Marketing in the Raw with Adam Helweh

Is SEO Dead… or Just Growing Up?Everyone’s asking if SEO still matters in the age of AI, but that question misses the bigger shift.In this episode of Marketing in the Raw, Adam sits down with Ryan Brock to go beyond the “SEO vs AI” debate and unpack how search, content, and buyer behavior have been evolving for years and why most marketers are still thinking about it wrong.We explore Ryan’s journey from storyteller to agency owner during SEO’s wild west, and what he learned watching the industry move from hacks to something far more sophisticated.Because the real question isn’t about traffic, it’s this:If AI is reshaping discovery and tech is no longer a moat… what actually makes a brand win today?This conversation breaks down why trust, structure, and real market understanding are now the competitive edge and why content is no longer just marketing… It’s part of the product itself.This episode is for you if:You’re wondering whether SEO is still worth investing inYou feel like AI is changing the rules, but no one can clearly explain howYou’ve relied on tactics in the past and are starting to question what actually works long-termYou want to understand how to show up in both search and AI-driven discoveryYou’re trying to build a marketing strategy that won’t break every time the algorithm changes00:45 Bald Guy Banter02:35 From Art To Marketing04:49 First Paid Writing Gigs07:17 Learning Marketing Fast11:37 SEO Arms Race Era13:52 Panda Update Fallout15:39 Modern SEO Context Shift16:51 DemandJump And Pillars21:57 Book Relevance And GEO24:24 Links Matter Less25:07 Pillar Content Wins AI28:28 SEO Still Worth It29:02 Agentic AI Wave30:26 New Moats Trust33:21 Market Research Content36:45 Website Role Shifts38:46 COVID Testing Case Study45:23 Agency Buying Changes51:51 Where To Find Ryan52:50 Final Wrap Up53:14 Welcome to Marketing in the RawConnect with Ryan BrockWebsite: https://pillar-and-co.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-m-brock/Connect with Adam:Twitter: /adamhelwehLinkedIn: /adamhelwehInstagram: /adamhelwehYouTube: /adamhelwehLearn more about my digital marketing agency, Secret Sushi:https://secretsushi.com/

Why Most Brands Get Storytelling Wrong (And How to Actually Break Through)Most organizations think they have a messaging problem.They don’t. They have a story problem and, more importantly, a failure to truly understand the people they’re trying to reach.In this episode of Marketing in the Raw, Adam sits down with Don Martelli, founder of PR Bunker, to unpack what it really takes to cut through the noise in today’s nonstop, AI-driven, always-on content environment.They get into why most brands default to “push” marketing instead of real connection… how the best stories are uncovered (not created)… and why emotional, human narratives still outperform data every time.But the conversation goes deeper than storytelling.They also explore how AI is changing the way content gets created, managed, and scaled—and why the real advantage isn’t the tools themselves, but how you think, structure, and refine what they produce.Because in a world flooded with content, the brands that win aren’t louder…They’re more human.This episode is for you if:You feel like your messaging isn’t landing the way it shouldYou’re producing content, but not seeing real engagement or impactYou want to understand how storytelling actually drives revenue, not just awarenessYou’re trying to balance AI efficiency with authentic, human communicationYou want to build stronger relationships that go beyond transactional networking00:46 Meet Don Martelli01:09 Accidental Marketing Path02:22 Building PR Bunker05:51 Stories That Convert07:07 Three Ps Framework08:20 Lisa Story Case Study09:44 Push Versus Dialogue12:14 Media Blind Spots16:16 Loving And Hating Volume19:12 From Fax To LLMs20:21 AI Workflow And Training25:37 Agents Monitoring Systems28:01 AI As Personal Coach30:56 Speeding Up Workflow31:38 Evernote Daily Journal System33:35 AI Insights From Notes34:20 Building Real Relationships36:20 Consistency And Network Equity39:09 Tools For Staying Connected42:19 Why Alignable Works45:10 Alignable Referral Playbook52:11 Platform Origins And Purple53:22 Where To Find Him53:56 Fun Closing Questions55:51 Final GoodbyeConnect with Don MartelliWebsite: https://prbunker.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donmartelli/Connect with Adam:Twitter: /adamhelwehLinkedIn: /adamhelwehInstagram: /adamhelwehYouTube: /adamhelwehLearn more about my digital marketing agency, Secret Sushi:https://secretsushi.com/

Is Your Revenue Problem Actually a Timing Problem?Most marketing teams assume revenue slowdowns come from bad messaging, weak demand, or sales execution issues.But what if the real problem is hiding somewhere else, buried in your data, your timing, or your assumptions about the buyer journey?In this episode of Marketing in the Raw, Adam Helweh sits down with Tracy Wehringer, Fractional CMO and founder of Moonshot Strategy, for a conversation that challenges how most B2B leaders diagnose growth problems.Tracy has led marketing inside cybersecurity firms, billion-dollar financial organizations, and high-growth tech startups. She’s also Six Sigma–trained which means she doesn’t guess where problems live. She finds them.This conversation explores what happens when you stop treating marketing as a channel problem and start treating it as a systems, timing, and revenue-velocity problem.What if your slowdown isn’t sales… or messaging… but latency?Tracy explains how she uses CRM data, sales cycle analysis, and efficiency ratios to uncover bottlenecks most teams never look for, especially the quiet moments where deals stall, momentum fades, and revenue quietly leaks out of the funnel.This episode is for you if:Your funnel looks healthy, but revenue feels slower than it shouldYou suspect alignment issues, but can’t pinpoint where they startYou’re tired of chasing tactics instead of fixing systemsYou want marketing to drive velocity, not just activityYou’re thinking more seriously about AI but don’t want hype-driven decisions🎧 Listen now and rethink how revenue really moves through your marketing engine.Connect with Tracy WehringerWebsite: https://moonshot-strategy.comLinkedIn Newsletter: Revenue AcceleratorConnect with me:Twitter: /adamhelwehLinkedIn: /adamhelwehInstagram: /adamhelwehYouTube: /adamhelwehLearn more about my digital marketing agency, Secret Sushi: https://secretsushi.com/01:30 Meet Tracy Weinger: Marketing Expert02:36 Tracy's Journey into Marketing04:51 Early Career and Mentorship08:55 Marketing Strategies and Insights20:04 The Importance of Mentorship23:11 Challenges and Trends in 202431:15 Excitement for 2025 and AI Tools36:42 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode, Adam Helweh is joined by a fractional CMO and marketing leader William Collins for a conversation that goes beyond the usual playbook. They unpack the hidden layers of modern marketing leadership, the often-overlooked traps of quick wins, and why the best CMOs are doing something most aren’t talking about.From client psychology to cross-industry insight, William reveals how top marketers are staying sharp in a time of constant change—without losing their edge or their humanity.This episode is for B2B leaders who:✅ Feel the pressure to move faster, but don’t want to sacrifice long-term vision✅ Wonder how to earn—and keep—a seat at the leadership table✅ Are curious about how fractional CMOs really operate across multiple organizations✅ Are rethinking how AI fits into the strategic mix (and what it can never replace)There’s a lot more going on behind the scenes of great marketing leadership than most realize. This conversation pulls back the curtain.Listen in and find out what might be missing from your current B2B marketing approach.00:39 Introduction and Guest Overview01:06 Meet Will Collins: A Seasoned Fractional CMO02:09 The Realities of Fractional Leadership03:48 Will's Journey into Marketing07:03 Guiding Principles in Marketing10:32 Challenges and Lessons in Leadership14:20 Differences Between Fractional and Full-Time CMO Roles20:03 Balancing Quick Wins and Sustainable Growth23:13 The Challenge of Quick Wins in Marketing24:08 Building Trust and Confidence with Leadership24:56 Avoiding Random Acts of Marketing27:34 Handling Client Expectations28:20 Surprising Outcomes in Marketing Strategies29:39 Validating Client Understanding and Needs31:52 The Role of AI in Marketing38:27 Looking Ahead to 202540:19 The Importance of Client Feedback and Strategic Thinking42:35 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsTalk to me: • Twitter: /adamhelweh • LinkedIn: /adamhelweh • Instagram: /adamhelweh • Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel: / adamhelweh Learn more about my digital marketing agency, Secret Sushi:• https://secretsushi.com/

What does it take to successfully lead marketing for some of the world's most iconic brands? Jocelyn Renee Johnson, former GE executive and CMO of Girl Scouts of the USA, and now Chief Marketing Officer of the American Bar Association, joins Adam Helweh to share her marketing playbook for success across Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and global organizations.💡 In this episode, Jocelyn dives into:✅ The marketing fundamentals that apply to every industry✅ How she helped Girl Scouts host their first-ever profitable convention✅ The biggest challenges facing marketers in 2025✅ How to build a high-performing marketing team and strategy✅ Why customer experience and branding are more critical than everThis episode is packed with insights on scaling brands, driving revenue, and creating meaningful customer connections.00:37 Meet Jocelyn Renee Johnson02:39 Jocelyn's Career Journey03:59 Transition from Tech to Marketing05:27 Marketing at GE12:11 Joining Girl Scouts of America20:25 Challenges and Insights at ABA27:09 Nonprofit Challenges and Cost Management27:42 Technology Adoption and Shiny Object Syndrome29:25 Nonprofit vs Corporate: Strategic Differences31:58 Measuring Success in Nonprofits34:19 Unexpected Wins at Girl Scouts39:03 Excitement for Future Marketing Strategies41:22 Favorite Podcasts and Personal Insights48:04 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsTalk to me: • Twitter: /adamhelweh • LinkedIn: /adamhelweh • Instagram: /adamhelweh • Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel: / adamhelweh Learn more about my digital marketing agency, Secret Sushi:• https://secretsushi.com/