In this short and heartfelt episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, CEO Adrienne Wilkerson shares a message of gratitude as the team reflects on
a year of massive change, AI disruption, and renewed purpose.

From marketing shifts to internal transformation, Adrienne offers her thoughts on where we’ve been, what we’re navigating now, and why—despite the uncertainty—there’s so much to be thankful for.

If you're a leader managing disruption or just looking to pause and reflect this holiday season, this episode is for you.

Wishing you a restful, meaningful Thanksgiving from all of us at Beacon Media + Marketing.

Join host Adrienne Wilkerson in this solo episode of the Beacon Way Podcast as she talks about the importance and impact of AI voice search on mental health practices. 

Discover why voice search is crucial for your practice, the evolution of AI search behaviors, and comprehensive strategies for optimizing your content for voice AI. Learn about the four primary pillars of modern search behavior, local voice optimization, visual content discoverability, and the shift towards generative engine optimization (GEO). 

Adrienne also discusses actionable steps to enhance your digital presence, including understanding your audience, developing quality content, and leveraging analytics. Don't miss this insightful episode that aims to help your practice thrive in the evolving digital landscape. 

In this episode of the Beacon Way podcast, host Adrienne Wilkerson welcomes a special guest, Steve Koscik, who has been the fractional CFO at Beacon for the past three years. Steve shares his extensive background, having previously served as a CFO for a Toyota-based material handling company. 

He discusses the substantial benefits of fractional CFO services, including financial clarity, KPI setup, cash flow optimization, and strategic decision
support. Steve explains the differences between fractional and full-time CFO roles, emphasizing mentorship and efficient financial systems. Additionally, the conversation covers how AI and tools like Giraffe are revolutionizing financial management. The episode concludes with insights on preparing effective business budgets and tips for financial planning. 

Don't miss out on understanding the significance of a fractional CFO and how it can transform your business!

Links mentioned in today's episode:
Think CFO: https://www.thinkcfo.net/ 
Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-koscik-cpa-mba/
Email Steve at: [email protected]

Most organizations focus on ROI—but what about VOI?

In this episode, CRO Ken Okonek breaks down the concept of VOI (Value on Investment) and why it’s essential for behavioral health organizations and mission-driven businesses to understand it.

While ROI tracks dollars in vs. dollars out, VOI looks at the real-world impact of your marketing: community trust, patient engagement, reputation, and long-term outcomes. If your marketing efforts are about more than just revenue, this episode is for you.

To learn more about measuring your VOI, check out our blog: https://www.beaconmm.com/2025/09/09/measuring-voi-in-behavioral-health-marketing-a-guide/

Join Ken Okonek, CRO of Beacon Media + Marketing, on this episode of the Beacon Way Podcast as he delves into the crucial subject of calculating a true ROI in digital marketing.

Ken discusses common misconceptions, important metrics, and practical
strategies for understanding and maximizing ROI beyond simple revenue calculations.

Learn about the significance of baseline business metrics, the complexity of multi-touch attribution, and the impact of factors like customer lifetime value and brand lift. Don't miss insights on how to navigate operational inefficiencies, leverage AI tools, and connect ROI to broader business goals for sustained growth.

For more information, visit our blog: https://www.beaconmm.com/2025/10/08/how-we-calculate-true-roi-for-our-clients/

In this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, host Adrienne Wilkerson sits down with Dr. Monica Estes, a Navy veteran, endodontist, and founder of a rapidly growing dental group with three South Carolina locations.

Dr. Monica shares her journey from dental school to military service to launching a practice straight out of residency—an uncommon but intentional leap. Together, they unpack the mindset shifts required to grow from solo practitioner to multi-location leader, the business skills dental school doesn’t teach you, and how to build a practice that’s both clinically excellent and scalable.

If you’re a dentist, specialist, or healthcare entrepreneur looking to grow your practice without losing your passion, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Beacon Way podcast, host Adrienne Wilkerson sits down with Scott and Brian Seideman to discuss their innovative new app, Theo, which leverages AI to support teens struggling with mental health issues.

Brian, a licensed therapist, shares his extensive background working with a variety of populations, while Scott explains the personal experiences that led to the development of Theo. They dive into the creation process, the urgent need for teen mental health resources, and how Theo provides real-time support between therapy sessions.

You’ll also hear how Theo is being built with HIPAA and SOC 2 compliance, clinician-approved scripts, and guardrails to ensure teens get emotionally safe, appropriate support. Plus, Theo is fully customizable to meet the unique needs of each user.

The app is fully developed and currently in pre-launch mode.
Beta testing begins at the end of September with broader testing through October.

If you're a clinician, parent, school, or organization interested in participating in the beta or learning more, reach out directly to the founders:

Brian: [email protected]
Scott: [email protected]

In this episode of the Beacon Way podcast, host Adrienne Wilkerson welcomes Loralyn Mears, co-founder of HELPipedia. They delve into HELPipedia's initiatives in transforming education for high school students, especially those with special needs. 

Loralyn shares the story behind the creation of HELPipedia, its mission to provide safe spaces and resources for youth development, and their pivot to focus on empowering parents and caregivers. They also discuss the importance of community events and small business involvement, and how these contribute to creating supportive environments for youth. 

Tune in to learn about the innovative solutions HELPipedia offers and how you can get involved in their mission.

Links mentioned in today's episode:
https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@Midlifesuccess⁩  
https://www.meetup.com/helpipedia-it-takes-a-community/
https://helpipedia.org/events/
https://steer.us/marketplace

Connect with Loralyn on LinkedIn: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/loralynmears/

Donate here: 
https://donate.stripe.com/6oEbLAaZqdW0dTaeUY

In this episode of the Beacon Way Podcast, CEO Adrienne Wilkerson is joined by CRO Ken Okonek to discuss exciting updates at Beacon Media + Marketing. 

They announce the transition of co-founder Jennifer Christensen to her new passion projects and share their enthusiasm for the future of Beacon. The discussion covers the company's renewed mission and vision, their commitment to quality in the rapidly changing AI marketing landscape, and their focus on deepening expertise in the behavioral health space. 

Tune in to hear about the new directions Beacon is taking and how they are aiming to foster deeper human connections through innovative marketing strategies.

In this episode of the Beacon Way Podcast, host Adrienne Wilkerson welcomes Josh Troche, owner of Pedal Stomper Productions, to discuss the intricacies of podcasting and video production for business marketing. 

Josh shares his journey from starting a YouTube channel at a semi-truck dealership to running a full-fledged production company specializing in photo, video, and podcast content. The conversation delves into essential tips for creating impactful video content, overcoming camera shyness, understanding the importance of preparation, and maintaining audience engagement with structured content. 

Whether you're a podcast newbie or looking to refine your skills, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you succeed. Don't miss out on Josh's expert advice on setting up your own podcast studio, leveraging intentionality in content creation, and navigating the challenges of pod fade.