UNF*DGE Your Marketing
The podcast where we talk about what really happens when marketing doesn’t go according to plan.
Browse episodes:
Type of Interview
Trust Your Gut: Spot Marketing Red Flags Before It’s Too Late
EPISODE 113
In this episode of UNF*DGE Your Marketing, Kristi Mitchell chats with Dr. Karen Finn about what really happens when your marketing isn’t delivering results. Karen talks about the challenges business owners face when relying on outside experts, the importance of owning your marketing data, and the tough calls—like knowing when it’s time to part ways with an underperforming provider. You’ll hear how trusting your instincts, asking the right questions, and pivoting at the right moment can change the trajectory of your business. You'll hear practical advice for navigating uncertainty, taking control of your numbers, and building confidence in your marketing decisions.
From Sales Struggles to Selling for Weirdos: How to Simplify Marketing
EPISODE 112
Join Kristi Mitchell and business coach Sara Torpey as they share the hard‑won lessons of launching a business the wrong way, and what it takes to turn things around.
In this episode, we dig into the pitfalls of marketing in isolation, the power of real human connections, and why simply talking to more people can accelerate growth. You’ll hear how honest feedback reshapes your strategy, why your offer isn’t for everyone (even those closest to you), and how resilience keeps you moving through inevitable marketing challenges.
Walk away with practical, actionable advice on building meaningful relationships, clarifying your audience, and simplifying your approach to growth.
Stop the Networking Hustle: Build a Sustainable Marketing System
EPISODE 111
In this solo episode of UNF*DGE Your Marketing, we dive into the #1 marketing mistake that keeps entrepreneurs stuck: relying too heavily on referrals and word of mouth.
Networking alone won’t sustain your business growth. You’ll hear why building an email list, creating a lead magnet, and email nurture sequences are the real game‑changers. With the right system in place, you stop chasing contacts and start building confidence while staying top of mind with your audience (and avoiding burn out!)
Listeners will learn how to take clear, actionable steps to design a funnel that attracts, nurtures, and converts, truly setting you up for long‑term success.
Why Your Book Isn’t Selling: The Real Marketing Missteps
EPISODE 110
In this episode, Kristi Mitchell sits down with Ally Machate to unpack what happens when authors wait too long to market their books. The conversation focuses on common mistakes like prioritizing tactics over strategy, the "good book, wrong book" problem, and the critical impact of early alignment between audience, messaging, and business goals. Learn why defining your purpose and audience from the very beginning can save you time, money, and frustration—and how these takeaways apply to any marketing effort, not just publishing.
Starting Over: Lessons in Leaving Corporate and Building a New Brand
EPISODE 109
Join Kristi Mitchell and Stephan Bajaio as they talk about the real challenges of transitioning from corporate marketing to entrepreneurship. Stephan shares his honest experience navigating LinkedIn’s shifting algorithms, rethinking audience targeting, and the ongoing struggle of defining a niche. They discuss how business owners can avoid pitfalls like relying too much on their old networks, the importance of setting boundaries with ideal clients, and leveraging personal expertise over shortcuts like AI-generated content. Walk away with actionable advice on building trust, creating utility-driven marketing, and embracing the messy evolution of business growth.
Symptoms vs Root Cause: Why Your Marketing Isn’t Working
EPISODE 108
Join Kristi Mitchell as she unpacks the difference between marketing symptoms and root causes through real business examples. Learn why jumping from one tactic to the next or chasing the latest trends could be masking deeper strategic issues. Walk away with actionable steps to clarify your audience, messaging, and customer journey so you can stop putting band aids on your marketing and finally build a strong foundation that drives real results.
Cut the Noise – Practical Tips for Attention-Grabbing Messaging
EPISODE 107
This conversation between Kristi Mitchell and Emily Aborn centers on what to do and NOT to do when fighting for your audience’s attention in a noisy world. Learn why clarity, energy, and authenticity are essential for engaging messaging, and discover practical strategies for crafting focused content that keeps people coming back. If you’ve struggled to keep your audience engaged or wondered how to stand out amidst constant digital noise, you’ll find actionable tips and relatable stories in this episode.
From FOMO to Focus: How to Use AI Intentionally in Your Business
EPISODE 106
Explore the real-world challenges of integrating AI into marketing strategies and why a thoughtful approach matters more than ever. This conversation between Kristi Mitchell and Marisa Cali focuses on business owners rushing to adopt new AI tools without assessing alignment or having a clear strategy, leading to a sea of sameness and lost authenticity. Discover why slowing down, staying mindful of your brand’s identity, and blending human expertise with AI tools creates better, more sustainable results. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by pressure to implement the latest tech trends, these honest lessons will help.
From Overwhelm to Organized: Small Business Marketing Lessons
EPISODE 105:
If marketing your business feels overwhelming and unpredictable, this conversation is for you! Hear candid lessons from Meg Tyo, a social worker and photographer, on overcoming the chaos of “winging it,” building sustainable marketing routines, and staying visible even when motivation is low. This conversation focuses on how planning, clarity, and realistic expectations can make marketing less stressful and more effective - even if you don’t have a traditional business background. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep showing up when you’re juggling multiple roles, you’ll find practical tips for finding consistency and permission to focus on what works for you.
How Losing a Dream Client Fueled a Major Marketing Shift
Episode 104
Discover the challenges of building a personal brand while working under another company’s umbrella, and learn how to overcome the common pitfalls of relying on someone else’s marketing presence. This conversation between Kristi Mitchell and Ali Raymer focuses on the journey from being “just a photo on a website” to building a bold, authentic brand that attracts the right clients. Kristi and Ali discuss developing content strategy, finding your ideal audience, and embracing resilience when marketing doesn’t go as planned. If you’re navigating your own brand clarity, feeling boxed in by someone else’s brand, or ready to take ownership of your marketing, you’ll find valuable lessons in this conversation.
Speed to Lead: The Overlooked Secret to Closing More Sales
Episode 103
Discover the crucial lesson of "speed to lead" as this conversation between Kristi Mitchell and Abi Asija focuses on how responding quickly to new leads can make or break sales opportunities. Hear about the impact of rapid follow-up, the costly mistake of missed connections, and why trust is built through timely communication. The discussion explores actionable strategies for service businesses to increase show-up rates, build stronger customer relationships, and boost revenue through improved response times. Perfect for business owners ready to optimize their sales process and avoid common pitfalls.
Failing Forward: How a Workshop Flop Fueled Better Marketing
Episode 102
Join Kristi Mitchell and Ron Klinger as they explore what happens when marketing an event doesn’t go as planned. Ron Klinger shares candid lessons from a recent workshop promotion, discussing the pitfalls of relying too much on existing relationships, the importance of audience feedback, and how timing can make or break your marketing efforts. Discover practical strategies for learning from marketing missteps and moving forward with a growth mindset.
Why Most SEO Investments Fail and How to Fix It
Episode 101
Learn about the critical importance of foundational marketing before investing in SEO. This conversation focuses on common mistakes business owners make, such as trying to drive traffic to a website that isn't ready to convert and not having a clear understanding of their target audience. We explore why content quality and consistency matter, and why setting realistic expectations for organic growth is essential for marketing success. Learn more about the value of collaborating with true SEO professionals during website setup and the benefits of treating content as a multi-channel asset.
Celebrating 100 Episodes: Top Marketing Lessons Learned
Episode 100
To celebrate 100 episodes, Kristi Mitchell reflects on the lessons learned from 99 honest conversations with business owners about their marketing mistakes. In this solo episode, she shares the three key lessons that consistently arise in successful marketing turnarounds and the mindset shift needed to view failures as growth opportunities.
Refreshing Your Brand: From Marketing Autopilot to Authentic Visibility
Episode 99
Join Kristi Mitchell and Rachel Allen as they share real-life lessons from years of marketing, including the struggle of marketing your own business, evolving your brand identity, and overcoming the fear of visibility. Hear how embracing authenticity, refreshing outdated strategies, and reconnecting with your network can reinvigorate your marketing efforts. If you’ve ever felt stuck or hesitant to show up as yourself in your business, this episode is for you.
When Corporate Habits Hold Back Your Marketing
Episode 98
Transitioning from corporate life to entrepreneurship, Mark Stern shares hard-won marketing lessons, mindset shifts, and the unexpected journey that led to founding Custom Box Agency. Hear candid stories of early business missteps, how listening to customers sparked product innovation, and practical advice for staying focused in a fast-changing business landscape. Discover why niching down, seeking mentorship, and tuning into your audience are crucial for long-term growth.
Lessons from a Failed Mass Messaging Campaign
Episode 97
Jon Goehring, founder of Story Trust Media, sits down with Kristi Mitchell to discuss a marketing misstep and the lessons he learned from using mass messaging campaigns with purchased lists. The conversation explores why building genuine relationships and prioritizing quality over quantity is crucial for high-trust, service-based businesses. Jon and Kristi share practical strategies for outreach, sustainable business growth, and creating value-driven content.
Stop Chasing Shiny Objects: Aligning Marketing Tactics with Your Values
Episode 96
Discover the real challenges of marketing when impatience and shiny new tactics cloud your strategy. Humaira Akhter shares her candid experience with LinkedIn Sales Navigator, why lead generation shortcuts rarely work, and how self-alignment and leveraging existing networks are crucial for growth. Kristi and Humaira explore the importance of trusting your instincts, the risks of abandoning effective foundations, and practical ways to get clear on what really works for your business.
Avoiding Messaging Fails: Building Strategy Before Writing Copy
Episode 95
Discover the real stories behind common marketing missteps, how skipping strategy leads to wasted time and money, and why understanding your client’s language is crucial for conversion. Kristi Mitchell and Elle Rosselli discuss the dangers of relying on assumptions instead of client research, share actionable advice for building a messaging strategy, and reveal how to use authentic client conversations to drive business growth.
Stop Losing Business: Nail Your Message, Attract the Right Clients
Episode 94
Discover the real impact of messaging clarity and consistency on your business as Hersh Rephun joins Kristi Mitchell to discuss common marketing mistakes and how clarity in your message can lead to authentic growth. Learn why simply increasing visibility isn’t enough, and how ensuring consistency across all channels helps you avoid confusion and missed opportunities. Hear practical advice for aligning your brand, especially if you’re multi-passionate or transitioning roles