Welcome to a special New Years edition of the podcast! As we kick off a new year, we’re revisiting one of our most timely and strategic LinkedIn Live conversations! This discussion with Paul Jones, Moderator of the Connect To Market Community & Founder of Bridgio, explores why podcasts are becoming a critical pillar of B2B go-to-market strategies heading into 2026 and beyond.

This episode is a powerful reminder that podcasts aren’t just another content channel. They’re a relationship-building engine, one rooted in generosity, trust, and long-term value. With markets getting noisier, buyers more resistant, and AI flooding feeds with sameness, this conversation reframes podcasts as a “give-first” GTM lever that helps brands stand out by actually connecting.

In this episode, we delve into:

• Podcasts as a Strategic GTM Tool. Podcasts should be treated as a core go-to-market asset, not just content, and how they build trust, credibility, and real relationships in B2B.
• The most effective podcasts focus on giving value, attention, and platform to guests and audiences, lowering resistance and creating organic opportunities over time.
• A candid look at unclear goals, poor positioning, AI-driven noise, and why buyers are increasingly resistant to pushy, transactional marketing.
• Micro-Niches Over Mass Appeal. Serving a specific, well-defined audience beats trying to speak to everyone, and how micro-niche focus drives stronger engagement and results.
• Prioritizing the guest (then the listener, then the brand) leads to better conversations, stronger relationships, and more downstream business impact.
• The importance of weekly consistency, integrating podcasts into your broader GTM strategy, and using AI to responsibly repurpose human-driven conversations.

✨ As we move into 2026 and beyond, it’s time to break old myths, drive real impact, and connect with people in ways that actually matter.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of The Hard Corps Marketing Show!

Connect with Paul Jones: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauljones101/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/

Ways to Tune In:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/id1338838763
• Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f4497c6-b402-4cad-9018-1e41b7e8f2bb/the-hard-corps-marketing-show
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1vVLpNI1LssMTiL6Kdsamn
• Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show
• Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1oYXJkLWNvcnBzLW1hcmtldGluZy1zaG93

Hard Corps Marketing is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/

Welcome to a special holiday edition of the podcast! This week, it’s just me, Casey, taking a moment to slow down, reflect, and send some genuine holiday love your way. No guests, no agenda just a heartfelt solo episode centered on gratitude, connection, and why you and what you do truly matter.

As the year winds down, I’m sharing reflections on how gratitude has become a powerful antidote to anxiety, fear, doubt, and frustration, especially during the holidays. This episode is about more than feeling thankful; it’s about expressing it openly and building a culture of appreciation in our work, our marketing, and our lives.

In this episode:

• 🙏 Excessive Gratitude: Why there’s no such thing as being too grateful. Exploring the idea that “excessive gratitude is never too much” and how gratitude can shift your mindset in powerful ways.
• 💬 Feeling vs. Expressing Gratitude: Why silent gratitude doesn’t do much good. From “wrapping a present and not giving it” to the importance of actually saying thank you out loud.
• 🤝 Presence, Connection, and Appreciation: How gratitude helps us be more present with the people around us and strengthens relationships at work and in life.
• 🎄 Heartfelt Thank-Yous: A genuine holiday thank-you to listeners, the production team, clients, friends, and family, because none of this happens alone.
• ✨ Looking Ahead with Gratitude: Closing the year with encouragement to carry gratitude into the next one, celebrate with the people you care about, and start the new year grounded in appreciation.

Thank you for being a part of this journey, and as we move into 2026, let’s continue smashing myths, making a real impact, and connecting in ways that matter.

✨ Happy Holidays! Wishing you all peace, love, and gratitude this season.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of The Hard Corps Marketing Show!

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/

Ways to Tune In:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/id1338838763
• Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f4497c6-b402-4cad-9018-1e41b7e8f2bb/the-hard-corps-marketing-show
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1vVLpNI1LssMTiL6Kdsamn
• Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show
• Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1oYXJkLWNvcnBzLW1hcmtldGluZy1zaG93

Hard Corps Marketing is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/

How can marketing teams succeed when budgets shrink, expectations rise, and the pressure to perform intensifies?

In this episode of The Hard Corps Marketing Show, I sat down with Matt Hummel, Chief Marketing Officer at Pipeline 360. Matt shares firsthand insights into why the modern environment is more challenging and dynamic than ever and what leaders must do differently to help their teams thrive. With deep experience navigating resource constraints, motivating teams, and driving performance in uncertain conditions, Matt sheds light on what it truly means to lead in high-pressure marketing environments.

He breaks down why simply letting people achieve what they believe is possible is no longer enough. Instead, leaders must set higher expectations, push teams beyond their comfort zones, and foster a culture where adaptability and innovation aren’t just encouraged, they’re essential. We also explore the critical role of transparency, creative problem-solving, and clear communication in helping marketers stay resilient and effective, even when the odds aren’t in their favor.

In this episode, we cover:

• Rising expectations paired with shrinking budgets and what that means for B2B marketers trying to hit ambitious targets.
• Why leaders need to challenge teams to stretch beyond perceived limits, not just maintain the status quo.
• How transparency around constraints can open the door to creative solutions and stronger team collaboration.
• The growing importance of adaptability, experimentation, and resilience as core marketing competencies.
• The leadership mindset required to navigate uncertainty, motivate teams, and drive performance despite limited resources.

If you’re ready to strengthen your leadership approach and help your marketing team excel, even in the most challenging environments, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of The Hard Corps Marketing Show!

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/

Connect with Matt:

• Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthummel1/
• Pipeline360’s Company Website: https://www.pipeline-360.com/
• The Pipeline Brew Podcast: https://www.pipeline-360.com/resources?post_types=podcast#all

Ways to Tune In:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/id1338838763
• Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f4497c6-b402-4cad-9018-1e41b7e8f2bb/the-hard-corps-marketing-show
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1vVLpNI1LssMTiL6Kdsamn
• Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show
• Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1oYXJkLWNvcnBzLW1hcmtldGluZy1zaG93

Hard Corps Marketing is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/