The Fault Line

In this episode of The Fault Line , Kim Scribner sits down with data strategist Dr. Alaina Szlachta to unpack one of the most common challenges organizations face: turning data into insights that actually drive action. From defining the right decision before collecting data to building trust in how results are measured and interpreted, they explore why many teams struggle to act on the information...

How do you turn conversations into real business insight? In this episode of The Fault Line , Kim Scribner sits down with Julie Bush of Product Rehab to explore the art and discipline of in-depth interviews (IDIs). Julie shares how to design interviews around a clear learning agenda, move past surface-level opinions, and uncover the motivations that actually drive decisions. They also discuss the...

Data is everywhere. Insight is not. In this episode of The Fault Line , Gary Lancina and Kim Scribner are joined by Dr. Marvin Rothwell to explore what “clean” data actually means and why it matters more than most organizations realize. From healthcare and supply chain to finance and operations, Marvin shares how misaligned definitions, inconsistent processes, and siloed systems create costly fric...

What happens when organizations jump straight to the what without clarifying the why? In Episode 13 of The Fault Line, Gary Lancina and Kim Scribner sit down with Danielle Law, Director of Integrated Brand Strategy and Marketing at a leading academic health center in the Pacific Northwest, to unpack how strategy actually turns into action. Together, they explore why outcomes matter more than outpu...

From coaching Fortune 500 executives on high-stakes board presentations to navigating digital transformations and pandemic-era town halls, this episode explores how trust is built, or broken, in the moments that matter most. In this episode of The Fault Line , Kim Scribner sits down with Kathryn Janicek, Founder of Janicek Performance Group, and organizational development consultant Aniela Larson...

In Part 2 of 4 Ways to Grow a Business , Gary Lancina and Kim Scribner move beyond the growth levers and into what actually gets strategy over the line: people, culture, and change. Joined by HR and leadership advisor Kate McKinnon, they unpack how leadership behaviors, performance systems, and talent decisions either accelerate execution or quietly stall it. From building culture in the “small mo...

There are only four ways to grow a business. In Part 1, Gary Lancina and Kim Scribner are joined by growth strategist Paul Montanari to break down the levers that drive sustainable growth: acquire new customers, retain more of the ones you have, increase frequency of use, or increase value per transaction. They dig into why “how we grow” fails without clarity on “why we’re growing,” when lowering...

In this special episode of The Fault Line , the CMG Consulting team comes together in person at our Durham headquarters for a conversation about the moments that matter in client work. We asked team members across roles and tenures to share what brings them joy in delivery and to reflect on times they had to show up when it counted. What emerged was not a set of heroic stories, but something more...

In this episode of The Fault Line , host Kim Scribner sits down with digital marketing and go to market expert Pat Fitzgerald to explore how AI is supporting modern digital go to market. They focus on practical use cases across product, marketing, SEO, workflow, and data, while addressing real risks like hallucination, bias, and data security. The conversation keeps the spotlight on judgment, inte...

How your organization works on the inside is often how it feels to your customers on the outside. In this episode, Gary and Kim explore how communication structures, incentives, culture, and organizational design directly shape customer experience. From Conway’s Law to real world examples in startups, hospitality, and large enterprises, they unpack why silos, misaligned objectives, and decision fr...

In this episode of The Fault Line , Gary Lancina and Kim Scribner discuss why all change ultimately comes down to choice, why compliance is not the same as commitment, and how leaders create the conditions for genuine buy-in. They unpack the emotional reality of change, the importance of transparency and trust, and how continuous feedback helps leaders adjust, align, and move people forward togeth...

As 2025 comes to a close, Gary Lancina and Kim Scribner take a few minutes to step away from strategy and simply say thank you. In this holiday bonus episode of The Fault Line, the hosts reflect on the first year of the podcast, their growing partnership at CMG, and the traditions that ground them during the season. From family rituals and shared meals to the deeper meaning of connection during th...

In this episode of The Fault Line , Gary Lancina and Kim Scribner explore the tension between efficiency and resilience inside modern organizations. They unpack how lean operating models, private equity pressures, and capacity constraints can quietly introduce risk, and why resiliency requires intentional investment in people, clarity, and cross-functional trust. The conversation examines how lead...

In this episode, Gary and Kim explore the signals leaders often overlook, from shifts in the data to subtle human behaviors to the power of silence inside an organization. They unpack how noise, routine, and overconfidence can cloud judgment and why humility, curiosity, and diverse perspectives are essential for strong signal detection. Through stories from disaster recovery, corporate disruptions...

Gary and Kim sit down with CMG colleague Ray Taylor to explore why pricing is more than a number. They discuss how price signals value, builds trust, and shapes customer behavior in both consumer and business markets. Ray breaks down the key elements of pricing signals and shares how organizations can diagnose what their pricing communicates today, redesign offers to reflect real value, and avoid...

In this special Thanksgiving bonus episode of The Fault Line , Gary and Kim welcome CMG founding partners Rich Beatty and Russ Lange for a lighthearted and heartfelt conversation about gratitude. The group reflects on the spirit of the holiday, sharing stories that range from sunny South Florida stone crab dinners, to blender-launching family chaos, to infamous Thanksgiving mishaps abroad. Along t...

Trust can accelerate outcomes, strengthen teams, and transform how organizations deliver results. In this episode of The Fault Line, Gary and Kim welcome CMG collaborator and leadership coach Aniela Larson to explore the signals of trust, the fallout when it breaks, and how leaders can rebuild it in measurable, business-driving ways.

In the debut episode of The Fault Line , hosts Gary Lancina and Kim Scribner introduce CMG Consulting’s new podcast and the idea of the fault line, where business strategy meets real-world pressure. Through a candid conversation, they explore how purpose, trust, and human connection drive meaningful organizational change. Gary and Kim share their optimism for building a community of leaders who wa...