Craig is back! Today, he welcomes fellow podcaster Colin Gray back to the podcast. They dive into the ever-evolving world of podcasting, reflecting on how much the landscape has shifted over the last decade and what people are craving now more than ever: genuine human connection. From the tug-of-war between YouTube and podcast growth, to what it really means to build an AI-first product, they explore the trends shaping creators, customers, and the platforms that connect them.

How podcasting has changed over the last 10 years 

The more we’re pulled toward AI, the more we crave genuine connection

Is it easier to grow a YouTube channel or a podcast?

Content integration and becoming a centralized hub

Spotify’s role in the evolution of podcasting

Monetization: ads, donations, subscriptions, and more

Balancing and prioritizing feature requests

How AI is shaping customer expectations

How to make your product AI-first

If you feel like Rogue Startups has benefited you, and it might benefit someone else, please share it with them. If you have a chance, give Rogue Startups a review on iTunes. 

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In today’s episode, Craig sits down with SaaS founder and entrepreneur Brian Casel to talk about the future of software and AI. With years of experience building and growing SaaS companies, Brian shares his perspective on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the industry, from launching in niche markets and creating content that resonates to the challenges SaaS businesses will face in the next few years. They also dive into YouTube growth strategies, monetizing AI tools, and whether today’s AI boom is a lasting shift or just another bubble.

If you feel like Rogue Startups has benefited you and it might benefit someone else, please share it with them. If you have a chance, give Rogue Startups a review on iTunes. 

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Ross Simmonds, founder of Foundation Marketing, has built a reputation for helping ambitious SaaS and B2B brands stand out online with data-driven growth strategies. In this episode, Craig sits down with Ross to dive into the future of marketing, SaaS growth, and social media in the age of AI.

Marketing has transformed dramatically over the past decade, and with the rise of AI-powered marketing methods, it feels like the Wild Wild West. But within all that chaos are opportunities that we shouldn’t miss out on.. Ross and Craig explore how founders and marketers can leverage AI to create content, reach the right audience, and scale profitably in today’s fast-changing landscape.

If you feel like Rogue Startups has benefited you and it might benefit someone else, please share it with them. If you have a chance, give Rogue Startups a review on iTunes. 

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Today on the podcast, Craig sits down with Reddit marketing expert Paul Xue to explore how brands can tap into one of the internet’s most engaged and skeptical communities. Reddit can be a tough nut to crack, but when approached with authenticity and a strategic approach, it can become a powerful driver of trust, visibility, and growth. Paul, founder of his own marketing company specializing in Reddit campaigns, breaks down the principles, tactics, and future trends you need to know. Whether you’re curious about launching your first campaign or wondering if Reddit should be part of your overall growth strategy, this episode is packed with practical insights, not to mention a few insightful predictions on the future.

Highlights from Craig and Paul’s conversation

Resources and Links from This Episode

If you feel like Rogue Startups has benefited you and it might benefit someone else, please share it with them. If you have a chance, give Rogue Startups a review on iTunes.

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#AI #marketing #reddit

Startup marketing can feel like a maze, right? In this episode of Rogue Startups, Craig chats with  Brendan Hufford of Growth Sprints about how to cut through the noise and actually connect with your audience. They dig into everything from creating raw, authentic content to dialing in your SEO strategies and uncovering your brand’s real voice. If you’ve ever felt a little lost with your marketing (or just want some fresh ideas to make your plan actually work), this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Resources and Links from This Episode

If you feel like Rogue Startups has benefited you, and it might benefit someone else, please share it with them. If you have a chance, give Rogue Startups a review on iTunes.

Do you have any comments, questions, or topic ideas for future episodes? Feel free to reach out to me:

Today on Rogue Startups, Craig sits with Devesh Khanal from Grow and Convert to talk about how to get your brand showing up at the top of search results in LLMs. They dive deep into the world of AI SEO—covering everything from debunking myths about large language models to sharing actionable strategies for ranking your content in both Google and AI-driven search tools.

Devesh is the “convert” side of Grow and Convert. In addition to co-founding the company, he runs Growth Rock, a conversion optimization agency that helps e-commerce brands increase online sales through user research, usability testing, analytics evaluations, and A/B testing. Before launching into the marketing world, Devesh worked on financial strategy and cost modeling for a biofuels startup—and he also holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from U.C. Berkeley.

If you feel like Rogue Startups has benefited you, and it might benefit someone else, please share it with them. If you have a chance, give Rogue Startups a review on iTunes. 

Do you have any comments, questions, or topic ideas for future episodes? Feel free to reach out to me:

In today’s episode, Craig sits down with AI-SEO expert Lars Lofgren to unpack the future of AI-SEO in a world dominated by artificial intelligence. They explore how to attract and retain traffic through both on-site and off-site strategies like Reddit, YouTube, LinkedIn, and beyond.

With AI rapidly reshaping the digital landscape, the traditional rules of content and inbound marketing are being rewritten. Should SEO still be your top focus? How do you build brand authority when search algorithms are changing every day?

Tune in for practical tips and bold insights on what’s working now—and what’s next.

Resources and Links from This Episode

If you feel like Rogue Startups has benefited you, and it might benefit someone else, please share it with them. If you have a chance, give Rogue Startups a review on iTunes. 

Do you have any comments, questions, or topic ideas for future episodes? Feel free to reach out to me:

This week on Rogue Startups, Craig chats with Mike Buckbee from Knowatoa about how AI is changing the game for brands. With tools like ChatGPT taking over the way we search and discover businesses, Mike breaks down what you need to do to get your brand noticed in the AI world. From content strategies to getting your site in front of the right eyes, this episode’s got the lowdown on how to stay ahead in an AI-driven world.

Michael is a serial entrepreneur and software developer who has founded multiple successful startups in the cybersecurity space. With over a decade of experience in marketing and technology, he previously worked as a Director of Demand Generation for a public cybersecurity company, as well as consulting for multiple YC startups.

Knowatoa’s mission is to help businesses win the AI search game by ensuring they remain discoverable, relevant, and competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Resources and Links from This Episode

If you feel like Rogue Startups has benefited you and it might benefit someone else, please share it with them. If you have a chance, give Rogue Startups a review on iTunes.

Do you have any comments, questions, or topic ideas for future episodes? Feel free to reach out to me:

In this episode of the podcast, Craig sits down with longtime entrepreneur Colin Bartlett, cofounder of StatusGator, to explore what it really takes to build, and sustain, a SaaS business over the long haul. With more than a decade at the helm of a company that helps users monitor service outages, Colin shares hard-won insights from 12 years of entrepreneurship and 11 years of running StatusGator. The conversation dives into how founders’ perspectives evolve, especially in today’s turbulent tech landscape, and how to stay grounded and successful through all of that craziness.

Resources and Links from This Episode

If you feel like Rogue Startups has benefited you, and it might benefit someone else, please share it with them. If you have a chance, give Rogue Startups a review on iTunes.

Do you have any comments, questions, or topic ideas for future episodes? Feel free to reach out to me:

- LLMs.txt article: https://www.quoleady.com/llm-txt-files/

- Craig's YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@thecraighewitt