In this special creative team takeover episode of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding™ Podcast, Michael Russo steps in with brandRUSSO’s designers and developers for a candid conversation about the role of design in branding—and why it matters more than ever.

They delve into the invisible impact of design, why people often only notice when it’s bad, and how brand touchpoints (from logos to typography to campaign visuals) shape the customer experience. The team also weighs in on the controversial Cracker Barrel rebrand, explores how AI is changing the design landscape, and emphasizes why shortcuts or templates can’t replace authenticity and craftsmanship.

Listeners will walk away with insights on:

If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of brand building, this episode offers a raw, creative perspective from the people who design, code, and craft it every day.

In this special host-only episode, Michael and Jaci Russo pull back the curtain on what’s really holding brands back—and it’s not just budget or competition.

From the dangerous “If we build it, they will come” mindset to the overreliance on social media as a silver bullet, they explore why so many marketing efforts fail to connect. They also delve into the critical role of touchpoints, the underestimated value of internal culture, and why every team member—regardless of their title—is part of building the brand.

Key themes include:

Whether you’re running a large enterprise or a small business, this conversation will challenge how you approach branding and customer experience.

In this episode, Jaci and Michael Russo sit down with Ari Weinzweig, co-founder of the iconic Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, to explore how culture, values, and vision shape brands from the inside out.

From dishwashing to deli ownership to thought leadership, Ari shares his unorthodox journey into entrepreneurship—including lessons in humility, the importance of visioning, and why leadership isn’t about hierarchy.

You’ll hear:

Whether you run a growing brand or lead a small team, Ari’s perspective on intentional business, service, and leadership will leave you inspired to rethink what real branding looks like.

On this episode of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding™ Podcast, Jaci and Michael Russo sit down with Mike Barton, VP of Corporate Communication & Content Marketing at AudioEye, to discuss what it truly means to make your brand accessible.

From his 14 years at Adobe to his current role at AudioEye, Mike has seen firsthand how often marketers unintentionally leave people out of the conversation. That’s where digital accessibility comes in.

Together they explore:

Whether you lead a national brand or run a small business, Mike shows how better branding starts with building for everyone, not just those who look, move, or read like you.

In this episode of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding™ Podcast, Jaci and Michael Russo sit down with Ryan Chute, founder of Wizard of Ads Essential Services, to talk about the kind of branding that sticks—not because it sells fast, but because it builds trust.

Ryan’s background in transactional sales gave him the grit. However, it was his experience at Wizard Academy that provided him with the insight to shift from high-pressure tactics to a long-term brand strategy built on storytelling, customer connection, and emotional resonance.

They dig into:

Whether you’re selling diamonds or ductwork, this episode proves that relational branding isn’t just good strategy—it’s good business.

In this episode of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding™ Podcast, Jaci and Michael Russo welcome global brand leader Fernando Andreazi for a dynamic conversation about what it really means to build brand equity in a global market.

Fernando shares insights from his international career in brand management, marketing strategy, and consumer engagement—unpacking the nuances of branding across cultures, the importance of local relevance, and how to build emotional connections at scale. With experience spanning Latin America, North America, and Europe, Fernando brings a perspective rooted in adaptability, empathy, and strategy.

Whether you’re leading a global brand or just trying to grow your message beyond your zip code, this episode is filled with takeaways for brand leaders who want to think—and act—bigger.

Fernando Andreazi is a global marketing executive and brand strategist with decades of experience driving growth and transformation for international brands. With a deep understanding of cross-cultural engagement, he has led teams in Latin America, Europe, and North America—focusing on brand equity, emotional storytelling, and scalable strategy.

In this episode of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding Podcast, brand experts Jaci and Michael Russo talk with Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases, about the power of using press releases for brand awareness and earned media coverage.

With over 25 years of experience in public relations and media strategy, Mickie breaks down how small businesses and startups can use PR to increase visibility, boost credibility, and drive real results. He shares insights on writing effective press releases, understanding how journalists choose stories, and how to get picked up by outlets, even without a huge budget.

Whether you’re launching a product, building your reputation, or looking to increase online visibility for your brand, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to get your name in the news.

In this episode of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding Podcast, Jaci and Michael Russo sit down with Daale Carter, Managing Director of energy BBDO and a standout voice in the global advertising world. With a career that started in entertainment law and moved through experiential marketing, strategy, and media, Daale brings a rare blend of experience, empathy, and leadership to the conversation.

From her early days producing music events to now leading teams for one of the most respected agencies in the world, Daale shares insights into what makes great brands connect—and why the client-agency relationship is everything. The conversation dives into creative strategy, team dynamics, consumer-centric thinking, and the evolving role of AI in the branding process. This episode is filled with smart takes, real talk, and plenty of inspiration for marketers and businesses at every level.

In this episode of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding Podcast, it’s just the hosts—Jaci and Michael Russo—going deep on what it really takes to make an agency-client relationship work.

No guests. No filters. Just 25 years of experience packed into one conversation about collaboration, communication, and what happens when trust breaks down. From misaligned expectations and territorial marketing teams to the misuse of AI and the trap of Frankenstein feedback, Jaci and Michael talk candidly about the red flags, the success stories, and the reason agencies should always be invited in like vampires (yes, there’s a reference).

Whether you work with an agency, are part of one, or just want to understand how branding actually works, this episode is a masterclass in the reality behind the process.

In this episode of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding Podcast, Jaci and Michael Russo talk with Robert J. Pelletier, CEO of Pacific Hardwood, about how he turned a traditional manufacturing business into a $20M industry leader through storytelling, relationship-building, and relentless content creation. From using Instagram to drive $8M in sales to embracing AI for content planning, he offers a blueprint for how even the most “unsexy” businesses can build powerful, profitable brands—without selling out or sounding like robots.

Whether you’re building custom floors or scaling your startup, this conversation will shift how you think about brand-building, personal voice, and the future of marketing.