The Firebelly Social Show

Firebelly Marketing
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The Firebelly Social Show features food and beverage brands that are on a mission to make the world better.

  1. 5D AGO

    Daniel R. Clarke On The Importance Of Brand Positioning

    Daniel R. Clarke is the Founder and Lead Consultant of Tea At Four LLC, where he helps brands of all sizes with strategy, brand building, marketing, and innovation. He is a seasoned Marketing Consultant and Fractional CMO with over 20 years of experience, having held leadership roles at Procter & Gamble, Coty, Pernod Ricard, and Booz & Company before founding Tea At Four. Daniel has lived and worked in seven countries and recently became a US citizen, bringing a global perspective and creative audacity to his work. In this episode… Great brands don't just compete on shelves; they compete in people's minds. In a world overflowing with options, what actually makes someone reach for you instead of the dozens of alternatives sitting inches away? Globally seasoned brand strategist Daniel R. Clarke says the answer lies in a purposeful and distinct point of difference. He believes brands must start with strong fundamentals — deep consumer understanding, a defined positioning, and a product that truly delivers — before trying to be flashy or disruptive. When those foundations are solid, brands earn the right to build rich worlds, rituals, and cultural relevance that make them memorable rather than interchangeable. On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Daniel R. Clarke, Founder and Lead Consultant of Tea At Four LLC, to discuss the importance of brand positioning. They explore how big CPG brands build lasting loyalty, why challenger brands win with speed and focus, and how a sharp point of difference cuts through crowded categories. Daniel also shares advice on using AI without losing your brand's core identity.

    40 min

  2. FEB 6

    Collin Pollock: Building A Mission-Driven BBQ Brand

    Collin Pollock is the Founder of WheelyQ Barbecue, a mission-driven, family-run company that crafts premium barbecue sauces and seasonings with simple, all-natural ingredients while raising awareness and funds for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) research. Under Collin's leadership, WheelyQ donates 6% of its profits to SMA charities, expanding from homemade sauces to full-scale manufacturing and earning rave reviews for both flavor and purpose. Living with SMA himself, Collin is a passionate disability advocate who uses his brand to spark conversation and educate others about the disease. In this episode… Purpose-driven brands don't usually start in boardrooms. They begin in kitchens, in difficult moments, and in the decision to transform personal challenges into something that benefits others as well. So what does it really take to build a business where flavor and mission grow side by side? For Collin Pollock, the key lies in refusing to step back when life forces a crossroads. He explains that WheelyQ began with homemade sauce samples, honest feedback, and a commitment to keep pushing forward, even as the condition of spinal muscular atrophy progressed. Collin's story shows how a simple product can become a platform for awareness, giving back, and inspiring others to lead with purpose. On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Collin Pollock, Founder of WheelyQ Barbecue, to discuss building a mission-driven BBQ brand. They explore turning personal obstacles into entrepreneurship, creating clean sauces with simple ingredients, and donating profits to SMA research. Collin also shares advice on staying persistent and never holding back.

    30 min

  3. JAN 30

    Eric Martindale: The Future Of Retail Is Digital

    Eric Martindale is the Founder and CEO of Elite Commerce Group, a full-service agency specializing in Amazon and retail media. Under his leadership, the company has driven over half a billion dollars in retail sales for clients, maintaining a strong focus on testing and innovation to stay at the forefront of digital marketing. A former Marine officer and adventure athlete turned e-commerce authority, Eric is also a passionate technocrat interested in futurism. His unique perspective stems from identifying and exploiting retail frontiers before they become mainstream. In this episode… Retail isn't just changing online anymore — it's changing everywhere you look, from the checkout line to the end cap. The real question is, as stores become more digital by the day, what does the future of shopping actually look like? Eric Martindale, a top expert in retail strategy, believes the future of shopping is all about adding digital layers to every physical store visit. He points to everything from mobile checkout to interactive screens and even smart carts as signs that physical retail is becoming inseparable from technology. The takeaway is clear: brands that embrace this shift now will be the ones that stay visible, competitive, and connected to shoppers. On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney is joined by Eric Martindale, Founder and CEO of Elite Commerce Group, to discuss how digital transformation is reshaping the future of retail. They explore BJ's push toward digitization, Target's delivery race, and Walmart's e-commerce leadership. Eric also discusses how social media and AI commerce will soon impact in-store shopping.

    29 min

  4. JAN 23

    Dinos Stamoulis: Real Food. Real Talk.

    Dinos Stamoulis is the Co-founder and Chief of Awesomeness at Paleonola, a company dedicated to crafting delicious grain-free products made from real food ingredients. Under Dinos' leadership, Paleonola has grown from a local Rhode Island farmers market favorite into a nationwide brand and pioneer in the grain-free movement, maintaining its original values for over 14 years. He is passionate about helping consumers rediscover the power of real food and often shares insights on entrepreneurship and marketing with other founders in the food space. In this episode… Food trends come and go, but every now and then, a conversation cuts through the noise and gets back to what actually matters. When labels get louder and ingredients get stranger, how do you decide what "real food" really means and who's willing to stand by it? For Dinos Stamoulis, the answer is simple: real food should stay real. Drawing from his experience as an early pioneer in grain-free eating, Dinos explains that you don't need labs, shortcuts, or trend chasing to make something great. He points to the discipline of saying no — no to diluted ingredients, no to fast growth at the expense of integrity — as the reason trust compounds over time. That mindset doesn't just shape products; it builds brands people believe in. On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney is joined by Dinos Stamoulis, Co-founder and Chief of Awesomeness at Paleonola, to discuss building a grain-free brand rooted in real ingredients and real values. They unpack what it's like to launch before a trend exists, why educating consumers matters as much as selling, and how staying focused protects a brand's soul. Dinos also gives advice on avoiding trend chasing and making long-term decisions that actually last.

    35 min

  5. JAN 16

    Rich Moniz: Eye Tracking

    Richard "Rich" Moniz is the Founder of Rich Insights Research, a firm that helps CPG brands scientifically optimize their packaging by studying real shopper behavior through advanced eye-tracking technology. With a track record of working with industry giants like Kraft, Mondelez, and Hershey's, Rich has helped both global CPG leaders and emerging brands create packaging that truly stands out and converts at retail. His work bridges behavioral science and practical insight to help brands make clearer, more confident decisions. In this episode… Packaging has just seconds to earn a shopper's attention, and most brands never really know if they're winning that moment. So what actually makes someone stop, look, and choose one product over dozens of others on a crowded shelf? According to Richard "Rich" Moniz, a longtime packaging and shopper behavior researcher, the answer starts with understanding what people notice before they even realize they're noticing it. He explains that eye tracking reveals the subconscious path a shopper's eyes take, showing where attention is directed, where it lingers, and where it completely drops off. When brands design with that reality in mind, packaging stops being decoration and starts acting like a silent salesperson that works around the clock. On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Richard "Rich" Moniz, Founder of Rich Insights Research, about eye tracking and shopper behavior. They break down how eye tracking works in real shopping scenarios, why minimalism often outperforms cluttered designs, and how brands can stand out and be understood in seconds. Rich also shares why testing packaging before launch can save brands from costly retail mistakes.

    45 min

  6. 12/26/2025

    Laura Markewicz Of Lotza On Turning Trends Into Traction

    Laura Markewicz is the Founder and CEO of Lotza, a party soda brand redefining how adults celebrate with bold flavor and purposeful function. Under Laura's leadership, Lotza has achieved regional breakout success, advanced to the Startup World Cup regionals, and completed the SKU CPG accelerator amid the rise of mindful drinking. A former advertising executive with 15+ years of experience, she is driven to reshape the beverage industry with inclusive, fun-forward brands. In this episode… Fun used to come with a hangover and a little guilt baked in. What if celebrating didn't have to be an all-or-nothing choice between going hard and opting out? For Laura Markewicz, the key lies in building something for the people in the middle. Drawing from her experience as a longtime brand strategist and founder, she explains that most consumers aren't anti-alcohol or fully sober; they're just more mindful and want options that work with their lives, not against them. That insight reframes celebration as something supportive, social, and flexible rather than restrictive, which is exactly where real traction is being built. On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Laura Markewicz, Founder and CEO of Lotza, about turning cultural trends into real consumer traction. They dig into why the "middle" drinker is underserved, how Lotza is redefining party soda as a modern celebration staple, and what it takes to build a breakout beverage brand in a crowded category. Laura also discusses repositioning Lotza for scale and what she has learned navigating the transition from agency life to CPG founder.

    45 min

  7. 12/24/2025

    Emily McIntyre On Building The Future Of Coffee

    Emily McIntyre is the CEO of Swift Coffee Sourcing, a boutique importer specializing in ethically sourced, high-quality coffee from Peru and Ethiopia. Under her leadership, Swift has nearly quadrupled growth expectations in its first year and boasts a newsletter open rate of over 50%, exemplifying her impact as a storyteller and connector in the specialty coffee industry. A former journalist, world traveler, and consultant to over 100 companies, Emily is known for her unconventional career path, operational expertise, and ability to blend narrative with business strategy. In this episode… Coffee, often a staple of daily routines, is far more than a morning pick-me-up. Behind every cup lies a story of resilience, relationships, and complex global systems that are increasingly under pressure. What does it really take to build a sustainable, people-centered future for coffee beyond just brewing a great cup? For Emily McIntyre, the answer starts with human connection, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the coffee supply chain. Drawing from years of experience — and hard-earned lessons from failure and reinvention — she emphasizes that trust-based relationships with producers in Ethiopia and Peru are the backbone of meaningful impact. Emily emphasizes that long-term success in coffee requires people-first leadership, honest communication, and business models that are resilient enough to serve both producers and buyers in a volatile industry. On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Emily McIntyre, CEO of Swift Coffee Sourcing, about her remarkable journey in the world of coffee. Emily shares her experience rebuilding after major setbacks, the importance of authentic storytelling, and how to build resilient relationships with coffee producers in places like Ethiopia and Peru. She also talks about how small importers can survive and thrive in today's volatile coffee market.

    46 min

  8. 12/22/2025

    Jason Davis: NA Golder Lager With A Mission

    Jason Davis is the Founder and Brewer at Reveland Brewing and Peralta Beverage, LLC, a company dedicated to crafting elevated, high-quality non-alcoholic (NA) beers that bring real craft credibility to the fast-growing NA category. Previously, he was the R&D and Innovations Brewer at Berkeley Yeast, where he developed yeast strains and NA beer products. Jason's work earned industry acclaim, including thousands of pours at the Great American Beer Festival and key distribution partnerships. He studied brewing science at the Siebel Institute in Chicago and the Doemens Academy in Munich. In this episode… The non-alcoholic beer category is carving out a niche for beer lovers who want the complexity and taste of craft beer without the alcohol. But what does it take to create a brew that delivers the full flavor experience without the buzz? Can a non-alcoholic beer truly capture the essence of a traditional brew? According to Jason Davis, a seasoned brewer with a deep technical background, non-alcoholic brewing demands creativity and an understanding of beer's core components — texture, flavor, and mouthfeel. He explains that the absence of alcohol doesn't require sacrificing richness. Instead, brewers balance malt and hop elements to craft a beer experience that's just as satisfying. While the category is still in its early stages, Jason sees endless potential for growth, with innovation continuing to drive its evolution.  On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney talks with Jason Davis, Founder and Brewer at Reveland Brewing, about the rise of non-alcoholic beers. They dive into the science behind crafting a truly great NA beer and discuss Jason's journey from R&D brewer to founder. The conversation explores the role of innovation in brewing, Jason's efforts to push boundaries, and the challenges and excitement of this rapidly growing category.

    28 min
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The Firebelly Social Show features food and beverage brands that are on a mission to make the world better.

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