They Turn Video Games Into Movies & TV — Here's How

How does an old video game get reborn as a modern entertainment behemoth? Just ask the producers behind Sonic the Hedgehog, Tomb Raider, and more. Their names are Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg, co-founders of Story Kitchen, a media company that specializes in adapting classic video games and other unconventional IP for TV and film. Upcoming projects include adaptations for Toys R' Us, Teddy Ruxpin, Toe Jam & Earl, and more. On this episode, they share what makes a character worth reviving — and how to do it right. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Remember the Sonic “Two Guys” commercials? That simple marketing campaign transformed the brand — but creating it wasn’t simple at all. In this episode, Cliff Hudson (former Sonic CEO) and Craig Miller (former Sonic CIO) share how the “Two Guys” campaign emerged through testing, refinement, and real-time feedback. This  low-budget idea turned into a powerful brand asset. Hungry for more? Check out their book, Bricks and Clicks: How We Drove Sonic into the Digital Age. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you want to learn to predict what your competitors will do next and prepare for it? Arjan Singh, author of Competitive Success: Building Winning Strategies with Corporate War Games, joins the show to explain how companies of any size can use war game simulations to uncover blind spots, anticipate moves, and build stronger contingency plans. Singh has worked with 68 of the top 100 companies on the Fortune Global 500 list, and teaches marketing at SMU’s Cox School of Business. In this episode, he breaks down how to run a corporate war game and how it can help you build a more resilient, forward-looking strategy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a space evolving as fast as AI, how do you build something that stays relevant? According to Misbah and Farah Uraizee, co-founders of Nectar Social, the answer starts with founder-market fit. Solve the problem that you are uniquely suited to solve. In this episode, they share how that clarity helped them land early clients, raise a full seed round without even using a pitch deck, and introduce a bold new solution to the marketplace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a high-tech world, old-school relationships still win. So take a cue from Hollywood: Film producer and financier Matthew Helderman, cofounder and CEO of BondIt Media Capital and Buffalo8, shares how his team turned the classic business lunch into a repeatable growth strategy - one so effective, it’s written into the employee handbook. These social outings have even led to seven-figure deals. In this episode, Matthew explains how to systematize relationship-building to open doors, uncover opportunities, and grow any kind of business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone says to “build your personal brand,” but how do you actually do that on LinkedIn? In this episode, Jason talks with Laura Lorenzetti, Senior Director and Executive Editor at LinkedIn News, about what really works and what doesn’t. They walk through how to create content that sparks conversation and build a strategy for growing your personal brand. Along the way, they bust some common LinkedIn myths, and Laura shares just when the perfect time to post on LinkedIn really is. Whether you're growing a business or a career, this is how to make LinkedIn work for you. Want more strategies for finding your next big client on LinkedIn? Check out Jason's new course, LinkedIn Mastery. Get 40% off with code PS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What holds us back from doing new things? The answer is often learning — there's too much information to absorb, and we get stuck trying to consume it all. Pat Flynn has a different model. He's the creator of Smart Passive Income and the YouTube channel Deep Pocket Monster, and has developed a framework he calls Lean Learning. (It's also the name of his new book.) It's a way to learn information faster, and discard what isn't necessary. It's helped him launch new products, reach millions on YouTube, and stay focused while scaling. This episode will help you build a system for learning only what drives results. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Need cash to grow? Small businesses often have trouble accessing traditional financing, which is why global marketplace eBay is stepping in to help. On this episode, eBay's VP and GM of Financial Services and Payments, Avritti Khandurie Mittal, explains the financing challenges that many small businesses face, how eBay Seller Capital is making financing accessible to them on transparent terms, and her advice for founders who are seeking funds. This episode is sponsored by eBay. Learn how the eBay Seller Capital program can fund your business growth. Visit http://ebay.com/sellercapital Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lauryn Bosstick turned The Skinny Confidential into more than just a brand. She built a deeply invested community. That connection has fueled product launches, new ventures like Dear Media, and cultivated long-term brand loyalty. In this episode, she breaks down how she tells a brand story, gets her audience excited to buy in, and sets healthy boundaries without losing trust. If you're trying to grow a business around a loyal following, she’s your guide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The smartest companies aren't just using AI — they're building custom AI tools just for them. Just ask Jeff Wharton, CEO of Bloomin’ Blinds. His company faced a common industry-wide problem and turned to AI for a solution. The result? A proprietary tool called BloomScale, which helps employees precisely measure windows, match customers with the right window treatment, and create instant visual mockups. In this episode, Jeff shares how they partnered with an AI firm, built a system tailored to their needs, and made it simple enough for any employee to use. Whether you're in home services or healthcare, this is a playbook for how AI can help you lead your industry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices