Brilliantly Wrong: Marketing. Creativity. Startups.

Raise the Banner: How Video Builds Trust in the Messy Mid-Funnel with Pennant Video Founder, Tim Bradley

In this episode of Brilliantly Wrong [https://www.brilliantlywrong.com/], Alex Stonehouse [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-stonehouse-dc/] sits down with Tim Bradley [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-bradley-pennant/], Founder of Pennant Video [https://www.pennant.video/], a mid-funnel video agency behind some of the most emotionally resonant and strategically sharp videos in B2B. Tim’s story is one of clarity, craft, and conviction. From answering a Craigslist job post in 2011 to building one of the most recognizable creative brands in B2B video today, Tim breaks down how the industry evolved, why video is the most misunderstood medium in the marketing toolkit, and why the “messy middle” of a buyer’s journey is where trust is truly won. Together, Alex and Tim unpack: * Why top-of-funnel ads sell the click, but mid-funnel video earns the belief * The Video Marketing Trifecta: Differentiation, Demonstration, and Validation * How Anthem, Explainer, and Customer Story videos work together to build momentum * Why care, craft, and creative risk outperform shortcuts and AI-driven sameness * How to use video to strengthen sales, sharpen positioning, and unify a go-to-market engine * The mindset behind Pennant’s powerful tagline: “Raise the Banner” Whether you're a founder, a marketer, a creative, or someone realizing your brand needs to earn trust long before a demo request, this episode will change how you think about video, strategy, and storytelling.

Storytelling, Design, and Epic Adventures with Megan Whitehouse

In this episode, Alex Stonehouse [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-stonehouse-dc/] sits down with Megan Whitehouse [https://www.instagram.com/megswhitehouse/?hl=en], a freelance designer and endurance athlete based in Seattle, to discuss her unconventional journey from Wisconsin to the Pacific Northwest. Megan shares how she transitioned from studying consumer behavior to pursuing design full-time The conversation explores Megan's approach to creative work, including her philosophy that great design goes beyond aesthetics to tell compelling stories that resonate with audiences. She opens up about the challenges and rewards of freelancing, her process for working with clients, and how she's working to align her career with her passion for cycling and the outdoors. The episode takes an inspiring turn as Megan recounts her solo 2,000-mile bike-packing journey down the Pacific Coast—a 27-day adventure that took her from Seattle to the Mexican border. She discusses the profound moments of solitude, unexpected connections with strangers, and how endurance sports have become her form of therapy and creative problem-solving. Megan also reflects on training for Ironman competitions, leading women's cycling groups in Seattle, and her philosophy of saying yes to challenges before knowing exactly how she'll accomplish them. The conversation touches on the importance of disconnecting from constant stimulation, the value of life experiences in fueling creativity, and her goal to merge her professional work with her athletic pursuits in the outdoor industry.

Great Design Tells a Story with David Somerville, Principal at Smrvl

In this episode, Alex Stonehouse [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-stonehouse-dc/] sits down with David Somerville [https://www.linkedin.com/in/smrvl/], Principal at Smrvl [https://smrvl.com/], to explore the philosophy behind great design and why the best work doesn’t just look good, it tells a story. David shares lessons from his time leading creative direction at The Atlantic, Defense One, and beyond, before building his own design studio rooted in curiosity, play, and lateral thinking. Together, they unpack how emotion, imperfection, and intuition bring design to life, and why every brand needs to make people feel something before asking them to do something. You’ll hear: - How design and storytelling work together - Why flaws can make brands more human - The tension between structure and spontaneity - What brands can learn from the way we play games This is a conversation about creativity, connection, and the messy, magical process of making design that feels alive.

Founder-Led, Fun-Fueled, Fractional Marketing with Amanda Wallman

What makes a marketing partner more than just another agency? Amanda Wallman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandaelizabeth/], founder of Alpine Edge Marketing [https://www.alpineedgemarketing.com/], joins Alex Stonehouse [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-stonehouse-dc/] to share her journey from alpine ski racing to running a founder-led consultancy helping startups and small businesses grow. We talk about: * Why being founder-led creates deeper trust and stronger partnerships. * How lessons from ski racing apply to marketing, growth, and testing strategies. * The importance of clarity, consistency, and momentum in building brands. * Why marketing is a business solution, not just campaigns. * And how to bring back the fun, creativity, and energy that unlock better results. Whether you’re a founder, a marketer, or somewhere in between, Amanda’s insights on building authentic, human-centered marketing strategies will leave you inspired.

The Three Cs of Modern Marketing: Content, Communications, and Creative with Sarah Schaffer, Founder of Bond Studios

In this episode of Brilliantly Wrong, Alex Stonehouse [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-stonehouse-dc/] sits down with Sarah Schaffer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-schaffer-1384225/], Founder & CEO of Bond Studios [https://www.bondstudios.online/], to explore The Three Cs of Modern Marketing: Content, Communications, and Creative. Sarah brings a journalist’s eye for truth and storytelling into the marketing world, building brands rooted in trust, clarity, and authenticity. We talk about how journalistic ethics translate into communications strategy, why listening is the most underrated agency superpower, how to avoid the “hot take express” on LinkedIn, and why the future of marketing depends on both market savvy and storytelling substance. Whether you’re a founder, marketer, or comms leader, Sarah’s perspective will sharpen the way you think about brand, trust, and how to connect with your audience in meaningful ways.