Shows
Pivotal With Kevin SimcockWhat Fulfillment Really Looks Like (Beyond Success & Burnout)”Spoiler: it’s not a French villa, a gold watch, or a bigger business.If you’ve built success that looks great on the outside but secretly feels exhausting, disconnected, or empty this final episode of The Clarity Series is for you.Whether you’re leading a fast-scaling business or navigating the weight of past success, you’ll learn:· The illusion of “more” that leads to burnout· What true fulfillment feels like (and how to recognize the signs)· The silent costs of staying misaligned· Why your business is a vehicle n...2025-06-1935 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockThe Hidden Cost of Leading Without Clarity | Why Misaligned Leadership FailsYour team mirrors your leadership. So if you’re misaligned they feel it.In this episode of The Clarity Series, I break down what really happens when leaders operate without clarity and why it’s the #1 reason culture collapses, progress stalls, and your best people check out.You’ll learn:The invisible ways unclear leadership sabotages team performanceHow misalignment at the top quietly spreads across your businessA simple “Leadership Mirror” exercise to identify where you might be the bottleneck5 actionable steps to regain clarity, focus, and momentumThis isn’t about adding anoth...2025-06-1715 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockYou’re Not Burnt Out—You’re Misaligned (The Truth About Hustle Culture)What if your exhaustion isn’t from doing too much—but from doing the wrong things?In this episode of Pivotal, I challenge one of the most toxic beliefs in business: that success requires constant hustle. If you're a founder or leader running at full speed but still feeling off… this is the reset you didn’t know you needed.We’ll break down:Why hustle masks deeper misalignmentThe real cost of chasing success without clarityHow internal alignment unlocks sustainable momentumPractical steps to shift from force to flow—without losing your edgeIf you’ve achie...2025-06-1218 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockYou've Evolved But Your Business Hasn't. Now What?You built the dream—but now it feels like a trap. If your successful business no longer fits who you've become, it’s not a sign of failure; it’s an invitation to evolve.In Episode 2, we explore the critical moment many purpose-driven founders experience when they realize they've outgrown their original business vision. We'll dive deep into:· Recognizing the signs that you’ve outgrown your business.· Understanding why founders often resist necessary change.· Practical strategies to courageously reimagine your next chapter.· How embracing reinvention leads...2025-06-0623 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockYou’re Winning—So Why Does It Feel So Empty?You’ve hit your goals. The revenue is strong. The team is growing.But deep down… you feel disconnected, restless—even empty. Why?In this episode of The Clarity Series, I unpack one of the hardest truths founders face at the height of success: growth doesn’t guarantee fulfillment. If you’ve scaled your business but lost sight of your purpose—or the spark that once drove you—this episode is for you.We’ll explore:– Why traditional success often leads to internal dissonance– How your business may have outgrown the person you are today–...2025-05-2714 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockFinding Your CreativityWhat if your creativity isn’t lost—it’s just been waiting for permission to speak?In this deeply human conversation, I sit down with Pia Leichter—award-winning creative professional turned “creative midwife”—who helps people birth the ideas, projects, and businesses they’ve been too afraid to begin.Together, we unpack the truth about creativity: how it gets buried under expectations, how to redefine it beyond art and aesthetics, and how to reconnect with it in your life and business. Through personal stories, surprising perspectives, and a few hard truths, we explore why so many talented pe...2025-04-1250 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockThe One Vital Element to Maintain GrowthIn this episode Kevin shares his experience and knowledge on the one key element most business founders struggle with to maintain their growth - staffing. There is an art to finding the right people and knowing exactly who and how many people you need to sustain your growth trajectory. Kevin shares the key steps you need to take to build the best team possible.Check out more episodes of Nifty Thinking: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/nifty-thinking/id1680610153 Subscribe to my YouTube channel @kevinsimcockFor more information on how Kevin can h...2025-02-2719 minPivotal With Kevin Simcock4 Keys To Increase Sales In 2025It's 2025, is your sales strategy cutting the mustard? In this episode, I'll show you four key elements you need to leverage to help you drive sales this year. Did you know that 70% of consumers say that they would switch brands if they had just 2 negative customer experiences? Find out how this and other key factors in your sales funnel can help drive greater brand loyalty and customer satisfactionSign up for my bi-weekly newsletter THE FIX for more insights, strategies and frameworks to grow your business here https://kevinsimcock.com Check ou...2025-01-2423 min
Pivotal With Kevin SimcockHow to Grow Your Business in 2025: Set Smarter Targets, Avoid Pitfalls, Use AI Agents, & Master Branded ContentWant to turn your business challenges into more money, more clients and more time, without increasing your marketing budget? In this episode, I'll show you proven strategies to set growth goals for your business, how to avoid common pitfalls most companies experience how to improve your marketing and sales and the critical AI tools you need to have in your business to grow in 2025. Over 42% of all global businesses are using AI to grow their business, and I'll teach you what tools and platforms you need to incorporate into your workflow to stay ahead of your competitors, e...2025-01-0437 min
Pivotal With Kevin SimcockHo Ho Holy Cow, big changes in AI and marketingIn this episode Kevin talks about the top AI and marketing campaigns that are disrupting business and the marketing industry. We discuss the behind the scenes effort of the latest Coca Cola AI holiday commercial and other top stories impacting how brands are reinventing content creation and brand building using unconventional AI approaches.Kevin gives his perspective on what will impact the marketing industry in the coming months and the shift you need to be aware of to be prepared for it and how to capitalize on it.He also has some important news about...2024-12-0445 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockReady Your Business For New AI Advancement in 2025In this episode Kevin talks about the current state of AI in small and medium-sized business and what the current major advancements are in AI as well as what to expect and prepare for in 2025. We go in-depth on the impact AI is having on business operations, workflows and content creation. We get into the nitty gritty details of what AI tools you need to be using now and what new tools will be impacting your business in 2025 and how you can be preparing for them now.Kevin also launches the new membership program NEXT...2024-11-081h 21Pivotal With Kevin SimcockIs AI Creative?In this episode Kevin tackles the debate about AI and it's creative abilities and how AI is impacting creative professions. Is it going to take creative jobs away? Should creative professionals be worried? Who better to ask than Kevin's AI assistant Nora. You won't believe what she says about creativity and her ability to do creative jobs.If you liked this talk find more talks from Kevin here: www.youtube.com/@NiftyPicnicCreative Check out our audio podcast Nifty Thinking: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/nifty-thinking/id1680610153 For more info...2024-09-1354 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockAuthenticity: The key to brand differentiationIn this episode Kevin walks through the importance of brand authenticity and the role it plays in differentiating your brand from your competitors.If you are a creative service business you understand the intense competition for projects and landing your ideal clients. When every business is claiming to be creative, is a storyteller and uses the latest technology, the key to standing out is to find your authenticity and focus on your client needs.You will learn the strategies and approach to finding your brand authenticity and how to use it to grow your business.2024-08-2052 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockThe truth about Pitches. (What big agencies and brands don’t want you to know.)In the high-stakes game of brand storytelling, where every player is vying for the spotlight, Kevin Simcock is an award-winning agency creative leader offering you an edge for success. With a playbook refined in the creative cauldrons of the world's top agencies, he's mastered the art of spinning brand yarns that stir the soul. Because when your brand's truth sings, the world stops to listen—and that's when real growth begins. In this talk Kevin shares the inside truth, as an ad agency leader, on how proposals, RFPs and Treatments are issued, how to get more of th...2024-08-0857 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockYour AI WakeUp Call. How to Master it for greater business growth.In the high-stakes game of brand storytelling, where every player is vying for the spotlight, Kevin Simcock is an award-winning agency creative leader offering you an edge for success. In this talk Kevin shares strategies on how to leverage AI in your professional career and your business to ensure you are riding the wave of change with AI. Kevin walks you through what AI programs to leverage for creative business owners and creative professionals. His practical approach and insights will show you how you can be an AI leader in your area of expertise. "My b...2024-08-0342 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockTHE CONSUMER UNLOCK FOR NEW BUSINESS GROWTHThere is a secret unlock for growing your business and generating more sales. In fact, it's not really a secret but only those who really understand brand strategy are aware of it. I'm sharing this proven strategy with you to drive greater growth and scale your business. It all lies in the deep understanding of your ideal customer. The top brands in the world have in-depth knowledge and insights to what their ideal customer journey is and they use it to identify new opportunities for consumer connection as well as product/service offerings. Do you have a deep...2024-07-3119 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockHow to build a successful creative teamIn this episode Kevin shares his insights on how to build your internal creative team to handle your creative marketing needs. He explains the winning structure to build, with step-by-step guidance on who to hire, qualities to look for and how to create culture. If you're looking to transition from using agencies or creative freelancers and you want the more reliable structure of an internal creative team, this episode is for you. For more information on Nifty Picnic Creative Marketing visit: https://www.niftypicnic.com/Have a question? Have an opinion? Contact me...2024-07-1921 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockWho the hell is Kevin Simcock?Who is the person behind this podcast and why is doing what he's doing? Why should anyone listen to him? What can he possibly have to offer creative business owners?This episode tells the story of where Kevin got his start in the advertising industry, the struggles he faced along the way and how he ended up becoming an executive creative leader for some of the biggest ad agencies in the world. For more information on Nifty Picnic Creative Marketing visit: https://www.niftypicnic.com/Have a question? Have an opinion? C...2024-07-1944 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockHow to win a 8-figure RFPEver wonder how you can find an 8-figure RFP? Or how you can win one? In this episode Kevin walks through the elements of an 8-figure RFP, who issues them, how to get included on one and a step-by-step approach on how improve your odds of winning one.If you're looking to grow your business and get access to larger clients with larger budgets, you won't want to miss this episode.Check out the video version of this episode on my YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/uZ9mSvkFjTUFor more information on Nifty Picnic...2024-07-1142 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockBrand Strategy: Finding your ideal customer with AIWelcome to the Nifty Thinking Podcast! In this episode, we’re diving into the exciting world of AI to uncover how you can find your ideal clients and understand their real pain points. Join Kevin as he shares practical insights and real-world examples of how AI can transform your marketing strategy. From using Perplexity.ai for audience research to creating detailed consumer profiles with ChatGPT, you’ll learn how to leverage AI to build standout brands and achieve rapid growth. Whether you’re a startup founder or an entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you con...2024-06-0611 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockThe Creative Process and AiIn this episode Kevin discusses the impact Ai is having on the creative process and what that means for your business. Does AI mark the end of certain creative professions? Or is the creative process more refined and enhanced making creative professionals even more valuable than before?Listen to find out how you can implement these strategies to your creative process and refine your creative process.For more information on Nifty Picnic Creative Marketing visit: https://www.niftypicnic.com/Have a question? Have an opinion? Contact me: kevin@nfitypicnic.com 2024-03-1245 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockTo return to the office or not to return.Welcome to Nifty Thinking. In this episode Kevin talks about the much heated topic of returning to the office and the impact of remote work on both business and employees. We get into the stats and insights on both sides of the equation and Kevin serves up his view on it all is going to change.Sit back and enjoy as we spill the tea on this hot topic.For more information on Nifty Picnic Creative Marketing visit: https://www.niftypicnic.com/Visit my Patreon page for special "how-to" information and specific insights...2024-01-2725 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockThe True Worth: Harnessing the Power of Value in Your BrandIn this eye-opening episode of Nifty Thinking, we delve deep into the essence of what really powers a brand's success: Value. As a business owner or entrepreneur, understanding the multifaceted nature of 'value' can be your game-changer. We're not just talking dollars and cents here – it's about the heart and soul of your brand.Join us as we unravel the layers of defining value, both from your perspective and through the discerning eyes of your consumers. We'll explore how this perception of value directly influences your pricing strategy, ensuring you're not just competitively placed, but also rightfully va...2024-01-1716 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockHow to build a brand built for success in 2024In this episode we kick off the new year with exciting new insights and discussions around what it takes to build a brand that succeeds in 2024, The economy has changed, the world has changed and consumers have changed most of all. We dive into topics on how the workforce is changing and how it can impact your business.Get the inside scoop on all the advantages you have at your disposal for finding the right talent to help your business grow.Kevin talks about the important role human design and creativity plays in building an authentic...2024-01-1147 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockGrowth Mindset and Consumer PainpointsIn this episode, Kevin talks about the importance of having a growth mindset and how to change yours with three simple strategies. He also covers how to dig deep to find the true pain points of your consumers and solve them with your services and products. For more information on NIfty Picnic Creative Marketing visit: https://www.niftypicnic.com/Have a question? Have an opinion? Contact me: kevin@nfitypicnic.comFollow us @niftycreativecoach on TikTok and Instagram2023-07-3023 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockWhere is the future of advertising and marketing headed?Welcome to episode six. In this episode, Kevin gives his perspective on where the advertising and marketing industry is headed over the next 5-10 years and how creative professionals can future-proof their skills. Please give it a listen!For more information on NIfty Picnic Creative Marketing visit: https://www.niftypicnic.com/Have a question? Have an opinion? Contact me: kevin@nfitypicnic.com2023-07-0325 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockMaking a big impact on a small budgetIn this episode, Kevin talks about how to make a big impact on a small marketing budget. He explores the importance of determining your business problem, how to use the sales funnel to allocate marketing spend, and the importance of using video across key social platforms for successful video content creation. Want to know how to make your marketing dollars work harder? Have a listen.For more information on NIfty Picnic Creative Marketing visit: https://www.niftypicnic.com/Have a question? Have an opinion? Contact me: kevin@nfitypicnic.com2023-06-0919 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockThe Creative ProcessThis is part 2 of Unlocking Your Creativity. In this episode, I speak about the creative process for ideation and campaign ideas, the importance of a good brief and how to hone in your thinking to let great ideas rise to the top. For more information on NIfty Picnic Creative Marketing visit: https://www.niftypicnic.com/Have a question? Have an opinion? Contact me: kevin@nfitypicnic.com2023-06-0127 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockUnlocking CreativityLooking to find ways to supercharge your creative marketing ideas? In this episode Kevin Simcock talks about how to unlock creative thinking, the importance of curiosity and the two main ingredients in effective creative ideas - authenticity and human truth. Important linksNeilsen Stats – Creativity and effectiveness. https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2017/when-it-comes-to-advertising-effectiveness-what-is-key/ Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mindhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399174109/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0399174109&linkCode=as2&tag=gregooscicen-20&linkId=ABBVJTCOH3PI75MXHei...2023-04-2916 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockI spy with my little AiIn this episode, we break down the truth and myths about Ai. We talk about the importance of the almighty Ai prompt and how to craft the perfect prompt to get better results. As if that weren't enough, we cover off how to incorporate Ai into your business. Here are some important and useful links Kevin mentions in the podcast:Unreal Engine video Ai example - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnaKyc3mQVkChat GPT - https://chat.openai.com/Google Ai integration - https://www.google.com/search?q=google+ai&rlz=1...2023-04-0729 minPivotal With Kevin SimcockNew Podcast. Who dis?In this episode, Kevin describes how he started his career in advertising and marketing. He explains the importance of three fundamental growth steps to creating or relaunching a successful brand: Growth Step #1- Knowing your value and The Value Equation. Growth Step #2 – What does your brand stand for? Growth Step #3 – Really understand your consumer.Steve Jobs / What Apple Brand Stands For: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keCwRdbwNQY Simon Sinek Tedtalk Your Why: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4ZoJKF_VuA If you have any questions about the content in Episo...2023-04-0324 min
Pivotal With Kevin SimcockTeaser Episode - Nifty ThinkingA brief overview of what the Nifty Thinking podcast is about, what's in it for you as a listener, and who the heck the host is. 2023-04-0101 min
Straight No Chaser - A Jazz ShowPodcast 309: Spooky Song Titles 2012It’s Hallowe’en time again, and so its time for our semi-annual Spooky Songs Podcast (you can find past editions here and here). This year we feature some monstrous tunes from both new and established artists you may enjoy.
It seems like the little ghouls and goblins in our neighborhood are going to miss the whole Trick or Treats scene again this year, as Hurricane Sandy seems to be picking up where a freak snow storm that paralyzed our part of the Northeast left off last year. Nancy and I may be sitting by the fireplace with...2012-10-3040 min