Explore every episode of the podcast Marketing Sucks
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The End-of-Year Marketing Audit Every Business Needs | 18 Nov 2025 | 00:24:29 | |
Marketing audits aren’t sexy or fun. But if you’re running your business on *viBeS* instead of data, you don’t actually KNOW what’s working and driving conversions, and what’s just keeping you busy and wasting your money. In this value-packed episode of Marketing Sucks, Phil and I walk you through the 5-part end-of-year marketing audit that will help you fix your performance, community, content, budget, and planning, so you can start actually moving the damn needle and seeing solid ROI. Hit play and get ready to cut out some dead weight and busywork. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:11 Intro 01:01 Why audit? 03:12 Performance audit 05:54 Financial audit 10:29 Community & relationship audit 13:35 Content & strategy audit 16:57 Future audit 20:07 Action item 21:39 Wrap-up & outro — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Why Your Marketing Isn’t Working (and How to Fix It) | With Kirsten Jordan | 11 Nov 2025 | 00:40:50 | |
Business owners today have access to a literal ton of marketing tools and an endless stream of advice from marketing gurus. So why are so many entrepreneurs still seeing zero ROI? In this episode of Marketing Sucks, the brilliant marketing coach Kirsten Jordan joins me to chat about why biz owners still struggle SO HARD with their marketing today, and how to create a marketing plan that actually works for your business goals. Tune in as we talk about bad strategies, good coaches, the limitations of social media, the hidden costs of going viral, and the marketing tools you should never ever pay for. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Kirsten Jordan is a marketing coach who helps entrepreneurs create authentic marketing strategies that are grounded in intention, inspiration, and impact. She teaches business owners how to connect through storytelling and build marketing that feels both powerful and true to who they are. Timestamps: 00:12 Meet Kirsten Jordan 04:30 Why entrepreneurs struggle 06:43 Good marketing coaches 08:35 One-size-fits-all 11:53 Beyond social media 14:44 Business goals 17:20 Clarifying questions & going viral 21:12 Productive procrastination 24:22 Posting frequency 27:11 Investing in marketing 34:11 Gather Society 39:02 Action item Links mentioned: Kirsten Jordan LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kirstenjordan Instagram: @kirstenjmarketing — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Turning Customers into Brand Advocates: The Power of Word-of-Mouth Marketing | 09 Sep 2025 | 00:26:30 | |
The easiest way to boost your sales is to get people talking. 92% of us trust recommendations from people we know over any other form of advertising. A 5-star review shared during a coffee date between friends, partners, or business besties drives far more sales than a slick slogan or filtered photo. If you’d love to turn your customers into volunteer brand advocates who can’t stop hyping up your offers, this episode of Marketing Sucks breaks down the strategy, step by step. Tune in as Phil and I reveal how to master the oldest form of marketing (that too many people have forgotten about): word-of-mouth. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:12 Intro 01:59 Oldest form of marketing 03:11 Influencing & purchasing decisions 04:47 Brands that nail it (and how) 05:43 Strategy breakdown 07:13 Brand examples 08:42 Vulnerability & share triggers 12:00 Prioritizing investments 16:42 Celebrate your people 19:54 Build community 24:22 Action item & outro — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Lessons Learned Living Abroad | 02 Sep 2025 | 00:25:07 | |
The end of the summer means saying goodbye to the slower flow of Portuguese life… and returning to the go-go-go hustle of Toronto. While Phil and I spend every summer in Portugal, this one hit a little different as we’re now working on building Grind Social as a team. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, we share some of the biggest business, marketing, and life lessons we’ve learned while living and working together abroad (and how they’ve changed our life in Canada). Tune in to learn how we evolve our business to fit a different way of living each year, why GoDaddy isn’t making any money in Portugal, and how to start marketing like a European. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:12 Intro 01:57 Portuguese way of life 03:08 Slower culture 05:06 Detaching from scheduling 07:22 Focus on PEOPLE, not jobs 10:13 Marketing like a European 14:36 Work-life balance 18:35 Urgency culture 21:30 The European you 24:25 Outro — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| The Role of Daily Habits in Marketing Success | 26 Aug 2025 | 00:26:20 | |
Success is a stroll, not a sprint. When it comes to building your biz, smart habits matter WAY more than hustle. So forget the 24/7 grind and doing it all — making just a few right moves every day will help you scale sustainably, In this super-actionable episode of Marketing Sucks, Phil and I dig into the 6 daily habits (not hacks!) that will help you stay on track with your strategy, build the muscle for success, and give your marketing some REAL momentum, so you can move the needle over time without totally burning out. Tune in to create a killer marketing habit stack that helps you get the right sh*t done! Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:11 Intro 01:59 Discipline v. consistency 03:19 Building the RIGHT habits 06:51 Content check-in 08:50 Engagement 09:55 Creating every day 12:46 Rating your CTAs 14:50 Marketing to your list 17:00 Why we hate habits (& do them anyway) 21:06 Building lists 23:13 Action item 25:43 Outro — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| The Top 5 Marketing Mistakes You're Making (And How to Fix Them) | 19 Aug 2025 | 00:26:20 | |
Stop making your marketing harder than it has to be! In this episode of Marketing Sucks, Phil and I reveal the top 5 marketing mistakes you’re probably making right now — and how to stop driving yourself crazy struggling to do it ALL. Listen in as we break down the most crucial do’s and don’ts of showing up online, reveal the #1 easiest way to boost your conversions, and give you our official permission to stop posting on every single platform. This is a must-listen episode for new and seasoned biz owners, so don’t miss it! Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:11 Intro 02:08 Trying to be everywhere 05:29 Repurpose or not? 06:25 Dominating your platform 08:16 Having a strategy 10:53 Ignoring your list 13:28 Selling without solving 16:44 Time crunch 18:40 Chasing perfection 23:20 Recap 24:14 Action items & outro — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Staying Motivated Through Marketing Slumps (Especially in Summer) | 12 Aug 2025 | 00:26:29 | |
If you’ve been struggling to stay motivated with your marketing as the temperatures rise and your DMs dry up, we’ve got you covered. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, Phil and I dive into the dreaded summer slump — and how to turn your slow AF summer into a strategy lab that helps you CRUSH IT in the fall! Tune in as we talk about why summer slumps happen, why you should never take them personally, our five biggest tips for staying motivated, and why you should reframe summer as a set-up season, rather than a slow season. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:12 Intro 02:16 Why summer slumps happen 03:34 It’s not YOU 06:55 Work the slow season 08:02 Audit what’s working (or not) 10:10 Update your offers & pricing 11:15 Prep your fall campaign 14:32 Remember your WHY 18:31 Set mini-goals 19:10 Find an accountability buddy 21:30 Create before you scroll 23:08 Romanticize 25:54 Action item & outro — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| REPLAY: Let’s Write Your Brand Story with Philip Ginther | 05 Aug 2025 | 00:29:11 | |
When it comes to brand storytelling, your About page is just the first step. Your story should guide your marketing strategy and the way you show up for your audience - and a killer story can help you build connection, trust, and an engaged community that wants to work with you! As Senior Creative Director at global children's entertainment company Spin Master, Philip Ginther has helped shape the stories of big-name brands such as Paw Patrol and Rubik’s Cube. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with Phil to tackle some of the biggest FAQs around copywriting for brands. Tune in to learn Phil’s top tips for easy, consistent brand storytelling that connects, including a simple celeb-themed writing exercise that’ll help you master the tone of your brand voice without overthinking it! Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Phil Ginther is a Creative Director & Copywriter with over 14 years experience. He’s currently a Senior Creative Director at Spin Master leading global brands such as Rubik’s Cube and Hatchimals, and spends most of his day at play. Timestamps: 00:12 Meet Phil Ginther 01:32 Phil’s business journey 03:15 Leaving the daily grind 05:22 Joining Spin Master 08:11 Know thyself & thy lane 10:23 Weaving story into marketing 13:29: UGC, Red Bull & Liquid Death 17:10 Brand voice exercise 22:09 Your action item 25:04 Quick-fire questions 26:06 Headphone story & outro — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Growing a Brand with your Spouse / Living in Portugal | 22 Jul 2025 | 00:43:46 | |
We’re flipping the script! This episode of Marketing Sucks is a collab with the Love Saranghae Podcast. Hosts Peter Lee and Andrea Mourad have Phil and I in the hot seats, and we keep it R-E-A-L while discussing marriage, business, and what can happen when you mix the two. During this conversation, Phil and I share what it’s really like to grow a successful brand with your spouse on your own terms. Tune in as we dig into the nitty-gritty of balancing ambition with freedom, building a life and business that supports our love of travel, and why you need to let yourself feel the fear when faced with bold choices (and then make them anyway). We also get into our day-to-day experiences of working from Portugal each summer and why this annual trip became a non-negotiable family goal. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest host bios: Andrea Mourad and Peter Lee are the co-founders of two award-winning Korean skincare companies: Saranghae Skincare and Orora Skin Science. Partners in life and business together, they are on a mission to share their journey through the exciting world of entrepreneurship, relationships, and the secrets behind achieving that coveted healthy glow. Timestamps: 00:11 Intro 01:11 Meet us! 03:09 Why summer in Portugal? 07:30 Triggering moment 10:16 Feel the fear, do it anyway 12:31 9-month plan 16:35 Summer workdays 21:27 Conscious trade-offs 25:04 Working together 33:32 Finding your brand voice 41:42 Living life on your terms 42:37 Outro Links mentioned: Love Saranghae lovesaranghae.com/pages/lovesaranghae-podcast-with-peter-and-andrea Facebook: facebook.com/lovesaranghaeskin YouTube: youtube.com/lovesaranghaeskin Instagram: @lovesaranghaeskin — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Babe, You're Hired: Marketing Sucks Gets a Co-Host | 08 Jul 2025 | 00:18:15 | |
Big news! Marketing Sucks now has a co-host: my husband and new podcasting partner-in-crime, Philip Ginther. He’s also the new VP of Marketing at Grind Social! A little about Phil: he’s an award-winning creative director, expert brand storyteller, and copywriter with over 15 years of experience. As the former Senior Creative Director at Spin Master, he led massive brands including Rubik’s Cube, Paw Patrol, and Hatchimals. I’m super stoked to have Phil on board to share his insights and experience working with agencies, entrepreneurs, and big corporation machines. During this conversation, we talk about why he decided to ditch the corporate life, how managed chaos can keep workdays exciting, and what it’s like to work with me (yep, he answers honestly)! Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:11 Intro 03:00 All about Phil 04:30 Joining Grind Social 06:57 Shifting to agency life 11:10 Entrepreneurship lessons 13:46 Phil’s pod goals 15:14 Bloated decks 16:50 Outro — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| REPLAY: Paid Ads 101 with Alvaro Berrios | 01 Jul 2025 | 00:40:42 | |
Thinking about taking the plunge into paid ads? Wondering why your current campaign is falling flat? I got you. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with Alvaro Berrios, founder of the digital marketing agency Alvaro Berrios Digital. As a leading expert in ad management, Alvaro helps his clients get mucho bang for their ad spend bucks. Tune in as we discuss ALL things paid ads — when to use them, how much to pay for them, how to know when you’re ready for your first campaign, and how to avoid unethical ad agencies. Along the way, Alvaro shares his wild trial-by-fire intro to the world of Google and Facebook Ads, his #1 piece of advice for setting the budget of your first ad run, and why he turns away a TON of potential customers. This conversation is a value-packed paid ads primer that ALL business owners can learn from — don’t miss it! Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Alvaro Berrios is the founder of Alvaro Berrios Digital, a leading digital marketing agency. He's an expert in ad management across major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Google, and YouTube. Alvaro excels at creating strategies that boost audience engagement and drive sales. Timestamps: 00:12 Intro 01:00 Meet Alvaro Berrios 02:05 Alvaro’s intro to ads 06:19 Prepping for paid ads 09:42 Start slow & set a budget 12:39 The right platform & mindset 16:17 Ethics in marketing 18:57 Successful campaign components 24:08 Boosting v. actual ads 28:10 When to hire an ads manager 31:31 Unethical agencies 32:58 Ad trends 37:16 Lay the foundation Links mentioned: Alvaro Berrios alvaroberrios.com/facebook-ads-rapid-launch Instagram: @imalvaroberrios YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCSmui7YHlQ0PepO1Y61s_QA — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| From Zero to Page One: How to Actually Win With SEO with Adrienne Kmetz | 24 Jun 2025 | 00:44:17 | |
There’s a TON of confusion about SEO right now. If you’re wondering what even works these days (or are just taking your first steps) this episode of Marketing Sucks is for you. I’m joined by fabulous SEO and content expert Adrienne Kmetz to explore what SEO actually means, bust some major myths, and outline the path to your highest ROI! Tune in as we dig into the REAL nitty-gritty of modern search engine optimization — how to choose and create your niche pillars, what to benchmark and build before investing in paid media, and how to grow organic traffic without spending the whole damn month writing content. No fluff or super-techy jargon, just accessible GOLD. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Adrienne Kmetz is a 20-year marketer with a love for content and SEO. She partners with marketing leaders to help them add structure and scale to their operations. She spends most of her time offline though, in the Colorado mountains where she lives with her two dogs. Timestamps: 00:12 Meet Adrienne Kmetz 02:21 Adrienne’s story 06:50 What is SEO? 10:43 How to get started 13:02 Growing organic traffic 17:20 Marketing foundations & customer delight 24:00 Pillars & core pages 26:28 Organic funnels & paid media 28:05 Hair extension story 31:44 Content is queen 34:36 Key metrics to track 37:53 Investing in paid media 42:10 Your action item 43:35 Outro Links mentioned: Adrienne Kmetz — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| The Worst Advice We Ever Got in Business | 04 Nov 2025 | 00:23:09 | |
Being an entrepreneur means dealing with a ton of unwanted opinions from people who don’t actually know our businesses. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, Phil and I talk about some of the all-time worst business advice we’ve received, from being shut down for taking up too much space to being told to pick a more “feminine” business name. Tune in as we cover the most hilarious, offensive, sexist, and financially insane advice we’ve ignored over our careers, how to tell when someone has zero effing clue what they’re talking about, and the questions you should ask yourself when considering unsolicited advice. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:12 Intro 01:51 Change your name 03:58 Offer deep discounts 09:48 Tone it down 14:19 Filtering advice 20:57 Action item — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| How Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs Thrive by Breaking the Rules | 17 Jun 2025 | 00:47:41 | |
Neuro-spicy business owners thrive when they figure out how to work WITH their brains instead of against them — no matter what everyone else is doing. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I chat with advocate and educator Erin Tee, who champions neurodiversity in education and beyond as the owner and creative producer of the Endless Films Collective, a much-needed platform for storytelling and learning that centres neurodivergent voices. Erin shares how uncovering her kid’s neurodiversity helped her realize her own… and led her to build her brilliant biz. We get REAL about the experience of neurodivergent entrepreneurship and spill some practical tips for both ND and NT biz owners. Tune in as we chat about tapping into your energetic productivity schedule, why sometimes procrastination is actually a power move (so go ahead and watch some Vanderpump Rules), and how to respect different learning styles. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Erin Tee is the owner and creative producer of Endless Films Collective, a multidisciplinary hub for media and education. Combining her 20+ years of experience in media production with her expertise in neurodiversity, Erin has transformed the Collective into a space where impactful visual media and neurodiversity-affirming education intersect. The Endless Films Collective creates innovative, inclusive, and meaningful content, specializing in visual communication and educational solutions for diverse clients. Timestamps: 00:12 Meet Erin Tee 02:42 Erin’s story 07:15 The Power of Neurodiversity 10:41 Procrastination & timing 15:43 Productivity & energy 23:22 Inclusivity in business 26:48 Communication & time management 32:20 Learning styles 36:24 Human first 40:52 Captions & connection 45:47 Outro Links mentioned: Erin Tee Instagram: @erinktee — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| How Safe Spaces Save Lives | 10 Jun 2025 | 00:43:19 | |
If you’re a man, have men in your life, are raising a young man, or just love Natacha Pennycooke (because she’s the best!), you’ll want to hit play on this episode of Marketing Sucks! In this mental-health-focused episode, I sit down with Natacha, her fellow psychotherapist and registered social worker Kunle Ifabiyi, and brand storytelling expert Phil Ginther to talk about the biggest mental health challenges men tend to face — and why they’re often so resistant to talking about them. During this roundtable convo, we get into the root cause of why men can struggle so much with expressing emotion, why they’re statistically less likely to seek mental health support, how to deal with misplaced anger, and why hosting regular “Dad Chats” can be immensely healing. This episode is super important, so let’s get started! Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bios: Natacha Pennycooke is a leader in workplace mental health, equity education, and psychological safety, a Mindset Coach, and an award-winning psychotherapist. Registered social worker and psychotherapist Kunle Ifabiyi specializes in self-esteem, life transitions, and men's issues as part of the team at Natacha Pennycooke Psychotherapy. Phil Ginther is a Senior Creative Director at Spin Master and a copywriter with over 14 years experience. Timestamps: 00:12 Intro 01:34 Root cause of emotional difficulties 05:47 How to help kids emote 10:08 Decoding & releasing anger 13:46 Fear of judgment & vulnerability 14:52 Dad chats & challenges 23:13 Coping with isolation & overwhelm 25:46 Building capacity 26:32 Equal partnership 30:22 Communication 34:05 Helping men open up 38:40 Find community 42:00 Outro Links mentioned: Natacha Pennycooke Psychotherapy linkedin.com/in/natachappennycooke linkedin.com/company/natacha-pennycooke-psychotherapy Instagram: @natachapennycooke.therapy — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Build Your Email List Today | 03 Jun 2025 | 00:18:09 | |
I love a good Instagram strategy, but I’ll be the first to say you can’t build a biz on socials alone. While social media is great for building awareness, your time and effort can be wiped out instantly by a tweak to the algorithm or an account suspension. Your email list is a revenue-generating asset you actually control, made up of people who want you in their inbox every week — so stop ghosting your audience and let’s get that list poppin’! This week’s short ‘n’ sweet solo episode of Marketing Sucks explores how to create irresistible lead magnets people will happily trade their email for, with examples of what actually works and what to avoid. Tune in to learn what sets killer lead magnets apart from boring yawn-fests, the four boxes you need to check while creating them, and how to build opt-in forms that don’t scare off or confuse potential leads. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:12 Intro 03:19 Benefits of email marketing 05:03 All about lead magnets 07:46 Choosing a good name & topic 09:56 Making it easy to sign up 12:53 Driving traffic 14:00 Nurturing your list 15:25 Selling via email 16:29 Recap & your action item Links mentioned: Marketing Sucks - The Anatomy of a Perfect Marketing Email Marketing Sucks- Let’s Talk About Email Marketing — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Networking with Ease with Deanna Seymour | 27 May 2025 | 00:47:15 | |
Crappy networking sucks and we all know it. I hate it. You hate it. And we still push ourselves to do it. But here’s the thing: networking doesn’t have to be awful — and if you do it right, it can actually be a good time. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with the lovely Deanna Seymour, queen of non-cringey networking. As the founder of vibrant online community The Playhouse, she’s created a welcoming space for service providers that gives members a TON of tools and opportunities to promote themselves without feeling salesy. Love it! During our conversation, we get deep into the good, the bad, and the gross when it comes to networking, and how to make it feel GREAT. You’ll discover why we need to stop with all the damn elevator pitches already (and what to do instead), how to break the ice with a bold wardrobe choice, and the trick to writing podcast guest pitches that make you look like a pro. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Deanna Seymour is the founder of The Playhouse, a community for service providers that actively encourages members to promote themselves without feeling salesy. Unlike other communities, it has built-in visibility opportunities for members to grow their audience. With a mix of humor, empathy, and real talk, Deanna helps the folks feel more comfortable in their own skin so they can have fun growing a sustainable and profitable business. Timestamps: 00:11 Meet Deanna Seymour 03:32 Entrepreneurial journey 06:13 Podcast pitching 08:24 Bad v. good networking 13:23 Introvert superpower 18:32 What to do at in-person events 25:10 Elevator pitches 33:08 Nurturing connections 39:46 Human-first approach 43:40 “Share what ya got” 46:11 Outro Links mentioned: Deanna Seymour linkedin.com/in/thedeannaseymour Instagram: @thedeannaseymour The Playhouse Dex — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| 10 Things Grief Taught Me About Showing Up Online (20 Years After Losing My Mom) | 20 May 2025 | 00:19:04 | |
Grief and loss change you in so many big and small ways that you never expected… and no one is immune. This week marks the 20th anniversary of my mother’s passing, an event that has hugely and forever changed my life, my perspective, and my approach to business. Over the last two decades, I built (and sold) a million-dollar business, created a family, grew a community, wrote two books, launched a podcast, and more, all while carrying an invisible but heavy weight. In this solo episode of Marketing Sucks, I share 10 lessons grief taught me about showing up as an entrepreneur, mom, partner, and friend, including the importance of delegation and boundary setting, why you don’t always need to be ‘on,’ and why it’s more than okay to take a break when you need to — it’s actually essential. Note: this episode covers heavy subject matter at points, so please skip ahead if needed. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:11 Intro 03:45 Being ‘on’ 05:27 Your audience will wait 06:37 Protecting your grief 08:29 Productivity culture 09:54 Energy-aligned scheduling 11:22 Delegation 12:29 Changing perspective 13:52 Boundaries aren’t optional 15:21 Honouring your pain 16:43 You matter more than metrics 17:48 Your action items & outro — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Mental Health Week - Your Questions Answered with Natacha Pennycooke | 13 May 2025 | 00:52:59 | |
Happy Mental Health Awareness Month! In our quarterly mental health episode of Marketing Sucks, I’m joined again by the incredible Natacha Pennycooke for a deep dive into some of the biggest mental health issues faced by business owners. This time around, we’re tackling juicy audience-submitted questions, like:
What should I focus on first when dealing with loss? Tune in as we explore our love-hate relationship with influencers (and how to strategically unfollow them), the benefits of connecting with like-minded people, and the surprising power of a well-placed sticky note. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Natacha Pennycooke is a leader in workplace mental health, equity education, and psychological safety, a Mindset Coach, and an award-winning psychotherapist. With over 13 years of experience, she is CEO of Natacha Pennycooke Psychotherapy, a flourishing anti-oppressive, healing-focused, and trauma-informed private group practice. Timestamps: 00:12 Meet Natacha Pennycooke 03:55 Addiction to work 07:41 Seeing yourself as others do 12:24 Setting boundaries 16:46 Social media comparisons 24:02 Figuring out your emotional needs 30:54 Anxiety or drive to succeed? 39:01 Dealing with loss 47:15 Therapy 51:47 Outro Links mentioned: Natacha Pennycooke Instagram: @natachapennycooke.therapy, @natachapennycooke.ceo — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| REPLAY: The Anatomy of a Perfect Marketing Email | 06 May 2025 | 00:20:20 | |
Sick of sending out emails every week without getting a single response, click-through, or sale? Before you hurl your laptop out the window and give up on email altogether, let me say this: email marketing, if done correctly, can have an ROI of $36 for every $1 spent. Not only is email one of the most powerful tools at your disposal, it’s also one of the few channels that you can control. If Mark Zuckerberg decides to shut down Instagram tomorrow, there’s not a damn thing you can do about it… but you’ll always own your mailing list. So, let’s turn it into your biggest moneymaker. This value-packed episode of Marketing Sucks reveals the anatomy of a killer marketing email, from subject line to signature. Join me as I break down the biggest email do’s and don’ts so you can get the most bang for your marketing buck! Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:12 Intro 02:11 Testing & email goals 05:49 Email intro 08:32 Email body 11:18 Language & structure 12:44 Call-to-action 14:47 Formatting & aesthetic 17:23 Footer, compliance & recap 19:04 Your action item — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| When to Stop Taking Advice and Start Acting in Your Business | 29 Apr 2025 | 00:13:10 | |
Is your webinar habit slowly killing your business? While I’m all for learning, consuming too much advice online makes it HARDER for you to move forward and see results. Information overload doesn’t just put you at risk of decision paralysis, it can trick you into believing you’re being extremely productive when you’re not actually turning tips into action. Think about it — how often do you actually put those course or webinar strategies to work in your biz? If you want to show up as a business owner instead of a hobbyist, you need to get out of avoidance mode and start doing the damn thing. In this tough love episode of Marketing Sucks, I reveal how signing up for a billion masterclasses keeps you playing small, and the simple deadline trick that’ll help you shift from passive consumption into timely execution, so you can start getting REAL value from virtual summits and courses! Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:12 Intro 02:28 Doing v. consuming 03:44 Readiness isn’t real 05:33 Why you hold yourself back 07:06 Action beats overthinking 09:05 Ditch people-pleasing & perfectionism 10:28 Accept expiration dates 12:08 Act like a big fish 12:42 Outro — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| The Hard Truth About Burnout with Lyndsay Cormier | 22 Apr 2025 | 00:34:05 | |
Hustle culture is more dangerous than you think. My guest on this episode of Marketing Sucks almost lost her life to the 24/7 grind… and walked away with some insights you NEED to hear. Ten years ago, Event & Brand Photographer and Burnout Coach Lyndsay Cormier was working multiple jobs and living on energy drinks when she experienced a terrifying burnout wake-up call that totally changed her life. Our conversation digs deep into the intense lessons Lyndsay learned, the ten-year healing journey that made her a bona fide overwhelm expert, and how you can reduce your risk of burning out. We also chat about her empathetic approach to brand photography and how she helps her clients get more comfortable about who they are so they can show up confidently. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: As an Event and Brand Photographer, Lyndsay Cormier has worked weddings and events for the last decade, and in the last three years has focused on businesses and brands to bring their vision to life through imagery while supporting them through the process. As a Coach, she works with clients on preventing and overcoming burnout and renewing their energy and motivation professionally and personally. Timestamps: 00:11 Meet Lyndsay Cormier 04:54 Pivoting to brand photography 10:07 See it, feel it, be it 13:59 Lean into YOU 16:52 Lyndsay’s burnout story 20:10 Burnout lessons 22:08 Coping mechanisms 23:13 Boundaries 29:40 Rest 30:46 Your action item 33:00 Outro Links mentioned: Lyndsay Cormier offcenterphotography.mypixieset.com Instagram: @offcenterphotography, @lc.cormier — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Webinars That Sell | 15 Apr 2025 | 00:24:04 | |
Want to create webinars that get people fired up to buy all the things? As an avid learner, I’ve seen a ton of webinars. There are HUGE differences between the boring-ass presentations that just want to sell to me and the engaging, value-packed webinars that get me legit excited to pull out my card — and some of them may not be what you expect! In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I put my decade of experience in adult education to good use and reveal why your presentations haven’t gotten the results you’re looking for — and what you need to know to consistently create engaging, trust-building webinars that do what they’re supposed to do! I explore the three types of learners showing up to your presentations, how to keep them from closing Zoom before your pitch, and a super-simple, high-impact framework for creating better webinars, programs, masterclasses, and mini-courses. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:11 Intro 03:05 Three types of learners 05:04 Visual, auditory & kinesthetic learners 07:37 Reaching visual learners 09:05 Reaching auditory learners 10:53 Reach kinesthetic learners 12:07 My presentation formula 16:59 First webinar story 19:34 Urgency, Q&A & mistakes 22:02 Your action item 23:29 Outro — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| The Impact of AI on Creativity, Confidence, and Human Connection | With Natacha Pennycooke | 28 Oct 2025 | 00:46:17 | |
Is AI making us more productive? Or is it burning us out and stunting our growth? What does healthy AI use actually look like? In this episode of Marketing Sucks, Phil and I are joined once again by award-winning psychotherapist and mindset coach Natacha Pennycooke to explore the intersection of mental health, entrepreneurship, and AI, and the hidden ways ChatGPT can hurt our brains and businesses. Natacha drops some cold hard facts about AI’s disruptive impact on creative rituals and executive function, the rise in AI diagnoses, and the risk of AI addiction. Can’t quit your bot bestie? Don’t worry — we also cover where AI shines, how to use it to enhance (not replace) your thinking, and some simple tips and tricks for restoring cognitive function. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
*Content note: brief mention of suicide 20:55-21:09. Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Natacha Pennycooke is a leader in workplace mental health, equity education, and psychological safety, a Mindset Coach, and an award-winning psychotherapist. With over 13 years of experience, she is CEO of Natacha Pennycooke Psychotherapy, a flourishing anti-oppressive, healing-focused, and trauma-informed private group practice. Timestamps: 00:12 Meet Natacha Pennycooke 03:08 AI is a tool 04:10 AI & productivity 08:10 Trust your brain 10:59 Creative confidence 12:48 AI & marketing 15:45 Outsourcing validation 19:40 AI therapy horror story 21:41 Long-term implications 23:40 AI diagnoses 29:35 Human element v. quick-fix tools 39:13 Restoring balance & function 45:51 Outro Links mentioned: Natacha Pennycooke Instagram: @natachapennycooke.therapy, @natachapennycooke.ceo — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Wealth Strategies with Kerry Rizzo | 08 Apr 2025 | 00:36:54 | |
We need to bust the myth that women aren’t good with money. Thanks to this BS belief, we have more trouble getting business loans and more anxiety about investing and financial planning. Here’s the thing: we’re actually better at managing money — so let’s change the narrative and take control of our financial health! My guest for this episode of Marketing Sucks was named one of the Top 50 Leading Women in Wealth in Canada for two years running, one of the Top 50 Advisors in Ontario, and is the #1 person I want to talk to about ANYTHING finance! As the founder and owner of BlueRidge Private Wealth, Kerry Rizzo helps people and businesses uncover their best financial goals, minimize their taxes, and make smarter investing decisions. Listen in as this award-winning Sr. Investment Advisor shares the best steps female entrepreneurs can begin taking right now to build a strong foundation for long-term financial stability. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Kerry Rizzo has worked for 3 of the top 5 financial institutions in Canada, receiving multiple promotions and awards. Since leaving corporate brokerage, Kerry founded BlueRidge Private Wealth, operating under the brokerage banner of Harbourfront Wealth Management. She also founded and owns Kerry Knows Money, a firm designed to empower financial education and financial independence with a focus on increasing female representation for investors and advisors. Timestamps: 00:11 Meet Kerry Rizzo 05:38 Kerry’s journey 09:54 First steps for financial stability 13:59 Get comfortable & have the conversation 19:47 Working with an advisor 24:46 Key mistakes 27:22 Start early 30:34 Your action item 35:18 Outro Links mentioned: Kerry Rizzo linkedin.com/in/kerry-rizzocfp Instagram: @KerryKnowsMoney TikTok: @kerryknowsmoney6 — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Staying Organized (Without Losing Your Mind) with Britt Gaudio | 01 Apr 2025 | 00:42:31 | |
Do you have killer organization skills in your business — but cringe at the chaos in your kitchen or living room? This episode of Marketing Sucks is for bad-ass biz owners who need a little help to get their living space as uncluttered and streamlined as their Google Workspace. My guest is Britt Gaudio, owner and Head Nester of wellnested Living Co. As a professional organizer and decluttering coach, she helps busy people optimize their space, so they can focus less on stuff and more on what matters. Our conversation explores why entrepreneurs struggle with organization, the parallels between decluttering and marketing, why Britt’s home edit content sets her apart from the crowd, and how she landed multiple hot collabs with some big-name influencers! Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Britt Gaudio is a corporate escapee turned professional organizer and decluttering coach. As the Owner and Head Nester of wellnested Living Co., she strives to help busy parents, entrepreneurs, and professionals take back their space and reclaim their calm with in-home and virtual organization services. Timestamps: 00:11 Meet Britt Gaudio 04:10 Britt’s clients 07:06 Why we struggle with organization 08:29 Why talk about clutter? 11:23 Function, aesthetics & ‘decanting’ 16:41 Keep it simple 18:53 Home edit content 22:59 Working with influencers 27:49 Doing the work & being authentic 31:14 Aligned giveaways 33:01 First steps for organizing 35:52 Don’t tidy for cleaners 40:56 Action item & outro Links mentioned: Britt Gaudio Instagram: @well.nested.living Ultimate Decluttering Checklist wellnestedliving.myflodesk.com/ultimatedeclutteringchecklist Daily Reset Checklist wellnestedliving.myflodesk.com/dailyresetchecklist — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Why Your Website Sucks (And How to Fix It) with Inkling Design | 25 Mar 2025 | 00:41:27 | |
Think you can build a successful, sustainable business on social media alone? While social media is an amazing tool for business growth, it’s unpredictable — and having a fabulous social presence won’t protect you from losing your audience if a platform goes down, is bought by Elon Musk, or gets banned in your country. Alongside your social strategy, you need a strong website or landing page and an email list that YOU control. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I’m joined by Andrea Krones and Kelley Gibson of the women-run graphic design and website development studio Inkling Design, which specializes in customized WordPress websites. We dive into the biggest website trends businesses cannot afford to ignore right now, the trick to crafting excellent user experiences that keep visitors from leaving your site, and how to audit your website to cut out the fat, filler, and fumbly navigation. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Inkling Design is a design & web agency helping heart-centered humans with their branding, websites, and marketing materials. The agency specializes in creating custom WordPress websites for service-based businesses on a mission to do good in their communities and beyond, and empowers others to take control of their branding and website with confidence so that they can stay in their zone of genius when it comes to scaling their business. Timestamps: 00:11 Meet Andrea Krones & Kelley Gibson 06:08 Reacting to social media changes 10:24 AI tools & personal touch 15:46 Home page experience 17:48 User-centric design 22:10 Website auditing 28:16 My big website mistake 30:21 Custom v. template 32:47 Website price points 36:33 Scaling your website later on 39:31 Action item & outro Links mentioned: Inkling Design linkedin.com/company/inkling-design Instagram: @inkling.design — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Podcasting 101 with The Ultimate Creative Podcast Company | 18 Mar 2025 | 00:50:57 | |
Hosting a podcast is a ton of work, but a high-quality show can be one of your most powerful marketing tools — for one thing, your episodes will outlive your Instagram Reels by YEARS. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with the amazing Emily Decloux of The Ultimate Creative, a Toronto-based podcast production company that helps small biz owners and subject matter experts share their voices and thought leadership via audio. During this high-energy conversation, Emily and I dive into the REAL nitty-gritty of hosting a podcast that doesn’t suck (or make you dread plugging in your microphone). We talk about what a well-made podcast can do for your business, why AI is wildly overhyped when it comes to editing, and why you shouldn’t set out to be the next Goal Digger if that’s not your vibe. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe. Full disclosure: Emily is my podcast producer and I highly recommend her! Guest bio: Emily Decloux created her own career path by completely ignoring her gut instincts, realizing she needed to listen to them, and then following her passions. It’s a little backwards but hey, she got here, right? Emily is the founder & CEO of podcast editing company The Ultimate Creative, 1/5th of the sketch comedy troupe Big Chick Energy, and a wedding and event producer under the banner The Joy Factor. She released a comedy music album called Take Your Life More Seriously under the name Emily Milling in 2022. Timestamps: 00:12 Meet Emily Decloux 03:18 Working with a newborn 06:27 Boundaries 10:56 What to consider before launching 16:05 Authenticity & energy 18:00 Prep, lead gen & listens 21:08 Putting in the work 26:16 Recording, equipment & tech tips 35:36 Ideal episode length & content 40:37 Interview & edit tips 45:18 Ditch the script 46:37 Podcasting trends 50:10 Outro Links mentioned: Instagram: @emily.decloux Marketing Sucks: The Anatomy of a Perfect Marketing Email buzzsprout.com/2296686/episodes/16393762 Yeti X Mic Pop Filter amazon.ca/Yeti-Mic-Filter-Foam-Winscreen/dp/B08F24HGKH Blue Yeti mic set-up youtube.com/watch?v=gjNf94cwCsk&t=1s Riverside Descript — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Building Everyday Moments with Palak Dave | 11 Mar 2025 | 00:42:04 | |
Has the pandemic shift to doing EVERYTHING online left you feeling starved for IRL community? If unplugging from the digital world is on your to-do list, you’ll want to listen to this episode of Marketing Sucks. My guest Palak Dave, known as the ‘Queen of IRL,’ is the founder of the Embiria Social Club and an experience expert who has curated and hosted over 350 super-memorable community and media events. Palak is championing a movement towards everyday fulfillment and joy, and encouraging others to prioritize IRL moments and human connection over digital distractions. During our conversation, you’ll learn what to expect from Palak’s events (and why you NEED to check them out), how she hits the sweet spot when it comes to community-building and monetization, and why she’s so driven to help other people live their lives fully. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Palak Dave is a mission-driven entrepreneur, experience expert, speaker, and author of Beautiful Everydays: A Guide to Living in the Here and Now. Formerly an award-winning marketer at companies including the Toronto International Film Festival and Indigo Books and Music Inc., she began her entrepreneurial journey in 2017 by founding Embiria (meaning experience), which has evolved to Embiria Social Club — a community helping women feel more fulfilled in their everyday lives. Timestamps: 00:12 Meet Palak Dave 02:51 Palak’s journey 05:52 Palak’s events 09:52 Make an impression with intention 11:04 Struggling with connection 13:38 Drive for more connection 17:16 After loss 20:54 Everyday moments 27:59 Sustainable success & mental health 33:57 Attending events as a shy person 39:40 Action item & outro Links mentioned: Palak Dave 7 Levels Deep — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Balancing Family Life and Entrepreneurship: Productivity Hacks | 04 Mar 2025 | 00:27:34 | |
When you’re a mom and a business owner, it’s easy to feel stretched thin 24/7. If you spend your days juggling family, business goals, and self care (if you’re lucky), it can feel like you’re constantly falling behind and even failing. As a mom of two and entrepreneur of 20 years, I’ve done it all… and had the burnout to prove it. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I explain why the perfect work-life balance is BS — and how to make it all work anyway. Tune in as I share a few of my hottest hacks and strategies for boosting your productivity, handling your calendar, and setting solid boundaries, so you can take back control of your life. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:12 Intro 01:26 No perfect balance 03:30 Mom guilt 04:49 Business with babies 06:51 Setting your non-negotiables 11:35 Time for yourself 13:07 Scheduling meetings 14:44 Blocking off your calendar 17:07 Setting boundaries 22:04 Involving your family 24:07 Impact over perfection 26:17 Your action items — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Building a Franchise Empire with Jessica Sennet | 25 Feb 2025 | 01:09:59 | |
Have you ever dreamed about building a brand that’s bigger than you? In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with the amazing Jessica Sennet, CEO of Mighty Mom, a fitness company that helps prenatal and postpartum women get strong and comfortable in their own skin. Jessica not only helps moms build new muscles, endurance, and confidence, she’s also built a kick-ass franchising empire. In this no-holds-barred conversation, Jessica shares the accidental, non-linear entrepreneurial journey that took her from New York City acting auditions to boot camps in Toronto parks. We talk about how she made the shift from a personal brand to a scalable fitness biz with MAJOR franchise potential, the mindset challenge that almost knocked her off-course, and the business boot camp that made a huge difference. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Jessica Sennet is a CPT, Fit for Birth Corrective Exercise Specialist, Oh BABY Fitness Instructor, CORE + DRA Expert, and a graduate of many specialized workshops and seminars in Prenatal and Postpartum Fitness. Timestamps: 00:13 Intro 01:16 Meet Jessica Sennet 03:21 Accidental entrepreneurship 07:38 Shift to Mighty Mom 09:56 Non-linear path to success 12:36 CEO mindset 20:46 Dragon’s Den 26:15 Prepping & after the Den 39:05 Power of vulnerability 46:46 Franchising process 56:34 Do what you love 58:01 Benefits of franchising 1:04:37 5k stroller walk 1:06:37 Outro Links mentioned: Jessica Sennet Instagram: @mightymomjess, @mightymomtraining — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Why Your Personal Brand Isn’t Working (And How to Fix It) | 18 Feb 2025 | 00:19:42 | |
A successful personal brand is the best business asset you can have, but trying to build one can leave you feeling like the Invisible Woman. You can post all the tips, tricks, hot takes and how-tos you want, but you won’t see a strong ROI if your personal brand is weak — it’s just not going to happen. If you’re sick of showing up online every week, posting a ton of high-value content, and getting crickets in return, this week’s episode of Marketing Sucks is for you. I dive deep into the nitty-gritty of building a strong and authentic personal brand that actually moves the needle. Listen now to learn what actually makes up your personal brand, how having a great one will supercharge your ‘like, know, trust’ factor, and what “providing value” really means. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:11 Intro 02:02 What is a personal brand? 03:40 Sharing authentically 05:13 The visible CEO effect 07:21 Fear of judgment 10:14 Defining your core message 11:17 Identifying your audience 11:55 Consistency, sharing & engaging 13:57 Using your words 15:22 Making time 18:27 Your action item 19:05 Outro — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Paid Ads 101 with Alvaro Berrios | 11 Feb 2025 | 00:40:42 | |
Thinking about taking the plunge into paid ads? Wondering why your current campaign is falling flat? I got you. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with Alvaro Berrios, founder of the digital marketing agency Alvaro Berrios Digital. As a leading expert in ad management, Alvaro helps his clients get mucho bang for their ad spend bucks. Tune in as we discuss ALL things paid ads — when to use them, how much to pay for them, how to know when you’re ready for your first campaign, and how to avoid unethical ad agencies. Along the way, Alvaro shares his wild trial-by-fire intro to the world of Google and Facebook Ads, his #1 piece of advice for setting the budget of your first ad run, and why he turns away a TON of potential customers. This conversation is a value-packed paid ads primer that ALL business owners can learn from — don’t miss it!
Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe!
Guest bio: Alvaro Berrios is the founder of Alvaro Berrios Digital, a leading digital marketing agency. He's an expert in ad management across major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Google, and YouTube. Alvaro excels at creating strategies that boost audience engagement and drive sales. Timestamps: 00:12 Intro 01:00 Meet Alvaro Berrios 02:05 Alvaro’s intro to ads 06:19 Prepping for paid ads 09:42 Start slow & set a budget 12:39 The right platform & mindset 16:17 Ethics in marketing 18:57 Successful campaign components 24:08 Boosting v. actual ads 28:10 When to hire an ads manager 31:31 Unethical agencies 32:58 Ad trends 37:16 Lay the foundation
Links mentioned: Alvaro Berrios alvaroberrios.com/facebook-ads-rapid-launch Instagram: @imalvaroberrios YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCSmui7YHlQ0PepO1Y61s_QA — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| The Anatomy of a Perfect Marketing Email | 04 Feb 2025 | 00:20:20 | |
Sick of sending out emails every week without getting a single response, click-through, or sale? Before you hurl your laptop out the window and give up on email altogether, let me say this: email marketing, if done correctly, can have an ROI of $36 for every $1 spent. Not only is email one of the most powerful tools at your disposal, it’s also one of the few channels that you can control. If Mark Zuckerberg decides to shut down Instagram tomorrow, there’s not a damn thing you can do about it… but you’ll always own your mailing list. So, let’s turn it into your biggest moneymaker. This value-packed episode of Marketing Sucks reveals the anatomy of a killer marketing email, from subject line to signature. Join me as I break down the biggest email do’s and don’ts so you can get the most bang for your marketing buck! Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:12 Intro 02:11 Testing & email goals 05:49 Email intro 08:32 Email body 11:18 Language & structure 12:44 Call-to-action 14:47 Formatting & aesthetic 17:23 Footer, compliance & recap 19:04 Your action item — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Ask Each Other Anything: The Spicy Business Edition | 21 Oct 2025 | 00:31:23 | |
Ever thought about building a biz with your spouse, but worry that you’ll drive each other crazy? In this Ask Each Other Anything episode of Marketing Sucks, Phil and I get REAL about our lives as married entrepreneurs, parents, and podcast co-hosts. We talk about our first jobs, our early lessons, the hidden costs of our lifestyle, and the hardest (and best) things about building a successful marketing business together. Listen now to learn why Phil loves going to the movies alone, what we each bring to Grind Social, and our #1 piece of advice for keeping your relationship fresh and interesting when you live and work together. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:12 Intro 02:33 Amanda’s first jobs 09:41 Phil’s first job 11:13 Phil’s #1 piece of content 13:16 Challenges of working together 17:59 Argument topics 19:13 Quick-fire questions 21:55 Working abroad 24:48 What inspires us 30:06 #1 piece of advice — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Embracing a Social First Mindset | 28 Jan 2025 | 00:15:50 | |
Turning lurkers into buyers takes a hell of a lot more than just a slick website or colour-coordinated Instagram grid these days. Bands that want to stay relevant in 2025 and beyond need to embrace a social-first mindset, which means rethinking social media’s role in your brand’s ecosystem, switching up how you connect with your audience, and knowing how to turn social feedback into marketing (and product development) gold. When you’re hands-on and intentional in the way you show up and operate your business, you can consistently give your audience what they need from you — instead of just adding to the noise. Ready to sharpen your strategy, cut out the fluff, and become part of the conversation? This super-juicy episode of Marketing Sucks digs into the nitty-gritty of developing a social-first mindset that will help you see your best results in 2025! Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:11 Intro 01:36 Social-first mindset & being hands-on 05:06 Your brand ecosystem & social insights 08:33 What a social-first future will look like 10:42 Listen more & break the silos 12:21 Authenticity 14:28 Outro — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| One Year Of Marketing Sucks | 21 Jan 2025 | 00:31:32 | |
Your brand story is so much more than just a few paragraphs tucked away on your About page — it should guide your marketing strategy and shape the way you show up for your audience. Having a strong story helps you spark connections, build trust, and grow an engaged community that wants to work with YOU, specifically. As Senior Creative Director at Spin Master, my guest (and husband) Phil Ginther has helped shape the stories of big-name toy brands like Paw Patrol and Rubik’s Cube. This episode of Marketing Sucks revisits our most popular 2024 conversation, which covered some of the biggest brand copywriting FAQs. Tune in to learn Phil’s tried-and-tested tips for easy, consistent brand storytelling that connects, including a celeb-themed writing exercise that’ll help you master the tone of your brand voice by zeroing in on the three adjectives that best describe it! Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Phil Ginther is a Creative Director & Copywriter with over 14 years experience. He’s currently a Senior Creative Director at Spin Master leading global brands such as Rubik’s Cube and Hatchimals, and spends most of his day at play. Timestamps: 00:11 Intro 02:33 Meet Phil Ginther 03:50 Phil’s business journey 05:36 Leaving the daily grind 07:44 Joining Spin Master 10:35 “Know thyself & thy lane” 12:33 Leaning into your pillars 15:51 User-generated content 17:03 Red Bull & Liquid Death 19:29 Brand voice exercise 24:30 Your action item 27:24 Quick-fire questions 28:27 Headphone story & outro — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Understanding Blue Monday: Mental Health Strategies for the New Year with Natacha Pennycooke | 14 Jan 2025 | 00:39:45 | |
While the third Monday of January has been called the most depressing day of the year, the surrounding weeks can also wreak havoc on your mental health. Many of us feel sad, tired, and unmotivated after the holidays, and the stress of our current economy can make these symptoms feel even worse. Your mental health has a direct impact on the health of your business. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I’m joined by brilliant psychotherapist and mindset coach Natacha Pennycooke to talk about the signs and symptoms you should keep an eye on during the winter months — and the mental health strategies that can help you kick off the New Year with less overwhelm! Tune in to learn how Blue Monday outgrew its gimmicky origins, why January is a mental health danger zone, and how to get seriously proactive about self care. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Natacha Pennycooke is a leader in workplace mental health, equity education, and psychological safety, a Mindset Coach, and an award-winning psychotherapist. With over 13 years of experience, she is CEO of Natacha Pennycooke Psychotherapy, a flourishing anti-oppressive, healing-focused, and trauma-informed private group practice. Timestamps: 00:11 Meet Natacha Pennycooke 01:41 Blue Monday 06:32 SAD & holiday stress 09:55 Prevention & prediction tips 16:17 Link between business & personal health 19:45 Mental health as a moneymaker 24:13 Investing in self care 29:59 7 types of rest & 5 closest people 34:14 Check-ins & hell months 38:42 Outro Links mentioned: Natacha Pennycooke Instagram: @natachapennycooke.therapy, @natachapennycooke.ceo We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power by Rachel Rodgers amazon.ca/We-Should-All-Be-Millionaires/dp/1400221625 7 Types of Rest — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Sacred Serenity: Redefining Productivity, Balance, and Self-Care with Francesca Brunsden | 07 Jan 2025 | 00:39:34 | |
We live in a world that glorifies hustle, where 12-hour workdays get high-fives and everyone competes to be the one doing the most. But when we’re constantly multitasking, we aren’t creating space for ourselves to literally just BE — and this inevitably leaves us feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and burnt out. While rest may be seen as unproductive, mental downtime actually fuels us… and gives our creativity a major boost. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with Francesca Brunsden, a Mindset and Human Design Alignment Coach who works with women who are sick and tired of the status quo, living on autopilot, and putting their needs last. We talk about how being a mom of three young kids during the pandemic led her to carve out a unique niche, how she helps her clients get the most out of their mornings, and what it means to be in a state of sacred serenity. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Francesca Brunsden is on a mission to help women guide themselves toward their goals while enjoying fulfillment in the day-to-day and practicing what it means to be relaxed in a world that promotes anxiousness. Through her group program and recently published journal, Diaries of a Relaxed Woman, she inspires women to find balance and joy. Francesca is an expat living in Toronto with her husband and three young children. Timestamps: 00:11 Meet Francesca Brunsden 02:34 Francesca’s journey 05:46 Pandemic pivot 09:18 Sacred serenity 12:04 Rest & productivity 16:47 How to start a daily practice 20:48 Morning ritual 22:36 Power of environment 26:19 Visualizing & setting boundaries 31:57 Forgetting the “how” & taking action 37:32 Your action item & outro
Links mentioned: Francesca Brunsden Instagram: @francesca_brunsden Diary of a Relaxed Woman: A Daily Journal Practice amazon.ca/Diary-Relaxed-Woman-Journal-Practice/dp/B0DH3S3D6Q — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| The Power of Simplification with Erin Binns | 24 Dec 2024 | 00:48:43 | |
Newsflash: “busy” is NOT the badge of honour people think it is. If you’re sick of the grind and want to stop overcomplicating EVERYTHING, this episode of Marketing Sucks is for you. My guest is the fabulous Erin Binns, a multi-million-dollar real estate mogul turned bad-ass business consultant who runs the brilliant workshop The Simplicity Shift. Our conversation explores the different ways we make things harder on ourselves for no reason — and how to break through the BS that keeps us stressed. Tune in to learn how to let go of the pesky perfectionism that keeps you doing more than you have to, navigate the gendered energies of task division, exercise more control over your calendar, and manage client expectations, so you can simplify your life and focus on what really matters. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Erin Binns helps service-based businesses and corporations simplify operations, elevate client experiences, and create more meaningful connections. Her signature workshop, The Simplicity Shift, empowers busy professionals to streamline their schedules, creating valuable space in their calendars to focus on what truly matters. She has a unique gift for turning ideas into actionable, successful projects. If you’ve been struggling to bring a vision to life, Erin will help you break through, transforming your ambitions into reality. Timestamps: 00:12 Intro 01:40 Meet Erin Binns 03:00 From hotel sales to consulting 06:41 Speaking on stage 08:55 “Busy as a badge of honour” 11:54 Rejecting martyrdom 15:51 Self-awareness & feedback 17:41 The Simplicity Shift 23:25 Setting expectations 27:50 Prioritizing the right things 29:59 Building client relationships 34:14 Gather Society 37:59 Hosting an outstanding event 45:31 Your action item 47:33 Outro Links mentioned: Erin Binns Instagram: @erinbinns Gather Society gathersociety.ca — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Managing Energy in Your Business with Chernell Bartholomew | 17 Dec 2024 | 00:51:51 | |
While this episode of Marketing Sucks is dedicated to mompreneurs, it’s packed with expert tips that will help any entrepreneur reduce the overwhelm and find energetic balance in their business. My guest is Certified Health Coach and bestselling author Chernell Bartholomew. Since experiencing burnout 9 years ago, Chernell has been on a mission to shift the focus in health from vanity to intentional energy, so you can feel connected to yourself and not crash every day at 1 pm. Our conversation dives DEEP into energy management and stress reduction. Tune in as we get real about the expectations of mompreneurship, the rise of crappy wellness trends (and what ACTUALLY works), and how to change the internal stories that keep you stressed out and guilty. BONUS: Chernell delivers a fabulous guided energy session that will connect you to your body and leave you feeling more grounded! Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Chernell is a Certified Health Coach, award-winning Registered Massage Therapist, speaker, and two-time bestselling author. She is a wife, mom of 3, and the founder of the Energized Mom Method, her signature program where she moves moms and female entrepreneurs from burnout to next-level energy with ease. Timestamps: 00:12 Intro 04:03 Meet Chernell Bartholomew 07:06 Guided energy session 10:30 Why she launched her business 12:39 Releasing guilt & asking for help 15:17 Energy management tips 17:22 Changing the story 22:07 Being intentional with time 27:41 Diet trends 32:30 Having more fun 35:23 Crafting story 38:56 Chernell’s evolution 42:54 Tetris & knowing your power 47:19 Putting woo-woo into action 48:23 Your action item 50:33 Outro
Links mentioned: Chernell Bartholomew vitalitymvmt.com/energized-mom-method Instagram: @chernell.energycoach — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Beyond the Gift Wrap: How Shopping Small Impacts Lives with Megan Munro | 10 Dec 2024 | 00:30:29 | |
In an economy where huge corporations rake in record profits as everyday people struggle, shopping small and local wherever you can is the right move. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with Megan Munro, owner of the incredible purpose-driven retail boutique Caribou Gifts. The cool thing about Caribou Gifts is that Megan sources most of her goods from small businesses owned by Canadians, women, and POC, so you can feel great about your shopping choices when picking up baskets of goodies. During this conversation, we discuss Megan’s journey from online-only to brick-and-mortar, map out her curation process, dig into why Q4 is such a crucial time for small business owners, and clear up some common misconceptions about small retail businesses (including the myth that they’re always more expensive)! Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Megan Munro is a results-oriented, experienced leader, team builder, and entrepreneur at heart. She is the founder, owner, and CEO of Caribou Gifts, a retail store offering customized and unique gifts and gift baskets for all ages. Megan infuses her values and experience into Caribou Gifts by prioritizing the customer experience and focusing on supplier diversity, ensuring that at least 75% of their suppliers are Canadian, 50% are women-owned, and 25% are minority-owned. Timestamps: 00:12 Meet Megan Munro 02:13 Launching Caribou Gifts 03:54 Going brick-and-mortar 07:32 Why support small businesses? 11:53 Misconceptions about shopping small 14:42 Curation process 19:14 Customer experience 23:20 Wholesale tips 29:34 Your action item & outro
Links mentioned: Megan Munro Instagram: @caribougifts Let's Get Your Products Sold with Heather Hird — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| How to Make More Sales Using Psychology | 03 Dec 2024 | 00:12:13 | |
It’s shockingly easy to miss the mark in your content and messaging. If you’re always triggering people’s FOMO, they’ll eventually stop paying attention. Lean too hard on your analytics, and you won’t create an emotional hook. The best marketing plan offers your audience a holistic experience - one that grabs attention no matter where they are in the customer journey. Because if you’re not meeting your audience where they’re at, you aren’t giving them what they need from you in order to feel good about pulling out their credit card. This short and sweet solo episode of Marketing Sucks is packed with juicy psychological insights that’ll help you make more sales without feeling sleazy. Listen now to discover the three key areas in the brain responsible for decision-making - and the science-backed marketing techniques that will help you appeal to each.
Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:11 Intro 01:49 Layering messages 03:15 Neocortex 04:47 Limbic system 06:39 Reptilian brain 08:43 Creating a holistic experience 10:43 Your action item 11:42 Outro — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| I Went Viral Last Month: Here's What I Learned | 26 Nov 2024 | 00:14:48 | |
“Going viral” is held up as a major accomplishment in the online world. With every post, we hope to grow our audience and thought leadership. But while getting new eyes on your content can be a big win, losing ALL control over your exposure and audience definitely has a downside. This became all too clear to me last month after one of my Reels went viral… and wound up pissing off a ton of men. Oops. Let’s be real - there are a lot of jerks out there quick to share their unwelcome opinions, and being attacked for a viral post isn’t pleasant. The endless notifications and negativity can be overwhelming, but there are things you can do to make it more manageable. Tune in as I share the fallout from my viral moment, how I reacted to it, and what the experience taught me. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:12 Intro 00:53 The Reel 05:13 The response 07:28 Responding to comments 08:43 Handling negativity 10:51 Pruning your audience 12:07 Value over virality 13:17 Prepare for the unexpected & leverage the moment 14:24 Outro
Links mentioned: The infamous Reel instagram.com/reel/DBOPm3UJXku — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Year-End Marketing Review: Key Steps for Success Next Year | 19 Nov 2024 | 00:15:34 | |
While few business owners truly love digging into the back-end of their businesses, taking an honest, no-BS look at your numbers is the best way to uncover what’s working for you… and what isn’t. Scheduling a year-end marketing review will give you crucial insight into what you need to change to start getting the results you want - and REAL clarity on how to structure your marketing budget, set realistic goals, and take your strategic next best steps. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I lay out four major reasons why a year-end review should be on your must-do list (whether or not you pay for marketing!) and how to get started. Tune in to learn how to assess the success of your campaigns, collabs, and customer experience - and turn your findings into marketing gold!
Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:11 Intro 02:35 Why reviews are important 04:16 Revenue growth 06:05 Audience engagement 07:12 Email marketing 07:47 Paid ads 08:38 Audience brand voice audit 09:46 Customer journey & experience 12:34 Take a break 14:16 Goal-setting tips — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Why Most Online Coaching Fails (and How to Do It Right) | With Felix Reuter of Physique Academy | 14 Oct 2025 | 00:38:26 | |
Literally anyone can call themselves a coach. But it takes a TON of energy to keep clients hyped up, disciplined, and loyal. This episode of Marketing Sucks lays out the three biggest keys to online coaching success, no matter the niche. Physique Academy fitness coach Felix Reuter helps men get shredded, without the creatine-binging, alpha gym bro vibes. Tune in as we chat about Felix’s gimmick-free personal brand, his plan to combat the male mental health crisis, and how he keeps his clients happy and motivated. We also dig into how Physique Academy built an active Instagram community of over 150k in the crowded fitness space without overspending on marketing. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Guest bio: Felix Reuter is a men’s online fitness coach with Physique Academy who blends strength training, martial arts, movement, and holistic health with a grounded spiritual approach to help men unlock their potential. He began his own transformation at 17, became a personal trainer in Germany, and later backpacked through more than 20 countries, experiences that led him to qualify as a yoga teacher. Today, he coaches athletes and men from all backgrounds, including disabled children, with a mission to build stronger, healthier, more purposeful men. Timestamps: 00:11 Meet Felix Reuter 02:17 What fitness means 06:04 Joining Physique Academy 10:24 Marketing with client content 14:05 The program’s secret sauce 20:27 Coaching energy 26:17 Building your personal brand 32:05 Building community 35:02 Keys to success 37:29 Outro Links mentioned: Felix Reuter physiqueacademy.com/coaches/felix-reuter Instagram: @felixphysiqueacademy — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| My Predictions for Marketing in 2025 | 12 Nov 2024 | 00:12:59 | |
Two big questions are floating around the business world right now: how will marketing evolve in 2025? And, more importantly, what does that actually mean for my business? Thanks to market saturation and changing consumer expectations, brands will need to switch up their strategy to stand out and stop the scroll. But while many experts are hyping up sexy new tech as the 2025 game-changer, I see content, connection, and community playing a huge role in brand-building and revenue growth over the next 12 months.
Grab a pen and get ready to take some notes - this juicy episode of Marketing Sucks reveals my top five marketing predictions for 2025 (and what to implement in order to get your best results). You’ll get my hot takes on paid influencers, boring Instagram posts, ethical marketing, social fatigue, and more! Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:11 Intro 01:23 Authentic reach 04:05 Interactive & dynamic content 06:04 Engage or miss out! 07:50 Sustainable & ethical branding 11:18 Mental health 12:14 Your action item — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| What's Your Superpower? | 29 Oct 2024 | 00:11:29 | |
Too many entrepreneurs out there are suffering from an identity crisis and pretending to be something they’re not. If marketing your business feels super hard, it may because you’re forcing it — and because your efforts are unaligned with your unique gifts. Instead of twisting into a pretzel trying to fit someone else’s mold, you need to identify and lean into your authentic superpowers in your businesses. Superpowers are more than just skills or talents. They’re a combination of strength, experience, and perspective. When you know how to work with them, they can help you build your business with way more ease and confidence... and identifying your gifts is easier than you think. You’ll walk away from this episode of Marketing Sucks with the tools you need to own your superpowers and start standing out in your market! Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:12 Intro 01:19 My superpowers 04:42 Finding your superpowers 05:31 Why superpowers matter 06:52 Superpower activity 08:42 Applying superpower to strategy 10:39 Your action item — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Turn Client Feedback into Social Media Gold | 22 Oct 2024 | 00:15:37 | |
When you’re making a big-ticket purchase, I’m going to bet that you check out three things: the features, the pricing, and the reviews. Very few people want to hand over their credit card deets without seeking out social proof… and that includes your prospective customers. If you’ve been wondering how to fill your website with glowing client testimonials, this episode of Marketing Sucks is for you!
In this solo episode, I look at all things client feedback — how to get testimonials, why you need them, and where to use them. Tune in to learn how reviews can help you build your thought leadership, strengthen and refine your messaging, and massively boost your sales!
Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
Please rate, review, and subscribe! Timestamps: 00:11 Intro & statistics 03:17 Why reviews matter 05:37 Requesting reviews 07:47 Best places for testimonials 10:20 Turning reviews into social content 12:10 Ads, testimonial libraries & user-generated content 13:21 Leveraging negative reviews 14:19 Your action item — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||
| Building an E-Commerce Empire with Love, Saranghae | 15 Oct 2024 | 00:40:26 | |
In a world of high-def images, the skincare industry is hotter than ever — and Asian skincare brands are one of today’s biggest beauty trends. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with husband-and-wife team Peter Lee and Andrea Mourad, co-founders of the amaaazing Korean skincare brands Saranghae Skincare and Orora Skin Science, to dive into the nuts and bolts of building a successful beauty brand, from launching new lines to upleveling your e-commerce game.
During this juicy conversation, Peter and Andrea spill the story behind their incredible brands and the science behind their breakthrough bioactive formulations. Tune in to learn how they’re facing the biggest obstacles faced by e-commerce brands today, and how they balance life and business as partners. Marketing sucks. Let’s learn together. Hit play to discover:
After you’ve listened to the episode, subscribe to Andrea and Peter’s podcast Love, Saranghae! Please rate, review, and subscribe!
Guest bio: Andrea Mourad and Peter Lee are the co-founders of two award-winning Korean skincare companies: Saranghae Skincare and Orora Skin Science. Partners in life and business together, they are on a mission to share their journey through the exciting world of entrepreneurship, relationships, and the secrets behind achieving that coveted healthy glow. Timestamps: 00:12 Meet Peter Lee & Andrea Mourad 01:15 Story behind the brands 04:18 Brand evolution 07:11 Identifying gaps 11:35 Biggest e-comm challenges 15:46 Support the good brands! 17:50 HumaColl21 21:32 Winning product awards 24:39 Believe in your products 26:41 Balancing life & business 29:26 Working abroad & mindset shifts 34:24 Favourite products 37:21 Upcoming launches
Andrea Mourad and Peter Lee Peter Lee & Andrea Mourad lovesaranghae.com [20% off the entire website with promo code GRINDSOCIAL20] Instagram: @lovesaranghaeskin Our favourite products: — 📱 Looking for content creation & social strategies that drive REAL results? Visit grindsocialmedia.com. 🤝 Book your free discovery call: calendly.com/grindsocial/discoverycall
Get social Instagram: @grindsocialmedia Facebook: facebook.com/GRINDSOCIALMEDIA 📢 I’d love it if you’d share this episode and tag me!
Podcasting support Production: theultimatecreative.com Show notes: copymagic.agency | |||