Something will go viral on Tuesday, we'll scramble to create our version by Wednesday, and by Thursday, it's already over. We're running faster and faster. In the end, we feel like we've ended up in the same place.
But there's honestly a better way.
Success can actually be found by doing less, with a renewed focus on vibe instead of virality. Some are calling this the Vibe Economy, where consistent resonance matters more than viral reach. I'd like to just call it Vibe Marketing.
Instead of "What's trending with the masses?" people are remembering to ask "What does our unique audience want and need to feel right now?"
It's a subtle shift, but it can change everything.
Stephen Covey’s timeless advice, “Begin with the end in mind,” has stuck with me for a very long time, and it guides how I approach my personal and business life.
It’s deceptively simple but powerful: know where you want to go before you take the first step. This is where vision begins. You have to take the first step, and I deeply believe in this idea as well. But you have to know where you're going when you step off, otherwise you'll likely get lost along the way. In practice, it can mean the difference between success and mediocrity.
If we take Covey’s advice seriously, it changes how we think about strategy, leadership, and our lives. Here are 3 core takeaways to explore.
If you’ve spent any time in business, you’ve probably read your fair share of books that talk about customer service, culture, or leadership. A lot of them sound good in theory, but fall short when it comes to showing what these ideas look like in practice. What I love about Be Our Guest is that Disney doesn’t just talk about their philosophy; they’ve been living it for decades. They’ve proven it works in one of the toughest industries out there—entertainment and hospitality—where expectations are sky-high, competition is fierce, and customers are quick to share disappointment.
The reason this book resonated with me is because Disney takes something that feels magical—creating unforgettable guest experiences—and breaks it down into systems and principles that any organization can apply. Whether you’re running a theme park, a restaurant, a marketing agency, or a small family business, the lessons translate.
First, I want to thank you for listening and being part of this journey. Hitting one hundred episodes is a milestone, and it’s also the perfect time to take what we’ve learned and improve to serve you better.
Going forward, instead of longer episodes, we’re moving to a faster, sharper format designed for busy business owners and marketers. Each episode will deliver three quick, bite-sized insights to help you grow your business—no fluff, no distractions. Just the things you need to know, in minutes, so you can get on with your busy day.
There’s already more information out there than anyone can possibly keep up with. There are already podcasts that are sometimes 2-3 hours long that go deep on topics. Our goal is to provide an alternative that cuts through the noise and makes it easy for you to stay ahead in minutes instead of hours.
So, thank you for being here through the first hundred. I’m excited for what’s next—and I hope you’ll find this new format even more valuable.
Many people think of digital marketing as a way to generate new leads. But if that’s all you’re doing, you’re leaving opportunities and money on the table.
A comprehensive strategy empowers every part of your organization—from marketing and sales to service—driving growth, strengthening relationships, and maximizing customer value.
If you haven't thought about this before, here are three key takeaways to consider this week.
Today, we’re talking about a challenge—and an opportunity—that’s staring every marketer in the face: how to stand out on social media in a world flooded with generic AI content. AI has changed how people search, discover, and consume information, and the shift is happening faster than most businesses can keep up with. What worked even a year ago might already be stale. The opportunity is massive—but so is the risk of getting lost in the noise. So today, let’s dig into what this means for your business, why it matters now, and three strategies you can use to rise above the sea of sameness. Now… on to the show.
Welcome to Marketing Brief, a short, regular Academy Podcast segment where Chris will provide marketers and business owners with three bite-sized insights to grow their business.
I’ve noticed something shift this year—both in how I work and how I see others using tools like ChatGPT or Claude. It’s not occasional anymore. AI has become a daily habit for a lot of people. I'm one of them.
A new report caught my attention recently around this trend, and it says 43% of consumers now use AI tools every day. Not once in a while—every day. That’s a big deal. It means the way people find answers, make decisions, and interact with content is already changing faster than most businesses realize.
So with that thought, here are 3 takeaways that you should know...
In business, clarity is everything. When we know why we exist, how we operate, what we offer, and who we serve, growth becomes not only possible, but natural.”
Simon Sinek’s concept of the Golden Circle is one of the most powerful frameworks a business owner or marketer can embrace. It’s built on a simple hierarchy: Why, How, and What. And for today’s conversation, I’m adding a fourth piece that matters just as much: Who.
Most businesses know what they do. Fewer can clearly articulate how they do it. And very few have a well-defined, inspiring why that drives everything else. Without clarity on all of these, teams drift, customers feel uncertain, and marketing efforts fall flat. But when all four are clear, it changes everything.
Today, we’re diving into a topic that used to feel like science fiction — but it’s already reshaping how businesses operate: AI agents and the engineers behind them. These aren’t futuristic ideas anymore. Teams are hiring AI engineers right now to build intelligent agents that handle real work — from writing reports to managing workflows — and they're freeing up entire teams to focus on what matters most.
This shift isn’t about replacing people. It’s about giving your team more space to lead, solve, and create — while the machines take care of the grind. So let’s unpack how AI agents are being deployed inside organizations today, why AI engineers are becoming essential hires, and what all of this means for the future of work.
Today we’re picking up where we left off. Last time, we took a hard look at the shifting search landscape and how Google—after decades of dominance—is facing real challenges from AI, government regulators, and changing user habits. But today, I want to take the glass-half-full approach and balance the threats and challenges with the new, real opportunities. Because while disruption can feel unsettling, it often clears the way for something better.
If this sounds interesting, stick with me and let's explore more together in this two-part series.
Now... on to the show...
For years, Google has been the primary gateway to the internet. If you wanted to be found, you needed to rank. But today, that dominance is being challenged like never before, from all sides. In this episode, we’re diving into the shifting landscape of search: how AI is changing what we see, why regulators are putting pressure on Google’s ad empire, and how user behavior is rapidly evolving. Whether you’re a business owner, marketer, or just someone trying to keep up, these changes could reshape our strategies to be found online. If this sounds interesting, stick with me and let's explore more together in this two-part series.
Hey everyone, this is Chris Auman, President of Sanctuary. Welcome back to The Academy, where you get the tools, tips, and advice you need to grow your business.Today, I want to step beyond our usual business growth topics. I want to challenge every community leader to consider something a little more abstract. Investing in the arts isn’t just about supporting artists and culture. It’s a powerful and necessary strategy for driving business success and securing the long-term prosperity of our communities and our nation.If you're on the fence on this topic, stick with me and let's explore more together.Now... on to the show...
Let's talk about how AI is changing how people search, get answers, and make purchasing decisions, creating major challenges for marketers. Traditional SEO alone isn’t enough anymore. AI is now delivering information in new ways, often without sending users to websites. To stay visible and get customers to take action, businesses must adapt to this shift in discoverability.
If this sounds interesting, stick with me and let's explore more together.
Hey everyone, this is Chris Auman, President of Sanctuary. Welcome back to The Academy, where you get the tools, tips, and advice you need to grow your business.
Today, I want to talk about a concept that’s just now gaining traction, and fast, AI Agents. If you remember the movie The Matrix, an agent was considered to be a bad guy. It was a digital person that was designed to do a specific job and operated autonomously to accomplish that job. Agents are now a reality. They’re not the bad guy either.
If this sounds interesting, stick with me, and let's explore some of the ways that you might be able to mobilize AI agents for good in your organization.
Today, I want to talk about how SEO is hard and getting harder these days. Search engine optimization is no longer just about keywords and backlinks—it’s evolving rapidly alongside changes in how customers search and how search engines deliver results. We all need to shift, learn, and evolve to stay visible and competitive.
To keep up, it's essential to move beyond traditional tactics and embrace strategies designed for today’s search landscape.
If this sounds interesting, stick with me, and let's explore some of the ways that you might be able to pivot and stay competitive.
Today, I want to take you on a bit of a journey — part cultural history, part personal branding, part reflection on how we show up in the world of business.
Recently, I was watching The Warhol Diaries on Netflix — if you haven’t seen it yet, it’s highly recommended. It’s a deep, fascinating look at Andy Warhol’s life, his mind, his art, and honestly, all the weirdness and brilliance that made him who he was.
While watching the documentary, there was a moment that really hit me — and honestly, it’s been bouncing around in my head ever since: the idea that an artist can become the art.
Andy Warhol didn’t just create art — he was art. His silver wig, those iconic sunglasses, that monotone voice, and the whole air of mystery that followed him around — all of that was as intentional as his paintings of Marilyn Monroe or those Campbell’s soup cans.
In fact, for a lot of people, when you hear the name "Andy Warhol," you probably picture him first — before you think about his work. And that wasn’t an accident.
As I was reflecting on that idea, I realized how incredibly relevant it is for us today as working professionals, especially in this digital world where we’re all online, engaging on social media, and putting ourselves out there in some way.
If you’re a working professional — you are a brand. Andy Warhol figured that out long before the rest of us caught on. How you present yourself to the world matters.
Today, I want to talk about something that gets mentioned a lot within digital marketing and sales, but rarely unpacked in a way that feels practical: being a thought leader. You’ve heard the term. You’ve probably rolled your eyes at it. Maybe you’ve even used it yourself. But what does it actually mean when someone says you should be a thought leader?
If this sounds interesting, stick with me, and let's explore more together.
As business leaders, we often feel the pressure to keep looking ahead, chasing the next big idea or opportunity. But what if the key to something truly valuable isn’t in the future—but in the past?
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the power of looking back, not just for nostalgia’s sake, but to uncover ideas, insights, and inspiration that might have been overlooked. Sometimes, what we need most isn’t something new—it’s something we’ve already discovered, started but never finished–– ideas that are just waiting to be seen in a fresh light.
If this sounds interested, stick with me and let's explore more together.
Hey everyone, this is Chris Auman, President of Sanctuary. Welcome back to The Academy, where you get the tools, tips, and advice you need to grow your business.Today I wanted to weigh in on a topic that's on everyone's mind, and one that needs to be top-of-mind in the future, AI. Digital marketing and business is evolving at breakneck speed and AI is set to become a defining force in the way companies market themselves and grow. On one hand, it promises to revolutionize content creation, research, fact-checking, data analytics, personalization and customer service, making marketing more efficient and targeted than ever before. But alongside these exciting advancements, AI also introduces a host of challenges and threats that business leaders and marketing professionals need to be prepared for and adapt to.If you're ready to dive in, let's get started and dive in head first...
Hey everyone, this is Chris Auman, President of Sanctuary. Welcome back to The Academy, where you get the tools, tips, and advice you need to grow your business.
Today I wanted to continue on with an argument that I begun to make in episode 1 and 2 of this series. That is, why I think an investment in design is critical to marketing and ultimately business success. If you haven’t started with episode 1, please head over there now before you continue on with this episode.
As a designer for over 30 years, I may be perceived as biased. But I am also a business owner, marketer, and consumer. At this point, I can tell you this with absolute confidence: An investment in design in your business isn’t optional. Design is a critical part of marketing because it goes far beyond just aesthetics to influence how customers interact with and experience your brand at every level. It's an unspoken message. It's a vibe. It’s an emotion or a feeling that can be good or bad. Design can actually be helpful or deeply hurtful. Great design ensures that every interaction with your marketing, products, tactics, and brand is seamless, intuitive, enjoyable, and productive. Without great design, failure in your specific goals is more likely than not – and this may just extend to the success or failure of your entire business.
Are you ready to come along and hear more? ... Let's jump into it!