In this episode of the SUM Disruptors Podcast, hosts Mack and Heidi sit down with 3x startup CMO Miriam Kendall to explore that coveted CMO role and the tough realities of startup life. Discover why Miriam left Under Armour for the startup world and why she hasn’t looked back since.

With 20 years under her belt, Miriam shares her strategies for breaking down silos, managing founder expectations, and putting the people first. Aspiring CMOs will gain insights into the essential skills needed for success, how to navigate the inevitable burn and churn, what to focus on from day one, and techniques for turning chaos into harmony.

As Miriam puts it, “a CMO is like the director of an orchestra. You’ve got all of these different instruments and if you get them singing together, then you will have the most powerful, beautiful output.”

Tune in for an honest conversation about the challenges—and rewards—of being a startup CMO, and learn why it takes a unique breed of marketer to thrive under the pressure.

In this episode, Mack and Heidi sit down with Molly O’Connor, Director of Communications and Content at Aescape, a groundbreaking robotics massage company.

Molly pulls back the curtain on Aescape’s highly successful launch from stealth mode, detailing how she secured high-profile media coverage in Wired, The New York Times, Forbes, Fast Company, Morning Brew, Mashable, Travel Weekly, PopSci, CNBC, Vogue, and more — all within a short time of joining the company.

She breaks down the key ingredients for generating media buzz, the importance of humanizing PR in an AI-driven world, and how she mastered the art of driving FOMO. Molly also shares strategies for maintaining post-launch momentum, leveraging organic celebrity endorsements (hello, Will Smith), and tackling the challenge of proving ROI in PR.

Plus, hear what drew Molly to Aescape in the first place, the power of a strong marketing team, and her take on great leadership: “When they hire the right people to do their job and then let them do their thing.”

This episode is packed with actionable insights and a fresh perspective on modern-day PR.

In this episode, Mack and Heidi sit down with Jessica Baum, Chief Marketing Officer at BERA (part of The Harris Poll, a Stagwell company) to unpack her 20-year career from secretary to CMO—a rise driven by grit, resilience, and a roll-up-her-sleeves attitude.

The trio discuss the critical – and often misaligned – relationship between marketing, product, and sales, and why product marketing sits at the center of it all. “Companies that have a really strong relationships across all of the core functions will be just unstoppable,” Jessica explains.

Tune in to learn how Jessica breaks down silos, takes on the hard stuff, and tackles research when resources are scarce. Plus, learn why she believes a product marketer should be the first marketing hire for any startup. 

In Episode 2 of the SUM Disruptors Podcast, Mack and Heidi sit down with Peter Sloterdyk, a global marketing leader with a proven track record at Netflix, Grindr, and Koala.

Peter pulls back the curtain on startup marketing, sharing candid insights about working with founders, navigating tough conversations, hiring top talent, and learning when to listen.

From hiring 86 people in six months to leading a company’s digital transformation from halfway around the world during the height of the pandemic, Peter explains how to break through, build trust, and show up with bravery. Tune in to hear his take on fractional roles, whether or not marketers can create product market fit, and why communication is key – because, as Peter says, “We have to explain what we’re doing because it seems like bullshit to everyone.”

In the first episode of SUM Disruptors Podcast, co-hosts Mack McKelvey and Heidi Keele discuss the inspiration behind the show, exploring the world of startup marketing and the disruptive marketers behind the scenes.

This episode sets the tone for the season, offering a glimpse into the unfiltered, real-world conversations you can expect. This season, Mack and Heidi will dive into topics like the varied roles within marketing; industry myths, misunderstandings, and classic traps; the critical intersection of marketing and sales; the art of launch; and how to ask the tough questions in big rooms. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer or cheat code, but these discussions will illuminate what works, what doesn’t, and the insights gained along the way.

SUM Disruptors Podcast isn’t just another marketing podcast—it's a deep dive into the strategies, challenges, and successes that shape the startup landscape, showcasing the unsung heroes who make it all happen.