclusive and personal.
• Why It Matters:

  “It’s more intimate than close friends, it’s more intentional than posting publicly… This fits Instagram’s trend toward private sharing, smaller circles.”—Katelyn, 16:11

  • Could be leveraged by creators to reward top engagers or nurture “warm” followers.
  • Signals a platform shift:

    “This is another signal that personal connection is being prioritized over mass reach. It’s quality over virality.”—Katelyn, 17:58

4. Threads Testing Live Community Chats

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Timestamps: 18:46 – 22:30

• Feature Preview:
  • Threads (Meta’s Twitter competitor) is reportedly trialing “live chat” for communities: scheduled, real-time group chats.
  • Creators can:
    • Set chat times, choose who participates, name the chat, and set a profile photo.
• Strategic Impact:
  • Shifts community from passive, post-based to conversational and urgent.

  “Feeds can be super noisy. Comments can get buried—but a live chat can create the urgency and the presence you need to get closer to a group.”—Katelyn, 21:22

  • Katelyn sees it as a move toward “real-time interaction, less passive scrolling,” aligning with broader trends in social.
  • Compares the feel to Slack channels or private text groups—inside the app people already use.

5. What’s Actually Working on Instagram Right Now

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Timestamps: 22:31 – 44:26

A. Talking Head Reels: Format Breakdown

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• Observational Insight:
  • Katelyn notes a surge in “talking head” reels—short, face-to-camera videos where creators educate or story-tell directly.
  • These reels:
    • Typically run 30–45 seconds.
    • Use minimal edits and basic text overlays.
    • Focus on a single pain point or teachable moment.
  • Katelyn’s Strategy:
    • Uses a high-quality microphone (DJI mic) and basic lighting.
    • Scripting the content tight; edits dead air but keeps things imperfect for authenticity.

  “People are kind of getting tired of the mundane... So the best way for you to really pop out and show up for these people is to just talk to them. People want to hear from someone, not at them.” —Katelyn, 29:12

• Key Value:
  • Talking head reels build trust, feel personal, increase audience watch time, and boost conversions (but may perform lower in likes than trending audio reels).

  “When it comes to conversions, that’s where the talking head comes in… It helps me build trust really quickly.” —Katelyn, 31:40

  • Focus on clarity, not creativity.
  • Perfection isn’t needed—messiness and imperfection signal authenticity in an AI-saturated feed.

B. Creative Prompts to Try

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• Prompt 1: “I used to believe this until it cost me…”

  • Share an outdated belief and a lesson learned.

  “It’s honest. It shows evolution—a story of how I went from X to Y. And it invites people into the conversation.” —Katelyn, 34:10

  • Use ChatGPT to refine niche-relevant hooks if stuck.

• Prompt 2: “If I had to start from zero today…”

  • Offer step-by-step, niche-specific advice for absolute beginners.
  • Works across all industries—fitness, business, home maintenance.

• Prompt 3: “The thing everyone is ignoring right now…”

  • Call out unrecognized problems, challenge assumptions, spotlight blind spots.
  • Pattern interrupts encourage saves and shares, fueling algorithmic reach.

“The easiest way to do this is to just film it in one take… Let it be imperfect. People want us to be messy right now because, again, AI is taking over.” —Katelyn, 41:09

6. Katelyn’s Closing Advice and Offers

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Timestamps: 44:27 – End

• Consistency Support:
  • For those struggling to show up and implement these trends, Katelyn plugs her Club Influence membership.
    • Weekly trend breakdowns, content prompts, hooks, posting guidance—all for sustainable, burnout-free growth.
  • Offers done-for-you posting via enfluence Marketing Studio for business owners.
• Final Encouragement:

  “If your Instagram is your business, you need to treat it like one… That’s your weekly scroll for this week. I love you. I’m cheering you on.” —Katelyn, 46:18

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On not waiting to secure your digital business:

  “Don’t wait for tomorrow. Do it today.” —Katelyn, 09:58

• On Instagram’s trajectory:

  “This is another signal that personal connection is being prioritized over mass reach. It’s quality over virality.” —Katelyn, 17:58

• On real conversion value:

  “When it comes to conversions, that’s where talking heads come in… It feels one-on-one. It builds trust.” —Katelyn, 31:40

• On authenticity over perfection:

  “Let it be imperfect. People want us to be messy right now because again, AI is taking over. So us being messy, not perfectly packaged—that is what the Internet wants.” —Katelyn, 41:09

Episode Highlights (with Timestamps)

• 02:10 – 09:05: Data scare recap; Instagram security update
• 09:05 – 14:30: Digital hygiene: 2FA, phishing, uncommon device checks
• 14:33 – 18:45: “Top 5” Stories feature: exclusivity & personal circles
• 18:46 – 22:30: Threads live chats: community, conversation, and urgency
• 22:31 – 44:26: Deep dive: talking head reels, trust-building, and creative hooks
• 44:27 – End: Resources, support, encouragement

Final Takeaway

Katelyn Rhoades urges creators to prioritize account security, lean into authentic, conversational video content for deeper trust and conversions, and stay flexible as platforms quietly shift toward deeper, more private interactions in 2026. Her signature warmth, clarity, and grounded advice continue to make this podcast a must-listen for any ambitious creator ready to move from random posting to intentional, business-driven growth.