The Podcast Interview Marketing Show

Interview Valet founder Tom Schwab and Marketing Manager Tiffany Meenk sit down to examine podcast and marketing trends in 2026. Rather than making conventional "predictions," Tom and Tiffany examine the data, the industry signals, and the on-the-ground experiences from hundreds of Interview Valet clients to outline where podcast-driven marketing is undeniably heading. They unpack the dramatic transition from keyword-driven marketing to conversation-driven discovery, fueled by AI platforms now prioritizing credibility, context, and consistency over SEO tricks and funnel hacks. The discussion highlights why authority has become the dominant currency in 2026, why AI-filtered leads convert at exponentially higher rates, and how podcast interviews are emerging as a primary referral source precisely because they surface genuine expertise rather than superficial popularity. If you want to understand how podcast guesting will drive real impact in 2026 - beyond vanity metrics, outdated SEO strategies, or big-show ego boosts - this conversation is an essential strategic briefing.   Timestamps From This Episode: [04:52] The decline of the 'attention game.' [07:32] Why influencers are losing trust and relevance. [10:05] Why flywheels are replacing funnels. [18:54] How niche podcast appearances outperform viral moments. [21:51] Regulatory crackdowns and compliance in marketing.   Resources From This Episode: InterviewValet.com PodcastInterviewMarketing.com

Every December, marketers make bold predictions about what's coming next. Very few ever come back to admit whether they were right or completely wrong. Host Tom Schwab is joined by Interview Valet's Marketing Manager, Tiffany Meenk, to do exactly that. Together, they revisit the eight predictions they made a year ago about marketing, podcasting, and business growth, and grade themselves honestly on how 2025 actually unfolded. From the dominance of AI in marketing, to why collaborative content is outperforming solo content, and why the shift from the attention economy to the trust economy is no longer theoretical. Their conversation challenges common assumptions around efficiency, authenticity, and planning. Was doing more actually better? Did efficiency help or hurt effectiveness? And why rigid annual marketing plans are giving way to agile, quarterly "lightning strike" strategies.   Timestamps From This Episode [01:07] Prediction 1: AI Will Dominate Marketing and Search [02:26] Prediction 2: The Rise of LMO (Language Machine Optimization) [05:50] Prediction 3: Collaborative Content Will Outperform Solo Content [08:40] Prediction 4: Video Content Will Explode, Especially Short-Form Clips [13:35] Prediction 5: Shift from Attention Economy to Trust Economy [17:01] Prediction 6: Authenticity Will Outperform Perfection [20:04] Prediction 7: From Abundance to Efficiency [24:52] Prediction 8: Strategic Quarterly Campaign Planning   Resources From This Episode: InterviewValet.com PodcastInterviewMarketing.com

What if the question you've been asking yourself is too small? Jason Jaggard, author of Beyond High Performance and founder of Novus Global, discusses the mindset shift that separates high performers from "meta performers". With host Tom Schwab, Jason challenges one of the most common ambitions in business and life: becoming "the best." Instead, he urges leaders, athletes, entrepreneurs, and creators to ask a far more powerful question: What am I truly capable of? You'll also hear a timely look at authenticity in an AI-driven world, why human originality matters more than ever, and how podcast interviews give you a platform to share ideas that algorithms can't produce, because they come from lived experience.   Timestamps From This Episode: [04:28] High performers vs meta performers [08;57] The role of coaching and believability [13:44] Authenticity in an AI world [19:08] Imagination as the key to distinguishing great performers from merely good ones   Resources From This Episode Novus.global/ Take the assessment: Stagesassessment.scoreapp.com/?utm_source=PIMS_Jason&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=PIMS_Jason 

What if dominating your market had nothing to do with shouting louder and everything to do with serving deeper? Sean Garner, marketing agency leader, breaks down what modern marketing really requires today. Spoiler: It isn't more tactics, more noise, or more hustle. It's clarity, strategy, and a system that turns every podcast interview into a high-leverage marketing asset. With host Tom Schwab, Sean pulls back the curtain on his Marketing Domination Framework, explaining why most business owners are doing the right things in the wrong order, and how a simple, strategic foundation can transform your visibility, authority, and conversions. He shares how he extracts a full month of content from one 30-minute interview, how to repurpose episodes into blogs, videos, and AI-friendly assets, and why conversational video is quickly becoming the most powerful signal of authenticity online. Timestamps From This Episode: [04:19] Marketing domination framework [10:00] Maximizing podcast guest appearances [20:17] AI, SEO, and podcasting – the new search landscape [28:17] The future – long-form video and authenticity   Resources From This Episode: SeanGarner.co/interviewvalet InterviewValet.com  

What if your next podcast interview wasn't just another conversation, but the moment your ideal clients start to trust, remember, and genuinely connect with you? Interview Valet Senior Client Account Manager Liz Brooks talks with host Tom Schwab to unpack the branding fundamentals every guest needs before hitting record. Together, they explore why your brand is far more than your logo, color palette, or fonts. It's the promise you make, and the experience you consistently deliver across every touchpoint: podcasts, emails, websites, and conversations. Drawing from her experience leading hundreds of client campaigns, Liz breaks down how to define your voice attributes, build trust through consistency, and ensure your messaging sounds like you, not an intern, not AI, and definitely not a pushy salesperson.   Timestamps From This Episode: [02:12] Intentionally defining a consistent brand voice across all communications. [08:43] Storytelling and audience resonance for better results. [12:11] Using disruptive statements to engage listeners and differentiate your brand. [19:26] Authenticity in messaging that reflects a real person, not AI generic content. [25:40] Crafting intentional sound bites to maximize impact and shareability.   Resources From This Episode: InterviewValet.com/Liz PodcastInterviewMarketing.com

If you're an author or aspire to become one, this episode is a masterclass in turning your words into long-term wealth. Award-winning screenwriter, film and television executive producer, and author Aurora Winter shares her wisdom that could save you years of frustration and put your book on the fast track to profitability. Drawing from her experience writing ten books, ghostwriting for high-level leaders, and helping entrepreneurs craft seven-figure messages, Aurora explains why most authors undersell the true value of their books and how to fix it. She also reveals the simple storytelling strategies that make your book, and your interviews, memorable, magnetic, and marketable. With host Tom Schwab, Aurora breaks down how podcast interviews can become the most powerful tool in your book-launch toolbox. Including how to use podcasts to build anticipation months before your release date, why appearing on shows early gives you a strategic edge, and how the best authors reverse-engineer their books into marketing funnels that generate authority, clients, and profits 24/7.   Timestamps From This Episode: [03:07] Books as an appetizer to your business [08:10] Podcasts as a bestseller strategy [16:16] Books as authority builders and expertise signal [19:25] Leveraging search engines and platforms [23:29] AI vs human expertise in writing and pitching   Resources From This Episode: SamePagePublishing.com InterviewValet.com

Too many podcast guests treat podcast interview marketing like a 30-day challenge, expecting quick wins, instant leads, and viral results. Interview Valet's Chief Operating Officer, Jessica Morgan, and Tom Schwab pull back the curtain on what it really takes to turn podcast interviews into predictable, long-term results - revealing that the sprint mentality is what's holding you back. They discuss the warning signs that you're stuck in sprint mode, the importance of consistency over intensity, and what the first 90 days of your podcast interview journey should actually look like. You'll also hear how to build a 12-month training plan that delivers measurable ROI and real-world examples of guests who went from frustration to momentum.   Timestamps From This Episode: [04:13] Digital marketing platforms that create false expectations of instant results. [12:45] How lack of commitment and conviction affects messaging and results. [18:29] Defining brand and audience identity, ideal client profile, and relevant topics. [22:17] Refining and niching down to target new audiences for continued growth. [26:47] Following proven systems and processes is the key to success.   Resources From This Episode: InterviewValet.com PodcastInterviewMarketing.com

Most leaders think the work is done once they book the interview. But if you're just showing up and talking, you're leaving the real results on the table. Private media strategist to Fortune 500 CEOs and founder of Hidden Entrepreneur, Josh Cary, explains why podcast guesting isn't about filling airtime. Talking with host Tom Schwab, he shares how intentionally shaping your message, your presence, and your positioning will drive listeners to lean in, connect, and take action. Josh reveals the common traps even smart, experienced executives fall into - from simply "telling their story," to showing up without a core message, to hoping the host's audience will magically convert. They outline how to approach interviews the way top leaders approach keynote stages: with clarity, confidence, and purpose.   Timestamps From This Episode: [03:43] Defining success and the two camps of executives. [08:55] Why appearances alone don't drive results. [13:22] Quality over quantity – making each interview count. [16:49] Attracting the right audience through authenticity. [23:56] Developing clarity in branding and messaging.   Resources From This Episode: LinkedIn.com/in/joshcaryco JoshCary.com InterviewValet.com

What happens when the godfather of category design returns with a bold new playbook for the post-AI world? Legendary thinker Christopher Lochhead joins us in this milestone 100th episode to explore the radical shift reshaping business, creativity, and marketing: the rise of the Creator Capitalist. For seventy years, the "knowledge economy" rewarded people for what they knew. But in the age of AI, existing knowledge is free and ubiquitous. The winners will be those who create net new value. With host Tom Schwab, Lochhead reveals why applying knowledge is no longer enough, how creators are building entire economies around original ideas, and what it takes to design a category of one.   Timestamps From This Episode [04:51] AI's impact on the rise of Creator Capitalists [10:17] Evangelizing new ideas in a flattened world [14:10] The $100 as a lightning strike [20:41] Different vs. Better in category design [29:03] The power of podcasting for category design   Resources From This Episode: Lochhead.com CategoryPirates.com InterviewValet.com

If you're still marketing like it's the year 2000, this episode is your wake-up call. Host Tom Schwab sits down with Interview Valet's Marketing Manager, Tiffany Meenk, to unpack why the strategies that built brands in the early 2000s will bury them in 2025. Together, they explore what it means to market in a post-SEO, AI-accelerated world, one where trust trumps attention, and relationships outperform reach. From the death of keywords and vanity metrics to the rise of trust-based, human-driven marketing, Tom and Tiffany reveal why your website traffic doesn't matter like it used to and how AI is now indexing and recommending podcast interviews as credible sources of expertise. You'll learn why long-form, human-created conversations (like podcasts) are becoming the new authority signals that both people and AI trust most. Whether you're a coach, consultant, author, or B2B service professional trying to stay relevant, this episode challenges you to stop measuring outdated metrics and start focusing on authentic authority. Because in 2025 and beyond, it's not about being louder, it's about being trusted.   Timestamps From This Episode: [02:25] Lessons learned from the dot-com boom [06:09] Trust over attention is the new currency [11:57] AI's impact on search and ranking [18:58] Mass email & generic outreach is dead [26:20] Optimizing for value and profits, not just leads   Resources From This Episode InterviewValet.com/Tiffany PodcastInterviewMarketing.com

How do you stand out as a trusted authority in an age where AI can generate anything, but not everything feels real? Drew McLellan, CEO of Agency Management Institute and host of Build a Better Agency, explores how AI is reshaping the way agencies attract and serve clients. With over 500 podcast episodes and decades of experience coaching agency owners, Drew shares with host Tom Schwab why authentic human connection is still the ultimate competitive advantage. They discuss how podcasting builds trust faster than any algorithm, why being a calm, credible voice in the chaos makes you magnetic to your ideal clients, and how to lead with generosity and authority in a world full of noise. If you're an agency owner, consultant, or service-based entrepreneur navigating the AI era, this episode is your roadmap to staying relevant and real. Discover why the future of marketing belongs to the guides, not the vendors.   Timestamps From This Episode [03:40] Human connection as a competitive advantage [10:45] Magnetic marketing, attracting ideal clients and repelling poor fits [14:50] Credibility and trust are more important than ever in the AI era [20:05] Podcasting as a service sampler to your expertise before hiring you [26:15] Responsibility and trust in client relationships.   Resources From This Episode AgencyManagementInstitute.com InterviewValet.com

What if everything you've been taught about selling is wrong? The world's number one authority on trust-based selling, Ari Galper, challenges the traditional numbers game approach to sales. Talking with host Tom Schwab, he shares his belief that we're living in a trust recession, where prospects are skeptical, sales funnels are broken, and chasing leads only erodes credibility. Together, they unpack why the old-school funnel fails and introduce a revolutionary alternative - The Sales Cylinder, a system built not on pressure or persuasion, but on diagnosis, respect, and authentic connection. You'll learn how to stop "following up" and start building trust like a doctor, turning conversations, especially podcast interviews, into powerful trust-building opportunities that attract, not chase, ideal clients. If you're a coach, consultant, or service professional ready to sell without selling, this conversation will transform how you think about growth. Forget the funnel. It's time to build your cylinder.   Timestamps From This Episode: [02:20] The trust recession explained [08:03] the doctor-patient analogy, building trust and respect in sales [12:48] By appointment only sales model to keep prospects engaged and filter real opportunities [23:32] Dangers of giving advice too soon and staying at the surface-level [27:59] Scaling trust-based selling with a team   Resources From This Episode: TheTrustBook.com AriGalper.com InterviewValet.com

What if your most powerful asset as a consultant, coach, or professional service provider wasn't your expertise, credentials, or case studies - but your intuition? Samantha Hartley, of Enlightened Marketing, flips the script on how to stay indispensable in the age of AI during this conversation with host Tom Schwab. Drawing from her popular newsletter, Samantha explains why gut instinct, discernment, and lived experience are the real differentiators that no algorithm can replicate. She and Tom discuss why intuition is often more valuable than data when making high-stakes decisions, how subtle red flags and gut feelings can shape better client relationships, and why consultants and coaches matter because of AI, not in spite of it. Samantha also warns of the dangers of outsourcing too much thinking to machines, reminding us that relying too heavily on AI can erode our ability to think critically and creatively.   Timestamps From This Episode: [02:10] Defining the boundaries of AI, sentience, and the irreplaceable human qualities in consulting. [09:56] Exploring how AI lacks evolutionary instincts, lived experience, and the risk of declining human critical thinking. [17:41] Cautions against the business rush to adopt AI without a thoughtful strategy, risking costly mistakes. [25:25] Exploring how AI is changing the meaning of work and which professions are most at risk.   Resources From This Episode: SamanthaHartley.com SamanthaHartley.com/6figureclients InterviewValet.com

Tech pioneer, leadership coach, and host of the Pull The Chute podcast, Jeff Sesol, and host Tom Schwab talk about what happens when innovation moves faster than our ability to process it. From building FreeDrive in the 90s, one of the earliest online file storage companies, to coaching leaders and hosting a top podcast, Jeff has seen firsthand how disruption reshapes the way we work and live. Together, they explore how AI is transforming productivity and relationships, why human thinking and empathy must stay at the center, and how leaders can "pull the chute" when the pressure is high, pausing to regain clarity and direction.   Timestamps From This Episode [3:33] The double-edged sword of AI and human thinking [12:33] Maintaining human agency in the age of AI [17:44] Using AI for business analysis and the irreplaceable value of human conversation [24:44] The power of explaining the "Why" [26:46] Encouraging employee ownership and engagement   Resources From This Episode PullTheChute.net Linkedin.com/in/jeffsesol InterviewValet.com

What if the biggest reason your marketing isn't working has nothing to do with your price, your pitch, or even your product? Al Ramadan, co-founder of Play Bigger and co-author of the groundbreaking book Play Bigger: How Pirates, Dreamers, and Innovators Create and Dominate Markets, talks with Tom Schwab about the existing marketing trap. The mistake of competing for attention in crowded, established markets instead of creating and owning a new category. Al shares how he's helped companies generate over $50 billion in market value by reframing the game entirely. If you've ever struggled to stand out, explain your true value, or escape the endless cycle of being "better, faster, or cheaper," this conversation will flip the way you think about marketing.   Timestamps From This Episode: [03:16] How category kings dominate markets and capture most of the value and financial rewards. [10:10] Elevating your perceived value by focusing on a specific problem. [16:22] Category design for all entrepreneurs – both large and small. [22:06] Reframing products – A look at the BlackBerry vs iPhone. [26:18] Why you should seek to create new, undefined markets rather than compete in established ones.   Resources From This Episode: PlayBigger.com InterviewValet.com

This special edition episode gives you exclusive access to a presentation that most people won't get to hear outside the event. Straight from the stage of The Build A Better Agency Summit, Tom Schwab shares how you can make ChatGPT your best referral source. In this talk, Tom reveals how AI has become one of the strongest new drivers of referrals, and how thought leaders, consultants, and professional service experts can position themselves to take advantage of it. You'll hear his journey of trial, error, and discovery, and how podcast interviews create the authentic, long-form content AI trusts when recommending businesses to ideal clients. From increasing your share of voice, to building consistent brand sentiment to keeping your message fresh and relevant, Tom shows why the future of referrals is no longer just people, it's people and AI. You'll walk away with practical strategies you can apply now to ensure ChatGPT and other AI platforms become powerful advocates for your brand.   Timestamps From This Episode: [02:28] Mindset shift – What does this make possible? [06:59] Why Interview Valet is choosing podcast interviews to win with AI this year. [13:28] Diversifying your brand voice to cast a broader reach. [30:13] Authenticity & AI-generated content. [39:30] The value of other people's audiences.   Resources From This Episode: InterviewValet.com PodcastInterviewMarketing.com

You landed a podcast interview but do you really want it? Often guests want to land a show without first considering if it will drive the results they are looking for. Too often, guests show up, share in their expertise, and walk away with no leads, no traction, and no ROI. The problem isn't the podcast itself; it's that they didn't get the right interview, only the one that was offered. Host Tom Schwab talks with Interview Valet's Senior Client Account Manager and PR expert Liz Brooks about how guests can flip the script and take control of their interviews. Together, they discuss the importance of choosing shows where your ideal audience is listening, defining a flagship topic that makes your expertise stand out, and preparing clear calls-to-action that connect with listeners. They also explain how to use green room time and pre-show prep to align with the host, how to bring compelling stories that make your message resonate, and why every interview should be treated as the beginning of a long-term relationship rather than a one-time conversation. If you've ever walked away from a podcast thinking, "I wish we had talked about this," this episode will show you how to ensure that never happens again so you can stop taking just any interview and start getting the ones that truly drive results.   Timestamps From This Episode [02:10] The Two-Step Process: Targeting and Delivery [09:01] Using your greenroom time effectively [18:53] Optimizing for results, not appearances [22:15] Defining and measuring success from podcast appearances   Resources From This Episode InterviewValet.com/Liz PodcastInterviewMarketing.com

If the thought of networking events makes you cringe, you're not alone. Senior Account Manager and Podcast Strategist at Interview Valet, Kristen Nolan, talks about reimagining how real connections are built in today's digital world. With that, Kristen introduces the idea of "Anti-Networking", a smarter, more scalable way to grow your influence and authority without the awkward small talk or stacks of business cards. Instead of spending evenings at lackluster events, podcast interviews allow you to connect deeply with the right audiences, showcase your expertise, and build lasting relationships that actually matter. Together with host Tom Schwab, they break down why podcast interviews beat traditional networking hands down: they offer intimacy without the inefficiency, visibility without the noise, and authority that extends far beyond a single event. They also explore how intentional podcast guesting not only elevates your brand but also creates content that keeps working for you long after the conversation ends.   Timestamps From This Episode: [03:32] Podcasting as a quality networking source [07:41] Building genuine relationships, brand positioning, and share of voice through connection [12:31] Podcasting is an ideal platform for introverts [19:39] Driving meaningful relationships versus transactional interactions [23:08] Focusing on results, not activity, to drive sales   Resources From This Episode InterviewValet.com/Kristen Offers.interviewvalet.com/podcastwelcomepage

Business owners are incessantly told to chase leads and prospects. Ryan Hogan, naval officer, serial entrepreneur, and co-founder of Talent Harbor, points out that exponential growth, deeper trust, and better leads come from building ecosystems. Host Tom Schwab explores this growth strategy that too many ignore but the best business leaders rely on: investing in relationships with centers of influence. Ryan shares how he went from spending millions on ads at his previous company, Hunt A Killer, to now building Talent Harbor on a foundation of trust, referrals, and long-term partnerships. You'll hear how he invested over $40,000 in podcasting before seeing a single referral, and why that patient, relationship-driven approach now fuels his biggest source of clients. This isn't about spray-and-pray marketing or chasing clicks. It's about cultivating ecosystems, building credibility inside connected communities, and unlocking exponential growth by focusing on the people who already serve your ideal audience.   Timestamps From This Episode: [03:27] Building ecosystems versus chasing prospects [12:07] Being patient and focusing on a long-term investment, not quick wins [18:31] Why leverage and relationship-building results over direct prospecting [25:00] How to connect multiple ecosystems to create new opportunities and deeper relationships   Resources From This Episode: TalentHarbor.com/Ryan InterviewValet.com

If you've ever felt like you didn't fit the mold (and had no desire to), this episode with Iron Mike Steadman, Peak Performance Coach and Category Designer for Underdogs and Misfits, is for you. His conversation with host Tom Schwab will inspire you to turn that difference into your greatest business advantage. A Naval Academy graduate, Marine combat veteran, and founder of The Misfits and the Frontline Voices podcast, Mike is on a mission to help military veterans, underdogs, and unapologetic originals design their own categories, attract the right audience, and thrive without selling out or blending in. Mike shares his four must-follow rules for surviving and thriving in business, why most marketing advice falls flat for small entrepreneurs, and how founder-led content can build category authority faster than any ad budget. You'll learn why "different" is your superpower, how to niche down to eliminate competition, and why podcast interviews are one of the most powerful tools for owning the problem you solve.   Timestamps From This Episode: [05:20] Challenges veterans and corporate refugees face when entering entrepreneurship and the required mindset shift [13:42] Building missionary teams and founder-led culture [22:22] Pitfalls of personal branding and importance of category authority [31:44] Category design – niche down and accelerate payment [39:11] Four essential rules of entrepreneurship   Resources From This Episode: IronMikeSteadman.com InterviewValet.com