Digital Marketing Masters Podcast

In this episode, I sat down with Audrey Kwan to unpack what the future looks like for small agencies in the age of AI. We explored why leaner agencies may have an advantage as AI removes busywork, reduces overhead, and makes teams more efficient. Audrey made the case that specialization is becoming more important than ever, because clients still need strategic partners who understand their industr...

In this blast-from-the-past episode of Digital Marketing Masters, I revisit one of our earliest conversations on a topic that still matters today: online reviews. We break down why reviews feel so personal for business owners, what you actually can and can’t do when a bad review appears, and how to tell the difference between a frustrating negative review and something that may violate a platform’...

In this episode of the Digital Marketing Masters Podcast, I (Mahek) sit down with my cohost Matt Rouse to unpack what actually matters in the latest wave of AI news and how marketers and business leaders can respond without the doom or the denial. We tackle job displacement fears, why short‑term panic and long‑term complacency both miss the point, and how to audit your own role for tasks that AI w...

In this solo episode, I (Mahek Anam) speak directly to creative directors, marketers, and brand builders navigating the AI wave. I share why so much AI-generated content feels average and how the real differentiator now is creative direction and taste.  Rather than shrinking the creative role, AI expands it by handling execution so we can double down on vision, specificity, and standards. I w...

In this solo episode, I break down three realities of AI in today’s workplace and what they mean for your career or business. First, I explain why loudly positioning yourself as anti‑AI can hurt your job prospects when most leaders are prioritizing AI‑literate talent to drive productivity.  Second, I unpack common misconceptions, that AI is more than chatbots and simple automation. I reveal w...

In this candid, curiosity-first conversation, I sit down with Ben Albert, host of Real Business Connections and founder of the GrowGetters community, to explore where AI, community-building, and genuine relationships intersect. We reflect on why the fundamentals that worked ten years ago still work today: serving people, building trust, and showing up with care and intention. From Ben’s evolving “...

In part two of our conversation with Sean Sweeney, we dig into the messy, real-world intersection of AI, advertising, and the future of work. From whether brands should disclose AI-generated creative to what “authenticity” even means in marketing, Sean and Matt openly disagree, and that’s where the gold is. We explore the legal and practical angles of AI disclosure, the double standards between AI...

In today’s conversation, I sit down with Sean Sweeney, the “Blues Brother of PPC” from Chicago, to cut through the AI hype and talk about what’s actually changing in digital advertising. We get candid about Google Performance Max and Meta’s algorithmic buying: why “just give us your credit card and we’ll do the rest” can erode brand control, underfund top‑of‑funnel, and starve discovery. We dig in...

In this episode of Digital Marketing Masters, I sit down with creative director and brand strategist Mairin Deery to unpack what branding looks like in the age of AI, with candid interjections from our creative lead, Mehak. We explore why AI shines as an accelerator for strategy, iteration, and operational efficiency, but still can’t replace the messy, specific, human experiences that make brands...

In this live-recorded episode of Digital Marketing Masters, I sit down with Keith Bilous to unpack why going live, consistently, at the same time, with real human presence is a powerful antidote to an AI-saturated, deepfake-capable world. We explore how repetition builds trust, why morning shows are an untapped, high-leverage format for creators and brands, and how structure and format can outlast...

In this solo episode, I share a practical beginner’s guide to using AI at work and in your business—plus a solid refresher if you’ve already dabbled with tools like ChatGPT. I break down, in plain language, how modern AI is trained, why tokens matter (and what they cost), and where the real money in AI comes from. Then we dive into the six essential skills you should build right now: prompting cha...

In this episode, I sit down with witch, author, and soon-to-be “witch doctor” (getting her PhD) Sabrina Scott to explore the provocative crossroads of AI, consciousness, and spirituality. We trace humanity’s long history of animism and ritual, examine why the modern split between science and spirit is so recent, and ask whether large language models can, or should, play the role of teacher, priest...

In this episode of Digital Marketing Masters , I’m joined by Ben Albert, Marv Paul, Sabrina Scott, and my cohost Mahek Anam to unpack our biggest takeaways from PodCamp Toronto 2026, the “unconference” that thrives on community, inclusivity, and real human connection. We explore why podcasting is less about perfect tech and more about producing an authentic listener experience: embracing imperfect...

In this episode of Digital Marketing Masters, new co-host Mahek Anam sits down with Matt Rouse (author of Will AI Take My Job Too?) and Katie Brinkley (author of The Social Shift) to unpack the paradox of social media in the age of AI.  Content is easier to produce than ever, yet audiences crave real human connection. We explore why authenticity is becoming a strategic necessity, not a buzzwo...

In this episode of Digital Marketing Masters, I sit down with product development and consumer insights expert Kay Allison to explore how AI can supercharge audience research and product innovation. We discuss why so many entrepreneurs (and big brands) mistakenly project their own preferences onto customers, how to recognize different decision-making styles and motivations, and the importance of u...

In this episode of Digital Marketing Masters, I chat with George Bryant (The Mind of George) about the balance between AI automation and human connection in business. George shares wild stats from his podcasting journey, why “user‑generated keynotes” beat rehearsed scripts, and how doubling down on principles and values outlasts fast‑changing tactics. We dig into the real end goal behind most tech...

In this episode of Digital Marketing Masters, I sit down with execution coach Mark Dulaney from the School of Execution to unpack the “worst kept secret” of success: doing the work boldly, consistently, effectively and getting a little better every day. We explore why most people stall at “good enough,” how to apply critical self-review to improve faster, and why intention, accountability, and doi...

In this episode of Digital Marketing Masters, I sit down with returning guest Aaron Ryan—author, voice actor, musician, and now 35-book veteran—to dig into the turbulent crossroads of creative work and AI. We talk candidly about toxicity and gatekeeping in the voiceover community, why Aaron stepped back from coaching, and how that decision unleashed a surge of creativity across fiction and music....

In this engaging episode of Digital Marketing Masters, host Matt Rouse welcomes Nathan Fletcher, also known as Uncle Nene from Uncle Nay Nay's Nerdcast. They dive into the world of creative work and the challenges of marketing it in today's digital landscape. Nathan shares his journey from a career in marketing and production to starting his own podcast focused on science fiction and fantasy. The...

In this episode of Digital Marketing Masters, host Matt Rouse welcomes science fiction author Tom Easton to discuss the intersection of AI and science fiction. Tom shares his background as a retired science professor and his journey into writing science fiction since the 1970s. The conversation delves into the upcoming anthology "Tales of Galactic Pest Control," featuring Matt's own story, and exp...

In this episode of Digital Marketing Masters, host Matt Rouse is joined by Kate vanderVoort, founder and CEO of Social Mediology and the AI Success Lab, to discuss the integration of AI into business practices. Kate shares her insights on how companies can transition from having no AI involvement to effectively incorporating AI into their operations. She emphasizes the importance of understanding...

In this episode of Digital Marketing Masters, host Matt Rose, despite battling a lost voice, welcomes IP attorney and AI consultant Corinne Koger to discuss the intricate relationship between artificial intelligence and intellectual property law in the United States. They delve into the nuances of copyright, patents, and trademarks, emphasizing the importance of human contribution in AI-generated...

In this episode of Digital Marketing Masters, host Matt Rouse welcomes Marv Paul, a technology enthusiast and host of the podcast "Is This the New Internet?". The discussion delves into the concept of a new Internet, exploring how blockchain technology could revolutionize the way we interact online. Marv shares his insights on the evolution of the Internet from a stationary experience to a mobile...

In this episode of Digital Marketing Masters, host Matt Rouse engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dan Friker about the future of work and the impact of AI on various industries. Dan shares insights from his experience on the career advisory board for the College of Science and Engineering and discusses the implications of rising technologies on the workforce, from blue-collar to white...

In this episode of the Digital Marketing Masters podcast, host Matt Rouse welcomes Ethan Holland, an expert in AI and digital transformation. Ethan's AI News: https://ethanbholland.com/category/this-week-in-ai/ AI Local Marketing for SMBs: https://smbautopilot.ai   https://serve.podhome.fm/digital-marketing-masters (00:00:02) Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:01:09) Ethan Holland's Career Jo...