Recorded live at SocialPacific 2025 in North Vancouver, Ben Wise and Darren Chiu, co-founders of Captivate, join guest host Rachel Thexton to explore the art and science of human behavior.

Captivate translates academic psychology into practical tools for marketers, sales teams, and leaders, helping them communicate in ways that actually move people.

They unpack why most marketing falls flat by being overly rational, how emotional decision-making really works, and why storytelling, including friction, consequences, and vulnerability, remains one of the most powerful tools in business. 

Because whether you’re selling to consumers or corporations, you’re always selling to a human.

Produced by TAKT.

At SocialPacific 2025 in North Vancouver, Warren Thompson, Co-Founder and Director at Olo Metrics, sits down with guest host Rachel Thexton to demystify marketing data.

Warren explains why most teams don’t have a data problem, they have a clarity problem. Instead of obsessing over every metric in the funnel, he shares how focusing on a few “North Star” KPIs can simplify decision-making and drive real growth.

From performance marketing and SEO to AI’s impact on emerging marketers, this conversation explores how technical skill, strategic thinking, and creative craft must now work together, not in silos.

Clearer metrics. Smarter decisions. Stronger teams.

Recorded live at SocialPacific 2025 in North Vancouver. Produced by TAKT.

At SocialPacific 2025 in North Vancouver, Charlie Grinnell, Co-CEO of RightMetric, joins guest host Rachel Thexton to break down the uncomfortable truth about modern marketing.

Charlie explains why most brands operate on assumptions, not evidence, and why “looking before you leap” is no longer optional. From ego and institutional bias to blind faith in performance marketing, he challenges marketers to stop guessing and start triangulating the truth using real external data.

The conversation explores attention economics, content engineering, and why in a saturated digital world, creativity without context is just expensive guesswork.

Thanks to TAKT, the editors and producers of the SocialPacific 2025 series.

At SocialEast 2025 in Halifax, Brooke Hahn, General Manager of Flockler, joins guest host Odum Idika for a candid conversation about why most brands misunderstand community.

Brooke draws on her experience across agency, startups, software, and private equity to explain what actually drives growth inside modern organizations and why one-way content no longer cuts it. She unpacks the difference between having followers and building connection, and shares practical ways marketers can turn everyday customer moments into long-term brand loyalty.

From user-generated content and social proof to celebrating customers publicly and listening beyond the feed, this episode challenges marketers to stop chasing volume and start creating shared identity.

Because a social feed is not a community. It is simply the starting point.

Recorded live at SocialEast 2025 in Halifax, this episode of the Marketing News Canada podcast features guest host Odum Idika sitting down with Will Yang, Founder of Differo, to define what modern content creation really looks like.

Will breaks down his approach to “pocket production” and explains why your smartphone may be the most powerful marketing tool you already own. From simple three-shot storytelling techniques to why audio clarity matters more than cinematic visuals, he shares practical ways brands of any size can start creating authentic, story-driven content that performs on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.

The conversation also explores why polished ads often underperform on social, how Gen Z consumes content differently, and why showing up imperfectly is better than not showing up at all.

A reminder that great marketing is not about better gear. It is about better stories.

Recorded live at SocialEast 2025 at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, this episode of the Marketing News Canada podcast features guest host Odum Idika, Host of Unconventional Mindset and Founder of Piixel Studio, in conversation with Corey Evans, Director of Brand and Advertising at ATCO and former marketing leader at WestJet.

Corey shares a behind-the-scenes look at one of Canada’s most iconic marketing moments, the WestJet Christmas Miracle, and what it took to execute a high-risk experiential campaign that generated over 35 million organic views. From stepping in as Santa to navigating real-time uncertainty during a live activation, he explains why putting the audience experience first, and the brand second, was key to its success.

The conversation explores what experiential marketing really means today, why authentic human moments outperform polished ads, and how marketers of any size can create meaningful connections by deeply understanding their audience. Corey also reflects on the rise of creator-led marketing, real-time brand participation, and the importance of adaptability in an increasingly noisy content landscape.

This episode was recorded live on-site at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel during SocialEast 2025, part of the SocialNext conference series, Canada’s leading platform for marketing conferences, media, and community.

Recorded live at Calgary's SocialWest 2025, this episode of the Marketing News Canada podcast features guest host Laila Hobbs, Co-Founder of Social Launch Labs, in conversation with Hiba Amin, Co-Founder of Creative Little Planet.

Hiba shares a candid look at navigating imposter syndrome throughout her marketing career, from being the sole marketer during a startup downturn to finding confidence through community, conversation, and lived experience. She also discusses the evolution of content creation, why authenticity resonates more than polished perfection, and how marketers can build meaningful connections with their audiences.

The conversation dives into the responsible use of AI in content marketing, including where it can support creative work, where it falls short, and why strong foundational ideas must come before scale. Packed with thoughtful insights and real-world perspective, this episode is a must-listen for marketers navigating growth, creativity, and confidence in a rapidly changing industry.

Recorded live at SocialWest 2025 in Calgary, this episode of the Marketing News Canada podcast features guest host Laila Hobbs in conversation with Julie Ogilvie, Executive Director of the Kentville Business Community and Founder of Julie Ogilvie Consulting.

Julie shares how small businesses and solo founders can build customer journeys that convert, without burning out or spending all their time on marketing. The conversation breaks down what a customer journey really is, why it extends far beyond the point of purchase, and how brands can turn customers into long-term advocates through thoughtful post-purchase experiences.

From balancing passion with profitability to focusing on the most overlooked stages of the customer journey, this episode offers practical, grounded advice for marketers, founders, and business owners looking to build sustainable growth.

Recorded live at the 2025 SocialWest Conference in Calgary, guest host Meredith McKeough sits down with Josephine Mary David, Communications and Partnerships Lead at Pedesting, for this episode of the Marketing News Canada podcast.

Josephine shares how inclusive marketing helps brands move from being ignored to truly embraced by their audiences. Drawing from her background in business, social development, and accessibility-focused technology, she breaks down practical ways brands can make their marketing more accessible, culturally sensitive, and community-driven.

The conversation covers purposeful messaging, accessible content design, amplified representation, resonant storytelling, and how small, thoughtful changes can help more people feel seen, included, and connected to your brand.

Recorded live at Caglary's SocialWest in June of 2025, this episode of the Marketing News Canada podcast features a conversation with Dave Thomas, Director of Strategy at Everbrave, hosted by Laila Hobbs, Co-Founder of Social Launch Labs.

Dave breaks down his Strategy of Everything framework, a practical approach to improving strategic thinking for marketers, founders, and business leaders. The conversation explores how to set clear goals, align day-to-day work to long-term outcomes, understand constraints, assess risks and opportunities, and identify unfair advantages that drive better decisions.

From navigating complexity and avoiding distraction to building common language across teams, this episode offers a grounded, actionable way to think more clearly, communicate better, and execute strategy with confidence.

Recorded live in Calgary for SocialWest 2025, this episode of the Marketing News Canada podcast features guest host Meredith McKeough in conversation with Lisa Genovese, President of BottomLine, a marketing agency known for research-backed strategy and results. 

Lisa breaks down why so many brands skip the fundamentals and how that leads to shaky strategy, wasted spend, and misaligned messaging. The conversation explores how to use customer insight, competitive research, and data the right way, before jumping into tactics or creative, and why going back to basics often delivers the biggest impact. 

From practical ways to gather meaningful customer insight to common mistakes brands make across the buyer journey, this episode is packed with grounded advice for marketers, leaders, and teams looking to make smarter, more confident decisions.