Podcast Summary: Growth In Reverse – Episode: “14k+ Followers in 30 Days: Recapping the GIR Growth Challenge”

Date: October 22, 2025
Hosts: Chenell Basilio & Dylan Redekop

Episode Overview

This episode takes a behind-the-scenes look at the recent 30-day social media growth challenge run by the “Growth In Reverse” team. Chenell and Dylan break down the challenge’s structure, major outcomes (including the community gaining 14,000+ followers), lessons learned, and candid reflections on the true ROI of daily posting. They also share participant wins and talk frankly about burnout, content strategy, and next steps for creators seeking sustainable growth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Challenge Goal & Structure ([01:07]–[03:36])

• The Growth Challenge was a 30-day initiative for anyone wanting to boost their audience on any platform (not just LinkedIn).

  • Stats: 128 people signed up; ~92 posted regularly.
  • Entry was $100 unless entrants had purchased the Growth Vault product, in which case it was free.
  • Prize for top participants included newsletter sponsorship spots and shout-outs.

• Purpose: To see what's possible when you post on social each day, foster accountability, and encourage true community building — not just follower count vanity.

2. High-Level Challenge Results ([03:36]–[05:51])

• Cumulative Impact: 14,301 new followers across all participants.

  • Growth varied widely, with some posting every day and others much less.

• Awards: Prizes recognized both growth rate and consistency.

• Scoring: Moved away from just absolute follower gain to a logarithmic, percentage-based system to make it fairer for all audience sizes.

  • Example: Big spikes for those starting small (e.g., from 1 to 60 followers, an “insane” growth rate).

  Notable Quote

  "It was the best I could do... we gained about 14,000 followers across the people who were posting."
  — Chenell ([03:36])

3. Host Results & The Burnout Factor ([06:45]–[10:18])

• Dylan’s Stats:

  • 25,900 impressions
  • 1,471 engagements
  • 107 new followers
  • Only 9 new email subscribers (from nearly 26k impressions)
  • Reflection: ROI for email list growth was minimal; time could have been better spent on deeper content.
  • Notable Quote:

  “It really was like an exercise in futility to some degree...”
  — Dylan ([08:31])

• Chenell’s Stats:

  • 179,000 impressions (driven by a few high-performing posts; most got around 1,000)
  • ~400 followers gained
  • Minimal newsletter subscribers (wasn’t consistently promoting it)
  • Experienced significant burnout from daily posting, neglecting follow-up engagement.
  • Notable Quote:

  “I got so burned out trying to post every day...”
  — Chenell ([10:08])

4. The Optimization Rabbit Hole & Real-Life Examples ([10:18]–[12:26])

• Discussed advanced tactics (timing, comments, edits) for maximizing social posts, referencing Tom Alder’s success (5,000 subscribers pre-newsletter, massive consistency on LinkedIn).

• Noted that such feats are easier if social is your only channel — much harder when juggling newsletters, podcasts, or multiple creative outlets.

  Notable Quote

  “The burnout factor is real when you start going down that rabbit hole.”
  — Dylan ([10:27])

5. Biggest Wins: Beyond the Numbers ([12:26]–[14:12])

• Networking Wins:

  • Partnerships formed, resulting in $1M+ project funding for one participant.
  • Re-established friendships leading to collaborations.
  • Real-life co-working meetups.
  • Personal milestones (e.g., first newsletter subscriber, viral posts).

• Chenell:

  “I think the biggest win from doing something like this is that you get to connect with really cool people.” ([12:26])

• Dylan:

  "It comes down to building these relationships... you never know where that can lead." ([13:33])

6. Where to Focus Energy: Quality, Platform, & Repurposing ([14:12]–[20:24])

• Both hosts question if daily social posting is the best route for email or business growth.

• Emphasized “cornerstone” content that can be repurposed for social.

• Platforms like YouTube (with longer content lifespans) seen as higher-value.

• Agreed: build out high-value content, then draw social posts from that backlog.

  Notable Quotes

  “If I were personally thinking about where I would put my energy, it’d be more on something like YouTube or just creating better newsletter content.”
  — Chenell ([14:43])

  "I think that was one of my big takeaways — focusing on keystone content, longer-form, insanely valuable pieces that are really going to move the needle."
  — Dylan ([15:20])

7. The Realities and Barriers of Repurposing ([17:44]–[22:16])

• Chenell shares that repurposing her deep dives into social snippets remains hard, both logistically and mentally.
• Adam Shibley's 12-week podcast repurposing strategy is cited as a smart example — showing success even with low "vanity" metrics (likes).
• Key Point: Consistency and systems matter more than chasing numbers if true leads or sales result.

8. Metrics vs. Mindset: What Actually Matters ([22:26]–[26:53])

• Both hosts reflect on the obsession with followers vs. actual business or subscriber impact.

• Noted: Big audience ≠ big impact; self-doubt and imposter syndrome can be barriers to visibility for even seasoned creators.

• Platform differences: Twitter’s instant feedback is motivating, while LinkedIn feels “siloed” and less interactive.

  Notable Quote

  “We get so bogged down with these follower counts, which makes me hate that we used followers as the metric for winning.”
  — Chenell ([22:26])

9. Challenge Structure: What’s Next? ([27:05]–[29:52])

• Hosts debate whether to repeat a similar challenge.

• Leaning toward shorter or input-focused challenges (7 days, focus on writing, or list-cleaning).

• Emphasis on input-based goals (e.g., 250 words a day) vs. outcome (subscriber counts).

  Notable Quote

  “Maybe seven days is better... long enough to get a result, short enough to stay focused.”
  — Chenell ([28:40])

10. What Defines a Successful Challenge? ([30:06]–[32:40])

• Consensus: Success = getting people moving, building momentum, overcoming mental barriers.
  • Not about vanity metrics, but taking action and forming habits.
• Parallel drawn with “Ship 30 for 30”: showing up and publishing daily builds the muscle — quality comes with practice and reflection.

Notable Participant Wins & Shout-outs ([32:40]–[35:34])

• Alejandra Rojas: +19% follower increase (2,270 → 2,700)

• Danny Naz: +1,200 followers

• Tom Orbach: +3,200 followers over 30 days

• Tara: First Substack subscriber, now hundreds in 45 days

• Caitlin: Posted more personally than usual and went viral

• Fat Chan: Hit MRR goal and closed a client within 3 days

• Becky: Grew her newsletter by 87.5% in one month

• Rachel: Shouted out by two Adobe executives

  Notable Quote

  “It is really cool, seeing that you had a hand in that... bringing them together at the very least.”
  — Dylan ([34:16])

  “I just like seeing all the things people are doing and who's interacting with who. Alejandra and Laura... met in person to come to one of our coworking events.”
  — Chenell ([36:13])

Reflections, Advice, and Closing Thoughts

• Social posting sprints have value for visibility and relationship-building — but may not be the best for direct newsletter growth.
• Sustainable audience-building relies on high-quality content, repurposed well, and networking with peers — not solely chasing algorithms or daily posts.
• If you have an idea for the next challenge, reach out! The team is considering new formats and input-driven activities for 2026.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• "The burnout factor is real when you start going down that rabbit hole."
  — Dylan ([10:27])

• “I think the biggest win from doing something like this is that you get to connect with really cool people.”
  — Chenell ([12:26])

• “We get so bogged down with these follower counts, which makes me hate that we used followers as like the metric for winning.”
  — Chenell ([22:26])

• “If you get one like, and that one person turns into a client... 100% hit rate, it’s working.”
  — Dylan ([22:17])

• “Momentum — there’s so much power in that. We get ourselves stuck, but it’s really not that hard. You just gotta hit publish.”
  — Chenell ([31:13])

• "Alejandra and Laura... actually met in person to come to one of our coworking events ... and they're like, 'We're actually in the same coffee shop.' I was like, what?"
  — Chenell ([36:13])

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [01:07] – Challenge launch, purpose, and format
• [03:36] – Cumulative results and stat breakdowns
• [06:45] – Dylan’s challenge experience and numbers
• [10:08] – Chenell on burnout and posting optimization
• [12:26] – The true “wins” and networking outcomes
• [14:12] – Where to focus: Platforms, content, and the case for YouTube
• [17:44] – Barriers to repurposing and mental blocks
• [22:26] – Metrics, mindset, and platform comparison
• [27:05] – Reflections on running future challenges
• [32:40] – Shout-outs to winners and stories of success

This summary gives you all the context, insights, and quotable moments—capturing both the practical lessons and honest struggles of building a digital audience in public, with a focus on what actually translates to newsletter and email growth.