The Rainmaker Podcast

What does it really mean to “get it right” when it comes to culture and brand experience? This week, I’m joined by Aaliyah Taylor, a seasoned experiential marketer and Senior Community Events Manager at Adobe, for a bold conversation about authenticity, representation, and building unforgettable brand moments. From running her own event space to curating massive, culture-forward activations at Ado...

What if AI wasn’t just a tool... but your next hire? In this eye-opening conversation, Natalie MacNeil, founder of AI Dream Team, joins me to break down how entrepreneurs and marketers can build smart, scalable systems using multi-agent workflows and ethical AI strategy. We explore what it really means to adopt an AI-first mindset, how to design your own AI-powered marketing team, and why promptin...

What happens when a yoga entrepreneur takes the reins as CMO in one of the stiffest industries around? In this episode, Kate Brown joins me to talk about what it really takes to lead marketing inside a legacy space like insurance and how to challenge everything from team structure to brand messaging without losing trust along the way. We dive into what it means to earn leadership through action, h...

What’s the real difference between a consultant, an agency, and a fractional CMO and how do you know which one your business actually needs? This week, Joe Grover joins me on the show for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of marketing leadership and the dynamics behind each of these roles. In this episode, Joe breaks down why so many companies hire a CMO too early and how to assess the real...

What if you could hand off your repeatable tasks to an AI team that sounds just like you? This week, I'm joined by Gemma Bonham-Carter, strategist for entrepreneurs who want to build a profitable online course business. She shares how she’s radically transformed her business using custom GPTs and why AI is no longer optional for modern entrepreneurs. In this episode, Gemma takes us behind-the...

What does it take to lead a resilient business in a world that won’t stop shifting? This week, strategist and consultant Carlyn Bushman joins me for a real, unfiltered conversation about what female founders are up against in 2025 and how to lead through the chaos with clarity, data, and confidence. Carlyn shares her perspective on why too many women are letting external pressures like tariffs, te...

What does it really take to cut through the noise in today’s marketing landscape and what if everything we thought we knew about attention is wrong? In this episode, Veronica sits down with Paulo Salomao, the founder and agency leader behind King Ursa, to unpack how the media landscape is shifting, why trust matters more than ever, and how a single viral moment turned into a surreal Ellen DeGenere...

“Leadership shouldn’t still be the number one workplace issue—but it is.” In this episode, I sit down with culture and leadership expert Megan Kuiper, who spent 21 years at Target leading teams and turning around broken store cultures. Now, she helps organizations of all sizes build intentional, people-first leadership from the inside out. If you’ve ever wondered why good leadership still feels so...

Think email marketing is old news? Think again. In this episode, I sit down with email strategist and marketing expert Allison Hardy to unpack the future of email marketing in a world dominated by social media and AI. From debunking the myth that "email is dead" to breaking down why authentic urgency beats fake scarcity every time, Allison shares practical strategies for making your emai...

You hit the milestone. You achieved the goal. You checked every box—and yet… something still feels off. In this episode, I sit down with holistic leadership coach Kasey D’Amato for a powerful conversation about what happens after success. We unpack the emotional aftermath of reaching a big milestone—like publishing a book—and the uncomfortable questions that come next. From navigating burnout to r...

“You don’t need to be an expert to be valuable—you just need a perspective.” In this episode, I sit down with personal brand strategist, educator, and prolific content creator Brian Mikula to unpack the real reason so many professionals hold themselves back from showing up online. If fear of judgment, burnout, or “not being expert enough” has kept you from building your brand—this episode is for y...

“You can't teach give-a-shit.” That quote sums up the conversation I had with seasoned marketing executive Anne Marie Benard. Anne Marie shares her journey across industries. From Target and energy sponsorships to media, healthcare, and now higher education at the University of Utah.  But this isn’t just a résumé rundown, it’s an honest, insightful and often hilarious deep dive into how to ma...

Think you need a big, dramatic life moment to tell a powerful story? In this episode, I sit down with bestselling author, master storyteller, and 61-time Moth StorySLAM winner Matthew Dicks to explore the magic of everyday storytelling—and how the smallest moments often carry the biggest impact. From his life-changing “Homework for Life” practice to the science of what makes a story stick, Matthew...

You’ve hired a sales team, but they’re not performing the way you hoped. You’re still the one carrying the weight of bringing in revenue, and the dream of “someone taking sales off your plate” feels further away than ever. Sound familiar? In this episode, Michael and Veronica break down exactly why your sales team might be struggling and spoiler alert: it’s not about their talent. It’s about your...

What does it take to go from the NFL to the boardroom—and bring your whole identity with you? In this live-recorded episode of The Rainmaker Podcast, I sit down with six-time Pro Bowler, TV personality, and entrepreneur Brandon Marshall for an unfiltered conversation about building a brand, breaking mental health stigma, and bridging the gap between content and commerce. Brandon opens up about the...

Ever wonder how some brands create die-hard fans who wouldn’t dream of buying from anyone else? In this episode, I sit down with Bill Neff, a marketing powerhouse known for his work with YETI and beyond, to break down the secrets behind brand loyalty, community-driven marketing, and authentic storytelling. Bill shares his journey from professional kayaking to becoming a key player in the outdoor i...

What if social media wasn’t really social—but instead, a space for self-discovery? This week, Xanthe Wells, VP of Global Creative at Pinterest, joins me to unpack how Pinterest is redefining the way people interact with content, brands, and their own identities. Unlike other platforms, Pinterest isn’t about followers or fleeting trends—it’s about inspiration, aspiration, and personal growth. Xanth...

How does a 175-year-old brand stay relevant in a constantly evolving market? Tracey Panek, Levi’s brand historian, joins me to share how Levi’s balances heritage with innovation to remain a cultural icon. From historical accuracy in marketing to the brand’s deep connection with customers, Tracey offers a fascinating look into how storytelling shapes Levi’s identity. We dive into what exactly the r...

How do you market a brand when the product itself is completely out of your control? This week, Kathryn Dobbs, Chief Marketing Officer of the Columbus Blue Jackets, joins me to share her unique perspective on sports marketing, fan loyalty, and how to create an unforgettable game-day experience—regardless of what’s happening on the ice. We dive into the challenges of keeping fans engaged during tou...

What separates a good brand from an iconic one? This week, Chris Kneeland, co-founder of Cult Collective and expert in brand loyalty, joins me to break down the strategies behind cult-like brands and what makes them stand the test of time. Chris shares how brands like John Deere, Airbnb, and Lululemon built deep emotional connections with their audiences—and how you can apply these lessons to your...

What happens when honesty becomes your best client filter? This week, Michelle Morgan—PPC expert, agency owner, speaker, and consultant—joins me to share her no-nonsense approach to client relationships, why setting firm boundaries upfront matters, and how being brutally honest helps her attract the right clients (and scare off the wrong ones). Michelle gets real about the state of the marketing i...

What happens when an entrepreneur transitions back into the corporate world—but on their own terms? This week, Mandy Balak, newly appointed President of The Gathering, joins me to share her journey from business owner to leading one of the most renowned marketing events in North America. We dive into what it means to shift identities, embrace new leadership roles, and navigate the tension between...

What’s the smartest way to use Meta ads without relying on them as your sole traffic source?  This week, Amanda Robinson—Facebook ads expert and Meta-certified speaker—joins me to break down the best strategies for leveraging Meta ads to amplify your marketing efforts rather than using them as a last-ditch effort to rescue a struggling campaign. In this episode, we dive into the mindset shifts mar...

What does it really take to build an unforgettable personal brand? This week, Sun Yi, branding expert and founder of Night Owl Nation, joins me for a no-BS conversation about personal branding, marketing, and the fine line between influence and integrity. Sun shares why most personal brands fail, the difference between true experts and knowledge brokers, and how to stand out in a world full of noi...

What does it take to craft meaningful connections between brands, athletes, and fans? This week, Cameron Wagner, a veteran sports marketer with over two decades of experience, joins me to share her journey in creating impactful activations and redefining sports marketing. From orchestrating partnerships at six Olympic Games to working with iconic brands like Hasbro and P&G, Cameron offers a be...