What if social media wasn’t really social—but instead, a space for self-discovery?

This week, Xanthe Wells, VP of Global Creative at Pinterest, joins me to unpack how Pinterest is redefining the way people interact with content, brands, and their own identities. Unlike other platforms, Pinterest isn’t about followers or fleeting trends—it’s about inspiration, aspiration, and personal growth.

Xanthe shares how Gen Z is using Pinterest differently, why identity-based marketing is the future, and how brands can tap into this shift to create more meaningful connections. We also discuss the evolution of social media, the changing landscape of digital marketing, and what brands need to do to stay relevant in 2025 and beyond.

If you’re looking to understand where digital marketing is headed and how to align your strategy with the changing behaviors of today’s consumers, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

About Xanthe:

Xanthe is currently VP of Global Creative for Pinterest and runs the House of Creative under CMO Andréa Mallard.

Since arriving at Pinterest in November of 2022, Xanthe has been driving the brand's creative transformation and has been responsible for a major step change in creative output. Her team’s work has resulted in unprecedented ROI for each of the major initiatives she has led, most notably the launch of the global creative platform “It’s Possible,” the 2024 Pinterest Predicts campaign and report, the record-breaking Cannes Manifestival, Pinterest Presents and the best performing brand campaign in the company's history.

Her team’s creative output has beat all previous benchmarks and driven increased monthly active users on the platform, surpassing over half a billion MAU in 2024.

Connect with Xanthe:

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

Connect with Veronica

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vromney/

If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/

If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

How does a 175-year-old brand stay relevant in a constantly evolving market?

Tracey Panek, Levi’s brand historian, joins me to share how Levi’s balances heritage with innovation to remain a cultural icon. From historical accuracy in marketing to the brand’s deep connection with customers, Tracey offers a fascinating look into how storytelling shapes Levi’s identity.

We dive into what exactly the role of a brand historian plays in modern marketing, how Levi’s taps into its rich archives to inspire future campaigns, and why authenticity is the key to long-term brand success. Tracey also shares incredible stories from Levi’s history—including how a pair of jeans helped tow a broken-down car and why some fans insist on being buried in their Levi’s.

If you’re passionate about branding, storytelling, and marketing that stands the test of time, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

About Tracey

Tracey Panek is the Historian for Levi Strauss & Co. and Director of Archives at the company’s world headquarters in San Francisco. She manages the day-to-day workings of the Levi Strauss & Co. Archives as a key corporate asset, answering historical questions, assisting designers, brand managers, executives and other employees whose work requires historical materials in the Archives. She regularly hunts for unique vintage Levi’s® garments and unusual Levi’s® items to add to the Archives.

Tracey is a contributor to Unzipped, the company’s blog, writing about company history, vintage Levi’s® garments, and behind-the-scenes work in the Archives. She narrates the video series From the Levi’s® Archives on YouTube and From the Levi’s® Archives on TikTok. Tracey is the media spokesperson for Levi Strauss & Co. heritage.

Connect with Tracey:

https://x.com/TraceyPanek

Connect with Veronica

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vromney/

If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/

If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

How do you market a brand when the product itself is completely out of your control?

This week, Kathryn Dobbs, Chief Marketing Officer of the Columbus Blue Jackets, joins me to share her unique perspective on sports marketing, fan loyalty, and how to create an unforgettable game-day experience—regardless of what’s happening on the ice.

We dive into the challenges of keeping fans engaged during tough seasons, the role of storytelling in sports, and why optimism is the most important trait a sports marketer can have. We also explore how she transitioned from nonprofit leadership into the world of professional sports and what it takes to lead marketing for a major league team.

If you’ve ever wondered what goes into building fan loyalty or how to market something you don’t have full control over, this episode is packed with real-world insights, leadership lessons, and fresh perspectives from one of the best in the business.

About Kathryn

Kathryn Dobbs is the senior vice president and chief marketing officer for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Dobbs leads the club's efforts to grow the Blue Jackets brand, broaden the fan base, and integrate the club's collective marketing initiatives, including branding, promotions, event presentation, broadcasting, communications, community and fan development.

Dobbs was promoted to the position in December 2018 after serving as the club's vice president of community development and executive director of the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation for three years.

In 2017, Dobbs was named to the 40 Under 40 list by Columbus Business First and was recognized again in 2020 as a most admired executive. Prior to joining the Blue Jackets, Dobbs spent more than a dozen years as a senior-level executive with the YMCA organization in multiple locations around the United States. The Northern Ontario native is a graduate of the University of North Georgia and currently lives in suburban Columbus with her daughter, Myah.

Connect with Kathryn

https://x.com/KateDobbs99

https://www.instagram.com/katedobbs99/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-dobbs-45179710/

Connect with Veronica

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vromney/

If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/

If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

What separates a good brand from an iconic one? This week, Chris Kneeland, co-founder of Cult Collective and expert in brand loyalty, joins me to break down the strategies behind cult-like brands and what makes them stand the test of time.

Chris shares how brands like John Deere, Airbnb, and Lululemon built deep emotional connections with their audiences—and how you can apply these lessons to your own brand.

In this episode, we explore the psychology of branding, why great brands focus on belief systems over behaviors, and how companies can create lasting communities instead of just selling products. Chris also shares his insights on brand storytelling, marketing evolution, and why the best companies aren’t afraid to break the mold.

Whether you’re building a business from the ground up or looking to strengthen your existing brand, this conversation is packed with actionable insights that will change the way you think about marketing and branding.

About Chris

Chris Kneeland is the cofounder of Cult Collective, a marketing advisory firm, Cult Ideas and he also cofounded The Gathering, a Forbes top-rated business conference. Chris is a proven business leader with an impressive track record of increasing revenue and brand relevance. He specializes in delivering profitable growth through the smarter deployment of discretionary resources, improving specific elements of the customer journey that matter most, and increasing internal and external engagement via the masterful application of proven “cult brand” principles.

Chris possesses enviable audience engagement expertise and have driven sustainable growth for some of North America’s most beloved brands, including Harley Davidson, Best Buy, H-E-B, The Home Depot, Canadian Tire, GoDaddy, Keurig, and John Deere. He has helped launch over a dozen start-ups and currently serves as a Fractional CMO for companies earning between $25MM-$250MM annually.

Chris believes in building brands from the inside out (i.e., enhancing corporate culture and employee engagement), developing customer-centric org structures, and delivering category-leading KPI’s. He champions change management best practices and excels at developing effective frameworks, strategies, and action plans. He’s also a dynamic presenter and elevates what customers and employees believe is possible. Chris has a master’s degree from Northwestern University and a B.A. from Brigham Young University.

Connect with Chris

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-kneeland-838b2921/

www.cultgathering.com

www.cultideas.com

Connect with Veronica

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vromney/

If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/

If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

What happens when honesty becomes your best client filter? This week, Michelle Morgan—PPC expert, agency owner, speaker, and consultant—joins me to share her no-nonsense approach to client relationships, why setting firm boundaries upfront matters, and how being brutally honest helps her attract the right clients (and scare off the wrong ones).

Michelle gets real about the state of the marketing industry, the emotional baggage clients bring into new relationships, and why so many service providers end up playing the role of business therapists. We also dive into the importance of buy-in—both external (from clients) and internal (believing in yourself when stepping into entrepreneurship).

Whether you’re a seasoned agency owner, freelancer, or considering your next career pivot, Michelle’s candid insights will leave you with plenty to think about—and the confidence to stand firm in your own values.

About Michelle

Michelle Morgan is a Co-Founder of Paid Media Pros and an international speaker. She’s been in PPC since 2010 and has honed her PPC skills in both in-house and agency roles. She won “SEM Speaker of the Year” at the Search Engine Land Awards and was voted the Most Influential PPC Pro from PPC Hero in 2020

Connect with Michelle

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

Connect with Veronica

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/

If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/

If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

What happens when an entrepreneur transitions back into the corporate world—but on their own terms? This week, Mandy Balak, newly appointed President of The Gathering, joins me to share her journey from business owner to leading one of the most renowned marketing events in North America. We dive into what it means to shift identities, embrace new leadership roles, and navigate the tension between ambition and sustainability.

In this episode, Mandy shares how she went from attending The Gathering as an eager entrepreneur to now standing at the helm of the organization. We explore the power of community-driven marketing, the hidden challenges of leadership, and the importance of balancing high performance with personal well-being.

If you’ve ever struggled with redefining your career path or wondered how to lead with both heart and strategy, this conversation is filled with raw insights and transformative lessons you won’t want to miss.

Connect with Mandy:

https://www.instagram.com/mandybalak/

https://www.instagram.com/cultgathering/

Connect with Veronica:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/

If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/

If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

What’s the smartest way to use Meta ads without relying on them as your sole traffic source?

This week, Amanda Robinson—Facebook ads expert and Meta-certified speaker—joins me to break down the best strategies for leveraging Meta ads to amplify your marketing efforts rather than using them as a last-ditch effort to rescue a struggling campaign.

In this episode, we dive into the mindset shifts marketers need when approaching paid ads, the role Meta ads should play in a well-rounded strategy, and why your existing marketing foundation is the key to maximizing ad performance. Amanda also shares her brilliant “algorithm appetizer” analogy that will completely change how you think about ad engagement.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make Meta ads work for you—without them becoming your entire strategy—this episode is packed with insights and expert advice to help you get the most out of your paid campaigns.

About Amanda:

Amanda Robinson is the Founder & CEO of The Digital Gal Inc. She is a Certified Meta Lead Trainer and regularly presents on behalf of Meta at in person and virtual events. She is widely recognized in the digital marketing industry for her knowledge, training, skills and coaching as a Facebook Ads expert with her Swift Kick In the Ads Membership, and her Facebook Ads Training Bootcamp. She is an author, international speaker, consultant, and educator who has taught thousands of business owners and entrepreneurs the foundational skills of Facebook Ads. Amanda brings personality and passion to teaching others how to make Facebook ads work for them.

Connect with Amanda:

Facebook.com/thedigitalgal

Instagram.com/thedigitalgal

Connect with Veronica

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/

If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/

If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

What does it really take to build an unforgettable personal brand?

This week, Sun Yi, branding expert and founder of Night Owl Nation, joins me for a no-BS conversation about personal branding, marketing, and the fine line between influence and integrity. Sun shares why most personal brands fail, the difference between true experts and knowledge brokers, and how to stand out in a world full of noise.

In this episode, we dive into the power of storytelling, the importance of authenticity in branding, and why detaching from outcomes can lead to greater success. Sun also shares his experiences working with high-profile personal brands like Jay Shetty and Mel Robbins—and what separates the truly great from the rest.

If you're looking to build a personal brand that actually matters (without selling out), this episode is packed with insights, real talk, and strategies you can apply today.

About Sun

Founder at Night Owls and Night Owl Nation, Entrepreneur, Personal Branding Expert, Storyteller, TEDx Speaker, Mentor, Podcaster of Authentic As F*ck podcast and Forbes Agency Council Member.

Sun Yi is a personal branding expert and founder of Night Owls , the award-winning digital agency behind Fortune 500 companies and branding specialized for clients such as Mel Robbins, Jay Shetty, Marc Randolph. With over 20 years of experience working in digital branding, Sun has helped brands go from virtual zero revenue to $1 billion.

He is passionate about teaching and has taught over 28,000+ students on Domestika through his online course, "The Art of Storytelling for Freelancers and Creators," as well notable achievements on Forbes Agency Council. In 2022, he started Night Owl Nation, a global community of entrepreneurs and creators who practice storytelling together.

Connect with Sun

https://sunyi.co/

https://instagram.com/sun.yi

https://linkedin.com/in/sunyi-nightowls

https://www.youtube.com/c/sunYiCo

Connect with Veronica

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/

If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/

If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.