Why Growing Social Now Became Brighter Presence

Happy July!

I hope your summer is off to a wonderful start and that you have something fun planned for the Fourth of July weekend, whether that means fireworks, family, friends, a favorite hiking trail, a baseball game, or simply finding a cool place to relax.

It's going to be a really hot weekend here in Charlotte, so Bruce and I are staying close to home before we head to Alaska next week. I'm looking forward to cooler temperatures, beautiful scenery, and a chance to unplug.

This week has been more emotional than I expected.

After more than five years and 50+ podcast conversations, Growing Social Now has become Brighter Presence™.

I didn't expect saying goodbye to Growing Social Now to be emotional. Maybe I should have.

When I launched the podcast in 2020, I wanted to keep conversations going during a time when so much of the world had come to a stop. I remember creating that very first homemade cover image using a photo of me standing in the backyard after getting my hair highlighted.

Looking at it now, I don't just see a homemade logo; I see someone ready and willing to start. I wish I could tell her what those next five years would bring.

Over the last five years, I've had conversations with remarkable leaders, entrepreneurs, marketers, authors, speakers, innovators, and friends. Every guest taught me something. Every conversation stretched my thinking. To every guest who trusted me with your story, thank you. You helped shape not only the podcast, but the person and the work it became. We’ve grown more social together.

For months, I've been asking myself whether Growing Social Now still describes the work I do. The answer kept coming back: not quite.

Social media is still part of the story. It just isn't the whole story anymore. When I chose the name, it was a call to action, not just to use social media, but to grow more social in our personal lives, careers, and organizations.

The work I've always loved is helping people become more visible in meaningful ways. Helping them earn trust, share their expertise, build relationships, and create a reputation that outlasts any platform.

That's what Brighter Presence™ means to me.

It's about showing up with clarity, generosity, credibility, and purpose. In an AI-powered world, those qualities matter more than ever.

Last week, I was back in Chicago at a White Sox game, and it brought back memories of speaking on an "Eat. Drink. Tweet." panel in that same ballpark back in 2010. At the time, social media felt revolutionary.

Watching fans scan QR codes and share photos on the jumbo screen this time around, I realized something. The technology has changed. People haven't.

We still want a connection. We still remember how people make us feel. And we still trust people more than platforms. That's what lasts.

As I thought about this new chapter, I realized I wasn't leaving Growing Social Now behind. I was carrying everything it taught me forward.

Brighter Presence™ didn't replace the journey. It grew out of it.

If you'd like to explore this new chapter, here are three new pieces I shared this week:

Before I sign off, I'd love to hear from you.

What's one conversation, experience, or moment that's changed the way you think over the past five years?

Just hit Reply. After all these years, hearing from readers is still one of my favorite parts of writing this newsletter.

Five years ago, I had the courage to begin. Today, I'm grateful enough to begin again.

Thank you for being here. Whether you've been reading for years or just joined recently, I'm grateful you're part of this community and I'm excited for what's ahead.

Have a fantastic Fourth of July, stay cool, and I'll see you soon with a few stories (and hopefully a few great whale pics) from Alaska.

I can't wait to share what comes next.

Barbara

P.S. If this landed in your inbox, you're already part of Brighter Presence™. Thanks for coming along for the next chapter.