The Ross Simmonds Show

Ross Simmonds
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Welcome to The Ross Simmonds Show. A show exploring the different sides of entrepreneurship, how Ross is growing his global marketing agency, building software, raising a family, and attempting to do so much more. On this show, Ross explores what goes into executing with excellence, embracing innovation, marketing at a high level and doing it all with intent of the playing the long game. This show is a proud member of the HubSpot Podcast Network.

  1. RSS 21: Lead with Purpose: Unlocking Leadership Potential with Dusty Holcomb

    3 DAYS AGO

    RSS 21: Lead with Purpose: Unlocking Leadership Potential with Dusty Holcomb

    In this episode of The Ross Simmonds Show,  Ross sits down with Dusty Holcomb, seasoned executive and founder of Arcqus Group, to talk about what it truly means to lead in today’s complex world. With over two decades of experience leading high-growth companies in logistics and eCommerce, Dusty shares powerful lessons on embracing vulnerability, building with intent, saying “no” to distractions, and remaining anchored in purpose. Whether you're a CEO, entrepreneur, or people leader, this conversation offers insights on self-leadership, scaling effectively, and building transformative leadership habits. Packed with real-world stories, frameworks, and actionable wisdom, this episode is a must-listen for those playing the long game. 1. Vulnerability in Leadership - How Dusty overcame surface-level transparency. - Leadership as a learned, active behavior. - Advice for leaders hesitant to open up. 2.  Leading Through Chaos and Saying No - A Red Stag story: Saying no to a dream client to stay aligned with brand promise. - Anchoring every decision in first principles and mission clarity. - Use thinking time and decision frameworks to combat shiny object syndrome. 3. Challenges Facing Modern Leaders - More decisions than ever before (hello, AI). - Being “ruthlessly focused.” - Framework: “Distill it to three—and then to one.” 4. Habits, Rhythms, and Self-Leadership - Why self-care isn’t selfish. - Quarterly reviews and morning/evening routines. - Framework: Accountability through public commitment. 5. Creating Safe Spaces for Growth - How vulnerability leads to transformation in small groups. - Real stories of powerful breakthroughs and support in cohorts. 6.  Three Key Lessons Dusty Would Tell His Younger Self - Trust your gut (and verify it). - You’re in the seat for a reason. - Surround yourself with good mentors and advisors. 7.  On Gut Feelings and Building Confidence - Exercises to validate gut instincts. - Frame tough decisions: “What’s the worst that could happen?” 8.  Breaking Imposter Syndrome - Tools for building conviction and clarity in your role. - Practice "the gap and the gain" mindset. 9 . Mentorship: How to Find and Add Value to a Mentor - Don’t chase billionaires – start with thought leadership and inner circle. - Great mentors learn from your questions. - “We often teach what we most need to learn.” 10.  3 Pain Points Most Leaders Face - Frustration vs. results gap. - “Why does everything fall on me?” - Leadership loneliness and isolation. 11. Coaching Execution Starts with Clarity & Alignment - Execution problems often stem from unclear expectations. - Solving upstream issues unlocks downstream performance. 14. The Role of CEOs: Vision and Connection - A CEO’s job is connecting purpose, vision, and plan. - Always be teaching and reinforcing the why. Resources & Tools: 🔗Arcqus Group — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV  ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool   ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool   ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds — 👋🏾 Stay connected with Dusty — ╰ Instagram:  @wareagledusty ╰ Twitter / X: @wareagledusty  ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dustyholcomb/

    1h 4m
  2. RSS 20: Why “Pressing Publish” Isn’t Enough

    30 SEPT

    RSS 20: Why “Pressing Publish” Isn’t Enough

    In this episode of The Ross Simmonds Show, Ross was interviewed by Rich Brooks to debunk the myth that content marketing ends when you press publish. Together, they explore the essential strategies behind effective content distribution, including Ross’s powerful framework: Repurpose, Remix, and Reshare. From leveraging AI tools like Distribution.ai to embracing video in B2B content strategy, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help your content reach the audience it deserves. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. The Real Work Starts After “Publish” - Publishing is not the final step—it’s the starting line. - Measure not by how often you publish but by how many people you reach and engage. - Most content dies in obscurity because it's never distributed effectively. 2. What is Content Distribution, Really? - The process of ensuring your content is discovered by the right audience. - Requires deep audience and channel research to deliver content in the right format at the right place. - It’s about strategy, not just amplification. 3. The Three R’s Framework: Repurpose, Remix, Reshare - Repurpose: Turn one content asset (e.g. webinar) into blog posts, newsletters, eBooks. - Remix: Reformat – video into audio, cut clips for social media. - Reshare: Continuously circulate evergreen content; don't assume one post is enough. - Modernize and refresh content similar to how Disney reboots classic stories. 4. Should You Lead with Video, Audio, or Text? - Best: Video – it’s the most repurposable and personal format, even in B2B. - Next: Audio – podcasting creates parasocial relationships and trust. - Last: Text – still valuable, but easier to fake and less engaging. - Embrace the format that aligns with your strength—but don't ignore video if you're serious about future visibility. 5.  Using AI To Scale Content Distribution - AI is an accelerant: great marketers get greater, fast. - AI tools like Distribution.ai help apply your brand voice and create promotional content at scale. - Human review is still critical—AI is great, but human nuance still wins. 6. SEO Is Not Dead - "SEO is dead" is a myth. Search has evolved, not vanished. - Think beyond Google: people search on LinkedIn, Reddit, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram. - Optimize for discovery wherever your audience is searching. Resources & Tools: 🔗 Distribution.ai  🔗 Ross’s Book: “Create Once, Distribute Forever”  🔗 Agents of Change - Smart Content Distribution Strategies with Ross Simmonds — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV  ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool   ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool   ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds

    29 min
  3. RSS 19: Reddit Marketing: How to Drive Traffic & Win LLM Search (2025–2026)

    19 SEPT

    RSS 19: Reddit Marketing: How to Drive Traffic & Win LLM Search (2025–2026)

    In this episode of The Ross Simmonds Show, Ross dives deep into why Reddit has emerged as the most powerful organic marketing platform heading into 2025. From transforming million-dollar buying decisions to influencing AI language models like ChatGPT and Google's AI Overviews, Reddit isn't just a content site — it's a market-shaping force. Ross unpacks exactly how and why Reddit has become a SERP-dominating player, how brands can harness its authenticity-fueled power, and introduces his signature Reddit marketing framework: R.O.S.S (Reddit Operating System of Scale). Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. The Power of a Single Reddit Thread - Deals are won or lost based on one Reddit post - Reddit is no longer just memes — it’s shaping corporate decisions 2. The Rise of Reddit in Organic Search - Reddit ranked 2nd after Wikipedia for Google search traffic in late 2024 - Outperformed YouTube in search visibility - Took over bottom-of-funnel consideration traffic from platforms like G2 and Capterra 3. Why Traditional SEO is Failing - Marketers ruined trust in content with affiliate-driven blog posts - Reddit now draws 600M+ monthly visits from Google - 1,328% YoY growth in Reddit's search visibility 4. Google's Algorithm Shift & Reddit’s Role - Reddit's authentic content aligns with Google’s user-first approach - Google’s $60M data licensing deal with Reddit (2024) - New "Forums" search tab prioritizing Reddit threads 5. Reddit vs Traditional Media & Review Sites - Reddit ranks for 5.7M+ transactional keywords - Competes with giants like Wirecutter and New York Times for product discovery - 5.1M overlapping keywords with major publishers 6. Reddit's Impact on AI Training - Reddit content now foundational for LLMs (Large Language Models) - Google, OpenAI, and others using Reddit content to train AI - AI outputs now reflect sentiment from Reddit conversations 7. How Reddit Influences AI Answers - Brand reputation on Reddit can directly influence AI-generated recommendations - Reddit as a real-time, user-driven knowledge base for AI Resources & Tools: 🔗GummySearch 🔗Brandwatch 🔗Reddit List 🔗⁠Sparktoro — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV  ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool   ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool   ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds

    20 min
  4. RSS 18: How AI Is Changing Buyer Behavior (And How to Respond)

    13 SEPT

    RSS 18: How AI Is Changing Buyer Behavior (And How to Respond)

    In this episode of The Ross Simmonds Show, Ross breaks down how artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing the way consumers discover, evaluate, and choose products or services. Traditional SEO strategies and marketing funnels are no longer as effective in a world where AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and TikTok summaries serve as the first touchpoint for buyers. Ross not only highlights these seismic shifts but also provides a concrete blueprint for brands looking to thrive in an AI-influenced world: show up where the machines are listening, create confident content, and double down on what only humans can do—empathize and build trust. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. AI Has Become the New Middleman - AI is now the layer between businesses and buyers—not your website, blog, or email campaign anymore. - Platforms like Google Search are now serving AI-generated answers directly in the SERPs. Users no longer need to click through to content. 2. The Rise of AI-Powered Discovery - Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are replacing traditional search. - Platforms like Reddit and TikTok are leveraging AI to deliver research-based answers and recommendations. 3. AI Discovery vs. Traditional SEO - Search is now decentralized—starting on TikTok, Reddit, Instagram, and AI tools. - “GEO” (Generative Experience Optimization) is not just another flavor of SEO—it's a new paradigm. 4. Evaluation Before Interaction - Buyers are arriving at demos already informed via AI comparisons and analysis. - Trust has already been formed—or lost—before your team speaks to the buyer. 5. AI’s Interpretation of Trust - AI evaluates trust by looking at author credibility, citations, platform presence and content quality. - Influencing LLMs (Large Language Models) is now as important as influencing people. 6. Actionable Solutions - Solution #1: Shift Your Mindset - Solution #2: Build Authoritative Content Moats - Solution #3: Align for the Pre-Sales Journey 7. The Ultimate Competitive Edge: Being Human - AI can't replicate human empathy, intuition, or emotional intelligence. - Your ability to build trust in 1:1 conversations and real-world engagement is your moat. Resources & Tools: 🔗 ChatGPT 🔗 Claude 🔗 Gemini 🔗 Reddit AI Tools 🔗 Perplexity AI — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV  ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool   ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool   ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds

    18 min
  5. RSS 17: Redefining Modern Leadership and HR with Craig Samson

    6 SEPT

    RSS 17: Redefining Modern Leadership and HR with Craig Samson

    In this episode of The Ross Simmonds Show, Ross talks with Craig Samson, founder of Gran Sasso HR Solutions, about modern leadership, people strategy, and rebuilding organizational culture. Craig shares practical frameworks for leading with vulnerability, building high-performing teams, and evolving HR from a support function into a strategic driver of business value. He also dives into the importance of self-awareness, psychological safety, and how to lead effectively in both in-person and remote-first organizations. Whether you're a founder hiring your first team, a new people leader, or an executive looking to scale a performance-driven culture, this episode is packed with actionable leadership wisdom. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. What Makes a Great Modern Leader - Effective leaders today lead with authenticity, vulnerability, and trust. - Leadership is no longer about knowing everything—it’s about empowering others. - Letting go of traditional ego-driven expectations is key to being relatable. 2. Vulnerability in Leadership: Turning Weakness into Strength - Vulnerability builds trust—it's OK (and essential) to not have all the answers. - Invite collaboration by admitting shortcomings and asking for help. - “The more you give it away, the more you get back.” 3. Advice for Founders Building First-Time Leadership Teams - Founders should avoid hiring clones of themselves. - Surround yourself with diverse thinkers—balancing fast-moving visionaries with detail-focused operators. - Slow down to clearly communicate expectations. 4. Frameworks for Building Balanced Teams - Understand human biases: we tend to gravitate toward those who are like us. - Craig recommends the DiSC personality tool to build self-awareness and team compatibility. 5. Elevating HR to a Strategic Advantage - HR must shift from policy enforcement to business partnership. - Use data to show ROI on people investments (absenteeism, turnover, engagement). - Craig recommends anonymous employee engagement surveys to get deeper insights. 6. Transforming Culture at Scale - Craig shares a case study from his time overhauling HR at a billion-dollar retailer. - Flipped the HR model by sending teams into the field to rebuild trust and partnership with operations. - Engagement and performance increased significantly post-transformation. 7. Remote Leadership & Trust - Manage to deliverables, not screen time. - Over-communicate expectations and purpose. - Use in-person time strategically to build deep connections. Resources & Tools: 🔗 DiSC Behavioral Assessment 🔗 Gran Sasso HR — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV  ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool   ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool   ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds — Connect with Craig — ╰ Twitter / X: @craigsampson07 ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/craig-sampson-263b3527/

    44 min
  6. RSS 16: The Death of Work-Life Balance: My Journey

    29 AUG

    RSS 16: The Death of Work-Life Balance: My Journey

    In this episode of The Ross Simmonds Show, Ross dives deep into the real cost of high performance and ambition. From managing two companies and global speaking engagements to parenting with intention, Ross offers a transparent look at his life and how he approaches productivity, sacrifice, and sustainability — not through the lens of balance, but through integration. If you're someone who's chasing big things and wondering how to keep going without losing yourself, this episode is packed with insights and frameworks to help you build for the long game. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. The Myth of Balance - High achievement rarely comes from comfort or balance. - Growth is messy, intense, and requires sacrifice. - Striving for a 1% outcome means choosing priorities with intention, not perfection. 2. Living With Intention, Not Guilt - Balance isn't about doing everything — it’s about choosing what matters most. - “Every yes is a no to something else.” Choose your “yes” intentionally. 3. Say No Strategically - Practical example: saying no to ad-hoc calls or meetings without clear agendas. - Use your calendar to reflect your life priorities — from anniversaries to golf sessions. 4. Mindset Shifts That Scale - Shift mindset from scarcity ("I don’t have time") to gratitude ("I get to do this"). - Burnout often stems from expecting trade-offs without acknowledging purpose. Resources & Tools: 🔗 Garmin Watch — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV  ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool   ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool   ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds

    28 min
  7. RSS 15: Scaling Influence: From Creator to Industry Leader

    23 AUG

    RSS 15: Scaling Influence: From Creator to Industry Leader

    In this episode of The Ross Simmonds Show, Ross explores the journey from content creator to respected industry leader. He breaks down what it really takes to shift from getting attention online to earning recognition and influence in your niche. If you're focused on building long-term authority, leading important conversations, and creating real impact with your online presence, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. Build Depth, Not Just Reach - Authority is built with repetition, storytelling, and action—not virality. - Creators get likes, leaders drive action. - Leadership = influence, invitations, and impact. 2. Show, Don’t Just Tell - Depth is more powerful than width: Own one niche instead of dabbling in many. - Importance of specialization—become a 1%-er in your niche. 3. Create Signature (Evergreen) Assets- Build evergreen content—that’s share-worthy even when you're offline. - Influence grows when people see you apply what you preach - Move beyond short-form content that disappears in the scroll. - Recommended formats: podcasts, books, blogs, keynote decks. 4. Consistency Is the Currency of Trust - Trust comes through delivering value, not asking for attention. - Consistency > Inspiration. 5. Connect With Other Leaders - Influence multiplies with strong associations. - Want to build influence? Start by playing a long game, not chasing trends.  - True influence = outcomes, not impressions. - Vulnerability & authenticity build trust. - Don’t only create content—create conversations. - Commit deeper. Go further. Build impact. Resources & Tools: 🔗Create Once, Distribute Forever 🔗Foundation Marketing 🔗Distribution.ai — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected —╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool  ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool   ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds ╰ Website: rosssimmonds.com

    23 min
  8. RSS 14: Building Brands, Building Balance: Brayden Young on Disrupting B2B with Real Conversations

    15 AUG

    RSS 14: Building Brands, Building Balance: Brayden Young on Disrupting B2B with Real Conversations

    In this episode of The Ross Simmonds Show, Ross sits down with Brayden Young, co-founder & CEO of Slash Experts and original co-founder of Sendoso, to break down what it takes to cut through the noise in B2B sales and marketing. Brayden reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of go-to-market strategies for 2025 and beyond, and how AI is reshaping the landscape for marketers, founders, and sales teams. They dive into personal philosophies, balancing family with drive, using strategic gifting as a growth lever, and how connecting customers with prospects is transforming the sales cycle. If you're in the trenches of building or scaling a company, this episode is packed with invaluable lessons. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. Human conversations > traditional sales decks: Connecting real customers with prospects accelerates trust and conversions. 2. Strategic gifting is about thoughtful timing, not splashy spend. Think: handwritten notes, trigger-based outreach, and lifecycle communications. 3. Reviews are great, but community-driven insights and live interactions are the future of software buying. 4. AI is shifting go-to-market: fewer people, more productivity. Understanding how to use AI is now table stakes. 5. Success is relative: It’s not just revenue — it’s freedom, fulfillment, and building something that lasts 6. Brayden’s Personal Frameworks - “Don’t build in a silo” — Always validate with customers before building product. - “Three People Rule” — The only people he calls for big advice: wife, mom, co-founder. - “Suck It Up or Go for a Walk” — His motivational speeches with his wife. - First-time employee comp tip: Pick a high milestone and negotiate for equity or secondaries if you hit it. Resources & Tools: 🔗 Slash Experts 🔗 Sendoso 🔗 ClickUp 🔗 Punch Financial 🔗 Quickbooks  🔗 Get Parallel — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV  ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool   ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool   ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds — 👋🏾 Connect with Braydan Young — ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/braydanyoung/

    52 min
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About

Welcome to The Ross Simmonds Show. A show exploring the different sides of entrepreneurship, how Ross is growing his global marketing agency, building software, raising a family, and attempting to do so much more. On this show, Ross explores what goes into executing with excellence, embracing innovation, marketing at a high level and doing it all with intent of the playing the long game. This show is a proud member of the HubSpot Podcast Network.

Information

  • Creator
    Ross Simmonds
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    139
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Foundation Inc.
  • Show Website
    The Ross Simmonds Show

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