Behind the Funnel

Yarek Matacz

Most companies don’t have a lead problem — they have a funnel problem. Behind the Funnel is a business podcast that breaks down how B2B companies actually acquire customers and scale revenue. Hosted by Yarek Matacz, founder of JPM Media, the show goes beyond surface-level marketing advice to explore the real systems, strategies, and decisions that drive predictable growth. Each episode features conversations with SaaS founders, operators, consultants, and B2B leaders who are actively building and scaling companies. Instead of theory or generic “growth hacks,” these discussions unpack the acquisition engines behind real businesses — from outbound systems and paid acquisition to funnel architecture, offer design, and sales processes. Listeners will hear what worked, what failed, and what ultimately helped companies build consistent pipelines and sustainable growth. Behind the Funnel is designed for founders, consultants, and operators who want to understand how modern B2B companies turn attention into revenue. If you're building a SaaS product, scaling a consulting business, or developing a go-to-market strategy, this podcast offers a practical look at how growth actually happens behind the scenes. Expect thoughtful conversations, tactical insights, and honest breakdowns of the systems that power real businesses. New episodes feature founders, marketers, and operators sharing what it really takes to turn leads into customers and ideas into scalable companies.

  1. Marc Petitpas on Leadership, Grief, Business & Rebuilding Your Life From Scratch

    13 HRS AGO

    Marc Petitpas on Leadership, Grief, Business & Rebuilding Your Life From Scratch

    This was one of the most honest conversations we’ve had on Behind the Funnel. Marc Petitpas has led some of the biggest organizations and venues in Canada — from opening BMO Field as its first General Manager, to leadership roles with MLSE, the Air Canada Centre, Fusion Homes, and beyond. But this episode wasn’t really about titles. It became a conversation about: leadershippressuregriefstarting overfearpurposeand the responsibility that comes with leading peopleMarc shares the reality behind building a career across multiple industries, losing family members during the pandemic, nearly losing his house while launching his consulting business, and how those experiences completely changed the way he coaches leaders today. We also dive into: why most leadership training failsthe problem with “fake experts” onlinetransferable skills across industriescommunication in businessmental health and leadershipthe difference between real experience vs internet marketingand the deeper meaning behind his book The 50-Year-Old MillennialThis is not your typical business podcast. It’s a conversation about becoming the kind of person people trust. Topics Covered: Opening BMO Field as General ManagerBuilding leadership skills through retail and sportsThe importance of mentorsAnxiety and fear early in lifeLeadership lessons from construction and home buildingWhy communication matters in businessLosing family during the pandemicStarting a consulting business from scratchLeadership and mental healthWhy most coaching online lacks real experienceThe true story behind The 50-Year-Old MillennialAbout Marc Petitpas: Marc Petitpas is a leadership consultant, business coach, speaker, author, and fractional executive with decades of experience across sports, retail, construction, and executive leadership. He is the founder of Marc Petitpas Business Coaching and winner of the 2025 Canadian Choice Award for Business Coaching. Connect with Marc: Website: www.marcpetitpas.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcpetitpas/ Book: The 50-Year-Old Millennial on Amazon JPM MEDIA x BEHIND THE FUNNEL http://jpmmedia.ca/ https://jpmmedia.ca/behind-the-funnel.html

    55 min
  2. 14 APR

    AI Isn’t the Advantage. Integration Is | Amir (BlackOps)

    Episode Summary AI is everywhere. But most businesses are still using it wrong. In this episode of Behind the Funnel, I sit down with Amir Samani from BlackOps Studio to break down why most AI systems fail and what real integration actually looks like inside a business. We go deep into why businesses feel overwhelmed, how to actually implement AI step by step, and why most teams aren’t ready for the tools they think they need. If you’ve been experimenting with AI but not seeing real results, this episode will show you what’s missing. What We Cover Why most AI systems fail inside businessesThe difference between tools and real integrationWhy businesses feel overwhelmed with AIThe “A to Z problem” and skipping fundamentalsWhat it actually means to be an integration partnerWhy most companies aren’t ready for advanced AI systemsThe truth about scaling and why it creates chaosA phased approach to implementing AI properlyHow to connect marketing, sales, and operationsReal examples of AI creating leverage in businessesWhere AI is being misunderstood in marketingWhy fear and misinformation are slowing adoptionHow top operators are quietly using AI to gain leverageThe future of hiring and “bring your own AI” workflowsA simple prompt strategy that changes how you use AITimestamps 00:00 – Intro and Amir’s background02:39 – Why most businesses struggle with AI05:01 – The importance of foundations06:27 – What an integration partner actually does08:08 – Why scaling creates chaos09:14 – How AI implementation should start10:59 – The brand DNA questionnaire12:58 – The phased integration model15:41 – Why AI takes time to work properly16:26 – Connecting marketing, sales, and operations20:06 – Real case study: saving $20,000 with AI23:55 – Automating lead generation and follow-up25:15 – Where AI is misunderstood26:42 – Why people fear AI32:46 – Case study: $1.8B company built with AI37:10 – What to do if you’re just getting started38:48 – Final advice on using AI properlyKey Takeaway AI is not the advantage. The advantage is knowing how to use it in the right order, at the right time, for the right problems.

    41 min
  3. Enterprise Marketing Secrets Most Small Businesses Miss | Angelo (Jacker Digital)

    14 APR

    Enterprise Marketing Secrets Most Small Businesses Miss | Angelo (Jacker Digital)

    Episode Summary Most businesses focus on tactics. Very few understand the systems behind them. In this episode of Behind the Funnel, I sit down with Angelo Masters Jr., founder of Jacker Digital, to break down what actually changes when you move from small business marketing to enterprise-level execution. We cover everything from running campaigns for brands like Netflix and Warner Brothers to helping small businesses scale with better systems, automation, and positioning. If you're generating leads but struggling to convert, or feel like your marketing isn’t scaling, this episode will show you where the real gaps are. What We Cover The difference between small business and enterprise marketingWhy most funnels generate leads but don’t convertHow enterprise companies scale using asset volumeThe biggest mistake small businesses make after generating leadsWhy nurturing and follow-up matter more than lead volumeAutomation vs AI and where people get it wrongSimple automations that create disproportionate resultsHow to structure pipelines to avoid losing leadsThe power of internal notifications and clean systemsDiagnostic offers and why they convert betterHow to build trust and credibility in client acquisitionWhy most agencies feel generic and how to stand outA non-traditional lead generation strategy that actually worksHow to use local chambers to land clients and build authorityTimestamps 00:00 – Intro and Angelo’s background01:59 – What property management taught about systems02:48 – Transition into marketing05:04 – Demand vs scalability07:13 – What changes at enterprise level09:23 – Breaking down a high-performing campaign12:46 – Enterprise strategies small businesses can use14:52 – The importance of creative volume16:42 – Why funnels fail to convert18:52 – Automation vs AI explained20:51 – Simple automations that work23:12 – Organizing pipelines and systems25:26 – Diagnostic offers explained28:44 – Building trust in client acquisition30:24 – Credibility and positioning34:02 – Lead generation strategies that work37:20 – Using chambers to get clients39:27 – Where to find AngeloKey Takeaway Most businesses don’t have a lead problem. They have a system problem. Better assets, better follow-up, and better structure will outperform more leads every time.

    40 min
  4. You Can Build Anything… So Why Are You Still Stuck? (The AI Efficiency Trap Explained)

    13 APR

    You Can Build Anything… So Why Are You Still Stuck? (The AI Efficiency Trap Explained)

    Episode Summary AI made execution easy. Too easy. Now the real problem isn’t how to build — it’s what to build. In this episode of Behind the Funnel, I sit down with Samim Safaei again to break down something most people won’t admit: They open ChatGPT, Claude, or any AI tool… and sit there with zero clarity on what to actually do next. We dive into the “efficiency trap” — why people feel productive with AI but aren’t actually moving forward — and what it really takes to turn capability into direction. If you’ve been building, testing, and still feel stuck… this episode explains why. What We Cover Why AI made building easier… but decision-making harderThe “efficiency trap” and fake productivityWhy most people don’t know what to build (even with AI)The Zork analogy: infinite options, zero directionWhy AI tools act like interns (and why that’s a problem)The real bottleneck: intent, not executionWhy service businesses waste time building things they don’t needHow founders fall into the “build everything” trapThe difference between speed vs directionWhy most ideas fail before they even hit the marketThe role of marketing as experimentation (not certainty)Founder journey cycles (Hormozi framework)Why niche-hopping happens — and when it’s actually usefulHow better filtering can save YEARS of wasted effortWhy “why me?” is the most important question before building Timestamps 00:01 – The problem nobody admits: “I don’t know what to build”00:55 – The AI efficiency trap01:40 – Why AI feels productive but isn’t02:44 – Real-world client confusion with AI04:22 – The self-driving car problem (no direction)05:06 – The hidden cost of AI experimentation06:05 – The Zork analogy explained08:59 – Intent vs hand-holding in AI tools09:30 – Is intent now the user’s responsibility?10:48 – Prompting vs real thinking12:01 – AI as intern vs AI as operating system14:27 – The future of intent-based systems15:15 – Why most founders lack clarity18:03 – Niche hopping and founder journey reality19:11 – Marketing = experimentation21:03 – Why marketing isn’t predictable23:51 – Why most products fail to reach market25:07 – Speed vs direction (why faster isn’t better)27:51 – The danger of false validation28:56 – Can filtering cut years off your journey?32:57 – Real founder journey (what actually happens)35:26 – How AI should guide decisions (without replacing you)37:50 – Purposeful vs fast execution38:20 – The ONE question to ask before building anything39:32 – Where to find Siift.ai Key Takeaway AI didn’t solve the hard part. It removed the barrier to building… and exposed the real problem: You don’t need more capability. You need better direction.

    41 min
  5. AI Didn’t Fix Growth… It Made It Harder | Samim From Siift.ai Explains Why

    13 APR

    AI Didn’t Fix Growth… It Made It Harder | Samim From Siift.ai Explains Why

    Episode Summary AI was supposed to make building a business easier. But instead… it’s exposed a completely different bottleneck. In this episode of Behind the Funnel, I sit down with Samim Safaei from SIFT to break down what’s actually happening behind the scenes right now. We go deep into why most founders are stuck even with AI, what “expensive motion” really looks like, and why the real advantage today isn’t tools — it’s direction. If you’ve been feeling like you’re doing more… but not actually moving forward — this one will hit. What We Cover Why AI didn’t remove bottlenecks — it shifted themThe difference between automation and directionWhat “expensive motion” looks like in AI workflowsWhy founders feel productive… but stay stuckThe real risk of too much optionalityHow AI is increasing decision-making pressureWhy most AI agents are inefficient (and spinning in circles)The difference between using AI as an assistant vs. an operatorWhy memory is the biggest limitation in current AI toolsHow businesses will evolve into micro teams powered by AIWhat it actually means to run a business on an AI operating systemTimestamps 00:00 – Intro + why this conversation matters now01:05 – How SIFT started and the shift in AI03:14 – Is autonomy actually solved?04:33 – “Expensive motion” explained06:06 – Why direction > automation07:57 – AI is increasing pressure on founders08:48 – Why people feel productive but aren’t progressing10:08 – The problem with too much optionality11:35 – Strategy vs execution in AI12:01 – Where real ideas should come from13:48 – AI bias and dangerous feedback loops15:08 – Assistant vs operating system thinking17:02 – Should AI run your business?18:43 – Liability and responsibility with AI20:04 – Privacy risks and blind spots21:50 – What a real AI business OS looks like23:27 – Why AI tools break at scale30:06 – Why startups still fail (even with AI)31:47 – The future: micro teams + AI leverage33:31 – Where SIFT fits into this shift35:15 – Ideate → Validate → Accelerate framework38:22 – AI agents vs GPS analogy38:35 – Where to start if you’re overwhelmed39:35 – Final thoughtsKey Takeaway You don’t have a tools problem. You don’t even have an execution problem. You have a direction problem. And until that’s solved, AI just makes you move faster… in the wrong direction. 🚀 Want More Conversations Like This? Watch more episodes here: http://www.youtube.com/@yarekmatacz

    35 min

About

Most companies don’t have a lead problem — they have a funnel problem. Behind the Funnel is a business podcast that breaks down how B2B companies actually acquire customers and scale revenue. Hosted by Yarek Matacz, founder of JPM Media, the show goes beyond surface-level marketing advice to explore the real systems, strategies, and decisions that drive predictable growth. Each episode features conversations with SaaS founders, operators, consultants, and B2B leaders who are actively building and scaling companies. Instead of theory or generic “growth hacks,” these discussions unpack the acquisition engines behind real businesses — from outbound systems and paid acquisition to funnel architecture, offer design, and sales processes. Listeners will hear what worked, what failed, and what ultimately helped companies build consistent pipelines and sustainable growth. Behind the Funnel is designed for founders, consultants, and operators who want to understand how modern B2B companies turn attention into revenue. If you're building a SaaS product, scaling a consulting business, or developing a go-to-market strategy, this podcast offers a practical look at how growth actually happens behind the scenes. Expect thoughtful conversations, tactical insights, and honest breakdowns of the systems that power real businesses. New episodes feature founders, marketers, and operators sharing what it really takes to turn leads into customers and ideas into scalable companies.