Shows
Over The Bull#43 - The Podcast I Was Hesitant To Record - When Accusations Escalate Faster Than RealitySend us a textThis episode wasn’t recorded lightly. We talk about the words that show up when business relationships break down—and how those words often carry more weight than the facts behind them. From “hijacked” to “held hostage,” we unpack where these phrases come from, when they’re legitimate, and when they do more harm than good.Support the showThis show breaks down the unglamorous marketing systems that actually work—structured websites, schema, local signals, consistency, and momentum over time. No hacks. No trends. No dopamine marketing. Each episode exp...
2026-01-3040 min
Over The Bull#42 - The Rise of Transhuman Business: AI Without the BullSend us a textArtificial intelligence is moving fast. Faster than most businesses are ready for.In this episode of Over the Bull, Ken Carroll digs into what it really means to operate in a transhuman business world—where AI tools and human judgment now overlap. Sparked by a frustrating spam-style outreach email, this conversation cuts through the noise around automation, “AI marketing,” and shortcut tactics that erode trust instead of building it.We talk about:•The right vs. wrong ways to use AI in sales and marketing•Why EEAT principles (Experience...
2026-01-2334 min
Over The Bull#41 - When Everything Feels Rigged: How to Tell If Your Marketing Is Helping or HurtingSend us a textLately, it feels like everything is getting more expensive, more complicated, and harder to trust.Insurance companies are pulling back. Marketing platforms keep changing the rules. Vendors promise protection, optimization, or “peace of mind,” but struggle to explain what they’re actually doing—or why it’s working.In this episode of Over The Bull, we step back from the noise and look at the bigger pattern: complex systems, fear-based selling, and a growing gap between what business owners are paying for and what they actually understand.This isn’t...
2026-01-1628 min
Over The Bull#40 - How to Not Make 2026 Your 2025Send us a textYou can’t control the Kraken.The internet isn’t a machine you command—it’s a living, chaotic environment. Yet modern marketing is often sold like magic: guaranteed outcomes, secret systems, and the promise of control.In this episode of Over The Bull, we use mythology to explain a very real problem—how marketing became hijacked by certainty it can’t deliver. From there, we walk through a simple way to pressure-test whether a marketing plan has a real chance of working, or whether it’s built on assumptions, d...
2026-01-0926 min
Over The Bull#39 - The Problem Isn’t the Gift. It’s the Packaging.Send us a textChristmas is often about gifts—but in business, gifts can be deceptive.Some look valuable and impressive but never get used. Others aren’t exciting, but they’re exactly what a business needs to move forward.As 2025 comes to a close, many business owners are left with a scrapyard of things they tried: new tools, new platforms, and big promises wrapped in polished presentations that never delivered real progress.In this episode of Over The Bull, we start with the meaning of Christmas—not as sentiment, but as subst...
2025-12-2602 min
Over The Bull#38 - How We Actually Test AI Tools (And Why Most Fail)Send us a textEveryone is pitching “the latest AI tool.” Most want you to just sign up.In this episode of Over The Bull, Ken breaks down a real email exchange with an AI sales vendor—no names, no screenshots, just the substance. What starts as a simple inquiry turns into a clear example of how speed, automation, and convenience can quietly undermine trust, brand equity, and expertise.We talk about:•Why AI responses that move too fast can signal risk•The difference between activity, automation, and authority•How “near-ze...
2025-12-1922 min
Over The Bull#37 - Boring Works for Business Marketing Agencies: When What Worked...Doesn'tSend us a textIn this episode of Over the Bull, Ken Carroll dismantles the obsession with “cutting-edge” marketing tactics and shiny new tools, arguing that the most effective strategy in today’s landscape is the one most businesses try to avoid: consistency, discipline, and doing the fundamentals exceptionally well.From decades-old sales gimmicks to modern AI-fueled shortcuts, this episode exposes how quick fixes, hype-driven platforms, and abused automation are quietly eroding trust, credibility, and long-term business growth. Ken explains why credibility has become the real currency of the web—and why boring systems like structur...
2025-12-1223 min
Over The Bull#36 - The Small Business Mistakes That Come Back to Bite YouSend us a textSmall businesses rarely get taken down by one big decision — it’s the quiet, everyday mistakes that stack up and cost them time, money, momentum, and credibility. In this episode of Over The Bull, Ken breaks down the most common digital and operational decisions that come back to bite small businesses the hardest.From weak security practices and guessing instead of using data… to cheap hosting, DIY websites, and abusing AI content — we cover the landmines no one warns business owners about.Ken also explains why running Google Ads to separ...
2025-12-0517 min
Over The Bull#35 - 10 Marketing Mistakes Businesses Will Make in 2026Send us a textA fast breakdown of the 10 digital marketing mistakes businesses will make in 2026. Clear explanations, real-world examples, and practical fixes you can implement right away. If you want your marketing to actually work next year, start here.Book a consultation at integrisdesign.com and discover marketing strategies that can help move your business forward. Real strategy. Real results.Support the showThis show breaks down the unglamorous marketing systems that actually work—structured websites, schema, local signals, consistency, and momentum over time. No hacks. No trends. No dopamine ma...
2025-11-2118 min
Over The Bull#34 - The Death of Smoke-and-Mirror Agencies: Exposing the Outdated PlaybookSend us a textThere’s a quiet collapse happening in the marketing world. As digital tools advance, the freelancers and agencies still clinging to outdated methods are being exposed—and their clients are paying the price. In today’s episode, we dive into the growing problem of “invisible marketing”—services that sound good on paper but deliver nothing in reality. We’ll unpack a real client story involving a $1,200/month “SEO” package that included no SEO at all, and we’ll talk about the local TV station offering social media marketing despite not knowing how to track a single...
2025-11-1443 min
Over The Bull#33 - When Bad Practices Collide: The New Web Crisis No One’s Talking AboutSend us a textThe web is changing fast — faster than most agencies, hosting providers, and developers are ready for. In this episode of Over the Bull, Ken Carroll from Integris Design talks about the rise (and fall) of “managed” WordPress hosting, why piecemeal systems are killing efficiency, and how outdated thinking is costing businesses real money.From the honeymoon phase with WPEngine to the rough patches with Kinsta, and finally finding a solid partner in Pressable, this isn’t a hit piece — it’s a reality check. Ken shares the lessons learned from a decade of ag...
2025-11-0743 min
Over The Bull#32 - ChatGPT Atlas vs. GoogleSend us a textOpenAI’s new browser, Atlas, is changing how people find information online. It’s powered by ChatGPT and built to act—not just search. In this episode, Ken breaks down what Atlas really is, how it threatens Google’s dominance, and what businesses can do to stay visible in an AI-driven world. Expect honest talk about data, discovery, and the difference between hype and real opportunity.Support the showThis show breaks down the unglamorous marketing systems that actually work—structured websites, schema, local signals, consistency, and momentum over time. No h...
2025-10-3119 min
Over The Bull#31 - The Google Disaster: When Data LiesSend us a textIn this episode of Over The Bull, Ken shares a cautionary tale about a client whose digital marketing was a ticking time bomb. Multiple Google Analytics accounts, unvetted conversions, toxic backlinks, and AI-generated content without any real E-E-A-T left her data useless — and her ad spend wasted. What started as a “smooth” agency pitch ended in a complete reboot. Ken breaks down what went wrong, how to spot the red flags, and why charisma should never replace competence.Support the showThis show breaks down the unglamorous marketing systems that a...
2025-10-1529 min
Over The Bull#30 - Is SEO Dead? (I Wouldn't Bet Your Business On It)Send us a textYou’ve seen the headlines: “Is SEO dead?” From AI chatbots to zero-click search results, it’s tempting to believe traditional search engine optimization is a thing of the past. But in this episode of Over The Bull, Ken Carroll sets the record straight — not just with opinions, but with insights from leading voices in the marketing space.We break down what’s really going on in 2025, with takeaways from recent articles by Forbes, Business Insider, Neil Patel, Semrush, and SearchEnginePeople. You’ll learn how SEO is evolving — not dying — and what smart busines...
2025-10-0850 min
Over The Bull#29 - The 4 Marketing Shifts Small Businesses Can't Afford to MissSend us a textThe marketing landscape is shifting — fast. In this episode of Over The Bull, Ken breaks down four critical changes every small business owner needs to understand right now. From the collapse of third-party cookies to rising ad costs, this isn’t about trends — it’s about survival.You’ll learn:•Why first-party data is the new gold•How your website and reviews might be doing more than your social media•What “community-driven marketing” really means (and how to do it without faking it)•Why throwing more money at ads won’...
2025-10-0138 min
Over The Bull#28 - The Questions Google Can’t Answer...But We CanSend us a textIn this special Q&A episode of Over The Bull, Ken Carroll answers the internet’s most-asked questions about marketing — the ones real business owners are typing into Google every day. From “Does digital marketing really work?” to “How long does it take for Google Ads to pay off?”, Ken cuts through the jargon and hype with clear, experience-driven insights. You’ll hear honest takes on SEO, email marketing, content strategy, and web design — and why the real answers often go beyond what AI or quick-fix guides can tell you. If you’ve ever wondered what...
2025-09-2448 min
Over The Bull#27 - WordPress Won't Save YouSend us a textWordPress powers more than 60% of the internet—but that doesn’t mean your site is safe, stable, or even well-built. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the most common mistakes made by DIY site builders and inexperienced developers: outdated plugins, bloated themes, security gaps, and more. You’ll learn why that “beautiful” theme might be a house of cards, why regular updates aren’t optional, and how to spot the warning signs of a WordPress site built to fail. Whether you’re a business owner or a designer, this episode will help you...
2025-09-1745 min
Over The Bull#26 - Why Your Side Gig Might Not Be ReadySend us a textThinking about starting a business or turning your side gig into a full-time venture? This episode is your reality check. Ken Carroll breaks down the myths and hard truths of business ownership — from hidden overhead and late nights to accounting headaches, marketing pitfalls, and competing with established players.If you’re in it for “more free time” or “easy money,” this episode might talk you out of it. But if you’re serious, prepared, and ready for the grind, you’ll walk away with a clearer picture of what it really takes to succeed...
2025-09-1040 min
Over The Bull#25 - Tangled - Tools, Traps, and the Human TouchSend us a textWhat does Greek mythology have to do with AI? In this episode of Over the Bull, we open with the story of Icarus—powerful wings that led to his downfall—and connect it to how even billion-dollar companies misuse AI. We explore customer backlash, why small businesses can’t afford the same mistakes, and how to balance automation with the human touch. Featuring real quotes, current trends, and a simple analogy that proves AI is just a tool—the build still takes strategy.MARKETING TREND ARTICLES:https://www.techrada...
2025-09-0337 min
Over The Bull#24 - Beyond the Labels: How Generational Traits Shift as We AgeSend us a textAs each generation ages, the way they see the world—and the way the world sees them—changes. In this episode, we explore the shifting mindsets of generations as they migrate into new age groups. From the Silent Generation to Gen Alpha, we break down their formative experiences, cultural touch points, and evolving relationship with technology and trust. This isn’t just a history lesson—it’s a look at how generational identity is never fixed, but constantly reshaped by time, culture, and circumstance. Whether you’re curious about how Boomers view digital life, why Ge...
2025-08-2750 min
Over The Bull#23 - Patience Is the Advantage: AI May Set the Floor, But You Still Build the CeilingSend us a textIn this episode, Ken unpacks why patience is still the most underrated asset in digital advertising—especially in Google Ads—where slow optimization often beats fast reactions. He shares a behind-the-scenes story of a campaign that quietly matured into a win, alongside cautionary tales of clients who either scatter their efforts or apply half-baked strategies with confidence.We also explore how AI tools like Meta’s upcoming ad automation may raise the baseline for everyone—but remind listeners that success still belongs to those willing to go further. Drawing parallels to UBI and...
2025-08-2029 min
Over The Bull#22 - The Myth of the All-Knowing MachineSend us a textIn this episode of Over The Bull, Ken peels back the fantasy surrounding AI and Google’s so-called “all-knowing” powers. Using fantasy films as a launching point, we explore the common misconception that these systems magically understand everything online. But here’s the truth: without structure, even the smartest algorithms miss the point.We ground the conversation with a practical tool—schema markup—a way to speak clearly to machines by structuring your website’s information. Schema isn’t sorcery—it’s a collaborative way to increase credibility, improve visibility, and help both Google and...
2025-08-1342 min
Over The Bull#21 - 3.1 Billion Visits to ChatGPT: Why Bots Win and Businesses StallSend us a textIMPORTANT UPDATE: We discovered that an incorrect audio file was uploaded for this episode. The file has now been replaced with the correct recording. We appreciate your understanding and thank you for listening to Over the Bull. ChatGPT racked up over 3.1 billion visits last September—more than Bing. If that stat doesn’t make you pause, it should. In this episode, we unpack how businesses sabotage their own digital growth with outdated thinking, broken funnels, and reactive marketing. If you’re tired of guessing why your site underperforms, this one’s f...
2025-08-0642 min
Over The Bull#20 - Overlooked and Outranked: The GMB Mistakes That Kill VisibilitySend us a textLocal SEO isn’t dead—it’s evolving. In this episode of Over The Bull, Ken breaks down seven essential strategies to optimize your Google Business Profile (formerly GMB) and keep your business visible in a world increasingly shaped by AI search results.You’ll learn:•Why your business address still matters (even in 2025)•The truth about NAP consistency and directory syndication•How reviews, responses, and relevance drive local rankings•Why keyword stuffing your business name is a fast track to suspension•What Google really looks for w...
2025-07-3037 min
Over The Bull#19 - Are You Marketing for Today…or Tomorrow?Send us a textIn this deep-dive episode of Over the Bull, we tackle two emerging threats in digital marketing that may be quietly undermining your brand:1. Landing Page PitfallsAre you driving ad traffic to low-quality pages? Optimized landing pages now convert at up to 55%, while average rates sit at 2–5%—a staggering gap between real strategy and wasted ad dollars. Companies using 40+ tailored pages generate 500% more leads than those relying on fewer than ten.Sources:• Analytify – How Landing Pages Affect Ad Conversion Rate (2025):https...
2025-07-2348 min
Over The Bull#18 - "Is AI Breaking the Internet…or Rebuilding It?"Send us a textIn this episode of Over the Bull, we break down how AI is rewriting the rules of search, SEO, and online marketing — and what that means for brands trying to stay relevant.From zero-click search to AI-generated content flooding the web, we read directly from some of the most respected sources in the industry. Hear what marketing leaders and researchers from Bain & Company, SearchPilot, Forbes, and Tom’s Guide are saying — word-for-word — about the biggest shifts happening right now.This 30-minute read-through strips away interpretation and commentary, letting the original...
2025-07-1649 min
Over The Bull#17 - Local Search, AI Style—And Why You Still Get Spam TextsSend us a textIn this episode of Over The Bull, Ken breaks down how Google’s new AI Overviews are reshaping local business visibility—drawing from a recent whitepaper by Local Falcon, a leader in local SEO tracking and analysis.AI Overviews now appear at the top of many local search results, replacing the traditional map pack in some cases and pushing small businesses further down the page. But does your proximity to the searcher still matter? And what role does your content play in getting featured?You’ll learn:What G...
2025-07-0947 min