Let's Not Optimize This: A Human-Centered Marketing Podcast

Let's Not Optimize This: A Human-Centered Marketing Podcast

By Smack Happy DesignBusinessMarketing
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Let's Not Optimize This: A Human-Centered Marketing Podcast episodes

  • AI Websites: Helpful Shortcut or a Total Trap?

    AI website builders are everywhere. But who should actually use one? We dig into the real-world pros, the hidden pitfalls, and why so many people feel pressured to “use AI” even when it’s not the right move.

    If you’re just starting a business or wondering how AI fits into your website strategy, this quick breakdown will give you a clearer way to think about it.

    If you're wondering:

    • When AI is fine
    • When it gets you stuck
    • When you’ve outgrown it
    • And when a human (finally) needs to step in…

    This episode gives you a practical way to think about AI as a tool, not a shortcut.

    30 min
  • When “Easy to Edit” Isn’t Easy at All

    This is a quick one! In this chat, we discuss one of our nonprofit clients whose “easy to edit” website turned out to be anything but.

    The site was built using Advanced Custom Fields and custom blocks, so even basic layout edits required diving into code. On top of that, the customizations didn’t follow the standard WordPress codebase, making it inefficient and difficult to maintain.

    We dig into what went wrong, how we rebuilt it in Beaver Builder, and what “easy to edit” should actually mean.

    7 min
  • Cache-ing Spells & Website Hauntings

    In this episode, we’re busting myths, breaking spells, and turning all those “scary” website questions into confidence. From caching ghosts to cursed shortcuts, we’re unmasking the monsters that make clients feel nervous about their own websites, and showing how we help chase them away.

    Watch the video here!


    ✨ What’s inside this episode:

    Boo Who: Breaking the spell of shame around tech questions

    Empowering Enchantment: Turning “I can’t” into “I did”

    Cache-per the Friendly Ghost: The not-so-scary side of caching

    Clearing the Cobwebs: Demystifying domains and hosting

    Curse of Convenience: What’s lost when the magic trick replaces the craft

    Code Conjuring: Summoning new powers with a few lines of PHP

    Phantom Guardians: Sharing knowledge when tech shadows get too thick

    🎃 Whether you’re a business owner trying to wrangle your own site or just curious about what goes bump in the night behind the screen, you’ll leave with a little less fear and a lot more clarity.

    21 min
  • Scam Whac-A-Mole: Swat Fake Fees Before They Bite – Part 2

    They’re back—and sneakier than ever. In Part 2 of Scam Whac-A-Mole, we’re diving even deeper into the digital dumpster fire of shady websites, sketchy emails, and suspicious snail mail.

    Watch the episode for examples of:

    • How bad design choices instantly kill trust (and scream “scam”)
    • The tricks scammers use to get your money—without you realizing it
    • “Helpful” emails that are actually extortion in disguise
    • Why some official-looking bills, texts, or calls are anything but legit
    • Practical ways to sniff out red flags and protect yourself (and your clients)

    If you’ve ever second-guessed a payment form, squinted at a weird invoice, or thought, “This feels…off,”—you’re not alone.

    15 min
  • Scam Whac-A-Mole: Swat Fake Fees Before They Bite – Part 1

    Join us for Episode 3 as we unmask the most persistent grifts lurking in your inbox and mailbox. We’ll cover:

    • Phony Domain Renewal Notices — $10 domains turned into $236 “official” fees
    • Fake Business-Registration Scares — pink, red-letter “renewals” costing hundreds
    • Bogus Copyright Claims — law-yered warnings demanding payment or face a lawsuit
    • Spoofed Phone & Text Scams — robo-calls and SMS traps that charge your bill

    Watch the episode to see what ridiculous things scammers are doing these days.

    We’ll share our top tactics for spotting the red flags, from simple Google searches and registry lookups to quick “Is this legit?” checks with your web team. Tune in, level up your scam-sense, and never overpay a “renewal” again!

    43 min
  • Too Many Clicks, Not Enough Pizza

    In this episode, we dive headfirst into websites that made us squint, scroll, and question everything. From unreadable space-themed landing pages to local pizza shop checkout disasters, we explore why good design still matters, especially when all you want is carbs.

    Watch the full episode to see the websites we discuss!

    We also manage to rant about intrusive ads, clarify why having only one favorite pasta noodle is wrong, and get excited over unicorn poop. You know, typical workday.

    If you’ve ever abandoned a cart because a button was missing (or invisible), this one’s for you.

    24 min
  • Button Pushers Anonymous

    🚀 Introducing: Let’s Not Optimize This - Episode 1: “Button Pushers Anonymous”

    Ready for a behind-the-scenes look at website maintenance without the corporate jargon? In our debut episode, we dive into the wild, unfiltered world of website care and everything that doesn’t fit neatly into a button press.

    We were inspired (okay, maybe a little triggered) by a post claiming that agencies “just push buttons.” So we decided to set the record straight: website maintenance is more than one-click updates. It’s constant vigilance, security management, troubleshooting rogue plugins, and dealing with domains that vanish into the void.

    We talk about:
    ✅ Why automation is a tool—not a substitute for expertise
    ✅ The real process behind keeping sites secure and updated
    ✅ The unexpected chaos of PHP updates and plugin vulnerabilities
    ✅ The client stories that make you question reality (in a good way)

    If you’re tired of the “just click this” advice, this one’s for you. Because real maintenance is more than just pushing buttons—it's knowing what to do when they don’t work.

    21 min

About Let's Not Optimize This: A Human-Centered Marketing Podcast

From the publisher's feed

"Let's Not Optimize This," explores why genuine connection (not algorithms, optimization, or how much you got done today) is the ultimate driver behind standout marketing and memorable…