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

In this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with James Kaatz, co-founder and CEO of Illumination Marketing, to explore what it really takes to build a marketing agency rooted in trust, ethics, and long-term thinking. James’ journey spans entertainment, agency leadership, healthcare marketing, and ultimately founding Illumination Marketing after a personal moment that reshaped how he viewed business, purpose, and impact. From helping Fortune 500 brands grow to turning down high-revenue clients when values do not align, James shares a rare, honest look at the human decisions behind sustainable growth. This conversation is reflective, grounded, and deeply practical, unpacking how marketing has evolved, where AI fits, and why authenticity and human connection matter more than ever. 🎙️ We dive into • Early lessons from entertainment and media • Finding leverage inside competitive agency environments • Building Illumination Marketing with purpose, not ego • Navigating the pandemic and pivoting under pressure • Transitioning from social media to intent-based SEO • How AI accelerates bad marketing without strong fundamentals • Why prompting matters more than tools • Authentic video as the future of trust and visibility • Ethical decision-making and turning down misaligned revenue • The balance between scale, capacity, and quality • Why trust is the real currency of modern marketing James shares sharp insight on leadership, AI implementation, client selection, and building a business that serves people without sacrificing integrity. If you are running a service business, navigating marketing noise, or trying to grow without losing your values, this episode offers clarity and perspective. 👉 Learn more about Illumination Marketing marketingillumination.com 👉 Connect with James Kaatz on LinkedIn and explore Illumination Marketing’s work across SEO, strategy, and human-centered growth 🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations with founders, operators, and creators building what is next 🎤 Hosted by Jeffrey Mailey 📍 Fast Forward Podcast #FastForwardPodcast #Entrepreneurship #MarketingLeadership #Founders #AgencyLife #AIandMarketing #SEO #HumanCenteredBusiness #LongGame #Podcast

⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 From Entertainment to Entrepreneurship 02:47 Building Illumination Marketing: A Personal Mission 05:33 Adapting to Change During the Pandemic 08:09 Shifting from Restaurants to SEO 11:00 AI, Authenticity, and the Future of Marketing 13:35 Human Connection in a Digital World 17:14 The Risks of AI Misinformation 19:03 AI as a Tool, Not a Shortcut 22:44 Ethics, Integrity, and Client Selection 25:54 The Future of Marketing Agencies 29:30 Building Trust That Scales 32:31 Final Thoughts and Where to Connect

In this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with Mark Labriola, founder and CEO of Brand Viva Media, to talk about the long road of building a creative business without shortcuts. Mark’s journey spans from touring as the lead singer of a band to teaching himself photography and video, grinding nights and weekends while working day jobs, and ultimately being laid off with no safety net before going all in on his own company. Nearly a decade later, Brand Viva has grown into a respected creative agency with a team, an office, and a reputation built on trust, excellence, and human connection. This conversation is honest, reflective, and deeply grounded in what it actually takes to build something sustainable while staying present as a creative, leader, and parent. 🎙️ We dive into • The transition from artist to entrepreneur • Building skills before it was easy or trendy • Taking the leap without savings or a backup plan • Learning when to delegate and let go of control • Why hustle culture creates anxiety instead of clarity • Faith, mindset, and trusting the long game • How AI fits into creative work without replacing humanity • The coming reset in AI and digital media • Why human verified content will matter more than ever • Building businesses that serve people, not just growth metrics Mark shares grounded insight on leadership, creativity, delegation, and building a company that reflects who you actually are, not who the internet tells you to be. If you are building a creative business, navigating uncertainty, or trying to grow without losing yourself, this episode offers clarity and perspective. 👉 Learn more about Brand Viva Media brandvivamedia.com 👉 Follow Mark Labriola on LinkedIn and explore The Friday Habit podcast for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship and intentional growth 🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations with founders, operators, and creators building what is next 🎤 Hosted by Jeffrey Mailey 📍 Fast Forward Podcast #FastForwardPodcast #Entrepreneurship #CreativeLeadership #Founders #AgencyLife #AIandCreativity #LongGame #HumanCenteredBusiness #Podcast

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 From Music to Media

04:25 Building a Client Base the Hard Way

08:49 Creativity, Anxiety, and Mindset

12:50 Lessons from The Friday Habit

16:22 Embracing Individual Paths in Business

19:14 Delegation and Letting Go of Control

21:18 Using AI Without Losing the Human Element

27:49 The Future of Content and Human Connection

31:14 Final Thoughts and Where to Connect

In this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with Chandler Lyles, co founder of High Beam Marketing and a multi time entrepreneur who has built, crashed, rebuilt, and scaled businesses across food, marketing, and ecommerce. Chandler’s journey spans from running a barbecue restaurant that ultimately failed to building a high performance marketing agency serving hundreds of brands. This conversation is honest, tactical, and reflective, pulling back the curtain on what actually happens between ambition, failure, discipline, and long term growth. 🎙️ We dive into • Crashing a first business and rebuilding with hard earned lessons • The transition from operator to founder • Why most businesses fail before hitting meaningful revenue • The importance of marketing, storytelling, and demand creation • Navigating AI, attention, and modern advertising platforms • The five stages of awareness and why most ads waste money • Consistency, flywheels, and building momentum over time • Risk management without bankrupting the brand or the business • Revenue as the foundation of every successful company • Playing the infinite game of entrepreneurship • Building businesses that strengthen communities, not just shareholders Chandler shares deeply practical frameworks around mental models, marketing strategy, and business discipline while challenging popular startup myths and get rich quick thinking. If you are building a company, rebuilding after failure, or trying to grow without burning cash, this episode offers clarity and perspective. 👉 Learn more about High Beam Marketing highbeammarketing.com 👉 Follow Chandler Lyles on YouTube and Instagram for deep dives on marketing, storytelling, and entrepreneurship 🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations with founders, operators, and creators building what is next. 🎤 Hosted by Jeffrey Mailey 📍 Fast Forward Podcast

In this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with Chase Joliet, co founder of Two Socks Creative and the writer, director, and lead actor of the feature film Grapefruit. Chase and I go way back, long before either of us stepped into creative careers. This conversation is personal, reflective, and wide ranging, touching on creativity, risk, failure, and what it really takes to build a life around making things. 🎙️ We dive into • Growing up together and how early experiences shape ambition • Leaving traditional paths to pursue creative work • Building Two Socks Creative during COVID with almost no overhead • The realities of indie filmmaking and distribution • Writing, directing, and starring in Grapefruit • Navigating risk, failure, and creative identity • Why human connection matters more than ever in a tech driven world • Balancing art, business, family, and curiosity 🎬 Grapefruit is written, directed, and led by Chase Joliet and releases December 18 Available on Apple, Amazon, Fandango, and more If you can, support on Apple where creators receive the highest share 👉 Learn more about Two Socks Creative: twosocks.co 👉 Follow Chase Joliet and explore The Cliff Show on YouTube If you care about creativity, storytelling, building something from nothing, or finding meaning through the work you choose, this episode will resonate. 🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations with founders, artists, and creators building what is next. 🎤 Hosted by Jeffrey Mailey 📍 Fast Forward Podcast

In this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with David Arato, founder of Lexicon Legal Content, a specialized content agency helping law firms navigate AI, SEO, and the changing world of digital marketing. 🎙️ We dive into • How Lexicon Legal Content started and why David left traditional practice • The real impact of AI on legal work, from hallucinations to malpractice risk • Why the verification paradox is reshaping how lawyers and marketers use AI • How AI is changing the associate model, billable hours, and legal careers • What makes legal content actually rank in 2025 instead of getting buried • The biggest myths attorneys still believe about SEO and content • How to balance efficiency, critical thinking, and ethics when using AI • Why in person networking still beats cold outreach for agency growth 👉 Learn more about Lexicon Legal Content: https://www.lexiconlegalcontent.com 👉 Connect with David on LinkedIn: search “David Arato Lexicon Legal Content” If you care about law, AI, content, or building a niche service business in a shifting landscape, this episode will hit home. ⸻ 🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories, creative breakthroughs, and conversations with the people building what is next. 🎤 Hosted by Jeffrey Mailey 📍 Fast Forward Podcast ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 The Origin Story of Lexicon Legal Content 01:44 The Impact of AI on Legal Practices 06:52 Navigating the Verification Paradox 10:22 The Future of Legal Work in an AI World 14:48 The Learning Curve in the Age of AI 17:51 Balancing Efficiency and Critical Thinking 19:00 Debunking Legal Marketing Myths 23:29 The Future of Legal Marketing 27:41 Networking in a Digital Age 31:55 Outro and Where to Find David

In this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with Kaitlyn Talamante, CEO of LadyBoss, the mission driven wellness brand built for women who want to transform their health, confidence, and community. 🎙️ We dive into: • How Kaitlyn went from customer to CEO • Why community is the missing piece in most wellness journeys • The emotional and spiritual side of entrepreneurship • Reviving LadyBoss and leading a full scale comeback • The rise of women centric supplements and health education • How faith, integrity, and authenticity shape her leadership • The future of LadyBoss events, products, and community growth • Where AI fits into her day to day operations Hosted by Jeffrey Mailey 📍 Fast Forward Podcast 00:00 From Customer to CEO 02:41 The Importance of Community in Women’s Health 05:37 Balancing Mission and Business 08:07 Faith and Leadership 11:02 Reviving LadyBoss 13:59 Differentiating in the Supplement Industry 16:31 Education and Empowerment 19:19 Strengths of Female Led Businesses 22:06 Future Vision and Growth 24:49 Leveraging AI in Operations 28:10 Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with Kevin Gaumitz, CEO and Creative Director of Purple Cow Brands, the agency helping companies stand out through story driven design, creative SEO, and high performing digital strategy. 🎙️ We dive into: • How Kevin left engineering to build a creative agency with global reach • Why Creative SEO is transforming how websites rank and convert • The hidden patterns behind high performing brand storytelling • How AI is reshaping the future of design, development, and content • What it takes to grow a team, build culture, and lead with clarity 👉 Learn more about Purple Cow Brands: https://www.purplecowbrands.com 👉 Follow Kevin on LinkedIn:   / kevingaumitz   If you are building a company, refining your brand, or trying to understand the new landscape of design and SEO, this episode is for you. — 🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories, creative breakthroughs, and conversations with big thinkers building what is next. 🎤 Hosted by Jeffrey Mailey 📍 Fast Forward Podcast 00:00 The journey from engineering to creative founder 03:12 What Creative SEO actually means 06:45 Why design first websites perform better 10:22 How AI is changing the digital agency model 14:56 Leading a distributed creative team 18:28 Storytelling as a competitive advantage 22:17 The future of design and content in an AI world 26:41 Closing thoughts and where to find Kevin

In this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with Paul Jorg, co founder of Nalo Seed, the creator partnership platform helping brands and creators build long term collaborations rooted in trust, alignment, and real performance. 🎙️ We dive into: • Why most creator partnerships collapse before they ever gain traction • How Nalo Seed empowers creators to win meaningful brand deals • What brands actually look for when choosing creators • Where AI fits into the future of matching and campaign execution • The mindset shift required to build a company inside a fast changing industry 👉 Learn more about Nalo Seed: https://www.naloseed.com 👉 Follow Paul on Instagram: @pauljorg If you are building a creator brand, hiring creators, or trying to understand the future of brand partnerships, this episode is for you. — 🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories, creative breakthroughs, and conversations with big thinkers building what is next. 🎤 Hosted by Jeffrey Mailey 📍 Fast Forward Podcast 00:00 Introduction to Nalo Seed and Founder's Journey 03:28 The Impact of AI on Brand Strategy 06:32 Utilizing AI Agents for Business Efficiency 09:33 Overcoming Founder Challenges and Finding Clarity 12:26 The Future of Product Development with AI 16:42 The Role of AI in Personalization and Privacy 19:27 The Evolution of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Their Impact 19:27 Preparing for the Future: Shifts for Mission-Led Founders

In this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with Taylor Adams, co-founder of The Creative Agency, the content and influencer marketing firm helping brands scale through strategy, storytelling, and real audience connection. 🎙️ We dive into: • Why most brands fail at influencer marketing • How Taylor built an agency around creators instead of corporations • The real metrics that matter for social growth and engagement • Where AI fits into the future of content and brand strategy • The mindset shift from freelancer to agency owner and team leader 👉 Follow The Creative Agency on Instagram: @thecreativeagency 👉 Learn more about their work: https://thecreativeagency.com 👉 Follow Taylor: @tayloradams If you are building a brand, scaling a creative business, or trying to stand out in a crowded digital space, this one is for you. — 🔔 Subscribe for more founder stories, creative breakthroughs, and conversations with big thinkers building what is next. 🎤 Hosted by Jeffrey Mailey 📍 Fast Forward Podcast