We talk a lot on this show about marketing mistakes, and this week Kristi is sharing two of her own. From a technical glitch that aired the wrong guest video to an email that went out to the wrong list, Kristi gets real about what it feels like when things go sideways and more importantly, what she did about it.

This solo episode is a reminder that mistakes happen to all of us. What sets you apart is how you handle them. Kristi shares how owning her missteps openly and transparently not only preserved trust with her audience but actually deepened it.

You'll learn:

If you have ever made a marketing mistake and wondered whether to own it or bury it, this episode will help you make that call with confidence.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

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If you feel like you are always busy with marketing but not seeing the results you want, the problem might not be your effort. It might be your strategy. Shay Prosser, founder of North 12 Partners and a first executive with over 20 years of experience scaling businesses, joins Kristi to talk about one of the most common traps business owners fall into: mistaking marketing activity for a real plan.

Shay and Kristi unpack why doing all the things like lead magnets, email marketing, and ads without a strategy behind them leads to burnout and wasted resources. They dig into what it actually looks like to simplify, focus, and build marketing that is sustainable and aligned to your real business goals.

You'll learn:

If you are ready to stop spinning your wheels and start doing less but doing it better, this episode is for you.

Connect with Shay Prosser:

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Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

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Testimonials are one of the most underutilized marketing assets, but most businesses are barely scratching the surface of what they could be doing with them. Neil Carroll, founder of vidwheel and creator of Root Thread, joins Kristi to share how a client project completely changed the way he thinks about testimonials, and why the real gold is in the story beneath the surface.

Neil unpacks the common mistake of collecting surface level praise and explains how structured, guided testimonial interviews can do double duty, building powerful marketing assets while uncovering insights that can actually shape your business strategy.

You'll learn:

If you want to turn client feedback into a strategic growth asset, this episode is your starting point.

From Bland to Brilliant: Transforming Your Testimonials

Connect with Neil Carroll:

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Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

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Navigating the disconnect between sales and marketing is critical for business growth. Lance LeFort, founder of LeFort Talent Group, brings deep experience in talent acquisition and operations management, helping founder-led companies align their efforts for scalable success.

In this episode, Kristi and Lance explore the common pitfalls business owners face with misaligned marketing agencies and sales teams. Lance shares actionable strategies for creating unified messaging, nurturing client trust, and building strong pipelines. They discuss the importance of empathy, patience, and setting clear expectations when engaging with providers.

You’ll learn:

If you want to unfudge your marketing by building genuine alignment between sales and marketing, this episode provides expert insights and real-world lessons to guide you.

Connect with Lance LeFort:

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Mastering the balance between marketing efforts and sales follow up is key to sustainable business growth. Jeremy Shapiro, seasoned serial entrepreneur and author of Your Business Growth Playbook, shares hard-won insights on scaling beyond hustle to predictable revenue streams.

In this episode, Kristi and Jeremy unpack the common mistake of relying too heavily on one lead source, how to spot diminishing returns, and the crucial importance of tracking data to make informed marketing decisions. Jeremy shares practical advice on building cohesive marketing and sales alignment, diversifying lead sources, and the power of knowing your numbers.

You’ll learn:

If you want to unfudge your marketing by applying proven systems and data insights for meaningful growth, this episode offers valuable guidance.

Connect with Jeremy Shapiro:

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Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

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Building a strong online presence is more than just launching a website. Greg Mandile, founder of Mandile Digital Marketing, brings over two decades of experience helping businesses create mobile-friendly, SEO optimized websites that actually drive traffic and growth.

In this episode, Kristi Mitchell and Greg discuss common misconceptions about websites... including the mistaken belief that “if you build it, they will come.” Greg shares practical advice on optimizing your Google Business listing, maintaining directory consistency, and understanding search engine optimization for sustainable, effective marketing.

You’ll learn:

If you want to unfudge your marketing by mastering your website’s role in your sales funnel and improving your digital visibility, this episode is packed with actionable guidance.

Connect with Greg:

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Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

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Struggling to convert your email list into loyal clients? Lisa Klein, business coach and email strategist, teaches coaches and service providers how to fix common email marketing mistakes that quietly cost them clients.

In this episode, Kristi and Lisa discuss why generic lead magnets don’t convert, how misalignment between freebies and paid offers sabotages sales, and the vital role of clear, strategic marketing funnels to guide prospects smoothly from awareness to commitment. Lisa shares practical advice on crafting irresistible lead magnets, building trust through consistent, authentic email nurture sequences, and evolving your marketing as your business grows.

You’ll learn:

If you’re ready to unfudge your marketing, build real audience trust, and turn leads into clients, this episode offers actionable insights to get you started.

Connect with Lisa Klein:

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Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

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Is your marketing out of sync with your sales? Adam Rojas, founder of Bellmoore Consulting, works with founder-led early stage companies to build practical, data-driven sales systems that scale predictably.

In this episode, Kristi Mitchell and Adam dive deep into the common disconnects between marketing messaging and sales execution. Drawing on over 25 years of leadership experience, Adam shares real-world examples of where misalignment hurts results and how aligning sales, marketing, and delivery creates a cohesive, scalable growth system.

You’ll learn:

If you want to unfudge your marketing by building a unified, customer-centered sales and marketing engine, this episode offers actionable insights and expert advice.

Connect with Adam Rojas:

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Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

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Branding is the foundation for effective marketing, yet many business owners overlook its power, leading to disengaged audiences and missed opportunities. Kim Marie McKernan, international marketing leader and founder of Inspired Outcomes, shares her expertise on how clarifying your brand strategy creates authentic connections that truly resonate.

In this episode, Kristi and Kim explore why so many businesses struggle because they market what they want to say instead of what their clients need to hear. They discuss the importance of aligning your messaging with your ideal client’s pain points, leveraging customer language, and approaching marketing with conscious intent — especially in today’s noisy landscape.

You’ll learn:

If you want to unfudge your marketing by starting with a clear, client-conscious brand strategy that cuts through the noise, this episode is full of insightful advice.

Connect with Kim Marie McKernan:

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

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Sometimes the hardest conversations are the most necessary. In this episode, Kristi Mitchell flips the script and becomes the guest, while sales expert Bryan McDonald takes the host seat. Bryan, partner at On Purpose Growth, helps leaders master sales — a skill many small business owners find intimidating yet essential.

Together, they unpack the often overlooked sales side of business growth. Kristi shares her personal realization about neglecting sales follow-up, and Bryan reveals why following up is more about guiding prospects to decisions, not fearing rejection. They discuss building clear, simple sales processes, trusting the timing of prospects, and leading conversations with direct next steps.

You’ll learn:

If you want to unfudge your marketing by masterfully integrating sales into your growth process, this candid conversation offers real-world insights and encouragement.

Connect with Bryan McDonald:

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices