Move the Stairs: Brand Protection PR™

A concert kiss cam clip, a few seconds of shocking footage, and suddenly, a company’s leadership, employee trust, and public credibility are all on the line. In this Move the Stairs episode, we break down the “Astronomer” viral moment through the lens of Brand Protection PR; what to do first, why silence invites the internet to fill in the blanks, and how to communicate clearly when the crisis is...

Journalists are walking, talking "skill sets", even if they’ve never been told that out loud. In this unique episode of the Move the Stairs Podcast, we talk candidly about our team's experience transitioning from news to PR, and what worked when moving on from the newsroom. By listening to this podcast, you'll learn how to: - Lead with your skills (not a job title) - Use 15-minute networking inter...

Six in ten business owners say they’re confident they’d handle a crisis well. Yet more than 70% admit they don’t even have a plan. It’s an unlikely mix, confidence without a playbook, and it can turn into a real problem the moment something goes sideways. In this Move the Stairs livestream, the M&C team breaks down why that confidence can evaporate overnight, especially when one frontline mome...

When hurricane-force winds threaten a planned power shutoff, you have a narrow window to act before the powers that be flip the switch, and your message gets blown away. In this Move the Stairs episode, Erica Ferris (Director of Marketing, Monarch Casino Resort Spa) breaks down how Monarch Casino prepared for a 36-hour outage in Black Hawk with a clear, fast-moving plan highlighted by early, inten...

When Aki Smith heard her father’s oncologist say, “We’re in uncharted waters,” she refused to drift without direction. That moment inspired her to create her own chart, building Hope for Stomach Cancer, a nonprofit organization dedicated to guiding patients and families from diagnosis through care and beyond. In this episode of Move the Stairs, Aki reveals how a life-changing second opinion and a...

What do Colorado roots, West African honey, and the Denver Broncos have in common? Omar Lababidi. In this Move the Stairs episode, the founder and CEO of Goldswarm Honey shares how one spoonful of honey on a trip in Nigeria sparked a mission to bring it to the world. He unpacks the sustainable, farmer-first model behind Goldswarm Honey, which trains smallholder beekeepers, while protecting forests...

In this captivating episode of Move the Stairs, take notes as Deanna Campos-Miller, Director of the Campos Foundation, recounts a standout moment when a student-built robot unexpectedly went rogue during a live TV segment. Watch as she masterfully turns this potential mishap into a teachable moment, showcasing the excitement and unpredictability of STEM education – A true "Move the Stairs" moment....

In this episode of the Move the Stairs podcast, we speak with Lindsey Larson, founder of Pictours Paris Photography, who turned a dream of living in the City of Lights into a thriving business. From navigating international bureaucracy red tape to capturing perfect moments for clients, Lindsey shares her journey of determination and resilience. Discover how she leverages word-of-mouth PR, intentio...

In this episode, we sit down with Jessica Sidener, Director of Marketing and Community Relations at the Arapahoe Libraries District (ALD), to explore the dynamic role of today’s libraries. Jessica reveals how her team tackles complex cultural, political, and socioeconomic challenges while expanding services to enrich their community. Discover the innovative ways a “library of things” goes beyond b...

The attack on the CBD and hemp industry is forcing a strong response from national advocacy organizations, such as the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, and impacted grower, Stoney Branch Farms. You'd think their tactics would vary widely, but when we welcomed Kerry Hinkle from the U.S. Hemp Roundtable and Justin Ward from Stoney Branch Farms, the basis of their tactical outreach wasn't too dissimilar. Watch...

Six years ago, World Lung Cancer Day (WLCD) was an afterthought, with no more impact than Lost Sock Remembrance Day. Yeah, we had never heard of it either. That is until Lung Cancer Foundation of America (LCFA) tapped into its network of lung cancer patient advocates to turn WLCD from an unknown to a day that celebrates hope thanks to advancements in research, all while destigmatizing the disease....

Blue Delta Jeans COO and co-founder Nick Weaver joins us on the Move the Stairs podcast to share the remarkable journey of turning a concept into a highly successful luxury jean brand. Alongside his business partner Josh, Nick recounts their cash-strapped early days, their relentless drive to succeed, and how they’ve crafted a product that attracts clients ranging from professional athletes to A-l...

Recall several months ago the log jam of aid waiting to get into Gaza? Among that aid were 35 pallets of C.U.R.E kits, each containing up to $2,000 worth of medical aid, including wound dressings, sutures, sterile gloves, hemostats, and other critical care items. Through intense logistical operations, Project C.U.R.E. was able to "Move the Stiars" and get its medical aid into the war-torn region....

We sit down live with Daniel Paul, Vice President of Marketing at NOBO, a leader in cannabis operations. Listening to this episode, you'll learn consumer loyalty strategies that have fueled expansion possibilities to new markets, invaluable insights into blossoming a robust media relations campaign, which supports brand awareness, and methods to shape a company that not only survives but thrives t...

What if there was a way to use precision technology to optimize the benefits of medicine or vitamins? Our latest Move the Stairs Podcast guest, James Matuszewski, joined us to discuss nootropics and his precision medicine delivery method. Nootropics are considered any substance that has a positive impact on mental skills. Operating a business using technology that's unique but also relatively unkn...

How do you get your story picked up by local news stations all over the nation? Join us as Scripps News National's segment producer, Maya Saenz, reveals tactics that can help you earn placements you wouldn't know about unless you worked in media! These behind-the-scenes insights can help you develop everything from industry etiquette with reporters to an irresistible story offering that resonates...

The 2020s have introduced us to many buzzwords and phrases like sustainability, organic, eco-friendly, and more, as brands try to connect with a more environmentally conscious consumer. However, when you peek behind the curtain, sometimes all is not what it seems. That's why we were so excited to speak with Stefanie Reiser, Founder and CEO of Acknowledge Farms, an organic, regenerative farm in Mar...

When you pivot from finance to cannabis, it's easy to say you're not in it for the money. After all, the "Green Rush" is more than 10 years behind us. That didn't stop David Miller, Co-owner of Flow Gardens, from opening his hemp company at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. He knows the state of cannabis is hard! From enduring market oversaturation, lack of regulation, and misinformation, his p...

CBD/Hemp events are experiencing a resurgence, reclaiming their spotlight following the challenges of the pandemic. In this episode of Move The Stairs, we talk with Morris Beegle from Colorado Hemp Company. Join us as we uncover the strategies to select the perfect events for your business and, more crucially, how to captivate the attention of customers, businesses, and the media alike. Beegle, a...

Coverage in the press is a great tactic to supercharge your thought leadership while getting noticed by new consumers. Both of which are positive for your cannabis brand. Veteran journalist Omar Sacirbey of MJBizDaily joins us on today's episode of the Move the Stairs podcast to discuss how he chooses which business leaders to interview, large and small, for features, how these features move the n...

Delta-9 can be a scary term for CBD companies. Not Chris Fontes and his brand, Trojan Horse. In the early days of CBD legalization, his competitors zigged when it came to using the compound in marketing while he zagged. This created a niche but also a challenge to convince consumers and distributors that his operation was legal. As a long-time cannabis pioneer, Chris realized early how powerful it...

When you operate in an industry where far more can go wrong than goes right, the financial side of business management is seldom a cakewalk. That's why we invited cannabis expert and reporter for Green Market Report, Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier to join us on the Move the Stairs podcast to discuss the economic status of the industry on the precipice of the Farm Bill and how principles of Brand Protecti...

Meet Ashley Jenkins, the latest guest on our Move the Stairs podcast. Years ago, as a college student, she faced the threat of 20+ years in prison for possessing a small amount of marijuana. Today, she is the successful owner of MT Growers in Denver and the first Black woman to obtain a cannabis manufacturing license through Denver's Social Equity Program. Ashley's inspiring journey from potential...

How far would you go to push the traditional boundaries of what's considered standard and accepted in your industry? Our latest Move the Stairs podcast guest Dr. Bridget, MD was faced with this very question when she decided to embark on a journey to shift the paradigm of cannabis use in medicine, before it was mainstream. Listen to Dr. Bridget, author of "Courage in Cannabis" tell her story and t...

CBD and hemp companies face a significant amount of threats. Operating in an industry that's governed by compliance but little regulation, makes every business decision critical. It also opens up the doors to bad actors who have no remorse, trading damage to your company's reputation to pad their bank account. That's why we welcomed Gayla Huber of IntegriShield to the Move the Stairs™ podcast. Her...