In this episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, host Jack Hubbard sits down with Joe McMann, co-founder of AIR, the company behind award-winning AI solutions for governance, risk, compliance, and cybersecurity. From Wall Street to Main Street, Joe shares how his journey from professional golfer to investment banker led to the creation of a patented AI platform transforming how financial institutions safely integrate artificial intelligence. Jack and Joe dive deep into the real-world applications of AI in banking, exploring how community banks can leverage technology to stay competitive against industry giants. They discuss the widening gap between institutions that adopt AI and those that don’t, the critical role of fiduciary responsibility in digital transformation, and how AI-driven platforms like FIN are redefining wealth management and client engagement. Sponsored by RelPro, Inc. and Vertical IQ

In this episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, host Jack Hubbard sits down with Karen Kerrigan, President and CEO of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council), one of the leading voices advocating for small business owners in Washington, D.C. Karen shares her 30-year journey fighting for entrepreneurs and shaping policies that impact Main Street America. From AI adoption and global market challenges to tariffs, startup trends, and succession planning, she dives into the real issues affecting today’s small business landscape. Discover how the SBE Council helps business owners stay informed, influence legislation, and thrive amid constant change. Karen also discusses the rise of agentic commerce, the power of AI for small business growth, and why the future has never been brighter for entrepreneurs who are ready to adapt. Sponsored by RelPro, Inc. and Vertical IQ

In this insightful episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, host Jack Hubbard sits down with Ilaria Rawlins, CEO of Fortuna Bank in Columbus, Ohio, to explore her inspiring journey from “accidental banker” to accomplished financial leader. Ilaria shares how her early experiences in banking shaped her leadership philosophy, the lessons learned in navigating challenges, and the importance of fostering innovation while maintaining the personal touch that defines community banking. Together, Jack and Ilaria dive into topics such as leadership development, building a values-driven culture, empowering teams, and how community banks can stay competitive in an evolving financial landscape. This episode offers practical wisdom and authentic stories that both seasoned bankers and emerging leaders will find invaluable. Sponsored by RelPro, Inc. and Vertical IQ

In this episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, host Jack Hubbard sits down with Amanda Brinkman, the visionary marketer, producer, and Chief Brand Officer behind Deluxe Corporation’s acclaimed Small Business Revolution series. Amanda shares how purpose-driven marketing can transform not just brands—but entire communities. Drawing from her experience leading national campaigns and spotlighting small businesses across America, she discusses the importance of authenticity, storytelling, and aligning brand values with social impact. Jack and Amanda also explore how community banks and financial institutions can elevate their marketing by focusing on human connection, local relationships, and genuine support for small business growth. Sponsored by RelPro, Inc. and Vertical IQ

In this episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, Jack Hubbard sits down with renowned sales expert and bestselling author Jeb Blount, who has written more than 15 books on sales and leadership. Together, they dive into Jeb’s latest book, The LinkedIn Edge, co-authored with Brynne Tillman of The Modern Banker, and explore the evolving landscape of modern selling. Jeb shares insights from his decades-long career in sales, from his early beginnings to becoming one of the most respected voices in the industry. Listeners will gain practical strategies for leveraging LinkedIn, building authentic relationships, and mastering the art of conversations that convert. This conversation is packed with storytelling, timeless sales wisdom, and actionable takeaways to help bankers and sales professionals thrive in today’s competitive environment. Sponsored by RelPro, Inc. and Vertical IQ

Bankers often scroll LinkedIn without direction, missing opportunities hidden in plain sight. This episode explores how to create a custom content feed that surfaces posts from your most important prospects, clients, and centers of influence. With a structured approach, every scroll can become a strategic activity that drives engagement and conversations. Takeaways: Why most bankers waste time scrolling their home page newsfeed How to set up targeted searches for high-value people Turning likes and comments into meaningful conversations Building a repeatable daily engagement routine

In this episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, Jack Hubbard sits down with Ken Martin, one of the most respected sales leaders in the banking industry. From his early days as a management trainee to leading national sales teams at Fleet, Bank of America, Citizens, Santander, CIT, and now First Citizens, Ken shares lessons learned from decades of experience. He dives into leadership strategies, the importance of accountability, how to build and coach high-performing teams, and his passion for recognition programs like Top Gun and Winner’s Circle. Ken also offers insights into recruiting top talent, sustaining motivation, and the evolving role of AI in banking. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an aspiring sales leader, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and inspiring stories that will help you elevate your career in banking. Sponsored by RelPro, Inc. and Vertical IQ

In this episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, Jack Hubbard sits down with Mark Turner, former CEO of WSFS Bank and author of The Path to Sustained Excellence. Mark shares his journey from KPMG to leading one of the nation’s oldest banks through transformational growth, the 2008 financial crisis, and more than a decade of mergers and acquisitions. He reflects on lessons in leadership, culture, strategy, and resilience while offering candid insights on balancing personal challenges with professional demands. Listeners will also hear inspiring stories about building a people-first culture, the power of values-driven decision-making, and what the future holds for community banking. Sponsored by RelPro, Inc. and Vertical IQ

September 11th changed us in ways we are still uncovering. The tragedy impacted us personally, reshaping our sense of safety, connection, and trust in one another. Professionally, it reminded us that relationships—not transactions—are what carry us through crisis. In this conversation, we will explore how the events of 9/11 continue to deepen our philosophy of trust-based selling. When uncertainty and loss test us, trust is not a tactic—it’s a lifeline. We’ll look at how the principles that sustain people in times of crisis—authentic connection, empathy, reliability, and service—are the same principles that build meaningful, lasting business relationships. Join us as we honor the resilience of 9/11 victims and survivors, while drawing lessons that continue to shape how we show up for others in both life and business.

In this episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, Jack Hubbard sits down with bestselling author and researcher Matt Dixon to explore his latest book, The Activator Advantage. Together, they dive into the shifting world of sales and professional services, discussing why traditional rainmaking no longer guarantees success and how the "activator" mindset is transforming business development. Matt shares insights from his global study of over 3,000 partners, revealing what top performers do differently to build lasting client relationships, generate opportunities, and deliver value proactively. Sponsored by RelPro and Vertical IQ.

In this episode of Jack Rants with Brynne, Jack Hubbard and Brynne Tillman wrap up their live podcast season by diving deep into the powerful world of LinkedIn Sales Navigator alerts. From auto-generated connection insights to AI-curated recommendations, they explore how bankers can unlock hidden leads with minimal effort. Along the way, they share upcoming training opportunities, celebrate big milestones—like Brynne’s forthcoming LinkedIn book—and reflect on how AI tools like Copilot and Perplexity are reshaping sales strategies. It’s a data-driven, future-forward conversation packed with takeaways for modern bankers and sales pros alike.

Jack Hubbard and Brynne Tillman explore the evolving landscape of banking, emphasizing the role of Sales Navigator and LinkedIn strategies for bankers. They discuss three outreach strategies crucial for generating leads, including mutual connection warmups, trigger-based targeting, and engaging with content. Brynne highlights the importance of building genuine relationships and the strategic use of referrals. The episode also teases a special guest coaching session for bankers and provides insights on how LinkedIn can foster valuable business connections. Tune in for actionable insights and effective networking strategies tailored for the banking industry.

In this episode of Jack Rant with Modern Bankers, Jack Hubbard welcomes LinkedIn strategist and author Brynne Tillman for a deep dive into the art of prospecting with Sales Navigator. They explore smart outreach techniques bankers can’t afford to overlook—from leveraging mutual connections to trigger-based targeting that boosts referrals and deepens relationships. Brynne also shares the scoop on her upcoming book with Jeb Blount and how it blends speed and strategy for next-gen business development. Get ready for practical tips, warm banter, and a whole lot of LinkedIn gold.

In this episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, we sit down with Hall of Fame-nominated marketer, bestselling author, and Wall Street Journal cartoonist Stu Heinecke to explore the power of Contact Marketing and how it can transform the way bankers build relationships and drive results. Stu shares insights from his groundbreaking books like How to Get a Meeting with Anyone and How to Grow Your Business Like a Weed, illustrating how creativity, persistence, and personalization open doors to high-value connections. From sending cartoon-based outreach to creating memorable moments for clients and prospects, Stu reveals how bankers can blend art and strategy to make lasting impressions in a crowded digital space. Sponsored by RelPro and Vertical IQ.

Jack Hubbard and guest Brynne Tillman delve into the evolving landscape of banking, emphasizing how it's transformed from ledger-based operations to incorporating cutting-edge technology like Sales Navigator. They discuss the dynamic nature of LinkedIn lists, focusing on key strategies such as saved searches for new opportunities and leveraging relationships. With practical insights for bankers aiming to enhance their networking and client engagement, the conversation covers foundational and specialty lists, including account searches and engagement strategies, highlighting the effectiveness of tools like Sales Navigator for relationship-driven business success.

In this insightful episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, Jack Hubbard sits down with long-time friend and industry leader Tom Hershberger to explore the evolving role of marketing in community banking. From their shared memories teaching at the Graduate School of Banking’s Strategic Marketing School to candid thoughts on leadership, mentorship, and culture in financial services, this conversation delivers valuable perspectives for modern banking professionals. Tom shares stories from his decades in banking, reveals key trends shaping financial marketing, and offers timeless lessons on building trust and authenticity in customer relationships. Sponsored by RelPro and Vertical IQ.

In this must-listen episode, Jack Hubbard sits down with globally renowned LinkedIn expert Richard van der Blom, founder of Just Connecting and the mind behind the annual LinkedIn Algorithm Report. With over 200,000 followers and a reputation for cutting through the noise, Richard shares the evolution of his deep-dive research on LinkedIn's algorithm, what it takes to grow on the platform, and why consistency trumps frequency when it comes to posting. Richard also discusses how LinkedIn ads are evolving, especially with the rise of thought leadership ads, and warns of the growing threat of AI-generated content overtaking the platform’s authenticity. Sponsored by RelPro and Vertical IQ.

In this episode with Jack out today, Brynne takes the mic solo and brings the fire! In this energizing episode, she shares seven creative ways bankers can engage their communities this summer—from launching Small Business Spotlight series and hosting LinkedIn Live panels to running financial challenges and sparking real conversations with local entrepreneurs. Whether you're a banker looking to deepen client relationships or a community advocate wanting to make a splash, this one’s packed with practical, people-first ideas you can use right away.

In this episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, host Jack Hubbard sits down with economist and author Dr. Don Barden to explore leadership, trust, and the future of financial services. With a career rooted in behavioral economics and strategic banking, Dr. Barden shares powerful insights from his journey, including lessons from his book The Perfect Plan. Listen as Jack and Don dive into: How trust and psychology drive modern banking relationships Purpose-driven leadership in financial institutions Economic trends shaping the future of banking Real-world lessons from decades in financial strategy Perfect for bankers, financial professionals, and leaders seeking to elevate their influence, this episode blends storytelling, strategy, and inspiration.

In this compelling episode of Jack Rants with Modern Bankers, host Jack Hubbard welcomes Julie Hansen, a former professional actor who made a bold leap into the world of sales training. With a background that blends stage performance and business acumen, Julie reveals how her experience in acting shaped her unique and effective approach to virtual selling. The conversation dives into her journey from the theater to the boardroom, showing how performance techniques can enhance sales communication, improve virtual presence, and help sales professionals build authentic connections in remote settings. Julie explains the importance of making eye contact with the camera, the power of internal messaging, and how to coach teams to communicate with clarity and confidence in high-stakes virtual meetings. Sponsored by RelPro and Vertical IQ.