From Jamaican Storyteller to Podcast Expert: How I Built a Multi-Six Figure Business Using Other People's Podcasts
In a world obsessed with social media algorithms and endless posting, Carrolee Drummonds took a different path. Born in Jamaica where storytelling wasn't just entertainment but a way of life, she transformed her natural gift for narrative into a powerful business strategy that's helping experts and consultants break free from the social media hamster wheel.
The Power of Story: From Jamaica to Corporate America
"In Jamaica, we didn't have much TV – just two channels," Carrolee shares. "So entertainment meant sitting around telling stories. I was captivated by how my older relatives could hold an entire room's attention." This early exposure to storytelling would later become the foundation of her unique approach to business growth.
After moving to the United States, Carrolee used storytelling to master the American dialect, consuming movies, music, and media that told the story of her new home. This passion led her to major in communications media, though the 2008 recession forced her to pivot into corporate project management and healthcare.
The Golden Handcuffs: When Success Isn't Enough
Despite building what looked like success from the outside – a thriving marketing agency with in-house developers, designers, and copywriters – Carrolee found herself trapped in golden handcuffs. "I was getting heart palpitations and panic attacks almost every single day," she reveals. "I wasn't sleeping well, wasn't eating well, wasn't working out." The wake-up call came when she discovered she was pre-diabetic from stress.
The Pivot: Discovering the Power of Podcast Guesting
After making the difficult decision to let go of her team and sell her client accounts, Carrolee spent 90 days doing something crucial: she listened to what business owners actually needed, not what she thought they needed.
The answers were consistent:
Qualified leads who could afford their rates
Greater visibility in their industry
A way to demonstrate their expertise and capabilities
Drawing from her own success with podcast guesting, Carrolee developed a framework that would help others leverage what she calls "OPP" (Other People's Podcasts) to build their authority and attract high-ticket clients.
Why Podcast Guesting Trumps Social Media
"When someone sits with you for 45 minutes, they're hearing your stories, understanding your capabilities, and imagining what it would be like to work with you," Carrolee explains. This extended format cuts the traditional "know, like, and trust" process in half – or even less.
But the benefits go beyond just lead generation:
Content Multiplication: One 45-minute interview can generate months of content across multiple platforms
Speaker Training Ground: Perfect for refining your message and building a speaker reel
Media Opportunities: Podcast appearances often lead to traditional media features and speaking engagements
Authentic Connection: Unlike polished social media posts, podcast conversations allow for real, relatable stories
Breaking Free from Social Media Dependency
"Social media was created as a way to connect with people, but it has grown into a business that is about attention for the actual platforms themselves," Carrolee warns. She advocates for a more diversified marketing approach, emphasizing the importance of building an email list and creating content that transcends platform limitations.
The Framework for Success
For those nervous about podcast guesting, Carrolee suggests starting with three transformative stories from your life. "They don't have to be dramatic – even a seemingly perfect life can hide meaningful struggles," she notes. The key is finding the connection between your personal journey and your business expertise.