LinkedIn isn’t just a resume site anymore; it’s the #1 platform for building trust, expanding your network, and driving real business growth.
In this episode of Marketing Deconstructed, host Ali Schwanke sits down with Justin Nassiri, founder of Executive Presence, to break down how executives, founders, and sales leaders can create a LinkedIn strategy that actually works.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Resources From This Episode:
The LinkedIn Playbook for Modern CEOs: https://executivepresence.io/ebook/2025-linkedin-playbook-for-modern-ceos/
Executive Presence: https://executivepresence.io/
Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinnassiri/
Let’s face it: business development often feels like a mystery, and for service providers, it can feel downright uncomfortable.
In this episode of Marketing Deconstructed, Ali Schwanke talks with David Ackert, author of The Shortlist and CEO of PipelinePlus, to explore why traditional business development is broken and how professionals can build a more authentic, consistent, and scalable system for growth.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
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The Short List: How to Drive Business Development by Focusing on the People Who Matter Most: https://www.amazon.com/Short-List-Business-Development-Focusing/dp/B0DCQ2Q8MS
PipelinePlus: https://pipelineplus.com/
Connect with David on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidackert/
How do you earn the trust of technical buyers who are skeptical, logical, and allergic to marketing fluff?
In this episode of Marketing Deconstructed, Ali Schwanke sits down with Anthony Garone, co-founder of Edify Content, to break down exactly how to communicate with technical audiences.
Anthony shares:
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Better Sales Content with Anthony: https://bettersalescontent.com/
Check out Edify Content: https://edifycontent.com/
Make Weird Music: https://www.makeweirdmusic.com/
Work with Anthony: https://anthonygarone.com/
Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonygarone/
How are content teams really adapting to AI in 2025?
Join Ali Schwanke and Josh Spilker, Content & SEO Lead at AirOps, as they unpack the latest insights from the State of Content Teams 2025 report.
Based on findings from 144 content leaders, this episode explores the future of AI in content workflows, why answer engine optimization (AEO) is rising, and how roles like the content engineer are reshaping what high-performing teams look like.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
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State of Content Teams Report 2025: https://www.airops.com/
Check out the Descript Case Study: https://www.airops.com/blog/descript-drives-35-organic-traffic-growth-with-content-refresh-workflows
Explore AirOps Academy: https://www.airops.com/academy
Connect with Josh on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshspilker/
Struggling to grow beyond word-of-mouth and referrals? Ali sits down with Jason Pearl, founder of Nacre Consulting, to unpack the journey from unpredictable referrals to a scalable, trackable sales funnel—and how HubSpot played a key role in that transition.
Jason shares practical frameworks for overcoming growth ceilings, defining your ICP, creating a sales playbook, and building a reliable revenue engine for SMBs.
Learn how to avoid being too reliant on referrals, the metrics that matter, and why your delivery needs to match your marketing message.
More key takeaways from this episode include:
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Nacre Consulting: https://www.nacreconsulting.com/
Follow Jason on X: https://x.com/jasonmpearl
Connect with Jason on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmpearl/
Content marketing is changing—are you keeping up? The old model of creating SEO-driven content designed for search engines is no longer enough. Today, successful businesses are winning by creating content designed for scrollers, not searchers.
In this episode, we sit down with Erik Jacobson, CEO of Hatch and host of 95% Content, to talk about the two essential types of content every business needs:
1. Brand Awareness Content (Attention-Driven) – Content that grabs attention and makes sure people recognize your name.
2. Demand Creation Content (Intention-Driven) – Content that builds trust, educates, and ensures your brand is top-of-mind when customers are ready to buy.
More key takeaways from this episode include:
Want to stand out in today’s saturated content landscape? This episode will show you how to simplify your content strategy and start generating real business results.
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Visit Hatch: https://www.hatch.fm/
Listen to 95% Content:
https://open.spotify.com/show/45MRFs9GEwJsXHtJSUByrs?si=3a3b222f1d3641b2
Connect with Erik Jacobson on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-jacobson-hatch/
Is your business stuck because you’re the only one who can close deals? In this episode, Ali Schwanke interviews Scott Peterson, author of Beyond the Founder Rainmaker, to break down why so many founder-led companies struggle to build a successful sales team.
Scott shares his Revenue Compass methodology, revealing how to identify blue-chip clients, avoid dirty money, and build a repeatable sales process that scales beyond the founder.
We also discuss:
Take Scott’s free Revenue Compass Assessment: https://www.carverpeterson.com/
Read Scott's Book, "Beyond The Founder Rainmaker: Build Your Blue Chips Sales Strategy"https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Founder-Rainmaker-Build-Strategy/dp/B0DXF6ML6K
Connect with Scott Peterson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carverpeterson/
Want to unlock game-changing creative ideas?
Ali Schwanke sits down with Craig Mangan to talk about the science behind creative thinking, idea generation, and how to avoid the dreaded “Swoop and Poop” that kills great ideas.
Craig shares his proven frameworks, including Jealous Inspiration Sessions, Worst First, and Crazy Eights, to help teams unlock their best ideas while navigating workplace politics.
Key Takeaways from This Episode:
This episode is packed with actionable insights to level up your strategy.
Connect with Craig Mangan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigmangan/
The hardest thing in marketing today? Attention.
It’s easier than ever to start a company and build a product, but getting attention? That’s the real challenge.
In this episode of Marketing Deconstructed, Mark Kilens, CEO & Co-Founder of TACK, reveals why the traditional go-to-market playbook is outdated, and how companies need to shift toward a People-Led GTM strategy to thrive.
What you'll learn in this episode:
The bottom line? If your cost per acquisition is rising, conversion rates are dropping, and traditional marketing feels less effective, this episode is for you.
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Check out Mark's Marketing Leadership Mastermind:
https://www.tackgtm.com/marketing-leadership-mastermind
Learn more about TACK: https://www.tackgtm.com/
Join the TACK Network: https://www.tackinsider.com/
Connect with Mark Kilens on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markkilens/
What if the secret to accelerating marketing growth was actually slowing down?
In this episode, operations educator Jen Bergren joins Ali Schwanke to reveal the counterintuitive truth: fast-moving marketing teams thrive because they prioritize documentation.
Discover how the "move fast and break things" mindset can sabotage growth—and how simple, strategic documentation can be your competitive edge.
Learn how to:
Whether you're an overwhelmed marketer or a leader seeking scalable growth, this episode will change the way you think about speed.
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Explore Jen's Courses: https://www.jenbergren.com/courses
Join the MarketingOps Community: https://marketingops.com/
Connect with Jen Bergren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenbergren/
Every marketing team has heard it: “We need more leads—and fast.” But is your business focusing too much on immediate lead gen while neglecting brand strategy?
In this episode, Dan Gershenson, founder of High Caliber Branding, breaks down why lead generation and brand strategy often get confused—and how that confusion can cost you real growth.
What we cover:
Plus, insights on how AI and business intelligence tools are changing the game. Don't miss this deep dive into smarter, more strategic marketing!
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Check out High Caliber Branding: https://www.highcaliberbranding.com/
Duct Tape Marketing Network: https://ducttapemarketing.com/
Connect with Dan Gershenson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dangershenson/
SEO isn't what it used to be. If you're still following outdated tactics, Google has already moved on—and so should you! In this episode, Mordy Oberstein breaks down everything marketers and business owners need to know about modern SEO. Whether you're struggling with indexing, ranking, or content strategy, this episode will give you actionable insights that actually work.
What You’ll Learn:
Mordy also shares insights from the Google API leak, revealing how Google actually evaluates your site’s authority. Check out Traffic Think Tank: https://trafficthinktank.com/ The SERP's Up Podcast: https://www.wix.com/seo/learn/podcast Connect with Mordy Oberstein on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mordyoberstein/
When it comes to sales success, it’s easy to fall into the trap of hustle culture and endless grinding. But what if there was a better way?
In this episode, Ali Schwanke sits down with Jordan Benjamin, a peak performance sales coach and former HubSpotter, to explore the power of purposeful systems, emotional intelligence, and mindful habits in achieving lasting sales success.
Key insights include:
Check out My Core OS: https://www.mycoreos.com/
Connect with Jordan Benjamin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanbenjamin/
Discover the untapped power of podcast advertising! 🚀 In this episode, Ali Schwanke is joined by Kerry Tracy to explore why podcasting is an ideal advertising channel for SMBs and brands. Learn how to target niche audiences effectively, understand the three types of podcast ads, and discover how the 40/40/20 rule drives results. Kerry also shares insights on leveraging tools like dynamic ad insertion (DAI) for timely campaigns and how to test podcast advertising on any budget. Check out the Podbean Advertising Guide: https://www.podbean.com/advertising Connect with Kerry Tracy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrytracy/
Unlock the secret to escaping founder-led sales and scaling your business with clarity and precision!
In this episode of Marketing Deconstructed, Ali Schwanke chats with Corey Quinn—author of Anyone, Not Everyone and host of The Deep Specialization™ Podcast.
Discover how vertical specialization transformed Corey’s business journey, helping companies scale from $20M to $150M in annual revenue.
Learn how to:
Use a marketing opportunity calculator to analyze verticals Identify the two paths to specialization: industry vs. service Overcome founder-led sales with actionable frameworks
This episode is packed with case studies, insights, and tools to help you niche down and grow.
Plus, Corey shares a special offer for a free copy of his book!
Get Corey’s Book: Anyone, Not Everyone: A Proven System For Agencies To Escape Founder-Led Sales
Subscribe to Corey's Newsletter
Get more insights from Corey
Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You by John Warrillow
PR isn't just about press releases or ads—it's a strategic powerhouse for brand growth.
In this episode of Marketing Deconstructed, Ali Schwanke interviews PR expert Michelle Garrett, author of B2B PR That Gets Results. Michelle shares actionable advice on leveraging PR effectively in today's fast-moving world.
What You'll Learn:
Get Michelle’s Book: B2B PR That Gets Results: A Guide to Simple and Targeted Public Relations Practices
Get more insights from Michelle on PR Explored
Check out the PESO Model
In this episode of Marketing Deconstructed, Ali Schwanke dives into the world of brand strategy with Brian Sooy, author of Trade Secrets and founder of Aespire. Learn why service companies struggle to market effectively—and how to fix it.
Key Takeaways:
Get Brian’s Book: Trade Secrets: Four Core Strategies to Maximize Value for Service Companies.
Brian's Agency: Aespire
In this episode of 'Marketing Deconstructed,' Tyler Mount, a personal branding expert and founder of Henry Street Creative, discusses the importance of authentic personal branding, differentiating oneself in both corporate and personal spheres. He explains how an authentic personal brand is crucial, regardless of one's position, and provides actionable steps to create and improve it. We delve into the impact of AI on branding and content creation, highlighting how these tools can optimize time and effort. Tyler emphasizes consistency, authenticity, and the importance of online presence across platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. He also outlines the key components and KPIs for measuring personal branding success.
Tyler's Site: https://tylergmount.com/
Tyler's Company, Henry Street Creative
What makes people remember you—and choose you—over anyone else? In this episode of Marketing Deconstructed, host Ali Schwanke chats with Kay Miller, author of Uncopyable You, to explore the power of building an intentional, memorable personal brand.
Whether you’re in sales, leading a team, or an entrepreneur, Kay shares actionable insights on how to stand out in a crowded market and leave a lasting impression.
From defining your “moose” (ideal customer) to leveraging storytelling and small memorable details, Kay dives into practical steps for crafting a brand that people will remember and trust.
Tune in to discover:
Why personal branding is key for relationship selling
How to create stories and symbols that make you unforgettable
The secret to building a memorable brand—even if you're in a competitive field
Marketing strategy vs tactics - what's the difference? And where do you start when building a strategy for your company?
In this episode of Marketing Deconstructed, B2B marketing strategist and host Ali Schwanke sits down with Kenneth Burke, VP of Marketing at Text Request and author of Burke Bits, to break down the elements of an effective marketing strategy - including hard learned lessons "on the job".
From understanding your audience and setting clear goals to navigating tactical vs. strategic thinking, Kenneth shares his practical insights gained from building marketing strategies that drive results.
Kenneth also shares practical examples of things you can do stand out, course correct, and ask the right questions to fuel growth. Whether you're a marketer, entrepreneur, or founder managing marketing, this conversation will equip you with the tools to elevate your strategy.
Tune in to learn:
Kenneth Burke:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-burke-1641b676/
Kenneth's newsletter:
https://www.burkebits.com/
Text Request:
https://www.textrequest.com/
Text Request podcast https://www.textrequest.com/insights/text-request-talks-podcast-all-episodes
