Meeting of the (Strong) Minds

Strong Minded Agency

Step into the room with the Strong Minded team - Jenny, Luke, and Eric Hersey - for a podcast that feels more like a creative brainstorming session than a marketing lecture. Using real-life stories and pop culture scenarios, they tackle marketing and branding topics in a way that’s as entertaining as it is insightful. It’s not about step-by-step guides—it’s about the sparks of creativity, candid conversations, and unexpected ideas that happen when a team comes together. With occasional guest experts and plenty of laughs, this is a behind-the-scenes look at how great ideas come to life.

Episodes

  1. Jun 1

    More Than Likes: What Actually Matters on Social Media (Ep. 11)

    Social media keeps evolving, but the core challenge for businesses remains the same: how do you show up consistently, build trust, and reach the right audience without wasting time and money? Eric Hersey, Jenny Snyder, and Luke Hladek break down the realities of social media marketing in 2026, from choosing the right platforms and creating authentic content to balancing organic reach with paid promotion. They also discuss common mistakes businesses make, why abandoned social accounts can hurt credibility, and how brands can stay relevant without chasing every trend. HIGHLIGHTS Why having no social media presence can damage a business's credibility.The risks of maintaining inactive or outdated social accounts.How to decide which platforms are worth your time and effort.Why businesses should focus on audience fit instead of trying to be everywhere.The balance between organic content, paid advertising, and long-term brand building.Practical advice for creating authentic, human-centered content that resonates.How brands can stay responsive to current events and avoid tone-deaf messaging.Why engagement metrics don't always tell the full story for business accounts. Follow Strong Minded Agency Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindedagency.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@StrongMindedAgency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠

  2. May 15

    What Even Is Content Marketing Anymore? (Ep. 10)

    Eric Hersey is joined by Jenny Snyder and Luke Hladek for a candid conversation about what content marketing actually means in 2026 and why so many businesses struggle to keep up with it. From social media and blogging to short-form video and brand storytelling, the team breaks down why authenticity matters more than chasing trends and how businesses can create meaningful content without burning themselves out. Along the way, they explore consistency, repurposing content, building trust online, and why the best marketing still comes down to genuine human connection. HIGHLIGHTS Why “content marketing” has evolved far beyond blogging and social postsThe danger of creating content just to satisfy an algorithm or posting scheduleHow authenticity and vulnerability help brands stand out onlineWhy consistency still matters even when every post is not a home runThe importance of answering real customer questions in your contentHow repurposing content across platforms saves time and improves brandingWhy businesses should focus less on trends and more on connection and trustLuke explains why “beauty and sincerity” are still powerful marketing toolsFollow Strong Minded Agency Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindedagency.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@StrongMindedAgency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠

  3. Apr 19

    When AI Helps (and When It Hurts) Your Marketing (Ep. 9)

    AI is everywhere, but is it actually making your marketing better—or just faster? Eric Hersey is joined by Jenny Snyder and Luke Hladek to unpack how AI is reshaping content creation, web design, and media production. They share real-world workflows, where AI saves time, where it falls short, and why the “gray area” matters more than ever. From brainstorming and automation to trust, creativity, and brand voice, this episode explores how to use AI without losing what makes your work human. HIGHLIGHTS First encounters with AI tools like ChatGPT, DALL·E, and Midjourney - and why early outputs were roughHow AI speeds up workflows in web design, content writing, and production tasksUsing AI as a brainstorming partner vs. relying on it as a crutchThe risk of “AI slop” and how it can erode brand trust and authenticityReal-world use cases: transcripts, image expansion, and content generationThe creative dilemma: efficiency vs. originality in marketing and designWhere AI crosses the line - from helpful tool to potential replacementWhy human oversight, editing, and voice still matter more than everFollow Strong Minded Agency Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindedagency.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@StrongMindedAgency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠

  4. Mar 26

    Local Web Design That Actually Converts: What Small Businesses Get Wrong (Ep. 8)

    A great-looking website doesn’t always mean a high-performing one. In this episode, Eric Hersey leads a practical conversation with designer Jenny Snyder and creative Luke Hladek about what actually makes a local business website work. From user experience and real photography to mobile optimization and clear calls to action, they break down why some sites convert and others quietly lose customers. If your website feels more like a digital brochure than a business tool, this episode shows you what to fix. HIGHLIGHTS Why polished websites can still fail if they lack clear purpose, updated content, or usabilityThe critical difference between a website and social media - and why you need both working togetherHow real photos of your business outperform stock imagery in building trust and connectionWhat users actually look for first: fast load times, easy navigation, and clear informationWhy “set it and forget it” websites no longer work and how to keep your site freshHow strong user experience design guides visitors toward booking, buying, or contacting youThe importance of clear calls to action and interactive elements that build trustWhy mobile optimization is essential - and how poor mobile UX drives customers awayHow to use your website to communicate your brand’s vibe, personality, and target audienceThe role of customization in standing out from templated sites like Wix or SquarespaceSimple ways to improve your site with better photography using angles, lighting, and real environmentsFollow Strong Minded Agency Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠strongmindedagency.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@StrongMindedAgency⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠

  5. 03/17/2025

    The Voice of the Snow Fish: John Lynch on Creating Viral Content and Brand Personality (Ep. 1)

    In this episode of Meeting of the (Strong) Minds, we welcome John Lynch, WTRF’s Digital Manager and the mastermind behind some of the most engaging local content in the Ohio Valley. From Snow Fish and the infamous Wheeling Christmas Parade posts to playful social media debates, John has built a unique brand voice that keeps audiences entertained and engaged. Before John joins us, Eric and the team break down how brands can develop a true, authentic social media voice, and share some of their favorite brands that have mastered the art of engagement. What We Discuss in This Episode How brands like Wendy’s, Duolingo, and WTRF create a distinct social media voiceThe Snow Fish origin story and why it became a local sensationWhy humor and personality are key to building community engagementThe Wheeling Christmas Parade post that went viral out of spiteThe Pittsburgh vs. Ohio Valley debate – is Pittsburgh really part of the Ohio Valley?How AI-powered characters like Delay the Dolphin and Snowy the Snake are changing local newsJohn’s take on when humor and professionalism clash – and how to handle backlash John shares his insights on what makes digital content stick, how to spark conversations online, and why taking creative risks is essential for brands today. Whether you’re a small business owner, a marketing pro, or just someone who loves great social media, this episode is packed with insights and laughs. Connect with John Lynch & WTRF WTRF Website: wtrf.comWTRF Facebook: facebook.com/WTRF7News Follow Strong Minded Agency Website: strongmindedagency.comFacebook: Strong Minded AgencyInstagram: @StrongMindedAgencyLinkedIn: Strong Minded AgencyYouTube: Strong Minded Agency

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Step into the room with the Strong Minded team - Jenny, Luke, and Eric Hersey - for a podcast that feels more like a creative brainstorming session than a marketing lecture. Using real-life stories and pop culture scenarios, they tackle marketing and branding topics in a way that’s as entertaining as it is insightful. It’s not about step-by-step guides—it’s about the sparks of creativity, candid conversations, and unexpected ideas that happen when a team comes together. With occasional guest experts and plenty of laughs, this is a behind-the-scenes look at how great ideas come to life.