Shows
Fast Forward PodcastEp. 16 — Healthcare Success w/ Stewart GandolfIn this episode of Fast Forward, I sit down with Stewart Gandolf, CEO of Healthcare Success, to unpack what it really takes to build a durable agency career, choose the right niche, and grow in a fast changing marketing landscape.Stewart shares how he pivoted from engineering to marketing, worked his way through the agency world, and eventually found his edge in healthcare. We talk about the power of specialization, why credibility matters more in healthcare than almost anywhere, and how repetition and volume can accelerate mastery faster than almost anything else.If you are...
2026-02-2025 min
Fast Forward PodcastEp. 15 — Tanj Co. w/ Scott MilanoIn this episode of Fast Forward, I sit down with Scott Milano, founder and managing director of Tanj Co. and creator of chatnamer.com, to explore the hidden craft behind brand naming and why one word can carry the weight of an entire business.Scott shares his unconventional path from studying philosophy in college to working as a copywriter in Tokyo, eventually building a global naming consultancy that has created more than 1000 brand names across industries. We unpack how naming sits at the center of identity, why it is both strategic and emotional, and how the right...
2026-02-1332 min
Fast Forward PodcastEp. 14 — Optidge Digital Marketing w/ Danny GavinIn this episode of Fast Forward, I sit down with Danny Gavin, founder and chief strategist of Optidge, host of the Digital Marketing Mentor podcast, and creator of the ODO Academy, to unpack what it takes to build a modern agency in a world where AI is changing search, reputation, and strategy in real time. Danny shares his origin story from immigrating to Houston as a kid to building websites in the early internet era, how an MBA internship at blinds.com helped solidify his path, and why mentorship and education have stayed at the core of everything he...
2026-01-3035 min
Fast Forward PodcastEp. 13 — OOO Marketing w/ Danielle Neumann & Kristine ScichiloneIn this episode of Fast Forward, I sit down with Danielle Neumann and Kristine Scichilone, co founders of OOO Marketing, to unpack how they turned a sudden mass layoff into a clear, values driven marketing studio that helps content forward brands grow without burning out. They share the story behind launching OOO less than two weeks after losing their jobs, how years inside top media titles shaped their approach to brand strategy, and why clarity, structure, and work life blend sit at the center of everything they build.If you are interested in sustainable growth, brand clarity...
2026-01-2432 min
Fast Forward PodcastEp. 12 — Improve & Grow w/ Carl LefeverIn this episode of Fast Forward, I sit down with Carl LaFever, founder of Improve and Grow, to unpack how he turned two decades in corporate process improvement into a data driven digital marketing agency that has been operating for more than ten years. Carl shares how Lean Six Sigma, a season of burnout, six months overseas with his family, and a Christian retreat center all shaped his philosophy for helping clients grow revenue instead of just cutting costs.If you are interested in building a service business, using data to make better decisions, or figuring out...
2026-01-1732 min
Fast Forward PodcastEp. 11 — MindStone Marketing Group w/ Eric BlankenshipIn this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with Eric Blankenship, founder and president of MindStone Marketing, to explore what it really takes to build marketing leadership rooted in culture, relationships, and fearless creativity.Eric's journey spans the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, hospitality marketing, and ultimately launching his own fractional CMO practice. From learning that internal culture shapes external brand perception to navigating the loneliness of entrepreneurship, Eric shares honest insights about building sustainable businesses while staying human in an automated world.This conversation is grounded, reflective, and full of hard-won wisdom about leading teams, understanding...
2026-01-0925 min
Fast Forward PodcastEp. 10 — Illumination Marketing w/ James KaatzIn this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with James Kaatz, co-founder and CEO of Illumination Marketing, to explore what it really takes to build a marketing agency rooted in trust, ethics, and long-term thinking. James’ journey spans entertainment, agency leadership, healthcare marketing, and ultimately founding Illumination Marketing after a personal moment that reshaped how he viewed business, purpose, and impact. From helping Fortune 500 brands grow to turning down high-revenue clients when values do not align, James shares a rare, honest look at the human decisions behind sustainable growth. This conversation is reflective, grounded, and deeply practical, unpacking ho...
2026-01-0232 min
Fast Forward PodcastEp. 09 — Brand Viva Media w/ Mark Labriola IIIn this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with Mark Labriola, founder and CEO of Brand Viva Media, to talk about the long road of building a creative business without shortcuts. Mark’s journey spans from touring as the lead singer of a band to teaching himself photography and video, grinding nights and weekends while working day jobs, and ultimately being laid off with no safety net before going all in on his own company. Nearly a decade later, Brand Viva has grown into a respected creative agency with a team, an office, and a reputation built on tr...
2025-12-2631 min
Fast Forward PodcastEp. 08 — High Beam Marketing Co w/ Chandler LylesIn this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with Chandler Lyles, co founder of High Beam Marketing and a multi time entrepreneur who has built, crashed, rebuilt, and scaled businesses across food, marketing, and ecommerce. Chandler’s journey spans from running a barbecue restaurant that ultimately failed to building a high performance marketing agency serving hundreds of brands. This conversation is honest, tactical, and reflective, pulling back the curtain on what actually happens between ambition, failure, discipline, and long term growth. 🎙️ We dive into • Crashing a first business and rebuilding with hard earned lessons • The transition from operator to founder...
2025-12-2047 min
Fast Forward PodcastEp. 07 — Two Socks Co w/ Chase JolietIn this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with Chase Joliet, co founder of Two Socks Creative and the writer, director, and lead actor of the feature film Grapefruit. Chase and I go way back, long before either of us stepped into creative careers. This conversation is personal, reflective, and wide ranging, touching on creativity, risk, failure, and what it really takes to build a life around making things. 🎙️ We dive into • Growing up together and how early experiences shape ambition • Leaving traditional paths to pursue creative work • Building Two Socks Creative during COVID with almost no overhead • The realities...
2025-12-1248 min
Fast Forward PodcastEp. 06 — Lexicon Legal Content w/ David AratoIn this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with David Arato, founder of Lexicon Legal Content, a specialized content agency helping law firms navigate AI, SEO, and the changing world of digital marketing. 🎙️ We dive into • How Lexicon Legal Content started and why David left traditional practice • The real impact of AI on legal work, from hallucinations to malpractice risk • Why the verification paradox is reshaping how lawyers and marketers use AI • How AI is changing the associate model, billable hours, and legal careers • What makes legal content actually rank in 2025 instead of getting buried • The biggest myths attorneys still b...
2025-12-0532 min
Fast Forward PodcastEp. 05 — Lady Boss w/ Kaitlyn TalamanteIn this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with Kaitlyn Talamante, CEO of LadyBoss, the mission driven wellness brand built for women who want to transform their health, confidence, and community. 🎙️ We dive into: • How Kaitlyn went from customer to CEO • Why community is the missing piece in most wellness journeys • The emotional and spiritual side of entrepreneurship • Reviving LadyBoss and leading a full scale comeback • The rise of women centric supplements and health education • How faith, integrity, and authenticity shape her leadership • The future of LadyBoss events, products, and community growth • Where AI fits into her day to day operations Hos...
2025-11-2828 min
Fast Forward PodcastEp. 04 — Purple Cow Brands w/ Kevin GaumitzIn this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with Kevin Gaumitz, CEO and Creative Director of Purple Cow Brands, the agency helping companies stand out through story driven design, creative SEO, and high performing digital strategy. 🎙️ We dive into: • How Kevin left engineering to build a creative agency with global reach • Why Creative SEO is transforming how websites rank and convert • The hidden patterns behind high performing brand storytelling • How AI is reshaping the future of design, development, and content • What it takes to grow a team, build culture, and lead with clarity 👉 Learn more about Purple Cow Brands: https://ww...
2025-11-2135 min
Fast Forward PodcastEp. 03 — Nalo Seed w/ Paul JorgIn this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with Paul Jorg, co founder of Nalo Seed, the creator partnership platform helping brands and creators build long term collaborations rooted in trust, alignment, and real performance. 🎙️ We dive into: • Why most creator partnerships collapse before they ever gain traction • How Nalo Seed empowers creators to win meaningful brand deals • What brands actually look for when choosing creators • Where AI fits into the future of matching and campaign execution • The mindset shift required to build a company inside a fast changing industry 👉 Learn more about Nalo Seed: https://www.naloseed.com 👉 Follow Paul...
2025-11-1429 min
Fast Forward PodcastEp. 02 — The Agency w/ Taylor AdamsIn this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with Taylor Adams, co-founder of The Creative Agency, the content and influencer marketing firm helping brands scale through strategy, storytelling, and real audience connection. 🎙️ We dive into: • Why most brands fail at influencer marketing • How Taylor built an agency around creators instead of corporations • The real metrics that matter for social growth and engagement • Where AI fits into the future of content and brand strategy • The mindset shift from freelancer to agency owner and team leader 👉 Follow The Creative Agency on Instagram: @thecreativeagency 👉 Learn more about their work: https://thecreativeagency.com 👉 Follow Taylor...
2025-11-0725 min
Fast Forward PodcastEp. 01 — Ugly Sleep Club w/ Lance JunckIn this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with Lance Junck, founder of Ugly Sleep Club — the sleepwear brand built for burnout, honesty, and unapologetic rest. 🎙️ We dive into: • The real reason most people struggle with sleep • How Ugly Sleep Club breaks the mold of “perfect wellness” • Lance’s journey from burnout to bold brand-builder • Where AI fits into the future of rest and recovery • Building a brand around authenticity, not aesthetics 👉 Follow Ugly Sleep Club on Instagram: @uglysleepclub 👉 Shop their gear: https://uglysleepclub.com If you’ve ever felt exhausted by the grind — or just want to sleep better and live louder — th...
2025-11-0630 min
Write You A Song PodcastWrite You A Song Episode 2 with guest Jeffrey SteeleCountry Songwriting Hall Of Famer Jeffrey Steele talks about his craft and how some of his biggest hits for artists like Rascal Flatts and Montgomery-Gentry came to be. He also discusses how he really became a songwriter after nearly losing his voice, and shares a few of the things he thinks are important for every aspiring songwriter to know.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2018-10-3036 min