The LiftKit Marketing Podcast

John Hoeft
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MARKETING

The LiftKit Marketing Podcast: Celebrating People and Great Work That Goes Unnoticed In every corner of the marketing world, someone is doing great work that no one sees, and we’re here to change that. Hosted by John Hoeft and Danielle Schermerhorn, the LiftKit Marketing Podcast spotlights marketers at all levels who are driving real results behind the scenes. We talk with agency owners, CMOs, freelancers, and in-house pros about the wins that didn’t make headlines but should have. No fluff, no guru talk, just smart, honest conversations about the work, the strategy, and the people behind the success. Recognition matters. Let’s give great marketing the spotlight it deserves.

  1. FEB 7

    Output vs. Outcomes - AI Traps to Avoid

    On this episode of the LiftKit Marketing Podcast, we sit down with Levi Worts, Senior AI Marketing Strategist at SUSE, to unpack what happens when AI moves from a productivity tool to a leadership challenge. Levi shares why the push for “10x output” often leads to burnout, how output and outcomes are frequently confused, and where organizations are getting AI wrong today.

    52 min

  2. JAN 25

    Dave Glaza, Retail Media and Agency Growth with Focus

    The LiftKit Marketing Podcast introduces the hosts and guests, discusses the impact of Dry January on alcohol consumption trends, explores the influence of these trends on marketing, and delves into the role, strengths, and strategies of Digits in retail media. The conversation also covers audience targeting and Dave Glaza's journey into marketing. The conversation covers Dave Glaza's career journey at Target, transition to entrepreneurship, first client experience, future of Digits, Amazon's retail innovations, expansion into grocery and C-stores, marketing advice for brands, lessons in entrepreneurship, adoption of AI in marketing, alternate career paths, recognition for marketing work, contact information, and conclusion. Takeaways Dry January's impact on alcohol consumption trendsThe role of retail media in adapting to changing alcohol consumption trends Career progression at TargetTransition from corporate job to entrepreneurshipReasons for transitioning to entrepreneurshipChallenges and motivations of entrepreneurshipFirst client experiencePitching services and early business growthFocus on specialization and nicheExcitement for future growthImpact of Amazon's retail innovationsChallenges and opportunities in the industryExpansion into grocery and C-storesService offerings and tech support in the marketImportance of marketing budgetingChallenges of paid visibilityTurning point in entrepreneurshipEmployee-centric vision and agency growthAdoption of AI in marketingStaying relevant and adapting to new toolsInterest in alternate career pathsPassion for woodworking and sports podcastingRecognition for local marketing workSupport for local businessesPreferred contact methodAppreciation for the interview opportunity Chapters 00:00 Introduction to LiftKit Marketing Podcast07:05 The Role of Digits in Retail Media12:13 Differentiation and Strengths of Digits17:59 Dave Glaza's Journey into Marketing23:13 First Client and Business Pitch29:15 Expansion into Grocery and C-Stores37:30 Lessons in Entrepreneurship43:50 Alternate Career Paths

    43 min

  3. JAN 4

    Jessica Graeser, VP of Marketing at NinjaCat - How Top Marketers use AI

    In this episode, we sit down with Jessica Graeser, VP of Marketing at NinjaCat, to explore the intersection of data, AI, creativity, and what it takes to build and scale a high-performance B2B marketing engine. Jessica shares her unconventional journey into marketing, from art history major to leading strategic marketing at a fast-growing SaaS company. She breaks down how NinjaCat evolved from a reporting tool for agencies into a powerful AI-enabled marketing analytics platform serving both agencies and enterprise brands. We also dig into: Why inbound vs. outbound is a false choice How to really use data to drive pipeline (not just dashboards for dashboards' sake) The pitfalls of AI SDRs (and why one attempt totally flopped) Lessons from building a podcast that’s lasted 100+ episodes NinjaCat’s unique company culture, 4-day work week, and fully remote team Why curiosity, strategy, and synthesis are the new superpowers for marketers Whether you’re leading a lean marketing team, building your tech stack, or wondering how to stand out in a noisy B2B world — Jessica offers smart, battle-tested insights you can put into play today.

    46 min

  4. 11/23/2025

    Stephen Pruitt: Will AI Kill Creative Agencies?

    In this episode of the LiftKit Marketing Podcast, we sit down with Stephen Pruitt, Principal at Mountain View Group, to explore the powerful intersection of creativity, strategy, and empathy in agency leadership. With roots in filmmaking and a career that spans award-winning work with global brands like Coca-Cola, UPS, and GE Healthcare, Stephen shares how he transitioned from directing television to running a thriving creative agency. We dive into the rise of AI in creative workflows, how to build a people-first agency culture, and why internal communications is one of the most overlooked growth levers for large organizations. If you're a marketer, agency leader, or creative professional navigating change, this conversation offers both inspiration and actionable insight.

    46 min

  5. 11/23/2025

    Michael McBride: Secrets E-Com Brands Need for AI

    From Retail Floor to Digital Commerce Powerhouse. Michael McBride on Building Agencies, AI Readiness and Brand Innovation  In this episode of the LiftKit Marketing Podcast, host John Hoeft sits down with Michael McBride, Founder and CEO of Atelier Commerce, for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolution of digital commerce, building a full-service agency from scratch, and preparing brands for the AI-driven future of marketing.

    32 min

  6. 11/23/2025

    Carter Jensen: 5X Your Genius Zone

    From General Mills to AI Startups with Carter Jensen. What does it take to walk away from a high-level role at a Fortune 500 company to help build something from the ground up. Carter shares why he made the leap from corporate stability to entrepreneurial uncertainty, what it means to find your zone of genius, and how thinking like a founder can help marketers and business leaders thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.

    57 min

  7. 11/23/2025

    Heidi Hattendorf: How Marketers Can Lead profitably

    In this episode, we’re joined by Heidi Hattendorf, fractional CMO, go-to-market strategist, and author of The Marketing Growth Formula. Heidi shares how to transform marketing from a cost center into a measurable driver of business growth. We dig into product marketing, positioning strategy, aligning teams, and how to scale with purpose. Whether you're a founder, marketer, or exec, this conversation is full of insights.

    37 min

  8. 10/23/2025

    Callie Doschadis: Is The Funnel Dead?

    In this episode of the LiftKit Marketing Podcast, we’re joined by Callie Doschadis, founder of AdHound Media, a fast-growing digital agency based in Nashville. Callie shares her no-BS journey from being unexpectedly fired to launching a fully booked agency in under a year. She talks candidly about: Why she didn’t niche down right away The myth of needing a big in-house team AdHoundID — which identifies anonymous site visitors and fuels next-level retargeting What’s actually working for her clients right now in digital advertising Whether you’re an entrepreneur, marketing manager, or just someone thinking about building your own agency — this episode is packed with lessons, energy, and practical insights. We also hear her advice for women stepping into entrepreneurship, why "there’s never a perfect time," and who she’s lifting up in her community.

    40 min
See All (13)

Trailer

About

The LiftKit Marketing Podcast: Celebrating People and Great Work That Goes Unnoticed In every corner of the marketing world, someone is doing great work that no one sees, and we’re here to change that. Hosted by John Hoeft and Danielle Schermerhorn, the LiftKit Marketing Podcast spotlights marketers at all levels who are driving real results behind the scenes. We talk with agency owners, CMOs, freelancers, and in-house pros about the wins that didn’t make headlines but should have. No fluff, no guru talk, just smart, honest conversations about the work, the strategy, and the people behind the success. Recognition matters. Let’s give great marketing the spotlight it deserves.

Information

  • Creator
    John Hoeft
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 John Hoeft