In Clear Focus

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Brand strategist John Elbing of Standpoint explains why people don't care about your story, they care about how you fit into theirs. John introduces his "Storybuilding" methodology, a canvas-based approach that helps companies find their foundational story before crafting marketing messages. He breaks down the three stages of encountering a brand—Recognition, Perception, and Projec...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: In our first episode of 2026, B2B marketer Devin Bramhall discusses why traditional content playbooks are failing. The former CEO of Animalz, Devin argues for a "human-centered" reset, moving away from keyword-stuffing and toward community-driven growth. Sharing insights from her new book, " B2B Content Marketing Strategy ," Devin details how to align message, messenger, and channe...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Guest Robyn Jackson Malone, CEO of RJ Communications , joins us to discuss the increasingly important role of trust in health communications. Robyn argues that brands have a responsibility to fill the widening information gap authentically. She critiques "window dressing" diversity efforts, advocates for genuine equity, and highlights the critical role of patient advocacy. We also...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Jean-Pierre Lacroix, co-founder of Shikatani Lacroix Design, and the author of " ThinkBlink Manifesto ," reveals why consumers decide emotionally and validate rationally. He explains the "BLINK Factor" and why incremental marketing fails. Jean-Pierre also outlines his seven-tenet framework for moving from features to feelings and building sustainable emotional brand advantages. Lea...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: In a zero-click world, reputation can shift instantly. Our guest, Kathleen Lucente, CEO of Red Fan Communications , reveals how to turn PR into a measurable revenue driver. She details the "crisis trinity" of speed, transparency, and messaging, and how to avoid the "announcement trap" during M&A. We discuss why brands need an authority reality check to survive in the AI era, and ho...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Our guest this week is strategy consultant Kyle Austin Young, who discusses his new book, " Success is a Numbers Game ." Kyle explains Probability Hacking: a framework to systematically de-risk goals. We also explore Kyle's 'Success Diagram,' discuss why "Bic For Her" pens failed, and hear how to use keyword research to validate market needs. Learn how to identify potential bad out...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Jon-Stephen Stansel, the author of the Bigeye Book Club selection, " The 10 Principles of Social Media Marketing ," explains why human judgment remains essential: "AI can do a lot, but it doesn't have taste." Jon also discusses timeless principles for effective social media, drawn from his work on franchises such as "The Lord of the Rings." Learn why social media is not a one-perso...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Forget chasing big-name podcasts. This week's guest, publicist Christina Lenkowski , reveals why the real money is in guesting on niche shows packed with your ideal audience. She explains how to use podcast guesting as powerful earned media to be someone prospects "know, like, and trust." Learn the secrets to a successful pitch, the importance of service over self-promotion, how to...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Thom Mozloom of The M Network discusses why brands like Bud Light and Cracker Barrel face backlash. He argues their marketers don't understand, or even like, their core audience. Thom explains how to navigate controversy with honesty and why values-driven marketing, not just purpose-led, is key to building loyalty. He also shares fresh research on news consumption and why he believ...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Jessica Gillingham, author of " Tech-Enabled Hospitality ," explores how tech is reshaping hospitality marketing and the guest journey. She discusses the challenge of marketing to digital natives who expect a seamless journey from search to booking. Jessica explains how data silos and reliance on OTAs prevent true personalization and building direct guest relationships. Learn how m...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: For our 300th episode, strategist Ulli Appelbaum, author of " The Science of Brand Associations ," reveals why brand associations are the operating system of marketing. He explains how brands exist as memory networks, and why their strength predicts 80% of future purchases. Ulli also discusses his evidence-based framework, grounded in neuroscience, for building stronger association...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Guest Amanda Patterson, founder of Rocket Fuel Labs , discusses the rise of fractional CMOs and shares practical tips on developing effective marketing for startups and scaleups. Drawing from her experience scaling MINDBODY from $30M to $200M, Amanda details a data-driven "bottoms-up" plan for efficient growth. She explains why "brand builds demand," the underrated power of custome...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Veteran copywriter Nick Usborne explains how to combat "brand drift" with a story-first, AI-powered content strategy. Nick introduces his Story Aligned framework, arguing that a brand's unique story is its only defensible moat against the "sameness trap." He reveals why marketers must lead with story when prompting AI. Learn how to use structured prompts to scale content while pres...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: To mark Hispanic Heritage Month, strategists Kathy Guzmán Galloway and Alex Santiago join host Karen Jimenez to explore how brands can authentically connect with Hispanic consumers. They discuss why cultural context matters more than literal translation, the importance of diverse teams, and how consumer immersions uncover deep insights. Learn why "multicultural is mainstream" and h...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Sorin Patilinet of PepsiCo and author of " Marketing Effectiveness " shares his scientific approach to brand growth. Sorin explains why marketers must look beyond just advertising to all levers of effectiveness, from pricing to packaging. He introduces his Engineering Marketing Framework, discusses why brands grow through penetration, not loyalty, and explores the balance between c...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Jen Moss of JAR Podcast Solutions explains how brands can create podcasts audiences love. Jen reveals why most branded podcasts fail—they're boring and too promotional—and shares her "JAR" (Job, Audience, Result) system for success. Using case studies from clients like Amazon, she details how to offer true value instead of a sales pitch. Learn how to choose between audio and video,...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Hollywood executive turned tech CEO Steven Puri of The Sukha Co shares his playbook for leading remote creative teams. Drawing lessons from producing special effects for blockbuster films like Independence Day , Steven reveals the science behind "flow states" and how to create conditions for deep, meaningful work. He discusses overcoming procrastination, the creative power of worki...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Kristen Sweeney, founder of B2B content agency Every Little Word , joins us to explore common content strategy challenges and how brands can overcome internal roadblocks. She shares how to identify and empower internal subject matter experts, extract authentic thought leadership, and repurpose content effectively. Kristen also offers practical insights for marketing teams seeking t...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Author and ad tech veteran Ari Paparo joins the podcast to discuss his new book, " Yield: How Google Bought, Built and Bullied Its Way to Advertising Dominance ." Hear how Google became the center of the digital ad ecosystem by controlling the publisher ad server, ad exchange, and ad network. Ari also reveals how the company leveraged its power with secret initiatives like 'Project...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Kevin Perlmutter, author of the new book, " Brand Desire ," returns to discuss emotional insights in brand strategy. Kevin shares his Limbic Sparks methodology, emphasizing a shift from "about us" to "for you" thinking. Learn how brands can uncover shared emotional motivations, craft compelling benefits, and design experiences that truly resonate. Discover how to avoid clichés, app...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Richard White, CEO of AI meeting assistant Fathom , discusses his counterintuitive marketing strategy that generated 70% of signups via word-of-mouth. Richard explains why he waited nearly five years to hire a marketer, focusing instead on creating "superfans" through a robust free product and exceptional customer delight. He shares why marketing is "rocket fuel" that can be disast...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Nicole Powell, founder of Halcon Marketing Solutions, reveals how neuromarketing uncovers the subconscious drivers behind purchasing decisions. Nicole explains how to create "magnetic" brand messaging by focusing on emotion over logic. She contrasts neuromarketing with traditional research, discusses common marketing mistakes, and details the cyclical relationship between brand str...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Shane H. Tepper, co-founder of AI Friendly , details how generative AI impacts brand discoverability and why now is a "peak ideas person" moment for creative professionals. He outlines the shift from traditional SEO to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), where AI synthesizes real-time responses. Shane also highlights the importance of adapting content for AI platforms, leveraging...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Kate Hardcastle MBE, aka "The Customer Whisperer," is the author of " The Science of Shopping ," exploring how consumer psychology and innovation are reshaping retail. Kate discusses "The Buyerarchy of Needs," emotional drivers, digital transformation, personalization, and the theatrical evolution of brick-and-mortar stores. Learn key pricing strategies and the biggest mistakes bra...

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Jay Mandel, founder of the Marketing Accountability Council , makes a return appearance to address the erosion of consumer trust in today's marketing landscape. Jay explains why the traditional playbook is dead, sharing outdated tactics for the "marketing graveyard." He discusses strategic restraint, using examples from Nike and Lush, and warns of the "Great Attention Heist" in the...