What does it mean to optimize for search in a world reshaped by generative AI? Chris Raulf, international AI SEO expert and founder of Boulder SEO Marketing, joins Nicole to explore how search behavior, SEO methodology, and content creation are evolving fast, and what marketers need to do to stay ahead. He shares how AI has shifted both the tools and expectations in SEO, how his team developed their own AI agent to automate workflows, and why content quality still reigns supreme in a zero-click ...
Aug 26, 2025•33 min•Ep. 23
What happens when content marketing, internal comms, and AI all converge in one role? Cristina Huré, Sr. Communications & Content Marketing Manager at ContactMonkey, joins Nicole to discuss the evolving expectations for today’s content leaders. From her roots in journalism and PR to navigating sales enablement and product marketing, Cristina shares how she’s adapting her strategy for a world where every channel and every touchpoint matters. Cristina also explores how AI is helping her extrac...
Aug 12, 2025•36 min•Ep. 22
In a world where AI is rapidly reshaping search behavior and content creation, how can marketers stay ahead of the curve? Kaylee Peterson, Director of SEO at Compose.ly, joins Nicole to talk about the evolving landscape of AI search and content strategy. They discuss how Google’s increasing reliance on AI is changing the game for SEO and content creators, and how brands can adapt to stay visible in an AI-first world. Kaylee shares insights on leveraging AI tools, understanding the shifting dynam...
Jul 29, 2025•32 min•Ep. 21
What does it take to stand out when “good enough” no longer cuts it in today’s AI-driven content landscape? Kyle Whigham, SEO Manager at Luxury Presence, joins Nicole to explore the evolving world of content strategy and search. He shares how his journey from entry-level link builder to SEO leader taught him the value of alignment, integrity, and thoughtful execution. Kyle breaks down the rising importance of expert-driven, localized content and how AI-assisted workflows can either help, or hurt...
Jul 08, 2025•32 min•Ep. 20
What happens when a full-time growth marketer builds a thriving consultancy on the side? Sheri Otto, Founder and CEO of Growth Lane Strategies, joins Nicole to share her nonlinear path—from HubSpot to launching her own boutique firm. She talks about balancing motherhood, marketing, and momentum along the way. In this conversation, Sheri breaks down how behavioral science, neural coupling, and her love of templates drive demand gen. She also explains why storytelling might just be your most power...
Jun 24, 2025•37 min•Ep. 19
What does content marketing look like after 30 years in the business? Amanda Salem, director of content marketing at Constant Contact, joins the show to share her journey from storytelling roots to leading a digital marketing evolution for small businesses. With deep expertise in email, automation, and AI tools, Amanda offers a clear view on how marketers can balance SEO demands with authentic customer connection—and why understanding psychographics is the secret to meaningful messaging. In this...
Jun 10, 2025•40 min•Ep. 18
What happens when a career agency content lead takes their talents in-house? Stephanie Yoder, Director of Content at Rebrandly, joins the show to unpack her transition from agency life to leading in-house strategy—and why that shift gave her a whole new lens on collaboration, content creation, and career longevity. With two decades in the game, Stephanie brings a rare combination of deep empathy and sharp execution, sharing how solo travel, ghostwriting, and global teams have shaped her approach...
May 27, 2025•32 min•Ep. 17
When the playbook keeps changing, how do modern marketers stay grounded and effective? Paola Marino, Digital Marketing Manager at Virtual Intelligence Briefing (ViB), joins the show to unpack what it’s really like to market in a lean, high-velocity B2B environment. From running a social agency in Mexico to building full-funnel strategies in the U.S., she shares how her career pivots shaped the way she approaches experimentation, content repurposing, and brand storytelling in today’s crowded mark...
May 13, 2025•35 min•Ep. 16
What happens when a storyteller learns to speak the language of the C-suite? Myles Carter, Senior Director of Content Marketing at Trolley, joins the show to talk about the real skills marketers need today: blending art and revenue strategy. He shares how his storytelling roots shaped his marketing career, why building trust is the key to standing out in a crowded market, and why marketers who deeply understand business fundamentals will be the ones who thrive. In this episode, you’ll learn: The...
Apr 29, 2025•42 min•Ep. 15
Is your marketing truly audience-first — or just going through the motions? Kaylee Peterson, Director of SEO at Compose.ly , returns to the show with a soapbox moment about the realities of working with SEO agencies, what clients should expect from partners, and why education and transparency matter more than ever. We’re also joined by Adam Robles, co-founder of Reach Agency , to talk about community building, client trust, and how to guide audiences from awareness to advocacy, especially when b...
Apr 15, 2025•40 min•Ep. 14
Is adaptability the secret to building a strong marketing career? Ana Osuna , Content Partnership Specialist at Compose.ly , discusses LinkedIn’s ban on Apollo and Seamless.ai and its impact on outbound sales. She and host Nicole MacLean explore data ownership and the importance of brand-building in a shifting digital landscape. We’re also joined by Matt Lyman , a marketing leader with over 20 years of experience, who shares how his background—from theater to collections to marketing ops—shaped ...
Mar 18, 2025•46 min•Ep. 13
How do marketers use data effectively without losing authenticity? Mike Leonhard , Founder & CEO of Compose.ly , shares his perspective as a C-suite buyer on why data matters in marketing and how companies can use it to build trust and close more deals. We’re also joined by Jillian Hoefer , Senior Content Marketing Manager at UserEvidence , known for her Dumpster Fire campaign. Jillian explores the challenges of balancing storytelling with hard numbers, the rise of founder-led content, why n...
Mar 04, 2025•50 min•Ep. 12
Is content the key to building relationships at scale in B2B marketing? Ashley Strosnider , Head of Editorial at Compose.ly , explores the evolving role of editors in content marketing. She explains the fine line between editing and rewriting, the importance of trust in content workflows, and how AI is reshaping the editorial process. We’re also joined by James Furbush , VP of Marketing at AccessOne , to share how his team uses content-led growth to navigate long sales cycles and engage buyers e...
Feb 18, 2025•38 min•Ep. 11
Is your SEO strategy ready for the next evolution ofbig shift in search? Kaylee Peterson , Director of SEO at Compose.ly , opens the episode by addressing the growing shift from traditional SEO to Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). She explains how AI-driven tools like ChatGPT and Bard are reshaping search behavior and shares strategies for creating modular, user-friendly content that works for both humans and bots. We’re also joined by Will Sigsworth , Head of SEO at Pipedrive , to demystify how...
Feb 04, 2025•45 min•Ep. 10
If content is queen, how do you make her reign supreme? We’re once again joined by Franny Harold , Content Creator at Compose.ly , who gives tips for staying consistent with social media strategies and how to avoid burnout when managing content creation. We’re also joined by Ornella Sinigaglia , Marketing Director at PressReader , who breaks down the art of storytelling in B2B marketing and the challenge of balancing multiple audiences. Ornella shares how PressReader’s brand refresh focused on b...
Jan 21, 2025•39 min•Ep. 9
In this special edition of Content Matters, host Nicole MacLean revisits some of the best tips from the Compose.ly crew and past guests, including unseen clips. Key topics include goal setting, giving and receiving feedback, and fostering a strong sales and marketing partnership. Tune in to hear the valuable content that didn’t make the final cut. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Build Better Content Briefs: Share clear, unique insights to help writers and AI deliver content that drives res...
Jan 07, 2025•13 min•Ep. 8
Who’s your content really speaking to — Google or your audience? Could it be that your content strategy is missing its most important stakeholder? We’re joined by Ana Osuna , Senior Outbound BDR at Compose.ly , who shares how she transforms outreach into authentic relationship-building by focusing on the humans behind the data. We’re also joined by Robyn Showers , Director of Content at Apollo , who discusses how to create content that doesn’t just rank, but resonates. Robyn highlights the impor...
Dec 17, 2024•43 min•Ep. 7
What's the key to building a career that’s as versatile as it is impactful? We’re joined by Franny Harold , Content Creator at Compose.ly , who shares her unique journey from comedy and social media into the world of content marketing, highlighting how her eclectic background brings a fresh perspective to her work. We’re also joined by Samantha Lopez , Digital Channels Manager at Expedia Group , who explores the idea of a “portfolio career” and shares her approach to embracing flexibility and ne...
Dec 03, 2024•48 min•Ep. 6
How can you make sure your marketing goals aren’t just checked boxes but impact drivers for your business? In this episode, Mike Leonhard , CEO of Compose.ly , sits down with us once again to explore the art of aligning marketing goals with company objectives and creating an impact that resonates across the organization. We’re also joined by Jeannie Ruesch , Head of Content at Ninety.io , to discuss how the Ninety Rocks tool transforms goal-setting by focusing on high-impact priorities that alig...
Nov 19, 2024•52 min•Ep. 5
What's the secret to crafting content that not only captivates but truly empowers buyers to take action? We’re joined by Amanda Cummings , Account Executive at Compose.ly , who shares her insights on the importance of building a collaborative relationship between sales and marketing. We’re also joined by Global Head of Brand and Content at Valtech , Kerry Penny to share her expertise on shifting from traditional content strategies to buyer-centric approaches that transform the decision-making ...
Nov 12, 2024•57 min•Ep. 4
Ever feel like your content briefs just aren’t working for you anymore?We’re joined by Ashley Strosnider , Head of Editorial at Compose.ly , who brings her expertise in content creation and team management. Special guest and Head of Marketing at Industrious , Chris Baszto , also joins the show. With over 15 years in the industry, Chris unpacks the power of creating meaningful experiences for your audience and why cross-functional collaboration is crucial to marketing success. He also shares how ...
Oct 29, 2024•59 min•Ep. 3
What’s the story your brand is telling — and is anyone actually listening? In our debut episode of Content Matters, we’re joined by CEO of Compose.ly, Mike Leonhard to talk about the reasons behind using a podcast in your marketing efforts. We’re also joined by special guest, Keara Dowd, Senior Manager of Content Marketing at Clutch, who takes us behind the curtain to reveal how crafting a strong brand narrative sets you apart. Drawing on her background in journalism, Keara shares how to create ...
Oct 15, 2024•45 min•Ep. 2
Every day marketers sift through dozens of headlines, posts, and slacks telling us about the latest and greatest trend we should be following. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and like you have to figure it out by yourself. But you don’t have to do it alone. Content Matters with Nicole MacLean (Compose.ly’s CRO) is your digital partner for filtering the trends and focusing on the content that matters most — creating connections that drive results. For more, head to our site: https://compose.ly/cont...
Oct 09, 2024•47 sec•Ep. 1
