The Hard Corps Marketing Show

Welcome to a special New Years edition of the podcast! As we kick off a new year, we’re revisiting one of our most timely and strategic LinkedIn Live conversations! This discussion with Paul Jones, Moderator of the Connect To Market Community & Founder of Bridgio, explores why podcasts are becoming a critical pillar of B2B go-to-market strategies heading into 2026 and beyond.This episode is a powerful reminder that podcasts aren’t just another content channel. They’re a relationship-building engine, one rooted in generosity, trust, and long-term value. With markets getting noisier, buyers more resistant, and AI flooding feeds with sameness, this conversation reframes podcasts as a “give-first” GTM lever that helps brands stand out by actually connecting.In this episode, we delve into:Podcasts as a Strategic GTM Tool. Podcasts should be treated as a core go-to-market asset, not just content, and how they build trust, credibility, and real relationships in B2B.The most effective podcasts focus on giving value, attention, and platform to guests and audiences, lowering resistance and creating organic opportunities over time.A candid look at unclear goals, poor positioning, AI-driven noise, and why buyers are increasingly resistant to pushy, transactional marketing.Micro-Niches Over Mass Appeal. Serving a specific, well-defined audience beats trying to speak to everyone, and how micro-niche focus drives stronger engagement and results.Prioritizing the guest (then the listener, then the brand) leads to better conversations, stronger relationships, and more downstream business impact.The importance of weekly consistency, integrating podcasts into your broader GTM strategy, and using AI to responsibly repurpose human-driven conversations.✨ As we move into 2026 and beyond, it’s time to break old myths, drive real impact, and connect with people in ways that actually matter.🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of The Hard Corps Marketing Show!Connect with Paul Jones: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauljones101/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/  Ways to Tune In:Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/id1338838763Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f4497c6-b402-4cad-9018-1e41b7e8f2bb/the-hard-corps-marketing-showSpotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/1vVLpNI1LssMTiL6KdsamnStitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-showGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1oYXJkLWNvcnBzLW1hcmtldGluZy1zaG93 Hard Corps Marketing is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/ 

Welcome to a special holiday edition of the podcast! This week, it’s just me, Casey, taking a moment to slow down, reflect, and send some genuine holiday love your way. No guests, no agenda just a heartfelt solo episode centered on gratitude, connection, and why you and what you do truly matter.As the year winds down, I’m sharing reflections on how gratitude has become a powerful antidote to anxiety, fear, doubt, and frustration, especially during the holidays. This episode is about more than feeling thankful; it’s about expressing it openly and building a culture of appreciation in our work, our marketing, and our lives.In this episode:🙏 Excessive Gratitude: Why there’s no such thing as being too grateful. Exploring the idea that “excessive gratitude is never too much” and how gratitude can shift your mindset in powerful ways.💬 Feeling vs. Expressing Gratitude: Why silent gratitude doesn’t do much good. From “wrapping a present and not giving it” to the importance of actually saying thank you out loud.🤝 Presence, Connection, and Appreciation: How gratitude helps us be more present with the people around us and strengthens relationships at work and in life.🎄 Heartfelt Thank-Yous: A genuine holiday thank-you to listeners, the production team, clients, friends, and family, because none of this happens alone.✨ Looking Ahead with Gratitude: Closing the year with encouragement to carry gratitude into the next one, celebrate with the people you care about, and start the new year grounded in appreciation.Thank you for being a part of this journey, and as we move into 2026, let’s continue smashing myths, making a real impact, and connecting in ways that matter.✨ Happy Holidays! Wishing you all peace, love, and gratitude this season. 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of The Hard Corps Marketing Show!Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/  Ways to Tune In:Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/id1338838763Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f4497c6-b402-4cad-9018-1e41b7e8f2bb/the-hard-corps-marketing-showSpotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/1vVLpNI1LssMTiL6KdsamnStitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-showGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1oYXJkLWNvcnBzLW1hcmtldGluZy1zaG93 Hard Corps Marketing is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/ 

How can marketing teams succeed when budgets shrink, expectations rise, and the pressure to perform intensifies?In this episode of The Hard Corps Marketing Show, I sat down with Matt Hummel, Chief Marketing Officer at Pipeline 360. Matt shares firsthand insights into why the modern environment is more challenging and dynamic than ever and what leaders must do differently to help their teams thrive. With deep experience navigating resource constraints, motivating teams, and driving performance in uncertain conditions, Matt sheds light on what it truly means to lead in high-pressure marketing environments.He breaks down why simply letting people achieve what they believe is possible is no longer enough. Instead, leaders must set higher expectations, push teams beyond their comfort zones, and foster a culture where adaptability and innovation aren’t just encouraged, they’re essential. We also explore the critical role of transparency, creative problem-solving, and clear communication in helping marketers stay resilient and effective, even when the odds aren’t in their favor.In this episode, we cover:Rising expectations paired with shrinking budgets and what that means for B2B marketers trying to hit ambitious targets.Why leaders need to challenge teams to stretch beyond perceived limits, not just maintain the status quo.How transparency around constraints can open the door to creative solutions and stronger team collaboration.The growing importance of adaptability, experimentation, and resilience as core marketing competencies.The leadership mindset required to navigate uncertainty, motivate teams, and drive performance despite limited resources.If you’re ready to strengthen your leadership approach and help your marketing team excel, even in the most challenging environments, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of The Hard Corps Marketing Show!Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/ Connect with Matt:Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthummel1/  Pipeline360’s Company Website: https://www.pipeline-360.com/ The Pipeline Brew Podcast: https://www.pipeline-360.com/resources?post_types=podcast#all Ways to Tune In:Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/id1338838763Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f4497c6-b402-4cad-9018-1e41b7e8f2bb/the-hard-corps-marketing-showSpotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/1vVLpNI1LssMTiL6KdsamnStitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-showGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1oYXJkLWNvcnBzLW1hcmtldGluZy1zaG93Hard Corps Marketing is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/ 

How can deep customer understanding drive more effective B2B marketing strategies?This special Hard Corps Marketing Show takeover episode features an episode from the Connect To Market podcast, hosted by Casey Cheshire. In this conversation, Casey sits down with Greg Perotto, VP of Global Marketing at Poggio to explore the power of deep customer understanding in shaping successful B2B go-to-market efforts. Greg emphasizes the critical need to move beyond surface-level personas and truly understand customer needs, priorities, and challenges to drive meaningful marketing and sales alignment.He shares how AI technologies can be leveraged to continuously update and deliver relevant, real-time context about customers, helping teams create more personalized and impactful experiences. Greg also reflects on his own career journey, offering advice on mentorship, self-awareness, and finding purpose in your work.In this episode, we cover:How to move beyond static personas and gain real-time, contextual customer understandingThe role of AI in scaling personalized marketing and keeping insights fresh and actionableWhy product-market fit is a moving target and how to stay aligned with evolving customer needsHow to use customer context as a strategic advantage in sales conversations and GTM planning🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of Hard Corps Marketing.Connect with Greg:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregperotto/  Poggio: https://www.poggio.io/ Ways to Tune In:Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/id1338838763 Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f4497c6-b402-4cad-9018-1e41b7e8f2bb/the-hard-corps-marketing-show Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/1vVLpNI1LssMTiL6Kdsamn Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1oYXJkLWNvcnBzLW1hcmtldGluZy1zaG93 YouTube: https://youtu.be/4Zr5UEypFVM Connect To Market is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/ 

How can marketers ensure their brand remains visible in an AI-dominated digital landscape?This special Hard Corps Marketing Show takeover episode features an episode from the Connect To Market podcast, hosted by Casey Cheshire. In this conversation, Casey sits down with David Reske, Founder and CEO of Nowspeed to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way companies achieve visibility and connect with customers. David emphasizes the urgency for marketers to adapt to AI technologies, especially large language models like ChatGPT, or risk becoming invisible in a rapidly evolving marketplace.He shares actionable strategies for creating an LLM briefing book to teach AI systems about your company, ensuring your brand appears in AI-driven search results. David also explains how to conduct AI-focused content audits, implement strategic content plans, and align SEO efforts with AI capabilities to stay ahead of the curve.In this episode, we cover:The rising influence of AI and LLMs in marketing visibilityHow to build an “LLM briefing book” to educate AI about your brandConducting audits and crafting content strategies for AI optimizationWhy marketers must act now to remain discoverable in AI-powered searches🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of Hard Corps Marketing.Connect with David:David’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidreske/  Nowspeed’s website: https://nowspeed.com/  Digital Marketing in the Zone: The Ultimate System for Digital Marketing Success: https://marketing-in-the-zone.com/  & https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Marketing-Zone-Ultimate-Success/dp/168350268X/ref=sr_1_1 In The Now: Untangling Marketing Myths Podcast: https://nowspeed.com/in-the-now/  Ways to Tune In:Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/id1338838763 Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f4497c6-b402-4cad-9018-1e41b7e8f2bb/the-hard-corps-marketing-show Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/1vVLpNI1LssMTiL6Kdsamn Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1oYXJkLWNvcnBzLW1hcmtldGluZy1zaG93 YouTube: https://youtu.be/4Zr5UEypFVM Connect To Market is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/ 

How can a smarter email strategy, not just more emails, transform your customer engagement and revenue?In this episode of The Hard Corps Marketing Show, I sat down with Megan Brewster, co-founder and lifecycle marketing expert at Bright Iris Marketing. Megan brings deep expertise in lifecycle marketing, data-driven decision-making, and automated email flows, sharing the strategies businesses need to scale their email performance without overwhelming their audiences.Megan breaks down why blasting your list with more emails isn’t the path to growth. She reveals the importance of targeted, timely messaging and why understanding your audience segments, especially your highest-value buyers, is essential. Megan also dives into the massive, often untapped potential of automated flows, the importance of clear design and strong calls to action, and how to use data and testing to continuously refine your communication strategy.In this episode, we cover:More emails don’t mean more revenue, over-sending can actually suppress engagement. Targeted, timely messaging that speaks to audience needs will always outperform sheer volume.Measure your campaigns and automated flows against industry benchmarks to understand what’s truly working. If metrics like engagement and revenue exceed standards, you’re on the right track.Flows like abandoned checkout, onboarding, and post-purchase journeys can generate up to half of your email revenue when optimized. Review them regularly to keep content relevant and high-performing.A clear message, strong visual hierarchy, and a call to action above the fold dramatically increase reader engagement. You have only seconds to capture attention, make the main point obvious fast.Not every A/B test will be groundbreaking, but consistent experimentation leads to steady improvement. Focus on refining what works rather than constantly reinventing your email strategy.If you’re ready to upgrade your email marketing with strategies that are both practical and proven, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of The Hard Corps Marketing Show!Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/ Connect with Megan:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-brewster/  Bright Iris Marketing’s Company website: https://brightirismarketing.com/ LifeCycles Holiday Calendar: https://lifecycle-lab.com/holiday-calendar/Commerce Catalyst Website: https://ccatalyst.co/  Silicon Slopes: https://www.siliconslopes.com/main Ways to Tune In:Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/id1338838763Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f4497c6-b402-4cad-9018-1e41b7e8f2bb/the-hard-corps-marketing-showSpotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/1vVLpNI1LssMTiL6KdsamnStitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-showGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1oYXJkLWNvcnBzLW1hcmtldGluZy1zaG93Hard Corps Marketing is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/ 

How can marketers master urgency to accelerate growth and boost sales performance?This special Hard Corps Marketing Show takeover episode features an episode from the Connect To Market podcast, hosted by Casey Cheshire. In this conversation, Casey sits down with Steve Kahan, Marketing Advisor at Insight Partners and bestselling author, to uncover the key to creating urgency in modern marketing. Drawing from his latest book, Steve shares proven strategies to spark action in potential customers and drive real business results.The conversation explores the psychology behind urgency, how to align marketing efforts with revenue goals, and why inaction can be your biggest competitor. Through engaging stories and practical frameworks, Steve reveals the exact playbook he’s used to help multiple companies achieve explosive growth.Steve breaks down how to highlight customer pain points, build constructive discomfort, and tailor urgency for both personal and market-level motivation. He also addresses how to bring urgency into “boring” industries and how marketing teams can apply these methods using scalable tools and organic traffic.In this episode, we cover:Understanding decision drivers and the psychology of urgencyIdentifying and exposing customer pain points to inspire actionCreating personal and market urgency that converts leadsLeveraging organic traffic and content to generate demand🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of Hard Corps Marketing.Connect with Steve:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevekahan/ Company website: https://www.insightpartners.com/ Ways to Tune In:Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/id1338838763 Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f4497c6-b402-4cad-9018-1e41b7e8f2bb/the-hard-corps-marketing-show Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/1vVLpNI1LssMTiL6Kdsamn Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1oYXJkLWNvcnBzLW1hcmtldGluZy1zaG93 YouTube: https://youtu.be/4Zr5UEypFVM Connect To Market is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/ 

How can marketers harness AI to create personalized, scalable, and effective marketing strategies?This special Hard Corps Marketing Show takeover episode features an episode from the Connect To Market podcast, hosted by Casey Cheshire. In this conversation, Casey sits down with Mike Montague, Founder of Avenue9 and Host of Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, to explore how AI-driven marketing can unlock new levels of connection and efficiency. The conversation dives into how storytelling, audience understanding, and AI tools come together to elevate marketing efforts.Mike shares actionable strategies for building trust through storytelling, qualifying audience personas, integrating AI for automation and scaling, and tailoring communications using personality insights. He also highlights the importance of continually refining your approach to discover the ‘aha’ moments that resonate deeply with your audience.In this episode, we cover:Building trust through storytelling and connecting with audiencesQualifying and understanding diverse audience personasCrafting scalable and adaptable marketing stories with AIIntegrating and automating AI tools to streamline marketing🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of Hard Corps Marketing.Connect with Mike:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedmontague/  Company website: avenue9.comHuman-First AI Marketing: https://podcast.avenue9.com/2435068/follow  Books: amazon.com/author/mikemontague Playful Human Quiz: https://playfulhumans.com/quiz/ Ways to Tune In:Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/id1338838763 Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f4497c6-b402-4cad-9018-1e41b7e8f2bb/the-hard-corps-marketing-show Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/1vVLpNI1LssMTiL6Kdsamn Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1oYXJkLWNvcnBzLW1hcmtldGluZy1zaG93 Connect To Market is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/ 

How can marketers use empathy and customer storytelling to drive B2B growth?This special Hard Corps Marketing Show takeover episode features an episode from the Connect To Market podcast, hosted by Casey Cheshire. In this conversation, Casey sits down with Rob Freedman, Vice President of Marketing and Partnership at EZO, to explore the power of empathetic marketing and authentic customer storytelling. The conversation centers on how listening deeply to customers can transform them into brand champions and fuel sustainable B2B growth. He shares actionable strategies for mining customer stories, leading customer interviews, and creating internal alignment to strengthen go-to-market efforts. Rob also emphasizes the value of measuring engagement and leveraging data without losing the human connection that drives great marketing.In this episode, we cover:Turning customer stories into powerful marketing narrativesLeading with empathy to build authentic customer connectionsCreating internal alignment to support storytelling at scaleMeasuring engagement to guide strategy and prove impact🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of Hard Corps Marketing.Connect with Rob:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robfreedman Twitter: https://x.com/robfreedman EZO: https://ezo.io/ Ways to Tune In:Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/id1338838763 Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f4497c6-b402-4cad-9018-1e41b7e8f2bb/the-hard-corps-marketing-show Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/1vVLpNI1LssMTiL6Kdsamn Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1oYXJkLWNvcnBzLW1hcmtldGluZy1zaG93 YouTube: https://youtu.be/A5fytYmXe8Y Connect To Market is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/ 

How can marketing leaders shift from tactical execution to strategic business alignment?This special Hard Corps Marketing Show takeover episode features an episode from the Connect To Market podcast, hosted by Casey Cheshire. In this conversation, Casey sits down with Alan Gonsenhauser, founder and CEO of Demand Revenue, LLC and experienced CMO advisor, to explore the transformation of marketing leadership. Alan emphasizes the critical need for marketing efforts to align tightly with overall business strategy, moving beyond mere tactics to drive measurable business outcomes.He shares actionable insights on creating remarkable customer experiences, prioritizing retention and upsell, and leveraging AI as a tool to enhance but not replace innovative thinking. Alan also explains the importance of speaking the language of the C-suite and focusing on net revenue retention to elevate marketing’s role in the organization.In this episode, we cover:The shift from tactical marketing to strategic business alignmentUsing AI to enhance marketing without losing innovative thinkingThe importance of customer retention and net revenue retentionCommunicating effectively with the C-suite to drive impact🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of Hard Corps Marketing.Connect with Alan:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alangonsenhauser/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlanGonsenhauser  Demand Revenue: demandrevenue.com Ways to Tune In:Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/id1338838763 Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f4497c6-b402-4cad-9018-1e41b7e8f2bb/the-hard-corps-marketing-show Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/1vVLpNI1LssMTiL6Kdsamn Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1oYXJkLWNvcnBzLW1hcmtldGluZy1zaG93 Connect To Market is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/