GTM Innovators

AI has made it easier than ever to produce content, launch campaigns, and optimize performance at scale. But has it actually made marketing better? 

In this episode of GTM Innovators, Kyle James sits down with Joey Lai, B2B Marketing Director at Mastercard, for a candid and deeply thoughtful conversation about what’s being lost as AI tools become embedded in everyday marketing work. 

Drawing on her experience across fast-growing startups and large enterprise organizations, Joey argues that while AI accelerates output, it often erodes the critical thinking, creativity, and human insight that separate average marketing from great marketing. Together, they explore why optimization has become easier, originality has become rarer, and why the next generation of marketers faces a very real risk of outsourcing their thinking along with their tasks.  

This conversation goes beyond AI hype to examine: 

Why more content does not mean better marketing 

How critical thinking and judgment are becoming true competitive advantages 

The unintended consequences of relying on AI too early in a marketer’s career 

Why human connection, curiosity, and hard thinking still matter more than speed 

How leaders can develop teams that use AI as a tool, not a crutch 

If you’re a GTM leader, marketer, or builder navigating the AI era, this episode challenges a simple assumption: just because marketing is easier to execute doesn’t mean it’s easier to do well.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, host Kyle James sits down with Michael Cole, SVP of Marketing at Everflow, to explore how Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is redefining the rules of search and discoverability. As AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini become the new front doors to information, long-tail SEO is giving way to a world driven by citations, partnerships, and authentic content. Michael shares how leading brands are adapting—building relationships with publishers, rethinking affiliate strategies, and creating human-led content that fuels visibility across AI-powered ecosystems. If you’ve ever wondered what replaces SEO in the age of AI, this conversation is your new playbook.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, Kyle James sits down with Chris Manfredi, Global Director of Analyst Relations at Sprout Social, to explore the power of analyst relations as a trust-building force in go-to-market strategy. With over a decade of experience navigating firms like Gartner, Forrester, and IDC, Chris shares how AR serves as a strategic connective tissue across product, marketing, sales, and the C-suite. From managing 1,500+ analyst touchpoints a year to synthesizing insights for executive decisions, Chris offers a behind-the-scenes look at what makes AR truly impactful, especially in today’s AI-driven, insight-saturated landscape. Whether you’re new to AR or looking to take your program to the next level, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom, human-centric perspective, and bold ideas for the future.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, we sit down with Phil Portman, founder and CEO of Textdrip, to explore how SMS is evolving from a simple communication tool into a powerful, intent-based automation channel for modern go-to-market teams. Phil shares his entrepreneurial journey from flipping houses to building a scalable, compliant SMS platform designed for regulated industries. We dive into how Textdrip leverages AI (without losing the human touch), the dos and don’ts of SMS campaigns, and why deliverability and trust are the new battlegrounds in business texting. If you’re curious about how to integrate SMS into your GTM strategy the right way, this episode is for you.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, we sit down with Mark Kilens for a conversation that brings us back to the GTM fundamentals. Mark is the VP of Marketing at EasyLlama and Founder of TACK. Mark shares how the most effective go-to-market strategies today are rooted in community, education, and trust. From building scalable programs to fostering authentic engagement, Mark’s insights may sound simple—but they’re powerfully foundational. Whether you're refining your GTM motion or starting from scratch, this episode is packed with timeless advice on creating real demand through human connection.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, host Kyle James sits down with John Baldino, President of Humareso and co-host of the But First Coffee Podcast, for a candid conversation on the future of AI in the workplace. This discussion explores how organizations must balance innovation with responsibility when adopting AI technologies. John shares his insights on building trust, maintaining ethical standards, and preserving the human element as AI continues to reshape the way we work. From recruitment to performance management, this episode offers practical advice for leaders navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and talent.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, we sit down with Scott Newman, Chief Strategy Officer at OneSource, to explore how AI is fundamentally transforming the BPO industry. Scott shares how OneSource is leveraging its platform, CalibrAIte, to move beyond traditional contact center operations—empowering frontline agents, automating coaching and QA processes, and generating the structured data companies need to truly adopt AI. From real-time feedback loops to global scalability, Scott offers actionable insights and hard-won lessons on what it really takes to innovate in one of the most human-centric corners of the business world.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, host Kyle James sits down with Sara Rosso, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Smartcat, for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolving role of AI in global go-to-market strategies. From her roots in engineering to her marketing leadership across companies like HubSpot, Automattic, and now Smartcat, Sara shares how AI is transforming content localization, translation workflows, and the very nature of cross-border collaboration. Tune in as we explore why AI might just be the new Babelfish—and what that means for product marketers, enterprise teams, and the future of global communication.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, host Kyle James sits down with Jon White, SVP of Product at Crayon, to explore how AI is reshaping the world of competitive intelligence. Jon shares how Crayon is helping go-to-market teams move beyond manual research and outdated battle cards by harnessing AI to surface real-time insights, identify emerging competitors, and enable sales teams with smarter, more strategic content. From parsing call transcripts to tracking digital footprints, Jon walks us through the evolving tech stack for modern competitive enablement—and what’s coming next. Whether you're in sales, product, or marketing, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, Kyle James chats with Finn Thormeier, founder of Project 33, about how B2B founders and execs can unlock growth by building authentic, strategic personal brands. Finn breaks down what separates real thought leaders from content noise, how to turn subject-matter expertise into consistent demand, and why controversial takes (when done right) drive results. If you're leading a GTM motion and want your voice to cut through, this episode is your playbook.