Great Minds Think Data with Maury Blackman

In the final installment of the Google and Growth series, host Maury Blackman sits down with Joy Hawkins, one of the most recognized experts in local search and the founder of Sterling Sky, LocalU, and the Local Search Forum.

Joy breaks down what small businesses really need to know about SEO in 2025 — from how Google’s local algorithm works to what actually moves the needle in local rankings. She shares insider insights on reviews, proximity, on-page optimization, and the biggest myths holding businesses back from being seen online.

Whether you’re a local business owner trying to stand out on Google Maps or a marketer looking to sharpen your SEO playbook, this conversation delivers practical, no-nonsense advice straight from one of the most trusted voices in the industry.

You’ll learn:

• What really drives local SEO rankings today
• How to avoid the biggest SEO mistakes small businesses make
• The impact of reviews and proximity on visibility
• Where SEO is headed with AI and the future of Google Search

Guest: Joy Hawkins – Founder of Sterling Sky, LocalU, and the Local Search Forum. Columnist at Search Engine Land and Google Business Profile Product Expert.

Host: Maury Blackman, CEO and technologist exploring the intersection of data, growth, and small business innovation.

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In this episode, we explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and local government with Gavin Baum-Blake, CEO of City Detect. Discover how this innovative company is revolutionizing municipal inspections by utilizing AI and computer vision to monitor neighborhood health. Learn about the challenges faced by local governments, the importance of data in decision-making, and how City Detect's technology is transforming code enforcement, speeding up inspections from months to mere weeks. Join us as we delve into the future of public service and the role of technology in fostering healthier communities.

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In Part 2 of Google & Growth: A Series for Small Business, host Maury Blackman sits down with Michael Yules, CEO of GatherUp, to explore how reviews and reputation have become the lifeblood of small business growth. Building on Part 1’s discussion with Brad Wetherall about the importance of a complete digital footprint, this episode takes a closer look at why a Google Business Profile is often a company’s most valuable asset — and how reputation isn’t just part of marketing anymore, it is marketing.

Yules shares his insights on the evolution of online reviews, explaining how the focus has shifted from sheer volume to quality, authenticity, and consistency. He highlights common mistakes small businesses make that erode trust — from ignoring their Google Business Profile to relying on fake reviews — and outlines practical strategies for generating authentic feedback.

The conversation also covers the shift from a brick-and-mortar-first world to a digital-first one, where traditional trust signals like storefronts and signage are being replaced by online credibility. Yules and Blackman dive into how AI and generative search are reshaping reputation management, why diversification across multiple review platforms matters, and how businesses can prepare for a future where AI agents may become the primary decision-makers in search.

At the heart of the episode is a simple but powerful takeaway: consistently ask your customers for feedback and reviews. As Yules puts it, “people do not do things that you don’t ask them to do” — and building trust online starts with that ask.

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In this episode, we explore the complex world of Google Reviews with industry experts Brad Weatherall and Curtis Boyd. Discover the impact of online reviews on businesses and consumers alike. We delve into the advantages and pitfalls of Google’s review ecosystem, discussing how fraudulent activities can undermine trust and the measures being taken to combat them. Join us for an insightful conversation about the intersection of data, power, and the digital marketplace.

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Coming soon... new episodes of Great Minds Think Data

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My guest today is Frank Luntz, one of the world's most renowned and sought-after communications consultants and pollsters. We’re also joined today by Lanny Davis who is a lifelong democrat and well-known as the former White House Special Counsel to President Clinton.

Today we will explore and unpack the driving forces behind the 2022 midterms, social media's impact on the electorate, and finally what the most recent post-midterm Premise Poll reveals about former President Trump's 3rd run for President.

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With the 2022 Midterms a week away, my guest today is Newt Gingrich. The former speaker of the house and Time Magazine's 1995 "Man of the Year" led a revolution in 1994 as the co-author and architect of the contract with America. Under his leadership republicans swept the election, ending four decades of democratic control of the house. Two decades later, Newt remains a force in US politics though his speaking, writing, and his production company Gingrich360. In our conversation we focus on how political issues percolate to the top and become primary drivers of election outcomes, his thoughts on the upcoming midterms, and finally the US’s current standing as a world leader.

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My guest today is Larry Summers. Larry is one of America’s leading economists. In addition to serving as 71st Secretary of the Treasury in the Clinton Administration, Dr. Summers served as Director of the White House National Economic Council in the Obama Administration, as President of Harvard University, and as the Chief Economist of the World Bank. 

In today's episode, we will explore with Larry his thoughts leading up to his opinion piece in the Washington Post back in February 2021 and his thoughts on our current economic conditions, and most importantly how we should think about navigating the turbulent seas ahead. Some important topics covered include Inflation, the Keystone pipeline, Student Loan Forgiveness, and the Federal Reserve’s purpose, structure, and decision-making.

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My guest today is John Rendon, one of the world’s thought leaders in international and military affairs. John began his career in Democratic Party politics with George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign. He later served as the Executive Director and Political Director of the Democratic National Committee and managed President Carter's 1980 Democratic convention in New York.

Today, John is considered to be the world’s leading pioneer in the use of strategic communications as an element of national power and one of the first thought leaders to harness the power of emerging technologies in support of real-time information management. He has served as an executive communications consultant to the White House, the U.S. Department of Defense, the National Security community, and to the leadership of Fortune 500 companies. 

In today’s episode, we tapped John’s knowledge to break down the War in Ukraine, its impact on the European community, and the growing nexus between Russia and China. We also discussed the upcoming midterm elections and theoretical matchups for the 2024 Presidential election that include how Liz Cheney’s entrance into the race would increase the likelihood of another Trump Presidency. 

Follow Maury and Premise

@mauryblackman | @premisedata | Premise website

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My guest today is Alex Gladstein, Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation and author of the book "Check your Financial Privilege". Today’s episode focuses on how Bitcoin is changing the landscape of the financial services industry and offers hope to many people who were born into a weaker financial system. The episode illustrates how Americans (which is only 4% of the world population) enjoy financial privilege from the dominant U.S. dollar system while 2 billion people live with double-digit inflation every day. Most of us think of Bitcoin as an investment opportunity, but there's ample data that shows bitcoin is fast becoming a transaction platform to move money across borders, protect savings from inflation, and pay for services in many countries around the world. Lastly, Alex emphasized the crypto world's famous mantra “Not your keys, not your coins”.

0:41 – Intro to Bitcoin and Alex Gladstein

3:50 – Financial Privilege and The Evolution of Global Currencies

23:40 – The U.S. Economy’s Power

27:06 – Bitcoin as a Solution and Currency for the World

36:44 – Bitcoin’s Impact in Countries with Lacking Financial Infrastructure

46:46 – Responding to Bitcoin Criticisms and Spreading Financial Freedom

57:00 – Alex’s Three Insights for the World

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