Episodes

AI isn't rewarding noise, it's rewarding signal. Andreas Voniatis, who built his first machine learning model in 2019 and founder of Artios.io, joins Tom Schwab to break down how AI search (GEO) is fundamentally different from traditional SEO. Generic, rehashed content won't get you recommended. Proprietary research, real conversations, and original insights will. Discover why podcast interviews are uniquely positioned to feed AI the kind of content it's looking for, how to become visible, an...

What is your book really building? Organizational business consultant and author of Book To Business Blueprint, Lee Baucom, PhD, explores how non-fiction authors can turn a published book into a lasting business asset. Lee helps authors think beyond the finish line of writing a book, and challenge the smarter question they should be asking themselves: “How do I use this book to serve people, to solve problems, and build something sustainable?” Talking with Tom Schwab, Lee shares his Book to B...

What if your podcast appearances could increase your company's sale price? Co-founder of Digital Storyteller, Amanda Rogers, shares how to increase your podcast exposure and impact. Including a real-world story where a client company used targeted podcast interview marketing to build their founder's visibility, and when they sold, the acquiring company cited those podcast appearances as a key factor in the valuation. With host Tom Schwab, Amanda explains why smart founders should stop chasing...

What's the biggest mistake brands make with podcasting? Treating it like a hobby. Roger Nairn, founder of JAR Podcast Solutions, unpacks a decade of evolution in branded podcasting and how to start truly marketing through podcasting. With host Tom Schwab, Roger shares why the smartest brands start by asking one question: "What job does this podcast need to do?" From authority building to talent attraction to pipeline influence, this episode is a masterclass in turning podcast content into a t...

Build authority on video with Aleric Heck, founder of AdOutreach and author of Video Authority. If you're chasing views, likes, and subscribers, you're optimizing for the wrong thing. With host Tom Schwab, Aleric explains how to use video on YouTube and beyond as a genuine client acquisition system. Aleric shares his firsthand proof: a 600K-subscriber channel generated far less revenue than an 83K-subscriber channel built intentionally for ideal clients. The lesson? Start with the end in mind...

Most podcast pitches look the same, sound the same, and land in the delete pile fast. Doug Downs, host of Stories and Strategies and a podcast agency leader, filters hundreds of pitches weekly and knows exactly what separates a blue M&M from a red one. In this episode, host Tom Schwab and Doug unpack the psychology behind what makes a host stop scrolling, why blasting 1,500 shows destroys your sender score and reputation, and how treating a podcast like a host's beloved puppy will completely ...

In a world drowning in AI-generated noise, the experts who win are those with a clear, compelling story. Emmy-winning business storytelling coach and co-creator of Story Cycle Genie, Park Howell, talks about why storytelling is the oldest, and still most powerful, technology available. With host Tom Schwab, Park shares his proven Story Cycle System, the game-changing ABT (And, But, Therefore) framework, and how his AI-powered Story Cycle Genie helps brands find their voice without losing it. ...

What if being boldly different isn't a risk, but your biggest competitive advantage? Guerrilla marketing legend Rick Bennett, the mind behind some of Silicon Valley's most audacious campaigns for Oracle and Salesforce, shares why playing it safe is the riskiest move you can make. With host Tom Schwab, Rick shares how bold, category-defining messaging — built on what only you can say — is exactly what separates forgettable podcast guests from unforgettable ones. From hijacking conferences t...

Are you building authority or just making noise? AI advisor, and podcast and marketing veteran, Matt Halloran shares how LinkedIn, podcasting, and AI are converging into a single powerful filter. The filter that determines who gets seen, heard, and hired. Matt breaks down why your LinkedIn profile must pass the authority test, how AI is indexing your content across every platform, and why smart content reuse beats creating more. Whether you're a speaker, leader, or entrepreneur, this episode ...

Delphi AI advisor and host of Hustle and Flowcharts podcast, Joe Fier, challenges the idea: what if your podcast interviews never stopped working for you? Talking with host Tom Schwab, Joe shares how he built his AI clone using Delphi AI, a digital twin trained on his podcasts, content, and IP, to turn one-way interviews into dynamic, 24/7 conversations. Together, they unpack how category leaders can scale authority, nurture leads, and deepen relationships without sacrificing authenticity. Th...

The true ROI of podcast interviews isn’t downloads or leads, according to franchise expert Giuseppe Grammatico. It’s relationships. Talking with host Tom Schwab, Giuseppe shares how focusing on authentic connections has led to strategic partnerships, repeat guest opportunities, referrals, and even a published book. Together, they unpack practical strategies for turning every interview into a long-term asset, including post-show follow-ups, intentional networking, and adding value beyond the m...

This special edition episode with host Tom Schwab and Interview Valet’s Marketing Manager Tiffany Meenk goes beyond the data reported in the 2026 State of Podcast Guesting. Together, they discuss what’s really happening in podcast guesting in 2026. Backed by over a decade of proprietary data, they reveal which platforms are rising, why video and virtual recordings dominate, and how timelines from outreach to publish now span nearly a full quarter. With competition at an all-time high, they...

Have you ever cringed at the sound of your voice, or worse, avoided video altogether because you don’t like how you look on camera? You’re not alone. Video expert of True Focus Media, Jeff Long, breaks down what really matters when showing up on camera. From camera angles, lighting, and audio to posture, energy, and mindset, Jeff shares practical ways to look confident, credible, and authentic without feeling fake. With host Tom Schwab, he explains why this isn’t about vanity, it’s about a...

What if standing out on podcasts isn’t about being better but about owning a category? Co-authors of The Category Creation Formula and original voice behind Play Bigger, Mike Damphousse and Kevin Maney, break down how category design actually works in practice. Talking with host Tom Schwab, they discuss why product-market fit is backward thinking and how leaders can craft a point of view that makes them unforgettable. Plus, Mike & Kevin share the proven formula and why becoming a category of ...

What’s the real secret to long-term success in podcasting, and in business and life? Founder of the Morning Coach and host of nearly 6,000 daily episodes over 20 years, JB Glossinger says that it’s consistency. It isn’t theory; it’s decades of hard-earned experience. Talking with host Tom Schwab, JB breaks down how consistency builds trust, keeps your message fresh, and creates meaningful connections, even on days you don’t feel like showing up. Whether you’ve done one interview or a thousand...

Author of Do It! Marketing David Newman unpacks the powerful idea of market eminence, the ability to become the first, most trusted choice in your category without shouting for attention. Drawing from David’s new book with host Tom Schwab, the conversation explores how professionals can rise above AI-generated noise by shifting from “how-to” content to leadership-driven, belief-shaping ideas. David shares actionable frameworks, contrarian thinking, and three clarifying questions you can use i...

PR strategist and thought leadership expert Trevor Young unpacks what it really takes to dominate your category without chasing empty hype. Talking with host Tom Schwab, Trevor introduces his Rolling Thunder strategy, a long-game approach to visibility built on consistency, credibility, and trust rather than one-off “big splash” moments. Tom and Trevor dig deep into the distinction between earned authority and manufactured influence, challenging the obsession with follower counts, virality, a...

CEO of Podfest Multimedia Expo and Authority Ghostwriting, Nick Pavlidis, shares one of the most underutilized strategies for authors and thought leaders: the podcast book tour. Drawing from his work behind the scenes with bestselling authors and his firsthand role in helping host Tom Schwab bring his own book to life, Nick explains why trust is the true currency of business and how consistent conversations scale authority far more effectively than isolated content. Together, they explore how...

Journalist and ghostwriter Katrina Kirsch explains why clarity rarely comes from writing and almost always comes from speaking. Katrina, who has helped craft many of Category Pirates’ bestselling mini books, explains that most leaders think best out loud, not on the page. With host Tom Schwab, she shares how verbal communication unlocks stronger ideas, clearer frameworks, and more authentic points of view, and why mini books have become such an effective way to package expertise for today’s busy...

Interview Valet founder Tom Schwab and Marketing Manager Tiffany Meenk sit down to examine podcast and marketing trends in 2026. Rather than making conventional “predictions,” Tom and Tiffany examine the data, the industry signals, and the on-the-ground experiences from hundreds of Interview Valet clients to outline where podcast-driven marketing is undeniably heading. They unpack the dramatic transition from keyword-driven marketing to conversation-driven discovery, fueled by AI platforms no...

Every December, marketers make bold predictions about what’s coming next. Very few ever come back to admit whether they were right or completely wrong. Host Tom Schwab is joined by Interview Valet’s Marketing Manager, Tiffany Meenk, to do exactly that. Together, they revisit the eight predictions they made a year ago about marketing, podcasting, and business growth, and grade themselves honestly on how 2025 actually unfolded. From the dominance of AI in marketing, to why collaborative cont...

What if the question you've been asking yourself is too small? Jason Jaggard, author of Beyond High Performance and founder of Novus Global, discusses the mindset shift that separates high performers from “meta performers”. With host Tom Schwab, Jason challenges one of the most common ambitions in business and life: becoming “the best.” Instead, he urges leaders, athletes, entrepreneurs, and creators to ask a far more powerful question: What am I truly capable of? You’ll also hear a timely...

What if dominating your market had nothing to do with shouting louder, and everything to do with serving deeper? Sean Garner, marketing agency leader, breaks down what modern marketing really requires today. Spoiler: It isn’t more tactics, more noise, or more hustle. It’s clarity, strategy, and a system that turns every podcast interview into a high-leverage marketing asset. With host Tom Schwab, Sean pulls back the curtain on his Marketing Domination Framework, explaining why most business o...

What if your next podcast interview wasn’t just another conversation, but the moment your ideal clients start to trust, remember, and genuinely connect with you? Interview Valet Senior Client Account Manager Liz Brooks talks with host Tom Schwab to unpack the branding fundamentals every guest needs before hitting record. Together, they explore why your brand is far more than your logo, color palette, or fonts. It’s the promise you make, and the experience you consistently deliver across every...