AI can help us work faster, but it cannot replace strong systems, market knowledge, human judgment, or the trust behind a successful brand.

In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from years of working closely with founders and their businesses—especially what happens when we chase shiny new technology at the expense of systems that already work.

I talk about why a launch is the worst time to rebuild your core infrastructure, what can happen when you allow AI to dictate your pricing or strategy, and how relying on it too heavily can slowly dilute your voice and make decision-making harder.

I’m not against AI. I use it myself, and I know how valuable it can be for brainstorming and getting work started. But every recommendation still needs context, discernment, and action from a human.

At the end of the day, your voice, thought leadership, systems, and people should stand out—not the tool you used to create them.

• Why growth sometimes means moving beyond an existing role
• How shiny-object syndrome disrupts systems that already work
• Why you shouldn’t rebuild your infrastructure during a launch
• The consequences of prioritizing new tools over marketing and sales
• Why launch emails are less effective without a proper pre-launch
• The limitations of using AI for business strategy and pricing
• How depending too heavily on AI can dilute your voice
• Why brainstorming can create the illusion of progress
• The importance of keeping a human in the loop
• Why people buy because of trust—not merely because of sales copy
• How different content channels work together to build your brand
• Why an experienced team shouldn’t become dispensable just because AI is faster

Subscribe to the Frequency HQ newsletter for honest conversations about AI, business systems, strategy, and building a human-led brand.

Visit We Thrive by Design to learn more about my work and how I can support your business.

Welcome to Frequency HQ — the newest iteration of a podcast that has gone through The Content Beach, Digital Systems Operator, a long pause, and apparently several identity crises along the way.

In this episode, I’m talking about why I’m bringing the podcast back, why Frequency HQ finally feels like the right home for it, and why I’m leaning even further into a more spontaneous, in-the-moment way of creating it.

I also get into Podbean sunsetting its live feature, my brief investigation into Mixlr, the possibility of using YouTube Live, and why I’ve realized that adding more tools and workflows can sometimes make it harder to actually create.

This isn’t a polished podcast — and honestly, it never really has been. There are tangents, buzzing headphones, lost sound effects, thoughts arriving while I’m trying to end the episode, and absolutely no intention of going back to edit any of it.

That’s kind of the point.

In this episode:

• Why Digital Systems Operator never quite felt like me
• Why I’m leaning back into podcasting — and how clients actually use the show before working with me
• Podbean ending its live podcast feature and what I might use instead
• Why I prefer recording as if I’m broadcasting live
• The importance of reducing friction in your creative workflow

Frequency HQ is where I talk through digital ecosystems, launches, lifecycle marketing, tech, content, business, and whatever else is currently on my radar.

Follow the podcast for the next episode, and visit wethrivebydesign.com for more.

Kajabi just raised their prices, and it's forcing many pre-revenue coaches to make tough decisions. In this episode, I share why I'm now recommending Wix as a more affordable alternative for course creators just starting out, plus strategies for existing Kajabi users who are deeply invested in the platform. If you're feeling the pinch from the latest price hike, this episode is for you.

The recent Kajabi price increases have created a challenging situation for pre-revenue coaches and new course creators. In this candid episode, I discuss the trend I've been seeing with clients canceling their subscriptions, my theory on why Kajabi is making these changes, and practical alternatives for coaches at different stages of their business.

The Kajabi Price Hike Reality ⏱️ 0:00

• Basic plan increased by $30/month (from $149 to $179)
• Growth plan up $50/month
• Pro plan jumped from $399 to $499
• New fees: 2% charge on PayPal and third-party payment processors

Why This Hurts Pre-Revenue Coaches ⏱️ 3:15

• The impact on coaches just starting their online business
• Why timing matters when you're building your brand
• Real stories from clients who've had to fold their websites

My Theory: Kajabi's Strategic Shift ⏱️ 7:30

• Why I believe Kajabi is intentionally filtering out pre-revenue users
• The support burden of lower-tier customers
• How their homepage now features only established entrepreneurs

The Wix Alternative ⏱️ 12:45

• Why Wix is an underrated option for course creators
• Features you might not know about: Wix Programs, Groups, paywalled blogs
• Pricing: $300-500/year vs. Kajabi's $2,148+/year
• Real example: A six-figure client considering the switch

If You're Staying on Kajabi ⏱️ 16:20

• How to maximize your subscription value
• Utilizing unlimited products on the Pro plan
• Increasing customer lifetime value to offset costs
• Making use of underutilized features like private podcasts

If You're Planning to Leave ⏱️ 19:00

• Stop building new infrastructure in Kajabi NOW
• Don't use Kajabi's email marketing if you're migrating
• Export your website and take screenshots before canceling
• Understanding what data you'll lose in migration

Alternative Tech Stack Considerations ⏱️ 20:30

• Kit (ConvertKit), Klaviyo, or MailChimp for email marketing
• Why you need to plan your exit strategy early
• The importance of owning your data

✅ If you're pre-revenue, consider starting with Wix ($35/month) instead of Kajabi ($179/month minimum) ✅ If you're already on Kajabi and making money, maximize every feature to justify the cost ✅ Plan your migration strategy BEFORE you need it - don't build new funnels in a platform you're leaving ✅ Always export and backup your content before canceling any platform

• Wix
  • Course platform alternative (no affiliate link)
• Kajabi Payments
  • Built-in payment processing
• Kit (ConvertKit)
  • Email marketing alternative
• Klaviyo
  • Email marketing alternative
• MailChimp
  • Email marketing alternative

Raya is a Digital Systems Operator and Kajabi expert who specializes in lifecycle marketing, funnels, and helping coaches and consultants build their digital presence. She works with various course platforms and ecosystems to help entrepreneurs launch and scale their online businesses.

🌐 Website: www.wethrivebydeisgn.com 📧 For help with lifecycle marketing, funnels, and course launches