The best ideas don’t just capture attention — they create consequences. In this episode, Leeann Leahy shares why emotionally resonant work matters more than ever, how curiosity fuels creativity, and why agency culture should be built around people, not perks.

This is Brand Story, a podcast celebrating the stories of real people who are making an impact on brands, business, and the world around them. Episodes feature guests from a variety of backgrounds who bring their own unique perspectives to the conversation.

Brand Story is created and produced by Gravity Group, a full-service brand and marketing agency, and is hosted by Gravity Group President, Steve Gilman.

Links and Information From the Episode Here: gravitygroup.com/podcast/ideas-that-move-people/

Continue the conversation on social:

For more of Brand Story, check out our LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/gravitygroupmarketing), where we’ll post previews and highlights of shows, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, plus other marketing news you can use.

We’re also on:

Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/gravitygroup

Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/gravitygroupmarketing

(00:00) Introduction to Leeann Leahy and Her Journey

(06:18) From Big Agencies to Independent Shops

(13:29) Why Advertising Has to Mean Something

(17:10) Reinventing L.L.Bean Without Losing Its Soul

(22:59) How to Connect Emotionally by Being Infectious

(24:22) Golden Corral’s Post-COVID Comeback

(30:23) Building a Human-Centered Agency Culture

(41:06) What the Industry Gets Wrong About Culture

(44:20) AI, Humanity, and Ideas That Matter

(46:25) Final Thoughts and Advice to Leeann's Younger Self

Building a business isn’t just about what you sell — it’s about what you believe. In this episode, Jim Campbell shares why purpose-driven work matters, how organic agriculture is reshaping the way people think about food, and what it looks like to build a company that puts people, animals, and the land first.

This is Brand Story, a podcast celebrating the stories of real people who are making an impact on brands, business, and the world around them. Episodes feature guests from a variety of backgrounds who bring their own unique perspectives to the conversation.

Brand Story is created and produced by Gravity Group, a full-service brand and marketing agency, and is hosted by Gravity Group President, Steve Gilman.

Links and Information From the Episode Here: https://www.gravitygroup.com/podcast/rooted-in-purpose/

Continue the conversation on social:

For more of Brand Story, check out our LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/gravitygroupmarketing), where we’ll post previews and highlights of shows, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, plus other marketing news you can use.

We’re also on:

Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/gravitygroup

Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/gravitygroupmarketing

(00:00) Introduction – Jim Campbell, President & CEO of New Country Organic

(01:38) Jim's Origin Story – From financial services to farming: horses, land, chickens, and finding a mission

(03:20) What's wrong with conventional feed and the case for organic

(04:48) The Homesteading Movement – Self-sufficiency, the pandemic effect, and why NCO's mission aligns with a growing cultural shift

(06:00) NCO's Three Core Missions – Feeding animals well, building soil health, and taking care of people

(16:07) Decoding Food Labels: Organic vs. Non-GMO – Why USDA Certified Organic is the gold standard and what "non-GMO" really means

(22:56) Backyard Chickens as a Gateway – Why chickens attract new homesteaders, and the very human benefits of connecting with animals

(27:52) Custom Feeds & Allergy-Driven Product Development – How customer needs (and a tearful after-hours phone call) shaped NCO's product line

(30:06) The Pandemic Demand Surge – A tsunami of new homesteaders and what it revealed about distrust of "Big Food"

(35:31) National Expansion: Texas, Nevada & the UK – Growing from Virginia roots to a nationwide (and soon international) footprint

(37:58) Supporting the Organic Farming Ecosystem – Buying American organic grains and helping farmers transition away from conventional agriculture

(39:17) Customer Care as a Brand Value – Treating every customer like a person, not a ticket

(41:48) Vision for NCO's Future – Organic nutrition, soil products, insect protein, and international growth

(44:10) Jim's Chapter of Life: Creation – Reflections on entrepreneurship, lifelong learning, and wishing he'd started sooner

(46:05) Advice to a Younger Self – Take more risks, find your own thing, and stay curious

Great content doesn’t come from chasing perfection — it comes from creating something people can actually feel. In this episode, Darren Rayner shares how brands can build content systems that connect, why authenticity matters more than ever, and what it takes to stand out in a world flooded with content.

This is Brand Story, a podcast celebrating the stories of real people who are making an impact on brands, business, and the world around them. Episodes feature guests from a variety of backgrounds who bring their own unique perspectives to the conversation.

Brand Story is created and produced by Gravity Group, a full-service brand and marketing agency, and is hosted by Gravity Group President, Steve Gilman.

Links and Information From the Episode Here: gravitygroup.com/podcast/content-that-connects/

Continue the conversation on social:

For more of Brand Story, check out our LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/gravitygroupmarketing), where we’ll post previews and highlights of shows, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, plus other marketing news you can use.

We’re also on:

Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/gravitygroup

Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/gravitygroupmarketing

(00:00) Introduction to Darren and Magnafire

(04:09) The Evolution of Social Media in Brand Strategy

(07:11) The Three-Step Content Process

(09:56) The Content Pyramid Approach

(17:06) The Importance of Audience Understanding

(18:24) Emotional Resonance in Content

(20:51) Hooks, Kicks, and Engagement Strategies

(27:45) Authenticity in Content Creation

(30:14) The Role of AI in Content Production

(34:39) Innovative Approaches to Content

(37:19) Common Mistakes Brands Make

(41:07) Life Lessons and Reflections