Wading through treacle: WTF does everything feel so hard?

Wading through treacle: WTF does everything feel so hard?

Why does business feel so bloody hard right now? If you've found yourself wondering whether it's just you... this episode is for you. Because if the first half of 2026 has felt heavier than it should, you're definitely not imagining it. In Episode 13, Ro and Nic tackle the question that's cropping up in almost every conversation they're having with business owners right now: Why does everything feel so much harder than it used to? They unpack what's really going on beneath the surface, from the trust recession that's making sales cycles longer than ever, to market saturation, economic uncertainty, AI disruption and a political landscape that's leaving many people emotionally exhausted before they've even opened their laptops. But this isn't an episode about doom and gloom!! It's about understanding why things feel different, why the old tactics aren't working quite like they used to, and what business owners can actually do instead. They explore why strategy matters more than ever, how to build trust when everyone's sceptical, and why trying to find the next silver bullet is probably the worst thing you can do. Along the way, they also answer a listener question about speaking to your ideal client, dismantle the myth of the "perfect customer avatar", and end with a spicy rant about the booming personal branding industry... and why so much of what's being sold is simply basic brand strategy wrapped up in shiny new packaging. If business has felt like wading through treacle lately, this one might just help you realise you're not the problem. Don't Quote Us On This is the straight-talking podcast where marketing strategist Rowena Wilding and brand strategist Nic Mooney pull apart the biggest myths, trends and frustrations in branding and marketing, with plenty of laughs, strong opinions and the occasional rant along the way.

Utter bull: WTF is the worst marketing advice?

"Just post more." "Charge what you're worth." "The funnel is dead." If you've spent more than five minutes on LinkedIn recently, you've probably been hit with at least one of these gems. And while some of them sound convincing on the surface, Nic and Ro think a lot of today's marketing advice is, frankly… utter bull. In Episode 12, they dive headfirst into some of the worst advice doing the rounds online and explain why so many business owners are burning out, chasing vanity metrics and investing in all the wrong things. From the obsession with posting multiple times a day to the idea that a pretty brand is all you need, they unpack why good marketing is rarely about shortcuts and almost never about following someone else's formula. They also answer a listener's question about follower counts, revealing why more followers won't magically make marketing easier, and why your messaging, nurture and strategy matter far more than the number at the top of your profile. Finally, in this week's Don't Quote Us On This, they tackle a hard truth: if you want a profitable business, you have to learn how to build one. Being brilliant at what you do isn't enough. Strategy, systems and marketing aren't optional extras. They're the business. As always, expect strong opinions, plenty of laughs, and absolutely no sugar-coating. You can follow Nic on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hello.nicmooney/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicmooneycreative/] And Ro on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wildingmarketing/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowenawildingmarketing/]

The Trust Factor: WTF makes people believe in your brand?

What happens when your first-ever podcast guest is someone whose business perfectly proves the point you're trying to make? In Episode 11, Ro and Nic are joined by the brilliant Olivia Marocco, founder of Brand New Connect, editor of Brand New Magazine, and creator of one of the best business events they've attended all year: The Odyssey. Together, they dive into the realities of building a brand that people genuinely trust in a world where audiences are becoming increasingly sceptical, communities are everywhere, and everyone seems to be chasing bigger, faster and louder. Olivia shares the story behind Brand New Connect, how a magazine evolved into a thriving community, and why she's never been interested in following trends or growing for growth's sake. Instead, the conversation explores integrity, trust, attention to detail, and the importance of building something that reflects your values rather than someone else's definition of success. The trio also discuss personal branding, the pressures of constant visibility, knowing when to evolve your business, and Olivia's recent decision to move Brand New Magazine from print to digital. And in a particularly spicy edition of Don't Quote Us On This, they tackle the rise of the "girl boss" mentality, why collaboration beats competition, and what happens when communities become more about ego than impact. If you've ever wondered how to build a brand people trust, create a community people actually want to be part of, or grow a business without losing yourself in the process, this one's for you. Follow Olivia on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/oliviamarocco1/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-marocco-793952194/] Follow Rowena on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wildingmarketing/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowenawildingmarketing/] Follow Nic on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hello.nicmooney/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicmooneycreative/]

A full rundown: WTF makes a good event?

What makes a good event… actually good? Is it the speakers? The venue? The people in the room? The free coffee? (Spoiler: that one matters more than you'd think.) In Episode 10, Ro and Nic compare notes after an absolutely ridiculous few weeks of networking. Between them, they've attended eight events in less than a month, ranging from intimate lunch gatherings and industry conferences to awards ceremonies, exhibitions and sold-out women's business events. So they decided to do what any self-respecting marketers would do: analyse the lot. They chat about the events that genuinely blew them away, the little details that made a huge impact, and the common mistakes that can turn a promising event into a disappointing one. Along the way, they discuss everything from curated guest lists and facilitated networking to terrible coffee, bad speaker prep and why the room itself matters far more than most organisers realise. There are also some brilliant recommendations if you're looking to get more from networking, whether you're attending events, speaking at them, or thinking about running your own. If you've ever left an event buzzing with ideas, meaningful connections and a notebook full of inspiration... or left wondering why you bothered putting trousers on in the first place... this episode is for you. Plus, they reveal the first-ever guest coming onto Don't Quote Us On This, and trust us, it's a good one. Follow Ro on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowenawildingmarketing/] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wildingmarketing/] Follow Nic on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicmooneycreative/] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hello.nicmooney/]

The stuff holding us back: WTF has confidence got to do with it?

Confidence gets thrown around online like it’s a personality trait. Something you either naturally have… or you don’t. In this episode, Ro and Nic unpack why that’s complete nonsense. They get into the real reasons people hold themselves back in business. * Perfectionism masquerading as professionalism. * The comparison spirals that make you question your entire career after one LinkedIn scroll. * The old comments from teachers, bosses, and random blokes in offices that still somehow shape the way we show up online years later. This is the episode that'll tell you why “just be more confident” is genuinely useless advice. They also veer into marketing territory (obviously), talking about analytics without the corporate jargon, the difference between useful data and vanity metrics, and why so many online group programmes are starting to lose their appeal. It’s thoughtful, funny, slightly existential in places… and probably a conversation a lot more business owners need to hear. And finally... the big reveal is here. What have Nic and Ro been planning? Find out at the end of the episode! Follow Nic on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicmooneycreative/] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hello.nicmooney/] Follow Ro on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowenawildingmarketing/] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wildingmarketing/]