Podcasts about Brand

Alex Dees is the co-founder & CEO of Meridian, an AI startup that helps brands measure and improve their visibility in AI search. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. AI is collapsing the entire buyer journey; finding, evaluating, choosing, and buying into a single chatbot conversation. 2. If AI isn't recommending your brand, it's recommending your competitor; it's a zero-sum game at the bottom of the funnel. 3. Winning in AI search comes down to six factors: clarity, consistency, authority, proof, freshness, and specificity. Get an AI to recommend your brand. Check out Alex's website to learn more about Meridian and access case studies, testimonials, and free resources - Meridian Sponsors HighLevel - The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies. Learn more at HighLevelFire.com. Thrivetime Show - Make 2026 your best year yet! Start your transformation by attending the world's highest rated business growth workshop taught personally by Clay Clark, featuring Football Star and Entrepreneur, Tim Tebow, and President Trump's Son, Eric Trump, at ThrivetimeShow.com/eofire!

With over a billion creators projected to be active in the next decade, is the traditional distinction between a brand, a publisher, and a creator in need of an updated definition? Agility requires not just reacting to new platforms, but fundamentally rethinking who creates your content and how you build an authentic community around it. It's about moving from a campaign mindset to an ecosystem mindset. Today, we're going to talk about the seismic shift in the media landscape, driven by the explosive growth of the creator economy. We'll explore how the very definition of a creator is evolving from a short-term influencer to a long-term brand builder, and what opportunities and challenges this presents for established brands that are trying to earn and keep their audience's attention. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Andrew Perlman, Co-Founder and CEO at Recurrent. About Andrew Perlman Andrew Perlman is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Recurrent. Perlman co-founded the company in 2018 with the acquisition of The Drive. Over a span of three years, he oversaw the acquisition of nearly 25 noteworthy brands, including Task & Purpose, Popular Science, Dwell, and Donut, and in the process, introduced Recurrent as the new parent company for the digital media portfolio. In 2022, Perlman rejoined the organization from his role on the board as the Head of M&A and Corporate Development before he assumed the role of CEO in 2023. Previously, Andrew spent over six years as the Chief Executive Officer of XpresSpa, FORM Holdings, and its predecessor company, Vringo, where he led the overall business operations and strategy as well as capital raising. During his tenure, he also oversaw five acquisitions and the NASDAQ listing of the company. Andrew has also served as Vice President of Business Development at EMI Music, SVP of Music and Digital at Classic Media, and held roles at early mobile content companies. Andrew Perlman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adperlman/ Resources Recurrent: https://recurrent.io/ Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c43e68ce5cfb321e The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

WWE has made curious decisions with NXT Vengeance Day and NXT Stand & Deliver as AEW Revolution 2026 continues building -- and Getting Over is here to break it all down! Host Adam Silverstein opens with news about AJ Styles and NXT premium live events [3:05] before covering the latest from both brands: NXT [13:40] running the split of Sol Ruca and Zaria as Tatum Paxley reemerged and three titles changed hands with Myles Bourne beating Ethan Page and Vanity Project standing tall; AEW [34:20] settling on a stipulation for MJF vs. Hangman Page after a convoluted build as Swerve Strickland reengaged and the Death Riders continued feuding to no end with Don Callis Family. Follow Getting Over on Twitter, Bluesky & YouTube @GettingOverCast.

Craig Unger reports that the Trump brand served as a status symbol for Russian oligarchs, facilitating money laundering in failed developments while FBI counterintelligence efforts reportedly failed to intervene. 14.1914

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Taia Rashid and Daphne Carter.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Taia Rashid and Daphne Carter.

What does it really take to turn a product idea into something you can actually buy on store shelves? In this episode, I sit down with Ethan Haber, Founder and CEO of Happy Habitats, who took an overlooked niche idea and built it into an award-winning small pet brand now sold across major retailers in North America. We talk about what persistence actually looks like behind the scenes, how to validate an idea before manufacturing, and why belief in possibility often matters more than resources. Get ready to rethink what's possible for your product idea and see how small niches can lead to big opportunities.In This Episode, You'll Learn:00:00 Meet Ethan Haber, CEO & Founder of Happy Habitats.04:30 How Ethan discovered an overlooked niche opportunity in the pet market.08:30 Why niche markets can still become highly profitable businesses.15:00 How to use online communities for customer research and product validation.18:30 What persistence looks like during difficult growth stages.21:00 How trade shows and relationship-building led to major retail opportunities.23:15 The biggest product development mistake that costs time and money.26:30 Trade show booth strategies that attract buyers.29:00 Why “everyone is accessible” and how to connect with decision-makers.31:15 The mindset shift that helped Ethan scale to 6-figures and beyond.35:00 Where to find and support Happy Habitats products today.Resources + LinksLearn more about Happy Habitats Store HERE!Ready to stop guessing and follow a proven system? Book your strategy call HERE!Find and close your next buyer with AI & automation HERE!Get business tips sent right to your inbox - join the newsletter!Watch on YouTubeFollowJacqueline on IG: @theproductbosstheproductboss.comEthan on LinkedInHappy Habitst on TikTok: @happy.habitats

(00:00-4:48) Julie Tenuta is no longer with us. Player on the DP World Tour, Andrea Pavan, seriously injured after falling down an elevator shaft.(4:56-30:51) Where does Boner Stabone fit in all of this? The Pitt. The Design Aire Heating & Cooling EMOTD. Coming of age films coming up on Movie Boi. Great guy, small pipe. Han Bombs. Shrewsy is on the line and wants to talk zoning and carports.(31:01-43:50) Brand new life around the bend. Someone's been requesting Mick Cronin audio (that we played last week) all week long so Doug's gonna suspend him. Dickie Fitts wants a spot in the rotation. Well, at least the lineup doesn't have a lot of experience either. Jordan Walker's swing.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Curry Hagerty joined her sister's jewelry brand in 2020, it was generating about $100,000 a year. By clearly splitting the founder and CEO roles and stepping out of the day-to-day grind, they scaled Hart Jewelry to a projected $20 million business with more than 100 employees. Fore more on Hart and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Taia Rashid and Daphne Carter.

Welcome back to the Rent To Retirement Podcast with hosts Matthew Seyoum and Zach Lemaster.In this episode, Zach reveals one of the strongest builder incentive opportunities we've seen — brand new, A-Class construction rental properties in Texas that are already leased and cash flowing from day one.Because some builders' fiscal years end in Q1, they're offering aggressive incentive structures to move excess inventory — including over $40,000 in incentives on select properties.These are limited-time deals ending Friday, March 13th at 5PM Pacific, and once the inventory is gone, it's gone.If you're looking to maximize ROI, reduce upfront capital, or buy down interest rates significantly, this is an episode you don't want to miss.⏱ Key Timestamps00:00 – Introduction from Zach & Matthew00:32 – Why Q1 creates unique builder opportunities01:15 – $40,000+ incentive structures explained02:00 – How institutional buying power benefits individual investors02:50 – Using incentives: cash back, rate buy-down, price reduction03:30 – Rates potentially in the 3s or 4s depending on structure04:15 – Brand new A-Class Texas properties already leased05:00 – No vacancy, no leasing fees, cash flow from day one05:40 – Incentives expire March 13th at 5PM PacificThese properties offer:• Brand new construction• Tenant already in place• Immediate cash flow• No lease-up risk• Massive incentive flexibility• Economies of scale typically reserved for institutionsThis is how individual investors can access institutional-level buying advantages.If you're serious about scaling your rental portfolio and taking advantage of limited inventory opportunities, now is the time to act.

There is a question that sounds almost embarrassingly simple. After a vulnerability is discovered in a piece of widely used software — something like Log4Shell, which shook the security world and left hundreds of thousands of organizations exposed overnight — the question organizations scrambled to answer was this: where is this code, and what does it touch? Most couldn't answer it. Not the Fortune 500 companies. Not the government agencies. Not the critical infrastructure operators. Not the hospitals or the banks or the utilities. They had built and bought mountains of software over years and decades, and when the moment came to understand what was actually inside it, they were effectively blind. That gap is exactly what Daniel Bardenstein set out to close when he co-founded Manifest Cyber in 2023. And in a conversation on ITSPmagazine's Brand Highlight series, he made a case for technology transparency that is hard to argue with — not because it's technically complex, but because the analogy he draws is so strikingly obvious once you hear it. "If you want to buy a house, you get to go inside the house, do the home inspection," he said. "You want to buy food from the grocery store — you can look at the ingredients. Even our clothes tell you what they're made of, how to care for them, and where they're from." But software? The technology running hospital MRI machines, weapon systems, financial infrastructure, water delivery? No transparency required. No ingredient label. No inspection rights. Just trust. That trust, as Log4Shell demonstrated, is a vulnerability in itself. Bardenstein came to this problem with credentials that few founders in the space can claim. Before starting Manifest, he spent four and a half years in the US government leading large-scale cyber programs and serving as technology strategy lead at CISA — the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. He saw firsthand how defenders are perpetually at a disadvantage, operating without the basic visibility they need to do their jobs. His mission became building the tools to change that. The problem, he's quick to point out, has not improved in the years since Log4Shell. Software supply chain attacks have multiplied — XZ Utils, NPM Polyfill, and others following the same pattern: trusted software becomes the attack vector, and it spreads fast. Meanwhile, most security teams are still operating with SCA tools that generate noisy, overwhelming alerts and vendor risk programs built on Excel spreadsheets and questionnaires rather than actual empirical data about the security of what they're buying. "Security teams have a false sense of security," Bardenstein said. The gap between what organizations think they know and what they actually know about their software supply chains remains dangerously wide. Manifest Cyber addresses this across the full lifecycle. For organizations that build software, the platform maps every open source dependency, assesses it for risk, and ensures developers can write more secure code without losing velocity. For organizations that buy software — which is everyone — it finds risks before procurement, then continuously monitors every third party component so that when something breaks, they know the blast radius in seconds, not weeks. The timing matters. Regulation is catching up to the problem. The EU AI Act, the Cyber Resilience Act, and a growing body of global policy are beginning to demand exactly the kind of software supply chain transparency that Manifest is built to provide. Organizations that wait to build this capability will find themselves scrambling to comply — those that build it in now will have it as a competitive advantage. The ingredient label for software has always been missing. Manifest Cyber is writing it. ________________________________________________________________ Marco Ciappelli interviews Daniel Bardenstein, CEO & Co-Founder of Manifest Cyber, for ITSPmagazine's Brand Highlight series. HOST Marco Ciappelli — Co-Founder & CMO, ITSPmagazine | Journalist, Writer & Branding Advisor

In this insightful episode of the We Don't PLAY!™️ Podcast, host Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS demystifies the critical evolution of search in the age of artificial intelligence, focusing on a concept she terms "AI SEO 101." The central theme revolves around the distinction and strategic importance of closing both prompt gaps and keyword gaps to secure valuable brand citations. While traditional SEO has focused on optimizing for short, fragmented keywords (e.g., "best travel deals"), the rise of conversational AI assistants like ChatGPT and Perplexity has given birth to the prompt—a longer, full-sentence query (e.g., "What are the best international travel deals for a family of four in summer 2026?").Favour argues that many businesses are unprepared for this shift, leaving a "prompt gap" in their content strategy. While they may have content targeting keywords, they lack the in-depth, conversational, and authoritative answers that AI models seek when responding to user prompts. The ultimate goal for any brand is to become a direct brand citation in an AI-generated answer, a feat achieved only by providing comprehensive, well-supported information. As Favour compellingly states, the answers provided by AI are sourced directly from the content available on the web: "Where are those responses AI is getting coming from in the first place? They're coming from your website."The core of the strategy lies in recognizing that your website is the foundational pillar of your digital presence. To bridge the prompt gap, Favour advocates for a robust pillar-cluster content model. This involves creating a main "pillar" page that exhaustively answers a primary customer question, supported by numerous "cluster" pages that explore related sub-topics in detail. This creates a dense, interconnected web of expertise that signals authority to search engines and AI alike. The episode emphasizes a shift from merely creating blogs to creating comprehensive resource hubs, complete with FAQs, multimedia content, and evidence-backed claims, much like a digital research paper.Favour provides a clear action plan: identify the core questions your audience is asking, build out content that answers them conversationally and in-depth, and structure this content logically on your website. She also touches on the technical side, noting that URLs should remain concise and keyword-focused, while the content on the page should be rich and prompt-focused. Ultimately, the episode is a powerful call to action for businesses to stop dwelling on information and start implementing a forward-thinking content strategy. By treating your website as a definitive library of answers, you can close the gaps in your SEO strategy and ensure your brand not only survives but thrives in the new era of AI-powered search.Key TakeawaysPrompts vs. Keywords: A prompt is a conversational, full-sentence question (10-25 words) posed to an AI, whereas a keyword is a short, fragmented search query (2-5 words) used in traditional search engines.The Goal is Brand Citation: In the new landscape of AI search, the primary objective is to have your brand and website cited directly as the authoritative source in an AI-generated answer.Your Website is the Foundation: All digital roads lead back to your website. It is the most critical asset for building authority and providing the in-depth answers that AI models are looking for.Close the Prompt Gap with Conversational Content: To appear in AI search results, you must create content that directly and comprehensively answers the full questions your audience is asking, not just targets keywords.Adopt a Pillar-Cluster Model: For each major question your audience has, create one main "pillar" page with a complete answer and support it with multiple "cluster" pages that cover related sub-topics. This builds a powerful web of expertise.Content as a Resource Hub: Think of your content less like a series of blog posts and more like a library of research. Support your answers with data, evidence, multimedia, and links to other authoritative sources to build trust and credibility.Action Over Acronyms: While understanding terms like AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is useful, the focus should be on the practical implementation of creating high-quality, question-answering content.Memorable Quotes"A prompt is keywords in confirmation of the context that has been started by conversation.""You can't say a brand without connecting a website.""Where are those responses AI is getting coming from in the first place? They're coming from your website.""Don't be in a place where you're dwelling on information and not taking action on implementation.""15% of new searches every day out of at least 8.5 billion searches a day are new, including yours.""You don't put a prompt in your URL, you put a keyword in your URL.""You're not just creating blogs, you're creating calls to action."Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)What is the main difference between a prompt and a keyword? A prompt is a long, conversational question asked to an AI, while a keyword is a short, fragmented phrase used in a traditional search bar. Your content strategy needs to address both.Why are brand citations important in AI SEO? A brand citation is when an AI search tool names your website as the source of its information. It positions your brand as a trusted authority, driving traffic and credibility.Is blogging still relevant in 2026? Yes, absolutely. However, the format has evolved. Modern blogging should focus on creating in-depth, conversational articles that function as answers to user prompts, effectively turning your blog into a resource hub or "audio blog."How do I start closing the prompt gap on my website? Begin by identifying the most common and important questions your customers ask. Then, create comprehensive content (like a detailed FAQ page or a pillar article) that answers these questions thoroughly and links to supporting cluster pages.What is the pillar-cluster model? It's a content strategy where you create one major "pillar" page that covers a broad topic in-depth. You then create multiple "cluster" pages that address specific sub-topics related to the pillar, with all cluster pages linking back to the main pillar page. This structure organizes your content and signals deep expertise to search engines.Timestamps[00:00] Introduction: AI SEO 101 - Prompt Gaps vs. Keyword Gaps.[01:35] Defining a "Prompt": A conversational query of 10-25 words.[02:48] Defining a "Keyword": Traditional short, medium, and long-tail search terms.[05:52] The Central Role of Your Website in Brand Citations.[06:34] How Search Engines Match Pages to Queries.[07:17] Core Concept: A prompt is "keywords in conversation."[08:03] The Solution: Closing the gap with conversational, FAQ-style content.[09:43] Strategy Deep Dive: The Pillar-Cluster content model (1 Pillar + 9 Clusters).[15:02] Where AI Gets Its Answers: Your website is the source for LLMs.[16:02] Building Authority: Go beyond facts and support claims with experience and evidence.[19:00] Your website is the common thread in all customer interactions.[20:44] Technical SEO Tip: Use keywords in your URLs, not long prompts.[22:36] Market Opportunity: 15% of the 8.5 billion daily searches are entirely new.[23:38] Content with Purpose: Your content should create calls to action, not just exist as a blog.[24:14] Closing Remarks & How to Connect.[25:12] Podcast Outro.Book SEO Services | Quick Links for Social Business>> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike⁠>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠>> Read SEO Articles>> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick LinksSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we sit down with Emily Doyle, founder of Ursa Major and fellow mama, to talk about the real birth story behind building a brand while raising a family at the same time. We dive into the why behind Ursa Major, what it means to keep it real and relatable in the beauty business, and Emily shares some beautiful, grounded words for our Dazeys about taking the leap and launching something of your own. We also discuss what it actually looks like to find aligned business partners, and the deeper commitment required to stay authentic as you grow. And then… one of our favourite le poddy topics. Aging! We mount our soapbox to unpack our feelings around the whole “anti-aging” narrative. We're not anti anything… in fact, it's a damn privilege to grow older. We talk about the quiet pressure to tinker with your face. The subtle feeling of being left behind if you're not doing Botox, fillers, all the things. We unpack our personal definitions of beauty and why confidence, magnetism and that undeniable twinkle in your eyes will always win. This is an ep about radiating energy, choosing joy and feeling glowy in your own skin. Resource Links: ursamajorvt.com lovewell.earth lovewell. Family Friendly Moringa Supergreens  Ursa Major Mountain Glow Serum  Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream  Follow Ursa Major on IG: @ursamajorvt Follo​w Sarah Wright Olsen: IG: @swrightolsen Follow Teresa Palmer: IG: @teresapalmer  FB: https://www.facebook.com/teresamarypalmer/ DISCOUNT CODES: • Go to www.baeo.com and get 20% when using the code MOTHERDAZE20 • Go to www.lovewell.earth and get 20% when using the code MOTHERDAZE20 More about the show! • Watch this episode on YouTube here • Co-founders of @yourzenmama yourzenmama.com • Read and buy our book! "The Zen Mama Guide To Finding Your Rhythm In Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond"  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brand new stuff from Social Distortion, the Overjoyed, and Inflatable Idols, plus some country, rhythm n blues, rockabilly and more.

The delicious, healthful prune has long had a cross to bear: It's best known for making people poop. In the late 1990s, the California Prune Board set out on a quixotic mission to amend this sales-flattening reputation. It would attempt to rechristen this ancient fruit in the hopes the prune could one day be as unencumbered as an apricot, a raisin, or a fig. In a world where every product and person increasingly believes it's one good rebrand away from changing how they are seen, the story of the prune's attempt to become the “dried plum” is a telling tale about the impossibility of escaping who you really are—and the freedom that comes with self-acceptance. You'll hear from Richard Peterson, retired Executive Director of the California Prune Board; food writer and chef David Liebovitz; lawyer and lobbyist Dan Haley; and Kiaran Locy, Director of Brand and Industry Communications at the California Prune Board.This episode was written by Willa Paskin. It was edited by Evan Chung, our supervising producer. It was produced by Katie Shepherd. Decoder Ring is also produced by Max Freedman. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director.If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, email us at DecoderRing@slate.com or leave a message on our hotline at (347) 460-7281.Sources for This EpisodeBarry, Dave. Dave Barry Hits Below the Beltway, Ballantine Books, 2002. Brasher, Philip. “FDA Approves Prune Name Change,” ABC News, Feb. 1, 2001. Brasher, Philip. “Where's the beef? Kids give prune burgers the taste test,” Associated Press, Jan 29, 2002. Cimons, Marlene. “A New Wrinkle for the Prune Industry,” Los Angeles Times, Dec. 21, 1999.Crespi, John M., Harry M. Kaiser, Julian M. Alston, and Richard J. Sexton. “The Evaluation of Prune Promotion by the California Dried Plum Board,” The Economics of Commodity Promotion Programs: Lessons from California, Peter Lang USA, 2005. Davis, Glenn. “French History in Your City: San Jose, California - the Pellier Brothers,” Yale National Initiative, Sep. 2015. Fabricant, Florence. “In France, the Prune Holds a Noble Station,” The New York Times, Oct. 31, 2001.Fabricant, Florence. “Responsible Party: Richard Peterson; Rejuvenating The Humble Prune,” The New York Times, Aug. 13, 2000. Fabricant, Florence. “Underapprecaited: The Humble Prune,” The New York Times, Oct. 12, 1983.A Fortune In Two Old Trunks. Sunsweet, 1947. Fullan, Genevieve. “In Defense of Prunes,” Eater, Jun 21, 2022. Gellene, Denise. “New Wrinkle in an Old Story,” Los Angeles Times, Oct 16, 1997. Good Wrinkles. Sunsweet, 1951. Kamen, Al. “Sunday in the Loop: Plum Outta Luck,” Washington Post, Dec. 11, 1999. Koger, Chris. “Dried plums no longer: California prunes have new brand,” The Packer, Nov. 15, 2022. Lucas, Greg. “Who'd Have Thought? Pruneburgers / Juicy, tender and low-fat, they're surprising hits in school cafeterias,” San Francisco Chronicle, Aug. 9, 1999.Martin, Ronda Beaman. “Stan Freberg—His Credits and Contributions to Advertising,” M.A. Thesis, Texas Tech University, Dec. 1986. McKay, Leonard. “Louis Pellier,” San Jose Inside, Sep. 25, 2006.Morse, Rob. “Hold the prunes, hold the lettuce,” San Francisco Examiner, July 28, 1999. “Prune gets $10 million makeover -- as dried plum,” CNN, Sep. 13, 2000.Rao, Tejal. “In Praise of the Prune,” The New York Times Magazine, Feb. 16, 2017.Roach, Mary. “The power of prunes,” Salon, Nov. 5, 1999.Waters, Michael. “When the Dried Plum Lobby Tried to Make Pruneburgers Happen,” Atlas Obscura, April 13, 2018. Zasky, Jason. “Prunes: Turning Over a New Leaf,” Failure Magazine, Apr. 16, 2002. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the biggest barrier to your AI-powered future isn't the algorithm, but the state of your data from five years ago? Agility requires more than just fast decision-making; it demands a foundational trust in the data that fuels those decisions. It's about having the right information, accessible and reliable, to pivot not just your campaigns, but your entire strategy. Today, we're going to talk about the often-overlooked foundation of marketing agility and AI innovation: the data infrastructure itself. We'll explore how the role of the CMO is shifting from a master of messaging to a master of data strategy, and what it takes to lead a marketing organization when the quality of your data directly determines the success of your most ambitious technology investments. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Jim Kruger, CMO at Informatica. About Jim Kruger Jim currently serves as the Executive Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer at Informatica. He has 20+ years of B2B and B2C marketing experience in the areas of cloud, SaaS, services, and hardware solutions. Jim is a results-oriented, high-integrity leader with strong business acumen and an inclusive team-building vision. His top focus as a leader is to drive accountability and make every team member feel valued for their contribution.At Informatica, he leads the global marketing organization with the charter to accelerate cloud growth, expand into new markets and industry verticals, and lead the company's brand momentum. Jim Kruger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimkruger1/ Resources Informatica: https://www.informatica.com Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c43e68ce5cfb321e The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

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 delicious, healthful prune has long had a cross to bear: It's best known for making people poop. In the late 1990s, the California Prune Board set out on a quixotic mission to amend this sales-flattening reputation. It would attempt to rechristen this ancient fruit in the hopes the prune could one day be as unencumbered as an apricot, a raisin, or a fig. In a world where every product and person increasingly believes it's one good rebrand away from changing how they are seen, the story of the prune's attempt to become the “dried plum” is a telling tale about the impossibility of escaping who you really are—and the freedom that comes with self-acceptance. You'll hear from Richard Peterson, retired Executive Director of the California Prune Board; food writer and chef David Liebovitz; lawyer and lobbyist Dan Haley; and Kiaran Locy, Director of Brand and Industry Communications at the California Prune Board.This episode was written by Willa Paskin. It was edited by Evan Chung, our supervising producer. It was produced by Katie Shepherd. Decoder Ring is also produced by Max Freedman. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director.If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, email us at DecoderRing@slate.com or leave a message on our hotline at (347) 460-7281.Get more of Decoder Ring with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of Decoder Ring and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Decoder Ring show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/decoderplus for access wherever you listen.Sources for This EpisodeBarry, Dave. Dave Barry Hits Below the Beltway, Ballantine Books, 2002. Brasher, Philip. “FDA Approves Prune Name Change,” ABC News, Feb. 1, 2001. Brasher, Philip. “Where's the beef? Kids give prune burgers the taste test,” Associated Press, Jan 29, 2002. Cimons, Marlene. “A New Wrinkle for the Prune Industry,” Los Angeles Times, Dec. 21, 1999.Crespi, John M., Harry M. Kaiser, Julian M. Alston, and Richard J. Sexton. “The Evaluation of Prune Promotion by the California Dried Plum Board,” The Economics of Commodity Promotion Programs: Lessons from California, Peter Lang USA, 2005. Davis, Glenn. “French History in Your City: San Jose, California - the Pellier Brothers,” Yale National Initiative, Sep. 2015. Fabricant, Florence. “In France, the Prune Holds a Noble Station,” The New York Times, Oct. 31, 2001.Fabricant, Florence. “Responsible Party: Richard Peterson; Rejuvenating The Humble Prune,” The New York Times, Aug. 13, 2000. Fabricant, Florence. “Underapprecaited: The Humble Prune,” The New York Times, Oct. 12, 1983.A Fortune In Two Old Trunks. Sunsweet, 1947. Fullan, Genevieve. “In Defense of Prunes,” Eater, Jun 21, 2022. Gellene, Denise. “New Wrinkle in an Old Story,” Los Angeles Times, Oct 16, 1997. Good Wrinkles. Sunsweet, 1951. Kamen, Al. “Sunday in the Loop: Plum Outta Luck,” Washington Post, Dec. 11, 1999. Koger, Chris. “Dried plums no longer: California prunes have new brand,” The Packer, Nov. 15, 2022. Lucas, Greg. “Who'd Have Thought? Pruneburgers / Juicy, tender and low-fat, they're surprising hits in school cafeterias,” San Francisco Chronicle, Aug. 9, 1999.Martin, Ronda Beaman. “Stan Freberg—His Credits and Contributions to Advertising,” M.A. Thesis, Texas Tech University, Dec. 1986. McKay, Leonard. “Louis Pellier,” San Jose Inside, Sep. 25, 2006.Morse, Rob. “Hold the prunes, hold the lettuce,” San Francisco Examiner, July 28, 1999. “Prune gets $10 million makeover -- as dried plum,” CNN, Sep. 13, 2000.Rao, Tejal. “In Praise of the Prune,” The New York Times Magazine, Feb. 16, 2017.Roach, Mary. “The power of prunes,” Salon, Nov. 5, 1999.Waters, Michael. “When the Dried Plum Lobby Tried to Make Pruneburgers Happen,” Atlas Obscura, April 13, 2018. Zasky, Jason. “Prunes: Turning Over a New Leaf,” Failure Magazine, Apr. 16, 2002. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The delicious, healthful prune has long had a cross to bear: It's best known for making people poop. In the late 1990s, the California Prune Board set out on a quixotic mission to amend this sales-flattening reputation. It would attempt to rechristen this ancient fruit in the hopes the prune could one day be as unencumbered as an apricot, a raisin, or a fig. In a world where every product and person increasingly believes it's one good rebrand away from changing how they are seen, the story of the prune's attempt to become the “dried plum” is a telling tale about the impossibility of escaping who you really are—and the freedom that comes with self-acceptance. You'll hear from Richard Peterson, retired Executive Director of the California Prune Board; food writer and chef David Liebovitz; lawyer and lobbyist Dan Haley; and Kiaran Locy, Director of Brand and Industry Communications at the California Prune Board.This episode was written by Willa Paskin. It was edited by Evan Chung, our supervising producer. It was produced by Katie Shepherd. Decoder Ring is also produced by Max Freedman. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director.If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, email us at DecoderRing@slate.com or leave a message on our hotline at (347) 460-7281.Get more of Decoder Ring with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of Decoder Ring and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Decoder Ring show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/decoderplus for access wherever you listen.Sources for This EpisodeBarry, Dave. Dave Barry Hits Below the Beltway, Ballantine Books, 2002. Brasher, Philip. “FDA Approves Prune Name Change,” ABC News, Feb. 1, 2001. Brasher, Philip. “Where's the beef? Kids give prune burgers the taste test,” Associated Press, Jan 29, 2002. Cimons, Marlene. “A New Wrinkle for the Prune Industry,” Los Angeles Times, Dec. 21, 1999.Crespi, John M., Harry M. Kaiser, Julian M. Alston, and Richard J. Sexton. “The Evaluation of Prune Promotion by the California Dried Plum Board,” The Economics of Commodity Promotion Programs: Lessons from California, Peter Lang USA, 2005. Davis, Glenn. “French History in Your City: San Jose, California - the Pellier Brothers,” Yale National Initiative, Sep. 2015. Fabricant, Florence. “In France, the Prune Holds a Noble Station,” The New York Times, Oct. 31, 2001.Fabricant, Florence. “Responsible Party: Richard Peterson; Rejuvenating The Humble Prune,” The New York Times, Aug. 13, 2000. Fabricant, Florence. “Underapprecaited: The Humble Prune,” The New York Times, Oct. 12, 1983.A Fortune In Two Old Trunks. Sunsweet, 1947. Fullan, Genevieve. “In Defense of Prunes,” Eater, Jun 21, 2022. Gellene, Denise. “New Wrinkle in an Old Story,” Los Angeles Times, Oct 16, 1997. Good Wrinkles. Sunsweet, 1951. Kamen, Al. “Sunday in the Loop: Plum Outta Luck,” Washington Post, Dec. 11, 1999. Koger, Chris. “Dried plums no longer: California prunes have new brand,” The Packer, Nov. 15, 2022. Lucas, Greg. “Who'd Have Thought? Pruneburgers / Juicy, tender and low-fat, they're surprising hits in school cafeterias,” San Francisco Chronicle, Aug. 9, 1999.Martin, Ronda Beaman. “Stan Freberg—His Credits and Contributions to Advertising,” M.A. Thesis, Texas Tech University, Dec. 1986. McKay, Leonard. “Louis Pellier,” San Jose Inside, Sep. 25, 2006.Morse, Rob. “Hold the prunes, hold the lettuce,” San Francisco Examiner, July 28, 1999. “Prune gets $10 million makeover -- as dried plum,” CNN, Sep. 13, 2000.Rao, Tejal. “In Praise of the Prune,” The New York Times Magazine, Feb. 16, 2017.Roach, Mary. “The power of prunes,” Salon, Nov. 5, 1999.Waters, Michael. “When the Dried Plum Lobby Tried to Make Pruneburgers Happen,” Atlas Obscura, April 13, 2018. Zasky, Jason. “Prunes: Turning Over a New Leaf,” Failure Magazine, Apr. 16, 2002. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The delicious, healthful prune has long had a cross to bear: It's best known for making people poop. In the late 1990s, the California Prune Board set out on a quixotic mission to amend this sales-flattening reputation. It would attempt to rechristen this ancient fruit in the hopes the prune could one day be as unencumbered as an apricot, a raisin, or a fig. In a world where every product and person increasingly believes it's one good rebrand away from changing how they are seen, the story of the prune's attempt to become the “dried plum” is a telling tale about the impossibility of escaping who you really are—and the freedom that comes with self-acceptance. You'll hear from Richard Peterson, retired Executive Director of the California Prune Board; food writer and chef David Liebovitz; lawyer and lobbyist Dan Haley; and Kiaran Locy, Director of Brand and Industry Communications at the California Prune Board.This episode was written by Willa Paskin. It was edited by Evan Chung, our supervising producer. It was produced by Katie Shepherd. Decoder Ring is also produced by Max Freedman. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director.If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, email us at DecoderRing@slate.com or leave a message on our hotline at (347) 460-7281.Get more of Decoder Ring with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of Decoder Ring and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Decoder Ring show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/decoderplus for access wherever you listen.Sources for This EpisodeBarry, Dave. Dave Barry Hits Below the Beltway, Ballantine Books, 2002. Brasher, Philip. “FDA Approves Prune Name Change,” ABC News, Feb. 1, 2001. Brasher, Philip. “Where's the beef? Kids give prune burgers the taste test,” Associated Press, Jan 29, 2002. Cimons, Marlene. “A New Wrinkle for the Prune Industry,” Los Angeles Times, Dec. 21, 1999.Crespi, John M., Harry M. Kaiser, Julian M. Alston, and Richard J. Sexton. “The Evaluation of Prune Promotion by the California Dried Plum Board,” The Economics of Commodity Promotion Programs: Lessons from California, Peter Lang USA, 2005. Davis, Glenn. “French History in Your City: San Jose, California - the Pellier Brothers,” Yale National Initiative, Sep. 2015. Fabricant, Florence. “In France, the Prune Holds a Noble Station,” The New York Times, Oct. 31, 2001.Fabricant, Florence. “Responsible Party: Richard Peterson; Rejuvenating The Humble Prune,” The New York Times, Aug. 13, 2000. Fabricant, Florence. “Underapprecaited: The Humble Prune,” The New York Times, Oct. 12, 1983.A Fortune In Two Old Trunks. Sunsweet, 1947. Fullan, Genevieve. “In Defense of Prunes,” Eater, Jun 21, 2022. Gellene, Denise. “New Wrinkle in an Old Story,” Los Angeles Times, Oct 16, 1997. Good Wrinkles. Sunsweet, 1951. Kamen, Al. “Sunday in the Loop: Plum Outta Luck,” Washington Post, Dec. 11, 1999. Koger, Chris. “Dried plums no longer: California prunes have new brand,” The Packer, Nov. 15, 2022. Lucas, Greg. “Who'd Have Thought? Pruneburgers / Juicy, tender and low-fat, they're surprising hits in school cafeterias,” San Francisco Chronicle, Aug. 9, 1999.Martin, Ronda Beaman. “Stan Freberg—His Credits and Contributions to Advertising,” M.A. Thesis, Texas Tech University, Dec. 1986. McKay, Leonard. “Louis Pellier,” San Jose Inside, Sep. 25, 2006.Morse, Rob. “Hold the prunes, hold the lettuce,” San Francisco Examiner, July 28, 1999. “Prune gets $10 million makeover -- as dried plum,” CNN, Sep. 13, 2000.Rao, Tejal. “In Praise of the Prune,” The New York Times Magazine, Feb. 16, 2017.Roach, Mary. “The power of prunes,” Salon, Nov. 5, 1999.Waters, Michael. “When the Dried Plum Lobby Tried to Make Pruneburgers Happen,” Atlas Obscura, April 13, 2018. Zasky, Jason. “Prunes: Turning Over a New Leaf,” Failure Magazine, Apr. 16, 2002. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some brands don't have a product problem, they have an execution problem. In this episode, Nik breaks down a pattern he's seen over and over again this year: brands with incredible products, real social proof, and even professional athlete endorsements…that are completely stuck. He walks through what's actually holding them back, from lazy packaging and unclear positioning to underbuilt websites, weak subscription strategy, and missed logistics opportunities. Nik also outlines a tactical checklist covering shipping and fulfillment, brand strategy, positioning, email and SMS flows, churn reduction, and LTV expansion. If you want to sharpen your website, improve your PDP experience, or learn from the funnels quietly printing money outside the usual DTC bubble, this episode is for you. Roku pioneered streaming on TV. We connect users to the content they love, enable content publishers to build and monetize large audiences, and provide advertisers with unique capabilities to engage consumers. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠advertising.roku.com/limitedsupply⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.   Check out the Nik's DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you're looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik's most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.   Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

We are going to talk today about what happens when your project, your homestead, your business — whatever you are building — hits the point where it can't grow unless you step into leadership. Not louder. Not bossier. Just clearer. And what it costs when you avoid that moment. We'll also cover our usual Monday segments. Featured Event Monthly Meetup at Basecamp Lodge Saturday, 12pm–3pm Potluck + Seed Exchange (bring seeds if you've got them) RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1246004124202741 Bring a dish. Bring seeds. Bring yourself. Sponsors Sponsor 1: StrongRootsResources.com Sponsor 2: AgoristTaxAdvice.com Tales from the Prepper Pantry Considering a community lard pig buy – Kune Kunes available Breaking the bad habit of buying vegetables at the store — diving back into freezer and canned goods Seeking wet cat food by the pallet — anyone? Gardens getting up and running Recipe Favorite: Dutch Oven Chicken Root Bake Forage Update Watercress Dandelion Stinging Nettle Dead Nettle Chickweed Comfrey Everything is waking up. Frugality Tip Buying at the right time of year makes a big difference. Before the Super Bowl: buy a TV on sale. After the Super Bowl: buy the returned open-box TVs on clearance. Last year we snagged a small smart TV originally priced at $125 for $37. Brand new. Open box. Check your local clearance sections for open-box returns. Often brand new. Happy savings, y'all. Operation Independence Turkey Tail season is upon us. There may be real opportunity there. We're going to find out. Main Topic of the Day From Personality-Driven to Framework-Driven Yesterday I sat down and drilled into every project and business I run. Income-generating. Money-costing. Even things like helping when someone in the community is ill — and yes, we should mention the Jeffrey Dheeres fundraiser. Everything fit into three buckets: Nicole Sauce centered Holler Homestead centered Weird outliers The outliers go on the chopping block first. But the bigger realization was this: I have been avoiding a leadership vacuum. I kept waiting for consensus. Waiting for another leader to step forward. Waiting for clarity to magically appear. And while I waited, I tried to just do more myself. That cost me peace. It led to burnout. It stalled momentum. Here's the lesson: If I don't accept my role as leader — meaning I walk in front instead of pushing from behind — we stay in one place. Not because people aren't good. Not because they don't care. Because without structure, everything becomes personality-driven. And personality-driven systems stall when the personality gets tired. What we're building now at Holler Homestead is a framework. Basecamp Lodge is functional. Classes are being scheduled (like the March 14 bacon class). The basement classroom is moving forward. Homestead systems are being documented. The buying club is poised for its first test. We're looking at additional acreage. Long-term vision: Expanded land. Commons effort. Cabins for temporary stays. People coming to experience regenerative community, food, skill-building, and reset. Membership options for non-residents. Not a massive intentional community. An example. Something that can be learned from and replicated elsewhere. And here's the key: Structure allows generosity. When more people in the community have needs, chaos doesn't scale — structure does. If you don't build framework, your generosity burns you out. If you build framework, your generosity becomes sustainable. So here's the question for you: Where are you avoiding stepping into leadership? Where are you burning out because you won't build structure? Is your project personality-driven when it needs to become framework-driven? Sometimes growth doesn't require more effort. It requires clarity. And someone willing to walk in front.

Scott Dancy is the founder and CEO of Azuna, a fast-growing brand in the natural air freshener space. With a background in staffing, technology, and several entrepreneurial ventures, Scott started Azuna in Buffalo in 2019, scaling the business from hand-packaging orders to becoming the world's largest purchaser of tea tree oil and achieving significant success in both DTC and Amazon channels. In this episode of DTC Pod, Scott shares his journey of launching Azuna, from navigating supply chain challenges and product R&D to unlocking consistent growth and managing cash flow as order volumes soared. He covers the pivotal product decisions, strategies for boosting AOV, lessons from high-profile partnerships, and Azuna's approach to retail expansion. Scott also offers practical advice for founders on knowing their numbers, avoiding expensive mistakes, and building a team that's invested in the brand's success. Episode brought to you by Stord - 3PL for Commerce Episode brought to you by EMF Radar - Health Starts with EMF Safety in mind Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack. On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover: 1. Scott Dancy's entrepreneurial background and Azuna's origin story 2. Early-stage bootstrapping: packaging, fulfillment, and ad writing 3. Scaling operations: manufacturing, 3PLs, and hiring expert talent 4. Product and packaging strategy: sustainable materials, bundling, and raising AOV 5. Building a brand moat with proprietary tea tree oil sourcing 6. Subscription economics and customer retention strategies 7. Navigating cash flow, funding growth, and working with MCAs 8. Knowing key metrics: revenue, gross profit, AOV, and cash allocation 9. D2C vs Amazon vs retail channel strategy 10. In-house vs agency operations and pitfalls 11. Brand marketing and influencer partnerships 12. Lessons learned from sports and celebrity partnerships 13. Timing retail entry and optimizing product mix for channels 14. Importance of customer service and product quality 15. Entrepreneurial learnings: failures, details, and staying data-driven Timestamps 00:00 Scott Dancy's background and founding Azuna 03:05 The “aha moment”—tea tree oil product discovery 04:10 Early days of hand-packaging, first sales, COVID impact 05:36 Scaling up: building the team, manufacturing, growth in Buffalo 07:14 Transition to 3PL and challenges of scaling past $10M 08:10 Product development, bundling, and packaging strategy 10:05 Target audience and tea tree oil sourcing 13:41 Growth channels: Meta, Google, and influencer seeding 15:53 Subscription model economics and retention 19:03 Funding growth: inventory buys, cash flow, using Clearco 22:24 Data-driven decisions and knowing your numbers 26:25 Channel mix: Amazon, DTC, retail launch, pricing strategy 32:00 Learning from agency mistakes and shiny object syndrome 35:06 Retail timing, product mix, and learnings from entering stores 42:02 Brand partnerships: AKC, NFL, influencer marketing 46:44 Final lessons and what Scott would have done differently 47:50 Where to find Azuna and connect with Scott Show notes powered by Castmagic Past guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.   Additional episodes you might like: • #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth • #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content • #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views • #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands • #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook • ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands ----- Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you. Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox? Check out our newsletter here. Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for Content Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Scott Dancy - CEO & Founder of AzunaBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

In this episode, host Josh interviews Afolabi Oyerokun, co-founder of Honu Worldwide, about his journey building successful Amazon brands. Afolabi shares key lessons he'd apply if starting over: focus on innovation, automate processes, and prioritize time for rest and strategic thinking. He emphasizes creating unique products, niching down, and protecting intellectual property through patents and copyrights. Afolabi also discusses using data-driven research for product development and effective listing strategies. The episode offers actionable insights for entrepreneurs aiming to scale and protect their e-commerce businesses.Chapters:Introduction & Guest Background (00:00:00)Josh introduces Afolabi Oyerokun, his background, and achievements in product development and Amazon businesses.Lessons Learned & The Importance of Freedom (00:00:56)Afolabi discusses lessons from his Amazon journey, emphasizing the original goal of freedom and challenges faced.Three Key Takeaways: Innovate, Automate, Rest (00:02:21)Afolabi outlines his three main takeaways: innovate, automate, and allocate more time for thinking and rest.The Power of Innovation & Niching Down (00:04:58)Afolabi explains the importance of innovation, creating unique products, and niching down to dominate categories.Protecting Intellectual Property (00:08:30)Discussion on the necessity of protecting product designs with patents and copyrights, and the types used.Case Study: Copyright Enforcement on Amazon (00:10:24)Afolabi shares a real example of using copyright to remove copycats and restore sales on Amazon.The Value of IP in Brand Exits (00:12:19)Afolabi describes how intellectual property increased the value and appeal of his brands during exit.Finding Design Inspiration & Trend Analysis (00:14:08)Afolabi details how they research trends, combine successful patterns, and create standout product and packaging designs.Product Listing Strategy: Variations vs. Standalone (00:16:20)Afolabi explains their approach to listing products as separate items rather than variations to maximize search visibility.Closing & Future Topics (00:17:11)Josh thanks Afolabi and hints at future discussions on supply chain topics.Links and Mentions:Tools and Websites  "Honu Worldwide": "00:03:00""Data Dive": "00:14:30"Concepts and Ideas  "Innovation": "00:04:58"  "Automation": "00:04:58"  "Thinking Time": "00:04:58"  "Design Patents": "00:08:37"  "Utility Patents": "00:08:37"  "Copyrights": "00:08:37"  "Intellectual Property (IP)": "00:12:19"  Key Takeaways  "Niche Down and Innovate": "00:06:45"  "Protect Your Ideas": "00:08:30"  "Create Unique Designs": "00:14:30"  Notable Quotes  "Your business is in your IP.": "00:12:19"  "If you don't have any IP, you don't have a business.": "00:12:19"Transcript:Josh 00:00:00  Today I'm really excited to introduce you to Afolabi Oyerokun. He is the co-founder of Honu Worldwide and Innovative Product Development, Sourcing and 3PL company based in Pennsylvania. Afolabi has always been a has always been passionate about finding things, haggling and negotiating prices. His obsession with finding good quality products at bargain prices led him to help several seven and eight figure brands increase their profits and scale rapidly by buying smart from Asia and the US. He is behind the successful launches of several multi-million dollar products on Amazon and other retail channels. An entrepreneur at heart, Afolabi owns and has sold a few seven figure private label brands. He loves helping people design, develop and manufacture innovative products. Welcome to the show.Afolabi 00:00:53  Thank you Josh. I'm happy to be here. I'm excited.Josh 00:00:56  You know, if you were to restart on Amazon, which I think that's what you're doing now, is you're creating some new brands and launching them on Amazon. What are some of those lessons, actionable takeaways that you can give to other sellers to say, hey, here are the challenges that we faced at different points in the business, that I'm going to make sure that we don't go through these same challenges again in the future.Josh 00:01:20  If you wouldn't mind breaking some of those lessons learned for us. Breaking it down.Afolabi 00:01:25  I'm going to, if I were to start all over again, I'm also going to weave some stories and past experiences into it. So when somebody goes into E-comm, you're starting your e-commerce or you're starting your Amazon business. Sometimes we forget the reason why we started in the first place. We forget the reason why we quit our jobs and we went into e-commerce. For me, my main driver was freedom. I wanted freedom, I wanted to be. I wanted to be able to control my time. I wanted to be able to be there for my family any day, any time. I wanted to be able to take off. If I want to take off, I want to take off, you know? Yeah. So you start this e-com business and you're married to it. You know, you're you're you're waking up 3 a.m. in the morning. You're, you know, you're sleeping late at night. So eventually it defeats the purpose of why you started in the first place.Afolabi 00:02:21  So we found ourselves caught up in all those things. You know, me and my business partner, we would fight each other. You know why? Why? You know why are we running out of stock? I'm like, I didn't know that product was going to run out of stock, you know? You know, we didn't have a good system in place and we didn't have the freedom or anything. So going back now, looking back to where we came from to now, there are three things I'm going to do differently this time. First, I'm going to innovate. Second, I'm going to automate. Third, I'm going to have a lot of free time to think. Because for me, I believe that thinking time is a very creative time. I believe that your rest time is very important. People ask me, you know, you know, jokingly, maybe I'm speaking to Norm, I mean, Norm. You know, there's my business partner on you. You know, he picks, you know, he picks up on me a lot.Afolabi 00:03:19  He's like, hey, I love you. What did you do this weekend? I'm like, no, I did nothing. I just sat on my couch and I was watching soccer all day. I was not doing nothing. You know, sometimes he calls me. I said, I'm going to stop disturbing me. I'm on the field with my son. We're playing soccer here. Please. You know. Yeah.Josh 00:03:41  So, yeah.Afolabi 00:03:42  Freedom. Time to spend time with your loved one is very important. So I'll make sure that this time I automate so that I can free up myself to do whatever I want whenever I wanted to do it. I don't want anything just pressuring me down all the time. Because when I'm thinking I'm creating things that are so valuable in my rest time. Yeah, I could be sitting on a lounge. I mean, on a on a on a recliner. And you, you know, you when you're relaxed, when your mind is at rest, you so many creative ideas come to you and you can look into your business and, and actually spot all the things you are doing wrong when you're in a relaxed mode, you know?Josh 00:04:26  Yeah.Josh 00:04:27  So you're you're kind of three takeaways then, right? If you were to restart would be to innovate, automate and then have more time for thinking and just downtime in general. Right. So...

In this episode of the Friends in Beauty Podcast, I'm so excited to sit down with Laverne Amara, founder of NVLX Labs, an eco-lux clean haircare brand created specifically for the loc community.Laverne is a certified loctician and trichology analyst whose work focuses on scalp health, buildup prevention, and education in the natural hair space. In our conversation, she shares how her journey evolved from providing services behind the chair to launching her own product line, and what it really takes to bring a beauty brand to life from scratch.We talk about the realities of product formulation, why her shampoo took about a year to perfect, and the science behind creating formulas specifically for locs versus loose natural hair. Laverne also opens up about entrepreneurship later in life, balancing multiple identities, and why slow, sustainable growth matters more than chasing viral moments.She also shares her experience serving in the military for over two decades, how hair regulations have evolved over the years, and why representation, inclusion, and education are so important in both beauty and professional spaces.If you're building a brand, thinking about launching products, or simply want real insight into what it takes to grow something meaningful from the ground up, this episode is for you.

This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed!This week we're looking at some of the most famous families that history has to offer. We've got the House of Cromwell for you, plus the Astors and the incredible story of the Spencer family and their slow centuries-long rise to power.Elsewhere, we're talking about the demise of Antiques Roadshow now Hugh Scully has effectively been replaced by Chat GPT. If you've got anything to add on this or anything else, you know what to do: hello@ohwhatatime.comAnd from now on Part 1 is released on Monday and Part 2 on Wednesday - but if you want more Oh What A Time and both parts at once, you should sign up for our Patreon! On there you'll now find:•The full archive of bonus episodes•Brand new bonus episodes each month•OWAT subscriber group chats•Loads of extra perks for supporters of the show•PLUS ad-free episodes earlier than everyone elseJoin us at

In this candid conversation, Joseph Croft pulls back the curtain on how Gunnar Optiks emerged from clinical research rather than marketing hype. He describes how early collaboration with optometric researchers highlighted the real drivers of digital eye strain—dramatic reductions in blink rate, tear film evaporation, accommodative lag after prolonged screen use, and loss of contrast—long before “blue light glasses” became a consumer buzzword. Croft explains the engineering decisions behind Gunnar's high-base, close-fit lens geometry designed to improve the micro-environment around the eye, and the rationale for incorporating a small +0.25D boost to offset accommodative drift seen after hours of near work.The discussion is highly relevant to everyday practice, focusing on how ECPs can approach screen-related complaints with the same task-specific mindset used for sports or occupational eyewear. Croft challenges fear-based blue light messaging and instead frames digital lenses as tools for comfort, contrast, and performance. He also shares how many undiagnosed refractive patients are uncovered when they trial low-plus lenses, reinforcing the role of comprehensive exams. Throughout the episode, the emphasis remains on partnership with optometry—using clinical evaluation first, then positioning digital eyewear as a complementary solution rather than a shortcut around professional care.5 Key TakeawaysDigital eye strain is multifactorial. Symptoms stem from blink suppression, tear evaporation, accommodative fatigue, glare, and contrast loss—not simply from “too much blue light.”Frame design can influence ocular comfort. A closer, higher-base fit may help stabilize the tear film by increasing humidity around the eye, similar in concept to moisture-chamber strategies used in dry-eye management.Small plus power can have a big clinical impact. A +0.25D add aligns with research on accommodative lag and mirrors what many ODs already prescribe through anti-fatigue or low-plus computer Rxs.Digital eyewear should be positioned as task-specific equipment. Just as patients accept different glasses for driving or sports, screen use warrants its own optical solution integrated into the exam and dispensing workflow.ECPs remain central to the process.Proper screening for refractive error, binocular vision, and ocular surface disease should come first—digital lenses are meant to support, not replace, comprehensive care.Memorable Quotes“I hate the term blue light glasses. It's a disservice to consumers and to optometry—blue light isn't the enemy; context is.”“You can't run a marathon in loafers. Eyewear should be task-specific just like footwear.”“We're here to help in a massive epidemic of digital eye strain, not just sell another pair of glasses.”Learn more about Gunnar Optiks:Gunnar.comConnect with Joe Croft:Joe@Gunnar.comLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review & share! http://www.aboutmyeyes.com/podcast/

Today's guest is Kosta Telegadas, a strength and conditioning coach whose career spans elite sport, tactical performance, and international human performance operations.Kosta holds a master's degree in Exercise Physiology (University of Miami). Early in his career, he gained hands-on experience through roles with VCU Sports Performance and EXOS, developing a strong foundation in programming, rehabilitation, and applied sports performance.He later transitioned into the tactical space, working as a S&C Specialist under the U.S. Department of Defense's Optimizing Human Weapon Systems contract, first with Solvere Technical Group and currently as a Site Lead with LMR Technical Group.Kosta now serves as Associate Director of International Business for the National Council on Strength & Fitness, where he helps expand education and professional standards globally.$1 Trial Membership to SCN

Send a textA five-hour wait in A&E with my toddler stripped away any illusions I had about emergency care. Corridor beds, exhausted staff, and a doctor arguing for babies to be seen before a sixty-year-old with a rash this is the UK's reality, where private healthcare won't fast-track an emergency and winter air feels like a petri dish. I share what we saw, what it did to me as a mum, and the blunt lesson it pressed into my bones: invest in your health before the system makes choices for you.From there we move to power, strategy and public backlash. Eni Aluko's criticism of men fronting women's football raises a valid point, but targeting Ian Wright the sport's most visible ally torpedoed the message. We unpack what went wrong and extract career-proof lessons: name systems, not saviours; choose timing and venue with intent; and remember that you can be right and still lose if you sound reactive. Brand is strategy in public protect it, or the audience closes the door you're trying to open.Then the BAFTAs aired the N-word at two Black presenters, unbleeped, while other phrases were censored. Tourette's explains involuntary tics; broadcasters still owe safeguarding to their audience and guests. Representation without protection is not inclusion. We break down accountability, why “they handled it professionally” is a trap, and how institutions reveal their values in what they choose to edit or not.Finally, a listener faces major fibroid surgery while debating resignation. I make the case for recovery first, decisions second. Use protected sick leave, keep your legal and financial footing, and plan your next move from a healed place, not a depleted one. If you're navigating A&E chaos, media noise, or workplace dilemmas, this episode offers clarity, strategy and a steady hand.If this resonates, follow the show, share it with someone who needs a clear plan, and leave a review so others can find us. Your messages shape future episodes send dilemmas to hello@toytalks.com and let's keep building from a place of strength.Sponsorships - Email me: hello@toyatalks.comTikTok: toya_washington Twitter: @toya_w (#ToyaTalksPodcast) Snapchat: @toyawashington Instagram: @toya_washington & @toya_talks https://toyatalks.com/ Music (Intro and Outro) Written and created by Nomadic Star Stationary Company: Sistah Scribble Instagram: @sistahscribble Website: www.sistahscribble.com Email: hello@sistahscribble.com

Empathy is pioneering bereavement care as an enterprise benefit, transforming how employers and financial institutions support employees during life's most challenging transitions. Working with 9 of the top 10 life insurance carriers in the US and Canada—covering over 40 million people—Empathy created a new category by combining grief support with practical logistics like probate navigation, account deactivation, and estate settlement. In a recent episode of BUILDERS, we sat down with Ron Gura, Co-Founder & CEO of Empathy, to learn how the company went from testing five verticals simultaneously to dominating life insurance, then leveraged the group life/employer overlap to expand into employee benefits. Topics Discussed: Testing five enterprise verticals simultaneously to find product-market fit Landing New York Life through their venture arm and innovation team Why life insurance carriers need to be risk-averse (and how to work with that reality) The strategic overlap between group life insurance and employee benefits Investing in brand at seed stage when your barrier to entry is psychological aversion Navigating dual audiences: decision-makers in their workday versus end users in crisis Expanding from loss to adjacent life transitions like disability leave and estate planning GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Run parallel vertical tests with focus constraints, not sequential exploration: Ron identified 10+ potential verticals but intentionally tested exactly five simultaneously—hospices, funeral homes, employers, and two others before life insurance emerged as the winner at position five. This parallel testing with artificial constraints forces prioritization while dramatically compressing time-to-insight. Sequential testing would have meant potentially cycling through five failed pilots before discovering their strongest market. B2B founders with horizontal platforms should pick their top 3-5 verticals and run focused pilots in parallel, accepting that this burns more resources upfront but eliminates the risk of quitting before finding your wedge. Map the ecosystem overlap between buyer personas before choosing your wedge: Empathy's expansion from life insurance to employers wasn't growth strategy—it was recognizing an architectural reality. Half their carriers sell group life, meaning MetLife doesn't sell to consumers at metlife.com but exclusively to employer groups. When Amanda at Paramount loses her sister (not covered by insurance), she calls Paramount HR. When her husband dies (covered by MetLife group policy), the beneficiary calls MetLife. Same end user, two different enterprise entry points into the same moment. B2B founders should map these triangular relationships before choosing their wedge vertical. The question isn't just "who has budget?" but "who else touches this user in adjacent contexts?" Brand investment at seed stage is product strategy when fighting cognitive aversion: Ron's insight: "The barrier to entry isn't regulatory and isn't technology. It's us humans trying really hard not to think about our own mortality." This isn't a marketing problem—it's a fundamental go-to-market blocker. The company made what most would consider Series A investments (premium domain, design system, tone/voice framework) at seed stage specifically because brand reduces psychological friction to adoption. Contrast this with Monday.com starting as "daPulse" and rebranding years into success. B2B founders addressing taboo topics (death, mental health, financial distress, relationship issues) should model brand as a core distribution lever, not post-PMF polish. In deeply human categories, buyer's lived experience is your demo: Enterprise buyers at Citibank, MetLife, or Google aren't experiencing crisis during the sales cycle—they're evaluating ROI in their normal workday. But as Ron noted, "Everyone we're talking to...they're humans. They have parents, they had loss, they went through probate." The most common response after seeing the product: "Damn, I wish you called me a few months ago. I needed this a year ago with my mom." This turns product demo into personal recognition. B2B founders in universal human experience categories (caregiving, bereavement, parental leave, financial stress) should structure discovery and demo to activate buyer's memory of their own experience, not just their budget authority. Category creation is a resource-attraction strategy that trades speed for competitive exposure: Ron explicitly acknowledged: "There's pros and cons to defining a category. It's helpful when you attract resources, talent, capital. It also creates very fertile ground for a number two sympathy.com to come along and learn from this podcast...what to go after." Category leadership accelerates recruiting and fundraising by providing narrative clarity, but it simultaneously publishes your playbook. Every hiring blog post, podcast appearance, and positioning document teaches future competitors which verticals to target and which to avoid. B2B founders should treat category creation as a conscious bet: trade competitive opacity for talent/capital velocity. If you're not ready to defend your position, stay in stealth longer. Bridge new categories to existing budget lines through analogous benefits: When entering new verticals beyond life insurance, Ron doesn't educate from zero. With employers, he positions bereavement care alongside caregiving solutions, fertility programs, and parental leave: "This is a life transition happening in my own intimate house. Just like a new baby. I have new duties now." This isn't metaphor—it's budget mapping. Bereavement care gets evaluated against existing family benefits spending, not created from scratch. B2B founders in new categories should identify which existing line item their solution logically extends, then structure ROI narratives around reallocation, not net-new budget creation. // Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co // Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM

In this special episode of The Negotiation, WPIC CEO Jacob Cooke steps in as host to interview Bijan Ahmadi, Executive Director & COO at the Canada China Business Council—one of the leading organizations supporting Canadian businesses in China and strengthening bilateral commercial ties.This episode offers a unique perspective: Jacob was in Beijing during Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent visit to China—the first by a Canadian leader in years—giving him firsthand insight into the trip's significance. Together, Jacob and Bijan unpack what the visit means for Canadian business and Canada-China relations, with Bijan's deep expertise in trade policy, market access, and bilateral economic engagement complementing Jacob's on-the-ground observations.This conversation comes at a critical moment: as the U.S. administration raises questions about Canada's engagement with China, this episode cuts through the noise to focus on the facts—what was actually agreed, what it means for jobs and GDP, and why China remains a vital market for Canadian exporters and businesses.Discussion Points·       The historical context and significance of Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to China·       Whether the visit achieved a meaningful reset in Canada-China relations·       Specific outcomes and agreements from the trip—sector-by-sector wins for the Canadian economy·       CCBC's role during the visit and how members have reacted·       How Canadian businesses are reassessing their perceptions of China post-visit·       Next challenges CCBC will work to solve for Canadian business·       Clarifying misconceptions around a potential "deal" with China and U.S. political concerns·       The strategic importance of China to Canada's economy—jobs, GDP, and export opportunities

Nach der Tötung von "El Mencho", einem der mächtigsten Drogenbosse Mexikos, reagierte sein Kartell mit Gewalt: Straßenblockaden in mehreren Bundesstaaten, in Brand gesteckte Autos, Lastwagen und Busse. Botschaften und Behörden warnten die Menschen, zuhause zu bleiben. Wie geht es jetzt weiter? Droht ein Nachfolgekrieg, wie man ihn vom Sinaloa-Kartell kennt? Und was bedeutet die Sicherheitslage für die Fußball-Weltmeisterschaft, die in ungefähr 100 Tagen auch in Mexiko stattfinden soll? Unter anderem im Stadion in Guadalajara, der Hauptstadt des Bundestaates Jalisco, nachdem sich das Kartell benannt hat. Darüber sprechen wir in dieser Extra-Folge mit Jenny Barke, ARD-Korrespondentin im Studio Mexiko. -----  Moderation: Joana Jäschke Redaktion: Steffi Fetz Mitarbeit: Caroline Mennerich Redaktionsschluss: 25.02.2026   -----  Alle Folgen des Weltspiegel Podcasts findet ihr hier: https://www.ardaudiothek.de/sendung/weltspiegel-podcast/61593768/ -----  Podcast-Tipp: Unsere Folge "Das Ameisenprinzip", in der es auch um mexikanische Drogenkartelle geht: https://www.ardaudiothek.de/episode/urn:ard:episode:0559580219f23c85/ -----  Feedback, Themenvorschläge & Lob an: weltspiegel.podcast@ard.de

This week, we revisit a conversation from last August when we first sat down with Justin Thomas-Copeland, who was in his first 100 days as the new CEO of the 4As. We get to catch up with Thomas-Copeland again at our annual Convene conference on February 25th in NYC for the highly anticipated session, State of the Nation. In this conversation, the new CEO discusses his transition into leadership and his vision for the future of the advertising organization that services ad agencies. He discusses the need for agility in serving members, with a focus on developing next-gen talent, driving human ingenuity, enhancing community engagement and lastly, leveraging technology to better deliver 4As offerings. Thomas-Copeland also shares his take on the future of awards in the industry, the impact of entertainment and influencers on the ad industry and what brands he thinks are driving the future of marketing.The Takeaways Grace is essential when transitioning into new positions, especially in leadership roles.   Talent development, incorporating technology and community engagement are amongst the key focuses for the 4As moving forward.   Copeland aims to foster a culture of human ingenuity within the industry. Agencies need safe spaces to learn and grow, especially in the age of AI.   Talent management is a key concern for agencies.   Brand building must adapt to new consumer behaviors. There used to only be ad agencies to execute brand messaging; today, there are a variety of services and specialized agencies to choose from.   Technology is reshaping the competitive landscape.   Awards need to evolve with industry standards and the incoming wave of new creatives who care less about awards and more about brand purpose and effectiveness.   The entertainment industry and the creator economy are changing marketing dynamics. campaignlive.com Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop. What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Die Kaapstad Internasionale Lughawe sê bedrywighede keer terug na normaal ná gister se brand in die internasionale saal. Die brand is vinnig geblus en geen beserings is aangemeld nie. Sekere internasionale aankomste en bagasie word steeds per hand verwerk. Die Lughawensmaatskappy van Suid-Afrika se woordvoerder, Ofentse Dijoe, versoek reisigers om hul vlugstatus na te gaan en die tydelike Ontmoet- en Groetgebied te gebruik terwyl die lughawe sy veiligheidsbeoordeling afhandel:

"Nobody wants to get rich slowly." Nick Mertz started Pins and Aces with $6,000 and zero outside capital. Today, his golf lifestyle brand does $25 million a year, employs over 40 people, and ships every order from their own warehouse outside Denver. But with customer acquisition costs through the roof, Nick stopped fighting the ad auction and built an omnichannel machine instead. We break down how live selling on Whatnot and TikTok became a serious revenue channel ($400K in December alone on TikTok Shop), why licensing collabs with Coca-Cola and South Park actually boost brand legitimacy, and how wholesale is flipping from 10% to 40% of revenue. Plus: the grab bag strategy that went nuclear, and why Nick runs his family business like a sports team. SPONSORS Swym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & more getswym.com/kurt Cleverific - Smart order editing for Shopify cleverific.com Zipify - Build high-converting sales funnels zipify.com/KURT LINKS Pins and Aces: https://pinsandaces.com Nick Mertz on Instagram: https://instagram.com/nvmertz Pins and Aces on Instagram: https://instagram.com/pinsandaces Nick's first episode (June 2023): https://unofficialshopifypodcast.com/episodes/[LINK-TO-ORIGINAL-EPISODE] Whatnot: https://whatnot.com TikTok Shop: https://shop.tiktok.com WORK WITH KURT Apply for Shopify Help ethercycle.com/apply See Our Results ethercycle.com/work Free Newsletter kurtelster.com The Unofficial Shopify Podcast is hosted by Kurt Elster and explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.

After decades in fine dining, renowned restaurateur Jamie Mammano turned his attention to a new challenge: reinventing the tortilla chip. In this episode, he shares how a small tortilla bakery experiment evolved into Mi Niña, one of the country's fastest-growing premium tortilla chip brands, now sold in thousands of retailers nationwide, including Whole Foods, Target and Wegmans. Inspired by his Mexican family and frustrated by the lack of authentic, high-quality tortillas in the market, Jamie discusses how Mi Niña's clean-label, organic positioning helps it stand out in a crowded snack aisle, why innovations like olive oil- and protein-enhanced varieties are driving its next phase of growth, and why he's choosing to forgo private equity as he builds the company on his own terms. Show notes: 0:20: Jamie Mammano, Founder, Mi Niña – Jamie reflects on the origins of Mi Niña, explaining how an early pivot from his initial CPG concept became the catalyst for the brand's growth. He recounts how a chance meeting with Whole Foods sparked early retail momentum and how the company has since expanded to roughly 7,000 stores nationwide. He details how Mi Niña differentiates itself with organic ingredients, clean labels, small-batch production and distinctive packaging, and why he credits product quality and consumer trial—not heavy marketing—for its success. Jamie also discusses staying true to the brand's roots while innovating with new offerings, including an upcoming protein-enhanced chip, addresses private equity interest in the company, explains why he sees CPG as more competitive than the restaurant industry, and shares his vision of "changing the snack game." Brands in this episode: Mi Niña, Tito's, Lay's, Doritos

Today, I'm joined by Erin Ryan, my producer and long-time collaborator, for a special Q&A episode powered entirely by your questions. After our bioregulator deep dive with Dr. Bill Lawrence, the response was overwhelming—so many of you reached out with insightful queries about bioregulators, peptides, and the nuances between natural and synthetic options. Erin and I decided to tackle the most common themes, unpacking everything from organ versus system signaling to how bioregulators actually survive digestion.   Nat's favorite Bioregulators:  Nature's Marvels Bioregulators and use code NAT15 for 15% off your first order. The Bioregulator Company and use code NAT10 for 10% off.  Nanopep and click "shop" and use code NAT for 10% off.   Episode Timestamps: Episode introduction and Q&A format ... 00:00:00 Natural vs. synthetic bioregulators ... 00:08:24 Peptide signaling and digestion ... 00:11:35 Brand reliability and BPC-157 oral benefits ... 00:20:18 Organ/system signaling basics ... 00:25:42 Bioregulator priorities and cycle protocols ... 00:29:51 Healthy, preventative, and age-related use ... 00:38:44 Are organ meats enough? Food vs. supplements ... 00:41:46 Clinical evidence and biggest impact ... 00:47:57 Resilience, wrap-up, and sourcing info ... 00:52:09   Our Amazing Sponsors: Ozlo - use smart sound engineering and sleep detection to help you stay in deeper, more stable sleep all night. Create your ideal sleep environment anywhere: go to ozlosleep.com/nat and use code NAT to get $75 off.   Vitali - combines pharmaceutical-grade copper peptides with zero-age exosomes to support clearer cellular signaling and long-term skin resilience, working with your biology instead of forcing change. Visit VitaliSkincare.com and use code NAT20 for 20% off. O₃RACLE by Wizard Sciences — A daily ozonated oil capsule designed to support immune balance, cellular communication, and antioxidant production without clinics, machines, or complicated routines; learn more at wizardsciences.com and use code NAT15 for 15% off.   Nat's Links:  YouTube Channel Join My Membership Community Sign up for My Newsletter  Instagram  Dr. Bill Lawrence Episode

In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, I sit down with Barry Gipson, better known as the Cowboys Unifier content creator, Dallas Cowboys superfan, and featured speaker at Military Creator Con. Barry shares how he built and monetized a content brand rooted in sports, community, and veteran identity. We break down how Facebook monetization actually works, how he generates revenue from memes and engagement, and why most creators quit before the real results show up. Barry is not just attending Military Creator Con. He's a featured speaker, sharing lessons from a decade of content discipline, audience building, and platform monetization. As a veteran creator, he represents what's possible when you combine consistency, niche focus, and community-first thinking.  We also discuss: • How Barry monetized Facebook and built recurring revenue • Turning passion into a sustainable content business • Why veterans have an advantage in discipline and execution • Planning content like a long-term brand, not a viral gamble • The psychology of algorithms and audience loyalty • Dealing with critics and staying consistent • Why niche audiences outperform broad appeal • What he'll be sharing on stage at Military Creator Con Barry proves you don't need a studio setup to win. You need focus, repetition, and the willingness to show up for years. If you're a veteran creator, entrepreneur, or someone serious about monetizing social platforms, this episode delivers practical insight.  Connect with Barry Gipson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-gipson-cowboys-unifier/ Website: https://officialamericasteam.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cowboysunifier Military Creator Con Website: https://www.militarycreatorcon.com/ Connect with Jason Cavness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com Be Great Every Day!

Your brand should be working for you, not exhausting you. In this episode, we break down the difference between a brand that functions as a true asset and one that quietly becomes a liability. I'm diving into positioning, narrative, and why visibility without strategy can actually slow your growth instead of accelerate it. If you feel like you're constantly creating, constantly showing up, and still not seeing momentum, this conversation will help you understand why. We'll unpack how to shift from effort driven marketing to leverage driven branding so your content builds authority, your message compounds over time, and your brand starts carrying weight in your industry instead of just making noise.Business audit: https://forms.gle/dWKUCJcaJMFP5jHe8PLR Library: https://bit.ly/GoalDiggerPLRJoin 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.

DJ & Hoots are BACK and discuss all the latest from around the college lacrosse world. They dive into all the recent action, including Syracuse being upset by Harvard, Maryland falling to Princeton, Penn State's BIG 10 struggles, and more. They then look ahead to the upcoming games and also define what a lacrosse blowout really is. 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/e1Nyor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RiversideGet your podcast looking and sounding pristine with Riverside!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://riverside.sjv.io/QjBBVM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow 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 #NCAALax #NCAAWLax #NCAALacrosse #CollegeLacrosse #LacrossePodcast #Subscribe #fyp

You don't plan to consign. Then a card pops up that you can't ignore.In this episode of The Staging Area presented by dcsports87, Brett and Tory talk through the real decisions collectors make when opportunity hits. What moves from the PC pile to the sell pile. Why “being responsible” sometimes means shipping a big box to consignment.They unpack:The Super Bowl eBay Live activation in San FranciscoWhat brand exposure really means when you're building for the long termHow volume forces companies like PSA and dcsports87 to make tough operational decisionsThe Drake Maye hype cycle and what the data shows after the lossWhy infrastructure today feels different than 2021And whether release consistency even exists anymoreThis is a conversation about scaling, adaptability, and playing the long game in a hobby that moves fast.If you're trying to make better decisions with your cards and your capital, this one is for you.A special thank you to dcsports87 for supporting this series. Check out dcsports87 for your eBay consignment needs and visit the dcsports87 eBay store to find great cards ending every night.Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On HypeGet exclusive content, promote your cards, and connect with other collectors who listen to the pod today by joining the Patreon: Join Stacking Slabs Podcast Patreon[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow dcsports87: | Website | eBay | Instagram | Twitter  Follow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In an era where AI is optimizing everything—from pricing to property descriptions—the real competitive advantage in hospitality may no longer be data. It may be identity. In this episode, Janice Wilson, founder of the luxury forest retreat Menizei, and experiential designer Paula Oblen, founder of Hotelements®, break down what it actually means to build a “Category-of-One” hospitality brand. Drawing from Janice's background in large-scale AI systems and Paula's two decades designing high-performing experiential properties—including Casa Tierra with Bobby Berk—they argue that optimization alone leads to sameness. Instead, they explore how identity, emotional intention, and strategic design create durable moats that algorithms can't replicate. From forest cocooning and longevity-themed A-frames to Return on Design™ and anticipatory guest experiences, this conversation reframes hospitality as both art and capital strategy. If you're an investor, operator, or designer wondering how to stand out in an increasingly automated world, this episode is your blueprint for building something unforgettable—and financially defensible. Behind the Stays Listeners get an exclusive discount when they enroll in "From Place to Category" a destination.design educational experience by Janice and Paula.  Use the code "BTS" (or simply reference it when you apply) to qualify.   Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world's top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we'd love for you to apply to join our Alliance at journey.com/alliance.

In this episode, host Amie Milner sits down with Melanie Borden—founder and CEO of The Borden Group, creator of the Human to Brand framework, and author of “Theater of the Mind” to unpack how founders and executives can turn their personal brand into a true growth engine for their business.They dig into the inner script that keeps so many leaders silent:“I'm not ready yet.”“I don't have enough authority.”“I'm going to take up too much space.”Melanie shares how to interrupt that story with proof of past achievements and, most importantly, action. From there, she breaks down what most people get wrong about personal branding (hint: it's not about being an influencer or “going viral”) and why a strategy-first approach matters more than any single post.

It's easy for B2B marketing to sound interchangeable. That's why Steve Jobs and Conrad Hilton are such compelling leaders to learn from. Behind Apple and Hilton is a disciplined approach to customer experience, brand consistency, and raising expectations instead of reacting to them. In this episode, we unpack the B2B marketing lessons behind two of the world's most iconic brands with the help of our special guest Sharon Oddy, VP of Marketing & Communications at TNS. Together, we explore what B2B marketers can learn from anchoring their positioning in customer experience, building trust through consistency, and delivering value buyers didn't even realize they were missing. About our guest, Sharon Oddy Sharon Oddy is the VP of Marketing & Communications at TNS. She's a marketing professional who understands the power of storytelling, the importance of a consistent narrative and the art of using it to inspire action. Sharon is an effective and talented communicator who makes the extraordinarily complex, comprehensible. She's a versatile and decisive leader skilled at building high-performing teams and activating cross-functional collaboration to drive strategic growth, customer retention and acquisition globally. What B2B Companies Can Learn From Steve Jobs + Conrad Hilton: Customer obsession is the only real differentiator. Jobs and Hilton didn't win because they had better marketing. They won because they cared more about the customer experience than anyone else. Sharon nails the mindset: “They listened and they observed in a way that put them in the shoe of the customer.” Jobs makes it the rule: “You've gotta start with the customer experience and work backwards to the technology.” The B2B takeaway is clear: if your marketing starts with what you want to sell instead of what your customer needs to feel, you're already behind. The brands that win build from the buyer backward. Trust is built in the details. Hilton's last words weren't about expansion or revenue. They were: “Leave the shower curtain on the inside of the tub.” Jobs obsessed over design even when customers would never see it. Why? Because as Sharon puts it: “It's always about putting the customer first.” In B2B, this means your credibility lives in execution; consistent messaging, polished touchpoints, and an experience that feels dependable. Don't let the small things create big doubt. The best marketers redefine demand. Customers can't always tell you what they want, but great companies can see what they struggle with. Sharon explains, “Jobs was really good at looking at people and saying, what are they struggling with and how do I make that experience better? Because when I do and they taste it, they're never going back.” That's the B2B lesson: don't just market what exists, create the expectation for something better. The strongest marketing doesn't follow the category. It changes what the category believes is possible. Quote “  If you keep looking backwards and trying to copy instead of lead. That's [an] area of demise. You can't look back and be like, “What does everybody else do? What does everybody else think?” You just have to have confidence that you understand your audience. You understand where the puck is moving, and you're going to keep going forward.” Time Stamps [01:20] Meet Sharon Oddy, VP of Marketing & Communications at TNS [01:27] Why Steve Jobs & Conrad Hilton? [04:00] The Role of VP of Marketing & Communications at TNS [06:25] Deep Dive: Steve Jobs and Conrad Hilton's Obsession with Details [11:19] B2B Marketing Lessons from Jobs and Hilton [47:45] Sharon's Marketing Strategy [51:24] Final Thoughts and Takeaways Links Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn Learn more about TNS About Remarkable! Remarkable! is created by the team at Caspian Studios, the premier B2B Podcast-as-a-Service company. Caspian creates both nonfiction and fiction series for B2B companies. If you want a fiction series check out our new offering - The Business Thriller - Hollywood style storytelling for B2B. Learn more at CaspianStudios.com.  In today's episode, you heard from Ian Faison (CEO of Caspian Studios) and Meredith Gooderham (Head of Production). Remarkable was produced this week by Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, and our theme song is “Solomon” by FALAK.  Create something remarkable. Rise above the noise. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Next in Media, Mike Shields sits down with Leanne Perice, founder and CEO of Made by All, one of the creator economy's most distinctive talent management firms. Leanne shares how she built the company from the ground up over nine years, starting with a single $1,000 deal in 2014 and growing it into a global powerhouse that doubles revenue year over year. She explains how her early career at a celebrity endorsement agency gave her the blueprint for what great talent management looks like, and how she applied those lessons to an entirely new generation of digital creators. From signing Vine stars before the term 'creator economy' even existed, to opening a new office in Dubai, Leanne has built Made by All on the belief that creators deserve the same strategic investment as Hollywood's biggest names. Leanne also introduces her framework DASI (Distribution, Attention, Storytelling, and Impact) to explain what creators truly offer brands, and why so many marketers are still only tapping into the first letter. She opens up about the CMO turnover crisis slowing momentum in the creator space, why she launched Made by Us as a social storytelling studio, and why she believes YouTube's long-form monetization is the best opportunity in the market right now. She also gives her take on platforms like YouTube and TikTok brokering brand deals directly, the collision of Hollywood and Silicon Valley financial models, and what brands still get wrong about building a presence on social media. This episode is a must-listen for anyone at the intersection of media, marketing, and the creator economy.   Key Highlights

Marketers love the idea that premium media makes brands premium. But the research is surprisingly mixed. High involvement content can change how ads land, sometimes helping attitudes, sometimes hurting recall.This week, Elena, Angela, and Rob tackle the debate between premium media and efficient reach. They review mixed research on media context effects, break down the extreme cost differences between premium and standard TV placements, and share when high-profile media genuinely outperforms. Discover why sacrificing reach for prestige might hurt more than help.Topics covered: [02:00] Super Bowl advertising performance data[04:00] The history of premium media and costly signaling[09:00] Cost differences between premium and standard TV placements[14:00] When premium media actually performs better[18:00] Creative requirements for premium placements[26:00] Playing "Worth the Premium" game with real scenarios To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter.  Resources: Norris, Claire E.; Colman, Andrew M.; Aleixo, Paulo A. (2003). Selective Exposure to Television Programmes and Advertising Effectiveness. University of Leicester. Journal contribution. https://hdl.handle.net/2381/3983  Hartmann, W. R., & Klapper, D. (2016). Super Bowl Ads (Working Paper No. 2139). Stanford Graduate School of Business. https://web.stanford.edu/~wesleyr/SuperBowl.pdf  Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

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With B2B marketers drowning in data and automation, have we forgotten that our buyers are still human beings who are moved more by compelling visuals than by another line on a spreadsheet? Agility requires not just the speed to react, but the insight to know what to react with. It demands a seamless connection between creative ideation and performance data, allowing teams to not only launch campaigns quickly but to make them smarter over time. Today, we're going to talk about the often-underestimated power of visual communication and design-led thinking in B2B marketing. We'll explore why creativity isn't just a 'nice to have' but a core driver of engagement and business results, how neuroscience backs this up, and how new platforms are enabling marketing teams to scale high-quality creative while directly measuring its impact on the bottom line. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Emma Robinson, Head of B2B Marketing at Canva. About Emma Robinson Emma Robinson is the Head of B2B Marketing at Canva, where she drives customer-centric strategies that showcase the impact of design at scale across enterprise organizations. She brings more than 20 years of global B2B marketing experience and has held leadership roles at Salesforce, Google, Medallia, and ThoughtSpot. Having worked across the UK, Asia Pacific, and the US, she's known for building high-performing teams and bringing innovative, high-impact go-to-market strategies to life. Emma brings deep expertise in customer advocacy, lifecycle marketing, and insight-led content, and is a strong champion for the power of brand and creativity in B2B. Her work is instrumental in positioning Canva as the visual communication platform for the modern workplace. Emma Robinson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-robinson-mtkg/ Resources Canva: https://www.canva.com/about/ Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c43e68ce5cfb321e The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

In this episode, I share why the heartbeat of your brand isn't your logo or your polish — it's your story and your frequency. People don't buy what you say; they buy how you make them feel. Your brand is story plus truth plus the experience you create, and when those three are aligned, trust compounds. I explain why energy speaks before words. When your story is clear, your energy is aligned. When your energy is aligned, your message lands. When your message lands, relationships grow. That's how connection turns into community and community turns into opportunity. When you stop chasing trends and start telling the truth consistently — across every platform, every room, every interaction — you don't just get seen, you get remembered. To join my next free Friday Training sessions, email me at david@dmeltzer.com