As AI creates more noise than ever, business leaders are under pressure to move fast without chasing every shiny new tool. Matt sits down with guest Mark Rickmeier, CEO of TXI, to unpack how leaders can focus on the right problems before jumping to technology solutions.

Mark shares how he spends his time building relationships, learning from competitors, and creating immersive communities that help leaders grow. He explains why the best use of technology starts with understanding real business challenges, especially for companies that move, make, or maintain things.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why leaders should focus on problems before solutions
• How Mark builds trust and community with competitors, clients, and peers
• How “cooperation” with competitors can create stronger businesses
• How TXI helps industrial companies find practical uses for data, AI, and intelligent products
• Why “speed to value” should replace “move fast and break things”

Check out Mark on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/markrickmeier/

As AI reshapes how marketing teams work, the fundamentals matter more than ever. Matt sits down with guest Ann Hoeger, a fractional CMO and change management leader, to unpack why better briefs, clearer roles, and stronger agency relationships lead to better creative work.

Ann shares what she has learned across CPG, B2B, private equity, innovation, and brand-building environments. She explains why great marketing starts with clarity: knowing your customer, defining success, assigning roles, and building enough trust to solve problems when the work gets messy.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- Why a strong brief acts like a contract between a client and agency

- How unclear roles create friction across teams and agency partners

- Why “clarity is kindness” when managing multiple agencies or consultants

- How AI is changing the briefing process and raising the bar for human judgment

Check out Ann on LinkedIn!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhoeger/

Brands are fighting harder than ever to break through a congested landscape. Matt sits down with guest Michael Shmarak to unpack how creative PR, timing, and human connection helped revive the historic Smith Brothers cough drop brand and turn it into a national retail success story.

Michael shares the behind-the-scenes thinking that helped transform Smith Brothers from a forgotten legacy brand into a product carried in over 42,000 stores across the US and Canada. Michael explains how great marketing happens when brands tap into emotion, personality, and culture—not just product features.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- Why personality and storytelling matter more than product specs in marketing

- How Michael took a cultural moment from the Chicago Blackhawks and leveraged it into a success campaign.

- Why human connection still beats technology when it comes to building trust and brand loyalty

- Michael’s perspective on “moments-based marketing” and creating cultural relevance in real time Check out Michael on LinkedIn!