Podcasts about marketers

Sean Garner, a marketing expert for local service businesses, helps companies dominate their industries through a combination of strategy, sales funnels, SEO, and StoryBrand messaging. He emphasizes that success requires both mastery of your craft and a growth mindset, not just flashy marketing tactics. Garner uses a “Marketing Domination Framework” to build, fill, and optimize sales funnels, turning skilled professionals into recognized industry leaders while capturing and nurturing leads effectively. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Garner advocates for service-based businesses to leverage video podcasts as a content strategy, repurposing them into blogs, social posts, and emails to maximize reach and authority. He emphasizes that strong marketing starts with the right words and messaging that address customer needs, rather than relying on logos or superficial branding. By highlighting the importance of systems like sales funnels and SEO, he shows how proper implementation can turn skilled professionals into recognized industry leaders. Garner stresses taking action, noting that knowledge alone is useless without execution, and invites businesses to work with his agency at seangarner.co for tailored, high-impact marketing support. Quotes: "Marketing doesn't start with logos or flashy visuals. It starts with words that speak directly to your customer's needs and problems. When you master that, everything else becomes easier." "Knowledge alone won't grow your business. You need systems, execution, and consistency. Without action, even the best ideas stay useless." "A strong sales funnel is more than a tool—it's a framework that turns skilled professionals into recognized leaders in their industries while capturing and nurturing leads effectively." "Video podcasts are a goldmine for service-based businesses. Repurpose them into blogs, emails, and social posts to expand reach, build authority, and connect with your audience in multiple ways." Resources: Connect with Sean Garner on LinkedIn Follow Sean Garner on Facebook Marketing Agency for Local Service Business Owners Who Want to Dominate Online

Are you wondering if building a personal brand is worth the effort? Curious about how to stand out in a crowded market while staying true to yourself? To discover a comprehensive framework for developing a compelling personal brand that opens doors and creates opportunities, I interview Goldie Chan.Guest: Goldie Chan | Show Notes: socialmediaexaminer.com/690Review our show on Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pete Sena, founder of Digital Surgeons and a tech strategist with experience at Lego, Microsoft, and Unilever, shares how service businesses can become AI-first and achieve SaaS-like margins. He emphasizes starting with existing business practices, leveraging AI to automate repetitive tasks, and using experimentation to understand AI's capabilities. Sena introduces practical strategies to integrate AI without disrupting operations and highlights the mindset shift needed to see AI as a productivity and growth catalyst rather than a threat. In this episode of The Marketer of the Day Podcast, Pete shares practical strategies for applying AI in everyday business operations. He covers ways to automate research, streamline content creation, and prototype new ideas quickly. Pete emphasizes hands-on experimentation and iterative learning, showing listeners how even small teams can use AI to improve efficiency, increase quality, and free up time for strategic decision-making. His approach highlights clarity, alignment, and human oversight, helping businesses turn ideas into actionable workflows. Quotes: “AI can either replace you or unlock new levels of success—mindset matters.” “Start with what your business already does well, then layer AI to amplify it.” “Clear communication with AI is key—avoid ‘work slop.'' Resources: Connect with Pete on LinkedIn Follow Pete on Twitter Become more divergently creative

Welcome to Nerd Alert, a series of special episodes bridging the gap between marketing academia and practitioners. We're breaking down highly involved, complex research into plain language and takeaways any marketer can use. In this episode, Elena and Rob explore why Americans watch over 40 hours of TV and video weekly. They examine how viewing habits evolved from 1992 to 2017, revealing that despite digital disruptions, total viewing time keeps growing—and 92% still happens on TV sets, not phones. Topics covered:   [01:00] "Why Do People Watch So Much Television and Video? Implications for the Future of Viewing and Advertising"[02:00] Average viewing climbed from 35 to 41 hours weekly[04:00] Live TV dropped to 74%, but TV sets dominate[06:00] EEG studies reveal TV's relaxation effect[08:00] Digital video now rivals traditional TV viewing[10:00] Why entertainment trumps complicated messaging  To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter.  Resources: Wilbur, Kenneth C. 2023. “Why Do People Watch So Much Television and Video? Implications for the Future of Viewing and Advertising.” Journal of Advertising Research 63, no. 1: 16–31. https://doi.org/10.2501/JAR-2023-003   Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Marketers are asked to build brand and drive results all at once. But doing both well starts with knowing how lead gen and demand gen really work, and how to use them together. Allen talks with Gorilla 76's Aren Buresh and Peyton Warren about what's changed in 2025, what still works, and how to tell if your brand is ready. You'll leave with clear, actionable advice and a smarter way to think about your funnel.

SummaryIn dieser Gastvorlesung spricht Peter mit Simon Gincberg über seinen Werdegang im Marketing, beginnend mit seinem Studium an der Fontys Hochschule. Er teilt seine Erfahrungen aus verschiedenen Praktika, seine Zeit bei DSDS und die Gründung seiner Marke Sanna Lindström. Simon diskutiert die Herausforderungen, die er und sein Team während der Corona-Pandemie und des Ukraine-Kriegs bewältigen mussten, sowie die Bedeutung von Community und authentischem Marketing. Er gibt Einblicke in seine Führungsphilosophie und bietet wertvolle Ratschläge für junge Marketer.Takeaways- Simon Ginsberg hat eine bunte Biografie- Das Studium war praxisorientiert- Praktika sind entscheidend für die berufliche Entwicklung- Die Gründung von Sanna Lindström war eine gemeinsame Entscheidung- Community-Building ist zentral für die Markenstrategie- Social Media ist der Hauptkanal für Marketing- Authentizität ist entscheidend im Marketing- Führung sollte nahbar und transparent seinChapters00:00 Einführung und Vorstellung von Simon Ginsberg01:21 Der Weg zum Marketingstudium02:29 Praktika und Praxiserfahrungen während des Studiums05:17 Herausforderungen und Highlights des Studiums08:35 Die Zeit bei Deutschland sucht den Superstar12:04 Der Übergang zur Selbstständigkeit und Agenturgründung14:48 Die Gründung der Agentur16:29 Markenvertrauen und Kulturschocks19:34 Die Entstehung von Sanna Lindström24:30 Der Start von Entonality29:28 Herausforderungen und Erfolge der Marke31:55 Krisenbewältigung und Investorensuche34:21 Die Hochzeitsbranche im Wandel36:13 Marketingstrategien in der Hochzeitsbranche38:47 Die Rolle von Instagram und TikTok42:28 Führungsstil und Teamkultur46:38 Work-Life-Balance und persönliche Entwicklung47:52 Ratschläge für junge Marketing-Absolventen

Dr. Andrew Campbell, retired senior military strategist and peace leadership pioneer, shares insights on transforming toxic organizations and leading with emotional intelligence. He emphasizes that conflict is unavoidable, and the way leaders respond—rather than react—shapes organizational culture. Through his PACT framework, he teaches how to pinpoint root causes, acknowledge perspectives, collaborate on solutions, and take accountability to prevent recurring disputes. Leaders set the tone for a healthy or toxic environment, and understanding others' perspectives is key to resolving conflicts effectively. He also shares personal experiences of being a toxic leader early in his career and how 360-degree feedback and perspective exercises helped him transform his leadership style. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Dr. Campbell highlights how a leader's character, values, and principles shape their influence and legacy. He stresses the importance of listening to understand, acknowledging mistakes, and stepping outside personal perspectives to manage conflict effectively. Leaders must embrace growth, apply practical strategies to prevent disputes, and foster healthier organizational cultures. He explains that structured conflict management can save hours of wasted arguments and prevent employee turnover caused by toxic workplaces. Quotes: "Every relationship has conflict; how you manage it shapes your culture." "Leaders often react rather than respond, and that determines how people will follow or resist." "We focus on symptoms, but the real issue is often what is not being said." "Your character determines whether you inspire trust or create toxicity in your organization." Resources: Connect Dr. Andrew Campbell on LinkedIn Global Leadership Education and Training Institute Chaos Is a Gift – available on Amazon

What happens when heart and strategy meet?In this inspiring conversation, we sit down with a Humane Marketing Advocate and Conscious Business Coach who's redefining what it means to market with integrity.Together, we explore how to build a business that feels aligned, authentic, and human, without the pressure, the “shoulds,” or the sleazy sales tactics.You'll hear the story of a self-described hippie turned marketer who discovered that success doesn't come from hustling harder, but from showing up as your true self.From her “seven Ps of humane marketing” to her idea of the “new business intimacy,” this conversation invites you to see marketing as a natural extension of who you are, not something you have to force.If you've ever felt that marketing drains your energy or pulls you away from your purpose, this episode will remind you that there's another way, a kinder, more connected way, to do business.Tune in to discover how to market like a human, lead with your values, and bring more life into your business.Sarah Santacroce is a Humane Marketing Advocate, Hippie turned Conscious Business & Marketing CoachOver a decade of running a successful LinkedIn Consulting business inspired a yearning in Sarah to create a global movement that encourages people to bring more empathy and kindness to business & marketing.Today, Sarah Santacroce is a conscious leader in the Humane Marketing & Business space.With almost 20 years  of experience in marketing, entrepreneurship, and coaching, she has supported changemakers from around the world through workshops, programs, and her signature Conscious Business Coaching. Trained in the Art of Holding Space and Participatory Leadership, Sarah brings deep presence, real-world insights, and a gentle but honest lens to everything she offers.She's the author of Marketing Like We're Human, Selling Like We're Human and Business Like We're Human, three books that reimagine business development as a path of connection, trust, and shared humanity.Sarah's work weaves together strategy and soul, empowering conscious entrepreneurs to show up bravely — and create the change they're here to lead.You can find out more about Sarah here:One Page Marketing Plan: https://humane.marketing/one-page-marketing-plan/Website: https://www.humane.marketingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahsantacroce/Podcast: http://www.humane.marketing/podcast

Get Kyle's Top 1% ChatGPT Marketing Stack (free): https://clickhubspot.com/khv Ep. 374 Is ChatGPT the most impactful tool in the marketer's tech stack? Kieran and Kyle Poyar, creator and writer of Growth Unhinged, dive into the revolutionary ways marketers and go-to-market teams are using generative AI to transform their workflow—faster, smarter, and with more impact than ever before. Learn more on how marketers are leveraging ChatGPT for persona research with deep context, creating differentiated product positioning, and optimizing growth experiments to make better business decisions. Mentions Kyle Poyar https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-poyar Growth Unhinged https://www.growthunhinged.com/ ChatGPT https://chatgpt.com/ Clay https://www.clay.com/ Lovable https://lovable.dev/ Jellyfish https://jellyfish.co/ Get our guide to build your own Custom GPT: https://clickhubspot.com/customgpt We're creating our next round of content and want to ensure it tackles the challenges you're facing at work or in your business. To understand your biggest challenges we've put together a survey and we'd love to hear from you! https://bit.ly/matg-research Resource [Free] Steal our favorite AI Prompts featured on the show! Grab them here: https://clickhubspot.com/aip We're on Social Media! Follow us for everyday marketing wisdom straight to your feed YouTube: ​​https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGtXqPiNV8YC0GMUzY-EUFg  Twitter: https://twitter.com/matgpod  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@matgpod  Join our community https://landing.connect.com/matg Thank you for tuning into Marketing Against The Grain! Don't forget to hit subscribe and follow us on Apple Podcasts (so you never miss an episode)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marketing-against-the-grain/id1616700934   If you love this show, please leave us a 5-Star Review https://link.chtbl.com/h9_sjBKH and share your favorite episodes with friends. We really appreciate your support. Host Links: Kipp Bodnar, https://twitter.com/kippbodnar   Kieran Flanagan, https://twitter.com/searchbrat ‘Marketing Against The Grain' is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by Hubspot Media // Produced by Darren Clarke.

Single women often face unique financial challenges, from earning less than men to navigating life on a single income. In this episode of the Marketer of the Day podcast, Robert Plank sits down with Margaret Price, co-author of Single Women and Money, to break down the invisible emotional and psychological barriers women face with money. They explore budgeting, investing, insurance, and long-term planning, offering practical strategies to take control of finances and live well. Margaret Price shares insights from her book, offering tailored checklists for widows, divorcees, and never-married women. She emphasizes budgeting for what matters most, building emergency funds, investing wisely, and using social support to stay financially accountable. Listeners will learn actionable steps to feel empowered, avoid debt, and make financial decisions confidently. Quotes: “It's more expensive to be single than married, and single women have it especially hard.” “You can afford the things you most want in life; budget for these priorities and leave out what you don't need.” “Money isn't scary. It's just about what you do in life and how much it costs.” Resources: Follow Margaret Price on Twitter Connect with Margaret Price on LinkedIn Purchase Single Women and Money: How to Live Well on Your Income by Margaret Price and Jill Gianola.

Most digital marketers treat brand building like performance marketing. They run two-day tests, allocate 0.2% of budget, or recycle performance creative for reach campaigns. It fails every time.This week, Elena, Angela, and Rob are joined by Kevin Goodwin, SVP of Strategy and Growth at New Engen. Kevin shares how his agency evolved from pure performance marketing to embracing effectiveness principles, why digital gets unfairly dismissed by brand marketers, and the specific ways marketers sabotage their own digital brand-building efforts.Topics covered: [00:04] Kevin's journey from finance to digital marketing at Zulily[00:08] How iOS 14 and rising interest rates forced New Engen to evolve[00:13] Why measurement is critical for digital brand building[00:16] What digital marketers get wrong about brand campaigns[00:20] Why marketers should challenge platforms for better brand-building tools[00:23] Preparing for the death of the click in an AI-driven world  To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter.  Resources:  2025 Tom Roach Article: https://thetomroach.com/2025/01/12/brand-building-in-the-platforms/ Kevin Goodwin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-goodwin-12b4243a/Kevin's Substack: https://kevingoodwin.substack.com/aboutNew Engen Website: https://newengen.com/ Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

This episode is all about helping you think like a marketer, not just in theory, but in a way that's practical and approachable. I'm breaking down how to connect deeply with your audience by moving beyond those generic identifiers and tapping into real-life scenarios, emotions, and storytelling that makes your content truly resonate. We'll discuss the psychology behind great content, learn how to speak directly to your audience's lived experiences, and you'll leave with a quick win you can put into action this week. Whether you're selling a product, a service, or simply trying to grow your presence on social media, the goal is to build genuine connection, community, and belonging through every piece of content you share. In this episode we'll be covering:How to think like a marketer by knowing and understanding your audience almost as well as you know yourself.Practical tips for creating relatable content that focuses on real-life moments and scenarios that can be used in any industry.The why behind specific identifiers  vs generic labels like “busy mom” or “small business owner”The key reasons people choose to follow and buy: connection, community, and belonging, and making sure they are in any content you create.Featured content in this episode:Masseya: Home cooked meal for your kidsRecommended episodes:Episode 042: Your Simple B-Roll Can Become Easy Reels That Actually ConvertEpisode 067: The Importance of Belonging on Social MediaEpisode 076: Create Content That Makes Them Want to Keeping Coming BackEpisode 080: A Crash Course in Social Media MarketingSend a message!If you use the send a message option above, be sure to include your email address if you would like a reply! (Please allow 3-5 business days for a response) Join me in the Reels Lab! Love this conversation? Make sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Connect with me on Instagram!

In this episode of The AdTechGod pod, host AdTechGod sits down with Dani Mariano, CEO of Razorfish, to discuss leadership, company culture, and the evolution of marketing in the age of AI. Dani shares her career journey from joining Razorfish 11 years ago to now leading the agency, and reflects on how people, mentorship, and learning have shaped her leadership style. The conversation explores the impact of AI on consumers and brands, generational differences between Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and how agencies can maintain authenticity in an increasingly automated world. Takeaways The focus is on engaging Gen Z effectively. Generative AI is revolutionizing personalization in marketing. Clients are increasingly demanding personalized communication. There is a need to explore the limits of personalization. Email marketing is a key area for personalized strategies. Understanding client needs is crucial for effective marketing. The conversation highlights the role of technology in marketing. Personalization can lead to better engagement with audiences. Marketers must balance personalization with practicality. The future of marketing lies in adapting to generational shifts. Chapters 00:08 Introduction to Dani Mariano and Razorfish 01:15 Career Growth and Journey at Razorfish 02:41 Building Relationships and Finding Mentorship 03:30 First 100 Days as CEO and the Importance of Listening 05:25 The Human Element in an AI Driven World 06:07 How Clients Are Adopting AI and Facing New Challenges 07:11 Consumer Behavior and the Rise of AI Tools 08:20 Generational Adoption and the Role of Gen Z and Gen Alpha 10:08 Gen Alpha as Third Generation Digital Natives 12:09 Influencers, DIY Culture, and Blending Digital with Physical 15:44 Maintaining Authenticity and Transparency in the AI Era 18:55 Future Outlook and Innovation at Razorfish 21:52 Women in Leadership and Career Advice 24:34 Closing Thoughts and Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling buried under too many marketing tools and platforms? You're not alone. In this episode of Leader Generation, Tessa Burg talks with John Arnold of Creatio about how AI and no-code technology are cutting through the clutter to help marketers get things done. John shares what he's seeing in the real world—from his days at Forrester researching B2B growth strategies to now helping teams at Creatio build custom solutions without waiting on developers. Together, he and Tessa unpack how marketing and IT can finally work in sync, using AI to automate the busywork and free people up for strategy, creativity and innovation. If you've ever wished your tech stack worked for you instead of the other way around, this conversation will change how you think about the future of marketing technology. Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op.  About John Arnold: John Arnold is the Head of Strategic CRM Advisory at Creatio, a global vendor of an agentic CRM and workflow automation platform with no-code and AI at its core. A recognized expert in CRM strategy and digital transformation, John brings enterprise-level experience helping global organizations turn emerging technology into a driver of measurable business outcomes. Before joining Creatio, John held principal advisory and analyst roles at Adobe and Forrester, where he worked with executive teams to develop customer-centric technology strategies. At Creatio, he helps organizations shift from feature-led CRM systems to outcome-driven, AI-powered growth platforms that are agile, adaptive, and built around customer experiences. John is currently leading the development of Creatio's AI-first CRM maturity models and best practices to guide enterprises in defining, customizing, and scaling their transformation journeys. His mission is to help leaders reimagine agentic CRM and no-code composability as a competitive advantage. About Tessa Burg: Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at Tessa.Burg@ModOp.com.

Marketers talk a lot about emotional resonance and personalisation. But the reality is: most of us are still figuring out how to do it without crossing a line.In this conversation, Joe speaks with James Manderson from Braze about the tension many marketers feel between relevance, respect, and privacy.They explore:Why 95% of marketers say crafting emotionally resonant messaging is hardThe difference between “Hi {First Name}” and genuinely thoughtful personalisationHow to use first-party data in a way that feels human, not extractiveWhat trust looks like in practice — not theoryExamples of brands who walk this line wellThis isn't about sentimentality. It's about treating people like people, at scale.

What happens when one of the world's most opinionated marketing professors looks beyond 2025 and starts thinking about the 2030s?In this unfiltered conversation, Mark Ritson joins Conor Byrne on That's What I Call Marketing for a fast-moving, hilarious, and deeply practical chat about what marketers are getting wrong and what still works.From pricing and profitability to AI and the Mini MBA, Ritson lays out the truths that most brands quietly ignore:

Marketers are about to face a new kind of search—and Jay Schwedelson and Daniel Murray are breaking down what it means. Between trick-or-treating mishaps and Halloween candy hot takes, they unpack how AI browsers like Atlas and Comet are rewriting the rules for SEO, content gating, and how your website needs to function for both humans and AI agents.ㅤFollow Daniel on LinkedIn and check out The Marketing Millennials podcast for sharp, no-fluff marketing insights. Subscribe to Ari Murray's newsletter at gotomillions.co for sharp, actionable marketing insights.ㅤBest Moments:(02:55) Why new AI browsers like Atlas and Comet could change how marketers think about search(04:45) How to make your website scannable, fast, and AI-friendly(06:15) Why you should optimize your forms for AI agents, not just humans(09:15) The future of gated content and why “resources” pages might disappear(10:15) How to design sites with fewer clicks and more instant answers(11:00) The great Halloween candy debate: full-size bars or bustㅤCheck out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->Guru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.comㅤCheck out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/ㅤMASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ keep control while local teams send on-brand, on-time messages with ease.Podcast & GURU listeners: 50 % off your first 3 months with an annual plan (new customers, 10 k-contact minimum, terms apply).Claim your offer now at jayschwedelson.com/emma

What if your next big marketing win comes from making your website easier for AI, not people, to read?  Jay and Daniel look into the future of browsing with AI-powered tools like Perplexity's Comet and ChatGPT's Atlas. They reveal how these new browsers are changing the way people discover brands and what marketers need to do to keep up. From turning your site into answer-ready content to making it agent-friendly (yep, AI agents filling out your demo forms are real), Daniel and Jay break down: > Why PDFs and gated content could be killing your visibility > How to reverse engineer search prompts to get found > Simple tweaks to make your website more AI-scannable > What this all means for SEO, lead gen, and content strategy If you're a Marketer who wants to keep up with AI and even get ahead, this is the episode for you.

Robert Plank is the founder and owner of DFY Podcasts. DFY does podcast production (we are a client of their's), social media, and more.Robert also is the host of the  "Marketer of the Day" podcast. And yes, there's a new episode every day (over 1,400 episodes) with guests with a wide variety of expertise. From Robert:Growth without financial clarity is just chaos with more zeros attached.Learn how to scale your business without losing control.A business doesn't fail because of lack of ideas - it fails because the numbers are ignored.John MartinkaJessica MartinkaContact us via either website or give us a call and be sure to check out our videos https://nokomisadvisory.com/https://www.martinkaconsulting.com/ https://www.gddpodcast.buzzsprout.comhttps://www.youtube.com/c/JohnAMartinka/videos 425-515-4903

Are we really back? Were we ever truly gone? Who is special guest Drake Scottford, and why is he joining us today? These questions and more will be answered in episode 45.On a more serious note, we cover a wide range of topics today: a general catch-up on where we both are, career-wise, what prompted us to record again, and how life after debut is going. (Spoiler: it's complicated and stressful.)There's been a move in the industry to talk about the problem of career longevity, which is definitely a favorite subject here, and now we're weighing in, almost 3 years exactly after our 2022 debuts. Though we have no guest other than Drake Scottford, we did collect some responses in an informal questionnaire, and share a few of those answers.Other things we discuss: the magic sales number, and an infamous AMA with a big 5 marketing person, and the absolute joy of reading commercial fiction.Link to the Reddit AMA with Marketer: https://www.reddit.com/r/PubTips/comments/1nw96ti/ama_big_five_marketer_umssalt/Link to The Magic Number, by Todd Satterson:https://bardpress.com/the-magic-number/Tracks of My Tears (article featuring David Headley):https://www.thebookseller.com/features/tracks-of-my-tears-where-does-the-fault-lie-when-books-fail-to-hit

Ray Blakney, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Live Lingua, explains how losing everything became the catalyst for building multiple seven-figure education businesses from scratch. Beginning as a computer engineer, he launched one of the first live-teacher online schools and scaled several ventures without outside funding. Ray shares how resilience, discipline, and purpose allowed him to turn setbacks into lasting success. Through his Productized Education model, he shows how experts can transform their skills into scalable online schools that create real impact and freedom. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Ray dives into rebuilding after failure, designing systems that allow businesses to operate independently, and leading with authenticity. He illustrates overcoming challenges through real-world examples, emphasizes the value of bootstrapping, and explains how to build structures that amplify human potential. The conversation highlights the importance of persistence, learning from mistakes, and creating ventures that endure. Quotes: “Success isn't about what you make. It's about what you build that keeps working when you stop.” “I lost everything in a single night, and that's when I learned how to build something that lasts.” “Systems don't replace people. They free people to do what only humans can do—teach, inspire, and connect.” “Defeat the self of yesterday—that's how you grow as a leader and as a person.” “Bootstrapping forces you to build real value because every mistake costs you personally.” Resources: Follow Ray Blakney on Facebook Connect with Ray Blakney on LinkedIn Turn Your Skills into Scalable Online Schools with Ray Blakney

Perry Belcher is a renowned digital strategist, educator, and veteran entrepreneur who has shaped the way millions approach marketing, sales, and storytelling online. Best known as the co-founder of DigitalMarketer and the Traffic & Conversion Summit, two of the most influential platforms in digital business, Perry has earned the nickname “The Billion Dollar Man” for the billions in sales his strategies have generated worldwide. A master copywriter, best-selling author, and high-impact speaker, Perry is celebrated for his ability to turn complex ideas into instantly actionable insights. His copywriting frameworks, product launch strategies, and growth systems have been adopted by entrepreneurs and brands across the globe, resulting in over $500 million in direct sales. Today, Perry is focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence and human creativity, helping entrepreneurs harness AI tools to grow faster, future-proof their skills, and scale with less chaos. With decades of experience, an unmatched track record, and a gift for simplifying success, Perry continues to inspire and equip business leaders to thrive in the digital age.   During the show we discussed: AI builds stronger, more personalized customer relationships. Irresistible offers use key elements that drive buying decisions. Automation and LLMs create modern customer journeys. AI replicates top performers and automates repetitive tasks. Simple frameworks turn complex marketing into action. Marketers must adapt to thrive in an AI-driven economy. Businesses often err when scaling marketing efforts. Creativity and AI must align for powerful brand storytelling. Resources: https://perrybelcher.com/ https://partnerwithperry.com 

Marketers risk becoming lazy by blindly trusting AI outputs without critical thinking. Dave Steer, CMO at Webflow, explains how to maintain strategic judgment while leveraging artificial intelligence effectively. He demonstrates creating a custom "chief of staff" GPT trained on company context and decision-making frameworks to challenge thinking rather than replace it. Steer emphasizes treating AI as a strategic partner that asks probing questions instead of a tool that generates mindless outputs.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most insurance agencies market themselves like they're still stuck in the last century, relying on tired tactics, generic messaging, and treating their marketing team like order-takers.But what if your marketing could be your agency's ultimate weapon? My guest, Aubrey King, Director of Marketing at McConkey Insurance & Benefits, is here with a new framework for breaking out of the "boring insurance" mold. We get into why traditional agencies resist change, how McConkey uses its unique non-commissioned model to stand out, and the critical need to tailor your message and empower your marketing team. This is the guide for agencies ready to stop blending in and start getting noticed.▶▶ Sign Up For Your Free Discovery Callhttps://calendly.com/aneary/strategy-sessionKEY MOMENTS(00:00:00) Stop Marketing Like It's 1990, with Aubrey King (00:06:09) The Marketer's Mindset: How Personal Challenges Fuel Professional Growth (00:09:37) Why Traditional Agencies Are Allergic to Modern Marketing (00:12:01) The Ultimate Differentiator: McConkey's Non-Commissioned Advantage (00:17:19) The Modern Marketing Formula: Audience, Message, Channel (00:24:09) Beyond Selling: Using Content to Educate & Retain Clients (00:31:21) The Agency Leader's Job: Get Out of Marketing's WayCONNECT WITH ANDY NEARY

Marketers love to talk about great copy…but few actually know how to write it. Kate Mountz does. She's one of the sharpest content marketers in the game, and in this episode, she and Daniel break down the mindset and mechanics behind writing that converts, connects, and actually feels human. They get into how marketers can use research to find real insights (not just filler), how to build a brand voice that scales, and why your quirks as a writer are the key to authenticity in a world full of AI content. Kate shares her journey from raising her hand to run social media at a startup to ghostwriting for founders and building entire content systems. She also explains how to keep your creativity alive when you're publishing at scale and why doing the hard part of writing yourself will always be your marketing superpower. If you care about storytelling, brand voice, and creating content that actually hits, this episode will make you rethink how you write, research, and create. Acquired by Atlassian in 2023, Loom is an AI-powered video communication tool for work that lets users record and share videos quickly and easily. Loom helps teams stay connected across time zones and boosts productivity. Visit Loom.com for more information. Follow Kate: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kjmountz/ Follow Daniel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-murray-marketing/ Sign up for The Marketing Millennials newsletter: www.workweek.com/brand/the-marketing-millennials Daniel is a Workweek friend, working to produce amazing podcasts. To find out more, visit: www.workweek.com

In this episode of Paper Talk Podcast, Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chui, and Sara Kim sit down with Francis Zierer of Creator Spotlight to explore one of the most fascinating questions in today's digital world: What is a creator? Francis shares how his definition has evolved, drawing from his work at Beehive and hundreds of interviews with creators across industries. Together, we explore the blurred lines between artist, influencer, and marketer, and why understanding these labels matters for personal identity and business growth. “My definition of a creator is someone who creates digital media, grows an audience beyond who they know in real life, and monetizes that work in some way.” - Francis Zierer Here's What You'll Hear in this Episode: Francis's three-part definition of a creator: create, grow, sell. Why newsletters are the most powerful owned platform. How marketing skills are essential for creators today. The difference between content creation and influence. Personal reflections from Sara, Jessie, and Quynh on how they identify in their own businesses. Whether you're an artist, influencer, or entrepreneur, this conversation will give you clarity on how to position yourself in the creator economy. Learn more about Francis: Francis Zierer is a writer, podcaster, and researcher covering the creator economy.He is the editor of Creator Spotlight, beehiiv's newsletter and podcast cataloguing how creator businesses grow and monetize — from independent, newsletter-based journalists to lifestyle YouTubers to the strategists and entrepreneurs serving them all.Alongside Dirt Media's Daisy Alioto, he is also a co-host of Tasteland, a podcast featuring creative takes on media, marketing, and technology.

Marketers risk becoming lazy by blindly trusting AI outputs without critical thinking. Dave Steer, CMO at Webflow, explains how to maintain strategic judgment while leveraging artificial intelligence effectively. He demonstrates creating a custom "chief of staff" GPT trained on company context and decision-making frameworks to challenge thinking rather than replace it. Steer emphasizes treating AI as a strategic partner that asks probing questions instead of a tool that generates mindless outputs.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Whether you're a Swiftie or not, Taylor Swift's influence on global spending and the marketing strategies behind her success are impossible to ignore.  In this episode, Deirdre Booth and I explore how AEC firms can draw inspiration from Taylor Swift's innovative marketing tactics to create their own opportunities for growth.

Hedy & Hopp CEO & Founder Jenny Bristow and Director of Digital Activation Lindsey Brown talk about recent changes to paid media restrictions in healthcare marketing (for example, Google now allows limited non-promotional prescription term use) and how healthcare marketers can stay effective as restrictions evolve.Three big hurdles that healthcare marketers need to understand and navigate include Google Ads, Meta Ads, and privacy and HIPAA.Marketers can work around these hurdles by balancing compliance, creativity, and results. Focus paid media messaging around education—not medical claims. Lean in to intent-based keywords and compliant storytelling.In the future, healthcare marketers can anticipate privacy-first platforms with AI-driven targeting, access to less data and a focus on effective creative, and using compliance as a key advantage.As a healthcare marketer, you don't need to fear restrictions—once you understand the guardrails, you can creatively work within them.Connect with Jenny:Email: jenny@hedyandhopp.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennybristow/Connect with Lindsey:Email: lindsey.brown@hedyandhopp.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseycbrown/ Further your understanding of what compliance means for healthcare marketing and get certified for it here: https://wearehipaasmart.com/. If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love to hear your feedback! Please consider leaving us a review on your preferred listening platform and sharing it with others.

My first jobs were in restaurants washing dishes and busing tables.  I would go on to do other jobs in restaurants, including cooking, waiting on tables, hosting on occasion. I think working in restaurants is a great first job because it teaches you to deal with people, and work in collaboration with different functions. So no matter what you do in a restaurant, it is a great experience to prepare for life. While I for sure was ‘cooking,' I wouldn't call myself a “cook.” And definitely wouldn't consider myself being a “chef.” I was just a person following instructions and performing it in a way that was consistent with expectations. I was told how to prepare something, and I followed those instructions. I know that not everyone can accomplish that, but I don't consider it a great mark of distinction. Being able to successfully combine ingredients in a way that is proscribed is another one of those life lessons that can be applied in a lot of areas. Including organizational leadership.Organizations after all  are just assemblies of ingredients. There are proscribed ways of putting these organizational ingredients together. Accountants go in the accounting department. Sales people in sales. Marketers in marketing. Etc. And these people sit in the same areas as each other, and they do the work that is related to their areas. And on it goes. That doesn't take a lot of visionary ability. It typically is the way it goes in all organizations. Now if you think of the ingredients right now in your kitchen, there are the staples that you typically rely on and use. You are comfortable with them and know how to deploy them. There are also those things that are seldom used, and you even forget you have. I'm thinking here of the spices I have that I forgot I have and never get included. There also is the stuff in the shelves and freezer that got buried, or maybe I got to use once. So lots of ingredients with no clear idea of what to do with them. There used to be a show with Chef Alton Brown where he would just go into someone's house and make a meal with what was there. That's talent.On today's episode, we welcome someone who knows about putting things together, something about how leaders use ingredients, and something about food. Dr. James Shin got his PhD from Penn State in Industrial Engineering, writing a dissertation that looks at (in part) simplicity versus complexity in the design process. Part of what he learned is that if we minimize the problems from the start, they can become more manageable, allowing us to make more progress. Rather than go the academic route, he went into industry given his interest in applying knowledge to practical problems. Working in a global organization, he also learned how approaches used by different cultures may work in that particular culture, but may not work as well in other cultures and contexts. Another thing he learned from his global work is that middle management is typically overstressed and underappreciated no matter where in the world they are located. We talk about his new book “The Leader's Soul: 52 Reflections for Unlocking Your Inner Leader.” In it, he looks at his own upbringing in South Korea, moving to the US as part of his PhD completion, his journey through corporate America, and his return to Asia in capacities that included speaking at universities. We also talk about his company Blue Koi, and how the koi fish symbolizes growth. However, as he shares, the best kind of sustainable growth occurs not necessarily through focusing on rapid achievement, but through pacing ourselves in our efforts and life. He also reflects on the importance of nuance, and how he had to break from the black and white thinking that can be more prominent in engineering and how humans need to be factored into design. And there was some conversation about preparing food, and the importance of not just using the right ingredients, but using the ingredients you have in creative ways.Blue Koi: https://www.bluekoiglobal.com/James Shin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-j-shin/"The Leader's Soul": https://www.amazon.com/Leaders-Soul-James-Shin/dp/1963701534

How can marketers thrive in the age of AI?In this episode of CMO Convo, Idan Gol, VP of Marketing at OX Security, explains why the future of marketing isn't about replacing humans with machines. It's about combining automation with creativity, taste, and strategy.From rethinking team structures to creating one of the first AI-powered growth marketing roles, Idan shares how he's building a marketing org that uses AI intelligently, not blindly.→ Why creativity and brand storytelling will matter more than ever→ How to integrate AI across your marketing team (without losing human touch)→ Lessons from companies that moved too fast to automate→ The skills every marketer need to future-proof their career

What happens when the fight for justice becomes your life's greatest trial? How do you keep your sense of purpose when every day you're standing between your client and the crushing weight of the system? What drives a person to dedicate decades of their life to defending the accused—sometimes the guilty, sometimes the innocent—and to confront society's judgment head-on? In the high-pressure world of criminal defense, every case carries the potential to make or break not only a client's future but an attorney's own sanity, reputation, and belief in fairness itself.  In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Lorin J. Zaner, celebrated criminal defense attorney and author of The Making of Darth Zaner, returns to share the stories, scars, and successes from a career spent battling for justice. Known by peers and clients alike as a “legal bulldog in court but compassionate toward clients,” Zaner embodies the rare mix of toughness, intellect, and heart that defines the best in his profession. With decades of high-stakes experience, he opens up about the human side of criminal defense—the sleepless nights before verdicts, the emotional toll of defending the accused, and the inner strength required to keep fighting even when the system seems stacked against you. Quotes: “When lawyers say they've never lost a case, it means they've either only had one—or they only take guaranteed winners.” “Prosecutors have an ethical duty to do the right thing—not just to win.” “True justice shouldn't depend on how much money you have.” “I didn't write this book to boast. I wrote it so my family could understand why I wasn't around.” Resources: The Making of Darth Zaner on Amazon

In this Marketing Over Coffee: Busy putting out fires, see you next week! Direct Link to File The AI Ready Strategist course is now available! Ask for more at Analytics for Marketers! Sign up for the text line: 1-617-812-5494 Join John, Chris and Katie on threads, or on LinkedIn: Chris, John, and Katie Sign up […] The post Dumpster Fire aka Skip Week appeared first on Marketing Over Coffee Marketing Podcast.

Welcome to Nerd Alert, a series of special episodes bridging the gap between marketing academia and practitioners. We're breaking down highly involved, complex research into plain language and takeaways any marketer can use.In this episode, Elena and Rob explore situations where more product options overwhelm consumers and where they help. They reveal how task difficulty, preference uncertainty, and shopping goals determine whether large assortments drive satisfaction or paralyze decision-making.Topics covered:   [01:00] "Choice Overload: A Conceptual Review and Meta-Analysis"[02:00] When task difficulty triggers choice overload[03:00] Why product structure matters more than quantity[03:00] How preference uncertainty amplifies overwhelm[04:00] Decision goals: browsing versus buying[05:00] Why curated stores outperform massive malls  To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter.  Resources: Chernev, A., Böckenholt, U., & Goodman, J. (2015). Choice overload: A conceptual review and meta-analysis. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 25(2), 333–358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcps.2014.08.002  Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Marketers are hooked on attribution perfection. Meanwhile, your buyers are ghosting and your “AI-powered” campaigns sound like everyone else's. What if the edge isn't more dashboards but it's better judgment?In this episode, Nicole Gates, VP Growth Marketing at Varonis tears up the playbook B2B keeps clinging to. She shows how a “process person” builds a launch machine that actually ships, why tiering by customer impact (not internal hype) changes everything, and how moving SDRs under marketing with real SLAs turns MQL theater into pipeline. We dig into the noisy AI arms race (robots fighting robots), shifting budget from paid-to-play to earned trust via thought leadership, and using AI where it improves outcomes (routing, enrichment, speed-to-lead), not where it creates slop.We also cover:How to tier your launches by what matters to customers, not your org chart.Why the best growth marketers think more like editors than analysts.What happens when you replace data obsession with decision confidence.

#297 Leadership | I sat down with Kelly Cheng, CMO at Goldcast, to talk about her path from growth marketer to marketing leader, how she's built and scaled Goldcast's marketing org, the shift from PLG to sales-led, and why she believes great CMOs play the long game.Timestamps(00:00) - – Intro (03:08) - – Kelly's path from Hong Kong to Boston (06:08) - – Joining Goldcast and the PLG pivot (09:08) - – Moving from growth marketer to CMO (12:08) - – The role of mentors in her career (20:08) - – Questions to ask before taking a CMO role (27:43) - – Inside Goldcast's marketing org structure (33:43) - – How Kelly measures brand and mindshare (40:43) - – Why the BDR team reports to marketing (46:43) - – The link between brand, content, and pipeline (51:43) - – Leading with vulnerability and the “long game” Join 50,0000 people who get our Exit Five Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletterLearn more about Exit Five's private marketing community: https://www.exitfive.com/ ***Today's episode is brought to you by Knak.Email (in my humble opinion) is the still the greatest marketing channel of all-time.It's the only way you can truly “own” your audience.But when it comes to building the emails - if you've ever tried building an email in an enterprise marketing automation platform, you know how painful it can be. Templates are too rigid, editing code can break things and the whole process just takes forever. That's why we love Knak here at Exit Five. Knak a no-code email platform that makes it easy to create on-brand, high-performing emails - without the bottlenecks.Frustrated by clunky email builders? You need Knak.Tired of ‘hoping' the email you sent looks good across all devices? Just test in Knak first.Big team making it hard to collaborate and get approvals? Definitely Knak.And the best part? Everything takes a fraction of the time.See Knak in action at knak.com/exit-five. Or just let them know you heard about Knak on Exit Five.***Thanks to my friends at hatch.fm for producing this episode and handling all of the Exit Five podcast production.They give you unlimited podcast editing and strategy for your B2B podcast.Get unlimited podcast editing and on-demand strategy for one low monthly cost. Just upload your episode, and they take care of the rest.Visit hatch.fm to learn more

Marketers are spending more time learning the latest martech tools than understanding their customers, and it's costing them results. In this episode, Michelle J Raymond challenges the obsession with tools and brings the focus back to what really drives growth on LinkedIn: customers.Discover why martech is only as good as the strategy behind it, how to spot when you've fallen into the “shiny tools trap,” and practical ways to shift your time and energy back to researching, listening to, and connecting with your buyers.If you want to stop burning money on tools and start building trust, this episode will show you how to put customers first — and let martech amplify your efforts, not replace themKey moments in this episode - 00:00 The MarTech Distraction00:47 Reflecting on LinkedIn Strategies04:28 The MarTech Trap08:39 Customer-Centric Approach13:37 Practical Steps to Refocus on Customers18:58 Building a Strong LinkedIn StrategyCONNECT WITH MICHELLE J RAYMOND Michelle J Raymond on LinkedIn Book a free intro call https://socialmediaforb2bgrowthpodcast.com/ B2B Growth Co newsletterToday's episode is sponsored by Metricool. Make sure to register for a FREE Metricool account today. Use Code MICHELLE30 to try any Premium Plan FREE for 30 days. https://metricool.com/michellejraymond/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20251021_michelle-raymond_oct-reporting-li_en&utm_content=audio&utm_term=q3

Have you ever felt like you were capable of more—but couldn't quite break free from the limits life seems to impose? What if the real barrier wasn't circumstance, but mindset? In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Reggie Hilliard, motivational speaker, author, and founder of the GetRe-Educated movement, challenges listeners to rethink their beliefs about success, growth, and freedom. Drawing from his book 50 to 100: Infinity Within, Reggie shares how to reprogram the mind, overcome limiting beliefs, and access the untapped potential that already exists inside you. His journey—from growing up in the Bronx to becoming a leader in personal development—is a living example of turning pain into power. If you've ever wondered how to stop surviving and start thriving, this episode will show you how to transform struggle into strength and create a life without limits. Quotes: “You don't need more education—you need re-education. You must unlearn the lies that tell you you're not enough.” “Freedom isn't the absence of discipline—it's the mastery of self.” “Your past isn't your prison. It's your preparation.” “When you connect with your infinity within, you stop chasing success and start embodying it.” Resources: Follow Reggie Hilliard on Instagram Explore 50 to 100: Infinity Within: 50 Quotes, 100% Achievement, Endless Potential by Reggie Hilliard on Amazon Learn more about Reggie Hilliard and his transformational work on mindset, growth, and infinite potential

Whether you're a Swiftie or not, Taylor Swift's influence on global spending and the marketing strategies behind her success are impossible to ignore. In this episode, Deirdre Booth and I explore how AEC firms can draw inspiration from Taylor Swift's innovative marketing tactics to create their own opportunities for growth.

Zelle has tweaked its marketing strategy as it has looked to embrace being an emotionally resonant brand. Last month, it worked with its creative and strategic agency of record Pereira O'Dell to launch “When It Counts,” a new brand platform that positions everyday payments as acts of care. It also marks a new level of maturity for the brand, which in 2014 saw Americans send more than $1 trillion across 3.6 billion transactions. Andrea Gilman, chief marketing officer at Zelle and Paze network operator Early Warning Services, discusses this change, Gen Z behavioral changes she's observed this year and Early Warning's AI approach, including how it used the tech in Zelle's latest campaign.

Every year at EXHIBITORLIVE, the conversations go deeper than booth design and swag trends. This year, the question that stopped people in their tracks was simple: “What's the biggest challenge event marketers are facing right now?”And the answers said a lot.Event pros from every corner of the industry opened up about the real pressures behind the scenes. From proving ROI and fighting for executive buy-in, to balancing endless stakeholder opinions, to adapting to a new generation of attendees who expect authenticity, purpose, and sustainability in everything they experience.Hosted by Coty Adams (VP of Sales & Marketing) and Mollie Stahl (Senior Account Executive) from Rockway Exhibits + Events, this compilation captures honest, unfiltered insights straight from the show floor.You'll hear how marketers are:✅ Redefining ROI and KPIs to finally earn a seat at the table with leadership✅ Navigating stakeholder overload while staying grounded in strategy that actually works✅ Tackling sustainability and generational shifts with creative, practical solutionsListen in for a pulse check on where event marketing really stands in 2025—and what today's challenges say about where it's headed next.----------------------------------Connect With UsMatt Kleinrock: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kleinrock-9613b22b/  Coty Adams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cotykadams/ Mollie Stahl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molliestahl/  Our Company: https://rockwayexhibits.com/   

In this episode of In-Ear Insights, the Trust Insights podcast, Katie and Chris discuss the stark reality of the future of work presented at the Marketing AI Conference, MAICON 2025. You’ll learn which roles artificial intelligence will consume fastest and why average employees face the highest risk of replacement. You’ll master the critical thinking and contextual skills you must develop now to transform yourself into an indispensable expert. You’ll understand how expanding your intellectual curiosity outside your specific job will unlock creative problem solving essential for survival. You’ll discover the massive global AI blind spot that US companies ignore and how this shifting landscape affects your career trajectory. Watch now to prepare your career for the age of accelerated automation! Watch the video here: Can’t see anything? Watch it on YouTube here. Listen to the audio here: https://traffic.libsyn.com/inearinsights/tipodcast-maicon-2025-generative-ai-for-marketers.mp3 Download the MP3 audio here. Need help with your company’s data and analytics? Let us know! Join our free Slack group for marketers interested in analytics! [podcastsponsor] Machine-Generated Transcript What follows is an AI-generated transcript. The transcript may contain errors and is not a substitute for listening to the episode. Christopher S. Penn – 00:00 In this week’s In Ear Insights, we are at the Marketing AI Conference, Macon 2025 in Cleveland with 1,500 of our best friends. This morning, the CEO of SmartRx, formerly the Marketing AI Institute, Paul Ritzer, was talking about the future of work. Now, before I go down a long rabbit hole, Dave, what was your immediate impressions, takeaways from Paul’s talk? Katie Robbert – 00:23 Paul always brings this really interesting perspective because he’s very much a futurist, much like yourself, but he’s a futurist in a different way. Whereas you’re on the future of the technology, he’s focused on the future of the business and the people. And so his perspective was really, “AI is going to take your job.” If we had to underscore it, that was the bottom line: AI is going to take your job. However, how can you be smarter about it? How can you work with it instead of working against it? Obviously, he didn’t have time to get into every single individual solution. Katie Robbert – 01:01 The goal of his keynote talk was to get us all thinking, “Oh, so if AI is going to take my job, how do I work with AI versus just continuing to fight against it so that I’m never going to get ahead?” I thought that was a really interesting way to introduce the conference as a whole, where every individual session is going to get into their soldiers. Christopher S. Penn – 01:24 The chart that really surprised me was one of those, “Oh, he actually said the quiet part out loud.” He showed the SaaS business chart: SaaS software is $500 billion of economic value. Of course, AI companies are going, “Yeah, we want that money. We want to take all that money.” But then he brought up the labor chart, which is $12 trillion of money, and says, “This is what the AI companies really want. They want to take all $12 trillion and keep it for themselves and fire everybody,” which is the quiet part out loud. Even if they take 20% of that, that’s still, obviously, what is it, $2 trillion, give or take? When we think about what that means for human beings, that’s basically saying, “I want 20% of the workforce to be unemployed.” Katie Robbert – 02:15 And he wasn’t shy about saying that. Unfortunately, that is the message that a lot of the larger companies are promoting right now. So the question then becomes, what does that mean for that 20%? They have to pivot. They have to learn new skills, or—the big thing, and you and I have talked about this quite a bit this year—is you really have to tap into that critical thinking. That was one of the messages that Paul was sharing in the keynote: go to school, get your liberal art degree, and focus on critical thinking. AI is going to do the rest of it. Katie Robbert – 02:46 So when we look at the roles that are up for grabs, a lot of it was in management, a lot of it was in customer service, a lot of it was in analytics—things that already have a lot of automation around them. So why not naturally let agentic AI take over, and then you don’t need human intervention at all? So then, where does that leave the human? Katie Robbert – 03:08 We’re the ones who have to think what’s next. One of the things that Paul did share was that the screenwriter for all of the Scorsese films was saying that ChatGPT gave me better ideas. We don’t know what those exact prompts looked like. We don’t know how much context was given. We don’t know how much background information. But if that was sue and I, his name was Paul. Paul Schrader. Yes, I forgot it for a second. If Paul Schrader can look at Paul Schrader’s work, then he’s the expert. That’s the thing that I think needed to also be underscored: Paul Schrader is the expert in Paul Schrader. Paul Schrader is the expert in screenwriting those particular genre films. Nobody else can do that. Katie Robbert – 03:52 So Paul Schrader is the only one who could have created the contextual information for those large language models. He still has value, and he’s the one who’s going to take the ideas given by the large language models and turn them into something. The large language model might give him an idea, but he needs to be the one to flush it out, start to finish, because he’s the one who understands nuance. He’s the one who understands, “If I give this to a Leonardo DiCaprio, what is he gonna do with the role? How is he gonna think about it?” Because then you’re starting to get into all of the different complexities where no one individual ever truly works alone. You have a lot of other humans. Katie Robbert – 04:29 I think that’s the part that we haven’t quite gotten to, is sure, generative AI can give you a lot of information, give you a lot of ideas, and do a lot of the work. But when you start incorporating more humans into a team, the nuance—it’s very discreet. It’s very hard for an AI to pick up. You still need humans to do those pieces. Christopher S. Penn – 04:49 When you take a look, though, at something like the Tilly Norwood thing from a couple weeks ago, even there, it’s saying, “Let’s take fewer humans in there,” where you have this completely machine generated actor avatar, I guess. It was very clearly made to replace a human there because they’re saying, “This is great. They don’t have to pay union wages. The actor never calls in sick. The actor never takes a vacation. The actor’s not going to be partying at a club unless someone makes it do that.” When we look at that big chart of, “Here’s all the jobs that are up for grabs,” the $12 trillion of economic value, when you look at that, how at risk do you think your average person is? Katie Robbert – 05:39 The key word in there is average. An average person is at risk. Because if an average person isn’t thinking about things creatively, or if they’re just saying, “Oh, this is what I have to do today, let me just do it. Let me just do the bare minimum, get through it.” Yes, that person is at risk. But someone who looks at a problem or a task that’s in front of them and thinks, “What are the five different ways that I could approach this? Let me sit down for a second, really plan it out. What am I not thinking of? What have I not asked? What’s the information I don’t have in front of me? Let me go find that”—that person is less at risk because they are able to think beyond what’s right in front of them. Katie Robbert – 06:17 I think that is going to be harder to replace. So, for example, I do operations, I’m a CEO. I set the vision. You could theoretically give that to an AI to do. I could create CEO Katie GPT. And GPT Katie could set the vision, based on everything I know: “This is the direction that your company should go in.” What that generative AI doesn’t know is what I know—what we’ve tried, what we haven’t tried. I could give it all that information and it could still say, “Okay, it sounds like you’ve tried this.” But then it doesn’t necessarily know conversations that I’ve had with you offline about certain things. Could I give it all that information? Sure. But then now I’m introducing another person into the conversation. And as predictable as humans are, we’re unpredictable. Katie Robbert – 07:13 So you might say, “Katie would absolutely say this to something.” And I’m going to look at it and go, “I would absolutely not say that.” We’ve actually run into that with our account manager where she’s like, “Well, this is how I thought you would respond. This is how I thought you would post something on social media.” I’m like, “Absolutely not. That doesn’t sound like me at all.” She’s like, “But that’s what the GPT gave me that is supposed to sound like you.” I’m like, “Well, it’s wrong because I’m allowed to change my mind. I’m a human.” And GPTs or large language models don’t have that luxury of just changing its mind and just kind of winging it, if that makes sense. Christopher S. Penn – 07:44 It does. What percentage, based on your experience in managing people, what percentage of people are that exceptional person versus the average or the below average? Katie Robbert – 07:55 A small percentage, unfortunately, because it comes down to two things: consistency and motivation. First, you have to be consistent and do your thing well all the time. In order to be consistent, you have to be motivated. So it’s not enough to just show up, check the boxes, and then go about your day, because anybody can do that; AI can do that. You have to be motivated to want to learn more, to want to do more. So the people who are demonstrating a hunger for reaching—what do they call it?—punching above their weight, reaching beyond what they have, those are the people who are going to be less vulnerable because they’re willing to learn, they’re willing to adapt, they’re willing to be agile. Christopher S. Penn – 08:37 For a while now we’ve been saying that either you’re going to manage the machines or the machines are going to manage you. And now of course we are at the point the machine is just going to manage the machines and you are replaced. Given so few people have that intrinsic motivation, is that teachable or is that something that someone has to have—that inner desire to want to better, regardless of training? Katie Robbert – 09:08 “Teachable” I think is the wrong word. It’s more something that you have to tap into with someone. This is something that you’ve talked about before: what motivates people—money, security, blah, blah, whatever, all those different things. You can say, “I’m going to motivate you by dangling money in front of you,” or, “I’m going to motivate you by dangling time off in front of you.” I’m not teaching you anything. I’m just tapping into who you are as a person by understanding your motives, what motivates you, what gets you excited. I feel fairly confident in saying that your motivations, Chris, are to be the smartest person in the room or to have the most knowledge about your given industry so that you can be considered an expert. Katie Robbert – 09:58 That’s something that you’re going to continue to strive for. That’s what motivates you, in addition to financial security, in addition to securing a good home life for your family. That’s what motivates you. So as I, the other human in the company, think about it, I’m like, “What is going to motivate Chris to get his stuff done?” Okay, can I position it as, “If you do this, you’re going to be the smartest person in the room,” or, “If you do this, you’re going to have financial security?” And you’re like, “Oh, great, those are things I care about. Great, now I’m motivated to do them.” Versus if I say, “If you do this, I’ll get off your back.” That’s not enough motivation because you’re like, “Well, you’re going to be on my back anyway.” Katie Robbert – 10:38 Why bother with this thing when it’s just going to be the next thing the next day? So it’s not a matter of teaching people to be motivated. It’s a matter of, if you’re the person who has to do the motivating, finding what motivates someone. And that’s a very human thing. That’s as old as humans are—finding what people are passionate about, what gets them out of bed in the morning. Christopher S. Penn – 11:05 Which is a complex interplay. If you think about the last five years, we’ve had a lot of discussions about things like quiet quitting, where people show up to work to do the bare minimum, where workers have recognized companies don’t have their back at all. Katie Robbert – 11:19 We have culture and pizza on Fridays. Christopher S. Penn – 11:23 At 5:00 PM when everyone wants to just— Katie Robbert – 11:25 Go home and float in that day. Christopher S. Penn – 11:26 Exactly. Given that, does that accelerate the replacement of those workers? Katie Robbert – 11:37 When we talk about change management, we talk about down to the individual level. You have to be explaining to each and every individual, “What’s in it for me?” If you’re working for a company that’s like, “Well, what’s in it for you is free pizza Fridays and funny hack days and Hawaiian shirt day,” that doesn’t put money in their bank account. That doesn’t put a roof over their head; that doesn’t put food on their table, maybe unless they bring home one of the free pizzas. But that’s once a week. What about the other six days a week? That’s not enough motivation for someone to stay. I’ve been in that position, you’ve been in that position. My first thought is, “Well, maybe stop spending money on free pizza and pay me more.” Katie Robbert – 12:19 That would motivate me, that would make me feel valued. If you said, “You can go buy your own pizza because now you can afford it,” that’s a motivator. But companies aren’t thinking about it that way. They’re looking at employees as just expendable cogs that they can rip and replace. Twenty other people would be happy to do the job that you’re unhappy doing. That’s true, but that’s because companies are setting up people to fail, not to succeed. Christopher S. Penn – 12:46 And now with machinery, you’re saying, “Okay, since there’s a failing cog anyway, why don’t we replace it with an actual cog instead?” So where does this lead for companies? Particularly in capitalist markets where there is no strong social welfare net? Yeah, obviously if you go to France, you can work a 30-hour week and be just fine. But we don’t live in France. France, if you’re hiring, we’re available. Where does it lead? Because I can definitely see one road where this leads to basically where France ended up in 1789, which is the Guillotines. These people trot out the Guillotines because after a certain point, income inequality leads to that stuff. Where does this lead for the market as you see it now? Katie Robbert – 13:39 Unfortunately, nowhere good. We have seen time and time again, as much as we want to see the best in people, we’re seeing the worst in people today, as of this podcast recording—not at Macon. These are some of the best people. But when you step outside of this bubble, you’re seeing the worst in people. They’re motivated by money and money only, money and power. They don’t care about humanity as a whole. They’re like, “I don’t care if you’re poor, get poorer, I’m getting richer.” I feel like, unfortunately, that is the message that is being sent. “If you can make a dollar, go ahead and make a dollar. Don’t worry about what that does to anybody else. Go ahead and be in it for yourself.” Katie Robbert – 14:24 And that’s unfortunately where I see a lot of companies going: we’re just in it to make money. We no longer care about the welfare of our people. I’ve talked on previous shows, on previous podcasts. My husband works for a grocery store that was bought out by Amazon a few years ago, and he’s seeing the effects of that daily. Amazon bought this grocery chain and said basically, “We don’t actually care about the people. We’re going to automate things. We’re going to introduce artificial intelligence.” They’ve gotten rid of HR. He still has to bring home a physical check because there is no one to give him paperwork to do direct deposit. Christopher S. Penn – 15:06 He’s been—ironic given the company. Katie Robbert – 15:08 And he’s been at the company for 25 years. But when they change things over, if he has an assurance question, there’s no one to go to. They probably have chatbots and an email distribution list that goes to somebody in an inbox that never. It’s so sad to see the decline based on where the company started and what the mission originally was of that company to where it is today. His suspicion—and this is not confirmed—his suspicion is that they are gearing up to sell this business, this grocery chain, to another grocery chain for profit and get rid of it. Flipping it, basically. Right now, they’re using it as a distribution center, which is not what it’s meant to be. Katie Robbert – 15:56 And now they’re going to flip it to another grocery store chain because they’ve gotten what they needed from it. Who cares about the people? Who cares about the fact that he as an individual has to work 50 hours a week because there’s nobody else? They’ve flattened the company. They’re like, “No, based on our AI scheduler, there’s plenty of people to cover all of these hours seven days a week.” And he’s like, “Yeah, you have me on there for seven of the seven days.” Because the AI is not thinking about work-life balance. It’s like, “Well, this individual is available at these times, so therefore he must be working here.” And it’s not going to do good things for people in services industries, for people in roles that cannot be automated. Katie Robbert – 16:41 So we talk about customer service—that’s picking up the phone, logging a plate—that can be automated. Walking into a brick and mortar, there are absolutely parts of it that can be automated, specifically the end purchase transaction. But the actual ordering and picking of things and preparing it—sure, you could argue that eventually robots could be doing that, but as of today, that’s all humans. And those humans are being treated so poorly. Christopher S. Penn – 17:08 So where does that end for this particular company or any large enterprise? Katie Robbert – 17:14 They really have—they have to make decisions: do they want to put the money first or the people first? And you already know what the answer to that is. That’s really what it comes down to. When it ends, it doesn’t end. Even if they get sold, they’re always going to put the money first. If they have massive turnover, what do they care? They’re going to find somebody else who’s willing to do that work. Think about all of those people who were just laid off from the white-collar jobs who are like, “Oh crap, I still have a mortgage I have to pay, I still have a family I have to feed. Let me go get one of those jobs that nobody else is now willing to do.” Katie Robbert – 17:51 I feel like that’s the way that the future of work for those people who are left behind is going to turn over. Katie Robbert – 17:59 There’s a lot of people who are happy doing those jobs. I love doing more of what’s considered the blue-collar job—doing things manually, getting their hands in it, versus automating everything. But that’s me personally; that’s what motivates me. That I would imagine is very unappealing to you. Not that for almost. But if cooking’s off the table, there’s a lot of other things that you could do, but would you do them? Katie Robbert – 18:29 So when we talk about what’s going to happen to those people who are cut and left behind, those are the choices they’re going to have to make because there’s not going to be more tech jobs for them to choose from. And if you are someone in your career who has only ever focused on one thing, you’re definitely in big trouble. Christopher S. Penn – 18:47 Yeah, I have a friend who’s a lawyer at a nonprofit, and they’re like, “Yeah, we have no funding anymore, so.” But I can’t pick up and go to England because I can’t practice law there. Katie Robbert – 18:59 Right. I think about people. Forever, social media was it. You focus on social media and you are set. Anybody will hire you because they’re trying to learn how to master social media. Guess where there’s no jobs anymore? Social media. So if all you know is social media and you haven’t diversified your skill set, you’re cooked, you’re done. You’re going to have to start at ground zero entry level. If there’s that. And that’s the thing that’s going to be tough because entry-level jobs—exactly. Christopher S. Penn – 19:34 We saw, what was it, the National Labor Relations Board publish something a couple months ago saying that the unemployment rate for new college graduates is something 60% higher than the rest of the workforce because all the entry-level jobs have been consumed. Katie Robbert – 19:46 Right. I did a talk earlier this year at WPI—that’s Worcester Polytech in Massachusetts—through the Women in Data Science organization. We were answering questions basically like this about the future of work for AI. At a technical college, there are a lot of people who are studying engineering, there are a lot of people who are studying software development. That was one of the first questions: “I’m about to get my engineering degree, I’m about to get my software development degree. What am I supposed to do?” My response to that is, you still need to understand how the thing works. We were talking about this in our AI for Analytics workshop yesterday that we gave here at Macon. In order to do coding in generative AI effectively, you have to understand the software development life cycle. Katie Robbert – 20:39 There is still a need for the expertise. People are asking, “What do I do?” Focus on becoming an expert. Focus on really mastering the thing that you’re passionate about, the thing that you want to learn about. You’ll be the one teaching the AI, setting up the AI, consulting with the people who are setting up the AI. There’ll be plenty of practitioners who can push the buttons and set up agents, but they still need the experts to tell them what it’s supposed to do and what the output’s supposed to be. Christopher S. Penn – 21:06 Do you see—this is kind of a trick question—do you see the machines consuming that expertise? Katie Robbert – 21:15 Oh, sure. But this is where we go back to what we were talking about: the more people, the more group think—which I hate that term—but the more group think you introduce, the more nuanced it is. When you and I sit down, for example, when we actually have five minutes to sit down and talk about the future of our business, where we want to go or what we’re working on today, the amount of information we can iterate on because we know each other so well and almost don’t have to speak in complete sentences and just can sort of pick up what the other person is thinking. Or I can look at something you’re writing and say, “Hey, I had an idea about that.” We can do that as humans because we know each other so well. Katie Robbert – 21:58 I don’t think—and you’re going to tell me this is going to happen—unless we can actually plug or forge into our brains and download all of the things. That’s never going to happen. Even if we build Katie GPT and Chris GPT and have them talk to each other, they’re never going to brainstorm the way you and I brainstorm in real life. Especially if you give me a whiteboard. I’m good. I’m going to get so much done. Christopher S. Penn – 22:25 For people who are in their career right now, what do they do? You can tell somebody, “You need to be a good critical thinker, a creative thinker, a contextual thinker. You need to know where your data lives and things like that.” But the technology is advancing at such a fast rate. I talk about this in the workshops that we do—which, by the way, Trust Insights is offering workshops at your company, if we like one. But one of the things to talk about is, say, with the model’s acceleration in terms of growth, they’re growing faster than any technology ever has. They went from face rolling idiot in 2023 right to above PhD level in everything two years later. Christopher S. Penn – 23:13 So the people who, in their career, are looking at this, going, “It’s like a bad Stephen King movie where you see the thing coming across the horizon.” Katie Robbert – 23:22 There is no such thing as a bad Stephen King movie. Sometimes the book is better, but it’s still good. But yes, maybe *Creepshow*. What do you mean in terms of how do they prepare for the inevitable? Christopher S. Penn – 23:44 Prepare for the inevitable. Because to tell somebody, “Yeah, be a critical thinker, be a contextual thinker, be a creative thinker”—that’s good in the abstract. But then you’re like, “Well, my—yeah, my—and my boss says we’re doing a 10% headcount reduction this week.” Katie Robbert – 24:02 This is my personal way of approaching it: you can’t limit yourself to just go, “Okay, think about it. Okay, I’m thinking.” You actually have to educate yourself on a variety of different things. I am a voracious reader. I read all the time when I’m not working. In the past three weeks, I’ve read four books. And they’re not business books; they are fiction books and on a variety of things. But what that does is it keeps my brain active. It keeps my brain thinking. Then I give myself the space and time. When I walk my dog, I sort of process all of it. I think about it, and then I start thinking about, “What are we doing as our company today?” or, “What’s on the task list?” Katie Robbert – 24:50 Because I’ve expanded my personal horizons beyond what’s right in front of me, I can think about it from the perspective of other people, fictional or otherwise, “How would this person approach it?” or, “What would I do in that scenario?” Even as I’m reading these books, I start to think about myself. I’m like, “What would I do in that scenario? What would I do if I was finding myself on a road trip with a cannibal who, at the end of the road trip, was likely going to consume all of me, including my bones?” It was the last book I read, and it was definitely not what I thought I was signing up for. But you start to put yourself in those scenarios. Katie Robbert – 25:32 That’s what I personally think unlocks the critical thinking, because you’re not just stuck in, “Okay, I have a math problem. I have 1 + 1.” That’s where a lot of people think critical thinking starts and ends. They think, “Well, if I can solve that problem, I’m a critical thinker.” No, there’s only one way to solve that problem. That’s it. I personally would encourage people to expand their horizons, and this comes through having hobbies. You like to say that you work 24/7. That’s not true. You have hobbies, but they’re hobbies that help you be creative. They’re hobbies that help you connect with other people so that you can have those shared experiences, but also learn from people from different cultures, different backgrounds, different experiences. Katie Robbert – 26:18 That’s what’s going to help you be a stronger, fitable thinker, because you’re not just thinking about it from your perspective. Christopher S. Penn – 26:25 Switching gears, what was missing, what’s been missing, and what is absent from this show in the AI space? I have an answer, but I want to hear yours. Katie Robbert – 26:36 Oh, boy. Really putting me on the spot here. I know what is missing. I don’t know. I’m going to think about it, and I am going to get back to you. As we all know, I am not someone who can think on my feet as quickly as you can. So I will take time, I will process it, but I will come back to you. What do you think is missing? Christopher S. Penn – 27:07 One of the things that is a giant blind spot in the AI space right now is it is a very Western-centric view. All the companies say OpenAI and Anthropic and Google and Meta and stuff like that. Yet when you look at the leaderboards online of whose models are topping the charts—Cling Wan, Alibaba, Quinn, Deepseek—these are all Chinese-made models. If you look at the chip sets being used, the government of China itself just issued an edict: “No more Nvidia chips. We are going to use Huawei Ascend 920s now,” which are very good at what they do. And the Chinese models themselves, these companies are just giving them away to the world. Christopher S. Penn – 27:54 They’re not trying to lock you in like a ChatGPT is. The premise for them, for basically the rest of the world that is in America, is, “Hey, you could take American AI where you’re locked in and you’re gonna spend more and more money, or here’s a Chinese model for free and you can build your national infrastructure on the free stuff that we’re gonna give you.” I’ve seen none of that here. That is completely absent from any of the discussions about what other nations are doing with AI. The EU has Mistral and Black Forest Labs, Sub-Saharan Africa has Lilapi AI. Singapore has Sea Lion, Korea has LG, the appliance maker, and their models. Of course, China has a massive footprint in the space. I don’t see that reflected anywhere here. Christopher S. Penn – 28:46 It’s not in the conversations, it’s not in the hallways, it’s not on stage. And to me, that is a really big blind spot if you think—as many people do—that that is your number one competitor on the world stage. Katie Robbert – 28:57 Why do you think? Christopher S. Penn – 29:01 That’s a very complicated question. But it involves racism, it involves a substantial language barrier, it involves economics. When your competitor is giving away everything for free, you’re like, “Well, let’s just pretend they’re not there because we don’t want to draw any attention to them.” And it is also a deep, deep-seated fear. When you look at all of the papers that are being submitted by Google and Facebook and all these other different companies and you look at the last names of the principal investigators and stuff, nine out of 10 times it’s a name that’s coded as an ethnic Chinese name. China produces more PhDs than I think America produces students, just by population dynamics alone. You have this massive competitor, and it almost feels like people just want to put their heads in the sand and say they’re not there. Christopher S. Penn – 30:02 It’s like the boogeyman, they’re not there. And yet if we’re talking about the deployment of AI globally, the folks here should be aware that is a thing that is not just the Sam Alton Show. Katie Robbert – 30:18 I think perhaps then, as we’re talking about the future of work and big companies, small companies, mid-sized companies, this goes sort of back to what I was saying: you need to expand your horizons of thinking. “Well, we’re a domestic company. Why do I need to worry about what China’s doing?” Take a look at your tech stack, and where are those software packages created? Who’s maintaining them? It’s probably not all domestic; it’s probably more of a global firm than you think you are. But we think about it in terms of who do we serve as customers, not what we are using internally. We know people like Paul has talked about operating systems, Ginny Dietrich has talked about operating systems. Katie Robbert – 31:02 That’s really sort of where you have to start thinking more globally in terms of, “What am I actually bringing into my organization?” Not just my customer base, not just the markets that I’m going after, not just my sales team territories, but what is actually powering my company. That’s, I think, to your point—that’s where you can start thinking more globally even if your customer base isn’t global. That might theoretically help you with that critical thinking to start expanding beyond your little homogeneous bubble. Christopher S. Penn – 31:35 Even something like this has been a topic in the news recently. Rare earth minerals, which are not rare, they’re actually very commonplace. There’s just not much of them in any one spot. But China is the only economy on the planet that has figured out how to industrialize them safely. They produce 85% of it on the planet. And that powers your smartphone, that powers your refrigerator, your car and, oh by the way, all of the AI chips. Even things like that affect the future of work and the future of AI because you basically have one place that has a monopoly on this. The same for the Netherlands. The Netherlands is the only country on the planet that produces a certain kind of machine that is used to create these chips for AI. Christopher S. Penn – 32:17 If that company goes away or something, the planet as a whole is like, “Well, I figured they need to come up with an alternative.” So to your point, we have a lot of these choke points in the AI value chain that could be blockers. Again, that’s not something that you hear. I’ve not heard that at any conference. Katie Robbert – 32:38 As we’re thinking about the future of work, which is what we’re talking about on today’s podcast at Macon, 1,500 people in Cleveland. I guarantee they’re going to do it again next year. So if you’re not here this year, definitely sign up for next year. Take a look at the Smarter X and their academy. It’s all good stuff, great people. I think—and this was the question Paul was asking in his keynote—”Where do we go from here?” The— Katie Robbert – 33:05 The atmosphere. Yes. We don’t need—we don’t need to start singing. I do not need. With more feeling. I do get that reference. You’re welcome. But one of the key takeaways is there are more questions than answers. You and I are asking each other questions, but there are more questions than answers. And if we think we have all of the answers, we’re wrong. We have the answers that are sufficient enough for today to keep our business moving forward. But we have to keep asking new questions. That also goes into that critical thinking. You need to be comfortable not knowing. You need to be comfortable asking questions, and you need to be comfortable doing that research and seeking it out and maybe getting it wrong, but then continuing to learn from it. Christopher S. Penn – 33:50 And the future of work, I mean, it really is a very cloudy crystal wall. We have no idea. One of the things that Paul pointed out really well was you have different scaling laws depending on where you are in AI. He could have definitely spent some more time on that, but I understand it was a keynote, not a deep dive. There’s more to that than even that. And they do compound each other, which is what’s creating this ridiculously fast pace of AI evolution. There’s at least one more on the way, which means that the ability for these tools to be superhuman across tasks is going to be here sooner than people think. Paul was saying by 2026, 2027, that’s what we’ll start to see. Robotics, depends on where you are. Christopher S. Penn – 34:41 What’s coming out of Chinese labs for robots is jaw dropping. Katie Robbert – 34:45 I don’t want to know. I don’t want to know. I’ve seen *Ex Machina*, and I don’t want to know. Yeah, no. To your point, I think a lot of people bury their head in the sand because of fear. But in order to, again, it sort of goes back to that critical thinking, you have to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. I’m sort of joking: “I don’t want to know. I’ve seen *Ex Machina*.” But I do want to know. I do need to know. I need to understand. Do I want to be the technologist? No. But I need to play with these tools enough that I feel I understand how they work. Yesterday I was playing in Opal. I’m going to play in N8N. Katie Robbert – 35:24 It’s not my primary function, but it helps me better understand where you’re coming from and the questions that our clients are asking. That, in a very simple way to me, is the future of work: that at least I’m willing to stretch myself and keep exploring and be uncomfortable so that I can say I’m not static. Christopher S. Penn – 35:46 I think one of the things that 3M was very well known for in the day was the 20% rule, where an employee, as part of their job, could have 20% of the time just work on side projects related to the company. That’s how Post-it Notes got invented, I think. I think in the AI forward era that we’re in, companies do need to make that commitment again to the 20% rule. Not necessarily just messing around, but specifically saying you should be spending 20% of your time with AI to figure out how to use it, to figure out how to do some of those tasks yourself, so that instead of being replaced by the machine, you’re the one who’s at least running the machine. Because if you don’t do that, then the person in the next cubicle will. Christopher S. Penn – 36:33 And then the company’s like, “Well, we used to have 10 people, we only need two. And you’re not one of the two who has figured out how to use this thing to do that. So out you go.” Katie Robbert – 36:41 I think that was what Paul was doing in his AI for Productivity workshop yesterday, was giving people the opportunity to come up with those creative ideas. Our friend Andy Crestadino was relaying a story yesterday to us of a very similar vein where someone was saying, “I’ll give you $5,000. Create whatever you want.” And the thing that the person created was so mind-blowing and so useful that he was like, “Look what happens when I just let people do something creative.” But if we bring it sort of back whole circle, what’s the motivation? Why are people doing it in the first place? Katie Robbert – 37:14 It has to be something that they’re passionate about, and that’s going to really be what drives the future of work in terms of being able to sustain while working alongside AI, versus, “This is all I know how to do. This is all I ever want to know how to do.” Yes, AI is going over your job. Christopher S. Penn – 37:33 So I guess wrapping up, we definitely want you thinking creatively, critically, contextually. Know where your data is, know where your ideas come from, broaden your horizons so that you have more ideas, and be able to be one of the people who knows how to call BS on the machines and say, “That’s completely wrong, ChatGPT.” Beyond that, everyone has an obligation to try to replace themselves with the machines before someone else does it to you. Katie Robbert – 38:09 I think again, to plug Macon, which is where we are as we’re recording this episode, this is a great starting point for expanding your horizons because the amount of people that you get to network with are from different companies, different experiences, different walks of life. You can go to the sessions, learn it from their point of view. You can listen to Paul’s keynote. If you think you already know everything about your job, you’re failing. Take the time to learn where other people are coming from. It may not be immediately relevant to you, but it could stick with you. Something may resonate, something might spark a new idea. Katie Robbert – 38:46 I feel like we’re pretty far along in our AI journey, but in sitting in Paul’s keynote, I had two things that stuck out to me: “Oh, that’s a great idea. I want to go do that.” That’s great. I wouldn’t have gotten that otherwise if I didn’t step out of my comfort zone and listen to someone else’s point of view. That’s really how people are going to grow, and that’s that critical thinking—getting those shared experiences and getting that brainstorming and just community. Christopher S. Penn – 39:12 Exactly. If you’ve got some thoughts about how you are approaching the future of work, pop on by our free Slack group. Go to trust insights AI analysts for marketers, where you and over 4,500 other marketers are asking and answering each other’s questions every single day. Wherever you watch or listen to the show, if there’s a channel you’d rather have it on instead, go to Trust Insights AI Ti Podcast, where you can find us all the places fine podcasts are served. Thanks for tuning in. I’ll talk to you on the next one. Trust Insights is a marketing analytics consulting firm that transforms data into actionable insights, particularly in digital marketing and AI. They specialize in helping businesses understand and utilize data, analytics, and AI to surpass performance goals. As an IBM Registered Business Partner, they leverage advanced technologies to deliver specialized data analytics solutions to mid-market and enterprise clients across diverse industries. Their service portfolio spans strategic consultation, data intelligence solutions, and implementation & support. Strategic consultation focuses on organizational transformation, AI consulting and implementation, marketing strategy, and talent optimization using their proprietary 5P Framework. Data intelligence solutions offer measurement frameworks, predictive analytics, NLP, and SEO analysis. Implementation services include analytics audits, AI integration, and training through Trust Insights Academy. Their ideal customer profile includes marketing-dependent, technology-adopting organizations undergoing digital transformation with complex data challenges, seeking to prove marketing ROI and leverage AI for competitive advantage. Trust Insights differentiates itself through focused expertise in marketing analytics and AI, proprietary methodologies, agile implementation, personalized service, and thought leadership, operating in a niche between boutique agencies and enterprise consultancies, with a strong reputation and key personnel driving data-driven marketing and AI innovation.

How do we help children make sense of grief, faith, and growing up in a world that often rushes past their feelings? What happens when curiosity leads a child to lessons adults sometimes forget—courage, compassion, and belief in something greater? In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Olga Keber, a retired healthcare social worker turned children's author, shares her heartwarming journey and the story behind her debut book, Pepe's Adventure. The book follows an eight-year-old boy guided by faith and the loving memory of his grandfather. Drawing on more than 30 years of social work experience, Olga reveals how real-world lessons about resilience and empathy inspired her to create stories that help kids and parents connect through faith, curiosity, and courage. Olga shares how Pepe's Adventure came to life in just one week and how her years helping families shaped her mission to give children a voice. Through Pepe's journey of discovery and belief, she shows that storytelling can heal hearts, bridge generations, and remind families of the power of listening and love. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or someone who believes in nurturing kindness, this episode will rekindle your appreciation for faith, family, and the timeless lessons only a child's imagination can teach. Quotes: “I saw so many children who weren't being heard—by parents, by teachers, by friends. I wanted to give them a voice.” “Pepe learned survival. He learned to trust people and to speak his feelings so others could understand.” “Writing Pepe's Adventure gave me a new purpose. It reminded me that creativity doesn't end with retirement—it begins when you listen to your heart.” “Faith isn't just taught; it's discovered through experience.” Resources: Discover Pepe's Adventure by Olga Keber on Amazon

This episode of Pipeline Visionaries features an interview with Lauren Vaccarello, CMO of WEKA, a company building the foundation for enterprise and agentic AI. Lauren discusses her marketing philosophy: align every initiative with business goals, empower teams to experiment freely, and build category leadership through creativity and thought leadership. From the company's breakthrough collaboration with U2 at the Sphere to its irreverent “Introducing Neural Mesh” launch video, Lauren shows why modern marketing demands bold storytelling and a studio-like mindset.Key Takeaways:Creativity and speed are non-negotiable. Empower teams to ship ideas quickly and learn fast, don't get bogged down in creation by committee. Smart teams sell. Put your smartest people front and center to define the future of your industry.Tell stories that feel human. From rock-concert customer videos to funny launch trailers, authentic content creates the biggest impact.Anchor every idea to impact. If it doesn't tie back to the company's biggest goals, it's just noise.Quote: “ This amazing thing with being earlier in your career is, you don't know what you don't know. You think you can do everything and because you don't know this is how things are done, you just figure it out in a different way. And I see some of these earlier in career marketers and what they are able to accomplish because they don't have the hangups of the rest of us. The, well, this is hard and this takes a long time and you need approvals. Here they are using AI to just pump out really incredible work. They are thinking in ways that I just, I wish I was 22 and was like thinking like that. It's so inspiring and I think a challenge for many marketers who have more tenure and more experience.”Episode Timestamps: *(02:29) The Trust Tree: Serving as a tech partner at the Sphere *(32:56) The Playbook: Kill Creation by CommitteeSponsor:Pipeline Visionaries is brought to you by Qualified.com. Qualified helps you turn your website into a pipeline generation machine with PipelineAI. Engage and convert your most valuable website visitors with live chat, chatbots, meeting scheduling, intent data, and Piper, your AI SDR. Visit Qualified.com to learn more.Links:Connect with Ian on LinkedInConnect with Lauren on LinkedInLearn more about WEKALearn more about Caspian StudiosNeuralMesh™ by WEKA®: Storage Rewired for the AI Era: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23cVbsAIwSY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this powerful episode of The MisFitNation, award-winning host Rich LaMonica and Special Guest Host Chris welcome Remso Martinez, a U.S. Army veteran, serial entrepreneur, and the Founder & CEO of Marketer on the Run. Based out of Las Vegas, Remso is a marketing trailblazer helping creators, authors, and business leaders turn influence into income. From the battlefield to boardrooms, Remso shares his journey of grit, growth, and digital freedom—and how he built a thriving marketing agency grounded in service, creativity, and hustle.

In this episode, Eric breaks down the evolution of SEO beyond keywords and backlinks, revealing why “search everywhere optimization” is the new essential strategy. He explains how platforms like YouTube, Reddit, Instagram, and even LLMs now influence visibility, and shares actionable methods to adapt and win with SEO today. Learn how to leverage platform-specific content, build positive brand mentions, and stay ahead by embracing adaptability and channel mastery. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Why SEO is misunderstood and what's changed (03:00) The rise of search everywhere optimization (06:00) Optimizing for LLMs, AI overviews, and alternative search engines (09:00) Channel mastery: platform-first strategies for growth (12:00) Adapting and thriving in a changing search landscape

Are you worried about the state of our planet and curious about how science fiction can inspire real-world solutions? Many of us feel overwhelmed by climate change, wildfires, and environmental degradation. How can imagination, creativity, and storytelling spark action while exploring futuristic possibilities? In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Eleanor Bonenfant, science fiction author, environmentalist, and lifelong creative, reveals how her passion for the environment inspired her latest book, Adventures Among the Galaxies and the Evolution of AI. She combines real-world climate science with thrilling sci-fi adventures to craft a story that entertains, educates, and inspires action. From her detailed writing process to her insights on AI's impact on our future, Eleanor offers a perspective that seamlessly bridges imagination and reality. Quotes: “If every one of us does one little thing, it can become a global effort, and we can put fewer emissions into the air.” “We can't depend on the past or the future. We have to live for the now and act responsibly.” “AI has a wonderful place in our lives, especially in health, but it takes the humanity out of writing.” “Science fiction allows us to imagine a future and understand the possibilities while staying grounded in real rules and consequences.” Resources: Read Eleanor Bonenfant's latest book, Adventures among the Galaxies: and the Evolution of AI, on Amazon

It's good to get in the room with other people doing what you're doing. But in the internet age it gets increasingly harder. A few weeks ago, Josh and Dylan got back from Smart Marketer and in this episode they're going to recap their 11 takeaways after talking to someone at Meta that actually knows what's going on, multi 8 and 9 figure brands, ecommerce strategists, creative strategists, and the Smart Marketer team. At the end of this episode we break down all of our findings that are Meta specific that we kept hearing over and over in conversations and on stage. A huge thank you to Molly Pittman and the Smart Marketer team for making us feel like family and putting on such a wonderful event! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-► Visit Our Website For Training and Resources ► Leave Us An Honest Rating, Email An Image Of Your Rating To team@theecommercealley.com, We'll Send You A $10 Amazon Gift Card As An Appreciation Gift!► Learn About Our Mentorship Program For Ecom Brands Making Over $10k/month ► Checkout Our Upcoming Software, Breezeway - Never Second-Guess Your Meta Ads Again ► Follow Josh on social media: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok |

Ever feel like your content strategy is one chaotic flight away from crashing? This week on Bathroom Break, Jay and Daniel take off on a wild ride, literally and creatively. From chaotic airplane passengers and oversized in-flight pets to the real reason your content strategy is a disorganized mess, they unpack how to actually organize your creative output. Daniel shares how his team uses tagging, tracking, and writer's room brainstorming to build a bank of high-performing ideas without losing their minds. Jay reveals his own battle with inbox chaos and canine co-passengers. If you're a Marketer who wants to get organized, this is the episode for you.