How are we doing? Who do you want to learn from next? Text us with notes and ideas.

Ever wish the phone picked up itself and sounded like your best-trained staffer? We sit down with Bob Hilscher from Workforce Wave to explore how conversational AI is stepping in where IVRs fail, turning missed calls into booked revenue and repeatable service. From boutique hospitality to national home remediation, the results are hard to ignore: faster answers, fewer hang-ups, and real conversations that move people to a next step without the maze of “press 1 for…”

We dig into how these voice agents are built—personality through prompting, not brittle scripts—plus the guardrails that keep them on-task and brand-safe. You’ll hear a live demo of “Elle,” a witty, concierge-style agent that shows what’s possible when tone, timing, and local knowledge come together. Then we get practical: HIPAA and SOC 2 considerations for medical workflows, how intake gets captured once and passed along accurately, and why 24/7 availability matters when storms hit or platforms go down. There’s a reason one agent handled 1,800 calls during a citywide flood and another caught $30,000 in restaurant event bookings that would’ve vanished.

Data is the quiet superpower. A rich dashboard surfaces transcripts, color-coded call types, and quick controls so managers can update specials, scheduling rules, or FAQs without an engineer. Spam gets filtered, ad performance improves with faster answer times, and teams finally see what callers ask for most. Adoption doesn’t have to be big-bang; start with a single workflow—after-hours triage, reservations, or rescheduling—prove the ROI, and scale from there. And yes, tone is yours to choose, from calm clinical to rugged service tech.

If you’re ready to turn hold music into helpful outcomes, listen in, share it with a colleague who owns the phones, and tell us the first workflow you’d automate. Subscribe, leave a review, and drop your questions—we’ll bring them to the next build.

www.youtube.com/@WorkforceWave

Support the show

Title Sponsor: Charleston American Marketing Association

Presenting Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Sponsor: ‪SCRA; South Carolina Research Authority

Cohosts: Stephanie Barrow, Mike Compton, Rachel Backal, Tom Keppeler

Produced and edited: RMBO Advertising

Photographer | Co-host: Kelli Morse

Art Director: Taylor Ion

Score by: The Strawberry Entrée; Jerry Feels Good, CURRYSAUCE, DBLCRWN, DJ DollaMenu
Studio Engineer: Brian Cleary and Mathew Chase

YouTube
Facebook
Instagram

How are we doing? Who do you want to learn from next? Text us with notes and ideas.

What does it take to turn a solo creative hustle into a trusted brand with a full calendar and a team behind it? We sat down with Shane Griffin to trace the path from local wedding DJ to operator, arena announcer, and community leader—complete with the wins, the awkward moments, and the playbook that kept the music going.

Shane breaks down how he built a nine‑DJ roster without losing the personal touch that gets dance floors moving. We talk through the systems that protect the client experience—run‑of‑show planning, MC standards, and clear handoffs from inquiry to event day—so a company can handle 200 plus events a year across weddings, schools, and corporate gigs. He also lifts the curtain on his role as the in‑rink voice for the hockey team, sharing how a distinctive sound and steady presence translate into social proof, referrals, and a brand people remember.

We dig into community, too. As a past chamber president during COVID, Shane explains what it took to stabilize a membership organization built on gatherings. The lesson is bigger than one town: passive networking rarely pays, but rolling up your sleeves on a committee, board, or project creates relationships that move the needle. If you’re building a service business, you’ll hear actionable advice on hiring for reliability, training for consistency, and showing up online with updates that actually build trust.

If you’ve wondered how to scale your craft without sanding off your voice, this conversation gives you a clear map—equal parts strategy and heart. Subscribe for more founder stories, share this with someone growing a creative business, and leave a quick review to tell us what you’ll implement first.

Support the show

Title Sponsor: Charleston American Marketing Association

Presenting Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Sponsor: ‪SCRA; South Carolina Research Authority

Cohosts: Stephanie Barrow, Mike Compton, Rachel Backal, Tom Keppeler

Produced and edited: RMBO Advertising

Photographer | Co-host: Kelli Morse

Art Director: Taylor Ion

Score by: The Strawberry Entrée; Jerry Feels Good, CURRYSAUCE, DBLCRWN, DJ DollaMenu
Studio Engineer: Brian Cleary and Mathew Chase

YouTube
Facebook
Instagram

How are we doing? Who do you want to learn from next? Text us with notes and ideas.

Big ideas rarely arrive fully formed—they grow from a single conversation, a brave email, and a room full of the right people. That’s the heartbeat of this episode with Angel Holmes, a Charleston native whose fingerprints are on the city’s culinary rise, women’s leadership networks, and a new purpose-driven hospitality venture.

We unpack the origin of Charleston Wine & Food, from a sustainable seafood initiative and chef coalitions to building a nonprofit and borrowing best practices from festivals like South Beach and Aspen. Angel is candid about the unglamorous parts too: the mud-slicked year two, oversold zones, and why skimping on security, bathrooms, and flooring is the fastest way to break trust. If you’re in event marketing, sponsorships, or community building, her blueprint is a field guide—ask for help, design for experience, and plan for failure so attendees don’t feel it.

Angel’s story is also about brand and belonging. She shares the Home Team Communications origin that later echoed through Home Team BBQ’s culture, plus a delightfully specific Pez collection that proves memorable details make messages stick. We explore Charleston’s growth, her family’s civic legacy, and how neighborhoods still connect on porches, at driveway cookouts, and through local institutions that welcome newcomers while honoring roots.

Today, Angel is steering two high-impact projects. As editor of Charleston Women, she’s shifting the magazine from advertorial to a platform that elevates real work and real wins. And through the Brighter Side Society, she’s helping ambitious women turn ideas into outcomes with accountability, milestones, and shared tools—podcasts launched, businesses built, and dreams shipped. Then there’s the audacious next chapter: the Homestead Bar & Retreat in the Caribbean, a non–hurricane-zone, airport-accessible venue that funds disaster relief and local grants. It’s hospitality with a mission, documented monthly on her “Never Stop Dreaming Biggie” podcast alongside practical episodes on building, branding, and belief.

If you care about festival strategy, crisis planning, women’s leadership, or purpose-led entrepreneurship, you’ll leave with tactics you can use and a larger vision to chase. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves Charleston’s creative scene, and leave a review with the one lesson you’

Support the show

Title Sponsor: Charleston American Marketing Association

Presenting Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Sponsor: ‪SCRA; South Carolina Research Authority

Cohosts: Stephanie Barrow, Mike Compton, Rachel Backal, Tom Keppeler

Produced and edited: RMBO Advertising

Photographer | Co-host: Kelli Morse

Art Director: Taylor Ion

Score by: The Strawberry Entrée; Jerry Feels Good, CURRYSAUCE, DBLCRWN, DJ DollaMenu
Studio Engineer: Brian Cleary and Mathew Chase

YouTube
Facebook
Instagram

How are we doing? Who do you want to learn from next? Text us with notes and ideas.

A fashion pitch in mall clothes. A Hotmail address that became a company name, Obviouslee. Salsa lessons to cover rent. That’s how Lee Deas' story begins, but the real ride is how she turned that grit into a values-led, 30-person B Corp agency that punches far above its weight.

We dig into what B Corp certification looks like beyond the badge—how standards drive client selection, environmental practice, DEI, and leadership accountability. Lee shares why she pursued two people-first mergers, starting with shared values and a test project before financials, and how blending cultures led to smarter operations across Charleston and Boulder. With a portfolio anchored in outdoor lifestyle, impact brands, tourism, and major tennis and golf events, the team narrows focus to deepen expertise and protect creative energy.

Then we get practical. Lee walks through building private large language models to securely store client knowledge, accelerate onboarding, and eliminate repetitive work. Weekly AI mastery challenges and a director of optimization keep innovation grounded and useful, while experiments like digital twins hint at the next wave of client service. We also talk retention, generational friction, and why flexibility plus purpose beats perks every time. Her favorite local campaign—an energetic, bilingual “get out the vote” effort during COVID—shows how thoughtful creative can measurably change civic engagement.

If you care about modern marketing that blends humanity, technology, and community, this conversation delivers frameworks you can use tomorrow—whether you’re a solo operator or leading a global team. Subscribe, share with a colleague who loves culture and ops, and leave a review with the one idea you’re going to test this week.

Support the show

Title Sponsor: Charleston American Marketing Association

Presenting Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Sponsor: ‪SCRA; South Carolina Research Authority

Cohosts: Stephanie Barrow, Mike Compton, Rachel Backal, Tom Keppeler

Produced and edited: RMBO Advertising

Photographer | Co-host: Kelli Morse

Art Director: Taylor Ion

Score by: The Strawberry Entrée; Jerry Feels Good, CURRYSAUCE, DBLCRWN, DJ DollaMenu
Studio Engineer: Brian Cleary and Mathew Chase

YouTube
Facebook
Instagram

How are we doing? Who do you want to learn from next? Text us with notes and ideas.

A teen builds a hip-hop forum, hears its bars on the radio, and sends Sony a homemade cease and desist—then grows up to lead an AI video platform. That’s how our conversation starts, and the twists don’t stop. We bring JT White (Augie.studio) and filmmaker Jake from Koz Films into the studio for a frank, funny, and deeply practical look at where AI helps creators—and where it crosses the line.

We dig into the difference between augmentation and replacement. On one side: AI that cleans audio, removes filler words, accelerates edits, and prototypes storyboards so clients know what they’re buying. On the other: generative video trained on dubious datasets, copyright pitfalls, and the “race to the bottom” that devalues craft. JT argues for licensed models, provenance, and transparency; Jake champions on-set authenticity, human performance, and the years of practice behind great cinematography. Together we test real scenarios—a fast-turn social ad, LED wall shoots, product placement in B-roll—and show how to navigate them without losing the soul of the work.

We also go under the hood: why many models aren’t commercially safe, how data scraping works, what “licensed training” really means, and why your masters should live in your own storage. You’ll hear practical steps any marketer or creator can use today: insist on clear rights, document sources, keep protected archives, and use AI where it cuts drudgery, not where it steals credit. This is a playbook for ethical AI in marketing and video production—ruthlessly useful, legally aware, and grounded in the reality of budgets, deadlines, and brand trust.

If this conversation helps you think sharper about AI and creativity, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and drop a review with your take on where you draw the line.

Support the show

Title Sponsor: Charleston American Marketing Association

Presenting Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Sponsor: ‪SCRA; South Carolina Research Authority

Cohosts: Stephanie Barrow, Mike Compton, Rachel Backal, Tom Keppeler

Produced and edited: RMBO Advertising

Photographer | Co-host: Kelli Morse

Art Director: Taylor Ion

Score by: The Strawberry Entrée; Jerry Feels Good, CURRYSAUCE, DBLCRWN, DJ DollaMenu
Studio Engineer: Brian Cleary and Mathew Chase

YouTube
Facebook
Instagram

How are we doing? Who do you want to learn from next? Text us with notes and ideas.

The wildest origin story we’ve heard starts with a liger and ends with a microphone. Brenna Lawrence—VP of Business Development at Brown & Brown, relentless networker, and newly minted TEDx speaker—joins us to unpack how she turned fear into a lever for growth, community, and real change. This isn’t a highlight reel; it’s a field guide for showing up as your whole self and still delivering results.

We dive into how Brenna treats sales as courtship—earning the next conversation by listening more than pitching, and building trust on LinkedIn through authenticity and consistency. She walks through the nuts and bolts of DisruptHR (5 minutes, 20 auto-advancing slides) and how that constraint sharpened her message. With help from mentors, she built a TEDx talk that threads mindset with mission, tackling the stigma around domestic violence and bringing resources straight to the places people will actually see them—bathrooms, break rooms, and industry events. It’s marketing with a heart: meet the audience where they are, repeat the message with care, and make help easy to reach.

We also get practical about culture and leadership. Brenna’s family motto—don’t be a dick—translates to radical candor at work: open communication, clear boundaries, and zero tolerance for energy vampires. She shares how she raises confident kids (ban negative self-talk, praise effort, ask “What do you think?”) and why she swapped the myth of balance for sway—be all-in at work, then be fully home. Her “buffalo mindset” story is worth the listen alone: face the storm, shorten the pain, grow faster. Along the way, we spotlight The Helm (a Charleston collective for executive moms), Brown & Brown’s Power of She, and Brenna’s own platform, “Hey, Hold That Door,” a call to succeed and then make room for the next woman through.

If you’re hungry for a playbook that blends business development, public speaking, and purpose-driven advocacy—without the buzzword fluff—you’ll feel at home here. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a push to pitch or present, and drop a review with the bold move you’re making next.

Support the show

Title Sponsor: Charleston American Marketing Association

Presenting Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Sponsor: ‪SCRA; South Carolina Research Authority

Cohosts: Stephanie Barrow, Mike Compton, Rachel Backal, Tom Keppeler

Produced and edited: RMBO Advertising

Photographer | Co-host: Kelli Morse

Art Director: Taylor Ion

Score by: The Strawberry Entrée; Jerry Feels Good, CURRYSAUCE, DBLCRWN, DJ DollaMenu
Studio Engineer: Brian Cleary and Mathew Chase

YouTube
Facebook
Instagram

How are we doing? Who do you want to learn from next? Text us with notes and ideas.

What if your social stack was actually simple—and proved its value? We’re joined by Brianna Crossley, Director of Growth & Engagement, and Rachel Bacall, Engagement Manager, from Pollen Social to unpack a platform built for velocity and clarity: multi-channel publishing from one place, clean analytics that tie effort to outcomes, and AI features that help you ship better work, faster. Starting at $25 a month, Pollen is designed for busy operators and lean teams who need results without the bloat.

We trace Pollen’s Charleston roots and community-first mindset—think partnerships with AMA, chambers, and nonprofits—then step into the bigger vision: a data lake that blends your historical performance, CRM-lite contacts, and anonymized external signals to deliver smarter targeting and timing. Whether you’re a food truck, a multi-location brand, or a growing agency, the aim is the same: reduce friction, focus the message, and move the metrics that matter. Expect practical tactics too: how to write calls-to-action that earn real comments, why replies are strategy not afterthought, and how to balance AI-generated assets with authentic, human storytelling.

Creation stays central with email templates ready now and planned integrations for Canva and a video editor like CapCut, while the AI caption generator offers multiple on-brand tones from a single upload. Agencies get unlimited seats and client access without extra fees, plus easy company toggling from one login—so collaboration, approvals, and reporting stay fast and visible. If you’ve ever asked “Isn’t this just Hootsuite?” you’ll hear what’s different: approachable UX, community DNA, and a roadmap wired to make marketers smarter through actionable insight, not endless settings.

Subscribe for more candid conversations with Charleston’s builders and brand leaders, share this episode with a marketer who needs a simpler stack, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

Support the show

Title Sponsor: Charleston American Marketing Association

Presenting Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Sponsor: ‪SCRA; South Carolina Research Authority

Cohosts: Stephanie Barrow, Mike Compton, Rachel Backal, Tom Keppeler

Produced and edited: RMBO Advertising

Photographer | Co-host: Kelli Morse

Art Director: Taylor Ion

Score by: The Strawberry Entrée; Jerry Feels Good, CURRYSAUCE, DBLCRWN, DJ DollaMenu
Studio Engineer: Brian Cleary and Mathew Chase

YouTube
Facebook
Instagram

How are we doing? Who do you want to learn from next? Text us with notes and ideas.

Step into the dynamic world of South Carolina's technological revolution with Jamie DeMent, Director of Technology and Cyber Initiatives at the SC Council on Competitiveness. In this illuminating conversation, Jamie reveals how Charleston is transforming from a tourist destination into a vibrant tech hub where innovation thrives alongside historic charm.

The collaborative spirit driving South Carolina's tech growth takes center stage as Jamie explains how SC Competes connects entrepreneurs, established companies, and educational institutions to create meaningful economic impact. "If we're doing our job right, we're putting the right people in the right room for the right conversation to make things happen," she shares, highlighting the power of relationship-building in a state where social capital creates collective strength.

Discover surprising developments reshaping the region, from pioneering AI curriculum in eighth-grade classrooms to Charleston's emergence as a leader in electric vehicle battery technology. Jamie's insights reveal a technological ecosystem that has matured significantly over two decades, now offering a complete entrepreneurial pathway that keeps talent in South Carolina while attracting outside investment and innovation.

The conversation explores how growth has created opportunities for small businesses to thrive, the critical balance between leveraging AI tools while maintaining human authenticity in marketing, and why residents should become ambassadors for the state's technological achievements. As Jamie notes, "I want you to have the same amount of facts in your back pocket about our economic successes in technology and aerospace and life sciences as you do James Beard winning award restaurants."

Whether you're a tech entrepreneur seeking connections, a marketer navigating new technologies, or simply curious about the forces transforming South Carolina's economy, this episode offers valuable insights into how collaboration is building a more innovative, competitive future for the Palmetto State.

Support the show

Title Sponsor: Charleston American Marketing Association

Presenting Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Sponsor: ‪SCRA; South Carolina Research Authority

Cohosts: Stephanie Barrow, Mike Compton, Rachel Backal, Tom Keppeler

Produced and edited: RMBO Advertising

Photographer | Co-host: Kelli Morse

Art Director: Taylor Ion

Score by: The Strawberry Entrée; Jerry Feels Good, CURRYSAUCE, DBLCRWN, DJ DollaMenu
Studio Engineer: Brian Cleary and Mathew Chase

YouTube
Facebook
Instagram

How are we doing? Who do you want to learn from next? Text us with notes and ideas.

From ripping out Yellow Pages to designing iconic logos, Brady Waggner's marketing journey embodies the creative hustle that defines success in the industry. As co-founder and executive creative director of HOOK, Brady brings a refreshing perspective to brand development that goes beyond traditional approaches.

Brady's story begins in Minnesota as the son of an advertising executive during the waning days of the Mad Men era. Growing up surrounded by markers, tear sheets, and creative energy in his father's agency housed in the Pillsbury Mansion sparked a lifelong passion. After studying advertising journalism at the University of Kansas – a foundation he credits for teaching him how to uncover brand truths through effective questioning – Brady made his way to Charleston with a simple philosophy: "I want to work where I want to live, not live where I want to work."

HOOK's approach to marketing centers on creating surprise and relevance – "If it's different, they'll notice, and if it's relevant, they'll listen." This philosophy has guided their work with lifestyle brands, particularly in the beverage industry where they've helped importers position European products for American consumers. One of their standout projects includes creating the iconic fish hook logo for HUK performance fishing apparel by cleverly turning the "U" into a hook shape – a simple yet brilliant solution that has become ubiquitous in the fishing community.

In an exciting development, HOOK was recently acquired by Pixel, a Nashville-based agency establishing roots in Charleston. Rather than forcing a complete rebrand, they're taking a thoughtful approach that respects established brand equity while creating collective offerings. Beyond his agency work, Brady has co-authored "Street Tricks," a book blending his father's advertising career with brand development insights, and performs in The Dubplates, a reggae band that reached #1 on the Billboard charts.

Want to hear more about creative marketing approaches that stand out in today's crowded marketplace? Subscribe to the Charleston Marketing Podcast for conversations with innovators who are redefining what it means to connect brands with audiences.

Support the show

Title Sponsor: Charleston American Marketing Association

Presenting Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Sponsor: ‪SCRA; South Carolina Research Authority

Cohosts: Stephanie Barrow, Mike Compton, Rachel Backal, Tom Keppeler

Produced and edited: RMBO Advertising

Photographer | Co-host: Kelli Morse

Art Director: Taylor Ion

Score by: The Strawberry Entrée; Jerry Feels Good, CURRYSAUCE, DBLCRWN, DJ DollaMenu
Studio Engineer: Brian Cleary and Mathew Chase

YouTube
Facebook
Instagram

How are we doing? Who do you want to learn from next? Text us with notes and ideas.

Ever wondered how a hospitality professional becomes the founder of a thriving digital marketing agency? Q Moldrik's journey from managing hotel systems to building Legacy Digital showcases the power of transferable skills and entrepreneurial vision.

As the oldest of five children and seventeen grandchildren, Q brings natural leadership and problem-solving abilities to her role as CEO and founder. Her boutique agency approach – maintaining a 14-person team that handles everything from branding and content creation to SEO and website development – allows for personalized service that larger agencies simply can't match.

What truly sets Legacy Digital apart is their commitment to quality over quantity. While industry standards push digital managers to handle 10-15 clients, Q caps her team at six clients each. "Capacity is a huge thing in this industry," she explains. "We're creatives at the end of the day. I can't be creative with 15 clients." This philosophy ensures clients receive thoughtful, strategic content rather than rushed deliverables.

The agency's growth mirrors Q's "farming" analogy for business development: Year one plants seeds, trying various approaches and service models. Year two waters those seeds, knowing 80% might fail. By year three, you harvest the 20% that flourished. This patient approach has transformed Legacy Digital from primarily serving real estate clients nationwide to now working with diverse Charleston businesses from MediSpas and gyms to interior designers and fishing charters.

Perhaps most refreshing is Q's collaborative mindset. Rather than viewing other agencies as competition, she actively forms partnerships, sharing clients and projects when another team's expertise better serves the client's needs. "That's my big word this year – partnerships," she says. "Where can I pass this off to a true expert that could get this done the right way the first time?"

Looking to build your own digital presence? Q advises consistent social media posting, even with zero budget. "It's a trust-based economy," she notes, sharing stories of clients who gained major business after years of consistent posting. The key is patience and authenticity – something Legacy Digital embodies in everything they do.

Support the show

Title Sponsor: Charleston American Marketing Association

Presenting Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Sponsor: ‪SCRA; South Carolina Research Authority

Cohosts: Stephanie Barrow, Mike Compton, Rachel Backal, Tom Keppeler

Produced and edited: RMBO Advertising

Photographer | Co-host: Kelli Morse

Art Director: Taylor Ion

Score by: The Strawberry Entrée; Jerry Feels Good, CURRYSAUCE, DBLCRWN, DJ DollaMenu
Studio Engineer: Brian Cleary and Mathew Chase

YouTube
Facebook
Instagram