Welcome to Your Brand Amplified® – the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of successful businesses, exploring the minds of entrepreneurs, business leaders, marketers and sales experts. I'm thrilled to be your host, Anika Jackson, and I'm on a mission to uncover the stories, strategies, and secrets that have propelled these individuals to success.
Tune in to hear the captivating journeys of our guests. From humble beginnings to industry titans, each episode unravels the unique narrative of how these remarkable individuals navigated the world of entrepreneurship, small business, and marketing.
Gain exclusive insights into the strategies that drive success in the business world. Our guests share their tested and proven methods, offering you a wealth of knowledge to implement in your own entrepreneurial endeavors.
Delve into the world of marketing with our expert guests. Whether it's digital, content, or influencer marketing, we cover it all. Stay ahead of the curve and learn the latest trends and techniques to elevate your brand.
Public relations is a key component of any successful business. Learn from seasoned professionals about building and maintaining a positive public image, navigating crises, and leveraging PR to amplify your brand's voice.
Craft Your Business strategy is the backbone of sustainable growth. Our guests share their strategic insights, providing you with the tools and knowledge to formulate and execute effective business plans.
Elevate your business acumen, amplify your brand, and be inspired by the stories of those who have turned their visions into reality.
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Welcome to Your Brand Amplified® – the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of successful businesses, exploring the minds of entrepreneurs, business leaders, marketers and sales experts. I'm thrilled to be your host, Anika Jackson, and I'm on a mission to uncover the stories, strategies, and secrets that have propelled these individuals to success.
Tune in to hear the captivating journeys of our guests. From humble beginnings to industry titans, each episode unravels the unique narrative of how these remarkable individuals navigated the world of entrepreneurship, small business, and marketing.
Gain exclusive insights into the strategies that drive success in the business world. Our guests share their tested and proven methods, offering you a wealth of knowledge to implement in your own entrepreneurial endeavors.
Delve into the world of marketing with our expert guests. Whether it's digital, content, or influencer marketing, we cover it all. Stay ahead of the curve and learn the latest trends and techniques to elevate your brand.
Public relations is a key component of any successful business. Learn from seasoned professionals about building and maintaining a positive public image, navigating crises, and leveraging PR to amplify your brand's voice.
Craft Your Business strategy is the backbone of sustainable growth. Our guests share their strategic insights, providing you with the tools and knowledge to formulate and execute effective business plans.
Elevate your business acumen, amplify your brand, and be inspired by the stories of those who have turned their visions into reality.
Lamar Tyler’s entrepreneurial journey is a powerful testament to the transformative power of persistence, adaptability, and community-driven leadership. With a background in information technology, Lamar’s ambitions extended well beyond his corporate environment. He was motivated by a dream to become an entrepreneur, and when his innovative ideas were consistently dismissed by his employer, he resolved to build something impactful with his wife, anchoring their efforts in values that mattered to them. This led to the genesis of a blog focused on positive representations of African American marriage and family—a proactive response to the pervasive negativity in mainstream media depictions.
Early in life, John Miles' trajectory appeared set for a future in action-oriented roles, influenced by a military background and ambitions that included joining the FBI. Yet, life’s unpredictability forced him to pivot into corporate leadership, where he steadily climbed the ranks to executive positions in some of the world’s largest companies. Despite attaining the outward trappings of success, he realized that fulfillment remained elusive without a deeper sense of meaning. The tipping point came as he recognized a persistent sense of invisibility—not only within himself but as a widespread modern problem impacting countless individuals. This awareness inspired him to lay the groundwork for a new purpose rooted in the concept of mattering.
Raised in Amarillo, Texas, Matt Maples' values were shaped early on by his grandfather, a World War II and Korean War veteran, whose daily lessons over breakfast instilled the principles of service, sacrifice, and putting others—family, community, and country—ahead of oneself. This foundation, reinforced by education and years of pastoral ministry, fostered a deep sense of purpose in Matt, one rooted in the belief that fulfillment comes not from personal gain but from giving selflessly to others and enabling people to become the best versions of themselves. This philosophy has informed his mission-driven approach throughout a diverse career, culminating in his leadership role with USA Cares.
Beyond her environmental ethos, Georgia Lininger's approach to publishing embraces inclusivity and diversity, offering opportunities to authors from all walks of life. She values authentic storytelling and refuses to impose rigid genre restrictions, championing unique voices and narratives that might otherwise be stifled in a more conventional environment. This focus on diversity of thought and experience is underscored by her own background as an educator of English language learners and her drive to publish bilingual texts, aiming to spark curiosity and embrace multiculturalism among young readers.
Monica Marquez exemplifies the forward-thinking leader who continually reinvents herself to stay ahead of rapid industry changes, particularly those brought by artificial intelligence and workforce transformation. Faced with early challenges—like navigating educational opportunities as the oldest and only daughter in a traditional Mexican American family—she made choices rooted in accessibility and familial responsibility. The path Monica chose, however, was never constrained by titles or conventional career expectations; instead, it was underscored by a constant search for impact and meaning in every professional move.
Pete Pachal stands out as a forward-thinking leader navigating the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and the media industry. With a deep background in journalism and a role shaping editorial strategy at CoinDesk, Pete recognized early on the radical implications of AI tools for journalism, public relations, and communications professionals. His early adoption of AI, organizing practical use cases, drafting policy guidelines, and launching educational resources positions him as a crucial guide in this transformative landscape. Pete’s insights stem from hands-on experience, having overseen the integration of AI workflows in large newsrooms and now dedicating himself full time to enabling others to adapt strategically.
Carrolee Moore’s path is marked by an unwavering commitment to authenticity and the belief that the foundation of visibility begins internally. Her journey starts in Jamaica, where a deep love for storytelling was sparked in a family environment that valued narrative and connection. This early passion guided her academic pursuit in English and communications and remained a throughline as she navigated her career in both project management and brand building.
With a rich background encompassing various marketing roles, Jed Morley discovered that his passion and talent lay in establishing the foundational brand strategy that defines a company’s essence, value proposition, and unique differentiators. This realization led him to found Backstory Branding, a consulting firm dedicated to clarifying and articulating what makes a business stand out in the crowded market. At the heart of his methodology lies the Backstory Brand Wheel Framework, an approach he developed through repeated success in partnering with companies at critical inflection points—whether they were preparing to move beyond founder-led sales, launching new products, or entering new markets.
Grounded in his formative experiences studying under Alan Newell and Herbert Simon—giants who helped found the field of AI—Dr. Craig Kaplan internalized from an early stage the critical importance of both rigorous scientific discovery and practical, real-world impact. He observed early evolutions in AI, from the symbolic reasoning systems of the 1950s, through to the neural networks of the 1980s, and witnessed firsthand how skepticism gradually gave way to the data-driven paradigms that power today's language models. This longitudinal vantage point allowed him to appreciate the pendulum swing between efforts to fully “explain” machine thinking and the observable truth that vast data and accelerated computation yield emergent intelligence.
Growing up in both the United States and Europe provided Ken Banta with a multidimensional worldview that became foundational to his approach in later professional pursuits. Early in his career, his work as a journalist at Time Magazine—particularly during significant historical moments such as the fall of communism—imbued him with a keen sense for analysis, rapid information processing, and an appreciation for the complexity inherent in shaping organizations and societies. This analytical rigor and exposure to various leadership styles laid the groundwork for Ken's subsequent transition into the corporate world, where he would develop a reputation for leading organizational turnarounds and managing intricate mergers at companies facing existential challenges.
With early skills in social networking, video production, and harnessing digital advertising tools, Jeff Revilla not only secured new career opportunities with remarkable efficiency but also became a prime example of how unconventional education and hands-on experience can be more dynamic and valuable than traditional pathways. What distinguishes Jeff’s mission is his vision for combining live engagement with technological possibilities to craft experiences that transcend simple digital content. As he moved forward, he became particularly motivated by the untapped potential for authentic connection that goes beyond the purely virtual or the strictly physical.
Farzad Rashidi’s professional journey is a testament to strategic thinking, adaptability, and the enduring importance of fundamental marketing principles, even amid fast-paced technological change. Beginning his career as the first marketing hire, Farzad entered a fledgling company with limited resources, where traditional acquisition channels like paid advertising proved unsustainable. He quickly learned that organic growth—anchored in sustainable and meaningful engagement—yielded far greater long-term results than pouring capital into fleeting strategies.
Starting from a cow-calf ranch, Shane Lindsay's early career was marked by a drive to explore beyond the traditional boundaries of his family’s agricultural legacy. Eventually, his experience positioned him at the crossroads of innovation within the beef industry, where he became a catalyst for introducing American Wagyu—a premium beef category inspired by Japanese standards and adapted to the American market. Yet, the most transformative phase of Shane's career arrived as he responded to a problem that persisted throughout his professional life: the challenge of maintaining productivity and connectivity during frequent, extended business travel.
Central to Andy Sitison’s mission is the amplification of trust and authenticity in corporate research and decision-making. His methods ensure anonymity and safety for contributors, fostering environments where people can share their stories candidly. . By integrating long-form storytelling into data collection, Andy transcends the limitations of traditional surveys, providing authentic voices to communities and employees whose experiences are often marginalized by closed metrics and generic feedback mechanisms.
Seth Stewart’s life and work reflect an ongoing journey of self-discovery, spiritual awakening, and an unwavering commitment to personal integrity and service. He traces the roots of his resilience to his upbringing as a biracial individual and a straight male in the dance and theater industries, environments shaped by both inclusion and division, which exposed him early to the complexities of social constructs. These experiences led him to interrogate the reasons behind societal divisions—why acceptance remains elusive across lines of gender, sexuality, and race—and inspired him to seek healing not just for himself but as a calling to serve others.
Arriving in Canada as a non-English-speaking immigrant from Hong Kong, Michael Leung grew up straddling two cultures, grappling both with the challenges of cultural assimilation and the realities of economic hardship. The foundation of his tenacity was laid early, accentuated by the tragic loss of his nurturing mother during his teenage years—a trauma that set him adrift for years, wrestling with mental health struggles and self-destructive behaviors. Through this crucible, Michael developed a unique empathy for those feeling excluded or misunderstood, a theme that would later become central to his mission.
Having started from a place where communication was characterized by passive aggressiveness, judgment, and repressed feelings, Cynthia Kane found herself in an emotional crossroads brought on by a deeply personal loss. This pivotal moment propelled her into the exploration of mindfulness and Buddhist teachings, particularly the principles of right speech—truthfulness, helpfulness, and the avoidance of exaggeration and gossip. As she immersed herself in meditation and began experimenting with conscious communication, her internal landscape shifted. The world, once a source of anxiety and unrest, became increasingly friendly and safe as she deliberately practiced being present, patient, and generous in her relationships.
Early in Jon Bassford's career, curiosity was not a conscious focal point; only after being prompted by mentors and branding specialists did he reflect back and recognize curiosity as the throughline connecting his diverse professional milestones. Rather than being tethered to a specific industry or sector, Jon's expertise has flourished in environments where change is essential—environments in need of not just new systems, but new ways of thinking. His operational philosophy is rooted in the belief that sustainable efficiency emerges from clarity, trust, and structured processes.
Nick Cawthon’s career arc offers a lens into the profound shifts reshaping the design, technology, and business landscapes over the past several decades. Starting from a foundation in visual arts, nurtured in early childhood by parents and formative educational experiences, he developed an appetite for deep immersion in creative tasks. The evolution of design itself—shifting from tangible print to browser-based digital forms and now to structured, AI-driven text—mirrors his own adaptability, curiosity, and drive to stay at the edge of innovation.
Eni Maj stands at the forefront of innovation in the travel industry, channeling a unique blend of creativity, global perspective, and technical expertise into the company she founded, Travel Spoken. From an early age, Eni was immersed in international environments, growing up in a traveling expat family and later exploring the world as an international model for a major fashion agency. These chapters of her life exposed her to a mosaic of cultures and landscapes while also revealing common frustrations associated with planning and coordinating travel—a reality that would later spark her entrepreneurial vision.
Welcome to Your Brand Amplified® – the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of successful businesses, exploring the minds of entrepreneurs, business leaders, marketers and sales experts. I'm thrilled to be your host, Anika Jackson, and I'm on a mission to uncover the stories, strategies, and secrets that have propelled these individuals to success.
Tune in to hear the captivating journeys of our guests. From humble beginnings to industry titans, each episode unravels the unique narrative of how these remarkable individuals navigated the world of entrepreneurship, small business, and marketing.
Gain exclusive insights into the strategies that drive success in the business world. Our guests share their tested and proven methods, offering you a wealth of knowledge to implement in your own entrepreneurial endeavors.
Delve into the world of marketing with our expert guests. Whether it's digital, content, or influencer marketing, we cover it all. Stay ahead of the curve and learn the latest trends and techniques to elevate your brand.
Public relations is a key component of any successful business. Learn from seasoned professionals about building and maintaining a positive public image, navigating crises, and leveraging PR to amplify your brand's voice.
Craft Your Business strategy is the backbone of sustainable growth. Our guests share their strategic insights, providing you with the tools and knowledge to formulate and execute effective business plans.
Elevate your business acumen, amplify your brand, and be inspired by the stories of those who have turned their visions into reality.
