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Where bold ideas meet brilliant execution—Brand & Banter is the podcast that dives deep into the genius behind today's biggest branding wins. Hosted by branding and marketing expert Amanda Shuman, Brand & Banter goes beyond the polished pitch decks and news headlines to uncover the heart of the creative process. Think of it as your chance to eavesdrop on the conversations happening behind the branding curtain.
72 Episodes
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After an abrupt end to Season One, I wasn't sure this podcast would come back. It's been almost a year since our last episode aired, and to be honest, I put off recording this opener for a while because I wasn't sure how I wanted to frame this next season. Season 1 didn't end with a big announcement. It ended because something inside the business shifted, and I had to choose where my energy went. The podcast (as much as I love it) wasn't the thing that could stay at that moment. In this episode, I'm sharing what changed and what ultimately made me come back to it. Season 2 (or Issue Two) is built differently, with a biweekly rhythm and a Substack companion that lets us go deeper and stay in conversation beyond the mic. It feels more aligned. And more intentional. And I'm excited to build it with you! Substack → https://theamandashuman.substack.com/ Instagram → https://instagram.com/theamandashuman
The new year is a great time to take inventory of what you want to achieve in the next 12 months. I have a quiz you can take to understand what stage you are in and what next steps you should take to hit the next level. Head over to the quiz to take it now. Studies have shown that marketing teams that document their strategy are over 300% more likely to succeed than those that do not. So this year, I am prioritizing deliberately setting goals with a plan of action. Here is an overview of my marketing strategy for 2023.
Scared to stand out in your market? Hesitant to put your personality out there? I'm talking to one of the experts on unapologetically being yourself, Francesca Cooper. She is a Budgeting Powerhouse putting a financial spin on wedding planning. A mother of two, military spouse, and generational curse breaker, Francesca of The Eventful Gals is walking us through why to standing out is a good thing.
The other day, I was scrolling on Instagram and caught a brief snippet of a fellow podcaster for wedding pros. The guest she had on is a super successful wedding planner. But the advice she was giving made me roll my eyes. It was a strategy that worked for her because she already had a well-known wedding planning business. It wouldn't apply to someone who didn't have dozens of 100k+ luxury weddings under their belt, even though she was talking to aspiring luxury planners. I want to unlock marketing secrets for wedding planners in the middle stages of their business. You'll learn the full truth behind some of the half-baked marketing strategies you might have heard over the years.
In this bonus episode, I spill how a single, no-agenda coffee chat landed me two speaking gigs with no funnel, no fancy pitch, just showing up as myself. If you need a reminder that the best opportunities don't come from your inbox, but from being in the right room and making genuine connections, this one's for you. Want more behind-the-scenes, high-impact marketing moves? Join my insider email list at carrylovedesigns.com/podcast.
What do you do when you're launching a product in a saturated category with no budget, no team, and zero brand recognition? You get scrappy—and that's exactly what Michael Franco is doing with Carne Shabu, a new Mexican-style beef jerky brand out of Austin, TX. In this episode, Michael shares how he's building buzz with content-first marketing, behind-the-scenes storytelling, and saying yes to every opportunity (even random bookshelf pickups that turn into influencer collabs). We talk about what's actually worked to drive sales, what hasn't panned out, and why content is his not-so-secret weapon. If you're building a product-based brand and figuring it out as you go, this episode is full of real talk and practical insight—plus a reminder that the best ideas often start in your own kitchen. Links mentioned: Try the jerky: carneshabu.com TikTok that caught Amanda's eye: Watch here Follow Carne Shabu on Instagram: @carneshabu
What does a $2 stock price, a brand crisis, and the auto parts industry have to do with brilliant branding? Everything. In this episode of Brand & Banter, Jamie Schwartzman, founder of Flux Branding, unpacks how a rebrand of Motorcar Parts of America (MPA) took them from rock bottom to a $38/share comeback. We go beyond logos and color palettes to talk about the strategy behind brand perception, the power of subtle shifts, and how storytelling (yes, even in the automotive world) can change everything. 🔗 Learn more about Jamie's work at fluxbranding.com 🧪 Try the free Brand Decoder tool: https://fluxbranding.com/brand-personality-quiz/ 💌 Want a 1:1 Brand Blueprint? Email jamie@fluxbranding.com and mention Brand & Banter.
In this week's bite-sized bonus episode, we're breaking down a fast food launch that looked a lot like an Apple event—and racked up tens of millions of views in the process. Plus, what brands like Will Smith (yes, the actor) are doing with creators that you need to steal. If you're looking for smarter ways to launch, partner, and create buzz without a mega budget, this one's for you. 📅 Want our team to help bring that idea to life? Book a free consultation at carrylovedesigns.com/contact. Let's build your next brand moment.
In this episode, Chloe Makhani of Casaléna dishes out how she transformed a space into an immersive, character-driven experience that guests want to return to again and again. We talk about experiential hospitality, evolving your marketing with your brand, and why storytelling isn't just a vibe—it's a revenue driver. From streetwear-level fandom to lavender cocktails and personalized postcards, Chloe proves that every detail matters when you're building something magnetic. This one's for the founders blending soul with strategy. Follow along: Instagram & TikTok – @casaelena.la Learn more about Avondale Equities – avondaleequities.com
What does it take to build a brand that people don't just buy into but rep like a lifestyle? Lan Ho, founder of Fat Miilk, joins Brand & Banter to break down exactly how she turned a coffee startup into a cultural movement. From guerrilla marketing and pop-ups to launching a rebrand that changed everything, Lan shares the lessons (and hard truths) of scaling a business while staying true to your roots. In this episode, we cover: ☕ How Fat Miilk made Vietnamese Robusta coffee mainstream 🎨 Why branding is more than aesthetics 🛍 The smart way to price a premium product while keeping it accessible ⚡ The secret to turning first-time customers into brand superfans Whether you're a founder, brand builder, or coffee lover, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss. 🔗 Links mentioned in the episode: Fat Miilk's Website Follow Fat Miilk on Instagram Truffl Agency (Fat Miilk's Branding Team) Last Crumb Episode (Mentioned for branding inspiration)
Today, we're talking about Diet Coke's comeback—how the once-iconic brand is shaking off outdated perceptions, doubling down on marketing dollars, and making waves with a fresh campaign. And of course, I'll share some takeaways for brands of all sizes, including what you can steal from their strategy. Pick Your Poison: ☠️ DM your thoughts @theamandashuman ☠️ Subscribe to get notified when new episodes drop ☠️ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcast Diet Coke Commercials
In this episode of Brand & Banter, I sit down with Ellen Yin, founder of Cubicle to CEO, to talk about the art of revenue stacking—aka, how to get paid multiple times for the same work. She shares her strategy for turning one revenue stream into three, why licensing your expertise is an untapped goldmine, and how she's leveraged brand partnerships to build a media empire. If you've ever felt stuck on the hamster wheel of constantly selling, launching, and marketing just to stay afloat, Ellen's approach will change the way you look at monetization. If you love tactical, real-talk money conversations, this one's for you. Links Mentioned: 🔗 Cubicle to CEO Podcast: https://www.cubicletoceo.co/podcast 🔗 Amanda's Episode on Cubicle to CEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfVs2jlASFw 🔗 Paid to Create Program: https://ellenyin.com/paidtocreate 🔗 Follow Ellen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missellenyin 🔗 Book Your Free CLD Mini-Audit: https://carrylovedesigns.com/
In this episode of The Marketing Brief, we're breaking down why Nike tapped SKIMS, what this says about shifting consumer behaviors. From stock market reactions to the rise of performance-meets-lifestyle branding, this isn't just about selling more leggings—it's about redefining the entire athleisure space. Join the conversation on Instagram (@theamandashuman) and let me know your take! Ready to level up your own brand strategy? Sign up for a free Mini-Audit and get expert insights on how to make your marketing work smarter, not harder. Head to carrylovedesigns.com to claim yours.
What do you do when one of the biggest chocolate companies in the world sends you a cease and desist? If you're Mid-Day Squares, you don't just fight back—you drop a diss track. In this episode, co-founder Nick Saltarelli takes us behind the scenes of Mid-Day Squares' radically transparent, no-BS approach to building a cult-favorite brand in a category dominated by legacy giants. From breaking Costco's decade-old sales record (55,000 bars in six days!) to treating their business like a rock band, Mid-Day Squares has rewritten every rule in the book.
What if you could pack your grand opening with nearly 300 customers—without spending a dime on ads? Moya McIntyre, owner of Stargazer and Springdale Station, did exactly that. In this episode of Brand & Banter, Moya pulls back the curtain on how influencer marketing fueled Stargazer's launch, making it one of the hottest new spots in Austin. No big ad budgets, no gimmicks—just a smart, strategic approach to leveraging local influencers in the hospitality space. Stargazer Springdale Station
This week's Marketing Brief is a spicy one. Two brands stole the spotlight—one for all the wrong reasons, and one for doing absolutely nothing (on purpose). Poppi's influencer vending machine stunt sent the internet into a full meltdown. Were the flashy $25K vending machines a brilliant marketing move, or did they scream tone-deaf excess? We're breaking down both sides of the debate—and how Olipop swooped in and stole the narrative. Meanwhile, Duolingo pulled off the cheapest, most effective marketing play of the week. Their beloved green owl "died" (RIP Duo), and suddenly, everyone—from fans to rival mascots—was mourning the loss. The result? Millions of views, sky-high engagement, and proof that owning the news cycle beats chasing it. One brand spent a fortune, the other spent nothing. Both got people talking. But which one really won? Hit play to find out. Then tell me where you stand—team Poppi or team Olipop? Let's debate it on IG: @theAmandaShuman LINKS: Read the full Poppi controversy story Duolingo's Death
What if a cookie could be as exclusive as a Birkin bag? That's exactly what Last Crumb has done—turning baked goods into a coveted luxury experience that sells out in minutes. In this episode, we sit down with Raphael Farasat, founder of Truffl and the branding genius behind Last Crumb, to break down: How they built a $140-a-box cookie brand that people fight to get their hands on. The psychology behind exclusive drop models (and why they drive insane demand). Why copywriting, packaging, and storytelling matter just as much as the product itself. If you've ever wondered how to take a product from ordinary to obsession-worthy, this is the episode for you. Hit play and get ready to take notes. Last Crumb Website Last Crumb Instagram Truffl Branding Agency
The Super Bowl isn't just about football—it's the biggest night for brand storytelling. In this Marketing Brief, I'm breaking down the standout ads of 2025. From Coors Light's Slow Monday sloth to Liquid Death's Safe for Work genius, these brands went all in. Some made us laugh (Bud Light's backyard bash), some made us cry (Dove's These Legs), and others had us questioning our bathroom break strategy (looking at you, Angel Soft). I'll cover what worked, what didn't, and why AI felt more like a trend than a tactic this year. Plus, one ad spent $16M—was it worth it? Hit play to hear my breakdown of the best (and most unexpected) Super Bowl ads. Then, tell me your favorites over on Instagram @theAmandaShuman. 🔗 Watch the ads here: Coors Light – "Slow Monday" Angel Soft – "Potty-tunity" NFL – "Somebody" Taco Bell – "Celebration of Fans" Liquid Death – "Safe for Work" Bud Light – "Big Men on Cul-de-Sac" Duracell – "Brady Reboost" Dove – "These Legs"
Some brand moves make you stop and think, "Genius." Others? Not so much. In this week's Marketing Brief, we're looking at two brands making big plays—one that had everyone talking (and selling out) in record time, and another that proves not all partnerships are created equal. Hit play for a quick breakdown of what worked, what flopped, and what marketers can take away from it all. Soup Drops The most liked F1 post on Instagram ever
Who were the it brands of 2024? Some you'd expect—others might surprise you. In this bonus episode of Brand & Banter, we're looking at Ad Age's hottest brands list and breaking down why they dominated. From major comebacks to viral moments, these brands made waves—so what can we learn from them? Hit play to find out which brands topped the list, the marketing moves that got them there, and what it means for 2025. Hottest Brands of 2024 on AdAge
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