About this episode
Building influence online isn’t about followers — it’s about survivability. At ComplexCon, Lil House Phone breaks down what it’s really like to build a platform in today’s internet economy: getting deleted, shadowbanned, rebuilding from scratch, and learning the hard way that real influence can’t be erased. From losing a 200K Instagram account, to launching his own podcast, clothing brand, and consulting business — this conversation dives into the unglamorous backend of content creation that most people never talk about. 📚 What You’ll Learn 📉 What actually causes account deletions 🚫 How shadowbans really work 🧠 Why followers ≠ influence 🎬 Why editing is the real differentiator 💸 The true cost of podcast production 📱 Why clips outperform long-form now 🔄 How creators rebuild after setbacks 🚀 How to build beyond platforms Chapters 00:00 Losing Accounts and Starting Over 00:51 Why Instagram Keeps Deleting Creators 01:57 Arguing in Comments Can End Your Page 02:49 You Can’t Delete Real Influence 03:36 Instagram in Real Life at ComplexCon 04:45 Leaving a Bigger Platform to Start Your Own 06:08 The Reality of Running a Podcast Alone 07:34 Spending $40K a Month on Editing 09:26 The Death of Long-Form Podcasts 12:52 Why Clips Matter More Than Views 🎙️ APPLY OR CONNECT 👉 Apply to be on the podcast: https://www.digitalsocialhour.com/application 📩 Business inquiries / sponsors: sean@digitalsocialhour.com 👤 GUEST: LIL HOUSE PHONE - https://www.instagram.com/housephonednd/ 💼 SPONSORS QUINCE: https://quince.com/dsh 🥗 Fuel your health with Viome: https://buy.viome.com/SEAN Use code “Sean” at checkout for a discount! 🎧 LISTEN ON 🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-social-hour/id1676846015 🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jn7LXarRlI8Hc0GtTn759 📸 Sean Kelly Instagram: @seanmikekelly ⚠️ DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed by guests on Digital Social Hour are solely those of the individuals appearing on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, Sean Kelly, or the Digital Social Hour team. While we encourage open and honest discussions, Sean Kelly is not legally responsible for any statements, claims, or opinions made by guests during the show. Listeners are encouraged to form their own opinions and seek professional advice where appropriate. The content shared is for entertainment and informational purposes only — it should not be taken as legal, medical, financial, or professional advice. We strive to present accurate and reliable information; however, we make no guarantees regarding its completeness or accuracy. The views expressed are solely those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent those of the producers or affiliates of this program. 🔥 Stay tuned for more episodes featuring top creators, founders, and innovators shaping the digital world! 🔑 Keywords lil house phone interview, complexcon podcast, creator economy reality, instagram account deleted, shadowban explained, podcast growth strategy, editing podcast clips, gen z creators, social media survival See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.