The Beacon Way

The way people search is changing fast — and if your content isn’t keeping up, you’re already falling behind.

In this solo episode of The Beacon Way, Adrienne breaks down the best practices for SEO and GEO optimization in 2025, and how AI is completely reshaping the game. Whether you’re a business owner, content creator, or marketer, this episode will help you understand how to stay relevant in search — and in front of the right audience.

From smarter algorithms to the rise of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), Adrienne shares practical tips you can apply now to future-proof your content strategy.

You’ll learn:
-Why traditional SEO isn’t enough anymore
-How to write content that sounds human and ranks well
-The role of AI in search visibility (and what to watch out for)
-How to structure your site and blog content for GEO
-Real-world examples from Beacon’s clients and industries

Check out our blog post for more insights: https://www.beaconmm.com/2025/07/16/b... 

Your website is more than a digital storefront—it’s often your only shot at winning a customer’s trust. But what really makes a website memorable (and effective)? In this solo episode of The Beacon Way, Adrienne Wilkerson breaks down the power of UX/UI design and why it’s absolutely essential for small business growth.

From boosting conversions to shaping your brand message, Adrienne shares practical insights into what makes a website work—and what makes visitors bounce. Plus, she dives into real-world examples from industries like mental health, home services, and tourism, straight from the Beacon portfolio.

Tune in for a straight-talking, insight-packed episode that will change the way you think about your website.

Join us for this dynamic episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, where host Adrienne Wilkerson sits down with Josh Pitchford, Principal at Sandler Training Atlanta – Sales Engine. Known for his practical, no-fluff approach to selling and leadership, Josh shares what really moves the needle in modern sales teams, and what holds most of them back.

Discover how Josh uses the Sandler Selling System to help sales leaders stop chasing activity and start building impact-driven cultures rooted in coaching, clarity, and accountability.

Learn more about Sandler here: https://sandler.com/
Connect with Josh on LinkedIn:   / josh-pitchford-6163274  

Join us for an inspiring episode of the Beacon Way podcast, featuring Stephanie Sweeny, the founder of Women's Mental Health Specialists and a certified nurse midwife. Stephanie shares her journey, challenges, and the unique care model she has developed to address gaps in women's mental health care. 

From her personal experiences with depression and anxiety to her approach to holistic, compassionate care, Stephanie's insights are profound. She discusses the importance of sleep, exercise, and community support in cultivating mental well-being. Don't miss this enlightening conversation about empowering women's health at every stage of life.

Women's Mental Health Specialists serve patients in Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, and Oregon. 

Learn more about the clinic here: https://womensmentalhealthspecialist.com/

Navigating Wealth Management with Dustin Serviss

Welcome to another episode of the Beacon Way Podcast, hosted by Adrienne Wilkerson. In this episode, Adrienne is joined by Dustin Serviss, the founder of Service Wealth, who shares his journey and insights into wealth management. Established in 2005, Service Wealth focuses on helping business owners and successful families navigate the complexities of wealth and insurance. Dustin discusses the evolution of the financial planning industry, the importance of lifestyle design, and how he helps clients achieve their financial goals. Tune in to hear valuable advice on personal branding, work-life harmony, and financial strategies for business owners.

https://a.co/d/4lJPrOd Dustin's book
https://www.servisswealth.com His company
https://www.thepictureofwealth.com/podcast His podcast
https://a.co/d/70NaHCl Why Greatness Cannot be Planned: The Myth of the Objective

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

02:04 Dustin's Journey to Starting Service Wealth

03:23 The Reality of Entrepreneurship

06:01 The Importance of Work-Life Harmony

08:30 Personal Branding and Authenticity

13:05 Evolving Financial Planning for Business Owners

16:38 Lifestyle Design and Financial Planning

24:20 The Impact of News and Stress on Financial Decisions

29:47 Spending Accelerator Exercise and Final Tips

34:25 Conclusion and Farewell

From Newsroom to Purpose-Driven Storytelling | Michael's Journey with Bipolar Advocacy & Media Entrepreneurship

In this episode of The Beacon Way: Founders Edition, we sit down with Michael, co-CEO of Pizzetta Media, who shares his remarkable transformation from a seasoned news professional to a purpose-driven entrepreneur amplifying mental health voices.

Michael opens up about his diagnosis with bipolar disorder, his journey through stigma in the corporate world, and how he turned personal struggles into a mission to uplift others. This conversation dives deep into mental health in the workplace, entrepreneurship with a cause, and finding harmony between family life and business.

🔥 Whether you're a therapist-turned-business-owner, a creative entrepreneur, or someone navigating mental health challenges, this episode is for you.

🔗 Connect with Michael:

• Website: https://pizzettamedia.com
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/pizzettamedia

🧠 Topics Covered:

• Mental health advocacy in business
• Starting a business after corporate burnout
• Building trust as a solo media entrepreneur
• Juggling creativity, family, and self-care
• Advice for aspiring founders with mental health considerations

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Meet Michael from Pizzetta Media
 01:45 – Michael’s media background & mental health journey
 03:40 – The moment he chose to become a mental health storyteller
 06:20 – Facing stigma in the workplace
 08:15 – Embracing vulnerability to help others
 10:00 – Feedback from the community on sharing his story
 11:20 – The challenge of building trust as a small media business
 13:10 – Overcoming fear: Why the mission outweighs nerves
 15:00 – On-camera fears & the importance of authenticity
 18:00 – Work-life harmony & being present with family
 21:30 – Creativity outside 9-to-5: When inspiration strikes
 24:10 – Advice for new entrepreneurs: Believe in your mission
 26:00 – What’s next: Collaborations, speaking, and nonprofit work
 27:50 – Managing bipolar while running a business
 29:45 – Practical mental health tools Michael uses
 31:30 – Leveraging the Chamber of Commerce for founder support
 33:00 – The value of transparency and community in entrepreneurship
 35:10 – Final thoughts & how to connect with Michael

Empowering Men's Mental Health: A Conversation with Justin Garber

In this episode of the Beacon Way podcast, we are joined by Justin Garber, a clinical psychologist with over a decade of experience in various settings, including the Department of Veteran Affairs. 

Justin, who specializes in the relationship between psychological stress and the body's response system, shares his personal journey into the field of psychology and the founding of Restorative Psychological Services. The discussion delves into the unique challenges and strategies for engaging men in psychotherapy, as well as the importance of mental health awareness across different generations. 

Justin also shares insights into managing work-life balance as an entrepreneur and highlights the importance of focusing on core values and mission in business. Tune in for an enlightening conversation on mental health and entrepreneurship.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:44 Justin's Journey into Psychology
04:20 Veterans Affairs and Personal Connection
06:54 Starting Restorative Psychological Services
08:37 Challenges and Rewards of Entrepreneurship
12:54 Focus on Men's Mental Health
17:56 Balancing Work and Personal Life
24:47 Empowering Employees and Final Thoughts

Books referenced in today's podcast: 
https://www.aileadership.com/book
https://www.amazon.com/Who-Not-How-Accelerating-Teamwork-ebook/dp/B0867ZJ151
https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280
https://www.amazon.com/ONE-Thing-Surprisingly-Extraordinary-Results/dp/1885167776

Learn more about Justin and Restorative Psychological Services:
https://restorativepsychservices.com/justin-garber-psyd/

_____________________________________________________________________

Beacon Media + Marketing is an Alaska-based digital marketing agency with a proven track record of success, harnessing the power of data and award-winning creative to deliver outstanding results for our clients. 

It all starts with data, because data drives results! We are a data-driven agency because we know that in the business world, success is measured by the numbers. We pride ourselves in award-winning work that marries the best of data analytics with stunning creative to deliver the right message, at the right time, to the right demographic. Our power lies in the clicks, leads, engagement, and conversions we produce for our clients!

Learn more about us at BeaconMM.com

The Beacon Way Podcast: Navigating Wellness for First Responders with Dr. Carrie Steiner

Welcome back to the Beacon Way podcast! In this episode, we continue our founders' edition with special guest Dr. Carrie Steiner, founder of the First Responders Wellness Center and a licensed clinical psychologist with 13 years of experience as a Chicago police officer. Dr. Steiner shares her journey from the police force to establishing a wellness center dedicated to helping first responders. She discusses the critical need for mental health support in the community, the challenges of finding the right clinicians, and how her center provides specialized care for police, firefighters, and paramedics. Dr. Steiner also highlights the importance of self-belief and community support when starting a business. Tune in for an insightful conversation about the intersection of mental health and first responder culture.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:54 Inspiration Behind First Responders Wellness Center

03:21 Challenges and Realizations in the Field

05:40 Establishing the Wellness Center

10:34 Growth and Expansion

19:00 Balancing Roles and Responsibilities

26:48 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

27:23 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, host Adrienne Wilkerson welcomes James Barry, founder, and CEO of Pluck Superfood Seasonings. James shares his journey from being a professional chef in Hollywood for nearly 20 years to founding Pluck. He explains the initial inspiration behind Pluck, which began with his desire to find nutritious food for his family, particularly organ meats. James elaborates on the challenges he faced, such as starting his business during COVID, the lessons learned from his previous meal delivery service, and the importance of incorporating health and family into his business plan. He discusses the efficacy of Pluck in providing nutrient-dense foods easily and the positive impact it has had on its customers. James also touches on his podcast 'Everyday Ancestral,' the importance of valuing one's journey, and respecting others' progress in their entrepreneurial paths.

Website - https://eatpluck.com/
Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/pluck-organ-meat-seasoning/s?k=pluck+organ+meat+seasoning
Podcast -https://eatpluck.com/everydayancestral/
Company Socials - @eatpluck
Personal Social - chefjamesbarry

00:00 Welcome to the Beacon Way Podcast
00:31 Meet James Barry: From Hollywood Chef to Entrepreneur
00:58 The Birth of Pluck Superfood Seasonings
10:06 Overcoming Challenges and Finding Success
12:26 Balancing Health, Family, and Business
18:19 Launching a Business During COVID
20:58 The Power of Podcasting in Marketing
22:02 The Vulnerability of Entrepreneurship
22:42 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
25:52 The Importance of Honoring Your Experience
30:16 Balancing Growth and Sustainability
36:51 Effective Customer Service Strategies
40:49 Conclusion and Where to Find Us

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Beacon Way Podcast! In this episode, Adrienne is joined by Chris Maliszewski, founder of the Walking Tall Movement. Together, they discuss Chris's journey as a survivor of the tragic Highland Park mass shooting in 2022, how this experience inspired the creation of the Walking Tall Movement, and the challenges of navigating mental health while running a business.

Chris and Adrienne dive deep into topics like vulnerability, the importance of human connection, and the struggles of being an entrepreneur. They explore how trauma can be transformed into a force for good, the challenges of founding a movement, and why it's essential to talk openly about mental health. They also reflect on the power of community, relationships, and small businesses to drive change.

Tune in for a candid conversation on resilience, healing, and making a positive impact in the world.

👉 Links to check out:

• Visit the Walking Tall Movement website: walkingtallmovement.com
• Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: Chris Maliszewski
• Follow Chris on Instagram: @Chris Maliszewski

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and click the notification bell for more inspiring conversations!

Show Notes:

Guest: Chris Maliszewski, Founder of the Walking Tall Movement

Key Topics Discussed:

• Chris's Story: Surviving the Highland Park mass shooting in 2022 and how it led to the creation of the Walking Tall Movement.
• Mental Health and Entrepreneurship: The emotional challenges of starting a new organization and how vulnerability can be a strength for both founders and employees.
• The Importance of Human Connection: How human connection and relationships are key to mental health, small business success, and community impact.
• Turning Trauma Into Purpose: How Chris has used his traumatic experience to fuel positive change and inspire others to share their stories.
• Small Business Ownership: Why small businesses can provide more connection and agility compared to large corporations, and the importance of staying grounded in your mission.

Additional Insights:

• Support Systems: The role of peer support and mentors in navigating the entrepreneurial journey.
• Grief and Recovery: Chris shares his personal journey through grief after losing his job and how that led him to start his own business, Hail Hail Auctions.
• Breaking Barriers: The importance of empowering men, particularly in vulnerable demographics, to openly talk about mental health challenges.

Resources Mentioned:

• Walking Tall Movement: walkingtallmovement.com
• Chris Maliszewski on LinkedIn: Chris Maliszewski
• Hail Hail Auctions: hailhailauctions.com

Tune in and find out how Chris has turned his traumatic experiences into an opportunity for growth, advocacy, and connection.