Podcast · Business

The Rainmaker Podcast

by Veronica Romney · English · Business

Stepping into leadership isn’t for the faint of heart. It's a gladiatorial arena, an unceasing battle against time, expectations, and the pressures of creating impact. For Marketers at every level, the leap from being a leader to becoming a Rainmaker – a master of self, team, role, and impact – ofte

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 49 min
Latest: 4 Aug 2025
Language: English

Latest episode

4 Aug 2025 · 47 min

Cultural Fluency and the Magic of In-Person Events with Aaliyah Taylor

What does it really mean to “get it right” when it comes to culture and brand experience? This week, I’m joined by Aaliyah Taylor, a seasoned experiential marketer and Senior Community Events Manager at Adobe, for a bold conversation about authenticity, representation, and building unforgettable brand moments. From running her own event space to curating massive, culture-forward activations at Adobe, Aaliyah shares how she navigates the tension between corporate expectations and cultural trut...

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E135 · 28 Jul 2025 · 59 min
Designing Your AI Dream Team for Work and Life with Natalie MacNeil
What if AI wasn’t just a tool... but your next hire? In this eye-opening conversation, Natalie MacNeil, founder of AI Dream Team, joins me to break down how entrepreneurs and marketers can build smart, scalable systems using multi-agent workflows and ethical AI strategy. We explore what it really means to adopt an AI-first mindset, how to design your own AI-powered marketing team, and why prompting is the new literacy. Natalie shares practical use cases, privacy considerations, and what’s com...
E134 · 21 Jul 2025 · 39 min
How Behavioral Psychology and an Obsession with Data Can Market the Most Unsexy Industries with Kate Brown
What happens when a yoga entrepreneur takes the reins as CMO in one of the stiffest industries around? In this episode, Kate Brown joins me to talk about what it really takes to lead marketing inside a legacy space like insurance and how to challenge everything from team structure to brand messaging without losing trust along the way. We dive into what it means to earn leadership through action, how to rebuild marketing from the trenches, and why being obsessed with micro moments might be the...
E133 · 14 Jul 2025 · 50 min
Consultant vs. Fractional vs. Agency: What Your Business Really Needs with Joe Grover
What’s the real difference between a consultant, an agency, and a fractional CMO and how do you know which one your business actually needs? This week, Joe Grover joins me on the show for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of marketing leadership and the dynamics behind each of these roles. In this episode, Joe breaks down why so many companies hire a CMO too early and how to assess the real gaps in your growth strategy. We also discuss what founders should consider before bringing in ex...
E132 · 7 Jul 2025 · 49 min
Using AI to Run Your Business Without Losing Your Voice with Gemma Bonham-Carter
What if you could hand off your repeatable tasks to an AI team that sounds just like you? This week, I'm joined by Gemma Bonham-Carter, strategist for entrepreneurs who want to build a profitable online course business. She shares how she’s radically transformed her business using custom GPTs and why AI is no longer optional for modern entrepreneurs. In this episode, Gemma takes us behind-the-scenes of her “bot squad,” a team of over 20 custom GPTs designed to run everything from podcast prod...
E131 · 1 Jul 2025 · 36 min
Is Your Business Built to Survive Tariffs, AI & Market Whiplash? with Carlyn Bushman
What does it take to lead a resilient business in a world that won’t stop shifting? This week, strategist and consultant Carlyn Bushman joins me for a real, unfiltered conversation about what female founders are up against in 2025 and how to lead through the chaos with clarity, data, and confidence. Carlyn shares her perspective on why too many women are letting external pressures like tariffs, tech disruptions, and economic uncertainty dictate the future of their businesses. We explore ho...
E130 · 23 Jun 2025 · 33 min
What Marketers Are Getting Wrong About the Attention Economy with Paulo Salomao
What does it really take to cut through the noise in today’s marketing landscape and what if everything we thought we knew about attention is wrong? In this episode, Veronica sits down with Paulo Salomao, the founder and agency leader behind King Ursa, to unpack how the media landscape is shifting, why trust matters more than ever, and how a single viral moment turned into a surreal Ellen DeGeneres cameo. From navigating the post-pandemic reality for agencies to leading with vision in an era ...
E129 · 16 Jun 2025 · 37 min
Beyond Annual Reviews: Reinventing Modern Leadership with Megan Kuiper
“Leadership shouldn’t still be the number one workplace issue—but it is.” In this episode, I sit down with culture and leadership expert Megan Kuiper, who spent 21 years at Target leading teams and turning around broken store cultures. Now, she helps organizations of all sizes build intentional, people-first leadership from the inside out. If you’ve ever wondered why good leadership still feels so rare despite all the TED Talks, bestsellers, and workshops, this conversation delivers both the ...
E128 · 9 Jun 2025 · 31 min
How to Make Email Marketing Work (Even in an AI World) with Allison Hardy
Think email marketing is old news? Think again. In this episode, I sit down with email strategist and marketing expert Allison Hardy to unpack the future of email marketing in a world dominated by social media and AI. From debunking the myth that "email is dead" to breaking down why authentic urgency beats fake scarcity every time, Allison shares practical strategies for making your emails work harder without losing trust or authenticity. We dive into the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make i...
E127 · 2 Jun 2025 · 52 min
The Emotional Crash After You Hit Your Goals with Kasey D’Amato
You hit the milestone. You achieved the goal. You checked every box—and yet… something still feels off. In this episode, I sit down with holistic leadership coach Kasey D’Amato for a powerful conversation about what happens after success. We unpack the emotional aftermath of reaching a big milestone—like publishing a book—and the uncomfortable questions that come next. From navigating burnout to redefining ambition, Kasey shares her approach to aligned leadership and how to reconnect with pur...
E126 · 26 May 2025 · 49 min
How Posting Daily on LinkedIn Changed My Life And Can For You Too with Brian Mikula
“You don’t need to be an expert to be valuable—you just need a perspective.” In this episode, I sit down with personal brand strategist, educator, and prolific content creator Brian Mikula to unpack the real reason so many professionals hold themselves back from showing up online. If fear of judgment, burnout, or “not being expert enough” has kept you from building your brand—this episode is for you. Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder or launching your own thing, this episode challe...
E125 · 19 May 2025 · 50 min
Why “Give-a-Shit” Isn’t in the New Employee Handbook with Anne Marie Benard
“You can't teach give-a-shit.” That quote sums up the conversation I had with seasoned marketing executive Anne Marie Benard. Anne Marie shares her journey across industries. From Target and energy sponsorships to media, healthcare, and now higher education at the University of Utah. But this isn’t just a résumé rundown, it’s an honest, insightful and often hilarious deep dive into how to make bold career moves, lead with EQ, and navigate professional pivots without losing your identity...
E124 · 12 May 2025 · 52 min
The First 60 Seconds That Make or Break Every Story with Matthew Dicks
Think you need a big, dramatic life moment to tell a powerful story? In this episode, I sit down with bestselling author, master storyteller, and 61-time Moth StorySLAM winner Matthew Dicks to explore the magic of everyday storytelling—and how the smallest moments often carry the biggest impact. From his life-changing “Homework for Life” practice to the science of what makes a story stick, Matthew walks us through the exact tools and mindset shifts that can turn anyone into a better storytell...
E123 · 5 May 2025 · 59 min
The Real Reason You're Not Closing More Stages with Michael Port
You’ve hired a sales team, but they’re not performing the way you hoped. You’re still the one carrying the weight of bringing in revenue, and the dream of “someone taking sales off your plate” feels further away than ever. Sound familiar? In this episode, Michael and Veronica break down exactly why your sales team might be struggling and spoiler alert: it’s not about their talent. It’s about your leadership. If you’ve been caught in the trap of micromanaging, unclear expectations, or trying t...
E122 · 28 Apr 2025 · 1 hr 18 min
Building a New Legacy Beyond the NFL with Brandon Marshall
What does it take to go from the NFL to the boardroom—and bring your whole identity with you? In this live-recorded episode of The Rainmaker Podcast, I sit down with six-time Pro Bowler, TV personality, and entrepreneur Brandon Marshall for an unfiltered conversation about building a brand, breaking mental health stigma, and bridging the gap between content and commerce. Brandon opens up about the emotional complexity of navigating his relationship with the NFL after retirement, his personal ...
E122 · 21 Apr 2025 · 48 min
How YETI Turned Outdoor Culture Into a Marketing Goldmine with Bill Neff
Ever wonder how some brands create die-hard fans who wouldn’t dream of buying from anyone else? In this episode, I sit down with Bill Neff, a marketing powerhouse known for his work with YETI and beyond, to break down the secrets behind brand loyalty, community-driven marketing, and authentic storytelling. Bill shares his journey from professional kayaking to becoming a key player in the outdoor industry, showing how passion and authenticity can fuel marketing success. We discuss what most br...
E121 · 14 Apr 2025 · 45 min
Why Gen Z Is Driving Pinterest’s Most Radical Marketing Shift Yet with Xanthe Wells
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, an...
E120 · 7 Apr 2025 · 40 min
How Levi's Uses History (& Beyonce!) to Shape its Marketing with Tracey Panek
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 in...
E119 · 31 Mar 2025 · 59 min
How Kathryn Dobbs Cultivates a Fan-First Approach to Marketing a Pro Sports Team
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 sp...
E118 · 25 Mar 2025 · 38 min
Building Iconic Brands and Cult-Like Followings with Chris Kneeland
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 bel...
E117 · 17 Mar 2025 · 31 min
Why Every Sales Call Should Scare Some Clients Away with Michelle Morgan
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 prov...
E116 · 10 Mar 2025 · 50 min
Inside The Gathering: Mandy Balak on Leadership, Growth, and Community
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 Gather...
E115 · 3 Mar 2025 · 42 min
Why Meta Ads Should Support Your Strategy—Not Save It with Amanda Robinson
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 strat...
E114 · 24 Feb 2025 · 53 min
Breaking the Rules of Personal Branding with Sun Yi
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 br...
E113 · 17 Feb 2025 · 48 min
The Untold Stories of Olympic Marketing and Brand Partnerships with Cameron Wagner
What does it take to craft meaningful connections between brands, athletes, and fans? This week, Cameron Wagner, a veteran sports marketer with over two decades of experience, joins me to share her journey in creating impactful activations and redefining sports marketing. From orchestrating partnerships at six Olympic Games to working with iconic brands like Hasbro and P&G, Cameron offers a behind-the-scenes look at how she’s elevated fan experiences and brand storytelling. We discuss the...
E112 · 10 Feb 2025 · 45 min
From BuzzFeed to ClickUp to Entrepreneurship: A Conversation With Melissa Rosenthal
What does it take to rise as a young leader in competitive, male-dominated industries? This week, Melissa Rosenthal joins me as she shares her inspiring journey from her meteoric career at BuzzFeed to her leadership role at ClickUp and her leap into entrepreneurship. As a seasoned marketer, Melissa reflects on the challenges of navigating transitions between industries and balancing her professional growth with personal resilience. We dive into her strategies for fostering self-awareness, cr...
E117 · 3 Feb 2025 · 50 min
From Harley Davidson CMO to Chief Soul Officer: Shelley Paxton’s Journey to Redefined Success
What happens when you reach the top of the corporate ladder and realize it’s not the summit you expected? This week, Shelley Paxton, former CMO of Harley Davidson and author of Soulbatical: A Corporate Rebel’s Guide to Finding Your Best Life, joins me to share her powerful journey from marketing executive to Chief Soul Officer. In this episode, we discuss the lessons Shelley learned while stewarding one of the world’s most iconic brands, the awakening that led her to redefine success on her o...
27 Jan 2025 · 1 hr
Making Marketing Human Again: Key Lessons from the Stars of the Identity Marketing Book
This week’s episode of The Rainmaker Podcast is a special one—we’re bringing you an exclusive recording from the virtual launch party we held last week for my first-ever book, Identity Marketing: How to Create Loyal, Lifelong Fans and a Legendary Brand (No Matter What You Sell or the Size of Your Budget)! It was a memorable and special celebration with some of the incredible stars featured in the book, and the insights they shared were just too good not to share with you too. In this ep...
E115 · 20 Jan 2025 · 50 min
Launch Smarter, Not Harder: 2025 Strategies You Need to Know with Brenna McGowan
What does it take to craft a standout launch in today’s fast-paced market? This week, Brenda McGowan, a seasoned launch strategist, joins The Rainmaker Podcast to discuss the art and science of successful launches. With Q1 as the busiest season for marketing campaigns, Brenda shares her predictions for 2025, insights into evolving buyer behavior, and strategies to roll over from 2024. In this episode, we discuss the critical pre-launch phase—what Brenda calls the “pre-open cart courtship”—and...
E114 · 13 Jan 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
The 2 Questions That Will Take Down a Hustle Marketer Every Single Time with Seth Godin
What does it take to build a brand that’s both authentic and impactful? In this episode, I sit down with marketing legend Seth Godin for an unforgettable conversation about identity in marketing and beyond. We explore the power of personal branding, the ethical dilemmas marketers face today, and why authenticity is the key to building genuine connections. From unpacking cultural phenomena like the Swifties to examining how identity shapes consumer behavior, Seth offers profound insights that ...

About The Rainmaker Podcast

The Rainmaker Podcast is a English business podcast from Veronica Romney. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Veronica Romney
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 49 min
Latest episode: 4 Aug 2025
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1639914519

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