Go Fungal

For founder-led brands, driving growth isn't always about spending more or adding more marketing channels. Matt sits down with guest Anna Bleers, founder of Fearless Strategic Marketing and a former BBDO marketing leader, to unpack why growing brands often plateau and how a stronger marketing strategy can help them break through.Anna shares her approach to identifying what's really holding a business back, building distinctive brand positioning, and connecting with consumers in meaningful ways. She also explains how she's using AI to accelerate her strategic thinking while keeping human insight and creativity at the center.What you'll learn in this episode:How brands can refocus on strategy before tactics and execution.How to identify what's actually preventing a business from growing.Why understanding consumer needs is the foundation of powerful brand positioning.Check out Anna on LinkedIn!https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-bruno-bleers/   

A town hall can announce a transformation, but it can’t make change happen on its own. Matt sits down with Sylvia Maldonado, a fractional communications chief, to unpack why organizations often get transformation and change communications wrong. Sylvia explains why communications leaders need to think like business partners and help employees understand what’s changing, why it matters, and what’s in it for them.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why the “one and done” town hall mentality doesn’t workHow leaders can make transformation communications more human and effectiveWhy CEOs, managers, peers, and frontline employees all have a role in communicationHow to connect communications and content to real business outcomesCheck out Sylvia on LinkedIn!https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylviamaldonado/  

AI is making it easier to create, automate, and move faster, but can it replace the experience needed to develop good judgment? Matt sits down with fractional CXO Jennifer Severns to explore human-centered AI and why technology should enhance, not replace, critical thinking, craft, and human connection. Jennifer explains why AI can be a powerful shortcut for experts, but relying on it without lived experience can lead to work that feels hollow or simply “off.” From design and customer experience to creativity and innovation, she shares why understanding the human on the other side should remain at the center. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why you can’t shortcut craft and judgment What human-centered AI really means How AI can amplify expertise Why critical thinking still matters Check out Jennifer on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennerus/

As AI transforms healthcare, organizations face a growing challenge: how do you scale trusted expertise while addressing a global workforce shortage? Matt sits down with Leslie Marshall, Director of Marketing at neuRealities, to discuss building a healthcare technology brand from the ground up and using AI to transform training. Leslie shares how her experience at Morningstar shaped her approach to brand building. She also discusses the thinking behind the company’s brand launch and why content and video have become powerful tools for building credibility and supporting sales. What you'll learn in this episode: - What went into building the neuRealities brand - How AI can help scale training and expertise in Healthcare - Where video content can build trust and support sales - How to launch a brand from the ground up   Check out Leslie on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslieamarshall/

AI is changing how buyers research, shortlist vendors, and validate decisions before ever reaching out to sales. Matt sits down with guest Gina Hortatsos, Chief Growth Officer at DefenseStorm, to unpack how her team built an AI-powered content machine without sacrificing authenticity, quality, or buyer relevance.   Gina shares how DefenseStorm uses workflow architecture, buyer insights, subject matter experts, and human-in-the-loop review to create content at greater speed and scale. She explains why AI is not magic, why architecture matters, and how high-quality content can help brands show up in AI search while still sounding like real humans.   What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why practical buyers are intolerant of generic “AI slop” - How DefenseStorm built a content workflow using Notion, Claude, and human review - Why architecture is the foundation of any effective AI content system - How AI search visibility and ICP website traffic improved after launching the process   Check out Gina on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginahortatsos/ 

In high-ticket B2B sales, your reps can’t be in the room every day. Matt sits down with guest Mani Oller, a corporate B2B marketing expert, to unpack how content helps brands stay top of mind, build trust, and support long sales cycles. Mani shares how marketers can move beyond generic messaging and reverse-engineer their content from the real business problem buyers are trying to solve. He explains why great B2B content proves performance before purchase, gives prospects a feel for what it’s like to work with you, and keeps competitors from getting a foot in the door. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why most B2B companies need to say more clearly what they actually do How to use the “five whys” to find the real buyer problem Why content scales trust when salespeople can’t physically be there How client stories can inspire buyers and accelerate the sales pipeline Check out Mani on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/manioller/

As AI creates more noise than ever, business leaders are under pressure to move fast without chasing every shiny new tool. Matt sits down with guest Mark Rickmeier, CEO of TXI, to unpack how leaders can focus on the right problems before jumping to technology solutions. Mark shares how he spends his time building relationships, learning from competitors, and creating immersive communities that help leaders grow. He explains why the best use of technology starts with understanding real business challenges, especially for companies that move, make, or maintain things. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why leaders should focus on problems before solutions How Mark builds trust and community with competitors, clients, and peers How “cooperation” with competitors can create stronger businesses How TXI helps industrial companies find practical uses for data, AI, and intelligent products Why “speed to value” should replace “move fast and break things” Check out Mark on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/markrickmeier/ 

As AI reshapes how marketing teams work, the fundamentals matter more than ever. Matt sits down with guest Ann Hoeger, a fractional CMO and change management leader, to unpack why better briefs, clearer roles, and stronger agency relationships lead to better creative work. Ann shares what she has learned across CPG, B2B, private equity, innovation, and brand-building environments. She explains why great marketing starts with clarity: knowing your customer, defining success, assigning roles, and building enough trust to solve problems when the work gets messy. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why a strong brief acts like a contract between a client and agency - How unclear roles create friction across teams and agency partners - Why “clarity is kindness” when managing multiple agencies or consultants - How AI is changing the briefing process and raising the bar for human judgment Check out Ann on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhoeger/

Brands are fighting harder than ever to break through a congested landscape. Matt sits down with guest Michael Shmarak to unpack how creative PR, timing, and human connection helped revive the historic Smith Brothers cough drop brand and turn it into a national retail success story. Michael shares the behind-the-scenes thinking that helped transform Smith Brothers from a forgotten legacy brand into a product carried in over 42,000 stores across the US and Canada. Michael explains how great marketing happens when brands tap into emotion, personality, and culture—not just product features.  What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why personality and storytelling matter more than product specs in marketing  - How Michael took a cultural moment from the Chicago Blackhawks and leveraged it into a success campaign.  - Why human connection still beats technology when it comes to building trust and brand loyalty  - Michael’s perspective on “moments-based marketing” and creating cultural relevance in real time Check out Michael on LinkedIn!

As AI continues to reshape how work gets done, it’s also quietly changing how people learn to do the work in the first place. Matt sits down with Antonio Garcia to unpack a growing concern: AI may be accelerating output, but it’s also threatening the job experience that junior professionals need to advance.   Drawing from his own experience, he breaks down what actually makes a great mentor, and how intentional guidance can be career defining. In an attempt to bridge the generational gap, Antonio has helped start a mentorship program, Strength in Numbers. It’s a Chicago based group focusing on senior professionals taking accountability for young people's progress.     What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why AI may be limiting early-career, on-the-job learning opportunities - The key traits that separate good mentors from great ones - How mentorship can be the defining factor in a young professional's careers.   Check out Antonio on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/amgarcia/ Don't forget to check out Strength in Numbers below.  https://strengthinnumbers.cargo.site/