Back on T-R-A-C-K

They view it as a "sunk cost" or a series of buttons to push, rather than a long-term investment.In this episode of Back on T-R-A-C-K, Lee Moscowitz, growth marketing expert and host of the Sassiest podcast, discusses why marketing needs its seat back at the table.Lee explains that when marketing is treated as a transactional commodity, the brand-building stops—and eventually, the pipeline dries up.We explore:Growth vs. Demand: Why the difference is more than just semantics.The "Sandwich" Framework: How to layer brand, demand, and customer success.Avoiding Over-Architecture: Why marketers need to stop overcomplicating their tech stacks.The "Renewing" Rule: Why you don’t actually have a customer until they renew.If you feel like your marketing team has become "task-takers" instead of "growth-drivers," this conversation is a must-listen.

AI is changing the agency world fast — but not always for the better.In this episode, Kerry Guard joins the conversation to unpack what AI is really doing to agencies, search, and marketing strategy. She shares why some teams are becoming too dependent on AI, where expert judgment still matters most, and how agencies can use AI to go deeper and faster without sacrificing quality.The discussion also explores the future of SEO, the rise of search visibility across platforms, why average AI output won’t be enough to stand out, and what brands need to do now to stay credible and discoverable.If you work in agencies, B2B marketing, or search, this episode offers a practical look at what’s changing — and what still matters.

In this episode of Back on T-R-A-C-K, Aaron Smillie talks about how motion, 3D, and brand strategy can drive real growth—without heavy campaigns that waste budget.In this conversation, we’ll explore:• When animation and motion are actually worth the investment• How to build brand “worlds” through 3D storytelling• Aligning creative with SEO and paid media instead of competing with them• Why every brand needs a strong validation layer so ads support organic visibilityIf you’re thinking about how creative and performance marketing should work together, this episode will give you practical insights you can use this quarter.

Most businesses don’t stall because they run out of ideas.They stall because clarity slips.In this episode of Back On T-R-A-C-K, Charlie Sells, founder of Clarity Over Everything, talks about the hidden cost of messy marketing.Charlie helps leaders untangle complexity so teams can move faster and communicate with confidence.We explore:• Why messaging becomes muddy over time• How too many priorities stall momentum• The “hidden taxes” that quietly drain teams• Why clarity beats cleverness every timeIf your marketing feels scattered or your team keeps asking “wait… what are we doing again?” — this conversation is worth a listen.

In this episode of Back on T-R-A-C-K, we sit down with Marlena Sarunac, Fractional CMO and Founder of The Company Advice, to explore how startups market complex products in emerging categories.Marlena has led marketing from Series A to Series B in health tech, building analytics-first go-to-market systems while helping companies articulate value in markets where there is no shared language yet.We discuss:• How to simplify complex value propositions• Marketing KPIs that signal investor readiness• Why storytelling builds credibility in emerging markets• The system's early-stage startups need to scaleIf you're building in health tech, AI, insurtech, or any new category, this conversation will sharpen how you think about positioning and growth.

In this episode of Back On T-R-A-C-K, we’re joined by Jenna Nelson, Founder of HerAIgency, to talk about AI, automation, and what it really takes to scale without burning out.Jenna works with female founders who are ready to grow — without sacrificing their time, creativity, or sanity.We’ll explore:• Where founders waste the most time (and how AI fixes it)• How to build a CustomGPT that protects your brand voice• Automation that enhances creativity instead of replacing it• Scaling sustainably in the AI eraIf you’re curious about AI but don’t want hype — you want practical strategy — this conversation is for you.

On this episode of Back on T-R-A-C-K, we’re diving into social media algorithms. The blessing and the curse of modern marketing. When it works, you reach exactly the right audience.When it doesn’t, you’re left wondering what “doing it right” even means. Because it’s not just about posting. It’s about aligning the channel, audience, timing, and—most importantly—the message. Zachary Walker and Kerry talk about breaking down how to navigate the algorithms and how AI can help you show up in front of the people who matter most.

If growth requires more from you every year, something’s off.In this episode of Back on T-R-A-C-K, Robyn Goldenberg, President of Strategy Leaders, shares how she helps owner-led and mid-sized businesses scale without burning out their leaders or teams.Robyn brings a rare lens at the intersection of:• Strategic growth planning• Leadership development• Operational capacity• Sustainable performanceThis conversation reframes growth as a systems and capacity challenge — not an effort problem.A must-listen for leaders who want profitability and longevity.

Everyone says their product is “AI-powered.”But… is it really?On this episode of Back on T-R-A-C-K, Michele Nieberding, Director of Product Marketing, AI at Treasure Data, breaks down what’s real versus what’s hype.This is a fun way to get into a serious conversation about:• AI trust and transparency• Product marketing in the age of hype• How buyers actually evaluate “AI” claimsThis episode is powered by MKG. We handle the details so you can capture the market.

In this episode of Back On T-R-A-C-K, Laura McAliley, Founder & Fractional CMO at Pebble Marketing, breaks down how she helps pre-seed to Series A companies build GTM clarity that supports both growth and fundraising.The conversation covers:• Positioning and messaging that reflect real buyer behavior• Marketing systems built for small teams and limited runways• Founder-to-market translation• GTM readiness before Series AA must-listen for founders and early GTM leaders navigating the messy middle.

Scaling marketing isn’t about doing more.It’s about doing the right things at the right time.In this episode of Back on T-R-A-C-K, Kathie Johnson — Founder & CMO of Accel Growth Partners — shares how she helps B2B SaaS and AI companies build GTM engines that scale with clarity and discipline.Kathie brings deep experience from Salesforce, Talkdesk, Sitecore, and Dassault Systèmes, and now applies that judgment as a fractional and interim CMO.This episode covers:• GTM strategy before execution• Verticalization and upmarket growth• Fractional leadership that delivers impact fast• AI as a strategic lever, not a shiny objectA must-listen for founders and GTM leaders scaling into their next chapter.This episode is powered by MKG. We handle the details so you can capture the market.

Content doesn’t fail.Misalignment does.In this Back on T-R-A-C-K episode, Jess Vigorito shares how she builds content-led GTM strategies that drive real business impact through sales alignment, community, and clear positioning.Jess brings hands-on experience across SaaS, CX, AI, and media, delivering:• 2–3× MoM membership growth• 60% revenue increases• Meaningful pipeline from partnerships and community• Content that sales teams actually useThis episode is powered by MKG. We handle the details so you can capture the market.

Is your marketing actually driving revenue, or just making noise?We’re getting "Back on T-R-A-C-K" with Quincy Johnson, a Marketing Ops expert who helps startups and small businesses turn chaotic data into compound growth.In this sprint session, we’re ditching the fluff. We are diving straight into what actually worked in 2025 and what you need to build to survive 2026. Quincy will break down the critical journey from that first Cold Email to the Nurture sequence, all the way to a loyal Newsletter following.We’ll cover:The 2025/2026 Shift: What to keep and what to kill.The Ops Engine: Why startups need Ops before they think they do.The Email Ecosystem: How to fix your leaky funnel.The "Fix-It" List: Top mistakes Ops leaders spot on Day 1.30 Minutes. Zero fluff. Let’s get your marketing back on track.This episode is powered by MKG. We handle the details so you can capture the market.

In this week’s Back On T-R-A-C-K episode, we speak with JD Miller, Go-To-Market Consultant and best-selling author of “The CRO’s Guide to Winning in Private Equity”. He’s spent decades rebuilding revenue engines inside PE-backed and high-growth SaaS companies.JD will break down:How to build a unified “SMarketing” cultureWhat PE-backed companies get right (and wrong) about GTMHow to lead sales, marketing, and customer teams under one value-creation planThe operational shifts that improve speed, clarity, and pipelineIf you’re building a revenue system that needs to scale inside pressure and complexity, this episode will give you a roadmap.

Modern marketing teams don’t need more headcount. They need better systems.In this Back on T-R-A-C-K episode, Executive Marketing Leader Scott Wasserman shares how he builds lean, high-impact growth engines for SaaS companies — from $5K ARR deals to $3M enterprise contracts.Scott breaks down:How he increased LinkedIn reach by 400% with employee advocacyWhy targeted mini-webinars yielded a 48% show rateHow dark social and intent signals boosted demand gen KPIs by 35%What smart AI integration looks like inside marketing workflowsIf your team is trying to scale sustainably, this episode is worth forwarding to your leadership team.This episode is powered by MKG. We manage the details, so you may capture the market.

Your marketing workflow takes 4 weeks to approve a campaign?Alyssa Maker cut hers to 3 days. How? AI-powered systems, aligned teams, and a mindset built on measurable impact.In this episode of Back on T-R-A-C-K, we unpack: Why “AI visibility” and “agentic workspaces” are the future of B2B. How to make data, creativity, and innovation work together. What global demand gen looks like when it actually works.If you’re ready to move from slow approvals to real pipeline, this is your playbook.

In 2025, your founder’s voice is your best distribution channel.Evan Patterson joins Back on T-R-A-C-K to share how he helps B2B SaaS leaders: Build social-led content engines that actually scale. Show up in AI search results. Turn personal brands into predictable pipeline. It’s a conversation about growth, visibility, and keeping marketing human, even in an AI-driven world. Click here to view the episode transcript.

Customer Success is changing fast: automation, dashboards, AI… but Ruth Wisniewski believes the real differentiator is clarity with empathy.As Senior Director of Customer Success at Vehlo, Ruth has led her team through major change—building systems that scale and relationships that last.Today on Back on T-R-A-C-K, we talk about: Coaching with compassion while holding accountability Defining success beyond retention and NPS Aligning Product, Sales, and CS so customers actually feel the differenceThis episode is a must-listen for leaders growing teams through transformation.Click here to view the episode transcript.

Hiring is broken. Leaders know it. Recruiters feel it. Candidates live it. So what’s next?In this conversation, we sat down with recruiting leader Desiree Goldey to dive into the current job market struggles that thousands of candidates are facing. We spoke of best practices when it comes to personal branding, building connections, and being kind to yourself during burnout phases. This episode is powered by MKG. We manage the details, so you may capture the market. Click here to view the episode transcript.

How do you scale eight brands at once without burning out?On the very first episode of Back on T-R-A-C-K (formerly Tea Time with Tech Marketing Leaders), Kerry Guard sat down with Jonathan Tasman to talk about building repeatable systems that turn content into pipeline—across LinkedIn, podcasts, and YouTube. This episode is powered by MKG. We manage the details, so you may capture the market.

Rebekah Bradford knows how to perform when the plan shifts and the pressure spikes. In this conversation, Rebekah joins Kerry Guard to share the mindset that took her to the 2010 Winter Olympics and now powers global GTM work in the energy software space.On this episode, we dig into customer-led innovation that actually ships, running hackathons that influence the roadmap, and using AI to speed content without losing the human voice. She walks through how her team builds a single source of truth for positioning, tests messaging with existing customers first, and keeps macro vision and micro sprints in sync.This episode is powered by MKG. We manage the details, so you may capture the market. Click here to view the episode transcript.

What does it take to launch a cybersecurity startup from stealth, cut through market noise, and bring security and engineering into true alignment? Valerie Zargarpur, VP of Marketing at Hopper Security, joins Kerry Guard to share how she’s helping redefine open-source risk management with clarity, humility, and bold storytelling.In this conversation, Valerie opens up about the balancing act of building brand momentum in stealth, why Hopper took an organic-first approach over traditional demand gen, and how her team turns highly technical research into messaging anyone can understand. She also highlights the culture that keeps Hopper’s engineers energized, the power of experiential marketing, and the role AI now plays in scaling content and marketing at speed.If you are curious about aligning product, engineering, and security in a way that actually accelerates growth and how to stand out in a crowded cybersecurity market, this episode is for you.This episode is powered by MKG. We manage the details, so you may capture the market. Click here to view the episode transcript.

Unpack honesty, transparent growth, and lessons learned while being human. Kerry Guard, our CEO and co-founder at MKG takes the guest seat in a safe space for transparent sharing about her leadership, dreams, and vision for MKG.We're diving into what makes our digital agency tick, from cybersecurity to B2B growth. Kerry's got some real insights on building a people-first culture and mastering SEO and digital ads. Whether you're a founder, a marketer, or just curious about the digital scene, there's plenty of practical advice here. It's a conversation worth tuning into.This episode is powered by MKG. We manage the details, so you may capture the market. (00:00) - Introduction Meet Kerry Guard and learn about MKG. (05:30) - People-First Culture Fostering a supportive work environment. (12:00) - Digital Marketing Mastery SEO, advertising, and analytics insights. (20:45) - Overcoming Challenges Personal and professional hurdles. (30:15) - Future Trends Predictions for digital marketing. (38:00) - Closing Thoughts Key lessons and advice. Click here to view the episode transcript.

What happens when a front-end dev falls in love with SEO? Nathan Stenberg shares his journey from coding to building MKG’s repeatable growth engine.While HR's on PTO, Nathan spills some secrets about how MKG’s people-first culture and packaged, scalable service model help deliver consistent results for high-growth cybersecurity, SaaS, and B2B clients. He didn't sign an NDA, right? No? We good! We dig into the way he leads cross-channel strategy across SEO, paid media, analytics, and ABM, and how MKG’s systems turn individual expertise into repeatable wins. Makin' it rain, all day long, babeeee! But, wait! There's more. Nathan shares how AI's speeding up data analysis and reporting, and how the team balances technical precision with the human side of client partnerships.While you're jonesin' for next week's episode, we've got 3 more excellent episodes pair just as well to this episode as your favorite Merlot: Metrics to Meaning: featuring Arpine Babloyan on building revenue-driven marketing. Big Up, Threat Connect!Tactic to Pipeline: focused on connecting marketing tactics directly to pipeline impact.Mike Barano - GTM New Playbook for Visibility: includes some AI discussion, too.Whoop, there it is! We are MKG Marketing. While you capture the market, we're doin' our thang managing the details. Let's be digital friends? Say hi? Maybe a little high five, or a wink from across the room? https://www.mkgmarketinginc.com(00:00) - Welcome and Nathan’s Introduction (03:59) - AI’s Role in Faster Reporting (06:42) - Lessons from Client Challenges (10:48) - Streamlining MKG’s SEO Services (15:21) - Guiding Strategy Through Audits (18:02) - Projects with Long-Term Impact (22:23) - Connecting Brand and Content Strategy (29:28) - MKG’s AI-Powered SEO Approach (34:08) - Creating Holistic Content Strategies (37:08) - Balancing AI and Human Quality (40:13) - Gaming Principles in Marketing (46:05) - MKG’s Manage the Details Promise

Ken Marshall, Chief Growth Officer & Managing Partner at Revenue Zen, reveals how he’s using AI not as a replacement for human strategy, but as an accelerator for it. From building his own custom GPT “Kenbot” to automating complex workflows with Cursor, n8n, and brand visibility monitoring software, Ken shares how to leverage AI for meaningful, measurable B2B growth without losing your brand’s human edge.We dive into:Why being data-informed beats being data-drivenHow generative engine optimization (GEO) can put you in front of AI-powered searchersPractical ways to start small with AI tools to solve real problems, one use case at a timeThe tech stack Ken uses to turn big ideas into shipped solutionsConnect with Ken on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenmagma/ Learn more about his work at Revenue Zen.This podcast is brought to you by MKG Marketing. We manage the details. You capture the market.(00:00) - Introduction to Ken Marshall, CGO at RevenueZen (02:51) - The Importance of Experimentation in Marketing (05:50) - Morning Routines and Personal Insights (08:45) - Vulnerability in Leadership (11:28) - Generative Engine Optimization Explained (14:29) - Data-Informed vs. Data-Driven Strategies (17:29) - The Role of Founder Branding in Inbound Leads (20:31) - Engagement Metrics and Human Elements in Marketing (23:29) - Balancing Structure and Creativity in Content (26:23) - AI Tools for Marketing Efficiency (29:19) - Startup Content Strategy and Overcoming FOMO (32:18) - KPIs vs. Business Metrics in Marketing (35:34) - Lessons from Personal Peaks and Valleys (38:12) - Finding Joy and Balance in Life Click here to view the episode transcript.