From Startup to Wunder Brand

00:00 – Intro & Jed’s welcome 01:20 – How Backstory Branding was born from client feedback 02:33 – Jed’s non-traditional background vs. the usual MBA crowd 04:52 – Why founders struggle to accept bold brand strategy 06:50 – Branding is not a crap shoot 08:26 – How strong brands multiply SaaS exit value 12:13 – The four phases of the Backstory Brand Wheel 13:46 – The DemoChimp → Consensus rebra...

Follow Emil on LinkedIn & Twitter (X) Learn more about FlashPass: flashpass.com (or search FlashPass upskilling) 00:00 FlashPass: Upskilling for the AI Era 02:08 From Dorm Room to Millions: Emil's Origin Story 03:47 The $65K Summer: Tennis, COVID & Finding His Lane 07:01 What Is FlashPass? Upskilling America for the AI Era 10:27 AI Won't Just Take Jobs — It's a Feature of Progress 12:40 Ho...

With 13+ years of experience, she reveals why buying lists destroys your brand reputation, how to create irresistible lead magnets that feel on-brand, and the smart automations and segmentation that make every subscriber feel personally known. From welcome series tailored to signup source to connecting email seamlessly with your wider brand strategy, this episode gives you the playbook to stop tre...

Links & Socials: Product Tranquility: https://producttranquility.com Dan Balcauski on LinkedIn: search “Dan Balcauski” SaaS CEO Pricing Scorecard (free): producttranquility.com Edit your podcasts like a pro: https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuqJoin me as a guest or start your podcast journey: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne Timestamps: 00:00 – Volcano chat & intro 01:30 – Is pricin...

We're joined by Daniel Frankavilla, an experienced brand strategist and entrepreneur who excels at turning purpose into real-world traction. His journey, from founding a nonprofit organization at 17 to building and selling a creative agency, showcases his deep understanding of marketing and business. Daniel's ventures consistently help others achieve tangible results, embodying the spirit of effec...

From CFO/CEO roles to running Boston Market Strategies (reviewing 450+ products), to re-engineering clinical trials at places like Penn and Drexel, Curtis has spent 38+ years bridging academia, industry, and investors. In 2009 he launched Eureka Connect, a behavioural science powerhouse that uses validated assessments to reveal exactly why you do what you do — your hardwired drives, ego, disciplin...

In this episode you’ll discover why most “masterminds” are really just group coaching, how to stop choosing between business success and family presence, and why being a serial integrator might be the highest-leverage role in any company. Guest Links • Gathering the Kings: https://gatheringthekings.com • Driven to Win Podcast (Jake’s show) – link in description Edit your podcasts like a pro: https...

Guest Links Website & Resources: alfon.com Daniel’s LinkedIn: Search Daniel Alfon (profile with 1,893 followers and serious results) Edit your podcasts like a pro: https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuqJoin me as a guest or start your podcast journey: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome and Daniel’s 20+ years on LinkedIn 01:50 – Why only 1,893 followers after two d...

Guest Links Rising Tides Marketing: https://risingtides.io Grady’s YouTube: [link to be added] Book “Building Distribution” (coming Q3/Q4 2025) Edit your podcasts like a pro: https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuqJoin me as a guest or start your podcast journey: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome & Grady’s wild background 01:30 – Why 250 launches cost him his hair...

High-performance coach and entrepreneur Jake Smolarek has spent over 20 years helping ambitious people scale fast, build smarter, and create businesses that serve their lives instead of consuming them. Today he reveals his battle-tested coaching frameworks that turn big dreams into reality without the burnout. The Journey: From arriving in the UK at 19 with just £150 in his pocket to building mult...

🚨 One of the best conversations I've ever had on this podcast. We talked about:🧠 Why fixing your weaknesses might be destroying your strengths ⏳ How most people waste time (and how to reclaim it) 🏃‍♂️ Why your most powerful moments happen in seconds, not years 👶 And how to support high-potential kids without breaking themThis episode is for anyone building a career, a business, or a future—an...

What if AI isn’t your competition, but your best advantage? In this episode, Nicholas Kuhne chats with Dr Angela Mulrooney – branding expert, ex-dentist, and creator of a personal branding AI app – about how professionals can futureproof their identity, stand out from the AI-generated noise, and finally claim their space in the market.🎯 What we cover:Why professionals are losing visibility in the...

Raj Singh – Serial Entrepreneur, Product Leader at Mozilla, and Startup WhispererIn this episode, we dive into what it really takes to stay ahead in a world where GenAI has levelled the playing field. Raj unpacks how the role of individual contributors is shifting, why communication is now the killer skill, and how 10-person teams can now build billion-dollar companies. Also, we explore what authe...

T. Christian Helms is the creative force behind Helms Workshop, a branding agency based in Austin known for crafting bold, character-driven brands. He’s a designer, writer, speaker, and former Pentagram-er who once designed a logo in a Burger King bathroom (yep, really).In this episode, Christian and Nicholas Kuhne dive into why design without thinking is dead, how to build a brand that makes peop...

We talk real strategies for customer targeting, audience “alchemy”, and Adam’s hands-on approach to crafting campaigns that actually convert. Plus, Adam shares why he’s publishing guides, eBooks, and content to help even the smallest businesses buy media like pros. Whether you're a founder, marketer, or launching your first product – this episode gives you the straight-talking guidance you wish yo...

In this episode, we dive into the real digital divide — not just access to tools, but the confidence and capacity to use them. Roberto and Nicholas go deep on how small businesses, particularly in marginalised communities, can close the AI gap, scale their operations, and build generational wealth. Expect sharp commentary on: Why Roberto left government for entrepreneurship How tools like ChatGPT...

She didn’t start out in writing. With roots in computer science and a pivot into business, Sarah discovered copywriting as the perfect blend of creativity and commerce. From $10 blog posts on Fiverr to hundreds of completed gigs, she's built a sustainable brand through consistency, experimentation, and serious craft. In this episode, we get into:What copywriting really is (and isn’t)How AI is help...

In this episode, we get into his data-backed findings on how men and women use time differently at work, why only 20% of your time is actually spent on your highest priorities (ouch), and how organisations are quietly burning out their teams without even realising it. We talk practical fixes, bad email habits, smarter meetings, and how measuring what matters can transform your team’s output. Oh, a...

In this episode, Rachel and Nicholas get real about what actually makes good marketing. From managing a “robot intern” (aka ChatGPT) to decoding what “engagement” really means, this episode strips away the fluff and gets to the guts of marketing strategy. You'll learn why “visionary” is a dangerous word, how tone of voice builds brand trust, and what metrics really matter (hint: it’s not likes).Wh...

Guest: Dr. Christiane Schroeter – TEDx speaker, university professor, wellness coach, and author of the Petite Practice Method. Background: Christiane grew up in Germany, earned her PhD in the US, and now juggles being a successful academic, podcaster, author, and mum — all without burning out. She’s the real deal when it comes to high-achiever life… minus the breakdown. What this episode is about...

Through his proprietary “Blueprinting” methodology, Ian transforms vague business direction into clarity that drives real growth. In this episode, we unpack why most businesses don’t actually know what business they’re in — and how that confusion leaks into staff turnover, customer churn, and inconsistent growth. Ian shares how his seven-word purpose statements aren’t branding fluff — they’re powe...

Why listen: If you’re still “spray and pray” on Meta or Google, this is your crash course in fishing where the fish are—down to the car-lot, the competitor’s showroom, or the exact conference hall. Concrete tactics, real numbers, zero fluff. Guest links & product: GetGeofencing (location-based ads): getgeofencing.com. Timestamps & key topics00:00 – Navy crypt tech to geofencing pro: meet C...

In this powerful episode, we go deep into Mitchell’s journey from rock bottom — addiction, depression, debt, and divorce — to becoming a global top 1% podcaster and six-figure executive coach helping high-performing dads thrive at work and at home. If you’re a father, husband, or just someone who’s ever felt pulled between ambition and family, this one’s for you. We unpack how to live a life “wort...

From scripting space villains for Bruce Campbell to brand therapy for spiritual entrepreneurs, Hersh Rephun has had a wildly unconventional journey. In this punchy and thoughtful episode, Nicholas Kuhne sits down with the “holistic brand therapist” to explore how comedy, personal trauma, and truth-telling fuel the most powerful personal brands. If you're a founder, creative, or consultant who want...

Mariana has filmed for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, and spent five years as a senior producer at NBC. Today, she helps entrepreneurs build trust faster and accelerate sales with emotion-driven "brand videos" – not “branded” ads, but authentic stories that connect. We dive into her journey from global documentaries to digital marketing, the difference between passion and...