From Startup to Wunderbrand

Are Brand Agencies Still Relevant in the Canva Era? T Christian Helms says yes!

T. Christian Helms is the creative force behind Helms Workshop, a branding agency based in Austin known for crafting bold, character-driven brands. He’s a designer, writer, speaker, and former Pentagram-er who once designed a logo in a Burger King bathroom (yep, really). In this episode, Christian and Nicholas Kuhne dive into why design without thinking is dead, how to build a brand that makes people feel something, and what separates a pretty logo from a movement. If you’ve ever been frustrated by clients picking the “safe” option, or wondered whether brand agencies still matter in an AI-driven world – this is the one to queue up. 🔥 Expect hard truths, deep thoughts on the future of branding, and a refreshing reminder that building a brand is about making possibilities, not just pretty things. Website: helmsworkshop.com Instagram: @helmsworkshop 👉 Listen in for a masterclass in creative strategy, branding bravery, and why human-first design still matters. 00:00 – Meet the “Original Mr. T”: Christian Helms 01:16 – A designer’s oddest workspace: the Burger King bathroom story 02:25 – Why design without thinking is just art 03:26 – That client always picks the worst option – why? 05:12 – Convincing clients to be brave 06:34 – Branding = creating new possibilities 08:18 – Emotional vs functional branding (and why most banks are boring) 09:58 – Do brand agencies still matter? 12:57 – Competing with giants like Landor and Interbrand 14:41 – What Helms Workshop actually does 16:52 – Will brand agencies have a renaissance? 18:33 – How Helms hires and keeps great talent 20:45 – How Christian stays inspired and avoids burnout 22:44 – Where to find Christian and his work Connect with me on: All my links [https://beacons.ai/nicholas_kuhne] Become a guest [https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne] Sign up for Riverside [https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=nicholas-kuhne] Get Descript [https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuq]   #DigitalMarketing #Branding #PersonalBranding #MarketingInsights #SocialMediaStrategy Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How Big Brands Buy Media and What Startups Can Learn

We talk real strategies for customer targeting, audience “alchemy”, and Adam’s hands-on approach to crafting campaigns that actually convert. Plus, Adam shares why he’s publishing guides, eBooks, and content to help even the smallest businesses buy media like pros. Whether you're a founder, marketer, or launching your first product – this episode gives you the straight-talking guidance you wish you'd had earlier. 🎯 Big theme? *Marketing doesn’t work without understanding people. ---------------------------------------- 🎧 Edit your podcasts like a pro: https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuq [https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuq] 🎤 Join me as a guest or start your podcast journey: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne [https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne] ---------------------------------------- Adam’s Agency & Resources: 🌍 https://www.kinetic319.com [https://www.kinetic319.com] 📚 Free & Paid Marketing Guides, Blog + Conversion Playbooks 📱 @kinetic319 on all platforms ---------------------------------------- TIMESTAMPS & TOPICS 00:00 – Why people do business with people, not brands 01:15 – Introducing Adam Ortman & Kinetic319 02:20 – What big brands like Nike really understand about consumer psychology 04:10 – What sets Adam’s agency apart: performance-driven media buying 06:00 – The problem with agencies that try to do everything 07:30 – Adam’s eBooks: why they exist and who they help 09:00 – Turning marketing theory into self-serve playbooks 10:30 – Why buying US TV ads is so complex – and how Adam made it simpler 12:00 – Kinetic319’s work in Europe + US market entry tips 14:45 – Cultural targeting and why it matters in global campaigns 16:00 – The meaning behind the name Kinetic319 17:45 – Final advice for founders and marketers Connect with me on: All my links [https://beacons.ai/nicholas_kuhne] Become a guest [https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne] Sign up for Riverside [https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=nicholas-kuhne] Get Descript [https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuq]   #DigitalMarketing #Branding #PersonalBranding #MarketingInsights #SocialMediaStrategy Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Closing the AI Gap: How Small Businesses Can Compete in a Billion-Dollar Tech World

In this episode, we dive into the real digital divide — not just access to tools, but the confidence and capacity to use them. Roberto and Nicholas go deep on how small businesses, particularly in marginalised communities, can close the AI gap, scale their operations, and build generational wealth. Expect sharp commentary on: * Why Roberto left government for entrepreneurship * How tools like ChatGPT are levelling the playing field * The gritty truth about “full service” agencies in a fragmented world * Whether AI is taking jobs or creating them Why listen? If you're building a business on the frontlines — without the luxury of Silicon Valley funding — this conversation is your blueprint. Real talk. Real strategy. Real impact. Call to Action: Edit your podcasts like a pro: https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuqJoin me as a guest or start your podcast journey: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne Roberto’s Projects: * https://bravenagency.com [https://bravenagency.com] * https://smrts.co [https://smrts.co] * Email: robert@bravenagency.com [robert@bravenagency.com] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberto-martinez-360 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberto-martinez-360] ---------------------------------------- ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS & KEY TOPICS: 00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – Getting confused with a reality TV star 03:00 – Why Roberto walked away from government 05:00 – From grief to grit: the personal story behind Braven Agency 07:00 – Small business vs unicorn startup mindsets 09:30 – Lifestyle businesses vs visionary growth 13:00 – Why build a full-service agency in 2025? 15:30 – AI workflows, operational savings, and global talent 18:30 – The digital divide isn't about access – it's about application 21:00 – Real-world AI example: logo design from 20 hours to 5 24:00 – How AI is creating jobs in small business (surprise!) 26:30 – Roberto’s open invitation to collaborate Connect with me on: All my links [https://beacons.ai/nicholas_kuhne] Become a guest [https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne] Sign up for Riverside [https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=nicholas-kuhne] Get Descript [https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuq]   #DigitalMarketing #Branding #PersonalBranding #MarketingInsights #SocialMediaStrategy Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why AI Can’t Replace Real Writers – Copywriter Sarah Ashley on Craft, Clients & Content

She didn’t start out in writing. With roots in computer science and a pivot into business, Sarah discovered copywriting as the perfect blend of creativity and commerce. From $10 blog posts on Fiverr to hundreds of completed gigs, she's built a sustainable brand through consistency, experimentation, and serious craft. In this episode, we get into: What copywriting really is (and isn’t) How AI is helping (not replacing) real writers The “Fiverr-as-practice” mentality Managing content across TikTok, Instagram, Reddit and more The power of repurposing and storytelling across platforms Email, Substack, and why she’s jumping on podcasts Whether you’re a marketer, solopreneur, or just trying to make sense of your content strategy, this episode offers a sharp take on how to survive (and thrive) in today’s attention economy. 🔗 Edit your podcasts like a pro: https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuq [https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuq] 🎙️ Join me as a guest or start your podcast journey: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne [https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne] 🎯 Sarah Ashley’s Tools & Links: Services & Freebies: https://portalcopyco.com [https://portalcopyco.com] Social: @portalcopyco 00:00 – Introducing Sarah Ashley 01:30 – What copywriting actually is 03:00 – Her unexpected path from computer science to copy 05:00 – Fiverr, classical music and building the craft 07:00 – AI tools and how copywriters can stay relevant 08:30 – Using Reddit, TikTok, and Snapchat as a creative 10:30 – Multi-platform content strategy breakdown 12:30 – Platform purpose: TikTok, Pinterest, Instagram, Reddit 14:00 – Repurposing one blog into 6 pieces of content 15:00 – Making email sexy again (sort of) 16:00 – On Substack, podcasting, and finding new audiences 18:00 – Who Sarah loves working with: practical dreamers Connect with me on: All my links [https://beacons.ai/nicholas_kuhne] Become a guest [https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne] Sign up for Riverside [https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=nicholas-kuhne] Get Descript [https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuq]   #DigitalMarketing #Branding #PersonalBranding #MarketingInsights #SocialMediaStrategy Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Busy Doesn’t Equal Productive: What 35 Years of Data Reveals About Your Team’s Time

In this episode, we get into his data-backed findings on how men and women use time differently at work, why only 20% of your time is actually spent on your highest priorities (ouch), and how organisations are quietly burning out their teams without even realising it. We talk practical fixes, bad email habits, smarter meetings, and how measuring what matters can transform your team’s output. Oh, and we get poetic too — literally. Mark shares his quirky (and surprisingly powerful) book The Poetic Path to Getting More Done and even drops a goal-setting rhyme that’s better than your last TED Talk. If you’re a founder, manager, or just someone whose to-do list is longer than your week — this one’s for you. 🛠️ Mark Ellwood’s Tools & Resources 🔗 Website: https://getmoredone.com [https://getmoredone.com] 📖 Book: The Poetic Path to Getting More Done 💡 Time tracking device: The TimeCorder 00:00 Introduction: Meet Mark Elwood, Productivity Expert 01:16 The Research: Women vs Men in Time Management 02:17 The Power of Data-Driven Insights 05:21 The 20% Problem: Time Spent on Top Priorities 08:06 Common Mistakes in Corporate Time Management 10:09 Training Managers: Essential Skills Under the Time Management Umbrella 13:09 Meeting Management: Everyone's Responsibility 13:44 Work Patterns: Short Bursts vs Long Duration 15:24 Measuring What Matters: Tracking Time Effectively 16:59 The Time Quarter Device: Anonymous and Effective 18:56 The Poetic Path: Time Management Through Poetry 19:43 SMART Goals in Verse 23:21 Make Me A Poem: Interactive Poetry Creation 25:41 Closing: Where to Find Mark and His Resources Connect with me on: All my links [https://beacons.ai/nicholas_kuhne] Become a guest [https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne] Sign up for Riverside [https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=nicholas-kuhne] Get Descript [https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuq]   #DigitalMarketing #Branding #PersonalBranding #MarketingInsights #SocialMediaStrategy Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.