Marc Gutman is the Founder of Wildstory, a Boulder-based storytelling and content strategy agency that helps brands stand out by creating authentic connections. Under Marc's leadership, Wildstory has earned a reputation for its unique narrative-driven approach, with Marc himself amassing over 7,000 LinkedIn followers and recognition as an award-winning storyteller and entrepreneur. Before launching Wildstory, Marc began his career in Hollywood as a story editor for Oliver Stone's company, and he continues to draw on his passion for narrative in his work with businesses of all sizes.

Some careers begin with a plan, and others begin by getting close enough to the action that a door finally opens. But how do you turn curiosity, persistence, and a few unlikely breaks into a brand that helps others tell better stories?

Marc Gutman believes the answer starts with finding your people, not simply trying to stand out. Drawing from his experience as a storyteller and brand strategist, Marc explains that the strongest brands are clear about who they are, what they offer, and who they are for. That clarity makes a business more memorable, more human, and far less dependent on chasing whatever everyone else is doing.

In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson is joined by Marc Gutman, Founder of Wildstory, to discuss building a brand through storytelling. Marc shares how sneaking onto Hollywood lots shaped his career, why brands need a clear narrative, and how businesses can use AI without losing originality. Marc also talks about mindset, belief, and staying in the game as an entrepreneur.

Adam Probolsky is the President of Probolsky Research, a minority- and women-owned market and opinion research firm that provides strategic public opinion insights for corporate, government, nonprofit, and election clients nationwide. Under Adam's leadership, the firm has operated for over 30 years and achieved significant recent growth, conducting research projects for clients ranging from municipalities in Texas to major metropolitan economic forecasts. Adam's background in politics began at age 17, and his expertise combines extensive experience in public policy with a forward-looking approach to technology, including the integration of AI and automation into research workflows.

Social media can make it feel like everyone is shouting the same opinion, but the loudest voices are rarely the full picture. When leaders rely on that noise to understand what people think, what are they missing?

Adam Probolsky believes social media sentiment is not the same as actual public opinion. Drawing from his experience in public opinion research, he explains that most people do not publicly share their views online, and those who do often represent a very specific, biased subset of the population. For leaders, that means social media can be useful information, but it should never be mistaken for representative data.

In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson is joined by Adam Probolsky, President of Probolsky Research, to discuss why social media often distorts public opinion. They explore why leaders misread online feedback, how representative polling reveals a clearer picture, and why gut instinct should not be disguised as data. Adam also talks about how AI is changing research workflows.

Devon Hayes is the Co-founder of Elevation Marketing, a Denver-based digital marketing agency specializing in smart, data-driven marketing for contractors and home service businesses. Under her leadership, Elevation Marketing has built a strong reputation for long-term client retention and results-driven strategies, with most clients working with the agency for over five years. Devon brings a unique blend of technical expertise from her background in the Navy and deep experience in SEO, digital strategy, and client education, recognized for her practical approach and clear communication style.

From coordinating missions at sea to navigating the chaos of a growing business, some careers take unexpected turns that shape how we handle change. What does it really take to move from structured routines to boldly stepping into uncertainty and innovation?

According to Devon Hayes, a veteran of the Navy turned marketing agency co-founder, the key lies in embracing flexibility and curiosity. She recalls confidently tackling every challenge head-on early in her career, only to realize that building repeatable systems and processes saves more time than improvising. This mindset shift — seeing obstacles as learning opportunities rather than setbacks — has been central to her growth and ability to guide her team through change.

In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson is joined by Devon Hayes, Co-founder of Elevation Marketing, to discuss moving from military precision to business leadership, navigating costly hiring mistakes, and leveraging AI as a tool rather than a threat. Devon also shares insights on mindset shifts that turn challenges into opportunities.