Shows
Is Anything Real?Always Be Testing: Real SEO/SEM Plays for 2026 | Ep. 43 w/ Peter Kalanda (3 Horizons Interactive)“SEO isn’t dead...LLM search just rewards brands that ship the fundamentals and answer real questions.”If you feel like your ad dollars buy less every month, you’re not imagining it. Peter Kalanda (Co-Founder, 3 Horizons Interactive) and I unpack what’s still real in SEO/SEM...and where to double down as LLM search starts stealing clicks.HighlightsPaid as visibility tax vs. conversion: how to target so small budgets don’t vaporize. Run SEO and SEM as one system (structure, titles, keywords, quality score). Local/service landing pages that rank...and don’t clut...
2026-02-1820 minIs Anything Real?Always Be Testing: Real SEO/SEM Plays for 2026 | Ep. 43 w/ Peter Kalanda (3 Horizons Interactive)“SEO isn’t dead...LLM search just rewards brands that ship the fundamentals and answer real questions.”If you feel like your ad dollars buy less every month, you’re not imagining it. Peter Kalanda (Co-Founder, 3 Horizons Interactive) and I unpack what’s still real in SEO/SEM...and where to double down as LLM search starts stealing clicks.HighlightsPaid as visibility tax vs. conversion: how to target so small budgets don’t vaporize. Run SEO and SEM as one system (structure, titles, keywords, quality score). Local/service landing pages that rank...and don’t clut...
2026-02-1820 min
Is Anything Real?Reddit = Real: Zero-Click Wins & Comment Ads | Ep. 42 w/ Colin Belyea (Karmic)Reddit is the trust engine of the internet. It’s where buyers validate big decisions - and where AI and search borrow real perspective. In this episode, Colin James Belyea (Co-Founder, Karmic) shares a field-tested playbook for winning on Reddit without astroturfing or getting banned.What you’ll learnThe why now: Reddit’s role in zero-click journeys and high-consideration purchasesHow to build credibility (karma + participation) before a single brand postThe comment-elicitation thread structure that multiplies saves, replies, and CTRPromoted thread settings that invite discussion instead of backlashSafety: disclosure, language, and moderation that keep y...
2026-02-1122 minIs Anything Real?Reddit = Real: Zero-Click Wins & Comment Ads | Ep. 42 w/ Colin Belyea (Karmic)Reddit is the trust engine of the internet. It’s where buyers validate big decisions - and where AI and search borrow real perspective. In this episode, Colin James Belyea (Co-Founder, Karmic) shares a field-tested playbook for winning on Reddit without astroturfing or getting banned.What you’ll learnThe why now: Reddit’s role in zero-click journeys and high-consideration purchasesHow to build credibility (karma + participation) before a single brand postThe comment-elicitation thread structure that multiplies saves, replies, and CTRPromoted thread settings that invite discussion instead of backlashSafety: disclosure, language, and moderation that keep y...
2026-02-1122 min
Is Anything Real?Brand Soul > Super Bowl Shine | Exclusive Drop Ep. 41 w/ Steve Biegel (Dreamboat Group)Award-winning strategist Steve Biegel shows why purpose outperforms spectacle - and how to use Think > Say > Do to win beyond Super Bowl weekend.This exclusive drop lands the Friday before the Super Bowl and the opening of the Winter Olympics - for a reason. Steve Biegel (Dreamboat Group; ex-Ogilvy) unpacks how purpose beats spectacle, when celebrity helps instead of hurts, and why Think > Say > Do is the simplest path to tribes that buy for years, not days.We coverUsing tent-pole moments without faking itThe right and wrong...
2026-02-0624 minIs Anything Real?Brand Soul > Super Bowl Shine | Exclusive Drop Ep. 41 w/ Steve Biegel (Dreamboat Group)Award-winning strategist Steve Biegel shows why purpose outperforms spectacle - and how to use Think > Say > Do to win beyond Super Bowl weekend.This exclusive drop lands the Friday before the Super Bowl and the opening of the Winter Olympics - for a reason. Steve Biegel (Dreamboat Group; ex-Ogilvy) unpacks how purpose beats spectacle, when celebrity helps instead of hurts, and why Think > Say > Do is the simplest path to tribes that buy for years, not days.We coverUsing tent-pole moments without faking itThe right and wrong...
2026-02-0624 min
Is Anything Real?Regulated Ads, Real Plays - What Still Works | Ep. 40 w/ Alexandra Prochshenko (Veloria)Regulated categories aren’t impossible - just unforgiving.Founder Alexandra Prochshenko (Veloria) and I get brutally practical about what still works in paid media when you’re competing in red-ocean auctions or navigating policy landmines. We cover tiny budgets that actually move the needle, how to avoid flags, and why your offer + funnel beats any hack.👉 Need a reality-first plan? Book your 20-min Exploration: https://calendly.com/adamwbarney/explorationplugin-20minWhat you’ll learnRed-ocean truth: Meta/Google costs aren’t broken - you’re just bidding in cr...
2026-02-0424 minIs Anything Real?Regulated Ads, Real Plays - What Still Works | Ep. 40 w/ Alexandra Prochshenko (Veloria)Regulated categories aren’t impossible - just unforgiving.Founder Alexandra Prochshenko (Veloria) and I get brutally practical about what still works in paid media when you’re competing in red-ocean auctions or navigating policy landmines. We cover tiny budgets that actually move the needle, how to avoid flags, and why your offer + funnel beats any hack.👉 Need a reality-first plan? Book your 20-min Exploration: https://calendly.com/adamwbarney/explorationplugin-20minWhat you’ll learnRed-ocean truth: Meta/Google costs aren’t broken - you’re just bidding in cr...
2026-02-0424 min
Is Anything Real?Founder-First VC: Equity, Access & Real Signals | Ep. 39 w/ Christina Quinn (SSC VP)Founder-First VC: Equity, Access & Real SignalsGeneral Partner Christina Quinn (SSC Venture Partners) sits down with Adam W. Barney to move beyond the panel talk and into practice: which signals actually earn a second meeting, how to translate messy early traction into credible proof, and concrete ways funds and founders can widen the on-ramp for underrepresented builders...without performative theater.In this episode:Signals VCs trust: customer pull, learning velocity, and the right kind of focusNoise to ignore: vanity metrics, bloated roadmaps, and “partnerships” that aren’tEquity → operations: process changes that expand a...
2026-01-2826 minIs Anything Real?Founder-First VC: Equity, Access & Real Signals | Ep. 39 w/ Christina Quinn (SSC VP)Founder-First VC: Equity, Access & Real SignalsGeneral Partner Christina Quinn (SSC Venture Partners) sits down with Adam W. Barney to move beyond the panel talk and into practice: which signals actually earn a second meeting, how to translate messy early traction into credible proof, and concrete ways funds and founders can widen the on-ramp for underrepresented builders...without performative theater.In this episode:Signals VCs trust: customer pull, learning velocity, and the right kind of focusNoise to ignore: vanity metrics, bloated roadmaps, and “partnerships” that aren’tEquity → operations: process changes that expand a...
2026-01-2826 min
Is Anything Real?Introvert Leadership: Inclusion Without Burnout | Ep. 38 w/ Sharon Hurley Hall (Introvert Sisters)What if leadership stopped rewarding loudness and started rewarding truth?In this exclusive drop, Sharon Hurley Hall (journalist, author, anti-racism educator, and Co-Founder of The Introvert Sisters) joins Adam W. Barney to unpack impact without exhaustion: introverts as powerful leaders, boundaries that protect your best work, why “resilience” gets misused, and how to build communities that care while you still care for yourself.You’ll leave with a humane playbook and one EnergyOS move you can run today. LinksSharon: https://sharonhh.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonh...
2026-01-2423 minIs Anything Real?Introvert Leadership: Inclusion Without Burnout | Ep. 38 w/ Sharon Hurley Hall (Introvert Sisters)What if leadership stopped rewarding loudness and started rewarding truth?In this exclusive drop, Sharon Hurley Hall (journalist, author, anti-racism educator, and Co-Founder of The Introvert Sisters) joins Adam W. Barney to unpack impact without exhaustion: introverts as powerful leaders, boundaries that protect your best work, why “resilience” gets misused, and how to build communities that care while you still care for yourself.You’ll leave with a humane playbook and one EnergyOS move you can run today. LinksSharon: https://sharonhh.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonh...
2026-01-2423 min
Is Anything Real?Say Something True: Authentic Growth & Rev-Share Plays | Ep. 37 w/ Aaron Wolpoff (Double Zebra)“Say something true.” In this episode, Aaron Wolpoff (Owner and Fractional CMO, Double Zebra) and I unpack authentic growth: the one-truth positioning pass, when rev-share/partner models beat hourly retainers, and how to set boundaries so generosity doesn’t become unpaid consulting. We also cover making paid media feel human again - and the EnergyOS move that creates momentum today.HighlightsOne-truth positioning (cut the bloat, earn attention)Rev-share done right: incentives, pitfalls, guardrailsFrom “free advice” to formalized valuePaid media with a pulse: people at the centerEnergyOS: progress from what’s within reach - ship daily
2026-01-2122 minIs Anything Real?Say Something True: Authentic Growth & Rev-Share Plays | Ep. 37 w/ Aaron Wolpoff (Double Zebra)“Say something true.” In this episode, Aaron Wolpoff (Owner and Fractional CMO, Double Zebra) and I unpack authentic growth: the one-truth positioning pass, when rev-share/partner models beat hourly retainers, and how to set boundaries so generosity doesn’t become unpaid consulting. We also cover making paid media feel human again - and the EnergyOS move that creates momentum today.HighlightsOne-truth positioning (cut the bloat, earn attention)Rev-share done right: incentives, pitfalls, guardrailsFrom “free advice” to formalized valuePaid media with a pulse: people at the centerEnergyOS: progress from what’s within reach - ship daily
2026-01-2122 min
Is Anything Real?AR/VR, Not Hype: 70/20/10 Testing & Real-World Plays | Ep. 36 w/Adam Ortman (Kinetic319)Is spatial computing the next real channel...or another metaverse mirage? Adam Ortman (CEO/Founder, Kinetic319) brings operator truth: how to explore AR/VR without gambling the quarter, what the 1990s internet can teach us about adoption curves, and the 70/20/10 test budget that protects your core while finding edge wins. We also cover where the early inventory actually is (Roblox, console placements) and the leadership scripts that keep experiments sane. You’ll learnA simple checklist for “is immersive worth it for us… now?” The 70/20/10 play to test bold ideas without blowing trust or budget...
2026-01-1421 minIs Anything Real?AR/VR, Not Hype: 70/20/10 Testing & Real-World Plays | Ep. 36 w/Adam Ortman (Kinetic319)Is spatial computing the next real channel...or another metaverse mirage? Adam Ortman (CEO/Founder, Kinetic319) brings operator truth: how to explore AR/VR without gambling the quarter, what the 1990s internet can teach us about adoption curves, and the 70/20/10 test budget that protects your core while finding edge wins. We also cover where the early inventory actually is (Roblox, console placements) and the leadership scripts that keep experiments sane. You’ll learnA simple checklist for “is immersive worth it for us… now?” The 70/20/10 play to test bold ideas without blowing trust or budget...
2026-01-1421 min
Is Anything Real?Micro Beats Macro: Real Influence, Not Bot Views | Ep. 35 w/Matt Anthes (Advocators)Matt Anthes (ex-federal campaign strategist, now Founder of Advocators) explains why micro and nano influencers outperform “big name” buys...and how to operationalize an advocate army that actually converts.We cover fraud in pay-per-view deals, AI’s role from segmentation to virtual creators, and a field-tested flow for activating 20+ localized creators with message variants mapped to sub-audiences. You’ll learnAuthenticity > optics: the advocacy model and how to measure real impact. The danger of vanity metrics (why per-view pricing gets gamed) and what to track instead. Matching creators with 100+ affinity data points and...
2026-01-0725 minIs Anything Real?Micro Beats Macro: Real Influence, Not Bot Views | Ep. 35 w/Matt Anthes (Advocators)Matt Anthes (ex-federal campaign strategist, now Founder of Advocators) explains why micro and nano influencers outperform “big name” buys...and how to operationalize an advocate army that actually converts.We cover fraud in pay-per-view deals, AI’s role from segmentation to virtual creators, and a field-tested flow for activating 20+ localized creators with message variants mapped to sub-audiences. You’ll learnAuthenticity > optics: the advocacy model and how to measure real impact. The danger of vanity metrics (why per-view pricing gets gamed) and what to track instead. Matching creators with 100+ affinity data points and...
2026-01-0725 min
Is Anything Real?Clicks Aren’t Customers: $5,266 in Ads, 1 Call | Ep. 34 w/Dan Newman (Learn to Scale)Founder/operator Dan Newman breaks down a six-month Meta ads test (spoiler: $5,266 in spend for one sales call) and the lessons that matter for small teams: validate the offer first, track outcomes not optics, and invest in outbound + relationships until the engine is repeatable. We also cover persona pitfalls, “free” messaging traps, and where he’d deploy a fresh $5k right now (search + events). TakeawaysProof over dashboards: engagement didn’t translate to pipeline. Persona/offer misalignment beats ad tinkering every time. Use paid after you have a validated, repeatable sales motion. Practical reallocation...
2025-12-3121 minIs Anything Real?Clicks Aren’t Customers: $5,266 in Ads, 1 Call | Ep. 34 w/Dan Newman (Learn to Scale)Founder/operator Dan Newman breaks down a six-month Meta ads test (spoiler: $5,266 in spend for one sales call) and the lessons that matter for small teams: validate the offer first, track outcomes not optics, and invest in outbound + relationships until the engine is repeatable. We also cover persona pitfalls, “free” messaging traps, and where he’d deploy a fresh $5k right now (search + events). TakeawaysProof over dashboards: engagement didn’t translate to pipeline. Persona/offer misalignment beats ad tinkering every time. Use paid after you have a validated, repeatable sales motion. Practical reallocation...
2025-12-3121 min
Is Anything Real?Creative Angle over Dashboards: Full Journey Growth | Ep. 33 w/Gabe Wolff (Everything Bagel)Brand-side veteran turned collective leader Gabe Wolff makes the case that tidy ROAS and over-engineered account structures distract from what actually scales: a sharp creative angle, a full user journey, and profit-first measurement. We cover misaligned agency incentives, post-iOS14 realities, practical ways to structure campaigns by angle/ICP, and why entry products and retention paths drive LTV more than day-to-day CPA swings. You’ll learn:How outcome-aligned compensation changes behavior and results. Why algorithms do the heavy lifting—and how to give them better angles. When to keep one “scale” campaign vs. adding controls fo...
2025-12-2419 minIs Anything Real?Creative Angle over Dashboards: Full Journey Growth | Ep. 33 w/Gabe Wolff (Everything Bagel)Brand-side veteran turned collective leader Gabe Wolff makes the case that tidy ROAS and over-engineered account structures distract from what actually scales: a sharp creative angle, a full user journey, and profit-first measurement. We cover misaligned agency incentives, post-iOS14 realities, practical ways to structure campaigns by angle/ICP, and why entry products and retention paths drive LTV more than day-to-day CPA swings. You’ll learn:How outcome-aligned compensation changes behavior and results. Why algorithms do the heavy lifting—and how to give them better angles. When to keep one “scale” campaign vs. adding controls fo...
2025-12-2419 min
Is Anything Real?Lead with Humanity: Caregiving, Clarity & Real Growth | Ep. 32 w/Yasmine de Aranda (360ANGLE)What happens when the glossy leadership myth meets real life - kids, partners’ health, and aging parents? Yasmine de Aranda argues that caregiving is a leadership superpower and that humane companies outperform hustle cosplay. We map marketing’s role as organizational glue, why growth-at-all-cost fails humans and strategy, and how to build flexible, trust-based teams that still deliver. We close with a protect-your-energy cadence any leader can adopt this week. You’ll learn:How to design marketing to serve sales, success, and product (service over silos) Policies and practices that support the sandwich generati...
2025-12-1925 minIs Anything Real?Lead with Humanity: Caregiving, Clarity & Real Growth | Ep. 32 w/Yasmine de Aranda (360ANGLE)What happens when the glossy leadership myth meets real life - kids, partners’ health, and aging parents? Yasmine de Aranda argues that caregiving is a leadership superpower and that humane companies outperform hustle cosplay. We map marketing’s role as organizational glue, why growth-at-all-cost fails humans and strategy, and how to build flexible, trust-based teams that still deliver. We close with a protect-your-energy cadence any leader can adopt this week. You’ll learn:How to design marketing to serve sales, success, and product (service over silos) Policies and practices that support the sandwich generati...
2025-12-1925 min
Is Anything Real?Break the Agency Mold: Right-Sized Teams, Real Results | Ep. 31 w/Jamie Read (BriteBirch)Agency polish without agency baggage. Jamie Read unpacks how BriteBirch Collective builds project-led, specialist teams that scale up or down fast, why fractional talent creates anti-fragile organizations, and how the commoditization of paid media plus AI content noise makes earned, community-driven attention the smartest bet. We also cover earned-first launches with $0 ad spend, BriteBirch’s BriteStart community for freelancers, and a simple practice for better creative decisions: seek perspective on purpose. You’ll learn:The “freelance collective” operating system (assemble specialists → deliver → unplug)Fractional staffing vs. six-month hires (speed, expertise, flexibility)When paid helps, when it...
2025-12-1722 minIs Anything Real?Break the Agency Mold: Right-Sized Teams, Real Results | Ep. 31 w/Jamie Read (BriteBirch)Agency polish without agency baggage. Jamie Read unpacks how BriteBirch Collective builds project-led, specialist teams that scale up or down fast, why fractional talent creates anti-fragile organizations, and how the commoditization of paid media plus AI content noise makes earned, community-driven attention the smartest bet. We also cover earned-first launches with $0 ad spend, BriteBirch’s BriteStart community for freelancers, and a simple practice for better creative decisions: seek perspective on purpose. You’ll learn:The “freelance collective” operating system (assemble specialists → deliver → unplug)Fractional staffing vs. six-month hires (speed, expertise, flexibility)When paid helps, when it...
2025-12-1722 min
Is Anything Real?Community over Audience: Measurable ROI & CQLs | Ep. 30 w/Yurii Lazaruk (Community ROI)Most teams confuse audience with community. Yurii Lazaruk explains the difference (one-to-many vs. many-to-many) and maps a measurable framework for community’s impact on support, product, marketing, and sales—including Community-Qualified Leads that move members into the right offer at the right time. We get into avoiding “fandom” traps, when to build audience first, why intentional facilitation matters, and a simple habit to start today: one real conversation a day. You’ll learn:How to design for member-to-member connection (not just broadcasts) Metrics that matter: ticket deflection, feature input/beta, UGC/advocacy, CQLs tied to reve...
2025-12-1027 minIs Anything Real?Community over Audience: Measurable ROI & CQLs | Ep. 30 w/Yurii Lazaruk (Community ROI)Most teams confuse audience with community. Yurii Lazaruk explains the difference (one-to-many vs. many-to-many) and maps a measurable framework for community’s impact on support, product, marketing, and sales—including Community-Qualified Leads that move members into the right offer at the right time. We get into avoiding “fandom” traps, when to build audience first, why intentional facilitation matters, and a simple habit to start today: one real conversation a day. You’ll learn:How to design for member-to-member connection (not just broadcasts) Metrics that matter: ticket deflection, feature input/beta, UGC/advocacy, CQLs tied to reve...
2025-12-1027 min
Is Anything Real?Do the Homework: Foundations Before Ads | Ep. 29 w/Nikhil Vaish (BoostSolo)Agency veteran Nikhil Vaish, founder of BoostSolo, argues that most ad failures start upstream. We walk through his three-step model: Offer > Homework > Execution, show how AI can amplify both good and bad strategy, and detail a practical voice-of-customer workflow using your own sales calls.Expect a frank conversation about niching down, pricing power, and building the right foundation so ads can finally do their job.You will learnThe Step Two foundation that most skip and how to build it fastHow to balance brand and performance without chasing vanity metricsWhy AI...
2025-12-0521 minIs Anything Real?Do the Homework: Foundations Before Ads | Ep. 29 w/Nikhil Vaish (BoostSolo)Agency veteran Nikhil Vaish, founder of BoostSolo, argues that most ad failures start upstream. We walk through his three-step model: Offer > Homework > Execution, show how AI can amplify both good and bad strategy, and detail a practical voice-of-customer workflow using your own sales calls.Expect a frank conversation about niching down, pricing power, and building the right foundation so ads can finally do their job.You will learnThe Step Two foundation that most skip and how to build it fastHow to balance brand and performance without chasing vanity metricsWhy AI...
2025-12-0521 min
Is Anything Real?Attribution Is Fiction: Profit Over Dashboards | Ep. 28 w/Andrew Maffettone (BlueTuskr)E-commerce isn’t single-touch - and your reporting shouldn’t pretend it is. Growth leader Andrew Maffettone breaks down how marketplace spillover (Amazon, Walmart, DTC, social) makes ROAS tidy but wrong, why profit beats channel vanity metrics, and how to design campaigns by channel purpose (education vs. capture). He shares a surprising SEO play—using low-cost Google Ads to accelerate rankings—then retargeting for conversion, plus a blunt take on why driving ads straight to Amazon often hurts organic rank.You’ll learn:How to evaluate spend, revenue, and profit across channels, not in silosWh...
2025-12-0324 minIs Anything Real?Attribution Is Fiction: Profit Over Dashboards | Ep. 28 w/Andrew Maffettone (BlueTuskr)E-commerce isn’t single-touch - and your reporting shouldn’t pretend it is. Growth leader Andrew Maffettone breaks down how marketplace spillover (Amazon, Walmart, DTC, social) makes ROAS tidy but wrong, why profit beats channel vanity metrics, and how to design campaigns by channel purpose (education vs. capture). He shares a surprising SEO play—using low-cost Google Ads to accelerate rankings—then retargeting for conversion, plus a blunt take on why driving ads straight to Amazon often hurts organic rank.You’ll learn:How to evaluate spend, revenue, and profit across channels, not in silosWh...
2025-12-0324 min
Is Anything Real?Community over Clicks: Women, Talent & Real Influence | Ep. 27 w/Shraddha Varma (Fuzia)Community isn’t a channel—it’s an operating system. Shraddha Varma, Co-Founder of Fuzia, shares how a women-centered platform turns creators into contributors, and contributors into careers. We map the community → credibility → opportunity flywheel, plus a pragmatic view of paid media once audience and offer are proven.You’ll learn:How to build a values-driven community that compounds trustConverting community energy into a talent + partnerships pipelineThe right (and wrong) moments to use paid adsActivation ideas: storytelling, spotlights, and serviceMetrics that matter beyond impressionsConnect with Shraddha• Fuzia: https://www.fuzia.com/...
2025-11-2617 minIs Anything Real?Community over Clicks: Women, Talent & Real Influence | Ep. 27 w/Shraddha Varma (Fuzia)Community isn’t a channel—it’s an operating system. Shraddha Varma, Co-Founder of Fuzia, shares how a women-centered platform turns creators into contributors, and contributors into careers. We map the community → credibility → opportunity flywheel, plus a pragmatic view of paid media once audience and offer are proven.You’ll learn:How to build a values-driven community that compounds trustConverting community energy into a talent + partnerships pipelineThe right (and wrong) moments to use paid adsActivation ideas: storytelling, spotlights, and serviceMetrics that matter beyond impressionsConnect with Shraddha• Fuzia: https://www.fuzia.com/...
2025-11-2617 min
Is Anything Real?Credibility over Clout: Books, Wine & BS-Free Marketing | Ep. 26 w/Megumi Calver (Merobebe)Author credibility beats vanity metrics—and hospitality beats hacks. In this conversation, Megumi Calver explains how she helps nonfiction authors and speakers use books as credibility engines, why she built Merobebe to champion women winemakers, and the narrow moments when paid ads are worth it—after audience and offer are dialed.You’ll learn:The difference between “bestseller” clout and durable credibilityHow to grow a thriving community without relying on paid adsWine-world lessons for marketers: language, labels, and transparencyA pragmatic framework for ads when budgets are tightWhy genuine hospitality outperforms dashboardsConnect with Megum...
2025-11-1919 minIs Anything Real?Credibility over Clout: Books, Wine & BS-Free Marketing | Ep. 26 w/Megumi Calver (Merobebe)Author credibility beats vanity metrics—and hospitality beats hacks. In this conversation, Megumi Calver explains how she helps nonfiction authors and speakers use books as credibility engines, why she built Merobebe to champion women winemakers, and the narrow moments when paid ads are worth it—after audience and offer are dialed.You’ll learn:The difference between “bestseller” clout and durable credibilityHow to grow a thriving community without relying on paid adsWine-world lessons for marketers: language, labels, and transparencyA pragmatic framework for ads when budgets are tightWhy genuine hospitality outperforms dashboardsConnect with Megum...
2025-11-1919 min
Is Anything Real?Building a Global VA Agency Without Ads | Ep. 25 w/Utsav Nagori (DynaPro Global)What if you could build a thriving global business — without spending a dime on ads?In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, Utsav Nagori, Founder of DynaPro Global, shares how he grew a VA agency serving clients across the U.S. entirely through trust, relationships, and ridiculous consistency.From his first few clients to managing a full remote team, Utsav walks through what it really takes to scale when you don’t have funding, investors, or ad budgets — just belief and execution.🎯 Hi...
2025-11-1217 minIs Anything Real?Building a Global VA Agency Without Ads | Ep. 25 w/Utsav Nagori (DynaPro Global)What if you could build a thriving global business — without spending a dime on ads?In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, Utsav Nagori, Founder of DynaPro Global, shares how he grew a VA agency serving clients across the U.S. entirely through trust, relationships, and ridiculous consistency.From his first few clients to managing a full remote team, Utsav walks through what it really takes to scale when you don’t have funding, investors, or ad budgets — just belief and execution.🎯 Hi...
2025-11-1217 min
Is Anything Real?Stop the Ad Addiction | Ep. 24 w/Jared Tang (Gaggle Social)Tired of chasing clicks and conversions that don’t convert?In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, host Adam W. Barney sits down with Jared Tang, Founder & CEO of Gaggle Social, to talk about breaking the cycle of ad dependency and building brands that grow on real connection, not rented reach.💡 What We Cover:Escaping the paid-media hamster wheelHow organic storytelling compounds faster than spendThe LinkedIn content loops that actually drive salesWhy most founders confuse activity with attentionBuilding authentic demand vs algorithm dopamine🎧 This one’s for founders...
2025-11-0524 minIs Anything Real?Stop the Ad Addiction | Ep. 24 w/Jared Tang (Gaggle Social)Tired of chasing clicks and conversions that don’t convert?In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, host Adam W. Barney sits down with Jared Tang, Founder & CEO of Gaggle Social, to talk about breaking the cycle of ad dependency and building brands that grow on real connection, not rented reach.💡 What We Cover:Escaping the paid-media hamster wheelHow organic storytelling compounds faster than spendThe LinkedIn content loops that actually drive salesWhy most founders confuse activity with attentionBuilding authentic demand vs algorithm dopamine🎧 This one’s for founders...
2025-11-0524 min
Unfiltered SolopreneurS02E03 From Corporate Layoffs to Resilient Solopreneurship | Adam W BarneyHow do solopreneurs find resilience after corporate layoffs and burnout? In this episode, Adam shares his journey of leaving 20+ years in marketing to build a thriving solopreneur coaching business.(Note: Meta description or be the first line under the video/audio player.)In this episode of Unfiltered Solopreneur, host Nikhil Vaish speaks with Adam W.Barney, who is an author, energy coach, and former corporate marketing leader who has coached 300+ micro-business owners. Adam shares his journey from a 20-year corporate marketing career to building his own business, twice laid off due to organizational restructures. He reveals the surprising...
2025-10-301h 06
Is Anything Real?Scrappy ABM, Real Results: Building Pipeline Without Paid Ads | Ep. 23 w/Mason Cosby (Scrappy ABM)What happens when you stop chasing vanity metrics and start running ABM the way it’s meant to be — personal, measurable, and scrappy?In this episode, Mason Cosby, CEO & Founder of Scrappy ABM, joins Adam W. Barney to unpack how small, focused teams are generating enterprise-level outcomes with smarter, more human strategies.🔥 Topics we dig into:Why ABM has been misunderstood (and how to fix it)How to build real alignment between sales and marketingWhat “Scrappy” actually means in a post-AI worldTurning connection into pipeline — without buying attention🎙 Hosted by...
2025-10-2925 minIs Anything Real?Scrappy ABM, Real Results: Building Pipeline Without Paid Ads | Ep. 23 w/Mason Cosby (Scrappy ABM)What happens when you stop chasing vanity metrics and start running ABM the way it’s meant to be — personal, measurable, and scrappy?In this episode, Mason Cosby, CEO & Founder of Scrappy ABM, joins Adam W. Barney to unpack how small, focused teams are generating enterprise-level outcomes with smarter, more human strategies.🔥 Topics we dig into:Why ABM has been misunderstood (and how to fix it)How to build real alignment between sales and marketingWhat “Scrappy” actually means in a post-AI worldTurning connection into pipeline — without buying attention🎙 Hosted by...
2025-10-2925 min
SH!T CREEK SURVIVORSNavigating Life’s Challenges with Resilience | Adam W. BarneyIn this episode of Sh!t Creek Survivors, Cam McKay sits down with Adam W. Barney — energy coach, author, and founder of Scale Smarter — to explore what it really means to live resiliently, manage your energy, and find purpose through pain.Adam shares his personal journey through loss, including his mother’s battle with ALS, and how those experiences shaped his life’s work helping others refuel their resilience. Together, they dive into practical tools for overcoming fear, building community, and creating momentum through small, intentional wins.This is a conversation about grace, growth, and the trut...
2025-10-2851 min
Is Anything Real?EQ, Resilience & Real Influence | Ep. 22 w/Chuck Garcia (Climb Leadership International)It's time for another Exclusive Drop you don't want to miss!Leadership isn’t forged at the summit: it’s forged in the storm.In this powerful conversation, Chuck Garcia, Columbia University professor, author, and founder of Climb Leadership, joins host Adam W. Barney to unpack what it really means to climb with resilience, emotional intelligence, and purpose .Mountains and boardrooms share the same truth: the climb tests your patience, your team, and your character. Chuck Garcia shares the three rules he learned on Kilimanjaro that every leader needs to adop...
2025-10-2426 minIs Anything Real?EQ, Resilience & Real Influence | Ep. 22 w/Chuck Garcia (Climb Leadership International)It's time for another Exclusive Drop you don't want to miss!Leadership isn’t forged at the summit: it’s forged in the storm.In this powerful conversation, Chuck Garcia, Columbia University professor, author, and founder of Climb Leadership, joins host Adam W. Barney to unpack what it really means to climb with resilience, emotional intelligence, and purpose .Mountains and boardrooms share the same truth: the climb tests your patience, your team, and your character. Chuck Garcia shares the three rules he learned on Kilimanjaro that every leader needs to adop...
2025-10-2426 min
Is Anything Real?Fix Your Bank. Scale Your Ads. | Ep. 21 w/Alex Steele (Opal)In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, host Adam W. Barney sits down with Alex Steele, Founder & CEO of Opal, to unpack how agencies can unlock growth by rethinking how they bank.💡 Alex shares the story of building Opal — the fintech platform redefining how ad agencies and creators manage cash flow and credit.From partnering with Visa to solving the agency payment bottleneck, this conversation gets real about money, momentum, and the systems that fuel scale.We cover:🏦 Why traditional banks don’t understa...
2025-10-2219 minIs Anything Real?Fix Your Bank. Scale Your Ads. | Ep. 21 w/Alex Steele (Opal)In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, host Adam W. Barney sits down with Alex Steele, Founder & CEO of Opal, to unpack how agencies can unlock growth by rethinking how they bank.💡 Alex shares the story of building Opal — the fintech platform redefining how ad agencies and creators manage cash flow and credit.From partnering with Visa to solving the agency payment bottleneck, this conversation gets real about money, momentum, and the systems that fuel scale.We cover:🏦 Why traditional banks don’t understa...
2025-10-2219 min
Is Anything Real?Narrative Power in a Noisy World | Ep. 20 w/MK McGowan (MK McGowan Studios)In a world where ads fight for attention and algorithms dictate visibility, one thing still cuts through the noise: storytelling.In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I sit down with MK McGowan, Founder of MK McGowan Studios, to explore how narrative isn’t just marketing — it’s the difference between being ignored and being unforgettable.We dive into:✨ Why narrative intelligence matters more than vanity metrics✨ How to tell stories that scale across platforms and audiences✨ The art of shaping mess...
2025-10-1518 minIs Anything Real?Narrative Power in a Noisy World | Ep. 20 w/MK McGowan (MK McGowan Studios)In a world where ads fight for attention and algorithms dictate visibility, one thing still cuts through the noise: storytelling.In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I sit down with MK McGowan, Founder of MK McGowan Studios, to explore how narrative isn’t just marketing — it’s the difference between being ignored and being unforgettable.We dive into:✨ Why narrative intelligence matters more than vanity metrics✨ How to tell stories that scale across platforms and audiences✨ The art of shaping mess...
2025-10-1518 min
Is Anything Real?Filtering Noise with AI: Authentic Growth & Real Connections | Ep. 19 w/ Joe Apfelbaum (evyAI)AI in sales and marketing isn’t about replacing people: it’s about amplifying them.In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I sit down with Joe Apfelbaum, Founder of evyAI and CEO of Ajax Union, to unpack what it really takes to scale authentic relationships in the age of AI.Joe shares his journey from building 100+ websites a year, to scaling Ajax Union into one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., to creating evyAI...now powering 20,000+ users across 37 countries. Along the way, we dig...
2025-10-0827 minIs Anything Real?Filtering Noise with AI: Authentic Growth & Real Connections | Ep. 19 w/ Joe Apfelbaum (evyAI)AI in sales and marketing isn’t about replacing people: it’s about amplifying them.In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I sit down with Joe Apfelbaum, Founder of evyAI and CEO of Ajax Union, to unpack what it really takes to scale authentic relationships in the age of AI.Joe shares his journey from building 100+ websites a year, to scaling Ajax Union into one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., to creating evyAI...now powering 20,000+ users across 37 countries. Along the way, we dig...
2025-10-0827 min
Is Anything Real?CRM That Pays: Lead Scoring, Attribution & ROI | Ep. 18 w/ Jason Kramer (Cultivize)Most companies pour money into marketing without connecting it to revenue. Jason Kramer, Founder & CEO of Cultivize, shows how to turn CRM, lead scoring, and simple attribution into hard ROI...and why many campaigns should be trimmed, not scaled.In this episode, you’ll learn:How a 25-year roofing company cut ~$50k in wasted ad spend by tracking every channel (QRs, call prompts, landing pages) and tying it back to sales activity.“Hand raisers,” lead scoring, and seeing buying signals in real time (opens, site visits, video views).Why most teams fail CRM roll-o...
2025-10-0123 minIs Anything Real?CRM That Pays: Lead Scoring, Attribution & ROI | Ep. 18 w/ Jason Kramer (Cultivize)Most companies pour money into marketing without connecting it to revenue. Jason Kramer, Founder & CEO of Cultivize, shows how to turn CRM, lead scoring, and simple attribution into hard ROI...and why many campaigns should be trimmed, not scaled.In this episode, you’ll learn:How a 25-year roofing company cut ~$50k in wasted ad spend by tracking every channel (QRs, call prompts, landing pages) and tying it back to sales activity.“Hand raisers,” lead scoring, and seeing buying signals in real time (opens, site visits, video views).Why most teams fail CRM roll-o...
2025-10-0123 min
Is Anything Real?Building Trust Before Ads | Ep. 17 w/ Abu Kamara (Green Zone Solutions)Most entrepreneurs feel the pressure to run ads before they’ve built a foundation. Abu Kamara, Co-Founder of Green Zone Solutions, took a different path. In just 18 months, he built a consulting business around sustainability, logistics, and operational performance - all through relationships, referrals, and trust, not ad spend.In this episode, we cover:How Green Zone went from wide-net consulting to honing in on manufacturing and distribution niches.Why referrals and word-of-mouth still outpace cold ads in today’s noisy market.The systems Abu is putting in place to make referrals predictable and...
2025-09-2418 minIs Anything Real?Building Trust Before Ads | Ep. 17 w/ Abu Kamara (Green Zone Solutions)Most entrepreneurs feel the pressure to run ads before they’ve built a foundation. Abu Kamara, Co-Founder of Green Zone Solutions, took a different path. In just 18 months, he built a consulting business around sustainability, logistics, and operational performance - all through relationships, referrals, and trust, not ad spend.In this episode, we cover:How Green Zone went from wide-net consulting to honing in on manufacturing and distribution niches.Why referrals and word-of-mouth still outpace cold ads in today’s noisy market.The systems Abu is putting in place to make referrals predictable and...
2025-09-2418 min
Is Anything Real?The Future of AI & Creativity | Ep. 16 (Exclusive Drop) w/ Mike Todasco (SDSU, Ex-PayPal)The AI wave is reshaping industries faster than most leaders can process. Few people have navigated it from as many angles as Mike Todasco, former Head of Innovation at PayPal, Visiting Fellow at the James Silberrad Brown Center for Artificial Intelligence at San Diego State University, and holder of 100+ patents.In this Exclusive Drop episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, host Adam W. Barney and Mike dig into:The real implications of AI for human creativityHow corporate innovation at PayPal informs the future of AI adoptionWhy today’s students at SDSU mig...
2025-09-2023 minIs Anything Real?The Future of AI & Creativity | Ep. 16 (Exclusive Drop) w/ Mike Todasco (SDSU, Ex-PayPal)The AI wave is reshaping industries faster than most leaders can process. Few people have navigated it from as many angles as Mike Todasco, former Head of Innovation at PayPal, Visiting Fellow at the James Silberrad Brown Center for Artificial Intelligence at San Diego State University, and holder of 100+ patents.In this Exclusive Drop episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, host Adam W. Barney and Mike dig into:The real implications of AI for human creativityHow corporate innovation at PayPal informs the future of AI adoptionWhy today’s students at SDSU mig...
2025-09-2023 min
Is Anything Real?AI That Actually Delivers: Clarity Before Paid Ads | Ep. 15 with Vinod Kumar (Syntheum AI)AI that actually delivers.Vinod Kumar, CEO & Co-Founder of Syntheum AI, joins host Adam W. Barney to talk about clarity, discipline, and why most brands chase paid ads before they’ve earned the right. From building agentic AI tools for merchandisers to pioneering the idea of being “seed-strapped,” Vinod shares how founders can scale smarter without burning budgets.In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, we cover:How AI merchandising agents are changing the way e-commerce brands workWhy being “seed-strapped” forces clarity and better decisionsThe case for o...
2025-09-1720 minIs Anything Real?AI That Actually Delivers: Clarity Before Paid Ads | Ep. 15 with Vinod Kumar (Syntheum AI)AI that actually delivers.Vinod Kumar, CEO & Co-Founder of Syntheum AI, joins host Adam W. Barney to talk about clarity, discipline, and why most brands chase paid ads before they’ve earned the right. From building agentic AI tools for merchandisers to pioneering the idea of being “seed-strapped,” Vinod shares how founders can scale smarter without burning budgets.In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, we cover:How AI merchandising agents are changing the way e-commerce brands workWhy being “seed-strapped” forces clarity and better decisionsThe case for o...
2025-09-1720 min
Is Anything Real?Filtering the Noise: Offline Data, Ad Fraud & LTV | Ep. 14 w/ Noel Geer (Connected Interactive)Forget vanity metrics. Noel Geer, CEO & Founder of Connected Interactive, joins host Adam W. Barney to reveal why most brands are wasting money chasing CPMs and ROAS...and how focusing on lifetime value unlocks real, lasting growth.In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, we dive into:Why 84% of purchases still happen offline - and how to tie them back to digitalThe hidden cost of ad fraud (and how to filter it out before you spend a dime)What happens when you prioritize quality audiences over inflated reachWhy lifetime value...
2025-09-1026 minIs Anything Real?Filtering the Noise: Offline Data, Ad Fraud & LTV | Ep. 14 w/ Noel Geer (Connected Interactive)Forget vanity metrics. Noel Geer, CEO & Founder of Connected Interactive, joins host Adam W. Barney to reveal why most brands are wasting money chasing CPMs and ROAS...and how focusing on lifetime value unlocks real, lasting growth.In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, we dive into:Why 84% of purchases still happen offline - and how to tie them back to digitalThe hidden cost of ad fraud (and how to filter it out before you spend a dime)What happens when you prioritize quality audiences over inflated reachWhy lifetime value...
2025-09-1026 min
Is Anything Real?How Fuzia Built a 10M+ Community That Actually Converts | Ep. 13 with Priyanka Mishra (Fuzia Talent)Forget paid tricks. Priyanka Mishra, Business Head of Fuzia Talent, joins host Adam W. Barney to break down how she scaled a global, women-led platform to over 10 million users - without relying on gimmicks or inflated metrics.In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, we dive into:Building emotional trust in a data-obsessed ecosystemHow Fuzia empowers creators across 35+ countriesWhy most ad impressions aren’t worth what you thinkWhat EQ + community storytelling can do that paid ads never willIf you’re tired of clickbait and craving real results, this one’...
2025-09-0318 minIs Anything Real?How Fuzia Built a 10M+ Community That Actually Converts | Ep. 13 with Priyanka Mishra (Fuzia Talent)Forget paid tricks. Priyanka Mishra, Business Head of Fuzia Talent, joins host Adam W. Barney to break down how she scaled a global, women-led platform to over 10 million users - without relying on gimmicks or inflated metrics.In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, we dive into:Building emotional trust in a data-obsessed ecosystemHow Fuzia empowers creators across 35+ countriesWhy most ad impressions aren’t worth what you thinkWhat EQ + community storytelling can do that paid ads never willIf you’re tired of clickbait and craving real results, this one’...
2025-09-0318 min
Is Anything Real?Strategy Over Shortcuts: Small Biz Growth That Lasts | Ep. 12 w/Lucy Wang (Pocketflows)“AI without strategy is chaos.”Lucy Wang, Co-Founder & CEO of Pocketflows, joins me for a straight-talking breakdown of what’s real in small business marketing today. From funnel nightmares to the trap of instant gratification, Lucy calls out the shortcuts that sabotage founders—and shows us what sustainable growth really takes.Inside this episode, we dig into:🚦 Why “cookie-cutter” AI marketing fails small businesses.🧩 The hidden costs of shortcut thinking (spam, over-automation, blind ROAS chasing).📈 The smarter path: building loyalty, visibility, and a repeatable flow for growth.💡 Real stories of how businesses can di...
2025-08-2721 minIs Anything Real?Strategy Over Shortcuts: Small Biz Growth That Lasts | Ep. 12 w/Lucy Wang (Pocketflows)“AI without strategy is chaos.”Lucy Wang, Co-Founder & CEO of Pocketflows, joins me for a straight-talking breakdown of what’s real in small business marketing today. From funnel nightmares to the trap of instant gratification, Lucy calls out the shortcuts that sabotage founders—and shows us what sustainable growth really takes.Inside this episode, we dig into:🚦 Why “cookie-cutter” AI marketing fails small businesses.🧩 The hidden costs of shortcut thinking (spam, over-automation, blind ROAS chasing).📈 The smarter path: building loyalty, visibility, and a repeatable flow for growth.💡 Real stories of how businesses can di...
2025-08-2721 min
Is Anything Real?Data That Cuts Through the Noise | Ep. 11 with Ryan Stevens (Digital Reference)Too many agencies are drowning clients in dashboards, vanity metrics, and pretty charts that don’t move the needle. Ryan Stevens is here to burn that to the ground.In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, Adam W. Barney sits down with Ryan, Founder of Digital Reference and the guy agencies call when they want their data to actually tell the truth.We dig into:The difference between “reporting” and real insightHow to kill useless KPIs before they waste your budgetWhy clean attribution is the ultimate trust-builderThe metrics client...
2025-08-2022 minIs Anything Real?Data That Cuts Through the Noise | Ep. 11 with Ryan Stevens (Digital Reference)Too many agencies are drowning clients in dashboards, vanity metrics, and pretty charts that don’t move the needle. Ryan Stevens is here to burn that to the ground.In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, Adam W. Barney sits down with Ryan, Founder of Digital Reference and the guy agencies call when they want their data to actually tell the truth.We dig into:The difference between “reporting” and real insightHow to kill useless KPIs before they waste your budgetWhy clean attribution is the ultimate trust-builderThe metrics client...
2025-08-2022 min
Is Anything Real?Scaling Smarter: Agency Growth, Balance & Real ROI | Ep. 10 with Anthony Tsigourakos (ScaleSmarter)Anthony Tsigourakos, co-founder of SmartSpend Advertising and growth advisor at Good Name Consulting, knows the hidden costs of scaling. After helping dozens of agencies break through plateaus, he’s learned that real growth isn’t just about adding clients or revenue…it’s about protecting your capacity, your margins, and your energy.In this episode, we dive into:Why most agencies think they’re scaling when they’re actually stallingThe balance between execution, strategy, and personal energyReal ROI versus vanity metrics...and how to track what truly mattersBuilding a business that fuels your life instead...
2025-08-1325 minIs Anything Real?Scaling Smarter: Agency Growth, Balance & Real ROI | Ep. 10 with Anthony Tsigourakos (ScaleSmarter)Anthony Tsigourakos, co-founder of SmartSpend Advertising and growth advisor at Good Name Consulting, knows the hidden costs of scaling. After helping dozens of agencies break through plateaus, he’s learned that real growth isn’t just about adding clients or revenue…it’s about protecting your capacity, your margins, and your energy.In this episode, we dive into:Why most agencies think they’re scaling when they’re actually stallingThe balance between execution, strategy, and personal energyReal ROI versus vanity metrics...and how to track what truly mattersBuilding a business that fuels your life instead...
2025-08-1325 min
Career Coaching SecretsScale Smarter, Not Harder: A Conversation with Adam W. BarneyIn this Career Coaching Secrets episode, host Rexhen interviews Adam W. Barney, founder of Scale Smarter. Adam, a growth strategist and certified energy coach, transitioned from a corporate career at companies like Microsoft after realizing high performers were burning out.He coaches executive and emerging leaders, including founders, using tools like Ikigai and the Odyssey Plan to build a holistic vision. His unique approach includes continuous support via text or Slack between one-on-one sessions.Adam's business grows primarily through authentic networking and...
2025-08-1127 min
Is Anything Real?Beyond Clicks and Chaos | Ep. 9 with Patrick Cumming (KleintBoost)What actually works when paid ads stop performing?In this episode, Patrick Cumming, Head of Marketing at KleintBoost, joins Adam W. Barney to cut through the noise and talk shop: what’s real, what’s BS, and why most agencies are still chasing vanity metrics.We go deep on:💥 How to audit your funnel without losing your mind📊 The real KPIs that matter for sustainable growth🧠 Client psychology, performance myths, and decision-making under pressure🤖 Why attribution is broken, and how to market anywayWhether you’re an agency founder, me...
2025-08-0625 minIs Anything Real?Beyond Clicks and Chaos | Ep. 9 with Patrick Cumming (KleintBoost)What actually works when paid ads stop performing?In this episode, Patrick Cumming, Head of Marketing at KleintBoost, joins Adam W. Barney to cut through the noise and talk shop: what’s real, what’s BS, and why most agencies are still chasing vanity metrics.We go deep on:💥 How to audit your funnel without losing your mind📊 The real KPIs that matter for sustainable growth🧠 Client psychology, performance myths, and decision-making under pressure🤖 Why attribution is broken, and how to market anywayWhether you’re an agency founder, me...
2025-08-0625 min
Is Anything Real?Breaking the Vice Stigma | Ep. 8 with Pauline Schmiechen (Fanblast)What do you do when Google, Meta, TikTok, and every other ad platform shut the door in your face? You break the rules, rewrite the playbook, and scale anyway.In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I talk with Pauline Schmiechen: badass founder, consultant, and builder of multiple high-traffic adult platforms, who’s thriving in the shadows of mainstream media.With 3 million+ users a month and zero access to traditional ad platforms, Pauline isn’t asking for permission...she’s building power in places most marketers are to...
2025-07-3016 minIs Anything Real?Breaking the Vice Stigma | Ep. 8 with Pauline Schmiechen (Fanblast)What do you do when Google, Meta, TikTok, and every other ad platform shut the door in your face? You break the rules, rewrite the playbook, and scale anyway.In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I talk with Pauline Schmiechen: badass founder, consultant, and builder of multiple high-traffic adult platforms, who’s thriving in the shadows of mainstream media.With 3 million+ users a month and zero access to traditional ad platforms, Pauline isn’t asking for permission...she’s building power in places most marketers are to...
2025-07-3016 min
Is Anything Real?Alignment Over Algorithms | Ep. 7 with Lea Miner (Intention & Insight)In Episode 07 of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, we dive deep with Lea Miner, Founder of Intention & Insight, who’s building something truly different: a business rooted in resonance, not just reach.What started as a small somatic journey experiment on Meetup grew to a thriving 600+ person community in just six months, without a dollar in ad spend.We unpack:Why marketing fails when you skip the “why”The cost of ignoring message–market alignmentHow Lea uses AI to deepen, not dilute, authentic connectionThe rise of AI-optimized content (and why it beats...
2025-07-2322 minIs Anything Real?Alignment Over Algorithms | Ep. 7 with Lea Miner (Intention & Insight)In Episode 07 of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, we dive deep with Lea Miner, Founder of Intention & Insight, who’s building something truly different: a business rooted in resonance, not just reach.What started as a small somatic journey experiment on Meetup grew to a thriving 600+ person community in just six months, without a dollar in ad spend.We unpack:Why marketing fails when you skip the “why”The cost of ignoring message–market alignmentHow Lea uses AI to deepen, not dilute, authentic connectionThe rise of AI-optimized content (and why it beats...
2025-07-2322 min
Is Anything Real?From Grind to Growth: Micro-Niching, Daily Emails & Ditching the Social Media Hustle | Ep. 6 with Ziv Raviv (Kivi Media)What if the real growth play wasn’t grinding on social media or spending wildly on ads?In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I sit down with Ziv Raviv, Founder & CEO of Kivi Media, creator of Daily Cookie, host of Beyond Six Figures, and author of The Fully Booked Coach, for a masterclass in scaling through soul-first strategy.Ziv built a $600K/year coaching business without burning out on content or ad spend...and he’s here to show you how.We...
2025-07-1627 minIs Anything Real?From Grind to Growth: Micro-Niching, Daily Emails & Ditching the Social Media Hustle | Ep. 6 with Ziv Raviv (Kivi Media)What if the real growth play wasn’t grinding on social media or spending wildly on ads?In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I sit down with Ziv Raviv, Founder & CEO of Kivi Media, creator of Daily Cookie, host of Beyond Six Figures, and author of The Fully Booked Coach, for a masterclass in scaling through soul-first strategy.Ziv built a $600K/year coaching business without burning out on content or ad spend...and he’s here to show you how.We...
2025-07-1627 min
Is Anything Real?Creative Metrics, Messaging Clarity & Creator Grit | Ep. 5 with Nuria Garcia (NbN Marketing)Nuria Garcia of NbN Marketing joins me for a raw dive into the behind-the-scenes reality of creator-led growth. From ad platform bias to client miseducation, this episode unpacks the truth about scaling creative work with integrity, even when it gets messy.We cover:The hidden constraints behind Meta Ads and TikTokWhat Nuria does when client scripts kill performanceWhy real storytelling still wins in 2025Building an agency while creating content for 3M+ views🔗 Learn more about Nuria’s work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nbnmarketing/🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: https://isanythingrealinpaidadvertising.adamwbar...
2025-07-0924 minIs Anything Real?Creative Metrics, Messaging Clarity & Creator Grit | Ep. 5 with Nuria Garcia (NbN Marketing)Nuria Garcia of NbN Marketing joins me for a raw dive into the behind-the-scenes reality of creator-led growth. From ad platform bias to client miseducation, this episode unpacks the truth about scaling creative work with integrity, even when it gets messy.We cover:The hidden constraints behind Meta Ads and TikTokWhat Nuria does when client scripts kill performanceWhy real storytelling still wins in 2025Building an agency while creating content for 3M+ views🔗 Learn more about Nuria’s work: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nbnmarketing/🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: https://isanythingrealinpaidadvertising.adamwbar...
2025-07-0924 min
Is Anything Real?Creative Chaos & AI Mood Boards | Ep. 4 with Christina Magaña (Modish Creative)AI may be getting flashier, but is it making your creative work better or just…blobbier?In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I sit down with Christina Magaña, Founder of Modish Creative and creative strategist behind some of the most vibrant, soulful branding campaigns in the game.We dive into:Why AI-generated visuals are hitting a ceiling (and sometimes a wall)What agencies are missing when it comes to real creative impactHow short-form video is helping founders cross from creator to...
2025-07-0219 minIs Anything Real?Creative Chaos & AI Mood Boards | Ep. 4 with Christina Magaña (Modish Creative)AI may be getting flashier, but is it making your creative work better or just…blobbier?In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I sit down with Christina Magaña, Founder of Modish Creative and creative strategist behind some of the most vibrant, soulful branding campaigns in the game.We dive into:Why AI-generated visuals are hitting a ceiling (and sometimes a wall)What agencies are missing when it comes to real creative impactHow short-form video is helping founders cross from creator to...
2025-07-0219 min
Is Anything Real?Funnels, AI, and the Human Touch | Ep. 3 with Nathalie Doremieux (Podcast LeadFlow)Is AI driving deeper connections, or just more noise?In this episode, I’m joined by Nathalie Doremieux, Co-Founder of Podcast LeadFlow, who reveals how to transform podcast listeners into qualified leads through strategic AI-powered conversations. We unpack how the Human → AI → Human model outperforms generic automation, and why quality, not quantity is the future of podcast monetization.From membership site mastery to funnel strategy that doesn’t sacrifice humanity, Nathalie breaks down what most agency owners are missing and how to fix it.🎯 Topics we d...
2025-06-2521 minIs Anything Real?Funnels, AI, and the Human Touch | Ep. 3 with Nathalie Doremieux (Podcast LeadFlow)Is AI driving deeper connections, or just more noise?In this episode, I’m joined by Nathalie Doremieux, Co-Founder of Podcast LeadFlow, who reveals how to transform podcast listeners into qualified leads through strategic AI-powered conversations. We unpack how the Human → AI → Human model outperforms generic automation, and why quality, not quantity is the future of podcast monetization.From membership site mastery to funnel strategy that doesn’t sacrifice humanity, Nathalie breaks down what most agency owners are missing and how to fix it.🎯 Topics we d...
2025-06-2521 min
Is Anything Real?PMax, AI, and the Myth of Set-It-and-Forget-It | Ep. 2 with Ben Lund (Rise Marketing Group)Performance Max can scale. But only if you control the inputs.Otherwise? You’re handing the wheel to a robot with no map.In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I’m joined by Ben Lund, founder of Rise Marketing Group and ex-Googler, to unpack what’s real...and what’s wildly misunderstood...about AI-driven campaigns in 2025.We get into:⚙️ The real value of human strategy in an AI world📉 Why Performance Max fails when left unchecked🧠 The mindset...
2025-06-1823 minIs Anything Real?PMax, AI, and the Myth of Set-It-and-Forget-It | Ep. 2 with Ben Lund (Rise Marketing Group)Performance Max can scale. But only if you control the inputs.Otherwise? You’re handing the wheel to a robot with no map.In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I’m joined by Ben Lund, founder of Rise Marketing Group and ex-Googler, to unpack what’s real...and what’s wildly misunderstood...about AI-driven campaigns in 2025.We get into:⚙️ The real value of human strategy in an AI world📉 Why Performance Max fails when left unchecked🧠 The mindset...
2025-06-1823 min
Is Anything Real?Scaling with Soul | Ep. 1 with Kristi Broom (Lotus Transformation Group)In this kickoff episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I sit down with Kristi Broom, Co-Founder of Rising Tide Cooperative to talk candidly about building inclusive cultures, evolving leadership identities, and embracing AI without losing your edge.We dive into:Scaling while staying grounded in your valuesUsing transparency and empathy as strategic toolsWhy “being in the weeds” on purpose is part of Kristi’s leadership playbookThe magic of brave spaces over just “safe” ones📬 Kristi’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristibroom🌱 Rising Tide Cooperative: risingtidecooperative.com📅 June I...
2025-06-1119 minIs Anything Real?Scaling with Soul | Ep. 1 with Kristi Broom (Lotus Transformation Group)In this kickoff episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I sit down with Kristi Broom, Co-Founder of Rising Tide Cooperative to talk candidly about building inclusive cultures, evolving leadership identities, and embracing AI without losing your edge.We dive into:Scaling while staying grounded in your valuesUsing transparency and empathy as strategic toolsWhy “being in the weeds” on purpose is part of Kristi’s leadership playbookThe magic of brave spaces over just “safe” ones📬 Kristi’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristibroom🌱 Rising Tide Cooperative: risingtidecooperative.com📅 June I...
2025-06-1119 min
Is Anything Real?Ep. 00: Is Anything in Paid Advertising Even Real?You’ve seen the headlines. You’ve heard the hype. You’ve probably even burned budget on a “proven funnel.”But let’s be honest: is anything in paid advertising even real?In this kickoff episode, host Adam W. Barney (author, strategist, energy coach, and $100M+ ad spend veteran) lays out why this podcast exists, who it’s for, and what to expect in the episodes ahead.🎙️ Expect unfiltered conversations with agency founders, marketers, and skeptics who’ve been in the trenches—plus real systems, real insight...
2025-06-1002 minIs Anything Real?Ep. 00: Is Anything in Paid Advertising Even Real?You’ve seen the headlines. You’ve heard the hype. You’ve probably even burned budget on a “proven funnel.”But let’s be honest: is anything in paid advertising even real?In this kickoff episode, host Adam W. Barney (author, strategist, energy coach, and $100M+ ad spend veteran) lays out why this podcast exists, who it’s for, and what to expect in the episodes ahead.🎙️ Expect unfiltered conversations with agency founders, marketers, and skeptics who’ve been in the trenches—plus real systems, real insight...
2025-06-1002 min