Explore every episode of the podcast The SDM Show

In this episode of The SDM Show, host Rob Cairns sits down with longtime productivity strategist, speaker, and author Mike Vardy to discuss his career journey, evolution in the productivity space, and his latest book, Productiveness. They dive into moving past rigid metrics and system obsession, focusing instead on bringing humanity, trust, and flexibility into productivity.

In this episode of The SDM Show, host Rob Cairns breaks down the number one mistake businesses make when sending email newsletters and marketing blasts: using a do-not-reply address. Drawing from a real-world example, Rob discusses why treating email like one-way broadcast media harms customer engagement and relationship-building. He explains how opening two-way conversations with your subscribers creates real business value, regardless of the email service provider you use.

In this episode of The SDM Show, Rob Cairns sits down with marketing strategist and monthly co-host Bridget Willard to dissect the unique blind spots SaaS companies face when marketing their products. Bridget shares why she recently eliminated outside distractions to double down on SaaS, the critical importance of understanding your true billable worth, and why founders must stop treating marketing like an afterthought.

In this episode of The SDM Show, host Rob Cairns sits down with good friend Marcus Burnett to dive deep into Marcus’s latest side projects, the realities of building for the WordPress ecosystem, and where WordPress core is headed next.

Marcus shares the latest updates to The WP World, including real-time AI-powered multilingual messaging and a revamped job board designed to connect community members with new career opportunities. The conversation also explores Well Played WP, Marcus’s unified plugin library model that solves plugin licensing headaches, the build-vs-buy dilemma facing developers in the era of AI, and a candid debate on what truly belongs in WordPress core versus feature plugins.

In this candid and personal solo episode of The SDM Show, Rob Cairns opens up about dealing with grief, personal stress, and overwhelming weeks as an entrepreneur. Reflecting on a recent productive discussion with Mike Vardy about the human side of productivity, Rob explores why business owners need to grant themselves permission to hit pause, reschedule commitments, and prioritize their mental well-being when life happens. From managing heavy family moments to enjoying downtime over the long weekend, this episode serves as a grounded reminder that your humanity must always come before the numbers.

In this episode, Rob Cairns is joined by monthly co-host Todd Jones to break down how the humble website "About Page" has transformed over the last decade. Once viewed as an afterthought or filler content, the About page has evolved into one of the most critical digital assets for search visibility, brand narrative, and entity-based optimization. Rob and Todd explore how Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and AI discovery tools treat your About page as a foundational source of record. They also discuss why personal storytelling builds compound trust, how to leverage personal domains, and why high-performing businesses prioritize long-term brand equity over short-term vanity metrics.

In this marketing AMA episode of The SDM Show, host Rob Cairns sits down with marketing strategist and author Bridget Willard. They dive into Bridget’s journey into digital marketing, the persistent disconnect between IT and marketing departments, why SaaS and WordPress founders struggle with self-promotion, and how authentic, consistent communication stands out against AI noise.

In this episode of The SDM Show, host Rob Cairns sits down with Nat Miletic to discuss the current landscape of web design, digital agencies, and WordPress development. From the impact of AI to client communication and security hygiene, Rob and Nat share actionable advice for both website owners and agency professionals.

In this episode of The SDM Show, Rob Cairns breaks down the critical importance of Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) across all digital platforms. Rob explains how 2FA works as a vital secondary defense against phishing and credential theft, why securing your primary email account should be your top priority, and how implementing strict authentication practices protects websites and businesses from compromise.

In this episode of The SDM Show, host Rob Cairns sits down with architect, educator, and author Beau Dromiack (The Craft Advantage, Super-Architect). Beau shares his journey from high school drafting to leading complex architectural projects and teaching graduate students at Arizona State University.

Together, they dive deep into the evolving landscape of architecture, exploring why the loss of traditional craft eroded professional influence, how architects must adapt to the rise of AI, and why lifelong learning, mentorship, and high-performing teams are critical to the future of the built environment.

In this special "Agency Chat" AMA edition of The SDM Show, host Rob Cairns sits down with recurring co-host Ryan Waterbury for an engaging, rapid-fire Q&A session. They cover Ryan's journey from print broker to agency owner, the evolution of CMS platforms and web applications, practical hosting and site management strategies, and a wide variety of rapid-fire tech, lifestyle, and business choices.

In this episode of The SDM Show, Rob Cairns looks beyond standard website security and backups to address the often-overlooked digital assets critical to running a business. From local workstation files and cloud sync misconceptions to SaaS platforms, email lists, and social media contacts, Rob explains what you need to protect and why having a comprehensive business continuity plan is non-negotiable.

In this episode of The SDM Show, host Rob Cairns sits down with business coach and multi-certified energy healing master Jason Rosado. Coming to us from Chicago, Jason dives into why every entrepreneur needs a business coach, the art of focusing on your passion areas, and how managing your internal mindset is just as critical as managing your daily calendar.Episode 681 Benefits of a Business Coach

In this episode, Rob Cairns dives into the critical importance of website security in today's rapidly evolving threat landscape. With AI-driven cyber threats on the rise, simply having a website without proper security management is no longer viable for businesses. Rob breaks down recent industry vulnerability trends, highlights real-world examples, and makes a strong case for why every website owner needs a dedicated security professional in their corner.

In this episode, Rob Cairns dives into the critical importance of website security in today's rapidly evolving threat landscape. With AI-driven cyber threats on the rise, simply having a website without proper security management is no longer viable for businesses. Rob breaks down recent industry vulnerability trends, highlights real-world examples, and makes a strong case for why every website owner needs a dedicated security professional in their corner.

Host Rob Cairns is joined by recurring co-host Bridget Willard for a marketing segment exploring the concept of "Moneyball" in business and digital strategy. They break down how to look past vanity metrics, focus on high-impact performance indicators, and set up effective customer engagement tactics.

In this solo episode of The SDM Show, host Rob Cairns discusses the critical importance of maintaining daily backups and regular updates for your WordPress website. He highlights how AI-driven security threats are actively discovering old vulnerabilities and explains why proper website maintenance is essential to protecting your online business reputation, e-commerce revenue, and digital presence.

In this episode of The SDM Show, host Rob Cairns welcomes back Blake Whittle to discuss his acquisition of Infinite Uploads, a powerful WordPress plugin designed to streamline and improve media library management. Blake shares his journey into plugin acquisition, the importance of building trust during business transitions, and how Infinite Uploads helps everyday WordPress users offload media, speed up sites, and simplify storage without technical complexity.

In this episode of The SDM Show, Rob Cairns sits down with copywriter Todd Jones for an insightful Ask Me Anything (AMA) session focused on copywriting, content creation, and the evolving role of AI in writing. Todd shares practical advice for business owners looking to clarify their message, build trust with their audience, and leverage modern tools without losing their unique voice.

In this edition of Agency Chat, host Rob Cairns is joined by Ryan Waterbury (One Dog Solutions) to discuss the real-world realities of WordPress security, performance, and why Ryan decided to build custom plugins for his agency. They dive into the overhead of heavy security plugins, moving protection to the server level, implementing Google Fraud Defense, and why daily web care maintenance is no longer optional.

In this episode of The SDM Show, host Rob Cairns is joined by guest Adam McLaughlin to dive deep into modern marketing, customer experience, and the core elements that build brand trust.

Together, they discuss why consistency is the foundation of any great brand, the true definition of authenticity, and why businesses must look beyond basic service delivery to create memorable customer experiences.

In this brief and deeply personal episode, Rob Cairns opens up about a major life event that has kept him distracted over the last couple of months. While ensuring all of his digital marketing and consulting clients remained fully supported and up and running, Rob and his family have been navigating the profound loss of his brother, Gord, who passed away at the end of May. Rob shares his heartfelt reflections on his brother's life, the challenge of losing him too soon, and expresses immense gratitude to the community for their overwhelming support.

In this episode, Rob Cairns sits down with Bryan Fikes, the mastermind behind Bonsai Marketing, a growth engine specialized in local service businesses. Bryan shares his personal journey through the extreme highs and lows of entrepreneurship, his decision to embrace sobriety, and how it shifted his life perspective. The conversation dives deep into the evolution of AI, practical ways it reshapes agencies and businesses, and navigating security concerns. Plus, don't miss an exclusive live appearance by Bryan's self-developed AI sidekick, Body!

In this month's installment of the copywriting segment, host Rob Cairns welcomes regular co-host Todd Jones to discuss a critical shift in the modern content landscape: Commodity Content vs. Non-Commodity Content. The duo breaks down how the rise of AI-generated prose has flooded the internet with recycled information, why traditional SEO metrics are evolving, and what businesses must do to create unique, trust-driven material that stands out.

Host Rob Cairns returns after an unexpected family loss to welcome regular SEO segment guest Warren Laine-Naida. In this episode, Warren dives into how modern SEO has evolved, urging website owners to move away from purely trying to rank for specific keywords and instead focus on genuinely being found by their target audience. He shares three practical, actionable tips you can apply to your WordPress website this summer to boost site performance, crawlability, and overall user experience.

In this episode of The SDM Show, host Rob Cairns sits down with longtime WordPress community member Remkus de Vries to discuss his journey with WordPress, page builders versus block frameworks, and the philosophy behind his application, Scanfully. Remkus shares insights on how comprehensive site monitoring—extending beyond simple uptime checks to encompassing active form testing and granular activity logs—directly impacts site health and perceived performance.

In this episode of the Agency Chat segment, host Rob Cairns and co-host Ryan Waterbury dive deep into the practical realities, challenges, and security concerns surrounding the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern digital agencies. Moving past the "hype," they explore how AI impacts cybersecurity patching, software development, content quality, and agency cost structures.

This podcast episode features a conversation between Rob Cairns and security expert Tim Nash regarding the evolving landscape of WordPress security and digital privacy laws. The duo explores the controversial decision to delay automated plugin updates by twenty-four hours, arguing that this window primarily benefits hackers rather than protecting site owners. They also critique the integration of AI API keys into WordPress core, warning that storing expensive credentials in a database creates a high-value target for SQL injection attacks. Turning to government policy, the speakers compare Canadian and British legislation, such as Bill C-22, which they believe attempts to compromise encryption under the guise of public safety. Ultimately, the source concludes that technological literacy and critical thinking are more effective security tools than arbitrary government bans or poorly implemented software restrictions.

This podcast features Rob Cairns interviewing Joel Jenkins about his new WordPress tools.. Jenkins explains that he entered a competitive market to provide a privacy-focused alternative that stores data locally rather than relying on external platforms like Google Analytics. A key highlight of the software is the integration of AI agents, which allow users to interact with their site data using natural language queries. The discussion covers the importance of tracking competitors, the shift toward answer engine optimization, and upcoming features like agent-managed split testing. Ultimately, the sources emphasize providing small businesses with simplified, actionable insights without the complexity of enterprise-level tracking suites.

In this episode, Rob Cairns sits down with fellow Torontonian and fractional COO, Patrick Brown, to dive deep into a problem every entrepreneur faces: business overwhelm. Patrick shares his accidental journey from running retirement residences to becoming an expert in operational management. Together, they discuss the critical need for systems, why entrepreneurs struggle to "let go," and the daily tactics you can use to prevent stress from spiralling into a business or personal disaster.

In this episode of The SDM Show, Rob Cairns sits down with copywriter and digital strategist Todd Jones to discuss his brand-new WebCopy System. Moving past the old "website copy framework," Todd explains why relying strictly on randomized AI prompts is a massive mistake. Instead, he breaks down how to build an AI-agnostic system tailored to your unique brand voice, allowing you to maximize any LLM (Gemini, Claude, or ChatGPT) for high-converting website copy.

In this episode of The SDM Show, host Rob Cairns sits down with longtime friend, workplace education specialist, and assistant pastor Jeff Brown. Jeff shares the personal calling that led him to write his first book, Foundations: Creating a Hebrews 6 Disciple. Together, Rob and Jeff break down the core structural philosophy behind the book, the importance of continuous foundational learning, and why true faith requires actionable lifestyle changes rather than passive belief.

In this episode of The SDM Show, host Rob Cairns sits down with longtime friend, workplace education specialist, and assistant pastor Jeff Brown. Jeff shares the personal calling that led him to write his first book, Foundations: Creating a Hebrews 6 Disciple. Together, Rob and Jeff break down the core structural philosophy behind the book, the importance of continuous foundational learning, and why true faith requires actionable lifestyle changes rather than passive belief.

In this monthly digital marketing segment, Rob and Bridget dive deep into the changing landscape of search and consumer behavior. They challenge the traditional perspective of SEO, arguing that SEO is no longer the primary tool for product discovery but has shifted into a tool for validation.

They explore how modern consumers rely on social media, word-of-mouth, and tight-knit communities to discover new things, leaving search engines to act as the final step to verify legitimacy and logistics.

In this episode, host Rob Cairns sits down with Joshua Gould, the Founder and CEO of The Big Word, to explore the critical role that relationships, trust, and human connection play in business growth and adapting to technological changes. Joshua shares his extensive entrepreneurial journey—from selling beer in UK call centers to pivoting a international military contracting firm into a digital, AI-driven language translation powerhouse. Together, they discuss the balance between optimizing workflow via automation and retaining the invaluable human factor that sets a brand apart.

In this episode, host Rob Cairns sits down with his long-time friend and colleague, Cal Millar, an esteemed former reporter with a career spanning decades in the Toronto media landscape. Cal reflects on his life on the crime beat, sharing the stories, the people, and the intense experiences that defined his career. The conversation dives deep into his new book, My Life as a Reporter: I Cried at Disney World, and explores the profound differences between being a dedicated reporter and a modern journalist.

In a special twist for Episode 657, host Rob Cairns gets put in the hot seat as guest host Todd Jones takes the helm. Todd grills Rob with hard-hitting questions about the evolving landscape of digital marketing. Together, they discuss why marketing trends are shifting faster than ever, the core principles that remain unchanged, and how the collapse of traditional marketing funnels in 2026 is forcing businesses to build trusted ecosystems instead.

Rob Cairns is joined by marketing expert and master storyteller Neal Foard to explore the profound impact of storytelling in business and beyond. Neal shares insights from his advertising career, explaining why stories resonate more deeply with audiences than logic or facts. The conversation delves into the psychology of persuasion, the importance of human connection in branding, and the unforgettable nature of a well-told tale.

In this episode of The SDM Show, host Rob Cairns welcomes back Mark Westguard, the founder of WS Form, to discuss the significant updates surrounding the platform. The conversation highlights the integration of AI capabilities designed for the upcoming WordPress 7.0 release and explores new features like deep translation support and enhanced spam protection.

In this deeply personal episode, Rob Cairns is joined by WordPress community veteran Michelle Frechette for a candid conversation about mental health and the reality of professional burnout. Michelle opens up about her recent experiences with physical illness and executive dysfunction, while Rob shares his own journey through grief and exhaustion following the loss of his father. Together, they explore the importance of transparency, the power of a supportive community, and the necessity of taking a "junk day" to recharge.

In this episode, Rob Cairns, the founder and CEO of Stunning Digital Marketing, is joined by Ryan Waterbury of One-Dog Solutions to dive deep into the critical world of WordPress security for agencies. They discuss the shifting landscape of digital threats, the importance of proactive security measures, and the common pitfalls agencies face when managing client websites.

In this monthly SEO segment, host Rob Cairns welcomes digital marketing expert Warren Laine-Naida to discuss the critical role of Google Business Profiles and Bing Places in a successful local SEO strategy. Warren shares actionable advice on optimizing these profiles, leveraging reviews, and integrating local data into broader marketing efforts.

In this episode of the SDM Show, host Rob Cairns sits down with Justin Ricklefs, founder of Gild, to explore the profound impact of storytelling and the concept of "Human First" brands. They delve into how genuine connection, empathy, and simplicity are more effective than complex marketing tactics for building a successful business.

In this episode of The SDM Show, host Rob Cairns welcomes Yuri Gerasymov to discuss the critical role of visual regression testing in web development and the personal and professional benefits of managing side projects.

In this episode of The SDM Show, host Rob Cairns, the Founder, CEO, and Chief Technologist at Stunning Digital Marketing, is joined by Anthony Gaenzle to discuss the crucial role of social media in fostering professional relationships. They dive into the common pitfalls of modern digital networking and offer actionable advice for building an authentic online presence.

In this episode of The SDM Show, host Rob Cairns is joined by guest Elizabeth Eiss to discuss strategies for scaling small and medium-sized businesses. Elizabeth shares her journey from the commercial insurance industry to discovering the power of the "freelance economy" and founding Results Resourcing.The conversation focuses on the "bottleneck" many business owners face and how shifting from working in the business to working on the business through effective delegation and process-driven outsourcing can lead to sustainable growth.

Rob Cairns welcomes Norman Wolfe, author of Leading the Living Organization, to discuss a radical shift in business leadership. Norman shares his journey from a systems engineer to a leadership consultant, challenging the traditional "machine" metaphor of corporations and proposing a more human-centric, "living" approach.

In this episode, Rob Cairns and Cami MacNamara dive deep into the essential art of client communication for agency owners and freelancers. They discuss how maintaining regular touchpoints—even when things are quiet—builds trust, prevents churn, and fosters long-term professional relationships.

In this episode of The SDM Show, host Rob Cairns and co-host Ryan Waterbury discuss the evolving landscape of agency tools. They dive deep into the importance of a solid tool stack, the impact of AI on agency operations, and why human-centric service remains the ultimate differentiator in a tech-driven world.

In this episode of the SDM Show, host Rob Cairns is joined by monthly co-host and copywriter Todd Jones to discuss the concept of branding beyond visual elements like logos. They delve into the importance of "Brand DNA"—the core messaging, values, and narrative that define a business’s identity and voice.