In this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with Eric Blankenship, founder and president of MindStone Marketing, to explore what it really takes to build marketing leadership rooted in culture, relationships, and fearless creativity.
Eric's journey spans the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, hospitality marketing, and ultimately launching his own fractional CMO practice. From learning that internal culture shapes external brand perception to navigating the loneliness of entrepreneurship, Eric shares honest insights about building sustainable businesses while staying human in an automated world.
This conversation is grounded, reflective, and full of hard-won wisdom about leading teams, understanding brand psychology, and why AI will replace bad marketing—but not marketers who understand the fundamentals.
🎙️ We dive into:

Early lessons from sports entertainment and the Tampa Bay Lightning
Why passion, creativity, and fearlessness define his approach
The difference between managing performance and leading humans
How internal culture becomes your external brand
The three-word test that reveals brand misalignment
AI's role in marketing and what remains uniquely human
The challenges of entrepreneurship and what you don't realize you'll miss
Why relationships matter more than contacts
Coaching and mentoring through your own kids

Eric shares sharp perspective on brand building, team leadership, AI implementation, and building a marketing practice that serves people while maintaining work-life balance.
If you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating the intersection of creativity and AI, this episode offers grounded insights from someone who's done it at the highest levels.

👉 Learn more about MindStone Marketing
👉 Connect with Eric Blankenship on LinkedIn or X (@eBlankenship)
🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations with founders, operators, and creators building what's next

🎤 Hosted by Jeffrey Mailey
📍 Fast Forward Podcast

#FastForwardPodcast #Entrepreneurship #MarketingLeadership #Founders #BrandStrategy #AIandMarketing #TampaBayLightning #FractionalCMO #Leadership #podcast

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 The Journey Begins: Eric Blankenship's Origin Story
04:45 Passion, Creativity, and Fearlessness in Marketing
07:02 Leading Humans: The Art of Mentorship and Team Dynamics
11:39 The Power of Storytelling and Brand Psychology
16:24 AI in Marketing: Embracing Change and Innovation
18:30 The Challenges of Entrepreneurship: Lessons Learned
21:50 The Future of Marketing: Creativity, AI, and Human Connection
24:53 Wrap Up and Where to Connect