Welcome back to the Leadership Cafe podcast! In this episode, host Sally Mildren sits down with Lacey Reichwald, Director of Marketing at AHA Media Group and a dynamic thought leader in B2B content strategy and healthcare marketing. From her entrepreneurial roots running a coffee shop to her current role shaping brand and content workflows, Lacey Reichwald brings a fresh perspective on the intersection of innovation, AI, and ethical marketing.

Together, they dive into common pitfalls - like relying on technology to fix strategic gaps - and offer practical, ethical guidance for integrating AI into healthcare organizations. The conversation explores where patients and providers place their trust in AI, why strategy must always come before shiny new tech, and how authenticity can help brands truly stand out in a crowded landscape. Whether you’re AI-curious or leading change in a rural health team, this episode is packed with wisdom, actionable tips, and a dose of camaraderie over coffee mugs. 

So grab your favorite mug and join us for a thoughtful, human-centered talk on leadership, technology, and making smarter decisions in healthcare marketing.Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/laceyreichwald/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/aha-media-groupwww.ahamediagroup.com

Research results on AI trust

Our AI policy

Welcome back to another episode of Leadership Cafe! In this episode, hosts Sally Mildren and Emma Osborne from Mira Media dive into the world of marketing and paid advertising, offering actionable insights tailored especially for small businesses, solo teams, nonprofits, and rural health organizations. With over a decade of marketing experience and a sharp focus on performance media, Emma Osborne shares her approach to building ad campaigns that really work, debunking common myths about big budgets and cutting through the hype around AI-generated ads.

Together, Sally Mildren and Emma Osborne unpack what it truly takes to make paid ads successful, from getting your brand message right and selecting the best platforms, to understanding the most important metrics for measuring ROI. They discuss how collaboration and transparency are at the heart of their process, emphasize the importance of testing and ongoing optimization, and reveal why not seeing your own ad is often a sign your strategy is right on track.

Get ready for practical strategies, honest advice, and stories from the trenches - plus a few laughs (and a couple of dogs!), to help you confidently level up your marketing, no matter your team size or budget.

https://miramediaagency.com/

https://www.instagram.com/miramediaagency/

Welcome back to the Leadership Cafe podcast! In this episode, hosts Sally Mildren and Michael Mattson dive into the vital role emotional intelligence plays in humanizing business and transforming organizational culture. Michael Mattson shares how his journey began with eye-opening experiences in the postal service, where he learned firsthand the power of empathy and authentic human connection - sometimes sparked by something as simple as making sure employees had enough rubber bands for their daily work.

Together, Sally Mildren and Michael Mattson explore how leaders, especially those in middle management, set the tone for company culture and hold immense influence as translators and diplomats between organizational needs and employee well-being. They discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by supervisors and managers, the "middle ground" where small, meaningful adjustments can lead to big results. The conversation is rich with personal stories, research-backed insights, and practical ways that leaders at every level can foster trust, boost engagement, and drive business success by putting people first.

Grab your favorite mug and settle in - the Leadership Cafe is brewing up a fresh perspective on what it really means to lead with emotional intelligence.

www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcmattson, www.walkamilecx.comEi Empowered: www.eiempowered.comTwenty20ish Links/Handles:www.twenty20ish.comhttps://open.spotify.com/show/6Jlm9CE32E46XOWhLP9kB5?si=xqiCOienTIKcmG7hjGiGvgwww.youtube.com/@Twenty20ishhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/twenty20ish/https://www.instagram.com/twenty20ish/https://www.tiktok.com/@twenty20ish

Welcome back to Leadership Cafe! In this episode, host Sally Mildren sits down with creative branding expert Rochelle Serna - the founder of Beachy Keen Creative and the visionary behind the Leadership Cafe brand. Together, they dive deep into the heart and soul of what truly makes a brand powerful, exploring why branding is so much more than just logos and color palettes. Rochelle shares her unique approach to blending purpose, strategy, and creativity, offering practical tips on how entrepreneurs can craft a digital presence that truly reflects their passion and values.

From uncovering the foundational work every brand needs to succeed, to knowing when a rebrand is actually necessary, this conversation is packed with insights that will help you bring more clarity and connection to your business. Sally and Rochelle also cover the evolving role of websites, the importance of meaningful storytelling, and even touch on the brave new world of AI-powered photography for businesses.

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur, a marketing pro, or just getting started on your leadership journey, this episode is full of inspiring advice and a few personal stories that will help you create a brand (and a business) you’re truly proud of. Grab your favorite mug and join us in the cafe!

The Leadership Cafe is a free community for marketers to share community, ideas, education, and resources. It is hosted on Circle, a private community so we don’t have to deal with social media. Why? Because we don’t like our coffee cold, no bots, spam, or drama! Just warm-hearted goodness to share among friends. Join us for free at  theleadershipcafe.com

https://beachykeencreative.com/  

https://beachykeencreative.com/ai-and-aloha https://beachykeencreative.com/dream-brand

https://beachykeencreative.com/templates

Welcome to the very first episode of the Leadership Cafe podcast! Grab your favorite mug and join host Sally Mildren and guest Lane Taylor as they kick off a show dedicated to empowering marketing leaders in nonprofits, rural health, and small businesses. In this pilot episode, Sally shares her inspiration for launching the Leadership Cafe, drawing from decades of experience as a marketing executive and her passion for helping new and aspiring leaders. Together, they dive into the unique challenges leaders face today—like managing multi-generational teams, handling rapid industry changes, and measuring marketing impact. Plus, you’ll get the inside scoop on the Leadership Cafe’s supportive online community, where resources, training, and networking opportunities await. Whether you’re leading a team or are a solo marketing pro looking for real-world advice and camaraderie, this episode sets the stage for insightful conversations, practical strategies, and genuine leadership growth. Cheers to learning, leading, and spreading more kindness—one cup of coffee at a time!

The Leadership Cafe is a free community for marketers to share community, ideas, education, and resources. It is hosted on Circle, a private community so we don’t have to deal with social media. Why? Because we don’t like our coffee cold, no bots, spam, or drama! Just warm-hearted goodness to share among friends. Join us for free at  theleadershipcafe.com

Welcome to The Leadership Cafe Podcast — hosted by Marketing Strategist and CEO Sally Mildren.

This show brings you bold insights, actionable strategies, and inspiring stories from the worlds of nonprofit, rural health, and small business marketing.

Each episode is designed to help you sharpen your skills, expand your impact, and lead with confidence.

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — and get ready to brew something bold.