AI isn’t coming for the future of work—it’s already transforming it. In this episode, Mark Evans sits down with Mitch Joel, entrepreneur, author, and co-founder of Thinkers One, to unpack the seismic shifts AI is driving in knowledge work. From content creation to strategic decision-making, Mitch explains why the question isn’t if AI will take our jobs, but what we’re doing in case it does. This conversation explores what it means to stay relevant, creative, and human in a world where machines c...
Jun 20, 2025•43 min•Season 4Ep. 170
Entrepreneurship isn’t just about hustle, funding rounds, or scaling fast. It’s also about the inner game—mastering your mindset, aligning your purpose, and creating a business that doesn’t consume your life. In this episode of Marketing Spark , Zaheer Merali—founder, investor, and executive coach—shares what he’s learned from two decades of advising entrepreneurs and navigating his own personal reinvention. We dig into: Why overthinking and overworking plague founders How to break free from the...
May 08, 2025•35 min•Season 4Ep. 170
Is your B2B podcast ready for YouTube? In this episode of Marketing Spark , I’m joined by Sergey Ross and Joe Newton from Sway One, who created a report that analyzed 75+ B2B video podcasts to uncover what’s working, what’s not, and what the best shows are doing differently. We talk about why YouTube has become the top discovery platform for podcasts, the essential strategies to optimize for engagement, and why executive-led shows get 6x more views. Whether you’re just launching your show or loo...
Apr 30, 2025•33 min•Season 4Ep. 166
After a decade building Sendoso into a category-defining platform for B2B gifting and direct mail, Braydan Young is back with a new venture—Slash Experts—that’s taking on one of SaaS marketing’s biggest challenges: converting traffic without relying on the tired “Book a Demo” CTA. In this episode, Braydan joins Mark Evans to talk about the evolution of personalization in B2B, how Sendoso capitalized on perfect timing and deep buyer pain, and why he believes the next wave of sales and marketing w...
Apr 17, 2025•31 min•Season 4Ep. 160
In this episode of Marketing Spark , host Mark Evans sits down with Chris Silvestri, a conversion copywriting expert, to explore the art and science of crafting high-converting messages. They discuss the psychology behind effective copy, how to blend storytelling with data, and practical strategies B2B marketers can use to drive engagement and sales. Tune in to gain actionable insights that will transform the way you approach messaging and marketing.
Mar 05, 2025•37 min
CMOs are under immense pressure to deliver fast results, prove ROI, and navigate an increasingly complex marketing landscape. In this episode of Marketing Spark , Mark Evans sits down with Jenny Sagstrom, founder and CEO of B2B creative agency Skona, to discuss the evolving role of the CMO, the rising importance of brand marketing, and how marketing leaders can stay relevant in a world obsessed with data-driven results. Jenny shares insights on breaking down silos between marketing and sales, le...
Feb 25, 2025•35 min•Season 4Ep. 160
Pricing in the world of Generative AI is still an open debate, with companies struggling to balance cost, value, and customer expectations. In this episode of Marketing Spark , pricing expert James Wilton , founder of Monevate and former McKinsey consultant, breaks down the challenges of monetizing AI-driven products. We discuss why traditional SaaS pricing models fall short, the mistakes companies make when introducing AI-powered features, and why a hybrid subscription-usage model may be the be...
Feb 12, 2025•31 min•Season 4Ep. 155
In this episode of Marketing Spark , I sit down with Yael Morris to discuss why truly understanding your customers is the key to effective marketing and sales. We explore how deep customer insights drive better messaging, positioning, and product decisions—and why so many companies get it wrong. Yael shares real-world examples of brands that excel at customer intelligence and offers practical strategies to gather and apply these insights. If you’re looking to sharpen your customer understanding ...
Jan 30, 2025•25 min•Season 4Ep. 155
In this episode of the Marketing Spark Podcast, content marketing strategist and founder of Haus of Bold, Erin Balsa, takes us behind the scenes of her journey from early marketing days to becoming a freelance powerhouse. We dive into the evolving role of AI in content creation, uncover strategies to break through the digital clutter, and talk about the importance of consistency—without sacrificing creativity or risking burnout. Erin shares her go-to methods for smashing writer’s block, offers f...
Jan 15, 2025•41 min•Season 3Ep. 154
In this episode of Marketing Spark, Mark Evans talks to MagicPace's Nick D'Urbano about his expertise on navigating the challenges and opportunities of helping hiring international technology talent. From identifying the best markets for recruitment to overcoming legal and cultural hurdles, Nick provides actionable insights for businesses looking to build diverse, high-performing teams across borders. You'll also hear real-world examples, common mistakes to avoid, and strategies to position your...
Dec 04, 2024•25 min•Season 4Ep. 153
In this episode of Marketing Spark , Mark Evans chats with Michael Houlihan, co-founder of Barefoot Wine, about the accidental journey that led to one of the most recognizable wine brands in the world. Michael shares how creative grassroots marketing, a commitment to listening to customers, and a unique positioning strategy helped Barefoot thrive in an industry dominated by high-end, elitist brands. He reflects on the lessons that he and his wife, Bonnie Harvey, learned from building and scaling...
Nov 20, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 153
In this episode of Marketing Spark , Mark Evans talks with Ramli John, founder of Delight Path and author of Product-Led Onboarding , about the secrets to effective onboarding and customer retention. They explore why retention efforts often begin too late, the three pillars of customer engagement, and the pivotal role onboarding plays in fostering long-term loyalty. Ramli shares actionable strategies for developing a retention-focused onboarding process and explains the "hyper-personalization" p...
Nov 13, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 152
In this episode of Marketing Spark , host Mark Evans dives into the transformative world of podcasting with Tom Schwab, founder and CEO of Interview Valet. As a podcasting pioneer, Tom shares his journey of building a company that helps brands amplify their messages and expand their reach through targeted podcast guest appearances. Discover why podcast interviews are a potent marketing tool, the common mistakes companies make in leveraging podcasts, and how AI is shaping the future of on-demand ...
Nov 05, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 151
In this episode of Marketing Spark, Mark Evans sits down with Ishveen Jolly, founder and CEO of OpenSponsorship, to explore how athlete sponsorship has been transformed by social media and digital platforms. OpenSponsorship, a marketplace that connects brands with athletes, has helped democratize sponsorship deals, enabling even small brands to work with sports stars across various niches. Ishveen shares her journey from sports agent to tech entrepreneur, detailing how her platform has evolved f...
Oct 16, 2024•32 min
In this episode of Marketing Spark , Mark Evans sits down with seasoned marketer Linda Melone to explore how AI is transforming the marketing landscape. Linda shares her personal journey, from transitioning out of the fitness industry into content writing and copywriting, to embracing AI tools like ChatGPT to streamline her workflows. She discusses the challenges and opportunities AI presents, offering insights into how she selects and utilizes various AI-powered platforms to maintain authentic,...
Oct 08, 2024•27 min
In this episode, I sit down with Dale Harrison to dive deep into one of the most critical—but often overlooked—aspects of customer success: onboarding. We all know that a great first impression can make or break a relationship, and it's no different when bringing new customers on board. Dale shares his expert insights on how a well-crafted onboarding process doesn't just get customers up to speed but actively drives product usage, builds loyalty, and significantly reduces churn. Whether running ...
Sep 18, 2024•42 min
In this episode of the Marketing Spark podcast, Mark Evans delves into the intense competition within the CRM market, highlighting the prominent players like HubSpot and Salesforce. Mark talks to Jessica Andrews, Copper's VP of marketing, a smaller CRM company that has successfully distinguished itself through precise brand positioning and inventive marketing strategies. Jessica describes how Copper focuses on specific industries like agencies, consulting, and financial services, emphasizing rel...
Sep 11, 2024•30 min
In this episode of Marketing Spark, host Mark Evans talks with Jiaqi Pan, co-founder and CEO of Landbot, an AI-powered platform revolutionizing customer service. Jiaqi shares Landbot’s journey from a B2C service to a leading B2B SaaS solution. Topics include recognizing unsustainable business models, effective brand positioning, and balancing AI with human interaction. Jiaqi offers valuable advice for B2B SaaS entrepreneurs and discusses metrics for measuring AI-driven customer service success. ...
Jun 26, 2024•36 min
In this episode of Marketing Spark, Mark Evans interviews Sam Dunning, a content marketing and SEO expert, to dissect the recent leaks about Google's search algorithm and the rise of AI-generated content. The conversation delves into the implications of these leaks, which reveal the ongoing importance of backlinks and brand relevance despite Google's previous statements. Sam explains the critical impact of these changes on B2B SaaS companies and shares best practices for staying competitive in t...
Jun 18, 2024•34 min
In the latest episode of Marketing Spark, host Mark Evans sits down with Matt Mireles, CEO and co-founder of Talktastic. They dive into the transformative impact of AI on content marketing, exploring how generative AI tools like ChatGPT are reshaping the industry. Matt shares his entrepreneurial journey, from being a paramedic and journalist to founding AI-driven companies. He discusses Talktastic's innovative new app that transforms rambling speech into polished writing, maintaining the user's ...
Jun 11, 2024•36 min
In this episode of the Marketing Spark podcast, Mark Evans interviews Billy Broas, a leading messaging expert. They delve into the importance of clear, compelling messaging in marketing, discussing why it often gets overlooked in favor of more glamorous tactics. Billy shares his insights on how effective messaging can significantly boost customer engagement and conversion rates. He introduces his "Five Light Bulbs" framework, which helps businesses create persuasive core messaging. They also exp...
Jun 06, 2024•38 min
In this episode of Marketing Spark, Mark Evans talks with Drew Moffitt, head of marketing at KumoSpace, to explore the evolving landscape of remote and hybrid work. As companies navigate the complexities of bringing employees back to the office while maintaining the flexibility of remote work, KumoSpace offers a unique solution. D rew shares how KumoSpace is redefining virtual collaboration with immersive and interactive virtual spaces, helping businesses enhance productivity, engagement, and te...
May 22, 2024•40 min
In this episode of Marketing Spark, Mark Evans sits down with Kirk Simpson, co-founder of Wave Accounting, which was sold to H&R Block for $537 million in 2019. Kirk shares his journey from Wave's early days, detailing the inspiration behind the company and the challenges faced while growing it into a successful business. Key highlights include: Origins of Wave Accounting : Kirk and his co-founder James Lochrie's vision was to simplify financial management for small business owners, inspired...
May 14, 2024•40 min
In this episode of Marketing Spark, I chat with Mark Kofman, CEO of Parma—a minimalist CRM designed to simplify relationship management. Amidst a sea of competitors in the CRM space, Parma stands out with its streamlined features: contacts, notes, reminders, and nothing more. Mark Kofman discusses the strategic choice of entering a saturated market by focusing on minimalism to appeal to businesses that don't require complex tools. We delve into the challenges of positioning a unique product agai...
May 02, 2024•33 min
In this episode of Marketing Spark, Blaine Mathieu, a seasoned CEO and marketing leader, shares his unique perspectives on the evolving relationship between CEOs and CMOs in the B2B SaaS industry. He discusses the challenges of balancing short-term results with long-term brand building, fostering effective collaboration, and navigating the impact of AI on marketing. Blaine's extensive experience in both roles provides valuable insights for aligning expectations, embracing innovation, and adaptin...
Apr 23, 2024•35 min
In this episode of Marketing Spark, host Mark Evans sits down with Benji Hyam, co-founder of Grow and Convert, to explore the fast-changing content marketing landsscape. They explore the future of SEO, discussing how evolving algorithms and user behaviors shape strategies for visibility. Benji shares his expertise on the power of brand positioning in content marketing, emphasizing its impact on engagement and conversion. A thought-provoking segment questions the role of AI in content creation, p...
Apr 09, 2024•41 min
Podcast Summary: Title: The Evolution of Podcasting: A Deep Dive with Zencastr's CEO Josh Nielsen In this episode of Marketing Spark, Mark Evans talks with Zencastr's CEO, Josh Nielsen, about the dynamic world of podcasting. Josh shares his journey from a software engineer with a passion for the startup ecosystem to founding Zencastr, a platform that revolutionizes podcast recording, editing, and hosting. He discusses podcasters' challenges with traditional recording methods and how Zencastr add...
Feb 28, 2024•35 min
In this episode of the Marketing Spark podcast, Mark Evans sits down with Allyson Letteri to delve into the crucial role of strategic messaging and positioning for startups. Allyson, the author of "Standout Startup," shares her extensive experience in helping startups navigate the complex landscape of product marketing. She emphasizes how startups often inadvertently become their own first product marketers, highlighting the importance of crafting messages that resonate with their ideal audience...
Feb 09, 2024•40 min
In this episode of Marketing Spark, Emily Singer, VP and Head of Marketing at Drift, joins Mark Evans to discuss her journey and experiences in marketing leadership. The conversation covers the evolution of Drift's brand messaging and the complexities of marketing in a rapidly changing business environment. Emily talks about the importance of the CEO-marketing leader relationship and the collaborative dynamic within Drift's senior management team, particularly during challenging market condition...
Jan 23, 2024•33 min
In this episode of Marketing Spark, Mark Evans talks to Joel Klettke about the significance and strategic use of case studies in B2B marketing. Key topics include the inception of Joel's company, Case Study Buddy, and its unique approach to crafting case studies. We delve into the challenges and potential of case studies, emphasizing storytelling, strategy, and the integration of various marketing elements. We also talk about tactics for leveraging case studies in marketing campaigns and sales, ...
Jan 11, 2024•35 min
