Podcast Summary: The Think Media Podcast
Episode 456: This ONE Shift Took Her to $12K/mo on YouTube
Date: October 21, 2025
Host: Nathan Eswine (Think Media)
Guest: Lorena Pernalete
Episode Overview
This episode features Lorena Pernalete, who went from working as a housekeeper to building a thriving online business teaching people how to pass the life insurance exam via YouTube. Lorena shares her journey, her practical systems for turning YouTube views into course sales, and the “one shift” that caused her revenue to leap from $2,000 to $12,000 per month within six months. The discussion is packed with tactical steps, motivational advice, and honest reflections on what it really takes to grow and monetize a YouTube channel, especially with a highly focused niche and simple, consistent strategies.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Monetization Strategies (02:10–03:09)
- YouTube AdSense: Lorena’s initial entry point into monetization.
“I do help people…by way of life insurance. But right now, the baby, the main focus…is the course, which has been a blessing.” – Lorena (02:10)
- Course Sales: Main revenue driver—providing exam prep for life insurance licensing.
- Dual Approach: Monetizing both on (ads, memberships) and with YouTube (directing traffic to owned products).
2. Creating Content for the Right People (04:49–11:11)
- Serving a Real Need: Content originates from actual questions and pain points Lorena encountered as a teacher and agent.
- Accidental Virality: First hit was a rough 30-minute explainer, born out of frustration with repeating herself.
“The call to action…was, ‘listen, you gotta watch this 26 times, and then come to me with questions.’” – Lorena (05:29)
- Authenticity and Simplicity: Realness, clear language, and a focus on “fixing headaches.”
3. The "Advil Mindset" for Content (13:53–17:31)
- Advil Mindset: Always create content that is a direct remedy for a high-intensity pain point.
“My mindset has always been, I want to be an Advil. You have a headache, I want to help you fix it.” – Lorena (09:46)
- Audience-driven Ideas: Basing videos on common questions, experiences, and struggles—especially for those stuck or anxious about licensing exams.
4. Differentiation & Voice (17:31–21:10)
- Unique Positioning: Less competition in the niche, but also less reference for comparison or improvement.
- Style & Accessibility: Using idioms, “seventh-grade-level” explanations, and a conversational (“kitchen talk”) teaching style.
“Concepts that are so boring… I get to connect it to those little idioms and little things…that give somebody an opportunity to connect it.” – Lorena (19:04)
5. Converting Views to Sales: In-Video Techniques (21:10–28:38)
- Seeding: Naturally referencing students and successes throughout videos, not just pitching at the end.
“We grabbed that concept like a dog with a bone and ran with it…my students does this, my students yesterday asked me…” – Lorena (21:10)
- Multiple CTAs: Always offering both a free resource (lead magnet) and a course option, not forcing a choice.
- Simplicity in CTAs: Securing a simple domain (jopaso.com) for easy recall.
6. Overcoming the Fear of Selling (24:38–26:03)
- Real, Ongoing Discomfort: Lorena admits asking for sales still makes her nervous.
- Coaching & Accountability: Relies on coaching structures to consistently implement effective call-to-action strategies.
“I sweat still…When it comes to the, like, doing the Call to Action, I’m so grateful that that domain was available because it makes it simple.”—Lorena (24:38)
7. YouTube Description & Systems (33:34–37:31)
- Above the Fold: Key links—the free guide and course—placed at the very top of every description.
- Pinned Comments: Reinforces the CTA in comments.
- Repeatable Process: Follows set checklists given by coaches—one system, consistent repeats.
“I just follow a set of instructions. What should you do? You should have a call to action to your guide and always to your course. That’s what you guys do. I replicate that.” – Lorena (36:27)
8. The Power of Focus: “One Shift” to Growth (43:52–50:16)
- Three-Part Business: Lorena’s business included sales, agent recruitment, and the course.
- The Shift: After Mastermind advice, doubled down on just the course.
“Sean said, well, then just focus on that… I hated it…[but] I better take action on what you told me.” —Lorena (44:27)
- Result: Revenue grew from $2,000/month to $12,000/month within 6-7 months by focusing entirely on the course.
Notable Quote
“I asked for clarity…. I better take action on what you told me. So I said, you know what, let’s try it…let’s see what happens if we get rid of the other two and focus on the one. And because of that decision…this is what we’re going to go for…has helped us quadruple our business…” – Lorena (46:56)
9. Persistence, Imperfection, and Encouragement (40:23–42:35, 52:11–54:20)
- Massive Imperfect Action (MIA): Lorena emphasizes taking action even if it’s not perfect.
“Just do it…Take massive imperfect action. Stop being a museum, start driving…everything will be figureoutable.” – Lorena (42:35)
- Avoiding Analysis Paralysis: Ignore the urge to “collect dust” on ideas or wait for the perfect conditions.
- Continuous Learning: Importance of learning environments, events, and surrounding oneself with growth-minded people.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Advil Mindset:
“My mindset has always been, I want to be an Advil. You have a headache, I want to help you fix it.”
— Lorena (09:46) -
On Overcoming Imperfection:
“You learn by doing, but you never do by learning.”
— Lorena (41:16) -
On Repetition and Growth:
“Because you’re better, you should be re-explaining the same thing over and over again and finding better ways to communicate it.”
— Nathan (33:34) -
On Focus:
“Just focus on that… And because of that decision of just saying it’s not all three, it’s one, it has helped us quadruple our business…”
— Lorena (46:59) -
On Execution and Simplicity:
“Coaching without execution doesn’t mean anything…the fact that you are building the system, that you are replicating what people are doing, that’s actually the thing…that’s where the needle moves.”
— Nathan (37:31) -
On Encouragement:
“How could you not talk about [your offer]? …If your heart’s behind it and you know this is helpful…man, you’ve got to talk about what you’re creating to help people.”
— Nathan (27:40)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Monetization Sources — 02:10–03:09
- Accidental First Viral Video & Channel Origins — 05:27–08:39
- The “Advil Mindset” for Video Content — 13:53–17:31
- Niche Differentiation & Relatability (“Kitchen Talk”) — 17:31–21:10
- In-Video Seeding & Multiple CTAs — 21:10–28:38
- Comfort with Selling & Calls-to-Action — 24:38–26:03
- YouTube Description Strategy — 33:34–37:31
- Massive Imperfect Action & Execution Mindset — 40:23–42:35
- The One Shift: Full Focus on Course — 43:52–50:16
- Quadrupling Revenue: $2K → $12K/month — 47:40–48:07
- Final Advice & Encouragement for Creators — 52:11–54:20
Actionable Takeaways
- Solve Real Problems: Anchor your content in recurring pain points your audience faces.
- Keep Messaging Simple: Use clear, accessible language—talk like you would in someone’s kitchen.
- Be Relatable and Authentic: Don’t chase perfection; build trust by being transparent and helpful.
- Leverage Multiple CTAs: Offer both a free guide and a direct path to your course in every video and description.
- Repeat and Refine: Update core videos annually and don’t worry about being repetitive—you’ll reach new people and improve delivery.
- Choose Focus: Ruthlessly eliminate distractions; betting on one path creates momentum and exponential growth.
- Take Massive Imperfect Action: Don’t wait for conditions to be perfect. Start now, iterate fast, and the results will follow.
- Trust One System: Avoid info overload; pick a process, follow it closely, and only adapt once you have data and results.
Summary Tone:
Encouraging, high-energy, practical, and honest—with a focus on real-world action over theory, and an emphasis on consistent execution as the lever for breakthrough results.