Full Battery Media

I sat down with Ben Staley, a two-time Emmy-winning director, producer, cinematographer and photographer, to talk about the art of storytelling.  Ben grew up off the grid in Alaska and learned storytelling around a campfire. That upbringing shaped a career spanning documentaries, commercials and television for Netflix, Discovery Channel, Nat Geo, History Channel, A&E and Red Bull, including mo...

I sat down with Shannon Martin, lead podcast strategist at Lower Street Media, to talk about why most podcasts never build a real audience.  We got into why chasing famous guests isn't a strategy anymore, why "attention spans are shrinking" is a lazy excuse and why turning one episode into thirty clips usually just means thirty mediocre pieces of content instead of three great ones....

I thought I had to make every channel fit a perfect strategy. With Ailani, that meant trying to turn her into “the smart science kid” instead of letting her be a kid who enjoys making videos. It stopped being fun—for her and for me. The moment we let go of the box, the content got better. More importantly, she started loving it again. Strategy, editing, thumbnails, and quality all matter. But none...

I sat down with Yasir Khan, a product designer and builder who's spent his career turning frustration into working prototypes.  We got into why the best businesses never start in a boardroom - they start with someone feeling the friction of a broken process, like Henry Ford solving transportation or a windshield wiper inventor solving a rainy commute.  Yasir broke down the real difference bet...

I sat down with Andy Crestodina, co-founder of Orbit Media Studios, to talk about something marketers often get completely backwards: getting more traffic doesn’t automatically mean getting more business. Andy has spent more than 25 years studying SEO, content marketing, conversion rate optimization, analytics, AI, and visitor psychology, and his perspective completely changes how I think about di...

In this episode, I sit down with Niki Clark of Niki Clark Marketing to unpack what’s actually working in content marketing and social media right now. We talk about why audiences are getting tired of overly polished videos, AI-generated content, algorithm-chasing, and the pressure to constantly post more. Instead, Niki makes the case for authentic storytelling, behind-the-scenes content, real huma...

I filmed my own surprise proposal using DJI Osmo cameras, Sony cameras, POV footage, photographers, and a full video crew. I only had one chance to get it right. In this video, I break down exactly how I filmed one of the most important moments of my life, from documenting the making of the engagement ring to capturing the actual proposal live during a fashion show. Because there are no retakes wi...

Frank Ruiz is back on the Full Battery Media Podcast for the second time, and this conversation goes far beyond a typical movie review. As an audio post-production engineer, Frank breaks down why Sinners feels so unforgettable, how its blues-driven soundtrack becomes the foundation of the story, and why the film’s iconic juke joint sequence takes such an enormous creative risk. We also explore how...

In this episode of the Full Battery Media Podcast, I sit down with filmmaker, podcaster, and media professional TJ Moore to explore what it really takes to create meaningful work and build a life that feels authentic. With more than 20 years of experience in film, television, and commercials, TJ shares why talent alone is never enough and why perseverance, practice, and a willingness to keep showi...

I spent months building content around a specific project, with five editors putting in full days for more than three months, only to have something outside our control suddenly change everything. It sucked, but it reminded me of one of the most important lessons I’ve learned from years of working in content creation and media: your content strategy is never sacred. When a plan falls apart, you ha...

In this episode, I sit down with Simona Costantini, founder of Volt Productions, to talk about why so many podcasts fail even when the person behind them is smart, passionate, and full of great ideas. Simona breaks down the real work behind launching, growing, and monetizing a podcast, from knowing who your audience is to understanding why they should care.  We talk about the difference between cr...

I sat down with Josiah Swank, a creator strategist who's worked on channels with billions of views, to talk about the AI takeover everyone in media is either panicking about or profiting from.  We got into why so many creators are suddenly leaning on AI tools, what it can actually do for YouTubers trying to grow, and where it falls flat.  Josiah broke down the biggest mistake creators make wh...

I sat down with Maya Middlemiss, a writer, speaker, and remote work storyteller who's spent years helping freelancers and solopreneurs navigate every wave of tech disruption, and this time the wave is generative AI.  We talked about her new venture, Solopreneur Superpowers, and why the barrier to building something real has never been lower, not financially, not technically, just psychologica...

In this episode of the Full Battery Media Podcast, I welcome podcast host and producer Will Tarashuk back for a wildly unexpected journey through content creation, entrepreneurship, personal branding, and The Lord of the Rings. We explore what Frodo, Sam, Gandalf, Aragorn, Saruman, and the rest of the Fellowship can teach modern creators about storytelling, leadership, teamwork, influence, and sta...

I sat down with Noemi Beres, founder of Podcast Connections, and walked away reminded of something we all know but rarely practice - people don't remember what you said, they remember how you made them feel.  Noemi has spent six years helping entrepreneurs get booked on the right podcasts, and her philosophy goes way deeper than strategy. It's about showing up as a real human being, not...

I sat down with Jill Nordquist, a marketing and licensing veteran with over two decades of experience in consumer packaged goods and a self-described branding nerd, to dig into what actually makes a brand stick.  We talked about why the best brands aren't just selling products - they're selling feelings, memories, and a sense of belonging.  Jill broke down what 14 years at Mattel taught...

I sat down with podcast producer Emma Krebs to uncover what actually separates a successful podcast from one that disappears after only a few episodes. Emma shares how creating her own show eventually led to a full-circle opportunity working for The Minimalists Podcast , the very show that first inspired her career. We break down the hidden work behind podcast production, including research, guest...

I sat down with Brandon Keys, founder of Green Candle Media and YouTube growth strategist, to break down why so many great videos never get the views they deserve, and what it actually takes to build momentum on YouTube from scratch.  Brandon has helped founders, real estate developers, and niche creators go from a few hundred views to tens of thousands, and in this conversation, he pulls back the...

In this episode, I sit down with Joni Deutsch, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Audience Development at The Podglomerate, to uncover what it actually takes to grow a successful podcast. We discuss why so many creators experience podcast burnout, how unrealistic download goals can kill momentum, and why understanding your audience should come before trying to dominate every social media platf...

In this episode of the Full Battery Media Podcast, I sit down with Devon Thomas, who helps business owners fire their ad agencies and learn how to run their own ads.  What I loved about this conversation is how honest Devon was about why so many businesses spend money on marketing but still do not get customers. It usually is not because the business is bad. It is because the message is unclear, g...

In this episode of the Full Battery Media Podcast, I sat down with Olivia Allen, founder and CEO of Village Financial Services, to talk about something that changed the trajectory of her entire business - showing up on LinkedIn without a perfect plan and just starting. Olivia built a 45-client firm by sharing what she knew about Schwab operations openly and consistently, without gatekeeping, witho...

I sat down with YouTube strategist Majied LaFleur to uncover what actually makes content go viral and why millions of views rarely happen by accident. Majied shares his journey from working as an engineer on Broadway productions to developing ideas for major creators, including his time as an ideation strategist with MrBeast. We break down the research, experimentation, failed videos, and strategi...

I sat down with Evan Shapiro, the man the internet calls the media cartographer, and this conversation completely reframed how I think about building an audience right now.  Evan has spent years mapping the entire media universe, and he was sounding the alarm on traditional television's collapse long before Hollywood wanted to admit it was happening.  We get into why big media basically hande...

I sat down with Bryan Jepson, a retired emergency medicine physician turned certified financial planner. Bryan spent a long career in emergency medicine before making one of the boldest pivots I’ve heard of: going back to school for a master’s in finance, becoming a CFP professional, and building an entirely new career centered on helping physicians and special needs families navigate their financ...

In this episode, I sit down with Bob Gower, founder of Splendid Torch, to talk about AI adoption, company culture, creativity, and why the future of work is not just about better technology.  Bob brings a really unique perspective because he looks at AI through the lens of human systems, organizational design, philosophy, and adaptability. We get into why so many companies are using AI the wrong w...