Business, Beer & BS with Mike & Blaine

Mike Milan & Blaine Bertsch
  • 5.0 (24)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Dive into "Business, Beer, and BS" with seasoned entrepreneurs Mike Milan and Blaine Bertsch! Each episode is a lively mix of business insights and casual conversation fueled by cold beers and real talk. Mike and Blaine share their rollercoaster journeys of running businesses and tackling real-world challenges with humour and honesty. Expect practical tips, unforgettable stories, and plenty of laughs along the way. It’s the perfect blend of expert advice and laid-back fun. Don’t miss out! Subscribe, follow, and like "Business, Beer, and BS" for engaging stories, valuable lessons, and great entertainment. Catch every episode!

  1. 6H AGO

    Everything Got Better… and Worse: Why Complexity is Killing Your Business

    Send us Fan Mail At some point, everything got harder to use. This week on the Mike & Blaine Podcast, we dive into the growing frustration with modern "innovation" and how businesses are accidentally sabotaging their own growth through over-engineering. From apps that require a master’s degree to navigate, to subscription services that feel like a hostage situation, the global standard for user experience is slipping. We break down the business strategy behind this shift: why companies choose complexity over clarity, how "feature creep" erodes your bottom line, and the specific tactics you can use to simplify your operations and regain customer loyalty. In a market saturated with friction, simplicity isn't just a design choice—it’s a massive competitive advantage and a high-level business strategy. We discuss how the office of the CFO and growth-minded entrepreneurs can identify where complexity is quietly destroying the customer journey and why the brands that win in 2026 will be the ones that make life easier for their users. If you’re a founder, a finance leader, or just someone tired of systems that don’t work, this episode is your roadmap to cutting the noise and focusing on what actually moves the needle. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/egXhgExg-Uc Learn about: Cash Flow Mike: Training CPAs to provide world-class advisory services at cashflowmike.com Dryrun: Helping the office of the CFO get finance teams out of spreadsheets with automated cash flow forecasting at dryrun.com Listen to all our episodes at mikeandblaine.com Thanks to our Beer Sponsors: • Karen Hairston from 3S Smart Consulting: 3ssmartconsulting.com  • Neighbor Pat  • Devin If you enjoyed the show and want to support our mission of making business less complicated and more fun, visit mikeandblaine.com to buy us a beer! Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/egXhgExg-Uc #CustomerExperience #UserExperience #ModernLife #InternetCulture #BusinessStrategy #UXDesign #SmallBusinessTips #Entrepreneurship #Simplicity #ProductManagement #SaaS #CustomerRetention #OperationalEfficiency #Apple #Amazon #Google #Microsoft #Salesforce #HubSpot #Netflix #Adobe #MikeAndBlaine #CashFlow #BusinessPodcast Support the show Catch more episodes, see our sponsors and get in touch at https://mikeandblaine.com/

    56 min

  2. MAR 20

    Authenticity vs. Corporate Strategy: The CEO Product Challenge

    Send us Fan Mail The internet recently discovered something hilarious and oddly satisfying: watching CEOs try their own products can be extremely uncomfortable. After the CEO of McDonald’s posted a video awkwardly tasting the new Big Arch burger, the internet immediately turned it into a meme—“I’d like to see the CEO of ____ try their own product.” This week on the Mike & Blaine Podcast, we explore why this moment went viral, why customers love seeing executives tested by their own systems, and what it reveals about the growing gap between corporate leadership and everyday user experience. From a business strategy perspective, this isn't just about a funny video; it's about the "ivory tower" effect. When leadership loses touch with the tactical reality of their product or service, the brand equity begins to erode. We discuss how high-level strategy often fails because it ignores the friction points found in the daily user journey. Whether it’s an airline CEO flying economy or a telecom executive trying to navigate their own automated support line, authenticity in leadership starts with simply using—and understanding—the thing you sell. If your executive team can't use your product without a script or a handler, your business strategy has a fundamental flaw. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HV5XYVVSvns Thanks to our Beer Sponsors: • Karen Hairston from 3S Smart Consulting: 3ssmartconsulting.com  • Neighbor Pat  • Devin Listen to all our episodes at mikeandblaine.com Learn about: Cash Flow Mike who trains CPAs to provide effective advisory to their clients at cashflowmike.com Dryrun Cash Flow Forecasting for the office of the CFO where they get finance teams out of spreadsheets at dryrun.com Enjoying the show? Visit mikeandblaine.com to buy us a beer and keep the conversation flowing! Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HV5XYVVSvns #CEOChallenge #CorporateReality #CustomerExperience #InternetCulture #BusinessStrategy #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #UserExperience #MarketingStrategy #McDonalds #Delta #Comcast #Starbucks #BrandAuthenticity #MikeAndBlaine Support the show Catch more episodes, see our sponsors and get in touch at https://mikeandblaine.com/

    59 min

  3. MAR 11

    The Loneliness Economy: Why Companies Are Charging for Connection on Mike & Blaine

    Send us Fan Mail The "Loneliness Economy" is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world right now, and this week on the Mike & Blaine Podcast, we look at the surprising number of companies building massive revenue streams around the simple fact that people don’t want to be alone anymore. From Bumble BFF helping strangers become friends to Discord servers replacing physical hangouts and coworking spaces like WeWork recreating the offices we all said we hated, connection has quietly shifted from a social byproduct to a premium product.  We break down the business strategy and market tactics behind this shift, exploring why modern life made everyone more isolated and why brands are rushing to solve the crisis with subscription-based communities. Is belonging the most valuable asset a company can offer in 2026? We discuss how businesses are moving beyond the "follower" model of the early social media era and into the "belonging" model, where the strategic moat isn't just a product, but a culture.  Turns out the internet gave us followers, but now we’re paying for friends. Whether you’re a founder looking at community-led growth or a finance leader analyzing the ROI of human connection, this episode dives deep into the monetization of intimacy and the future of community-driven commerce. If you enjoyed this episode and want to help us keep the conversation going, head over to mikeandblaine.com to buy us a beer! Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kvnHURCT0Hw Featured Beer: @903Brewers @wrenhousebrewing Mike: 903 Brewing “Troop 903” Cream Ale Blaine: Wren House “Forty-Two Buckets” Czech Pale Lager  Thanks to our Beer Sponsors:  • Karen Hairston from 3S Smart Consulting: 3ssmartconsulting.com • Neighbor Pat • Devin Listen to all our episodes at mikeandblaine.com cashflowmike.com dryrun.com Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kvnHURCT0Hw #LonelinessEpidemic #LonelinessEconomy #CommunityCulture #CreatorEconomy #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #MikeAndBlaine #CommunityBuilding #FutureOfWork #SaaS #MarketTrends #WeWork #BumbleBFF #Discord #Starbucks #Meetup #HumanConnection #StartupGrowth Support the show Catch more episodes, see our sponsors and get in touch at https://mikeandblaine.com/

    55 min

  4. MAR 5

    Should Brands Go Synthetic? The Rise of AI Influencers & the Future of Trust

    Send us Fan Mail AI influencers are no longer science fiction—they’re already in your feed, landing brand deals, and reshaping digital marketing strategy in real time. This week on the Mike & Blaine Podcast, we unpack the rapid rise of virtual creators, CGI personalities, and fully synthetic brand ambassadors that never sleep, never age, and never go off-script. From sponsored posts created by generative AI to entirely fictional personalities building massive followings, the line between human and machine is getting blurry fast—and most people don’t even realize it. We dig into why brands love AI influencers (total control, 24/7 scalability, no scandals, predictable messaging) and why audiences feel uneasy about it (authenticity gaps, trust erosion, emotional disconnect). Is this the next evolution of the creator economy—or the beginning of synthetic saturation? We explore what happens when automation meets influence, how platforms reward engagement over authenticity, and where the trust equation could start to crack. Then we flip it into the business lesson. Automation scales efficiency, but authenticity still drives loyalty. If you’re a founder, marketer, or executive thinking about AI content strategy, this episode breaks down the real tactical questions: • When does AI increase margin—and when does it dilute brand equity? • Can synthetic creators outperform human influencers in ROI? • What happens to customer trust when people don’t know what’s real anymore? • How should businesses balance automation with human storytelling? We also look at how major brands and platforms are navigating this shift, from experimental AI brand ambassadors to algorithm-driven content at scale. Whether you’re building a personal brand, managing a marketing team, or just trying to understand where digital culture is heading, this conversation gives you practical insight into how AI, branding, and business strategy intersect in 2026. If you’ve ever wondered whether the future of marketing is human—or synthetic—this episode is for you. Visit http://mikeandblaine.com to buy us a beer and support the show 🍺 Featured Beer: @903Brewers @wrenhousebrewing Mike: 903 Brewing “Troop 903” Cream Ale Blaine: Wren House “Forty-Two Buckets” Czech Pale Lager  Thanks to our Beer Sponsors:  • Karen Hairston from 3S Smart Consulting: 3ssmartconsulting.com • Neighbor Pat • Devin Listen to all our episodes at mikeandblaine.com cashflowmike.com dryrun.com Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VAJVFbizmjY #AIInfluencer #CreatorEconomy #FutureOfMarketing #AIinMarketing #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalMarketing #InfluencerMarketing #BrandStrategy #MarketingStrategy #ContentMarketing #SocialMediaMarketing #GenerativeAI #VirtualInfluencer #TechTrends #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #StartupLife #Automation #BrandBuilding #AudienceGrowth #TrustInMarketing #Meta #Instagram #TikTok #YouTube #OpenAI #Google #Nvidia #AdobeCreativeCloud Support the show Catch more episodes, see our sponsors and get in touch at https://mikeandblaine.com/

    56 min

  5. FEB 26

    The Quiet Rise of Offline Value (Why People Are Opting Out of Optimization Culture)

    Send us Fan Mail Everyone was told to optimize everything. Optimize your mornings. Optimize your funnel. Optimize your content. Optimize your life. And somehow, in the middle of all that “winning,” everyone got more anxious, more burned out, and more overwhelmed. In this episode of the Mike & Blaine Podcast, we dig into the quiet cultural shift happening right now: people opting out of optimization culture and rediscovering the value of building simpler businesses, calmer lives, and more intentional growth. From founders intentionally staying small, to creators caring less about algorithms, to customers gravitating toward brands that feel human again, Offline Value is becoming a real competitive advantage. We talk about why scale isn’t always the goal, how “boring” businesses often outperform flashy ones, and why focus, margin, and sustainability beat growth-at-all-costs in 2026. You’ll hear how this shift changes marketing strategy, hiring decisions, product design, and even what “success” looks like for independent business owners. If you’ve ever felt like you’re supposed to be doing more, growing faster, or posting constantly—this episode might be the permission slip you didn’t know you needed. Attention is expensive. Simplicity is powerful. And not everything needs to scale. Grab a drink, hit play, and if you enjoy the show, swing by https://mikeandblaine.com and buy us a beer 🍻 Featured Beer: @martinhousebrewing  Mike: Martin House Brewing “Car Ramrod” Cream Ale Blaine: Fat Orange Cat Brewing “Purrkatory” Imperial Coffee Stout  Thanks to our Beer Sponsors:  • Karen Hairston from 3S Smart Consulting: 3ssmartconsulting.com • Neighbor Pat • Devin Listen to all our episodes at mikeandblaine.com cashflowmike.com dryrun.com Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/T4yR5t2z-5s #OfflineValue #EntrepreneurLife #SmallBusinessOwner #BusinessPodcast #FounderLife #DigitalMinimalism #SlowLiving #MarketingStrategy #BrandBuilding #CreatorEconomy #StartupLife #IndieBusiness #BuildInPublic #SustainableGrowth #Google #YouTube #TikTok #Instagram #OpenAI #Shopify #Stripe Support the show Catch more episodes, see our sponsors and get in touch at https://mikeandblaine.com/

    53 min

  6. FEB 19

    Outrage Sells: How Algorithms Reward Drama and What That Means for Your Brand

    Send us Fan Mail This week on the Mike & Blaine Podcast, we dig into one of the strangest realities of modern internet culture: the smaller and more ridiculous the conflict, the more attention it seems to attract. From comment-section battles and “subtle shade” reels to stitched reaction videos and viral mini-drama clips, it’s clear the internet is wired to amplify disagreement far faster than nuance or facts. We unpack why humans are psychologically drawn to conflict, how social media algorithms actively reward outrage, and why even thoughtful creators and well-intentioned brands feel pressure to lean into controversy just to stay visible. But more importantly, we explore the strategic side of it: attention is a currency, and not all attention compounds in your favor. In this episode, we connect the dots between viral drama and real business strategy. When does provocative content drive meaningful engagement, and when does it quietly erode trust? How can founders, marketers, and creators design content that cuts through the noise without burning credibility? And what tactics can you use to build long-term audience loyalty in a system that’s optimized for short-term spikes? If you’ve ever wondered why calm, thoughtful content gets ignored, why your smartest posts underperform, or how to play the algorithm game without selling your soul, this conversation breaks it down in a practical, no-nonsense way. Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and join Mike & Blaine as we talk internet culture, marketing psychology, and the hidden costs of chasing clicks. Enjoying the show? Visit https://mikeandblaine.com and buy us a beer to support the podcast. 🍺 Featured Beer: @drekkerbrewing Mike: Neighbour Pat’s Red Ale Blaine: Drekker “Zombie Braaaaaaaains” Double Fruit Smoothie Sour  Thanks to our Beer Sponsors:  • Karen Hairston from 3S Smart Consulting: 3ssmartconsulting.com • Neighbor Pat • Devin Listen to all our episodes at mikeandblaine.com cashflowmike.com dryrun.com Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PSXucJzsLd4 #ViralReels #InternetCulture #SocialMediaTrends #MarketingPsychology #DigitalMarketing #ContentMarketing #BrandStrategy #BusinessPodcast #EntrepreneurLife #FounderMindset #CreatorEconomy #AttentionEconomy #MarketingTips #GrowthStrategy #SmallBusinessTips #StartupLife #PersonalBrand #ThoughtLeadership #TikTokMarketing #InstagramReels #YouTubeShorts #LinkedInContent #Meta #Google #YouTube #TikTok #Instagram #OpenAI #Trending #FYP #ForYou #ExplorePage Support the show Catch more episodes, see our sponsors and get in touch at https://mikeandblaine.com/

    52 min

  7. FEB 12

    “5-Star Lies, Fake Reviews, and the Collapse of Online Trust” on Mike & Blaine

    Send us Fan Mail Online reviews used to be a shortcut to confidence. Now they feel more like a coin toss. One minute a product has thousands of glowing 5-star ratings, the next minute you’re convinced half of them were written by bots, paid influencers, or AI tools that have never touched the product. In this episode of the Mike & Blaine Podcast, we dig into how the internet slowly broke trust—and what that means for businesses trying to grow in a world where skepticism is the default setting. We unpack how fake reviews, influencer culture, AI-generated content, and performance marketing have turned authenticity into a competitive advantage instead of a baseline expectation. But this isn’t just a rant about broken systems. It’s a conversation about strategy. If trust is now the most valuable currency in business, how do you actually earn it? We talk about why over-polished branding can backfire, why transparency beats perfection, and why showing real trade-offs often builds more credibility than pretending your product is flawless. We also explore what customers are actually responding to now: real stories, honest downside, consistent delivery, and brands that feel human instead of manufactured. From long-term reputation building to word-of-mouth loops, we connect these shifts to practical business tactics—how you design your marketing, how you structure your offers, and how you communicate value without hype. If you run a business, create content, or sell anything online, this episode will likely change how you think about growth. Because in a noisy, automated, AI-saturated world, trust isn’t built through louder marketing—it’s built through better behavior. Enjoy the episode, and if you want to support the show, visit http://mikeandblaine.com and buy us a beer 🍻 #FakeReviews #ProductReview #CustomerReview #TikTokReviews #MarketingStrategy #BrandTrust #DigitalMarketing #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #StartupLife #ContentMarketing #EcommerceBusiness #CreatorEconomy #BusinessPodcast #MikeAndBlaine #OpenAI #Google #Amazon #Shopify #TikTok #YouTube #Meta Featured Beer: @EvilTwinBrewing @drekkerbrewing Mike: Evil Twin Brewing “New Yorkers are Mostly Interested in New York – In Case You Haven’t Noticed” Pale Ale Blaine: Drekker “Blackberry & Black Currant Braaaaaaaains” Double Fruit Smoothie Sour  Thanks to our Beer Sponsors:  • Karen Hairston from 3S Smart Consulting: 3ssmartconsulting.com • Neighbor Pat • Devin Listen to all our episodes at mikeandblaine.com cashflowmike.com dryrun.com Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/l_riU68D8Qw #AIFatigue #SubscriptionFatigue #AIinBusiness #BusinessPodcast #BusinessStrategy #SaaSTrends #RecurringRevenue #ProductStrategy #TechOverload #CustomerExperience #DigitalTransformation #OpenAI #ChatGPT #Google #Microsoft #Amazon #Apple #Salesforce #Adobe #Netflix #Spotify Support the show Catch more episodes, see our sponsors and get in touch at https://mikeandblaine.com/

    58 min

  8. FEB 4

    “AI Fatigue Is Real: When More Tools Create Worse Business Decisions” on Mike & Blaine

    Send us Fan Mail AI is everywhere. Subscriptions are everywhere. And somehow, everyone feels more tired than helped. In this episode of the Mike & Blaine Podcast, we dig into the very real rise of AI fatigue and subscription fatigue—and why tools that promise speed and leverage often end up doing the opposite. Businesses keep layering on AI features, dashboards, and monthly tools, assuming more capability automatically means more value. Spoiler: it doesn’t. We unpack how companies unintentionally train customers to cancel by over-selling potential and under-delivering practical outcomes. When software value lives in theory instead of day-to-day use, it’s always the first line item to get cut. We talk about why underused tools feel expensive no matter the price, how AI has become a checkbox instead of a strategy, and why “just add AI” is not a business model. This conversation goes beyond tech trends and into real business strategy. If you’re building products, pricing subscriptions, or running a company that relies on recurring revenue, this episode breaks down what real value actually feels like to customers—and how clarity, simplicity, and outcomes beat novelty every time. We also connect the dots between tool overload, decision fatigue, and why leadership teams are quietly overwhelmed even while spending more than ever on software. If you’ve ever looked at your stack and thought, “We should be getting way more out of this,” or wondered why customers churn even when your product is objectively powerful, this episode will hit uncomfortably close to home. Grab a drink, listen in, and if you enjoy the conversation, help keep the podcast going—visit https://mikeandblaine.com to buy us a beer 🍻 Featured Beer: @Beerzombies on Instagram @OuterRangeBrewing  Mike: Beer Zombies Brewing “Boomstick” Blonde Ale Blaine: Wren House Brewing “Forty-Two Buckets’ Czech Pale Lager Thanks to our Beer Sponsors:  • Karen Hairston from 3S Smart Consulting: 3ssmartconsulting.com • Neighbor Pat • Devin Listen to all our episodes at mikeandblaine.com cashflowmike.com dryrun.com Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3kAHqCWMLqQ #AIFatigue #SubscriptionFatigue #AIinBusiness #BusinessPodcast #BusinessStrategy #SaaSTrends #RecurringRevenue #ProductStrategy #TechOverload #CustomerExperience #DigitalTransformation #OpenAI #ChatGPT #Google #Microsoft #Amazon #Apple #Salesforce #Adobe #Netflix #Spotify Support the show Catch more episodes, see our sponsors and get in touch at https://mikeandblaine.com/

    58 min
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5
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

Dive into "Business, Beer, and BS" with seasoned entrepreneurs Mike Milan and Blaine Bertsch! Each episode is a lively mix of business insights and casual conversation fueled by cold beers and real talk. Mike and Blaine share their rollercoaster journeys of running businesses and tackling real-world challenges with humour and honesty. Expect practical tips, unforgettable stories, and plenty of laughs along the way. It’s the perfect blend of expert advice and laid-back fun. Don’t miss out! Subscribe, follow, and like "Business, Beer, and BS" for engaging stories, valuable lessons, and great entertainment. Catch every episode!

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Milan & Blaine Bertsch
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    226
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Business, Beer & BS with Mike & Blaine
  • Show Website
    Business, Beer & BS with Mike & Blaine

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