The Marketing B-Sides Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/the-marketing-b-sides The Tracks Nobody Sees, But Every Marketer Should Hear. This podcast celebrates the hidden gems of marketing insight found across all professions—both within and beyond traditional marketing roles. Just as B-sides on a single contain brilliant tracks that are treasured by true fans, every profession contains marketing wisdom that isn't obvious at first glance but is incredibly valuable when discovered. © 2026 Tom Hootman e7dd54bd-11a3-518b-af7b-0b8ebe520295 no 288bd980-76d9-11f0-81d0-af5d7754c3f6 en Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:23:51 -0500 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:24:12 -0500 https://img.transistorcdn.com/DTNQJAHPSRLpOQvPio-1H_8ZA-_kniuR3VaaLV2qgnc/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lNjEy/NmYyMzZhYWM2OTE1/NjM3NmY3YzhlOTM3/MTg1Ni5wbmc.jpg The Marketing B-Sides episodic Tom Hootman The Tracks Nobody Sees, But Every Marketer Should Hear. This podcast celebrates the hidden gems of marketing insight found across all professions—both within and beyond traditional marketing roles. Just as B-sides on a single contain brilliant tracks that are treasured by true fans, every profession contains marketing wisdom that isn't obvious at first glance but is incredibly valuable when discovered. The Tracks Nobody Sees, But Every Marketer Should Hear. marketing, agency, real stories Tom Hootman No Yes Track #18: Lindsay McGuire – Why "I've Worked Too Hard for This" Is the Wrong Reason to Stay 18 18 Track #18: Lindsay McGuire – Why "I've Worked Too Hard for This" Is the Wrong Reason to Stay full 4c1e620b-92af-4481-a262-87cc952e4c79 https://share.transistor.fm/s/91ef78dc Lindsay McGuire was a SaaS powerhouse, a director-level "titan" in the Indianapolis tech scene. But deep down, she felt a calling back to her community. She joins Tom to discuss the psychological hurdle of walking away from the "golden handcuffs" of software and the pivotal advice from her mother that changed everything.

Now the Assistant Director of Advancement, Branding and Outreach at The Milk Bank, Lindsay discusses the "revolutionary" shift from marketing software to saving infants' lives in the NICU. We dive into:

  • The Fear of the Jump: Overcoming the internal monologue that says leaving a high-level role is "stupid."
  • Public Health vs. MarTech: Moving from the "fight or flight" of software trends to the thoughtful, high-stakes pace of community health.
  • Junior League & Capacity: How to give back without burning out.
  • The Metaphysical B-Side: A hilarious and brilliant story about how selling Thor’s hammers and "potions" at a jewelry store became a jumping off point for her content marketing career.
]]> Lindsay McGuire was a SaaS powerhouse, a director-level "titan" in the Indianapolis tech scene. But deep down, she felt a calling back to her community. She joins Tom to discuss the psychological hurdle of walking away from the "golden handcuffs" of software and the pivotal advice from her mother that changed everything.

Now the Assistant Director of Advancement, Branding and Outreach at The Milk Bank, Lindsay discusses the "revolutionary" shift from marketing software to saving infants' lives in the NICU. We dive into:

  • The Fear of the Jump: Overcoming the internal monologue that says leaving a high-level role is "stupid."
  • Public Health vs. MarTech: Moving from the "fight or flight" of software trends to the thoughtful, high-stakes pace of community health.
  • Junior League & Capacity: How to give back without burning out.
  • The Metaphysical B-Side: A hilarious and brilliant story about how selling Thor’s hammers and "potions" at a jewelry store became a jumping off point for her content marketing career.
]]> Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:23:51 -0500 Tom Hootman Tom Hootman 2687 Lindsay McGuire was a SaaS powerhouse, a director-level "titan" in the Indianapolis tech scene. But deep down, she felt a calling back to her community. She joins Tom to discuss the psychological hurdle of walking away from the "golden handcuffs" of software and the pivotal advice from her mother that changed everything.

Now the Assistant Director of Advancement, Branding and Outreach at The Milk Bank, Lindsay discusses the "revolutionary" shift from marketing software to saving infants' lives in the NICU. We dive into:

  • The Fear of the Jump: Overcoming the internal monologue that says leaving a high-level role is "stupid."
  • Public Health vs. MarTech: Moving from the "fight or flight" of software trends to the thoughtful, high-stakes pace of community health.
  • Junior League & Capacity: How to give back without burning out.
  • The Metaphysical B-Side: A hilarious and brilliant story about how selling Thor’s hammers and "potions" at a jewelry store became a jumping off point for her content marketing career.
]]> marketing, agency, real stories Yes Track #17: Rebecca Fleetwood Hession - Why "Same" Feels "Safe" And How Your Brain Fights Change At Work 17 17 Track #17: Rebecca Fleetwood Hession - Why "Same" Feels "Safe" And How Your Brain Fights Change At Work full 22bdd98b-6488-461b-adc0-78e19415b371 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5bac96f9 Rebecca Fleetwood Hession spent 20 years in corporate sales before realizing she was living in a state of constant dysregulation. Now a professional coach marking her 10-year anniversary, she joins Tom to discuss the science behind why we stay in jobs that chew us up.

We dive into the "Same = Safe" paradox: the nervous system's tendency to choose known pain over the uncertainty of change. Rebecca explains why great leadership requires self-care to keep the prefrontal cortex online for decision-making, and why the "billboard" style of top-down communication is killing team commitment. Whether you are an executive or a founder, this episode is a masterclass in why business is, and always should be, human.

]]> Rebecca Fleetwood Hession spent 20 years in corporate sales before realizing she was living in a state of constant dysregulation. Now a professional coach marking her 10-year anniversary, she joins Tom to discuss the science behind why we stay in jobs that chew us up.

We dive into the "Same = Safe" paradox: the nervous system's tendency to choose known pain over the uncertainty of change. Rebecca explains why great leadership requires self-care to keep the prefrontal cortex online for decision-making, and why the "billboard" style of top-down communication is killing team commitment. Whether you are an executive or a founder, this episode is a masterclass in why business is, and always should be, human.

]]> Tue, 17 Feb 2026 09:32:04 -0500 Tom Hootman Tom Hootman 2992 Rebecca Fleetwood Hession spent 20 years in corporate sales before realizing she was living in a state of constant dysregulation. Now a professional coach marking her 10-year anniversary, she joins Tom to discuss the science behind why we stay in jobs that chew us up.

We dive into the "Same = Safe" paradox: the nervous system's tendency to choose known pain over the uncertainty of change. Rebecca explains why great leadership requires self-care to keep the prefrontal cortex online for decision-making, and why the "billboard" style of top-down communication is killing team commitment. Whether you are an executive or a founder, this episode is a masterclass in why business is, and always should be, human.

]]> marketing, agency, real stories Yes Track #16: Noah & Madison - Breaking into Agency Life and the Reality of Your First Marketing Role 16 16 Track #16: Noah & Madison - Breaking into Agency Life and the Reality of Your First Marketing Role full 65966814-41ee-4176-a191-c60cba67610a https://share.transistor.fm/s/92f2b18b What does the first year of a marketing career actually look like? Madison Stiles and Noah Burlingame join Tom to peel back the curtain on the transition from Indiana University grads to full-time agency professionals.

We dive into the "Welcome to the Jungle" reality of learning cross-channel marketing, why your GPA matters significantly less than your "vibe check," and the danger of comparing your job search to your friend's group text. Whether you are a junior in college or a recent grad feeling "behind," this episode is a guide to navigating the autonomy of remote work and the importance of getting comfortable being uncomfortable.

]]> What does the first year of a marketing career actually look like? Madison Stiles and Noah Burlingame join Tom to peel back the curtain on the transition from Indiana University grads to full-time agency professionals.

We dive into the "Welcome to the Jungle" reality of learning cross-channel marketing, why your GPA matters significantly less than your "vibe check," and the danger of comparing your job search to your friend's group text. Whether you are a junior in college or a recent grad feeling "behind," this episode is a guide to navigating the autonomy of remote work and the importance of getting comfortable being uncomfortable.

]]> Tue, 03 Feb 2026 09:34:30 -0500 Tom Hootman Tom Hootman 2677 What does the first year of a marketing career actually look like? Madison Stiles and Noah Burlingame join Tom to peel back the curtain on the transition from Indiana University grads to full-time agency professionals.

We dive into the "Welcome to the Jungle" reality of learning cross-channel marketing, why your GPA matters significantly less than your "vibe check," and the danger of comparing your job search to your friend's group text. Whether you are a junior in college or a recent grad feeling "behind," this episode is a guide to navigating the autonomy of remote work and the importance of getting comfortable being uncomfortable.

]]> marketing, agency, real stories Yes Track #15: Araceli Gomez-Aldana - Why You Need to Throw Away Your Career Vision Board 15 15 Track #15: Araceli Gomez-Aldana - Why You Need to Throw Away Your Career Vision Board full 8299216b-46f3-4578-a70a-2dc19dfc338f https://share.transistor.fm/s/5dee1c2e Every afternoon at 3:00 p.m., the clock resets for Araceli Gomez-Aldana. A veteran journalist and reporter at WBEZ, Araceli joins Tom to discuss the "Groundhog Day" reality of the news cycle and why her career is defined by a Harry Nilsson song.

From her roots in a small town in the Chicago Region to a prestigious fellowship at Stanford, Araceli breaks down the unglamorous truth about breaking into media today. She talks about why the "prescriptive" career timeline is total bullshit, how to build a portfolio when no one is hiring, and the high-stakes world of waiting for sources to call you back. She also dives into the discourse around AI in the newsroom and why vertical video might be the only way to save attention spans, and critical thinking, in 2026.


]]> Every afternoon at 3:00 p.m., the clock resets for Araceli Gomez-Aldana. A veteran journalist and reporter at WBEZ, Araceli joins Tom to discuss the "Groundhog Day" reality of the news cycle and why her career is defined by a Harry Nilsson song.

From her roots in a small town in the Chicago Region to a prestigious fellowship at Stanford, Araceli breaks down the unglamorous truth about breaking into media today. She talks about why the "prescriptive" career timeline is total bullshit, how to build a portfolio when no one is hiring, and the high-stakes world of waiting for sources to call you back. She also dives into the discourse around AI in the newsroom and why vertical video might be the only way to save attention spans, and critical thinking, in 2026.


]]> Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:09:38 -0500 Tom Hootman Tom Hootman 2513 Every afternoon at 3:00 p.m., the clock resets for Araceli Gomez-Aldana. A veteran journalist and reporter at WBEZ, Araceli joins Tom to discuss the "Groundhog Day" reality of the news cycle and why her career is defined by a Harry Nilsson song.

From her roots in a small town in the Chicago Region to a prestigious fellowship at Stanford, Araceli breaks down the unglamorous truth about breaking into media today. She talks about why the "prescriptive" career timeline is total bullshit, how to build a portfolio when no one is hiring, and the high-stakes world of waiting for sources to call you back. She also dives into the discourse around AI in the newsroom and why vertical video might be the only way to save attention spans, and critical thinking, in 2026.


]]> marketing, agency, real stories Yes Track #14: Sophie Hunter - World Number One at Catastrophizing: How to Overthink Everything and Succeed Anyway 14 14 Track #14: Sophie Hunter - World Number One at Catastrophizing: How to Overthink Everything and Succeed Anyway full 350effa2-09ca-4c3d-b33e-c2e68bee1b35 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d773407d Sophie Hunter is the founder of Sorella Creative and a social media strategist who's worked in fast fashion and now thrives as a freelancer. She joins us to talk about the BRUTAL reality of catastrophizing your way through a marketing career, and somehow succeeding anyway.

Sophie's story is a masterclass in authentic self-awareness. She shares why marketing yourself feels "icky" even when you're literally a marketer, how she went from Brutal by Olivia Rodrigo energy in fast fashion to Hand in My Pocket balance in freelance, and why she keeps a folder called "REMEMBER" filled with screenshots of nice comments for when imposter syndrome hits hard.

She breaks down the unexpected challenges of going freelance (spoiler: it's not the work, it's the micromanaging clients who want pink heart emojis), why ChatGPT can write your content but shouldn't, and why maybe your new year's resolution should be "boundaries", too. 

Plus, learn why the Smiths will always transport her back to her Tumblr days.

]]> Sophie Hunter is the founder of Sorella Creative and a social media strategist who's worked in fast fashion and now thrives as a freelancer. She joins us to talk about the BRUTAL reality of catastrophizing your way through a marketing career, and somehow succeeding anyway.

Sophie's story is a masterclass in authentic self-awareness. She shares why marketing yourself feels "icky" even when you're literally a marketer, how she went from Brutal by Olivia Rodrigo energy in fast fashion to Hand in My Pocket balance in freelance, and why she keeps a folder called "REMEMBER" filled with screenshots of nice comments for when imposter syndrome hits hard.

She breaks down the unexpected challenges of going freelance (spoiler: it's not the work, it's the micromanaging clients who want pink heart emojis), why ChatGPT can write your content but shouldn't, and why maybe your new year's resolution should be "boundaries", too. 

Plus, learn why the Smiths will always transport her back to her Tumblr days.

]]> Tue, 06 Jan 2026 09:57:50 -0500 Tom Hootman Tom Hootman 2288 Sophie Hunter is the founder of Sorella Creative and a social media strategist who's worked in fast fashion and now thrives as a freelancer. She joins us to talk about the BRUTAL reality of catastrophizing your way through a marketing career, and somehow succeeding anyway.

Sophie's story is a masterclass in authentic self-awareness. She shares why marketing yourself feels "icky" even when you're literally a marketer, how she went from Brutal by Olivia Rodrigo energy in fast fashion to Hand in My Pocket balance in freelance, and why she keeps a folder called "REMEMBER" filled with screenshots of nice comments for when imposter syndrome hits hard.

She breaks down the unexpected challenges of going freelance (spoiler: it's not the work, it's the micromanaging clients who want pink heart emojis), why ChatGPT can write your content but shouldn't, and why maybe your new year's resolution should be "boundaries", too. 

Plus, learn why the Smiths will always transport her back to her Tumblr days.

]]> marketing, agency, real stories Yes Track #13: Brian Talbot - From Radio Sales to Fractional CMO (The Power of Authenticity) 13 13 Track #13: Brian Talbot - From Radio Sales to Fractional CMO (The Power of Authenticity) full 22d0fca6-4596-4e80-9d9b-38d63d666dc9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f382b3c6 Brian Talbot's career is a masterclass in flexibility: from trying to be a "radio god" and selling ad time to becoming a voiceover artist and now a high-level Fractional CMO. He joins Tom to prove that in every role, especially sales and marketing, the most critical asset is simply being yourself.

Brian dives into why authenticity is the only differentiator left in the age of AI, and how he learned to embrace his own voice (literally, by inventing a "Brian's normal voice" character). We discuss why setting boundaries with clients is not only acceptable but essential for long-term partnership, and why CEOs need to stop viewing marketing as a black hole.

Plus, Brian breaks down his successful scaling framework, the Market, Message, and Map, and shares the tough conversations required to get leadership buy-in and turn a team's Net Promoter Score around.

]]> Brian Talbot's career is a masterclass in flexibility: from trying to be a "radio god" and selling ad time to becoming a voiceover artist and now a high-level Fractional CMO. He joins Tom to prove that in every role, especially sales and marketing, the most critical asset is simply being yourself.

Brian dives into why authenticity is the only differentiator left in the age of AI, and how he learned to embrace his own voice (literally, by inventing a "Brian's normal voice" character). We discuss why setting boundaries with clients is not only acceptable but essential for long-term partnership, and why CEOs need to stop viewing marketing as a black hole.

Plus, Brian breaks down his successful scaling framework, the Market, Message, and Map, and shares the tough conversations required to get leadership buy-in and turn a team's Net Promoter Score around.

]]> Tue, 16 Dec 2025 07:29:40 -0500 Tom Hootman Tom Hootman 2427 Brian Talbot's career is a masterclass in flexibility: from trying to be a "radio god" and selling ad time to becoming a voiceover artist and now a high-level Fractional CMO. He joins Tom to prove that in every role, especially sales and marketing, the most critical asset is simply being yourself.

Brian dives into why authenticity is the only differentiator left in the age of AI, and how he learned to embrace his own voice (literally, by inventing a "Brian's normal voice" character). We discuss why setting boundaries with clients is not only acceptable but essential for long-term partnership, and why CEOs need to stop viewing marketing as a black hole.

Plus, Brian breaks down his successful scaling framework, the Market, Message, and Map, and shares the tough conversations required to get leadership buy-in and turn a team's Net Promoter Score around.

]]> marketing, agency, real stories Yes Track #12: Lisa Levey - Real Housewives, Real Hours, and Finding Stories in the Otherhood 12 12 Track #12: Lisa Levey - Real Housewives, Real Hours, and Finding Stories in the Otherhood full 8134cf28-472c-40ea-8f66-cf8e4f761638 https://share.transistor.fm/s/09c9edfe Lisa Levey, a veteran reality TV producer and editor who's worked on Real Housewives of New Jersey, Bravo shows, and more, joins us to talk about the brutal reality of freelance life, why AI can't edit reality TV yet, and the stories nobody asks about.

Lisa's journey is a masterclass in sustainable creative hustle. She shares why living in constant fear is actually her superpower, how she's never had a traditional job, and why the process of making TV matters more than the finished product everyone obsesses over.

She breaks down what really happens behind the NDA-protected walls of reality TV, why everyone wants to know about the Housewives but nobody asks about the thousands of hours of footage it takes to make a 30-minute episode, and how she's built a career without ever feeling secure.

Hear Lisa get incredibly real about her side project, The Otherhood Collective, which tells stories about family, parenthood, and the paths that don't fit into society's neat little boxes. Plus, learn why her theme song is "Work Bitch" by Britney Spears and why that's actually perfect.

]]> Lisa Levey, a veteran reality TV producer and editor who's worked on Real Housewives of New Jersey, Bravo shows, and more, joins us to talk about the brutal reality of freelance life, why AI can't edit reality TV yet, and the stories nobody asks about.

Lisa's journey is a masterclass in sustainable creative hustle. She shares why living in constant fear is actually her superpower, how she's never had a traditional job, and why the process of making TV matters more than the finished product everyone obsesses over.

She breaks down what really happens behind the NDA-protected walls of reality TV, why everyone wants to know about the Housewives but nobody asks about the thousands of hours of footage it takes to make a 30-minute episode, and how she's built a career without ever feeling secure.

Hear Lisa get incredibly real about her side project, The Otherhood Collective, which tells stories about family, parenthood, and the paths that don't fit into society's neat little boxes. Plus, learn why her theme song is "Work Bitch" by Britney Spears and why that's actually perfect.

]]> Tue, 02 Dec 2025 08:46:03 -0500 Tom Hootman Tom Hootman 2826 Lisa Levey, a veteran reality TV producer and editor who's worked on Real Housewives of New Jersey, Bravo shows, and more, joins us to talk about the brutal reality of freelance life, why AI can't edit reality TV yet, and the stories nobody asks about.

Lisa's journey is a masterclass in sustainable creative hustle. She shares why living in constant fear is actually her superpower, how she's never had a traditional job, and why the process of making TV matters more than the finished product everyone obsesses over.

She breaks down what really happens behind the NDA-protected walls of reality TV, why everyone wants to know about the Housewives but nobody asks about the thousands of hours of footage it takes to make a 30-minute episode, and how she's built a career without ever feeling secure.

Hear Lisa get incredibly real about her side project, The Otherhood Collective, which tells stories about family, parenthood, and the paths that don't fit into society's neat little boxes. Plus, learn why her theme song is "Work Bitch" by Britney Spears and why that's actually perfect.

]]> marketing, agency, real stories Yes Track #11: James Grixoni - Everyone is a Marketer, Except When David Lynch is Casting 11 11 Track #11: James Grixoni - Everyone is a Marketer, Except When David Lynch is Casting full 93f75b0a-d825-4662-ba84-21cbfa8d5a72 https://share.transistor.fm/s/1a7ee4aa James Grixoni, a veteran actor and the Deputy Chad you loved on Twin Peaks: The Return, joins us to talk about the brutal necessity of self-marketing in a creative career, and the single, beautiful time that rule didn't apply.

James’ story is a masterclass in why "ignorance" and authenticity can be better tools than ambition. He shares a core B-Sides lesson: true collaboration means opening up your vision and letting the universe work for you, rather than being the "lead singer" who controls everything. He also breaks down how his authentic self, his true personal brand, showed up in the Lynch audition room, where he simply had to pass a "vibe check" based on who he was, not what he had marketed.

Hear James keep it incredibly real about the time he walked into an audition not knowing he was trying out for David Lynch, the beautiful, chaotic philosophy behind Lynch’s casting process, and why the ultimate career compliment is just being trusted to be yourself. Plus, hear about his current fan-fiction series, The Blue Rose.

]]> James Grixoni, a veteran actor and the Deputy Chad you loved on Twin Peaks: The Return, joins us to talk about the brutal necessity of self-marketing in a creative career, and the single, beautiful time that rule didn't apply.

James’ story is a masterclass in why "ignorance" and authenticity can be better tools than ambition. He shares a core B-Sides lesson: true collaboration means opening up your vision and letting the universe work for you, rather than being the "lead singer" who controls everything. He also breaks down how his authentic self, his true personal brand, showed up in the Lynch audition room, where he simply had to pass a "vibe check" based on who he was, not what he had marketed.

Hear James keep it incredibly real about the time he walked into an audition not knowing he was trying out for David Lynch, the beautiful, chaotic philosophy behind Lynch’s casting process, and why the ultimate career compliment is just being trusted to be yourself. Plus, hear about his current fan-fiction series, The Blue Rose.

]]> Tue, 11 Nov 2025 10:38:05 -0500 Tom Hootman Tom Hootman 2219 James Grixoni, a veteran actor and the Deputy Chad you loved on Twin Peaks: The Return, joins us to talk about the brutal necessity of self-marketing in a creative career, and the single, beautiful time that rule didn't apply.

James’ story is a masterclass in why "ignorance" and authenticity can be better tools than ambition. He shares a core B-Sides lesson: true collaboration means opening up your vision and letting the universe work for you, rather than being the "lead singer" who controls everything. He also breaks down how his authentic self, his true personal brand, showed up in the Lynch audition room, where he simply had to pass a "vibe check" based on who he was, not what he had marketed.

Hear James keep it incredibly real about the time he walked into an audition not knowing he was trying out for David Lynch, the beautiful, chaotic philosophy behind Lynch’s casting process, and why the ultimate career compliment is just being trusted to be yourself. Plus, hear about his current fan-fiction series, The Blue Rose.

]]> marketing, agency, real stories Yes Track #10: Susan Wenograd - From Circuit City to Candle Empire, Bad Pitches and Creative Survival 10 10 Track #10: Susan Wenograd - From Circuit City to Candle Empire, Bad Pitches and Creative Survival full 626bdbc8-19e5-428c-8a7b-6f074642fc62 https://share.transistor.fm/s/3a86c302 Susan Wenograd's digital marketing career started at Circuit City, back when that was still a thing. Now she's the Sr. Director of Paid Media at Mixtape Digital and runs a thriving candle company on the side. Tom and Susan talk nightmare travel stories, managing ADHD in marketing, why clients who manage their own accounts are the hardest to win over, and how she accidentally built a business while grieving a friend.

]]> Susan Wenograd's digital marketing career started at Circuit City, back when that was still a thing. Now she's the Sr. Director of Paid Media at Mixtape Digital and runs a thriving candle company on the side. Tom and Susan talk nightmare travel stories, managing ADHD in marketing, why clients who manage their own accounts are the hardest to win over, and how she accidentally built a business while grieving a friend.

]]> Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:14:27 -0400 Tom Hootman Tom Hootman 2410 Susan Wenograd's digital marketing career started at Circuit City, back when that was still a thing. Now she's the Sr. Director of Paid Media at Mixtape Digital and runs a thriving candle company on the side. Tom and Susan talk nightmare travel stories, managing ADHD in marketing, why clients who manage their own accounts are the hardest to win over, and how she accidentally built a business while grieving a friend.

]]> marketing, agency, real stories Yes Track #9: Audrey Finney - Navigating the Unseen Challenges in Event Marketing 9 9 Track #9: Audrey Finney - Navigating the Unseen Challenges in Event Marketing full b187e5db-cdef-472d-a849-451c7b3cd236 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9d16da45 Audrey Finney ran Hero Conf, a paid media conference, for years before trading digital marketing for Memphis barbecue, craft beer, and Social Cantina. Now she owns 10+ restaurants through Finney Hospitality Group, plus a car wash!

We talk about the stuff that shaped her career: navigating feedback without letting it destroy you (thanks, Tim McGraw), the Hero Conf attendees who tried to cancel her over a panel, and why being book smart means nothing if you can't read a room. Plus: the time she had to emergency-MC an event at 22 years old despite hating the spotlight, why restaurant people can do anything, and the Peter Principle trap that kills subject matter experts.

Audrey keeps it real about diversity efforts nobody saw, the energy-zapping relationships you need to cut loose, and why solid C students can become business geniuses. 

Fair warning: Contains strong opinions about yogurt parfaits, possums, and whether Taylor Swift's new album slaps.

]]> Audrey Finney ran Hero Conf, a paid media conference, for years before trading digital marketing for Memphis barbecue, craft beer, and Social Cantina. Now she owns 10+ restaurants through Finney Hospitality Group, plus a car wash!

We talk about the stuff that shaped her career: navigating feedback without letting it destroy you (thanks, Tim McGraw), the Hero Conf attendees who tried to cancel her over a panel, and why being book smart means nothing if you can't read a room. Plus: the time she had to emergency-MC an event at 22 years old despite hating the spotlight, why restaurant people can do anything, and the Peter Principle trap that kills subject matter experts.

Audrey keeps it real about diversity efforts nobody saw, the energy-zapping relationships you need to cut loose, and why solid C students can become business geniuses. 

Fair warning: Contains strong opinions about yogurt parfaits, possums, and whether Taylor Swift's new album slaps.

]]> Tue, 14 Oct 2025 09:06:44 -0400 Tom Hootman Tom Hootman 2524 Audrey Finney ran Hero Conf, a paid media conference, for years before trading digital marketing for Memphis barbecue, craft beer, and Social Cantina. Now she owns 10+ restaurants through Finney Hospitality Group, plus a car wash!

We talk about the stuff that shaped her career: navigating feedback without letting it destroy you (thanks, Tim McGraw), the Hero Conf attendees who tried to cancel her over a panel, and why being book smart means nothing if you can't read a room. Plus: the time she had to emergency-MC an event at 22 years old despite hating the spotlight, why restaurant people can do anything, and the Peter Principle trap that kills subject matter experts.

Audrey keeps it real about diversity efforts nobody saw, the energy-zapping relationships you need to cut loose, and why solid C students can become business geniuses. 

Fair warning: Contains strong opinions about yogurt parfaits, possums, and whether Taylor Swift's new album slaps.

]]> marketing, agency, real stories Yes Track #8: Megan Maguire - Embracing the Chaos in Agency Life and Entrepreneurship 8 8 Track #8: Megan Maguire - Embracing the Chaos in Agency Life and Entrepreneurship full 9576c01b-9a88-48d1-a180-c40d2fbc0da8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/da747651 Megan Maguire left a Senior VP gig at a major agency to start her own thing in 2024. "Probably crazy," she admits. But also? No regrets.

We talk about the stuff LinkedIn won't let you say out loud: the daily anxiety of betting on yourself, why her house painter uncle's "there's only one way to paint a house" philosophy shaped her entire career, and how she became the self-proclaimed Lobster Queen of Martha's Vineyard (five-pounders in an hour, baby).

Megan keeps it real about agency politics, the myth of linear success, and choosing your own flavor of crazy as a founder. 
Plus, the restaurant-to-marketing pipeline remains undefeated on this show.

Fair warning: if you're thinking about making a leap, this one might be the nudge you need.

]]> Megan Maguire left a Senior VP gig at a major agency to start her own thing in 2024. "Probably crazy," she admits. But also? No regrets.

We talk about the stuff LinkedIn won't let you say out loud: the daily anxiety of betting on yourself, why her house painter uncle's "there's only one way to paint a house" philosophy shaped her entire career, and how she became the self-proclaimed Lobster Queen of Martha's Vineyard (five-pounders in an hour, baby).

Megan keeps it real about agency politics, the myth of linear success, and choosing your own flavor of crazy as a founder. 
Plus, the restaurant-to-marketing pipeline remains undefeated on this show.

Fair warning: if you're thinking about making a leap, this one might be the nudge you need.

]]> Tue, 30 Sep 2025 07:40:27 -0400 Tom Hootman Tom Hootman 2886 Megan Maguire left a Senior VP gig at a major agency to start her own thing in 2024. "Probably crazy," she admits. But also? No regrets.

We talk about the stuff LinkedIn won't let you say out loud: the daily anxiety of betting on yourself, why her house painter uncle's "there's only one way to paint a house" philosophy shaped her entire career, and how she became the self-proclaimed Lobster Queen of Martha's Vineyard (five-pounders in an hour, baby).

Megan keeps it real about agency politics, the myth of linear success, and choosing your own flavor of crazy as a founder. 
Plus, the restaurant-to-marketing pipeline remains undefeated on this show.

Fair warning: if you're thinking about making a leap, this one might be the nudge you need.

]]> marketing, agency, real stories Yes Track #7: Aaron Levy - Altruism at Work, Killer Employees with Restaurant Experience, and Building Bonds in the Trenches 7 7 Track #7: Aaron Levy - Altruism at Work, Killer Employees with Restaurant Experience, and Building Bonds in the Trenches full def06190-c9be-4871-9f06-1a189a3bcb2a https://share.transistor.fm/s/1f323f43 On this week's episode, Tom sits down with Aaron Levy to dive into the messy, human side of agency life that nobody talks about at conferences. They explore:

  • Aaron's career soundtrack featuring Wu-Tang and Spice Girls wisdom
  • Pitch horror stories, including Aaron's legendary meltdown where he turned into a "straight up cartoon character"
  • Why success isn't measured by how many people you manage but don't actually know
  • Why hiring restaurant workers is the ultimate agency hack
  • The transformative power of executive coaching when you're tired of being the office curmudgeon
]]> On this week's episode, Tom sits down with Aaron Levy to dive into the messy, human side of agency life that nobody talks about at conferences. They explore:

  • Aaron's career soundtrack featuring Wu-Tang and Spice Girls wisdom
  • Pitch horror stories, including Aaron's legendary meltdown where he turned into a "straight up cartoon character"
  • Why success isn't measured by how many people you manage but don't actually know
  • Why hiring restaurant workers is the ultimate agency hack
  • The transformative power of executive coaching when you're tired of being the office curmudgeon
]]> Tue, 23 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400 Tom Hootman Tom Hootman 2916 On this week's episode, Tom sits down with Aaron Levy to dive into the messy, human side of agency life that nobody talks about at conferences. They explore:

  • Aaron's career soundtrack featuring Wu-Tang and Spice Girls wisdom
  • Pitch horror stories, including Aaron's legendary meltdown where he turned into a "straight up cartoon character"
  • Why success isn't measured by how many people you manage but don't actually know
  • Why hiring restaurant workers is the ultimate agency hack
  • The transformative power of executive coaching when you're tired of being the office curmudgeon
]]> marketing, agency, real stories Yes Track #6: Dean Turner: How To Ditch Perfectionism and Build a Massive Following With Consistency 6 6 Track #6: Dean Turner: How To Ditch Perfectionism and Build a Massive Following With Consistency full e83b4c7f-e7f7-40dd-9620-8ef9363d803c https://share.transistor.fm/s/e3952c9c On this week's episode, Tom and Dean discuss how Dean built his online personal training business, Dean Turner Training, from the ground up, one tweet at a time. They chat about the surprising pros of getting roasted, why the pursuit of perfection is often just fear in disguise, and how Dean’s most successful clients are the ones with an internal fire, not an external deadline. They also get into why Dean doesn't work with brands, why his body is his business card, and how Dean discovered a way to find a blue ocean in the red waters of online fitness. 

]]> On this week's episode, Tom and Dean discuss how Dean built his online personal training business, Dean Turner Training, from the ground up, one tweet at a time. They chat about the surprising pros of getting roasted, why the pursuit of perfection is often just fear in disguise, and how Dean’s most successful clients are the ones with an internal fire, not an external deadline. They also get into why Dean doesn't work with brands, why his body is his business card, and how Dean discovered a way to find a blue ocean in the red waters of online fitness. 

]]> Tue, 16 Sep 2025 12:22:24 -0400 Tom Hootman Tom Hootman 2972 On this week's episode, Tom and Dean discuss how Dean built his online personal training business, Dean Turner Training, from the ground up, one tweet at a time. They chat about the surprising pros of getting roasted, why the pursuit of perfection is often just fear in disguise, and how Dean’s most successful clients are the ones with an internal fire, not an external deadline. They also get into why Dean doesn't work with brands, why his body is his business card, and how Dean discovered a way to find a blue ocean in the red waters of online fitness. 

]]> marketing, agency, real stories Yes Track #5: Kayla Kurtz (Part 2) - How to Have the Honest Conversation With Your Clients, Your Prospects, and Yourself 5 5 Track #5: Kayla Kurtz (Part 2) - How to Have the Honest Conversation With Your Clients, Your Prospects, and Yourself full 93df1604-7ef5-4559-a6f1-717fae862a77 https://share.transistor.fm/s/edaaaa01 (Make sure you start with Part 1!)
In this two-part episode, Tom sits down with Kayla Kurtz, VP of Sales at Forthea, to dive into the wild world of agency pitching and sales war stories. Kayla shares her career soundtrack (heavy on Taylor Swift and Paramore) and breaks down why she's stuck with agency life across five different shops. They swap horror stories about prospects who ghost after demanding urgent timelines, the awkwardness of remote pitching, and that time Cintas tried to recruit Kayla mid-pitch. Plus, Tom admits he still can't pronounce "Chappell Roan" correctly because apparently no one says it out loud in his circles.

]]> (Make sure you start with Part 1!)
In this two-part episode, Tom sits down with Kayla Kurtz, VP of Sales at Forthea, to dive into the wild world of agency pitching and sales war stories. Kayla shares her career soundtrack (heavy on Taylor Swift and Paramore) and breaks down why she's stuck with agency life across five different shops. They swap horror stories about prospects who ghost after demanding urgent timelines, the awkwardness of remote pitching, and that time Cintas tried to recruit Kayla mid-pitch. Plus, Tom admits he still can't pronounce "Chappell Roan" correctly because apparently no one says it out loud in his circles.

]]> Tue, 09 Sep 2025 07:30:00 -0400 Tom Hootman Tom Hootman 2905 (Make sure you start with Part 1!)
In this two-part episode, Tom sits down with Kayla Kurtz, VP of Sales at Forthea, to dive into the wild world of agency pitching and sales war stories. Kayla shares her career soundtrack (heavy on Taylor Swift and Paramore) and breaks down why she's stuck with agency life across five different shops. They swap horror stories about prospects who ghost after demanding urgent timelines, the awkwardness of remote pitching, and that time Cintas tried to recruit Kayla mid-pitch. Plus, Tom admits he still can't pronounce "Chappell Roan" correctly because apparently no one says it out loud in his circles.

]]> marketing, agency, real stories Yes Track #4: Kayla Kurtz (Part 1) - How to Have the Honest Conversation With Your Clients, Your Prospects, and Yourself 4 4 Track #4: Kayla Kurtz (Part 1) - How to Have the Honest Conversation With Your Clients, Your Prospects, and Yourself full 04589d5b-2537-4751-b786-f1ea37a81cab https://share.transistor.fm/s/24025ae0 In this episode, Tom sits down with Kayla Kurtz, VP of Sales at Forthea, to dive into the wild world of agency pitching and sales war stories. Kayla shares her career soundtrack (heavy on Taylor Swift and Paramore) and breaks down why she's stuck with agency life across five different shops. They swap horror stories about prospects who ghost after demanding urgent timelines, the awkwardness of remote pitching, and that time Cintas tried to recruit Kayla mid-pitch. Plus, Tom admits he still can't pronounce "Chappell Roan" correctly because apparently no one says it out loud in his circles.

]]> In this episode, Tom sits down with Kayla Kurtz, VP of Sales at Forthea, to dive into the wild world of agency pitching and sales war stories. Kayla shares her career soundtrack (heavy on Taylor Swift and Paramore) and breaks down why she's stuck with agency life across five different shops. They swap horror stories about prospects who ghost after demanding urgent timelines, the awkwardness of remote pitching, and that time Cintas tried to recruit Kayla mid-pitch. Plus, Tom admits he still can't pronounce "Chappell Roan" correctly because apparently no one says it out loud in his circles.

]]> Wed, 03 Sep 2025 07:30:00 -0400 Tom Hootman Tom Hootman 2739 In this episode, Tom sits down with Kayla Kurtz, VP of Sales at Forthea, to dive into the wild world of agency pitching and sales war stories. Kayla shares her career soundtrack (heavy on Taylor Swift and Paramore) and breaks down why she's stuck with agency life across five different shops. They swap horror stories about prospects who ghost after demanding urgent timelines, the awkwardness of remote pitching, and that time Cintas tried to recruit Kayla mid-pitch. Plus, Tom admits he still can't pronounce "Chappell Roan" correctly because apparently no one says it out loud in his circles.

]]> marketing, agency, real stories Yes Track #3: Jeff Perkins - Why Your LinkedIn Profile Shouldn’t Read Like Your Resume 3 3 Track #3: Jeff Perkins - Why Your LinkedIn Profile Shouldn’t Read Like Your Resume full df5508b9-b5bc-4c8e-85f0-c6139c11073b https://share.transistor.fm/s/4295fa79 In this episode, Tom sits down with Jeff Perkins, CEO of Soundstripe, to talk about gaming LinkedIn to escape career purgatory. Jeff shares how changing his title from "Marketing Manager" to "Executive Leader" suddenly had recruiters calling about CEO roles instead of lowball offers. They discuss the brutal reality of transitioning from CMO to CEO and why Soundstripe built an AI music supervisor. (Spoiler: because scrolling through 58,000 songs to find the perfect track is soul-crushing.)

]]> In this episode, Tom sits down with Jeff Perkins, CEO of Soundstripe, to talk about gaming LinkedIn to escape career purgatory. Jeff shares how changing his title from "Marketing Manager" to "Executive Leader" suddenly had recruiters calling about CEO roles instead of lowball offers. They discuss the brutal reality of transitioning from CMO to CEO and why Soundstripe built an AI music supervisor. (Spoiler: because scrolling through 58,000 songs to find the perfect track is soul-crushing.)

]]> Tue, 26 Aug 2025 07:30:00 -0400 Tom Hootman Tom Hootman 3225 In this episode, Tom sits down with Jeff Perkins, CEO of Soundstripe, to talk about gaming LinkedIn to escape career purgatory. Jeff shares how changing his title from "Marketing Manager" to "Executive Leader" suddenly had recruiters calling about CEO roles instead of lowball offers. They discuss the brutal reality of transitioning from CMO to CEO and why Soundstripe built an AI music supervisor. (Spoiler: because scrolling through 58,000 songs to find the perfect track is soul-crushing.)

]]> marketing, agency, real stories Yes Track #2: Kent Zimmerman - What Your Prospect Is Really Thinking During Your Agency's Pitch 2 2 Track #2: Kent Zimmerman - What Your Prospect Is Really Thinking During Your Agency's Pitch full 9d5ba664-5459-42b6-9b50-4f235ca1a4ce https://share.transistor.fm/s/cfa690fa In this no-holds-barred episode, Kent Zimmerman and Tom Hootman dive deep into the gritty realities of the retail world. From the rise and fall of malls to the chaotic dance with digital transformation, expect candid stories and hard truths. Kent shares his in-house marketer perspective, especially on what makes agency sales pitches stand out or fall flat.

]]> In this no-holds-barred episode, Kent Zimmerman and Tom Hootman dive deep into the gritty realities of the retail world. From the rise and fall of malls to the chaotic dance with digital transformation, expect candid stories and hard truths. Kent shares his in-house marketer perspective, especially on what makes agency sales pitches stand out or fall flat.

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0400 Tom Hootman Tom Hootman 2721 In this no-holds-barred episode, Kent Zimmerman and Tom Hootman dive deep into the gritty realities of the retail world. From the rise and fall of malls to the chaotic dance with digital transformation, expect candid stories and hard truths. Kent shares his in-house marketer perspective, especially on what makes agency sales pitches stand out or fall flat.

]]> marketing, agency, real stories Yes Track #1: Jeff Allen - From 12-Year Insider to Day One Outsider 1 1 Track #1: Jeff Allen - From 12-Year Insider to Day One Outsider full c8e050cb-3942-4533-b891-963b343992d6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/cab65262 Jeff Allen, CEO at OuterBox, gets real about the messy truth of leadership transitions—the trust you have to rebuild from scratch, the pitches that go sideways in unexpected ways, and why putting your team's wins before your own ego actually works. No corporate fluff, just the unvarnished stories that shaped his career.

What you'll get:
-Why new leadership is basically starting over (even when you think it isn't) 
-The pitch moment that defied expectations—and still led to success
-How to win by making other people look good 
-Real talk for young professionals trying to break through

Less LinkedIn motivation, more honest conversation about what actually happens when you're figuring it out as you go.

]]> Jeff Allen, CEO at OuterBox, gets real about the messy truth of leadership transitions—the trust you have to rebuild from scratch, the pitches that go sideways in unexpected ways, and why putting your team's wins before your own ego actually works. No corporate fluff, just the unvarnished stories that shaped his career.

What you'll get:
-Why new leadership is basically starting over (even when you think it isn't) 
-The pitch moment that defied expectations—and still led to success
-How to win by making other people look good 
-Real talk for young professionals trying to break through

Less LinkedIn motivation, more honest conversation about what actually happens when you're figuring it out as you go.

]]> Mon, 11 Aug 2025 12:21:27 -0400 Tom Hootman Tom Hootman 3158 Jeff Allen, CEO at OuterBox, gets real about the messy truth of leadership transitions—the trust you have to rebuild from scratch, the pitches that go sideways in unexpected ways, and why putting your team's wins before your own ego actually works. No corporate fluff, just the unvarnished stories that shaped his career.

What you'll get:
-Why new leadership is basically starting over (even when you think it isn't) 
-The pitch moment that defied expectations—and still led to success
-How to win by making other people look good 
-Real talk for young professionals trying to break through

Less LinkedIn motivation, more honest conversation about what actually happens when you're figuring it out as you go.

]]> marketing, agency, real stories Yes