Podcasts about Little Talks

AI has made it incredibly easy to make more stuff.More blogs. More emails. More social posts. More everything.The problem? Nobody was sitting around wishing there was more content on the internet.This week on Little Talks, Sam and Roop talk about what happens when everyone has access to the same tools and can create the same types of content. AI can absolutely help. It's great at research, first drafts, and speeding up the work. But the one thing it can't generate for you is trust.That's where brands still have to do the hard part.The conversation covered everything from AI search and content creation to LinkedIn, Reddit, TikTok, and why your perspective may become more valuable than your publishing volume. The brands that stand out won't necessarily be the ones producing the most content. They'll be the ones with something worth saying.Ironically, if you want AI to cite your content, you may need to sound a little less like AI.See you next week for more Little Talks.— Sam, Claudia, and RoopTell us what you think!

Marketers love a good audience segment until it gets too broad to mean anything. “Business decision-makers” sounds nice in a media plan, but it does not tell you much about where those people actually spend time, what tools they use, or what signals point to real intent. That is where things get interesting, and occasionally a little uncomfortable, because our phones know us better than most dropdown menus do.On this week's Little Talks, Sam Littlefield sat down with Ben Bring from Sabio while Roop was out somewhere in the Colorado mountains doing Roop things. Ben's big idea was simple: you are what you app. The apps people use, the frequency with which they use them, their device language settings, and the patterns around those behaviors can help build more useful, privacy-conscious audience signals than marketers get from one broad label.The takeaway is not that one app tells the whole story. It is that smart audience building comes from stacking recent, relevant signals until the picture gets useful. And if your next media plan still treats niche audiences like a rounding error, it may be time to ask what they are actually opening every day.See you next week for more Little Talks.- Claudia, Sam, and BenTell us what you think!

Agency size has a funny way of becoming a security blanket. It feels measurable, which makes it feel useful. A 60-person shop sounds safer than a 25-person shop, at least until you remember that all 60 people will not be in your reporting meeting, your strategy call, or the late-afternoon scramble when priorities shift.That is where Sam and Roop spent most of this week's conversation. The episode is not a tiny-agency rally cry or a big-agency takedown. There are great partners at every size. The real issue is whether the team assigned to your business has the experience, focus, access, and chemistry to move quickly and make smart decisions with you.They also hit on something that feels especially true right now: the old resource gap has changed. Ten years ago, bigger agencies often had better access to research tools, technology, and infrastructure. Now, with better platforms and AI helping lean teams do more, size is a much less useful shorthand for capability. The sharper test is who is actually doing the work, who is leading it, and how well they understand your business.David did not beat Goliath by becoming bigger. He won by being faster, more focused, and willing to use a different approach. Not a bad reminder for any marketing team staring down an agency decision and trying to separate peace of mind from actual partnership.See you next week for more Little Talks.— Claudia, Sam, and RoopTell us what you think!

This week's episode of Little Talks is a special one. After 10 years at Littlefield Agency, Chelsea Clement joins Sam and Roop on the podcast one last time before heading into her next chapter: becoming a full-time mom.Chelsea has been a huge part of Littlefield for the last decade. If you've interacted with our team, followed our content, listened to the podcast, or honestly just spent five minutes around the agency, you've probably felt her impact whether you realized it or not. She's thoughtful, wildly organized, hilarious, calm in the chaos, and somehow always knows exactly what needs to happen next.So for her final episode, we decided to make it all about Chelsea.Sam and Roop put her in the hot seat to answer some of the most asked questions over the years, share behind-the-scenes Littlefield stories, reflect on the last 10 years, and talk about everything from agency life to what makes Littlefield… Littlefield. So join us for a celebration of one of our favorite people, favorite teammates, and unquestionably one of our favorite podcast guests of all time.We love you, Chelsea. Thanks for everything.See you next week for more Little Talks.— Claudia, Sam, Roop, and ChelseaTell us what you think!

A lot of teams still talk about AI like it's some far-off future conversation. But in reality, the shift is already happening, and fast. The more interesting question now is not whether the tools are improving. It's what teams choose to do with the extra space those tools create.This week, Sam and Roop reflected on conversations coming out of the latest Magnet meeting and kept landing on the same idea: AI and agents are most valuable when they create more room for strategy, thinking, and better decision-making. Faster workflows matter, but only if they lead to sharper insights and stronger work on the other side.Because more capacity does not automatically mean more value. Teams can use it to create more content, more meetings, and more noise. Or they can use it to become more thoughtful, more focused, and more useful to the people they serve.That's the part of this moment we're paying attention to.See you next week for more Little Talks!— Claudia, Chelsea, Sam, and RoopTell us what you think!

Everybody loves a quick win, especially when revenue goals are staring you in the face. But in B2B marketing, the fastest-looking result is not always the most valuable one. Long sales cycles, budget timing, research-heavy purchases, and multiple decision-makers mean trust usually builds long before a deal closes.In this week's episode of Little Talks, Sam and Roop chat about how that pressure shows up for marketing teams every day. We see it with brands selling complex equipment, serving municipalities with fixed budgets, or trying to stay in front of buyers over months or even years. Yes, there are near-term opportunities with existing customers through upgrades, parts, and add-ons, but those wins only keep coming when the bigger demand-building work is happening too.The challenge: are we measuring marketing only by what closes immediately, or are we paying attention to the touch points that move new buyers closer to a decision as well? As you head into planning and budget conversations, take a hard look at whether your content, email, social, and media strategy are built for the long game or just the next short burst.See you next week for more Little Talks!— Chelsea, Sam, Claudia, and RoopTell us what you think!

In B2B marketing, there's a familiar disconnect: the people building the product and the people selling it often speak different languages. When specs and performance lead the story, buyers can drop off before they ever reach a decision. The opportunity isn't to simplify the product. It's to translate what it does into what it means.At the upper funnel, that shift is strategic. On a recent episode of Little Talk, we unpacked our benefits ladder approach, moving from product attributes to functional benefits to the emotional drivers that actually influence decisions. Even in B2B, buyers aren't just evaluating features. They're asking if it fits their needs, their team, and their world.That's why we push brands to start with the problem, not the product. Leading with a buyer's challenge builds immediate trust and signals understanding. The product still plays the hero, just not in the opening line.So what does your marketing lead with: what your product is, or why it matters?See you next week for more Little Talks.— Claudia, Chelsea, Sam, and RoopTell us what you think!

The word “vendor” gets tossed around a lot in the agency world, and if you've ever been in a purely transactional relationship, you know why it doesn't feel great. You brief, they execute, they invoice and next time you're starting from scratch. No momentum, no pushback, no one really in your corner.That model works for some things. But for growing a brand, it definitely has a ceiling.Own this week's episode of Little Talks, Sam and Roop dig into why real partnerships outperform vendor relationships and what that actually looks like. The idea is that trust compounds. We've had clients take years to fully open up their data, and once they did, everything clicked into place faster and more effectively.That's what partnership is. Shared goals. Shared wins. And the willingness to challenge each other to get to a better outcome.Are your agencies building toward your long-term growth, or just checking the box?See you next week for more Little Talks!— Roop, Sam, Chelsea, and ClaudiaTell us what you think!

One of the most common things we hear from brands thinking about engaging in a content program is, “we just don't have that much to say.” And man, oh man ... We're here to tell you that's just not true. The problem isn't a lack of ideas or topics, it's where you're looking and who you're writing it for. Your content shouldn't be about you and trying to constantly sell, it should be about your customers and their issues and needs.One place Roop likes to point out is to start with your customer service team. They're answering the same questions every day. Grab ten minutes with them, get the top five to ten issues they hear day in and day out, and you've got your first batch of content. That wasn't hard, was it? From there, you can build it out with Google's “People Also Ask,” Reddit, reviews, competitor blogs and more. We've seen teams go from nothing to a list of 50+ topics just by doing that.Once you have ideas, group them into bigger topics and smaller pieces. A topic like starting a content plan can turn into posts about generating ideas, executing, and measuring results. You don't have to cram everything into one post. And if your subject matter experts get too technical, run it through AI and have it rewritten at a tenth grade level. Keep the facts, just make it readable.Content isn't a silver bullet, but it matters. It helps you get found, build trust, and stay in front of people. Most buyers need a lot of touch points before they're ready. The ideas are already inside your business. You just need to know where to look.See you next week for more Little Talks!— Claudia, Chelsea, Sam, and RoopTell us what you think!

Trade shows are expensive. Between booth space, travel, swag, staffing, and all the little costs that sneak up on you, it's not unusual for a single event to run well into five or six figures. And yet, when leadership asks "was it worth it?" most teams fumble the answer. Not because the show wasn't valuable, but because no one set up a real way to measure it in the first place.This is something we talk about a lot at Littlefield Agency, especially with clients who are heavy in the trade show circuit.So when Sam and Roop sat down to record this week's episode of Little Talks, it felt like a conversation that was a long time coming. The gang digs into the full picture. Lead quality versus quantity, the attribution mess that comes with in-person events, how to actually measure booth traffic, what a solid follow-up strategy looks like, and how to make the case to leadership when the ROI isn't immediately obvious.Here's the big question: if your trade show ended tomorrow, could you walk into a room and confidently show leadership what it produced. Not just badge scans and business cards, but real pipeline impact? If the answer is anything less than an enthusiastic yes, this episode is going to hit close to home. The measurement problem is fixable, but only if you're willing to build the system before the show, not after.See you next week for more Little Talks!— Sam, Claudia, Roop, and ChelseaTell us what you think!

There's a moment every in-house marketing team knows. You look up at 6 p.m., your to-do list is longer than when you started, and the big strategic work still isn't done. You were busy. Really busy. But doing what, exactly? That gap between daily execution and long-term strategy is real, and it's one of the most common challenges marketing teams face.At Littlefield, we work alongside in-house teams of all sizes. The best partnerships don't feel like vendor relationships. They feel like true collaboration. We're not here to replace your team. We're here to strengthen it, bring fresh perspective, and help carry the load when things get heavy.So here's the question: if your team had a strategic partner who could move fast, think differently, and stay focused on business goals, what could you accomplish that you're not doing today? That's the conversation worth having.See you next week for more Little Talks.— Sam, Chelsea, Roop, and ClaudiaTell us what you think!

Change is hard. It's always been hard. But the rate at which B2B marketers are being asked to adapt right now, juggling AI adoption, cross-functional alignment, proving ROI, and meeting digital buyers where they are, it is genuinely unlike anything we've seen before. The pressure is coming from every direction with CFOs expecting more with less, sales and IT teams that need to be brought along, and a technology landscape that looks completely different than it did just two years ago.Sam came back from the Master B2B conference in Chicago fired up about this exact tension. Sitting in roundtables with over 200 B2B e-commerce marketers, the theme that kept surfacing wasn't strategy or budget or even AI, it was change management. How do you get your organization to actually move? On this week's Little Talks, Sam and Roop dig into what that looks like on the ground. From a stat suggesting 33% of B2B marketing staff will be agentic by 2030, to why almost no one in a room of 40+ marketers could quantify the ROI of their AI tools yet.AI is definitely changing the game, but do you know what your AI investments are actually returning? Not in efficiency terms, not in hours saved, but in real, measurable business outcomes? If you can't answer that today, now is the time to start building toward it, because that question is coming for every marketer sooner than you think.See you next week for more Little Talks!— Sam, Chelsea, Roop, and ClaudiaTell us what you think!

Dave Little, the basketball guy, is playing hockey games. We talk to him about playing lesser known sports games.

Many businesses hire agencies to execute tasks: build a campaign, design an ad, launch a website. But the strongest agency relationships go beyond simple execution. A truly strategic agency sees itself as a partner in growth, focused on outcomes like revenue, customer acquisition, and brand positioning rather than just delivering assets.For Littlefield Agency, that partnership means asking “why” before saying “yes.” By understanding the real business objective, we can recommend the right solution and push back when we don't feel like something will move the needle. Strategic partners also think beyond individual campaigns, looking at the customer journey, competitive landscape, and the metrics that actually drive business growth. For us, these are also the best, most collaborative and rewarding relationships we have.So give this week's episode a listen and ask yourself, "does my agency act like an order taker or strategic partner?" If your answer is the latter, you got yourself a good one!See you next week for more Little Talks.— Sam, Roop, Claudia, and ChelseaTell us what you think!

On this week's episode of Little Talks, we return to favorite topic: AI. In marketing, AI isn't just moving fast, it can also be unstable. Tools launch, raise funding, and pivot in the same week. The hype cycle that once took years now takes months, and sometimes just weeks. That pace can create some real fatigue for those of us in the AI trenches. A lot of new platforms are simply wrappers on some other foundation's models, meaning one native feature release from a major player like Google or OpenAI could erase an entire product or start-up overnight.And not every impressive AI-driven demo deserves your time. Shiny tools are often only solving narrow problems in flashy ways. More strategic AI solutions integrate into core systems like your CRM, business platforms, and workflows, driving measurable results. The solutions that last reduce cost, increase speed, and connect to revenue. The ones built on novelty or “better prompting” alone likely won't.Our takeaway this week? Don't chase tools, instead build AI literacy. And remember, good strategy will always outlast the latest software. In a noisy AI market, steady thinking is your human advantage.See you next week for more Little Talks!— Sam, Roop, Claudia, and ChelseaTell us what you think!

2013 marked the peak of “Stomp Clap Hey” music, a wave of indie anthems built on folksy instruments, group choruses, and irresistible stomping and clapping. Right in the thick of it was Of Monsters and Men, whose Top 20 single “Little Talks” became instantly recognizable from its opening horn melody alone. The Icelandic band quickly found themselves everywhere, being featured in commercials, woven into blockbuster films, and even performing in a memorable episode of Game of Thrones. But more than a decade later, are they still worth checking out? This week, Chris and Matt are joined by podcaster and musician Jake Noonan to decide whether it's time to have little talks with friends to tell them to check out more Of Monsters and Men. One Hit Thunder is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Our listeners get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at ⁠⁠http://distrokid.com/vip/onehitthunder⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Buy some Merch⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Likes and views feel good, but they don't pay the bills. Vanity metrics are easy to report and look great in a slide deck, but they're tough to connect to revenue. On this episode of Little Talks, Sam and Roop discuss the real shift marketing teams need to make, no longer chasing attention but instead measuring impact.If marketing is working, you'll see it in the pipeline. Are we generating real sales-qualified leads, or just form fills? And if marketing disappeared tomorrow, would revenue take a hit? Are we spending $1 to make $3 or just to get applause?So join the gang as they talk about what really matters to your business, ROI.See you next week!—Sam, Roop, Claudia and ChelseaTell us what you think!

Robby Little stops by to talk about his fatherhood journey. He shares the values he looks to instill into his kids. We talk about the challenges that pop up when you want to be a great dad while running your own business. After that we talk about the company he started, SLIDEMVP. He shares the inspiration that gave him the idea for SLIDEMVP. In addition, he talks about how his product is not just for kids since teams in Major League Baseball also use SLIDEMVP. Lastly, we finish the interview with the Fatherhood Quick Five.  About Robby Little  As a dad and coach, inspired by some awkward slides and makeshift cardboard sliding tools, Coach Robby asked: “How can I help players slide better?” After countless brainstorming sessions and prototypes, the SLIDEMVP™ was born. Players immediately had fun, and their sliding skills improved dramatically. To further support athletes, Coach Robby has hosted multiple sliding clinics, building confidence and teaching techniques like the pop-up slide. Proudly manufactured in the USA, SLIDEMVP™ is player-tested and coach-approved. It enhances sliding technique, boosts speed, and improves agility on the basepaths. Most importantly, SLIDEMVP™ helps players build confidence and take their game to the next level. About The Art of Fatherhood Podcast  The Art of Fatherhood Podcast follows the journey of fatherhood. Your host, Art Eddy talks with fantastic dads from all around the world where they share their thoughts on fatherhood. You get a unique perspective on fatherhood from guests like Bob Odenkirk, Hank Azaria, Joe Montana, Kevin Smith, Danny Trejo, Jerry Rice, Jeff Foxworthy, Patrick Warburton, Jeff Kinney, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Kyle Busch, Dennis Quaid, Dwight Freeney and many more.

For our last episode of the year, Sam and Roop take a look at Little Talks numbers, Spotify wrapped-style! Questions asked and answered:What was their total watch time on YouTube?Which month performed the best?What were their top topics?What were their top 3 episodes by streams?Which European country are they most popular?And more!We would also like to thank all of you for listening. It really blows our minds that you voluntarily spend time with us every week, so thank you.It's been a great year at Littlefield Agency, and 2026 is already looking brighter! Have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year and we'll see you on the other side.—Claudia, Sam, Chelsea and RoopTell us what you think!

It's a short but sweet episode of Little Talks this week as Sam and Roop reflect on the year and all they're thankful for.It's a short but sweet write up, too! : )Have a great holiday weekend and we'll see you next week.— Sam, Roop, Chelsea and ClaudiaTell us what you think!

This week on the podcast, Sam, Roop and Claudia discuss when the appropriate time to put up Christmas decorations is. Before Thanksgiving? After? Never? There are opinions, but of course whatever you have planned works.Speaking of planning, that's the real topic on this episode of Little Talks! Planning season (September through November-ish) isn't just filling out calendars, it's aligning business goals with media, content, and campaign priorities for the year ahead. And the best plans start with a look back. What actually worked vs. what just looked good on paper?We find that campaign and content planning works best when clients involve us early. The more we know about business goals and sales cycles, the more we can build proactive, not reactive, marketing that delivers!So listen in as Sam and Roop discuss planning season at Littlefield Agency, and let us know where you stand on the Christmas decorations! See you next week.— Sam, Roop and ClaudiaTell us what you think!

Sam and Roop fire up the mics for another episode of Little Talks to talk (what else?), AI. This week, they discuss OpenAI and PayPal's new partnership that could change how people shop online, turning ChatGPT into an AI-powered shopping mall.Starting next year, products from PayPal merchants will appear in ChatGPT's search results across categories like fashion, home improvement, and electronics. Shoppers will be able to browse and buy directly within ChatGPT using PayPal or Venmo, with natural, personalized conversations that adapt to individual tastes, budgets, and past behavior. Could this partnership shift online shopping away from Google and Amazon?The gang thinks this collaboration could mark the start of a new kind of competition, an “AI commerce” era where shopping isn't just about clicks and carts, but about who controls the conversation.— Sam, Roop and ClaudiaTell us what you think!

Oppa Gangnam Style! On this episode of Baconsale, we're putting one-hit wonders that were Classic around 7 Years ago on a bracket. We'll have many Little Talks to decide which tracks are Bulletproof and which ones don't deserve a Replay. We may leave some millennials Brokenhearted as we Say Something negative about a song they love, but Don't You Worry Child, we don't mean to make Waves. You just need to Let It Go. Joel, Kent, and Zack are going to Sail through this first round of 64 songs. However, we won't finish the tournament Tonight Tonight. It is Written in the Stars that we'll pick a winner next time (Like a G6).   So say Geronimo, enjoy the Sweater Weather, and press play!   Visit Baconsale.com to find our official Spotify playlist and download this bracket.

CADENA 100 presenta una variada selección musical, incluyendo éxitos de Phil Collins, Of Monsters and Men con "Little Talks" y el ritmo pegadizo de "Échame la culpa". También suena "Run Away With Me" y canciones de The Script. Se destaca la trayectoria de Manuel Turizo y la energía de Nil Moliner con "Espectacular", además del clásico "Infinity" de Guru Josh. El programa celebra el éxito de Manuel Turizo en Sevilla y la influencia de

On this week's episode of Little Talks, Roop and Claudia are back from HubSpot's INBOUND 25 marketing conference in San Fransisco, and boy oh boy do they have updates! Everything from new HubSpot products to a new marketing playbook for the AI age called Loop Marketing, it's a LOT. Plus their favorite speakers, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and friend of the podcast, Jay Schwedelson (who had a special message for Sam, since he wasn't able to go this year).So where to begin? Well, this week we just try to unpack what they saw and heard from a high level. In the coming weeks you'll get breakdowns on new HubSpot offerings ranging from Breeze Agents (HubSpot's AI platform) to Smart CRM (their data enrichment tool that is truly next level), as well as a deeper dive into The Loop (HubSpot's reimagined playbook for staying in front of customers where they are in the age of AI.Think of this episode as a "preview" of what's to come. Going to catch our breathes, see you again next week!—Roop, Claudia, Sam and ChelseaP.S. Pre-order Jay Scwedleson's new book, Stupider People Have Done It: Marketing Truths, Career Moves, and Life Advice for Doers! All proceeds go to V Foundation for cancer research.Tell us what you think!

On this week's Little Talks we talk search. What it is, where it's going and how your brand can stay relevant in the age of AI SEO. AI is definitely changing the SEO playbook, but fortunately some of the same old tricks that have worked in traditional SEO still work for AI search as well.We chat strategy, measurement and everything in between as AI platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini and Preplexity start to slowly chip away at Google Search, who is easily still the king with 90% of global search traffic—for now). And as has been the case for a couple of decades now, brands can't ignore AI SEO and the visibility it brings without losing the "top-of-funnel" as well. Early movers who are prepared are gaining authority faster and shaping how their industries are represented in conversational results. Big time stuff.All this plus some seasonly relevant fantasy football talk and a special shoutout to our friend Siva for inspiring this episode!—Roop, Sam, Claudia and ChelseaTell us what you think!

It's Roop's favorite time of year—HubSpot's INBOUND marketing conference is here! This year, the event moves from Boston to San Francisco, but the awesomeness remains the same. On this week's episode of Little Talks, the gang shares some favorite INBOUND memories and the sessions they're most excited about for 2025.AI and new HubSpot platform announcements are set to take center stage again, but INBOUND isn't just about the technical updates. Every year, Roop comes back buzzing with fresh ideas from inspirational speakers like Jay Schwedelson and Neil Patel, along with sessions covering B2B marketing hacks, email tactics, content strategies, and more.This year's main stage will also feature some unexpected names, like Sean Evans from Hot Ones and Amy Poehler from SNL. How do they fit into a marketing conference? Roop and Claudia will report back! Plus, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei is sure to deliver fascinating insights on the intersection of AI and marketing.So grab your Rice-A-Roni and meet us by the Bay as we preview Roop and Claudia's pilgrimage to San Francisco and all things INBOUND 25!—Roop, Claudia, Sam, and ChelseaTell us what you think!

On this episode of Little Talks, we tackle four common B2B marketing myths and set the record straight.First up is the idea that gated content is the only way to generate leads. While putting valuable resources behind a form can work, the hosts explain that leaning on it too heavily can actually shrink your audience and hurt your brand authority. Mixing in ungated assets—like blog posts, videos, and podcasts—helps build trust, position you as a thought leader, and keep you visible in search results. When people already trust you, they're much more likely to say “yes” to that form later.Next, the conversation turns to the misconception that social media is only for B2C brands. In reality, social platforms are just as powerful for B2B—but the playbook is different. LinkedIn shines for thought leadership and networking, while Instagram and even TikTok can spotlight your brand personality and show off your company culture. It's about shifting the mindset from pushing sales to offering help, sparking conversation, and making genuine connections.The third myth challenges the old-school notion that the marketing funnel is a straight line from awareness to purchase. Today's buyer journey is more like a messy web, with people jumping between research, peer recommendations, and direct vendor contact. That's why an omni-channel approach is so important—your brand should be ready to add value at every possible touchpoint, not just at a “stage” in the process.Finally, Sam and Roop address vanity metrics. Sure, likes, followers, and views don't directly equal revenue, but that doesn't mean they're useless. Think of them as your marketing “check engine light”—a signal that your content is connecting with your audience. When a post gets attention, that's your cue to build on the momentum and channel that engagement into more measurable business results.And join us next week for Claudia and Roop's HubSpot INBOUND 25 preview!—Sam, Roop, Claudia and ChelseaTell us what you think!

On this week's episode of Little Talks we welcome back a frequent guest and friend, Mike Simmon from Grasshopper Mowers. Mike was in town from Kansas for his monthly HubSpot and CRM meeting with Roop, Chelsea, Claudia and Kendall and was kind enough to join Sam and Roop on the mics. The topic? What in marketing is still as true now as it was 10-20 years ago?We discuss timeless marketing truths like brand consistency and knowing your customer, tactics or trends we used to swear by but wouldn't touch now and how we use AI in our day-to-day working life. And to wrap it all up: Predictions we'd stake whole marketing budgets on and looking ahead to what we think will still be true in 3-5 years from now.It's a packed podcast full of insights and tidbits from one or favorite guests.Have something to add to the conversation? Let us know below, and we'll see you next week!— Sam, Roop, Mike, Claudia and ChelseaTell us what you think!

This week on Little Talks, Roop is joined by a surprise duo—Grasshopper Trent (VP of Marketing at Grasshopper Mowers) and his son Andrew. Trent usually pops in at the end of the year for Trent-a-palooza, but a quick trip to Tulsa to handle some car trouble turned into a bonus Trent podcast episode this year!Coming off last week's Gen Z episode, it felt like perfect timing to bring Andrew into the conversation. As a younger Gen Z-er, he offers up fresh insights on how his generation is using social media, their feelings toward AI, and how they really see influencers and branded content. (Spoiler: They can spot a fake endorsement a mile away.)Trent came prepared with a list of ChatGPT-generated questions, and Andrew delivered. From the surprising popularity of YouTube over streaming platforms to concerns around AI ads scamming older generations, this episode gives us a lot to think about as marketers when it comes to connecting with younger audiences.It was fun, insightful, and a great preview of what's to come when Trent-a-palooza officially rolls around in December. Until then, catch us this week on Little Talks!— Roop, Trent, Andrew, and ClaudiaTell us what you think!

On this week's Little Talks we're talkin' about Gen Z, with some insight from one of our resident Gen Z voices in the office, Claudia!Claudia tells Sam and Roop about how purpose at work matters. A paycheck is great, sure, but waking up every day to do work that actually makes an impact? That's where it's at. She reminds the gang that fulfillment can outweigh dollars—and for many members of Gen Z, that's non-negotiable.We also dive into what it means to be a “digital native” that is fast to adopt new digital tools and processes, things that don't scare Gen Z. And in a world that moves fast, that adaptability is pure gold.Of course, we couldn't skip the big one: burnout. Claudia shares her Littlefield experience has been refreshingly positive—thanks to strong boundaries, built-in flexibility, and a culture that prioritizes real-time feedback instead of waiting for once-a-year reviews. All ingredients for a happy Gen Z workforce.We also touch on communication shifts (spoiler: Gen Z isn't checking their email 24/7), challenges to outdated processes, how mentorship—not micromanagement—is what really fuels growth and more.So listen in to the voice of the next generation, and we'll catch you next time on Little Talks!– Claudia, Sam, Roop, and BrandonTell us what you think!

It's been a while, but Roop is BACK! Just in time for a busy week at Littlefield Agency. We've got people traveling to AI conferences, client meetings, and more. But that won't stop Sam and Roop from bringing you a new episode of Little Talks!This week, the gang talks about client communication. Simple topic, you say? You would think so—but there's more variety and nuance to it than you might expect! Everyone has their own preferences for communicating, ranging from email to Slack to text. We're happy to work in whatever format, as long as the communication is flowing! That's when we do our best work, and when our clients see the best results.So hit that play button and get to jibber-jabbering with Roop and Sam!— Sam, Roop, Claudia, and BrandonTell us what you think!

On this week's episode of Little Talks, we're celebrating 45 years of LA with our founder and chairman, David Littlefield. He'll take us back to 1980, when "Littlefield Inc." began in his home in Stillwater, Oklahoma.We've had plenty of ups and downs over four decades—moments where we just had to hang in there and keep pushing. Through both triumphs and setbacks, we learned that being persistent and adaptable matters more than quick success.What's kept the agency going for 45 years? David says it's simple: hire the best people, keep hustle on business development, and never stop reimagining how to serve clients. And his advice for the next generation? You'll have to listen to find out!And from all of us here today, HUGE thank you to David, for taking a risk and building what we have today. Littlefield Agency wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you!—David, Sam, & ClaudiaTell us what you think!

On this week's episode of Littlefield's Little Talks, Sam and Roop jump into a topic that's been heating up lately—AI-powered search. Have traditional search engines and SEO finally met their match? After decades of worrying about what page of search results your B2B brand's web content shows up on, along comes AI and it's non-liner usage of your content.Users are increasingly moving toward AI-powered search tools and features, changing their traditional search behavior. It's not just social media platforms like TikTok that Google has to worry about, AI-powered search is everywhere. Even on—wait for it—the big search engines like Google and Bing.So how does your brand stay relevant in the age of AI-powered search? The good news is some very basic marketing fundamentals are here to save the day. Listen in to find out what those fundamentals are and how you can continue to stay in front of your audience as the world begins to shift towards a very different search experience.—Sam, Roop and ClaudiaTell us what you think!

On this week's episode of Little Talks, Roop is back from NYC and Brandon jumps back into the studio again to cover for a traveling Claudia. After a week off, Sam and Roop discuss A/B testing for various marketing efforts from display ads to emails. They chat about how what you think you may know isn't always what is real, and why it's important to have a hypothesis going into testing.A/B testing is like having a friendly marketing competition right in front of your eyes! You take two versions of your content and let your audience decide the winner. It's an easy way to discover exactly what resonates best, without relying on guesswork.By consistently running A/B tests, you're not just improving your marketing; you're actively listening to your customers. Small changes like button colors, headlines, or even the wording of your messages can lead to surprisingly big improvements.- Brandon, Sam, and RoopTell us what you think!

On this week's episode of Little Talks, Sam and Roop are joined by our Creative Director, Mike Rocco, who celebrates a career milestone this week—20 years at Littlefield! Rocco has seen it all, including some pretty seismic changes in how marketing has evolved. He shares stories from his career and two decades at Littlefield you won't want to miss. Plus, Rocco gives some insights around AI and what's next for creatives, agencies and their clients.Are there tears? Maybe a few (but they're the good kind).So join the gang as they go down memory lane, and share some things that you may not have known, like the fact that Rocco was technically the first to host a podcast at Littlefield! It's true.—Sam, Roop, Rocco, Brandon and ClaudiaTell us what you think!

Sam & Roop are back in the studio this week talking about one of our core values at the agency: adaptability. In marketing—and especially B2B marketing—it's a must. Trends shift fast, tech moves even faster, and staying current can make a huge difference in how well your campaigns perform, how accurately you track results, and how you connect with your audience.Working with a media group like ours gives you access to stronger, more affordable solutions across a wider range of channels. And of course, it wouldn't be a Little Talks episode without mentioning AI. From automating repetitive tasks to predicting customer behavior, it's a powerful tool—but only if it's tailored to your needs.See how your team can adapt and thrive!–Sam, Roop, Brandon & ClaudiaTell us what you think!

BIG NEWS on Little Talks this week—Courtney Roberts is making her podcast debut! After 14 years at the agency, she's finally stepping behind the mic to talk about something that's transforming the industry: AI in visual branding.Courtney and the gang get into how AI-powered tools are changing the way brands create visuals, from Photoshop enhancements to automated design platforms. While AI can speed up production and cut costs, it also comes with challenges—like the risk of generic, uninspired designs. AI can do 80% of the work, but should be used as a tool and not a replacement.Catch us next week!–Brandon, Courtney, Sam, Roop, Claud & BrendaTell us what you think!

In this episode of Little Talks, Sam is back in the studio after his trip to the MAGNET conference in Miami, and Claud takes the reins for the first time as a solo podcast producer! Where's Brandon? Listen to find out!The gang talks inbound content for B2B brands this week, breaking down why knowing your audience's wants and needs, and creating inbound content to address them, can drive ongoing success.It's all about meeting your customers where they are as people, and not constantly hitting them with the hard sell. Whether it's through blogs, videos, or even podcasts, a well-executed inbound content strategy will keep your brand top of mind for when your future customers are ready to buy.See you next week, and thanks for listening!-Brandon, Claudia, Brenda, Roop & SamTell us what you think!

This week, Sam's out visiting clients and colleagues in Miami, so our Associate Producer, Claudia Kelly, joins Roop on the mics. They discuss best practices for creating the perfect thumbnail for your blogs, YouTube videos, TikToks, and more. Your thumbnail preview image does a lot of heavy lifting—it's the main thing that can get a user to stop scrolling and engage with your content, so why not show it some love?How many people are too many in a thumbnail? Is text okay to include? Are there any special circumstances or opportunities across various social channels? Roop and Claudia answer these questions and more in this week's episode of Little Talks!Bonus: Claudia accidentally cosplays as Princess Leia!— Brandon, Roop, Brenda, and ClaudiaTell us what you think!

In this episode of the Little Talks, Sam and Roop keep tradition alive with their annual ad recap for Super Bowl LIX. With a record-setting 126 million viewers tuned in to the big game, the advertising stakes were once again pretty high, and the gang breaks down this year's creative hits and misses. From celebrity-packed spots to high-concept (body horror?!) campaigns, they shared their takes on which brands scored and which ones fumbled the opportunity.Want to see all the ads they mention that you might have missed? USA Today uses their Ad Meter system to rank all 57 spots, complete with video.Which ones were your favorites and misses? Let us know in the comments below or shoot us a note at littlefieldagency.com!BONUS: Check out the rest of the agency's picks for favorite commercial!Tell us what you think!

Join us this week as we dive into the ethics of AI in B2B (and B2C) marketing. In this episode, we explore what makes AI usage ethical when it comes to data privacy, creative license, and overall best advertising practices as we know them now. The main takeaway? Transparency, fairness, and accountability are the themes of the day.We'll also chat about how marketers can lean in against the incoming flood of AI content to standout with their own authenticity.Plus, which delivery pizza chain is best? The votes are in and we have the answer!All this and more on this week's Little Talks!— Brandon, Sam, Roop, Claudia and BrendaTell us what you think!

After some well-deserved downtime spent with family and recharging for the new year, Sam and Roop are officially back for Season 4 of Little Talks! This season kicks off with a bang because, as you know, life at an agency is never dull.First, let's talk about some new faces! We're excited to welcome Becca Barnard, stepping into the role of Digital Project Manager, and Maddie Westbrock, our January intern from Cascia Hall. Maddie will be spending the month soaking up knowledge from our amazing team, and we couldn't be more excited to have her on board.But that's not all—how could we forget our 24-hour Vegas adventure? To celebrate the new year, the team took a quick but meaningful trip for some awesome team bonding. Obviously, we crush it as a team in the office, but spending a day outside of work as a group adds a whole new layer to our dynamic. Keep an eye on our LinkedIn and Instagram for some Vegas highlights!And if that wasn't enough, (told you it's busy over here at LA) the main topic: Sam and Chris Kizer's Miami trip for the MAGNET media conference. MAGNET is a CEO network where Sam is serving as Chairman this year. They spent six months planning, and it paid off with a flawless, successful event. We're so proud of the work they've put in to make it all happen!Happy New Year from all of us at Littlefield Agency! Don't miss next week's episode, where the gang talks about the rise of podcasts as a LEGIT engagement channel for B2B brands.-Brandon, Brenda, Claudia, Sam & RoopTell us what you think!

She's back! Everyone's favorite podcast guest, Chelsea Clement, returns to talk B2B trade shows on this week's episode. A nearly 10-year Littlefield Agency veteran, Chelsea has seen it all (hear her story about an attendee gone wild). From touch screens to product gamification, she discusses the good, the bad and the ugly of the trade show world.In the end, it's all about getting those leads, which starts with personal interactions and continues on through CRM marketing efforts. So grab a cup of coffee (or maybe something stronger?) and hear Chelsea's tales from the trade show floor on this week's Little Talks.Tell us what you think!

In this week's Little Talks, we round out our recaps from INBOUND24 by diving into friend of the show, Jay Schwedelson's sessions at HubSpot's annual marketing conference. The man knows email (and we've covered plenty of that knowledge on past episodes), so this time we focus in on a couple of new email-related items and some other interesting tidbits from his main stage presentation.Jay's top insight? Embrace lo-fi content! Over the past year, engagement on lo-fi videos has skyrocketed by 48%—and those unpolished, authentic moments on LinkedIn and Instagram are pulling in over 64% more interactions. As he says, “Nobody has a clue!”—test everything and don't be afraid to fail.Jay also dropped a heads-up about Apple's iOS 18 updates shaking up email marketing, especially with its new tabbed inboxes that could shift brand emails to “Promotions” limbo. His advice? Make newsletters feel personal—they see nearly 50% higher open rates than generic brand emails. And in true Jay fashion, he wrapped it all up with some advice on starting a podcast (they're a hidden gem) and tackling tough tasks with his “Eat the Frog” mentality. Catch the full episode for more of Jay's tips!Tell us what you think!

Gigi Saul Guerrero: Culture Shock, Horror, and Filmmaking from Two Worlds In this insightful conversation with filmmaker Gigi Saul Guerrero, Danny explores Gigi's journey from Mexico City to Canada, where cultural differences inspired her film Culture Shock. They discuss the influence of her Mexican heritage and how she integrates it into her work, particularly in the horror genre, referencing figures like Guillermo del Toro. Gigi opens up about the personal stories that inspire her films, from her mother's cult experiences to her own fears rooted in rich Mexican folklore. She also shares how her love for cinema was sparked by films like Children of Men and her passion for storytelling that reflects humanity's darker side. The conversation also touches on Gigi's brand,  @mexicangorefest , and its mission to become a horror staple like Blumhouse. Gigi reflects on the challenges of working on Satanic Hispanics, incorporating indigenous folklore, and the spooky occurrences that happened on set. To wrap up, Danny and Gigi bond over their shared love of vampire movies like Interview with the Vampire. Follow Gigi on social media @HorrorGuerrero and visit Luchagore Productions at https://www.luchagoreproductions.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/popcultx/support

Ben Haines and England Women's record goalscorer Ellen White are joined by the Liverpool and Arsenal captains, Taylor Hinds and Kim Little. Kim gives insights into the crowds selling out the Emirates, with another big crowd expected at the North London derby this weekend as Arsenal look to close in on Manchester City and Chelsea for the title.Taylor also gives the latest on her injury and how her recovery is going. The team dive into the new female-specific health projects being introduced in top-level football with Kim and Taylor sharing their own experiences. And the panel have the latest international news including Olympic qualifying as Spain secure their trip to Paris. Plus Ellen shares her experiences of working with former Team GB assistant coach and recently announced Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson.Timecodes: 0:10 Intro 02:05 Kim Little & Arsenal 12:21 Kim & Ellen on Olympics 20:05 Taylor Hinds injury latest 23:00 New women's health plan 23:40 International news