In this episode, Rachel, the talented photographer behind Obscura Studios, shares her inspiring journey—from discovering her passion for photography as a young artist to building a thriving business. 

Rachel dives deep into finding her unique artistic voice, the power of storytelling through photography, and offers valuable insights for creative entrepreneurs struggling to find their style and grow their business.

In this episode of Creative Grove, Tim sits down with Andrew Stone, a photographer and videographer specializing in health, wellness, and lifestyle brands. 

Andrew shares his personal journey—from his humble beginnings with an iPod Touch camera to becoming a full-time creative entrepreneur. He opens up about the power of niching down, the value of spec work, and the importance of mentorship in building a thriving creative business. 

Andrew also dives into how Donald Miller’s Business Made Simple framework reshaped his business strategies, emphasizing the crucial balance between creativity, entrepreneurship, and life. 

Throughout the conversation, Andrew highlights practical tips for young photographers, the mindset needed for creative longevity, and the deeper “why” driving his work—his faith and passion for storytelling.

In this episode of Mic’d Up Marketing, we break down one of the most influential business books of the last two decades—Simon Sinek’s Start With Why—and explain how clarifying your “why” can radically change how you lead, market, and grow your business.

We walk you through the Golden Circle framework (Why → How → What) and unpack why so many companies get it backward. You’ll hear examples from brands like Apple, Southwest, and Patagonia, as well as a powerful client story from Fisher’s Backyard Structures—real businesses leading with purpose, not just product.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your messaging, disconnected from your team, or unsure how to stand out in a crowded market, this episode will show you how purpose becomes the key to clarity, loyalty, and long-term growth. We also share how we help clients uncover their own why—and how you can too.

Whether you’re a founder, creative, or marketer, this is the foundation everything else in your brand should be built on.

In this episode of Creative Grove, part of the Brand Roots Podcast, we sit down with Cameron Broadhurst, Creative Director at Taylor Chip, to unpack how a kid with a drum kit and a Canon Mark III became the viral mind behind one of the fastest-growing cookie brands in America.

Cameron shares:

• How he transitioned from music and wedding videography to viral content strategy
• The origin story of Taylor Chip’s cookie review series and its explosive success
• His candid thoughts on content volume, burnout, feedback loops, and the myth of perfection
• Why most brands misunderstand attention, engagement, and what “building in public” really means
• The behind-the-scenes of their best-performing videos (including milk in the center console)
• Why done is better than perfect—and why most businesses just need to hit record

This isn’t a theory-based conversation. It’s a masterclass in making content that cuts through the noise, grows a cult following, and still keeps the heart of the brand intact.

In this episode of Mic’d Up Marketing, hosts Sarah and Tim dive deep into the StoryBrand framework, popularized by Donald Miller. 

They break down how this powerful storytelling method, inspired by Joseph Campbell's "Hero's Journey," effectively shifts a brand’s narrative by placing the customer as the hero and positioning the business as the guide. 

They explain how world-renowned brands like Dave Ramsey’s Ramsey Solutions successfully utilize StoryBrand principles, and offer actionable insights and real-life examples from their own creative branding studio.

In this conversation, host Sarah  sits down with Gen Z creator and marketer Anna Canfijn to unpack what actually moves the needle for brands on social media in 2025. They cover:

• Why Gen Z now judges brands first by ethics, transparency, and community impact.
• The fine line between clever trend‑jacking and cringe‑inducing meme overload.
• Three must‑have videos every brand should pin to the top of their profile.
• How to win when you don’t have a big budget (spoiler: document, don’t over‑produce).
• Why chasing virality can backfire—and what to focus on instead.
• Practical tools, posting cadence, and future trends (think Substack‑style long‑form and “low‑stim” storytelling).

Whether you run a small business or manage a marketing team, this episode gives you a no‑fluff roadmap to stronger content, tighter communities, and better conversions.

Major Takeaways

1. Ethics = Table Stakes – Gen Z assumes your product works; they follow when they trust your values.
2. Trends ≠ Strategy – One viral meme won’t save an off‑brand feed. Use trends sparingly, within clear content pillars.
3. Story Over Budget – Audiences reward authenticity and process‑based “documenting.” Expensive production is optional.
4. Three Core Videos – (a) “Start Here” brand pitch; (b) FAQ/objection‑buster; (c) Social proof compilation. Pin them.
5. Community > Virality – A steady, engaged core outperforms one‑off spikes. Viral demand can break inventory and ops.
6. Post with Purpose – Quality beats arbitrary “3‑posts‑a‑day” quotas. Aim for value, not volume.
7. Platform Fit Matters – Show up where your audience lives, but maintain a minimal presence everywhere for credibility.
8. Future Trend – A swing back to long‑form, lower‑stim content (newsletters, Substack‑style essays) that deepens brand narrative.
9. Listen & Adapt – Brands that reverse bad moves (Glossier’s balm) rebuild trust faster than those that double down.
10. Know Your Dream Buyer – Marketing to everyone is marketing to no one; build your avatar first, content second.

In this deeply personal episode, Tim shares the raw, winding journey from flunking out of college and being fired by toxic bosses to launching Stump & Root, a creative studio built on conviction, resilience, and vision.

He unpacks the early spark of creativity, the defining struggles of finding his place, and the faith-fueled turning points that shaped both his career and character. From motion graphics and swing sets to viral growth and branding strategy, this conversation is about more than marketing — it's about staying steadfast when everything seems broken.

If you’ve ever questioned your path or wondered if you have what it takes to build something meaningful, this episode will meet you where you are.

🔗 Listen now to hear:

• The birth of Stump & Root
• Why rejection isn’t the end
• The power of holding onto your calling
• Building a business that aligns with your family, faith, and future

In this episode of Miked Up Marketing, Tim and Sarah discuss the common pitfalls in marketing strategies and the importance of company culture. 

They emphasize that businesses often overlook the value of their employees and the need to create a positive work environment. 

The conversation also highlights the significance of understanding a brand's promise and the necessity of having a solid content strategy. 

Tim and Sarah share insights on how to effectively engage with customers and the frameworks that can lead to business growth.

In this episode of The Creative Grove, Tim interviews Matt Curtis, a creative entrepreneur who shares his journey from working in church ministry to building his own freelance business. Matt discusses the challenges and rewards of freelancing, the importance of creativity in business, and how to navigate the fears associated with making the jump to freelance work. He emphasizes the need for structure, discipline, and a clear mission in order to succeed as a freelancer. The conversation also touches on the importance of learning from others and addressing personal fears in the entrepreneurial journey.

Takeaways

• The Creative Grove focuses on real conversations with creatives.
• Matt Curtis transitioned from church ministry to freelancing.
• Creativity can be harnessed for meaningful missions.
• Freelancing requires navigating the business side of creativity.
• Addressing fears is crucial for making the jump to freelance.
• Building a business is about more than just creativity.
• Having a support system is essential for freelancers.
• Freelancing is a survival skill that requires dedication.
• It's important to learn from others in the field.
• Success in freelancing comes from structure and discipline.

In this episode of Mic'd Up Marketing, Tim and Sarah Faith delve into Sarah's journey from a passionate blogger to a successful entrepreneur in the branding and marketing space. They discuss the evolution of her career, the challenges faced in corporate environments, and the lessons learned along the way. The conversation highlights the importance of storytelling, the impact of social media, and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives success. Sarah shares her insights on accountability, the significance of having a higher purpose, and the journey of launching their own branding agency, Stump and Root.

Takeaways

• You don't have to have your whole life figured out at 19.
• Your business isn't about you; it's about how you help others.
• If you have a hard time taking accountability, you should not be a business owner.
• You can never stop; you have to crawl if you have to, but you can never stop.
• I will never allow another man to make me feel like this.
• You need to be doing something that you really love.
• I learned a lot about marketing because nobody else was doing it.
• If I could help this new swing set company tell a better story, I would.
• I genuinely don't know how people do business without prayer.
• You have to have someone bigger than yourself that you live your life for.