Podcasts about Brand

SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys In this week's episode, we begin part one of a 2-part series describing the life and times of George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron, the famous Romantic poet of the early 19th century who went to Greece in hopes of fighting for independence against the Ottomans, and immediately died. But, who was this man? And is describing something as "Byronic" a good thing? Spoiler: uh-oh. BIBLIOGRAPHY Bostridge, Mark. “On the Trail of the Real Lord Byron.” The Independent, November 4, 2002. https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/books/features/on-the-trail-of-the-real-lord-byron-126324.html. Brand, Emily. The Fall of the House of Byron: Scandal and Seduction in Georgian England. Paperback edition. John Murray, 2021. Brewer, David. The Greek War of Independence: The Struggle for Freedom from Ottoman Oppression and the Birth of the Modern Greek Nation. Woodstock, N.Y. : Overlook Press, 2001. http://archive.org/details/greekwarofindepe0000brew. Burton, Danielle. “Lord Byron and His Pet Bear.” Derbyshire Record Office, October 22, 2024. https://recordoffice.wordpress.com/2024/10/22/lord-byron-and-his-pet-bear/. Byron, George Gordon, Ernest Hartley Coleridge, and Rowland Edmund Prothero Ernle. The Words of Lord Byron. London : J. Murray; New York, C. Scribner's sons, 1898. http://archive.org/details/worksoflordbyron11byro. Byron, William Byron. The trial of William Lord Byron, Baron Byron of Rochdale, for the murder of William Chaworth, Esq; before the Right Honourable the House of Peers, ... On Tuesday the 16th, and Wednesday the 17th of April, 1765: on the last of which days the said William Lord Byron was acquitted of murder, but found guilty of manslaughter. ... 1765. 1765. http://archive.org/details/bim_eighteenth-century_the-trial-of-william-lor_byron-william-byron-ba_1765. “Edward Blaquiere, British Officer, Founding Member of the Philhellenic Committee of London.” Εταιρεία Για Τον Ελληνισμό Και Τον Φιλελληνισμό, October 27, 2020. https://www.eefshp.org/en/edward-blaquiere-british-officer-founding-member-of-the-philhellenic-committee-of-london/. Jones, Thomas. “On Top of Everything.” Review of Byron: Child of Passion, Fool of Fame, by Benita Eisler. London Review of Books, September 16, 1999. https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v21/n18/thomas-jones/on-top-of-everything. Kunst Museum Winterthur. “Bildtext: Der Wanderer über dem Nebelmeer.” Accessed December 9, 2025. https://www.kmw.ch/ausstellungen/friedrich/digital/wanderer/. Marchand, Leslie A. Byron: A Portrait. The University of Chicago Press, 1979. MacCarthy, Fiona. Byron: Life and Legend. London: John Murray, 2014. Patanè, Vincenzo, James Schwarten, and John Francis Phillimore. The Sour Fruit: Lord Byron, Love & Sex. John Cabot university press Copublished by the Rowman & Littlefield, 2019. Rizzoli, G. B. “Byron's Unacknowledged Armenian Grammar and a New Poem.” Keats-Shelley Journal 64 (2015): 43–71.

KB is BACK and kicks things off with a celebration as the Philadelphia Eagles are BACK TO BACK NFC EAST CHAMPIONS! He details the win over the Commanders and why it's so special to celebrate this division title. Then he goes around the NFL and looks at the possible scenarios for the Birds in the playoffs as they are the first team to clinch their division in the NFL this season. Then he discusses Matt Strahm being traded and the Phillies big shake up to the bullpen. Then he discusses his Saturday Night at the 76ers game with a new company and the latest on the Flyers! Follow & Subscribe to The House Show with Pat Pitts! linktr.ee/OfficialHouseShow Subscribe to From Broad Street with Love: broadstreetwithlove.substack.com/ Onboarding Form: forms.gle/mZYnkiQcGv1ZxBSg9 Voicemail Line: speakpipe.com/UndergroundSportsPhiladelphia Support Our Sponsors! The City of Vineland: Visit www.vinelandcity.org/ and stay connected with the community and learn about important announcements, programs, and services offered by the city! Vineland, New Jersey... Where It's Always Growing Season! '47 Brand Shop for your favorite sports fan and get FREE SHIPPING on ALL orders with '47 Brand! 47.sjv.io/e1Nyor Kenwood Beer Visit kenwoodbeer.com/#finder and see who has Kenwood Beer on tap in YOUR area and crack open an ice cold Kenwood Beer to celebrate the good times! (MUST be 21+ to do so and PLEASE drink responsibly.) Merch & Apparel: www.phiapparel.co/shop + Use Code "UNDERGROUND" for 10% off! Paramount+ Students get 50% off ANY Paramount+ plan when you use our link to sign up for Paramount+. Stream the NFL all season long on Paramount+ paramountplus.qflm.net/c/2698521/3247125/3065 FOCO Shop for your favorite team's Forever Collectibles with FOCO! https://foco.vegb.net/0ZyLgV Biñho Get 10% off your next purchase with code BINHOBENNETT62 from our pals at Biñho! binhoboard.com?bg_ref=pDJkDdNO1y Follow Us! Twitter: twitter.com/UndergroundPHI Instagram: www.instagram.com/undergroundphi/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@undergroundphi KB: twitter.com/KBizzl311 Watch LIVE: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@UndergroundSportsPhiladelphia FB: facebook.com/UndergroundSportsPHI Twitch: twitch.tv/UndergroundsportsPHI Intro Music: Arkells "People's Champ" Outro Music: Arkells "People's Champ" #fyp #FlyEaglesFly #GoBirds #NFL #NFCEastChampions #PhiladelphiaPhillies #RingTheBell #MLB #76ers #Flyers #podcastcharts #download #review #subscribe

In this powerful, no-fluff conversation, Dr. Alisa dives into a truth most entrepreneurs try to avoid: your business will never outgrow your mindset.This episode unpacks why branding is not about logos, colors, or aesthetics—but about identity, alignment, and ownership. When leaders skip the inner work, the business eventually stalls. When identity is clear, influence compounds.You'll hear real talk about:Why consistency—not motivation—is the real differentiatorHow entrepreneurs sabotage growth by expecting success to be easyThe mindset shift required to stop outsourcing responsibility for resultsWhy brand evolution must start at the identity level, not the surface levelHow value creation, service, and profit must coexist for sustainable impactThis episode is for founders, leaders, and creators who are done chasing shortcuts and ready to build something that lasts—from the inside out.

If This Doesn't Work… is back! and this one's for the DMV.We're joined by The Walking Flame, a rapper from Annapolis, Maryland, to talk about building a real brand, learning to record + mix at home, performing in Pittsburgh, and being open about OCD and what it took to overcome the worst years of it.We get into how visuals changed everything, why Maryland needs more venues for artists, the story behind his music grind, his projects like Flames on Wheels, and the albums Delusional + Sacrifice. We also talk about loss, motivation, and why creating matters more than ever heading into 2026.Follow / Listen / Watch The Walking Flame:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thewalkingflame?si=LH2E5GuGQJfrV-TAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewalkingflame/Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-walking-flame/1607625216Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3fEG28uvnb6sMM1CcFb4UD?si=CEPrwGzBSIy0t6qEX31OdQTidal: https://tidal.com/artist/30432070TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewalkingflame?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc“Flames on Wheels” playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOJkwUYUPOmfK7Scka3LJdT8SEW_Tgosq&si=bdu5F4lq3wrlWIvCSubscribe for weekly episodes + clips.Drop a comment: What's more important: authenticity or love?#IfThisDoesntWork #TheWalkingFlame #Annapolis #MarylandRap #DMV

While we're off on our Christmas holidays, please enjoy this bonus episode!AND DON'T FORGET! The comedy history podcast that has spent as much time talking about the invention of custard as it has the industrial revolution is here with its first ever live show! Thursday 15th January at the Underbelly Boulevard in London's Soho.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The Real Talk Kim Podcast. I'm so grateful that you're here. Every time you listen, share, and support, you're helping spread hope, healing, and the message of Jesus around the world.   If this episode encouraged you, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an update, and don't forget to subscribe to the Real Talk Kim YouTube channel for powerful messages, morning prayer sessions, and more uplifting content every week.   If you're interested in advertising on this podcast or having Real Talk Kim  as a guest on your podcast, radio show, or TV show, reach out to collab@realtalkkim.com   Let's stay connected! All things Real Talk Kim – realtalkkim.com All things Limitless Church – limitlesschurch.live Shop my Brand! – rtkstyle.com

The motorcycle is represents defiance, rebellion, freedom and community. It has become a deep part of American society preserving the values that were rooted in the past age of innovation. Beginning as a steam powered bike called a Roper Steam Velocipede in 1867, the motorcycle quickly evolved to a gas powered racing machine by the turn of century. With brands like Indian (1901) and Harley Davidson (1903) still existence today, the motorcycle history is rich in innovation, manufacturing start-ups and cultural transformation. It remains a vibrant culture the anchors us to an America the modern era wants to erase.  #BardsFM_TheAmericanBrand #FreedomOnTwoWheels #RebelCulture Bards Nation Health Store: www.bardsnationhealth.com EnviroKlenz Air Purification, promo code BARDS to save 10%: www.enviroklenz.com EMPShield protect your vehicles and home. Promo code BARDS: Click here MYPillow promo code: BARDS >> Go to https://www.mypillow.com/bards and use the promo code BARDS or... Call 1-800-975-2939.  White Oak Pastures Grassfed Meats, Get $20 off any order $150 or more. Promo Code BARDS: www.whiteoakpastures.com/BARDS BardsFM CAP, Celebrating 50 Million Downloads: https://ambitiousfaith.net Morning Intro Music Provided by Brian Kahanek: www.briankahanek.com Windblown Media 20% Discount with promo code BARDS: windblownmedia.com Founders Bible 20% discount code: BARDS >>> TheFoundersBible.com Mission Darkness Faraday Bags and RF Shielding. Promo code BARDS: Click here EMF Solutions to keep your home safe: https://www.emfsol.com/?aff=bards Treadlite Broadforks...best garden tool EVER. Promo code BARDS: TreadliteBroadforks.com No Knot Today Natural Skin Products: NoKnotToday.com Health, Nutrition and Detox Consulting: HealthIsLocal.com Destination Real Food Book on Amazon: click here Images In Bloom Soaps and Things: ImagesInBloom.com Angeline Design: AngelineDesign.com DONATE: Click here Mailing Address: Xpedition Cafe, LLC Attn. Scott Kesterson 591 E Central Ave, #740 Sutherlin, OR  97479

Send us a textFollow the hosts on Instagram @alonbenjoseph, @scarlintheshire, @davaucher and @robnudds.Thanks to @skillymusic for the theme tune.

Dimitri and Khalid explore the later career of chief cyberculture impresario Stewart Brand from the early 1970s to today, including: Fred Turner's 2004 book "From Counterculture to Cyberculture" highlighting tensions between the New Left and the "New Communalists"; Stewart Brand running the livestream on the Mother of All Demos with SRI computer pioneer Douglas Engelbart in 1968; predicting and championing the “personal computer” revolution in Rolling Stone in 1972; Brand's late ‘70s obsessions with CIA suslord Gregory Bateson and orbital space colonies; launching the WELL (the first self-described ‘online community') with Larry Brilliant and throwing the first Hackers' Conference with John Brockman in 1985; how Grateful Dead lyricist/Mormon cattle ranching heir John Perry Barlow shitposted his way to cyberpunk stardom and CIA consultancy gigs on the WELL; Brand's fateful run-in with MIT Media Lab founder/brother of an Iran-Contra mass murderer Nicholas Negroponte; chief Brand acolyte Kevin Kelly launching WIRED magazine; and the 1990s formation of a bicoastal Long Now/EDGE Foundation “digerati” network that would eventually link up with Robert Maxwell's daughters and “science philanthropist” Jeffrey Epstein on their way to capturing the commanding heights of the 21st century's New Economy… For access to full-length premium SJ episodes, upcoming installments of DEMON FORCES, and the Grotto of Truth Discord, subscribe at https://patreon.com/subliminaljihad.

If you're serious about starting a clothing brand, streetwear brand, or apparel business — this video walks you through the exact 14 things you MUST do from day one to actually get sales and avoid the mistakes that kill most new brands.Make Designs (with discount)

Disney did not shy away from MK Ultra programming references in what is still an absolutely fantastic film.If you wanna dive deep into pop culture and conspiracies, Isaac Weishaupt is the best there is.  Dig his podcasts, books, and more at the other end of this rabbit hole: https://illuminatiwatcher.com/Thomas moved from art direction at Disney World, to creating entertaining comic books, podcasts, and toys riffing on conspiracy theories.  Check out his stuff here:https://www.paranoidamerican.com/Please subscribe, review, and rate us on all the podcatchers.  And if you're Scrooge McDuck, throw a bob out to Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/podcastiopodcastiusMatt makes lots of music.  Brand new ones include the binaural head trip of "Psychic Utopia," and the acid-folk of "Into the Faerie Mound." Have a listen:https://rovingsagemedia.bandcamp.com/Coming soon:Inside Out The Good DinosaurStrange Magic

Check out the first trailer for Gale - Yellow Brick Road: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfdaizGLg1gIn theatres February 11th, 2026!Tickets on sale first week of January!

Most creators chase growth. The ones who actually scale build systems, discipline, and leverage behind the scenes.Rich Somers sits down with Brair Cochran, who's worked closely with top creator Shelby Sapp, to break down what really drives brand scale heading into 2026—and why most people are focusing on the wrong levers. From audience growth and content strategy to positioning, partnerships, and long-term brand equity, this conversation cuts through surface-level tactics and gets into what actually compounds.Brair shares the biggest mistake creators make when trying to grow, the quiet advantage top creators understand early, and why scaling a personal brand isn't about doing more—it's about building smarter. The discussion explores how creators should think about visibility vs. credibility, short-term wins vs. long-term leverage, and why brand decisions made today determine who still matters two years from now.Rich and Brair also dive into what separates creators who plateau from those who build durable brands, how to think like a business instead of a content machine, and what creators must prioritize now to stay relevant and scalable in 2026.This is a grounded, strategy-first conversation for creators, founders, and personal brands who want more than followers—and are focused on building something that lasts. Join our investor waitlist and stay in the know about our next investor opportunity with Somers Capital: www.somerscapital.com/invest. Want to join our Boutique Hotel Mastermind Community? Book a free strategy call with our team: www.hotelinvesting.com. If you're committed to scaling your personal brand and achieving 7-figure success, it's time to level up with the 7 Figure Creator Mastermind Community. Book your exclusive intro call today at www.the7figurecreator.com and gain access to the strategies that will accelerate your growth.

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1907: Steve Chou breaks down the unrealistic expectations many new entrepreneurs have about making fast money online, emphasizing the importance of long-term commitment over short-term gains. Through candid personal stories, he illustrates how early struggles often lead to surprising growth, if you stay the course for 3-5 years or more. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://mywifequitherjob.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-make-money-online-business/ Quotes to ponder: "Brand new entrepreneurs are horrible at predicting how far they can get with their businesses in the short term." "There are no shortcuts. You have to be in it for the long haul." "As humans, we often overestimate what we can accomplish in the short term, but we vastly underestimate what can be done in the long run."

We recently had an insightful conversation with the Ex-CEO of Myntra & Founder of Virgio, and the discussion went far beyond trends, collections, and marketing.We spoke about the realities of fashion as a business—the parts most people don't talk about.Here are a few powerful takeaways from the episode The Darker Side of FashionFast cycles, excess inventory, margin pressure, and unsustainable practices—fashion is exciting on the surface, but brutally complex underneath. Why 90%+ Fashion Brands Don't SurviveIt's not lack of creativity.It's weak fundamentals, poor unit economics, short-term thinking, and ignoring consumer evolution. How the Fashion Industry Is EvolvingFrom “more, faster, cheaper” to purpose, profitability, and responsibility.The future belongs to brands that build systems, not just styles. What is Virgio — and Why It's More Than a Fashion BrandVirgio is a strong example of how conscious fashion can be built without compromising on scale, design, or business viability. Role of Businesses in Building Conscious BrandsSustainability isn't a marketing campaign.It's a leadership decision—embedded in sourcing, operations, pricing, and culture. The Shift in Consumer BehaviourToday's consumers are asking:Where was this made?Who made it?Why does this brand exist? How to Survive & Thrive in the New Business of FashionThe answer lies at the intersection of:Clarity of purpose + strong business fundamentals + deep consumer understandingThis episode is a must-watch/listen for:️ Fashion founders️ Brand builders️ Operators️ Anyone looking to build a future-ready fashion business Watch the full episode here: [Add link]Would love to hear your thoughts—Do you think fashion is finally moving from fast to conscious?

Episode 5 — Lasers, AI Chaos, Plumbing Pain & Tools We'd Never LendIt's just Toby and Chris this week, with Onur out sick — which means things drift slightly off the rails in the usual Fire & Steel fashion.Toby talks about finally getting hands-on with his laser, experimenting with rotary setups, Yeti mugs, brass pieces, and the strange world of EDC coins, pills, and ultra-hyped collectibles. We dig into maker marketing, limited drops, and why some people will buy anything if it's hyped hard enough.Chris breaks down his recent run of AI-generated posts, why people love them, and why a loud minority absolutely lose their minds over AI. We talk about anti-AI outrage, creativity, research tools, and why most of the anger feels performative rather than practical. “We also drifted into a surprisingly thoughtful conversation about faith, Christianity, and using AI as a research tool — and why that topic seems to upset people far more than it probably should.”“We also drifted into a surprisingly thoughtful conversation about faith, Christianity, and using AI as a research tool — and why that topic seems to upset people far more than it probably should.”Toby goes on a very real rant about modern customer support, hour-and-forty-minute hold times, faulty pumps, unpaid troubleshooting, and why tradespeople end up charging what they do. A brutally honest look at why “just fitting it cheaper” often costs far more in the long run.We talk about expanding forge classes, adding jewellery and ring-making, balancing weekday vs weekend courses, and the long-term reality of running multiple income streams. Knives are a luxury. Plumbing is a necessity. That tension shapes everything.The tool game takes a turn this week, drifting into which tools we'd never lend out and which brands we secretly judge people for. Ryobi gets dragged. Brand loyalty gets questioned. Opinions are strong.A classic two-man Fire & Steel episode: tools, tech, rants, business reality, AI, and the kind of conversations that probably make more sense when Onur is around — but still land exactly where they should.

Jess Butcher MBE, CEO and founder of Scrollaware on her transition from tech entrepreneur to social advocate for digital balance. The award-winning consumer tech entrepreneur, (most notably with AR pioneer, Blippar), a Fortune "Most Powerful Female Entrepreneur", BBC's 100 Women and three times TEDx speaker, calls for an urgent, more ethical approach to societal tech-addiction.  She argues that consumers, educators, legislators... and now business must take action to address the rapid society-wide growth of overwhelm, distraction, negativity, polarisation and loneliness . She shares evidence of the growing shoots of digital defiance among Gen Z and Gen Alpha and cites marketers and advertisers from KitKat to Heineken who are already leveraging cultural changes to shift the conversation.  She declares this the next CSR frontier, with the potential for businesses to work together to reprioritise the IRL embodied lives of both their staff and customers. 

Evan Bland, covers Nebraska football for the Omaha World-Herald, joins the program to preview the Nebraska Cornhuskers ahead of a Las Vegas Bowl match up with Utah.

Hour 3 of JJ & Alex with Jeremiah Jensen and Alex Kirry. Sly Sylvester filling in Evan Bland, covers Nebraska football for the Omaha World-Herald Utah Mammoth vs New Jersey Devils Best and Worst of the Day

Are you ready to turn your passion for sexual health into a powerful, profitable brand? Join us for an exclusive workshop where you'll learn from DB herself—creator of the wildly successful Sex Ed with DB podcast with 375K+ downloads and 120K+ followers. This is your chance to get insider tips, real-world tools, and connections that can transform your career. Here's what you'll master: Building Your Brand: Create an authentic, standout identity in the sexual health space. Winning Partnerships: Learn how to connect with brands and sponsors to boost your visibility and income. Going Viral: Crack the formula to make your content blow up and reach thousands. Audience Growth: Discover the strategies you need to grow a loyal, engaged following. Preventing Burnout: Tips to balance content creation while staying sane. Authenticity in Content: The secret to producing quality, on-brand content that resonates. Pricing Strategies: DB's personal advice on how to price yourself based on your career stage. Data-Driven Success: Learn to harness data analytics and tell compelling stories with your numbers. Business Set-Up: Get the lowdown on LLC filing, contracts, bookkeeping, and more. Social Media Mastery: Strategies to grow your social media following while staying true to your message. Making a Living Online: How to become a full-time sexual health expert on the internet. This isn't just another workshop.It's a game-changer for anyone serious about thriving in the sexual health space. For full episode: https://tinyurl.com/25p7eypy To learn more, sign up or get your free webinar: https://www.sexedwithdb.com/workshop Learn more about the Intimacy Rewired program on episode #458 or click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.intimacyrewired.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. And mention Shameless Sex to get $100 off! Do you love us? Do you REALLY love us? Then order ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ now! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shamelesssex.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to snag your copy Support Shameless Sex by sending us gifts via our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Wish List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Gérald Marolf is the Chief Product Officer at On Running. Gérald oversees the full range of On's shoes, apparel and accessories to make sure each delivers performance, comfort and style. Before On, Gérald spent over a decade building consumer brands with collaborators such as Microsoft and Ferrari. AGENDA: 00:00 – Why Most "Great Products" Fail to Create Emotion 03:00 – How Perfume Taught Me Everything About Desire & Product 06:10 – The Brutal Reality of Building Physical vs Digital Products 16:00 – Why "Simple Design" Is Overrated and Dangerous 23:00 – Why Vuori is the Brand to Short in Consumer  28:30 – The Biggest Product Mistake: Listening to Customers Too Much 32:10 – On Only Do Tennis Because of Roger Federer 38:30 – Were We Too Late to Marathon Running? A Painful Admission 43:40 – The Most Controversial Product On Has Ever Launched 49:00 – Are Counterfeits Good or Bad in Fashion?  

KB, DJ, & Hoots are BACK and kick things off recapping the NLL Week 3 action. KB recounts his time at the Philadelphia Wings home opener, running out of the tunnel, and living that Suite Life. Then the boys breakdown the Week 4 NLL slate and dish out their Picks of the Week. Then they dive into PLL Free Agency and discuss the MASSIVE move of Gavin Adler heading to Philly, the trend of three-year deals, and some hot names still on the market. Then they wrap on the WLL waiver period for Champ Series!(We apologize for the mic issues sustained in this episode. They will be fixed moving forward!)Voicemails: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠speakpipe.com/OTBLaxPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support our partners!Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Code UNDERGROUND for 10% off at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠phiapparel.co/shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠'47 BrandShop for your favorite sports fan and get FREE SHIPPING on ALL orders with '47 Brand!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠47.sjv.io/e1Nyor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PLL App CodeDownload the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PLL App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & redeem code OTBPOD for 500 XP!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BUFFShop the SURVIVOR 49 Collection!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buff.sjv.io/yqqVz2⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kenwood BeerVisit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kenwoodbeer.com/#finder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see who has Kenwood on tap! (Must be 21+)Follow Us!TwitterUnderground: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/UndergroundPHI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OTB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/OTBLaxPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠KB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/KBizzl311⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DJ: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/Scs_nextgreat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hoots: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/HootSportsMedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/otblaxpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/undergroundphi/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/@UndergroundSportsPhiladelphia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/@OTBLaxPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Intro/Outro Music: Arkells "American Screams"#Lacrosse #NLL #NationalLacrosseLeague #Week4 #GavinAdler #PLLFreeAgency #PremierLacrosseLeague #LacrossePodcast #Subscribe #fyp

Listen to a replay of 2025's most popular episode! New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and entrepreneur Emma Knight spoke to me about finding the courage to write fiction, the Loch Ness Monster of motherhood, and her breakout debut novel The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus. Emma Knight is an author, journalist, Co-Founder and Head of Brand at Greenhouse, an award-winning organic beverage company, and co-author of The Greenhouse Cookbook (2017), a national bestseller. Her debut novel and instant New York Times bestseller, The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus, is described as a “coming-of-age story, part family drama, and part campus novel.” #1 New York Times bestselling author Carley Fortune called the book “A spellbinding debut about friendship, motherhood, first love, and the choices that bind us . . . I couldn't put it down.” Emma Knight also has an MA in Journalism, and her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Walrus, The Globe and Mail, Literary Hub, and more. [Discover⁠ ⁠⁠The Writer Files Extra⁠: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at⁠ ⁠⁠writerfiles.fm⁠] [If you're a fan of The Writer Files, please⁠ ⁠⁠click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews⁠. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Emma Knight and I discussed: The contrast of her whirlwind world tour after five years of writing Why you can only write one sentence at a time The process of removing your ego from the work Taking the same advice she shared with her daughters Why it's so much better to make things up for a living And a lot more! Show Notes: ⁠The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus⁠ by Emma Knight (Amazon) ⁠Emma Knight talks how debut novel is a metaphor for motherhood⁠ - Today ⁠Emma Knight on Instagram⁠ Kelton Reid Instagram⁠ ⁠Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Kickstarter to thriving brand, Brevitē is a case study in how a challenger wins without a war chest. Learn more at https://justcreative.com/podcast In this episode of JUST Branding, we sit down with Brandon Kim, co-founder of Brevitē, to unpack how a scrappy Kickstarter project became a beloved camera bag brand for photographers, creators, and everyday explorers. We get into the real strategy behind their early momentum, including how they positioned in a crowded category, what they got right about their audience, and how they balanced instinct, research, and creative direction to build a brand people want to be part of. Brandon also shares what bootstrapping taught them about pace, priorities, and protecting the “soul” of the brand while scaling operations. If you're building a DTC brand, growing a challenger business, or trying to create genuine community instead of empty reach, this one's packed with practical lessons you can steal. In this episode, you'll learn: How Brevitē found whitespace in a saturated marketWhat made their Kickstarter campaign resonate earlyHow they approached positioning, identity, and brand voiceThe tradeoffs of bootstrapping versus outside investmentHow they built community and creator advocacy without chasing vanity metricsWhat's next as Brevitē evolves from product to lifestyle

Before You Go Multi-Brand, Watch This! (Franchise Empire Rules) with Mary Kennedy Thompson #237 In this episode of Unemployable with Jeff Dudan, former multi-unit franchisee and Neighborly COO Mary Kennedy Thompson reveals the real path to building a franchise empire—multi-unit, multi-brand, or both. Mary breaks down operational excellence, brand selection, leadership structure, shared services, market penetration, funding strategy, and how to avoid the mistakes that destroy franchise expansion dreams. If you're looking to build generational wealth through franchising, this is the roadmap. Subscribe now for more franchising wisdom and leadership insight. 

Most companies don't have a marketing problem.They have a trust problem.Specifically, a trust breakdown between the CEO and the CMO.In this episode of Think Millions, I unpack why CEOs don't trust marketing leaders, why CMOs feel set up to fail, and why both sides are actually right. Modern buying behavior has changed, but the mental models and measurement systems evaluating marketing have not.Buying is nonlinear.Decisions happen privately.Influence happens long before attribution ever shows up.Yet marketing is still judged at the end of the funnel.This episode breaks down the real reason trust erodes, why marketing feels invisible even when it is working, and how leadership teams can fix the disconnect without forcing marketing into outdated boxes.No hype. No theory. Just what actually happens inside real companies trying to scale.Key parts of the conversation:0:16 – Why CEOs don't trust CMOs and why CMOs feel set up to fail 0:54 – The stat that should make every CMO uncomfortable 1:14 – Why trust controls budgets, hiring, and risk 1:29 – One third of Fortune 500 companies eliminating the CMO role 2:01 – Why CEOs and CMOs are both right 2:12 – The outdated system quietly killing trust 2:36 – Rising expectations, shrinking budgets, impossible timelines 2:58 – Brand and trust compound quietly but are evaluated loudly 3:06 – Why modern buying no longer happens in a straight line 3:20 – Marketing influencing outcomes before it can be measured 3:34 – The burnout and trust fracture inside marketing teams 3:41 – Most marketing arguments are actually about fear 3:51 – Why uncertainty makes leaders pull back 4:13 – Marketing used to feel simpler, even with less data 4:25 – Marketing shapes preference before pipeline 4:30 – CEOs are asking the wrong question, not an unreasonable one 4:36 – Marketing is no longer transactional; it is directionalGreat quotes from the podcast:• “Most companies don't have a marketing problem. They have a trust problem.”• “80% of CEOs do not trust their CMOs. That should scare you.”• “Trust is the foundation of every decision a company makes.”• “When trust exists, leaders invest forward. When it breaks, leaders pull back.”• “The CEO isn't wrong. The CMO isn't wrong. The system is outdated.”• “Marketing is being evaluated on outcomes that no longer happen in a straight line.”• “Marketing is influencing outcomes before it can be measured.”• “Marketing is doing two jobs at once shaping perception early and justifying results late.”• “Most marketing arguments aren't about marketing. They're about fear.”• “Marketing is no longer transactional. It's directional.”• “Strong marketing starts to look invisible when measurement lives too late.”ResourcesAll Episodes: Think Millions PodcastQuestions or Comments: support@thynkconsultinggroup.comAlexa's Instagram: @dralexadagostinoAlexa's Website: AlexaD'Agostino.comBook a Discovery Call with Alexa: Discovery CallThynkFuel Agency: ThynkFuelMedia.com

Before You Go Multi-Brand, Watch This! (Franchise Empire Rules) with Mary Kennedy Thompson #237 In this episode of Unemployable with Jeff Dudan, former multi-unit franchisee and Neighborly COO Mary Kennedy Thompson reveals the real path to building a franchise empire—multi-unit, multi-brand, or both. Mary breaks down operational excellence, brand selection, leadership structure, shared services, market penetration, funding strategy, and how to avoid the mistakes that destroy franchise expansion dreams. If you're looking to build generational wealth through franchising, this is the roadmap. Subscribe now for more franchising wisdom and leadership insight. 

Julieta Brand: ¿El secreto del éxito? Sólo hay uno: esfuerzo

In this conversation, Madelyn Morris, co-owner of Mickelberry Gardens, shares insights into her journey of creating a honey herbal wellness brand that specializes in oxymels – a tonic made of honey, vinegar, and herbs. She discusses the benefits of oxymels, the importance of sourcing local and organic ingredients, and the value of B Corp certification. Madelyn share their founding story, the challenges they faced in the early years of the business, and what they've been able to accomplish in their 15 years in business. She offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of passion and adaptability in business, and we wrap up with Madelyn sharing her vision of a better world.Takeaways:Mickelberry Gardens combines honey and herbalism for wellness.Oxymels are a tonic of honey, vinegar, and herbs with roots back to ancient Greece.Natural remedies are increasingly replacing pharmaceuticals.Sourcing local and organic ingredients is crucial for quality.Starting small allows for sustainable growth.B Corp certification provides a framework for improvement.Having a strong business partner can make a big difference.Adapting to change is essential for business longevity.Building a resilient business takes time and effort.A better world is one where all living things thrive.Sound bites:“The word oxymel is from Latin. Oxy is acid and mel is sweet or honey.”“Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, prescribed oxymels for a wide variety of health concerns.”“Honey and vinegar have amazing health benefits just on their own. And when you combine them, it adds a lot of additional benefits.”“The source of where the honey comes from really matters.”“‘I've noticed in my own garden that bees are really drawn to the medicinal herbs.”“There was something like really magical about harvesting elderberries for the first time.”"It's okay to start small."“We're still manufacturing everything that we sell.”“Just doggedly pursuing it if you really believe in it. Not giving up and continuing to work at it is really the only way you're gonna get there or get anywhere.”"A better world is one that is holistic where all things, even the tiny unseen things, are thriving.”Links:Promo Code: BRANDSFORABETTERWORLD15% off on all oxymel honey tonics, sprays, and skin care from our online shop! www.mickelberrygardens.com…Madelyn Morris on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelyn-morris-86642819/Mickelberry Gardens - https://mickelberrygardens.com/ Mickelberry Gardens on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mickelberry-gardens/Mickelberry Gardens on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MickelberryGardens/Mickelberry Gardens on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mickelberrygardens/Mickelberry Gardens on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@mickelberrygardens2593…Changing Your Mind by Michael Pollan (Book) - https://michaelpollan.com/books/how-to-change-your-mind/…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radioChapters:03:00 Introduction to Mickelberry Gardens06:09 Understanding Oxymels: The Sweet and Sour Remedy09:02 Product Offerings: Exploring Unique Formulations11:46 Transitioning from Pharmaceuticals to Natural Remedies14:51 The Journey of Starting a Business17:37 The Importance of Local and Organic Sourcing20:55 The Health Benefits of Honey and Its Sources23:59 Lessons Learned in Business Growth26:43 Reflections on Business Strategy and Growth33:56 The Evolution of Business Growth35:45 Current Operations and Challenges38:23 The Importance of Delegation41:37 Manufacturing Control and Revenue Streams43:51 Becoming B Corp Certified47:47 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs53:44 Personal Insights and RecommendationsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when curiosity, resilience, and storytelling collide over a lifetime of building something meaningful? In this episode, I welcome Nick Francis, founder and CEO of Casual Films, for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, presence, and what it takes to keep going when the work gets heavy. Nick's journey began with a stint at BBC News and a bold 9,000-mile rally from London to Mongolia in a Mini Cooper, a spirit of adventure that still fuels how he approaches business and life today. We talk about how that early experience shaped Casual into a global branded storytelling company with studios across five continents, and what it really means to lead a creative organization at scale. Nick shares insights from growing the company internationally, expanding into Southeast Asia, and staying grounded while producing hundreds of projects each year. Along the way, we explore why emotionally resonant storytelling matters, how trust and preparation beat panic, and why presence with family, health, and purpose keeps leaders steady in uncertain times. This conversation is about building an Unstoppable life by focusing on what matters most, using creativity to connect people, and choosing clarity and resilience in a world full of noise. Highlights: 00:01:30 – Learn how early challenges shape resilience and long-term drive. 00:06:20 – Discover why focusing on your role creates calm under pressure. 00:10:50 – Learn how to protect attention in a nonstop world. 00:18:25 – Understand what global growth teaches about leadership. 00:26:00 – Learn why leading with trust changes relationships. 00:45:55 – Discover how movement and presence restore clarity. About the Guest: Nick Francis is the founder and CEO of Casual, a global production group that blends human storytelling, business know-how, and creativity turbo-charged by AI. Named the UK's number one brand video production company for five years, Casual delivers nearly 1,000 projects annually for world-class brands like Adobe, Amazon, BMW, Hilton, HSBC, and P&G. The adventurous spirit behind its first production – a 9,000-mile journey from London to Mongolia in an old Mini – continues to drive Casual's growth across offices in London, New York, LA, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Sydney, Singapore, Hong Kong and Greater China. Nick previously worked for BBC News and is widely recognised for his expertise in video storytelling, brand building, and corporate communications. He is the founding director of the Casual Films Academy, a charity helping young filmmakers develop skills by producing films for charitable organisations. He is also the author of ‘The New Fire: Harness the Power of Video for Your Business' and a passionate advocate for emotionally resonant, behaviorally grounded storytelling. Nick lives in San Francisco, California, with his family. Ways to connect with Nick**:** Website: https://www.casualfilms.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@casual_global  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casualglobal/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CasualFilms/  Nick's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickfrancisfilm/  Casual's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/casual-films-international/  Beyond Casual - LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6924458968031395840 About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson  00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us. Michael Hingson  01:21 Well, hello everyone. I am your host, Mike hingson, that's kind of funny. We'll talk about that in a second, but this is unstoppable mindset. And our guest today is Nick Francis, and what we're going to talk about is the fact that people used to always ask me, well, they would call me Mr. Kingston, and it took me, as I just told Nick a master's degree in physics in 10 years to realize that if I said Mike hingson, that's why they said Mr. Kingston. So was either say Mike hingson or Michael hingson. Well, Michael hingson is a lot easier to say than Mike hingson, but I don't really care Mike or Michael, as long as it's not late for dinner. Whatever works. Yeah. Well, Nick, welcome to unstoppable mindset. We're glad you're Nick Francis  02:04 here. Thanks, Mike. It's great to be here. Michael Hingson  02:08 So Nick is a marketing kind of guy. He's got a company called casual that we'll hear about. Originally from England, I believe, and now lives in San Francisco. We were talking about the weather in San Francisco, as opposed to down here in Victorville. A little bit earlier. We're going to have a heat wave today and and he doesn't have that up there, but you know, well, things, things change over time. But anyway, we're glad you're here. And thanks, Mike. Really looking forward to it. Tell us about the early Nick growing up and all that sort of stuff, just to get us started. Nick Francis  02:43 That's a good question. I grew up in London, in in Richmond, which is southwest London. It's a at the time, it wasn't anything like as kind of, it's become quite kind of shishi, I think back in the day, because it's on the west of London. The pollution from the city used to flow east and so, like all the kind of well to do people, in fact, there used to be a, there used to be a palace in Richmond. It's where Queen Elizabeth died, the first Queen Elizabeth, that is. And, yeah, you know, I grew up it was, you know, there's a lot of rugby played around there. I played rugby for my local rugby club from a very young age, and we went sailing on the south coast. It was, it was great, really. And then, you know, unfortunately, when I was 10 years old, my my dad died. He had had a very powerful job at the BBC, and then he ran the British Council, which is the overseas wing of the Arts Council, so promoting, I guess, British soft power around the world, going and opening art galleries and going to ballet in Moscow and all sorts. So he had an incredible life and worked incredibly hard. And you know, that has brought me all sorts of privileges, I think, when I was a kid. But, you know, unfortunately, age 10 that all ended. And you know, losing a parent at that age is such a sort of fundamental, kind of shaking of your foundations. You know, you when you're a kid, you feel like a, you're going to live forever, and B, the things that are happening around you are going to last forever. And so, you know, you know, my mom was amazing, of course, and, you know, and in time, I got a new stepdad, and all the rest of it. But you know, that kind of shaped a lot of my a lot of my youth, really. And, yeah, I mean, Grief is a funny thing, and it's funny the way it manifests itself as you grow. But yeah. So I grew up there. I went to school in the Midlands, near where my stepdad lived, and then University of Newcastle, which is up in the north of England, where it rains a lot. It's where it's where Newcastle Football Club is based. And you know is that is absolutely at the center of the city. So. So the city really comes alive there. And it was during that time that I discovered photography, and I wanted to be a war photographer, because I believe that was where life was lived at the kind of the real cutting edge. You know, you see the you see humanity in its in its most visceral and vivid color in terrible situations. And I kind of that seemed like an interesting thing to go to go and do. Michael Hingson  05:27 Well, what? So what did you major in in college in Newcastle? So I did Nick Francis  05:31 history and politics, and then I went did a course in television journalism, and ended up working at BBC News as a initially running on the floor. So I used to deliver the papers that you know, when you see people shuffling or not, they do it anymore, actually, because everything, everything's digital now digital, yeah, but when they were worried about the the auto cues going down, they we always had to make sure that they had the up to date script. And so I would be printing in, obviously, the, you know, because it's a three hour news show, the scripts constantly evolving, and so, you know, I was making sure they had the most up to date version in their hands. And it's, I don't know if you have spent any time around live TV Mike, but it's an incredibly humbling experience, like the power of it. You know, there's sort of two or 3 million people watching these two people who are sitting five feet in front of me, and the, you know, the sort of slightly kind of, there was an element of me that just wanted to jump in front of them and kind of go, ah. And, you know, never, ever work in live TV, ever again. But you know, anyway, I did that and ended up working as a producer, writing and developing, developing packets that would go out on the show, producing interviews and things. And, you know, I absolutely loved it. It was, it was a great time. But then I left to go and set up my company. Michael Hingson  06:56 I am amazed, even today, with with watching people on the news, and I've and I've been in a number of studios during live broadcasts and so on. But I'm amazed at how well, mostly, at least, I've been fortunate. Mostly, the people are able to read because they do have to read everything. It isn't like you're doing a lot of bad living in a studio. Obviously, if you are out with a story, out in the field, if you will, there, there may be more where you don't have a printed script to go by, but I'm amazed at the people in the studio, how much they are able to do by by reading it all completely. Nick Francis  07:37 It's, I mean, the whole experience is kind of, it's awe inspiring, really. And you know, when you first go into a Live, a live broadcast studio, and you see the complexity, and you know, they've got feeds coming in from all over the world, and you know, there's upwards of 100 people all working together to make it happen. And I remember talking to one of the directors at the time, and I was like, How on earth does this work? And he said, You know, it's simple. You everyone has a very specific job, and you know that as long as you do your bit of the job when it comes in front of you, then the show will go out. He said, where it falls over is when people start worrying about whether other people are going to are going to deliver on time or, you know, and so if you start worrying about what other people are doing, rather than just focusing on the thing you have to do, that's where it potentially falls over, Michael Hingson  08:29 which is a great object lesson anyway, to worry about and control and don't worry about the rest Nick Francis  08:36 for sure. Yeah, yeah, for sure. You know, it's almost a lesson for life. I mean, sorry, it is a lesson for life, and Michael Hingson  08:43 it's something that I talk a lot about in dealing with the World Trade Center and so on, and because it was a message I received, but I've been really preaching that for a long time. Don't worry about what you can't control, because all you're going to do is create fear and drive yourself Nick Francis  08:58 crazy, completely, completely. You know. You know what is it? Give me the, give me this. Give me the strength to change the things I can. Give me the give me the ability to let the things that I can't change slide but and the wisdom to know the difference. I'm absolutely mangling that, that saying, but, yeah, it's, it's true, you know. And I think, you know, it's so easy for us to in this kind of modern world where everything's so media, and we're constantly served up things that, you know, shock us, sadness, enrage us, you know, just to be able to step back and say, actually, you know what? These are things I can't really change. I'd have to just let them wash over me. Yeah, and just focus on the things that you really can change. Michael Hingson  09:46 It's okay to be aware of things, but you've got to separate the things you can control from the things that you can and we, unfortunately aren't taught that. Our parents don't teach us that because they were never taught it, and it's something. That, just as you say, slides by, and it's so unfortunate, because it helps to create such a level of fear about so many things in our in our psyche and in our world that we really shouldn't have to do Nick Francis  10:13 completely well. I think, you know, obviously, but you know, we've, we've spent hundreds, if not millions of years evolving to become humans, and then, you know, actually being aware of things beyond our own village has only been an evolution of the last, you know what, five, 600 years, yeah. And so we are just absolutely, fundamentally not able to cope with a world of such incredible stimulus that we live in now. Michael Hingson  10:43 Yeah, and it's only getting worse with all the social media, with all the different things that are happening and of course, and we're only working to develop more and more things to inundate us with more and more kinds of inputs. It's really unfortunate we just don't learn to separate ourselves very easily from all of that. Nick Francis  11:04 Yeah, well, you know, it's so interesting when you look at the development of VR headsets, and, you know, are we going to have, like, lenses in our eyes that kind of enable us to see computer screens while we're just walking down the road, you know? And you look at that and you think, well, actually, just a cell phone. I mean, cell phones are going to be gone fairly soon. I would imagine, you know, as a format, it's not something that's going to abide but the idea that we're going to create technology that's going to be more, that's going to take us away from being in the moment more rather than less, is kind of terrifying. Because, I would say already, even with, you know, the most basic technology that we have now, which is, you know, mind bending, compared to where we were even 20 years ago, you know, to think that we're only going to become more immersive is, you know, we really, really as a species, have to work out how we are going to be far better at stepping away from this stuff. And I, you know, I do, I wonder, with AI and technology whether there is, you know, there's a real backlash coming of people who do want to just unplug, yeah, Michael Hingson  12:13 well, it'll be interesting to see, and I hope that people will learn to do it. I know when I started hearing about AI, and one of the first things I heard was how kids would use it to write their papers, and it was a horrible thing, and they were trying to figure out ways so that teachers could tell us something was written by AI, as opposed to a student. And I almost immediately developed this opinion, no, let AI write the papers for students, but when the students turn in their paper, then take a day to in your class where you have every student come up and defend their paper, see who really knows it, you know. And what a great teaching opportunity and teaching moment to to get students also to learn to do public speaking and other things a little bit more than they do, but we haven't. That hasn't caught on, but I continue to preach it. Nick Francis  13:08 I think that's really smart, you know, as like aI exists, and I think to to pretend somehow that, you know, we can work without it is, you know, it's, it's, it's, yeah, I mean, it's like, well, saying, you know, we're just going to go back to Word processors or typewriters, which, you know, in which it weirdly, in their own time, people looked at and said, this is, you know, these, these are going to completely rot our minds. In fact, yeah, I think Plato said that was very against writing, because he believed it would mean no one could remember anything after that, you know. So it's, you know, it's just, it's an endless, endless evolution. But I think, you know, we have to work out how we incorporate into it, into our education system, for sure. Michael Hingson  13:57 Well, I remember being in in college and studying physics and so on. And one of the things that we were constantly told is, on tests, you can't bring calculators in, can't use calculators in class. Well, why not? Well, because you could cheat with that. Well, the reality is that the smart physicists realized that it's all about really learning the concepts more than the numbers. And yeah, that's great to to know how to do the math. But the the real issue is, do you know the physics, not just the math completely? Nick Francis  14:34 Yeah. And then how you know? How are the challenges that are being set such that you know, they really test your ability to use the calculator effectively, right? So how you know? How are you lifting the bar? And in a way, I think that's kind of what we have to do, what we have to do now, Michael Hingson  14:50 agreed, agreed. So you were in the news business and so on, and then, as you said, you left to start your own company. Why did you decide to do that? Nick Francis  14:59 Well, a friend of. Ryan and I from University had always talked about doing this rally from London to Mongolia. So, and you do it in an old car that you sort of look at, and you go, well, that's a bit rubbish. It has to have under a one liter engine. So it's tiny, it's cheap. The idea is it breaks down you have an adventure. And it was something we kind of talked about in passing and decided that would be a good thing to do. And then over time, you know, we started sending off. We you know, we applied, and then we started sending off for visas and things. And then before we knew it, we were like, gosh, so it looks like we're actually going to do this thing. But by then, you know, my job at the BBC was really taking off. And so I said, you know, let's do this, but let's make a documentary of it. So long story short, we ended up making a series of diary films for Expedia, which we uploaded onto their website. It was, you know, we were kind of pitching this around about 2005 we kind of did it in 2006 so it was kind of, you know, nobody had really heard of YouTube. The idea of making videos to go online was kind of unheard of because, you know, broadband was just kind of getting sorry. It wasn't unheard of, but it was, it was very, it was a very nascent industry. And so, yeah, we went and drove 9000 miles over five weeks. We spent a week sitting in various different repair yards and kind of break his yards in everywhere from Turkey to Siberia. And when we came back, it became clear that the internet was opening up as this incredible medium for video, and video is such a powerful way to share emotion with a dispersed audience. You know, not that I would have necessarily talked about it in that in those terms back then, but it really seemed like, you know, every every web page, every piece of corporate content, could have a video aspect to it. And so we came back and had a few fits and starts and did some, I mean, we, you know, we made a series of hotel videos where we were paid 50 quid a day to go and film hotels. And it was hot and it was hard work. And anyway, it was rough. But over time, you know, we started to win some more lucrative work. And, you know, really, the company grew from there. We won some awards, which helped us to kind of make a bit of a name for ourselves. And this was, there's been a real explosion in technology, kind of shortly after when we did this. So digital SLRs, so, you know, old kind of SLR cameras, you know, turned into digital cameras, which could then start to shoot video. And so it, there was a real explosion in high quality video produced by very small teams of people using the latest technology creatively. And that just felt like a good kind of kick off point for our business. But we just kind of because we got in in kind of 2006 we just sort of beat a wave that kind of started with digital SLRs, and then was kind of absolutely exploded when video cell phones came on the market, video smartphones. And yeah, you know, because we had these awards and we had some kind of fairly blue chip clients from a relatively early, early stage, we were able to grow the company. We then expanded to the US in kind of 2011 20 between 2011 2014 and then we were working with a lot of the big tech companies in California, so it felt like we should maybe kind of really invest in that. And so I moved out here with some of our team in 2018 at the beginning of 2018 and I've been here ever since, wow. Michael Hingson  18:44 So what is it? What was it like starting a business here, or bringing the business here, as opposed to what it was in England? Nick Francis  18:53 It's really interesting, because the creatively the UK is so strong, you know, like so many, you know, from the Beatles to Led Zeppelin to the Rolling Stones to, you know, and then on through, like all the kind of, you know, film and TV, you know, Brits are very good at kind of Creating, like, high level creative, but not necessarily always the best at kind of monetizing it, you know. I mean, some of those obviously have been fantastic successes, right? And so I think in the UK, we we take a lot longer over getting, getting to, like, the perfect creative output, whereas the US is far more focused on, you know, okay, we need this to to perform a task, and frankly, if we get it 80% done, then we're good, right? And so I think a lot of creative businesses in the UK look at the US and they go, gosh. Firstly, the streets are paved with gold. Like the commercial opportunity seems incredible, but actually creating. Tracking it is incredibly difficult, and I think it's because we sort of see the outputs in the wrong way. I think they're just the energy and the dynamism of the US economy is just, it's kind of awe inspiring. But you know, so many businesses try to expand here and kind of fall over themselves. And I think the number one thing is just, you have to have a founder who's willing to move to the US. Because I think Churchill said that we're two two countries divided by the same language. And I never fully understood what that meant until I moved here. I think what it what he really means by that is that we're so culturally different in the US versus the UK. And I think lots of Brits look at America and think, Well, you know, it's just the same. It's just a bit kind of bigger and a bit Brasher, you know, and it and actually, I think if people in the US spoke a completely different language, we would approach it as a different culture, which would then help us to understand it better. Yeah. So, yeah. I mean, it's been, it's been the most fabulous adventure to move here and to, you know, it's, it's hard sometimes, and California is a long way from home, but the energy and the optimism and the entrepreneurialism of it, coupled with just the natural beauty is just staggering. So we've made some of our closest friends in California, it's been absolutely fantastic. And across the US, it's been a fantastic adventure for us and our family. Michael Hingson  21:30 Yeah, I've had the opportunity to travel all over the US, and I hear negative comments about one place or another, like West Virginia, people eat nothing but fried food and all that. But the reality is, if you really take an overall look at it, the country has so much to offer, and I have yet to find a place that I didn't enjoy going to, and people I never enjoyed meeting, I really enjoy all of that, and it's great to meet people, and it's great to experience so much of this country. And I've taken that same posture to other places. I finally got to visit England last October, for the first time. You mentioned rugby earlier, the first time I was exposed to rugby was when I traveled to New Zealand in 2003 and found it pretty fascinating. And then also, I was listening to some rugby, rugby, rugby broadcast, and I tuned across the radio and suddenly found a cricket game that was a little bit slow for me. Yeah, cricket to be it's slow. Nick Francis  22:41 Yeah, fair enough. It's funny. Actually, we know what you're saying about travel. Like one of the amazing things about our Well, I kind of learned two sort of quite fundamentally philosophical things, I think, you know, or things about the about humans and the human condition. Firstly, like, you know, traveling across, you know, we left from London. We, like, drove down. We went through Belgium and France and Poland and Slovenia, Slovakia, Slovenia, like, all the way down Bulgaria, across Turkey into Georgia and Azerbaijan and across the Caspian Sea, and through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, into Russia, and then down into Mongolia. When we finished, we were due north of Jakarta, right? So we drove, we drove a third of the way around the world. And the two things that taught me were, firstly that human people are good. You know, everywhere we went, people would invite us in to have meals, or they'd like fix our car for not unit for free. I mean, people were so kind everywhere we went. Yeah. And the other thing was, just, when we get on a plane and you fly from here to or you fly from London, say to we, frankly, you fly from London to Turkey, it feels unbelievably different. You know, you fly from London to China, and it's, you know, complete different culture. But what our journey towards us, because we drove, was that, you know, while we might not like to admit it, we're actually quite, you know, Brits are quite similar to the French, and the French actually are quite similar to the Belgians, and Belgians quite similar to the Germans. And, you know, and all the way through, actually, like we just saw a sort of slowly changing gradient of all the different cultures. And it really, you know, we are just one people, you know. So as much as we might feel that, you know, we're all we're all different, actually, when you see it, when you when you do a drive like that, you really, you really get to see how slowly the cultures shift and change. Another thing that's quite funny, actually, was just like, everywhere we went, we would be like, you know, we're driving to Turkey. They'd be like, Oh, God, you just drove through Bulgaria, you know, how is like, everything on your car not been stolen, you know, they're so dodgy that you Bulgarians are so dodgy. And then, you know, we'd get drive through the country, and they'd be like, you know, oh, you're going into Georgia, you know, gosh, what you go. Make, make sure everything's tied down on your car. They're so dodgy. And then you get into Georgia, and they're like, Oh my God, you've just very driven through Turkey this, like, everyone sort of had these, like, weird, yeah, kind of perceptions of their neighbors. And it was all nonsense, yeah, you know. Michael Hingson  25:15 And the reality is that, as you pointed out, people are good, you know, I think, I think politicians are the ones who so often mess it up for everyone, just because they've got agendas. And unfortunately, they teach everyone else to be suspicious of of each other, because, oh, this person clearly has a hidden agenda when it normally isn't necessarily true at all. Nick Francis  25:42 No, no, no, certainly not in my experience, anyway, not in my experience. But, you know, well, oh, go ahead. No, no. It's just, you know, it's, it is. It's, it is weird the way that happens, you know, well, they say, you know, if, if politicians fought wars rather than, rather than our young men and women, then there'd be a lot less of them. Yeah, so Well, Michael Hingson  26:06 there would be, well as I tell people, you know, I I've learned a lot from working with eight guy dogs and my wife's service dog, who we had for, oh, gosh, 14 years almost, and one of the things that I tell people is I absolutely do believe what people say, that dogs love unconditionally, unless they're just totally traumatized by something, but they don't trust unconditionally. The difference between dogs and people is that dogs are more open to trust because we've taught ourselves and have been taught by others, that everyone has their own hidden agenda. So we don't trust. We're not open to trust, which is so unfortunate because it affects the psyche of so many people in such a negative way. We get too suspicious of people, so it's a lot harder to earn trust. Nick Francis  27:02 Yeah, I mean, I've, I don't know, you know, like I've been, I've been very fortunate in my life, and I kind of always try to be, you know, open and trusting. And frankly, you know, I think if you're open and trusting with people, in my experience, you kind of, it comes back to you, you know, and maybe kind of looking for the best in everyone. You know, there are times where that's not ideal, but you know, I think you know, in the overwhelming majority of cases, you know, actually, you know, you treat people right? And you know what goes what goes around, comes around, absolutely. Michael Hingson  27:35 And I think that's so very true. There are some people who just are going to be different than that, but I think for the most part, if you show that you're open to trust people will want to trust you, as long as you're also willing to trust Nick Francis  27:51 them completely. Yeah, completely. Michael Hingson  27:54 So I think that that's the big thing we have to deal with. And I don't know, I hope that we, we will learn it. But I think that politicians are really the most guilty about teaching us. Why not to trust but that too, hopefully, will be something we deal with. Nick Francis  28:12 I think, you know, I think we have to, you know, it's, it's one of the tragedies of our age, I think, is that the, you know, we spent the 20th century, thinking that sex was the kind of ultimate sales tool. And then it took algorithms to for us to realize that actually anger and resentment are the most powerful sales tools, which is, you know, it's a it's something which, in time, we will work out, right? And I think the problem is that, at the minute, these tech businesses are in such insane ascendancy, and they're so wealthy that it's very hard to regulate them. And I think in time, what will happen is, you know, they'll start to lose some of that luster and some of that insane scale and that power, and then, you know, then regulation will come in. But you know whether or not, we'll see maybe, hopefully our civilization will still be around to see that. Michael Hingson  29:04 No, there is that, or maybe the Vulcans will show up and show us a better way. But you know, Nick Francis  29:11 oh, you know, I'm, I'm kind of endlessly optimistic. I think, you know, we are. We're building towards a very positive future. I think so. Yeah, it's just, you know, get always bumps along the way, yeah. Michael Hingson  29:24 So you named your company casual. Why did you do that? Or how did that come about? Nick Francis  29:30 It's a slightly weird name for something, you know, we work with, kind of, you know, global blue chip businesses. And, you know, casual is kind of the last thing that you would want to associate with, a, with a, with any kind of services business that works in that sphere. I think, you know, we, the completely honest answer is that the journalism course I did was television, current affairs journalism, so it's called TV cadge, and so we, when we made a film for a local charity as part of that course. Course, we were asked to name our company, and we just said, well, cash, cash casual, casual films. So we called it casual films. And then when my friend and I set the company up, kind of formally, to do the Mongol Rally, we, you know, we had this name, you know, the company, the film that we'd made for the charity, had gone down really well. It had been played at BAFTA in London. And so we thought, well, you know, we should just, you know, hang on to that name. And it didn't, you know, at the time, it didn't really seem too much of an issue. It was only funny. It was coming to the US, where I think people are a bit more literal, and they were a bit like, well, casual. Like, why casual, you know. And I remember being on a shoot once. And, you know, obviously, kind of some filmmakers can be a little casual themselves, not necessarily in the work, but in the way they present themselves, right? And I remember sitting down, we were interviewing this CEO, and he said, who, you know, who are you? Oh, we're casual films. He's like, Oh, is that why that guy's got ripped jeans? Is it? And I just thought, Damn, you know, we really left ourselves open to that. There was also, there was a time one of our early competitors was called Agile films. And so, you know, I remember talking to one of our clients who said, you know, it's casual, you know, when I have to put together a little document to say, you know, which, which supplier we should choose, and when I lay it on my boss's desk, and one says casual films, and one says agile films, it's like those guys are landing the first punch. But anyway, we, you know, we, what we say now is like, you know, we take a complex process and make it casual. You know, filmmaking, particularly for like, large, complex organizations where you've got lots of different stakeholders, can be very complicated. And so, yeah, we sort of say, you know, we'll take a lot of that stress off, off our clients. So that's kind of the rationale, you know, that we've arrived with, arrived at having spoken to lots of our clients about the role that we play for them. So, you know, there's a kind of positive spin on it, I guess, but I don't know. I don't know whether I'd necessarily call it casual again. I don't know if I'm supposed to say that or not, but, oh, Michael Hingson  32:00 it's unique, you know? So, yeah, I think there's a lot of merit to it. It's a unique name, and it interests people. I know, for me, one of the things that I do is I have a way of doing this. I put all of my business cards in Braille, so the printed business cards have Braille on them, right? Same thing. It's unique completely. Nick Francis  32:22 And you listen, you know what look your name is an empty box that you fill with your identity. They say, right? And casual is actually, it's something we've grown into. And you know it's we've been going for nearly 20 years. In fact, funny enough for the end of this year is the 20th anniversary of that first film we made for the for the charity. And then next summer will be our 20th anniversary, which is, you know, it's, it's both been incredibly short and incredibly long, you know, I think, like any kind of experience in life, and it's been some of the hardest kind of times of my entire life, and some of the best as well. So, you know, it's, it is what it is, but you know, casual is who we are, right? I would never check, you know? I'd never change it. Michael Hingson  33:09 Now, no, of course not, yeah. So is the actual name casual films, or just casual? Nick Francis  33:13 So it was casual films, but then everyone calls us casual anyway, and I think, like as an organization, we probably need to be a bit more agnostic about the outcome. Michael Hingson  33:22 Well, the reason I asked, in part was, is there really any filming going on anymore? Nick Francis  33:28 Well, that's a very that's a very good question. But have we actually ever made a celluloid film? And I think the answer is probably no. We used to, back in the day, we used to make, like, super eight films, which were films, I think, you know, video, you know, ultimately, if you're going to be really pedantic about it, it's like, well, video is a digital, digital delivery. And so basically, every film we make is, is a video. But there is a certain cachet to the you know, because our films are loved and crafted, you know, for good or ill, you know, I think to call them, you know, they are films because, because of the, you know, the care that's put into them. But it's not, it's, it's not celluloid. No, that's okay, yeah, well, Michael Hingson  34:16 and I know that, like with vinyl records, there is a lot of work being done to preserve and capture what's on cellular film. And so there's a lot of work that I'm sure that's being done to digitize a lot of the old films. And when you do that, then you can also go back and remaster and hopefully in a positive way, and I'm not sure if that always happens, but in a positive way, enhance them Nick Francis  34:44 completely, completely and, you know, it's, you know, it's interesting talking about, like, you know, people wanting to step back. You know, obviously vinyl is having an absolute as having a moment right now. In fact, I just, I just bought a new stylist for my for my record. Play yesterday. It sounded incredible as a joy. This gave me the sound quality of this new style. It's fantastic. You know, beyond that, you know, running a company, you know, we're in nine offices all over the world. We produce nearly 1000 projects a year. So, you know, it's a company. It's an incredibly complicated company. It's a very fun and exciting company. I love the fact that we make these beautifully creative films. But, you know, it's a bit, I wouldn't say it's like, I don't know, you don't get many MBAs coming out of business school saying, hey, I want to set up a video production company. But, you know, it's been, it's been wonderful, but it's also been stressful. And so, you know, I've, I've always been interested in pottery and ceramics and making stuff with my hands. When I was a kid, I used to make jewelry, and I used to go and sell it in nightclubs, which is kind of weird, but, you know, it paid for my beers. And then whatever works, I say kid. I was 18. I was, I was of age, but of age in the UK anyway. But now, you know, over the last few 18 months or so, I've started make, doing my own ceramics. So, you know, I make vases and and pictures and kind of all sorts of stuff out of clay. And it's just, it's just to be to unplug and just to go and, you know, make things with mud with your hands. It's just the most unbelievably kind of grounding experience. Michael Hingson  36:26 Yeah, I hear you, yeah. One of the things that I like to do is, and I don't get to do it as much as I would like, but I am involved with organizations like the radio enthusiasts of Puget Sound, which, every year, does recreations of old radio shows. And so we get the scripts we we we have several blind people who are involved in we actually go off and recreate some of the old shows, which is really a lot of fun, Nick Francis  36:54 I bet, yeah, yeah, sort of you know that connection to the past is, is, yeah, it's great radio. Radio is amazing. Michael Hingson  37:03 Anyway, what we have to do is to train some of the people who have not had exposure to old radio. We need to train them as to how to really use their voices to convey like the people who performed in radio, whatever they're doing, because too many people don't really necessarily know how to do that well. And it is, it is something that we're going to work on trying to find ways to get people really trained. And one of the ways, of course, is you got to listen to the old show. So one of the things we're getting more and more people to do when we do recreations is to go back and listen to the original show. Well, they say, Well, but, but that's just the way they did it. That's not necessarily the way it should be done. And the response is, no, that's not really true. The way they did it sounded natural, and the way you are doing it doesn't and there's reality that you need to really learn how to to use your voice to convey well, and the only way to do it is to listen to the experts who did it. Nick Francis  38:06 Yeah, well, it's, you know, it's amazing. The, you know, when the BBC was founded, all the news readers and anyone who appeared on on the radio to to present or perform, had to wear like black tie, like a tuxedo, because it was, you know, they're broadcasting to the nation, so they had to, you know, they had to be dressed appropriately, right, which is kind of amazing. And, you know, it's interesting how you know, when you, when you change your dress, when you change the way you're sitting, it does completely change the way that you project yourself, yeah, Michael Hingson  38:43 it makes sense, yeah, well, and I always enjoyed some of the old BBC radio shows, like the Goon Show, and completely some of those are so much fun. Nick Francis  38:54 Oh, great, yeah, I don't think they were wearing tuxedo. It's tuxedos. They would Michael Hingson  38:59 have been embarrassed. Yeah, right, right. Can you imagine Peter Sellers in a in a tux? It just isn't going to happen. Nick Francis  39:06 No, right, right. But yeah, no, it's so powerful. You know, they say radio is better than TV because the pictures are better. Michael Hingson  39:15 I agree. Yeah, sure, yeah. Well, you know, I I don't think this is quite the way he said it, but Fred Allen, the old radio comedian, once said they call television the new medium, because that's as good as it's ever going Nick Francis  39:28 to get. Yeah, right, right, yeah. Michael Hingson  39:32 I think there's truth to it. Whether that's exactly the way he said it or not, there's truth to that, yeah, but there's also a lot of good stuff on TV, so it's okay. Nick Francis  39:41 Well, it's so interesting. Because, you know, when you look at the it's never been more easy to create your own content, yeah, and so, you know, and like, in a way, TV, you know, he's not wrong in that, because it suddenly opened up this, this huge medium for people just to just create. Right? And, you know, and I think, like so many people, create without thinking, and, you know, and certainly in our kind of, in the in the world that we're living in now with AI production, making production so much more accessible, actually taking the time as a human being just to really think about, you know, who are the audience, what are the things that are going to what are going to kind of resonate with them? You know? Actually, I think one of the risks with AI, and not just AI, but just like production being so accessible, is that you can kind of shoot first and kind of think about it afterwards, and, you know, and that's never good. That's always going to be medium. It's medium at best, frankly. Yeah, so yeah, to create really great stuff takes time, you know, yeah, to think about it. Yeah, for sure, yeah. Michael Hingson  40:50 Well, you know, our podcast is called unstoppable mindset. What do you think that unstoppable mindset really means to you as a practical thing and not just a buzzword. Because so many people talk about the kinds of buzzwords I hear all the time are amazing. That's unstoppable, but it's really a lot more than a buzzword. It goes back to what you think, I think. But what do you think? Nick Francis  41:15 I think it's something that is is buried deep inside you. You know, I'd say the simple answer is, is just resilience. You know, it's, it's been rough. I write anyone running a small business or a medium sized business at the minute, you know, there's been some tough times over the last, kind of 1824, months or so. And, you know, I was talking to a friend of mine who she sold out of her business. And she's like, you know, how are things? I was like, you know, it's, it's, it's tough, you know, we're getting through it, you know, we're changing a lot of things, you know, we're like, we're definitely making the business better, but it's hard. And she's like, Listen, you know, when three years before I sold my company, I was at rock bottom. It was, I genuinely thought it was so stressful. I was crushed by it, but I just kept going. And she's just like, just keep going. And the only difference between success and failure is that resilience and just getting up every day and you just keep, keep throwing stuff at the wall, keep trying new things, keep working and trying to be better. I think, you know, it's funny when you look at entrepreneurs, I'm a member of a mentoring group, and I hope I'm not talking out of school here, but you know, there's 15 entrepreneurs, you know, varying sizes of business, doing all sorts, you know, across all sorts of different industries. And if you sat on the wall, if you were fly on the wall, and you sit and look at these people on a kind of week, month to month basis, and they all present on how their businesses are going. You go, this is this being an entrepreneur does not look like a uniformly fun thing, you know, the sort of the stress and just, you know, people crying and stuff, and you're like, gosh, you know, it's so it's, it's, it's hard, and yet, you know, it's people just keep coming back to it. And yet, I think it's because of that struggle that you have to kind of have something in built in you, that you're sort of, you're there to prove something. And I, you know, I've thought a lot about this, and I wonder whether, kind of, the death of my father at such a young age kind of gave me this incredible fire to seek His affirmation, you know. And unfortunately, obviously, the tragedy of that is like, you know, the one person who would never give me affirmation is my dad. And yet, you know, I get up every day, you know, to have early morning calls with the UK or with Singapore or wherever. And you know, you just just keep on, keeping on. And I think that's probably what and knowing I will never quit, you know, like, even from the earliest days of casual, when we were just, like a couple of people, and we were just, you know, kids doing our very best, I always knew the company was going to be a success act. Like, just a core belief that I was like, this is going to work. This is going to be a success. I didn't necessarily know what that success would look like. I just but I did know that, like, whatever it took, we would map, we'd map our way towards that figure it out. We'd figure it out. And I think, you know, there's probably something unstoppable. I don't know, I don't want to sound immodest, but I think there's probably something in that that you're just like, I am just gonna keep keep on, keeping on. Michael Hingson  44:22 Do you think that resilience and unstoppability are things that can be taught, or is it just something that's built into you, and either you have it or you don't? Nick Francis  44:31 I think it's something that probably, it's definitely something that can be learned, for sure, you know. And there are obviously ways that it can there's obviously ways it can be taught. You know, I was, I spent some time in the reserve, like the Army Reserve in the UK, and I just, you know, a lot of that is about teaching you just how much further you can go. I think what it taught me was it was so. So hard. I mean, honestly, some of the stuff we did in our training was, like, you know, it's just raining and raining and raining and, like, because all your kits soaking wet is weighs twice what it did before, and you just, you know, sleeping maybe, you know, an hour or two a night, and, you know, and there wasn't even anyone shooting at us, right? So, you know, like the worst bit wasn't even happening. But like, and like, in a sense, I think, you know, that's what they're trying to do, that, you know, they say, you know, train hard and fight easy. But I remember sort of sitting there, and I was just exhausted, and I just genuinely, I was just thought, you know, what if they tell me to go now, I just, I can't. I literally, I can't, I can't do it. Can't do it. And then they're like, right, lads, put your packs on. Let's go and just put your pack on. Off you go, you know, like, this sort of, the idea of not, like, I was never going to quit, just never, never, ever, you know, and like I'd physically, if I physically, like, literally, my physical being couldn't stand up, you know, I then that was be, that would be, you know, if I was kind of, like literally incapacitated. And I think what that taught me actually, was that, you know, you have what you believe you can do, like you have your sort of, you have your sort of physical envelope, but like that is only a third or a quarter of what you can actually achieve, right, you know. And I think what that, what the that kind of training is about, and you know, you can do it in marathon training. You can do it in all sorts of different, you know, even, frankly, meditate. You know, you train your mind to meditate for, you know, an hour, 90 minutes plus. You know, you're still doing the same. You know, there's a, there's an elasticity within your brain where you can teach yourself that your envelope is so much larger. Yeah. So, yeah, you know, like, is casual going to be a success? Like, I'm good, you know, I'm literally, I won't I won't stop until it is Michael Hingson  46:52 right, and then why stop? Exactly, exactly you continue to progress and move forward. Well, you know, when everything feels uncertain, whether it's the markets or whatever, what do you do or what's your process for finding clarity? Nick Francis  47:10 I think a lot of it is in having structured time away. I say structured. You build it into your calendar, but like, but it's unstructured. So, you know, I take a lot of solace in being physically fit. You know, I think if you're, if you feel physically fit, then you feel mentally far more able to deal with things. I certainly when I'm if I'm unfit and if I've been working too much and I haven't been finding the time to exercise. You know, I feel like the problems we have to face just loom so much larger. So, you know, I, I'll book out. I, you know, I work with a fan. I'm lucky enough to have a fantastic assistant who, you know, we book in my my exercise for each week, and it's almost the first thing that goes in the calendar. I do that because I can't be the business my my I can't be the leader my business requires. And it finally happened. It was a few years ago I kind of, like, the whole thing just got really big on me, and it just, you know, and I'm kind of, like, being crushed by it. And I just thought, you know what? Like, I can't, I can't fit other people's face mask, without my face mask being fit, fitted first. Like, in order to be the business my business, I keep saying that to be the lead in my business requires I have to be physically fit. So I have to look after myself first. And so consequently, like, you know, your exercise shouldn't be something just get squeezed in when you find when you have time, because, you know, if you've got family and you know, other things happening, like, you know, just will be squeezed out. So anyway, that goes in. First, I'll go for a bike ride on a Friday afternoon, you know, I'll often listen to a business book and just kind of process things. And it's amazing how often, you know, I'll just go for a run and, like, these things that have been kind of nagging away in the back of my mind, just suddenly I find clarity in them. So I try to exercise, like, five times a week. I mean, that's obviously more than most people can can manage, but you know that that really helps. And then kind of things, like the ceramics is very useful. And then, you know, I'm lucky. I think it's also just so important just to appreciate the things that you already have. You know, I think one of the most important lessons I learned last year was this idea that, you know, here is the only there. You know, everyone's working towards this kind of, like, big, you know, it's like, oh, you know, when I get to there, then everything's going to be okay, you know. And actually, you know, if you think about like, you know, and what did you want to achieve when you left college? Like, what was the salary band that you want? That you wanted to achieve? Right? A lot of people, you know, by the time you hit 4050, you've blown way through that, right? And yet you're still chasing the receding Summit, yeah, you know. And so actually, like, wherever we're trying to head to, we're already there, because once you get there, there's going to be another there that you're trying to. Head to right? So, so, you know, it's just taking a moment to be like, you know, God, I'm so lucky to have what I have. And, you know, I'm living in, we're living in the good old days, like right now, right? Michael Hingson  50:11 And the reality is that we're doing the same things and having the same discussions, to a large degree, that people did 50, 100 200 years ago. As you pointed out earlier, the fact is that we're, we're just having the same discussions about whether this works, or whether that works, or anything else. But it's all the same, Nick Francis  50:33 right, you know. And you kind of think, oh, you know, if I just, just, like, you know, if we just open up these new offices, or if we can just, you know, I think, like, look, if I, if I'd looked at casual when we started it as it is now, I would have just been like, absolute. My mind would have exploded, right? You know, if you look at what we've achieved, and yet, I kind of, you know, it's quite hard sometimes to look at it and just be like, Oh yeah, but we're only just starting. Like, there's so much more to go. I can see so much further work, that we need so many more things, that we need to do, so many more things that we could do. And actually, you know, they say, you know, I'm lucky enough to have two healthy, wonderful little girls. And you know, I think a lot of bread winners Look at, look at love being provision, and the idea that, you know, you have to be there to provide for them. And actually, the the truest form of love is presence, right? And just being there for them, and like, you know, not being distracted and kind of putting putting things aside, you know, not jumping on your emails or your Slack messages or whatever first thing in the morning, you know. And I, you know, I'm not. I'm guilty, like, I'm not, you know, I'm not one of these people who have this kind of crazy kind of morning routine where, like, you know, I'm incredibly disciplined about that because, you know, and I should be more. But like, you know, this stuff, one of the, one of the things about having a 24 hour business with people working all over the world is there's always things that I need to respond to. There's always kind of interesting things happening. And so just like making sure that I catch myself every so often to be like, I'm just going to be here now and I'm going to be with them, and I'm going to listen to what they're saying, and I'm going to respond appropriately, and, you know, I'm going to play a game with them, or whatever. That's true love. You know? Michael Hingson  52:14 Well, there's a lot of merit to the whole concept of unplugging and taking time and living in the moment. One of the things that we talked about in my book live like a guide dog, that we published last year, and it's all about lessons I've learned about leadership and teamwork and preparedness from eight guide dogs and my wife's service dog. One of the things that I learned along the way is the whole concept of living in the moment when I was in the World Trade Center with my fifth guide dog, Roselle. We got home, and I was going to take her outside to go visit the bathroom, but as soon as I took the harness off, she shot off, grabbed her favorite tug bone and started playing tug of war with my retired guide dog. Asked the veterinarians about him the next day, the people at Guide Dogs for the Blind, and they said, Well, did anything threaten her? And I said, No. And they said, there's your answer. The reality is, dogs live in the moment when it was over. It was over. And yeah, right lesson to learn. Nick Francis  53:15 I mean, amazing, absolutely amazing. You must have taken a lot of strength from that. Michael Hingson  53:20 Oh, I think it was, it was great. It, you know, I can look back at my life and look at so many things that have happened, things that I did. I never thought that I would become a public speaker, but I learned in so many ways the art of speaking and being relaxed at speaking in a in a public setting, that when suddenly I was confronted with the opportunity to do it, it just seemed like the natural thing to do. Nick Francis  53:46 Yeah, it's funny, because I think isn't public speaking the number one fear. It is. It's the most fit. It's the most feared thing for the most people. Michael Hingson  53:57 And the reality is going back to something that we talked about before. The reality is, audiences want you to succeed, unless you're a jerk and you project that, audiences want to hear what you have to say. They want you to be successful. There's really nothing to be afraid of but, but you're right. It is the number one fear, and I've never understood that. I mean, I guess I can intellectually understand it, but internally, I don't. The first time I was asked to speak after the World Trade Center attacks, a pastor called me up and he said, we're going to we're going to have a service outside for all the people who we lost in New Jersey and and that we would like you to come and speak. Take a few minutes. And I said, Sure. And then I asked him, How many people many people were going to be at the service? He said, 6000 that was, that was my first speech. Nick Francis  54:49 Yeah, wow. But it didn't bother me, you know, no, I bet Michael Hingson  54:54 you do the best you can, and you try to improve, and so on. But, but it is true that so many people. Are public speaking, and there's no reason to what Nick Francis  55:03 did that whole experience teach you? Michael Hingson  55:06 Well, one of the things that taught me was, don't worry about the things that you can't control. It also taught me that, in reality, any of us can be confronted with unexpected things at any time, and the question is, how well do we prepare to deal with it? So for me, for example, and it took me years after September 11 to recognize this, but one of the things that that happened when the building was hit, and Neither I, nor anyone on my side of the building really knew what happened. People say all the time, well, you didn't know because you couldn't see it. Well, excuse me, it hit 18 floors above us on the other side of the building. And the last time I checked X ray vision was fictitious, so nobody knew. But did the building shake? Oh, it tipped. Because tall buildings like that are flexible. And if you go to any tall building, in reality, they're made to buffet in wind storms and so on, and in fact, they're made to possibly be struck by an airplane, although no one ever expected that somebody would deliberately take a fully loaded jet aircraft and crash it into a tower, because it wasn't the plane hitting the tower as such that destroyed both of them. It was the exploding jet fuel that destroyed so much more infrastructure caused the buildings to collapse. But in reality, for me, I had done a lot of preparation ahead of time, not even thinking that there would be an emergency, but thinking about I need to really know all I can about the building, because I've got to be the leader of my office, and I should know all of that. I should know what to do in an emergency. I should know how to take people to lunch and where to go and all that. And by learning all of that, as I learned many and discovered many years later, it created a mindset that kicked in when the World Trade Center was struck, and in fact, we didn't know until after both towers had collapsed, and I called my wife. We I talked with her just before we evacuated, and the media hadn't even gotten the story yet, but I never got a chance to talk with her until after both buildings had collapsed, and then I was able to get through and she's the first one that told us how the two buildings had been hit by hijacked aircraft. But the mindset had kicked in that said, You know what to do, do it and that. And again, I didn't really think about that until much later, but that's something that is a lesson we all could learn. We shouldn't rely on just watching signs to know what to do, no to go in an emergency. We should really know it, because the knowledge, rather than just having information, the true intellectual knowledge that we internalize, makes such a big difference. Nick Francis  57:46 Do you think it was the fact that you were blind that made you so much more keen to know the way out that kind of that really helped you to understand that at the time? Michael Hingson  57:56 Well, what I think is being blind and growing up in an environment where so many things could be unexpected, for me, it was important to know so, for example, when I would go somewhere to meet a customer, I would spend time, ahead of time, learning how to get around, learning how to get to where they were and and learning what what the process was, because we didn't have Google Maps and we didn't have all the intellectual and and technological things that we have today. Well intellectual we did with the technology we didn't have. So today it's easier, but still, I want to know what to do. I want to really have the answers, and then I can can more easily and more effectively deal with what I need to deal with and react. So I'm sure that blindness played a part in all of that, because if I hadn't learned how to do the things that I did and know the things that I knew, then it would have been a totally different ball game, and so sure, I'm sure, I'm certain that blindness had something to do with it, but I also know that, that the fact is, what I learned is the same kinds of things that everyone should learn, and we shouldn't rely on just the signs, because what if the building were full of smoke, then what would you do? Right? And I've had examples of that since I was at a safety council meeting once where there was somebody from an electric company in Missouri who said, you know, we've wondered for years, what do we do if there's a fire in the generator room, in the basement, In the generator room, how do people get out? And he and I actually worked on it, and they developed a way where people could have a path that they could follow with their feet to get them out. But the but the reality is that what people first need to learn is eyesight is not the only game in town. Yeah, right. Mean, it's so important to really learn that, but people, people don't, and we take too many things for granted, which is, which is really so unfortunate, because we really should do a li

In this episode of the Inorganic Podcast, co-host Ayelet Shipley interviews Carrie Kerpen, a pioneer in social media and co-founder of Likeable Media. They discuss Carrie's journey from starting a social media agency to successfully exiting the business. Carrie shares insights on the importance of profitability, setting exit goals, choosing the right M&A advisor, and negotiating earn-outs. She reflects on her experiences and the lessons learned, particularly for women entrepreneurs, and emphasizes the need for community and support in the business world.TakeawaysCarrie started Likeable Media in 2007, one of the first social media agencies.The initial focus was not on exiting but on building a profitable business.Setting a target exit value can help guide business decisions.Timing and personal readiness are crucial when deciding to sell a business.Choosing the right M&A advisor can significantly impact the sale process.Negotiating earn-outs requires careful consideration of control and reporting.Reflecting on the exit process can reveal areas for improvement.Building a community for women founders can provide essential support.Women entrepreneurs often face unique challenges in the exit process.M&A can be a powerful tool for business growth and problem-solving.Chapters0:00 Introducing Carrie Kerpen1:05 Founding Likeable Media 3:33 Early Growth & Cash Flow Challenges5:22 Becoming CEO and Focusing on Profitability6:37 Market Shifts & Productizing the Agency7:21 Building a Brand through All the Social Ladies9:07 Financial Stability & the $20M Exit Goal 10:43 Knowing When It's Time to Sell12:55 Choosing an M&A Advisor vs. a Banker15:36 Price vs. Timing After the Exit18:22 Negotiating & Protecting an Earnout22:02 Life After the Sale23:12 What Carrie Would Do Differently24:51 Acting Like a Platform and Rethinking Capital25:58 The Exit Gap and The Whisper Group27:45 Closing ThoughtsConnect with Christian and AyeletAyelet's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-shipley-b16330149/Christian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hassold/Web: https://www.inorganicpodcast.coIn/organic on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InorganicPodcast/featuredConnect with guest, Carrie Kerpenhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/carriekerpen/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're getting into an Ernest for every season.  This one is a given.Thomas moved from art direction at Disney World, to creating entertaining comic books, podcasts, and toys riffing on conspiracy theories.  Check out his stuff here:https://www.paranoidamerican.com/Please subscribe, review, and rate us on all the podcatchers.  And if you're Scrooge McDuck, throw a bob out to Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/podcastiopodcastiusMatt makes lots of music.  Brand new ones include the binaural head trip of "Psychic Utopia," and the acid-folk of "Into the Faerie Mound." Have a listen:https://rovingsagemedia.bandcamp.com/Coming soon:Zootopia Inside Out

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in music has sparked a new kind of identity crisis for artists and the industry alike. When anyone with a laptop can generate a song in seconds, how do listeners tell differentiate between human-created music and AI-generated music? In this episode of Brand & New, guest host Rudy Gaines talks with Paul McGrady, an intellectual property attorney and the co-founder of Humanable (USA), a certification platform that verifies when music is created entirely by human artists. Inspired by his daughter's journey in Nashville's music scene, Mr. McGrady shares how Humanable aims to protect musicians, preserve royalties, and help audiences reconnect with authentic artistry. Beyond the legal innovation, Mr. McGrady also discusses his Nashville alter ego, “Uncle Paul,” and his mission to spotlight independent musicians through social media and community advocacy. This episode was recorded live during INTA's 2025 Annual Meeting in San Diego, California. Resources: About Paul McGrady About Humanable About Rudy Gaines Related Brand & New Episodes:The Beat of IP: A Conversation with The Opposition™ BandWhen Music Meets IP: A Conversation with Mei-lan Stark and Rick McMurtryINTA's 2026 Annual Meeting

As AI-generated music floods the market, the music industry faces unprecedented questions about creativity, copyright, and compensation. But behind every evolving technology and headline debate are the lawyers, often musicians themselves, who navigate the space where art and law converge. In this episode of Brand & New, guest host Rudy Gaines sits down with two leading intellectual property practitioners whose personal and professional lives are deeply connected to music: INTA Past President Mei-lan Stark, Executive Vice President and Chief Counsel for IP at NBCUniversal (USA) and Rick McMurtry, Founding Partner at M|C Law Group (USA). From childhood music lessons to high-stakes licensing negotiations, both guests share how their lifelong connection to music has shaped their careers, protecting creative works. Together, they trace the soundtrack of the industry's evolution, from the era of Napster to today's AI-driven soundscapes, exploring how innovation challenges what it means to be both creator and protector. This episode was recorded live during INTA's 2025 Annual Meeting in San Diego, California.Resources: About Mei-lan StarkAbout Rick McMurtryAbout Rudy GainesRelated Brand & New Episodes:The Beat of IP: A Conversation with The Opposition™ BandCertifying Human Music in the Age of AIINTA's 2026 Annual Meeting 

KB is BACK and kicks things off discussing the Eagles Saturday Night Football matchup with the Commanders with the NFC East Title in their sights. He discusses why this game is important, the convaluted way the Birds can STILL be the #1 seed in the NFC, and why it's key to walk away from this game healthy. Then he discusses the Phillies big swinging moves as they have signed RF Adolis Garcia and RP Brad Keller. He also touches on Nick Castellanos and why he'll always have love for him and his family. Then he talks about the Philadelphia Waterdogs making one of the biggest free agent signings in PLL history as they bring in the defending DPOY and 2025 PLL Champion Gavin Adler. Then he rounds out the show talking some Hoops & Hockey! Follow & Subscribe to The House Show with Pat Pitts! linktr.ee/OfficialHouseShow Subscribe to From Broad Street with Love: broadstreetwithlove.substack.com/ Onboarding Form: forms.gle/mZYnkiQcGv1ZxBSg9 Voicemail Line: speakpipe.com/UndergroundSportsPhiladelphia Support Our Sponsors! The City of Vineland: Visit www.vinelandcity.org/ and stay connected with the community and learn about important announcements, programs, and services offered by the city! Vineland, New Jersey... Where It's Always Growing Season! '47 Brand Shop for your favorite sports fan and get FREE SHIPPING on ALL orders with '47 Brand! 47.sjv.io/e1Nyor Kenwood Beer Visit kenwoodbeer.com/#finder and see who has Kenwood Beer on tap in YOUR area and crack open an ice cold Kenwood Beer to celebrate the good times! (MUST be 21+ to do so and PLEASE drink responsibly.) Merch & Apparel: www.phiapparel.co/shop + Use Code "UNDERGROUND" for 10% off! Paramount+ Students get 50% off ANY Paramount+ plan when you use our link to sign up for Paramount+. Stream the NFL all season long on Paramount+ paramountplus.qflm.net/c/2698521/3247125/3065 Five Iron Golf Book an outing to Five Iron Golf! fiveirongolf.sjv.io/Bn9RO4 PLL App Download the PLL App and redeem code OTBPOD for 500 XP on your account! Biñho Get 10% off your next purchase with code BINHOBENNETT62 from our pals at Biñho! binhoboard.com?bg_ref=pDJkDdNO1y Follow Us! Twitter: twitter.com/UndergroundPHI Instagram: www.instagram.com/undergroundphi/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@undergroundphi KB: twitter.com/KBizzl311 Watch LIVE: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@UndergroundSportsPhiladelphia FB: facebook.com/UndergroundSportsPHI Twitch: twitch.tv/UndergroundsportsPHI Intro Music: Arkells "People's Champ" Outro Music: Arkells "People's Champ" #fyp #FlyEaglesFly #GoBirds #NFL #PhiladelphiaPhillies #RingTheBell #MLB #GavinAdler #PhiladelphiaWaterdogs #76ers #Flyers #podcastcharts #download #review #subscribe

In "How TV Turned This Real Estate Investor into a 7-Figure Brand", Travis Johnson shares how getting on TV transformed his real estate investing business, lifestyle, and deal flow. If you've ever wondered how TV Advertising, smart TV Ads for Business, and a single TV Commercial can bring in warmer, more qualified leads, this case study breaks it all down. You'll learn why TV produces the highest-quality, "ready to sell" motivated seller leads, how Travis protects margins in a shifting market, and why culture, follow-up, and a solid CRM are non-negotiable. Watch to see exactly how consistent TV marketing helped him scale to 7 figures while gaining true time freedom with his family. _______________________________  If you want to learn how to run your business in 5 hours or less.... Go to https://www.5HourBusiness.com Subscribe to my YouTube channel:    / @tonyjavierbiz   And if you're into flying and want to follow my Aviation journey, check out my other YouTube channel at    / @tonyjaviertv   _______________________________ Follow me on Social Media: Tiktok -   / tonyjavier.tv   Instagram -   / tonyjavier.tv   Facebook Personal -   / tonyejavier   Facebook Business -   / realtonyjavier   _________________________________ If you want to dominate your Real Estate Market with TV commercials, go here: https://www.ClaimMyMarket.com  If you want to connect with me and my network, go to https://tonyjavier.com/connect If you want to check out Tony's Real Estate Resources and Vendors go to https://www.TonyJavier.com/resources _________________________________ Tony is the owner of an INC 5000-rated Real Estate Investment Company. He has been featured in Bigger Pockets, Wholesaling INC, Steve Trang's Real Estate Disruptors, Joe Fairless' Best Ever Podcast, and many other top podcasts and platforms.  When Tony is not working on his business, he enjoys flying his plane. You can see videos on that and how he uses airplanes to save money on taxes.  Don't forget to like the video, comment, subscribe to my channel, and share this with a friend if I'm doing my job and providing value to you and your network. If I'm not doing my job please let me know in the comments how I can be better, your feedback is greatly appreciated. See you in the next video!

Bueno Bueno Podmas Day 18, An episode everyday for 25 days! Follow Kat!https://www.instagram.com/kiitysworldd/ Buy The Bueno Coffee Hoodie here!https://www.inlandentertainment.com/product-page/bueno-coffee-hoodie More Content On Patreon!patreon.com/buenobueno Call Us To Be On The Show!https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdV8WNMg69TLL4nYttVh_mKAoLRYzRtnCT226InJqh3ixQR5g/viewform Want to send us a gift?PO BOX 311145Fontana, Ca 92331 Follow Us!https://linktr.ee/buenobuenopdc Saul V GomezInstagram -  https://www.instagram.com/saulvgomez/Twitter - https://twitter.com/Saulvgomez_Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@saulvgomez Hans EsquivelInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/hans_esquivel/Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hanss444 RexxInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/rexxb/Twitter - https://twitter.com/rexxgodbTik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@rexx.b1 Bueno Bueno EP. 17700:00 – Welcome to Podmas01:20 – How Rave Culture Sparked the Idea for Goodies Events03:15 – The Hello Kitty Birthday Party That Changed Everything04:25 – Did She Ever Plan for This Level of Success?05:38 – DJing at Rolling Loud & Playing for Major Artists06:00 – Transitioning From Underground to Mainstream Events06:23 – Dealing With Copyright & Legal Pressure07:13 – Dream International Event Locations07:43 – Touring Strategy & Scaling Nationwide08:01 – Being a Young Woman in the Event Business08:43 – Sobriety, Discipline & Personal Growth09:34 – Daily Schedule, Content & Self-Motivation09:54 – Craziest Things Seen at Raves11:25 – Safety, Responsibility & Event Culture12:05 – Biggest Mistakes People Make Throwing Events12:55 – Marketing Spend & Why Ads Matter13:06 – Competition, Underground Drama & Staying Clean15:17 – Why Local Support Drops As You Grow16:14 – Touring vs. Hometown Shows Explained17:15 – Why Dave & Buster's Is a Game-Changer18:01 – Favorite Cities & Touring Energy20:03 – Expanding Into Mexico & Global Plans22:12 – Best Raves & Favorite Sets23:04 – Long-Term Vision: Owning a Venue24:33 – Is PLUR Dead?26:05 – Advice for First-Time Ravers26:39 – New Year's Events & Ontario Plans28:51 – Naughty List Question (Podmas Segment)30:14 – Why She Went Sober31:13 – Family Support & Real-World Pressure33:00 – Speed Dating Business Idea Breakdown36:24 – Lessons From Failed Ideas39:06 – Dealing With Failure & Faith41:01 – Dave & Buster's Tour Details44:42 – Biggest Win of the Year45:05 – Personal Mantras & Motivation45:40 – Where to Find Kitty's Rave47:33 – Future Collabs & Touring Together48:03 – Final Thank You & Sign Off

We practice what we preach. Here's proof. Alan and Jonathan pull back the curtain on H2 Leadership's biggest moves of 2025: restructuring, rebranding, and the roots work nobody sees. If you've ever wondered whether we actually live out what we teach, this episode is your answer. If you've ever wondered whether we live out what we teach, this episode is your answer.  In This Episode: Why healthy organizations run toward problems, not away The "awkward in-between" of restructuring (and why it's worth it) How to build systems that elevate your team and clients The difference between survival questions and flourishing questions Why the best moves feel worse before they feel better Timestamps: 00:00 — Year-end reflections 01:07 — Two types of organizations in uncertain times 06:51 — Restructuring and the awkward in-between 12:25 — Elevating through systematization 14:44 — Brand clarity: H2 Leadership rebrand 22:00 — Integration: aligning systems and values 24:44 — Advancement: taking new ground Resources: AntiBurnout by Alan Briggs: https://a.co/d/9Xzn5mJ The Sabbatical Journey Field Guide: https://a.co/d/59DGahr Connect: Website: www.h2leadership.com Sabbatical Coaching: www.sabbaticalcoachinggroup.com

Respected consumer brands are not common in lower middle market acquisitions, but Philip Hussey and Chenmark bought one.Topics in Philip's interview:Chenmark's acquisition of Thomas MoserLeading a furniture business as a non-craftsmanChenmark's hold-forever intentionWait times for custom, hand-made furnitureLong tenure of craftsmenCommitment to world-class qualityGetting away from offering discountsBuilding talent through their woodworker schoolRunning a company with a strong legacy behind itDownside to owning your manufacturingReferences and how to contact Philip:LinkedInThos. MoserChenmarkGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you're a searcherLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

In this episode, we kick off the Brand Connect Method by diving into the foundation of every powerful brand: Brand Clarity. If your message feels scattered, your audience isn't engaging, or your brand doesn't feel aligned, this conversation is for you.Part 1 focuses on uncovering who you truly are as a brand, what you stand for, and why clarity is the missing link between being seen and being chosen. We explore how confusion in branding blocks connection and how clarity creates trust, confidence, and consistency across everything you do.The Lazy Girl's Guide to Making Bank: https://bit.ly/lazygirlsguideofficialJoin The Vault & Get Instant Access to 75+ Courses, Monthly Zoom Sessions, Curated Curriculum to fit your biz needs, New Courses add Each Month, and so much more!https://bit.ly/TheOfficialVault Grab your FREE copy of my book, ‘Boss It Up Babe!'https://bit.ly/BOSSItUpBabeBookHost Bio:Kimberly Olson is a self-made multi-millionaire and the creator of The Goal Digger Girl, where she serves female entrepreneurs by teaching them simple systems and online strategies in sales and marketing. Through the power of social media, they are equipped to explode their online presence and get real results in their business, genuinely and authentically. She has two PhDs in Natural Health and Holistic Nutrition, has recently been recognized as the #2 recruiter in her current network marketing company globally, is the author of four books including best-sellers, The Goal Digger and Balance is B.S., has a top 25 rated podcast in marketing and travels nationally public speaking. She is a mom of two and teaches others how to follow their dreams, crush their goals and create the life they've always wanted.Website: www.thegoaldiggergirl.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/thegoaldiggergirlFacebook: www.facebook.com/thegoaldiggergirlYoutube: www.youtube.com/c/thegoaldiggergirlGrab The Goal Digger Girl Journal: https://amzn.to/3BeCMMZCheck out my Facebook groups for those that want to build their business online through social media, in a genuine and authentic way:Goal Digging Boss Babes: http://bit.ly/GoalDiggingBossBabesFempreneurs:  https://bit.ly/FempreneursCashFlowQueensLeave a review here: Write a review for The Goal Digger Girl Podcast.Subscribing to The Podcast:If you would like to get updates of new episodes, you can give me a follow on your favorite podcast app.

Welcome to Nerd Alert, a series of special episodes bridging the gap between marketing academia and practitioners. We're breaking down highly involved, complex research into plain language and takeaways any marketer can use. In this episode, Elena and Rob explore how gift-giving experiences shape emotions, relationships, and brand perception. They reveal why the best brands focus on creating memorable experiences rather than just selling products during the holidays. Topics covered:   [01:00] "Gift Experience in Marketing: A Systematic Review and Future Research Agenda"[03:00] What marketers get wrong about holiday gifting[05:00] The four key elements of gift exchanges[06:00] Three stages of gift-giving: gestation, presentation, and reformulation[07:00] Why experiential gifts outperform material ones[08:00] Making the giver the hero  To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter. Resources: Tyagi, H., & Rahman, Z. (2025). Gift experience in marketing: A systematic review and future research agenda. Indian Institute of Technology.  Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

The Kast is here to preview NFL Week 16! Don't forget to subscribe to the pod and check out karterkast.webflow.io!Our Sponsors USE CODE “KARTERKAST” AT SEATGEEK FOR $20 OFF YOUR FIRST PURCHASESeatGeek.comGet 15% off + Free Shipping at 47' Brand: https://47.sjv.io/6yK7PNSocial MediaTwitter: @karterkast @karterb8 @wilkersonadylan @connor_sparrowTikTok: @karterkast Instagram: @karterkast Hosted by: Karter BaughanGuests: Dylan Wilkerson  #football #collegefootball  #podcasts #NFL 

Your brand isn't losing to competitors, it's drowning in “helpful” content no one remembers. In an AI-everywhere world, bland is broken and volume is just a faster way to disappear.If LLMs can write what you ship in 10 seconds, why would a buyer choose you?This week, Sylvia LePoidevin delivers the reality check B2B marketers have been dodging: content volume is a commodity, brand is the moat. We dig into how AI-native teams actually work (tastemakers and operators), why “helpful” guides are table stakes, and how human stories, conviction, and point of view become the only defensible edge in a world where production is free. We also get into:Content brands > corporate blogs: Building something people follow, not just something you publish.Helpful is dead: Why every piece needs a person, a story, and a spine—or it's AI fodder.Anchors and distribution: Human-made “anchor” content, AI-powered repurposing, zero soul lost.Manifestos, not messaging decks: Founder-fueled conviction as the real brand operating system.Brand as last moat: Community, ecosystem marketing, and taste as the next-gen B2B unfair advantage.

In this episode of Run the Numbers, CJ Gustafson sits down with Larry Contrella, General Partner at JMI Equity, to unpack how JMI invests in software without financial engineering or roll-up strategies. Larry explains how the firm builds conviction through founder relationships, long-term partnership, and a product-and-brand-first view of durable growth. They discuss how JMI supports companies through scaling, why operating partners keep returning, and how underwriting looks different in mission-driven sectors like K–12 and nonprofit tech where customers are schools and communities, not Fortune 500s. Larry's background as a competitive runner at Penn ties the conversation together with a clear ethos: patience, discipline, and playing the long game.—SPONSORS:Mercury is business banking built for builders, giving founders and finance pros a financial stack that actually works together. From sending wires to tracking balances and approving payments, Mercury makes it simple to scale without friction. Join the 200,000+ entrepreneurs who trust Mercury and apply online in minutes at https://www.mercury.comRightRev automates the revenue recognition process from end to end, gives you real-time insights, and ensures ASC 606 / IFRS 15 compliance—all while closing books faster. For RevRec that auditors actually trust, visit https://www.rightrev.com and schedule a demo.Tipalti automates the entire payables process—from onboarding suppliers to executing global payouts—helping finance teams save time, eliminate costly errors, and scale confidently across 200+ countries and 120 currencies. More than 5,000 businesses already trust Tipalti to manage payments with built-in security and tax compliance. Visit https://www.tipalti.com/runthenumbers to learn more.Aleph automates 90% of manual, error-prone busywork, so you can focus on the strategic work you were hired to do. Minimize busywork and maximize impact with the power of a web app, the flexibility of spreadsheets, and the magic of AI. Get a personalised demo at https://www.getaleph.com/runFidelity Private Shares is the all-in-one equity management platform that keeps your cap table clean, your data room organized, and your equity story clear—so you never risk losing a fundraising round over messy records. Schedule a demo at https://www.fidelityprivateshares.com and mention Mostly Metrics to get 20% off.Sage Intacct is a cloud financial management platform that replaces spreadsheets, automates workflows, and keeps your books audit-ready as you scale. It unifies accounting, ERP, and real-time reporting for finance, retail, logistics, tech, and professional services. With payback in under six months and up to 250% ROI, and eight years as the customer-satisfaction leader, Sage Intacct helps you take control of your growth: https://bit.ly/3Kn4YHt—LINKS:Larry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-contrella-160a8a25/JMI Equity: https://www.jmi.com/CJ on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-gustafson-13140948/Mostly metrics: https://www.mostlymetrics.com—RELATED EPISODES:Is taking a company public even worth it? | Fullstory's Chad Goldhttps://youtu.be/zSD8y9dr4VgSo You're Looking for a “Strategic” CFO? Bloomerang's Steve Isom on What That Really Meanshttps://youtu.be/cgHOtvG1Ces—TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00 Preview and Intro00:02:49 Sponsors — Mercury | RightRev | Tipalti00:06:41 Joining the JMI Conversation00:07:13 College Running and Team Dynamics00:08:13 New York Marathon Story and Career Intersection00:11:04 Competitive Drive and Patience With Founders00:12:54 Building Long-Term Partnerships and Underwriting Credibility00:15:27 Growth Equity as a Long Sales Cycle00:15:48 Sponsors — Aleph | Fidelity Private Shares | Sage Intacct00:18:44 Fund Planning, Deal Pacing, and Board Commitments00:20:59 Sourcing Philosophy and Developing Investors Over Time00:22:09 Hustle as the Only Sustainable Edge in Sourcing00:24:14 Early Sourcing Tactics and Information Arbitrage00:26:06 Reputation, Experience, and Breaking Into Competitive Deals00:29:42 Organic Growth Over Roll-Ups and M&A Discipline00:32:51 Brand, Product Leadership, and Paying for the Best Businesses00:33:29 Bloomerang and Brand-Led Growth in Nonprofit Software00:34:46 Why JMI Operators Keep Coming Back00:36:28 Collaborative Leadership and Giving Constructive Advice00:38:20 Using Data Without Slowing Decisions00:39:20 Transparency, Alignment, and Knowing Where You Stand00:40:31 Why JMI Invests in K–12 and EdTech00:42:07 Mission-Driven Businesses and Talent Advantage00:43:24 Monetization Models in Nonprofit SaaS00:45:40 Conviction Bets and Product-Market Fit Stories00:48:49 Rethinking TAM and Expanding Markets Over Time00:50:40 Lightning Round: Sourcing Stories and Lessons00:52:58 Traits of Great Founders and Changing Beliefs00:54:20 Closing Thoughts and Outro#RunTheNumbersPodcast #GrowthEquity #B2BSoftware #FounderRelationships #PrivateEquity This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjgustafson.substack.com

Are you scared of “selling yourself” as a creator? If the word sales makes you cringe, hesitate, or want to run the other way…this episode is going to change your mind (in the best way).Because here's the truth: If you want to land paid brand deals, charge your worth, and run your creator business like a business… you HAVE to learn how to sell yourself. Not in a pushy way but in a confident, strategic, business-owner way. And I'm going to show you exactly how in this episode.

Send us a textIn this episode of Imperfect Marketing, I sit down with Aurora Winter—media coach, author, and neuroscience-driven marketing expert—to explore how the brain actually processes messages and why that matters for selling, storytelling, and authority-building. Aurora shares how a neuroscience-focused MBA in Italy shaped her work helping entrepreneurs craft clear, compelling messages that turn words into wealth. We discuss:The Neuroscience Behind MessagingThe brain's 3-part filter: croc brain (hook), midbrain (status/social proof), cerebral cortex (content) Why most marketers skip the midbrain step—and lose trust fast How attention is expensive, so your message needs to re-earn focus every few minutesProgress Over Perfection in MarketingWhy waiting until you're “ready” keeps you stuck How real market feedback beats imagined feedback every time The power of launching messy and refining as you goSkin in the Game MarketingWhy totally free offers often get ignored How even a small payment creates commitment and consistency Aurora's “free book + small shipping cost” test that generated $250K in 90 daysBooks as Business Growth ToolsWhy being an author instantly boosts perceived status The surprising truth: best-selling authors earn most revenue from back-end offers, not book sales How a book opens doors to speaking, consulting, coaching, and trainingStorytelling That Sticks (and Converts)Why humans are wired to learn and survive through stories Aurora's “Hell to Heaven” story blueprint for simple, high-impact marketing How stories help handle objections without pushing or over-explainingAurora's Biggest Marketing LessonWhy a strong YES requires a strong NO The importance of choosing ideal clients you can confidently help get a 10x return Letting go of energy-drainers and misaligned opportunities to protect your businessConnect with Aurora Winter:Gift for Your Audience - Includes your Turn Words-to-Wealth starter library and a video masterclass on how to attract capital, clients, and media coverage.: https://turnwordsintowealth.comAurora Winter Website: https://www.aurorawinter.comSame Page Publishing: https://www.samepagepublishing.comMarketing Fastrack: The Little Book That Launched a New Business by Aurora Winter- on Amazon: https://a.co/d/8xrIglKTurn Words Into Wealth: Blueprint for Your Business, Brand and Book by Aurora Winter - on Amazon: https://a.co/d/7RRkVYbMagic, Mystery, and the Multiverse Book 1 Amazon: https://a.co/d/5cmA6UmLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/AuroraWinterYouTube: https://www.y Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. Watch here

#312 | In this episode, Udi Ledergor joins Dave to break down the ideas behind his new book, Courageous Marketing, and why most B2B marketing fails because it plays it safe. He also shares his journey from marketer #1 to CMO to Chief Evangelist at Gong, where he led category creation, brand, and marketing through massive scale. They unpack how Gong built a brand that actually stood out, what it means to punch above your weight as a B2B marketer, and how to think about brand ROI without fake dashboards.Timestamps(00:00) - – Meet Udi and his path into marketing (08:16) - – Early career lessons and building marketing from zero (15:16) - – How Gong found product-market fit and nailed positioning early (19:26) - – Courageous Marketing: why Udi wrote it and what it really means (23:16) - – Brand first: personality, positioning, then visuals (28:20) - – Campaigns that punched above their weight (billboards, experiments, perception hacks) (35:10) - – Proving brand impact: soft ROI, pipeline, and exec buy-in (47:40) - – The future: product-led marketing, AI, and courageous teams Join 50,0000 people who get our Exit Five Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletterLearn more about Exit Five's private marketing community: https://www.exitfive.com/***Today's episode is brought to you by Knak.Email (in my humble opinion) is the still the greatest marketing channel of all-time.It's the only way you can truly “own” your audience.But when it comes to building the emails - if you've ever tried building an email in an enterprise marketing automation platform, you know how painful it can be. Templates are too rigid, editing code can break things and the whole process just takes forever. That's why we love Knak here at Exit Five. Knak a no-code email platform that makes it easy to create on-brand, high-performing emails - without the bottlenecks.Frustrated by clunky email builders? You need Knak.Tired of ‘hoping' the email you sent looks good across all devices? Just test in Knak first.Big team making it hard to collaborate and get approvals? Definitely Knak.And the best part? Everything takes a fraction of the time.See Knak in action at knak.com/exit-five. Or just let them know you heard about Knak on Exit Five.***Thanks to my friends at hatch.fm for producing this episode and handling all of the Exit Five podcast production.They give you unlimited podcast editing and strategy for your B2B podcast.Get unlimited podcast editing and on-demand strategy for one low monthly cost. Just upload your episode, and they take care of the rest.Visit hatch.fm to learn more

Tonight on The Last Word: Vanity Fair interviews with Trump Chief of Staff Susie Wiles reveal new pain points in the administration.  Plus, Wiles claims Trump was unaware of Ghislaine Maxwell's prison transfer, and that Pam Bondi "completely whiffed" handling the Epstein files. Also, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth refuses to release full unedited boat strike video. Nicholas Kristof, Rep. Ro Khanna, and Jonathan Capehart join Lawrence O'Donnell. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Order the Unleashed 90-Day Devotional Journal! ➡️ https://rtkstyle.com/products/theunleashedjournal Get your tickets to the RTK Dream Conference today! ➡️ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/real-talk-kim-dream-conference-the-breaker-tickets-1394877168159 Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The Real Talk Kim Podcast. I'm so grateful that you're here. Every time you listen, share, and support, you're helping spread hope, healing, and the message of Jesus around the world. If this episode encouraged you, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an update, and don't forget to subscribe to the Real Talk Kim YouTube channel for powerful messages, morning prayer sessions, and more uplifting content every week. If you're interested in advertising on this podcast or having Real Talk Kim  as a guest on your podcast, radio show, or TV show, reach out to collab@realtalkkim.com   Let's stay connected! All things Real Talk Kim – realtalkkim.com All things Limitless Church – limitlesschurch.live Shop my Brand! – rtkstyle.com

The Grinch is now the top-selling IP of the holidays… Because consumers prefer the anti-hero.Zegna's $1,100 sneaker makes $160M/year… because the ultimate luxury is slooooooow.Carvana is officially the craziest stock of the last 3 years… because of 43,000 problems.Forget the Santa Rally, how about the “Dreidel Rally?”... Stocks pop for Hanukkah.$ZGN $CVNA $SPYBuy tickets to The IPO Tour (our In-Person Offering) TODAYAustin, TX (2/25): https://tickets.austintheatre.org/13274/13275 Arlington, VA (3/11): https://www.arlingtondrafthouse.com/shows/341317 New York, NY (4/8): https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0000637AE43ED0C2Los Angeles, CA (6/3): https://www.squadup.com/events/the-best-one-yet-liveGet your TBOY Yeti Doll gift here: https://tboypod.com/shop/product/economic-support-yeti-doll See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.